Enrich * Empower * Educate

Armenta Learning Academy Achieving Excellence Through Education

Back to School Newsletter

Fall 2014

Armenta Learning Academy

27665 Forbes Road, Suite #201

Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

(949) 367-WISE (9473) phone

(949)433-0898 cell

www.armentalearningacademy.com

Welcome Back To Armenta School!

ARMENTA AT ITS BEST Every child has an opportunity to succeed with a curriculum custom-ized and tailored to each students’ needs, interests, talents and learning styles. We tailor hours, instructional tools, and curriculum to meet each student and their abilities and tap into each student ‘s maximum poten-tial through individualized attention.

Students of various backgrounds, strength and challenges from Pre K to Adult benefit from our small class sizes and approach. 98% of families show our curriculum and teaching has improved their child’s learning experience to a successful outcome and are completely satisfied with our programs and the results!

Our graduates have been accepted in top ranking universities in all states and achieve the highest test scores on SATs, ACTs and all standardized and content based tests. We build a solid foundation for students to be happy and confident for the real world, not only with academics, but also life!

We ENRICH ~EMPOWER ~EDUCATE and engage in excel-lence! Armenta offers instructional programs for all levels; from special need to gifted and talented students!

We Offer Wonderful Educational Programs for All Ages and All

Needs!

·6:1 Ratio Schooling/1:1 Opportunities ·Early High School Graduation/Accelerated Studies ·Grade Levels Raised 2-3 Years in one school Year ·Individualized Program to Meet Child’s Needs ·Multisensory Approaches to Learning Including LINDAMOOD-BELL ·Highly Qualified Staff-Credentialed or 5+ Years Experience Working with Children: K-Adult Ed. ·Student Evaluation/Assessments ·Small Group or 1:1 Tutoring ·At Home/Offsite Tutoring ·Correspondence with Student’s Teachers & Parents ·Weekly Updates ·Quarterly Progress Reports ·Comfortable Environment Where Kids Can Learn & Take Risks ·Daily Communication with Parents ·Classes for Credit to Get Ahead or Catch Up ·Fall Prep for Students for a Better Upcoming Year ·Workshops: SAT, SAT II subject tests, CHSPE, ACT, GED. ·ESL/Foreign Language/Sign Lan-guage ·Counseling/Mentoring for All Ages ·Volunteer/Internship Programs ·Armenta Angels Outreach Program

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Calendar of Events ............. 2

Back to School Safety ......... 3

Staff Biographies ............... 4

Kinder Readiness ............... 5

Community Events ............ 6

Social Skills Classes ........... 7

Armenta Pet Academy ....... 8

ARMENTA HIGHLIGHTS

• Armenta Events

• Success Stories

• Summer Fun Photos

• Armenta Recommendations

Back to School Yearbooks

from 2013/2014

Coming Soon!

CALENDAR 2014-2015

LABOR DAY (Legal Holiday) Monday, Sept. 1, 2014*

OPENING DAY OF SCHOOL Monday, Sept. 8, 2014

End of First Progress Reporting Period (High School) Friday, Oct. 10, 2014

End of First Quarter (Middle School) Friday, Nov. 7, 2014

VETERANS DAY (Legal Holiday) Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014*

End of First Reporting Period (Elementary) Friday, Nov. 14, 2014

End of Second Progress Reporting Period (High School) Friday, Nov. 21, 2014

THANKSGIVING RECESS Mon.-Wed., Nov. 24-26, 2014

THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS (Legal/Local Holiday) Thurs.-Fri., Nov. 27-28, 2014*

SCHOOL RESUMES Monday, Dec. 1, 2014

WINTER RECESS Mon.-Fri., Dec. 22, 2014-Jan. 2, 2015*

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS (Local/Legal Holiday) Weds.-Thurs., Dec. 24-25, 2014

NEW YEAR’S DAY (Legal Holiday) Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015

SCHOOL RESUMES Monday, Jan. 5, 2015

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY (Legal Holiday) Monday, Jan. 19, 2015*

Final Exam Days, High School Tues.-Thurs., Jan. 27-29, 2015

End of First Semester (Middle & High School) Friday, Jan. 30, 2015

First Semester Wrap-up Activities (Middle & High School) Friday, Jan. 30, 2015

Second Semester Begins Monday, Feb. 2, 2015

LINCOLN DAY (Legal Holiday) Friday, Feb. 13, 2015

WASHINGTON DAY (Legal Holiday) Monday, Feb. 16, 2015

End of First Progress Reporting Period (High School) Friday, Mar. 13, 2015

End of Second Progress Reporting Period (Elementary) Friday, Mar. 13, 2015

End of Third Quarter (Middle School) Friday, Apr. 3, 2015

SPRING HOLIDAY (Local Holiday) Monday, Apr. 6, 2015

SPRING RECESS Tues.-Fri., Apr. 7-10, 2015*

SCHOOL RESUMES Monday, Apr. 13, 2015

End of Second Progress Reporting Period (High School) Friday, May 1, 2015

MEMORIAL DAY (Legal Holiday) Monday, May 25, 2015*

Final Exam Days, High School Weds.-Fri., June 17-19, 2015

End of Second Semester (Secondary) Friday, June 19, 2015

End of Third Progress Reporting Period (Elementary) Friday, June 19, 2015

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL Thursday, June 18, 2015

FIRST DAY OF SUMMER SCHOOL Monday, June 22, 2015

* Academy is Closed for a School Holiday

2

ARMENTA EVENTS

Costume/

Pumpkin

Carving

Contest

On October 31st,

join us with your

carved pumpkins and costumes. The

best pumpkin and costume will be given

a prize!

Creative

Turkey

Contest

On November

18th, students

will have a chance

to win a prize for

the most creative-

ly created turkey!

Canned Food

Drive

During the month

of November stu-

dents and staff will

work at putting as

many cans of food together as possible

to be donated to local food banks to help

the less fortunate.

Clothes/Toys Drive

During the month of

December students and

staff will work at putting

as many Toys and

clothes together to

donate to Opera-

tion Christmas

Child!

Please bring un

wrapped toys and clothes to ALA and

make a difference.!

Book Drive

During the month of December we will

help The “I Am Foundation” with their

goal to provide

1,000,000 books

in 2010. Please

bring any books

you have that are

new or slightly

used, to ALA!

Keeping kids safe with the new school year is a number one priority.

BACK TO SCHOOL SAFETY

AFTER SCHOOL TIPS

3

Here are some important safety tips to remember with the new school year.

♦ Make sure that your child has some way to contact you. A cell phone for use

after school or a trusted neighbor who can allow your child to make a call

are good things to have in place

♦ If your child walks to school, both you and your child should plan and know

the regular route your child will take. Make sure you plan the most direct

route keeping in mind intersections that use crossing guards. Advise your

children to stay away from vacant lots, fields or parks.

♦ Teach your kids to obey all traffic signals, signs, and traffic officers. Remind

them to take extra precaution when the weather is foggy.

♦ Make sure they walk to and from school with other kids; a friend, neighbor,

brother or sister.

♦ When carpooling, drop off and pick up children as close to the school as

possible. Make sure you are pulled to the curb and stopped before children

exit the vehicle. Don’t leave until they have entered the school.

♦ Teach your child never to talk to strangers or accept gifts or rides.

♦ Avoid putting your child’s name on anything that is visible to others. This

would allow someone to call your child by name.

♦ Use the crosswalk. Remember the rule to look left, then right, then left again

before crossing if there is no crossing guard.

♦ Set up rules for locking doors and windows, answering the door or tele-

phone.

♦ Talk to your children about strangers and not to give the impression that

they are home alone after school.

♦ Make sure he/she checks in with you after school.

♦ Agree on rules for inviting friends over and for going to a friend’s house

when no adult is home.

♦ Take time to listen carefully to children’s fears and feelings about people or

places that make them feel uneasy. Trust their instincts.

Most important is to communicate these tips with your children and make sure

it’s clear you are both on the ‘same page’ as you start off the school year in a safe

manner. Communication and setting guidelines are the first step in prevention.

MEET OUR STAFF

4

Julie M. Armenta, M.A. Educational & Family Specialist

I am the Founder, Educational and Fami-

ly Specialist at Armenta Learning Acade-

my. Since the age of 5, I have had the

dream of having my own school and im-

pacting the lives of children. After 10

years in public and private schools I saw a

need to make a place for students who

don’t fit into the “normal” school system.

I realized my dream in 1989 when I

opened Armenta Learning Academy and

we’ve been in business for 25 years. I have

my Bachelor’s in Psychology, my multiple

subject teaching credential, a Master’s in

Education, and I’m also completing my

Doctorate in Education. I am also a certi-

fied counselor for both students and fami-

lies. I started a shelter for abused and

abandoned teens in Chula Vista which

still exists today. I am a public speaker

and reach out to parents and the commu-

nity to instill values, techniques, and ap-

proaches for more success with their chil-

dren and within their families to impact

generations to come. I am also finishing

my book “Success for Every Child,” (the

parent manual we have all been waiting

for) which helps parents with the social,

academic, behavioral and general life

issues within the family unit. I am in-

volved with several organizations: Council

for Exceptional Children, Council for

Children with Behavioral Disorders,

Council for Special Education Adminis-

trators, the Council of Culturally and Lin-

guistically Diverse Exceptional Learners,

and Association for Dyslexia and Autism.I

am involved in the community with vol-

unteer work to help and support less for-

tunate children with organizations such

as Families Forward, Olive Crest, Kids

Connected, and The Joyful Child Founda-

tion. I am available at ALA for specialized

assistance for students and parents, pri-

vate counseling, consultations, education-

al and family workshops and support. My

passion is to educate, motivate, inspire,

and empower all families and children I

come in contact with. Thank you for al-

lowing me the honor and opportunity to

work with you and your precious chil-

dren. It is truly a privilege and honor!

Contact me at: (949) 433-0898

“My passion is to educate, motivate, inspire, and empower all families and children I come in contact with.”

Bruce Smith, Lead Teacher

Mr. Smith is our Lead Teacher at ALA. He has been with ALA for 10 years. He has a

credential in Education. Mr. Smith is fantastic with all subjects, but his specialties

are Math and History. Mr. Smith engages his students’ interest in every subject with

his personable and humorous approach to teaching. His mother is a professional

story teller and teacher and he is a 4th generation teacher. Mr. Smith’s main focus

and passion, is to work with the students at ALA with life-impacting issues that need

the skills and strategies to become responsible men & women. in society. He is an

excellent Life Skills coach both on and off campus. He impacts the lives of all the

students by always presenting a good role model of a responsible, caring, and aware

adult. He is a proud father of two boys, and has 15 years experience working with

youth. He looks forward to the opportunity of working with your children. We at

ALA, feel that it is important for our ALA students to have a positive role model as

well as a safe place to turn in the process of their maturing and development at ALA.

Mr. Smith provides that positive role model with his unending encouragement and

support of all our students at ALA. While Mr. Smith is our Lead Teacher by day, he

is also our best after school tutor. As well as teaching and tutoring the students, Mr.

Smith is available for counseling for both the students and their parents. He is a

fabulous Social Skills, Life Skills, Job Skills and Parenting Skills coach. Mr. Smith is

also an enthusiastic leader for many of our school clubs such as the Fishing Club and

Pet Education Club. He is also an encouraging physical trainer for the Armenta

Olympics & Games.

Armenta Learning Academy is a great

school for parents who want a non-

traditional school system, there is a

lesser known curriculum at this school

that seems to be overlooked. Armenta

Learning Academy also hosts a Kinder

Readiness Program. Armenta Learning

Academy helps children overcome the

separation anxiety that most parents

face when the first days of school. Ar-

menta Learning Academy is a safe and

stimulating environment, great for

social and physical development nec-

essary for children, as well as the cog-

nitive and emotional development that

is expected by kindergarten.

While many parents today are unsure

of what to look for when deciding if

their child is ready for kindergarten,

Peggy Gisler and Marge Eberts, Educa-

tional Specialists, have shard a basic

checklist that could be a great help.

This checklist covers the very basics of

what will be expected of a child start-

ing kindergarten:

∗ Listen to stories without inter-rupting

∗ Recognize rhyming sounds

∗ Pay attention for short periods of time to adult-directed tasks

∗ Understand actions have both causes and effects

∗ Show understanding of general

times of day

∗ Cut with scissors

∗ Trace basic shapes

∗ Begin to share with others

∗ Start to follow rules

∗ Be able to recognize authority

∗ Manage bathroom needs

∗ Button shirts, pants, coats, and zip up zippers

∗ Begin to control oneself

∗ Separate from parents without being upset

∗ Speak understandably

∗ Talk in complete sentences of five to six words

∗ Look at pictures and then tell sto-ries

∗ Identify rhyming words

∗ Identify the beginning sound of some words

∗ Identify some alphabet letters

∗ Recognize some common sight words like “stop”

∗ Sort similar objects by color, size, and shape

∗ Recognize groups of one, two, three, four, and five objects

∗ Count to ten

∗ Bounce a ball

Armenta Learning Academy works

with the children so that when the

time comes, they are ready to begin

straight to work in their new school

SUCCESS STORIES

“Thank you for making my life take a U turn.”

- Ryan

“Mrs. Armenta is the best teacher in the world. She is the best because she teaches me a lot of things. I lover her so much.”

- Maria

“Mrs. Armenta, you are a great teacher and we are glad to be your students!”

- Jacob and Isabella

“Thank you for being part of James’ life. He has brought all of his grades up. Thanks for your help.”

- Carolyn

KINDER READINESS

5

COMMUNITY EVENTS

6

Toshiba Tall Ships Festival Toshiba Tall Ships Festival Toshiba Tall Ships Festival Toshiba Tall Ships Festival

Thursday September 4th, 2014 - 4:30pm to

Sunday, September 7th, 2014 - 5:00pm

The Ocean Institute will celebrate the 30th anniversary of

the Toshiba Tall Ships Festival in September of 2014 offer-

ing unique experiences for K-12 students, families, maritime

enthusiasts and history buffs.

The upcoming festival will also be a part of the Tall Ships

America Challenge Series and be bigger than ever! There will be numerous tall ships, a new Gala event, inter-

active living history encampments, special programs, stage shows and more for the whole family to enjoy.

Winter Festival and Tree LightingWinter Festival and Tree LightingWinter Festival and Tree LightingWinter Festival and Tree Lighting

Saturday, December 6th, 2014 12:00-7:30pm

Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of LightsDana Point Harbor Boat Parade of LightsDana Point Harbor Boat Parade of LightsDana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights

Saturday, December 6th, 2014 through Saturday, December 13th, 2014

7:30pm-9:30pm each evening

The fun-filled day begins at La Plaza Park for the

annual Winter Festival followed by tree lighting. The

fun will continue at Dana Point Harbor where boat-

ers from all around Orange County decorate their

boats and vie for the awards of Judges Choice, Best

Theme, Best Use of Lights, Best Animation, Most

Colorful, Most Original, Best Sailboat, Best Power-

boat and the Perpetual Trophy for the Yacht Club

with the Most Entries, along with many other awards and cash prizes!

You can view the parade free from anywhere in the Harbor, or make reservations at one of our restaurants

to view it from a cozy and warm spot. Come on down and enjoy the sights and sounds of the season!

Dana Point Turkey TrotDana Point Turkey TrotDana Point Turkey TrotDana Point Turkey Trot

Thanksgiving Day Thursday November 27th, 2014 - 6:00am

Produced by the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce in partner-

ship with Run Racing, the Dana Point Turkey Trot is the nation’s

sixth largest turkey trot in the country. Named one of America’s

best Thanksgiving Day runs by Fitness Magazine, the Dana Point

Turkey Trot has become an Orange County tradition, attracting

more than 16,000 participants, including friends and family, in its

5K, 10K, Kids’ Gobble Wobble, and two-day health and fitness

expo. Featuring scenic routes through picturesque Dana Point Harbor and Doheny State Beach, the Turkey Trot

offers something for every member of the family.

Tour the beautiful beach, majestic cliffs and coves of Dana Point. Enjoy pounding surf, rugged cliffs, and cool

ocean breezes as you sail through the Dana Point Marina, Doheny State Park and pass the Historic Tallship Pil-

grim moored in Dana Point Harbor. From beginners to elite runners, this event is for everyone!

For more information, to register for a race or to become a sponsor, visit www.turkeytrot.com.

♦ Appropriate Dress for various settings

♦ Personal grooming

♦ Handshaking - The Ultimate Greeting

♦ Introducing yourself and others - The Ultimate First Impression

♦ Responding to introductions

♦ Name tag etiquette

♦ Conversation skills

♦ How to remember names

♦ Body Language & Eye signals

♦ Thank you notes

♦ Netiquette - Cell phone and electronic etiquette

♦ Telephone manners

♦ Respecting cultural differences

♦ Being a thoughtful traveler - Travel etiquette

♦ Dating etiquette

♦ General manners and common courtesies

♦ The Job interview

Armenta Fishing Club Armenta Fishing Club Armenta Fishing Club Armenta Fishing Club

Summer 2014 TripSummer 2014 TripSummer 2014 TripSummer 2014 Trip

SOCIAL SKILLS CLASSES BY JULIE M. ARMENTA M.A. EDUCATION & FAMILY SPECIALIST

7

Basic Manners & Etiquette Workshops / Social Skills Classes

Summer School Fun!

Armenta Learning Academy

27665 Forbes Road, Suite #201

Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

Phone: (949)367-WISE (9473)

Cell: (949)433-0898

academicsuccessnow@yahoo.com

www.armentalearningacademy.com

MEET THE ARMENTA

MASCOTS

HANNAH & BRODY

Hannah Armenta & her son Brody are available for all your children’s & pet needs. They have lots of love for all of you! We use them for pet therapy, for both animals and humans.

ARMENTA PET ACADEMY

At Armenta Pet Academy we believe in establishing a rapport with you and your pet to build trust and respect for a great experience with your pet. Training that should be stimulating and fun as well as enriching for your pet. We use positive reinforcement methods to get quick results. We will train in your home or you can have your pet stay with us short term for day school or long term for a new, improved pet for day school or boarding while you are away for great results.

Contact us at (949)433-0898 we accept emergency calls!

Custom Care & Training for Your Canine Family Member

Get quick results with house breaking, chewing, barking, jumping, digging, mouthing & more!!

◊ Private or group/In home or At Site

◊ Problem Solving

◊ Behavior Meditation

◊ Obedience Training

◊ On & Off Leash Training

◊ Personal & Family Protection

◊ Trauma Support/ Esteem Building

◊ Separation Anxiety, Pet Therapy

◊ Tricks & Performance Training

◊ Puppy Basic Skills Training

◊ Socialization/Field Trips

ARMENTA RECOMMENDATIONS

Moments of Inspiration by Murray With Dr. Judy Murray

Private Academic Assessments

Pre-K through High School

Grade Level Assessments

Intelligence Assessments

Learning Style Assessments

Call for a private consultation

(949) 614-3299

www.momentsofinspirationbymurray.com

Greg Richardson Music Studios

Recording studio, music lessons, artist development, Rehearsal

Rooms, Rock Camp

At Greg Richardson Music Studios we offer instruction on the

following instruments: Guitar, Piano, Voice, Violin,

Viola, Cello, Bass Guitar, Flute, Saxophone, Trumpet, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, Tuba, Drums

Ukulele Contact Greg 949.306.4803

www.gregrichardsonguitar.com

Pediatric Neurology of Orange County

PATIENT-CENTERED PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGY CARE

Dr. Garfinkle is a board certified Child and Adolescent Neurologist with extensive experience in every area of neurology. She feels strongly that it takes a partnership with patients, par-ents, and the provider to diagnose and treat children and adolescents most effectively and she looks forward to entering this partnership with you.

Call (949)495-9600

www.ocpedsneuro.com