The Mountain Lion's Pulse

Altoona Area School District - November 2022

NOTE FROM DR. PRIJATELJ

Fall Sports are finishing up and if you go past the gym all you’ll hear are the squeaks of basketball shoes running up and down the courts. Thanksgiving is just around the corner and that means the holiday season will soon be upon us. At this time, I kindly ask you to remember the less fortunate and support our community through events such as: The Marine Corps “Toys-for-Tots” drive, The Sheetz for the Kidz program, the Mt. Lion Backpack program, the Student Council Canned Food Drive, and any of the many other community programs focused on making some child’s holiday season special this year. What makes the Altoona Area such a great place to be and raise a family is the support that our community shows to each other in a time of need. The little something extra you provide may be the highlight of

some child’s holiday or make some family’s holiday meal a reality.

We together can make the community a better place for everyone.

Thank you,

Dr. P

Charles A. Prijatelj, Ed.D.

Superintendent Altoona Area School District

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

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The Altoona Area School District Elementary Music Education Department and Title One Team is excited to announce that we will be hosting a night for Instrument Exploration on Thursday, November 10th from 5:30-7:00 at Logan Elementary School. This event is open to all elementary families. Information was sent home from each elementary school. It’s not too late to attend. Come join the fun!

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Elementary school conferences are quickly approaching on the evening of Monday, November 21st and Tuesday, November 22nd. We encourage all parents to take part in school conferences. This is a great opportunity to learn more about your child’s progress at school. This is a team effort and we need your support! More information will be sent home soon from your child’s teacher.

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Reading at home is a great way to share the love of Reading with your child! We encourage you to take time each night to read to or with your child! You can make it fun by setting up a reading routine, making a special reading spot, and getting excited about reading. Children in grades K-2 have access to RAZ-Kids and can also read on-line! You can engage your child with good reading strategies by asking questions about what they are reading, talking about pictures, and taking turns reading. Use expressions while Reading to make it exciting or try to use character voices! If you have questions or need anything, please reach out to your child’s teacher or school for assistance.

Mrs. Haley Fleegle

Assistant to the Superintendent

Curriculum, Instruction & Elementary Programs

(814) 946-8365

hfleegle@altoonasd.com

SECONDARY SCHOOLS

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AAHS Performing Arts Club Presents:

On November 11 and 12, the AAHS Performing Arts Club will present "Puffs: Or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic." This hilarious spoof of your favorite boy wizard will feature 50 talented students onstage from the Altoona Area High School. With the students also involved backstage, there will be over 100 students involved in this production.

The New York Times proclaims Puffs “A fast-paced romp through the ‘Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic.’ For Potterphiliacs who grew up alongside Potter and are eager to revisit that world, Puffs exudes a jovial, winking fondness for all things Harry!” This clever and inventive play “never goes more than a minute without a laugh” (Nerdist) giving you a new look at a familiar adventure from the perspective of three potential heroes just trying to make it through a magic school that proves to be very dangerous for children. Alongside them are the Puffs, a group of well-meaning, loyal outsiders with a thing for badgers “who are so lovable and relatable, you’ll leave the theater wishing they were in the stories all along” (Hollywood Life). Their “hilariously heartfelt!” (Metro) and epic journey takes the classic story to new places and reimagines what a boy wizard hero can be.

Reserved Seating Tickets will be sold in advance beginning in October at the AAHS Student Store and online at altoonaasd.booktix.com. They will also be sold at the door 45 minutes prior to the show. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $5 for staff and students.*

*Online tickets will be charged an additional small convenience fee*

COUNSELING

CONGRATULATIONS! to high school counselor for students (last names from H through K) Ms. Bridget Rogan who got married on October 14th. She is now Mrs. Bridget Smith and her email is now bsmith@altoonasd.com.

Just a reminder to parents and guardians, the Elementary schools will be having parent/teacher conferences during November 21 through November 22. Please see the Elementary school building schedule for the specific days and times.

It’s always a good time for students to think about what they may like to do after graduating high school, no matter what grade they are entering. All district students utilize the Smart Futures program which can be accessed here. Elementary counselors have begun working with the students in developing their career paths. The students really seem to enjoy learning about potential careers.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is currently available. Go to https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa to begin the application process. There are links on this page if you are new to the FAFSA process or if you are a returning use. If you have additional questions about the financial aid process for paying for college, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency can help. Click here to visit their website for more information.

We encourage all parents and guardians to log into Skyward periodically to keep up to date with the grades and attendance of your student.

Below are the dates through March 2023 for SAT and ACT registration. More test dates and information about the SAT can be learned by going to http://sat.org/. For more ACT test dates and information please go to act.org.

SAT:

Test Date: December 3, 2022

Regular Registration Deadline: November 3, 2022
Late Registration Deadline: November 22, 2022 (Late Fee Applies)

Test Date: March 11, 2023

Regular Registration Deadline: February 10, 2023

Late Registration Deadline: February 28, 2023 (Late Fee Applies)

ACT:

Test Date: December 10, 2022

Regular Registration Deadline: November 4, 2022

Late Registration Deadline: November 11, 2022 (Late Fee Applies)

Test Date: February 11, 2023

Regular Registration Deadline: January 6, 2023

Late Registration Deadline: January 20, 2023 (Late Fee Applies)

For more information please visit the Counselor page on the AAHS website.

ATHLETICS

Winter sports season begins on November 18, 2022. Any AASD student grades 7-12 wanting to play will need a physical and contact the coach for tryout and practice information.

FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT

Veterans Day Parade:

The AAHS Marching Band will be performing at the Altoona Veterans Day Parade on Friday, November 11, 2022. The parade starts at 10:30am.

Juniata Gap Day of the Arts:

The AAHS Advanced Jazz Ensemble and String Ensemble will be performing for the Juniata Gap Elementary School Day of the Arts on Thursday, November 10, 2022 during the school day.

Senior Citizen Dance:

The AAHS Student Council will be sponsoring a Senior Citizen Dance on Friday, November 10, 2022 from 5:30-8pm in the AAHS Field House. Music for the evening will be provided by the AAHS Jazz Band and Advanced Jazz Ensemble.

AAHS Drama Fall Play:

The AAHS Drama Department will present its fall play "Puffs" on Friday, Nov. 11 and Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022 at 7pm in the AAHS Auditorium. Tickets are $10 for Adults and $5 for Students and are available at the door.

Voices of Altoona Concert:

The AASD Vocal Music Department will present its concert "Voices of Altoona" on Thursday, November 17, 2022 at 7pm in the AAHS Auditorium. Tickets are $3 and will be available at the door. The concert will feature the AASD Elementary Chorus, the AAJHS Vocal Ensemble and the AAHS Vocal Ensemble.

Blair County Senior HS Chorus Festival:

Students from the AAHS Chorus will participate in the Blair County HS Choral Festival on Monday, November 21 and Tuesday, November 22, 2022. A concert will be held to conclude the festival at 7pm in the Claysburg-Kimmel HS Auditorium. Tickets will be available at the door.

Altoona Holiday Parade:

The AAHS Marching Band will participate in the Altoona Holiday Parade on Thursday, December 1, 2022. The parade marches through downtown Altoona and begins at 6pm.

TECH TALK

Skyward Account

In this month’s issue of The Mt. Lion Pulse, we would like to remind parents/guardians that you can view your student's grades, attendance, assignments, emergency contact information, and more in Skyward - Altoona Area School District’s Student Information System. Through your Skyward account you are able to stay in touch with your student’s teachers, keep informed about your child's progress, and ensure your child’s school has your most up-to-date contact information. We recommend that all parents/guardians take advantage of this valuable tool.

How do you access your Skyward account? When you enrolled your student in AASD, you received a letter containing your Parent Login ID and instructions to access Skyward. If you do not have the letter, contact your student's school, and the secretary can provide you with your ID.

To view your student’s information in Skyward, go to http://skyweb.aasdcat.com from your web browser – Google Chrome, Explorer, etc. Click on the blue logo “Skyward Family Access”. If you receive a prompt to allow pop-ups from the Skyward site, click “Yes”. When you access your account for the first time, you will need to click on the “Forgot your Login Password” link. You will then enter your Parent Login ID. Enter the ID and click "Submit." You will receive an email prompting you to reset your password at the email address the District has on record for you. If you do not have an email on record with the District, or your email address has changed, please contact your student’s school to provide a current email address.

After your initial login to Skyward, you will have the ability to update information such as current phone number, email address, or emergency contact person. Some requests will still require you to contact your student’s school and provide documentation, i.e. parent/guardian name change (marriage/divorce) and address changes.

Please visit the Parent Resources - Skyward page on the District website for more on what Skyward has to offer you as a parent/guardian.

BUILDINGS & GROUNDS

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We are looking to hire substitute custodians. First, second, and third shifts available starting at $12 per hour with possibility of advancement when regular positions arise. Strong consideration is given to substitute employees demonstrating superior work ethic.

HUMAN RESOURCES

AASD Featured Positions

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

Occupational Therapy Assistant License/Certification required. Provide direct service and implement therapeutic activities to assist students in enhancing their educational experiences.

Special Education Aide (SEA)

Responsible for working one-to-one and/or with multiple students to meet the needs identified in the students’ Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs)

To apply please visit www.aasdcat.com/apply.