Volume 2, Issue 6: October 14, 2018
Welcome to The Mt. Lion Roar where you can read about some of the things happening in the Altoona Area School District. With nearly 8,000 students, AASD is the area's top choice for Academics, Arts and Athletics.
#GoMtLions
Pleasant Valley Elementary School, 310 Cayuga Avenue, will be the host site for the 2 nd Annual Community Partnership Fair on Thursday, October 18 from 5:30 – 7:00 PM. This event is free and open to all elementary students and families throughout the Altoona Area School District. More than 25 community businesses and organizations will be on-hand to share opportunities and services available to students and their families.

Students attending Monster Mash are invited to dress up as their favorite friendly monster. Games, activities and crafts will be provided.

Photo opportunities with Loco from the Altoona Curve, Andy Armadillo from Texas Roadhouse and members of the 501 st Legion, Starkiller Garrison will also be available. 
         
WALY 103 & Allied Milk Producers
Teacher of the Month
Miss Heidi Soldner - 5th Grade Juniata Elementary
The Buddy Bench Project at McAuliffe Heights
Bench Bench
Buddy Bench
A buddy bench is a tool used to promote inclusion among students at school. The idea is that if a student feels left out, he or she may sit on the bench. This will hopefully alert someone else they're looking for a friend. The noticing student will invite the person sitting on the bench to play, and in the future he or she won't need to sit on the buddy bench. McAuliffe Heights sixth graders stayed after school over a number of weeks to paint and design the bench. 

The buddy bench can be found on the playground.

The Buddy Bench was sponsored by the AASD Foundation through the Teacher Grant Program.
Stay in to Win
Seventh grade students had a special visit from Coach Krimmel and members of the St. Francis men's basketball team. As part of the national Stay in to Win program, Coach Krimmel and the players delivered the message that success in education is fundamental to success in life.

Coach Krimmel and the team have been bringing this message to AAJHS students for the past 8 years.

AAJHS Fitness Room Now Open
The fitness room in the junior high school is now open before school (7:00-7:25 AM) and after school (2:50-3:50 PM) each week on Monday through Thursday for students to get active and achieve their personal fitness goals. In the first two weeks of this new program, there is an average of 25 students attending in the morning and 30 students after school. Some students even discovered creative ways to complete their homework while working out!    

Studies show that physical activity can have an impact on cognitive skills, attitudes, and academic behavior. All of these are important components of academic performance.

The before and after school fitness room is sponsored by the AASD Foundation.
fitness center
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Fire Safety Day at LEX
Fire Safety Day was conducted on October 12th at The Learning Express Preschool. The students in K-2 were taught about smoke detectors and what to do in case of a fire, including Stop-Drop-Roll. They were also able to see the big ladder truck and how it works.
firetruck
GACTC Teachers Visit Juniata Elementary
Juniata Elementary 6th graders welcomed teachers from the Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center who were able to share their experiences and the opportunities that are available at the GACTC. The students learned about cooking/Culinary Arts, cosmetology, and three dimensional printing.
Coach Hovan Celebrates 300th Girls Victory
Congratulations to Lady Lions tennis Coach Eric Hovan as he recorded his 300th career victory with the girls program earlier this season.
#GoMtLions
AAHS FALL SPORTS
Mt. Lions who were on the road last week, fell to Cumberland Valley.

Lady Spiker go 2-0 for the week getting a good win over crosstown rival Hollidaysburg. Boys soccer knocks off Hollidaysburg again.

Get the latest AAHS sports update right here: Sports Update
AAHS Strength & Conditioning Class
Weight Room
The Strength and Conditioning class is designed to improve performance and prevent injuries for AAHS student-athletes. Students taking the class must be recommended by a coach and participate in at least two varsity sports to be eligible. The objective of the course is to provide year round training for multi-sport athletes who are limited in training time as they are always in-season. 

Goldilocks on Trial Fall Play
Bus Safety Week - October 22-26