Volume 3, Issue 7: November 3, 2019
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.
AAHS Soccer - District 6 Champion Night
For the first time in Lady Lion soccer history, the girls soccer team won the District 6 4A soccer championship by defeating State College by 2-1. Later that same evening the boys soccer team defeated State College 4-2 for the title. It was an awesome championship night!
Monday, Oct 21 was Junior High String Day with the Altoona Area Junior High and Hollidaysburg Area Junior High School 9th and 8th grade orchestras. Students rehearsed together during the day and presented a concert that evening. During the afternoon, guest artist Caryn Lin presented a mini concert, The Science of Sound, using an electric five string violin and looping devices along with modern technology to create compositions with many special effects.
Ninth grade biology students in Mrs. McAleer's and Mrs. Gardner's classes participated in a murder mystery lab by completing a series of tests on "stomach contents" to determine if proteins, carbohydrates, or lipids were present. This information helped narrow down the victim's last location based on the victim's last meal. This lab was done during the section on organic compounds as part of the students study of biochemistry.
Developing Good Citizens
Baker Elementary school counselor DJ Caldwell believes it is not only important for students to become excellent academic learners, but also good citizens. Mr. Caldwell, along with various teachers at Baker Elementary, introduced a Community Service Club for 5th grade students.

Facilitated by Mr. Caldwell and teachers, club members will meet once a month during school hours to plan activities and will meet another time during the month to complete the activity. October's activity included raking and blowing leaves around the school and the neighboring homes. Students broke into groups and tackled the clean-up leaving the area looking much better.
The Challenge Program, Inc. distributed financial incentive awards to the juniors and seniors at Altoona Area High School for excelling in the areas of Attendance, STEM, Community Service, Academic Improvement, and Academic Excellence. Reliance Bank and Altoona Area School District Foundation are the sponsors of The Challenge Program, Inc.

Each award winner was recognized at an assembly and received a $200 check for their efforts. The mission of The Challenge Program is to build sustainable Business/Education partnerships while introducing students to careers in their community.

Photo: Row 1: Kasey Schultz, Anna Knott, Raquel Dunio, Kelly Campbell, Jazzmine McCauley, Row 2: Paula Foreman, AASD Foundation, Nicholas Chilcote, Carson Ikner, Lucas Vrabel, Marcus Day, Chazon Jordan, and Marcus Edwards, Reliance Bank.
The Altoona Area School District invited the elementary school students to participate in “Veteran’s Day Appreciation” by creating cards, banners, posters, and signs to be presented and displayed for veterans and active duty members of our military at a Veteran’s Day Appreciation event. Fourth Grade at Baker Elementary proudly took advantage of this community project! The artwork in 4 th Grade was started and explained in class as an extension to the 4 th Grade Writing Curriculum. Background knowledge of Veteran’s Day as well as specific vocabulary associated with the topic was also discussed. Students were then given the opportunity to extend their work and creativity outside of the classroom by completing the cards, banners, posters, and signs at home. Family members were encouraged to take part in this beyond-the-curriculum project.
Creature Catcher
On Tuesday, October 29, Pleasant Valley Elementary hosted their October STEM Tinker night. The “Creature Catcher” was a challenge that required families to focus on creating a device, using the given materials, to catch spooky creatures (spider rings.) There were many unique designs that covered the gymnasium! Everyone had a great time and the participants even left with some special treats for their ride home!
Building a Roller Coaster
More than 100 3rd grade students from Pleasant Valley Elementary and McAuliffe Heights Program joined together for a lesson on physics. Students discussed vocabulary such as push, pull, force,energy, and gravity. After splitting into groups with peers from the other school, students discussed their individual ideas on design and then collaborated using cardboard, colored straws, tape and a ping pong ball to create a roller coaster.
CORRECTED AUDITION DATE

AASD students in grades K-12 who are interested in performing the National Anthem at a winter athletic event are invited to audition on Tuesday, November 5 at 7:00 PM. Auditions will be held in the AAHS Band Room.. Click the link below to register.


Attention Parents of the Class of 2020 - any parent interested in assisting with the Afterglo is invited to a meeting on Tuesday November 12, 2019 in Room A214 of the AAHS at 6 p.m. Enter the doors off of 13th street near the Planetarium. Questions, call Kim Shope at 946-8254
#BeLikeChuck
Chuck Amerine, a former security greeter at AAHS, made an impact on people's lives. Each day Chuck would greet students, staff and visitors at the high school with a smile and an act of kindness.

Mr. Amerine lost his battle to pancreatic cancer too quickly. In honor of Chuck AAHS students sold #BeLikeChuck bracelets which are now worn by many as a reminder of his kindness.

Proceeds from the sale of the bracelets ($650) was donated to the Family Services Teen Center.
Presenting the check from AAHS are (L to R): Mrs. Carolyn Kline, AAHS Principal Andrew Neely, Braden Spahn, Mychenze Alberts, Family Services executive director Lisa Hann.
Story by McKenzie Quirin

On November 7, Advanced Placement Spanish and Spanish three classes will visit Juniata College for a day filled with experiencing the Spanish language in a different way than students are used to. 
Erin Dodson Memorial Volleyball Game
Each year, the AAHS Lady Spikers host a game in honor of former player Erin Dodson who lost her battle with Brain Cancer.

This year the Erin Dodson Memorial Scholarship Fund game was held on September 19 against Hollidaysburg. A check for $3,500 was recently presented to the Brian Morden Foundation for the Erin Dodson Scholarship. This is the largest amount of money raised to date.
REMINDER - Winter Sports Physicals
Thursday, November 7 is the final chance for winter sports athletic screenings. All secondary students interested in participating in winter athletics must complete a physical.

Screenings will be held at AAJHS, beginning at 3:00 PM. Forms can be obtained in the AAHS Athletic Office or online at: Athletic Screening Forms