Volume 2, Issue 5: September 30, 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
National School Bus Safety Month
National School Bus Safety Month is declared by a unanimous resolution of the United States Senate. The purpose is for parents, students, teachers, motorists, and school bus drivers to promote the importance of school bus safety. School districts throughout the country choose one week in October to observe school bus safety and the Altoona Area School District has made October 22-26 Bus Safety Week. During the week our drivers from STA will be visiting our elementary schools with a message on Mountain Lion P.R.I.D.E.
Tinker Tuesday at Baker Elementary
Students and parents at Baker Elementary were given three challenges:
Challenge #1: Help the little pigs by building them a house of toothpicks. The house had to hold 10 pennies and withstand wind from a fan.
Challenge #2 : Build a raft to help Billy Goats cross a stream. The raft must hold hold 10 pennies for 10 seconds without sinking.
Challenge #3 : Coding on code.org, Students explored various activities that encouraged exploration in computer science. Through various games, themes and characters, students were able to have fun creating lines of code.
Congratulations Mr. Josh Hillard
Congratulations to Josh Hillard, AASD elementary music educator, for his selection as a feature soloist at the IUP Department of Music Alumni Jazz Weekend, November 2-4, 2018.

Music opportunities are an important component of the curriculum offered at AASD. Both instrumental and vocal opportunities are offered to students beginning in elementary school.

Attention Class of 2019
Seniors & Parents
Post High School Opportunity Fair
More than 80 institutions will participate in the 2018-2019 Post High School Opportunity Fair at the AAHS Field House October 9-10, 2018.

Parents are invited to attend on Tuesday, October 9 from 6 -8 PM. Representatives from the armed services, technical, trade and career schools, nursing schools, business schools, 2-year and 4-year colleges and universities will be on hand to answer questions and discuss post-high school education opportunities.

This is a great chance to explore the different opportunities available for students all in one central location.
One2One Mobile Device Insurance
Parents can enroll in One2One Mobile Device insurance for a nominal fee of $25. This insurance covers damage and lost/stolen devices, but not supplemental equipment such as chargers and cases.

Deadline is October 15, 2018

Creating Responsible Kids on Smartphones
Don't Miss this Presentation
A discussion of youth social media and mental health trends presented by Ryan Klingensmith, Licensed Professional Counselor and founder of Shape the Sky will be held in the AAJHS Auditorium on October 10, 6:00 - 8:00 PM. This Adult Only presentation will focus on apps, smartphones, social media, use/misuse, privacy settings, setting expectations and ways to talk to young people about wise use of their device.

Mark your calendars and look for more information to come!
Virtual Reality a Reality at AAHS
The AAHS Library has 24 new Lenovo Mirage Solo Virtual Reality headsets. This new technology allows students to move realistically through the physical world while immersed in a virtual world. Using applications such as Google Expedition and Arts and Culture students can visit museums, distant cities, colleges, planets and beyond without ever leaving the classroom.
Rain, Rain Please Go Away
First grade students at Pleasant Valley Elementary got a rare chance to go outside to participate in a reward Sports Day. The students teamed up with Pleasant Valley's Fuel Up to Play 60 committee and were able to play various sports outside.
#GoMtLions
AAHS FALL SPORTS
Mt. Lion football wins double OT thriller.

Golf team places second in D6 Sectionals, Derek McAlkich leads way with 77, Scotty Lawhead and Caleb Tilson qualify for D6 singles.

Get the latest AAHS sports update right here: Sports Update
Homecoming 2018
Substitute Teachers Needed