Volume 2, Issue 10: December 9, 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
AASD Participates in Hour of Code
Hour of Code is a global movement introducing students worldwide to computer science. Anybody can learn code and this event gives students the opportunity to experience coding through prepared activities that leave students feeling empowered.

Hour of Code was held during the week of December 3-7. Students logged onto code.org and selected age appropriate activities that featured Minecraft, Star Wars, Frozen, Angry Birds, and Plants vs. Zombies.

Students across the district were actively engaged and excited to participate.
Girls' STEM Day
Altoona Area School District celebrated Girls’ in STEM with a day of planned activities and events for girls in Grades 3 – 9.  STEM related careers are growing at a face pace, and although statistics indicate there is some increase in the numbers of women participating in these fields, women continue to be underrepresented. 
 
Students Learn about Journalism and Media Career Options
by McKenzie Quirin
On October 8, 2018, Whitney Godwin,from West Virginia University's Reed College of Media spoke with current broadcasting and Journalism students about career paths in journalism and media.

Pajama Day for Ryder
Juniata Elementary school raised more than $400 for Ryder McDermitt, a local 12 year old boy who is battling some serious health issues.

Students and teachers donated $1 to wear their pajamas to school. All the money raised will be donated to Ryder for assistance with medical costs, travel to and from Pittsburgh, and other medical expenses.

This event was sponsored by the Juniata Elementary Student Council. Below is Mrs. Noll's Kindergaten class.
Mrs. Noll's Kindergarten Class
Teacher Spotlight
AAHS Phys. Ed. teacher, Mr. Tom Palfey has been selected to serve on the board of PSAHPERD (Pennsylvania State Association for Health, Recreation, and Dance) so we took a moment to ask Mr. Palfey a few questions about what motivated him to join the board.

What is PSAHPERD Mission?

Mr. Palfey: To provide leadership, advocacy and professional development to health and physical educators.

Juniata Gap Readers - Reading Warriors
Congratulations to the Reading Competition team! The team, consisting of 5 th and 6 th graders, read forty books to prepare and won a third place ribbon during the IU08 competition in Bellwood on December 5th. Forty-two teams from 29 school districts participated and Reading Warriors did a fantastic job !
Dancing Drum Returns
Thanks to a grant from the AASD Foundation, students from Ebner and Penn Lincoln participated in a Dancing Drum Workshop last week. Dancing Drum is a program that emphasizes music literacy while building stronger self-confidence. Both schools will have Dancing Drum ensembles this year. Students are practicing for performances which will take place in school and throughout the community.

As part of the Educator-in-Residence program, parents also had the opportunity to come and participate in the workshop to see what the students are learning
Greeting Cards For Military
200 Logan Elementary Students created heartfelt, handmade greeting cards that were included in 200 stockings that were assembled by the DeGol Organization. The DeGol Organization has been working with “Military Families Ministry”, located in Bellwood for several years, supporting their “Stockings for the Troops” initiative for those deployed overseas.  
Attention AAJHS Families
The Joy of Sharing
Do you have a family member in the armed services or know someone who has served in the military? In the spirit of the holidays AAJHS is encouraging giving back to our veterans.  Please help us make some of our local veteran’s holiday a little more merry and bright by participating in the Charity Challenge. Cash donations for this cause will be collected during lunch periods for 7th, 8th and 9th graders.   Donations will be collected through Wednesday, December 12 th We want our men and women who sacrificed to know we are and we want them to have a gift to open over the holidays. The Sharing for the Holiday Committee decided to up the ante for the Charity Challenge to benefit the residents at the Veterans Home.  The grade that collects the most will be provided with some delightful snacks to enjoy!!   Please help by donating during your lunch periods. Remember, the most important goal is to provide our veterans with a gift from us to represent our respect and gratefulness for their service and sacrifice.  
#GoMtLions
Cross Country 2018
Freshman Mackenzie Kelley and Junior Brayden Henninger received the Gioiosa Award as the Most Valuable Runner for the 2018 Cross Country season.
AAHS Basketball Returns to Radio Airwaves
Jack FM Logo
Lightner Communications is excited to announce the return of high school basketball to local radio. 107.1 Jack-FM Altoona (WYUP) will become the new home of Altoona Mountain Lion and Bishop Guilfoyle Basketball this winter. 107.1 Jack-FM will carry select boys’ and girls’ games throughout the season (see attached broadcast schedule.) The games will stream live online at www.1071jack.fm.