The Mt. Lion Roar Newsletter

Volume 2, Issue 11: December 24, 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

AAJHS Girls Participate in STEM Day

Seventh, eighth, and ninth grade girls learned about careers and opportunities for women in STEM related fields during presentations at the junior high on December 18.

After a brief assembly presention, the students had the chance to visit with and talk to representataives from Keller Engineers, Mountain Research, and the Sheetz Corporation. AAHS students were on hand to provide demonstrations with Lego Mind Storms EV3 robots. The students also had the chance to experiment with VEX Robtos, Makey Makey program that can be programmed to turn everyday objects into an invention, Snap CIrcuits, and Tinker CAD.

The Ellis Island Escape Room

The sixth grade students in Mr. Branik's room at Logan Elementary completed an Ellis Island Escape Room. Students worked together to solve the puzzles to escape the room. As part of the social studies lessons, students have been learning about their culture and family history. Ellis Island was the United States' busiest immigration inspection station from 1892 - 1954.

Childcare Class Moves to Penn Lincoln

Miranda Wertz, AAHS Mt. Echo Reporter

Dorothy Liller, the child care class teacher has been working with students for over thirty years. The daycare program started over 60 years ago. The program helps students gain experience and hours working with children, while also getting credits in school.

AASD Foundation Supports Reading Workshop

The ‘elf’ brought all the Pleasant Valley Elementary First Grade good little boys and girls flexible seating all week long and they were thrilled!! Cushions, desks, scoop rockers and their favorite- laundry baskets 😊 created reading excitement in all our classrooms. Students now have the opportunity to select their favorite reading spot where they can enjoy their favorite books.

Thank you AASD Foundation for making it all possible.

Makey Makey Introduced at Tinker Tuesday

Students at Baker Elementary were recently introduced to Makey Makey during Tinker Tuesday. They explored circuits with Ms. Koehler by hooking up fruit and vegetables to a computer program. They were fascinated by playing the bongos using bananas. They also made traps out of gum drops and toothpicks to catch the gingerbread man .

Cooking Kiddos

Students in the Life Skills Support program at Juniata Elementary school are learning more about the duties and tools used within the kitchen to help them begin to acquire lifelong cooking skills. As students complete a themed unit, a culminating cooking activity takes place in each of the four classrooms. Many valuable lessons can be learned from food preparation including teamwork and healthy habits.

Cooking Kiddos

AFSCME Gives Back

AFSCME AFL-CIO Local 2952 recently presented $500 to Pleasant Valley Elementary School as part of the “AFSCME Gives Back Program.” Funds were designated to assist with the purchase of new Lego kits for the Pleasant Valley Elementary Lego League. This is the sixth annual donation made to the Altoona Area School District elementary schools.

AAJHS Charity Challenge

The Sharing for the Holiday Committee at the junior high school sponsored a Charity Challenge to benefit local veterans. Cash donations by students and staff were collected during lunch. The goal of the challenge was to provide Veterans a gift from AAJHS in show of respect and gratefulness for their service and sacrifice. Students raised$715.14 A check was presented to Deputy Commandant Samuel Dunkle of the Hollidaysburg Veteran's Home. The home serves 370 Veterans. The monies will be used for the Holiday Veteran Fund where each veteran receives either a $50 gift or $50 gift card on Christmas Day.

SAIT Holiday Drive

The annual AAHS SAIT Holiday Drive was a big success. The food baskets, toys, books, and cookies were delivered last week to fifty (50) families. The AAHS foods classes made the cookies. AAHS senior Mercedes Brandt collected the toys as part of her senior project. The drive collected $1700 this year with the largest donation coming from the AAHS Alumni Association.