Volume 3, Issue 5: October 13, 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.

Safe2Say Something

Students from the William P. Kimmel School recently completed refresher training for the Safe2Say program in their Health classes with Mr. Simington. Safe2Say Something is a youth violence prevention program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. The program teaches youth and adults how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and to “say something” before it is too late.   For more information about this program go to Safe2Say Something

KINDNESS COUNTS AT JUNIATA GAP To support the Brian Morden Foundation, Juniata Gap hosted a coin race. Students were encouraged to bring in change with the goal of filling a special container. Not only did the students fill that container – they filled a second one as well. One student, Maiya Schluderberg, donated the entire contents of her piggy bank to help the cause. During the month of September, students and staff also raised $290.00 by wearing hats to support St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital

Altoona Area School District is partnering with one2one Risk Solutions to provide accident protection for our technology initiative. Registering with one2one and purchasing a damage waiver will protect you from the cost to repair or replace your your child's District issued device and limit your responsibility to a per-occurrence deductible, should a loss occur. The purchase of the insurance is optional, however, it is encouraged as it will protect you in the event of an accident or loss to a student's Chromebook. Damage Waiver: $25 ENROLLMENT DEADLINE: OCTOBER 25, 2019 To access the application go to: one2one Solutions Enrollment Form

Attention: Active Military Families

In compliance with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) we are required to identify active military families each year.   A military parent is defined as a person serving full time in the United States Military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard) or is a deployed member of the National Guard or Reserves. If the military parent is the biological or adoptive parent, step parent or legal guardian with full or partial physical custody of the child and resides with the child when not deployed, then the child is considered a "child of the military." This form only needs to be completed if you have an active military family member and a "child of the military" as defined above. To access the form, please click: Military_Family

Fitness Program Growing at AAJHS

There were a total of 779 students who attended the AAJHS fitness room before and after school program during the month of September! The fitness room program is funded through the AASD Foundation, and is open each Monday - Thursday for all students at AAJHS. According to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention, "physical activity has an impact on cognitive skills such as concentration and attention, and it also enhances classroom attitudes and behaviors, all of which are important components of improved academic performance."

MULTIPLICATION ARRAYS

Students in Mrs. Berkeimer's third grade class at Ebner Elementary especially enjoyed a recent math lesson on multiplication. Students practiced making multiplication arrays with "cookies." Who said math wasn't fun?

McAuliffe Heights Student vs. Staff Basketball Game is a Slam Dunk!

The annual McAuliffe Heights Student vs. Staff Basketball Game was held on Tuesday, October 8, at AAJHS. Students 4th-6th grade played against teachers and staff. Donations were collected at the door and $1,382.00 was raised for Todd Little, AASD Custodial Supervisor, who is currently battling cancer.

Pleasant Valley Cougars were visited by our local fire departments for Fire Safety week! Logan Township Fire and Altoona Fire Companies promoted fire safety and allowed the students to explore their tools and equipment.  Students had the opportunity to sit in the fire smoke house to simulate if a fire was occurring at home and what to do to escape. The Cougars loved seeing the fire departments and we appreciate everything they do to keep us safe!

Kindergarten Kindness at Penn Lincoln

Mountain Lion Backpack

Each week students from the High School help pack backpacks for the Mountain Lion Backpack program before delivering the backpacks to The STEAM Learning Center at Penn Lincoln. Thank to the students from William P. Kimmel school for helping last week . "Many hands make light work!"

McKenzie Quirin, Mt. Echo reporter, talks about the Mountain Lion Maniacs' #BeLikeChuck bracelet sale in memory of AASD security greeter, Chuck Amerine. #BeLikeChuck

AASD Quick Links District Calendar School Board Meetings AASD Website AASD Athletic Schedules

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