Volume 3, Issue 8: November 10, 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.
Thank you Veterans
Vetrans Day Flags
ALL SCHOOLS AND OFFICES ARE CLOSED ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11 IN RECOGNITION OF VETERANS DAY.
CLASSES RESUME ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12.
2nd Annual Girls STEM Day
Girls STEM Presentation
The 2nd Annual Girls STEM Day was held at AASD on Friday, November 8. Girls in grades 3-9 had the opportunity to hear from women professionals in STEM occupations as well as participate in hands-on experiences in science, technology, engineering and math.

The event has grown over the past year with more than 30 presenters at the secondary level. The day even included an apple cider press demonstration!
three students pose with Titanic Project Board
student Titanic project display
Fourth grade students at McAuliffe Heights recently completed a study on the Titanic. Students read a book about the Titanic and researched facts and information. In classroom presentations, students dressed in character as they shared the information they learned.
STEAM Mural
On Monday, November 4, a new STEAM mural created by the students in the AAHS Art for Public Places class was revealed at McAuliffe Heights at Irving Elementary School. The mural project was a collaborative effort between AAHS students in the Art for Public Places class and students at McAuliffe Heights.

The artwork is a welcome to all those who attend or visit the school. The STEAM mural represents Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math, which is the emphasis of the programing at McAuliffe Heights. Each board of the mural depicts a letter of STEAM and corresponding items that reflect the letter’s theme. The background of each board is the handprint of each student who attends McAuliffe Heights, personally connecting the students to the project.

The project was funded by the Altoona Area School District Foundation.
LEX Logo with Students
Students and staff at The Learning Express Preschool held a PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions Systems) Parade and new logo reveal on Friday, November 8. The assembly included daily announcements, students sharing their reasons for why they like school, introduction of a new mascot and a new logo design with new school colors as well. A special appearance by the AASD Mt. Lion and Loco from the Altoona Curve completed the day!
Altoona Curve Mascot Loco with Baker Elementary Student
Loco has been making his rounds through AASD. Recently he visited Baker students for the Altoona Curve's annual assembly. This year the theme was Be a Curve Kid and students learned from Loco about self-worth and teamwork skills. Thanks to the Curve for investing in our students.
Haiku Poem
William P. Kimmel students in Mr. Smith's class recently completed reading the Invisible Man or War of the Worlds.

 As part of a Halloween Theme week students were required to write a Haiku poem. H aiku poems consist of 3 lines. The first and last lines of a Haiku have 5 syllables and the middle line has 7 syllables. The lines rarely rhyme. Because Haikus are such short poems, they are usually written about things that are recognizable to the reader .
students in the classroom learning about construction opportunities
students on the constructin site
Twenty high school students participated in the 3rd educational session presented by Reynolds. Students started the day in the classroom learning about construction management and the opportunities in the construction field. The classroom session was followed by a tour of the new B-building construction. Students got a first hand look of the progress of the project.
Juniata Show Choir Presents ... RISE UP!
students in Juniata Show Choir
The Juniata Elementary School Show Choir under the direction of Drama Club Advisors Heidi Soldner and Kathy Otto will present “Rise Up!” on Thursday, November 22 at 7:00 p.m. in the Juniata Elementary School Gymnasium.  The show will include medleys from hits such as “Newsies,” “Frozen,” “Aladdin,” and “Hamilton.” The Show Choir is comprised of more than forty (40) 5 th and 6 th grade students who rehearse before and after school to learn the songs and choreography. 
           Tickets are $2 per person and can be purchased at the door on the night of the event. 

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