Volume 3, Issue 16: February 1, 2020
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.
Proudly displayed on the monitors inside the AAHS Field House!
Kevin Givens, AAHS Class of 2015, gets his first trip to the Super Bowl.
Keystone Award for Academic Excellence
Congratulations to McAuliffe Heights Program at Irving Elementary for receiving the Keystone Award for Academic Excellence - High Achievement Top 5% of PA Title I Schools. Principal Brandi Agnew and staff members were recognized at a special ceremony on Monday, January 27.
Mt. Lion Maniacs' Student of the Week
2020-2023 AASD Comprehensive Plan
Survey

AASD is asking all stakeholders to participate in the development of the 2020-2023 Comprehensive Plan by completing and providing feedback through a brief survey.
Please complete the survey that best represents your role in the community: 
 
Parents/Guardians of students currently enrolled in the Altoona Area School District -
 
Parents who wish to complete a hard copy survey should call the building principal.
 
 
Community Member or Business Owner  - 
 
Community members who would like to complete a hard copy survey can call 814-946-8365 to request one to be mailed.
Alto ona Are
4th Annual Book Blizzard a Success
The 4 th Annual Book Blizzard was held on Tuesday, January 28 for students and their families. This fun-filled family night included arts & crafts, guest readers, musical presentations and other activities for students and families to participate in together. 

Thank you to all those who attended!

Keeping our Schools Safe
Police Services Director BIll Pfeffer and Officer Mike Szewczyk have been visiting elementary schools preparing 5th and 6th grade students for their transition to the middle school next year. The two spoke with students about the importance of school safety, the importance of having respect for others, and for being responsible for their own actions.

The periodic use of metal detectors was explained to students and students learned that they are 100% responsible for the items they bring to school. Every student practiced walking through a metal detector and for any student who was unable to pass through a metal detector, the portable wand detector was used.
Phases of the Moon
After completing a study on the phases of the moon, 3rd grade students at Juniata Elementary School demonstrated their knowledge and understanding through a culminating hands-on activity.

What a delicious way to exhibit a complete understanding of a lesson learned!
AASD Learning Express PreSchool
Students at the AASD Learning Express Preschool had fun at the Annual Winter Wonderland Event. Parents and students enjoyed the activites.

Parents also recently participated in a Kindergarten Transition evening. Representatives from different departments throughout the District as well as elementary principals were on hand to answer parent's questions about the transition to Kindergarten.

Parents were also assisted with registering their child for Kindergarten for the 2020-2021 school year.
A seminar presented by Dynamite Sports, Inc. Parents and athletes are invited to learn about the recruiting and scholarship process.
AASD SCHEDULES ATHLETIC SCREENINGS
FOR SPRING SPORTS
     Student athletes from Altoona Area Junior High School and from Altoona Area High School, who wish to play spring interscholastic sports, are required to report for physicals according to the schedule listed below.           
      Each student should bring a completed and properly-signed PIAA CIPPE form, a Parental Authorization form, AAU Permission form, Medical Information form, and a Permission to Drug Test form. Forms are available on-line: PIAA Athletic Screening Forms .  Athletes unable to attain the forms from the website may contact their coach. 
       Students unable to attend the assigned session may attend the other scheduled date.