Superintendent's Friday Update
|
|
Hello Alta Loma School District,
October 10-16, 2021 is the week of the School Administrator
We recognize and appreciate the important contributions our school principals and our site administrative teams make for our students, staff and our entire ALSD community.
We honor and acknowledge each of our administrative teams for their tireless dedication and hard work. We are so thankful to work with these lifelong learners who believe in providing the best educational experience possible for all students. In the "Great Things Happening in Our Schools" section below, each team has shared what they are most proud of. Off course... you'll see a lot of pride in the students, staff, and school community members!
So with thanks to our Human Resources Department for their efforts in compiling information, here's a
roll call
of all ten of our principals so that you know a bit about this important team!
|
|
Alta Loma Elementary School:
Dolly Bentley is the proud principal of Alta Loma Elementary School. Ms. Bentley joined ALSD in 2002, and before she stepped into this principalship she served as a teacher at Deer Canon Elementary prior to becoming a teaching assistant principal (TAP) at Deer Canyon, Stork, and then Alta Loma elementary school sites.
Ms. Bentley has a Bachelor's Degree from California State University, San Bernardino and a Master's Degree in Teaching from National University. She holds a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and an Administrative Services Credential.
|
|
Michele Rachielles is the proud principal of Alta Loma Junior High School. Since joining Alta Loma School District, she has also served as a teaching assistant principal (TAP) as well as the principal of Deer Canyon Elementary School and Stork Elementary School.
Ms. Rachielles has a Bachelor’s Degree from Humboldt State University, a reading specialist degree from the University of La Verne, and a Master’s Degree in Education Administration from California State University, San Bernardino. She holds a Multiple subject teaching credential and an Administrative Services Credential.
|
|
Banyan Elementary School:
Khaleelah Lewis-Wilkins is the proud principal of Banyan Elementary School. Ms. Lewis-Wilkins came to ALSD from Moreno Valley Unified School District, where she was an assistant principal at two elementary schools after serving as assistant administrator of instruction and coaching at a middle school in the same district.
Ms. Lewis-Wilkins has a Bachelor’s Degree from University of California, Riverside and a Master’s Degree in Cross-Cultural Education from National University. She holds a Single Subject Teaching Credential and an Administrative Services Credential, and is currently in the Doctoral Program at the University of La Verne.
|
|
Carnelian Elementary School:
Chris Deegan is the proud principal of Carnelian Elementary School. An educator for the past 26 years, Mr. Deegan was a previously a middle school assistant principal, and also taught elementary school students for thirteen years.
Mr. Deegan has Bachelor's Degree from Oregon State University and a Master's of Arts in Educational Leadership from California State Polytechnic University - Pomona, where he also earned his Administrative Services Credential. He holds a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and an Administrative Services Credential.
|
|
Deer Canyon Elementary School:
Andrew Carter is the proud principal of Deer Canyon Elementary School. Mr. Carter was previously an assistant principal at Alta Loma Junior High School and a teaching assistant principal (TAP) at Deer Canyon. He began his teaching career in Hawthorne, California, later joining ALSD to teach language arts and social studies at Alta Loma Junior High.
Mr. Carter has a Bachelor’s Degree as well as a Master’s Degree in Multicultural Education from California State University Dominguez Hills. He holds a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and an Administrative Services Credential.
|
|
Hermosa Elementary School:
Valerie Bires is the proud principal of Hermosa Elementary School. Ms. Bires began her 28 years in education with the Monrovia Unified School District where she served as a master teacher, program advisor, assistant principal, and principal.
Ms. Bires has a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree in education from Point Loma University. She holds a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and an Administrative Services Credential.
|
|
Jasper Elementary School:
Curtis Quanstrom is the proud principal of Jasper Elementary School. Mr. Quanstrom joined the Alta Loma School District in 2009 and taught fifth and sixth grades at Jasper for seven years before beginning his administrative career as the teaching assistant principal at Hermosa in 2016, where he taught third grade. He was later appointed the TAP and then the interim principal at Jasper.
Mr. Quanstrom has a Bachelor's Degree from CSU, San Bernardino and a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University, Irvine. He holds a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and an Administrative Services Credential.
|
|
Floyd M. Stork Elementary School:
Guadalupe Berzunza is the proud principal of Stork Elementary School. Ms. Berzunza had previously served as an elementary school principal in Hayward Unified School District and an assistant principal in El Monte Union High School District. Over her 30 years in education, she has worked in a variety of roles in K-12 schools, including as an elementary bilingual teacher and project director.
Ms. Berzunza has a Bachelor’s Degree from California State University East Bay (formerly Cal State Hayward), a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from National University and is currently a candidate for a Doctorate at North Central University. She holds a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and a Clear Administrative Credential.
|
|
Victoria Groves Elementary School:
Kristy Johnson is the proud principal of Victoria Groves Elementary School. Ms. Johnson began her work in ALSD in 2014, and has served the District at Hermosa and Deer Canyon elementary schools as a grade 4, PK and Title 1 teacher as well as a teaching assistant principal (TAP.)
Ms. Johnson has a Bachelor's Degree from California State University, San Bernardino, and a Master's Degree in Education from Chapman University. She holds a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and an Administrative Services Credential.
|
|
Sandy Rose is the proud principal of Vineyard Junior High School. Mrs. Rose joined ALSD in 1997, working as a primary teacher at Jasper Elementary School and teaching assistant principal (TAP) at Stork Elementary School before becoming the principal at Stork and then at Vineyard Junior High.
Mrs. Rose has a Bachelor's Degree from California State University, San Bernardino, and a Master's Degree in Education from Point Loma Nazarene. She holds a Multiple Subject Credential and an Administrative Services Credential.
|
|
District Support Center:
A leader has been defined as one who knows the way, goes the way,
and shows the way - Author Unknown
We have a treasured team member, and former District principal, who has decided to look towards a very well-deserved retirement after forty years of dedicating herself to making a difference in the lives of students and colleagues. So I wanted to take this timely opportunity to acknowledge Associate Superintendent Lori Thompson, and let you know about the important leadership transition that will be taking place on January 1, 2022.
As you may know, Mrs. Thompson has been a highly valued member of the Alta Loma School District team for eight years. She began her career serving in the Walnut Valley Unified School District as a teacher, and then moved to the Upland Unified School District where she taught for another ten years. It was also in Upland where Ms. Thompson began her administrative career, serving as principal at two elementary schools, Director of Special Education, and Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services.
We are thankful that she brought her years of knowledge and experience to ALSD in 2014. Here, she served as the principal of Vineyard Junior High School and Director of Special Education prior to leading us with a constant student-centered focus through the challenges of the COVD-19 pandemic as Associate Superintendent of Educational Services. Lori Thompson’s influence and impact will continue to inspire us long after she begins her retirement.
We recognize Mrs. Thompson for the substantial contributions she has made to the entire ALSD community, and for her tireless efforts toward student success. She cannot be "replaced" in any sense, but we will work together to recruit and hire "the very best of the best" to fill her critical role within our school district. We will continue to benefit from her expertise through December. I know that you will join me in wishing Associate Superintendent Lori Thompson all the best as she embarks on this new and exciting adventure in January.
|
|
From the COVID-19 Safety Team:
Last week we notified you that at a press conference held on Friday, October 1, 2021 at 9:00 a.m., Governor Newsom announced that students attending schools in California will be required to get vaccinated against COVID-19. A District letter related to this can be found at under our COVID-19 Updates and Resources tab. We will continue to provide updates as we know more.
The Alta Loma School District’s employee COVID testing program is set to begin on Wednesday, October 13, 2021 in compliance with CDPH’s Public Health Order mandating that public and private TK - 12 schools verify vaccination status for all workers and implement a weekly testing program for those employees who are not fully vaccinated.
|
|
Wishing you a wonderful weekend ahead!
With my appreciation and best regards,
Karen Hendricks
Superintendent
|
|
- Monday, October 11 - Staff Development Day, No School
- Tuesday, October 12 - Football & Volleyball Games, 3:00 pm
ALJH vs. Pioneer
VJH vs. Grace Yokely
- Tuesday, October 19 - Football & Volleyball Games, 3:00 pm
ALJH vs. Grace Yokley
VJH vs. Upland
- Wednesday, October 20 - Board of Trustees Meeting, 6:00 pm
- Thursday, October 21 - The Great California Shake Out, 10:21 am
- Friday, October 22 - Middle School Band Night at Alta Loma High School Football Game, 6:00 pm
- Saturday, October 23 - GATE Chess Tournament at VJH, 9:00 am
- Monday, October 25 - Friday, October 29 - Red Ribbon Week
- Friday, October 29 - End of Trimester 1
|
|
Great Things Happening At Our Schools
|
|
From Principal Michele Rachielles:
|
|
Ms. Michele Rachelles, Principal
Mr. Matthew Dzama, Assistant Principal
Mr. Greg Edmon, Dean of Students
We, the ALJH Administrative Team, are proud of the incredible Warrior teachers who know their students beyond their scores and grades. We are proud of our support staff who are welcoming and helpful to all. And we are proud of the awesome ASB group this year who are doing amazing things to make school an extra fun place and the work they do to make staff and students feel important.
|
|
From Principal Val Bires:
|
|
Mrs. Valerie Bires, Principal
Ms. Kristin Bowyer, Teaching Assistant Principal
Principal Bires and Assistant Principal Bowyer are proud of our Huskies students who are willing to try new things, work hard, and show that they are positive, excellent citizens. We are proud of our engaging and resilient Husky staff that provides a safe learning environment for our students. Hermosa Huskies are awesome!
|
|
From Principal Curtis Quanstrom:
|
|
Principal Quanstrom and Assistant Principal Travis are extremely proud of all of the students and staff at Jasper Elementary.
Our Champions never missed a beat. The students started the school year strong and are continuing to grow academically. The staff has embraced every challenge that has come their way with positivity and courage. The hard work from students and staff is truly remarkable.
|
|
From Principal Guadalupe Berzunza:
|
|
Mrs. Guadalupe Berzunza, Principal
Ms. Kaitlyn Trotter, Teaching Assistant Principal
We are proud of the fact that our Literature Lab and our intervention groups for Kinder and First Grade are up and running. We are very proud of how well our teachers and students have quickly adjusted to in person learning. We are proud of the support our community provides our school, as was evidenced at our 9/11 event. Our Stork Superstars are the best!
|
|
From Principal Kristy Johnson:
|
|
Mrs. Kristy Johnson, Principal
Ms. Joylynn Peralta, Teaching Assistant Principal
Principal Kristy Johnson and TAP Joylynn Peralta are so proud of their amazing staff for always making student learning a top priority. Teachers consistently provide engaging lessons and small group instruction to meet the needs of all students.
|
|
From Principal Dolly Bentley:
|
|
Mrs. Dolly Bentley, Principal
Mr. Joshua Jauss, Teaching Assistant Principal
The administrative team at ALE is so proud of the hard work our staff gives to our students. Our teachers amaze us with their perseverance, dedication, and ability to touch each and every child in a positive way.
Our students continually put a smile on our face. They are eager to learn, work to strive for excellence, and encourage one another. We are also so grateful for the partnership we have with our parents and community. ALE is a truly special place to be!
|
|
From Principal Khaleelah Lewis-Wilkins:
|
|
Mrs. Khaleelah Lewis-Wilkins, Principal
Mr. Jim Perry, Teaching Assistant Principal
Banyan’s administrative team is smiling ear to ear because we are so proud to work with dedicated staff members who take time to care for the whole child, as it is a priority at Banyan, that students feel valued, safe and loved at Banyan. Our team believes deeply that their Bulldogs have proven to be resilient and open to new opportunities to learn and achieve beyond the expected! Which we know is no easy feat. This is thanks to our committed passionate parents and a very supportive and caring PTA. You can see the joy on our faces. We are happy to be working alongside this wonderful community! Go Bulldogs!
|
|
From Principal Chris Deegan:
|
|
Mr. Chris Deegan, Principal
Mrs. Stephanie de Visser, Interim Teaching Assistant Principal
Dr. Charron Rodriguez, Teaching Assistant Principal (not pictured)
Dr. Rodriguez, Mrs. De Visser and I feel fortunate and blessed to serve the Carnelian community in ALSD! It is extremely important to us that our students feel safe, comfortable, happy and cared for every day that they are at Carnelian. We are fortunate to have such an incredible staff and faculty who share these convictions and who are compassionate, caring and highly effective educators. We are grateful for this team and the partnership that we have with our extended Carnelian Family which allows us to strive to do all that we can to enhance the lives of the children at Carnelian.
|
|
From Principal Andrew Carter:
|
|
Mr. Andrew Carter, Principal
Mrs. Jennifer Rice, Teaching Assistant Principal
The Deer Canyon administrative team is proud of the students and how hard they are working here at school. We are also proud of how well they're doing socially and academically. We are thankful to staff for their hard work and flexibility during the transition getting students back in the classroom. Teachers and support staff have gone above and beyond to make sure the transition into the new school year has been smooth and joyful. We also appreciate our community for their endless support and partnership for our students here at Deer Canyon. We know that it takes all of us working together to ensure student success. We couldn't do it without all of your support and together we SOAR!
|
|
From Principal Sandy Rose:
|
|
Mrs. Sandy Rose, Principal
Mrs. Maureen Vass, Assistant Principal
Mrs. Brittany Brehm, Dean of Students
Our Vineyard administrative team is truly honored to serve such amazing students, staff, and school community. We are incredibly proud of our dedicated staff members who work tirelessly to support our school and our teachers for reigniting instruction to engage students using technology and hands-on learning. Thanks to the shared partnerships with our staff, District, and community, we have been able to reinvent and successfully implement our extra-curricular activities (clubs, sports, dance parties) to help connect our students to school. In addition to being grateful for our staff and community, we are proud of our students for doing their best to re-engage to in-person learning. #SoProudOfOurVikings!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
