Volume 4, Issue 6: October 10, 2020
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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.
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Re-Entry Plan for Students Announced
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On Monday, October 5, 2020, the Altoona Area School Board of Directors approved a PreK-12 face-to-face instruction re-entry plan for all students.
Learning Express students will follow their designated schedule in a full face to face model beginning on Thursday, November 12, 2020.
Elementary students (K-5) will continue with full face to face instruction in their home schools beginning Thursday, November 12, 2020.
Junior high school students (6-8) will return to full face to face instruction beginning Thursday, November 12, 2020.
High School students (9-12) will have a staggered re-entry beginning Thursday, November 12, 2020. Students in grades 11 and 12 will return to school on Thursday, November 12, 2020 for a full day of class meetings, orientation, building acclimation, and instruction. Students in grades 11 and 12 will have an asynchronous day on Friday, November 13, 2020. Students in grades 9 and 10 will return to school on Friday, November 13, 2020 for a full day of class meetings, orientation, building acclimation, and instruction. Students in grades 9 and 10 will have an asynchronous day on Thursday, November 12, 2020. Students in grades 9-12 will all return on Monday, November 16, 2020 following their normal school schedule.
Secondary students indicating that they choose to remain in virtual attendance model will attend by attending live streamed classes on their schedule daily. They will be required to attend all classes by live streaming the classes as they are occurring in real time. Students will also complete all work posted and required on their Google Classrooms or See Saw platforms.
All cyber academy students have the option of returning to in person instruction or remaining in cyber academy.
Parents are encouraged to complete the survey sent earlier this week in order for planning to take place. CLICK SURVEY to complete the survey.
A Re-Entry Schedule can be found on the AASD Website or by clicking RE-ENTRY SUMMARY
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National Custodian Day - October 2
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October 2 was National Custodian Day and we want to give a special shoutout to the AASD Maintenance staff for keeping our school buildings and facilities in tip-top shape.
Students from McAuliffe Heights Program made cards and posters to hang on the custodial office doors as a special thank you for keeping their school clean.
We are grateful for all that these folks do to keep our schools and facilities disinfected and safe.
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Mrs. Chirdon’s 4th grade students at McAuliffe Heights completed at team building activity where they had to work together to in order to see the ‘big picture’
What an important lesson! We all play an important role in the "big picture."
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Pleasant Valley Elementary students are learning about Community Helpers and the important role they have in the community.
This week students got a special visit from Security Officer Bryce Gibbons and learned about what he does for the Altoona Area School District.
AASD Police Services regularly visit the schools for safety walk throughs and to build positive relationships with the students.
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Fourth and fifth grade students at the AAJHS are excited to have new Chromebooks. Students are completing math lessons and even took their MAP diagnostic tests on the Chromebooks. Students in Reading Workshop are selecting books at their instructional level using EPIC, an online reading library. In Social Studies, students are accessing Studies Weekly, a weekly magazine that highlights events in history. Students can read articles, watch educational videos, and complete activities. The students are one-to-one this year, which means every student has their own Chromebook to utilize both at school and to use if the district would need to provide instruction virtually.
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Mrs. Sherlock, the school guidance counselor, and Mrs. Rosas, the school principal, visited every Kindergarten classroom this week to share a special activity. We read the book, The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister, to the students and discussed the importance of sharing. After the story, each student was able to make their very own rainbow fish using colorful paper, sequins, and streamers. The fish will be on display in the building – “At Juniata Gap, we all swim together in the same school!” The student enjoyed the activity and created some beautiful fish!
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ALTOONA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT NOW HIRING!
The Altoona Area School District is looking to fill the following positions:
Substitute Teachers – For more information or to apply, please visit aasdcat.com or contact Lynn Weakland, at Lweakland@ess.com or 814-515-3894.
Ameri Corp – To provide small group literacy intervention/enrichment to K-6 learners in an AASD Elementary school. Active and valid PDE Instructional Certificate - Early Childhood, Elementary or Special Education preferred. To apply please contact Mrs. Tina Swineford at 814-946-8753 or tswineford@altoonasd.com.
Bus Drivers – For more information or to apply, please visit aasdcat.com or call 946-8220
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Parents are reminded to update their contact preferences for the Emergency Notification System (SKYLERT). The SKYLERT link is found within SKyward Family Access.
This system will be used to advise of school closings/delays, emergency notifications and any other important information.
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COVID restrictions don’t restrict school pride
Ben Blackie, Editor In Chief
Four senior cheerleaders cheered outside Mansion Park fence during rival football game despite the spectator restrictions.
To read the complete article, click HERE
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It was a perfect night for football Friday night at Mansion Park Stadium. After last week's spectator restrictions, it was nice to see fans back in the stands to cheer on the Mt. Lions and celebrate senior night with the players, cheerleaders, band members and Lioneers.
The Mt. Lions didn't disappoint with a 42-28 conference win over Chambersburg!
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