Superintendent's Friday Update
March 19, 2021
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Hello to our Alta Loma community,

This update will be a bit brief, as you are all hopefully preparing to celebrate the return of spring! Our staff has assisted in much of the content this week; we all join in wishing you a wonderful Spring Recess ahead.

There's a tremendous amount to look forward to when we return on March 29. Until then, take the best of care... and grab a great book or two from the recommendations below!

My best to you,

Karen Hendricks
Superintendent
Spring Dreaming from Team ALSD
Important Topics
Child Nutrition Update
The Child Nutrition Department has been proudly serving ALSD students and community children curbside free of charge since our first day of COVID shutdown in March of 2020. Now that some students are returning to campus, the department is shifting staffing and serving schedules to accommodate Distance Learners, In-Person Learners and community children through 18 years old. 

Effective Monday, March 29, the schedule will be as follows:
  • Mondays only: lunches are hot and are served curbside at all sites. 
  • Tuesday through Thursday: curbside service will shift to before school at Alta Loma Junior High, Vineyard Junior High, Alta Loma Elementary and Banyan Elementary. 
  • The morning meals will be provided cold, with heating instructions for families to prepare and serve the meals at the time that works best for their child. 
  • Students on campus will be provided meals while they are at school - either to take home and eat, or to eat on campus, depending on their learning schedule. 
Our reopening information letter is posted to the Child Nutrition web page on the District web site under "Departments." Meals for all students and community children will continue to be provided at no charge for the rest of the school year. Child Nutrition can be contacted at 909-484-5151 x102076 and x102072.

Alta Loma School District staff has shared some of their reading suggestions for our students and families:

Kindergarten - 2nd Grade
  • Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner (K-3rd)
  • Way Out West Lives A Coyote Named Frank by Jillian Lund (PK-1st)
  • Green Green by Baldev Lamba & Marie Lamba (K-1st)
  • Flower Garden by Eve Bunting (PK - 1st)
  • What If There Were No Bees By Susanne Slade and Carol Schwartz (1st-6th)
  • We Are in a Book! by Mo Willems (K-2nd)
  • If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff (K-2nd)
  • The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle (PK-2nd)
  • Just Me and My Dad by Mercer Mayer (PK-2)
  • Bug Soup by Vince Cleghorne (2nd)
  • Pingo Book Series by Brandon Mull (Level 2.5+)
  • Mercy Watson to the Rescue by Kate DiCamillo (Level 2.7)
  • The Magic Treehouse series by Mary Pope Osborne (2nd-3rd)

3rd - 8th Grade:
  • The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies (3rd-6th)
  • The Lemonade Crime by Jacqueline Davies (3rd-6th)
  • The Bell Bandit by Jacqueline Davies (3rd-6th)
  • The Candy Smash by Jacqueline Davies (3rd-6th)
  • The Magic Trap by Jacqueline Davies (3rd-6th)
  • Shark School by Davy Ocean Books (3rd-6th)
  • The Boy Who Cried Shark by Davy Ocean Books (3rd)
  • Squid Napped by Davy Ocean Books (3rd)
  • Fintastic Finish by Davy Ocean Books (3rd)
  • Deep Sea Disaster by Davy Ocean Books (3rd)
  • The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo (Level 4.4)
  • Babymouse Tales From the Locker Series by Jennifer Holm and Matthew Holm (Level 3.3)
  • The World According to Humphrey Series by Betty G. Birney (Level 3.9-5.9)
  • Out of my Mind by Sharon M. Draper (3rd-7th)
  • The Unteachables by Gordon Korman (3rd-7th)
  • Fable Haven Series by Brandon Mull Books (Level 4.5+)
  • Candyshop Wars Series by Brandon Mull Books (Level 4.5+)  
  • Beyonders Series by Brandon Mull Books (Level 4.5+)  
  • Spirit Animals Series by Brandon Mull Books (Level 4.5+) 
  • Five Kingdoms Series by Brandon Mull Books (Level 4.5+) 
  • Escape From Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein (4th-5th)
  • The Shadow Children Series by Margaret Peterson Haddix (4th-5th)
  • The Dog Who Lost His Bark by Eoin Colfer (Level 4.3)
  • Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk (5th-6th)
  • Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk (5th-6th)
  • Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk (5th-6th)
  • Wish by Barbara O'Connor (4th)
  • Eragon by Christopher Paolini (Level 5.6)
  • Warriors: Into the Wild by Erin Hunter (Level 5.6)
  • Harry Potter & The Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling (Level 5.5)
  • Counting by 7 by Holly Goldberg Sloan (5th-8th)
  • I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai grades (5th-8th)
  • Older Than Dirt: A Wild but True History of Earth by Don Brown (5th-7th)
  • The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate (4th-8th)
  • Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling (4th-8th)
  • Wild Robot by Peter Brown (Level 5.1)
  • The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown (Level 5.1)
  • The Land of Stories Series by Chris Colfer (Level 5.3-6.1)
  • The Amulet Series by Kazu Kibuishi (ages 8-12)
  • The Nnewts Series by Doug TenNape (ages 8-12)
  • Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt (ages 10+)
  • A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket aka Daniel Handler (6th-7th)
  • Legend by Marie Lu (ages 12+)
  • The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins (ages 12+)
  • Matched Series by Ally Condie (ages 12+)
Upcoming District Events
  • Monday, March 22 - Friday, March 26 - Spring Recess
  • Monday, March 29 - Junior High Staff Returns
  • Tuesday, March 30 - Grades 1 and 2 Return
  • Tuesday, April 6 - Grades 3 - 8 Return
  • Wednesday, April 7 - Board of Trustees Meeting 6 p.m. at Alta Loma Junior High School
Some Great Things Happening At Our Schools
Alta Loma Elementary School
Preppy K and kindergarten returned to school on Monday; it was an awesome day. Both teachers and students were excited and happy!

A dine-out night was held at Vince’s Spaghetti on Tuesday. Many families showed up to support ALE.  
Banyan Elementary School
March 15 will forever be remembered as “magical” for the Banyan kindergarten students. Staff was happy to welcome back their Bulldog Families. Why “magical?” As a Banyan team member walked through one of the kindergarten classes a student shouted “this is magical” as they referenced their teacher reading a book to them. Special thanks to Trustee Davies, Mrs. Melton and Mr. Becerra for helping Banyan welcome back their Kinder Bulldogs.

Banyan PTA continues to find great opportunities to show school spirit. Many families participated in the dine-out night at Wahoo’s on March 18 and they look forward to the Read-a-Thon beginning April 12 and the drive-thru open air book fair in May. Thank you to the Banyan PTA for all of your hard work and dedication this past year!
Carnelian Elementary School
Along with the entire Alta Loma School District, Carnelian was happy to welcome its kindergarteners to their first day of on-campus In-Person Learning. Students are doing a phenomenal job, and there is so much gratitude for the incredible Carnelian kindergarten team. 

The critical thinking, ingenuity and joy of work displayed on March 17 "Leprechaun Traps" was a very happy sight, as well.

Carnelian staff is super grateful to the Carnelian families and the support they are providing to the amazing PTA through the March Read-a-Thon fundraiser. Carnelian Elementary set high reading goals in March to push closer to its school-wide reading goal. At Carnelian, Readers are Leaders!
Deer Canyon Elementary School
Deer Canyon was thrilled to welcome its kindergarten Eagles onto campus for their first week of in-person instruction. Many staff members came out to help and it has been an exciting week for everyone.

Many thanks to Karen Hendricks, ALSD Superintendent; Joan Sanders, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources; Steve Thomas, Associate Superintendent of Administrative Services; and Susie Melton, Coordinator of Educational Programs; for coming to Deer Canyon to welcome, support and encourage the littlest DC Eagles. Thank you so much! 
Hermosa Elementary School
Hermosa Huskies are back in action on campus with Preppy K and kindergarten In-Person students. Students are excited to see their classmates and see their teacher in class.

Board President Caryn Payzant joined Hermosa in welcoming back some of its Husky pack to school for learning!
Jasper Elementary School
Jasper welcomed the kindergarten Cubs to campus this week. The joy of their return can be felt throughout the community. Thank you to Karen Hendricks, Superintendent, and Adriana Mohler, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent and Board of Trustees.  

Jasper held a two-day dine-out at 19th Street Pizzeria. Many families participated in raising some dough.
Floyd M. Stork Elementary School
Stork rocked and rolled and brought back 60 kindergarteners on Monday. Lots of smiles and zero tears. Success!

Mr. Suttner hosted a St. Patrick’s Day recess hangout on March 17. Students joined after lunch and enjoyed a read-aloud, showed off green attire, and listened to some Irish music. It was a great time.
Victoria Groves Elementary School
VGS was excited to welcome back Preppy K and kindergarten students. They had a great first day back on campus.

Staff is planning for the return of their 1st and 2nd graders after Spring Break. 
Alta Loma Junior High School
On Tuesday, Alta Loma Junior High provided a social emotional learning support period to all students. ASB students prepared, practiced and presented a slide show to each classroom. Topics covered stress management, focusing and relaxation techniques, and emotional well-being. It's awesome to have students helping students in the area of social emotional learning.

Spirit week brought costumes across the decades. The '60s rocked Monday, the '70s grooved on Tuesday, Wednesday brought us back to the '80s, Thursday threw back to the '90s and Friday reminded everyone of the last decade. Fun times! 
Vineyard Junior High School
Throughout this year, students have participated in various
kindness campaigns such as: the Great Kindness Challenge, PBIS Spirit Days, and Start with Hello. The ASB Leadership class created a new kindness campaign last week focusing on standing up against bullying: “Be Bold, Wear Gold.” To celebrate, students were invited to a special drive-thru spirit day.
Superintendent Hendricks joined the extremely talented Theater Club virtually after school. VJHS students got to know more about their superintendent, and Superintendent Hendricks received some important feedback about school from many club members. In one of VJHS's other clubs, Mrs. Cohort and her Baking Club baked for the first time together virtually. Everyone enjoyed baking and tasting their delicious brownies. Yum!