Superintendent's Friday Update
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My best to you,
Karen Hendricks
Superintendent
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Hello to our Alta Loma Community,
The ALSD Management Team has had a theme for the 2020-2021 school year: PERSEVERANCE. That's likely something that you have found yourself and your families practicing as well. Our Board of Trustees has certainly persevered in its commitment to students and staff during this remarkable year.
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Perseverance has led to the strengthening of Distance Learning and the evidence of powerful partnerships between staff and our parent / guardian community. It will also continue to be a key factor in the return of In-Person Learners to our school sites. |
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As of Tuesday, April 6, we will have all staff and almost 3,700 students at our 10 campuses. These are big steps forward.
District leaders met together yesterday - this is the first time since I arrived that I have been able to see and work with this team in person! We focused on three key inquiries related to our Reopening Plan:
- What has worked well thus far with our staggered returns of SDC / Child Care, Preppy K / Kindergarten, and Grades 1 / 2? What have we learned?
- What are details that we want to be attentive to as we prepare for our largest wave of students to return for hybrid learning on April 6 (Grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8)?
- What are opportunities and challenges for an increase of on-campus learning time given improved COVID conditions and evolving guidance?
We look forward to very busy school sites on April 6. Next week will be the time for us to examine all systems we have in place with our largest group of students to date. During this time, we continue to follow the guidance, prioritize safety, and stay committed to wise decision making.
Interest also exists about the 2021-2022 school year. We're excitedly preparing for that too! With the exception of those enrolling in ALVA (see below), ALSD plans to have all students back full-time in August 2021.
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From the Office of Educational Services
Lori Thompson, Associate Superintendent
Kindergarten Connection
As we reopen our schools, we are proud to offer a full-day wrap-around pilot program for kindergarten students. Kindergarten Connection is a full-day kindergarten program offered at Carnelian Elementary School by invitation only to students who would benefit the most from a full-day experience. Kindergarten Connection is a no-cost program offered through our Child Development Program and taught by trained para-professionals. Lessons and activities will reinforce foundational skills necessary for successful transition into first grade. We intend to expand Kindergarten Connection to other schools for the 2021-2022 school year.
C.A.M.P. Alta Loma: Creating Academic Measurable Progress
Susie Melton, Coordinator of Educational Programs, will provide an overview of summer school at the April 7 Board meeting. C.A.M.P. Alta Loma is a four-week no-cost academic-based program that will run from June 3-30, 2021 for four hours per day. We anticipate groups of students at every grade level for all four hours will participate in instruction in Language Arts and Math to ensure a smooth transition into the next grade level.
Extended School Year (ESY)
Extended School Year services are special education programs and services that assist the student in working toward the same goals and objectives that the student worked on during the school year. ESY services are typically provided for those areas on a student’s current Individualized Education Plan where the student has demonstrated a) regression of skills during an extended school break and b) limited ability to benefit from re-teaching of skills after an extended school break. The need for ESY services is determined by the student’s Individual Education Program team and specified in each student’s IEP. The Alta Loma Extended School Year program will run from June 3-30, 2021. The program will be held at Banyan Elementary and Alta Loma Junior High School.
Alta Loma Virtual Academy (ALVA)
We currently have 316 students who have selected a Distance Learning program for the 2021-2022 school year. Registration closed on April 1, and it appears that we will have one class per grade level for grades 1-7, and likely two classes for grade 8. In the next few weeks we will confirm for families that their seat in ALVA is reserved, and a few families will be on a waiting list. The seats in ALVA will be assigned based on the dates the families submitted their commitment.
From the Office of Human Resources
Joan Sanders, Assistant Superintendent Human Resources/Pupil Services
Human Resources' goal is to recruit, retain, and develop an exceptional staff for our students and community. As the biggest employer in Alta Loma, we employ approximately 740 full and part time staff. Many of our current teachers and support staff live in Alta Loma, their children attend Alta Loma schools and a large number of our staff attended ALSD when they were students. Our staff is deeply invested in our schools and we appreciate their commitment to providing the very best education for our students.
Human Resources hires year-round for support staff. Community members who are looking for part-time positions in the schools such as working as an instructional aide, serving meals in our Child Nutrition program, or helping students with activities in our after-school and summer Child Care Program, are examples of rewarding part-time jobs. Additionally, for someone looking for occasional part-time work, we have openings for substitutes in a variety of classifications as well. More information about these positions and the qualifications are on our website at https://www.alsd.k12.ca.us/Page/176.
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Upcoming District Events
Board of Trustees Meeting
We have a Regular Board Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, April 7, 2021, at
Alta Loma Junior High School.
The Board of Trustees welcomes comments from visitors, employees, employee groups, parent organizations and students. Prior to addressing the Board, please complete the comment form located at the east entrance and give it to the Superintendent’s Administrative Assistant. The Board has set aside 45 minutes for the Public Comment section normally allowing five minutes per individual. The public comment period is the opportunity for the public to address the Board on (1) items on the public session agenda; (2) items on the closed session agenda; and (3) other topics within the jurisdiction of the Board. In accordance with the Brown Act, the Board will limit any responses to public comment to brief statements, referral to staff or referral to a future Board agenda.
For your convenience, below is a list of some Open Session Agenda Items. This portion of the agenda will begin at 6 p.m.:
*Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Executive Director Dr. Wesley Smith will present an update of statewide issues and initiatives.
*Trustees will share and discuss items such as their participation in meetings, activities and school visits.
*Staff will provide an update on summer learning activities for students.
*Staff will provide an update on the ALSD Reopening Plan.
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Tune in Tonight to See and Hear Our Mighty Music Teacher |
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Tonight at 7 p.m. on Fox Sports West, our own incredible Elementary Choral Music Teacher Sierra DiSchiavi will be featured for Educator Appreciation Night at the Anaheim Ducks game. Ms. DiSchiavi was asked to sing the National Anthem, which will be shown prior to the game tonight. She has many fans here in ALSD already, and is sure to have even more after this airs! |
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Upcoming Events:
- Tuesday, April 6 - Grades 3 - 8 In-Person Learning Resumes
- Wednesday, April 7 - Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Alta Loma Junior High School: 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 14 - DELAC Meeting: 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 21 - Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Alta Loma Junior High School: 6 p.m.
- May 10 - 14 Teacher Appreciation Week
- Wednesday, May 12 - California Day of the Teacher
- May 17 - 21 Classified School Employee Week
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Some Great Things Happening At Our Schools |
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Alta Loma Elementary School
From Principal Dolly Bentley:
ALE has its Super Spirit Assembly today. At the assembly, we will recognize our Read Across America Bookmark Making Contest Winners. We will also recognize students who are demonstrating our three R’s for PBIS and our good character awards.
Several students participated in the Cucamonga Valley Water District “Water is Life” Poster making contest. The CVWD took eight of our student’s submissions and they will honor them at the CVWD Night this spring.
Mrs. Aleman did a wonderful job cleaning up the garden to prepare for students to return. Ms. Mickelsen, a Learning Lab aide, helped us get the flowers for the garden. We appreciate their dedication to the ALE Garden!
We welcomed back our first and second graders this week. One student said, “I love it! Can I come every day forever?” So many big smiles this week from both teachers and students!
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Banyan Elementary School
From Principal Cara Cerecerez:
On March 30, we welcomed back our first and second grade Bulldogs.
Students shared that this was a “perfect day.” Students had so much fun in the classroom and then had the opportunity to go outside with our amazing Lit Lab aides to have a brain break and learn through kinesthetics.
First grade students also enjoyed reading outside.
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On Thursday, sixth grade students received their signs to celebrate sixth grade promotion in May. The sixth grade team wanted all students to get excited about finishing the year strong and celebrate their success this year. This was also a great incentive to pick up materials for the rest of the year.
Carnelian Elementary School
From Principal Chris Deegan:
It is such a joy to welcome more students back to on campus learning with the addition of first and second grades. We couldn’t ask for a better partnership between staff, faculty and our Carnelian families. A phrase that describes this week is “Smiling Eyes!” It is so rewarding to see the joy in everyone’s faces. I am also very proud of our students who are finishing this year with Distance Learning. They continue to demonstrate the characteristics that we expect to see in all of our College-Bound Cardinals.
During the past 15 days of learning at Carnelian, our students have read well over 10,000,000 words as measured by our Accelerated Reader Comprehension Quizzes. To accompany this additional focus on reading during the month of March, our families have donated over $8,400 to our amazing PTA, and therefore, to our wonderful students! We are very grateful for the support we receive from our families!
Deer Canyon Elementary School
From Principal Donna Carlson:
On March 30, 97 of our first and second grade Eagles arrived for in-person instruction. Staff members and a district visitor, Susie Melton, came out to welcome and cheer on our students as they entered their classrooms for the first time this school year!
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You could see the huge smiles (under their masks) shining through everyone’s eyes!
The Deer Canyon modernization project is in its final phase. Our Media Center and adjoining rooms are being transformed at an impressive rate. New walls are in and we can’t wait to see the finished product.
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Hermosa Elementary School
From Principal Val Bires:
With welcoming cheers and happy smiles, our first and second grade in-person Husky students returned to campus for learning this week!
The Hermosa staff continues to work together as a strong team to do what's best for students.
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Jasper Elementary School
From Interim Principal Curtis Quanstrom:
Grades three through six continue to prepare for the return of students. The classrooms are coming together. We can’t wait.
A huge shoutout to first and second grade. Excitement filled the air as our first and second graders were welcomed back to campus. Some parents even cheered as their students came onto campus. It was a perfect day.
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Floyd M. Stork Elementary School
From Principal Phil Suttner:
On March 30, Stork welcomed back 135 first and second graders. So many smiles behind those masks!
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Two upper graders are having a healthy competition to see who can accumulate the most words read in the history of Stork. Sixth grader Elias A. currently has read 6,725,985 words this year. Not far behind is fifth grader Michael C. with 6,504,991 words. These two might be closing in on an all-time world record (we hope).
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Victoria Groves Elementary School
From Principal Kristy Johnson:
On Monday we had our drive-through silly string event for students. This reward was for going above our $12,000 fundraiser goal.
VGS has our March Virtual Spirit Assembly on Friday to honor our Super Grizzlies. These are students who are being honored for being respectful, responsible, safe and persevering in February. Our Student Senate officers created videos for the assembly to share PTA news, upcoming events and Senate news.
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On Tuesday we welcomed our first and second graders back on campus. Superintendent Hendricks and Board Member Davies were on campus to show their support. Students and teachers all had SMILES from ear to ear. |
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Alta Loma Junior High School
From Principal Michele Rachielles:
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ASB students are working on expectation videos to orient students upon return to campus. These videos include topics such as entrance and exit procedures, locations, and dress code expectations. Not only do students need to learn specific procedures for COVID safety, in many cases they have never spent a day on campus. Nobody knows where their classrooms are, and seventh graders have never been farther than the MPR!
This week our Special Education department, general education teachers, and assistant principal have been holding dozens of transition meetings with the high schools. While these are required meetings, it is special that our teachers take such ownership of our Warrior students that they will spend their prep periods being sure the high school has a clear understanding of each student’s strengths, abilities, and special needs. The confidence which comes from “hand delivering” student information is invaluable.
On April 1, Keystone Class teacher Ms. Garcia shared important thoughts with the ALJH staff; they were so awesome that we wanted to highlight them here for Autism Awareness Day:
Students with autism are all different and special in their own unique way. We as a classroom celebrate them and we are hoping tomorrow you will celebrate them with us! If you see a student, child, or adult with Autism wave, say hello, or give an elbow bump. They are usually very eager to see a friendly face.
If you get the chance, share with your classes a little bit about Autism and how they can make a difference in a child with autism's life. Those with autism want to be included and enjoy the joys of life just like everyone of us!
Here are some videos if you would like to share or learn more!!
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Vineyard Junior High School
From Principal Sandy Rose:
Thanks to the support from our community in passing the Measure H Bond, Vineyard has received modernization that will greatly benefit our students. The construction will be finished in the near future, and we can’t wait until our students are back at school to enjoy the fully renovated classrooms on campus.
Our staff is working hard to prepare for the return of our students on April 6, and are looking forward to seeing our Vikings in person! Our ASB leadership students made welcome-back posters and created a video to help our students who are returning to campus next week. The video includes arrival/dismissal routines, safety procedures, how to get help, and many other helpful tips so students feel more comfortable about returning. Here’s the video:
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Our teaching staff received training from our District TOSAs on strategies for teaching in our new Hybrid Model. We are incredibly thankful for our staff for all of their hard work in preparing for the return of our Vikings! It takes a village! A special shout-out goes to our amazing PTSA for the thoughtful staff luncheon they provided in appreciation of our staff. You rock! |
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