Superintendent's Friday Update
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Hello Alta Loma School District,
When you get to the section below that covers Some Great Things Happening at Our Schools, you'll notice that we are "shaking up the order" a bit to rotate what hits the top of this section. So you'll want to make sure you scroll through to get a glimpse into each site - we've started off with our Junior High Schools this week.
During my visit to Hermosa Elementary on Monday morning, Principal Bires and I spent time in many Grade 3-6 classrooms. In all classrooms, students were highly focused on tasks at hand, which were primarily in the content areas of mathematics and language arts. Some students were working individually and others cooperatively. There was great opportunity for students to ask questions and to share learning. Engagement, positive energy and joy were evident.
One of the learning activities that was especially fun to see was the use of journal writing in Mrs. Stephanie Frye's 3rd Grade Classroom. The writing prompt was "If I were a teacher..." and the students were generating such great thinking.
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Mrs. Frye says, "I have used journals as a part of my curriculum for many years because of the numerous benefits I feel they offer my students. Journals allow them to start the day by sharing a story, which we all know kids love to do, or making one up if the topic doesn't lend to an experience they've had, personally. While expressing themselves creatively, students are writing daily, and hopefully making these skills a part of their good habits. After writing, students add an illustration, which activates a different part of the brain, but keeps them engaged with their writing. As the year progresses, they will also start to read our journals aloud and share these creative stories with their classmates, which is always a fun and entertaining experience. Through the use of daily journals, my biggest hope is that when my students leave my class, they will enjoy writing and expressing themselves as much as I do."
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I know that these type of journals are things that I've hung onto from my own three daughters classrooms though the years. At their current ages of of 25, 22 and 22, they love to look back and see how their writing evolved through the course of their educational careers. My eldest now works in the communications field, another reminder of the impact of each teacher along the way. Here's a shout out to all Husky staff and students, and to the meaningful efforts of educators, students and parents in ALL of our school communities. Thank you! |
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I also wanted to add a photo of a wall in Ms. Frye’s class that shared ways in which members of the classroom community can extend grace, and agreements that had been made around that. It was very inspiring, and a good reminder of how students can lead the way in establishing and maintaining a positive climate and culture in their environment. |
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From Educational Services
Associate Superintendent Lori Thompson
Parent Conferences
It is the time of year to meet for Parent-Teacher Conferences. This is an opportunity for the families and teachers to meet to ensure student success at school. Early conferences for some elementary students will be held on September 23 & 24, while the remaining conferences will be conducted at the end of the trimester. Junior High School Parent Conferences will be held the week of September 27th. Parent conferences will be held virtually this fall, however in-person conferences are available upon request.
Short Term Independent Study
We appreciate your support as we continue to following the safety protocols at school. Student learning and engagement in school continues to be a priority. However, in the event your student must stay home for a COVID related illness or quarantine, we are exploring the options of Short Term Independent Study. Schools will be sending information out to families in the next few weeks.
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From Administrative Services
Associate Superintendent Eric Hart
Alta Loma School District has an opportunity to sell the final $3M in available Measure H Bonds. The District bond finance team, Fieldman Rolapp & Associates, provided a presentation to the Board of Trustees at the September 1, 2021 meeting, detailing how the District is able to do this.
(https://ca02000904.schoolwires.net/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=77&dataid=12237&FileName=Alta%20Loma%20Board%20Presentation%209-1-21.pdf)
The current market demand for bonds has created a situation where we can refinance a portion of the Series A Bonds sold in 2017 for a lower interest rate. The refinancing of the Series A Bonds does not extend the time period of repayment, and will generate actual savings for the local taxpayers.
The net result of this is the cost of the Series D Bond issuance, along with the refinanced cost of the Series A Bonds, will not cost any more than what taxpayers are currently being assessed on their tax bill for Series A Bonds. The Series D Bonds will provide the money to complete the modernization work currently being performed at Deer Canyon, Jasper and Carnelian Elementary Schools.
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From the COVID-19 Safety Team:
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With my appreciation and best regards,
Karen Hendricks
Superintendent
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- Wednesday, September 22 -
Jasper PTA Dine-out - Yogiyos, 12:00 PM-10:30 PM & Tacocino,
5:00 PM-9:00 PM
Stork PFSA Dine-Out - Chipotle, 5:00 PM-9:00PM
Vineyard PTSA Dine-out - Chipotle, 4:00-9:00 PM
- Thursday, September 23 - Friday, September 24 - Elementary Parent Conferences (Modified Days)
- Monday, September 27-Thursday, September 30 - Junior High Parent Conferences (Modified Days)
- Thursday, September 30 - Stork Recycling Day, Plastic & Aluminum Only
Drop bags by the flagpole before 10:30 AM
- Friday, October 1 - Junior High Modified Day
- Wednesday, October 6 - Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees, 6:00pm at the District Support Center
- Monday, October 11 - Staff Development Day, No School
- Friday, October 29 - End of Trimester 1
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Some Great Things Happening At Our Schools |
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From Principal Sandy Rose:
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Over the past week, our social studies teachers have been demonstrating how historic events, like 9/11, have shaped the future. Students engaged in critical thinking and conversations to discern how tragedy could be used to make us stronger as individuals and as a community. (Pictured below: Mrs. Vandegrift and her students learning about the significance of September 11th). |
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In addition to learning about the impacts of 9/11, we had a special spirit day in honor of Patriot Day by wearing red, white and blue. The Viking community truly appreciates our first responders and military for their heroism. |
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From Principal Michele Rachielles:
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The 8th graders had a chance to become engineers and build rubber band loaded rockets. Of course the administration had to join in the fun. Thanks to Mrs. Lening for letting us join. (We won’t report on which administrator had the best distance record [Rachielles]). |
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This Wednesday marks the start of Hispanic Heritage Month. Students were invited to watch the video below on the Warrior Web, our school-wide Google classroom. Students are also invited to share their own Hispanic Heritage stories.
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From Principal Khaleelah Lewis-Wilkins:
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This week, Banyan celebrates our phenomenal Kindergarten Team!
These ladies make sure that our Early and Late Birds receive the best education possible. As a team, they communicate openly with each other, sharing their thoughts, opinions, and ideas so that all the students in Kindergarten have a chance to master their learning.
Our Bulldog students instantly felt a sense of belonging to this team, because they are committed to their work, and really care about their student’s, including those that have left their classrooms and moved on to new grade levels! Outside of the classroom they wear many hats, site leaders, supermoms and more! They Achieve Beyond the Expected. Go Bulldogs!!
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From Principal Chris Deegan:
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At Carnelian, we are grateful for a servant leader, our Alta Loma SD Superintendent, Karen Hendricks!
Mrs. Hendricks covered our custodial duties on a very warm afternoon during lunch time. This was no simple task! Not only did she do a fantastic job of keeping our lunch area clean and our trash cans emptied, but she was able to encourage and connect with students at the same time. We appreciate her leadership and the example of service that she sets for others!
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Carnelian is fortunate to have incredible staff working with students in our Title I program. Their collective knowledge, experience and compassion for students, combined with their expert implementation of research-based, best instructional practices, helps our young scholars to soar to reach their learning goals and beyond!
Thank you to Mrs. Schrempp, Mrs. Groeber, Mrs. Bement and Mrs. Catuara! We appreciate you!
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From Principal Andrew Carter:
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Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! Culture, diversity, and tradition allow us all to gain a better knowledge of one another. We want to celebrate our own diversity here at Deer Canyon since it enriches our campus!
Speaking of enrichment, we’ve had some amazing things happening at Deer Canyon! On Friday last week, we observed Patriot’s Day. Students dressed in red, white, and blue, and participated in activities within their classrooms. Deer Canyon thanks all first responders and all military personnel for their heroism.
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This week, students in grades 4-6 listened to student government nominee speeches within each classroom. After the speeches, students voted for who they wanted to represent them on the student council. This was such an important lesson and practice and we applaud all of the students who participated. Congratulations to the winners!
Mrs. Rice and I look forward to working with the student council representatives to find new ways to continue making Deer Canyon the premier place to be for students and staff!
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From Principal Val Bires:
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Hermosa Huskies know how important it is to act their best and make smart choices. Each month we hold a school-wide outdoor flag assembly to honor our American flag, show our school spirit and recognize our Super Husky students. Principal Bires, Assistant Principal Bowyer and all the Husky staff participate and make each assembly meaningful for the students. |
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From Principal Curtis Quanstrom:
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The Buddy Program is up and running at Jasper Elementary. Mrs. Coronado and Mrs. Sheff introduced the Buddy Program to 5th and 6th grade students in a well received presentation. The presentation included a look into diversity, understanding disabilities, the ways people learn, and friendships. The goal of the buddy program is to build friendships and develop an understanding about the differences that make everybody special. After the presentation, many of the 5th and 6th grade students jumped at the opportunity to be a Buddy. |
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From Principal Guadalupe Berzunza:
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On Friday, September 10th, students participated in Patriot’s Day Activities.
Teachers provided activities in the classroom to help students understand the significance of the day. Our students created an American Flag out of their handprints that will remain in our MPR room. Our community partners as well as our parents who are first responders, came to show their support. We had over 15 agencies represented.
A huge thank you to our PFSA for organizing this incredible activity. Stork families are truly amazing. It was incredible to see our students express gratitude for the first responders of 9/11 and their thankfulness to the patriots who serve our country today!
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From Principal Kristy Johnson:
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Our Preppy K students are enjoying learning about apples! They spent the day making apple pie play dough, did some apple picking and counting to 10 on a 10’s frame and finished off with some apple tasting.
Students in Preppy K take advantage of learning through play! These cross curricular activities engage our youngest learners.
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From Principal Dolly Bentley:
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On Friday, September 10th, students participated in Patriot’s Day Activities. Mrs. Bentley shared a Patriotic Assembly for students to watch virtually and teachers provided activities in the classroom to help them understand the significance of the day. It was incredible to see our students express gratitude for the first responders of 9/11 and their thankfulness to the patriots who serve our country today! |
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