Superintendent's Friday Update
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Hello Alta Loma School District
Our Top Three Updates for the Week:
- GATE Spelling Bee
- SmartSocial
- State Superintendent of Public Instruction's Parent Advisory Council Launched
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It was a great pleasure to host our annual Alta Loma GATE Spelling Bee on Thursday evening at Alta Loma Junior High. We had students from all ten of our ALSD schools come together for a unique and collaborative competition. Over 80 students participated, and we had Districtwide staff, faculty and administration working together to put on this fantastic spelling bee.
Special thanks to Sara Budzinski, Don Burke, Michele Rachielles, and the staff and students of Alta Loma Junior High for ensuring success for this event. We also appreciate the leadership and dedication of our Alta Loma School District Board of Trustees for supporting each step that we take in bringing our students, families and community back together to celebrate student learning and success.
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Congratulations to all of the students and teams who participated! It was fun to cheer you on and show our pride and excitement for our wonderful young scholars in ALSD!
Our winning team, including students from Banyan, Carnelian, Hermosa, Alta Loma Elementary, Deer Canyon and Vineyard Junior High is pictured below. Great job, Lily, Isabella, Camille, Jordyn, Jacob, Priscilla, Saraya, and Owen!
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Follow us on Twitter
@AltaLomaSD
@ALSD_EdServices
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SmartSocial
From Director of Student Services Cara Cerecerez:
Many of our students have a cellphone, tablet, or even gaming systems with Internet access and social media. While advances in technology have many great rewards, there is also the potential for harm.
In addition to cyberbullying, there are concerns about safety, mental health, and student wellness. It seems that every day another social media app or social media challenge becomes popular. In some cases, these apps allow strangers to contact children, or make it easy to anonymously bully other children. In addition, the new trend of social media challenges pose great dangers to students' or bystanders' physical safety. The Alta Loma School District has been looking for a resource that can help parents of our community learn how to navigate social media and online dangers, and the challenges of parenting in the digital age.
We are excited to announce that the Alta Loma School District has recently partnered with SmartSocial.com to give access to on-demand courses for parents and students. The SmartSocial resources cover a wide range of digital and social media topics. We found this information so valuable that we have purchased a parent subscription package. These resources will help you learn how to navigate the negative (and positive) parts of social media with your students.
With more than 130 parent, educator, & student courses available on-demand, this resource promises to help bridge the gap between the ever-changing digital landscape and the very real need to guide our students.
Some courses include:
Smartphone and Social Media Agreement Class (For students, parents, & educators)
- Navigating TikTok (A course for students, parents, & educators)
- Navigating Instagram (A course for students, parents, & educators)
- Navigating YouTube (A course for students, parents, & educators)
- Navigating Snapchat (A course for students, parents, & educators)
- Navigating Fortnite, Overwatch, Call of Duty & Other Violent Video Games (A course for students & parents)
- Navigating Roblox, Minecraft, & Other Non-Violent Video Games (A course for students & parents)
- Navigating College Readiness on Social Media Networks (A course for students, parents, & educators)
And more!
As we all know, the digital footprint and the social media presence that young people create can have a lasting impact. Parental guidance, as well as guidance from trusted adults at school, are needed.
Normally a membership to the SmartSocial resources could be costly to a family. Alta Loma School District families of students in 5th-8th grade can now access a SmartSocial Membership for FREE.
The membership provided by the Alta Loma School District gives each family in Grades 5 - 8 access to the SmartSocial courses for free until July 31, 2023. This is a unique opportunity to learn from experts in the social media space - from the comfort of your home or office.
We hope you enjoy this resource as you support your student in a digital age.
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State Superintendent of Public Instruction's Parent Advisory Council Launched
Forwarded from the Office of State Superintendent of Schools Tony Thurmond
The California Department of Education will be launching the first State Superintendent of Public Instruction's Parent Advisory Council. The Parent Advisory Council will work directly with the State Superintendent of Public Instruction's office to provide input and feedback on matters affecting youth throughout the state. State Superintendent Thurmond is creating a council of diverse parents that will directly work with policymakers and educational partners to provide equitable change to California's education system through authentic parent voices. As we reimagine education, State Superintendent Thurmond hopes to have parents working alongside California's education professionals and policymakers to build a better tomorrow for all learning institutions in our state.
An informational session on how to apply will take place on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. Please register in advance for this meeting at
If you have any questions or would like an application, please email
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Important (and fun!) program information for families of some of our youngest learners can be viewed in our Alta Loma School District Transitional Kindergarten Presentation on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoaSHCdJgas
Wishing you a great weekend ahead,
Karen Hendricks
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- Monday, April 11 - ALSD window opens for CAASPP (California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress) Testing; please refer to information from your school site(s)
- Wednesday, April 20 - Board of Trustees Meeting, 5:00 PM Closed Session and 6:00 PM Open Session begins, District Support Center
- Thursday, April 21 - Transitional Kindergarten Parent Information Night, 6:00 PM, District Support Center
- Tuesday, May 3 - Open House at Deer Canyon Elementary, 5:00 PM
- Thursday, May 5 - Open Houses at Alta Loma Elementary, Stork Elementary and Victoria Groves Elementary, 5:00 PM
- Thursday, May 12 - Open Houses at Hermosa Elementary, 4:30 PM TK / Kinder; 5:30 PM Grades 1-6 and Alta Loma Junior High at 6:00 PM
- Thursday, May 19 - Open Houses at Carnelian Elementary, 5:30 PM and Jasper Elementary, 5:00 PM
- Wednesday, May 25 - Last day of school for Grades K-7: Modified Day for Grades 1-8; PM Kinder students attend with AM Kinder students
- Thursday, May 26 - Last day of school for Grade 8 students (Modified Day)
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Great Things Happening At Our Schools |
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From Principal Curtis Quanstrom:
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Ubuntu: I am because we are.
It was an insightful and joyful opportunity to have the Cambio Group on the Jasper Campus this week. The Jasper Equity team along with Dr. Shields and Dr. Gillmore, from the Cambio Group, took an Equity Walk through all the classrooms this week.
The purpose of the Equity Walk is to highlight students' experiences on campus and in the classroom, all the while looking for opportunities to elevate every student at Jasper. The primary goal is to continue to make every Champion feel welcome.
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From Principal Val Bires:
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This week we had the honor to have our Director of Fiscal Services, Ryan Peterson on campus to walk classrooms and watch Huskies in action as they learn and review skills.
Visiting TK is always a treat when at Hermosa. Mr. Peterson enjoyed visiting with them, observed them interact and practiced his stretching poses with them. Way to go Huskies! #huskystrong
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From Principal Guadalupe Berzunza:
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Stork Superstars would like to thank our wonderful Child Nutrition team. When we were told that our original cafeteria team would be out for an extended amount of time, we were a bit worried. We were quickly taken care of by our Child Nutrition Director Heather Sloan. She brought the wonderful Brianna Thomas and her team to take care of our Superstars!
We cannot say enough about how great they have been to our students and staff. Ms. Thomas ensures that all of our students have a great meal on a daily basis. The team greets the children with a smile and goes above and beyond to take care of our Superstars!
Thank you to all the wonderful ladies that work behind the scenes to prepare meals for our Stork Superstars. Thank you, Brianna Thomas, Tara Rivera, Wylsa Mainaky, Kandice Knapp and Julie Smith for stepping in, helping and taking care of us. We appreciate all of your hard work.
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From Principal Kristy Johnson:
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This week our students celebrated reaching our Boosterthon goal with our big slime event! The morning started off with Mr. Shinn’s class shaving his head for running the obstacle course 35 times during our fun run.
Then, our top top fundraisers were given the chance to blast Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Peralta with Silly String. The fun ended with SLIME! Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Peralta were both covered in green slime!
What a fun way to celebrate the hard work of our Grizzlies! We are so thankful for such amazing students and families who support our fundraisers. The money raised from this fundraiser supports our Meet the Masters Art Program.
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From Principal Michele Rachielles:
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It’s been two years since Alta Loma Junior High Track has competed. Our student athletes have been hard at work practicing for the season with our coaches.
A huge shout out goes to our coaches Mr. Yeutter, and Ms. Dorr. We also appreciate the extra help from Mrs. Flores.
50 Warrior student-athletes went to Colony High School last week to show off their skills. We are proud of our Alta Loma Warriors and want to congratulate all participating students.
Leading their groups to the top of the podium were:
*Lucas H. for the 8th grade boys.
*Chiara L. for the 8th grade girls.
*Lucy F. for the 7th grade girls.
*Calton R. for the 7th grade boys.
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Wednesday was extra fun at ALJH as we had our Spring Dance! We had a great turn out and everyone had a blast. Students danced, had their picture taken at the photo booth, played Mega Jenga, ate yummy food and more!
It was wonderful to have a fun event and to see all the smiles. A huge thank you to Mrs. Huynh and her ASB class for planning this event and to Mrs. Mc Dowell and the volunteers for all the behind the scenes work. So much fun!
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From Principal Sandy Rose:
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The Vineyard Track team had their first track meet at Colony High School last week and did well! A shout-out goes to the Vineyard Track coaches: Ms. Rudd, Mrs. Jansen and Ms. Ogg.
We are so proud of our Vikings and want to congratulate the following students:
· 7th grader, Gabriel S., for winning the 400 meters AND mile and placing 2nd in the 800 meters!
· 7th grader, Tory J. and 8th grader, Mia A., for winning the 800 meter race!
· 7th grader, Sage H., and 8th grader, Nathan L. who worked hard and completed 4 events all happening back to back!
· Thank you to Eliza H., Chloe E. and Christian A. for staying all the way to the end of the meet to run a great 200 meter race!
· 8th graders Katherine Z. and Milan P. ran well and had awesome sportsmanship towards their teammates!
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We also enjoyed having the Los Osos Marching Band entertain our students during lunchtime. It was great to see our former Vikings playing in the high school band. |
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From Principal Dolly Bentley:
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We are so excited to have parent volunteers back on campus! Thank you to our amazing PTA for getting the Scholastic Book Fair up and running. Our students were so excited to browse the books and find the perfect one! We are so lucky to have such a wonderful parent community who is willing to help and make ALE a great place to be! |
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From Principal Khaleelah Lewis-Wilkins:
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Banyan celebrated the official grand re-opening of our doors to our families and community for Open House. This event was jam packed full of excitement and smiles! Our Superintendent Karen Hendricks, Assistant Superintendent Donna Carlson, and Board of Trustee Members- Rebecca Davies and Dave Roberts loved visiting the classrooms and observing the joy at Banyan. |
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Banyan would like to thank all of our Banyan staff who worked diligently to make our first re-opening to the community a success! Thank you to our teachers who displayed student work and projects in the classroom for the community to behold.
Thank you to our Student Senate team and their advisor Mrs. Carlson-Montemayor, who supported Open House with greeters, Parent Grams, but also created positive quotes to inspire students during our Testing Assembly and Raffle.
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Lastly, we celebrate our students who have enhanced and improved their literacy skills in our Literacy Lab program.
Congratulations to these kiddos who continue to “Achieve Beyond the Expected!” We are SO proud of their hard work and perseverance this year.
Thanks to our Literacy Lab aides, who joyfully and excitedly work with our students to impart successful reading strategies and practices. #GoBulldogs #Bulldogshavepride
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From Principal Autumn Williams:
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What an exciting week we’ve had at Carnelian Elementary! Our new principal, Mrs. Autumn Williams, started on April 1st and is already loving this community!
On Monday, our Equity Team walked through classrooms and saw the amazing work that is happening here at Carnelian. Several rooms had positive affirmations for students and there was evidence of strong grade level collaboration across the school.
We were able to share with the staff all of the positive things that were observed during this walk.
This week is also National Assistant Principals Week, so our Carnelian community would like to show gratitude to our amazing TAP, Dr. Charron Rodriguez. She and Sue Geddes have done an incredible job supporting the Carnelian community until Mrs. Williams has been able to join the team.
Be Safe, Be Kind, Be Proud and have a GREAT Cardinal day!
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From Principal Andrew Carter:
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This week we were so excited to hold our first meeting to plan our End-of-the-Year Family Fun Night. On Wednesday, our Parent Ambassador Mrs. Michelle McCliman and our own, Katie Clarke, met with some parents to help organize what should be an amazing culminating PTA event on Friday, May 20th.
It was so incredible to have our parents brainstorming ways to cap off this year and make it memorable, together, for kids. Just another reason we are lucky to have such a strong, positive, relationship with our families.
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From Your COVID-19 Safety and Information Team
Updates to Public Health Guidance for K–12 Schools
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