
Husky Nation Highlights
Community Newsletter - August 27, 2023

Excessive Heat 🥵
We are anticipating temperatures in the upper 90s early this week. We will likely run a modified inclement weather schedule where students can play outdoors at recess time but recess yards will be closed at lunch time.
Monday, September 4 is LABOR DAY - No School!
✏️ PTA CORNER 🍎
PTA Membership Drive – Now to 9/7
One week down, two more weeks to go. We are in the lead, but cannot let up! Our PTA is competing against Brightwood Elementary PTA on who can get the most members from now until September 7. The Principal from the losing school will wear the spirit wear of the winning school and pose with the winner’s mascot.
Lets help Husky Nation win! Join today by clicking here.
And remember, anyone can join: parents, grandparents, students, uncles, community members, etc. Rewards and raffle prizes will be awarded for eligible students, more information about rewards and raffles is available here.
We hope you and your family will join us!
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
We are grateful for our volunteers. Here are some of our volunteer needs at this time:
Ongoing:
- Morning Valet (School) - mornings (7:30am-8:00am)
- Breakfast Supervision (School) - mornings (7:30am-8:00am)
- PE Supervision (School) - Thu/Fri (throughout the day)
- Spooky Bash planning (PTA)
We 💗 Our Volunteers
We are so grateful to families for volunteering their time at Highlands! Here's some important information for new/returning volunteers:
- All returning volunteers must renew their volunteer status at the start of each school year
- New volunteers are always welcome!
- Volunteer registration information is available on our website (CLICK HERE).
To renew your volunteer status or register as a new volunteer, please contact our School Community Coordinator, Ana LeBlanc, in our main office: (626) 570-6220.
Click this link for a helpful flowchart that explains how to become a "cleared volunteer".
Reminders from the Office
- Please report every absence. You can call the office (626.570.6220) or email our registrar to report the absence: rodriguez_rebecca@ausd.us
- Please remember that if your student is absent 5 consecutive days or more due to illness, a doctor's note showing the dates the student was out of school must be provided to return to school.
- Please be mindful of minimum days and dismissal times and ensure your child is picked up promptly.
- Please ensure that any adult picking up your child is on the emergency contacts in Family Portal. We WILL NOT release a student to any individual that is not on the emergency card.
- Please ensure any adult picking up your child has a current photo ID. We WILL NOT release to an adult without identification.
The Husky Spirit Store is opened for a second and final round by popular demand! The store will remain open until September 3, 2023. We are expecting delivery of this second round of orders the first week in October. Don't miss out, this will be the last Spirit store this year.
Coffee Talk w/Mr. B & the AP
You may use the Google Form below to submit questions for Mr. Matsuo ahead of this meeting.
Coffee Talk w/Mr. B & the AP
- Join us for an informal conversation to discuss what's happening at school. These meetings will be scheduled throughout the year in both a virtual an in-person format.
- Our special guest will be Mr. Keith Matsuo, Director of Construction for AUSD.
- Mr. Matsuo will provide updates on our current (and future) construction projects.
Friday, Sep 29, 2023, 08:00 AM
Monterey Highlands Cafetorium
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Donations Welcome
Our classroom teachers welcome donations of Kleenex and Disinfecting Wipes at school. This helps us keep classrooms germ-free. Donations may be dropped off in the Front Office or the Valet Line. Please write the teacher's name on the items so that we can deliver items.
Traffic Safety
Please drive safely as you dropoff or pickup your child. This makes school safe for everyone!
- Do not park in front of the school at dropoff. This blocks handicap parking and this area is reserved for the school bus in the mornings.
- Please use the Valet if you plan to dropoff your child at Gate 1 or park downhill and walk them into school.
- Please drive downhill on Pat Carroll slowly and carefully. Be mindful of the crosswalk near the Pavilion. Please slow down in this area!
- Do not park in the red. This is a fire lane and first responders (and school buses) may not fit in this area if vehicles are parked. The school is not responsible for any damages that may result.
Solar Construction Update
- The noisiest phase of construction is over (drilling and steel assembly)
Steel framing is fully assembled and painted
All solar panels have been mounted to the frames
Electrical work is estimated to last at least 4 weeks, through the end of September
Work will remain to repair the blacktop after electrical is complete
Upcoming Dates
- 8/28 - First Day of VAPA/STEM Classes (schedules posted at 6pm on 8/27)
- 8/29 - Board of Education Meeting
- 8/30 - School Site Council Meeting (on Zoom) at 1:15pm
- 9/3 - Husky Spirit Store (Final Round) closes for the year!
- 9/4 - LABOR DAY HOLIDAY
- 9/5 - Expected delivery of Husky Spirit Orders (Round #1)
- 9/7 - PTA Membership Drive/Contest closes...let's beat Brightwood!
- 9/8 - Lockdown Drill, Minimum Day
- 9/11 - 8th Grade Parent Meeting (details forthcoming)
- 9/13 - PTA Association Meeting (in-person)
- 9/15-9/22 - Parent Conferences (more information to follow)
- 9/19 - Board of Education Meeting
- 9/28 - Safety Committee Meeting (Zoom) at 3pm
- 9/28 - Fall Pictures (TK-3rd)
- 9/29 - Fall Pictures (4th-8th)
Monterey Highlands School
Email: highlands@ausd.us
Website: www.montereyhighlandselementary.org
Location: 400 Casuda Canyon Drive, Monterey Park, CA, USA
Phone: (626) 570-6220