
Husky Nation Highlights
Community Newsletter - February 25, 2024

Help us restock our Husky Carts and provide students with school supplies, toys and snacks as incentives for earning Husky Bucks! Items are delivered directly to the school.
Homerooms with the Best Attendance 🏆
It is critical for your child to be at school every day so that they can take advantage of our rigorous curriculum, support programs and exciting school activities. We are celebrating the following homeroom classes for having the best attendance!!
Best Attendance over the Last 30 Days of School:
- Yamamoto - 2nd Grade
- K. Wang - 5th Grade
- Tou - 3rd Grade
- Nguyen - Kinder/1st Combo
- Adams - 5th Grade
- Cheng - 7th Grade
- Vi - 6th/7th Combo
- Kaur - 7th Grade
Best Attendance over the Last 120 Days of School (Cumulative for the Year):
- K Wang - 5th Grade
- Cheng - 7th Grade
- Kim - 7th Grade
- Nguyen - Kinder/1st Combo
- Shyu - 4th Grade
- Perez - 4th Grade
- Vi - 6th/7th Combo
- J. Wang - 5th Grade
Help 6th Grade go to Science Camp! 🔬
As of today, we have a count of 100 students who have committed to Outdoor Science School in Wrightwood, CA from May 6 - May 10, 2024. Total costs of camp (transportation, lodging, camp tours, insurance) are $40,000. As of 2/25/24, the 6th Grade ASB account has a balance of $32,122. That means, 6th Grade is still short $7,878.
Our goal is to submit field trip paperwork to the Alhambra Unified Board of Education for approval at their March 12th meeting. There are several departments that need to approve the paperwork before it can reach the Board. We are asking that donations be made as soon as possible and/or let us know if you and your child has changed your minds about attending Outdoor Science School.
If you have not yet made a donation and you are able to, please send your donation with your 6th grader. Cash or checks are accepted. Please make checks payable to Monterey Highlands ASB.
ELPAC Testing 👨💻
English Learner (EL) students continue with ELPAC Testing this week. Please make sure your child gets plenty of rest and is on-time to school. Testing runs 8-9am. This week's schedule is:
- Wed 2/28 - 3rd and 4th grade
- Th 2/29 - 5th and 6th grades
- Fr 3/1 - 7th and 8th grades
Monitor Your Child's Web Browsing 💻
The Lightspeed Parent Portal is available for guardians. This tool allows guardians to monitor their child's most recent web browsing activities. Guardians will be able to opt into receiving weekly reports of their student’s internet usage and analytics. They will also have the ability to create a Lightspeed Parent Portal account, which will allow them to view their child’s browsing history for the last 7 days.
Step 1: Opt in to receive the usage reports (Click HERE for Instructions in English/Spanish/Chinese)
Step 2: Review the Lightspeed Parent Portal Guide (Click HERE for the guide in English/Spanish/Chinese)
Mathnasium x PTA 📐
Our neighbors down Casuda Canyon have a great offer for Husky Nation Families!
From February 14th to April 31st, 2024, for every new student enrolling in Mathnasium, we will donate $100 to the Monterey Highlands PTA. For returning students, the donation will be $50. We'll actively market this to customers inquiring about our program, especially those attending Highlands, and to our former customers interested in returning.
Contact Jenny at (626) 888-9498 or montereypark@mathnasium.com
Pawsitive Press - Issue #5 🐾
Mr. McNeil's 5th Grade homeroom class is ready to present Issue #5 of the Pawsitive Press! This month's theme is Perserverance.
This month's editors are Ian Chow and Matthew Trinh. Great work on this newsletter, Ian and Matthew!
Click here to read the newsletter!
Calling all 1st-5th Grade Huskies! 🫡
🇺🇸Monterey Park Civic Superstars🇺🇸
🌟The City of Monterey Park is now taking volunteer applications for Monterey Park students, 1st-5th grade, to lead the Pledge of Allegiance during a regular City Council meeting.Students must be comfortable speaking in front of an audience and live in Monterey Park. City Council meetings are held the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month and start at 6:30pm.
To register your Civic Superstar please complete the form located at Tiny.cc/civicSS or visit www.montereypark.ca.gov/recreation .
✏️ PTA CORNER 🍎
Shaving Cream High Five with Mr. B! 🖐️
Calling all CLEARED parents and volunteers! Our school has hit our fundraising goal, and it's time to celebrate in the most fun way possible! We need volunteers for an epic PTA event where our amazing Principal Mr. B and school staff will receive a shaving cream high five from some of our enthusiastic students!
We're looking for volunteers to assist with setup, coordination, and ensuring everything runs smoothly.
Date: March 6
Time: 11-1:30
Interested in lending a hand? Please let us know by submitting this Form and we will be in touch with particular time-slots and details. Thank you!
Picture Day Volunteers – 2/29 & 3/1 📸
Our school is requesting CLEARED volunteers for spring PICTURE DAY, this Thursday (February 29) and Friday (March 1), to assist with making sure classes come in on time (walking needed) and helping to see that students take jackets and hoods off, etc. Please see the sign up genius link below.
If interested in volunteering, please click here. Thank you!
PTA Now Accepting Nominations for 2024-2025 Executive Board!
Attention all Monterey Highlands Parents, Guardians, and Teachers! We are now accepting nominations for the 2024-2025 Executive Board. Our PTA plays a crucial role in supporting our school and ensuring the best possible experience for our children. We need your help in identifying dedicated and passionate individuals to lead the way.
For more information and to submit nominations, please click here. Nominations must be submitted by March 1, 2024. The election will take place on April 10, 2024.
Don't miss this opportunity to have a voice in shaping the future of our school. Get involved and make a difference! Thank you!
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities 🤝
We are grateful for our volunteers. Here are some of our volunteer needs at this time:
Ongoing:
Information for Promoting 8th Graders 🎓
- MKHS Showcase Field Trip - Wed 2/28 from 9-11:15am
- MKHS PODER Information Night - Th 2/29 from 6-7pm on Zoom
- AHS Showcase Field Trip - Fri 3/1 from 8-11am
- MKHS Counselor Visits - Thurs 3/7 and Fri 3/8
- AHS Counselor Visits - Fri 3/15
MKHS 8th Grade Showcase
MKHS 8th Grade PODER Information Night
Click to join the Zoom
MKHS 8th Grade Counselor Visits
📒 ASB ANNOUNCEMENTS 📢
Mr. Calvin Ly, Adviser
The Associated Student Body (ASB) oversees all fundraising and school activities at Monterey Highlands. The ASB Cabinet meets weekly on Fridays to review activity and fundraising requests.
Useful ASB Information:
- Fundraiser Request Form and Fundraising Calendar.
- This is the current list of ASB-Approved Clubs
- Check out the latest Wonderful Wednesday video from ASB! February's theme is Being Collaborative featuring 6th Grade students! Check out the video below!!
ASB Approved Fundraisers 🤑
Clothes Donation Fundraiser for 6th Grade Outdoor Science School 🔬
Thank you to everyone that stopped by school and donated clothes for the clothes drive! 6th Grade is grateful for your support!
No Drop Off Policy 🚫
When students forget something, we know it may be frustrating (for both students and their parents), but we believe in the long run, this policy will help students develop responsibility and problem solving skills. This helps us keep classroom interruptions to a minimum. Emergency situations may be considered on a case-by-case basis, but in general we will NOT accept drop offs of student assignments, food/beverages (including water bottles), school supplies, musical instruments, etc.
We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.
Apollo Afterschool Newsletter 📰
Apollo Afterschool has been up to some great things. Registration is open for Trimester 3!
The program will be publishing a newsletter every two weeks to keep the community updated. Click here to view the PDF version or click the images below.
Upcoming Dates 📆
Don't forget - College Wear Wednesdays and Fun Fridays (Husky Spirit Wear) continue!
- 2/26 - Fire Drill (which will now return to the Blacktops)
- 2/27 - 4th Grade Field Trip to Walt Disney Concert Hall
- 2/27 - Alhambra Board of Education Meeting
- 2/28 - 8th Grade Showcase @ MKHS, 9-11:15am
- 2/28 - School Site Council Meeting is CANCELLED
- 2/29 - MKHS 8th Grade PODER Information Night on Zoom @ 6pm
- 2/29 - Spring Pictures (Free Dress) for TK - 3rd
- 3/1 - Spring Pictures (Free Dress) for Grades 4-7th
- 3/1 - 8th Grade Showcase @ AHS, 8-11am
- 3/2 - Math Field Day @ MKHS, History Day @ SGHS
- 3/4 to 3/8 - PTA's Read Across America Week
- 3/6 - 5th Grade On-Site Field Trip (Julian Mining Company)
- 3/6 - Shaving Cream High 5 Event @ Lower Blacktop, 12pm-Dismissal
- 3/6 - AUSD STEAM Night @ Marguerita from 5-7pm
- 3/7 and 3/8 - MKHS Counselor Visits for 8th Graders
- 3/8 - PTA Founder's Day Dinner @ San Gabriel Hilton from 6-8pm
- 3/12 - Alhambra Board of Education Meeting
- 3/13 - English Learner Advisory Council (ELAC) Meeting (in-person) at 8am
- 3/14 - 8th Grade Field Trip to MKHS Spring Play "Mean Girls"
- 3/14 - Student of the Month ("Being Trustworthy") @ Cafetorium, 8am
- 3/15 - AHS Counselor Visits for 8th Graders
- 3/15 - PBIS Lunch Recess Carnival Event @ Lower Blacktop
- 3/18 to 3/22 - PTA presents Scholastic Book Fair
- 3/21 - Safety Committee Meeting (Zoom) at 3pm
- 3/21 - Open House, 5-7pm (doors open at 5pm for food, classrooms open at 5:30)
- 3/22 - Minimum Day
- 3/25 to 3/29 - Spring Break (NO SCHOOL)
Monterey Highlands School
📥 Email: highlands@ausd.us
🌐 Website: www.montereyhighlandselementary.org
📍 Location: 400 Casuda Canyon Drive, Monterey Park, CA, USA
📲 Phone: (626) 570-6220