
Husky Nation Highlights
Community Newsletter - January 7, 2024

π₯³ Happy New Year! π₯³
Gate 5 remains CLOSED π
Gate 5 (Barranca @ Casuda Canyon) continues to be closed. District Facilities estimates the gate will be usable again by next week. Thank you for your patience.
Please Test before Returning to School π·
We would like to remind families that we recommend students take a COVID-19 test before returning to school on Monday.
Test results do NOT need to be submitted to the school. However, students who test positive should stay home on January 8th and contact the school to report the absence and receive additional information.
COVID-19 positivity rates have been increasing since November, with the majority (over 61%) of cases now being the latest variant (JN.1). Testing helps prevent the spread.
Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe and healthy. We hope everyone had a wonderful and restful winter break.
π¨ City of Monterey Park Construction π§
Please be advised that several public works projects are happening at the same time in the immediate vicinity of the school. This may impact traffic at dropoff and dismissal. Please give yourself plenty of extra time to get to school and be mindful of City contractors.
All construction projects are being managed by the Monterey Park Public Works Department (phone: 626-307-1320, Construction Update website).
- East Playground Replacement - the playground near the Tennis Courts will be replaced with a new "Fire Station" theme. The area is currently fenced off.
- West Playground Replacement - the playground near the Pavilion will be replaced with a new "Ranger Station" theme. The area is currently fenced off.
- Street Resurfacing - paving of roadways in the hills south of campus is underway and slated to end by Spring 2024. Here's a map of impacted areas.
Please do not call the school office for any updates on construction.
East Playground (near Tennis Courts)
Public Works Department
These projects are not managed or affiliated with AUSD or Monterey Highlands.
West Playground (near Pavilion)
Pawsitive Press πΎ
Mr. McNeil's 5th Grade homeroom class is ready to present Issue #3 of the Pawsitive Press! This month's theme is Gratitude.
This month's editor is Elizabeth Mejia. Great work on this newsletter, Lizzie!
Click here to read (and listen) to the newsletter!
National Red Ribbon Winners! π
This entry makes Highlands eligible for a $1,000 grant from the federal government. Thank you, Trinh Family!!
Epic Books Plus π
We're pleased to announce that we now have a schoolwide license for Epic Books Plus!
Epic! - Kids' Books and Videos is a digital library and e-reader website and app that makes more than 40,000 children's books (with more added weekly) available at the touch of a finger. Epic is free during school hours, but now Highlands students have access 24/7, including the summer! This purchase was made possible by support from School Site Council (using Title 1 funds) and PTA. Thank you!
Additional supplemental software used at Highlands:
- Generation Genius - a science resource for grades K-8 (paid for by PTA)
- ST Math - a math resource for grades K-8 (paid out of Title 1 funds)
- Starfall - a literacy resource for primary grades TK - 3 (paid for by PTA)
- Brain Pop - a multi-disicplinary resource for grades 3-8 (paid out of Title 1 funds)
Moved? Please Update Your Address π‘
If you have moved or plan to move in the new year, please notify the school office to update your address in PowerSchool.
Per Education Code: children must attend their school of residence. If children are not found living within school boundaries, appropriate procedures must be followed to ensure enrollment at current school. If procedures are not followed, students are subject to disenrollment.
If you have moved outside Monterey Highlands boundaries, you will need to complete a permit for your child to remain enrolled at Monterey Highlands. You can find more information about permits at the AUSD website.
No Soda at School π₯€
This is a friendly reminder that carbonated soft drinks/soda are not allowed at school. These beverages often have high levels of sugar and/or caffeine and undermine a healthy school lunch program. Students with carbonated soft drinks/soda will be asked to surrender those beverages to an adult until the end of the day. Thank you for your understanding.
βοΈ PTA CORNER π
PTA Association Meeting + Math Night on 1/17 starting at 5:30PM βββοΈβ
Two events in one! Join us on January 17 at 5:30PM for our Association meeting, followed by our annual Family Math Night.
All Families Welcomed! Our PTA is always open for new ideas that can better support the needs of our diverse community. Meet fellow students and parents, all while enjoying a fun-filled evening of Math-related games.
There will be pizza, refreshments, games, prizes and fun for the entire family. Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing everyone!
Husky Fun Run β Save the Date π
Our Husky Fun Run fundraiser is kicking off soon! Lookout for more information in the coming weeks. For now, mark your calendars with these key dates!
- Registration on MYBOOSTER.COM opens on January 15.
- Husky Fun Run kick-off is on January 29.
- Event Day is on February 6
Get excited and thank you for your support Monterey Highlands Elementary families!
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities π€
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)
- Husky Fun Run Planning (PTA)
π ASB ANNOUNCEMENTS π’
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.
- Students are invited to submit artwork or videos showcasing a talent, hobby or interest in the next Wonderful Wednesday video by using this link to upload an entry: http://bit.ly/Husky-Spotlight
- The ASB Cabinet produces our monthly Wonderful Wednesday assembly. January's theme is Being Fair featuring 8th Grade students! The video is coming soon!
6th Grade Science Camp Meeting - Recording π¬
If you haven't donated, any donation is welcome.
If you missed our 6th Grade Parent Meeting regarding Science Camp, you can watch the full video recording at this link. Should you have any questions about current/future 6th Grade Science Camp, please contact Mr. B or Ms. Janet Lees, Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services.
Highlands is committed to 6th Grade Science Camp this year in May! If you haven't donated, any donation is welcome. Cash or checks are accepted. Checks should be made payable to Monterey Highlands ASB.
Approved Fundraisers π€
Benefitting the 8th Grade Class of 2024 Promotion Activities π
Blaze Pizza Fundraiser
- Wednesday, January 24, 2024 from 5-11pm
- 100 E. Main St, Alhambra (@ Garfield)
- In-person, Blaze App or Blazepizza.com orders accepted
-
Online Orders: Orders must be placed online via the Blaze Pizza App or blazepizza.com.
Enter code 1086A the βPromo Codeβ field at checkout to have your transaction count check which that 20% of your transaction will be counted into the total donation toward the fundraiser.
School Construction Update ποΈ
With some rain over the Break, no major work took place on the Lower Blacktop. Here are the remaining items that are pending:
- concrete under the blacktop will need 4 additional weeks to cure
- installation of blue padding for the solar panel posts
- concrete pour for the marquee pedestal
- rebar cage installation for the marquee
- operation and programming of marquee
- painting/striping of play areas on the blacktop
- installation of tables
We're hopeful that work will conclude before Spring Break. π€π€π€
Solar panel enclosure complete β
Blacktop paving complete β
West blacktop fence replacement complete β
Apollo Afterschool Newsletter ποΈ
Apollo Afterschool has been up to some great things. Registration is open for Trimester 2!
The program will be publishing a newsletter every two weeks to keep the community updated.
Options for Learning π
Options for Learning provides part-day preschool and before- and after-school programs for students in grades TK-8 at Monterey Highlands.
Options is located on the eastern end of our property across from the tennis courts in Highlands Park.
Options is operated independent of Monterey Highlands School or the Alhambra Unified School District.
Upcoming Dates π
Don't forget - College Wear Wednesdays and Fun Fridays (Husky Spirit Wear) continue!
- 1/8 - School Reopens
- 1/15 - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday (NO SCHOOL)
- 1/17 - School Site Council Meeting (on Zoom) at 1:15pm
- 1/17 - PTA Association Meeting (@ 5:30pm) & Math Night (@ 6:30pm) in Cafetorium
- 1/18 - Alhambra PTA Reflections Ceremony @ 6pm in MKHS Cafeteria
- 1/19 - Shelter-in-Place Drill
- 1/22 - Pupil Free Day - Certificated Staff PD @ MH (NO SCHOOL)
- 1/23 and 1/24 - PBIS Kickoff for Winter/Spring
- 1/24 - 8th Grade Fundraiser at Blaze Pizza (Garfield/Main) from 5-11pm
- 1/25 - Student of the Month (Being Fair)
- 1/29 - PTA Husky Run Fundraiser begins
- 1/30 - Coffee w/Mr. B and the AP (Annual Title 1 Meeting) on ZOOM
- 1/31 - English Learner Advisory Council (ELAC) Meeting (in-person) at 8am
- 2/2 - English Learner Reclassification Breakfast @ 8am in Cafetorium
- 2/6 - PTA Husky Run!
- 2/9 - PTA's Lunar New Year Celebration (all day in the Cafetorium)
- 2/12 - Lincoln's Birthday Holiday (NO SCHOOL)
- 2/13 and 2/14 - 8th Grade Fundraiser Valentine Pop-Up Store
- 2/15 - Minimum Day (Certificated Staff PD)
- 2/16 - Minimum Day (Report Card Prep), End of 2nd Trimester
- 2/19 - President's Day Holiday (NO SCHOOL)
- 2/29 - PTA's Career Day
Monterey Highlands School
π₯ Email: highlands@ausd.us
π Website: www.montereyhighlandselementary.org
π Location: 400 Casuda Canyon Drive, Monterey Park, CA, USA
π² Phone: (626) 570-6220