
Husky Nation Highlights
Community Newsletter - January 14, 2024

π£ NO SCHOOL π
Mon 1/15 (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday) and Mon 1/22 (District Pupil Free Day)
Gate 5 remains CLOSED π
Gate 5 (Barranca @ Casuda Canyon) continues to be closed. We will message when the maintenance on the gate is complete. Thank you for your patience.
Mathnasium Math Box Winners π₯
- TK-2nd Division Winner is Ethan Muniz (Mrs. Wong's 2nd-grade class)
- 3-5th Division Winner is Jessica Guo (Mrs. Shyu's 4th-grade class)
- 6-8th Division Winner is Sum Yu Wu (Ms. Lim's 6th-grade class)
We hope to see you at Math Night this week on 1/17 at 6:30pm so that you can claim your gift card prize!!
School Safety Plan - SSC Review π¦Ί
Please join us for our School Site Council meeting this Wednesday, 1/17/24 at 1:15pm on Zoom. The zoom link for this meeting is: zoom.us/my/mh.principal
The meeting will primarily focus on a review of the draft School Safety Plan for Monterey Highlands. Public comment is welcome as we finalize the plan and send it to the Board of Education for approval in February.
You can review the draft Safety Plan by checking out the minutes from the monthly Safety Committee Meetings run by Mrs. Saldivar, our amazing Assistant Principal!
AUSD Game Changer π«
Congratulations go to Mr. Juan Mendez, one of our Campus Supervisors at Monterey Highlands, who was named a Game Changer by AUSD. I'm sure you have seen Mr. Juan at the valet, patrolling our perimeter and helping to keep Husky Nation safe.
Mr. Juan was nominated by community members on several occasions for the Beyond the Call of Duty and/or Spotlight recognitions. He will be honored by the Board of Education on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 6pm.
Thank you for all you do, Mr. Juan!
Do you know a staff member that should be recognized? Use this link to nominate staff for their hard work!
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)
Construction Staging Area
Please note parking next to the tennis courts will be impacted leading up to and during construction.
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!
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.
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. An agenda for the meeting is available here.
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 Registration Opens 1/15 π
Our Husky Fun Run fundraiser kicks off on January 29, but registration opens on January 15. Our goal is to raise $30,000 for library updates, campus beautification, and PTA programs. Registering is easy and free!
Registration is the first step to help our school reach our fundraising goal this year. Students get a FREE prize just for being registered, as well as entry into two raffles, including a Grand Prize Raffle for a chance to win an iPad. More information about our various prizes and incentives is available here, and in our FAQ.
Once registered, you will have access to fun sharing & donation features, such as:
- The Student Star Video featuring YouTube Trickshot Stars, Dude Perfect!
- Easy Email and Texting
- Automatic payment features, like Apple Pay
Donβt wait! Head to www.MYBOOSTER.com to register. Thanks for your support!
Lunar New Year 2/9 π
As we usher in the joyous festivities of the Lunar New Year, your PTA is excited to bring a special celebration to our school community. This yearβs Lunar New Year Program will feature engaging craft stations for students, a captivating campus-wide art project, and a wonderful opportunity for everyone to learn more about this culturally significant holiday.
To make this celebration a success, we're calling on our fantastic community for volunteers to assist with decorating, managing craft stations, and ensuring a smooth cleanup. Let's come together to create lasting memories for our children and celebrate the diversity that makes our school so vibrant! If interested in volunteering, please click here.
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)
- Lunar New Year (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! Check out the video below!!
ASB Approved Fundraisers π€
Blaze Pizza Fundraiser for 8th Grade Class of 2024 Promotion Activities π
- 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.
Panda Express Fundraiser for 6th Grade Outdoor Science School π¬
- Thursday, Februrary 1, 2024
- Virtual fundraiser applies to orders any time and anywhere on 2/1/24
- Apply code 920654 in the Fundraiser Code box during online checkout at www.pandaexpress.com or via App
Valentine Gram Fundraiser for 6th Grade Outdoor Science School π¬
- All week Februrary 5-9, 2024 in the breezeway at Recess and Lunch
- Students will write a message for their gram which will come with a sweet treat!
- All grams are $1 each
Clothes Donation Fundraiser for 6th Grade Outdoor Science School π¬
- Saturday, Februrary 24, 2024 from 10am - 1pm (revised date)
- Clean out your closets and help 6th Grade go to Science Camp!
- Please enter the bus circle/valet to drop-off your items.
- Items should be washed and bagged in large trash bags, if possible
- School staff will be present in the valet circle to assist with unloading and collecting items
8th Grade Parent Committee - 1.22.24 π
Join us as we continue planning 8th Grade Promotion for the Class of 2024.
The meting will be held virtually at 6pm at this link: zoom.us/my/mh.principal
If you can't make it, don't worry! We will meet again soon to continue planning. Please email Mr. B if you are interested in working on the 8th Grade Parent Committee.
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!
- 1/15 - 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)
- 1/22 - 8th Grade Parent Meeting from 6-7pm on Zoom
- 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
- 2/5 to 2/9 - 6th Grade Fundraiser Valentine Grams Pre-Sale in Breezeway
- 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)
- 2/24 - 6th Grade Fundraiser Clothing Drive from 10am-1pm @ Valet Bus Circle
- 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