
Husky Nation Highlights
Community Newsletter - January 21, 2024

π In loving memory π
π£ NO SCHOOL π
Mon 1/22 (District Pupil Free Day)
Gate 5 will reopen this week AM ONLY π
Gate 5 (Barranca @ Casuda Canyon) will reopen in the mornings starting this week on Tues 1/23/24. Due to short staffing, we will have Gate 5 closed at dismissal. We hope to fully reopen Gate 5 the week of Feb 5. Thank you for your understanding.
PTA βοΈ Mathnasium Math Night = FUN!! π€
We hope everyone had fun at this week's PTA + Mathnasium Math Night! Turnout was great and there was lots of mathmagic! Thank you to our Highlands Service Club (HSC) students for setting and staffing tables and games for our Husky Nation community to enjoy!
The following students are winners of the Mathnasium/PTA Math Night raffle! Please stop by the office to collect your prize from Ms. Sara.
- Mason Aw - Kinder - Ms. Nguyen
- Isabel Carlos - 2nd Grade - Mrs. Wong
- Xavier Torres - 2nd Grade - Mrs. Wong
- Hailey Louie - 5th Grade - Mrs. K. Wang
- John Carbajal - 6th Grade - Mrs. Vi
- Aaliyah Plasentillo - 8th Grade - Mr. Choi
Great Turnout!
Thank you HSC for volunteering!
Subtraction Action!
Mr. B loved this game!!
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).
- Street Resurfacing - Here's a map of impacted areas.
- NEW: Slurry Seal - Here's a map of the impacted areas. Many roads around campus including Casuda Canyon and Pat Carroll (including the entire parking lot) will be resurfaced. Please note: roads will NOT be painted until slurry is cured (paint will come later). Parking will be marked out by "tabs". Park cautiously! Tentatively work will be 2/10 - 2/12 (no school on Monday).
Please do not call the school office for any updates on construction.
East Playground (near Tennis Courts)
Storage Area near Pavilion
The City has moved a storage bin for playground equipment on Th 1/18/24. This will free up parking near the Tennis Courts.
West Playground (near Pavilion)
Paving Work on Hillside Streets
Monterey Park Public Works Department
phone: 626-307-1320,
Slurry Seal of Casuda and Parking Lot
This is currently scheduled Sat 2/10 thru Mon 2/12 (no school).
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
Husky Fun Run β Registration is Open! π
Weβre only ONE week away from our Husky Fun Run. You can get a head start by registering your student and donating TODAY to help our school. 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.
Head to MYBOOSTER.COM now to register, share, and give. Thank you for your support!
Lunar New Year 2/8 *NEW DATE* 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. Please note that we have a new date for our Lunar New Year Program β Thursday, February 8.
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)
Congratulations to our PTA Reflections Arts Winners! π¨
On Thursday, January 18, 2024, many Husky Nation students were honored at Mark Keppel High School. We're so proud of your wonderful artwork and how you expressed yourself with this year's theme: "I am Hopeful Because":
Dance Choreography
- Sarah Demus - Middle School - Award of Excellence
Film Production
- Elise Date - Intermediate - Award of Excellence
- Valerie Chong - Middle School - Award of Excellence
Literature
- Desmond Roura - Primary - Award of Excellence
- Chloe Suh - Intermediate - Award of Excellence
- Desiree Chong - Middle School - Award of Excellence
Music Composition
- Aaron Zheng - Intermediate - Award of Excellence
- Queena Yang - Middle School - Award of Excellence
Photography
- Marisa Park - Middle School - Award of Excellence
- Scout Wong - Primary - Award of Merit
- Abby Chen - Intermediate - Award of Merit
Visual Arts
- Chloe He - Intermediate - Award of Merit
- Michelle Lee - Middle School - Award of Merit
- Ethan Chatzipantsios - Primary - Honorable Mention
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.
- This is the current list of ASB-Approved Clubs
- Check out the latest Wonderful Wednesday video from ASB! 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
Support 8th Grade!
Blaze Pizza
Support 6th Grade!
Valentine Grams
Support 6th Grade!
Panda Express
8th Grade Parent Committee - POSTPONED
Our apologies, but this meeting will be postponed until further notice. We hope to reschedule in early February. Thanks for your patience!
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!
- 1/22 - Pupil Free Day - Certificated Staff PD @ MH (NO SCHOOL)
- 1/22 - 8th Grade Parent Meeting - POSTPONED
- 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!
- 2/8 - PTA's Lunar New Year Celebration (all day in the Cafetorium)
- 2/10 to 2/12 - Anticipated slurry seal of Casuda Canyon and Pat Carroll including parking lots
- 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