Husky Nation Highlights

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This annual observance highlights the contributions and talents of individuals with disabilities to the workforce.

By recognizing the importance of inclusion and accessibility, NDEAM promotes opportunities for all people to reach their full potential.

Monterey Highlands will observe NDEAM by encouraging students to create "I Can" posters depicting the theme "At work/school, it's what people can do that matters". These illustrations will be featured on our Ability Gallery later this month.

The following staff member(s) were recognized for AUSD's "Spotlight" or "Beyond the Call of Duty" badges. Thank you for all you do for Husky Nation!

AUSD Student Support Services presents an opportunity for student artists to illustrate the importance of the "Off and Away" district cell phone policy. Students are invited to respond to either of the following prompts:

Submissions are due by Monday, October 28th at 3pm. Please use this link to submit entries. Students/parents with questions can contact Mr. Chris Ng at Student Support Service for more information.

Lightspeed Parent Portal

The Lightspeed Parent Portal is available for guardians. This tool will allow guardians to monitor their child's most recent web browsing activities (on a school device). 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

Step 2: Review the Lightspeed Parent Portal Guide

Chromebooks

• Please make sure Chromebook are charged daily. Teachers do not have extra chargers or extra devices in the classroom.

• Please remind your student(s) to take care of their Chromebook by packing it inside their backpack. They should not be etching on the Chromebook or adding stickers or decals to the unit.

If a Chromebook or charger is not working properly, damaged, and/or lost, please have the student report to their classroom teacher right away.

OFF and AWAY Policy

AUSD is adopting the policy of “OFF and AWAY” for cell phones/electronics this school year.

• Cell phones should be “OFF and STORED AWAY” during school hours.

• Airpods/wireless earbuds need to be OFF and STORED AWAY during school hours.

• Smartwatches should be on school mode or airplane mode during school hours.

• Kindly refrain from texting or calling your student during school hours. Call the office if you need to relay a message.

Character Strong is our schoolwide social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum. We are continuing our implementation of this curriculum this year! Our weekly student-led Monday Messages in October will connect to the theme of Responsibility. Students in every homeroom exemplifying this theme will be recognized at the end of the month during our Student of the Month breakfast.

While we will not have a schoolwide Dia de Los Muertos event this year, we will be building an altar/ofrenda to acknowledge our loved ones who are no longer with us.

If you would like to participate, you can drop off photos of loved ones (including pets) to the office. Please be sure to write your full name and your child's name on the back of the photo so that we can return it to you.

The altar will be assembled the week of 10/28 and will be stay up until Fall Break (11/25-11/29).

Mark your calendars! Our next PTA Association Meeting is happening on October 9 at 6:00 PM in the Cafetorium, and we’re celebrating Halloween early!

Date: October 9

Time: 6:00 PM

Location: Monterey Highlands Elementary Cafetorium

Halloween-themed crafts for the kids, food and refreshments for the whole family, and sweet treats for everyone! We'll also cover important updates for our school community. An agenda for the meeting is available here.

It’s a perfect blend of business and Halloween fun! We can’t wait to see you there!

Spooky Bash is three weeks away! 2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades are all participating in fundraising activities this year. Join us on October 25 from 4-8 PM for an evening of thrills and chills!

More information is available in our FAQ, and check out our menu for a preview of offerings. Admission is free, but to enjoy the maze, games, food, and activities, tickets must be purchased (CASH ONLY - $1 per ticket).

This event is entirely run by volunteers and donations – we need VOLUNTEERS to help make this event a frightfully good time! Volunteers are needed to help decorate the maze, event setup, cleanup, and run game booths. Please note that volunteer clearance is NOT A REQUIREMENT ONLY for the day of the event from 8:30 AM to 10 PM. If you're able to lend a hand, please sign up here.

You can also help by donating candy. Nut free treats will be happily accepted starting Monday, October 14th. A donation box will be placed outside the front office with a sign.

Let’s work together to make this year’s Spooky Bash the best one yet!

We are grateful for our volunteers. Here are some of our volunteer needs at this time:

Ongoing PTA Volunteer Opportunities:

• Interested in helping plan and organize our PTA events? Let us know by submitting your interest here! (PTA)

Ongoing School Volunteer Opportunities:

• Morning Valet: Please sign up here if you are interested in lending a hand!
• Husky Store: We're looking for volunteers to help re-open our Husky Store in October! Please contact Mr. Perez, School Counselor if you are interested!
• Library: Our Library continues classroom visits and lunch hours! Contact Mrs. Sarah Taylor, our new Librarian, if you are interested in being a Library Volunteer!

If you feel your child may need some support, check-ins or possibly a referral for counseling services, please connect with our Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Mr. Christian Perez - perez_christian_1@ausd.us.

The Associated Student Body (ASB) oversees all fundraising and school activities at Monterey Highlands. The ASB Cabinet meets most weeks to review activity and fundraising requests.

Useful ASB Information:

• ASB Fundraiser Request Form
  
• ASB Approved Fundraisers

ASB produces our monthly Wonderful Wednesday virtual assembly. In the month of September, 6th Grade teaches us how to show Responsibility. Our morning PA messages to start the week will also focus on this theme.

Help 6th Grade raise funds to attend Science Camp in May 2025!! The See's Candy sales start Mon 10/7 and end Friday 10/18. Don't miss out on these sweet treats! They make great holiday gifts. Order forms and funds should be sent to school with your 6th grader or to the Main Office (attn: Ms. Brenda Quiñones, Office Manager).

The Apollo Afterschool program publishes a newsletter periodically to update everyone on their fun and exciting programs. Enrollment is open!

• 10/8 - AUSD Board of Education Meeting
  
• 10/9 - PTA Association Meeting, Cafetorium @ 6:00pm
  
• 10/11 - Minimum Day (Site Professional Development)
  
• 10/11 - 4th Grade Walkthrough CA On-Site Experience (Le, McNeil)
• 10/15 - 4th Grade Walkthrough CA On-Site Experience (Shyu, Perez)
  
• 10/16 - School Site Council Meeting on Zoom @ 1:15pm
• 10/17 - Great California Shakeout Earthquake Evacuation Drill @ 8:15am
  
• 10/17 - 8th Grade Field Trip to MKHS to see Fall Play: "FOOLS"
• 10/22 - English Learning Advisory Council Meeting, Library @ 8am
• 10/24 - Student of the Month @ Cafetorium, 8am
  
• 10/25 - Minimum Day (Site Professional Development)
• 10/25 - SPOOKY BASH, 4-8pm
• 10/30 - End of Trimester 1
• 10/31 and 11/1 - PUPIL FREE DAYS - NO SCHOOL
• 10/31 - AUSD Food Fair (please call school office to RSVP)
• 11/1 - Adventures Day Camp
• 11/7 - Fall Picture Makeups (new date)
• 11/8 - Report Cards Go Home Via Email

📥 Email: highlands@ausd.us
🌐 Website: www.montereyhighlandselementary.org
📍 Location: 400 Casuda Canyon Drive, Monterey Park, CA, USA
📲 Phone: (626) 570-6220