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.

This Great ShakeOut drill is a new situation for our younger and older students. This is the sequence of events for this drill:

1. School administration will announce there is an “earthquake” and students need to Drop, Cover, and Hold. An urgent blackboard message will indicate that the drill has begun on campus. Please do not call the school office or visit campus during this time.

2. Teachers will wait about a minute before they begin to evacuate to the lower or upper blacktop areas.

3. Teachers will take roll using their attendance report.

4. The SEMS team leaders will report to our command center to obtain injury/missing students information.

5. Team members will report to the bin on the lower blacktop to pick up Rescue Kit/backpacks and begin their sweep of the school

6. Teachers who are on the SEMS team will have their students supervised by our noon duty aides

7. Once the SEMS team has completed the sweep of the school they will be assigned to:

1. Join another rescue team as necessary

2. Help set up tarps, as needed for our medical branch team, sanitation team, etc…

3. Find “missing” students or staff

4. Supervise students

8. School administration will address the students and staff while we are on the blacktops to conclude the drill. A blackboard message will indicate that the drill has ended and we are resuming normal school operations.

Click below to read an important message about the social media platform Discord.

The following article explains Discord, some of its benefits but also spells out many of the dangers of the platform. Please review this article to learn how to keep your child safe online:

https://www.defendyoungminds.com/post/dangers-of-discord-6-steps-safeguarding-teens-on-popular-chat-app

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.

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).

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)
• Interested in volunteering for Spooky Bash? Sign up here! (PTA)
  

Ongoing School Volunteer Opportunities:

• 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!

Our door decorating contest was a huge success! We had more than 25 entries! Winners will be announced soon. Here's a sneak peak!

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!

• 10/14-10/18 - Say Boo to Bullying Activity in the Spaw @ Lunch
• 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"
• 10/18 - Last Day for 6th Grade See's Candy Fundraiser (forms and money due)
• 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 - Halloween Parade @ 8:15am, Lower Blacktop
• 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
• 11/11 - Veterans' Day Holiday - NO SCHOOL

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