Husky Nation Highlights

We are planning a large Husky Store event before Fall Break to close (last chance to use Blue Husky Bucks before they expire).

Please help us stock our store for students by reviewing the link above. All purchases are shipped directly to the school!

Interested in volunteering? Please email Mr. Perez, our School Counselor!

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 November will connect to the theme of Gratitude. We will recognize our first Students of the Month at the end of November for exemplifying this theme.

• CROCS - Please send your child to school in supportive, safe footwear. Crocs are NOT allowed at school (see uniform standards) because they are not safe on the grass field, steps and various surfaces at school, especially during PE or play. If your child has a medical necessity for footwear, please contact the Health Office.
• DROP OFFS - The office does NOT accept any drop-offs. Please ensure your child has everything they need in the morning (lunch, backpack, instrument, chromebook, etc...). This allows staff to maximize instructional time and reduce interruptions. Thank you for understanding.
  
• ABSENCES - Please provide an excuse for every absence. You can call the office or email our School Registrar Ms. Rebecca Rodriguez to provide an excuse for your child's absence.
• VACATIONS - As we approach the holiday season, we want to take a moment to discuss the importance of school attendance and the impact of taking vacations during the academic year. While family time is invaluable, taking children out of school for vacations can significantly disrupt their learning. Taking time off during the school year can lead to challenges in keeping up with assignments and lessons. We encourage families to plan vacations during designated school breaks, such as Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break and Spring Break (see calendar below).

Trimester 1 is over! The following homerooms have had the best attendance rate since school started. They will win a sweet treat during SEL time!

Final Standings for Tri 1!

1. Mrs. Acosta-Martin (6th)
2. Ms. Nguyen (Kinder)
3. Mrs. Kaur (7th)
4. Mrs. Yu-Chen (8th)
5. Ms. Adams (5th)
6. Ms. Perez (4th)
7. Mrs. Kawasaki (8th)
8. Mr. McNeil (4/5 Combo)

We are excited to invite you to our Reflections Awards Night on Thursday, November 7, celebrating the incredible creativity and talent of our students!

Date: Thursday, November 7

Time:

• 6:00 PM: Art Gallery + Food & Refreshments
• 6:30 PM: Live Performances & Awards Presentation

Come enjoy an inspiring evening featuring beautiful art displays, captivating performances, and the presentation of awards recognizing our students' achievements in this year's Reflections program.

Refreshments are served at the event, so please click HERE to RSVP if you plan to attend. We look forward to seeing you there! Let’s come together to celebrate the arts and the hard work of our talented students.

Thanks to our incredible community, we reached our goal of 500 PTA members! This means the Giant Outdoor Chess Set is officially unlocked and will soon be available for all our students to enjoy!

Thank you to every parent, guardian, teacher, student, family member and friend who joined and supported our mission. Your commitment makes all the difference in creating a vibrant, fun, and supportive environment for our kids. Go Huskies!

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:

• Husky Store: We're looking for volunteers to help re-open our Husky Store in November (11/21 and 11/22)! Please contact Mr. Perez, School Counselor if you are interested!

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 November, 5th Grade teaches us how to show Gratitude. Our morning PA messages to start the week will also focus on this theme. Check back next week for the full video. Here's a preview!

Please join Mr. B and our Leadership Team as we update 6th and 8th grade parents on current fundraising levels and progress towards goals. The meetings will be held virtually and recorded in case you can't make it.

• 8th Grade Parent Meeting - Mon 11/4 @ 5pm - zoom.us/my/mh.principal
• 6th Grade Parent Meeting - Mon 11/4 @ 6pm - zoom.us/my/mh.principal

We want to take a moment to reaffirm the following:

• Our district is committed to being a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment for all students.
• We remain dedicated to our core values of respect, empathy, and civil discourse - no matter anyone's political affiliations or beliefs.
• Our educators are prepared to facilitate age-appropriate, thoughtful, balanced discussions that allow students to explore contemporary issues.
• Our counseling team is available to provide support to any students who may be struggling with the emotional impact of the election

The following resources may be helpful to families as we navigate the 12 weeks between Election Day and Inauguration Day.

• An Age-by-Age Guide to Talking About Voting With Kids: This guide provides tips on how to discuss voting with children of different ages, from preschoolers to high schoolers. It emphasizes making voting fun and relatable for young kids and encouraging critical thinking and engagement for older children.

• How to Talk to Kids About Elections: A Guide for Parents: This guide offers strategies for parents to discuss elections with their children, including starting with basic concepts, asking questions, and fostering critical thinking.

• Talking with Young Kids About Elections, Democracy and Justice for All: This resource provides book recommendations and activities to help young children understand elections and democracy.

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

• 11/4 - 8th Grade Parent Meeting on Zoom @ 5pm
• 11/4 - 6th Grade Parent Meeting on Zoom @ 6pm
• 11/6 - Mock Trial - Round 1 Competition - Stanley Mosk Courthouse (DTLA) @ 5pm
• 11/7 - Fall Picture Makeups (new date)
• 11/7 - PTA Reflections Ceremony, Cafetorium, 6-8pm
• 11/8 - Report Cards Go Home Via Email
• 11/11 - Veterans' Day Holiday - NO SCHOOL
• 11/12 - PTA presents Prismatic Science Assembly (6-7)
• 11/13 - Parent Engagement: EL Night, Cafetorium @ 6pm
• 11/14 - PTA presents MAD Science Assembly (TK-2nd)
• 11/15 - PTA presents MAD Science Assembly (3rd-5th)
• 11/15 - PTA presents Prismatic Science Assembly (7-8)
• 11/19 - AUSD Board of Education Meeting
• 11/20 - Adventures Fall Dance
• 11/20 - School Site Council Meeting on Zoom @ 1:15pm
• 11/21 - Student of the Month (Gratitude), Cafetorium @ 8am
• 11/21 and 11/22 - Husky Store Supersale @ Husky Spaw
• 11/25 to 11/29 - FALL BREAK - NO SCHOOL

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