Principal's Welcome
AHS Students and Families,
Welcome back to school! It’s a pleasure to see our students back in the building, and I’d like to extend a warm welcome to the new students and families joining us this year. As the principal of AHS, I’m excited to begin this academic journey with all of you!
At AHS, our mission goes beyond academic success—we strive to shape tomorrow-ready citizens who are equipped to thrive in an ever-evolving world. We believe that education is a partnership between the school, students, and families. Together, we’ll create an environment where every student has the tools and support they need to succeed and grow.
Our dedicated team of educators is committed to helping students achieve their academic goals while also developing the skills and mindset they’ll need for the future. While academics are important, we also prioritize student well-being and personal growth. We encourage students and families to explore the many extracurricular activities and clubs that align with students' talents and interests, as these opportunities play a key role in developing well-rounded individuals.
Let’s start this school year with enthusiasm, confidence, and a strong sense of purpose. Together, we can make this year one to remember!
Best,
Becky Bauer
Principal
Cell Phones
Cell phones should be unseen, unheard and unused during class time. This allows students to focus on instruction and learning during class time. As part of this practice ALL cell phones must be kept in backpacks during the class periods. Phones are not permitted in the hallways during academic time either. Also, if a classroom allows students to listen to music during work time, the student's must listen to the music through their Chromebook. It is the responsibility of the student to set up their music system on their Chromebook. The following steps will be implemented if the cell phone expectations are not met.
Step 1- Phone kept on teacher's desk for the rest of the class period.
Step 2- Phone kept in the office for the rest of the day - Student meeting with administrator.
Step 3- Phone kept in the office for the rest of the day - Parent/guardian phone call
Step 4- Phone kept in the office until a parent/ guardian picks it up.
Step 5- Phone kept in the office until a parent/guardian picks it up - 2 week check in/out plan set up.
An exception will be granted for students who need their phones for medical purposes. Students will be able to use their phone before school, during passing times, during lunch, and after school.
This procedure was put in place during the previous school year; however, it is something that can be challenging for students. We need all hands on deck (teachers, administrators, students, and families) to enforce this expectation. We thank you in advance for working collaboratively on this.
Skyward Family Access
Skyward is our student management system. This is where you can find all of your student's information regarding attendance, grades, schedule, etc... If you have not done so already, please log in and complete the registration process. This needs to be done each year to ensure we have the most up-to-date information.
Senior Lock In
Attention senior parents: Please click the link below and fill information by September 15th regarding your interest in assisting with the Senior Lock In. There will be a meeting in late September. Additionally, there is a Facebook Group page titled 2025 Senior Class (see image).
Character Strong
Dear Families, We are so grateful you are a part of the school community this year. One of the aims at our school is to equip young people for all the realities of today’s world. With that in mind, we have partnered with CharacterStrong - an organization that provides training for educators and social & emotional learning curriculum for students. Their work in grades 6-12 focus on 3 main outcomes: increasing a sense of belonging for all students, improving skills that support student well-being, and deepening student engagement in their academics, in their school, and in their community.
Here’s what the data tells us:
• A sense of belonging in school is one of the most important conditions for learning and a fundamental support for social and emotional well-being. Nearly ⅓ of all students report a weak sense of belonging in their schools. Roughly half of 6th - 12th grade students say they don’t enjoy coming to school most of the time.
• Mental health challenges for teens have been increasing and 7 out of 10 teens in the U.S. (between 13 and 17 years old) have named anxiety or depression as a major problem among their peers.
• Student engagement drives learning and supports school success.
This curriculum was created to support school communities as they engage in the work of preparing young people to thrive in the 21st century. The research supports the effectiveness of social & emotional learning in schools to increase student’s academic success and college & career readiness. The lessons focus on developing skills and mindsets around building positive habits, understanding our emotions, and increasing empathy for people and communities who have lived different lives than us. The curriculum helps students think about things they want to improve in their school, their relationships, and their world and then provides tools for them to work individually and in teams to close the gaps they’ve identified.
One of the key parts of nearly every lesson is the “CharacterDare” for Middle School students and the “To Be List” for High School students. These are invitations near the end of most lessons to put the content that they are learning into action in the real world. If you ever want to play an active role in the CharacterStrong curricula, simply ask your student about the most recent CharacterDare or To Be List challenge. Maybe they’ll invite you to try one yourself! To learn more about CharacterStrong, check out characterstrong.com to discover other resources for students and families. Looking forward to a great year!
Weekend Meals & Care Closet
Weekend Meals Grades 4K-12
Who is eligible to sign-up? Families of Altoona students 4K-12 who are facing financial difficulties and need some extra assistance.
How does this program work? Each week, meals will be packed and delivered to students to take home.
How to apply? Please fill out the attached form and send it to your child’s school counselor.
Forms are also available at
Weekend Food Program Application
Programa de Comidas de Fin de Semana
Care Closet
For more information, or to sign up, please contact your child's school counselor or access forms at