The Mountain Lion's Pulse
Altoona Area School District - April/May 2024
Note From Mr. Hatch
Dear Altoona Area School District Community,
As we approach the end of another academic year and eagerly anticipate the summer months, it's with great pride and reflection that we look back on the achievements and growth of our students, staff, and my first year as Superintendent.
We are preparing to bid farewell to our graduating class of 2024 and extend congratulations and best wishes for their future endeavors.
The summer is on the horizon and we're excited to offer summer programs at the elementary and secondary levels. Whether you engage in a summer program, embark on family adventures, or simply take time to recharge, may this summer be a time of joy, relaxation and renewal.
Thank you for your continued support as we conclude another successful school year.
Warm regards,
Brad Hatch
Superintendent of Schools
814-946-8350
AASD K-12 Art Show
Join us at the Spring Art Show on Thursday night May 16th at the Altoona Area High School from 6:00pm - 8:00pm. Different art work and projects will be on display from students in all eight Elementary buildings, the junior high school, and AAHS.
Solar Eclipse - April 8th
Summer Camps
AASD will once again be offering Summer camps for children currently in grades K-5.
Summer Vacation Voyage will be a three week camp running Monday through Thursday the weeks of June 10th, 17th, and 24th. We encourage children to participate in all three weeks of camp.
Camps for Kids will be held for two separate weeks in July running from Monday through Friday during the weeks of July 15th and 22nd.
Sign ups will be sent home soon. We hope to see your child there!
One Book, One District!
The AASD Elementary Schools are participating in One Book, One District! All students in grades K-5 are reading and/or listening to the book, “The World According to Humphrey”. Each school will have an exciting culminating event throughout the next few weeks to share the adventures of Humprhey! It is a perfect opportunity to make literacy fun and exciting for children! We hope to see you there!
Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten registration for the 24-25 school year is well underway! We encourage families to register for Kindergarten early! A Kindergarten transition event will be held in May at each elementary school to acclimate children to the school building and meet each school team. We also encourage families to register children to attend ABC Camp from August 5th to August 9th. Sign up will be available at each Kindergarten registration. Look for more information on our website at www.aasdcat.com.
Juniata Gap Student Wins District Challenge 24 Math Tournament
Congratulations Brennan! On Wednesday, April 17th, students from all over the district competed in the Challenge 24 Tournament. Brennan came out on top and won first place in the tournament. This is the third year in a row that a Juniata Gap student has won the tournament.
Keystone testing is scheduled for May 13th, 14th, and 15th.
There are a lot of exciting upcoming events for our Seniors as they embark on the end of their high school journey. Senior Week is the week of May 20th. On May 21st, creativity takes place as seniors have Cap Decorating Day. The following day, May 22nd is Yearbook Distribution, a moment to reminisce over captured memories. Then, on May 23rd, the senior class congregates for the Tailgate Celebration and on May 24th, the annual Senior Sunrise Event will take place. Best of luck to our graduating seniors!
It is difficult to believe but the 4th marking period has started. As we get closer to the end of the school year it can get more difficult for students to keep their focus on school work. Even the most dedicated student can get distracted by the warmer weather, the longer days, and thoughts of summer vacation. There are some things that may help keep your student focused until school ends in June.
Here are some tips to help your student keep focused to finish the year strongly:
1. Stick with Your Routine: As days get longer, it may be more difficult for students to go to bed and wake up at their regularly scheduled times. Make sure to keep the same routine that has been working for your family all school year. Keep dinner times, study, and homework times the same too. Keeping these routines remind students it’s not quite summer vacation yet.
2. Stay Engaged in Your Student’s Education: Stay involved by keeping contact with teachers and up to date with grades, and attendance. You can do this by using your Skyward login.
3. Go Outside: According to the EPA, the average American spends 93% of their lives indoors. Take advantage of the warmer and longer spring days. Schedule some family time to go for a walk or go to a nearby park. Getting some fresh air and getting a daily dose of Vitamin D is a great way to rejuvenate after a long day of school indoors.
We hope these tips are helpful in making the 4th marking period a successful one.
Postsecondary Education
Thinking about playing sports in college?
In order to compete at an NCAA Division I or Division II School, you need to meet eligibility requirements certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center. This link may answer some questions about this process.
Financial Aid
Whether you have a graduating senior or a student who has a few years until graduation, it is always a good time to learn about the financial aid process.
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency website can provide a wealth of information and answer many questions about paying for higher education.
SAT and ACT
Below is the information for upcoming SAT and ACT registration deadlines. More test dates and information about the SAT can be learned by going to http://sat.org/. For more ACT test dates and information please go to act.org.
SAT:
Test Date: June 1, 2024
Regular Registration Deadline: May 16, 2024
Late Registration Deadline: May 21, 2024 (Late Fee Applies)
ACT:
Test Date: June 8, 2024
Regular Registration Deadline: May 3, 2024
Late Registration Deadline: May 79, 2024 (Late Fee Applies)
AAHS Summer School
AAHS is excited to be able to offer in-person summer school classes this year. For students in danger of failing, parents will receive a letter stating which core class/es their child is in danger of failing. These letters were mailed the week of April 22. Seats are limited with priority given to graduating seniors. A SEAT IN SUMMER SCHOOL IS NOT GUARANTEED! We encourage you to work with your children and their teachers to pass all of their courses by monitoring work completion and grades on Skyward. Once students have been administratively approved for summer school, parents and guardians will receive a confirmation email. This will be the only direct communication to parents related to summer school.
Please make sure your email is correct and updated on Skyward.
In addition to the parent email, students will receive written notification in their reporting room of acceptance to summer school.
Classes are $75 each this year. Students can take 1 core class each session of summer school offering the opportunity to earn 2 credits this summer. Not all courses are offered in both sessions. 100% attendance is required for all summer school classes.
1st session: June 3rd – June 18th , 2024
2nd session: June 19th – July 5th , 2024 (no class on July 4th)
Core Classes: 7:30am-12:30pm
Phys Ed. 8:30am-11:00am or 1:00pm-3:30pm (PM session offered session 1 only)
Summer school applications are available for students to pick up in the main office or the counseling office. Completed and signed applications by both student and parent are due to the counseling office by May 17 at the latest. You will not pay until you receive notice that your child has obtained an official seat in summer school. Directions regarding how to pay via Skyward will accompany parent notification. At that time, you may pay on-line or in-person in the main office via check or cash. Checks can be made payable to AAHS. Payment will be accepted between May 23 to May 31 by 3:00pm.
For additional information please visit the Counselor page on the AAHS website.
11 AAHS Students Chosen for the PMEA All-State Ensembles
The Altoona Area High School had 11 students selected for the PMEA (Pennsylvania Music Educators Association) All-State Ensembles. The festival took place April 17 - 20, 2024 in Erie, Pa.
Participating in the festival will be:
- Andrew Sackett ( 10th Grade ) - All-State Orchestra
- Eileena Guo (11th Grade ) - All-State Orchestra
- Noah Hillard (12th Grade ) - All-State Band
- Laura Reed ( 11th Grade ) - All-State Choir
- Skylar Rutherford ( 11th Grade ) - All-State Choir
- Gracelynn Beldin ( 10th Grade ) - All-State Choir
- Jane Fox (12th Grade ) - All-State Choir. This is the second time Jane has participated in All-State.
- Leah St. Croix (12th Grade ) - All-State Choir. This is the second time Leah has participated in All-State.
- Mackenzie Colabove ( 12th Grade ) - All-State Band. This is the second time Mackenzie has participated in All-State.
- Seth Goheen ( 11th Grade ) - All-State Jazz. This is the second time Seth has participated in All-State.
- Sarah Saylor ( 12th Grade ) - All-State Band. This is the third time Sarah has participated in All-State.
Altoona Brass Collective to perform at PMEA All-State Conference
The Altoona Brass Collective - an 18 member community brass ensemble from Blair County was selected to perform at the PMEA All-State Convention. AASD Faculty members that performed with the ensemble include:
- Larry Detwiler - HS Band
- Kelly Myers - JHS Band
- Scott Pappal - Elementary Music
- Brandon Kunder - Elementary Music
- Drew Yingling - HS Guidance
- Brad Scherden - HS Learning Support
AAHS / AAJHS Marching Bands in the Memorial Day Parade
The AAHS Marching Band will be in the Juniata Memorial Day Parade and the AAJHS Marching Band will be in the Altoona Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 27, 2024. Please come out and support our Marching Bands as well as the Altoona and Juniata communities for the Memorial Day Holiday.
AASD Drama
AAHS's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was a spectacular success! Huge congratulations to the many students, teachers, staff and parent volunteers involved with this production. We had three nights of wonderful audiences and we want to thank them all for their love and support! Next up, we await the announcement of nominations for our musical in the annual Isaac Awards.
AAHS Drama will end the school year with the following May events:
May 20 - Spring Drama Showcase featuring the Advanced Theatre and Musical Theatre classes in the AAHS Blackbox at 7pm
May 25 - Isaac Awards at the Mishler Theatre at 7:30pm
Mobile Device Collection
As the school year begins to wind down for students, staff in the Technology Department are gearing up for their busiest time of year – device collection and summer device preparation.
Beginning in April, staff members meet to discuss the locations for Chromebook collection in the AAJHS and AAHS and map out a plan for disinfecting and repairing the devices over the summer months. The devices are then organized and stored until student distribution the following school year.
To help us prepare, as in previous years, we are asking that students bring their devices - fully charged - to their designated collection site. A fully charged device ensures that the battery does not completely drain over the summer and is able to power on successfully when it is reassigned for use in September.
Devices also need to be charged during collection to ensure that they turn on for staff to inspect them. Visible damage to a device will result in a fine being entered on the student’s account. A fine letter will also be sent home. After the fine is paid the fine amount is removed from the student’s account so that it does not prevent the student from participating in future activities.
Please remember that mobile device insurance is offered at a cost of $25 at the beginning of the school year. Look for the insurance paperwork provided by your school principal. It is considerably less than the cost of a fine for damages or lost/stolen device.
AASD Quick Links
Altoona Area School District
Email: bhatch@altoonasd.com
Website: https://www.aasdcat.com
Location: 1201 8th Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602, USA
Phone: 814-946-8350
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AltoonaSD
Twitter: @AASDSuper