Welcome MVLA Families,

11 more days until we get to to start welcoming our 2024-25 Mountain Lion Families! Teachers will be meeting with families to sign contracts starting Tuesday, August 13th. Come to meet with the teachers to get your supplies and sign your contract on one of the following days:

Tuesday, August 13th 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday, August 14th 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Thursday, August 15th 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Our staff is working hard to get ready for the school year! The quiet campus has started to buzz. Teachers and staff have started to get set up for the school year.

Here are a few updates to help keep you informed as we approach our first day of school:

• Our school office is open to support you. Please don't hesitate to call, email or stop by the office. We are still accepting registration for the 2024-25 school year. Regular hours are M-F 7:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

• The teachers are solidifying a beginning of the year Parent Partnership Night to review procedures, expectations, and support. We are looking forward to a fresh start and want to make sure that every parent hears the message. The teachers will communicate the date and time as soon as possible.
  

• On Monday, August 12th, our office will be closed from 7:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for an all staff training. We apologize for the inconvenience.

• MVLA's first in-person day is Wednesday, August 21st.

• MVLA students may enter the campus in the morning through the CELC or SHES gate. If they arrive after 9:05 a.m., they will need to go through the SHES gate. The gates between the two schools is locked by 9:10 am.
  
• We have a new start time this year! First bell at 8:50 a.m.- teachers will start greeting students. By 8:55 a.m. all students are expected to be in class ready to learn. The SHES gate closes at 9:00 a.m. If you get to school after the gate is closed, buzz in and check in at the office.
• Students are released at 1:25 p.m. Their lunch break is at 12:45 pm. Parents are welcome to pick up at 12:45 pm. If you would like to do this, please make arrangements with the teacher.

• For the safety and security of students and staff, gates are locked during school hours.

• MVLA students are picked up at dismissal (by the bus or parent) in front of SHES.
  
• If you pick your student up early, please check in at the SHES office.
  
• AUSD will continue to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students this school year.
• School breakfast is available and is brought down to the classrooms.
• Students may choose to eat a cafeteria lunch or bring a sack lunch from home.
• Please send your student to school each day with their fully charged Chromebook, a backpack, refillable water bottle, a healthy snack, and a lunch (unless they are getting a cafeteria lunch).
• Kindergarten hybrid parents- Please include a change of clothes in a ziplock bag in their backpack. Potty accidents tend to happen early in the year. We have clothes on hand but having their own tends to make them feel more comfortable.

• If your child is a hybrid student, please report any in-person absences to your child's teacher.

• We LOVE volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering in any capacity, please pick up the required paperwork in the CELC/MVLA office. Get cleared early if you think you are interested in volunteering in the classroom or for field trips.

• Before and after school care is available. Please see the flyer below or contact Aimee Hatfield, AUSD's ESS Coordinator, at ahatfield@alpineschools.net if you have any questions.

• For transportation questions, please visit AUSD's website at https://www.alpineschools.net/page/transportation

Our staff is looking forward to seeing all of the new and returning faces to our campus. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns. Please keep your eyes out for additional communications as we get closer to our first day.

Sincerely,

Tamara Ripke, Proud Principal

We believe that social emotional health, the feeling of belonging, validation, and meaningful relationships are key to a successful day at school. Our staff works to deliberately make meaningful connections with our students in order to support academics, behavior, and social emotional growth. We C.A.R.E! The staff is excited to spend the school year Cultivating Achievement through Relationships and Engagement. Each year, we pick a theme to motivate our growth and support a positive mindset. This year, we will continue our work to support students and take them on a Safari to Sucess. If you see safari animals around, it is a reminder that we are setting our goals and "traveling" with our students!

As we gear up for an exciting year ahead, AUSD is delighted to announce that we will be hosting a District-wide Welcome Back Kickoff event! This event is designed to celebrate the start of the school year and to bring our entire school community together in a spirit of fun and excitement. All grade levels are invited!

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, August 8, 2024

Time: 5:30-7:30 PM

Location: JMMS Soccer Field

We have a fantastic lineup of activities planned for our students and families:

Obstacle Courses: Challenge yourself and have fun navigating through obstacle courses!

Delicious Food: Enjoy hot dogs, chips, and drinks.

Kona Ice: Kona Ice snow cones will be available for purchase to cool off in the summer heat.

Airbrush Tattoo Artists: Get an airbrush tattoo.

And Much More: Look forward to additional surprises and activities to kick off the school year in style!

MVLA has three school rules. Students will be learning behavior expectations that are aligned with being safe, responsible, and respectful. We practice Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). We understand that our students are still learning to problem solve and deal with school expectations. We believe in progressive discipline and restorative practices. Teachers and staff document concerns and communicate them with parents to form a partnership in your child's success. We look forward to your support and partnership to ensure that your child is safe, responsible and respectful.

Humor helps the heart! Join us in spreading "Smiles for Miles"!

If you and your student have cometic talent, you are invited to submit a joke (written or video) to be shared in our weekly newsletter. All jokes must make us smile, be clean, follow school/district rules, and be age appropriate. Please fill out the Google Form to submit your joke. If you choose to do a video, attach it to the form.

Spirit Days

Mondays- Wear a College Shirt or College Colors

Wednesdays- Mid-Week Mindfulness- wear a shirt with a kind message

Fridays- Wear a school shirt or school colors or RED for (Remembering Everyone Deployed)

School shirts will be available for purchase. Stayed tuned for more information from our PTA.

8/9 MVLA/CELC office closed from 7:30 am to 12:15 pm

8/21 MVLA's first in-person day

9/2 Labor Day- No School

9/5 MVLA Fall Picture Day

9/11 Patriot Day Wear Red, White, & Blue

9/18 MVLA Fall Picture Day Makeup

Camryn McInerney, School Social Worker

cmcinerney@alpineschools.net

Have you ever asked your child how their day was or what they did? Do you often get a one word response like "nothing" or "fine". Try using our Take 5 Questions to help get more thought provoking answers. It is a great opportunity to connect with your child, learn more about their experiences at school, and help them build their language skills.

Our amazing School Social Worker, Camryn McInerney , created a list of recommended read aloud books. This is great way to connect with your students. These books can also be used as a resource to support SEL needs. Choose one of your favorite books or one on her list and make reading with your child a regular habit.

Office Hours

M-F 8:00 am to 3:30 pm

Email: sgreen@alpineschools.net
Website: https://www.alpineschools.net
Location: 8818 Harbison Canyon Road
Phone: (619) 659-8250