ALA Community Update
August 11th, 2024
What's happening at ALA? (PreK-12th Grade Communication)
It was wonderful to see so many returning and new ALA families at Gators Going Back last week at ALA at Euclid and Tech. We will officially open the school year at both campuses on Tuesday, August 13!
A couple of reminders:
YMCA does not begin until the second week of school on Monday, August 19th.
Please expect very long delays and wait time at dismissal during the 1st week. Thank you in advance for your understanding. We will communicate adjustments to arrival and dismissal procedures as needed as we begin the new school year.
Here is the Choice Transportation schedule and information on how the choice bus works. *PreK and Kinder families must fill out an additional form for students to ride the bus, see Euclid Specific section below.
Many families have asked about the next opportunity to purchase our 24-25 ALA Gators Going Back t-shirt. Beginning on Friday, August 16, t-shirts will be available for purchase for $15 using credit or debit card in the main office of both campuses. Proceeds and all donations from the t-shirt sales will support 24-25 field trips and other enrichment opportunities for our PK-12 grade students.
ALA @ Euclid
ALA Euclid Arrival and Dismissal Procedures changed this year. Please take a moment to review the procedures linked here and to watch the video.
The official school day at ALA at Euclid is 8:00 am-3:25 pm for K-3 and 7:55-3:15 pm for Pre-K. At 8:00 am, the entry through the Euclid cafeteria doors is closed. If you’re running late, families should enter with their student through the front door (door 1), buzz in and sign your student in with Ms. Cenese.
On Friday, we held our Gators Going Back event for our PreK-3rd grade families. It was so wonderful to see everyone; our teachers and staff are very excited to start the new school year and watch our students grow! If you were unable to attend the event, please take a moment to review the information that was shared below:
Meet the Teacher Flyer
Transportation Form for PreK and Kinder students riding the bus * This form must be filled out before students are allowed to ride the bus.
1st Week and Beyond Transportation Information for Prek
1st Week and Beyond Transportation Information for Kinder- 3rd Graders
If your student has classroom supplies to bring the first day, please label it with their name and Village. Our Staff will deliver it to their classroom so your students are free to enjoy their first morning on campus with their friends.
ALA @ Tech
Gators Going Back Slides
If you were unable to attend, the ALA Tech grade-level presentations are linked below for your review.
4th & 5th Families
The official school day for 4th & 5th grade students is 8:00am -3:45 pm.
Students should be dropped off on Buffalo Run to enter the cafeteria.
There will be school faculty and staff ready to direct students to the cafeteria, where they will gather before being escorted to their classrooms.
Review the 24-25 Arrival & Dismissal Information linked HERE
We anticipate significant delays and wait times at dismissal until YMCA afterschool care begins on Monday, August 19th.
HERE is the 2024-25 Bus Transportation Schedule for Choice Schools
Fill out the 4th/5th Grade Dismissal Form (IMPORTANT: Please complete if you did not already do so).
6th and 7th Families
The official school day for 6th and 7th grade students is 8:00am-3:50pm.
Students should be dropped off on Buffalo Run to enter the cafeteria.
There will be school faculty and staff ready to direct students to the cafeteria where they will gather before being escorted to their classrooms.
Review the 24-25 Arrival & Dismissal Information linked HERE
We anticipate significant delays and wait times at dismissal until YMCA afterschool care begins on Monday, August 19th.
HERE is the 2024-25 Bus Transportation Schedule for Choice Schools
8th-12th Families
The official school day for 8th-12th is 8:25am-4:00pm.
Students should be dropped off in the Fine Arts building parking lot and through the cafeteria.
Review the 24-25 Arrival & Dismissal Information linked HERE
HERE is the 2024-25 Bus Transportation Schedule for Choice Schools
On the first day of school, 8th-12th students will report to their homegroup class at 8:25am. Homegroup rosters will be posted in the cafeteria. Students will then be dismissed from their homegroup to their B1 class.
This week, counselors will be taking requests from students who wish to change their schedule. The first week of school, our priority is making sure a student who is missing a core class receives a schedule change before fulfilling requests from students who wish to change elective classes. ALA teachers anticipate schedule changes during the two weeks of school and will assist students who may join the class throughout this time.
Introducing our new College Bound Advisors!
We have some exciting news for our 12th graders and their families. As previously discussed in spring Rising Senior Meetings, we will be launching a Senior Seminar course for the first time at ALA! The course is listed on student schedules as ‘College Transition.’ This course will provide a dedicated time and place for Seniors to work on college applications and essays, scholarships, financial aid, SAT/ACT prep, industry certifications, internships, Senior portfolio projects, and career counseling. Our Seniors will receive personalized support during the school day from their teachers, three newly hired College Bound Advisors, and other ALA staff members providing mentorship as college coaches.
ALA’s new CBAs are Natalie Hierzholzer (nhierholzer1@saisd.net), Patti Snider (psnider1@saisd.net), and Cindy Trevino (cvacektrevino1@saisd.net). They are all retired, high school counselors with a combined 75+ years of knowledge and experience with college and career advising! Our new CBAs will be able to push into the ALA Senior Seminar classes and provide personalized support in one-on-one meetings to a smaller caseload of students. Each ALA CBA will have a caseload of both ALA Juniors Seniors. They will be reaching out to those students and families soon to introduce themselves!
Studios and Sports
Middle School
Middle School Athletics begin on Aug. 14, 2024 with 7on7 Football and Volleyball practices.
HERE is the parent information link with ALL the 7on7 and Volleyball information for our middle school athletes.
High School
High School Water Polo, Cross Country, and Volleyball seasons have already begun.
HERE is the information link with ALL the high school fall sports information for our high school athletes.
Please continue to look for game schedules and meet information each week so that we can support our Middle School and High School athletes.
All SAISD Athletic Tickets will be purchased on Hometown Ticket.
Download the App and buy online before the games.
No cash will be accepted at the gate.
San Antonio ISD Clear Bag Policy for Athletic Events is enforced at all facilities.
Highlights
Gator News Splash: Upcoming Events!
Testing Information
Campus Lunch Menus
Not receiving the community update?
If an ALA family is not receiving the Community Update, please ensure you have not unsubscribed to School Messenger (the SAISD communication platform used to send out messages and emails) and also check their junk email. Families are also welcome to email their campus Operations Clerk for additional assistance, Brenda Cantu (bcantu2@saisd.net) at ALA Tech or Ce’nese Wooten (cwooten1@saisd.net) at ALA Euclid.
