
Husky Nation Highlights
Community Newsletter - October 8, 2023

Yes, we do have school on Mon 10/9!!! 😅
A calendar may have circulated indicating 10/9 is a Holiday (Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples Day). That calendar was incorrect. Alhambra USD does not observe Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples Day.
At Highlands, Husky students demonstrate positive behaviors and earn Husky Bucks. Husky Bucks can be used to shop for items from our Husky Carts (weekly) or enter a raffle for cool prizes (monthly).
Visit our PBIS Amazon Wishlist at Monterey Highlands to see what items are needed! Your donations ship directly to the school. Thank you for supporting PBIS!
Lightspeed Internet Monitoring 🌐
The Lightspeed Parent Portal is available for guardians. This tool allows guardians to monitor their child's most recent web browsing activities. Guardians will be able to opt into receiving weekly reports of their student’s internet usage and analytics. They will also have the ability to create a Lightspeed Parent Portal account, which will allow them to view their child’s browsing history for the last 7 days.
Step 1: Opt in to receive the usage reports (Click here for Instructions - English/Spanish/Chinese)
Step 2: Review the Lightspeed Parent Portal Guide (Click here for the guide - English/Spanish/Chinese)
Chromebook Replacement Cost 💻
District technology devices are assigned to each student within Powerschool. All lost or damaged devices are the student's responsibility and are to be paid for at the time of loss or damage. Failure to pay for lost or damaged devices may result in withholding school privileges and report cards.
(BP 3515.4, BP 5131.5, EC 48904).
Replacement Steps
- Any chromebook that is lost, damaged or stolen will be replaced at a cost of $350.00 to be paid at the District Office (Accounting Department) to Mr. David Lazarus after setting an appointment with him. He may be reached at 626-943-6528.
- After the payment is made, the receipt needs to be presented at Monterey Highlands School Office in order to issue the new device. Please set an appointment with the office to guarantee device readiness.
- Student will be issued a new or gently used device by the school office that they may take home.
AUSD is committed to providing our children the best educational experience, and we appreciate your support in emphasizing to our Huskies the importance of being responsible when using school devices/property.
Traffic Safety 🦺
Please be mindful of these traffic safety reminders:
- There is NO drop-off directly in front of Gate 1, please use the Valet.
- Please do NOT park in any staff stalls or in a handicap stall without a valid placard.
- Do NOT jaywalk on Casuda Canyon. This is extremely unsafe. There are 3 crosswalks near school.
- We will be coning off the red area near the Pavilion Gate and crosswalk. Please do NOT park here (see photo above). Thank you for understanding.
✏️ PTA CORNER 🍎
PTA Meeting 10/11 at 6:30PM
PIZZA + TREATS + HALLOWEEN + KIDS CRAFTS
The PTA will host a Halloween-themed Association Meeting in the School Cafetorium on October 11 at 6:30PM.
All Families Welcomed! Our PTA is always open for new ideas that can better support the needs of our diverse community. Meet fellow students and parents and learn about upcoming events! An agenda for the meeting is available here.
There will be pizza, treats, and refreshments. In addition, we will have a kids corner with Halloween arts and crafts.
Thank you for your support. We look forward to seeing everyone!
Reflections Arts Program – A few days remaining! 😱
Explore the arts and express yourself! This year’s Reflections theme is “I am Hopeful Because…”
Get creative and submit to one of the many categories including dance choreography, literature, photography, film production, music composition, and visual arts. All grades are welcome to submit. Please visit bit.ly/MHReflections for more details.
All participants with eligible entries will be entered into a raffle to win a $5 gift certificate for PTA’s Holiday Shop (to be held on December 14-15). In addition, all participants with eligible entries will receive a “See’s Candies” lollipop and a participation ribbon. All category winners in each division, receive a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd award ribbon and award certificate, with the 1st place recipient receiving a marble plaque.
Submission Deadline: Wednesday, October 11th, 2023 at 11:59PM.
Interested in volunteering as a judge? Click here to volunteer.
Spooky Bash 10/27 at 4-8PM 🎃
PTA is proud to announce our Spooky Bash lineup! Food, merchandise, games, a haunted maze, a photobooth, costume contest, Thriller dance party, and much more! Join us on October 27 for a Spooky good time.
More information is available in our FAQ, and check out our menu for a preview of offerings.
This event is entirely run by volunteers and donations – we need your help to continue to make it a success! Volunteers are needed to help decorate the maze, event setup, cleanup, and run game booths. Volunteer clearance is NOT A REQUIREMENT to volunteer the day of this event from 8 AM to 10 PM. Click here to volunteer.
You can also help by donating candy. Nut free treats and alternative goodies will be happily accepted starting Wednesday, October 16th. A donation box will be placed outside the front office with a sign.
Día de los Muertos 11/3 💀
PTA is celebrating Día de los Muertos! Día de Los Muertos is a holiday for some, where families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives for a brief reunion and celebration.
We will host an altar to honor the lives of those who have passed. You are invited to send a picture of a loved one to the Front office to be displayed on the altar. You may also email programs@mhpta.net a digital picture.
Please note, that by participating you authorize and consent to the display of submitted photos at the altar, school website, and PTA social media.
We are also looking for volunteers to assist with operating craft stations and assisting with Altar setup. If interested, please click here to volunteer
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities 🤝
We are grateful for our volunteers. Here are some of our volunteer needs at this time:
Ongoing:
- Morning Valet (School) - mornings (7:30am-8:00am)
- Husky Pop-Up Store (School) - monthly at recess (9am-11am).
Email Ms. Chan (school counselor) if you are interested. - Spooky Bash Volunteers (PTA)
- Reflections Art Program Judges (PTA)
- Dia de los Muertos Volunteers (PTA)
📒 ASB ANNOUNCEMENTS 📢
Mr. Calvin Ly, Adviser
The Associated Student Body (ASB) oversees all fundraising and school activities at Monterey Highlands. The ASB Cabinet meets weekly on Fridays to review activity and fundraising requests.
Useful ASB Information:
- Parents or teachers interested in creating a fundraiser can complete this Google Form Link. Approved fundraisers are listed on this Fundraising Calendar.
- Students are invited to submit artwork or videos showcasing a talent, hobby or interest. Student may use this link to upload an entry: http://bit.ly/Husky-Spotlight
- The ASB Cabinet produces our monthly Wonderful Wednesday assembly. October's theme is Embracing Honesty featuring 4th Grade! Check it out below!
Upcoming Fundraisers 💰
Benefitting the ASB General Fund for schoolwide activities:
- Spooky Grams, Mon 10/9 - Th 10/12, in the Breezeway @ Recess, Lunch and Dismissal
Benefitting the 8th Grade Class of 2024 Promotion Activities 🎓
- The Habit in Alhambra (Garfield/Main), Wed 10/18, 4-10pm
(in-person, print out or present flyer on your phone)
ASB Fundraiser
Thank you for supporting ASB!
8th Grade Fundraiser
Attendance Counts! 🏆
- Mrs. K. Wang (5th) - overall winner with 98.91% attendance
- Mrs. Acosta-Martin (6th)
- Mrs. J. Wang (5th)
- Ms. Perez (4th)
- Ms. Lim (6th)
- Mr. McNeil (5th)
- Ms. Adams (5th)
Attendance Interventions ⚠️
Please report the reason/excuse for an absence to our school registrar, Mrs. Rebecca Rodriguez, within 10 days of the absence.
Absences without an excuse will automatically be unexcused (U). Any tardy in excess of 30 minutes is considered a truant tardy (TT).
Attendance interventions are as follows:
- 3rd unexcused absence or truant tardy - 1st Truancy Letter is mailed home
- 4th unexcused absence or truant tardy - 2nd Truancy Letter is mailed home, parents are requested to appear for School Attendance Review Team (SART) in-person
- 5th unexcused absence or truant tardy - matter is referred to the School Attendance Review Board (SARB) and the District Attorney
Upcoming Dates 📆
- 10/11 - PTA Reflections Student Submission Deadline @ 11:59pm
- 10/11 - PTA Association Meeting @ 6:30pm
- 10/18 - 8th Grade Fundraiser @ The Habit (Garfield/Main)
- 10/20 - Student of the Month (Cafetorium) @ 8:00am
- 10/21 - Anticipated power shut off for solar array linkage to power grid
- 10/24 - Board of Education Meeting
- 10/24 - Monterey Park Town Hall (Cafetorium) @ 6pm
- 10/26 - Safety Committee Meeting (Zoom) at 3pm
- 10/23 to 10/27 - Red Ribbon Week: Be Kind to Your Mind!
- 10/27 - End of Trimester 1
- 10/27 - Spooky Bash! 👻
- 10/30 and 10/31 - Pupil Free Days
- 10/31 - AUSD Food and Wellness Fair (call School Office to RSVP)
- 11/3 - PTA presents Día de los Muertos
- 11/9 - PTA Honors Veterans
- 11/9 - PTA Reflections Awards Ceremony
Monterey Highlands School
📥 Email: highlands@ausd.us
🌐 Website: www.montereyhighlandselementary.org
📍 Location: 400 Casuda Canyon Drive, Monterey Park, CA, USA
📲 Phone: (626) 570-6220