The Mountain Lion's Pulse
Altoona Area School District - February 2024
Note From Mr. Hatch
Dear Altoona Area School District Community,
I hope this message finds you well as we embrace the month of February with a strong sense of community, safety, and optimism. As we navigate through the winter season, I want to take a moment to highlight the importance of safety and well-being for all our students, staff, and families.
Ensuring a safe and secure learning environment remains our top priority. Our dedicated staff continues to implement rigorous safety protocols, and we appreciate your ongoing cooperation and support. Together, we create an environment where everyone can thrive and learn with confidence.
Join us for our fourth Town Hall Meeting in March, where we will address the crucial topic of Internet Safety-Keeping Our Kids Safe. The program is specifically designed for parents and students to attend and learn together. Our goal is to inspire, educate, and foster a sense of community through these valuable opportunities. We look forward to your participation and commitment to creating a safer online environment for our children.
As we move through February, let's continue to nurture a culture of kindness, empathy, and collaboration. Your involvement and dedication makes our school district a vibrant and enriching place for everyone.
Warm regards,
Brad Hatch
Superintendent of Schools
814-946-8350
Town Hall Meeting- Internet Safety
Internet Safety - Keeping Our Kids Safe
Internet safety has become more and more important as children explore the platforms available to them on social media. Shape the Sky will present a program that connects knowledge and wisdom to help create safe and responsible children online and on digital devices. The Shape the Sky team will provide an insider’s view of the internet and social media to help you start a conversation with your child. This program is designed for parents and students to attend and learn together. Shape the Sky will have children and adults connect, share, and learn together to bridge youth knowledge of technology with adult wisdom of using it responsibly.
Now is the time of the school year when the secondary school counselors will be meeting with students to schedule for the 2024-2025 school year. Please utilize the Course Description Books below to make informed decisions about academic planning.
AAJHS Scheduling Course Books
AAJHS 6th Grade Scheduling Course Book 2024
AAJHS 7th Grade Scheduling Course Book 2024
AAJHS 8th Grade Scheduling Course Book 2024
8th grade scheduling meeting for parents will be in the AAHS Auditorium Thursday February 22nd from 6pm - 7:30pm. The presentation is geared toward 8th grade students, but all parents of students grades 8 through 11 are welcome to attend.
AAHS Scheduling Assistance
Please use this link to go to the AAHS Scheduling information page.
If you are unsure what courses you may like to take a look at this link which may help. Academic Planning - What Path to Choose?
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.
PHEAA
As students are making decisions for further education after high school, applying for financial aid can be a difficult process. Several questions about the financial aid process can be answered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency website.
During February and March, PHEAA is hosting a series of webinars to assist students and families as they navigate the process of fundraising higher education. Be sure to check out these valuable resources. Registration link: https://www.pheaa.org/virtual
SAT and ACT Registration
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: March 9, 2024
Regular Registration Deadline: February 23, 2024
Late Registration Deadline: February 24, 2024 (Late Fee Applies)
ACT: Test Date: April 13, 2024
Regular Registration Deadline: March 8, 2024
Late Registration Deadline: March 24, 2024 (Late Fee Applies)
Numerous Scholarships are available now.
For more information please visit the Counselor page on the AAHS website.
Book BIngo
Book Bingo is coming to each elementary school this February! Join us for a super fun evening of Bingo and prizes! Come and play bingo with your family and friends for a chance to win some awesome books. This evening will be an evening to learn how you can support both social and academic skills for your child and be lots of fun for the family!
Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten registration for the 24-25 school year will begin on March 4th! 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.
Technology Department School-to-Career Students
In the January issue of Mt. Lion’s Pulse, you were introduced to Josiah, one of two School-to-Career (STC) students hired by the Technology Department. This month we asked Dominic, the Department’s afternoon STC student who works in the AAJHS, to share with us his thoughts about working in the Technology Department.
Why did you decide to become a School-to-Career student?
I decided to become a School-to-Career student because I saw this opportunity to obtain knowledge and work experience in the technology field, knowing it would be very beneficial to all things I want to do in the future. I also was excited about the fact that I could get paid for half of my school day, saving me from having to work lots of hours after school, giving me more time to do my hobbies.
What do you do as a STC student for the Technology Department? What do you like best about being in the Technology Department?
The main thing I do as an STC student in the Technology Department is fix student Chromebooks and help teachers fix their occasional tech problems. Every once in a while, big projects show up that I’ll take part in, and I learn lots of new things.
What do you like best about being in the Technology Department?
I’m not sure what my favorite part of working for the Technology Department is. I enjoy the fact that I gain knowledge, experience, and earn money while barely sacrificing any of my time.
What have you learned about yourself by working in the Technology Department?
One thing I learned about myself is that I am capable of a lot more than I think. I was very excited to start fixing computers, but when I first entered the program, I had very little experience with the internals of computers and found fixing/upgrading my personal computer very daunting. I learned that it is a ton easier than I thought and can now do it with 100% confidence.
What are your career plans after you graduate from AAHS?
Long term career goals after graduation are to earn my Bachelor’s degree in computer science and work in software development for about five years. Then I plan on using my experience to hopefully get a job in computer networking.
PMEA All-State Jazz Band:
Congratulations to Seth Goheen (junior - bari sax) for being selected through his audition for the PMEA (Pennsylvania Music Educators Association) All-State Jazz Band. Seth will participate in the All-State Festival in April at the Erie Convention Center.
String Spectacular Concert:
The AASD String Spectacular Concert featuring the Orchestras from the Elementary, JHS, and HS will be on Thursday, February 29, 2024 at 7pm in the AAHS Auditorium. Tickets are $3 and will be available at the door.
Band Bash Concert:
The AASD Band Bash Concert featuring the Elementary Concert Band, JHS Concert Bands, and the HS Wind Ensemble will be held on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 7pm in the AAHS Auditorium. Tickets are $3 and will be available at the door.
PMEA District Festivals:
Congratulations to all of the AAHS students that participated in the PMEA District Band, District Chorus and District Orchestra Festivals this past month. Through their auditions 9 Chorus students, 15 band students and 18 orchestra students qualified for the Region Festivals. Good luck to all of these students as they continue their journeys towards the All-State Festivals.
AASD Drama
Shrek the Musical, Jr.
The Altoona Area Junior High School Drama Club is proud to present Shrek the Musical, Jr. A Senior Citizen Preview will take place on Wednesday, March 6th at 7:00 P.M. Public performances are scheduled for 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, March 7th and Friday March 8th with a matinee show at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, March 9th, 2024. All performances will take place in the Altoona Area Junior High School Auditorium.
Nasty will be nice and Altoona will be ogre-the-moon when AAJHS students, along with special guests from the Juniata Elementary Drama Club, present their production of Shrek The Musical Jr. With over 70 actors and almost 20 crew members, the show is sure to be entertaining and fun for everyone!
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
With over 50 high school students onstage joined by a children's choir from our elementary schools, some special teacher cameos, an all-star student pit orchestra and just as many students involved backstage designing and making all of our sets, props, and costumes, this upbeat, family-friendly show will have you dancing in your seat!
Get your tickets online at altoonaasd.booktix.com before they are all gone! Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults at altoonaasd.booktix.com (plus online processing fees). Tickets are reserved seating and will also be available in advance in the AAHS Student Store, in the AAHS Auditorium Ticket Booth on April 1-3 from 4-5pm, and at the door 45 minutes prior to each performance.
Athletic Screenings
AASD SCHEDULES ATHLETIC SCREENINGS FOR SPRING SPORTS
Spring Sports physicals will be held for athletes from Altoona Area High School and the Altoona
Area Junior High School according to the schedule listed below. Only student-athletes who have not played a sport yet this school year will need to see the physician.
For first time physicals, each student must complete and properly-sign PACKET ONE of the
physical forms which include the PIAA CIPPE form, Sections 2-6; Parental Authorization form; Medical Information form; Permission to Drug Test form; and Registration form.
Athletes who participated in a fall or winter sport need to complete the recertification paperwork only.
Forms are located in the AAHS Athletic Office, AAJHS Main Office or on the AASD Athletics page: Athletic Physical Forms. Any questions or concerns, please contact the head coach.
- AAJHS - THURSDAY, February 22, 2024, 3:00 PM - AAJHS TRAINING ROOM
- AAHS - THURSDAY, February 29, 2024, 3:00 PM - AAHS TRAINING ROOM
AASD Featured Positions
Special Education Aide (SEA)
- Responsible for working one-to-one and/or with multiple students to meet the needs identified in the students’ Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs)
Technology Assistant
- Responsible for assisting teachers and students with computer-related issues and procedures; troubleshooting computer hardware and software problems and installing/updating computer hardware and software. Working with users who vary in their breadth of knowledge in computers, solving problems, generating reports/digital output, training, and installation.
To apply please visit www.aasdcat.com/apply.
Weather Alerts & Emergency Notifications
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