Superintendent's Friday Update
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Hello Alta Loma School District,
Please see below for our Top Three Updates for the week:
- Readers are Leaders
- CAASPP Practice and Training Tests
- Trustee Appointment Process
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COVID UPDATE IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS LETTER |
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Readers are Leaders!
Did you know our elementary students have read 590,552,680 words as indicated by reading quizzes passed in Accelerated Reader?! That is pretty inspiring! Our students are nearly on track to reach 1 Billion words for this school year. With our partnerships with parents and families, I believe we could reach that goal. We are over 59.5% of the way to reaching 1 Billion words, and we are 62.8% of the way through the 2021-2022 school year.
Author, Emilie Buchwald shares, “Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.” As a parent and educator, this quote resonates with me because we can’t underestimate the important role that our families play as our children’s first teachers. I encourage you to read with your children, talk to them about the books they are reading, ask questions for them to recall details, describe characters and settings, make inferences and make predictions about what may happen in books that they are reading. This rich communication helps our children to build comprehension skills, and more importantly, discover a love for reading and become learners for a lifetime.
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Accessing the CAASPP Practice and Training Tests
As we move into February, teachers and students are gearing up to take the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) Statewide Assessment in April. Students in 3rd through 8th grade will be assessed in the areas of English Language Arts and Mathematics. Additionally, students in 5th and 8th grade will be taking the California Science Test (CAST). The last time the CAASPP was administered in the Alta Loma School District was during the 2018-2019 School Year. Parents can get an inside look at the CAASPP and CAST assessments by accessing the Practice and Training Tests found on the CAASPP Website. The Practice Tests provide students with grade-specific testing experiences that are similar in structure and format to the Summative Assessments. The Training Tests provide students with the opportunity to quickly become familiar with the software and interface features. Practice and Training Tests can be accessed at the following link:
Trustee Appointment Process - Area 5
The Alta Loma School District Board of Trustees is accepting applications to fill the vacancy for the remaining term of the Trustee Area 5 seat, vacated by the recent retirement of Trustee Caryn Payzant.
All candidate applications for this position must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 8, 2022. Incomplete application packages will not be considered. ALSD Trustees Brad Buller, Rebecca Davies, Jessica Martinez and Sandie Oerly will interview candidates on February 16, 2022, candidates will be contacted with a specific time.
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My best to you,
Karen Hendricks
Superintendent
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- Wednesday, February 9, 2022, Citizens' Bond Oversite Committee Meeting, 6:00 PM, Jasper Elementary
- Monday, February 14: President Lincoln's Birthday - School Holiday
- Wednesday, February 16: Board of Trustees Meeting, 5:00 PM Closed Session, 6:00 PM Open Session
- Monday, February 21: Presidents' Day Holiday
- Friday, February 25: End of Trimester II
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Great Things Happening At Our Schools |
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From Principal Michele Rachielles:
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The Builders Club is a Kiwanis supported Junior High level service organization. Our active Builders Club is always coming up with ways to bring joy and brightness to our school community. The club collected Halloween costumes for students who didn’t have one, they sent handwritten grams to every student in the school, and most recently have developed and presented a very impressive garden proposal to administration.
Great thought and care is being given to the project. See below some of the slides from the presentation. The proposal included a variety of garden features including raised planters, upcycled tire beds, a bottle garden, and even a research table. The club, under the advisement of Mrs. Hunt, Mrs. Baker, and Mrs. Chang made a very professional impression! Great job, Builders Club!
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From Principal Sandy Rose:
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In an effort to promote a positive school culture, our Vikings participated in a fun-filled week during the Great Kindness Challenge last week. This initiative is a global campaign that promotes kindness in schools. It is a positive, action-based bullying-prevention initiative that creates a school culture of kindness, compassion, unity, and respect. Students participated in classroom kindness activities, dressed up for spirit days, had fun during lunchtime activities, and created a kindness chain. In addition, our Friends of Rachel Club collaborated with ASB Leadership to sponsor “Kindness Grams”. #KindnessMatters! |
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From Principal Dolly Bentley:
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This past month, our Preppy K students learned all about the Chinese New Year! Yesterday, to celebrate, our Preppy K students participated in a parade around the school. The staff and students cheered them on as they waved their red and yellow streamers, wore their vibrant red colors, and decorated dragon masks. Our PTA also gave each student in the school a red envelope with gold coins! It was a great experience for our students and gave them the opportunity to learn about and embrace Chinese culture. Thank you Preppy K teachers for sharing the great work you are doing with our ALE students! |
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From Principal Khaleelah Lewis-Wilkins:
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As we all know, a little kindness can go a long way and even last a lifetime! Last week, Banyan celebrated The Great Kindness Challenge school-wide. In and outside of the classroom, students were learning about, and engaging in, acts of Kindness. Our Banyan Bulldogs encouraged each other to continue to spread Kindness like confetti to others on campus! Our front office was even “Heart Attacked” by our Kindergarten students and teachers and was also given Kindness Rocks by our first grade students! Above all, students made a pledge to continue to be kind to each other throughout the remainder of the school year. Our Bulldogs Rock! |
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Dr. Howard Hendricks once said, “As an effective teacher, you must not only know that which you would teach—that is, your content—but you must also know those whom you wish to teach.”
Our second grade team embodies this quote. This week Banyan would like to highlight Mrs. King, Mrs. Dixon, Mrs. Kenyon and Mrs. Chaidez- our second grade team. This team of fun-loving veteran teachers, not only collaborates to meet student’s needs, they also instill joy in their hearts! From teaching the value of numbers and their interrelation, to the love of reading that leads to academic discourse- our teachers shine!.
Each day our second grade students rise to Achieve Beyond the Expected in their classrooms. We are so thankful to have them on our campus and the wonderful gifts they bestow upon our students. They make us #BulldogProud! Go Bulldogs!!!
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From Interim Principal Sue Geddes:
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Carnelian proctors meet and greet our students every day with a smile welcoming them to a new day. They know every vehicle, parent, and student. They truly give their time making our Cardinals feel safe and welcome. We so appreciate our Cardinal Proctors and all they do. |
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This week, Ms. Won’s first grade class celebrated Lunar New Year on Tuesday, 2/1/22. Students in her class were so excited to explore and learn about the Lunar New Year and how different countries recognized the holiday. It was so incredible to see how excited these 1st graders were to talk about, see, and explore this cultural tradition. |
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From Principal Curtis Quanstrom:
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Without a doubt, Jasper Elementary has a dynamic office staff. If you have had the opportunity to speak with any of them you know how amazing they are first hand. Their smiles are contagious as they carry on the task of making sure Jasper is running smoothly. Answering phone calls and assisting with students and families health needs are a top priority, but they do so much more. Janea Wynn-Liggins, Elida Castellanos, and Maribel Reyes permeate Champion Spirit and do it day in and day out with love and care. We are grateful for your kindness, compassion, and professionalism. |
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From Principal Val Bires:
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Hermosa had a schoolwide Library Day this week! Each class shared one of their favorite books with another class on campus. Students enjoyed reading throughout the day and exploring the wonders of literacy. |
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A few weeks ago Hermosa lost a very special person, Mrs. Holdsworth who was always full of sunshine, love and school spirit. She touched so many lives at Hermosa and in our community. As our past librarian for 18 years, she shared not only the love of books but the love of being a Husky. Mrs. Holdsworth was loved by all who knew her. She was fun, humorous, smart, full of spirit, happy, and gregarious. Not only did she create a library full of wonder, she participated in school events, danced her way through assemblies, dressed up for every costume parade, showed up for spirit nights, and was a showcase in our talent shows. She knew every student’s name and loved each one. Outside of school, she attended sports events and drama/dance performances to watch her students in action. Mrs. Holdsworth retired in 2020 and was honored by our Board of Trustees in 2021. Even though we will miss her for an eternity, she will always be a Husky and be remembered. Hermosa is collecting books for our library this month in honor of Mrs. Holdsworth. |
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From Principal Guadalupe Berzunza:
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Stork Superstars have so much to celebrate. Last Friday our students along with their families were honored for being chosen as Student of the Month and Writer of the month. Each teacher selects a student who has demonstrated the 3 R's of being a Stork Superstar: Respect, Responsibility, and Resourceful to receive the Student of the Month Award. These students have displayed exemplary character and we are thrilled to recognize them.
Writer of the Month awards go to our students in grades 4-6. These students are chosen by their teacher who have shown exemplary effort and skill in the content area of writing.
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Our Superstars continue to earn Caught Being Good tickets for being Respectful, Responsible and Resourceful. Our students have many opportunities to earn tickets and participate in the weekly drawings. Students who are chosen have a variety of prizes to choose from such as snacks, front of the line passes, name on the marquee, sitting anywhere during lunch, positive phone calls home shout out on the announcements as well as lunch with admiration. Friday drawings are the highlight of lunchtimes at Stork. Our community can hear and feel the positive vibes coming from our Superstars.
Way to go Superstars.
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From Principal Kristy Johnson:
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Our Student Leadership team plans fun activities for our students throughout the year. This month, they are selling Val-o-grams for students to send to their friends. Each Val-o-gram includes a handwritten message and a Valentine themed sticker for a water bottle. Student Leadership plans monthly Spirit Days where students get to dress up in the chosen theme. Our team also helps out with creating a positive school climate through community events that are held throughout the year. We are thankful for Mrs. Horne, our Student Leadership Advisor for working with our leadership team. Our future is bright with these wonderful 5th and 6th grade leaders. |
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Ongoing Updates from Your COVID-19 Safety and Information Team:
Over the past two years, we have learned that many families become aware of new legislation, orders, guidelines, and recommendations when school districts are asked to implement them. At that point, it is too late to be heard during the decision-making process.
We believe that every voice should be heard when decisions have major impacts on your kids. This is not a request for advocacy, but is our attempt to inform everyone that decisions will be made beyond our local level that will have implications for our students. Some examples include:
· Future indoor masking mandates will be determined by CDPH and SCCPHD.
· SB866 (Weiner) would allow students 12+ to receive COVID vaccines without parental permission.
· SB277 (Pan) would mandate vaccines for all K-12 students by January 2023, while eliminating religious and personal belief exemptions (Bill found here).
Again, policies related to COVID-19 have been and will be set at the state level, not at the county or local level. For anyone wishing to express their opinions regarding masking, potential vaccination / booster mandates, availability of antigen take-home tests, or other COVID related topics, we suggest contacting agencies and elected officials directly at:
San Bernardino County Department of Public Health:
California Department of Public Health:
The ALSD Board of Trustees has taken actions in respect to both mask mandates and vaccine mandates. Those Resolutions can be found at:
Resolution 7-21-21 DISTRICT STATEMENT TO CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERNING MASK MANDATES:
Resolution 11-03-21 DISTRICT STATEMENT REGARDING COVID-19 VACCINE MANDATES:
Like other school districts in San Bernardino County, ALSD has adhered to the guidance and legal mandates of health agencies since March 2020. It is important that voices are heard on all sides of future COVID variant management decisions. While our local Board of Trustees is always appreciative of hearing from our families, the major decisions ahead will be made by the people and agencies listed above. Our staff interacts with these agencies, and it is important they also hear directly from our families.
We continue to receive questions about the future of indoor masking as well as potential vaccination mandates. As of now, indoor masking is still required by the CDPH and our local SBCDPH.
The District has also received inquiries about why the Governor was not wearing a face covering when photographed at the NFC Championship game last Sunday. Questions about the Governor may be sent to:
As a reminder: on January 12, 2022 the Governor's Office shared updated COVID-19 Public Health Guidance for K-12 Schools that includes updated recommendations for the management of students exposed to COVID-19 in a K-12 setting. The Alta Loma School District continues to follow California Department of Public Health (CDPH) K-12 guidance. This guidance allows for us to follow the Group Tracing Approach. When a positive individual is identified in the classroom families will receive a Classroom Notification letter and should follow the guidance outlined in the letter.
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