Sundays From The Mesa #29

Dear Alta Mesa Families,

Thank you to all the parents who filled out the Leader in Me Survey during parent-teacher conference week. Your feedback is important and helps us continue to grow and improve our school for all students. We truly appreciate your time and input!

4th and 5th grade Softball and Flag Football tryouts are this week! Softball tryouts will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday from 2:30–3:30, and Flag Football tryouts will be held on Thursday and Friday from 2:30–3:30. Please remember that all permission slips must be turned in prior to tryouts in order for students to participate.

Spring STEAM Club starts on Tuesday, 2:30-3:30. Ms. Randolph will notify parents of students who will participating.

K-3rd Art Club also starts this week on Thursday, 2:15-3:15. Kindergarten and 1st grade students will meeting in room 8 with Ms. Randolph and 2nd and 3rd grade will be with Mrs. Duke in room 4. Parents were notified of the students who were accepted into Art Club.

We’re excited for Guest Reader and Career Day! Our guest readers will visit your classrooms from 9:00–9:20 AM to read and answer questions about their professions. After that, they’ll head out to Career Day. During Career Day, classes will rotate through stations every 10 minutes. Please review the schedule and map below!

We have a lockdown drill scheduled for Wednesday. Please note that this is just a drill, but it is a necessary one, as it helps ensure the safety of our students and staff and prepares everyone in case of an actual emergency.

Guest Reader & Career Day is scheduled for Wednesday and promises to be a fun day for students! We will have a fire engine, tractors, Solid Waste, RPD, and other community members visiting. Please make sure students arrive on time and do not have appointments scheduled, as this is an exciting event they won’t want to miss!

The 3rd Grade Wax Museum is scheduled for Friday, March 27th. Parents and family members are encouraged to visit from 8:30–9:00 AM. To align with our safety procedures, guests will not need to sign in, but must remain in the gym during the event.

We also have another fun event scheduled for Friday, March 27th—our All-School Vocabulary Parade! Parents and guests are welcome to watch from 1:00–2:00 PM in the Alta Mesa gym. The same as the Wax Museum, parents and guests will not need to sign in but will need to remain in the gym. Parents will then pick up their child at their regular dismissal spot. Students have been working hard, and we are excited to see them showcase their creativity and learning!

Our Intent to Return Survey is now available for parents to complete. Please take a moment to fill it out, as your responses help us plan for the 2026–2027 school year. Please click HERE to fill out the survey. You can also access the survey below.

With excitement,

Kristen Crites

Principal-Alta Mesa School

(530) 224-4130

kcrites@eesd.net

Monday:

• Minimum Day - Dismissal @ 1:23

Tuesday:

• Student Lighthouse Meeting 12:05-12:40
  
• 2nd Grade Tutoring 2:15-3:15
• STEAM Club 2:30-3:30
• Softball Tryouts 2:30-3:30
• Reading Pals 3:00-4:00

Wednesday:

• Lockdown Drill
• 2nd Grade Tutoring 2:15-3:15
• Garden Club 2:30-3:30
• Student Lighthouse Team Meeting 2:30-3:30
• Softball Tryouts 2:30-3:30

Thursday:

• Student Lighthouse Meeting 12:05-12:40
• K-3rd Art Club 2:15-3:15
• Softball Practice 2:30-3:30
• Flag Football Tryouts 2:30-3:30
• Reading Pals 3:00-4:00

Friday:

• Wax Museum 8:30-9:00
• Vocabulary Parade 1:00-2:00
• Flag Football Tryouts 2:30-3:30

This recognition is awarded to one student from each school site. Students are selected based on how they have made a positive difference in their classroom and school community. Criteria include academic achievement, social-emotional growth, athletic involvement, and other individual accomplishments.

We are proud to congratulate Brooklinn Bova on being selected as the Elks Lodge Student of the Month. Brooklinn is a true shining star in our school community. She consistently goes above and beyond—balancing her own academic excellence with a genuine commitment to helping others. Whether she is supporting classmates in understanding their work, assisting teachers, or spreading kindness throughout the day, Brooklinn leads with heart and purpose.

She exemplifies the habit of “putting first things first,” always ensuring her own responsibilities are met before lifting up those around her. Her peers feel seen, heard, and valued because of her compassionate spirit.

Beyond the classroom, Brooklinn shines just as brightly. She is actively involved in Student Leadership Club and participates in nearly every sport our school offers. Her dedication, positivity, and leadership make her an irreplaceable and deeply valued member of our school family.

Our Intent to Return Survey is now available for parents to complete. Please take a moment to fill it out, as your responses help us plan for the 2026–2027 school year.

2026/2027 Intent to Return Survey

Hey 4/5 students! Are you ready to take on the staff in an epic reading showdown? All through March, it’s Staff vs. Students — and every page you read brings your team closer to victory!

Here’s how it works:

• Read anything you love — chapter books, graphic novels, — it all counts!

• Take an AR Test each time you finish a book (or a chapter!) so your team can keep track.

• The more you read, the closer your team gets to winning.

And here’s the best part:

• If students win, you get to silly string the staff!

• If staff win, well… they get to silly string you!

So grab a book, dive in, and let’s show the staff how it’s done. The more pages you read, the bigger your chance to celebrate victory!

Please be aware that we will be conducting an unstructured lockdown drill on Wednesday, March 25th. This means the drill will take place during snack or lunch recess—times when students are in unstructured, less structured settings.

The purpose of this drill is to practice our safety procedures in real-life scenarios, ensuring that both staff and students know exactly how to respond if an emergency occurs during times when routines are less predictable. Practicing during unstructured times helps us identify potential challenges and ensures everyone remains prepared to keep our school community safe.

Thank you for your attention and cooperation in making this drill effective and meaningful.

We’re excited to host our annual Guest Reader Day at Alta Mesa! Special guests from our community will be visiting classrooms to share stories and connect with students about reading and their careers.

This is a student-only event, but we wanted to make sure families are aware of the special day happening on campus. It’s always a highlight for our students, and they won’t want to miss out on this exciting opportunity!

Be sure your child is at school and ready for a great day of stories, learning, and fun!

Living Wax Museums are an immersive—and downright adorable—way for students to explore historical figures and their contributions to society.

We are excited to invite all 3rd grade parents to Alta Mesa on Friday, March 27th from 8:30–9:00 AM for our Wax Museum! Your students have been working hard and can’t wait to share their projects and discoveries with you. Come see history come to life!

We look forward to this special day every year, and we hope you do too! Our Vocabulary Parade is a wonderful way to celebrate our love of words and reading. It’s also a fun, academic opportunity for students to dress up in creative, homemade costumes inspired by their favorite words.

This year, the Vocabulary Parade will take place on March 27th from 1:00 – 2:00 PM, and families are invited to join in the fun!

For more details, please contact your child’s teacher. We can’t wait to see all the creative costumes and celebrate the power of words together!

Paraprofessional Appreciation Day, celebrated on April 1st, is a special opportunity to recognize the incredible impact our aides have on our school community. Paraprofessionals play a vital role in supporting student learning, building meaningful connections, and helping classrooms run smoothly each and every day. From providing one-on-one assistance to encouraging student success, their dedication, patience, and compassion make a lasting difference. We are grateful for all they do and proud to celebrate the important contributions of our amazing aides!

April 1st is going to be a busy and exciting day on campus! Our 5th graders will be heading to Parsons from 8:30–12:00, where they’ll tour the campus and learn about the many clubs and extracurricular opportunities available to them next year.

Meanwhile, our K–4th grade students will get to LEVEL UP from 9:00–10:00! Each class will visit their 2026–2027 grade level to get a sneak peek at what’s ahead and experience what it’s like to be in the next grade. Stay tuned—more details coming soon!

At the same time, we’ll be welcoming our newest Eagles during our TK/K Round-Up from 9:00–10:00. Incoming students will meet their TK/K teachers and get a glimpse of what a “big kid” classroom is all about. It’s a fun-filled day for all grade levels!

Kona Ice will be on campus on Thursday, April 2nd! Students will have the opportunity to purchase a $5.00 cup of Fruit First, shaved ice. Thirty percent of all proceeds come back to Alta Mesa!

NUTRITION FACTS

Spring break is just around the corner! Students will be off from Friday, April 3rd through Friday, April 10th and will return to campus on Monday, April 13th. Wishing everyone a fun, relaxing, and safe spring break!

Tryouts:

March 24th & 25th: 2:30-3:30

Practices:

Tuesdays - Thursdays: 2:30-3:30

Games:

TBD

Tryouts:

March 26th & 27th: 2:30-3:30

Practices:

Mondays (2:00-3:00) & Thursdays (2:30-3:30)

Games:

TBD

2nd/3rd Grade: Lori Duke

Meeting Dates:

Thursdays: 2:15 - 3:15

3/26, 4/02, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30, 5/07

K/1st Grade: Dana Randolph

Meeting Dates:

Meeting Dates:

Thursdays: 2:15 - 3:15

3/26, 4/02, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30, 5/07

Meeting Dates:

Tuesdays: 2:30-3:30

3/24, 3/31, 4/14, 4/21, 4/28, 5/05

Meeting Dates:

Wednesdays from 2:30-3:30

October: 10/01, 10/08, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29

November: 11/5, 11/12

December: 12/03, 12/10, 12/17

January: 1/07, 1/14, 1/21, 1/28

February: 2/04, 2/11, 2/25

March: 3/04, 3/11, 3/25

April: 4/01, 4/15, 4/22, 4/29

Meeting Dates:

Tuesdays and Thursdays: 12:05 - 12:40

Wednesdays (optional): 2:30 - 3:30

Spirit Days

• 09/26 - Bright and Shiny (bright, bold colors)
• 11/14 - Fall into Thanksgiving (fall colors, leaves)
• 12/12 - Cozy Winter (winter colors, snow, cold weather clothes)
• 01/16 - Shiny New Year (sparkles, glitter, metallic colors)
• 02/13 - Valentines Day (hearts, red, and pink)
• 04/17 - April Showers (flowers, spring, pastel colors)
• 05/15 - Sunshine and Lollipops (summer theme, sunglasses, bright fun colors)

2nd Grade Tutoring:

Teacher: Lori Duke

Start and End Dates: 3/24 - 5/06

Days of the Week: Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Time: 2:15-3:15

• 03/25: Lockdown Drill
• 03/27: Wax Museum
• 03/27: Vocabulary Parade
• 04/01: Paraprofessional Day
• 04/01: 5th Grade - Parsons Invasion Day
• 04/3-04/10: Spring Recess - NO SCHOOL+
• 04/15: Booster Club Meeting
• 04/16: National Librarian Day
• 04/17: April Showers Spirit Day
• 04/21: Fire Drill
• 04/22: Family Skate Night
• 05/01: Lunch Hero Day
• 05/01: Principal Appreciation Day

We’re thrilled to introduce our new Alta Mesa apparel ordering site: 1st Place Spiritwear! You can now order shirts, sweatshirts, backpacks, tote bags, hats, cups, and so much more—all featuring Alta Mesa pride. The best part? You can shop anytime! No deadlines, no waiting. Click the LINK to check it out and start gearing up in style! Go Eagles!

You can also find 1st Place Spiritwear on the Alta Mesa website. Click HERE to get to our website and click on Student Life drop down and select Alta Mesa Spiritwear Store!

Alta Mesa is a Preschool-5th Grade, as well as Mrs. Goetz's 6th-8th Graders. At Alta Mesa, we believe that every student deserves a safe, enjoyable learning environment with exceptional instruction. Our caring, highly qulaified staff is committed to meeting the individual needs of each student in all academic areas. We believe that in order for students to grow intellectually and attain academic success, we must also address their social, emotional, and physical needs. We have been recognized for the past 5 years as a Capturing Kids Hearts National Showcase School. For more information you can follow us on facebook @altamesaschool or go to our website altamesa.eesd.net.

We appreciate your support in helping students stay focused and safe while at school.

Address: 2301 Saturn Skyway, Redding Ca. 96002

School Phone: (530) 224-4130

Principal - Kristen Crites

School Secretary - Kaylene Elliott

Student Services Clerk - Michelle Poland