Welcome Back to School!

Dear Altadena Eliot Arts Families,

I hope you've enjoyed some fun in the sun and happy times with loved ones. It has been a super busy summer for us on campus as we plan for a wonderful new school year. There are just a few must knows before we launch into the 2023-2024 school year.

1. Monday is the first day of school! Elementary times are 7:45 am - 12:35 pm and Middle School times are 8:15 am - 1:20 pm on Mondays and the end times are 2:15 at elementary and 3:00 pm at middle school Tues.-Fri. It is imperative that you please follow our drop off and pick up procedures outlined in our Family Handbook
2. Speaking of the handbook, please read it cover to cover. It is comprehensive and will guide you throughout the year.
3. Elementary families are invited to join us on the playground for our first Cougar Round Up morning assembly. We'll meet you on the front steps in front of the auditorium.
4. Rapid Antigen testing is recommended for all students before returning to school. We have plenty available at each campus. Please ask in the main office when school is open.
5. Join me for cafe con Scheckel (coffee with the principal) on Tuesday, 8/15 @ 8:30 am in the middle school library. You will hear all about our plans for the year and get your questions answered. Little ones who aren't in school are welcome. This event is open for all families PreK-8!
6. Please read this weekly newsletter in its entirety to stay up to date on all happenings at our school.

We look forward to seeing you all soon. It's a great year to be a Cougar and a Husky!

Yours in Service,

Dr. Scheckel, Principal

Check out the gorgeous murals appearing at both our campuses! Thanks to our community of parents, artists and art partners including Light Bringer Project our indoor and outdoor spaces are inspired and beautiful.

HEATRISK

PUSD is using the latest version of the National Weather Service's “HeatRisk” forecast tool to identify potential heat risks and levels of concern in a 7-day forecast for a specific location. It is a better indicator than using temperature alone because it takes into consideration

1. how unusual the heat is for your location and time of the year, and

2. how long the heat will last

HeatRisk values, heat effects, and levels of heat concern are determined by National Weather Service (NWS) HeatRisk forecast which incorporates data from the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention (CDC) to determine if temperatures pose an elevated risk of heat-related health impacts.

I will continue to communicate with families our plans during the heat.

Our middle school is launching the first ever arts conservatory in PUSD! We are so excited!!! Professional artists from all arts disciplines including but not limited to: ceramics, Room 13, stage makeup, graphic design, costume design, set design, gospel choir, mariachi band, marching band, drum line, hip hop, jazz, ballet, tap, modern, musical theatre, recording artistry and so much more. This program is free and for ALL students in grades 6-8.

If your child has already signed up for conservatory, Monday they will all meet in the auditorium for a brief introductory session with all our teaching artists.

If your child has not yet signed up but would like to, please contact our magnet grant coordinator, Ms. Amy Manasarian at manasarian.armenui@pusd.us.

High functioning schools have engaged, involved parents. Meet Linda Sapin, our elementary PTA President and Michael McCarthy, our middle school PTSA President.

Step 1, join our PT(S)A membership! These parent groups are school advocates with a heart for service for our school! Anyone in the family can join, kids too! Join one, join both! Joining the PTA is simple.Log onto:

https://jointotem.com/ca/altadena/altadena-arts-magnet-pta

Please consider making a recurring donation of $45 to one or both of our Annual Funds! Our annual funds help to create a bridge for special services and arts programs at each of our campuses. Our annual funds are separate. Altadena's annual fund is chaired by Ms. Tasiah LeConte and Eliot's annual fund is chaired by Ms. Wendy Silva. Please join their committees and consider making a donation today!

AUGUST

• 8/14/23 - First Day of School
• 8/15/23 - Cafe con Scheckel @ 8:30 am in the Eliot Arts Library
• 8/24/23 - Husky Honors Night @ 6:00 pm
• 8/31/23 - AAM Back to School Night @ 5:30 pm, students dismissed at 11:30 am

SEPTEMBER

• 9/4/23 - Labor Day, Schools and offices closed