Wildcat Weekly

Principal Newsletter: April

Dear Altamont Creek Families,

Spring is in full swing, and our campus is buzzing with energy, learning, and connection! April is a special time of year as we lean into our focus on compassion, celebrate our diverse community, and come together for meaningful events that make our school such a wonderful place to be.

We have a lot of celebrate at Altamont Creek! Congratulations to our Mild/Moderate TK/K Team: Sarah Hill, Priyanka Parashar, Theresa Skrentny & Lynn Tripp on being awarded the 2026 Tri Valley SELPA "Make a Difference Award!"

Also, a HUGE congratulations to Teren Frazier, TK Teacher, who has been selected as the recipient of the 2025-26 Carl Melius Science Award. She will be honored next week at the Board Meeting.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support—it truly makes a difference for our students each and every day.

Highlights & Upcoming Events

We have a busy and exciting stretch ahead! Be sure to mark your calendars:

April 22
- Spirit Assembly (8:30 AM)
- Administrative Professionals Day – join us in thanking our amazing office staff!
- School Site Council Meeting (3:00 PM)
April 24
- Diversity Day (6:00–8:00 PM): One of our most special community events! Come celebrate the cultures, traditions, and experiences that make our school so unique.
April 27 – May 1
- Book Fair: Get ready to spark a love of reading! Students will have the opportunity to explore and purchase books throughout the week.
April 28
- Family Science Night (6:00–7:30 PM): A fun, hands-on evening of exploration and discovery for the whole family!
- Giveback Night (5:00–10:00 PM) – support our 5th grade science camp
April 29
- Spirit Assembly (8:30 AM)
- Safety Committee Meeting (3:00 PM)
April 30

PBIS Meeting (3:00 PM)
Clothing Drive Begins (April 30–May 1): Clean out those closets and support a great cause!

Building Community Through Compassion

This month, we are focusing on Choose Love: Compassion, and we are so proud of the kindness and empathy our students continue to show. Whether it’s including others at recess, helping a classmate, or participating in school-wide events, these small acts make a big impact.

Looking Ahead

As we move into May, CAASPP testing will begin for our 3rd–5th graders. We’ll be sharing more information soon about how families can support students during this important time.

Thank you for being such an important part of our Altamont Creek community. We look forward to seeing many of you at our upcoming events!

With appreciation,
Andrea Tapia

It’s almost that time of year… CAASPP testing is coming!

Our 3rd–5th graders will be working their brains extra hard, and a quick, easy snack can make a BIG difference in keeping their energy up and their focus strong. Think of it as fuel for some serious thinking power!

To make things super simple, we’ve created an Amazon Wish List with snack options that students love. The best part? You can order with just a few clicks, and the items ship directly to the school—no extra errands needed!

If you’re able to contribute, we would be so grateful. Every granola bar, cracker pack, and apple sauce squeezy helps keep our students going strong during testing week.

Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2FHBL0HD2M3T9?ref_=wl_share

Thank you for supporting our students in such an easy (and delicious) way. We appreciate you!

The Book Fair is coming SOON - April 27 to May 1. Can't wait? Shop online NOW! We need lots of help to make the Book Fair a success. Click here to volunteer! It's super fun AND book fair volunteers get a 20% discount!

ABC Countdown

Family Handbook

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We value your partnership and recognize the important role you play in supporting your child’s education. Your feedback is essential in helping us strengthen our Special Education programs and ensure we are meeting the needs of all students and families.

As part of the Special Education Compliance and Improvement Monitoring process (CIM), the California Department of Education (CDE), Special Education Division, is asking parents and guardians to complete a brief survey. This survey is designed to gather information about your experiences with your child’s special education services over the past year, as well as how well schools are supporting your involvement in the process.

The information collected will help both our district and the CDE identify areas of strength, as well as areas where we can continue to improve services and supports for students and families.

Please note the following:

The survey is intended for parents or guardians of students currently receiving special education services.
We ask that you complete one survey per student, per school year.
Responses are anonymous.
Please complete the survey by May 14, 2026.

We sincerely appreciate your time and input. Your voice helps us continue to grow, improve, and better serve our students and families.

Thank you for your continued partnership.

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Estimados padres y tutores:

Valoramos su colaboración y reconocemos el importante papel que desempeñan al apoyar la educación de sus hijos. Sus comentarios son fundamentales para ayudarnos a fortalecer nuestros programas de Educación Especial y asegurar que estamos satisfaciendo las necesidades de todos los estudiantes y familias. Como parte del proceso de Monitoreo de Cumplimiento (CIM) y Mejora de la Educación Especial, el Departamento de Educación de California (CDE), a través de su División de Educación Especial, solicita a los padres y tutores que completen una breve encuesta. Esta encuesta está diseñada para recopilar información sobre sus experiencias con los servicios de educación especial de sus hijos durante el último año, así como sobre la eficacia con la que las escuelas apoyan su participación en dicho proceso.

La información recopilada ayudará tanto a nuestro distrito como al CDE a identificar áreas de fortaleza, así como aquellas áreas en las que podemos seguir mejorando los servicios y apoyos para los estudiantes y las familias.

Por favor, tengan en cuenta lo siguiente:

La encuesta está dirigida a padres o tutores de estudiantes que actualmente reciben servicios de educación especial.
Les solicitamos que completen una encuesta por estudiante y por año escolar.
Las respuestas son anónimas. Agradecemos sinceramente su tiempo y sus aportaciones.
Por favor, complete la encuesta antes del 14 de mayo de 2026.

Su voz nos ayuda a seguir creciendo, mejorando y brindando un mejor servicio a nuestros estudiantes y familias.

Gracias por su continua colaboración.

A Message from Right At School

Parents, let's talk about those extra hours in your child's day.There are 24 hours total- about 10-12 spent sleeping and 6 hours in school.That leaves around 6 precious hours ...and that's where the fun begins!

At RAS,we turn afterschool time and school breaks into meaningful,screen free adventures your child will actually look forward to.

Before School: Before the bell rings, let your child dive into a morning of adventure, creativity, and excitement with Right Club’s Before School program! Drop your kid off when it works for your schedule! Our programs are ﬂexible so kids can join in whenever they arrive, so they can start their day in a fun and easy-going way. Kids enjoy different activity stations like Right Moves fun fitness and Inspiration Stations where they can exercise their creativity.

After School: During Right Club After School, hosted on-site at your kid's school, kids have time to get homework done, then take part in games, crafts, and STEM challenges that keep them engaged in learning (and off their screens). Our 2025-26 curriculum offers 19 brand-new journeys, each with countless activities that go beyond the classroom to help your child discover who they are and what they’re passionate about.

Break Camps (Winter Break, Spring Break, and Non-School Days): When school is out, fun is IN with RAS Camps! Take part in a week-long adventure full of STEM activities, learning challenges, and wacky art projects. RAS Camps are flexible. Your family can pick the number of days you need care, and drop off and pick up when it suits your schedule.

Summer Camp: RAS Camp’s Adventure Weeks are packed with excitement, from field trips to mystery guests and more! Every day comes with the classic day camp experience: water games, STEM activities, arts & crafts, outdoor play, and more. Before and after camp care are included!

Sign up here!

Volunteer Portal

There are so many ways to get involved at Altamont Creek! Whether you have a little time or a lot, your support makes a big difference for our Wildcats. You can help in classrooms, support events like the Book Fair or FundRun, lend a hand in the library, or join a committee through our PTA.

Volunteering is a wonderful way to connect with our school community and support our students’ success.

If you’re interested, please check out the links below for current volunteer opportunities—we’d love to have you join us!

Lunch Bunch: We looking for several adult volunteers to become part of our Lunch Bunch. These volunteers will help assist and supervise students during their lunch break. Please sign up for as few or as many time slots as you are able. We appreciate all the help!

Sign up: https://signup.com/go/WAZtLPA

Class Garden Visits: Each class will have the opportunity to meet monthly with our lead volunteer to learn and work in the garden. We’re looking for additional volunteers to help support these class garden sessions — either with your child’s class or any class that fits your schedule.

Sign Up: https://signup.com/go/uyvcGvv

Wildcat Buck Redemption: Our Wildcat Buck Store is open every Friday morning! Students can redeem their hard-earned Wildcat Bucks for fun prizes with the help of our amazing volunteers. The store is fast-paced, exciting, and a great way to celebrate positive choices each week.

Sign Up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054EA4AC2AA4FA7-45666269-wildcat#/

Parent Patrol: Our Parent Patrol helps keep Altamont Creek’s parking lot safe during morning drop-off by supporting our Student Valet program. Thank you to all the parents who volunteer their time to ensure a smooth and safe arrival for our Wildcats!

Sign Up: https://signup.com/go/zzZTyqp

Breakaway Summer Camp

Breakaway Summer Camps will be returning for its fourth year at Sunset Elementary. The program is staffed by LVJUSD teachers and provides a full day of enrichment, including STEM activities, arts and crafts, sports, games and hands-on learning experiences. It is designed to be engaging, active and fun, while still supporting student growth.

The camp is open to students entering grades 1–6 and runs in weekly sessions throughout June from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

If you are interested, please register here:
https://tinyurl.com/BreakawayCamp26