Sundays From The Mesa #34

Dear Alta Mesa Families,

I hope you had a wonderful weekend!

1st and 2nd grade Swim lessons begin on Monday! To help reduce morning congestion and keep things running smoothly, please have students arrive already wearing their swim clothes underneath their regular clothing. Students need to bring a change of clothes and a towel.

Teacher Appreciation Day is on Monday, May 5th, and we are so excited to celebrate the incredible teachers at Alta Mesa! Our staff works tirelessly each day to support, inspire, and care for students, and this is a special opportunity to show our gratitude. If you’d like to participate, simple gestures such as a kind note, a favorite treat, or words of appreciation go a long way in making teachers feel valued. Thank you for partnering with us in celebrating the amazing educators who make a difference every day!

On Tuesday our flag football and softball teams will be playing at Shasta Meadows and on Thursday our teams will be at Lassen View. All games start at 3:00pm.

Kona Ice will be on campus on Friday, May 8th! 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! Please see below for the nutritional facts.

Lastly, we have updated information regarding our end-of-year study trips. Please take a few minutes to review the details, as there are several time-sensitive items that require your attention.

With excitement,

Kristen Crites

Principal-Alta Mesa School

(530) 224-4130

kcrites@eesd.net

Monday:

• 1st/2nd Swim Lessons 8:30-11:00
• Minimum Day - Dismissal @ 1:23
• Flag Football Practice 2:00

Tuesday: Teacher Appreciation Day!

• 1st/2nd Swim Lessons 8:30-11:00
• Student Lighthouse Meeting 12:05-12:40
• Softball Game: Alta Mesa @ Shasta Meadows 3:00
• Flag Football Game: Alta Mesa @ Shasta Meadows 3:00
• Reading Pals 3:00-4:00

Wednesday:

• 1st/2nd Swim Lessons 8:30-11:00
• 2nd Grade Tutoring 2:15-3:15
• Student Lighthouse Team Meeting 2:30-3:30
• Softball Practice 2:30-3:30

Thursday:

• 1st/2nd Swim Lessons 8:30-11:00
• Student Lighthouse Meeting 12:05-12:40
• K-3rd Art Club 2:15-3:15
• Softball Game: Alta Mesa @ Lassen View 3:00
• Flag Football Game: Alta Mesa @ Lassen View 3:00
• Reading Pals 3:00-4:00

Friday:

• 1st Grade Mother's Day Tea 8:30-9:00
• Kona Ice

Anderson River Splash

Who:

• TK/K, Real and LaBoy

Buses:

• 2 buses

• TK/K - Bus pick up at 9:30, drop off at 10:00. Bus will pick up at 12:15 and drop off at 12:45.

• Real and Laboy - Bus will pick up at 9:30, drop off at 10:00. Bus will pick up at 12:00 and drop off at 12:30.
• Guests will have to meet at Anderson River Splash as there is not enough room on the buses.

Additional Information:

• We have one gazebo reserved, it will have our school name on it. Parents are welcome to grab more but it's first come, first serve.
• Guests are allowed to attend, however they will need to scan their ID in the office within the week of May 26th - 29th, prior to attending.
• Students will eat a sack lunch when they return to campus at 12:45.
• Students are able to be signed out by parents, teachers will have a sign out sheet.

Sun Oaks

Who:

• 1st/2nd Grade

Buses:

• 1 bus
• Bus pick up at 9:15, drop off at 9:30. Bus will pick up at 11:30 and drop off at 11:45.
• Guests will need to meet at Sun Oaks as there is not enough room on buses.

Additional Information:

• Guests are allowed to attend, however they will need to scan their ID in the office within the week of May 26th - 29th, prior to attending.
• Only 75 people are allowed in the pool at a time, however we will have additional lawn activities available for students and families.
• Students will eat a sack lunch when the return to school at 11:45.
• Students are able to be signed out by parents, teachers will have a sign out sheet.

WaterWorks Park

Who:

• 3rd - 5th Grade
• Goetz and Cecil Class

Buses:

• 3 buses
• Bus pick up at 9:40, drop off at 10:00. Bus will pick up at 12:30 and drop off at 12:45.
• Guests will need to meet at WaterWorks as there will not be enough room on the buses.

Additional Information:

• Guests are welcome to attend, however, those wishing to receive the discounted admission rate of $15.50 must pay by Tuesday, May 27th. We are required to submit our final count to WaterWorks and complete payment by May 28th. Paying in advance allows WaterWorks to provide our group day passes early, which means students will be able to step off the bus and head directly into the park instead of waiting 20–30 minutes on the bus while passes are being processed at check-in. Please note that there will be NO exceptions to this deadline. If families would like to take advantage of the discounted rate, payment must be received by May 27th.

• The school will cover the cost for all Alta Mesa students to attend (with the help of Booster Club). However, there will be a spot on the permission slip for parents to indicate if their student has a WaterWorks pass as the school will not need to cover the cost of students who already have passes.

• Students are able to be signed out by parents, teachers will have a sign out sheet.

Students who have demonstrated unsafe behavior or have had major disciplinary incidents at school may be excluded from attending the study trip. Participation is subject to administrative discretion to ensure the safety and well-being of all students and staff. Parents/guardians will be notified in advance if their child is not eligible to attend.

We are excited to announce that we will be hosting NEXT LEVEL HOOPS Basketball Camp from June 8th–12th, 3:00–6:00 PM. This camp is open to incoming 3rd–6th grade students and is a great opportunity for players to build and strengthen their basketball skills while having fun and staying active. Cost will be $50 per participant.

Flyers will be sent home with students this week. Each participant will receive a basketball, camp shirt, and daily snacks, along with instruction focused on skill development, teamwork, and game play. We look forward to a great week of basketball growth and energy!

Register HERE!

Our 1st and 2nd grade students will be participating in swim lessons at the YMCA from May 4th–May 7th. This is a one-week program only this year. Each class will receive 30 minutes of instruction per day.

• Duke: 9:00–9:30 (rides over first on the bus)
• Havlina: 9:30–10:00 (rides over first on the bus)
• Randolph: 10:00–10:30 (picked up after)

Parents, please have your students come to school already dressed in their swim clothes, and to also send a change of clothes and a towel each day.

We’re excited for a fun and skill-building week in the water!

Teacher Appreciation Day is right around the corner on May 5th! This is a special time to recognize and celebrate the incredible work our teachers do each and every day for our students. From inspiring a love of learning to supporting and encouraging growth, our teachers truly make a lasting impact.

We invite families to join us in showing gratitude—whether it’s a kind note, a small gesture, or simply a heartfelt “thank you.” Let’s come together to make our teachers feel valued and appreciated for all they do!

Thank you for helping us celebrate the amazing educators who make our school so special!

Kona Ice will be on campus on Friday, May 8th! 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

3rd-5th Grade CAASPP Testing ~ 5/12 - 5/22

The purposed of the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) System is to assist teachers, administrators, students, and parents by promoting high-quality teaching and learning through the use of a variety of assessment approaches and item types.

This year testing will start on Tuesday, May 12th and will go through Friday, May 22nd. Testing is scheduled for two weeks because we only test students for an hour and a half each morning.

Here are a few helpful tips for making sure your student is ready to go for testing:

• Ensure they arrive to school on time (8:05 for 4/5th grade, 8:20 for 3rd grade)
• Please refrain from scheduling appointments in the mornings as that is when our testing will be taking place
• Make sure your student has a healthy breakfast each day (our cafeteria has the best school breakfast in all the county)
• Make sure students are well rested and in bed on time

Alta Mesa will be hosting our annual parent appreciation curbside coffee on Friday, May 15th from 7:40-8:20! This is one way we like to say THANK YOU for your partnership and continued support throughout the year. Make sure you stop by and grab a cup of coffee and say hello to your student's teacher!

Get ready to soak up the sunshine, our final Spirit Day of the year is here! Join us for Sunshine & Lollipops Spirit Day as we celebrate the upcoming summer with bright, fun colors, cool sunglasses, and all the happy vibes. Break out your boldest outfits, dress like you’re headed to a sunny day at the beach, and help us end the year on a colorful, cheerful note. Let’s make our last Spirit Day the brightest one yet!

Our Alta Mesa Book Fair is back, and we couldn’t be more excited! The book fair will be open May 18–21 from 7:45 AM–3:00 PM. All students will have the opportunity to visit with their class during the school day.

If families would like extra shopping time, parents are welcome to stop by before or after school, just be sure to sign in at the front office with your ID. We’re also happy to share that the book fair will be open during Open House from 5:30–7:00 PM, giving everyone a chance to shop together.

We are looking for volunteers to help with the Book Fair! If you have an hour or two to spare during our busier times (recess), please email Mrs. Corona, tcorona@eesd.net.

Please be aware that we will be conducting a lockdown drill on Wednesday, May 20th. This means the drill will take place around 1:00pm.

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 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 are excited to welcome our Alta Mesa families to Open House on Thursday, May 21st from 5:30–7:00 PM!

Join us from 5:30–6:00 PM for a fun-filled start to the evening with games on the lawn, shopping at our Book Fair in the library, and free dinner provided by our amazing Booster Club. Families are encouraged to come early to enjoy the food, play, and browse together.

Classrooms will open promptly at 6:00 PM, where students can proudly share all of their hard work from the year.

As we begin planning for the upcoming school year, we welcome families to share any classroom placement requests. Please keep in mind that these are considered requests only and, while we do our best to thoughtfully review each one, we are not able to guarantee specific teacher assignments. Our goal is always to create balanced classrooms that best support the needs of all students. Thank you for your understanding and partnership!

Practices:

Tuesdays - Thursdays: 2:30-3:30

Games: All Games @ 3:00pm

4/21: Lassen View @ Alta Mesa

4/23: Alta Mesa @ Boulder Creek

4/28: Alta Mesa @ Rother

4/30: Alta Mesa @ Mistletoe

5/05: Alta Mesa @ Shasta Meadows

5/07: Alta Mesa @ Lassen View

5/12: Boulder Creek @ Alta Mesa

5/14: Rother @ Alta Mesa

5/19: Mistletoe @ Alta Mesa

5/21: Shasta Meadows @ Alta Mesa

Practices:

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

Games: All Games @ 3:00pm

4/21: Lassen View @ Alta Mesa

4/23: Alta Mesa @ Boulder Creek

4/27: Bethel @ Alta Mesa

4/28: Alta Mesa @ Rother

4/30: Alta Mesa @ Mistletoe

5/05: Alta Mesa @ Shasta Meadows

5/07: Alta Mesa @ Lassen View

5/12: Boulder Creek @ Alta Mesa

5/14: Rother @ Alta Mesa

5/19: Mistletoe @ Alta Mesa

5/21: Shasta Meadows @ Alta Mesa

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, 5/12, 5/19

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

• 05/01: Lunch Hero Day
• 05/01: Principal Appreciation Day
• 05/01: 4th/5th Study Trip to Wes Camp
  
• 05/04-05/07: 1st and 2nd Swim Lessons
  
• 05/05: Teacher Appreciation Day
• 05/13: 2nd Grade Study Trip to Shasta Caverns
• 05/13: Booster Club Meeting
  
• 05/15: Sunshine and Lollipops Spirit Day
  
• 05/18: National Speech Path Day
  
• 05/20: Lockdown Drill
  
• 05/21: Open House
  
• 05/25: Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL+
  
• 05/26: Fire Drill
  
• 05/28: Trimester 3 Awards
  
• 05/29: All School Field Trip - Aquatic Center
  
• 06/03: 5th Grade Eagle Walk / Awards Assembly
  
• 06/05: Field Day / All School BBQ / Color Run / Last Day of School / Minimum 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