Dear Parents,
Thank you for coming to Altara’s STEAM night event last week! It was great to see families spending time together interacting with the various activities. A shout out to all our teachers who helped with the stations and around the campus—they were wonderful!
Tonight PTA has a fun event planned: Watch DOGS and Donuts. It is from 6:30-7:30. More information is below.
New Custodian
We hired a new Assistant Facilities Manager for Altara right before the winter break. Carlos Lomheim has joined our staff, and we extend a warm welcome to him! Liam Smith, the former AFM, moved to another job in the district. We appreciated his service here and wish him well in his new position.
Explaining the News
Discussing the news with your kids is a great way to help them think critically about current events and process what they’re seeing. Common Sense Media provides helpful tips for families concerned about the impact of current events on kids. News stories can often be dramatic and may include disturbing images or information. Talking about the news as a family helps everyone stay informed while checking in on how each member is feeling and responding. Check out “Explaining The News to Our Kids” at https://cnyns.org/41rfWl6Links to an external site.
Fourth Grade – Botvin Life Skills
Starting the week of January 27, Mrs. Foster, our social worker, will begin teaching a program called the Botvin Life Skills curriculum to our fourth grade students. The state of Utah requires that all elementary schools teach this curriculum in fourth grade classes. Topics covered include self-esteem, decision-making skills, communication skills, negative effects of smoking, and assertiveness. The curriculum will be taught once a week for 8 weeks. Please reach out if you have any questions!
Teacher of the Year Nominations open
The window to nominate a teacher from Altara for Teacher of the Year honors is Jan. 9th-Feb. 3rd. Please click on the link below to nominate a teacher who has made a difference for your child. We have some awesome teachers here at Altara!
Kindergarten enrollment and registration
If you have a child turning 5 years old by Sept. 1st, 2025, they will be entering kindergarten next fall. The window to enroll your child ends on Feb. 28th. Families must first enroll their student (a one-time event), and then annually must register their students. Registration usually happens around August 1st. We are doing the enrollment process now.
Please log into Skyward and go to New Student Enrollment. Fill out the information for your new student who will be starting kindergarten next year.
We are planning to have Kindergarten Orientation on Friday, March 28, 2025 at 2:00 here at Altara. This will give you and your child a chance to meet the teachers and hear about what to expect in kindergarten.
If you have a neighbor or friend that you know has a child this age, please let them know the process. Here’s a link for families who don’t already have Skyward access to start the enrollment process: https://student.canyonsdistrict.org/scripts/wsisa.dll/WService=wsEAplus/skyenroll.w
If you want your student to participate in a half-day kindergarten experience, please let the principal know by Feb. 28th.
Choose Kindness
We are on the lookout for any acts of kindness at Altara.
Lincoln Crockett (kindergarten) Lincoln shows kindness in so many ways! The other day he was helping a friend clean up the trash under their desk!
Alden Smart (kindergarten) Alden helps to clean up his table – he throws away trash, even if it is not his.
Lincoln Porter (kindergarten) Lincoln helped clean up in an area he didn’t play in after Oral Language Block.
Wesley Burr (2nd grade) Wesley is a really good partner to anyone he’s assigned to.
Izabella Zirker (2nd grade) Izabella is very quick to notice the needs of those around her and help them clean up or get what they need.
Sloan Argyle (2nd grade) Sloan has a very kind heart and helped to fix some broken classroom supplies.
Toby Oram (2nd grade) Toby is always kind to everyone. He is a great friend, too!
Maioha Sitake (2nd grade) Maioha has been kind and welcoming to our new student.
PTA News
Join us TONIGHT at 6:30pm for a special Watch Dogs evening event celebrating our students and the father figures in their lives! Whether it’s a dad, grandpa, uncle, brother, family friend or mentor, all are welcome to come and enjoy donuts and entertainment on this memorable night.
Our next Spirit Night will be at Chick-Fil-A on January 28th from 6-8pm at the South Towne location. All orders placed through the mobile app during that time will contribute a percentage to our school. Mark your calendars and help spread the word!
Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the upcoming Book Fair! The Book Fair will be TWO DAYS ONLY, February 24th and 26th from 3pm-8pm.
Join Team Bravo – Volunteer to bring a special treat for our Teachers and Staff. Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UBTuNCBM2LefSpE3B4OxXIKor7Okj7Ig7irhyTjGFo0/edit?tab=t.0
Join PTA and help support the many activities we provide throughout the year. Join PTA
Join our PTA Volunteer List and help the magic happen! Volunteer Here!
School Website: https://altara.canyonsdistrict.org/
Instagram: altaraelementary
Parent Volunteer application link: https://www.canyonsdistrict.org/depts/external-relations/volunteer/
Upcoming Dates
Jan 21st—Watch Dogs & Donuts; 6:30pm; a fun event with Hale Center Theater “Story Weavers” presenting
Jan. 27th—5th grade Middle School Orientation; students will be visiting the middle schools during the school day
Jan 28th—Spirit Night @ Chick-Fil-A 6-8pm
Jan. 28th—5th grade Orientation: Tuesday, January 28th at 6:00 p.m. at IHMS for students and families
Feb. 3rd—Nomination window ends for Teacher of the Year
Feb. 17th—No school; Presidents’ Day holiday
Feb. 24th & 26th—Parent Teacher conference days
Feb 24th & 26th—Book Fair; 3-8pm (two days only)
Feb. 27th—Early out day on a Thursday
Feb. 28th—No School; Compensation Day for teachers
Feb. 28th—Last day to declare interest in half-day kindergarten for next fall
March 28th—Kindergarten Orientation; 2:00
Have a great day!
Julie Fielding, Principal
Altara Elementary
