News Archive

Former AES Students Shine At Granite Hills Senior Award Night

At the end of each school year, Granite Hills High School honors its seniors that have achieved outstanding scholastic standing for their 4 high school years. Last night was no exception! Among the honorees FROM ALPINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL were Valedictorian, International Bacalaureate Diploma Recipient, and Honor Grad, Lorenzo Landini who will be attending Columbia University; Salutatorian and Honor Grad, Justine Uy who will be attending the University of Toronto to study medicine; Simon Menard, Honor Grad and International Bacalaureate Diploma Recipient who will be attending Amherst College; Grant Myres, Honor Grad who will be attending Brigham Young University; Parker Dow, Honor Grad who will be attending Brigham Young University. Not pictured are Tom Arietta, Honor Grad who will be attending SDSU, Sierra Warren, Honor Grad who will be attending SDSU, Tanner Fraenzl, Honor Grad who will be attending Utah State, and Mackenzie Turner, Honor Grad who will be attending Aurora University on a soccer scholarship. Having worked at Alpine Elementary for 20 years, it is the highlight of my job to be able to follow our students from their elementary years through high school and see them graduate as such high achieving young adults. We're all so proud of you and wish you luck in the many successful years that lay ahead of you. Congratulations are also due to the many other graduating Alpine students that I am not personally aquainted with. Your accomplishments have not been overlooked

Register now for kindergarten. New elementary students may register beginning August 17th!

To register for kindergarten, you may pick up a registration packet at the district office (1323 Administration Way) or at local preschools.

The packet includes a list of the items you will need to complete the registration. When you have completed it you may return it to the district office and a staff member will contact you. First through fifth grade students who are new to the district may register at the school office beginning August 17th.

In order to plan for classes in the fall, it is vital that we have completed registration packets in as soon as possible.

In the past, some parents have delayed submitting registration packets because they had not completed the required shots.

This year, we are asking that you submit your packet, even if your child’s series of injections have not been completed. We will make a note of what shots are scheduled and stay in contact with you to complete the process.

Spring Session School to be Offered

Spring Session has been planned and is available to students.
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Chinese and Canadian Delegates Visit AES's Solar Field

On Thursday morning, Alpine Elementary School was visited by a delegation of business men from China, Canada and the United States to take a closer look at our solar voltaic system. The 49 arrays of solar electric panels at the back of our campus are so unique in their design and construction that two years after its installation it still attracts interest and attention.

Mr. Wang Dongsheng is chairman of BOE Corp., one of China’s largest manufacturers of laminate for electronic components and video displays. The company is looking to convert its production process to solar photovoltaic modules.

Alternative energy sources are a hot topic these days and we seem to have one of the more unique and effective systems around. Our system was designed to meet our annual needs by converting direct current from the solar panels to alternating current for use on campus. When school is in session, we use more electricity than the system makes. On weekends, holidays and during vacation we produce more electricity than we use and the meter spins backwards.

Community Read In Kicks Off Annual Reading Incentive Program

January 22nd was the kick off for our annual Reading Incentive Program at Alpine Elementary School.   As the lead event, we invite community members from all walks of life to participate in our "Community Read In".  Our readers spend time with the students in their classrooms and talk to them about how reading has helped them with their lives in school, college and later with their professional careers.  This year we were very fortunate to have the following reading participate:  Ryan Lindley, a former AES student and current starting quarterback for the San Diego State Aztecs; Chris Washington, a former linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers; Brad Rushing and Mike Meade from the Alpine Fire Dept.; Brenda Montero from the Viejas Education Center; Jeff Campbell, an Alpine Realtor; Ann Pierce and Mary Wiggins, current and former Alpine School Board Members; Michelle Handley, kindergarten teacher at Creekside Early Learning Center; Paul Tompkins from the Miramar Fire Dept.; Dr. Karen Hanten from Alpine Pediatrics; Lori Walker and Vickie Frazier from the AUSD district office; Deputy Dan Barnes from the Alpine Sheriff's Dept.; Curtis Fleming and Jon Alvarado from the Viejas Fire Dept.; and Dan McGillicuddy from Cornerstone Sensors.  Our hope is that our readers will inspire our students to make reading an enjoyable habit and one that they will include in their daily routine.

CLASSIC BRASS QUINTET PERFORMS AT AES

The Classic Brass Quintet entertained our students with their joyeous holiday music from around the world.

AES Has Successful Disaster Drill

The Southern California disaster drill or "Shakeout Drill" was successfully implemented this morning at 10:00am throughout the Alpine School District. The exercise centers on a hypothetical magnitude-7.8 earthquake that unzips the southern San Andreas Fault -- an event that scientists call the feared "Big One." Researchers estimate such a quake would cause 1,800 deaths and $200 billion in damage. Students first reacted to the audible alarm by using the Duck and Cover procedure in their classrooms, followed by an orderly evacuation to the far west end of the playground. As students waited, designated teams of staff and teachers searched every classroom, bathroom, storeroom and hallway for possible "victims". They then reported back to the command post with their results. A triage/first-aide area was established to treat the injured and a formal student check-out location was set up. The entire drill lasted about 25 minutes and was considered essential practice for any future disaster situation.

Welcome Back Students

After a nice relaxing summer, the staff at Alpine Elementary welcomed back approximately 420 students this year. Our terrific teachers worked many hours preparing for the 2008-09 school year and, with a few minor tweeks of the grade level staffing, we're ready to make this the best year ever!

Ballroom Dancing Champions

All 5th grade students participated in Ballroom Dancing this year at AES. WE ended the year with two showcase events; one at the Dream Catcher Lounge at Viejas, and the other in our auditorium. Both events were spectacular. For those interested, a San Diego County competition was held Saturday, June 7th at the Town and Country Convention Center.

It was Miss Foggiano's 3rd grade class that received the highest honor. Her class also took Ballroom Dancing lessons all year and participated in the two showcase events. IN competition, Miss Foggiano's 3rd grade class won "1st Place for Newcomers" in the San Diego County School Dance Sports Championship.

Pictured is Miss Foggiano's class with their 1st place trophy.

Board Of Trustees Approves Transportation Fees For 2008-2009

May 13, 2008

Dear Parents,

On April 9^th, the Board of Trustees accepted my recommendation and approved charging a fee for school bus transportation starting in the 2008/09 school year. This was done reluctantly, but was a necessary action given the dismal outlook for education funding in the state budget.

School districts are not required to provide school bus transportation. The costs of transportation have risen so dramatically over the past few years that many school districts have eliminated transportation entirely as school funding has gotten more and more problematic. This year, the budget outlook for the next school year is catastrophic and charging a fee for transportation will allow us to maintain that service and keep other programs which are more directly related to children’s education.

Those families who qualify for the National School Lunch Free and Reduced Price Lunch program will not be charged a fee. To qualify for this program, parents must submit proof of income and various other documents required by the federal government.

You will be able to pay bus fees at your school office starting on August 18, 2008 when the offices open for the school year. You can also pay bus fees at the district office throughout the entire month of August. We will sell annual passes good for the entire school year, semi-annual passes, monthly passes, and daily tickets. If your child rides the bus only one-way, to or from school, the fee for a pass will be half the round trip fee.

The fees which have been approved are:

Daily tickets $1.00 each way

Monthly $40 average depending on the number of school days in the month.

Semester Pass $170 ($.94 per ride)

Full Year $325 ($.90 per ride)

Second child in a family and beyond

Semester Pass $150 ($.83 per ride)

Full Year $300 ($.83 per ride)

Charging fees is not something anyone wants to do, but it is the best alternative in these tight budget times. We thank you in advance for your cooperation. If you have any questions about this program, please contact me.

Sincerely,

Greg Ryan,

AUSD Superintendent

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