Character Ed
Date Posted: May 19, 2010
Over the past four decades, American society has experienced a serious erosion of character. Duties and responsibilities to ideals like faith, family and country – once bedrocks of each local community- have certainly changed over time. So too, have respect and trustworthiness. This erosion can be traced to the Vietnam War and Watergate eras. During these two periods of our history, many citizens lost confidence in the government and standard conventions were vehemently questioned and protested against. Those who came of age during the 1960s not only questioned authority but often ignored their civic responsibilities as well. This steady decline in social values has continued to this day and brought us to a time when Character Education has now become a part of the curriculum in school districts across the country. For more information on Character Education, what it is and how it can be assimilated into subjects such as English and social studies please click here to download a Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 presentation. (If you do not have PowerPoint 2007, click here for an HTML version of the presentation.)
Bullying
Date Posted: May 12, 2010
Across the nation, bullying has increasingly become a problematic issue in our schools. There are three players in any bullying situation: the Bully, the Victim and the Bystander. Each of these is impacted by any act of bullying, and what they take away from the experience is never positive. While some may see bullying as merely ‘teasing’ it is not that. Bullying is a deliberate act perpetrated against another individual or group with the willful intent to demean and/or harm. Left unchecked, bullying can lead to dire consequences for the victims but also for the bullies and the bystanders as well. Far too many teen suicides can be traced to the fact that those who chose to take their lives were victims of relentless bullying. Those who seek to demean and harm others – the Bullies – often continue this behavior into adulthood and wind up in trouble at their place of employment or worse, with the law. Bystanders, those unwilling to come to the aid of a bullying victim often do so out of fear for their own safety, or because they feel that what is going on is none of their business. This latter group often times suffers the same psychological impact felt by those who were bullied; paralyzed by their own fear, the bystander has been victimized too. Thankfully, the Altoona Area School District and the Altoona Area High School because of the policies set forth by the School Board, enforced by the Superintendent, building administrators and teachers, bullying is not a serious problem here. Recently, a research project on the subject of Bullying was conducted by one of the high school’s social studies teachers. As part of this project, a student survey and a staff survey was taken on the topic of Bullying. To view the results of these surveys and for more information on bullying and its impact in America’s schools please click here to download a Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 presentation. (If you do not have PowerPoint 2007, click here for an HTML version of the presentation.)
AAHS Reading Club Fundraiser
Date Posted: April 1, 2009
The Altoona Area High School Reading Club will be sponsoring a fundraiser at Barnes and Noble Bookstore (Altoona location) all day on April 18th.
- Giveaway of an American Girl Doll! Drawing will feature Felicity. For every $10.00 spent at Barnes and Nobles on April 18th your name will be placed in a drawing for a chance to win the doll. Must use voucher at time of purchase. Click here to download the voucher. Drawing for the doll with take place at 3:00 PM.
- Fans of Felicity come enjoy activities from the 1774 time period. Special guest, Peg Goodman, director of Fort Roberdeau, and reading club members from AAHS will present games and “dress up” from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
- Storytime with Dr. Seuss characters at 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM
- AAHS Vocal Ensemble – Select auditioned students from AAHS will be performing a mixture of show tunes dance numbers and vocal jazz, under the direction of Beth Hull. Performance begins at 1:00 PM.
- Don't forget that it's Teacher Appreciation Day! Educators (Preschool - 12) save 25%.
100% of all proceeds will be used to purchase books for reading competitions.
Spring Musical Set for April
Date Posted: February 12, 2009
The Altoona Area High School Theater Department has begun rehearsing for its presentation of Big this spring. The 1987 hit movie bursts onstage in this vibrant, funny and touching musical. When frustrated adolescent Josh Baskin wishes he were "Big" and wakes up the next morning a 30-year-old man, he discovers there's much more to being an adult than he's bargained for--and learns we must all grow up at our own pace, in our own time.
There will be a free senior citizen show of Big in the AAHS auditorium on Wednesday, April 1 at 6:00 PM, and public performances on April 2, 3, and 4 at 7:00 PM. Click here to view the Big musical flyer. Additionally, third graders from McAuliffe Heights at Irving will be featured in the musical number Fun as part of an AASD Foundation Educator in Residence Grant.
Jostens Class Ring Night
Date Posted: January 8, 2009
Are you interested in ordering a class ring for your child? The Jostens' representative will be taking orders on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 on the bridge from 7:00 AM to 7:50 AM, and in the Field House lobby from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. You even have a chance to win a FREE class ring for your son, daughter, or grandchild! Bring in your class ring and show it to the Jostens representative. (It does not need to be an Altoona Area High School ring to qualify.) If your ring ends up being the one with the oldest graduation date on it at the end of the day, you will win a certificate for a free class ring!
AAHS Participates in Challenge Program
Date Posted: November 14, 2008
Once again, AAHS will be participating in the Challenge Program. Through the Challenge Program, sophomores, juniors, and seniors can win $250 awards for their performance this school year. The award categories are:
- Most Improved GPA
- Best Overall GPA
- Most Community Service
- Best Attendance
Check out The Challenge Program, Inc. website to learn more about these monetary awards.
Math League Contest Dates Announced
Date Posted: October 16, 2008
Once again, Altoona Area High School will be participating in monthly Pennsylvania Math League contests. Typically, contests will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. Students will sign up in advance and be excused from their reporting room as well as approximately 10 minutes of first period. If you are interested, please see your math teacher.
Contest dates will be as follows:
Contest #1
October 21, 2008
Contest #2
November 18, 2008
Contest #3
December 16, 2008
Contest #4
January 13, 2009
Contest #5
February 24, 2009
Contest #6
March 24, 2009
Barnes and Noble Bookfair to Benefit AAHS
Date Posted: October 1, 2008
On Saturday, October 18, 2008 Barnes and Noble will be sponsoring a book fair in support of the AAHS Reading Club. By presenting a voucher upon checkout, a percentage of the sale will be donated to the Reading Club.
You can download and print your copy of the voucher here.
AAHS to Present Ramshackle Inn
Date Posted: September 30, 2008
Altoona Area High School will present Ramshackle Inn by George Batson on November 13th and 14th at 7:00 PM in the AAHS auditorium. (Senior citizen night is the 13th.) This play is a mystery/farce. An old maid librarian has saved her money for twenty years in order to buy a hotel where she can meet interesting people. She purchases a strange tumble-down place near the ocean, and gets what she bargains for--plus a good deal besides. The imperturbable librarian encounters ghosts and secret trunks, she wanders through mysterious situations and thunderstorms, she meets with drama and comedy, the living and the dead, and somehow manages to emerge at the end none the worse for her extraordinary experience.
Altoona Area Astronomy Club Hosting Two Events
Date Posted: September 29, 2008
The Altoona Area Astronomy Club will be spending the evening of October 9th at Fort Roberdeau for a cookout and telescope observation under the dark skies of Sinking Valley. The students will learn how to find the cardinal directions by locating the North Star, Polaris, and identify some of the stars and constellations of the early Fall sky.
The Altoona Area Astronomy Club will journey to JB Tree Farm on Halloween night for an evening that includes reindeer feeding, pumpkin painting, a hayride, cookout, corn maze adventure, and of course, night sky observation to close out the evening. Permission slips for club members will be available beginning on Thursday, October 9th.
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