1. education
2. school

ISSUE
6
Altoona Area
Junior High School
May
2015
AAJHS
this issue
From the Principal & Events P. 1
Event Dates
AAJHS Technology Education Department P. 2-4
May
1
PBS P. 5
Varsity Chorus / Vocal
Ensemble Concert 7:30 at AAHS
Auditorium
AAJHS NJHS & 9th Grade Poetry Winner P. 6
1
6th Grade Visitation 9:30 AM
Noteworthy News and Spotlight Reader P. 7
5
9th Grade Awards Ceremony
6:00 PM
A Step Back in Time & Counselor’s Corner P. 8
6
8th Grade Awards Ceremony
6:00 PM
7
7th Grade Awards Ceremony
6:00 PM
8
6th Grade Visitation 9:30 AM
8
Circle of Friends Dance
6:00 - 8:00 PM
12
7th Grade Chorus and Orchestra
Concert
13
Keystone Exams - 9th Grade Biology
14
Keystone Exams - 9th Grade Biology
14
National Jr. Honor Society Induction
Ceremony 7:00 PM
15
Keystone Exams - 9th Grade Biology
18
Keystone Exams - 9th Grade Biology
18
Gifted Enrichment Day
19
Science Finals
19
Keystone Exams for Select 8th &
9th Grade Students Algebra I
19
Symphonic & Chamber Orchestra
Concert 7:30 PM
20
Math Finals
21
Social Studies Finals
22
English, Reading, and World
Language Finals
29
8th Grade Recess Day
30
9th Grade Social 7:00 - 9:30 PM
June
1
Locker Cleanout
1
9th Grade Recess Day
2
7th Grade Recess day
4
Last Student Day/Report Cards
From the Principal
Parents/Guardians:
As we look back over our school year we are very pleased with our students and their
successes academically as well as in the arts and athletics. I want to take this opportunity to thank students for all of their dedication and hard work during the school year as
well as you the parents for your cooperation and efforts to help make these successes.
We look forward to recognizing students for all of their academic accomplishments at
our annual award ceremonies; grade 9 Tuesday, May 5; grade 8 Wednesday, May 6;
and grade 7 Thursday, May 7. All award ceremonies begin at 6:00 p.m. We hope to see
you all there!
Should this be your last year with us at the Junior High as parents, I wish you and your
child continued success as the education journey continues at the High School. To
seventh and eighth grade parents, I look forward to seeing you all again next school
year. For future planning please know that Meet the Teacher Night is Monday, August
24 from 5:00 - 7:30 p.m. with the first student day being Wednesday, August 26, more
information will follow in our newsletter this summer. Good luck and best wishes for a
great summer.
Again thank you for all of your support this school year!
Sincerely,
Lori H. Mangan
Principal
Technology and Engineering Education Department
Technology Education is the means by which we teach students
the Technology and Engineering components of Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education.
Technology Education is a body of knowledge separate from,
but related to the sciences, with specific content, curriculum and
specific certification requirements. Technology is the application of tools, materials, processes
and systems by humans to solve problems and provide benefits to humankind. We use
technology in an attempt to improve our world in which we live. These improvements may
relate to survival needs (e.g., food, shelter, and
defense) or they may relate to human aspirations
(e.g., knowledge, art, control). They can include
unexpected benefits, unexpected costs and
unexpected risks. Technology Education involves a
broad spectrum of knowledge and activities.
Effective Technology Education combines knowledge
of content, processes and skills to provide students
with a holistic approach to learning. Technology
Education offers unique opportunities to apply numerous academic concepts through practical
minds-on/hands-on applications giving these academic concepts relevance. Instructional
Technology on the other hand, deals specifically with use of computers and different software
to solve problems and communicate effectively.
Knowledge of content, processes and skills should be
used together to effectively engage students and
promote a complete understanding of the sciences,
related technologies and their interrelationship. The
relationship between science and technology is one
where science builds principles or theories and
technology provides the practical application of those
principles or theories to produce human made
products and systems to improve our lives.
Amanda is editing a video production in the
Multimedia/Communication Lab.
The Technology & Engineering Education
Department at AAJHS challenges the students throughout four main laboratory environments.
The department consists of four teachers working out of the Manufacturing/Production Lab,
Drafting & Design Lab, Engineering Lab, and the Multimedia/Communication Lab. Eighth grade
students rotate throughout the semester with the instructor in these four labs working on
problem solving based challenges. The eighth grade curriculum is intense and more of an
exploratory based course introducing the students to the various STEM
(Science/Technology/Engineering/Mathematics) related areas. The Tech Ed & Engineering
Department offers five elective courses for the ninth grade students. Mr. Dzurko offers two
courses in the Communication Technology Lab C-107. A yearlong course in Web Design and
Video Editing/Production challenges the students in this project based course while integrating
the Adobe Suite and AVID Media Composer along with various technological devices. The
semester course of Multimedia/Communication Technology incorporates the Adobe Suite
software’s to design and create vector based graphics
that are produced in various print and electronic
media. Mrs. Manack offers a semester based Drafting
& Design/CAD/Architectural Drafting course.
Student’s proceed through basic mechanical drawing
into CAD (Autodesk/Inventor Software) and finish the
course with Chief Architect software in Architectural
Drafting & Design. Mr. Hutchison offers a semester
course in the Engineering Design Lab that focuses on
Josh diligently creating a mechanical working
drawing in the Drafting & Design/CAD Lab.
problem solving and the engineering design process.
Students work through activities such as structural
modeling, electronics and dragster design. Mr.
Heffelfinger offers a semester based Construction
and Production Technology course in the
manufacturing lab where the students utilize
traditional and CNC equipment to alter materials
and bring them together as a product. All of the
Technology & Engineering Education electives allow
the students to explore STEM related areas while
Noelle patiently awaits the CNC Router to finish
the milling process in the Manufacturing Lab.
applying the Technological/Engineering design
process to solve real-world problems.
Mr. Heffelfinger and Mr. Hutchison Set to Retire
AAJHS Technology Education Instructor’s Mr.
Mark Hutchison and Mr. Jim Heffelfinger plan
to retire at the end of this school year.
CONGRATULATIONS! These two men have
educated Altoona’s finest students over the
past thirty five years. Mr. Hutchison and Mr.
Heffelfinger will be greatly missed by the
students and faculty of the Altoona Area School
District. ENJOY YOUR RETIREMENT!
AAJHS Technology Student Association ~ TSA
The Technology Student Association (TSA) is the only student
organization devoted exclusively to the needs of students
engaged in science, technology, engineering and mathematics
(STEM). Open to students enrolled in or who have completed
technology education courses, TSA’s membership includes over
200,000 middle and high school students in over 2,000 schools
spanning 49 states. TSA is supported by educators, parents, and business leaders who believe in
the need for a technologically literate society. Members learn through exciting competitive
events, leadership opportunities and much more. The diversity of activities makes TSA a
TSA Members travel to Regional, State and National Leadership Conferences and Competitions
throughout the school year working on STEM related activities!
positive experience for every student. From engineers to business managers, our alumni credit
TSA with a positive influence on their lives. The Altoona Area Jr. High TSA Chapter advisors are
Tech Ed & Engineering teachers Mr. Dzurko and Mrs. Manack. The TSA Chapter meets bimonthly to take care of regular business and information distribution. Student members work
on activities/projects before/after school beginning in September in preparation of the Region
8 Competition in February. Students, who advance from the
regional event, travel to Seven Springs Resort in April to compete
in the Pennsylvania TSA Leadership Conference and
Competitions. Members who place first at the state competition
advance to the National TSA Leadership Conference and
Competitions at the end of June. Mr. Dzurko and Mrs. Manack
welcome new members to the AAJHS TSA Chapter at the
beginning of each school year. In addition to all of the TSA events
and competitions, students actively
participate in AASD TEAM Altoona
activities and a National Service
TSA members visited Fairview Hills
Community
Center for a TEAM Altoona
Project with the American Cancer
session working on STEM related activities!
Society.
AAJHS Students will ROAR During Recess Days!
The Lion Pledge
I have the ROAR of a
Mountain Lion.
To RESPECT myself , others,
and the communities to which
I belong.
To take OWNERSHIP in being
prepared, being organized, and
putting forth 100% effort in all
that I do.
To take ACTIONS to maintain a
clean work environment, and
an “I will achieve” attitude.
To hold my RELATIONSHIPS
with peers, teachers, and
parents as valuable in order for
me to
succeed in school and life.
For the National Junior Honor Society
group community service project this
year, a mini -thon was held to raise
money for the Mt. Lion Backpack Program. This program provides backpacks to local elementary students
filled with two breakfasts, two
lunches, two dinners and two snacks.
This program was developed to assist
families suffering from financial
hardships. At the mini -thon, students had their choice of dancing,
playing basketball, playing ping pong
or playing badminton. Mini -contests
were held throughout the evening.
The following were the winners:
Mackenzie Irwin (jump rope contest), Kayla Rosas (dribbling two basketballs), Ava Kline (hula hoop
contest), Maddy Ardrey (limbo contest), Hunter Stoudnour (foul shot contest), Thomas Ardrey (ping
pong champion) and the team of Ethan Katcher, Kayla Rosas, Jake McCloskey and Daizy Savino
(badminton team champion). The students collected pledge donations to remain active for five
hours from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Taylor Mandley collected the most pledges this year at an astounding $426! T-shirts were also sold prior to the event with all proceeds benefiting the backpack
program. All in all, a total of $6550 was presented to Mr. and Mrs. Little who run the program.
They were overwhelmed and appreciative of the donation!
Ninth grader Hanna Howard received a citation for her poem "You Scream" that she submitted to
the Pennsylvania Poetry Society Inc. contest. She received a certificate and a copy of the book. The
Pennsylvania Poetry Society Inc. strives to secure fuller recognition for poetry, to foster a better
appreciation of it, and to assist Pennsylvania poets with their craft. Hanna submitted her poem as
part of an extra credit project for Mrs. Vanish's English class.
Attention Students and
S
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a
f
f
This year, the Altoona
Area Junior High School
will be forming teams
for Relay for Life and
we need your help to
make it successful!
Please participate
in any or all of the
following activities to
raise money for
research for cancer
cures and treatments:
-- Purchase a Cancer
Remembrance Ribbon
in the Jr. High main lobby
May 4th - 8th
-- Sign our Relay for Life
Banner in the Jr. High
main lobby June 1st - 3rd
-- Organize a team of
friends to walk at the
Relay for Life June 12th at
Mansion Park
Thank you!
AAJHS Q-Site Committee
Last day to check out
library material: May 8
Last day for the main
library: May 22
Congratulations to the AAJHS MathCounts Team for their impressive performance at the
state competition. Our team, made up of Marissa Abbott, Peirce Condo, Brittney Fouse, and
Madison Sarver, placed 19th in the state. Marissa Abbott placed 26th overall in the state for
the individual competition.
The AAJHS Indoor Majorettes ended their season as
Tri-County Champions! They spent hours preparing a
competitive routine starting in January. The squad
twirled with “Pure Imagination” to the theme of Willy
Wonka. They took home first place finishes and all
three caption awards at the Westmoreland, Cambria
and Blair County competitions. The twelve member
squad consists of 8th and 9th graders. Squad members
include: Captain Shianne Graham, Co-Captain Keria
McCulloch, Mackenzie Detwiler, Meredith Kuhns,
Hannah Taylor, Megan Edmiston, Payton Ratchford,
Morgan Arthurs, Kaylee Campagna, Maranda Nolan,
Allie Sprankle, and Miranda Wertz. The squad is advised
by Nichole Zemleduck and Julie Storm.
Way to go on an outstanding indoor season!
Our last spotlight reader for the school
year is 9th grader Brendan Weber.
Brendan has been a great friend to the
library over his 3 years here and he will
be much missed as he graduates to the
high school. Brendan’s favorite type of
reading material is fiction mystery or
adventure. He likes these books because
they give him the comfort of being somewhere else. Fiction allows him to escape.
His advice to other readers; when you
find a good book, keep reading and imagining yourself in the story. Let reading
“take” you away!
This 9th grade class has been very special
to the library over the last three years.
We wish you the absolute best of luck at
the high school and beyond!
“The more you read the more things you
will know. The more that you learn the
If Brendan became an author, he would
more places you'll go.”
probably write short stories that reflect
his own life, but have interesting twists
and turns. He would probably write real- - Dr. Seuss, "I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!"
istic fiction. Other than reading, Brendan
enjoys being outdoors! He loves going
biking and hiking in the woods.
On the afternoon of March 30, 2015 7th grade students from Team 4 were sent back in time to Ancient Rome.
The Penn Museum Artifacts Lab in Philadelphia provided the students with the portal to travel to the days of
this great empire. During their journey, students explored the history, culture, and marvels that made Ancient
Rome into a vast empire. The exploration went into great detail about the construction of Roman houses,
the importance of mosaics, and even provided a history of Roman mythology.
During the presentations, students were provided ample opportunities to participate and ask questions. After
the presentations, students were taught how to tie their own togas and present themselves as Roman citizens!
Mr. DePiro and his students are truly grateful of the grant they received; it allowed them to experience
education in an engaging manner.
7th and 8th Grade Summer School Information
With a little over a month left of school, it is important to know where your child stands in regards
to his or her grades. Although all courses are important, summer school is based on the final
grades of English, Reading, Math, Social Studies, and Science. These classes are also known as core
courses. In 7th and 8th grades, core courses with a final grade (average of all four marking periods)
below 70% are addressed in the following manner:
If ONE CORE SUBJECT is failed, summer school is RECOMMENDED; however, if the student does
not attend, he/she will be promoted to the next grade. If TWO OR THREE CORE SUBJECTS are
failed, the student is REQUIRED to attend and pass summer school with a grade of at least 80%.
Failure to attend summer school, or lack of successful completion of the summer school program
will result in the student having to repeat the entire year.
If FOUR OR FIVE CORE SUBJECTS are failed, or if 35 DAYS OF SCHOOL OR MORE ARE MISSED,
the student must REPEAT the entire year.
Please note, summer school runs from June 10, 2015 through June 30, 2015.
The cost is $60.00 and all core subjects are taught.
Summer runs from 8:00a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.