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FRIENDLY REMINDERS:

BE ON TIME TO SCHOOL: HELP US WITH YOUR STUDENT’S SUCCESS. PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOUR STUDENT ARRIVES BY 7:20 A.M. EVERY DAY. THIS WILL ENABLE HIM OR HER TO GET TO CLASS ON TIME. Excessive tardiness (4 or more) can lead to serious consequences for the student, including losing a class and having to repeat it.
CANINE DRUG DETECTION PROGRAM: IN COOPERATION WITH THE SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPT., WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE PERIODIC VISITS BY A DETECTION CANINE AND HANDLER. THE PURPOSE IS TO CREATE A DETERRENCE. THE CANINE WILL CHECK CARS, GROUNDS, AND CLASSROOMS. A STUDENT’S BELONGINGS MAY BE CHECKED, BUT A STUDENT’S PERSON IS NOT CHECKED BY THE CANINE. FOR MORE DETAILS ON THE PROCEDURES USED, PLEASE CONTACT ASST. PRINCIPAL PHIL SCHULER ext 2030.
DRIVE SAFELY: WE ASK THAT ALL DRIVERS OBSERVE ALL TRAFFIC LAWS WHILE DRIVING AROUND ALTA LOMA HIGH SCHOOL. PLEASE HELP US ENSURE THE SAFETY OF OUR STUDENTS BY DRIVING SAFELY AND PATIENTLY. THE SHERIFF’S DEPT. WILL PATROL THE STREETS, PARTICULARLY BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL AND ISSUE CITATIONS. COMMON VIOLATIONS TO AVOID INCLUDE PARKING IN A RED ZONE, SPEEDING, DOUBLE PARKING, AND MAKING ILLEGAL U-TURNS.
STUDENT PLANNERS: ALL STUDENTS RECEIVED THEIR PLANNERS THIS WEEK. PLEASE TAKE A LOOK! THERE IS VALUABLE INFORMATION IN IT ABOUT SCHOOL POLICY AND PROCEDURES AS WELL AS ACADEMIC VOCABULARY STUDENTS WILL LEARN. THERE IS ALSO A CALENDAR WHERE STUDENTS CAN WRITE DOWN THEIR HOMEWORK EACH DAY. AN ORGANIZED STUDENT IS A SUCCESSFUL STUDENT!
❂ Click here to see a .pdf version and begin reviewing important information about ALHS. The planner includes important information about college preparation, academics, extra-curricular activities, and more.

Previous Principal’s Messages:
NOVEMBER 14, 2011 - THE END OF SEMESTER AND FINALS APPROACH

It is hard to believe that the end of the first semester and the end of 2011 are drawing near! As we break for the upcoming holidays soon, I want to wish all of our students and their families safe and happy times.

I would also like to remind you that NOW is the time for all students to increase their time and efforts on their studies. Students should be working diligently to complete assignments, study, and prepare for final exams. It is not too late for students to finish strong and increase their achievement by a full letter grade. I urge students to work hard in the coming weeks and achieve to the maximum of their potential!

To help students with their achievement, we are offering an expanded Tutoring Center beginning Monday, November 14th. We will staff the Tutoring Center with additional teachers. In addition, we will have peer tutors available each day for every content area. The Tutoring Center will be open from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday in Room 74.

Our final exams will be given on the following dates and times:

Monday, Dec 19: Period 1 at 7:30 and Period 4 at 9:50
Tuesday, Dec. 20: Period 2 at 7:30 and Period 5 at 9:50
Wednesday, Dec. 21: Period 3 at 7:30 and Period 6 at 9:50
There is a 17-minute break between finals
There is no school on Thursday or Friday, Dec. 22 and 23.

When school resumes on Monday, January 9, 2012, we will begin our second semester of the school year. On that morning, we encourage students to arrive early. They will check a locator list to identify their first period class. They will report to their first period class and receive their new second semester schedule.

During this transition, students are sometimes subjected to schedule changes. We understand that these can be frustrating experiences for students. They can be for school personnel as well because we would like to accommodate all student requests by giving them the classes and teachers they would like.

Unfortunately, a variety of factors exist that prevent that.

Some of the factors that affect scheduling include the following:

Student needs which may increase additional or fewer sections of particular classes.
Changes in teachers’ class assignments: Sometimes teachers schedules may change because they take on a coaching assignment second semester or for another reason. Thus, a class may need to be closed and those students are assigned to another teacher.
Teacher contracts: Teachers may have up to 184 students during the first semester. In an effort to keep most class sizes at 34, that number falls to 174 second semester. Students may be randomly selected to move to another class to balance a teacher’s student load.
Math changes: Students’ placement in math classes vary based on successful completion or failure of their classes. Likewise, teaching assignments may change to accommodate the needs of the nearly 2,000 students in math classes.
School Staffing: Sometimes school personnel changes at the semester. Someone may resign and someone else may be hired. This may affect students’ schedules as they may be assigned to a teacher new to the school.

For these and other reasons, we cannot schedule students based on their preferences. This includes the lunch period. The administrative and counseling staff cannot consider a student’s teacher or lunch preferences when making a schedule.

Of course, we do our best to work with all students, and we are committed to getting them the classes they need to graduate and/or to achieve their post secondary aspirations.

We appreciate the patience and understanding of students and their families when we are confronted with these challenges. If you have questions, feel free to call any of our counselors or administrators.

Again, on behalf of the Alta Loma staff, we wish you a Happy Holiday and prosperous New Year.

August 26, 2011

With the 2011-2012 School year now well underway, I would like to report some great news from Alta Loma High School.

First, Alta Loma High raised its Academic Performance Index to 797! This represents growth of 14 points and places Alta Loma High School 8th among high schools in San Bernardino County as measured by the API. The staff is very proud of this achievement. It is a reflection of our teachers’ efforts to offer a quality, standards-based curriculum. Our students deserve much of the credit as well for taking the California Standards Tests seriously and putting forth their best effort, and we are planning a celebration for a future date.

If you have been on campus, you may have noticed a campus beautification project underway. In front of the school, many overgrown shrubs have been replaced with a variety of beautiful plants and grasses. In the quad, we have added 36 tables and benches to provide more seating for students to enjoy before and after school and during lunch.

We have also made several significant curriculum changes that will benefit all students. We now offer two additional Advanced Placement classes in English Language and Composition and World History. We also now offer Honors Biology and College Prep Biology to incoming freshmen. Other new classes include Statistics and Honors Physics.

As we enter September, there are several things you can do the help us guide your students toward success.

We have begun our second year with School Loop. I am so pleased that 80% of our households have registered. This enables you to monitor your students’ progress frequently, and we can work together to remediate an academic problem when it arises. If you have not registered for School Loop, we can help at Back to School Night, or see the directions on this page.
I invite you to attend our Back to School Night on Tuesday, August 30 at 6:30 p.m.. At this event, we will showcase some talented students, provide you with school information. You will also have an opportunity to visit each of your child’s classrooms and meet teachers.
Please ensure that your child is at school everyday ready to learn. There is a direct correlation between attendance and success.
Encourage your student to utilize our Tutoring Center open after school Monday through Thursday from 2:30 to 3:30. The Center is staffed by one of our teachers, and kids can get help with multiple subjects, or they can go in just to get their homework done. All of our teachers are also available at various times to provide your student with one on one help.
Provide a regular time and place for your student to complete homework and study each day. Studies show that students who have a regular routine and place to work do better in school.

Our goal at Alta Loma High School is to sustain academic growth. We will continue to work to improve our instructional program until all students pass the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) and achieve proficiency in every subject. We will also continue to inform students and their parents about post-secondary opportunities for our students with the goal to increase the number of our graduates who meet the University of California and California State A-G eligibility requirements. Rest assured that we are working proactively to continuously improve all of our programs.

I feel privileged to be principal at Alta Loma and am available to help you. Please feel free to contact me whenever the need arises.

We are going to have a great year!

July 25, 2011

Dear Alta Loma families,

I hope each of you has had a fantastic summer break with ample time for family, fun, and friends. As the summer’s end approaches, the staff at Alta Loma High School is preparing for the opening of school on Tuesday, August 9 at 7:30 a.m.. We look forward to welcoming all our students back, including our freshmen, the class of 2015!

Back to school activities begin with registration. On these days, each class returns to take their ID pictures and get their ID cards, register for School Loop, register for our new online store, purchase PE clothes and ASB cards, and pick up their preliminary schedules. Counselors will also be on hand to help students with schedule changes to ensure they are in the right classes.

Please see the dates below for your registration day:

Seniors, Wednesday, July 27
Juniors, Thursday, July 28
Sophomores, Friday, July 29
Freshmen A-L, Monday, August 1
Freshmen M-Z, Tuesday, August 2

Registration will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 each day.

It is also mandatory that students verify their TDAP inoculation prior to the beginning of the school year. Not doing so will result in exclusion from school per California Assembly Bill 354. We also ask that students turn in their emergency cards and clear any Library fines on the day of registration to avoid a hold being placed on their schedules.

During registration, we ask that all parents also sign up for School Loop. School Loop is a web-based student information system that allows parents to view their child’s progress more frequently. Parents must register for School Loop to have regular access to their child’s grades and progress. Simply follow the simple directions at the top of our webpage to register. If you need help, you may attend registration with your student and a staff member will get you registered.

As the school year approaches, please watch our website for exciting developments as we endeavor to provide each student with the best high school education possible and work to fulfill our school vision: “By improving classroom instruction and providing support and interventions for all students, Alta Loma High School will achieve an API of 800 by 2013 and continue to increase college and career preparedness."

Some of those developments include infusing technology in every classroom, beautification of the front of our school, adding lunch seating for students in the quad, the opening of our new on-line webstore at HYPERLINK "http://www.b1selfshop.com/alhs" www.b1selfshop.com/alhs , and more!
I also invite you to keep up with Alta Loma news by following me on Twitter at HYPERLINK "http://www.twitter.com/altalomahigh" www.twitter.com/altalomahigh

I look forward to serving the families of the Alta Loma community. It is my pleasure to be the principal at the Home of the Braves, and I look forward to a stellar 2011-2012 school year. Please feel free to contact me any time as we work together to help your child attain his or her full potential.

Warmly,

Jim Cronin

FEBRUARY 2011
Dear Parents and Students:
The second semester of the 2010-2011 school year is well underway, and there are many positive developments at Alta Loma High School. For example, our attendance continues to improve over last year. This is due in part to the attendance incentive we are offering through Mark Christopher Auto Center. We still have over 270 students who are eligible to win a free car in May.
Not all students are able to maintain perfect attendance. Certainly, illness, doctor’s appointments, and urgent family matters require that students miss school. However, it is always in each student’s best interest to be in school whenever possible, and we appreciate your efforts to ensure that students are in school everyday. Please continue to help us in this effort, especially in these difficult budgetary times when school days have been cut.
This week, student progress reports were issued in students’ second period classes. It is important to review carefully the progress your children have made in their classes. I always like to commend students for positive efforts and good results. For students who may be underachieving or struggling in a class, it is important to help them put an improvement plan together. We are eager to help you with that effort. Counselors are well-equipped to teach students strategies to improve. Discussions with students’ teachers are always productive conversations that focus on student achievement. We also offer a Tutoring Center Monday through Thursday from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. where students can get extra help.
In just a few days, we will be unveiling School Loop to our students and parents. This powerful on-line tool will provide students and their parents access to each teacher’s website. Here students and parents can check on recent progress, homework, assignments, class lessons, and more. Teachers have spent the past month training and preparing their sites. We will begin giving students and parents access the week of February 22. Each student will bring home directions next week.
You may also continue to find school information at HYPERLINK "http://www.altalomahigh.com" www.altalomahigh.com, and you may follow Alta Loma High School on twitter at HYPERLINK "http://www.twitter.com/altalomahigh" www.twitter.com/altalomahigh or simply click the link on this page.
As always, we are here to support you and your child. Please feel free to give me a call at any time.

DECEMBER 1, 2010
AS we draw near to the end of the first semester and the end of 2010, I want to wish all of our students and their families a safe and happy holiday. I hope all of you enjoy time away from school and joyous times with family.
I would also like to remind you that NOW is the time for students to begin to prepare for finals, make-up any missing work or tests that teachers may allow, and invest ample time in preparing projects and other assignments that have a significant impact on students’ grades. I urge students to finish the semester strong and achieve the success you are capable of!
Our final exams will be given on the following dates and times:
Tuesday, Dec 14: Period 1 at 7:30 and Period 4 at 9:50
Wednesday, Dec. 15: Period 2 at 7:30 and Period 5 at 9:50
Thursday, Dec. 16: Period 3 at 7:30 and Period 6 at 9:50
There is a 17-minute break between finals
There is no school on Friday, Dec. 17

When school resumes on Monday, January 3, 2011, we will begin our second semester of the school year. On that morning, we encourage students to arrive early. They will check a locator list to identify their first period class. They will report to their first period class and receive their new second semester schedule.
During this transition, students are sometimes subjected to schedule changes. We understand that these can be frustrating experiences for students. They can be for school personnel as well because we would like to accommodate all student requests by giving them the classes and teachers they would like.
Unfortunately, a variety of factors exist that prevent that.
Some of the factors that affect scheduling include the following:
Changes in teachers’ class assignments: Sometimes teachers schedules may change because they take on a coaching assignment second semester or for another reason. Thus, a class may need to be closed and those students are assigned to another teacher.
Teacher contracts: Teachers may have up to 180 students during the first semester. In an effort to keep most class sizes at 34, that number falls to 171 second semester. Students may be randomly selected to move to another class to balance a teacher’s student load.
Math changes: Students’ placement in math classes vary based on successful completion or failure of their classes. Likewise, teaching assignments may change to accommodate the needs of the nearly 2,000 students in math classes.
School Staffing: Sometimes school personnel changes at the semester. Someone may resign and someone else may be hired. This may affect students’ schedules as they may be assigned to a teacher new to the school.
For these and other reasons, we cannot schedule students based on their preferences. This includes the lunch period. The administrative and counseling staff cannot consider a student’s teacher or lunch preferences when making a schedule.
Of course, we do our best to work with all students, and we are committed to getting them the classes they need to graduate and/or to achieve their post secondary aspirations.
We appreciate the patience and understanding of students and their families when we are confronted with these challenges. If you have questions, feel free to call any of our counselors or administrators.
Again, on behalf of the Alta Loma staff, we wish you a Happy Holiday and prosperous New Year.

September 12, 2010
The 2010-2011 school year is well underway! It is always exciting to begin a new school year, as it represents an opportunity for each of us – staff, students, and parents – to challenge ourselves to excel.
As an educator, I have approached each year with personal and professional goals to improve. Our staff has also worked diligently as this year has begun to reexamine and realign curriculum, practice effective instructional strategies, and work consistently toward increasing student achievement and improving classroom instruction. We also endeavor to impart the values outlined in our Expected School-wide Learning Results (ESLRs) to our students so that they may succeed academically and personally. Our academic program promotes the development of these characteristics: effective communication, academic and technological proficiency, creative and thoughtful problem-solving, making responsible contributions to society, and embracing life-long learning.
To support students in their studies, we have recently opened our new Tutoring Center. The Center will be open from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and staffed by Mr. Brian Brown, one of our Math teachers. Each day, there will be several student tutors available as well to assist their peers in a variety of subject areas.
As we approach the first progress report grading period, I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to our Report Card Night on Monday, September 20 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. On this important evening, we will introduce you to members of our school board, site and district administrators, department chairs, counselors, and other key figures. After a brief orientation, you will be able to pick up your student’s progress report and meet with his or her teachers to discuss progress. This is an important evening, and I encourage you all to come to help us support your student’s academic achievement.
As the school year begins, we also have an opportunity to reflect on our performance as indicated by state mandated testing by looking at data from the California Standards Tests (CSTs). This year, our results were mixed. While we saw gains in subject areas like Algebra II, Summative Math, Earth Science, and Biology, we saw some slight declines, or no gains to modest gains, in other subject areas.
As a result, our Academic Performance Index (API) grew slightly to 784 (from a previous API of 783). Over time, this represents a two-year increase of 25 points and a five-year increase of 60 points. Our goal this year is to show increases in every content area. To do so, we have increased academic interventions and access to additional help that students need. We have also broadened the access to Honors classes to all students who qualify. In addition, teachers in English, Math, Science, and Social Studies have worked together to realign and adjust curriculum to better serve the students’ needs.
In the coming weeks, we will be providing all students with their own data so they can review their own performance, set goals, and track their progress. Teachers and administration will work with the students to help them understand their data. This is valuable information for students about their education, and it is essential that we share it with our students and help them understand it.
Our goal at Alta Loma High School is to sustain academic growth. We will continue to work to improve our instructional program until all students pass the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) and achieve proficiency in every subject. We will also continue to inform students and their parents about post-secondary opportunities for our students with the goal to increase the number of our graduates who meet the University of California and California State A-G eligibility requirements.
Finally, we are very pleased to have your student at Alta Loma High School. We will do all we can to fulfill their academic, extra-curricular, personal, and social needs. We are always available to discuss your concerns, your students’ academic progress, college eligibility and preparation, and any other questions you may have. Please feel free to contact me, one of our assistant principals, or a guidance counselor at any time.

August 2
Dear Parents and Students,
With the summer break winding down, the staff at Alta Loma High School is busily preparing to welcome back its students to begin the 2010-2011 school year. We especially want to welcome our incoming freshmen, the class of 2014, and look forward to doing so on August 2 and 3 with our Link Crew orientation activities.
The 2010-2011 school year promises to be an exciting one for all students as we are able to offer a powerful incentive this year for perfect attendance. Mark Chrsitopher Auto Center in Ontario will give away one car to a student who maintains perfect attendance at Alta Loma High School or Ontario High School. Throughout the year, we will encourage all students to maintain perfect attendance to be eligible for this incredible opportunity. All students with perfect attendance will be recognized at a huge celebration at Mark Christopher in May.
We know that students are more successful when they are in class everyday. This program reaffirms this and provides our students an exciting opportunity.
We also know that students are more successful when their parents are involved in their child’s education. We encourage you to discuss your students schedule with them and encourage them to work hard this year to achieve their goals. Also, please contact your child’s teachers or counselor whnever you have a cnoncern or question. If your concern is not addressed, please do not hesitate to call me. You may also want to consider joining Alta Loma’s PTSA. This organization supports students and faculty and appreciates your membership. The form and payment, included in your summer packet, may also be returned to the school’s activities office.
Our first day of school is Tuesday, August 10th. Our school day will begin at 7:30 a.m. and end at 2:20 p.m. Class locator lists will be posted in the quad, and the staff will be ready to help students with their needs. I will be communicating with families via automated phone calls throughout the rest of the summer and in the first weeks to keep you informed about important school events. You may also check our website at www.altalomahigh.com for more information.
I look forward to a productive school year. It is always our goal to provide a quality education to our students in a supportive and safe environment. I appreciate the staff we have -- our teachers, counselors, office staff, grounds custodial and others –- who assist everyday to maintain a healthy, positive environment for our students.
I look forward to seeing all of you on August 10th as we begin a new school year. As always, please feel free to contact me with your questions or concerns, and enjoy the rest of your summer.
Go Braves!

June 2010
To conclude the 2009-2010 school year, Alta Loma High School graduated its 46th senior class at The Epicenter in Rancho Cucamonga. Over 540 seniors received their diplomas at home plate at the stadium on May 26th to the fanfare of their parents, families, and friends. It was a celebratory and fitting end to a successful school year.. To conclude the 2009-2010 school year, Alta Loma High School graduated its 46th senior class at The Epicenter in Rancho Cucamonga. Over 540 seniors received their diplomas at home plate at the stadium on May 26th to the fanfare of their parents, families, and friends. It was a celebratory and fitting end to a successful school year.
This year, one of the most significant successes for Alta Loma High School was the completion of the WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) midterm review. This achievement extends the school’s accreditation through the 2013 school year. Also, teachers have worked to write new courses, including Freshmen Achievement, Geography, Marine Biology, Introduction to College Math, and International Relations, which will be available for students next year.
During the course of the summer, our staff will be working on a variety of projects to prepare for the opening of the 2010-2011 school year. Each department continues to reexamine its curriculum to ensure that it is aligned with state standards and district essential measurement standards. Each department has also done an analysis of essential academic vocabulary that students need to know to be successful in each content area. These words will be published in the student planner, and teachers will emphasize the importance of these terms next year by using varied instructional practices to teach them.
Meanwhile, our custodial and grounds crew are working diligently to beautify the campus, make routine repairs, clean rooms, and complete many tasks to prepare the campus for the arrival of students in the Fall. We are projected to welcome 2632 students in August.
I want to thank each of you – students, parents, and staff alike – for your significant contributions to Alta Loma High School last year. I look forward to the 2010-2011 school year. We will begin on Tuesday, August 10th. School will be in session from 7:30 a.m. to 2:20 p.m. next year, so please be aware of this change. In the meantime, please watch for our summer mailer which will include important information about schedule distribution and the start of school, and continue to check this site for updated information. Until then, please have a safe and enjoyable summer.
James T. Cronin Principal, Alta Loma High School
ALHS Administrative Team
Principal Jim Cronin james_cronin@cjuhsd.k12.ca.us phone ext. 2020 Dear parents and guardians of Alta Loma students: I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself and let you know that I am humbled and honored... Click here to download the full message.

Asst. Principal of Guidance & Instruction Donald Jaramillo donald_jaramillo@cjuhsd.k12.ca.us
I have been in education for twenty-eight years. Twenty-one of those years were spent as an educator at Etiwanda High School. This is my third year at Alta Loma High School. If there is anything I can do to assist you, please call me at ext. 2024.

Asst. Principal of Educational Services Cara Cerecerez
cara_cerecerez@cjuhsd.k12.ca.us In previous years, I have been the Assistant Principal of Discipline and am excited for my new role. I will be working closely with Athletics and Activities. As a teacher, I coached multiple sports and also worked with ASB. I look forward to a fun and very spirited year. If you need any assistance please call me at ext. 2026.

Asst. Principal of Discipline Todd Logue
todd_logue@cjuhsd.k12.ca.us
Mr. Logue joins the Alta Loma High School administrative team after over 10 years at Etiwanda High School. ALHS welcomes him and the experience he brings to his position.