Hello ASI Families,

Thank you for partnering with us and taking time to talk with your student about our expectations to always be Responsible, Respectful, and Safe while on campus.

At this age, even the most responsible students need guidance. I encourage you to regularly monitor your student’s phone and social media use. Having ongoing conversations at home about safe online practices helps ensure they use their devices wisely and appropriately.

Next Tuesday marks the beginning of Week 3 of 6 in the first grading period. This is a great time to check your student’s progress on Parent Connect. If you have questions about grades, please start by talking with your student. If you both still have questions, reach out directly to your student’s teacher.

As always, I welcome your questions and feedback.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
Mrs. Carter

Thank you to all the parents who attended Back to School Night this week! We appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedules to connect with our school community, meet your student’s teachers, and put names with faces. Our teachers truly enjoyed meeting you and sharing resources that will support your student’s success this year.

Last night’s dance was a HUGE success! We had 725 students in attendance — that’s 52% of our student body! 🎶

A big THANK YOU to all parents for encouraging their student in joining in the fun by dressing up with our theme. Our students truly made the night special! 

A HUGE THANK YOU to our parent community during pick-up! We appreciate your patience and focus on student safety during this process.

Attached are a few photos for you to enjoy. LOVE THE SCHOOL SPIRIT!!!

Each year, Alta Sierra Intermediate hosts fall and spring fundraisers that directly benefit our students. Thanks to your generous support last year, we were able to provide student rewards, spirit shirts, academic competition fees, team shirts, performing arts entrance fees, and much more.

This year, our goals include continuing to fund student rewards and incentives that promote engagement and school spirit, as well as adding a new outdoor sound system for school activities.

How to Donate:

• Online Donations: Use the attached link to make a secure, tax-deductible donation.

• Checks: Make payable to Buchanan Foundation and return to the Kodiak Office, clearly noting your student’s first and last name.

Students will have the chance to earn prizes and participate in class competitions as we work together toward our schoolwide fundraising goal!

Thank you in advance for supporting Alta Sierra Intermediate and helping us provide the very best experiences for our students.

Sincerely,
Connie Martin
Activities Director

If your student is consistently arriving on campus too early (between 7:00–7:55 a.m.), we encourage you to contact your student’s counselor about enrolling in Zero Period PE. This option provides a safe, supervised environment before school begins. Students enrolled in Zero Period PE would also be placed in a second elective, based on space availability.

Safety is always our top priority, and we want to ensure all students are supervised while on campus.

Block ASI is a special honor that recognizes students who excel in the areas of Mind, Body, and Spirit.

This award is open to all 7th and 8th grade students, and we encourage parents to work with their students throughout the year to make it part of their school journey. Whether or not a student ultimately earns the award, striving toward it enriches and enhances their educational experience.

To earn credit in the Mind category, students must participate on an Academic Team. This year, many of our academic teams will begin virtually. While competitions are tentative, students who attend online practices and actively participate will still receive credit toward Block ASI.

Applications will be available beginning Friday, September 5th in the Kodiak Cluster.

Academic Teams typically begin forming in September and October. Information about each team is shared with students through daily announcements and posted on our school website.

Please note:

• Some teams have limited capacity, while others are open to all interested students.

• A few teams also require parent support for student participation.

Please email the Academic Team Coordinator/s listed below for more information.

• Destination Imagination - Coordinator: Randy Downer – randydowner@cusd.com

• History Day Coordinator: Debbie Hodge – debbiehodge@cusd.com

• Math Team Coordinator: Heidi Nenadov heidinenadov@cusd.com

• Robotics – FIRST Lego League Coordinator: David Allen mailto:davidallen@cusd.com
• Robotics FIRST Tech Challenge Coordinator: Layne Kirk – laynekirk@cusd.com (Teams are already formed for this year.)

• Science Fair - Coordinator: Cristina Silva – cristinasilva@cusd.com

• Science Olympiad - Coordinators: Peter Chilpigian – peterchilpigian@cusd.com , Tiffany Trenahaile mailto:Tiffanytrenhaile@cusd.com and Marissa Harris mailto:marissaharris@cusd.com
• Spelling Bee - Coordinator: Randy Downer – randydowner@cusd.com

Please consider purchasing an annual membership in the ASI & BHS Foundation (serving grades 7–12). The Foundation acts as our Parent Teacher Club and directly supports our schools.

Your membership helps fund:

• Classroom grants for teachers

• Grants for teams and clubs

• Academic team lunches

• Teacher incentives

• Student scholarships

• And more!

How to Join:

• Drop off payment in the ASI main office (8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.)

• Payment options: cash, check, or card

• Make checks payable to BHS Foundation

All donations are tax-deductible. A receipt with the federal tax ID number will be provided for your records.

Thank you for your support and partnership!

Mark your calendars! 

Our 11th Annual Bear Bash will be held on Saturday, October 4th, from 5:30–10:00 p.m. at the Clovis Rodeo Grounds.

This exciting 21-and-over community event includes:

• Dinner (vegetarian option available upon request)

• Silent auction & live auction

• Amazing trips and experiences up for bid

Tickets & Support:
Tickets are available online (QR Code by or the Rev Store link) or in person at the ASI Main Office (cash or check accepted). When purchasing online, please include your first and last name and contact information. After purchase, you may either pick up your tickets or, with your permission, have them sent home with your student.

Each ticket generates $20 for an ASI athletic team, academic team, club, or program of your choice. You may also choose to support the ASI Student Body, and funds will be placed into that account.

This outstanding event brings our entire Buchanan Area community together! All elementary sites will have a table and be represented—come say hello to your former principals and to me as well!

Ticket Pricing:

• $60 each

• Tables of 10 for $600

• Sponsorship opportunities available, with recognition in the event program

Don’t miss this fun evening while supporting our schools!

Yearbooks are available for $90 at http://Yearbookordercenter.com using our school code: 14499. You can also purchase yearbook advertisements through this site.

Please note: ASI does not order extra yearbooks after the initial order at the beginning of Semester 2. Don’t miss out—purchase your student’s yearbook as soon as possible!

Just a reminder:

• Monday, Tuesday, Friday: first bell rings at 8:25 a.m.

• Wednesday & Thursday: first bell rings at 8:40 a.m.

Students must be in their classrooms and seated before the tardy bell to be considered on time. Students who are not in their classrooms before the tardy bell will be sent to the attendance window for a late pass and will be assigned lunch detention.

For a smooth start to the day, we recommend students arrive on campus by 8:05 a.m.. Breakfast is provided at no cost to all students before school.