Hello ASI Students, Parents & Community Members,

As we wrap up another great week at Alta Sierra, I want to take a moment to recognize our students and thank our families for helping us get the school year off to such a wonderful start!

Our students continue to embrace the Positivity Project and the importance of Other People Mindset. We are seeing students demonstrate kindness, teamwork, and a willingness to support one another throughout the school day. I am incredibly proud of the way our Bruins are building new friendships, navigating new routines, and becoming more confident each day.

The transition to intermediate school is a big one! Our students are learning to manage multiple classes and teachers, navigate a campus of more than 1,400 students, keep track of assignments and materials, and adjust to new expectations and routines. They are doing a fabulous job, and I couldn't be prouder of them!

A special THANK YOU to our parents and families. Your encouragement, reminders, and support at home make such a difference as our students learn to become more independent and responsible.

I also want to thank everyone who attended Back-to-School Night and helped make it such a successful evening. We appreciate the opportunity to connect with our families and share what students can expect this year. Your partnership is an important part of our success.

Finally, thank you for your continued patience and support with arrival and dismissal. Traffic patterns and routines continue to improve as everyone becomes more familiar with the process. Please continue to follow staff directions and drive carefully as we work together to keep our students safe.

We have so much to look forward to this year, and I am excited about all that is ahead for our Bruins!

Thank you for being such an important part of the ASI family. Together, we are going to make it an incredible year for our students!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend,

Mrs. Carter
ASI Principal

Our Fall Fundraiser officially kicks off Tuesday, September 1st and will run through Friday, September 18th!  We are excited to get started and work together toward our schoolwide goal of $75,000 and 80% student participation!

To help students and families get a head start on the fundraiser and earning prizes, we are previewing the fundraiser information now. We encourage you to review the information with your student, talk about a personal prize goal, and identify family members and friends your student has permission to contact.

📣 Motivational Kickoff Assembly

On Tuesday, September 1st, the fundraiser will officially kick off with a motivational assembly led by Mrs. Brown in the MPR during AB classes. Students will learn more about the fundraiser, prizes, and how they can help their class and our school reach our $75,000 goal.

As part of the kickoff activity, students may bring and use their cell phones if they would like to contact family members and friends about supporting the fundraiser during the assembly. Students should only contact people you have given them permission to contact.

Parents/Guardians: 

Please review with your student before Tuesday which family members and friends they have permission to contact. Student cell phone use will be monitored by their AB teacher during the activity. If your student does not have a cell phone, no problem! They can make contacts after school using your phone. That works, too!

💙 How to Donate

• Online: Use the attached link to make a secure, tax-deductible donation. https://clovisusd.revtrak.net/buchanan-area/alta-sierra-intermediate/asi-activities/#/v/alta-sierra-fall-fundraiser

• Check or Cash: Bring donations to the Main Office. Checks should be made payable to Buchanan Foundation. Please include your student's first and last name and AB teacher with the donation.

Students will have opportunities to earn prizes and participate in class competitions throughout the fundraiser. Every contribution, big or small, helps us reach our goal and directly benefits our students and school programs.

Thank you for partnering with us and encouraging your student to participate. We are looking forward to a fun kickoff and an exciting few weeks as our Bruins work together to make this our best fundraiser yet!

Go Bruins! 🐻

Hi ____________________!

We are doing a fundraiser at my school, Alta Sierra Intermediate! My goal is to raise $__________. Can you help me reach my goal?

To help me earn prizes, please make sure you include:

My AB Teacher: ____________________________

My AB Period: _____________________________

Thank you for helping me reach my goal and for supporting our school!

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 students and parents to work together throughout the year to make Block ASI part of their school journey. Whether or not a student ultimately earns the award, striving toward it can enrich and enhance their educational experience.

• 🧠 MIND: To earn credit in the Mind category, students must participate on an Academic Team . Students are encouraged to get involved, attend practices, and actively participate throughout the year.
• 💪 BODY: Students earn credit in the Body category through participation in approved athletic and physical activities.
• ❤️ SPIRIT: Students earn credit in the Spirit category by demonstrating positive character, leadership, service, school involvement, and a commitment to making ASI a better place.

Applications and Community Service Verification Forms are available now in the Kodiak Cluster. 

We encourage all students to challenge themselves, get involved, and work toward earning this special ASI honor!

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

Please keep in mind:

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

• Some teams may require parent support for students to participate.

• Each team has its own schedule, expectations, and participation requirements.

For more information about a specific Academic Team, please contact the coordinator listed below.

Academic Teams & Coordinators

• Destination Imagination - Randy Downer – randydowner@cusd.com
• History Day - Debbie Hodge – debbiehodge@cusd.com
• Math Team - Heidi Nenadov – heidinenadov@cusd.com
• Robotics – FIRST LEGO League - David Warne – davidwarne@cusd.com
• Robotics – FIRST Tech Challenge - Layne Kirk – laynekirk@cusd.com
• Teams have already been formed for this school year.
• Science Fair - Alex Tafoya – alextafoya@cusd.com
• Science Olympiad - Ryan Johnston – Ryanjohnston@cusd.com & Tiffany Trenahaile – Tiffanytrenhaile@cusd.com & Marissa Harris – marissaharris@cusd.com
• Spelling Bee - 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

• Make an Online Purchase Here. https://clovisusd.revtrak.net/r7#/v/alta-sierra-foundation-membership-drive-25-26

All donations are tax-deductible. A federal tax ID number will be provided for your records upon request by emailing Peggy Edwards - peggyedwards@cusd.com

.

Thank you for your support and partnership!

The California Junior Scholarship Federation (CJSF) is an honor and service organization that recognizes students for their academic achievement and commitment to service. Alta Sierra Intermediate has an established CJSF chapter, and students who qualify are invited to apply for membership.

Students who qualify are not automatically members. Students must complete an application to become a member.

Who Qualifies?

To qualify, students must earn:

• Three A's and two B's in qualifying classes

• Grades must be earned in classes other than P.E. and certain specific electives

Eligible students may apply for membership during their first three semesters at ASI:

• Fall Semester – 7th Grade

• Spring Semester – 7th Grade

• Fall Semester – 8th Grade

A $5 donation is requested for each qualifying semester.

Students who qualify for all three semesters will be recognized with a CJSF certificate and pin at the 8th Grade Awards Assembly.

Applications are available in the Kodiak Cluster Office.

• If you have questions about CJSF or the application process, please contact Mrs. Zunich in Room 604 at MarcyZunich@cusd.com.

These Bruins earned a Bravo Bruin raffle ticket for demonstrating and displaying the following Positivity Project character trait during Weeks 1 & 2 of school.

• Leland Garcia - Kindness
• Ryker Flores - Kindness
• Brooks Burton - Love of Learning
• Grant Anderson - Kindness
• Tyler Donnelly - Love of Learning
• Kameron Dolly - Kindness
• Phillip Tobin - Kindness

Way to go, Bruins! We are proud of you for putting these character strengths into action and helping make ASI a positive place to learn and grow. 💙

**If you purchase a Rad or Bear Foundation Membership level, an ASI yearbook is included.

Just a reminder about our morning schedule:

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

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

Students should be in their classrooms and seated before the tardy bell to be considered on time. Students who arrive after the tardy bell will need to report to the Attendance Window for a late pass and will be assigned lunch detention.

For a smooth and stress-free start to the day, we recommend students arrive on campus by 8:05 a.m.

Breakfast is available at no cost to all students before school.

Thank you for helping your student start each day ready to learn!

If you submitted an Intradistrict Transfer request for your student for the 2026–27 school year, please be aware that you must also complete an Open Enrollment Application. The Open Enrollment application window is now open, and applications will be accepted through Friday, October 30, 2026.

Please make sure your completed application is submitted to the school office by Friday, October 30.If you have questions about the Open Enrollment process, please contact the school office for assistance.

• Monday, August 31st - Students complete Club Day sign-ups in Science
• Tuesday, September 1st - Fall Fundraiser begins - Kickoff Assembly in AB
• Wednesday, September 2nd - College Day - Students wear College Gear
• Monday, September 7th - Labor Day - No School
• Wednesday, September 9th - New to CUSD Reception - Peer Counseling Led
• Thursday, September 10th - Back to School Dance - 6:30pm-8:30pm - GYM
• Tuesday, September 15th - Food Fair #1
• Wednesday, September 16th - SART Parent Meeting - Room 853 - 8:30am
• Wednesday, September 16th - Foundation Parent Meeting - Room 853 - 11:30am
• Wednesday, September 16th - Safety Drill
• Friday, September 18th - Fall Fundraiser Ends
• Friday, September 18th - Fall Rally - Rally Day Schedule
• Friday, September 18th - PASA meeting - LMC - Lunch
• Saturday, September 19th - Jazz Night @ PAC
• Tuesday, September 22nd - Club Day #1 - Club Day Schedule
• Friday, September 25th - Progress Report Grading Period #1 Ends
• Wednesday, September 30th - Fieldtrip: Intro to Teaching Class to Teacher Center