Grant brings award winning author Paul Volponi to work with seventh grade students
Lillian Miller
May 31, 2017
Filed under Feature Stories
An Altoona Area School District Foundation grant helped bring author Paul Volponi to work with Maggie Lewis' seventh grade classes and to visit with and sign books for faculty members available during second period. “I was excited when the author came because I’ve never met an author before and...
Staff members retire
Lydia Newman
May 30, 2017
Filed under Feature Stories
As the school year comes to an end so do some faculty members’ careers. The people set to retire are: American Cultures teacher, Don Church, Secretary, Lynnette Clapper and special education aide, Betsy Miller. Clapper has been a secretary for 47 years. Clapper’s plans after retirement include: ...
Teachers dress down for charity
Cameron Havens
May 30, 2017
Filed under Feature Stories, Features
Every Friday, the teachers dress down in a designated district shirt and a pair of jeans to raise money for students and the community. For some special days teachers also purchase additional shirts for other charities. At the beginning of the year, teachers receive order forms to purchase AASD p...
Ninth graders dissect frogs
Jolee Smith
May 24, 2017
Filed under Feature Stories
In ninth grade classes there are various dissections of different things. In biology classes there are different dissections depending on the teacher. Some dissect things like crayfish, frogs, worms, flowers, owl pellets and beans. The human Systems and Disease class also dissects things like fetus...
Journalism Education Association recognizes seven Livewire staff members
May 16, 2017
Filed under Feature Stories
Livewire staff members participated in the 2017 Journalism Education Association (JEA) National Media Contest. Students chose work to submit to the contest by April 19. JEA judges then rated the entries and returned certificates to the contestants in May. The ratings available are Superior, Excellent,...
Plans continue for high school construction, renovation
Julia Pitts, Willow Yingling, Cameron Havens and David Rudy
May 12, 2017
Filed under Feature Stories
Throughout the recent school year, many ideas have been discussed to remodel and renovate the high school buildings. During the month of April and May school leaders and board members presented plans to community and staff members. The decision to build a new building came about for several reas...
National Junior Honor Society raises money for local organization
Jolee Smith
May 5, 2017
Filed under Feature Stories
The National Junior Honor Society is a nation wide organization to recognize students for their scholastic achievements and good character qualities. The NJHS has chapters in the 50 states, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, several U.S. territories and Canada. This school is in the national chapter. Eac...
Student teacher studies abroad
Grace Osmolinski
May 5, 2017
Filed under Feature Stories
March 28 student teacher Courtney Bauer spent her last day in Altoona before heading to Greece to continue her student teaching. “I chose Greece for a couple of reasons. First, I heard it was beautiful here and boy was I right. Greece has the most incredible beaches and landscapes I've ever seen. ...
School choir performs spring concert
Alex Daversa
May 5, 2017
Filed under Feature Stories
On April 28 the varsity chorus made up of eighth and ninth graders performed at the high school for their spring concert. This will be the last junior high concert that the ninth graders will be attending. The week of the concert the students had two after school dress rehearsals. At the dress rehearsals,...
Student performances end year
Cameron Havens
May 5, 2017
Filed under Feature Stories
The end of the year often gives students a reason to start counting the days. One part of this time of year is the musical performances that occur in April and May. The band already had their spring concerts - the band on April 19 and the chorus on April 28. The combined orchestra and symphonic band...
Staff “teaches like pirates”
Julia Pitts
May 5, 2017
Filed under Feature Stories
Ahoy mateys! This school year some of ye’ teachers took a part in the Teach Like a Pirate book study, based off the book, Teach Like a Pirate. Dave Burgess wrote the novel that describes how to increase student engagement and helps teachers bring out their inner passions for teaching. The people in ...
NJHS mini thon raises money for backpack program
April 25, 2017
Filed under Feature Stories
For the National Junior Honor Society group community service project this year, the fourth annual 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 sna...