View of San Bruno Mountains from Alta Loma Middle School
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Volunteer

Starting middle school can be a difficult transition for some. Students must follow a block schedule with four different periods. They now have lockers in different parts of the school and must memorize locker combinations and carry their books and supplies to different classes. All of this can be tough to get used to.
 
Volunteering is a good way to help ensure a smooth transition from elementary to middle school for your child. Research also shows that students do better when their families are involved at home and at school. That's why our school values parental involvement and why parents are always welcome at Westborough. There are many ways to get involved and stay involved:
 
  • Attend "Back to School Night".
  • Join the parent teacher association (PTA).
  • Attend school board meetings.
  • Participate in "Coffee with the Counselors" before school.
  • Chaperone field trips.
  • Chaperone tri-school events.
  • Chaperone the 8th grade dance.
  • Coach a tri-school sports team (e.g., volleyball, basketball, soccer).
  • Organize books fairs.
  • Participate in community cleanup days.
  • Speak at career day.
  • Supervise the lunchroom.
  • Volunteer for school sponsored events or fundraisers.
  • Volunteer in the school library.
  • Model lifelong learning and the value of education.
  • Encourage curiosity, problem solving, and independent thinking in your child.
  • Stay in contact with teachers and counselors to monitor grades and voice concerns.
  • Recognize the importance of regular attendance by reducing the amount of time your child misses school for vacations, dentist and doctor appointments, etc.
 

Classroom Parents

Classroom parents or parent coordinators have the opportunity to represent individual classrooms in parent organizations like the English Learners Advisory Council (ELAC), PTA, or School Site Council (SSC).
 

English Learners Advisory Committee

The ELAC advises the principal, SSC, and school staff on programs and services for English Language Learner (ELL) students by helping to develop the ELL section of the school’s Single Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA), distributing and tabulating a needs assessment survey, and informing parents of the annual statewide language census.
 
Consequently, ELAC members often consist of parents of ELL students.
 
The ELAC is comprised of three teachers or staff members, three students, and three parents.
 
Parents are selected by fellow parents and serve for two-year terms.
 
Alta Loma's ELAC committee meets the second Wednesday of each month from 3:20 PM to  4:20 PM. 

Contact Maricela Rivas at mrivas[at]ssfusd.org for more information.
 

Parent Teacher Association

Strong family-school partnerships make a big difference. When families and schools work together, our kids win.

 

The Alta Loma Middle School Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is a 100% volunteer organization run by parents and teachers. We are a 501(c)(3) organization affiliated with the California State PTA.

We advocate for our students and organize fundraising activities and events to engage students, teachers and families in our children's success.

 

One of our most popular and ongoing events is a monthly chat with the principal on the second Friday of each month from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM).

 

This helps parents stay abreast of developments at school and provides families with a means to suggest changes to improve their school and community.

 

The PTA also provides information on ways parents can support their child’s education and allows parents to hone their skills and talents in service to that cause.

 

More importantly, the PTA connects parents with other families and helps build a sense of community.

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To get involved, visit the PTA on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/467738343687184/ or contact [email protected] for more information.

 

Join us at: https://jointotem.com/ca/south-san-francisco/alta-loma-middle-school-pta/join

 

School Site Council

The SSC is responsible for the development and approval of the SPSA and the school site budget in seven areas:
 
  • Implementation of a Standards-Based Instructional Program
  • Establishing and Monitoring Systems of Assessment and Evaluation
  • English Language Learners
  • Special Education
  • Equity
  • Interventions
  • Parent and Community Engagement
 
This is accomplished by a review and analysis of student data, which helps to inform decisions about school improvement strategies and the allocation of resources in support of student achievement.
 
Westborough's SSC meets the second Wednesday of each month from 3:20 PM to  4:20 PM. 

School Volunteers

Volunteers may fill out a School Volunteer Application ahead of time and return it to the school office along with a:
 
  • Current tuberculosis (TB) test dated within 60 days
  • Copy of a valid driver’s license
 
The school office will then submit the completed packet for a fingerprinting appointment at the SSFUSD district office.
 
Volunteer applications will NOT be processed without a fingerprinting appointment.

 

Please allow at least two (2) weeks for fingerprint processing. 

Then call the school office for an update.
 
Parents who wish to chaperone field trips must be fingerprinted and have a negative TB test on file.