Joan MacQueen Middle School

Free COVID-19 tests and flu shots will be available tomorrow Wednesday, December 16 at JMMS from 9:00-3:00. All students, families, and community members are welcome. The drive through process is quick and easy. Please help spread the word!

Please support Shadow Hills PTA with their Silent Auction. The Silent Auction will start on Sat. Dec. 12th and will run through Dec. 16th. Bidding starts on Dec. 12 at 11:00 am. Go to the Shadow Hills PTA Facebook site to bid on these fabulous items. https://www.facebook.com/ShadowHillsPTA. Here is a preview of just some of the items up for bid: 1.$50 gift card to Chic Boutique 2.$100 Visa Gift Card from Kathrin Turner, Realtor at San Diego Estates 3. 8 private tutoring sessions from Quest Academy 4.A private station tour and dinner for 10 at the Alpine Fire Station 5. 5 week dance session from Alpine Dance Academy 6. 1 photo session with Stephani Dennis Photography 7. Gift basket from Alpine Coffee Roasters/The Well Cafe 8. Gift card from Bella's Closet 9. Gift card from Cleveland Cafe 10.Mobile car detail from J&J Mobile Detail 11. Two propane tanks courtesy of Kamps propane. 12. Game/family night basket from the Turner/Rivera class (their basket earnings go directly back to their classroom) Anyone can participate. Payment will be collected when you receive your item if you are the highest bid by Wednesday the 16th.

Thursday/Friday students your picture day has been rescheduled for tomorrow. Upon your arrival on campus please go to the front of the gym have your yearbook picture taken. Distance learners you are welcome to come to school to have your picture taken after 8:20 am.

Dear AUSD Families, We just completed a briefing with SDG&E that it is highly likely that power will be shut down in Alpine. SDG&E informed us that the winds are on track to increase this evening with the strongest winds occurring late tonight and early tomorrow with power shut offs potentially occurring through Wednesday. Out of an abundance of caution we will be closing schools for in person learning tomorrow. Teachers are preparing online materials in the event that electricity is available and students can access their Google Classroom. I realize that this situation is incredibly frustrating for all of us. We do not make the decision to shut schools down lightly. Given the briefing from SDG&E and the likelihood that power may be shut off late this evening or early tomorrow, we want to make sure we take all necessary precautions to allow our families to prepare. We appreciate your patience as we maneuver through yet another challenge. More than ever, we need to support one another through these trying times. Stay safe and healthy, Dr. Rich Newman Proudest Superintendent on Earth

Dear AUSD Families, We wanted to make sure to keep you up to date with the latest information. We have been informed by SDGE to be prepared for Public Safety Power Shut Offs beginning as early as this evening into Wednesday, depending on the severity of winds and potential damage to the electric system. They have notified approximately 50,483 customers who may be impacted by the shutdown, and some of our surrounding neighborhoods have already had the electric turned off. At present, school will be open tomorrow but we wanted to reach out and share that schools may need to close. We are expecting an update directly from SDG&E early this evening and will communicate any updates. Stay safe, Dr. Newman Proudest Superintendent on Earth

Alpine schools will reopen on Monday, December 7. We look forward to welcoming our students back to school.

Dear AUSD Families, Yesterday, I shared some brief information regarding Gov. Newsom’s Regional Stay-At-Home order and I wanted to share some additional updates. The Regional Stay-At-Home order will impact many businesses and industries in San Diego County for at least three weeks starting this month. The order is applicable in areas where hospitals’ intensive care unit (ICU) capacity falls below 15%. The order does not modify existing state guidance regarding K-12 schools. Our schools may continue to remain open for in-person instruction. The order, which divides California into five regions, prohibits private gatherings of any size; closes operations for sectors such as bars and wineries, and salons; and requires 100% masking and physical distancing in retail and other sectors. San Diego County is in the Southern California Tier, which also includes Imperial, Inyo, Los Angeles, Mono, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties. We will continue to work with local public health as we move forward. I will also continue to share updates as they become available. We are expecting that electricity will be returned to our community and school will be able to resume on Monday. Please continue to check our website, social media and your child’s Google Classroom for updates. As always, stay safe, and let’s make sure to continue to take care of one another. Sincerely, Dr. Rich Newman Proudest Superintendent on Earth

Dear AUSD Families, The safety of our students, staff, and school community is our top priority. With this in mind, we want to keep you updated on the latest information regarding school closures. We will be closing schools tomorrow, Friday, December 4 due to the power outages, which are expected to continue through tomorrow. Teachers are preparing asynchronous activities for students in the event that the power is restored. These will be posted in each teacher’s Google Classroom. In addition, Governor Newsom has just announced that regions, where ICU capacity falls below 15%, will be placed into a Regional Stay-At-Home order. Governor Newsom stated that when regions are placed into the Regional Stay-At-Home order critical infrastructure, schools, retail (at 20% capacity), and restaurants (take out and delivery) will remain open. Here is the link to the latest update regarding the Stay-At-Home order. We will continue to keep you updated with the latest information. Stay well and healthy and take care of your loved ones. Sincerely, Dr. Rich Newman Proudest Superintendent on Earth

AUSD School Closed Thursday, December 3 Power is out in many areas across Alpine and the winds are expected to continue. At present SDGE is stating that the power outages could be sustained for long periods of time. In an abundance of caution and to ensure the safety of all of our students and staff, schools will be closed Thursday, December 3.

School Closed Today (Dec. 3) Due to Red Flag and Power Outages. All lessons will be asynchronous today, stay safe Dust Devils.

Dear AUSD Families, The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning in effect for inland Orange County and San Diego County valleys and mountains from 6 p.m. today through 10 p.m. on Saturday. They also issued a high wind watch from 1 a.m. Thursday morning until Friday at noon. Should power shutoffs occur while students are on campus, the school day will continue as normal until students are picked up or the day ends. We remain in close contact with the San Diego County Office of Education, SDGE, and other officials and will keep you updated on any impact. You can get more information about public safety power outages through SDG&E’s public safety power shutoff mobile app. For location details and updated information on outages and when power may be turned back on, visit SDGE.com/Outages. Sincerely, Dr. Rich Newman Proudest Superintendent on Earth

Free COVID-19 tests and flu shots will be available tomorrow Wednesday, December 2 at JMMS from 9:00-3:00. All students, families, and community members, are welcome. The drive through process is quick and easy.

Attention Dust Devils! If you are a Distance Learner we have a photographer available tomorrow morning between 9:00 am and 11:00 am right in front of the gym for yearbook pictures. Students in Cohort A who missed their picture on Monday you can also attend and have your picture taken. While you are here you can pick up a flu shot and get a COVID 19 test.

Reminder! Yearbook Pictures for Cohort A tomorrow. Distance Learners on Wednesday 9:00 am to 11:00 am. Cohort B pictures on Friday.

Principal's Update Dear Joan MacQueen Students and Parents, During the Thanksgiving season, when we traditionally take time to give thanks, I would like to express my gratitude to our community for having faith in Joan MacQueen and sending us your exceptional children. Your children come with strong values, respect, tolerance, and appreciation. Thank you for your commitment to ensuring their success and our success. Thank you to our school professionals for the commitment that you make every day to the students of Joan MacQueen Middle School. I thank you for your dedication to educational and organizational excellence. I thank you for striving to meet every expectation we've set for our school. Thank you for your ongoing professionalism and cooperation. When we return to school on Monday Nov. 30th, Hager Photography will be on campus to take yearbook pictures. Please encourage your child to dress for the picture as these will be going in our yearbook. Please see the details below. Our ASB is participating in a SEE's Fundraiser to support their work on campus. ASB is responsible for a lot of the fun activities we all remember from school. This year it is even more challenging for the students with the restrictions from the pandemic. Please help support their efforts by giving the gift of chocolate. Please see the details below. Lastly, be safe and have a wonderful holiday. We look forward to seeing everyone after the break.

Our next COVID-19 test and flu shot date is scheduled for November 18, 2020. Testing will take place from 9:00 - 3:00 at JMMS. All community members and students are welcome to get COVID-19 testing and flu shots free of charge.

Join the Alpine Union school District as a substitute teacher. We offer the highest substitute teacher pay rate in San Diego at $200 per day. @SanDiegoCOE @SanDiegoCounty @CityofSanDiego @sdschools

The community is welcome to preview AUSD's proposed science adoption curriculum.

Reminder! JMMS Dismissal at 11:30 am for Conferences.

We will be distributing free Grab and Go meals today, November 16, 2020 from 11:00-12:30 and 4:30-6:00 in the JMMS parking lot. Meals are free to children 18 and under.