July 28, 2023

From the Desk of Dr. Smith

Leading the Way to Excellence

I am excited to share some wonderful news with all of you! The Alta Loma School District Board of Trustees has appointed a group of exceptional educators who will take on new roles as managers within our district. These individuals bring with them a wealth of experience, passion, and dedication to education, and we are confident that they will play a vital role in guiding our schools towards greater heights of excellence.

Kristy Johnson - Director of Educational Programs:

We are proud to announce that Kristy Johnson has been appointed as the Director of Educational Programs for the Alta Loma School District. Kristy has a long-standing history within our district, having served as the Principal of Victoria Groves Elementary for the last 6 years. Her extensive experience and in-depth knowledge of our schools uniquely position her to spearhead educational initiatives and enhance learning opportunities for all students across our district (pictured front, right).

Jenny Vetere - Principal, Vineyard Junior High School:

We are delighted to welcome Jenny Vetere as the new Principal of Vineyard Junior High School. Jenny joins us from San Bernardino City Schools, where she served as a middle school principal for several years. Her commitment to fostering a positive learning environment and promoting student success aligns perfectly with our district's mission. With her leadership, Vineyard Junior High School is sure to thrive and continue to be a place where students can excel academically and personally (pictured front, second from left).

Joylynn Peralta - Principal, Victoria Groves Elementary:

We are thrilled to introduce Joylynn Peralta as the new Principal of Victoria Groves Elementary. Joylynn's journey within our district has been nothing short of remarkable. Having previously served as the Assistant Principal at Victoria Groves, she brings a wealth of knowledge and familiarity to her new role. We have no doubt that under her leadership, Victoria Groves Elementary will continue to be a place of growth, nurturing, and academic achievement (pictured front, second from right).

Kristin Bowyer - Principal, Hermosa Elementary School:

We are delighted to welcome Kristin Bowyer as the new Principal of Hermosa Elementary School. Kristin's dedication and hard work have been evident during her tenure as the Assistant Principal at Floyd M. Stork Elementary School. Her previous experience as the Assistant Principal at Hermosa Elementary has given her valuable insights into the school's unique needs and culture. We look forward to seeing her inspire and lead Hermosa Elementary to even greater successes (pictured front, left).

As a community, we understand the importance of strong leadership within our schools. These newly appointed leaders bring with them a collective vision of nurturing our students' growth, fostering a positive educational environment, and maintaining the high standards of academic excellence that we hold dear.

Please join us in welcoming Jenny Vetere, Kristy Johnson, Joylynn Peralta, and Kristin Bowyer into their new roles within the Alta Loma School District. Together, with our incredible teachers, staff, and community, we are confident that we will continue to provide an exceptional education for our students and prepare them for a bright future.

Thank you for your ongoing support, and we look forward to an exciting academic year ahead!

ALSD Welcomes Dr. Christina Pierce as Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services

We are pleased to introduce Dr. Christina Pierce to our ALSD community. Dr. Pierce was appointed as the new Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, effective July 1, 2023. Dr. Pierce has been serving public education for the last 26 years. Her first 10 years were serving as a bilingual elementary teacher, and a middle school AVID & Gifted And Talented Education teacher. 

She started her career in Austin, Texas where she became a self-proclaimed Longhorn fan, while attending the University of Texas and earning her Bachelors of Science in “Applied Sciences in Education.” She earned her Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Cal State San Bernardino, and then her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from San Diego State University. She is a graduate and trained facilitator for the National Institute of School Leadership, also known as NISL

Dr. Pierce also spent five years serving as a middle school and high school assistant principal in the Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District, where she received her first promotion to Principal, specializing in alternative educational programs, both traditional and virtual, such as continuation school, K-12 Independent Study, and Adult School.

Additionally, she provided support to the District in Student Services by leading transfers, student welfare and attendance processes, and serving as a coordinator of English Learner programs. She then moved to Beaumont Unified where she became the principal of Beaumont High School for another four years. Dr. Pierce then promoted to Fontana Unified School District, serving as Director of Curriculum and Instruction.

Most recently, Dr. Pierce completed her third year at the San Bernardino County Office of Education where she lead tk-12 initiatives as a Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and Academic Enrichment.

National Schools To Watch

We are absolutely thrilled to share some incredible news with all of you. The pride and excitement are overwhelming as we announce that both Alta Loma Junior High and Vineyard Junior High, the two esteemed junior high schools within our district, have been honored with the prestigious National Schools to Watch recognition! This outstanding achievement is a testament to the unwavering commitment to excellence demonstrated by our students, teachers, staff, and the entire community.

This remarkable journey began earlier in the 2022-2023 school year when both Alta Loma and Vineyard were named California Schools to Watch, a recognition that highlighted their remarkable achievements and progress in academic excellence, social-emotional growth, and overall school culture. Building on this success, they both entered the competition at the National level, and we are ecstatic to announce that they have both been selected as National Schools to Watch as well!

To earn this remarkable distinction is no small feat, and it showcases the dedication and collaborative efforts of all involved. The journey of these schools to the National level has been an inspiring one, and they have represented our school district and community with tremendous pride. The awards ceremony took place in Washington D.C. this summer, where the schools were recognized for their exceptional accomplishments and contributions to education.

We must also take a moment to acknowledge the exceptional leadership that has guided Alta Loma and Vineyard Junior High Schools to this point. Mr. Andrew Carter, the current Alta Loma Junior High principal, has been instrumental in the success of the school, fostering an environment of growth and achievement. Additionally, we must extend our gratitude to Ms. Sandy Rose, the former Vineyard Junior High principal, whose dedication and vision paved the way for this incredible honor. Though she retired at the end of the 2022-2023 school year, her impact on the school's legacy will be felt for years to come. Let us also extend a warm welcome and congratulations to Ms. Jenny Vetere, the current principal of Vineyard Junior High School, who proudly steps into this recognition and continues the school's legacy of excellence.

We are incredibly fortunate to have not just one, but two National Schools to Watch in our district. This recognition speaks volumes about the exceptional educational opportunities and nurturing environment our schools provide for our students. It reflects the hard work, dedication, and passion exhibited by our educators and staff, as well as the support and encouragement from our community. As a school district community, we couldn't be prouder of the accomplishments of Alta Loma Junior High and Vineyard Junior High. Their achievement serves as a beacon of inspiration for all our schools and reinforces our commitment to fostering an environment of academic excellence and personal growth for all our students.

Please join us in celebrating this remarkable milestone for our schools and our community. Together, we continue to shape the future of our young learners and empower them to achieve greatness in all aspects of their lives.

Upcoming District Events

• Wednesday, August 2 - Board of Trustees Meeting, 6:00 pm, District Support Center
• Thursday, August 3 - ALLTIS Parent Orientation, 5:30 pm (K-5), 6:20 pm (6-8), District Support Center
• Monday, August 7 - First Day of School for Grades K-7 (Grades 1-7 Modified Day, Check school for dismissal times)
• Tuesday, August 8 - First Day of School for 8th Grade (Grades 1-8 Modified Day, Check school for dismissal times)
• Monday, September 4 - Labor Day Holiday

See you in August!