April 15th, 2024
Dear STrEaM Families,
We’ve completed State testing! Thank you to all our students for their focus, to our staff for their flexibility, and parents for their support.
Remember there is no school this Friday! Enjoy the three day weekend. Your homework is to get outside as much as possible!
Advisory baskets for our online auction are due to be complete on Thursday. Last chance to contribute to your child’s advisory basket!
This Week at STrEaM:
Monday 4/15: Full Day P. 1-7
Tuesday 4/16: Block Day A Advisory & P. 1-4
Wednesday 4/17: Early Release 12:00
Thursday 4/18: Block Day B Advisory & P. 5-8
Friday 4/19: NO SCHOOL
Coming Up at STrEaM:
Tuesday 4/23: 3:00 pm Volunteer Appreciation Party in the Auditorium
All of our fabulous volunteers are invited to stop by the auditorium for a small gift, drink and cookie! You are so appreciated!
Wednesday 5/08: Girl Scout Troop 540 will be in the lobby selling cookies! $6/box
Smartphones, Social Media and Mental Health
A message from Principal Mokelke
This week I would like to share an article with you from Jonathan Haidt, the author of “The Anxious Generation.” It is titled Get Phones Out of Schools Now.
Thanks to one of our parents, after last week’s Rapids Report I learned that Wendler Middle School has moved to a policy requiring students to keep phones turned off and not on their person during the school day. They, like us, followed the research on the negative impact of smartphones and social media on teen behavior and mental health. I reached out to Mr. Wilson at Wendler, who provided great resources on this topic to help us move forward. Mr. Wilson said since implementing this policy, “I feel like we are getting our kids back.” They’ve seen an increase in positive interactions and a decrease in disciplinary issues. If a large, comprehensive middle school can achieve this, we can too.
One concern I’ve heard is that parents want their children to have a smartphone in an emergency. Here is an article from the Washington Post explaining how smartphones can be more of an impediment, even a danger, in these situations: Washington Post advice against phones during safety events.pdf
How can you help turn the tide of smartphones and social media? If your child doesn’t have a smartphone, consider waiting until they reach high school. If they do not yet have social media, consider waiting until they are 16. Be a part of the change! If your child already has a smartphone, consider having them leave it at home during school. If they have social media, it is advisable to monitor this closely. Remember, your child’s smartphone belongs to you.
Summer Art Camp
Join new STrEaM teacher Michael Dickerson for art camp this summer!
Does your kid love to draw? Paint? Make music? Create graphic novels? Place.ment youth art camp is a summer program open to middle school artists of any medium or discipline. From June 17-28, our teaching artists will give workshops and lead creative sessions that weave together all our campers‘ interests into a final project to share with friends, family, and our community. Together will explore a single important theme: people’s relationship with place. Sign up at https://www.placementcreative.com/ to reserve your spot!
Health Updates:
Free health clinic (dental/vision/medical) at Begich Middle School on April 20-21st.
iknowmine.org
Alaska has a unique website to distribute educational materials and resources to teens and families. Free resources for condoms, naloxone kits, infection testing, drug tests and safe medication disposal supplies to be sent directly to you, confidentially. The goal is to disseminate materials, programs and other resources, promoting health and wellness. It’s a great time to discuss with your pre-teen if there are products they or their social group need and how to procure them or just have them on hand in your home, if the topic comes up. Discrete availability can eliminate many health disparities. We believe community involvement is integral to achieving wellness.
www.iknowmine.org
Please feel free to email or call me with any questions. zimpelman_bethany@asdk12.org
Wishing you well
~Nurse Bethany
From the desk of Ms. Hayden
As the end of the year grows nearer, anxiety and/or demotivation can loom closer as well. The end of the year is tough for everyone - and sometimes as parents, we feel at the end of our proverbial ropes. :) It’s okay. The links above provide some good tips. Please know that we are always looking for ways to support our students and families. So, feel free to call or email me with any concerns you may have, and we will work together to make the most of the 4th quarter!
School Governance
APC (Academic Policy Committee)
The Academic Policy Committee (APC) meets Wednesday April 17th at 5:30 PM. Community and parents are always welcome to attend. Please notify us prior to the meeting if you wish to provide public comment.
Friends of STrEaM
The School Lunch Program for students-in-need is doing great thanks to the amazing support of our school community! Thanks to our business partner, Clarion Suites Anchorage Downtown.
Spring Auction 2024 is humming along. Ask your child about their advisory basket! Auction items are due to school no later than Thursday, April 18th at 3:15 pm. Bidding will open Monday April 29, 2024.
8th grade Advisory Basket Themes:
7th graders Advisory Baskets Themes:
6th grade Advisory Baskets Themes:
After School Activities
Wednesday MATH CLUB
It is time to sign up for Wednesday’s Math Club for quarter 1 of the ‘24-’25 school year!
Math Club is hosted by math teacher Stephanie Olendorff. Math Club is open to any STrEaM student who has a permission form submitted. However, there is cap of 20 seats available and academic need will be considered when accepting students. It will take place on Wednesdays from 12:30 to 1:30 pm. Students must be picked up or have permission to walk off campus by 1:30 pm. Please complete the permission slip in the following link: https://forms.gle/4TAHChYhGtzUY5rU9
For more information reach out to Mrs. Olendorff at olendorff_stephanie@asdk12.org
Advisory & Lunch MATH CLUB
Students have the option to spend Tuesday and Thursday advisory period in Mrs. Olendorff’s room for math support. Students are to check in with their advisory teacher for attendance, then go to room 4. Students can also spend lunch in Mrs. Olendorff’s room Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and/or Friday for math support. The expectation is that students are silently working on any PA’s and MA’s while Mrs. Olendorff is there to offer support and instruction. This is a great opportunity to incorporate more math into the students’ schedules. Please reach out to Mrs. Olendorff at olendorff_stephanie@asdk12.org with any questions.
24-25 School Year
START TIME CHANGES
For the 24-25 school year, we will be moving our start and end time up 30 minutes so that we do not start at the same time as elementary. This would be an undue hardship on our families with elementary students.
24-25 START/END TIMES:
M/T/TH/F: 8:30 AM TO 3:30 PM
WEDNESDAY: 8:30 AM TO 12:30 PM
RETURNING STUDENTS
If your 6th or 7th grader will not be returning to STrEaM for the 24-25 school year, PLEASE let us know. We track this closely for enrollment, seats, gender balance, scheduling, staffing, the lottery and waitlist.
To make it easy for you, you may also complete this short survey: https://forms.gle/zmrTUSawRZaVAhiQ9
Online Registration Opens 4/25/24
Registration for next school year opens on April 25th! ASD requires all returning students (from any ASD school) to complete online registration every year. On April 25th log into ParentConnection and follow the link on the top left corner.
Anchorage STrEaM Academy requires four school-specific permission forms to be completed annually: FY25 Walking Permission, FY25 Personal Device, FY25 Science Lab Safety, for 7th & 8th only- FY25 FABLAB Safety and the Optional Carpool Connection Sign-up
Quyana!
Thank you for your continued support.
Call, email or stop by if you have any questions or needs!
Adam Mokelke, Principal mokelke_adam@asdk12.org
Rebekah Hayden, Assistant Principal hayden_rebekah@asdk12.org
Amy Bonertz, Counselor bonertz_amy@asdk12.org
Sylvia Biondich, Administrative Asst. biondich_sylvia@asdk12.org
Jessi Blackson, Secretary blackson_jessica@asdk12.org
Bethany Zimpelman, Itinerant Nurse zimpleman_bethany@asdk12.org
Chris Krejca, Special Education krejca_christine@asdk12.org