The Rapids Report
December 18, 2023
Dear STrEaM Families,
We've reached the final week of school this semester. FAMILY NIGHT THIS WEDNESDAY! There are no after school clubs/activities Wednesday or Thursday, and Thursday is the last day for students.
Remember Monday, January 8th is a professional development day for STrEaM Staff and NOT a school day for students.This gives our staff a day to plan, prepare, and participate in meetings and professional development before students are back in the building. Please mark your calendars and plan accordingly!
Please plan to attend our Family Night on December 20th! We are challenging families to participate in our STEM Challenge of building a gingerbread house!
This Week at STrEaM: Spirit Week
Monday 12/18: Full schedule Periods 1-7
Spirit Day: Pajama Day
Tuesday 12/19: Block Day A Advisory & P. 1-4
Spirit Day: Flannel Day
Wednesday 12/20: Early Release 12:00
Spirit Day: Twin Day
NO AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS/ACTIVITIES
FAMILY NIGHT! 6:00 PM
Thursday 12/21: Block Day B Advisory & P. 5-8
Spirit Day: Holiday Day
LAST DAY FOR STUDENTS
Friday 12/22: NO SCHOOL
Family Night December 20th
You are invited to attend a STrEaM Family Night Dec. 20th from 6:00 to 7:30 PM!
Follow this link to information about the event. We will also be mailing invitations.
There are several ways students and families can participate:
Join the chorus of carolers (practice after school each Wednesday from 12 - 1)
Enter the poetry contest
Bring a favorite dessert, and
Participate in the family STEM challenge!
XC Skiing begins in January!
ASD & ASA require:
Current physical good through the end of the XC Skiing season, March 1, 2024
Signed and initialed by Parent/Guardian an Activity Participation Form
$110 Activity Fee paid online through Parent Connect unless a student applies for and receives a fee waiver based on hardship through the school office.
Please contact Coach Perkins if you missed the mandatory parent meeting 12/07/23
Signed Gear Loan Agreement
Signed Private Vehicle Transportation Agreement
Practice begins Thursday 01/11/24. Only students who have completed ALL the requirements may stay for practice. The team is limited to 40 participants, and is “first come, first participate”. We will have a wait list. Practices will be held on campus and on local ski trails.
Plan Ahead for Semester 2
Be aware that our students at Anchorage STrEaM Academy do NOT start on Monday, January 8th when the rest of the district returns. We start on Tuesday January 9th at 8:00 am. Teaching staff return to participate in collaborative planning on Monday. Students will begin on Tuesday.
Communicating with teens: Tip of the week!
Linda Cliatt-Wayman gave an excellent Ted talk once about going in and fixing a broken school. After listing all the problems with behaviors and academic failures, she asked this question: so what, now what? Many of us find ourselves looking at our teens and feeling disconnected, frustrated, and even hopeless. There are a lot of obstacles we can name. But so what? NOW what? What tools do we have at our disposal to make sure we are giving our kids their best chance at developing healthy communication habits, advocating for themselves, and handling their emotions in productive ways?
Tip 1: Incorporate both quality and quantity time! (purposeful and agenda-free togetherness)
Tip 2: It is never too late or too early to start modeling good communication skills. How?
Tip 3: Talking less and listening without judgment How?
Oh boy! This is a hard one. It is really difficult to listen to our kids without stepping in with 1. Advice or 2. Feelings/Judgement. This can shut down a conversation as kids are really seeking to voice their concerns without being drowned out by our opinions, judgements, feelings, or advice. Here are a few things to try:
Asking questions like “what do you think you will do?”
Summarizing things like, “you’re feeling angry because…”
Affirming like, “that sounds really hard.”
Health Updates
Having a Safe & Healthy Holiday Season: Staying safe and healthy is key to enjoying the upcoming holiday season with your family. You can prevent the spread of illnesses by practicing proper hand hygiene, staying home if you feel ill, getting your flu shot, and much more. Check out this CDC article on health tips for the holiday season.
Please feel free to email or call me with any questions. zimpelman_bethany@asdk12.org
Wishing you well
~Nurse Bethany
Reporting absences:
Thank you for letting us know when your child will be absent. There are three ways to do this now. You can log into Parent Connect and use the link on the top of your screen, or you can call the school at 907-742-9000 , or you can email Blackson_Jessica@asdk12.org. Ms. Jessi is our new attendance secretary and front door greeter!
APC (Academic Policy Committee)
The Academic Policy Committee (APC) meets the second Wednesday of every month at 5:30 PM. The next meeting will be January 10, 2024 in the Fab Lab at school. Community and parents are always welcome to attend. Please notify us prior to the meeting if you wish to provide public comment
After School Activities
NO AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ON WEDNESDAY 12/20 (FAMILY NIGHT)
Boxing Club
NO BOXING WEDNESDAY 12/20
Boxing Wednesday 12:00-1:00.
23-24 Battle of the Books
6th grade meets in the Library, 7th/8th grade will meet in room 110. All books are available in the STrEaM library, your local library branch, digital copies or audiobooks. The hoopla app has quite a few books for free through the library. =)
Save the date!
Students on the 6th grade team district battle:
Date: Monday, January 29
Location: West/Romig Library
Time: 2pm - 5:30
Students on the 7/8 team district battle:
Date: Tuesday, February 6
Location: West/Romig Library
Time: 9:00am - 2:00pm
Have questions? Please Email:
lojewski_martha@asdk12.org - 6th Grade Bahner_Stephen@asdk12.org - 7th/8th Grade
MATH CLUB
Wednesday's Math Club is open for new applicants in quarter 3. Math Club is hosted by math teacher Stephanie Olendorff and is open to any STrEaM student who has a permission form submitted; however, there is a cap of 20 seats available and academic need will be considered when accepting students. It will take place on Wednesdays from 12:00 pm to 1:45 pm. Students must be picked up or have permission to walk off campus by 1:45 pm. Please fill out the permission form in the link below. Please reach out to Mrs. Olendorff at olendorff_stephanie@asdk12.org with any questions.
https://forms.gle/J9RZzYrFDmtxq4RL8
NO MATH CLUB WEDNESDAY 12/20
For more information reach out to Mrs. Olendorff at olendorff_stephanie@asdk12.org
Friends of STrEaM
Interested in serving as a parent representative on our non-profit board? Call Jen at 907-223-2546
The Stream 100 campaign is still open! We have 64 pledges so far. Please consider asking someone else or your company to pledge $100. Thank you!
We are serving about 20 lunches each day. If you are able to donate jelly or peanut butter, we would be thankful.
STREAM GEAR STORE
Purchase your STrEaM Gear on our online store! LINK: https://bit.ly/3YYp912
2023-24 Yearbook Order Today!
Families, Yearbook Orders ARE LIVE and will be available until February 23rd! Order here.
Parents: earn or finish a degree right here at STrEaM!
Are you considering earning a degree, or completing one? Our business partner Wayland University offers classes online and in the evening. WBU Dean Dr. Ashley and staff will be at our Parent Night providing more information. https://www.wbu.edu/campuses/anchorage/index.htm
Call, email or stop by if you have any questions or needs!
Quyana!
Adam Mokelke, Principal mokelke_adam@asdk12.org
Rebekah Hayden, Assistant Principal hayden_rebekah@asdk12.org
Amy Bonertz, Counselor bonertz_amy@asdk12.org
Syliva 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
