The Rapids Report
February 26th, 2024
Dear STrEaM Families,
There are just two weeks left in Quarter 3. This Friday is the last day for Mastery Assessments.
Students will soon have the opportunity to choose their new special electives as we start preparing for Quarter 4.
Your feedback is important! Please take a moment to fill out the family School Climate and Connectedness Survey: surveys.panoramaed.com/aasb/59120family
Every year we use data from this survey to set goals for improving our program.
This Week at STrEaM:
Monday 2/26: Full Day P. 1-7
XC Ski Practice @STrEaM 3:00-4:30
Tuesday 2/27: Block Day A Advisory & P. 1-4
XC Ski Race @ Bartlett HS 5:30
Wednesday 2/28: Early Release 12:00
Math Club & Boxing after school
Pop-Up Bake Sale Fundraiser @ noon
No XC Ski Practice - Rest/Ski on your own
Student Ambassador Club Meeting 12-1:00 Last meeting will be February 28th
Thursday 2/29: Block Day B Advisory & P. 5-8
XC Ski Championships@ Kincaid 5:30
Friday 3/1:
XC Ski party @STrEaM 3:00-4:30
Recruitment Time!
Word of mouth is still the #1 way new students come to us- thanks to YOU!
The lottery is open now and ends on March 21st. Our student ambassadors are visiting neighboring elementary schools, family STEM nights and recruitment fairs in February and March. Spread the word and help recruit new RAPIDS! Our 2nd Annual Charter & Optional Program EXPO is Feb 28th from 4:00 pm to 6:45 pm. In the auditorium. Mrs. Smith is offering an optional event in Room 105 for more in-depth information about STrEaM. Please share the attached flier with anyone interested in learning more about our program!
Health, Social Emotional and Wellness
Communicating with teens: Tip of the week!
Whenever possible, focus on the positive:
Sometimes questions can feel like accusations:
Did you do your homework?
Who are you texting?
Make sure to balance with positives:
You are so much fun.
You are getting so good at that!
It is easy to get bogged down in the instructiveness of parenting. Whenever possible, take a step back and focus on what’s fun about your child. What do you admire? How are they brave, curious, or kind? Language is important. Sometimes even innocent questions sound like interrogations to a teen - “what are you thinking?” Instead try, “you seem (happy, upset, et).”
Health Updates
February isn’t just about Valentine candy. It is also dental health month. There are some great oral health resources here: https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/basics/childrens-oral-health/index.html
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 two great 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. Ms. Jessi is our new attendance secretary and front door greeter!
School Governance
APC (Academic Policy Committee)
The Academic Policy Committee (APC) meets the second Wednesday of every month at 5:30 PM. There is no meeting in February. 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
Be on the look-out for information about the 4th Annual STrEaM Spring Auction Fundraiser! We hope to raise close to $4K this year. If you own a business and can donate an item or experience to auction please see Sylvia in the front office.
The final Pop-Up Bake Sale will support Teacher Appreciation Week, (May 6-10). It will be held on Wednesday March 6th at noon.
The School Lunch Program for students-in-need is low on jelly and individual bags of pretzels or chips. If you are able to donate, please bring to Ms. Jessi at the front kiosk. We are extremely thankful to the Clarion Suites Downtown Anchorage for their continued support of this lunch program. Thank you Blackson Family for your donations this week!
After School Activities
Skiing
This is our final week of XC Skiing! We have two races this week. Tuesday is at Bartlett and Thursday is at Kincaid. No practice on Wednesday.
Friday, 3/1 is the XC Skiing party! Please select an item from this form that you are able to donate to the party. We will meet in room 6 from 3:00 to 4:30 on Friday to celebrate a successful season. Skiers must return all borrowed gear during the party(boots, poles, skis and jackets).
Wednesday MATH CLUB
It is time to sign up for quarter 4 Wednesday Math Club! 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 to be considered for quarter 4 Wednesday’s Math Club. Please reach out to Mrs. Olendorff at olendorff_stephanie@asdk12.org with any questions.
https://forms.gle/nfo5E3W7Bfik8XNo6
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.
Links and Information
STREAM GEAR STORE
Purchase your STrEaM Gear on our online store! LINK: https://bit.ly/3YYp912
Parents: earn or finish a degree right here at STrEaM with Wayland!
Are you considering earning a degree, or completing one? Our business partner Wayland University offers classes online and in the evening https://www.wbu.edu/campuses/anchorage/index.htm
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
