The Rapids Report
February 5th, 2024
Dear STrEaM Families,
CONGRATS to our 6th grade Battle of the Books team for taking 9th place! They worked hard and did great! Thank you to Coach Lojewski for working with this amazing group.
The lottery is open! Please help spread the word about STrEaM. February is PACKED with events like school tours, charter/choice fairs, STEM nights, and more.
Weather finally warmed today, although it brought more snow. We are hoping the forecast is correct and warmer weather will hold this week. As long as it is above zero, we will resume most of our normal outdoor activities including before/after school, lunch, outdoor breaks and outdoor PE. Please make sure your children are dressed appropriately for the weather!
This Week at STrEaM:
Monday 2/5: Periods 1-7
XC Skiing@Russian Jack 3:15-4:30
Tuesday 2/6: Block Day A Advisory & P. 1-4
XC Ski Practice @STrEaM 3:00-4:30
Battle of the Books Competition (7th and 8th) 9am - 2:00pm at West High
Wednesday 2/7: Early Release 12:00
Math Club & Boxing after school
XC Ski Race@ Chugiak High School 5:30pm
Pop-Up Fundraiser: Bake sale at noon (for Battle of the Books)
Student Ambassador Club Meeting 12-1:30
Thursday 2/8: Block Day B Advisory & P. 5-8
XC Skiing @ STrEaM 3:15-4:30
Girls in STEM night - recruitment event for current 5th graders
Friday 2/9: Periods 1-7
XC Skiing @ Campbell Airstrip Trailhead 3:15-4:30
NAEP Testing (8th Grade)
Recruitment Time!
Explorers wanted! Help us spread the word about the ASD alternative school lottery which will open February 1st and end on March 21st. We welcome applications to all grades, but would greatly appreciate your help in spreading the word about our school to current 5th grade students. Our student ambassadors will be visiting neighboring elementary schools, family STEM nights and recruitment fairs over the next two months. Recruit a fellow RAPID today!
Girls in STEM - We’re excited to bring back this popular event to share our exciting school with a whole new group of incoming 6th graders. Share the details with a future STrEaM student and scan the QR code below to register for this free event.
When & Where: February 8th, 6-7:30pm at the CITC Fab Lab (next to Krispy Kreme).
Who: Current 5th grade girls
What: An evening exploring STEM activities lead by women from the community
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
There is a lot of yuck in the community right now. Sending a guidance reminder of COVID leave for staff and students. ASD, still matches CDC policy - just like last year.
https://sites.google.com/asdk12.net/returntoschoolpolicy/return-to-schoolwork-policy
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html
There is also a cool calculator for return dates, if that is easier. https://ldh.la.gov/page/calculator Remember the start day (symptoms or positive test) is Day 0. Out 5 days and then actually return on day 6. If still fevering or feeling worse, please stay out longer. You are likely still contagious, so mask at school until at least day 10, usually the following week.
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.
We are extremely thankful to the Clarion Suites Downtown Anchorage for their continued support of this lunch program.
After School Activities
Skiing
We are hosting this week's race at Chugiak High School. That means we help with set up and take down. Parents, if you are available, please go to this web site to sign up to volunteer: https://anchoragenordicski.com/races/asd-middle-school/
Racing: Layers that can be worn while waiting then taken off to race are a must for race day. Tights, warm leggings, or long underwear should be worn. Please do not wear jeans. Wear a jacket (not a cotton sweatshirt) and layers underneath.
Transportation: we need drivers two days this week: Monday 2/5 and Friday 2/9. VOLUNTEER DRIVERS have been doing a great job!! In order to streamline the driving, we created a volunteer driver coordination sheet: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FACAE22A6F58-47375344-stream#/
Drivers can fill out this "sign up Genius". It is a tool to use so drivers can coordinate and help each other carpool.
Upcoming Fundraiser: Join us on Friday, February 16th at 6pm for a spaghetti dinner and bake sale fundraiser at the Moose Lodge on Arctic. We will need volunteers to 1) help with the dinner, 2) help set up and clean up, 3) provide baked goods (preferably wrapped), and 4) run the baked goods table.
23-24 Battle of the Books
Our 6th grade team had a great competition! They had so much fun, built new friendships and placed 9th for the NE division! Congratulations readers!
BAKE SALE: We plan to host a STrEaM Battle of the Books team next year, so this Wednesday at noon the pop up fundraiser will benefit the future teams by raising funds to purchase the required book list.
*If you participated in Battle of the Books this year, please provide 1 dozen baked goods on Wednesday morning.
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:
Bahner_Stephen@asdk12.org - 7th/8th Grade
Wednesday MATH CLUB
Wednesday's Math Club is full for quarter 3, but will be accepting new applicants for quarter 4. 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 Tuesdays and Thursdays 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
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
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
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
No comments:
Post a Comment