The Rapids Report
April 8th, 2024
Dear STrEaM Families,
This Week at STrEaM:
Monday 4/8: Full Day P. 1-7
Tuesday 4/9: Block Day A Advisory & P. 1-4
Wednesday 4/10: Early Release 12:00
Thursday 4/11: Block Day B Advisory & P. 5-8
Friday 4/12: Full Day P. 1-7
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, punch and cookie! You are so appreciated!
Smartphones, Social Media and Mental Health
A message from Principal Mokelke
I’m currently reading The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt. Haidt presents research showing that the proliferation of smartphones with the “selfie camera” and social media directly correlates to a massive increase in mental health issues in kids. We invite you to pick up a copy and read it with us. We have a few copies here that can be checked out as well.
Check out this youtube clip from CBS News on the book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVEhtix7yWU
Haidt presents 4 recommendations:
No smartphones before high school
No social media before 16
Phone-free schools
More independent free play
It seems like a difficult tide to turn, both for parents and schools. What can we do? I suggest we start with small steps. Social media is measurably detrimental to the mental health of adolescents. If your child is not on social media yet, consider waiting until they are 16. If they are on social media, consider very closely monitoring this or removing it altogether.
Currently, our phone/device policy is “Off and Away During the Day.” Looking ahead to next year, I am considering tightening up this policy to reduce smartphone use/access during the school day, and I welcome your feedback on this.
I look forward to conversations with you, our parents, on this topic, and invite you to join me in reading The Anxious Generation.
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:
Bahner-GAME NIGHT
Holsopple - EPIC ROAD TRIP
McAllister - SPA DAY
7th graders Advisory Baskets Themes:
Krejca - BOOK LOVER
Wesley - AUTO DETAILING
Bierer - LET'S GO CAMPING
6th grade Advisory Baskets Themes:
Wattendorf - SPORTS FAN
Goodman-Allwright - ARTS & CRAFTS
Runge - OUT ON THE TOWN
After School Activities
Wednesday MATH CLUB
Quarter 4’s Wednesday Math Club is currently full. If you would like to be on a waiting list please contact Mrs. Olendorff. Stay tuned for news on math club for the 2024-2025 school year. Thank you and I look forward to spending Wednesday’s with students eager to improve their math skills!
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.
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
No comments:
Post a Comment