School Climate Connectedness Survey

January 2020

Dear STrEaM families,

Anchorage STrEaM Academy is partnering with the Association of Alaska School
Boards to conduct the School Climate and Connectedness Survey ©, a statewide
survey for students, staff, and families. This survey measures their perceptions of each school’s climate including the engagement of students, staff, and families.

The Student Survey will be given to students in Advisory on Thursday, January 23rd.  Students will complete the survey online at school.

The student survey will ask questions such as how students feel about school rules, their perceptions of how students treat each other, their relationships with staff, social and emotional skills, and observed risk behaviors of other students at school and school events. There are different surveys for younger students (grades 3-5) and older students (grades 6-12).

Family Survey: We also value input from our families. You are an important partner as we work to continually improve each school’s environment. Each parent/guardian is asked to complete one survey. If you have more than one child attending this school, you only need to fill out one survey. This survey is open January 20th and will be available during conferences.

All of these surveys are voluntary, anonymous, confidential, and do not ask questions about students’ families. If you do not wish for your child to participate, please notify the school in writing by January 16th.

More information on this survey is available on the ASD website, other if you wish to review them. Results from this survey will be used to identify student, staff and family perceptions of school climate issues within our school. School staff use the results to inform their efforts to ensure schools are safe, supportive, and caring places for all students.

Thank you for your cooperation in this year’s survey! Please call or email with questions.

Adam Mokelke
Principal

Welcome back, Semester 2 letter

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome back! Monday we kick off the second semester, which will be packed with dynamic projects, STEM activities, field trips, guest presenters, Robotics and Battle of the Books competitions, cross country skiing and more. We are excited to engage our students in high quality education!

It is COLD out! We will still offer the opportunity to go outdoors every day because this is Alaska! When it is below zero we won’t require students to go out for breaks. However, they still have the option. Please make sure students have proper winter clothing and are prepared for the weather. If your student is in need of gear, please see Mr. Mokelke or Ms. Biondich.

We’ve made changes to the master schedule, including new electives. Students should retrieve new schedules Monday morning in the lobby. Please call me with any schedule questions or concerns. As always, we strive to offer the most engaging options possible.

This week there is an APC meeting Wednesday at 5:30 PM, room 6.
Ski team practice begins Tuesday at 3:15 PM. Wednesday practice is at 7 AM! Students must have a permission slip prior to starting. Parents and volunteers are needed to support skiing: please contact Mr. Mozen to help out. He can be reached at mozen_howard@asdk12.org

If you can help with supplemental lunches, please contact Mrs. Biondich at biondich_sylvia@asdk12.org or 742-9000. Thank you again to those who have contributed!

We do have a position open for a classroom aide. Please apply online through ASD, or contact us for details! I would be happy to share more about the position and help with the application process.

The lottery for the 20-21 school year is now open. Current students do NOT need to apply. However, share with anyone interested in our program that the time to apply is now! Encourage prospective families to call, email or come by to learn more about our program https://www.asdk12.org/lottery.

Mark your calendars: There is no school on Monday, January 20th.

This semester will be awesome! Thank you for choosing STrEaM,

Principal Mokelke
(907) 742-9000
mokelke_adam@asdk12.org

Student safety walking in the dark

October 29th, 2019

Dear Parents and Families, 

Student safety is always our highest priority. 

As we move into late fall and winter is around the corner, the sun is coming up later every day. Without the reflective properties of snow on the ground, needless to say, it’s dark on our sidewalks, in our crosswalks, and around our parking lots when students are coming to school.  

Please make sure your child is visible in the dark when walking or biking to and from school. Reflective clothing or reflective tape are optimal. Make sure they are using sidewalks and crosswalks properly and following safe practices. 

We have ordered reflective tape for all students, and will be sending it home with instructions as soon as we receive the order. For more information on safety go to https://safealaskans.org/ 

As always, please call, email or stop by with questions. 

Adam Mokelke, Principal 

(907) 742-9000 

(907) 360-1059 cell

mokelke_adam@asdk12.org

STrEaM Staff Spotlight: Terri Sonday

STrEaM Staff Spotlight

Mrs. Terri Sonday

One of the founding staff members of STrEaM Academy, Mrs. Sonday started teaching when the school opened in the fall of 2016. Mrs. Sonday was drawn to STrEaM by the focus on individual students and innovative teaching and learning. She is now in her 6th year at STrEaM Academy!

As one of the original teachers hired at STrEaM, Mrs. Sonday has been instrumental in starting, building and growing our program. She has grown from an energetic first year teacher to a veteran educator and leader at our school. Mrs. Sonday has personally developed the Robotics classes and after school club for our school, driving the STEM educational focus of our mission. Mrs. Sonday teaches 6th grade Science and Robotics. Electives she offers include Rocketry and Home Economics. Her favorite thing about STrEaM is the hands-on and project-based teaching and learning, and the excitement of her students when they come to class.

Born and raised in Alaska, Mrs. Sonday loves education and the great outdoors. She is an alumni of East High School's School Within a School program and graduated from the University of Alaska with a Bachelor's Degree in Biology and a Master's in Teaching.

Bernie, her "goofy giant schnoodle" dog, goes with her and her husband on family outings including biking, hiking, camping, fishing and even kayaking.  After being in the Girl Scouts her entire life, beginning in kindergarten, Mrs. Sonday is now a Scout leader. Like she does at STrEaM, Mrs. Sonday guides girls in earning badges in areas including STEM and outdoor skills.

In addition to opening a charter school, developing curriculum and project-based learning, and
piloting Robotics, Mrs. Sonday  is a National Geographic Certified Geo-Inquiry Educator. Highlights in her teaching career include developing the cross-curricular Energy Project, which her students presented to the Mayor of Anchorage last school year.

Mrs. Sonday  can be reached at: sonday_terri@asdk12.org
Visit us at https://www.asdk12.org/stream
View all Science and Robotics assignments on Google Classroom!

Student-led conference week at STrEaM

STUDENT-LED CONFERENCES AT STREAM ACADEMY

WEEK OF OCTOBER 21st

Dear Parents and Families, 

The week of Monday 10/21 we will host Student-Led Conferences, on Wednesday and Thursday. Our APC election is held during conferences. We follow our regular early release schedule for both Wednesday 10/23 and Thursday 10/24. There is no school on Friday 10/25.

Student-led conferences: 

Student conferences are not by appointment: bring your student and come in at your convenience. Students will be prepared to show you their binders and portfolios, describing the projects, work and progress they have made. Teachers are on hand for guidance and general questions, but not in-depth meetings. If you need to meet and have further discussions with a teacher, you may schedule with them.

APC Elections:

During conferences we hold elections for our Academic Policy Committee (APC), the board which oversees our school. Parents, please pick up a ballot when you come in on Wednesday or Thursday and vote. The next APC meeting is November 13th at 5:30 PM in room 6. New members will be sworn in at this meeting. Parents and community members are always welcome and encouraged to attend. Minutes and agendas are posted on our website on the APC link. Thank you!

Monday 10/21: 

Regular Monday schedule, P. 1-7
First day of Quarter 2!

Tuesday 10/22:  

Full day schedule: P. 1-6 and 8 (advisory)

Wednesday 10/23:  

Early Release Schedule
Periods 1-3
Student lunch 11:30-12
Student release at 12:00
Teacher lunch 12:00-12:30
Student-led conferences 12:30-4:30

Thursday 10/24:  

Early Release Schedule
Periods 4-6
Student lunch 11:30-12
Student release at 12:00
Teacher lunch 12:00-12:30
Student-led conferences 12:30-4:30

Friday 10/25: 

NO SCHOOL

Please call, email or come by with questions!

Adam Mokelke, Servant-leader

Parent update 10/15

  10/15/19 Update

 Hello parents and families of STrEaM!

Tomorrow (Wednesday) is a busy day at STrEaM. Students will participate in the Juggle Mag assemblies throughout the morning. Tomorrow night from 5:00 to 7:30 we host the Girls in Science night in the auditorium!

There is no school this Friday 10/18. This is the last week of the first quarter, and quarter 2 begins Monday.

Next week we early release on Wednesday and Thursday for Student-Led Conferences. Full letter here: https://rapidsreport.blogspot.com/2019/10/student-led-conference-week-at-stream.html

No school:
Friday 10/18
Friday 10/25

I Am Project celebration and potluck Wednesday 10/30 at 5 PM. Please plan to bring a cultural or family dish to share!

#GoRapids
Adam Mokelke

STrEaM STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Amy Bonertz

Amy Bonertz, Counselor

STrEaM added a counselor to the staff for the first time in 2019, hiring Amy Bonertz.
While Ms. Bonertz was working in Washington State before joining us, she had experience in the Anchorage School District, working in East Anchorage schools. Ms. Bonertz worked at Bartlett High School for 5 years prior to leaving Alaska. Her familiarity with the East Anchorage community is a big bonus! 

Ms. Bonertz and her husband were excited to return and re-connect with friends and family in Alaska after their long hiatus.   They missed Alaska, and are excited to once again be a part of the Anchorage community and enjoy camping, real winters and the great outdoors.

After leaving Alaska, Ms. Bonertz spent two years at Fawzia Sultan International School in Kuwait.
She then moved to Washington state, working as a middle school teacher, an academic advisor at Edmonds College, and finally as a school counselor.

Ms. Bonertz and her husband Casey enjoy traveling, hiking, and camping. During their time in Kuwait, they traveled throughout much of the Middle East and Europe including: Sri Lanka, Turkey, Oman, Bahrain, UAE, and France.  Since then, they've been able to continue traveling, camping throughout the Pacific Northwest in Washington and Oregon, and they recently took a trip to Prague, Czech Republic and Salzburg, Austria.  


Growing up, Ms. Bonertz always knew she wanted to work in education.  Coming from a small town Nebraska, she is a product of small classes and a close community which has fueled her passion for what STrEaM Academy offers.  She believes being in a close community with small classes gave her the confidence needed to strive in high school and eventually get a master's degree.  It also gave her a sense of belonging, having a voice in classes and great relationships with teachers and classmates. 

Ms. Bonertz thinks it's beautiful to see students excited about science, outdoors, nature, and being together.  Ms. Bonertz shared, "I believe in STrEaM's vision and mission and being a part of this excellent program has rejuvenated my love of education.  In the first week of school, I've witnessed the power that STrEaM Academy has on its students and families and I'm humbled to be given the chance to make it even stronger." 

Ms. Bonertz is the FIRST counselor ever hired at our school, and a perfect fit for the STrEaM Dream Team. She is focused on building positive and supportive relationships with students, helping them to feel safe at school and comfortable in their growth and learning. Ms. Bonertyz has taken a lead role with STrEaM's restorative practices, advisory, social-emotional learning, and assessment. We are so happy to have her in the STrEaM family! 

You can reach our counselor at: bonertz_amy@asdk12.org or (907) 742-9000