First Day of School 2020

 Dear STrEaM community,

Tomorrow is my favorite day of the year, every year: THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

Although we start the school year virtually, we are excited for this year and committed to a rich, robust and engaging learning experience. We will work closely together; parents, staff, students and supports, to make this year incredible!

Tomorrow we kick off the year with an assembly online, or a "Zoom-sembly" to greet all of our students. Parents, I am sorry but this is for students only! Please have students log in, using their full real name, and stress the importance of appropriate online participation and behavior.

Here is the link for your students:
Topic: 1st Day STrEaM Zoomsembly
Time: Aug 20, 2020 09:00 AM Alaska

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84123217156?pwd=aUoxR09lajlCbm0vUlZMT1pxRDVMUT09

Meeting ID: 841 2321 7156
Passcode: (see your email please)

If you are concerned because you haven't received schedules, Zoom session information, or information about classes, be assured teachers will call you tomorrow or Friday, and you don't have to worry about anything but the assembly for now.

We're here to serve. Thank you all for your excellent engagement so far, and we look forward to continuing our strong communication and partnerships.

Thank you,

Mr. Mokelke

RAPIDS REPORT 8-17-20

THE RAPIDS REPORT

 Dear STrEaM Families,

For those of you interested in our request to add a 5th grade cohort, this request has been denied. We did our due diligence with this request based on parent interest. Changes to this degree of a school's charter and contract with the ASD must go through a series of reviews and approvals by the Anchorage School District School Board and The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development. We appreciate the support and interest from our parents of 5th graders, and look forward to your child joining us for 6th grade!

Anchorage STrEaM Virtual Open House is TOMORROW (Tuesday 8/18) at 5:30pm! Meet us on Zoom (we will simulcast on YouTube). Join Zoom Meeting:
https://asdk12.zoom.us/j/95709245594?pwd=SDVxTXJyMTRBMmN6clJ5MEIrODdidz09
Meeting ID: 957 0924 5594. Passcode: 385793
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/adammokelke

Morning Coffee this Wednesday 8:00 AM:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://asdk12.zoom.us/j/189887262?pwd=dGl6NlExZTRJMmVGUE9ET3ZjeHVtUT09
Meeting ID: 189 887 262.  Passcode: MORNING
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/adammokelke

Please take the Morning Coffee Survey: https://forms.gle/aSU6rKCWV7tRw1ub8

First day of school is THURSDAY! We start with an online welcome assembly at 9:00 AM on Zoom (for students). Thursday and Friday will be reserved for individual parent-teacher meetings. Teachers will be calling you to make appointments!

Technology: If you requested a Chromebook, please call to arrange pick up with Mrs. Atkins!

Much more info to come!

Mr. Mokelke

RAPIDS REPORT August 11 Parent Update

 

CONNECTION, ENGAGEMENT, ROUTINE

Dear STrEaM Families, 

Teachers return this week!

Teachers are planning for a rich, robust and engaging online learning experience. Expect live classes 4 days per week for each core course. Within cohort groups and to some extent grade levels, teachers are planning engaging cross-curricular projects. They will be immersed in planning, preparation, team time and professional development for 5 days prior to opening with students. Our focus is on connection, engagement and routine as we open the school year. We are ready to roll!

Wednesday 8/12:

Morning Coffee: 

Join us Wednesday morning to talk, ask questions, learn the latest about what is happening! 8 AM to 9 AM.  Zoom Meeting: https://asdk12.zoom.us/j/189887262?pwd=dGl6NlExZTRJMmVGUE9ET3ZjeHVtUT09    Meeting ID: 189 887 262. Passcode: see your email!  View on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/adammokelke 

APC meeting 5:30 PM

Our Academic Policy Committee meets Wednesday night at 5:30 PM. APC members, staff, presenters attend via  Zoom.   Parents and other audience may view on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/adammokelke 

Induction Week:

Thursday, August 20th is the first day of school! We will start with a Zoom-ssembly together at 9:00 AM. 
On the 20th and 21st teachers will be making individual appointments for personal contact, and meetings with each family. We will discuss schedules, tech needs, log in information and more!

Monday August 24th - first synchronous, introductory Zoom sessions in content courses. 

Opening activities have been designed to build connections, engage students in the learning community and establish distance learning routines. Expect activities that allow students to meet their teachers and peers, familiarize with canvas and set up their physical learning space. 

Schedules:

Our scheduling is complete, with students placed in cohorts for their first quarter core classes. 

Students either have Math and Science or English Language Arts and Social Studies. These core courses are paired with a third block for Project-Based Learning, extension and enrichment, Advisory and Social-Emotional Learning. These core classes will switch second quarter. 

Cohort teams will provide families a schedule of when classes will meet. Teachers will share these schedules within the first week of school Each class will meet four days per week: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, for a minimum of 30 minutes live/synchronous lessons and learning, in addition to asynchronous or offline assignments and tasks in Canvas. 

6th grade cohorts:

Language Arts and Social Studies team: Ms. Kotelman and Ms. Gabel

Math and Science team: Mrs. Staker and Ms. Draeger

7th grade cohorts:

Language Arts and Social Studies team: Mr. Mozen and Mr. Perkins

Math and Science team: Mr. Bierer and Mr. Holsopple

8th grade cohorts:

Math/Science: Ms. Goodman

ELA/SS:  Mrs. Smith

Canvas: 

STrEaM has adopted Canvas as the primary platform for online and blended learning for the 20-21 school year in each course.  Teachers will utilize supplemental resources including Google Suite tools, Khan Academy, YouTube, ALEKS for math, and others within the Canvas platform.

Remember STrEaM is committed to remaining virtual for the duration of the first quarter, and when we are allowed to return face to face we will allow students to continue virtual classes with their cohort until families are comfortable sending them to the building. 

Tech:

If you need a chromebook, we have one for you! Fill out this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScBfSveinYpchC2vHt4HkdGAEMxUNrDq1_7EkHE2K54y14S-g/viewform

Enrollment:

We have limited seats available in 6th and 7th grade. Interested applicants should contact Mrs. Biondich to discuss the program. Feel free to share this with families who may be interested in the small groups, personalization, and high level of service and engagement we offer. 

Finally,

We are excited about this coming school year! Despite the changes and challenges, we have a solid plan to meet the needs of students and families and foster a safe, engaging learning environment. 

Please keep the questions, suggestions and feedback coming. We appreciate all of the communication with our families and we are here to serve. 

Thank you!

Principal Mokelke

mokelke_adam@asdk12.org

(907) 742-9000

(907) 360-1059 cell

Update: Remaining Online for Quarter 1

July 30th, 2020

Dear STrEaM community,

In order to provide consistency for students, families and staff, we will remain online for school for the duration of the first quarter.

This takes away worry and uncertainty around possibly switching modes and schedules mid-quarter. We will re-assess and make a determination on 2nd quarter in October.

Our staff is preparing a robust, engaging online learning environment. This includes live (synchronous) learning, holding class on zoom on a regular schedule.  Instead of 7 classes, students take 2 core classes per quarter, blocked with a project-based elective time. Staff will take attendance and students will earn grades.

As regulations allow, we will plan optional small group or cohort-based face to face outdoor experiences. Examples include hikes, excursions in the park, organized bike rides, outdoor learning circles.

I know many are eager to return face to face, and we are too, when it is safe. Until that time, we will maximize your online learning experience. While we were successful going virtual in the spring, understand that was emergency triage education and we were "building the plane while flying it." This fall when online learning begins, we will have nearly 6 months of preparation, learning and experience to draw from. It will look different: a rich, engaging and robust online learning environment.

When we do return face to face, we will allow families who are not comfortable with this to continue classes with their teachers and their cohort virtually.

Call with questions! We're here to serve.

Principal Mokelke

Parent Update July 18th 2020

July 18th, 2020

Dear STrEaM Families,

I hope this letter finds you well, healthy, enjoying the Alaskan summer wearing masks and practicing social distancing. While the Coronavirus still hangs over our daily lives, I know Alaskans are adapting and adjusting. We’re strong, resourceful and resilient. That is also how we are approaching planning for school in the fall.

As the school district has announced, the plan is to return to school on August 20th. I want to give an overview of our plans, and what school may look like going forward.

Schedule: We will follow ASD’s direction, planning to return to school August 20th two days per week. Students will attend Monday-Tuesday or Thursday-Friday. Our school day will be from 8:00 AM until 1:30 PM. Hopefully by September this shifts to five days per week. Students will have 3 classes: either a Math/Science or a Language Arts/Social Studies block, and rotate at quarter.  Students will be in small cohort groups for these blocks, and will not change classrooms in order to reduce potential contact and spread. They will still have frequent breaks and outdoor learning activities.

Curriculum: We will continue as we always have done supplementing all our classes online. Our staff has always used Google Classroom to back up their in-person instruction, allowing broad access to information, assignments and assessments. This fall we will adopt Canvas, the platform ASD uses district-wide. Whether school in person, blended or virtual, we are prepared to teach and support our students.

Our mission is three-tiered: Project-Based, STEM and Outdoor Experiential Education. We will continue to focus on these areas.  A block schedule with 3 classes is actually more conducive to Project-Based Learning, allowing teachers more time with a group of students and more flexibility for in-depth cross-curricular projects.  special emphasis is outdoor learning. There is vast historical precedent and evidence that being outdoors greatly mitigates the spread of germs. It allows for more distancing as well as open air circulation, great benefits over the closed spaces of indoor classrooms. We are working to add more outdoor learning time and spaces, including a project Mr. Perkins is spearheading to build an open air, covered classroom space in our backyard.

ASD Virtual: ASD has offered virtual learning for all families, allowing you to stay at home while remaining enrolled in your school of choice. As we coordinate with the district and learn more about how this affects STrEaM, we will share information with you.

Survey: Please take a moment to to complete this online survey on returning to school, which will inform our decisions and focus moving forward: https://forms.gle/1oVohDxheptsop326

Morning Coffee: I know you have many questions. While I cannot promise answers, I can promise that I will listen and communicate with you as soon as I have them. I can promise we will do everything we can to meet your needs, keep students safe and keep them learning. Please join us on Zoom or Youtube this Wednesday, 7/22 at 8 AM as we resume our weekly virtual “Morning Coffee” meetings. Links forthcoming this week.

Whatever will come, we are dedicated to serving our students and families. We are #STrEaMStrong. We will continue to provide a rich, unique and quality education regardless of the challenges before us.

Sincerely,

Adam Mokelke, Principal

20-21 coming school year update

June 26th, 2020

Hello STrEaM families!

I hope you are all enjoying summer and the great Alaskan outdoors! I trust you are doing so with masks when around others and staying 6 feet apart.

As you may have seen, ASD moved the start of school back two days, to August 20th. This adds two additional days for staff to plan and prepare for the opening of school! See more on the District's plans here:  https://www.asdk12.org/2020start

While I too am on summer break, I have been closely following events and updated information on COVID-19, with an eye on what school will look like in the fall and how STrEaM will meet the challenges before us. I will share an outline with you all soon, an overview of the major areas of focus and preliminary plans including:

• Facilities plans for safety and social distancing
• Enhanced online learning, blended learning, technology and access
• Increased outdoor education time, outdoor classrooms and spaces
• Social-Emotional Learning, student and staff care and support, re-integrating and addressing trauma

I've also closely followed the tension and unrest over race issues in our country and this too has been an area of deep thinking, reflection and planning. Equity and diversity are core values of our school and staff, and we are looking at how we address race and ensure equity through a new lens with enhanced focus. I expect this to be in important topic with our staff, and engaging with parents, students and our community, as well.

Feel free to stay in touch by email, messaging our social media or calling throughout the summer. While I am finding some down time and getting outdoors (I caught a few salmon this week!), my priority remains with the health, safety and future success of our students and our program.

Stay in touch. Stay safe. Get outdoors every day and #MaskUp STrEaM!

Principal Mokelke

#MaskUp

Letter week of 5/25

5/26/20

Hello STrEaM Families,

I hope you were able to get out and enjoy the holiday weekend, while wearing your mask and social distancing of course! The great outdoors helps to mitigates the spread of germs naturally, and fresh air has a way of making us feel healthy and happy.

While school is officially out, we are still working to meet the needs of our students and parents! Mrs. Biondich and Mr. Mokelke will work through June 12th, and will be on campus Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

We will have "Morning Coffee" Zoom meetings on Wednesdays: 5/27, 6/3 and 6/10. If interest is sustained, we will resume these in July. Mr. Mokelke and Mrs. Biondich return to the office July 13.

ONLINE REGISTRATION is open, and registration is critical to us for scheduling, managing class size, and moderating the online lottery.  63 of our students have registered. Thank you to those who completed this. Please complete online registration as soon as possible!

Chromebook return can be done by appointment. Please call us at 742-9000. We are waiting on the return of 19 of our Chromebooks.

Yearbooks have been delayed, and are expected to arrive in July. Mrs. Biondich will contact you and make sure you get your yearbook!

Please join us for coffee at 8 AM tomorrow.
https://asdk12.zoom.us/j/189887262?pwd=b0EzVGZYVjB6TEkxWHcrNTdsNmxRUT09
Meeting ID: 189 887 262 Password: MORNING
youtube.com/adammokelke

Thank you all!
Mr. Mokelke