Panther Pride News

Panther Pride News is published weekly to keep all members of the school community informed and involved.

The Mears Middle School community congratulates all students for their strong and positive finish to the school year. All members of the school community spent the last day of school engaged in highly spirited team competition. Students and staff alike laughed, cheered, and chanted their support for their favorite Teams. Thanks to a number of Mears teachers and staff who planned and facilitated the event, this year's Spirit Olympics was a huge success and helped to give all of our students a positive final send-off into summer. Go Panthers!

A special thanks goes out to all Mears PTSA volunteers, who have supported our students, teachers, and staff throughout the year. We are especially grateful for all of your help with the 8th Grade Bash on the last day of school!

June 5-29 -- ASD Summer School, see information below

Aug. 1-2 -- In-person Registration Open at Mears

Aug. 8 or 9 -- Panther Camp, 8:30am-12:00pm, see information below

Aug. 17 -- First Day of School

Aug. 14 -- Teachers First Day

Aug. 15-16 -- Professional Development Days

Aug. 17 -- First Day of School

Link for ASD summer school info: https://www.asdk12.org/Page/18096

2023 Panther Camp - Choose August 8th or 9th

What is Panther Camp?

Panther Camp is an optional day of school orientation activities designed to give all of our new students at Mears an opportunity to learn about their new school, meet teachers, counselors, and administrators, make new friends, and learn more about important strategies for success in middle school and beyond. Panther Camp is an opportunity for students new to Mears to become familiar with their new school. Activities are designed to help build confidence and a sense of community, such as opening and closing lockers, reviewing class schedules, finding classrooms, meeting other students, procedures in the PE locker rooms, signing up for sports, extra-curricular activities, lunchroom procedures, and more. There is a $15.00 fee for Panther Camp; this fee provides a small snack and a limited edition Mears t-shirt.

When is Panther Camp? Panther Camp is held in August just before school starts. It is offered on two different days and prospective students should sign up for only ONE day. The camp starts at 9:00 AM and ends at 11:30 AM. Kids can be dropped off and picked up in the east side parking lot near the rear of the building. For the 2023-2024 school year, Panther Camp will be held on August 10th and 11th.

Link for registration:

https://www.asdk12.org/domain/4284

All books and materials are due back in the library as soon as possible. Any outstanding items will be billed as lost. Students received notices of checked out library materials last week and language arts teachers were given an updated list of students this morning.

Mears PTSA provides highly valued support to students, teachers, and staff through a variety of volunteer-based activities. Interested in joining this fun, community-minded team of volunteers? Email mearsms.ptsa@gmail.com

Join Team PTSA: Volunteer Interest Form:

https://forms.gle/P8yYKMPSuwzPR2ZU8

Please like and follow us on Facebook Mears Middle School PTSA for more information

• Visit www.MearsPTSA.com for general information

To purchase Mears Gear (including gym clothes), visit the Mears Middle School Store

Mears Families, Teachers, and Staff,

As I begin to transition into my new role in ASD, I want to thank you all for the opportunity to have served as your principal. I deeply appreciate the trust you have placed in me and for giving me the privilege to guide and support this school community for these last four years, 2019-2023.

I am thankful for the opportunity to have served alongside the incredible teachers and staff here at Mears, who are certainly the finest educators I have ever worked with. Mears teachers and staff are highly dedicated, professional, innovative, collaborative, and absolutely committed to providing the best education possible for all of Mears' wonderful students.

I also want to extend my appreciation to all the families, parents, and community members who have supported me and the school these last four years. The partnership between the school and its families is strong and is an essential part of what makes this community so special.

Of course, my deepest thanks goes out to all the students who are the true heart and soul of the Mears community. Thank you all for challenging yourselves to learn and grow, and to strive to be your very best selves. Thank you for your creativity and profound intelligence. I am especially appreciative to you all for your humor and laughter. Honestly, I have never laughed so much at school as I have these last four years. I also want to thank all of our students for your honesty and for allowing me and others to help support you through the challenging and difficult times. It has been an honor to have been part of each one of your educational journeys.

In closing, I want to thank Mears' new principal, Ms. Carla Marquand, for her leadership and for stepping into the principalship with strong commitment, valuable expertise, and genuine enthusiasm. I am quite confident that Ms. Marquand, alongside all the amazing teachers and staff at Mears, will continue our school's long tradition of providing all students with a truly outstanding education.

Go Panthers! --Eric

Mears Middle School acknowledges that we operate and gather on the traditional land of the Dena’ina Peoples and honor, with gratitude, the land itself and the people who have stewarded it throughout the generations.

Email: backman_eric@asdk12.org
Website: https://www.asdk12.org/Domain/72
Location: 2700 West 100th Avenue, Anchorage, AK, USA
Phone: 907-742-6400