Panther Pride News

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

4/3 - 4/7: AK STAR TESTING: ELA

4/10 - 4/14: AK STAR TESTING: MATH

4/17 - 4/21: AK STAR TESTING: Make Ups

4/20: MMS Music Dept. Annual Cake Auction Fundraiser @ MMS 6 p.m.

4/3 - 4/7: AK STAR TESTING: ELA

4/10 - 4/14: AK STAR TESTING: MATH

4/11: MMS Leadership Meeting TUE @ 3 p.m.

4/17 - 4/21: AK STAR TESTING: Make Ups

4/25: MMS All Employee Staff Meeting 3:00 p.m.

Next week is Mears third and final week of staff testing. Beginning on Monday both 7th and 8th graders will take the STAR test for math proficiency. The school schedule has been adjusted to allow students with enough time to take the assessment, while in their own classrooms with their own teachers (see above). Mears will be scheduling make-up tests for the following week, beginning Monday, April 17.

For additional information about upcoming assessments, please visit:

• AK STAR and Alaska Science Assessment Overview and Testing Times

• ASD AK STAR and AK Science Assessment webpage

The Anchorage School District's Fine Arts Department is proud to present the 51st annual student art show, in celebration of National Youth Art Month. Student work will be on display around our community March 3 - April 7, 2023. The opening reception will take place at the Anchorage Museum on Friday, March 3, 2023 from 6:00-9:00pm. Admission is complimentary to the public.

8th Graders - LISTEN UP - Elective course requesting window is OPEN. It closes 3/24. Log in to your Q Student Connect and confirm you have at least 6 semesters worth. Also take a glance at the DHS shared folder. There is lots of helpful information and forms. Remember Honors requires a 3.5 GPA and teacher rec. Only Social Studies requires an application - see shared folder below.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1t3snw0RNj9VrZ2SS1EHDNZm-_BbLQl11?usp=share_link

Library aide, Liam Newlin, is hard at work checking in and shelving books.

To help prepare students for the AK Star and Science test, English language arts teachers have been bringing their classes to the library to check out books.

The guidelines for state testing give reading a physical book as the only activity a student may do when they finish before the time period for testing is over.

Spring is here! The increasing amount of sunlight and warmer weather have been wonderful. Unfortunately for some, spring is the start of allergy season. Symptoms include red, itchy and watery eyes, runny nose, headaches and sometimes an increase in asthma symptoms. If you or your student suffers from seasonal allergies, now is the time to prepare.

Please make sure you have all over the counter and/or prescription allergy medications filled and on hand at your home. Give your student his/her allergy medication at home prior to coming to school. Unless you plan to have a long-term form signed by your doctor and medication brought to my office to be given at school. Prescribed medications can also be given for a 15-day period only if brought to school in the original prescription containers and a short-term form is filled out and signed by the parent.

Over the counter medications can be given at school by the nurse with a filled out and signed form by the parent. I do have Aller-Tec (generic for Zyrtec) and Aller-Clear (generic for Claritin) in my office. Parents are also able to supply over the counter allergy medications from home in the original container. Please call me at 742-6401 if you have any questions.

Electronic Over-the-Counter Medication Form

The over-the-counter medication authorization form is now available electronically! This form may be filled out from a computer or mobile device and sent directly to me. Please visit this link https://www.asdk12.org/Page/7810 to fill out an electronic over-the-counter medication form. Once you complete the form, click on “Other Actions” (or the three vertical dots if using a mobile device), enter my email address (richards_karin@asdk12.org) into the “forward” field and the form will be sent to me.

Upcoming Community Event

Does your student aged 0-18 with orthopedic conditions need medical care? Shriners Hospital for Children in Portland, OR will be offering an Anchorage Outreach Clinic on April 15, 2023.

Conditions Treated:

• General pediatric orthopedic care

• Pediatric sports medicine

• Non-emergent injuries

• Clubfoot

• Scoliosis & spinal deformities

• Cerebral palsy

• Spina bifida

• Tarsal conditions/painful feet

• New patient visits and follow-up appointments

See flier below!

PTSA General Meeting Schedule: All Mears Community Members are Welcome -- Second Wednesday of each month @ 5:30pm via Zoom

Semester 2: Apr. 12, May 10

https://asdk12.zoom.us/j/94592593995?pwd=QVFMZUxkZUdnYzdWa0c1b0dkNC8wdz09

Meeting ID: 945 9259 3995

Passcode: 854629

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 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