Wolf Pup Weekly

Hello Wolf Pup parents! Our district’s proposed budget is out. It is grim. With a 29

million dollar deficit there will be massive cuts to teachers. Our current Pupil to Teacher

Ratio (PTR) is 25 at the elementary, 27 at the middle school and 30 at the high school.

With the districts proposal our PTR will be 30 at the elementary, 32 at the middle school

and 35 at the high school. The only grade level not seeing a PTR increase is

kindergarten. They will stay at 25, however, there are 17 Kindergarten aide positions

being cut and we will be moving to half time aides in the classroom. There is also a

proposal to cut all custodians and move to private custodial services for the cleaning of

our schools.

This is my 13th year with our district and every year I have been here we’ve had cuts.

This is the largest cut by far. To give you some perspective - ten years ago,

Woodriver had 425 students. We had 18 classroom teachers, a full time ELP teacher,

and 11 tutors for reading and math. Next year we will have 11 teachers, a .25 ELP

teacher and no tutors while still having 350 students (remember we lost 55 students and

two teaching positions when they moved our sixth grade to middle school). So we have

about 20 less students than we had ten years ago and 5 less teachers, we have moved

from a full to a .25 ELP teacher and we have 11 less tutors.

Here is a comparison of what a child’s classroom looked like ten year ago:

Kindergarten- PTR was 22.5 (with students coming for a half a day with a full-time aide.

Class size was 11-14 for the major content areas times). It will be 25 full day students with a part-time aide.

1-2 grade- PTR was 23.5, it will be 30

3-5 grade- PTR was 25.5 it is now 30

Middle School- Was 25, it is now 32

High School- Was 26.5, it is now 35

We are hoping to see some money from Juneau, but right now they are proposing about a 300 dollars increase. That is about what we got last year, but half of what the legislators approved. A 300 dollar increase equates to about 8 million dollars. So assuming we get that we are still 21 million in the hole. The PTR increase saves another 8 million, so now we are only 13 million in the hole. Cutting custodians saves about 1.5 million and kindergarten aides another 800,000. So we still are short 10 million dollars. Closing two schools could save another 3 to 3.5 million (no school closures have been proposed). But still we will need to cut. We are hopeful that the borough will provide additional money, but even if they funded to their absolute max - a 5 million dollar increase over last year (which would need a vote) - we will still be 3 million short. The only way we don’t see massive increases in class size is through state funding.

Some people would have you believe that our PTR is increasing due to a decline in

enrollment, but that just doesn’t make sense. Yes, we have lost about 2,000 students in

the last ten years but we have also lost the teaching positions that went with those

students. If we didn’t lose those teachers then our PTR should be lower. It isn’t, its

higher. The increases to PTR are due to a lack of increases to school funding. In 2012

the state funded education at a rate of 5680 dollars per child. Today when you take

inflation into account they fund schools at a rate of 4682 dollars per child. That is the

reason class sizes are going up. When you hear our governor say that schools are fully

funded he is saying it is funded to the base allocation, he is not saying it is adequately funded. His

numbers are not adjusted for inflation. The most ironic part of this discussion is that

legislators fully understand the effects of inflation, which is why they voted themselves a

raise last year. A 33,600 dollar raise. Legislators will now make 84,000 per year instead

of 50,400. To be clear, I agree that they need a pay raise. I don’t want only the wealthy to

be able to afford to run for office, and they haven’t seen a pay increase in 13 years. Not

every legislator supported the raise, but it passed all the same. To say we are going to

increase wages to keep up with inflation for legislators, but not for schools is hard to

swallow. To increase the school funding to match inflation you would need to add 1400

dollars to the BSA, not 300 dollars.

Finally, please remember this budget proposal is just that, a proposal. As we consider

what to cut remember that this proposal is our district’s recommendation, the school

board will decide in the end what cuts to make.

We are very proud to announce that one of our own Wolfpups won the Interior Alaska Science Fair T-shirt logo contest. Logan Gianni, a fourth grader in Mrs. Campbell's class, crafted the winning design. Her artwork will be printed on 550 T-shirts, which will be distributed to all the Interior Alaska Science Fair contestants. This is the first time that a Woodriver student has won the district-wide competition. Congratulations Logan!

Our principal intern, Mrs. Chacho, taking on crossing guard duty at -40

Check out this free Spelling Bee app to help your student practice! It will pronounce the word for you and everything!

If you have any questions about the Spelling Bee please contact Kendi Adams at kendi.adams@k12northstar.org

Dear Students, Parents, Guardians, and Family Members:

You are cordially invited to participate in Woodriver’s annual Science Fair.

Please pick up a Science Fair packet from the office or download a PDF version from Woodriver’s

Science Fair website at the link below.

The Science Fair is an opportunity for all students to learn more about science by investigating a

student selected topic of interest and completing a project. Families and siblings are encouraged to

work together. Project entries are categorized into six major divisions: Experiment, Demonstration,

Science Report, Science Collection, Invention, and Computer Coding. Please visit our school’s Science Fair website via the link below for links to hundreds of Science Fair project ideas.

The students will complete a traditional tri-board display. Tri-board Science Fair projects need to be brought to Woodriver’s MPR for display, before school (8:30 to 9:15 AM) on Thursday, February 29th. The students will need to pick up their displays on Friday, March 1st, after school, at 3:45 PM.

The Science Fair is an incredible opportunity to explore a topic of interest and share your findings

with the entire school and community. Everyone is strongly encouraged to participate. All

participants will receive a certificate, participant ribbon, and a button. Winners will be selected in

each category and they will receive ranked ribbons. The top contestants will advance to the Interior

Alaska Science Fair competition, held at Pioneer Park, March 20th to 23rd.

If you are interested in participating in the Science Fair, please pick up a Science Fair packet from

the office, complete the application in the packet, and submit it to the Science Fair collection

envelope, located at the office, by Friday, February 2nd. Thank you.

We need judges for the projects. Judging will occur on Thursday, February 29th from 9:30 AM to 1

PM. Please complete and return the attached form below if you can volunteer as a judge. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Rob Kinder, Science Fair Coordinator

rob.kinder@k12northstar.org (907) 479-4211 ext. 47016

Did you know you can still earn money for our school with Box Tops for Education? All you do is scan your receipt! You can even share with friends and family and they can help earn money for our school too! The Woodriver PTA thanks you!

Each year, our district offers summer music camp scholarships, and now we're offering even more summer music opportunities!

To support these efforts, the district is hosting a MIOSM (Music In Our Schools Month) fundraiser.

We have an online store selling items with a MIOSM design by LHS student Myrandah Parchue.

To get involved, please check out the link below to the online store!

Unfortunately, there are not many options under the tab "Women's Apparel",

but there are unisex options under the "Men's Apparel" tab:

(Gildan Tee, Gildan Longsleeve Tee, Raglan Jersey, and Gildan Hoodie are described as unisex sizes.)

Orders can all be done online! items are shipped directly to the buyer!

All students enrolled in an FNSBSD-affiliated institution are invited to submit one piece of art made at home or in school, which will be featured at the Bear Gallery during the month of March!

Artwork may be any of the following media: painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, print, mixed media, jewelry, fiber, and photography.

Community judges will name five awardees in each of the three below categories:

• Imagination: Where does your imagination take you? What kind of creatures, worlds, and things can you create in your mind? Is there an alternative world you’d like to go to, a fantastical animal you made up, or a crazy dinner you imagine your family eating?

• Stories: How can you tell a story or create a scene in your art? Are you inspired by movies, stories, or comic books? How could you recreate a favorite memory with your friend, a scene from a story you read, or imagine something you’d like to happen?

• Connection: What connections and relationships are important in your life? How do you connect with your community? Do you like spending time with your neighbors, classmates, or pets?

The local National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the FNSBSD are proud to sponsor the 2024 Black History Month Contest. We invite all K-12 students to participate in this annual contest. This contest is an opportunity for students to showcase their knowledge, encourage the study of Black History, and show excellence in creativity. View the details by clicking the link below.

Entry submission deadline is Friday, March 1, 2024.

Reading is a critical skill to access learning in all areas and is known to increase success, satisfaction, and health across an individual's lifetime. It is vital that we put every effort into helping children learn to read at a developmentally appropriate rate along with their peers. At our schools we are making efforts to ensure children who need extra help receive it along the way. Parents are vital partners in this effort, and we value your support and insight into your child.

Recently, students in elementary schools participated in mid-year benchmark assessments to measure their progress in reading. Students in K-3 completed mClass for Reading and students in grades 3-5 took MAP for Reading and MATH. These results will be shared with parents during Parent-Teacher Conferences in February.

Under the Alaska Reads Act, school districts are required to inform parents if their child has any reading deficiencies 45 days before the end of the school year.

At the February Parent-Teacher Conferences, teachers will share important information regarding parent or guardian rights and responsibilities regarding student grade level placement. The state allows parents or guardians to make the determination, once, to hold their K-3 grade child back, or repeat a grade, if they are below or well below grade level in reading based on the benchmark testing. Parents also have the right to decide to move their child on to the next grade with their peers.

Your input is necessary and valuable at the February Parent-Teacher Conferences. Please expect to see communication coming soon from your childs’ school. We encourage you to participate in the conferences and learn more about this important learning decision for your child.

Dear Students, Families, and Staff,

I hope this letter finds you well and filled with the excitement that comes with the beginning of a new semester. I trust that the winter break provided an opportunity for rest, rejuvenation, and quality time with loved ones. Now, as we return to school, let us approach the upcoming semester with a renewed sense of purpose and determination. Whether you are a returning student or a new member of our school community, we are thrilled to have you back with us.

As we embark on the second semester, I am excited to emphasize that our three primary goals will continue to guide our efforts and shape the educational experience for every student in our district. Improved literacy rates, increased attendance, and the cultivation of a positive school culture and climate remain at the forefront of our mission. We firmly believe that parents and guardians play a pivotal role in achieving these objectives. Your active involvement and collaboration with our educators are instrumental in fostering a love for reading, promoting regular attendance, and contributing to the positive atmosphere within our schools. Together, as partners in education, we can create an environment where students not only excel academically but also feel supported, engaged, and inspired to reach their full potential.

The Alaska legislative session starts this month, and we will be asking for your support in advocating for increased educational funding. Our school district is confronting an unprecedented deficit of $28 million due to the state not allocating a meaningful base student allocation (BSA) for the last eight years. This is a financial challenge that, if not addressed, will undoubtedly have far-reaching consequences. This deficit poses a threat to the very fabric of our educational system, potentially resulting in increased class sizes, the reduction or elimination of vital programs, the looming possibility of school closures, and the unfortunate prospect of hundreds of jobs being lost.

The impact on our students, educators, and the overall community is significant, and your advocacy can make a difference. We encourage you to stay informed and engaged as more details about the district’s proposed budget becomes available in early February.

Your voice matters, and together, we can work towards securing the resources necessary to maintain the quality of education our students deserve. Thank you for your unwavering support and commitment to the future of our schools.

Dr. Luke Meinert

FNSBSD Superintendent

Every Day Counts! | Attendance Matters

Regular school attendance means students attend school in-person for 90% or more of the school year. Our district's goal for attendance is to increase the overall percentage of students attending school to 90% or more. That means:

• Students miss fewer than 17 days of school throughout the entire year OR

• No more than two days per month on average

This includes excused absences.

DID YOU KNOW....

We record absences and tardies differently depending on the reason? An absence due to illness or Dr. appt is recorded differently than an absence because of a family trip or event. And there is also a difference between a tardy and an early pick-up, and a half day AM or PM absence. Also, if your student is tardy, and you do not walk them in and fill out a tardy slip, or call the office, their tardy is coded unexcused.

We know students who attend school regularly see more opportunities for success and we want to partner with you to support you in making sure your student has access to whatever they need to get to school on time every day! Parents, please be mindful of appointment times, late check-ins and early check-outs to help our students be at school every day, and ready to learn the Wolf pup way!

Attendance Matters! #AlldayEveryday

Live Homework Help provides free, online tutoring to Alaskan students in grade K-12 and intro level college students. Offered Monday through Friday, 8am to 2am; Saturday and Sunday, noon to 2 am Alaska Time. Students can work with a live tutor or use the study resources independently. Click the button below for more information.

We firmly believe that every child in our community deserves an equal opportunity to succeed. Unfortunately, many of them come to school without the basic necessities that most people often take for granted, such as food, school supplies, and winter gear.

If your family needs assistance in any of these ways, please reach out to Bright Futures Fairbanks by following the link below.

Our Social Emotional Learning & Prevention department is fully committed to supporting and uplifting our community. Our primary aim is to effectively identify and align local resources, with the ultimate goal of overcoming challenges and barriers faced by students in our district.

Through collaboration, we can ensure that every child's basic needs are fulfilled. Let us be the bridge that brings positivity and support to those who need it the most.

An online application for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is now available. Alaska SNAP provides food benefits to low-income households. The new online application is a “smart form,” streamlining the process and the amount of time it takes to complete the form by only populating fields that the applicant needs based on their responses. Learn more about SNAP by clicking below.

SchoolCafe/Free & Reduced Meal Applications | Nutrition Services

If you previously had a free and reduced meal application processed and feel your children might qualify for a better meal eligibility, please complete a new meals application by clicking the link below, and send the following information to foodservice@k12northstar.org:

• Income documentation for the prior 30 days
• Student(s) names and meal application number (if completed online)

If you haven’t completed a meals application, you can still do so. You can apply when there is a change in household circumstances or any other event that causes a change in your income. Please email the Nutrition Services Department at foodservice@k12northstar.org or call (907) 451-1004 for assistance.

*With the new calendar year, the 2023 PFD value is required by the USDA to be used when calculating household income on the meals application.

If you would like additional resources for learning at home, you can follow the directions below for access to your student's Classlink.

When your student puts in their username, please note that you will have to add the "@student.k12northstar.org". School computers do this automatically, so that is the most common problem families have at home

Parents,

There has been a lot of concern over late buses and finding out when students will be home. If you have concerns you would like to share, please call Durham at 1(907)206-7789. This number can also be called for Dispatch if you would like to get an ETA on a route.

If you cannot get ahold of Durham, please call the transportation dept at (907)452-2000 ext 11351

There are a few tools available to help as well: One is to set up email notifications for late buses. Directions to set that up are below.

The other tool is a new system the district has set up that is a live bus tracking service. This allows you to see where the bus is along the route, the time it arrived at each stop, and even if the doors opened at the stop.

you can use this service at http://busroutes.k12northstar.org

Click on your school (Woodriver is WRV - Ryan is RYN), and then on the route you would like to view.

There are additional instructions on how to use it at: https://www.k12northstar.org/cms/lib/AK01901510/Centricity/Domain/1159/Bus%20Route%20Tracker_2023-09-06.pdf

Please note: Special Education buses are not listed on the live tracker. Please call Durham Dispatch or the transportation department with questions/concerns about those routes

Feb 19-20 - Parent Teacher Conferences | No School

Feb 21 - Teacher Professional Development | No School

Mar 8 | Early Dismissal @ 2:15

Mar 11-15 - Spring Break | No School

Home of the Wolfpups

OFFICE HOURS: 8:45-4:15

SCHOOL HOURS 9:15 - 3:45

Email: nicole.wells@k12northstar.org
Website: www.k12northstar.org/woodriver
Location: 5000 Palo Verde Ave
Phone: 907-479-4211