Clark March Newsletter 2025

Hello Clark Families,

In a few weeks, The Alaska System of Academic Readiness (AK STAR) and the Alaska Science Assessment will be administered to students in Grades 3-9 (English language arts and mathematics) and grades 5, 8 and 10 (science) each spring during the state-designated testing window. AK STAR and the Alaska Science Assessment are state-required assessments that provide students with the opportunity to show their understanding of important skills in these content areas at their grade level. We do not want our students to get overly concerned or anxious about the tests, but to approach them with a positive attitude and to do their best.

Here at Clark Middle School, we want our students to understand that they can achieve anything; our students have endless potential! Regardless of the type of assessment, we encourage our students to approach all testing opportunities with passion and tenacity. We want them to walk away feeling proud and successful. Most importantly, these assessments are a method to celebrate their learning and knowledge!

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out.

Thank you for your ongoing support!

Bennetta Orchitt

Principal

Please take a few moments to fill it out online which helps ASD with strategic planning, evaluating programs, and improving community-school relationships.

The survey is available in English, Spanish, Hmong, Samoan, and Tagalog languages.

Please select Clark Middle School to start the survey.

2025 SCCS Family Link to Share

ASD Springing into Summer Resource Fair March 12

The Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Community Engage,ment and the Title I Family Engagement team are thrilled to invite students and families to the Springing into Summer Resource Fair at Clark Middle School on March 12. Student Nutrition will provide free meals. Essential resources from community partners, including summer camp information and some job internship opportunities will be available. Additionally, ASD Student Transportation will offer drop off meals at select locations. Please spread the word to all families before spring break!

Links to each information flier:

• Springing into Summer Resource Fair
• Grab a Meal Resource Fair

Does your student need additional help with school work and submitting assignments?

We want to help your student finish the Quarter strong with "ZAP the ZEROS"

On Saturday, March 1st, teachers will help students with tutoring and to complete assignments from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm.

Our goal is to reduce the number of zeros, and help students become more successful.

Hello from Team Perseverance! This month we are anticipating fun learning! In Ms. Hewett's class, we will work on a project about the American Revolution. After that, students will learn about the new country of America. In Mrs. Fullman's science class we are going to get a mobile planetarium and start genetics. In Mrs. Bean's ELA class students are currently exploring global issues and learning how to communicate effectively using ethos, pathos, and logos. Their final project for the quarter is a multimedia campaign that calls their classmates to action on a global issue that impacts us all. Mr. Maxwell's math class is doing exponentially excellent exponents.

We hope you've had a great start to March so far. As a reminder, all Quarter 3 grades are due on Thursday, March 6th at 10:00 pm. Please check-in with your student on QStudentConnect regarding missing work that needs to be completed before this deadline. We are also excited for several upcoming spring events: track and field begins after Spring Break, and we are planning a fun-filled field trip to the Campbell Airstrip for Outdoor Science Week.

As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions, comments, or concerns.

Teacher Conference Hours throughout the week are as follows: Tuesdays 9:30 am-10:55 am, and Wednesdays-Fridays 10:25 am-11:10 am. If you would ever like to schedule a time to meet with your student's teachers, please reach out directly to the emails found at the bottom of this message.

Best,

Team Pizzazz

Ms. Cash (Language Arts) --> cash_ellie@asdk12.org

Ms. Pfisterer (Science) --> pfisterer_abigail@asdk12.org

Ms. Nault (Social Studies) --> nault_tanya@asdk12.org

Ms. Cleopas (Math) --> cleopas_danicamae@asdk12.org

Mr. Baker (Math) --> baker_blake@asdk12.org

Science: Alicia Warren warren_alicia@asdk12.org

Our class will cover essential energy, force, waves, and electromagnetic spectrum concepts in the next month. The students will be able to define energy types such as kinetic, potential, and thermal. We will emphasize the crucial role of energy conservation in physical processes, highlighting its importance and relevance. The section on force outlines contact and non-contact forces, Newton's laws of motion, and the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration. The Wave characteristics, including wavelength, frequency, and amplitude, are explained alongside types of waves (mechanical and electromagnetic) and their behaviors like reflection, refraction, and diffraction. Lastly, the electromagnetic spectrum is discussed, detailing various wave types, the significance of the speed of light, and its applications in technology and everyday life. I hope this will be your favorite month of education.

ELA: William Gordon gordon_william@asdk12.org

After Spring Break, we enter into the 4th quarter. This is a time to look back at all we have learned this year and put it into practice. We will be doing this by working through the novel Tangerine by Edward Bloor. Through the novel we will revisit and refine the techniques of diagraming a plot, studying characterization, and displaying understanding through various mediums both visual and written, among other skills as well.

Social Studies: Natalie Moten moten_natalie@asdk12.org

As we approach the end of February, our students will be wrapping up their Environmental Issues projects. This has been an engaging and educational experience for them, fostering important discussions about our planet.

Looking ahead to the Fourth Quarter, students will embark on an exciting exploration of Europe and Asia. They will utilize the Five Themes of Geography to deepen their understanding of these diverse regions.

Getting from here to There, together by Discovering Who We Are

“Tenacity is more than twice the weight of intelligence.”

Springboard, Language Arts 6: Ms. M. Smith, Ms. Ridgley, Mrs. Lopez:

In our upcoming classes, we will engage with the compelling theme of "Changing Perspectives" from Unit 3 of Springboard. This unit will provide students with the opportunity to delve into thoughtprovoking articles and insightful interviews. The focus will be on exploring the transformative power of shifting viewpoints. Students will examine how adopting new perspectives can lead to a fresh understanding of familiar topics, embrace the diversity of thoughts, and facilitate personal growth by navigating current issues through varied lenses.

Science: Ms. Mohammad:

Teams of students from Clark Middle School's science classes, led by Ms. Mohammad, are designing and investigating the science underlying wind energy as part of the KidWind STEM Project. Through demanding, captivating, and fundamental science-based hands-on activities, this project aims to introduce as many people as possible (students, their families, and the community at large) to the beauty of renewable energy. While enhancing science instruction is our primary objective, we also want to assist schools in becoming valuable learning and demonstration sites for renewable energy for students and their communities.

The student teams from each class will compete in class on March 19, 2025, and the winning team will go on to compete against other winning teams from the same class on March 29, 2025, at Begich Middle School for the "State of Alaska KidWind Olympics 2025."

SCIENCE: Ms. Olsen:

In our science curriculum, students have been engaged in the exploration of energy. In February, our focus was on solar and thermal energy, while in March, we will delve into wind energy. Students will have the opportunity to construct models that demonstrate how wind can perform work, as well as analyze the relationship between wind speed and the amount of work that can be accomplished by the wind. By the conclusion of this unit, students will be equipped to explain the process by which a wind turbine converts kinetic energy from wind into electrical energy.

SOCIAL STUDIES: Mr. Moran:

In this unit, students will examine the degree to which Europe represents a heterogeneous culture. They will analyze the extent to which various nations share common cultural traits, historical narratives, geographical features, and perceptions. Additionally, students will compare these relationships to those found in other regions around the globe. The unit will also explore how ideals of peace and economic strength serve as incentives for unity, while simultaneously considering how these factors may lead to conflict and tension within specific regions or countries. To provide context, students will investigate the origins and development of the European Union.

Math: Ms. Cleopas:

This March, our learning objective will center on algebraic expressions. This topic encompasses the use of numbers, variables, and operations to illustrate relationships. By focusing on identifying the components of algebraic expressions, simplifying, writing, and evaluating them, students will establish a solid foundation for problem-solving and gaining a deeper understanding of advanced mathematical concepts.

Science: Breena Apgar-Kurtz apgar-kurtz_breena@asdk12.org

we are wrapping up our unit on climate change.

Should you have any questions, you can reach Team Valor at:

holmes_david@asdk12.org - Social Studies

apgar-kurtz_breena@asdk12.org - Science

National Teenager Day

National Teenager Day is celebrated on March 21st each year, right at the beginning of Spring. The transformative period developing from a child to a teenager can be a difficult one. The brain is maturing and the amygdala, which processes emotions, develops more quickly than the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for decision-making. This metamorphosis is accompanied by morose behaviors and moods as teenagers begin to comprehend and categorize their emotions.

On this day we celebrate and encourage teenagers in their growth. We recognize them for learning self-determination and responsibility. Our Special Education Department teaches them to think abstractly. It is our blessing to support each student in developing and blossoming through their transformations.

Science: Mrs. Swisher swisher_ashshanta@asdk12.org

After completing a chemistry unit focused on reactions using common kitchen materials like sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, students engaged in hands-on activities that brought these concepts to life. These activities also included making borax snow crystals and bouncing balls, which provided practical applications of theoretical knowledge.

Key Learning Outcomes

• Understanding Chemical Reactions: Students applied their knowledge of chemical reactions by experimenting with everyday substances and observing how they interact to create new forms and properties.

• Application of Theoretical Knowledge: Students reinforced their understanding of crystallization and polymerization through tangible results by performing experiments with borax.
• Increased Engagement and Retention: The hands-on nature of these activities fostered greater engagement, making complex concepts more accessible and memorable.
• Creative Experimentation: Encouraging students to shape their own designs and adjust formulations instilled a sense of ownership and creativity in the learning process.

Overall, these experiments were an excellent bridge between theoretical chemistry and real-world applications, enhancing students' comprehension and enthusiasm for the subject.

Team Resilience is really excited for March. Students will begin signing up for high school classes. After Spring Break, we will be heading to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center on April 16th and 17th. Please remember to submit your child’s permission slip and $10 for the AWCC trip no later than Monday, April 7th, 2025.

In Science 8 we will transition from Mr Patterson’s NASA astronomy program into the study of genetics. Students will know the fundamental concepts on genetics, speciation, allelic frequency, and the diversity of life.

In Social Studies, students will be transitioning into an intensive study of Colonization, Revolution, and creation of the United States of America. The focus of this look-back in history will be to have students look forward to the next stage of human colonization in space.

Language Arts will be focusing on argumentative writing with multimedia to convince others to improve an issue within the world.

Team Resilience is really excited for March. Students will be signing up for high school classes on March 4th for East, and March 20th for Bartlett. After Spring Break, we will be heading to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center on April 17th and 18th. Please remember to submit your child’s permission slip and $10 for the AWCC trip no later than Friday, April 5th, 2024.

6th grade Math: Blake Baker baker_blake@asdk12.org

Advanced math has progressed into the 7th grade work book and will be learning how to find Proportional Relationships while working with with Ratios, Rates, and Circles.

6th Grade Math: Michelle Friedline friedline_michelle@asdk12.org

Ask your student about the activity they did about rates. They've been working on ratios since the start of the 3rd quarter and are ready to learn about rates. Ask your student about the in-class activity where they calculated rates. After rates, 6th grade students will learn about percents.

7th Grade Math: Michelle Friedline friedline_michelle@asdk12.org

Students have been learning how to use the four operations with negative numbers and are beginning to work with equivalent expressions and solving multi-step equations. To solve these equations, students are working hard to learn how to combine like terms and use the distributive property.

Math 7 Grade Math: John Weaver weaver_john@asdk12.org

Has just finished their unit on Algebraic thinking. After Spring Break we will begin our work on Percentages. Math Night is March 20th so please come by if you can. We look forward to seeing you.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

6th Grade Math

Blake Baker baker_blake@asdk12.org

Students is working on finding unit rates from real world ratio problems.

7th Grade Math

John Weaver weaver_john@asdk12.org

we are working on the expressions, equations, and inequality unit. This unit is one of the most important unit of the year and is where all our other lessons have been leading to. There isn't much time left in the quarter so make sure your missing homework and extra credit is in. After this unit we will be doing percentages and probability near the end of the month. Have a great spring break.

Math 8

Sarah Miller miller_sarah@asdk12.org

Bryson Maxwell maxwell_bryson@asdk12.org

In March, the math department will be having their yearly math night! It will be on March 20th. More details to come as well as a flyer! Be on the lookout! This is a really fun family event to come to!

Mrss Miller & Mr. Maxwell

Math 8: We will be working with Scientific Notation and finishing up Unit 5 by the end of the quarter! WOO! Then starting next quarter we will be working on Square Roots in Unit 6.

Algebra: We will be continuing exponential functions, and then next quarter we will be working exclusively on quadratic equations!

Members of the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) are a select group of students who display the best qualities of our student body. It is a privilege to be selected as a member of NJHS, which is reserved for students in the 6th and 8th grades (at Clark) who have excelled in character, scholarship, service, leadership, and citizenship. Clark's NJHS will distribute applications to potential members in March.

The National Office of NJHS establishes standards for selection, which have been revised to meet our local chapter. In addition to having an unweighted cumulative GPA of 3.0, students must complete an application and receive recommendations from three staff members. While completing the application and staff surveys doesn't guarantee membership, we hope parents encourage their children to apply for this service organization. Please note that all materials must be returned by March 21, 2025, to be eligible for consideration. Once your child has been notified of his or her acceptance into the organization, a membership fee will be instituted.

Best of luck!

Mrs. Swisher

In a nutshell

The Migrant Education Program seeks to ensure all migratory students achieve challenging academic standards, graduate with high school diplomas, and are prepared for responsible citizenship. Migrant Education is a federally funded program that is authorized by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).

What we do and how we help students and families:

While these services vary from year to year and may be limited, a few things we offer are:

• Free Lunches
• Student Advocacy - Help navigating families and students on the path to success
• Homework Help -before/after school and lunchtime
• Free books - Literacy events, free books and activities.
• School Supplies - Paper, pencils, binders, etc.
• Family Engagement - Frequent communication with parents, teachers and students.
• Summer School - Financial help with summer programs
• Preschool
• College Prep
• Student Success Coaching - In and out of class support ranging from academics to family dynamics. The success coach acts as a lesion between the district, teachers, admin, students and parents/guardians.
• Life Vests - Free life vests for students.
• Babysitting Courses - Teens get certified by the American Red Cross
• CPR - Certification for high school students
• Early childhood education - resources and education
• High School Credit Recovery
• Out of School Youth (OSY) support
• Community Resource Referrals - Food banks, clothing, housing

• Technology Support

What qualifies a family for the Migrant Education Program?

I thought you had to be Native Alaskan?

Nope. You're thinking of The Indigenous Education Program. --->

This is a common misconception. We work closely with Indigenous Education Program and share about 30% of our students and families. The two programs are very different. Keep scrolling and find out more.

Does you family...

Here are some questions to see if your family may qualify...

1. Does your family have a freezer full of fish?

Has your family ever:

• Limited out on salmon

• Gone dip netting
• Set net
• Done any shrimping, crabbing, or clamming
• Subsistence harvest
• Commercial fished
• Worked at a cannery or done any fish processing
• How about berry picking or foraging for fiddle head ferns
• What about logging

2. Do your students travel with you for the above activities?

3. Did the activities above require staying overnight outside of the Municipality of Anchorage for at least 7 nights/8 days over the course of a year?

4. Does your family rely financially on the food you harvests?

5. Does subsistence harvesting help your and offset your budget? If you can answer yes on all or most of these questions, the link on the "eligibility screener" goes to the Anchorage School Districts Migrant Education Program web page to start the process of determining eligibility.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND SERVICES FOR OUR FAMILIES AND INOUR PROGRAM

Spring book fair at Barnes & Noble

This will be a time where all Migrant Ed students 3yrs old and up may self-select 3, grade-level books to add to their home library.

We will have 2 opportunities for families to come and pick out books:

• Friday March 7, 1:00-6:15pm

• Saturday March 8, 1:00-6:16pm

Before and After School Homework Help for Migrant Ed Students:

BEFORE School Tue-Thr 8:30am-9:25 and

AFTER School Mon-Wed 4-:5:30

Clark Middle School, Rm 221 8:30am and 4pm start

FREE for Migrant Ed Students

STUDENTS MUST BE PICKED UP BY 5 pm at front entry OR sign up for after school bussing M-W

Spring Break Outdoor Intensive

Some activities we will be doing:

Snow Shoeing, Geo-Cacheing, Outdoor Survival at the Campbell Creek Science Center, Identifying Animal Tracks, ICE Safety, Building a Winter Shelter, Fat Tire Biking, Ice Fishing, Orienteering, Team Building Games, Daily Journaling, Group Art Project, and much much more!

All equipment & supplies will be provided.

March 11th, 12th & 13th, [Tuesday - Thursday) from 8:45 am-3:30pm at Wendler Middle School.

Student Success Coach:

When your family is enrolled in the Migrant Education Program, they not only get access to services, but they get an advocate. A Student Success Coach.

I am Rob Woolsey, the Migrant Education Student Success based out of Clark Middle School. I am a lifelong Alaskan with a vast experience in helping families navigate through hard times with my social work experience at the Office of Children Services. My most recent and practical experience comes from my role as a dad to three middle schoolers (including my 8th grade twins), and they are ALL enrolled in the Migrant Ed Program!

Here are some of the functions a Success Coach may serve;

1. Effectively networks and strategizes with district, school, and community partners.
2. Collaborates with students, parents, and school teams to improve attendance, grades, test scores, behavior, and graduation readiness.
3. Responds to parent, student, teacher, and staff requests for assistance with needs and services.
4. Maintains positive communication with parents, the district office, school counselors, nurses, community, school, federal programs, and other personnel to address the needs of individual students to improve services and outcomes.
5. Coordinates meetings and activities that meet the unique needs of Migrant Education students.
6. Offers educational opportunities on an individual, small group, or large group basis according to needs and academic achievement of students, including planning and implementation of one or more regular school- based group(s).
7. Provides social service referrals, for students and families, to community agencies when appropriate.
8. Attends school events such as parent/teacher conferences, 504 and IEP planning, and open house nights.
9. Establishes and maintains positive relationships with families, students, and staff.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact :

Rob Woolsey

woolsey_rob@asdk12.org

(907)742-7773

For questions or concerns:

Hannah Johnson, MS, NCC

johnson_hannah@asdk12.org

Clark Middle School

(907)742-9704

March

Mar. 1st - Zap The Zeros 10 am - 12 pm

Mar. 6th - 8th Grade Cap & Gown Pictures

Mar. 7th - Bettye Davis East HS Freshman Academy

Mar. 7th - Grading Day / End Of Third Quarter

Mar. 10th - 14th - Spring Break

Mar. 17th - Track & Field Practice Begins

Mar. 20th - Math (PI) Night 5:30pm-7:30pm

Mar. 22nd - Due Date for all NJHS (National Junior Honor Society) Materials

Mar. 25th - Expressive Art Group

Mar. 25th - Large Group Ensemble Festival @ East High School

Mar. 27th - Conflict Management Group