Wolf Pup Weekly
Woodriver Issue #15 - 1/12/24
A WORD FROM MR. GUY
Hello Wolf Pup parents!
As part of the Alaska Reads Act we are supposed to be contacting parents whose students are below benchmark. If your student/s are at or above benchmark, you haven’t gotten the monthly letters that go home, but you should have seen information about how your child is doing during Parent Teacher Conferences.
Another element of the Alaska Reads Act requires that students who are below benchmark receive intervention during the school day. These intervention groups are supposed to be small (4-6 kids). This means that students who are at or above benchmark are given tasks that help them practice the skills they need to continue to advance their reading skills. Sometimes our students on benchmark do book club style reading where they can discuss what they have read. Other times their instruction teaches them to use strategies such as making predictions, learning about differing opinions, or about point of view. Here is a breakdown of the progress we have made with students at benchmark and above benchmark.
We saw the largest growth in Kindergarten and 1st grade, both of which now have over 70% of students reading at or above benchmark. This is remarkable progress for only a half a school year. It is also important to note that while 2nd grade maintained 61% of students at benchmark, the number of students in the Above category rose 7%. Our teachers are truly doing amazing things, and I am so proud of the progress our students have made. And thanks to you parents, for making reading fun, and a priority at home. Having engaged parents is one of the most important factors in student success.
Finally, if your child is currently at benchmark, or above benchmark, there is still so much more they can do to improve their reading skills. If you didn’t get a chance to come to Parent Teacher Conferences you can call the office and we can provide you with the home connect element of our reading program, which gives you individualized ideas for how your student can improve their reading at home.
WOLF PUPS IN ACTION
Science Fair Winners 2024
A HUGE thank you to everyone who participated in the Science Fair and our amazing judges. The students all worked super hard, and we are so proud of everyone!
Every project was incredible, and the judges had difficulty selecting the winners.
Winners were sorted by individual and group projects. All the first and second place winners will advance to the Interior Alaska Science Fair.
Without further ado, Woodriver is proud to announce the Science Fair winners.
Demonstration: Individual
1st Eamon Smith
2nd Oliver Morrill
Demonstration: Group
1st Remington and Greyson Dameron and Jaxon Gray
2nd Isabelle Rummel, Trinity Seitz, and Lucy Smith
Experiment: Individual
1st Elizabeth Walters
2nd Analyn Wells
3rd Ahna Chausse’
Experiment: Group
1st Walter Kirby, Keen Richard, and Finn Sprague
2nd Daisynee and Lilysa Smith
3rd Samantha Donaldson and Charlee Lehner
Science Collection
1st Nick Duprey
Science Report: Individual
1st Logan Gianni
2nd Lila Weatherby
3rd Patrick Luper
Science Report: Group
1st Jovie and Tindra Krupa
2nd Etta Davis and Rayan Yousif
Invention
1st Grail Conley
Engineering Lessons!
This week, students in Mr. Cox's class learned about the "3 S's of Engineering" (Stability, Support, and Stiffness). The goal was for teams to build the tallest tower possible with spaghetti and mini-marshmallows. Check out these tasty feats of engineering!
Howling Helpers promoting Read Across America in honor of Dr. Seuss’ Birthday!
What a fun week! With guest student speakers reading Dr. Seuss quotes over the loudspeaker during morning announcements, our Drop Everything And Read event today, and Nurse Cat's BEAUTIFUL handmade Lorax characters, we sure had fun celebrating this iconic children's author!
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
UPCOMING SCHOOL EVENTS
Congratulations!! Select Woodriver students have artwork featured in Up With Art, the annual FNSBSD Student Art Show hosted in the Bear Gallery during the month of March! Congratulations to the Wolf Pups below on having their original artwork featured in this show!
Isla Christmann
Jovie Krupa
Tindra Krupa
Atigun Lace
Eamon Smith
Come celebrate Youth Art Month in the Bear Gallery on March First Friday to open the exhibition. On Sunday, March 3rd, visit the Bear Gallery for the Elementary School reception and award ceremony. Please see the invitation below for details.
New 4th Quarter Club!
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Greetings Wolfpups. Over the next several weeks we will be spotlighting a few of
Woodriver’s amazing staff members. Each staff member will be interviewed by Mr. Kinder's third
graders!
This week we proudly present our Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Taylor! She was interviewed by students, Isabelle, Ivy, and Madison!
Staff Spotlight: Mrs. Taylor
Interviewed by Isabelle, Ivy, and Madison
Mrs. Taylor has taught Kindergarten at Woodriver for two years. Prior to teaching
Kindergarten, Mrs. Taylor was a substitute teacher for five years. She decided to work in
education because she loves kids and believes in the difference educators can make in their
lives. She feels that watching kids learn to read is a true joy!
Mrs. Taylor’s favorite part of her job are the kids. She loves to see them engaged in
learning, especially reading and writing. She is very proud of her students. For example, one
of her students didn’t know her letters or sounds and now she is beginning to read words.
Mrs. Taylor helps her students develop a love for reading by sharing a wide variety of
books, from funny to serious to make believe. She hopes that she can find books that her
students like.
Some of Mrs. Taylor’s hobbies include trail time; walking or hiking, the gym, traveling with
her family, cooking, and baking. One time when she was hiking at Crow’s Pass, she spotted
three bears by a stream where she was planning to camp. Mrs. Taylor decided to keep hiking
because she didn’t want to become bear dinner. She loves to bake cinnamon rolls and muffins,
especially Alaska Blueberry muffins. She also enjoys picking wild blueberries.
Mrs. Taylor believes Woodriver is a wonderful place to work and grow! She feels that it is
a privilege to be here each day. She says that we have quality staff and supportive families.
Mrs. Taylor wants everyone to know that they have the power to help someone have a
great day. She wants to encourage us to say kind words and smile.
PTA UPDATES
Meeting ID: 842 1486 1819
Passcode: WRVPTA
SCHOOL CLIMATE SURVEY
School Climate Surveys are OPEN!
You are invited to participate in the annual School Climate Parent Survey! The survey is anonymous, takes about 10 minutes, and results are used to understand and improve the educational climate of our schools. Thank you for participating!
The parent survey closes on Sunday, March 10, 2024.
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES
COMMUNITY EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
AVAILABLE FAMILY RESOURCES
SLED/ Live Homework Help
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.
Bright Futures Fairbanks | Student Support Services
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.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
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.
SCHOOL LUNCH MENU
SchoolCafe/Free & Reduced Meal Applications | Nutrition Services
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)
*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.
BECOME A SUBSTITUTE!
LEARN AT HOME!
Want to access Classlink at home?
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
BUS INFO
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
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITES
SCHOOL VISITOR GUIDELINES
CLUBS
AM Fitness
Grades K-5
Rom: Gym | Mon-Fri 8:45-9:15
Handwork CLub
HANDWORK CLUB IS FULL
$60/ QuarterGrades 3-5
Rm: 6 | Tues/Thurs 8:30-9:15
There are only 12 spots in this club. First come first serve, and spot must be paid for to reserve.
Game Club
Grades 2-5
Rm: 16 | Tuesdays 8-9:15
3rd Grade math tutor
3rd grade only
Room 16 | Thursdays 8:30-9:15
Band Club
5th grade
Band Room | Wed or Fri
STEM Club
NO STEM CLUB 3rd QUARTER!
$25/Quarter
Grades 3-5
Room 16 | Wednesdays 8:00-9:15am
There are only 25 spots in this club. Lottery is held to determine selection. Those not selected will be placed on a waitlist.
DISTRICT SCHOOL CALENDAR
IMPORTANT DATES
March
Mar 8 | Early Dismissal @ 2:15
Mar 11-15 - Spring Break | No School
Welcome to Woodriver Elementary School
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