November 2024
Knik Elementary School Newsletter
Knik Elementary School Vision
We envision a safe, dynamic, collaborative learning community where all students are engaged and motivated by their own progress, and growth is celebrated at all levels.
Knik Elementary School Mission
Our mission is to partner with families to nurture, educate, and inspire lifelong learners.
Knik Elementary School Motto
Today I will show
Kindness and Integrity,
Be Nurturing
Have a Growth Mindset,
And be Safe
I AM A KNIK KING !
Home of the Knik Kings !
Knik Elementary School
Principal: Denise Gober
6350 W. Hollywood RD.
Wasilla, AK. 99623
P: (907)352-0300
F: (907)352-0380
Knik Elementary Daily Schedule
PLC - Mondays : 10:15 am- 3:45 pm
Tuesday – Friday : 9:15 – 3:45 pm
Our Front Doors will remain locked during school hours
Doors will be unlocked for student arrival
@ 10:00 am on Mondays
@ 9:00 am Tuesday - Fridays
Events & Activities
Veterans Day Concert
11/8/24 @ 9:30 am
Talent Show Auditions
11/18/24 - 11/27/24
Tuesday & Friday @ recess
Math Club
10/29/24 - 01/08/25
Tuesdays & Wednesdays @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Mr. Ruge
Art Club
Tuesdays @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
9/6/24 - 12/10/24
Mrs. White
Battle of the Books
3rd / 4th Grade :Tuesdays @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm 10/08/24 - 02/06/24
5th Grade : Thursdays @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm 10/10/24 - 02/07/24
Mrs. Michener
Kids Who Code
Tuesdays @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm 10/15/24 - 03/25/25
Miss. Darling
Boys Basketball
Tues, Wed, Thurs @ 8:15 am - 9:00 am 10/8/24 - 11/14/24
Boys Basketball Jamboree 11/16
Mr. Wagle
Thanksgiving Break
11/28/24 & 11/29/24
NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
Principal Gober's Greetings
Dear Knik Families and Learning Community;
Winter is finally here. It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving and the Holiday season are upon us already. We hope you can join us for our upcoming Knik performances and Title 1 Family events.
Veterans Day Assembly: Friday, 11/08/23 @ 9:30 am in the Gym. We will be serving breakfast treats for our Veterans and their families at 9:00 in the Library before the 5th grade performance starts in the Gym at 9:30. We hope you can join us in honoring our Veterans this Friday at Knik.
Knik’s Got Talent Winter Showcase: 12/19/24 1:30-3:00pm
Family Holiday Arts & Crafts Night: 12/05/24 @ 5:30-7:00. This event is in partnership and collaboration with Goose Bay so if you have students at both schools you will enjoy double the fun and food/dessert! We certainly hope to see you all at this community favorite event on December 5th from 5:30-7:00.
It’s that time of the year in which weather and closures can be unpredictable. Please review the following links for information regarding school delays/closure processes and Knik’s remote learning plan if such becomes necessary for safety reasons:
School Closures and Delays Link: https://www.matsuk12.us/delaysandclosures
CLICK HERE TO READ THE MSBSD SCHOOL DELAY & CLOSURE LETTER FOR FAMILIES AND STAFF.
Remote Learning Readiness: Teachers update their Google Classrooms weekly with assignments and resources so that in the unforeseen event of a school closure, students have access to learning and support from their teachers. Please review Knik’s Remote Learning Plan /Schedule in the event of a school closure and reach out to your child’s teacher or our front office if you have any questions.
Knik Remote Learning Information Link
Knik Title 1 Planning: If you would like to get more involved in how we are supporting students and engaging families at Knik, one way is to join us for our Knik Title 1 planning meetings: 12/04/24 @ 8:30 am - Title 1 Meeting / Updates
02/05/25 @ 8:30 am - Title 1 Meeting / Updates
04/10/25 @ 5:30 pm - FY26 Title 1 Planning Meeting
If you cannot make these meetings, you can provide input via email, phone or in person at Knik. We also have a suggestion box at the front counter at Knik, we always appreciate parent and community input and suggestions as to how we can improve.
Knik Parent/School Compact Link: FY25 Knik Parent/School Compact
We continue to update our Knik Parent/School Compact based on your feedback and prioritizing how we spend our Title 1 funds to support student achievement, parent engagement and a positive school culture and climate. We want / need your voice as we move forward and meet our students, families, and our broader learning communities needs in our pursuit of making Knik the best elementary school in MSBSD.
Employment opportunities at Knik! Please consider applying to become a Knik School Paraprofessional! School Paraprofessional Hours @ Knik: 8:45-4:15
I hope this winter season finds you, your family and loved ones healthy and thankful as we approach the holiday season and New Year! Thank you for your partnership, support and feedback as we continuously work together to ensure all of our students have access to, and success with, high levels of learning at Knik.
Sincerely,
Denise Gober - Knik Elementary School Principal
(907) 352-0302
Grade Level Newsletters
4th Grade : https://secure.smore.com/n/5u97v
5th Grade : https://secure.smore.com/n/49junt-5th-grade-newsletter
Library News
I want to give a great big SHOUT OUT to all you parents that supported our recent Book Fair in the Library! It was a big success and will give me the opportunity to buy more books for the library that kids are reading. Thank you! We are into the 2nd quarter of the year and well on our way working on skills that will help students in life. We will be working on increasing our typing accuracy and speed in the next few weeks along with finding our way around Google products such as documents, slides, and sheets. Also, we have recently added a series of books for our little hunters called Wilderness Ridge. Although these are Fiction type books-they contain some helpful information about different types of game, both mammals and birds. Please encourage your child to try them out. 😊 We are thankful to have the opportunity to work with your children in helping them on their way to becoming successful students and someday, great American citizens
Sincerely,
Mrs. Michener
Knik Elementary School Librarian
Notes from the Nurse
Happy Fall, Knik Families!
The health office is beginning to roll through those health assessments! I am currently working on third grade. These health assessments are important to the health and well-being of our students and helps keep them in school and ready to learn! These screenings cover basic vision, hearing, height, weight, blood pressure and heart rate; and take about 10 minutes per student to complete. The State of Alaska and our Mat-Su Borough School District require these screenings for those Knik Elementary students in 3rd, 5th, and those new to district; unless directed otherwise by parents. You may always call my office to discuss your student’s screening, or for generalized questions you have for me!
I have a handful of families still missing some vital forms—exemption forms, action plans, or medication. If you are unsure if you are one of them, please reach out. If you know you are, please get them in as soon as possible! 😊 Your school nurse appreciates you.
Nurse Holly Rauchenstein, RN, BSN, NCSN
Knik Elementary School Nurse
holly.rauchenstein@matsuk12.us
907-352-0303
Music Notes
The Winter Showcase is coming up ! Please keep an eye out for more information coming home soon !
Talent Show Auditions will be held 11/18 - 11/27 @ recess. The Knik Elementary School Talent Show will be held on 12/19/24 @ 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Carolyn Thaxton
Knik Elementary Music Director
Recess Time !
Recess is an essential part of Elementary School activity. We want our Knik Kings to be warm, safe & dry so they can enjoy beautiful Alaska. Please send your kiddos to school with their FAB 5 of winter every day.
1.) Warm winter coat
2.) Snow pants
3.) Warm winter boots
4.) Warm gloves / mittens
5.) Winter hat / earmuffs etc.
If you need help with winter gear, please let us know.
School Attendance Policy
Good attendance is directly tied closely to school and life success. We want to work with you and your students to achieve regular attendance and increase their opportunity for school success. Parents are highly encouraged to take an active role in their child's attendance and to inform the school, either by phone, email or entering it into Parent Vue when your child will be absent or tardy.
If your child will be absent for multiple days, please make arrangements with your students' teacher for make up work.
Please let us know how we can best support you and your child's attendance.
Children who do not attend school will be counted absent, either excused or unexcused. Students arriving after 9:21 am are considered tardy, excused or unexcused, depending on whether there is parent communication. Students who spend less than 3.5 hours at school, regardless of the time of arrival or dismissal, are considered half - day absent. Students who are here at school for more than 3.5 hours, regardless or arrival or dismissal time are considered present for a full day.
After 3 consecutive days absent, a telephone call will be made to the parents / guardian; a written notice will be sent home after 5 days of absences. After 9 days absent, the students' absences will be considered habitual and another written notice will be mailed home.
Free and Reduced Lunch Applications
Free and Reduced Breakfast , Lunches & Lunch Menu
Parents can submit applications to enroll their student(s) in the free and reduced meal program. Applications should be submitted annually and may be completed online through SchoolCafe or via a printable meal application. Paper applications cannot be submitted via email or fax, but must be submitted to the student's school or directly to Nutrition Services (690 E Cope Industrial Way, Palmer, AK 99645).
The application process will require the following information be provided:
- Total household size
- Income for all household members (Income guidelines are available here)
- Student name(s)
- Additional information that is helpful, though not required, includes the student's birth date, enrolled school, and MSBSD ID number
Questions regarding the application process can be directed to Nutrition Services
(907) 861-5100.
https://www.matsuk12.us/business-departments/nutrition-services/schoolcafe
Lunch Menu :
NEW DISMISSAL PROGRAM - PikMyKid
Bus Transportation Information
Parents/guardians have access to GPS information for the buses associated with their students bus route. For a look at a student’s bus location, parents can go to www.matsuk12.us and click on Parents > Transportation Lookup > Where’s My Bus. This document walks you through how to access Where's My Bus with picture references.
The username and password will be the phone number that a parent/guardian used at the time of registration. Please note that GPS will not work if the route is being driven in a substitute bus. If you are having issues viewing the bus, please contact either the Pupil Transportation Department at 907-761-HELP (4357)
https://www.matsuk12.us/business-departments/transportation/transportation-overview
Chromebooks
Please have your child bring their Chromebook, fully charged and with charger to school with them on to school everyday. It is important for the exterior hard plastic cases to remain on their computers to protect it from damage.
Boys & Girls Club - Before and After School at Knik
Boys & Girls club of Alaska has partnered with Knik Elementary to offer a before and after school child care program. Students are offered a variety of fun activities in addition to help with their homework. This is such a great opportunity provided for our Knik and Goose Bay families. You can register online at www.bgcalaska.org
Goose Bay students will be walked to and from Knik by a B&G or Goose Bay staff member
Please contact Chrissy Richey @ 907-519-9484
Knik Campus hours 7:00 am - 6:30 pm.
Room 110 & 111
Dress Code Policy update
Knik Elementary Families,
On June 5th, our School Board implemented the following changes to the Dress and Appearance clause in Board Policy 5144.1 which governs Students Rights and Responsibilities.
Please review as you prepare your students for this school year - thank you!
Knik Elementary School Calendar
October
10/21/24 - 11/1/24 Scholastic Book Fair
10/24/24 Camp Read A Lot @ 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
November
11/4/24 & 11/5/24 Parent Teacher Conferences NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
11/8/24 Veterans Day Concert @ 9:30 am
11/11/24 Veterans Day Holiday NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
11/28/24 - 11/29/24 Thanksgiving Holiday
December
12/05/24 Holiday Family Craft Night @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
12/20/24 - 01/10/25 Holiday Break
January
01/30/25 Moonlight Mile & Fireworks @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
01/20/24 Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
February
02/10/25 & 02/17/25 Parent Conference Day NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
02/29/25 Family Science Night @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
March
03/07/25 Teacher Work Day NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
03/10/25 - 03/14/25 Spring Break NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
April
04/01/25 Pastries with Parents @ 8:30 am - 9:00 am
May
05/02/25 Professional Learning Day NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
05/08/25 3rd Grade Orientation @ 5:30 - 6:00 pm
05/22/25 Last Day of School Field Day and Picnic