Paw Print Press 2.0
March 18, 2024
School Climate & Connectedness Survey Deadline Extended
As students head back to school today, we want to encourage you to complete the School Climate & Connectedness Survey (SCCS) if you haven’t already done so.
The statewide survey period has been extended by the Association of Alaska School Boards through March 29 to allow additional input from families. The survey is open to students in grades 3-12, families, and school-based staff. It provides valuable feedback on how you feel about our schools – so please don’t delay – complete the survey before the window expires.
Thank you and have a terrific week!
Spring Lottery Open
Did you know that the Spring Lottery is NOW OPEN and runs until March 21st. If you have upcoming Kindergarteners, students in 1st-5th not currently in our Neighborhood or HG program, or you might know interested families, please call the office at 907-742-4800 and share this information with anyone who may be interested in our program!
HG News
The Highly Gifted Program is busy and growing constantly. We are up above pre-pandemic numbers and it's great to see so many faces in the halls. Our 5th and 6th graders are looking forward to some fun activities this quarter as they finish up their elementary school careers. We will miss them next year.
Sixth graders are almost ready to showcase their ROPEs Projects on May 9. 2024. If you would like to be a panelist for our ROPEs Project Showcase, please email Dr. Gates at gates_jillian@asdk12.org. You can volunteer for an hour or the whole day or something in-between. We would love to have you join us!
Library News
Thank you to all the families who helped their child to participate in our 2nd annual Read-a-Thon! With the help of over 140 readers, we raised funds to purchase new books and new computers for the library. Unfortunately, ASD will not replace the computers they are removing from the library this summer. Our fundraising will ensure that our students have computers to find books, learn about Internet safety, learn how to evaluate websites, and be able to access ASD databases for their research.
The Read-a-Thon was a success with students from every class participating, and we’ve earned over $10,000! This money be used to benefit every child and every class in our school – thank you for your support of our library.
The Read-a-Thon ends March 22. The Read-a-Thon company will send prizes, but this takes about a month. The librarian will provide additional prizes, and announce the winners – both individual and class awards.
2024 AK STAR and Alaska Science Assessment
Each spring, Alaskan students are provided an opportunity to show what they know. When students show what they know, teachers and parents can partner to promote student success. The State of Alaska Department of Education has partnered with NWEA to align and connect the English language arts (ELA) and mathematics tests with the MAP Growth benchmark assessments students take in fall and winter.
This balanced assessment system targets instruction to better support meeting students’ individual learning needs. In addition, students will take only one assessment per content area (ELA and math) and be provided two scores as follows:
Summative assessment result at grade-level
MAP Growth interim benchmark result, including growth from fall to spring
AK STAR, the Alaska System of Academic Readiness, is comprised of English language arts and mathematics and is administered to students in grades 3-9. The Alaska Science Assessment is administered to students in grades 5, 8 and 10. The purpose of a large-scale, summative assessment is to provide parents and schools an overall picture of a student’s progress in meeting the Alaska standards at grade level.
Parents can locate resources for AK STAR and the Alaska Science Assessment, including directions for Student Readiness (Practice Tests and Tutorials), student testing times and general assessment information on the ASD website at https://www.asdk12.org/akstar.
Parents can also help by ensuring their children are well rested, eat a nutritious breakfast, and are at school on time for the days of testing. Please avoid scheduling appointments on your child’s testing days.
The ASD AK STAR and Alaska Science Assessment testing window allows for school assessment scheduling flexibility. Students! Get ready to show what you know during our school’s AK STAR and Alaska Science Assessment testing dates:
2024 ASD AK STAR and Alaska Science Assessment Testing Window
March 25-April 5
(Make-ups through April 26)
Spring Pictures - April 26th
Camp Fire Changes for 2024-2025
Dear Camp Fire Families,
We want to inform you of some important changes to our School Age Program for the 2024-2025 school year. Due to the Anchorage School District school start time changes to take effect in August 2024, our program offerings will change.
All Camp Fire Alaska program locations will only offer an extended afterschool program from 2:30pm-6:00pm daily to accommodate the new school schedule. The shortened window before school start time does not allow us to provide a morning program, therefore, Camp Fire Alaska will no longer be able to offer before school programs.
Camp Fire Afterschool Program cost will be $560/month. If you are a family who will need financial assistance to attend Camp Fire program next school year, please read about our scholarship process here.
We recognize that these changes will have a significant impact on families, and we are continuing to work closely with other out-of-school-time partners, the Anchorage School District, and the Alaska Afterschool Network to help families and the community make this transition. You can learn more about the new school schedules and access resources here to plan for next school year.
Camp Fire registration for the 2024-2025 school year will open Wednesday, March 20th at 10am AKST for all currently enrolled families, and on March 22nd at 10am AKST for all other families.
Please reach out to our Family Services Manager at campfire@campfireak.org or call our main office with any questions or concerns.
Thank you,
Mel Hooper, CEO
Camp Fire Alaska
Alyeska Reading Institute Tutoring Opportunity
Learn more about Alyeska Reading Institute (ARI) Tutoring:
Fill out this form to start the application process:
Rogers Park Summer Camp Opportunity
Junior Achievement Biz Kids Summer Camp Opportunity
Give your kids an extra advantage this summer and enroll them in the JA Biz Kids Summer Camp in Anchorage, AK! Students will learn the basics of business, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and workforce readiness skills in fun, hands-on activity-based lessons.
Sessions
Session 1: June 5 - 8th
Session 2: June 12 - 15th
Camp will be held at the University of Alaska Anchorage
Monday - Thursday from 9 AM - 3:30 PM Daily
Additional information is available at: akbizkidcamp.com
Upcoming Events
Mar 21 *6:00pm - 7:30pm* PTA Meeting (Library/Zoom)
Mar 25 * 5th Grade* AK STAR & AK Science Assessment Window Open
3-6 MAPGrowth Benchmark Window Open through April 26th