Aquarian News

November

11/18- Texas Roadhouse- Dine to Donate

11/18- 5:45 APC Meeting

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 945 3161 5121

Passcode: 871491

11/21- Breakfast Bake Sale

11/22-Pizza Lunch

11/23- High Fitness Fundraiser 7:30

11/25- Blue Ribbon Assembly 10:00

11/28-11/29- Thanksgiving Holiday (No School)

December

12/2-12/13- State Testing 3rd-6th

12/2-PTO Meeting 5:30 in the Library

12/6-ASA Ends

12/12- Pizza Lunch

12/12-12/13-mClass Testing K-3

12/19- Last Day of the Semester for Students

12/20- Grading Day (No School for Students)

12/20-1/6 Winter Break (Staff only return the 6th for professional development.)

January

1/6- Inservice (No School for Students)

1/7- Students First Day Back

1/13- 3rd Quarter ASAs Start

1/13- 5:45 APC Meeting

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 945 3161 5121

Passcode: 871491

1/16- Spelling Bee 10:00

1/16- 3/4 School Battle of the Books

1/20- MLK Jr. Day (No School)

This is the season of gratitude and giving.

Student Council is organizing a one-week canned food drive to support our Alaskan community. We will be accepting donations from Monday, November 18, through Friday, November 22.

Please click on this link to view healthy donation options. FOOD BANK OF ALASKA DONATION NEEDS

We will be awarding House Points to make this drive a little more interesting! Please be sure to look for your house bin at the four corners. Let's show our community that Aquarian cares!

Student Council is hoping to get a few parents with pickup trucks to help take canned food and food barrels to the Food Bank of Alaska on Monday, November 25th.

If you can help out, please email or talk with Sarah Ploesser. ploesser_sarah@asdk12.org

Thank you!

Fifth grade may be a bit devastated after saying goodbye to some of their favorite words Friday.

They’re mourning mad.

Said is dead.

See ya smart.

RIP Funny.

It may be sad, but truly this is a time to celebration as they learned new words to take the place of their fallen friends.

Ms. Danielle’s and Ms. Stacy’s classes had a presentation from Kids Don’t Float last week learning the importance of life jackets while on the water.

Original Works orders have arrived, and they are gorgeous! Students will bring home items soon. Please contact chelmo_lisa@asdk12.org with any questions or if there are any problems with your orders. Thank you for supporting the art room with this fundraiser. A portion of your purchases directly benefit the budget for art supplies this school year.

4th grade went to Campbell Creek Science Center to learn about outdoor survival last week! The, hands down, best part was starting a fire using flint and steal.

Dear Aquarian Families,

As many of you may know, starting with this current school year, the district officially moved 6th grade to middle school. Aquarian opted to continue offering 6th grade for the 2024/2025 transition year.

Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, we will be strongly considering aligning with this district decision by phasing out 6th grade at Aquarian and introducing a 4th/5th multiage classroom. Here is what it would mean to eliminate 6th grade at Aquarian:

• Smaller, Consistent Class Sizes at Upper Grade Levels: This adjustment would help us maintain balanced class sizes across 4th and 5th grades. It would also make it easier for us to plan ahead when it comes to enrollment, staffing, and budgeting, ensuring that we can continue providing the best learning environment for all students.

• Student Placement: By having three upper-grade classrooms in the 4th and 5th grades (instead of just two), we’ll have more flexibility with student placement.

• Middle School Transition: Following the district model would mean our 6th graders would begin middle school with their peers. They would receive the benefit of transitional strategies and assistance offered to the new incoming 6th graders. They would also get access to the opportunities middle school offers, such as foreign language, band, orchestra, sports teams, clubs and more.

• Eliminates Current Challenges: Right now, our 6th-grade teacher doesn’t have same-grade colleagues to collaborate with, professional development, nor does she have access to electronic progress monitoring. If this shift occurs, all teachers would have access to these tools.

As a charter school, our community has the flexibility to choose a different path from the ASD. The APC will be voting on this proposal at the regular meeting on November 18, 2024. But we want to hear feedback from our community. You can share your thoughts at: https://forms.gle/17wZey4XNnC8tpvq9 or join us at the November APC meeting to provide your comments in person.

We understand that transitions can raise questions and we’re here to support you. We’d love to hear your feedback.

Thank you for your continued support, and for being such an important part of our Aquarian community.

Warmly,
Your APC Board

We're excited to host a high-energy fitness fundraiser to support our Aquarian teachers in their journey to the Ron Clark Academy, an incredible opportunity for professional development that will enhance their ability to inspire and engage students. This dynamic workout event, suitable for participants third grade and up, will be led by instructors who will guide everyone through an intense, fun-filled session. Designed to challenge and energize, the workout will promote fitness while fostering community support for our educators. Be sure to bring a water bottle and wear comfortable gym shoes, as we’ll be breaking a serious sweat! Plus, throughout the event, we'll be hosting several exciting giveaways, with chances to win fantastic prizes that add to the fun. All proceeds will go toward helping our teachers attend this transformative experience. Come out, break a sweat, and show your support and bring your friends!

Aquarian Charter School students Lily Anderson, Dylan Cook, Paisley Cook, Alice Haugen, Willow Ossenkop, Carlota Sledgister-Rodriguez, and Elin Woodland are performing in Anchorage Concert Association’s presentation of The Nutcracker this Thanksgiving weekend in the Atwood Concert Hall alongside premiere dance company Eugene Ballet and the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra.

Get your tickets now to see these talented students in action!

Dear Aquarian Families,

It's November, and that means the science fair is only a little over two months away! Entry forms are due in three weeks. If your child is a 3rd-6th grader (or if your kindergarten-2nd grade child is choosing to do a science fair project), it is time to get started! This month, we suggest students study their topics, take notes, and begin researching their ideas. It’s time to make hypotheses and conduct experiments (build models, perfect demonstrations, or research questions)! Please remember live animals, plants, molds, and chemicals are not allowed on display. Students should take photographs and draw sketches of their processes.

Please thoroughly read the descriptions and requirements of the different types of projects (Experiment, Research, Demonstration and Model) in the 2024/25 Science Fair Packet. It is important to accurately communicate the type of project to the judges so that students are scored as fairly as possible. Also, please thoroughly describe the project on the entry form so the type of project is clear.

Volunteers: We are looking for 30-40 volunteer judges on February 6th from approximately 8:00-11:30 a.m. Parents, family members, and friends are welcome. For more information, or if you’re interested in committing, sign up at bit.ly/AQSciFairJudge

or contact Sarah Fineman.

Dates to remember:

Science Fair Entry Forms Due to Teachers: December 6th

Science Fair: February 6th

Please let us know if you have any questions,

The Science Fair Committee

Lisa Botero botero_lisa@asdk12.org

Sarah Fineman Fineman_Sarah@asdk12.org

Monica Severson severson_monica@asdk12.org

Connie Tracy tracy_connie@asdk12.org