Dear Rogers Park Families,

As we continue our journey through this academic year, I want to highlight the importance of the upcoming MAP Growth (Measures of Academic Progress) testing. These assessments provide us with invaluable real-time data that allows us to tailor instruction to meet the individual needs of each student.

MAP testing is not just another test—it's a crucial tool that helps us understand where our students are academically at any given point in the school year. The data we gather from these tests guide our instructional strategies and interventions, ensuring that each student receives the support they need to thrive.

Moreover, MAP scores play a significant role in determining future class placements both here at Rogers Park and as your student transitions to middle and high school. The results offer a clear picture of your child's strengths and areas for growth, helping us to place them in classes that will challenge and support their academic journey.

We encourage you to talk to your child about the importance of doing their best on these assessments. With your support, we can continue to provide an educational experience that prepares them for future success.

Thank you for your partnership in your child's education

MAP Growth is the ASD and State of Alaska required benchmark/interim reading and mathematics assessment for students in grades 3-9. Grades 10-12 students identified as needing Tier II and Tier III reading and mathematics support also take MAP Growth as part of the Anchorage School District's MTSS framework.

Alaska's Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) has partnered with NWEA to implement a creative approach to a balanced statewide assessment that connects fall and winter MAP Growth benchmark/interim assessments and the Alaska spring AK STAR summative assessment. AK STAR eliminates the spring benchmark/interim assessment window for grades 3-9 by combining the summative and benchmark assessment into one test that produces a spring benchmark score, which includes a growth measure. More information is available at the State of Alaska AK STAR website, education.alaska.gov/assessments/akstar.

MAP Growth is an online, adaptive assessment that provides each student a personalized testing experience with data that speaks to their individual progress and growth in mathematics and reading.

The MAP Growth reading and mathematics benchmark will be administered in person during the 2024-2025 fall and winter benchmark windows. The spring benchmark will be embedded in the AK STAR summative assessment as outlined above.

• Fall Benchmark 1: September 3 - September 13 (make-ups through September 20)

• Winter Benchmark 2: December 2 - December 13 (make-ups through December 19)

• Spring Benchmark 3: embedded in AK STAR administered during the summative assessment window: March 24 - April 4 (make-ups through April 25)

• MAP Growth assessment only: Grades 10-12 identified as needing Tier II and III support

MAP Growth practice tests and tutorials allow students and families the opportunity to become familiar with the types of questions and tools available on the actual MAP Grow assessments such as the highlighter and calculator. An overview of these resources with links to the practice tests are compiled on the MAP Growth Practice Tests Quick Sheet.

Hello Wolfpack Parents and Guardians,

I am very excited to announce the start of choir season at Rogers Park! We have so many wonderful and excited singers in our school, it’s time to let everyone Hear Our Howl! The Rogers Park choir is split into two groups, one for the 1st-3rd graders and one for the 4th-5th graders. While the 4th-5th group is open to any student who signs up, the 1st-3rd grade group will be limited to the first 40 students to submit their permission slip. This group fills quickly, so turn your permission slip in early!

Each group will meet once a week. The 1st-3rd graders will meet on Thursdays from 2:30-3:30 pm and the 4th-5th graders will meet on Wednesdays from 2:30-4:00. Students will meet in the music room immediately after school, have a quick snack, then sing together in the music room before being dismissed at the front of the school.

Important Dates

September 4, 2024: 4-5 Choir Rehearsals Start (Every Wednesday, 2:30-4:00 pm)

September 5, 2024: 1-3 Choir Rehearsals Start (Every Thursday, 2:30-3:30 pm)

October 28, 2024: *4-5 only* East Area Choir Festival 6:00 pm **pending approval**

December 12, 2024: Choir Performance Dress Rehearsal 2:30-4:00 pm

December 13, 2024: Choir Performance 1:00 pm and 6:30 pm

December 14, 2024: *4-5 only* Caroling around the neighborhood 12:00-3:00 pm

Permission Slips

1st-3rd Graders: https://forms.gle/t9yJWt81NHYsn7PJ6

4th-5th Graders: https://forms.gle/mfd8gASWJ6PfAJMa9

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Ms. Lavy

Students and Families, The Garden Club will be meeting after school on Thursdays from 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm in Room 303 (our new Garden Club room). Garden Club will start September 5th. We will meet weekly all year and will be following the Junior Master Gardener curriculum.

Our goals for the year are to obtain a greenhouse and get kids excited about growing food and making healthy choices. We will grow plants indoors, tend to a worm bin to compost our food scraps, collectively choose plans for a greenhouse and learn about plant growth and development. If your child is interested in the Garden Club, fill out the information below and return it to either Ms. Belts (Rm 108) or Ms. Singleton (gym).

A completed permission slip is required from each student in order to attend Garden Club. If you have any questions, comments or concerns please contact Ms. Belts ( belts_annie@asdk12.or g) or

Ms. Singleton ( singleton_jili@asdk12.org )

Please join the Rogers Park PTA for “Running Around for a Reason,” our 7th annual Jog-A-Thon and big fundraiser for the year. The money raised by this event will be used for hands-on materials and classroom supplies, grants to every teacher in the school, support for school clubs and after school events, and much more!

All students who turn in a donation will receive a Jog-A-Thon sticker and be entered into a lottery with a chance to win Moose’s Tooth gift cards, a Great Harvest Bread Company gift, Wild Scoops cards, Kaladi drink cards, or school spirit wear.

The Jog-A-Thon will take place during the school day on Friday, September 27th. Every student will participate by walking or jogging laps for 20 minutes and it will be optional for students to have their laps counted. This is a fun event for both students and parents, so keep an eye out for parent volunteer requests coming soon.

Online donations are preferred although cash or check (made out to Rogers Park PTA) is also accepted. Look for pledge sheets to come home with students soon. Thank you for your support!

Greetings Rogers Park Families! I am Julie Streubel, the school counselor. I am excited to begin my 7th year at RP. I hope your students are having a wonderful start to the school year. I don’t know about you, but this new school start time has been a little difficult for this perpetual night owl. So I started thinking that maybe others were having the same difficulty. I have noticed some students who are consistently late so far this year. We would really like to have students here and ready for the school day before 8:00 (9:00 on Mondays). I am also noticing students who are dragging by the end of the day or making poor choices as the day progresses. This could be a sign that your student is not getting adequate sleep.

How Much Sleep Do Kids Need?

How much sleep kids need varies by age. While every child is different, experts recommend:

• infants (0–3 months): 14–17 hours, including naps

• infants (4–12 months: 12–16 hours, including naps

• toddlers (1–2 years): 11–14 hours, including naps

• preschool (3–5 years): 10–13 hours, including naps

• school-age (6–13 years): 9–12 hours

• teens (14–17 years): 8–10 hours

How Can I Tell if My Child Isn’t Getting Enough Sleep?

A child who isn’t getting enough sleep may:

• fall asleep during the day

• be hyperactive (especially younger children)

• have trouble paying attention

• struggle with school work

• be cranky, whiny, irritable, or moody

• have behavior problems

What Can Help Kids Sleep?

For kids of all ages, set up a bedtime routine that encourages good sleep habits. These tips can help kids ease into a good night's sleep:

• Stick to a regular bedtime. You can give your kids a heads-up 30 minutes and then 10 minutes beforehand.

• Encourage older kids and teens to set a bedtime that allows for the full hours of sleep needed at their age. A bedtime routine could include washing up and brushing teeth, reading a book, or listening to quiet music.

• Turn off all screens (TV, computers, phones, tablets, and video games) at least 1 hour before bedtime. Consider removing all devices from your child’s bedroom.

Here’s to a good night’s sleep for everyone!

Sep 10 (T) *5:00 pm - 6:00pm* HG Math Night

Sep 10 *6:00pm - 7:00pm* Open House

Sep 12 (Th) *6:00pm - 7:30pm* PTA Meeting

Sep 13 Fitzgerald Photography School Picture Day

Rogers Park Mission: Preparing Passionate, Productive, Learners for Life

Rogers Park Vision: Empower the HOWL

(Help each other, Own our actions, Work together, Listen & Learn)