Ptarmigan Elementary School

Ptarmigan Families,

It’s hard to believe the first quarter is already over!

Ptarmigan is currently holding a fall fundraiser, featuring Texas Roadhouse rolls and gift cards. Fifty percent of the sales will go back to the school. We have been working hard to update and clean the building—our hallways were repainted in October. The funds raised will help us upgrade PE equipment and student furniture.

Our parent committee is off to a great start, planning numerous events for our students. We are sorry that our Fall Festival had to be rescheduled due to a Remote Learning Day. Your involvement makes a big difference so we hope to see you all at the rescheduled event on Thursday, November 7th.

Please take this time to review your student’s attendance. We know that attendance is the number one factor influencing student academic achievement. Thank you all for the continued support you offer our school and students every day!

Mrs. Ellen Drake

Ptarmigan Elementary Principal

November 5th:

• NO SCHOOL. Remote Learning Day. Voting Day (Most schools are voting sites).

• Fall Festival (Rescheduled new date) @ 5:30pm-7:00pm.

November 11th:

• NO SCHOOL. Student Release Professional Development Day.

• Operation Warm Coat Event

• Fall Picture Retakes.

• Family Movie Night (choice of movie TBD) @ 5:30pm-7:30pm.

November 22nd:

• 1st & 2nd Grade Field Trip- East HS Dance Contempo @ 12pm-1:45pm.

November 27th:

• Lion's Club Vision Screening.

November 28th & 29th:

• NO SCHOOL. Thanksgiving Holiday.

Greetings,

Winter weather is HERE. Please make sure to have winter gear prepped and ready for your students. Per district guidelines, children are expected to go outside for recess except for -10 degrees or if they have a signed doctor’s note excusing them from activity. As a reminder all children should have:

• Outside Coat/Jacket (not just a hoody), Layers of clothing, Hat, Gloves/Mittens, Snow Pants, Boots

Important upcoming screening dates:

Mass Hearing and Growth screening 11/14/2024

Mass Vision screening by Lion’s Club 11/27/2024

How sick is too sick? When to keep your child at home from school:

Children need to be at school so they can learn. The best way to prevent the spread of illness is with proper, frequent handwashing, encourage children to cough and sneeze into their elbows (not hands) and refrain from touching the eyes, nose, and the mouth with their hands. Personal packs of tissues are great for children. Keep Hydrated, water is an important component of staying healthy and combating illness.

If your child will be absent from school, please contact the school office. When is a child too sick to be at school? Attached are some tips for deciding:

As always, if you have questions, are looking for resources, or have a change in medical or health needs for your student-Please reach out.

Cassandra Espinoza BSN-RN PMH-BC

Ptarmigan School Nurse

888 Edward Street

Anchorage, AK 99504

Phone: 907-742-0417

Fax: 907-742-0425

espinoza_cassandra@asdk12.org

Ptarmigan Families,

November Lessons:

K/1 Lessons – Know when and why to take breaks from devices. Consider the feelings of people around them, even when engaged in fun online activities.

We will know what viewpoint is. We will understand how viewpoint impacts how we see things, but it does not change facts. We will be able to identify why someone might have a different viewpoint.

We will know that pictures add more meaning to our stories. We will understand that pictures tell us information. We will be able to tell a story by using pictures.

2/3 Lessons – Recognize the kinds of information that are private. Understand that they should never give out private information online.

We will know that text features can help us find information quickly.

We will understand the names of text features, their purpose, and where they are found.

We will be able to use text features in non-fiction books to quickly find information for research.

We will know how to access World Book Kids. Understand how to search on World Book Kids. Be able to use Digital Resources to answer our Essential Questions.

4/5 Lessons - We will know what a SORA eBook is. We will learn that eBooks can help us learn more about topics. We can access SORA on a device.

Students will access their NoodleTools accounts through G Suite. Students will create a practice project in NoodleTools. Students will learn how to add a book citation in NoodleTools.

We will know that people have cultural differences. We will understand that people have diverse opinions. We will be able to empathize with the perspective of others.

Library News :

From the Alaska State Library:

Tutor.com is implementing a new user interface for Live Homework Help that will include:

• A new color scheme that not only can engage students of all ages, but also better fits accessibility standards.
• A reorganized home page and top navigation bar, bringing out and surfacing resources that were previously hidden.
• A brand-new user generated snapshot report, showing all the different ways an account is accessing the Tutor.com program.
• Updated practice quizzes, with additional content coming soon.
• And much more!

All ASD students have access to NoodleTools, a research organizational tool that stores their sources and formats their bibliographies. It also has note taking and outline features. MLA and APA formats are available.

Students should log into NoodleTools with their ASD Google Drive credentials. It is most easily accessed as a built-in app within their ASD Google Drive. Fourth and fifth grade students will practice using NoodleTools this month.

How to Login to SORA

On a mobile device or pad. (Scroll to red line for desktop, laptop, Chromebook)

1. Download the SORA app from your app store. (Apple App Store, Google Play Store.
2. Open the app and use the Find my school search.
3. Type in Anchorage.
4. Do not choose a specific school. Do not choose Mears Middle School. Instead scroll all the way down and click on my school isn't listed.
5. Find the option to Sign in using Anchorage School District.
   
6. Next, you will create a SORA account by logging in to the Anchorage School District. Use your lastname.firstname@asdk12.org for the username, and your regular ASD password (your student ID).
7. If you have a public library card you can add the Anchorage Municipal Library to your SORA account and borrow e- books/audio from there as well.
8. You should be all set! Start browsing in the Explore tab or click on Search to look for a specific title, author, or subject.
   

Mrs. Giammalva and Mrs. Gaither

Teacher-Librarians

giammalva_alyson@asdk12.org

gaither_skylar@asdk12.org

Mrs. Holliday graduated from Geneva College Beaver Falls, PA, in May 2022, with a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education and is certified in PreK-4 and Special Education PreK-12. She began teaching as a long-term 3rd grade substitute, building substitute, and Summer Academy Teacher. By the end of the 23-24 school year, Holliday accepted a job teaching 3rd grade at Ptarmigan Elementary.

Mrs. Holliday believes it is important as a teacher to have a perspective of each student that they can succeed! Through encouragement, positive reinforcement, and personal relationship with strict boundaries, Mrs. Holliday helps students find a passion for learning. Mrs. Holliday teaches in an inclusive classroom, differentiating her instruction to best suit the needs of her students.

Mrs. Holliday moved to Anchorage, AK, as a newlywed, having been married just one week before she drove the Alcan Highway to her new home. Holliday’s spare time is spent studying aviation and flying. Mrs. Holliday is thankful to be a part of ASD and looks forward to a future teaching at Ptarmigan.

November Updates from Ptarmigan Music Classes

This November, our Ptarmigan students are singing, dancing, and playing their way through an exciting musical journey in the music room!

October Recap

Our youngest musicians had a blast with pumpkin-themed songs and games throughout October. Second graders delved into the vibrant music of Encanto, using boomwhackers to explore the enchanting sounds of the Madrigal family's story from Colombia. As part of our celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, we enjoyed Spanish songs and are now transitioning to learn about indigenous music and instrument families.

Fourth Grade Ukulele Challenge

Fourth graders are strumming their way through a ukulele challenge this month! They’re competing to see which class can learn the most songs. With four chords under their belts, their fingers may be sore, but their song repertoire is growing impressively!

Fifth Grade Recorder Creations

Fifth graders are busy with the recorder, creating their own rhythms and songs in small groups. Ms. Bridges’ class recently performed a delightful skit based on the song “Skin and Bones” for the kindergarteners, making it a fun experience for everyone involved.

Ptarmigan Choir

Our Ptarmigan choir is hard at work preparing for the Winter concert on December 12th, practicing eight songs to share with the community. They will also perform for our wonderful volunteers on November 12th. We’re excited for the folks from Operation Warm to hear our choir’s heartwarming tunes as they distribute winter clothing to Ptarmigan students.

Holiday Spirit

As the holidays approach, it’s a wonderful time to share songs and musical traditions with family. We encourage everyone to sing, dance, and play together to celebrate the season!

Mrs. Benton

Classroom Music Specialist

Anchorage School District Board:

Andy Holleman (President), Carl Jacobs (Vice President), Dora Wilson (Clerk), Kelly Lessens (Treasurer), and Members: Dave Donley, Pat Higgins, and Margo Bellamy.

ASD Superintendent Dr. Jharrett Bryantt.

Ptarmigan Elementary School

888 Edward St.

Anchorage, AK. 99504

Phone: (907) 742-0400

Fax: (907) 742-0425

To Leave a Message on the Attendance Line: (907) 566-0400