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Mears Middle School

Support our school wide fundraiser at the Dine to Donate event with our School Business Partners at the Lucky Wishbone.

The conference scheduler opened on Monday, October 14, 2024. There are still time slots available for all teams. You will schedule one 20 minute time slot with your student's academic core teaching team (ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies). Appointments with members of our electives team, including PE and Health, and other specialists are also available before and after your scheduled 20 minute time slot.

We are on a shortened school day to accommodate conferences. Our school day will run from 9:30a-1:00p. Conferences will run from 1:30p-4:00p. Teachers will have a dinner break from 4:00p-5:00p. Conferences will resume from 5:00p-8:00p.

The conference scheduler opened on Monday, October 14, 2024. There are still time slots available for all teams. You will schedule one 20 minute time slot with your student's academic core teaching team (ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies). Appointments with members of our electives team, including PE and Health, and other specialists are also available before and after your scheduled 20 minute time slot.

We are on a shortened school day to accommodate conferences. Our school day will run from 9:30a-1:00p. Conferences will run from 1:30p-4:00p.

No School for Students.

The Mears PTSA is organizing a pot-luck meal to support the teachers during Parent Teacher Conferences on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 and pot-luck breakfast items on Thursday, October 24, 2024. A link to the sign-up genius will be available soon, so stay tuned! Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

On the long weekend, try out SORA or Libby -
our ASD supported ebook and/or
e-Audiobook options: https://www.asdk12.org/Page/16826

Paper overdue notices will be handed out Monday at school -Your student’s options include:

• Returning overdue materials to either of the library drop boxes;

• Asking for a renewal in person or through a Canvas Inbox message to Ms. Hubbard;

• Letting Ms. Hubbard know of loss or damage to the book in person or through Canvas Inbox messages.
  
  

Some items may be overdue holdovers from previous years - Please have your student contact Ms. Hubbard to figure out what to do in those cases.

There are a variety of options including paying fines, community service, or donating a replacement book for lost or damaged books - we want everyone to be able to check out books from our library - don’t let a lost or late book keep you away!

We are still collecting donations for the Alaska Food Bank in the MPR! Donations can be dropped off before school, during lunch or during after school conferences, Wednesday and Thursday! 6th and 7th grade are neck and neck with donations. It’s time for 8th grade to STEP IT UP!

Our whole group meeting is canceled on 10/24 for conferences. Please check Canvas for announcements.

Hello Robotics Interns and families! Please be sure that you are showing up each and every day with your Chromebook charged and WITH your charger! Your Chromebook and charger should be with you every single day- it is absolutely paramount for this class that you arrive with your Chromebook.

There have been some pretty impressive builds going on! I’m thrilled with the persistence and drive! Keep going with that Growth Mindset!

“Never give up, never surrender!” -Commander Peter Quincy Taggert, Galaxy Quest

Any 7th graders seeking extra time with builds, or questions in general, are welcome to show up on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Rm 220 Jones at lunch! See me for a pass before school or during passing periods. See you there!

First quarter is in the books. Now is the time for a fresh start. Team Alliance is focused on taking what we’ve learned and growing from it.

Please take a moment to sign up for conferences. Conferences will give you a quick snip-it of your child’s first quarter. If you feel you need more than a few minutes with each teacher, reach out to them directly.

Your teachers are excited to meet your families on Wednesday and Thursday (October 23 and 24) during our Parent-Teacher (Student-Led) Conferences. The conference scheduler is live! Select Mears Middle School - 8th Grade - Team Nexus then select ONE time slot ONLY.

Team Nexus presents Raegan Munn as our Student of the Week. Raegan never fails to pursue excellence and to go above and beyond. You make us so proud, Raegan!

In Science: Our Ecosystem Models are up and running. Observations include fungus, roots, and grass! Students are acclimating to working in a science lab.

Science students have been learning how to use compound microscopes by looking at a variety of specimens.

Our 4th period science class received a special treat from the apple orchard of one of our teammates! Students enjoyed making their own apple “nachos” and we will spend more time connecting it with our learning tomorrow. This fun, hands-on time with fresh Alaskan apples harvested just a few days ago will provide an awesome platform from which to make lasting connections to our curriculum.

The apple donation was plentiful enough to share apples with all classes.

Hello from Ms. Jones in Science and Robotics! Lunch in the room has been VERY popular! Be sure to stop by before school or during passing periods BEFORE 4th period to pick up a pass! There are only 35 passes each day so be sure to stop by ASAP!

Word of The Week: Aglagvik - Iñupiaq word for School Listen here

As we wrap up the first quarter, it’s been an exciting start to the school year at Mears Middle School! We’ve welcomed new students, launched some exciting initiatives, and have been busy creating a supportive and inclusive environment for all.

This quarter, we’ve focused on strengthening our support for Indigenous Education students. In addition to providing academic support and resources, we have been connecting with families to ensure students have access to all available services. I’ve been working closely with staff to identify and assist students in need of support with attendance, grades, and transitions.

Thank you to everyone—students, families, and staff—for making this quarter a great success. I look forward to continuing our work together in the months ahead.

Ms. Smith

smith_mirandah@asdk12.net

Please visit this link to stay up to date on all that is going on in our program Indigenous Education News.

• Like "whippets," Galaxy Gas is a nitrous oxide aerosol can charger that kids are inhaling to get high. Though the trend uses this brand's name, it covers other similar brands, too. These canisters are easy to buy online.

Now What?

• First, keep an eye out for canisters; school personnel can let parents know as well. Then, talk to kids about why someone might want to participate: If the kids in a video seem like they're having fun, a viewer might not know how dangerous the trend can be. What reasons would you give someone not to participate?

What?

• Both Apple's and Google's app stores host lots of "face swap" apps, and many can easily be used to create deepfake nude images. They generally don't mention this capability in their app store descriptions to avoid being removed, but they advertise it on social media.

• Often, creating these images requires an in-app purchase, of which the app stores take a percentage

Now What?

• Get ahead of the issue with AI literacy lessonsand clear policies to prevent problems. But also, invoke empathy: What may seem funny and harmless in the moment can cause someone irreparable harm. Try a digital dilemma and start a discussion.

Let kids know there are consequences: Clarify school policies, and let them know there is awareness and movement at the federal level . And for older kids: What do they think about the app stores making money on these purchases, even though the apps violate their terms?

Our front office is busy with calls in the mornings and afternoons and if you do not leave a message on our attendance line, the office can not process early dismissals and issue blue passes in a timely manner. If you know you are in need of a blue pass you can always email the attendance line the morning of or day before. We do not accept blue pass requests after 3:15 pm and blue pass requests need to be in 1 hour prior to the pick up time.

Remember, all fees and fines are paid through Q Parent Connect this year. If you do not have the ability to make an electronic payment, or you have difficulty with Q, please email Ms. Robin in the office. spartz-hays_robin@asdk12.org

Is your child going to absent from school? Save time and send a quick email to our attendance email box, mearsattendance@asdk12.org or you can call the school at 907-742-6400 and select the Attendance Line option to leave us a voice mail, either option is a great way to notify us!

Our office staff is available daily, please don't hesitate to reach out if we can help you in any way, our hours are 8:45-4:15. Thanks so much, we are here to help serve you!

We do not accept, Door Dash/Uber Eats/ETC, food deliveries for students before, during, nor after school. We will NOT accept deliveries of any kind. We have a school meal program offering balanced meal choices daily. In addition, the Black Cat Cafe offers smart snacks daily for purchase

Lunch Detentions are held daily during each lunch wave in Room ST6.. Students are expected to check-in with the supervisor at the beginning of lunch. Students who need to purchase food from the cafeteria will be issued a fast pass to procure their food and return to Room ST6 to serve the assigned lunch detention.

Eighth Grade: Mrs. Nogg

Seventh Grade: Mr. Edwards

Sixth Grade: Ms. Trawicki

Detentions are 8:45 am-9:15 am, in Room 212, with Mr. Bennice Tuesday-Friday. Please drop-off your student at the NORTH entrance to access the building. Mr. Bennice will greet your student, they will sign-in on the attendance sheet and be escorted to Room 212. Please contact AP Svendsen or AP Matthews with any questions.

Everyone

Accepted

Respected

Safe

Email: marquand_carla@asdk12.org
Website: https://www.asdk12.org/mears

YouTube: @JaneMearsMiddleSchool

Facebook: Mears Middle School
Location: 2700 West 100th Avenue, Anchorage, AK, USA
Phone: 907-742-6400