North Star News - March 2024
Photo: Lathrop High School Music In Our Schools Performance
What's inside?
- Upcoming AK STAR & Science Assessments
- FY25 Proposed Budget Tools & Resources
- Last Chance! School Climate Survey
- Music In Our Schools Podcast
- and more!
Provide Your Feedback in the School Climate Survey
You are invited to participate in the annual School Climate Parent Survey! The survey is anonymous, takes about 10 minutes, and results are used to understand and improve the educational climate of our schools. The parent survey closes on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Thank you for participating!
FY25 Proposed Budget Tools and Resources Available
A budget resources page is now available online for community members to learn more about the budget. The school board is working through the Proposed Budget additions and reductions in order to build the FY25 Recommended Budget. The Recommended Budget will be submitted to the Borough on April 1, 2024. Click here for more information about the budget.
Advocate For Public Education
How can you help advocate for public education funding?
Share a public opinion message with all legislators
VFW Alaska High School Teacher of the Year Award
Congratulations to Chief Master Sergeant (retired) Bradley Spilinek on receiving the VFW State of Alaska High School Teacher of the Year Award! Mr. Spilinek serves as the North Pole High JROTC Instructor and competed against all other Alaska VFW Post winners for this award. In the past year, Mr. Spilinek’s students have logged over 1,250 hours of community service in various events supporting our community. Mr. Spilinek collaborates with local veteran organizations and local business leaders to bring veterans and community leaders into the classroom to share their unique perspective of service and citizenship. For the past ten years, Mr. Spilinek has demonstrated a genuine passion for developing his students into informed and responsible citizens.
Interior Alaska Spelling Bee Winners
Congratulations to Elden Wier, seventh-grader from Ben Eielson Junior & Senior High School, on winning the Interior Alaska Spelling Bee! Elden will represent Interior Alaska in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., later this year.
Congrats to the following students who placed and all who participated!
***1st Place***
Elden Wier, 7th Grade, Ben Eielson Junior/Senior High
***2nd Place***
Sydney Seavey, 7th Grade, Barnette Magnet
***3rd Place (TIE)***
Hope Morton, 8th Grade, Randy Smith Middle
Lorain Peter, 5th Grade, Anderson Crawford Elementary
Read Together For National Reading Month | Teaching & Learning
March has long been recognized as National Reading Month, dedicated to promoting literacy and a love for reading in students of all ages. The history of Reading Month dates back to the 1980s, when it was initially established to coincide with the birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss. Families are encouraged to participate in this literary celebration by reading with their students, whether it's exploring new books together or sharing old favorites.
Reading together not only strengthens family bonds but also enhances vocabulary, comprehension skills, and fosters a lifelong love for learning. So let's make March 2024 a special time to dive into the magical world of books and stories!
Recognition of Traditional Chiefs' Week
The FNSBSD recognizes Traditional Chiefs' Week during the third week of March and encourages each school in the district to honor the legacy of Traditional Chiefs by studying their lives and leadership of the indigenous people of Interior Alaska throughout the year.
The Traditional Chief serves as an ambassador of traditional knowledge and the Athabascan and Alaska Native culture. Trimble Gilbert is a traditional chief and reverend of the Neets’ąįį Gwich’in people from Vashrąįį K’oo (Arctic Village), Alaska. Chief Trimble Gilbert’s intellectual, cultural, and artistic contributions to Alaska were recognized by the University of Alaska Fairbanks with an honorary doctorate in 2016. Click here to learn more about Chief Trimble Gilbert.
Alaska EdVenture Podcast 011: Music in Our Schools with Liesl Wietgrefe and Erin Janoso
AK STAR & Science Assessments | Teaching & Learning
AK STAR is the state summative assessment and is administered to students in grades 3–9 in English Language Arts and Math. The Science Assessment is the state summative assessment and is administered in grades 5, 8, and 10 for Science.
The testing schedule is:
- Middle Schools: March 25–April 5
- High Schools: April 1–5
- Elementary Schools: April 8–19
- Makeups: March 25 –April 26, after the initial test dates.
Check your school’s website for specific test dates or contact the school’s office. Also, be on the lookout for more information from your school this week.
Important information, please note: No electronic devices, besides those used for testing, will be allowed in the room during the test. This includes, but is not limited to, cell phones, laptops, iPads, e-readers, smart watches, fitness trackers, etc. If an electronic device is medically necessary, contact the principal to discuss this.
AK STAR & Science Practice Tests
The district wide practice test is Tuesday, March 19. Students will take this to become familiar with the testing platform, universal tools, and item types. The practice test also provides the opportunity for the district to ensure all devices are updated and ready for testing. If you have any questions, contact your school or the Dept. of Teaching and Learning at 452-2000 ext. 11422.
Senator Murkowski's Summer High School Internship
Senator Murkowski provides an opportunity each year for graduating high school seniors to be summer interns in her office. The interns have the opportunity to learn about the U.S. Senate, work in a professional office, shadow the Senator, attend meetings and committee hearings, perform special projects, have fun, and explore Washington, D.C. Eight students will be chosen for each of the two summer sessions. Click here for more information and the student application.
Internet Filter for Devices | Technology & Information Systems
The District uses an internet filter called Securly. Securly is a parent portal that allows for better visibility and control over your student’s online activities when using district-issued devices. In order to access the Internet, you must log into your district Google account with f-number or s-number. Bring Your Own Devices will need the Securly certificate.
Free Speech-Language Therapy Sessions | Special Education
Surplus Items Available in Online Auctions
The district is now holding surplus auctions on GovDeals.com, an online auction service for State, Local, and Educational agencies to conduct online sales of their surplus property.
2023 AK STAR Reports | Teaching & Learning
Students’ 2023 AK STAR reports will be available in PowerSchool starting April 17. This is not to be confused with the 2024 AK STAR tests being administered at schools in March through April. Students’ reports for the 2024 AK STAR tests are expected to be released in the fall. Click here for more information.
English Language Learners Testing | Teaching & Learning
All K–12 grade students identified as English Learners (EL or ELL) will be taking the ACCESS for ELLs test during the months of February and March. ACCESS for ELLs measures English Learner students’ skills in Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing English. More information about ACCESS for ELLs can be found here.
Vending Machines Now Available | Nutrition Services
Nutrition Services Department has made the leap into the vending world! Recently, three vending machines were purchased and installed at North Pole High and Lathrop High. You can use your student meal account, cash, and debit or credit card to make purchases. Check out the selection of salads, fresh fruit, sandwiches, breakfast, snack, and beverages!
Free Online Tutoring K–12 | Teaching & Learning
Live Homework Help provides free, online tutoring to Alaskan students in grade K–12 and intro level college students. Offered Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon to 2 a.m. Alaska Time. Students can work with a live tutor or use the study resources independently. Click here for more information.
Capital Improvement Plans and Deferred Maintenance | Facilities Management
After School Programs (ASP) | Student Support Services
21st CCLC Afterschool Programs are in full “bloom” for Spring! Many of our programs utilize our community partners to provide exciting STEM projects for hands-on learning. Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District promotes sustainability of natural resources and arrive on site with incredible activities to help our students learn about plants, agriculture, water, and so much more.
Our 21st CCLC programs conclude on April 25th, 2024. 21st CCLC ASP Grant Funded Programs Sites: Anne Wien, Denali, Hunter, Ticasuk Brown, Weller, Ryan, and Lathrop.
Alaska Native Education Program | Student Support Services
The ANE program supports Alaska Native and American Indian students in grades K–12, and provides cultural enrichment for all students in the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District.
Social Emotional Learning and Prevention | Student Support Services
Social Services Managers (SSMs) support students and families who experience barriers to school success. They collaborate with schools and families to identify the students’ needs, develop strategic interventions and implement plans to enhance social emotional wellbeing and improve academic performance. SSMs strive to connect home, school, and community resources.
Photo credit: West Valley Boys Basketball
Student Activities | Athletics
Click the google sheet links below for activity calendars.
Learn more about student activities.
Eielson: https://www.arbiterlive.com/Teams?entityId=6726
Hutchison: https://www.arbiterlive.com/Teams?entityId=10685
Lathrop: https://www.arbiterlive.com/Teams?entityId=12446
North Pole: https://www.arbiterlive.com/Teams?entityId=16328
West Valley: https://www.arbiterlive.com/Teams?entityId=25400
Interior Alaska Science Fair K–8 | March 20–23
The Interior Alaska Science Fair is March 20–23 at Pioneer Park for kindergarten through eighth grade. Click here for a schedule of events and more information.
Upcoming Events
MAR 8 | End of 3rd Quarter (early dismissal)
MAR 11 | 6:00 p.m. Budget Community Forum at the North Pole High Library
MAR 11–15 | Spring Break (no school)
MAR 14–15 | District Offices Closed
MAR 20–23 | Interior Alaska Science Fair
MAR 27 | 5:00 p.m. Title 1 School Family Engagement Night with Playworks
MAR 25–29 | Testing Window
Board of Education Meetings
Meeting Information & Agendas
MAR 5 | 6:00 p.m. Board Regular Meeting
Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
Email: publicrelations@k12northstar.org
Website: www.k12northstar.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/fsdk12/
Instagram: @fsdk12
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@northstar907
THE FAIRBANKS NORTH STAR BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY INSTITUTION, AS WELL AS A TOBACCO AND NICOTINE-FREE LEARNING AND WORK ENVIRONMENT.