Warrior Newsletter

The Holiday season is one of my favorite times of year. Despite the cold weather, Christmas lights and warm fires bring back wonderful memories shared with family and friends. So, cheers to making memories. From our Warrior family to yours, we hope the holiday season is filled with much happiness and love.

Following is a friendly reminder regarding Finals Week:

• Finals week is December 17-20. We will be following a modified bell schedule. Please refer to the bell schedule that I sent out via Blackboard.
• All classes will administer a final which will count for at least 10% of your child's semester grade. Finals are used to measure how well each student has learned the instruction over the course of the semester. A student has a chance to pass a class with a good grade from a final even if the overall grade is low.
• No early finals will be given. If students leave early for vacation, are sick or are unable to take finals on the day given, makeups will occur after Winter Break. These finals MUST be completed by Friday, January 10th. Students can make arrangements with their teachers to take their finals during 4C. Additionally, make-up finals can be taken after school Monday-Friday of that week through appointment ONLY with each specific teacher.
• Students will not be allowed to leave class during finals. Whole classroom breaks will be managed by the teacher. It is important that a quiet, stress-free testing environment is available for all students.
• Best practice for students prior to testing: 1) a good night's rest 2) a healthy breakfast 3) a positive mindset.
• Schedule for Finals:
• Monday: Regular Monday schedule.
• Tuesday: Finals in periods 1 & 5.
• Wednesday: Finals in periods 3 & 6.
• Thursday: Finals in periods 2 & 4.
• Friday: Teacher workday. No school for students.

Email: Jason.Marvel@matsuk12.us

Office Phone: 907-352-8214

Cell Phone: 907-232-7849

Jason Marvel

Principal

Wasilla High School

Dear Parents of WHS,

The holiday season is upon us and the National Honor Society is hosting the Santa Tree Program benefitting Mat-Su Special Santa. Mat-Su Special Santa partners with the Toys for Tots program to help give Christmas gifts to children in need from all over the Mat-Su Valley. We will be hosting a Santa Tree in our school where there will be tags that specify a wish list item for a child.

To participate:

Go to the Santa Tree in the school commons during lunches and take a Santa tag. It will list the age, gender, and gift ideas for a Mat-Su youth.

Return an unwrapped present with the Santa tag attached to the Santa Tree before Dec. 13th.

The program will be active from December 2 through December 13th.

This is a completely volunteer activity, and you can participate to whatever extent your family would like.

To know more about the wonderful Special Santa Program in the Mat-Su Valley (est. 1997), please visit their website - www.specialsanta.net

or visit them on Facebook.

If you have any questions, comments, tips or information in regard to the WHS Santa Tree, please contact Nikki McDonald.

Congratulations to our Staff Member of the Month - Kristen Harris!

Administration will be buying Kristen a lunch of her choice. Here is what staff are saying:

• "[Kristen helps] to create a positive school culture where people feel connected."
• "Kristen has a thankless job. She is here early and stays late. She always gets the job done!"

For families in need of Christmas gifts this season, Mat Su Special Santa Program APPLICATIONS are available beginning November 1 through December 14, 2024. Completed applications can be emailed (see application instructions) or dropped off at any Alaska Family Services’ location. Applications and donations can be dropped off at Santa’s Workshop at Family First Treasures, 403 S Alaska Street Palmer, AK 99645. They accept money donations as well as new, unwrapped toys room décor items, hygiene kits for teens, water bottles, and blankets.