Twindly Times
2023-2024
Issue 13 May 2024
Principal's Post
Dear Twindly Families,
I wanted to take this opportunity to share some updates and reminders as we enter into the final stretch of the academic year. I am excited to celebrate our graduating seniors on May 9th. All of their hard work has paid off. Parents, thank you for your determination in making this special day happen for your child.
As many of you know we are all continuing to navigate the challenges posed by the recent Alaska Superior Court ruling. It was determined that an allotment system used by correspondence programs violated a section of the State Constitution prohibiting public money from being spent "for the direct benefits of any religious or private educational institution." We are hopeful that the superior court will enter final judgment as soon as possible so that the State can begin the appeal process. Please make your opinion heard by contacting our local and state lawmakers.
Warm and sunny regards,
John Weetman, Principal
Upcoming Dates
- May 1st- Senior Deadline (senior reimbursements and grades)
- May 3rd- Teen 13+ 50's Dance 6 PM to 12 PM
- May 3rd- Deadline for In-State Pre-Approvals (Local Vendors)
- May 6th- HS Mondays End
- May 9th- Graduation
- May 16th-17th- 2nd-3rd Grade Spring Aimsweb Plus Computer-Based assessments RSVP here!
- May 21st- End of the Year Picnic and Field Day, from 12 PM to 4 PM
- May 23rd- School Closed- Quarter 4 Ends
- May 24th- School Closed- Work Day
- June 3rd- Deadline for Reimbursements
- June 4th, 5th, and 6th- Summer Camp- Walking on The Wild Side: All about Alaska animals! Field Trip to MuskOx Farm*
- June 4th-6th- Seldovia Field Trip
- June 11th, 12th, and 13th- Summer Camp- Something Fishy is Going On: All About Alaska Fish! Field trip to Anchorage Hatchery*
- June 18th, 19th, and 20th- Summer Camp- Unleash Your Inner Explorer: Discovering Nature! Field trip to Thunderbird Falls.*
- June 25th, 26th, and 27th- Summer Camp- We've Struck Gold: Settlers of Alaska! Field Trip to Independence Mine.*
- July 9th, 10th, and 11th- Summer Camp- Joyful Gardening: All Things Gardening! Field trip to a greenhouse and orchard. *
- July 16th, 17th, and 18th- Summer Camp- Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: All Things Transportation! Field Trip to the Transportation Museum.*
* Please note, that these are tentative based on student registration numbers and field trip availability.
Lost and Found
Come check out lost and found! We have a wide variety of items that have been lost and miss their homes! If your student is missing an item we may have it! Items that are not claimed will be donated at the end of the month!
Field Trip, Event, and Club Recap
London, Paris, and Normandy Adventure!
Throughout the week, we covered an impressive 62 miles on foot, conquering countless flights of stairs in the process. From planes to trains, Ubers to ferries, elevators to trolleys, and buses to subways, we explored using every mode of transport imaginable.
The culinary adventure was just as diverse as our travels, with everyone enjoying everything from classic fish and chips to adventurous dishes like tartare and escargot.
We soaked in the breathtaking views from the top of the Eiffel Tower, marveled at masterpieces in the Louvre, were mesmerized by "Les Misérables" on the West End stage, and felt humbled by the beaches and battlefields of Normandy.
Most importantly, we forged lifelong memories and friendships along the way. A huge thank you to all participants and everyone who made this incredible journey possible!
- Eric Rains, Assistant Principal
The Archery Team is at Nationals!
Twindly Bridge's Archery team scored high at West Nationals! Three students qualified for the Championships and one passed on his Captain's Hat! They had a great time visiting the state's capital, exploring the planetarium, and enjoying team bonding! We are so proud of you all! Thank you to all the coaches and parents who helped in making this trip successful!
Field Trip and Events
*Field Trip Waiver Requirement*
Before your student(s) may attend a field trip or event, a Field Trip Waiver must be on file for them. If you have any other children attending who are part of the Mat-Su School District, you must include them on the Field Trip Waiver. Only one Field Trip Waiver is needed per family so please include all names on one. This Field Trip Waiver will last for the entire FY24 school year so only one will need to be filled out. Please click on the provided link to fill one out. We look forward to seeing you and your family at our field trips and events!
Counselor's Corner
AK Reads Act
K-2 Academic Support through Alyeska Reading Institute
DEED is offering Student Support & Services through ALYESKA READING INSTITUTE (ARI)
State Contact: Melinda Krise (907)269-0124 melinda.krise@alaska.gov
2nd and 3rd Grade Reading Support
Did your 2nd or 3rd grade child not meet their reading goals on their Spring assessments? We have supports to offer, in accordance with the AK Reads Act! May 28-31 we are offering our Summer i-Ready Reading Program Kickoff. If you are interested in this FREE opportunity for your 2nd or 3rd grade child, please sign up here.
Advising
12th grade Students and Families!
All Students/Parents need to fill out the GRAD FORM from our TBC website; use the tab “More”, High School Resources, then click on the title Graduation 2024 Information, or just use this link: http://www.twindlybridge.us/graduation.html
Twindly Bridge Graduation:
When: Thursday, May 9th at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Wasilla Bible Church, located at 1651 W Nicola Avenue
How: Complete checklist before May 1:
- Senior Reimbursements!! This is a hard, fast deadline and no exceptions will be made.
- Grades due. Contact TBC online to make a grade conference
- All Graduation Information Due
i-Ready for Grades K-8 Now Available
i-Ready is an online program for reading and/or mathematics that will help determine your student’s needs, personalize their learning, and monitor progress throughout the school year. i-Ready Family Center is a great place to become familiar with i-Ready and determine if it is a right-fit for your k-8 student. The program allows you to meet your student exactly where they are and provides data to increase your student’s learning gains. i-Ready consists of two parts: Diagnostic and Personalized Instruction.
Click here to sign up for a Twindly Bridge i-Ready account, or visit our tutoring support webpage.
2024 Spring Assessments Update
Good news! The state has informed us that results for this year's AKSTAR should be available August/September. This improvement will better allow for planning of instruction based on scores, and we look forward to seeing the success of our scholars! In the mean time, MAP scores are available now. Thank you to all who participated in the 2024 AK Science Assessment for Grades 5, 8, & 10, AK Star/Map Growth ELA & Math assessments for grades 3-9, and MAPGrowth assessments for grades K-2.
We are still offering AIMSweb benchmark screening in reading fluency for grades K-3 through the month of May with your advisors. Additionally, May 16 & 17 we are offering the computerized comprehension and vocabulary Aimsweb Spring Benchmark for Grades 2 and 3. Sign up here!
2023 AK Star Results
The results from the Spring 2023 AK STAR administration are now available for you to view in ParentVUE if your child tested in Mat-Su in Spring 2023. Directions on how to view these reports are attached as well as the AK STAR Family Guide to Assessment Reports. If your child tested in another district in Alaska in Spring 2023, you will need to contact the previous district for results.
Please review the attached AK STAR Results Flyer to see the timeline from the Department of Education and early Development to understand the delay in releasing these results. You may also view Commissioner Bishop’s short video on Adopting New AK STAR Cut Scores here.
TB Coffee
Our student-run coffee shop is open for business!
Drive-through hours are 8:00 AM-11:30 AM Monday through Friday.
The last day we are open for the 2024 school year is May 23rd! Stop in and see us before summer begins!
Good for the Order
Volunteer Opportunities
Building Support
We love our volunteers! If you are interested in volunteering for the next school year please contact the front desk at (907) 376-6680 or email Jacqueline.Wilhour@matsuk12.us.
Facility Expansion
We are glad to announce that Twindly Bridge is moving forward with a planned expansion. This facility expansion will address the need for additional classrooms, storage space, and fire safety. This will include an industrial arts shop, a larger robotics and technology classroom, space for expanding our competitive archery and air rifle program, and an art room. Safety upgrades will include school-wide fire suppression, a fire address system, and an intercom system. Further updates and student opportunities to come.
Community Connections
There are currently over 70+ community opportunities available on the MSBSD Flyers and Communication page! Some of these opportunities include homework help, engaging indoor and outdoor activities, enriching camps, educational programs, and scholarship information! Check out some of those opportunities below or click the MSBSD Flyers and Communication button!
***The distribution of this material is provided as a community service and the District does not sponsor this event and assumes no responsibility for it. Considering the privilege to distribute materials, the entity requesting distribution agrees to indemnify and hold the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District harmless from any cause.
Complete an Ornament for the US Capitol Christmas Tree!
Participate in the 2024 Christmas Tree Display at the US Capitol with your students!
The US Capitol Christmas tree is being provided from Alaska’s Tongass National Forest in 2024. To celebrate, check out the below flyer from the U.S. Forest Service soliciting assistance in decorating the tree—10,000 unique, original ornaments are needed!
Ornaments should be submitted to the Forest Service by September 15, 2024. Ornaments for the Capitol Christmas Tree could be a fun end-of-school project to do as a class! Finished ornaments can be dropped off at any Alaska National Forest office or mailed to:
2024 Capitol Christmas Tree Ornaments
161 East 1st Avenue, Door 8
Anchorage, AK 99501
Twindly Tidbits
Did you know?
We have an active Academic Policy Committee!
This committee consists of parents, staff, and community members who support and guide Twindly Bridge in their mission statement.
Building a Bridge between Home, School and Community.
The meetings are held monthly on the first Monday and all are welcome to attend!
Reach out to your Board Members Here
Email: John.Weetman@matsuk12.us
Website: TWINDLYBRIDGE.US
Location: 141 E Seldon Rd, Wasilla, AK, USA
Phone: (907)376-6680