03/21/25 Trailside Parent News

As you are probably well aware, Mt. Spurr has been in the news recently and is being closely monitored. The safety of your child is our Number 1 priority, and I want to assure you that Trailside is prepared in the event of a volcanic eruption during school hours.

Each classroom in the school is equipped with emergency backpacks that consists of tools and resources for staying put and remaining safe. We are also fully stocked on masks, water and non-perishable food in the event we need to remain in place for an extended period of time. We are also expecting a delivery of N95 masks to bolster our reserves.

As the Principal and "Incident Commander" in any emergency situation, I will always communicate updates and information with Trailside families so you are aware and up-to-date. These communications will be via text message, email, and REMIND. If you have not joined the Trailside REMIND group, you may do so by clicking on this link: https://www.remind.com/join/9caeah

The Anchorage School District Communications Department will also communicate important information with families in the event of any emergency.

This type of scenario is reviewed as part of our back-to-school process each year, and is included in our Emergency Action Plan- a detailed document that outlines action plans for a variety of emergency scenarios.

Please see the image below on how you can protect your home, family, pets, and personal belongings from the harmful effects of ash. As always, please reach out if you have any questions.

Thank you!

Eric Niessner, Principal

2025 SCCS Family Link to Share

PLEASE COMPLETE

Trailside Families- Please take a few moments to complete this school year's survey. Your input is extremely valuable and will guide our leadership team moving forward. Thank you!

Trailside Families-

Starting Monday, March. 24, 3-5th Grade students will being the AK STAR Assessments in English Language Arts, Math, and Science (5th Grade Only). Please help set your child up for success by having them get plenty of rest and a healthy breakfast.

Here is the ASD information included in the previous newsletter:

Each spring, Alaskan students are provided an opportunity to show what they know. When students show what they know, teachers and parents can partner to promote student success. The State of Alaska Department of Education has partnered with NWEA to align and connect the English language arts (ELA) and mathematics tests with the MAP Growth benchmark assessments students take in fall and winter.

This balanced assessment system targets instruction to better support meeting students’ individual learning needs. In addition, students will take only one assessment per content area (ELA and math) and be provided two scores as follows:

1. Summative assessment result at grade-level

2. MAP Growth interim benchmark result, including growth from fall to spring

AK STAR, the Alaska System of Academic Readiness, is comprised of English language arts and mathematics and is administered to students in grades 3-9. The Alaska Science Assessment is administered to students in grades 5, 8 and 10. The purpose of a large-scale, summative assessment is to provide parents and schools an overall picture of a student’s progress in meeting the Alaska standards at grade level.

Parents can locate resources for AK STAR and the Alaska Science Assessment, including directions for Student Readiness (Practice Tests and Tutorials), student testing times and general assessment information on the ASD website at https://www.asdk12.org/akstar.

Parents can also help by ensuring their children are well rested, eat a nutritious breakfast, and are at school on time for the days of testing. Please avoid scheduling appointments on your child’s testing days.

The ASD AK STAR and Alaska Science Assessment testing window allows for school assessment scheduling flexibility. Students! Get ready to show what you know during our school’s AK STAR and Alaska Science Assessment testing dates: March 24-28th.

2025 ASD AK STAR and Alaska Science Assessment Testing Window:

March 24-April 4

(Make-ups through April 25)

State of Alaska Window: March 24-April 25

TRAILSIDE PTA SPRING UPDATE

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Exciting End-of-Year Events!

TRAILSIDE KIDS TRIATHLON: Sunday, May 4

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! Don't miss the chance to register and preorder your commemorative triathlon shirt before TODAY’S (March 21) deadline!

The Trailside Kids' Triathlon takes place at Service High School and welcomes children of ALL abilities:

• Swim in Service High School Pool (life jackets provided for non-swimmers)

• Bike on a looped route (training wheels? No problem!)

• Run through beautiful wooded trails

This is the perfect first triathlon experience for your child!

STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK: May 5-10

Help us celebrate our amazing Trailside staff! We need creative volunteers to plan special activities showing our gratitude for their hard work and dedication.

JOIN OUR 2025/2026 PTA BOARD!

Our April 9th membership meeting is when we'll vote on next year's Board Members. We currently need:

1. VP1 (Membership)

2. VP2 (Merchandise)

3. Fundraising Chair

Curious about what these roles involve? We'd love to tell you more!

UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR

• Friday, March 21: Math and Science Night!

• Wednesday, April 9: PTA Membership Meeting (4:45 p.m.at Trailside)

• Tuesday, April 22: Texas Roadhouse Trailside Family Night

• Sunday, May 4: Trailside Triathlon

• May 5-10: Staff Appreciation Week

• Wednesday, May 7: Last PTA Membership Meeting (4:45 p.m. at Trailside)

• Monday, May 19: DJ, Otter Pops and Yearbook Day

• Tuesday, May 20: Field Day (Many parent volunteers needed! Details coming soon)

• Wednesday, May 21: Moving on Ceremony and Last Day of School!

Want to help make these events special? Email TrailsidePTAPresident@gmail.com to volunteer!

Free & Reduced-Price Meal Application Reminder. Free & Reduced-Price meal applications and Direct Certification are available throughout the school year. Feel free to copy the information and adjust it to fit specific school community needs. Student Nutrition appreciates school support in getting this information out to families.

If there are any questions, please contact Student Nutrition at SNAdmin@asdk12.org.

A friendly reminder that the arrival/dismissal car lane must keep moving. We ask that parents do not leave their cars or remain stationed in one spot- please follow the flow of the line. Thank you!

Families interested in applying for free/reduced lunch can apply here:

https://www.asdk12.org/Page/13248

Please call the office when excusing your student due to sickness, or pre-arranged absence (Travel, Etc.)

When leaving messages for the office, please make sure to leave the student's first and last name.

Please also leave a good contact name and number we can reach you at if we have questions regarding the message.

907-742-5500

All parents, please check your parent connection and make sure all of your contact information is correct.

Please notify the office of any of the following changes:

• Custody/Legal Documents (as soon as possible)
• Address Changes
• Phone number updates
• If you are moving, please notify the office as soon as possible.

Please make sure when using Q Parent Connection to excuse your student, it has to be done in the system prior to 8:30 am. If not, you will get a Robo-Call from the district notifying you that your student was absent for the day. Please call the office if it is after 9:30 am and the office staff will get your student excused.

If you are traveling please contact the office so we can get your student excused, you will then see a "P" (Travel status and other pre-arranged absences) in Q- Parent Connection instead of "E" (Excused).