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Wolf Pup Weekly
Woodriver Issue #15 - 1/12/24
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A WORD FROM MR. GUY
Hello Wolf Pup parents!
We have had indoor recess this whole last week and it looks like we will be inside again next week. As a part of our safety plan we require students to carry their coats with them when they leave their classroom and go to specials. We do this whenever it is colder than -20 so that if we ever have an emergency and have to evacuate the building quickly, students will have a coat to wear.
During indoor recess we have several zones that students can visit. For the 3-5th grade we have students visit the MPR, Library, Gym, and Room 10 (board games). For our 1-2 grade we use the MPR and Library, while kindergarten students stay in their classrooms.
On the budget front, our district budget initial draft is scheduled to come out at the end of next week. I should have some details of the initial proposal in next week’s Wolf Pup. Keep in mind that this initial budget will be the district’s recommendations, however, the final budget decisions are made by our school board. With a 20-28 million dollar budget deficit, I am guessing we will see proposals that result in a sizable increase to class size, and several other major reductions in staffing.
Once I share what is being cut, I will also provide you with contact information for our board members, so it will be easy for you to reach out to them and communicate your priorities as we move to balance our budget.
Quote of the Week
WOLF PUPS IN ACTION
The frigid temps kept us all inside this week for recess. It can be a challenge to coordinate and disperse all the students into different locations, and keep everyone occupied and safe, especially when we are all going a little stir crazy from the cold snap! The staff rose to the occasion, and the students behaved beautifully! A HUGE thanks to Bree Binkley and the PTA for their generous donation of some extra board games this week, they were greatly appreciated by our students!
UPCOMING SCHOOL EVENTS
Spelling Bee App
Check out this free Spelling Bee app to help your student practice! It will pronounce the word for you and everything!
If you have any questions about the Spelling Bee please contact Kendi Adams at kendi.adams@k12northstar.org
Dear Students, Parents, Guardians, and Family Members:
You are cordially invited to participate in Woodriver’s annual Science Fair.
Please pick up a Science Fair packet from the office or download a PDF version from Woodriver’s
Science Fair website at the link below.
The Science Fair is an opportunity for all students to learn more about science by investigating a
student selected topic of interest and completing a project. Families and siblings are encouraged to
work together. Project entries are categorized into six major divisions: Experiment, Demonstration,
Science Report, Science Collection, Invention, and Computer Coding. Please visit our school’s Science Fair website via the link below for links to hundreds of Science Fair project ideas.
The students will complete a traditional tri-board display. Tri-board Science Fair projects need to be brought to Woodriver’s MPR for display, before school (8:30 to 9:15 AM) on Thursday, February 29th. The students will need to pick up their displays on Friday, March 1st, after school, at 3:45 PM.
The Science Fair is an incredible opportunity to explore a topic of interest and share your findings
with the entire school and community. Everyone is strongly encouraged to participate. All
participants will receive a certificate, participant ribbon, and a button. Winners will be selected in
each category and they will receive ranked ribbons. The top contestants will advance to the Interior
Alaska Science Fair competition, held at Pioneer Park, March 20th to 23rd.
If you are interested in participating in the Science Fair, please pick up a Science Fair packet from
the office, complete the application in the packet, and submit it to the Science Fair collection
envelope, located at the office, by Friday, February 2nd. Thank you.
We need judges for the projects. Judging will occur on Thursday, February 29th from 9:30 AM to 1
PM. Please complete and return the attached form below if you can volunteer as a judge. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Rob Kinder, Science Fair Coordinator
rob.kinder@k12northstar.org (907) 479-4211 ext. 47016
PTA UPDATES
Box Tops for Education!
Did you know you can still earn money for our school with Box Tops for Education? All you do is scan your receipt! You can even share with friends and family and they can help earn money for our school too! The Woodriver PTA thanks you!
REMINDERS
SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL
Each year, our district offers summer music camp scholarships, and now we're offering even more summer music opportunities!
To support these efforts, the district is hosting a MIOSM (Music In Our Schools Month) fundraiser.
We have an online store selling items with a MIOSM design by LHS student Myrandah Parchue.
To get involved, please check out the link below to the online store!
Unfortunately, there are not many options under the tab "Women's Apparel",
but there are unisex options under the "Men's Apparel" tab:
(Gildan Tee, Gildan Longsleeve Tee, Raglan Jersey, and Gildan Hoodie are described as unisex sizes.)
Orders can all be done online! items are shipped directly to the buyer!
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Free Family Night Out!
Sat, Jan 27 at 3:00 PM UAF women's basketball team is hosting a Girls & Women in Sports game and inviting all girls and women in sports in our community to attend the game, compliments of the team. We hope to pack the Patty with girls and women wearing their jersey/uniform or logo wear representing their sport, team, or association. All women and girls will be invited on the court for a group photo with the team.
Sat, Jan 27 at 5:15 PM UAF men's basketball team is hosting Elementary Night and inviting all elementary students in the FNSBSD and their families to attend at no cost. They just have to say what school they're with when they get here! Again, we'll invite all the kids to the court for a photo with the team after the game.
A NOTE FROM OUR NURSE
District Guidelines Regarding Weather Closures
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES
All students enrolled in an FNSBSD-affiliated institution are invited to submit one piece of art made at home or in school, which will be featured at the Bear Gallery during the month of March!
Artwork may be any of the following media: painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, print, mixed media, jewelry, fiber, and photography.
Community judges will name five awardees in each of the three below categories:
- Imagination: Where does your imagination take you? What kind of creatures, worlds, and things can you create in your mind? Is there an alternative world you’d like to go to, a fantastical animal you made up, or a crazy dinner you imagine your family eating?
- Stories: How can you tell a story or create a scene in your art? Are you inspired by movies, stories, or comic books? How could you recreate a favorite memory with your friend, a scene from a story you read, or imagine something you’d like to happen?
- Connection: What connections and relationships are important in your life? How do you connect with your community? Do you like spending time with your neighbors, classmates, or pets?
2024 NAACP Black History Month Contest
The local National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the FNSBSD are proud to sponsor the 2024 Black History Month Contest. We invite all K-12 students to participate in this annual contest. This contest is an opportunity for students to showcase their knowledge, encourage the study of Black History, and show excellence in creativity. View the details by clicking the link below.
Entry submission deadline is Friday, March 1, 2024.
ALASKA READS ACT
Reading Update for K-3 Families | Alaska Reads Act
Reading is a critical skill to access learning in all areas and is known to increase success, satisfaction, and health across an individual's lifetime. It is vital that we put every effort into helping children learn to read at a developmentally appropriate rate along with their peers. At our schools we are making efforts to ensure children who need extra help receive it along the way. Parents are vital partners in this effort, and we value your support and insight into your child.
Recently, students in elementary schools participated in mid-year benchmark assessments to measure their progress in reading. Students in K-3 completed mClass for Reading and students in grades 3-5 took MAP for Reading and MATH. These results will be shared with parents during Parent-Teacher Conferences in February.
Under the Alaska Reads Act, school districts are required to inform parents if their child has any reading deficiencies 45 days before the end of the school year.
At the February Parent-Teacher Conferences, teachers will share important information regarding parent or guardian rights and responsibilities regarding student grade level placement. The state allows parents or guardians to make the determination, once, to hold their K-3 grade child back, or repeat a grade, if they are below or well below grade level in reading based on the benchmark testing. Parents also have the right to decide to move their child on to the next grade with their peers.
Your input is necessary and valuable at the February Parent-Teacher Conferences. Please expect to see communication coming soon from your childs’ school. We encourage you to participate in the conferences and learn more about this important learning decision for your child.
EDUCATION BUDGET
A MESSAGE FROM OUR SUPERINTENDENT
Dear Students, Families, and Staff,
I hope this letter finds you well and filled with the excitement that comes with the beginning of a new semester. I trust that the winter break provided an opportunity for rest, rejuvenation, and quality time with loved ones. Now, as we return to school, let us approach the upcoming semester with a renewed sense of purpose and determination. Whether you are a returning student or a new member of our school community, we are thrilled to have you back with us.
As we embark on the second semester, I am excited to emphasize that our three primary goals will continue to guide our efforts and shape the educational experience for every student in our district. Improved literacy rates, increased attendance, and the cultivation of a positive school culture and climate remain at the forefront of our mission. We firmly believe that parents and guardians play a pivotal role in achieving these objectives. Your active involvement and collaboration with our educators are instrumental in fostering a love for reading, promoting regular attendance, and contributing to the positive atmosphere within our schools. Together, as partners in education, we can create an environment where students not only excel academically but also feel supported, engaged, and inspired to reach their full potential.
The Alaska legislative session starts this month, and we will be asking for your support in advocating for increased educational funding. Our school district is confronting an unprecedented deficit of $28 million due to the state not allocating a meaningful base student allocation (BSA) for the last eight years. This is a financial challenge that, if not addressed, will undoubtedly have far-reaching consequences. This deficit poses a threat to the very fabric of our educational system, potentially resulting in increased class sizes, the reduction or elimination of vital programs, the looming possibility of school closures, and the unfortunate prospect of hundreds of jobs being lost.
The impact on our students, educators, and the overall community is significant, and your advocacy can make a difference. We encourage you to stay informed and engaged as more details about the district’s proposed budget becomes available in early February.
Your voice matters, and together, we can work towards securing the resources necessary to maintain the quality of education our students deserve. Thank you for your unwavering support and commitment to the future of our schools.
Dr. Luke Meinert
FNSBSD Superintendent
A NOTE ON ATTENDANCE
Please help us reach our attendance goals
Every Day Counts! | Attendance Matters
Regular school attendance means students attend school in-person for 90% or more of the school year. Our district's goal for attendance is to increase the overall percentage of students attending school to 90% or more. That means:
Students miss fewer than 17 days of school throughout the entire year OR
No more than two days per month on average
This includes excused absences.
DID YOU KNOW....
We record absences and tardies differently depending on the reason? An absence due to illness or Dr. appt is recorded differently than an absence because of a family trip or event. And there is also a difference between a tardy and an early pick-up, and a half day AM or PM absence. Also, if your student is tardy, and you do not walk them in and fill out a tardy slip, or call the office, their tardy is coded unexcused.
We know students who attend school regularly see more opportunities for success and we want to partner with you to support you in making sure your student has access to whatever they need to get to school on time every day! Parents, please be mindful of appointment times, late check-ins and early check-outs to help our students be at school every day, and ready to learn the Wolf pup way!
Attendance Matters! #AlldayEveryday
AVAILABLE FAMILY RESOURCES
SLED/ Live Homework Help
Live Homework Help provides free, online tutoring to Alaskan students in grade K-12 and intro level college students. Offered Monday through Friday, 8am to 2am; Saturday and Sunday, noon to 2 am Alaska Time. Students can work with a live tutor or use the study resources independently. Click the button below for more information.
Bright Futures Fairbanks | Student Support Services
We firmly believe that every child in our community deserves an equal opportunity to succeed. Unfortunately, many of them come to school without the basic necessities that most people often take for granted, such as food, school supplies, and winter gear.
If your family needs assistance in any of these ways, please reach out to Bright Futures Fairbanks by following the link below.
Our Social Emotional Learning & Prevention department is fully committed to supporting and uplifting our community. Our primary aim is to effectively identify and align local resources, with the ultimate goal of overcoming challenges and barriers faced by students in our district.
Through collaboration, we can ensure that every child's basic needs are fulfilled. Let us be the bridge that brings positivity and support to those who need it the most.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
An online application for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is now available. Alaska SNAP provides food benefits to low-income households. The new online application is a “smart form,” streamlining the process and the amount of time it takes to complete the form by only populating fields that the applicant needs based on their responses. Learn more about SNAP by clicking below.
SCHOOL LUNCH MENU
SchoolCafe/Free & Reduced Meal Applications | Nutrition Services
SchoolCafe/Free & Reduced Meal Applications | Nutrition Services
If you previously had a free and reduced meal application processed and feel your children might qualify for a better meal eligibility, please complete a new meals application by clicking the link below, and send the following information to foodservice@k12northstar.org:
- Income documentation for the prior 30 days
- Student(s) names and meal application number (if completed online)
*With the new calendar year, the 2023 PFD value is required by the USDA to be used when calculating household income on the meals application.
BECOME A SUBSTITUTE!
LEARN AT HOME!
Want to access Classlink at home?
When your student puts in their username, please note that you will have to add the "@student.k12northstar.org". School computers do this automatically, so that is the most common problem families have at home
BUS INFO
There has been a lot of concern over late buses and finding out when students will be home. If you have concerns you would like to share, please call Durham at 1(907)206-7789. This number can also be called for Dispatch if you would like to get an ETA on a route.
If you cannot get ahold of Durham, please call the transportation dept at (907)452-2000 ext 11351
There are a few tools available to help as well: One is to set up email notifications for late buses. Directions to set that up are below.
The other tool is a new system the district has set up that is a live bus tracking service. This allows you to see where the bus is along the route, the time it arrived at each stop, and even if the doors opened at the stop.
you can use this service at http://busroutes.k12northstar.org
Click on your school (Woodriver is WRV - Ryan is RYN), and then on the route you would like to view.
There are additional instructions on how to use it at: https://www.k12northstar.org/cms/lib/AK01901510/Centricity/Domain/1159/Bus%20Route%20Tracker_2023-09-06.pdf
Please note: Special Education buses are not listed on the live tracker. Please call Durham Dispatch or the transportation department with questions/concerns about those routes
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITES
Newly Released School Visitor Guidelines
CLUBS
AM Fitness
Grades K-5
Rom: Gym | Mon-Fri 8:45-9:15
Handwork CLub
HANDWORK CLUB IS FULL
$60/ QuarterGrades 3-5
Rm: 6 | Tues/Thurs 8:30-9:15
There are only 12 spots in this club. First come first serve, and spot must be paid for to reserve.
Game Club
Grades 2-5
Rm: 16 | Tuesdays 8-9:15
3rd Grade math tutor
3rd grade only
Room 16 | Thursdays 8:30-9:15
Band Club
5th grade
Band Room | Wed or Fri
STEM Club
NO STEM CLUB 3rd QUARTER!
$25/Quarter
Grades 3-5
Room 16 | Wednesdays 8:00-9:15am
There are only 25 spots in this club. Lottery is held to determine selection. Those not selected will be placed on a waitlist.
DISTRICT SCHOOL CALENDAR
IMPORTANT DATES
February
Feb 19-20 - Parent Teacher Conferences | No School
Feb 21 - Teacher Professional Development | No School
March
Mar 8 | Early Dismissal @ 2:15
Mar 11-15 - Spring Break | No School
Welcome to Woodriver Elementary School
OFFICE HOURS: 8:45-4:15
SCHOOL HOURS 9:15 - 3:45
Email: nicole.wells@k12northstar.org
Website: www.k12northstar.org/woodriver
Location: 5000 Palo Verde Ave
Phone: 907-479-4211