Knik Elementary
December 2018
Greetings Knik Families,
I can’t tell you how happy the entire Knik staff are to have school up and running. The earthquake we experienced on November 30th certainly threw all our lives into disarray and we know some people were hit especially hard and experienced significant home damage or even total loss of homes. As we move through the next two weeks of school before winter break, know that our hearts and minds are set on helping students to return to their regular routine and that we understand that process will take longer for some of our students who experienced more significant trauma from this earthquake.
As for the damage that our building sustained, the Knik Gym is the only part of the building that experienced significant damage. While the damage was nonstructural, it left the suspended ceiling in the gym damaged. While we are waiting for materials to be shipped in and for the repairs to be completed, our gym must remain closed. I am optimistic that this closure will not go on too long, but I have not received a formal timeline yet from the District Maintenance Department. In the meantime, we have made alternative plans for our PE classes. Please see Coach Livingston’s update in this newsletter. There are also several activities and events that have been affected. Our Holiday Family Craft Night that was scheduled for December 6th has been rescheduled for December 18th. Please see the message in this newsletter for more specifics and look for a flier coming home later this week. Next, our 3rd grade concert that was scheduled for Thursday, December 13th has been cancelled due to our gym closure.
Mrs. Peterson is working to reschedule that concert for early in second semester. The last activity that has been directly affected by the gym closure is our Early Morning Movers program which will be cancelled until further notice. We will restart this activity as soon as possible so be on the lookout for more information when we come back in January.
Thank you for all that you do to support Knik Elementary and please do not hesitate to let us know what we can do to support your student and your family in the coming weeks. The entire Knik Staff wish you all sustained recovery from the earthquake and a peaceful holiday season.
John Gardner, Principal – Knik Elementary
907-352-0300
Title 1 – Holiday Family Craft Night
Please join us on Tuesday Dec. 18th for our annual holiday craft night! Come and have some dinner and delicious desserts hosted next door at Goose bay Elementary. Both schools will be hosting family crafts and activities from 5:30-7:30pm.
This is a wonderful family event to share the joy of this holiday season.
We hope to see you there!
AIMS WEB & MAP Testing
AIMS WEB Testing has been rescheduled for January 17th after we return from holiday break.
MAP testing has been rescheduled for
January 7th-18th.
We encourage you to support a healthy sleep and meal routine for your child. This will give them the best opportunity for student success!Annual Holiday Sweater & Dress up day
Join us on Monday Dec. 17th and wear your favorite holiday sweater or holiday apparel to school. We love to see our Knik kiddos and staff join in the fun and wear their crazy and fun holiday sweaters, hats and socks or their favorite holiday dress apparel.
Sports & Athletics
Physical education instruction will be modified for the next few weeks due to damage to the ceiling in the gym. Students will be receiving instruction regarding health and nutrition during this time, as well as participating in outdoor activities during specials time. Students will need to wear appropriate winter gear in order to participate from Friday, December 14th through Tues. December 18th.
JNYO and archery team will begin after the holiday break when the gym has been repaired. Additional information and permission slips for these activities will be available in January.
Elizabeth Livingston- PE Instructor
Music & Art “notes” from Mrs. P
Due to the gym being unavailable our Band and Choir concerts have been rescheduled.
There will be a band and choir party on Thursday Dec. 20th @ 8:30am.
The choir students will be filling our Knik hallways with joyful holiday sounds as they go caroling around our school in the afternoon.
The 3rd grade and Blended Academy concert will be held on Jan. 24th.
Jena Peterson- Music Director
Recess & Weather Updates
As our winter weather has quickly set in we are already seeing freezing temperatures. Students need to be bringing all of their winter gear to school every day. Please have appropriate footwear for the cold and snowy weather ahead. Gloves and hats, winter boots, snow pants and a warm winter coat will be needed for the cold temperatures of winter weather. Recess is a very important part of the day and it is the Mat-Su School District Policy that children attend recess. We will be going out for recess daily, weather permitting.
When sending your child to school, we urge you to dress him/her according to the weather conditions (no shorts). We highly recommend helping your students create a routine of checking their snow gear the night before to make sure snow pants and gloves are dry and all of their snow gear is packed and ready to go for the next day.
Smencils:
Smencils will be on sale during all grade lunches every Friday while supplies last.
Smencils $1.00 / Character Smencils$1.50
Glitter Smens $1.50 /
Smickers (2 per pkg.) $1.00
Thank you for your support!
Sales fund Challenge Alaska Field Trip.
Boys & Girls Club
The Boys & Girls club program offers reliable safe child care options to both Knik & Goose bay students. We offer both a before school program (6:30 am – 9:05 am) and after school program (3:45 – 6:30 pm). We provide healthy meals and snacks before and after school. We offer several different fun activities for before and after school engagement. There is a yearly membership fee of $50 and a weekly rate of $50 per student member.
Deborah Karasch – 907-357-2582
Program Coordinator BGC of AK
Upcoming Dates & Events
12/17- Board Game Night rm. 208
12/17-Annual Holiday Sweater & Dress up day
12/18- 3rd Grade Math Maniacs Assembly
12/18- Family Craft Night 5:30-7:30
12/20 – Band & Choir part 8:30am
12/21 – 01/06 – Holiday Break
Forms & Flyers
Breakfast & Lunch Menu -- Follow Below Link
Either sign-in or enter as a guest to view the menu options.
https://www.schoolcafe.com/#/menusKnik Elementary School
John Gardner -- Principal
Libbie Davidson -- Admin. Secretary
Jeneen Ewing -- Registrar
Krista Burris -- Records Specialist
Email: kne@matsuk12.us
Website: www.matsuk12.us/kne
Location: 6350 W Hollywood Rd Wasilla, Alaska, AK 99654
Phone: 9073520300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/knikelementary/
Twitter: @ComingSOON
Wishing you all a safe and joyful Holiday Season.
From our School Family to yours,
Knik Elementary Staff