Knik Elementary
October Newsletter
From the Principal's Desk
This month I would like to share a little about student activities and the important role they play at Knik Elementary. Educational research very clearly shows that students who participate in before and after school activities show higher levels of academic achievement, school attendance, and aspirations for college attendance. When a school offers a robust array of activities, the benefits compound and positively impact virtually every measurable quality. Standardized test scores, attendance, student behavior, and the school climate as a whole all show improvement with higher participation in activities. It is for these reasons that we try to offer as many before and after school choices as possible for students. Please take a look at the below list of activities and consider encouraging your child to join one or more this year. We send fliers and permission slips home regularly in the weeks before an activity starts and students can join at any point. You can also look for information on Facebook, on our website, or just call the front office whenever it is convenient at 352-0300. Thanks for all you do to support your student and Knik Elementary!
Academic Activities
Battle of The Books
Homework Club
Science Olympiad
Drama Club
Art Club
Choir
Open Library
Band
Math Derby
Chess Club
Technology Club
Athletic Activities
Cross Country
Basketball
JNYO
Volleyball
Track & Field
Early Morning Movers
Mileage Club
From The Library
Open Library
Please join Mrs. Stegall for Open Morning Library / Computer Lab
Mon. / Wed. / Friday 8:45 – 9:05am
Battle of the Books 5th Grade – Wednesdays 8:15 am-9:00 am
3rd & 4th Grade – Thursdays 8:15-9:00 am
Decorate a Pumpkin Book Character Competition! Friday, Oct. 27 In the Library
It may be close to Halloween but we love to celebrate our favorite book characters in October! Pumpkins make such fun heads to decorate. So even if you don’t celebrate Halloween, you can bring in a pumpkin decorated as your favorite book character at 8:30 am in the Library for a small, fun competition! Pumpkins must relate to a favorite book setting or character. If you have the book please bring it with your pumpkin. Decorated pumpkins must be school appropriate, no gore, no weapons, nothing too gross!
Prizes are:
Top three students with the most votes get to choose a $10.00 book from Amazon!Notes from the Nurse
Saturday October 28 10:00am-2:00pm
Safely dispose of your unused / expired medications at one of two different locations.
Fred Meyer (Palmer & Wasilla) & Sunshine Community Health Center (Talkeetna)
Pain medication is more powerful than you think and is highly addictive. You may not be treating the right disease and the dosage may be incorrect. Sharing a narcotic pain killer is against the law in the State of Alaska.
Sports & Athletics
Early Morning Movers will begin on
October 3rd at Knik and continue until December 14 for the first semester.
Early Morning Movers will be from 8:30 - 9:00 on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
It is a great opportunity to get a fun and healthy start to the day! Parents must sign their students in on the attendance sheet in the gym.
Cross Country
All of the Knik Kings cross country runners did a fantastic job throughout the season and at the district meet. Out of 6 district races, our Knik Kings athletes placed first in 2 of the races.
Basketball
The Knik Elementary Basketball coaches are excited for the start of elementary basketball on October 9th.The philosophy of the elementary program is to promote interest and participation in basketball. Our team will be made up of 4th and 5th grade students of all levels. As much as possible, there will be equal playing time for all players. We will be focusing this year on teamwork, fundamentals of the game and sportsmanship. You could say we are going to be putting the “fun” in fundamentals. Permission slips and information about practices and scrimmages will be available at the office.
Music “notes” from Mrs. P
· The 4th Grade concert is November 9th at 6:30 PM. The 3rd Grade concert is December 14th at 6:30 PM and the 5th Grade concert is March 7th at 6:30 PM.
· You may still purchase a recorder from school for $7.00 either with cash in a labeled envelope or at www.schoolcashonline.com.
· 4th Graders were given a copy of their concert song lyrics to take home and practice—solo speaking/singing opportunities have been auditioned for and assigned. Soloists have gone home with a note to be signed.
· Band takes place Tuesdays at recess and Thursdays at 8:30 AM. Band is still open for enrollment. 4th and 5th graders may join. See Mrs. P for a permission slip.
· IMPORTANT! Choir begins on October 5th and is open to 4th and 5th grade students. It takes place every Thursday during recess. Students will have extra performance opportunities and the option to audition for Honor Choir in spring. Permission slips are available. Please join! The bigger the choir—the better!
· Guitar Club for 5th grade students will begin in November and run through March. A permission slip will be available closer to the date.
Weather & Recess Updates
As the weather is changing to cooler and wetter days ahead, we would like to remind students to dress warm. Students need to be wearing their coats out to recess every day. Please have appropriate footwear for the cold & wet weather. Gloves and hats will be needed as the weather changes from fall to winter. We want to have our Knik students stay warm and dry throughout the school day when they come in from recess. Recess is a very important part of the day and it is the School District Policy that children attend recess and P.E. unless they have a doctor’s note. When sending your child to school, we urge you to dress him/her according to the weather conditions. Students are expected to play outside as long as the temperature or the wind chill factor is above -10 degrees. If you are in need of winter gear, please contact the school nurse or the front office.
Office Updates & Parent Communication
If you need to change the end of day routine for your child.
Please contact the front office or enter the update into SDM before 3:00pm
Parents please remember that if you need to change the end of day routine for your child, please do so by using the SDM app, calling the front office or sending a note with your student.
Check out the School Dismissal Manager app (SDM) for updating the end of day routine for how your child is getting home.
Setting up an account is quick and easy.
If you have not received a welcome email, please contact our front office at 352-0300 for further information.
Spirit Gear Drive
Sept. 25th - Oct. 9th
Get Your Knik School Spirit On!
Shop our gear drive online
http://www.spiritgeardirect.com/GearDrive/Store.aspx?guid=90A8895F-CAC94A0F-A147-4AD46419AE0F
Upcoming Dates to Remember…
Sept. 25th – Oct. 9th – Knik Spirit Gear Drive
Oct. 3rd - Special Olympics Bowling Field Trip
Oct. 5th – Picture Day
Oct. 9th – Boys & Girls Basketball Starts
Oct. 18th – 4th Grade Field Trip to Native Heritage Center
Oct. 30th – NO SCHOOL – Parent Teacher Conferences
Oct. 31st – NO SCHOOL – Parent Teacher Conferences
Before School Activities
Early Morning Movers: Gym
Tues. & Thurs. 8:30-9:00 am
*Permission slips are available.
*Parents must sign in their students in the gym.
Battle of The Books: Library
Wednesday – 5th Grade 8:30 – 9:00am
Thursday – 3rd & 4th Grade 8:30 – 9:00am
After School Activities
4th & 5th Grade Basketball:
Girls / Mon. & Wed. 3:45 – 5:00pm
Boys / Tues. & Thurs. 3:45 – 5:00pm
Permission slips are available
Red Ribbon Week 10/23-10/27
The Theme this year is “Your Future is Key, So Stay Drug Free”
Monday - 10/23- “Put a Stop to Drugs” - Wear Red Day
Tuesday -10/24 -“Team Up Against Drugs” - Wear your favorite sports shirt/jersey
Wednesday- 10/25- “Put a Cap on Drugs” - Crazy hat day
Thursday- 10/26 - “Sock it to Drugs” - Crazy sock day
Friday- 10/27- “We’re Crazy About Being Drug Free” - Crazy Hair Day
Breakfast & Lunch Menu -- Follow Below Link
Either sign-in or enter as a guest to view the menu options.
https://www.schoolcafe.com/#/menus2017-18 School Calendar -- Follow Below Link
Knik 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