Susitna Elementary News
E-Newsletter
December 4, 2015
Please take a few minutes to read over all the exciting things happening at Susitna Elementary School. The newsletter is sent directly to your email address(es) once a month, so please make sure to keep the front office current on your preferred email contacts. Paper copies are available in the front office, or you can go to our school’s website to read this issue, or any others in the archive library.
Principal's Corner
Dear Susitna Families -
As we enter the hustle and bustle of another holiday season, I want to encourage you to take time to read with your child. The opportunity for these shared moments will not last forever, so take advantage of them now. Reading with your child is one of the most important things you can do, even if he or she is an independent reader. Each year at this time, I go into each classroom to share a book and treat. This has become a special tradition we all look forward to sharing. I encourage you to make reading together a special, treasured tradition in your child’s life.
If you are looking for a perfect way to usher in a season of “glad tidings,” then plan to attend out Winter Wonderland next Friday night! Our Susitna singers and dancers will be showcasing their talent, while our PTA offers special “surprises” and hosts a wonderful gift and basket silent auction.
Next week, our students will be participating in Code Day. Students get the opportunity to use computers to practice computer coding. Students may even find themselves featured on the news for their STEMulating (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) learning. If you want to have a little fun with computer programming, we invite you to go to code.org at home, too!
On behalf of the Susitna staff, we wish you a restful winter break and hope you enjoy this time with your children. For the New Year, we wish you health and happiness and hope the winter recess offers opportunities for you and your children to do things you might not be able to do when school is in session. Have a holiday season full of love, peace, and joy!
Warmest Wishes,
Kim Bautista
Email: Bautista_kim@asdk12.org
Phone: 907-742-1400
Upcoming Dates of Importance
3rd - Subway Lunch Celebration
4th - November Student Birthday Celebration
6th - Choir performance at Barnes and Noble at 2:45 pm
7th - 11th - Worldwide Hour of Code - Susitna Participating!!
8th - Choir on the Road - ASD Education Center, and Ted Stevens International Airport,
11th - Winter Wonderland - - Choir and Dance performance for Winter's Arts at 6:30 pm (performers report by 6:10), with silent auction and "surprises" from PTA!
Gym - Holiday treats & cider, silent auction, and photo booth
14th - Last day of Choir - Field trip to carol at Marlow Manor
15th - 4/5 and 5th graders to Van Gogh Exhibit at Anchorage Museum
17th - K/1 Optional Learning Lunch
18th - Jan 3rd Christmas Break NO School! Have a happy and safe holiday
PARKING LOT SAFETY REMINDERS
Car riders should be dropped off in the car rider lane, AND PLEASE PULL FORWARD! Please do not park in the car rider drop-off lane - it's just a "stop, drop, and roll" along lane!! If you want to walk your child into the building, just park and use the crosswalk. Thank you!
Worldwide Hour of Code
Police Navidad Performance
PTA SPONSORS WINTER WONDERLAND
Musical Notes
Choir news:
Susitna Singers had a great performance at Police Navidad this saturday! Thanks for all that attended to support us.
Join us at Barnes and Noble this Sunday Dec. 6th at 2:45pm. Susitna Singers will join Lake Hood Choir in spreading winter cheer. Performance should last 30 minutes.
On Tuesday Dec. 8th our Susitna Singers will tour the city stopping to sing at Boniface Education Center, Dimond Center, and the Ted Stevens International Airport. For times and more information email vanderpool_shawnee@asdk12.org
Friday December 11th Susitna Singers perform for the school assembly at 9:30 am. Then join us for Winter Wonderland at 6:30pm. See flyer below for more information.
Monday Dec. 14th is our last choir meeting. We will finish the season with a walking tour to Marlow Manor. We will leave Susitna at 3:40pm and should be ready for pick up at Marlow Manor at 4:30pm, or at Susitna at 5pm. Don't forget your winter gear!!
It has been a blast working with your children this year. Mr. Aaron, Ms. Haskell and I have thoroughly enjoyed it!
Recorders:
Third graders will join our fourth and fifth graders in playing recorder during third quarter. If your child would like to own a recorder of their own, please fill out the following order form and send it in to Miss Vanderpool. If the form is not received by the end of January, your child will still be able to purchase, but they will only have select colors available. I will be making the order December 15th. For questions or concerns contact vanderpool_shawnee@asdk12.org.
Shawnee Vanderpool
Susitna Music
Begich Concert Schedule
Begich students are having many winter concerts this year and they would like to let Susitna know about them. Susitna 5th graders are especially invited to go check it out for next year. Any and all families interested in some holiday cheer are invited as well.
All at 7:00 pm at Begich Auditorium
Dec. 8th Orchestra
Dec. 10 Intermediate/Advanced Band
Dec. 15 Beginning Band
Dec. 16 Choir
Shawnee
Susitna Music
Barnes and Noble Choir Performance
Healthy Futures News
Sqord Challenges
Sqords on Sale
SQORDs are on sale from now until Dec. 31st for 20% off! Go to sqord.com. Use the ASD discount code (SqordAlaska15) for an additional 10% off. The code works on the bands and accessories that are on sale, too! For people of all ages!
Junior Native Youth Olympics
Mr. Putman
Susitna PE
News from Health
Jake Peterson
Health Teacher Susitna Elementary School
News from the Librarian
Happy Reading!
Mrs. Benfield,
Teacher-Librarian
Annual ASD Book Mark Contest
With Luck!
Mrs. Benfield,
Teacher-Librarian
District News
New Communication Options
Anchorage School District is providing new electronic options to communicate quickly and easily with our families. You can receive texts from your school and from the district for late bus information, weather related school closures, important school news and events. Click on the link to opt-in for this new feature.
FERPA
Notice to Parents:
In order to comply with FERPA rules, we must notify parents of the district’s procedures
related to records transfer. As part of their notification, we are changing the language
in the student handbook to read as follows:
“No Child Left Behind requires all school districts to transfer information related to
student suspensions and expulsions in addition to academic records when students
transfer to any public or private elementary, middle, or high school. When transferring
their students, parents do have the right to request a copy of the information that was
disclosed to the new school.”
News from the Community
Anchorage School Board
Tam Agosti-Gisler
Eric Croft
Bettye Davis
Pat Higgins
Kathleen Plunkett
Elisa Snelling
Superintendent - Ed Graff