Susitna Elementary News
E-Newsletter
September 5, 2019
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
Happy September! I can't believe we are already into our third week of school. Thank you to the many of you who have come to visit your students and classrooms already - we love to have you at our school, and you are always welcome!
Our motto again this year is, "If you can dream it, you can do it." We believe in students setting goals and digging in to do the hard work to achieve them. Our students in grades 3 - 5 are completing MAP and the information will help us learn where students need support. We will be talking with our students about what they need to do to show growth...setting a clear academic goal. Please join us in encouraging our students to do dig in and work hard! Parents will be getting more information at conferences in October. We are committed to helping ALL students dream it and do it!
All students in grades K-2 are taking the new FastBridge assessment this fall. The information we get from this will help us design instruction for these students. This information, too, will be available at conferences.
We have many things coming up and the newsletter includes many of them. There are also some important things to be aware of as this school year starts. They include:
1. We go outside, even in the rain. Please send your children with rain gear. We want our students to play, get fresh air, and have time to make new friends. Outside recess is an important time, and we rarely keep students inside.
2. If students ride bikes, they must wear helmets and lock their bikes up during the school day. Students need to wait until they are off the sidewalks to start riding, and please, only one child per bike.
3. Please check with the teachers before sending special snacks into the classroom. Sometimes there are severe allergies, or the teacher may have other plans for celebrating events. ASD has a policy of healthy snacks - let's avoid cupcakes, candy, etc. when we can bring in watermelon or other fruit/vegetables instead.
4. Being in school matters for learning and making friends. We notice when your child is absent! If you are going to be gone for an extended period of time for any reason, please let us know on the prearranged absence form, as we want to support our students. We are taking attendance twice a day this year, and we are tracking kids more closely. We know that it is tough for all kids to keep up when they aren't here for instruction. We would appreciate it if you can schedule appointments or vacations if at all possible for when school is out of session. Thank you.
5. Students must be Eligible to receive free and reduced lunch. Income guidelines can be found on the ASD Student Nutrition Website. October 1st is the deadline to apply. All families must apply every year. https://www.asdk12.org/Page/13246
In addition, twice a week our students receive free fruit or vegetables as a snack. We want to promote healthy snacks, and we want our kiddos to try and enjoy new kinds of foods.
6. Pick-ups and drop-offs are a busy time for our school, and our parking lot is full of cars, families, students, bikes, and buses. If you are in the drop-off or pick-up line, please make sure to keep the line moving. Since safety is our biggest concern, please do not make U-TURNS. We always welcome you to park and come on in to the school to talk with us!
Finally, we welcome you to call or visit our school with questions. Jessica Blankenship (Jessica, AA), and Jessica Blackson (Jessi, Secretary) are in the office daily from 8:00 - 4:30.
Dream BIG...
Diane Hoffbauer, Principal
Email: hoffbauer_diane@asdk12.org
Website: https://www.asdk12.org/susitna
Location: 7500 Tyone Court, Anchorage, AK 99504
Phone: 907-742-1400
Student Messages
Messages for Students must be called into the office no later than 3:15 p.m. After that time, we are unable to deliver messages to your student.
If you wish to pick your student up early from school, please do so by 3:10 pm. After that time, classes are preparing for end of the day and we will not be able to call down for them to leave early.
Back to School Open House
Come meet your child's teacher, see and visit your child's classroom, connect with other families and see what your child has been up to at school! Tuesday September 10 from 6-7:30pm.
See you then!
We love our school in the fall!
Upcoming Dates of Importance
September
3rd-20th- MAP Growth Window
6th- Optional Bike Trip
10th- Open House 6pm-7:30pm
10th- Running Club 3:30-4:30
12th- Running Club 3:30-4:30
13th - Trek for Tech
17th- Choir Starts 8-8:40am
18th- Choir Practice 8-8:40am
17th- Running Club 3:30-4:30
19th- Optional K/1 Learning Breakfast/Portfolio Creations
23rd - School Picture Day
24th- Choir Practice 8-8:40am
24th- Running Club 3:30-4:30
25th- Choir Practice 8-8:40am
26th- Running Club 3:30-4:30
Thank you to Jenna and Daniel Bird who graciously donated the stove for our PreK Program this year!
We appreciate you!
Trek for Tech Assembly
Who could the mystery principal be?!
Ms. Therriault and Ms. Hoffbauer introducing the visiting principal!
Showing off all the fun prizes you can earn!
Trek for Tech
Susitna is having a Trek for Tech to raise money for our schools technology needs. Next Friday September 13, 2019 your child will be walking / running laps. Students can collect pledges in flat amounts, or on a per lap basis. There are many amazing prizes that your child can earn including school spirit wear and water bottles. The ultimate prize for one lucky child in K-2 who raises the most money will be Prince or Princess for a Day. The student in 3-5 who raises money will get to be Principal For A Day! How fun would that be, what would you do?
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask us. If you need additional pledge sheets have your child let their teacher know.
Student Nutrition Updates
To the parents or guardians of students at Susitna elementary,
In the past your school was part of the Community Eligibility Program provided to schools with a high percentage of free and reduced students. The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) that previously allowed all students a free breakfast and lunch will not be available in School Year 19-20 due to a significant decrease in families living below the poverty measures used to establish CEP status.
What does this mean for my student?
To qualify for free and reduced-price meals you will need to apply at www.asdk12.org/studentnutrition
If you do not qualify for free or reduced-price meals you may pre-fund your child’s account through https://parentconnect.asdk12.org/production/parentportal
How much do meals cost?
Meal prices are $2.25 for breakfast and $4.00 for lunch. Reduced price meals are .30 for breakfast and .40 for lunch. A la carte milk is .50 and lactose free milk is .75.
How can I track my student’s account balance?
You may sign up for low balance notifications through Parentconnect to assist you in monitoring your child’s account in a daily digest format.
What if I have more questions?
If you have questions you may email: snadmin@asdk12.org or call 348-5145 for assistance. Our website at www.asdk12.org/studentnutrition has menus, program information and resources.
To all parents,
We have had some confusion about our breakfast and lunch meal service for students; some students think because their school serves breakfast and lunch meals that if they only want milk, they should get a free milk as well. Unfortunately, this is not the case. The program only offers breakfast and lunch meals. Meaning a full meal. If your student wishes only to have a milk, they will need to have money on their meal account or come through the meal line with .50 cents to purchase a milk. Students cannot charge a milk.
Thank you very much, ASD Student Nutrition
Fruits and Vegetables
Susitna also is part of the fruits and vegetables program. These healthy snacks are offered to students two to three times a week. We are very fortunate to have this great program at our school.
August Birthday Celebration!
Ms. Reggi and Ms. Hoffbauer serving cake
Yummy cake time!
Big Bites!
MAP GROWTH
MAP GROWTH
MAP Growth is the ASD benchmark assessment for students in the grades 3-9 in reading and mathematics. Grades 10-12 also take the MAP Growth as part of Tier II and Tier III reading and mathematics course.
MAP Growth is an online assessment tool used for instructional purposes. MAP Growth is an adaptive assessment that provides each student with a personalized testing experience with data that speaks to their individual progress and growth in mathematics and reading. Practice tests and accommodations are available. MAP Growth will be administrated three times per year during the ASD Benchmark windows: fall, winter and spring. The benchmark window for 2019-2020 are:
- Fall-September 3- September 20
- Winter- December 2- December 19
- Spring- April 20- May 8
Map Growth practice tests are available to allow students the opportunity to become familiar with the types of questions and tools available on the actual MAP Growth assessments such as the highlighter and calculator. Practice tests provided at practice.mapwea.org and require login information (Username: grow Password: grow) to access.
Rules of The Road
Rules of the Road
Safe driving,
Susitna Staff
No cell phones in school zones!
No cell phones cont.
No U-Turns in the parking lot please!
PTA Memberships
PTA Memberships
Its that time! PTA Memberships are Due.
There are lots of ways to help your child's school! Click the links below to learn more! Doing these supports all of Susitna.
Here is the link, Click Join Now and fill out the form and then click to go back to the google site and hit the donate button, enter 10.00 and pay either by paypal or Credit card.
https://sites.google.com/site/susitnapta/
Your membership dues are important and continue to help our school!
Thank you!
Your Susitna PTA
Fred Meyer Community Rewards
Amazon Smile
Recess Clothing
News from the Nurse
Parents,
It’s flu season again. Please take note of the dates that Alaska Regional Hospital is offering their drive by flu clinic. Susitna may have a flu clinic this year with the aid of the municipality, however, it is likely to be much later in the year, if it happens at all. Flu season usually comes full force in October and last until February or later. It takes two week so for the vaccine to be effective. So, please do not delay. I have already sent several students home with a moderately high fevers and congestion. This is a quick and easy way to receive the vaccination for you and your family without having to take time off work or waiting until later in the year. Make a point to take advantage of this opportunity. The first drive by is Tuesday, September 17th and the clinics run until October 9th.
I would be beneficial to have every child in the school keep an extra change of clothes at school. Younger children are prone to bathroom accidents. Having a change is helpful at those times. Older students often spill milk or fall in puddles of water or their clothes get ripped. I am very low on clothes for older children. If your children do not want to being the clothes back and forth every day, I am sure their teacher can find a place in the classroom to keep them or I can keep their extra clothes in my office. If I am unable to find anything for your child to wear, I will have to ask you to come to school with a change. Some parents do not like their children wearing other children’s clothes anyway. If this is the case with you, please provide a spare change of clothes for your child.
If your child needs an inhaler or epi pen at school this year, please make certain I have one on hand. Of course, I need a health care provider’s authorizations (a physician, PA, or NP) via the Allergy/Anaphylaxis care plan or the Asthma Care Plan to administered the medication when necessary. These forms can be faxed to me at the fax number below. Pease keep me updated on all health concerns, especially allergies. Thank you for helping me and the rest of the staff at Susitna keep your child/children safe.
Anne McCarron
Susitna Elementary School Nurse
907 742-1401
Fax 907-742-1418
News from the P.E. Teachers
Greetings Susitna families, welcome back to school! PE teachers are sending home and emailing a beginning of school newsletter, please look for this to get information on PE expectations and class information.
If you have questions for your students PE teachers please contact us via email:
Chris Putman
Megan Wegscheider
Running club has started and is off to a successful start. We will not be accepting anymore permission slips. Running club will be on Tuesday and Thursdays during September.
Dear Susitna Families,
Greetings from the Susitna Music Room! It’s almost time to have our Susitna Choir for students in grades 3, 4 and 5. All third through fifth grade students are welcome, no matter whether they have been in choir before or not—all I ask is that participants have a willingness to try something new and be enthusiastic about singing.
We will be practicing Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 8:00-8:40. Our first rehearsal will be Tuesday, September 17th, 2019. More detailed information, along with choir contracts, will be sent home soon!
Thank you,
Ms. Hill
Choir Information
Staff Childhood Favorites
Login as a parent/guardian
Tap the “Student Info” icon to login as a parent or guardian of an ASD student. Your login ID is the email address associated with your Q ParentConnection account. A randomly generated app password was sent to that email address previously. If you cannot find this email, click “Forgot Password” in the app and a new password will be emailed to you. This will be different from the password that you use for Q ParentConnection.
Anchorage School Board
Anchorage School Board
President: Starr Marsett
Vice President: Alisha Hilde
Treasurer: Elisa Vakalis
Clerk: Margo Bellamy
Members: Deena Mitchell, Dave Donley, Andy Holleman
Superintendent: Dr. Deena Bishop