The Raven's Call
Raven Homeschool
April 2019 Edition
Dear Raven Families,
Welcome to Raven's Call, your digital newsletter to keep you up to date on all things Raven. This monthly newsletter via SMORE will have an overview of highlights from each of our 6 Raven offices. Within this electronic version of our newsletter, you have easy-access to your local office news and resources by clicking on links within each section.
We are looking forward to another successful year and hope you will share pictures of your learning adventures with your local offices to be included throughout the year.
If you would like a printed copy, please contact your local office.
If you have questions, please contact Maegan, mmascagno@yksd.com.
- Raven Homeschool
From the Director's Desk:
Raven is working to improve our program and the supports we offer our families. We would really appreciate you taking the time to complete a brief two minute survey online. Click below to take the survey for your office. You can also find the link at our website under the headlines. This survey is completely confidential and your name will not be available to anyone unless you provide a contact name and number for a follow-up phone call.
Thank you for your support and for helping Raven meet your needs.
Anchorage: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2WKNBWX
Delta: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2NPH7VD
Eagle River: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2RT6RYH
Fairbanks: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2QQMYKM
Re-Enrollment Incentive Winners!
Congratulations to our students/families who re-enrolled by the February 28 deadline and won a Raven Bag full of School Supplies.
Each bag was valued at $100 and prizes included Raven Reusable Shopping bag, a variety of cool school supplies, and a $25 gift card!
Anchorage: Jeffers, R
Delta: Baldynyuk, R
Eagle River: Shue, D
Fairbanks: Sickels, C
Juneau: Knull, C
Wasilla: Koepp, C
If you haven't re-enrolled yet, please do so or contact your local office to discuss your educational plans for next year.
Counselor's Corner:
HIGH SCHOOL
Here are some of the upcoming events and important dates we would like to highlight.
Anchorage/Eagle River/Wasilla events:
Anchorage/Wasilla/Eagle River
- AVTEC Tour, Monday April 22nd, Grades 8th-12th
- AK Construction Career Day, Wednesday, April 17th (Grades 8th-12th)
Eagle River Only
- UAA Tour (Kids2College), Friday, April 12th
ACT vs SAT
The ACT is an achievement test, measuring what a student has learned in school. The SAT is more of an aptitude test, testing reasoning and verbal abilities. The ACT has up to 5 components: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, and an optional Writing Test. The SAT has only 3 components: Critical Reading, Mathematics, and a required Writing Test. Students can also take the ACT during one of the national test days, but they will be responsible for providing Raven Homeschool with final test scores. SATs can only be taken on the national test days and students must provide Raven Homeschool with final test scores.
Upcoming ACT Test Dates
June 8, 2019, register by May 3, 2019
July 13, 2019, register by June 14, 2019
Upcoming SAT Test Dates
May 4, 2019, register by April 5, 2019
Jun 1, 2019, register by May 3, 2019
Scholarships
Air Force Aid Society: General Arnold Education Grant Program
- Award: 3,000 - $500-4,000 grants; non-renewable.Last year 2,288 awards were made for a total of $5,977,100.
- At: Any two-year college, four-year college, trade/technical school, or university.
- Description: Need-based grants awarded to dependent sons and daughters of active duty, Title 10 AGR/Reserve, Title 32 AGR performing full-time active duty, retired, retired reserve and deceased Air Force members; spouses of active members and Title 10 AGR/Reservist; and surviving spouses of deceased personnel for their undergraduate studies. Dependent children must be unmarried and under the age of 23. High school seniors may apply. Minimum 2.0 GPA is required. Students must reapply and compete each year. Full-time enrollment status required.
- Deadline: April 30
- Application Requirements: Application form, financial need analysis.
- Contact: Education Programs, Air Force Aid Society, 241 18th Street South, Suite 202, Arlington, VA 22202, Phone: 703.972.2647, Fax: 866.896.5637, E-mail: ED@afas-hq.org, Web: http://www.afas.org/
Alaska Community Foundation Jim Snead Memorial Scholarship
- Award: Up to $1,500, number of awards varies.
- To Study: Transportation, International Business, or related industries.
- At: Any accredited institution.
- Description: Open to Alaska residents who have graduated from high school, a graduation equivalency diploma (GED), or are gradating and can provide proof of anticipated graduation.
- Deadline: April 1, 2013
- Procedure: Submit completed application as well as the following: Two letters of recommendation; Copy of high school or college transcripts; and a written essay of not more than 500 words on: Future career goal, plans to meet this goal, Why this particular career field was chosen.
- Contact: ,Alaska Community Foundation, 3201 C Street Suite 110, Anchorage, AK 99503, Phone: 907.334.6700, Fax: 907.334.5780, E-mail: info@alaskacf.org, Web: http://www.alaskacf.org
American Dental Association Foundation: Dental Hygiene Scholarship Program
- Award: Up to 15 - $1,000 scholarships; non-renewable
- To Study: Dental Health/Services
- At: Any four-year college or university.
- Description: Applicant must be enrolled full time with a minimum of 12 credit hours as a student in an accredited dental hygiene program accredited by the Commission of Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. Must be US citizen, permanent resident is ineligible to apply. Must have a minimum 3.5 GPA. Applicants must be recommended by the dental hygiene program director and may request application materials from that same individual at the school where they are currently enrolled as an entering final year student in a dental hygiene program. Applicants must demonstrate a minimum financial need of $1,000.
- Deadline: April 23
- Application Requirements: Application form, financial need analysis, essay, references.
- Contact: Rose Famularo, Coordinator, American Dental Association (ADA) Foundation, 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, Phone: 312.440.2763, E-mail: famularor@ada.org, Web: http://www.adafoundation.org/
HIGH SCHOOL RESOURCES
ACT: http://www.actstudent.org, Raven Homeschool code: 020193
SAT: http://sat.collegeboard.org/home, Raven Homeschool code: 020193
AVTEC: www.avtec.edu
Alaska Career Information System: https://akcis.org
Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education: http://akadvantage.alaska.gov
Alaska Job Center Network: http://jobs.alaska.gov
Alaska Performance Scholarship: http://aps.alaska.gov
Center for Distance Education: http://distance.uaf.edu
Financial Aid: http://murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=FinancialAid
Free Application for Federal Student Aid: www.fafsa.ed.gov
Khan Academy: www.khanacademy.org
Live Homework Help: http://sled.alaska.edu/homework
University of Alaska: www.alaska.edu/alaska
PLEASE CONTACT YOUR SCHOOL COUNSELOR WITH QUESTIONS!
Randi Shrider | Anchorage, Eagle River, Wasilla | rshrider@yksd.com | 907.622.6631
Ryan Tilbury | Delta, Fairbanks, Juneau | rtilbury@yksd.com | 907.374.9432
Attention Seniors:
Randi in Juneau for Educators Rising Conference
Kids2College Career Panel in Eagle River
Kids2College final presentations
Anchorage Office:
March Recap:
March was a busy month as we prepared for our state PEAKS testing that began on the 26th! If you have not scheduled your student for testing, please give the office a call. Open enrollment for new families launched on March 20th so if you have any friends or family interested in homeschooling, let them know! Our liaison, Jamie, went with a group of families to a show at the Performing Arts Center, called “Moon Mouse” which was put on in the dark, using lights! We hosted an Escape Room for students which focused on test prepping strategies. Both teams were able to “escape” in the time allowed! Now the focus is on PEAKS testing for the next few weeks...we can do it!
Upcoming Dates/Events/Deadlines:
April 2nd-5th - PEAKS Testing
April 9th-12th - PEAKS Testing
April 3rd - PAC Meeting
April 10th - Bonus Science Workshop
April 25th - STEM Workshop: Ozobots
April 30th - 2nd Semester Reimbursements Due / Encumbered Funds Requests Due
Staff Out of Office Dates:
Carmen: April 5th, 19th, and 26th
Danae: April 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th
Terri: April 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 20th
Randi IN office: April 11th and 18th
For more details about our events and to RSVP, please click on our SMORE below!
Delta Office:
March Recap:
Cindy Lou Aillaud came to the Community Library to read her book, Recess at 20 Below. She does a wonderful job explaining the publishing process. Thank you Cindy Lou!
The best field trip ever was a walk to our local ice caves. The Castner Glacier Ice Caves are well worth the walk. We will be back next year!
Raven students went on a dog mushing field trip with Alaskan Adventures. They learned about how to care for the dogs and too a ride on the sled. Thank you John Schandelmeier and Zoya DeNure!
PEAKS Testing will begin March 26th and April 5th. Our students have been preparing for the test by participating in our “Escape Room” activity and taking the online practice test. Go Raven Students!
Teacher Note:
Ms. Heidi wants to remind you that the end of March is the end of third quarter. All students should be 75% done with assigned classes. If you need tutoring or any other support, please contact our office. Seniors must complete their classes by May 15th.
Looking ahead:
No activities are scheduled for 3/26-4/5
April 9th - Department of Transportation Field Trip
April 10th - Parent Advisory Committee Meeting
April 11th - Raven About Health Workshop
April 16th - Terrific Tuesday for Hawks (6th-8th graders) outside if possible
April 23rd - Seniors meet at Raven. Tour of MAPTS: Mining and Petroleum Training Service provides health, safety and environmental training for industry in Alaska. Ryan is joining us!
April 26th - All Day Curriculum Fair at the Westmark Hotel and Convention Center in Fairbanks.
For more details about our events and to RSVP, please click on our SMORE below!
Reading "Recess at 20 Below" with author, Cindy Lou Aillaud
Ice Cave Tour
Seniors at their March meeting
Eagle River Office:
March Recap:
March was packed full of fun activities and workshops! We started the month with an informative Pillowcase Project workshop taught by The American Red Cross. Students learned about natural hazards, safety, emotional coping skills and personal preparedness. Steve and Randi taught PEAKS practice session workshops so students could get used to the testing computers and learn about what to expect on their PEAKS assessment in April. Then, we challenged some students to think outside the box and use test taking skills to beat a Testing Escape Room. Everyone was successful and completed the escape room with time to spare! Kids2College wrapped up their in-office activities with student presentations. Each student researched their dream career and presented how to get there and what is needed. We also had a few volunteers come in and discuss their careers and how they got where they are during our Kids2College Career Panel. Steve taught students how to create intricate butterfly paper sculptures during a fun ARTiculate workshop. Geography Club took us to South and Central America this month! We experienced a field trip to the Atwood Concert Hall and saw “Moon Mouse: A Space Odyssey”. Deb Fancher was back in our office and taught students about the Science of Flight. Lesley, with Lesley’s Cakes, taught an awesome cupcake decorating workshop. Students learned how to create different frosting and decorations, they even got to eat their creations!
Third quarter progress reports and work samples were due on March 31st, please submit them ASAP if you haven’t already!
April Activities:
April 9th - Geography Club
April 10th - Bonus Science Workshop: Explosions
April 12th - Kids2College: UAA Tour
April 17th - Alaska Construction Career Days
April 22nd - Field Trip: AVTEC Tour
April 26th - Field Trip: Museum of Science and Nature
April 30th - 2nd Semester Reimbursements Due
April 30th - Encumbered Funds Due
Staff Schedules:
Randi will be out of the office on April 1st, 15th, 26th, 29th-30th. She will be working out of the Anchorage office on April 11th and 18th, and working out of the Wasilla office on April 17th.
Steve will be out of the office on April 5th, 12th, 15th, and 22nd.
For more details about our events and to RSVP, please click on our SMORE below!
Fairbanks Office:
March Recap:
PEAKS Testing:
Earlier this month Raven hosted 4 PEAKS practice sessions where parents and students could learn to use the online tools and ask testing protocol questions. PEAKS testing will be held at the Raven office from April 9-19th. Please call 907-374-9401 to schedule today!
Field Trip:
Raven students took a field trip to the KFXF Fox News studio. During the guided tour families had Q&A time with the sound, video and editing departments and got to talk with journalists about what it takes to work in T.V. reporting.
Class of 2019 Senior Activity Day:
Some of our amazing seniors took time to get together this month for a “seniors only” activity. Students were treated to lunch at Miguel’s Mexican Restaurant and then went to see Marvel’s Captain Marvel. We plan to have more activities soon.
1st Annual Cookie-Cup Challenge:
Raven was proud to host the 1st annual Goldenheart Homeschool Support Network’s Cookie-Cup Challenge. Raven along with the other 4 local area homeschools had students participate in a cookie bake-off contest. The winning entry in each age group received a “traveling” trophy which will then be displayed in that students homeschool office until the following year, at which time that homeschool office will host the next contest. From Raven Homeschool in the K-6th grade division, 1st place winner Danika Ellis, we salute you!
STEM Club Activity - Racing Robots:
Our advisory teachers got the chance to share their coding techniques for three new robots (Sphero, Beet-Bot and Ozobots) purchased for the new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) club. The next activity will be on Thursday, April 4th.
April Staff Schedules:
Natasha Anderson: Off Monday’s
Chuck Backe: Off Monday’s & out 4/30
Tami Rump: M-F 8:00am-4:30pm
Ryan Tilbury: In Delta April 23rd-24th
Cathy Walker: Off Friday’s
Judging at the Cookie-Cup Challenge
FLL Final Presentation
Fox News Studio
Juneau Office:
March in Review
March has definitely marched by in a flurry of activity. We started off the month with the IditaREAD kickoff brunch where twenty students began the reading race with us to make it all the way along the Iditarod trail while earning prizes at various checkpoints along the route. Theresa started another session of Kids2College for middle school students to look ahead to the future considering their interests. Our annual ice skating activity was a hit as usual with families enjoying the time together. This month’s PAC meeting had a great turnout and we made a lot of progress planning for Day Camp in May. We hosted a “Get to Know Raven” event for prospective families to learn more about Raven and are hoping it will add several new students to our Raven family. Theresa led a very colorful Rainbow Fish Art Activity that produced cute artwork, and Pi Day (3.14) was another annual favorite learning about this irrational number and enjoying its tasty counterpart. Our Yearbook Committee made more progress on the yearbook and want to encourage families to purchase their yearbook soon. Chess club met to challenge one another in battle and we started our first week of PEAKS assessments at our office. Be sure to check out the fun photos from these events and join us as we spring into more fun in April.
April Important Dates
April 1st - DIPAC Sea Week Program for 1st-3rd grades
April 2nd - Yearbook Purchase Deadline
April 3rd - PAC Meeting & Student Activity
April 8th - Yearbook Committee Meeting
April 12th - Kids2College Program Session 4
April 15th - Yearbook Committee Meeting
April 17th - Pillars of America Speaker Series for 6th-12th grades
April 19th - Kids2College Program Session 5
April 23rd - “Get to Know Raven” Q&A Event
April 24th - Scholastic Reading Club Orders Due
April 24th - Pillars of America Speaker Series for 6th-12th grades
April 26th - Kids2College Program Session 6
April 29th - Chess Club
April 30th - All receipts for Jan-Apr reimbursement & encumbered funds forms for May-June due
April 30th - Turn in April Healthy Futures Logs for a prize
April 30th - Share Night (Talent Show/Science Fair/Geography Fair/Art Gallery)
PEAKS testing sessions at Raven office:
April 2nd from 9am-12pm & 1-4pm
April 3rd from 9am-12pm
April 4th from 9am-12pm & 1-4pm
April 9th from 9am-12pm & 1-4pm
April 10th from 9am-12pm & 1-4pm
April 11th from 9am-12pm & 1-4pm
April 19th from 8:30am-12pm
Staff Schedules:
Theresa Off - April 5th, 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th
Joan Off - April 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th, and 29th
For more details about our events and to RSVP, please click on our SMORE below!
Wasilla Office:
March in Review
This month we exclaimed over and over how much we love our new office- the door doesn’t blow open with gusts of wind, the parking lot is large and inviting, the office space is friendly and welcoming, and we have room! March has been a month of preparing:
Preparing for the PEAKS testing with Math and ELA workshops taught by Joy, Cynthia, and Kim
Preparing for Healthy Relationships taught by Randi
March has also included amazing science classes taught by Deb Fancher. A highlight from the Marine Science class was to see, and put on, scuba diving gear. In Strange Science, all kinds of kinds of interesting substances were examined. African Painted Walls was the ARTiculate theme, and paint was the medium. This class was very well attended! Just Add Paint came for a fun workshop where students were able to choose what they wanted to paint. We also added a Games Club where students will learn new games and play old favorites. Participation is increasing in activities; make sure you don't miss out!
Beauty Of The Month Of March Both Winter And Spring
- As winter's cold days and longer nights end, and the last of snow and ice melt away, there is a short window of time, a month that shares itself with winter and spring, March. Although it only has 31 days, so much change happens to the earth, weather and nature. March makes her presence known, with her high pitch song of whistling winds, the wild gusty breezes, her clouds and sky become full of white like fleece set in deep blue sky, shorter days, longer nights. March sings out, waking Spring!
- https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/song-of-march
April Events
April 1st - Science of Flight Workshops
April 2nd - PEAKS Testing
April 3rd - PEAKS Testing
April 3rd - JOBZ Club
April 4th - PEAKS Testing
April 9th - PEAKS Testing
April 10th - PEAKS Testing
April 11th - PEAKS Testing
April 12th - UAA Tour
April 12th - Girls Tea Party
April 16th - PEAKS Testing
April 17th - PEAKS Testing
April 17th - Alaska Construction Career Day
April 18th - PEAKS Testing
April 19th - Denali Gymnastics
April 22nd - Games Club
April 24th - ARTiculate
April 26th - Tsunami Warning Center
April 30th - Math-U-See Curriculum Meeting
April Staff Schedules:
Cynthia Off: April 1st, 8th, 22nd, and 29th
Joy Off: April 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th
Ruth Off: April 5th, 8th, 15th, 26th, and 29th
Kim Off: April 19th and 26th
For more details about our events and to RSVP, please click on our SMORE below!