Chugiak Chatter
Special Edition, August 9, 2021
A Word of Welcome!
Hello Chugiak Families!
On behalf of your Chugiak Staff, I would like to welcome you to the 2021-22 school year! We are sending a warm welcome to our new students and families and a joyful welcome back to those of you returning! We hope everyone has had a restful summer and is looking forward to a great year!
As our school start date draws near, we are sending this Special Edition to share some ASD informational items published last week and to provide school start dates and times. Teachers and staff return this Thursday for a few days of room setup and professional development. We have a number of new staff members joining our Chugiak family and we look forward to working with them! Please welcome:
- Señora Herrera, K/1 Spanish Immersion
- Ms. Sheaver, First Grade Natiya
- Ms. VanCouwenberghe, Second Grade Natiya
- Ms. Strehlou, Third Grade Natiya
- Señorita Castello, Fourth Grade Spanish Immersion
- Ms. Newman, Fifth Grade Teacher Intern
- Mrs. Reichen, Primary Resource
- Ms. Gunn, Intermediate Resource
- Mr. James, PE (part time)
- Ms. Haugsven, ELL
- Ms. Seigneur, School Nurse
Mrs. Flagg is teaching K - 5 Health this school year. And welcome back to Mr. Sparkman, who taught with ASD Virtual last year.
We will happily welcome our first through fifth grade students back to school on Tuesday, August 17th. Our school day schedule is:
- Student day, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
- Staff on duty at 8:40 a.m.; students may line up outside their assigned doors at 8:40 a.m.
- Students enter classrooms at 8:50 a.m.
- Learning begins promptly at 9:00 a.m.; all students in their seats, ready to learn!
- Dismissal bell 3:30 p.m.
Finally, Kindergarten families will be invited to attend Family Welcome Meetings with their teacher(s) on either August 17, 18, 19, or 20. Kindergarten students may attend a Kindergarten Academy session that week, as well. Watch for more information from your kindergarten teachers. Together, Family Meetings, Kindergarten Academy, and Open House provide three opportunities for kindergarten students to see their teacher and visit their classroom and school prior to their first full day of school on Tuesday, August 24.
See you soon!
Heather Mildon, Principal
Back to School BBQ and Open House
Come enjoy a hot dog, say hello to friends old and new, then visit classrooms. Teachers will be there to greet you and provide a brief overview of the year.
Entry to the school will be through the MPR using the doors near the bus loop or loading dock, as well as through the two end doors near the ball field.
School Supplies
Construction Continues at Chugiak!
The most significant impact to our school days as we launch this new year will be the traffic patterns for cars and people along our main front walk and to alternate entrances. We will send a map later this week illustrating where each class will line up and exit daily as well as where visitors my enter once school begins. The bottom line for all of us is to bring our patience and sense of humor with us to campus this fall/winter, as there are sure to be longer lines or delays from time-to-time. We will continue to strive to ensure all students experience a safe entry to and exit from Chugiak daily, in the most expeditious manner possible. Thank you, as always, for helping us achieve that goal!
Chugiak P.T.O. Meets Tuesday
Come Work with us at Chugiak!
Parents and family members are invited to sign up as noon supervisors to assist with outdoor recess coverage between 11 am and 1:30 pm daily. Many schools have created combination schedules where 2 - 5 parents worked just 1-2 days/week. We are happy to work with you on a doable schedule! Some think of this work as community service with a small paycheck bonus to use for your favorite pastime, splurge, or investment! Seriously, spending time outside with Chugiak's kids is a neat way to spend a morning. Applications for Eagle River High Area noon supervisors can be found here and note "Chugiak ES" on the application.
Do you speak Spanish? We are hiring for a Kindergarten teaching assistant in our Spanish Immersion classroom. This job combines with noon supervisor playground coverage for 5.5 hours total/day and brings a world of smiles to your days because five-year-olds are all about JOY! Apply here to Job 9816.
We are fortunate to have Camp Fire Alaska again hosting a program at Chugiak. They are finding themselves in need of staff, also, at many sites across the Municipality. If you know someone who enjoys working with kids and is looking for employment, please refer them to https://www.campfireak.org/about-us/jobs/.
Fall 2021 COVID-19 Safety Information
What is different is that students will move about the school more frequently, allowing them to attend PE, library, and music class in spaces outside their homerooms this quarter. Due to construction, art and health will be taught in homerooms, most likely through mid-February. Face coverings are optional during arrival, dismissal, and recess. We are pleased to welcome volunteers back to school this year; masks required.
CloudReady: Internet Assistance for Families
ASD families in need of home internet assistance can apply for the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program this school year. This program is designed for families and households who are struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. To learn more about the EBB program and application process, families can visit https://www.asdk12.org/EBB.
Voluntary Student Accident & Illness Insurance
STUDENT ACCIDENT & SICKNESS COVERAGE
Chugiak Elementary School
Email: mildon_heather@asdk12.org
Website: https://www.asdk12.org/chugiakelem
Location: 19932 Old Glenn Highway, Chugiak, AK, USA
Phone: 907-742-3400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChugiakElementary/