Susitna Elementary News
E-Newsletter
December 11th, 2014
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) twice 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
This is a "most wonderful time of the year," and we finally have the long awaited snow to make our days and evenings "brighter!"
We have a lot going on here this month. Our choir will take their wonderful show on the road, when they tour Bartlett, ASD Education Center, and Marlow Manor. Wednesday, Dec. 10th, is a going to be "super" charged with some really special student learning fun. Our 3rd - 5th grade classes will be walking on Giant Map of the Pacific Ocean in the gym, while our K - 2nd grade classes will be gazing at the stars in the museum's Star Lab which will occupy our music room. All week, our students will be participating in Code Day. Students get the opportunity to use computers in the lab 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!
Congratulations to our first Susitna Super Bus of the Month students who ride Bus #44! These students earned a special magnetic sign on their bus, so they can "ride with pride" the rest of the month for having the best overall bus behavior - least number of bus referrals and "thumbs up" reported by drivers for the month of November. Thanks to the riders for being FABULOUS on the bus - enjoy your celebration with Mr. Putman, our Health/SEL teacher, who came up with this new incentive this year.
On behalf of the Susitna staff, we wish all of our families a safe and peaceful holiday season and a wonderful Winter break!
Warmest Wishes,
Kim BautistaEmail: Bautista_kim@asdk12.org
Phone: 907-742-1400
Upcoming Dates to Remember
*Dec 8 - 12 - School wide "Hour of Coding"
*Dec 10 - Map (grades 3-5) and Star Lab (K-2)
*Dec 17 - Last day of canned food drive
*Dec 19 - Jan. 4 - Happy Holidays! Winter Break- - No School
This Week at Susitna!
Ivan Doucet - Susitna BPO and ASD Denali Award Recipient
Super Bus of the Month Celebration - Bus 44
Susitna Elementary School - On Facebook!
Health Notes
Here is what we will be covering by grade level in Health Classes:
K/1st- Healthy and non healthy food choices, proper food handling.
2nd- Examining Myplate, healthy snacks, importance of good breakfast
3rd-Nutrients, Healthful vs. non healthful, food labels
4th-Digestive process, calories/nutrients, being a careful consumer
5th/6th-life cycle nutrition, making their own healthy menus
As always, feel free to email or come talk to me if you have questions!!
Thank You
Chris Putman
Health Teacher
Susitna/Abbott Loop
putman_christopher@asdk12.org
Health Notes - 5th Grade Only - Human Growth and Development
Hello Parents of 5th graders:
This letter is to inform you of the upcoming parent (no students please) preview opportunity for the Human Growth and Development unit your student will be participating in in health class this year. This will be your opportunity to preview materials that will be used in class during this unit and ask the health teacher questions about what will be covered.
You may watch the video on the ASD's Channel 14. Below are the dates and times:
December 5, 14, 19, 27
January 9, 11, 22
February 6, 10
Time: 9:00pm-11:00pm
9:00 pm “The Immune system, doing its part” (5th/6th grade communicable diseases)
9:10 pm “You, Your body and Puberty” (6th grade)
9:35 pm “Growing up” - not shown in class, but can be an additional parent resource
9:53 pm “ The new improved me: Understanding body changes” (old 5th grade video)
If you are not able to attend, or would like more information, you can email Mr. Putman with specific questions or you can visit the ASD website:http://www.asdk12.org/depts/HealthPE/health/index.asp
Thank You
Chris Putman
Health Teacher
Susitna/Abbott Loop
Nurse's Corner
Parents,
This is the time of year when we have to be particularly vigilant about lice and nits (their eggs). It is a problem in numerous elementary schools in Anchorage. Although ASD no longer excludes students who have nits in their hair, we do exclude students if there is evidence of live lice. There are two handouts on the ASD website that addresses this issue. The HEAD LICE HANDOUT and LICE – 10 STEPS TO STAY HEAD HANDOUT. To locate these handouts go under the forms and publications area on the front page at asdk12.org and put in the above titles. Below is some important information taken from these handouts that you need to know.
- Over the counter medication (pediculocides) kills the head lice and the nits. Two treatments are necessary 7 – 10 days apart. Follow the box directions closely. After shampooing remove the nits by combing them out with a fine-toothed comb or by hand. Nits do not wash out. They stick to the shaft of clean hair and have to be pulled out.
- Infected hats, bedding, pillows that can be washed must be cleaned in hot water and dried on the hot setting.
- Head lice can live for 1-2 days away from the scalp; however, chemical treatment of the environment is not necessary. Simply, vacuum the floors, carpets, mattresses, and furniture.
- Toys, personal articles, bedding and other items that cannot be laundered should be kept away from people (in a plastic bag). If there is concern of infestation, keep them in this bag for at least 3 days.
- After your child has been treated for head lice, he or she may return to school, but can return to the classroom only after being examined by the school nurse. Please make certain the nurse examines your child’s head before allowing them to return to the classroom.
- Continue to examine and remove nits on a daily basis until the hair is nit free. Check the head daily for 2 – 3 weeks.
If you have any questions about lice or suspect a student at Susitna may have an infestation, please let me know. It’s important that you keep me informed so that I can examine the child’s head and let their parents know of my findings. Also, please be vigilant about following the protocol if your child is found to have lice or nits.
Thank your for your help with this very common problem.
Sincerely,
Nurse Anne
Susitna Elementary School Nurse
Direct line (907) 742-1401
Susitna Supergear Now Available!
T-Shirts - $15
Sweatshirts - $35
*Add $2 for XXL, $4 for XXXL
Stop by the office to pick up your gear today!
Superheroes are PREPARED for Weather!
School Business Partners
ASD Statement of Nondiscrimination
The Board is committed to an environment of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, economic status, union affiliation, disability, and other human differences. No person shall be excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, any academic or extracurricular program or educational opportunity or service offered by the District. The District will comply with the applicable statutes, regulations, and executive orders adopted by Federal, State and Municipal agencies. Inquiries or complaints may be addressed to the District's Equal Employment Opportunity Director, who also serves as the Title IX Coordinator, ASD Education Center, 5530 E. Northern Lights Blvd, Anchorage, AK 99504-3135 (907) 742-4132 or to any of the following external agencies: Alaska State Commission for Human Rights, Anchorage Equal Rights Commission, Director of the Office for Civil Rights, Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services.The Board is committed to an environment of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, economic status, union affiliation, disability, and other human differences. No person shall be excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, any academic or extracurricular program or educational opportunity or service offered by the District. The District will comply with the applicable statutes, regulations, and executive orders adopted by Federal, State and Municipal agencies. Inquiries or complaints may be addressed to the District's Equal Employment Opportunity Director, who also serves as the Title IX Coordinator, ASD Education Center, 5530 E. Northern Lights Blvd, Anchorage, AK 99504-3135 (907) 742-4132 or to any of the following external agencies: Alaska State Commission for Human Rights, Anchorage Equal Rights Commission, Director of the Office for Civil Rights, Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services.