Chugiak Chatter
April 29, 2021
Dear Chugiak Families,
As we head into the final few weeks of the school year, we will strive to keep teaching and learning going in every classroom, bell to bell, through the last day of school. Students spent sufficient time outside of the classroom this year and we aim to maximize every teaching minute!
Many families are opting in to summer learning and notification of acceptance and block or location assignments will come on May 10th. All students will have access this summer to Clever and can work on math and reading skills at their instructional level in iReady. So, if you're not planning on summer learning for one reason or another, consider scheduling in some time for your child to keep their skills sharp with routine iReady practice.
You may have noted in today's Anchorage Daily News that there have been adjustments to local COVID mitigation plans. In response to the increased flexibility, teachers are able to schedule lunchtime picnics or other shared experiences for their classes. Masks continue to be required on school grounds. We are carrying our mitigation plan through the end of the year due to the reality that our students themselves are not able to be vaccinated and we'd like to keep all of our classes open through May! We do anticipate a more "normal" start to the school year next year. This includes the return of our "specials," the 6.5 hour school day, and more of our school-wide events being permissible. A celebration, indeed!
While this column has necessarily been focused on critical issues and just-in-time information over the past year, I look forward to future messages focused on academic and behavioral goals, progress, and achievement. Often there are topics of interest related to parenting, student nutrition, attendance/absenteeism, behavior management or a host of other topics that we'd like to share with you. If you have a specific area of need or interest that you'd like us to address in the principal's note or the Chatter, please send me an email with your request or idea. mildon_heather@asdk12.org. Thank you. It's a pleasure to be working with you on behalf of your children.
Respectfully,
Heather Mildon
Chugiak Elementary Principal
Thanks, fifth graders, for teaming up to beautify our campus!
Mark Your Calendars
Apr 26: Online Registration for returning students opens
Apr 29: Kindergarten Round-up 6pm (Chugiak specific virtual presentation, see below)
May 3 - 7: Chromebook return
May 3 - 7: Chugiak Elementary Book Fair!
May 3: The NED Show Virtual Event
May 4 - 10: NED yo-yo sales open
May 8: Spring Clean-up Day
May 9: Mother's Day!
May 10 - 14: Muralists come to Chugiak!
May 11 @ 6:00 p.m.: PTO Meeting, Chugiak library
May 20: Final student day; backpacks stay home
THANK YOU to Kristin Chandler, Curtis Townsend, Tricia West, Heather Burgess, Shane Denny, and Konae Putnam for keeping our PTO humming during this crazy COVID year!
Plan to attend!
OUR CHUGIAK ELEMENTARY PTO is #1
Chugiak's PTO volunteers truly go ABOVE and BEYOND. We want you to know how very much your Chugiak staff appreciates your commitment and effort on behalf of our students, staff, and school community! Here are just a few sentiments from our teachers:
- Whether it be a cheerful lunch in the Chugiak cafe, the bustling energy of Mercado, or the smiles of inspired students on field trips, the work of our PTO is evident throughout our school community! Thank you, PTO, for your enthusiastic support of our classrooms! -Allison Erickson
- I’ve worked at a few different schools during my career with ASD and one of the things that stands out to me about Chugiak Elementary’s PTO is the creative ways they come up with to bring students, staff, and families together for fundraising opportunities along with much needed bonding experiences! Family dances, Mercado, holiday bazaar, just to name a few. ¡Gracias! -Jasmine Butler
Over the years PTO has done so much for our school and teachers. Classrooms couldn't attend many field trips without the bus funding and scholarship funding for kids in need. PTO has made it possible for ALL kids to experience the plethora of opportunities to the Campbell Creek Science Center, Zoo trips, West High performances, Eagle River Nature Center, and even trips to fire stations. Many kids wouldn't have visited these places if it weren't for our caring PTO. -Heather Burgess
I truly feel that the PTO has everything to do with the happy events for kids while at school. They plan/organize the big events like the Fall Carnival and help with Mercado, both big events that kids and our families can enjoy. The movie night and school dance is always a big hit too. Even the equipment that they buy to make recess more enjoyable; it lets kids enjoy recess, rather than being bored and looking for things to do. -Beth Senchantixay
Our PTO is student-centered. They are dedicated to making school fun, engaging, and relevant to our kiddos here at Chugiak Elementary. They are eager to invest time and energy to help cultivate a learning environment that is inclusive for all kids, from funding field trips/buses/scholarships, to providing snacks during testing periods, filling a new shed with recess equipment (sleds, balls, hula-hoops, jump ropes, etc.), purchasing monthly grade-level National Geographic magazines for classes, funding the science fair, technology upgrades and equipment, and organizing spirit days. - Sharyl Steiding
Thank you to our PTO board, members, and volunteers for dedicating your time and talents to enhancing the school experiences of our students, families, and the Chugiak community!
Sponsor a Rams Roots Garden Box Today!
- Let the PTO know you're sponsoring a box by communicating on their Facebook page
- You pick a box, provide the plants, and come plant with your family on a day that works for you this spring!
- All kinds of kid-friendly options are available from carrots to peas to kale to broccoli!
We can't wait to see your garden creativity come harvest time! Thanks in advance for supporting the PTO's garden project. This is a gem in the Chugiak crown, and we're excited that you and your family are taking part while making memories together!
The NED Show Virtual Assembly
Super Sweepers Clean Up Day
The snow has melted and left behind an unsightly mess! Join our school starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 8th to pick up litter around your neighborhood. Stop by the art room right after school to pick up gloves and bags from Mrs. Flagg. You can also get bags at Chugiak on May 8th. Bags must be dropped off on the curb in the bus loop by 2:00 p.m. sharp!
Please note: We cannot accept household trash, leaves, large objects, appliances, batteries, or tires. Thank you!
Chugiak students earn one raffle ticket for each bag collected and will be entered to win some great prizes like gift cards to Fred Meyer or Cold Stone Creamery! Join us for a free hot dog and chips between 11 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. when you deliver your bags.
Three cheers for Leighton and Loren who got started on cleaning up our school grounds last weekend! Thank you, girls!
End of Year Chromebook Return
Students in the ASD Virtual program will be asked to return their device at the end of the school year unless they are:
- attending ASD Virtual's summer program
- enrolling in ASD Virtual next year.
Students will need to return their Chromebooks and all power cords. Chromebooks not returned by May 7 will be remotely disabled on May 17. Thank you for planning ahead so we can account for all Chugiak devices!
TONIGHT!! Kindergarten Round-Up with Chugiak Elementary
The Zoom link is: https://asdk12.zoom.us/j/92318491520?pwd=dnR1cW9SWG9QZWN3MXIyQXB4bnI2UT09
Zoom Meeting ID: 923 1849 1520
Passcode: 2020
One tap mobile
+13462487799,,92318491520# US (Houston)
Moving?
Every year we have to say goodbye to some members of our Chugiak family and wish them well in their next school adventure. If you have a student moving out of the Chugiak Elementary attendance area this summer, please notify the office by emailing the following information to butler_sue@asdk12.org by May 14th.
- Student Name(s), Teacher(s), Grade(s)
- We are moving to: _____________________________________________
- ( ) This is within ASD ( ) Out of State ( ) Leaving the Anchorage School District
Having accurate information about your school plans will be helpful as we create class lists for the 2021-22 academic year. Thank you for your assistance!
Chugiak's Book Fair is Next Week!
Chugiak Mural Project
This year Chugiak Elementary is scheduled to host its FIRST visiting artist. Artist duo Viscaya Wagner and Eliza Carver will be in residence during the week of May 10th – May 14th . They will create a site-specific mural reflecting our school and students. During their week here, students will have the opportunity to walk by the mural as a class and participate in meet and greets. Our kids will be learning about Eliza and Viscaya’s careers while gaining a larger understanding of murals, painting, and site-specific installations. This project is made possible by Art Club fundraisers and Chugiak’s PTO.
BIG thanks to the team at GarageExperts for supporting our visiting muralists. Their generous loan of a powerwasher enables the wall preparation needed for our artists to begin their work. We appreciate your support!
ASD 2021-2022 Online Lottery Open Now
- a former Spanish immersion student who left Chugiak this year to pursue homeschool or charter school educational options and plan to return next year.
- incoming kindergarten or first grade students who live either in or outside our attendance zone whose parents would like them to learn Spanish and are applying for Chugiak's language immersion program.
- students who live outside the Chugiak school boundary and would like to join Chugiak's Natiya program in any grade.
Put another way, any student who is not currently enrolled with Chugiak Elementary and would like to join or rejoin the immersion program for the 2021-22 school year must submit a lottery application.
Applications may be submitted through 5:00 p.m. July 22. Be sure to select the correct lottery option when completing your application. We look forward to seeing your child's name on the list!
Parent Input for 21-22 Class Placement
Chugiak Elementary
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/