Dear Chugach Optional Families,

As the old saying goes, time flies when you're having fun! It's hard to believe that we're reaching the end of January and that in no time at all, we'll be looking forward to Spring Break. As February approaches, there are a lot of things happening around the school district. Every Tuesday in the month of February, we'll be doing tours of the school for parents who are interested in placing their children on the lottery list for our school. Please encourage any prospective parents to come by the school by 9:30 and take a tour. Chugach will also be participating in the Alternative School Fair on February 4th at the ASD Ed Center from 12:00 - 4:00. Of course, I will be there, and I've asked some of the staff to take shifts at our table. I think it would also be nice if we had some of our parents there, as many prospective, future Chugach families would like to know what our school is like from a current parent's viewpoint. If you think you can be a part of this, please call the front office, and we'll create a schedule. All we need is a couple of parents who could commit to a 1-2 hour shift.

Have a great month, everyone, and I'll see you around the building.

Dear Families,

We are getting ready to kick off the Kids Heart Challenge adventure with the American Heart Association, and we need your help! Our students will be learning about their heart, raising awareness and funds for the American Heart Association and staying strong in body and mind. We’ll get moving with fun activities, meet kids with special hearts and raise funds for the health of all hearts. Plus, they’ll feel good for doing good!

I will be passing out the donation packet in PE during the week of February 6th, but if you want a headstart please download the Kids Heart Challenge App or visit heart.org/KHC to register today and earn your own BE THE TORCH WRISTBAND, so you can help light the way! Once you've registered, start Finn’s Mission and complete the challenges. As a family you can help to create a community of lifesavers by learning the lifesaving steps of Hands-Only CPR. It’s quick, easy, and fun!

Why we support the American Heart Association: About 90% of people who suffer out of hospital cardiac arrests don’t survive. CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double, or even triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival.

Thank you for joining us and helping us save lives!

Polly Smith

If your child has a cold with a nose that runs constantly or a cough that is frequent and wet, it would be best to let them stay home for a day or two of rest. Students should always stay home for fever (100.4) and/or vomiting. Current ASD policy does not require COVID testing for illness, however if you believe your child’s illness is related to COVID and choose to test we do require that the current CDC guidelines for isolation are followed when positive:

• If you have a positive test, isolate for 5 days.

• You may return to school/work with symptoms resolving on day 6. You will need to wear a mask at school days 6-10.

Please look HERE for ASD guidelines on When to Keep Your Child Home from School. Please feel free to contact Nurse Maya if you have any questions.

• Please refrain from parking in any of the "RESERVED" parking spots, the fire lane or the loading dock area. We know parking is tight and the weather is cold, but for safety and courtesy reasons these areas/spots must be respected.

Attendance

• If your child is going to be out of school for the day please contact the office before 9:30 am at 907-742-3730
• All students arriving after 8:15 am must sign-in at the office to avoid the truancy robocall
  
• More details on Attendance can be found here

Parent/Visitor Sign-in

• All parents, visitors, and volunteers who are going to be in the school after 8:30 am need to sign in at the office.

Outer wear

• All students need to have proper winter gear when going outside for recess.
• For Kinder, Primary and Middle, this means boots, snow pants, jackets, hats, and gloves.
• For Uppers, they must have boots, jackets, hats, and gloves (although snow pants are recommended as well).
• Students who don’t have the proper gear with them and can’t find something that fits from Nurse Maya will be spending their recess sitting on the benches by the front office.

Please encourage your student(s) to be prepared.

Opportunities

• We are still in need of several Noon Duty attendants and a Cafe Manager at the school. Please go to the ASD website to apply if interested in these positions.