Arctic Light Elementary School
March 20th, 2019
Upcoming Events
March 23rd - PTA Mother/ Son Dance 4:30-6:30pm
March 26th – STEM Night 5:00pm – 7:30pm
March 26th - PEAKs Testing begins
Principal Keener's Message...
State Testing - PEAKs
Educators use testing to assess the effectiveness of their educational programming. Units of study, chapter, and the weekly spelling tests are nearly universal. The BIG tests provide insights into student scores in comparison to state or national norms. AIMs, MAP, and NAEP tests compare our students to those throughout the nation and rank them usually as a percentile. Scoring in the 95% means you’re near the top of the top. If you’re in the bottom 20% you’re needing a boost and probably receiving support through our Title I programming.
Starting next week, our older students will be taking the Performance Exam for the State of Alaska, called PEAKs. These 3rd- 10thgrade tests work with a ‘Proficiency’ score for Math, English Language Arts, and Science (4th& 8thgrades). Students can score proficient by doing better than the mark, usually around 70% on the test. Advance scores are for high marks and low marks receive a ‘Below’ or ‘Far Below’ rating. These scores form the majority rating for our school’s state ‘Report Card.’ Our school rating of 53pts is in the middle-of-the-pack for our school district. We are seeing improvements through our Personalized Learning and afternoon Encores and expect our state rating to climb. You can exam all state schools through the following link: https://education.alaska.gov/reportcardtothepublic/
Currently, teachers are reviewing testing techniques as PEAKs is taken on a computer. Additionally, students are doing final reviews of math vocabulary and formulas. It is important to teach your child successful testing techniques as this is a common way our society advances its citizens. Reviewing of questions, keeping notes, underlining important information, are all vital as are things at home like a good breakfast after a good night’s sleep.
Watch for more information from your child’s teacher for the specific testing dates. All students take the PEAKs test and make-up dates for absences are built into the system. Thank you for your support and watch for your child’s results near the beginning of next year.
Planning Ahead - Early Withdrawal for the Year
A common question concerns a student receiving a report card before the end of school. For many families this is due to travel to another post. Below are some guidelines and please engage our front staff as soon as you can.
Leaving before April 22, 2019
· Arctic Light issues withdrawal grades and student must report to next school to complete school year
Leaving between April 22 – May 3, 2019
· Arctic Light issues withdrawal grades and student enrollment in next school is highly recommended
Leaving after May 3, 2019
· Arctic Light issues final grades and teacher recommends placement for next year
Please talk with our staff if you are planning an early withdrawal. We want to help plan the best educational program for your child.
PE Department Receives Large Donation
This week our PE Department received a $2500 donation! This wonderful gift was donated by Tony Taylor and his music company, Muzic Medicine. Tony has been throwing MANY fundraisers over the last few months to help support PE, Music, and Mental Health in our school district. Tony is a true community supporter for our kids. This wonderful donation will be used to purchase our own set of brand-new archery equipment! If you get the chance take a look at what Tony Taylor and his company, Muzik Medicine are doing in our community!
Mr. Sagers
Kindergarten Jump Start
Kindergarten Jump Start is a 22-day intensive, literacy-focused, FUN opportunity for children who will enroll in kindergarten this fall
- Free
- Mid-morning snack provided
- School district program
- Certified teachers
Schedule
May 29 - June 28, 2019 | Monday - Friday | 8 AM - Noon
Hunter Elementary | 1630 Gillam Way | Fairbanks
or...
Midnight Sun Elementary | 2301 Bradway Road | North Pole
Requirements
- Child must be five years of age on or before September 1st, 2019
- Submit Kindergarten Jump Start lottery application
- Pre-Register for kindergarten in the fall
- Attend KJS Parent Orientation Tuesday, May 28th at 6 PM
- Provide daily transportation Monday - Friday, May 29 - June 28
- Commit to 100% student attendance
Application:
https://lottery.k12northstar.org
More Information:
FRONT OFFICE REMINDERS
- You have 2 days to call in and excuse absences for your students to the front office.
- Please do not stop in the road to pick your student up. Please pick them up in the school loops at dismissal.
- Please make sure you bring in your ID when picking up your child or signing a student out.
- If you have someone other than yourself or primary guardian picking up your student please make sure they are updated in your emergency contacts here at the school.
- At the end of the day, Families with a "K Pass" can drive behind the school and park on the inside lane and come in through the front office. As it gets colder these spots become more important.
Update Your Contact Information!
- Please remember to update your Family Care Plans and emergency contacts!
With trainings and deployments, it is especially important that the school has current contact information regarding your children. This information should include local emergency contacts (other than you) as well as contact info for whoever will be taking care of your child in your absence and or POA’s that need to be put on file.
COMPLETE YOUR FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH APPLICATION
Parents and guardians, remember to complete your free and reduced lunch applications here at SCHOOL CAFE.
Nutrition Services has made it easier for families to apply for free or reduced priced meals. We encourage you to apply online anytime using an Internet enabled computer or with the Smartphone app. You can complete and submit an application in minutes!
If you need assistance or have any questions please feel free to contact the front office or Nutrition services at
(907) 451-1004 x16600