You Otter Know!
Spring is Here!
We have had a very busy last few weeks since Spring Break. We are in full swing with testing. Thank you for sending your students rested and prepared for the day. I'm proud of the hard work our students have put into this quarter already. A special shout out to staff who have worked tirelessly to get to this point in the school year. We have many upcoming events; we hope you can join in on some of the fun!
Although we've had some snowfalls this week, it is melting quickly. Just a few friendly reminders if you drive your children to school.
- There will be a wait, particularly at pick-up. Plan your departure times accordingly.
- The posted speed limit is 5MPH
- Stay clear of bus loop entrances.
- If you park to pick-up and come in, NEVER LEAVE CHILDREN IN THE CAR UNATTENDED.
- We need your 100% concentration. Please do not use your cell phone while driving.
- Model good citizenship; please do not cut in line. You can park your vehicle, use the crosswalk and give your child's number to a staff member.
- If you are picking up your child up and walking to your vehicle, please use the crosswalk and remind your child not to run in the parking lots.
There are many cars that drive up and leave in the short 20 minutes during pick-up time. It can be frustrating to wait. However, missing a sports practice or event may no longer seem important if there is a severe accident involving a child or adult. APD will be driving be stopping by periodically to ensure drivers follow the expectations mentioned above. We must all be diligent in keeping our community safe!
Sincerely,
Lena Brower
Principal
Upcoming Events @ Spring Hill
- Spring Hill Choir Concert April 20th at 5:30 PM.
- Volunteer Sign ups for Field Day will be coming out at the end of this month. Please consider coming to support Spring Hill on Thursday, May 11th.
- Registration for the following year opens April 15th.
- Girl Scouts Discovery Night- New member info & sign up event Wed. April 19th. 6-7 PM ART ROOM
Library News
Hello Spring Hill Families,
As we move into our last few months of school, we need to start thinking about getting our library books back and on the shelves before Summer Break. We currently have 715 books checked out with 361 books overdue: some of these books have been overdue since the beginning of the school year. If your student(s) have overdue library book(s) you should be receiving an automatically generated email giving you the title(s) of those books. If you are not receiving those emails, please feel free to email me at henrie_marlena@asdk12.org and I am happy to provide you with that information.
Important Date to Remember:
Tuesday, April 25th – Last Day to Check Out for the School Year
Mrs. Henrie
Panda Express Family Dine Night April 14th!
A Reminder from the Nurse About Getting Good Rest
As we are (finally!) reaching the time of year when the days are getting longer, it may be harder to stick to an appropriate bedtime. We are seeing an increase in tired children in all the classrooms. As the school day puts increased demands on a child's time and energy, it is vitally important that they are getting adequate rest at night.
A Well Rested Child...
Is cheerful and ready to get up in the morning
Is more willing and able to follow instructions
Learns better in school
Feels more like playing
Is generally ill less often than the over-tired child
A Tired Child..
Has difficulty concentrating and focusing on classwork
Is more nervous and irritable when studying or playing
So How Much Sleep Is Enough?
Young children need 11-12 hours of sleep at night. As they grow older, they will gradually grow into needing a little less sleep. It is recommended that children get 10-11 hours of sleep between the ages of 7-9, and a minimum of 9 hours of sleep at night by the time they are 10-12 years old. For most elementary aged children, this translates to quiet time after 7:30pm, and lights out around 8:30.
Children need a dark, quiet, comfortable environment at night in order to get the best opportunity to succeed during the day. Calming activities are recommended for the hour before bedtime. Reading, coloring, bath time, and conversation with you are all great ways to calm down and get the mind ready to rest after a long day. Electronics should not be available in the bedroom and screens should be turned off 1 hour before it's time to go to sleep. Even if your child does not immediately fall asleep at their given bed time, it is so important to have a consistent time when daily activities and stimulus end for the day.
Thanks for partnering with us to make your child's day the best it can be,
Naomi Gerwin, RN
Spring Hill Nurse
Scholastic Book Fair April 28- May 5
March in Review
PTA Meeting
Monday, Apr 10, 2023, 05:30 PM
Spring Hill Elementary School, Lake Otis Parkway, Anchorage, AK, USA
Fentanyl Awareness & Outreach
The Anchorage School District has partnered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Alaska Response Project to develop an outreach plan for students and families about what they need to know about fentanyl. The District has received reports of fentanyl usage in the community including several recent incidents of possible student usage. Like all things that happen in our community, it eventually impacts ASD.
According to the DEA, Fentanyl is a deadly synthetic opioid that is being pressed into fake pills or cut into heroin, cocaine, and other street drugs to drive addiction. Fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin.
How to have family conversations around the seriousness of fentanyl
The following resources are available to help parents and caregivers have open and honest communication with their children:
Spring Hill Elementary
Email: SpringHillOffice@asdk12.org
Website: https://www.asdk12.org/springhill
Location: 9911 Lake Otis Parkway, Anchorage, AK, USA