Clark March Newsletter 2024
March 1, 2024
Hello Clark Families,
In a few weeks, The Alaska System of Academic Readiness (AK STAR) and the Alaska Science Assessment will be administered to students in Grades 3-9 (English language arts and mathematics) and grades 5, 8 and 10 (science) each spring during the state-designated testing window. AK STAR and the Alaska Science Assessment are state-required assessments that provide students with the opportunity to show their understanding of important skills in these content areas at their grade level. We do not want our students to get overly concerned or anxious about the tests, but to approach them with a positive attitude and to do their best.
Here at Clark Middle School, we want our students to understand that they can achieve anything; our students have endless potential! Regardless of the type of assessment, we encourage our students to approach all testing opportunities with passion and tenacity. We want them to walk away feeling proud and successful. Most importantly, these assessments are a method to celebrate their learning and knowledge!
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out.
Thank you for your ongoing support!
Bennetta Orchitt
Principal
The 2024 SCCS Family Survey is available!
Please take a few moments to fill it out online which helps ASD with strategic planning, evaluating programs, and improving community-school relationships.
The survey is available in English, Spanish, Hmong, Samoan, and Tagalog languages.
Please select Clark Middle School to start the survey.
https://surveys.panoramaed.com/aasb/asdfamily/surveys?language=en
Zap the Zeroes!
Does your student need additional help with school work and submitting assignments?
We want to help your student finish the Quarter strong with "ZAP the ZEROES"
On Saturday, March 2nd, teachers will help students with tutoring and to complete assignments from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm.
Our goal is to reduce the number of zeros, and help students become more successful.
Congratulations to ASTE Teacher of the Year - Alexis Griffee!
It is the intent of the ASTE Teacher/Faculty of the Year Award to recognize Alaskan educators currently responsible for the day-to-day instruction of PK-20 students, either building-based or classroom-based, regardless of subject matter. Nominees may include innovative classroom teachers, library media specialists, technology integration specialists, or others whose primary work with students is promoting deeper learning of academic content through the wise use of technology. To be eligible for this award, the nominee must spend at least 75% of his/her day in direct instruction.
Ms. Griffee received 4 separate nominations, from parents of previous students, a previous coworker and a previous student.
She is also on the ASTE board as the Advocacy, Communications and Social Media Chair.
FREE COMMUNITY CLINIC COMING SOON
AFWC Anchorage Freestyle Wrestling Club
ASD MIDDLE SCHOOL SOFTBALL
Team Perseverance
ELA: Tina Parchman parchman_tina@asdk12.org
Students have been exploring how to navigate a Novel Study for ELA. They are analyzing theme, symbolism, protagonist, antagonist, and other Literary Elements. We are completing our compare and contrast one page papers and fine-tuning our writing techniques: transitions, Introductions, conclusions, and text evidence to support our papers. We have been working on argumentative and persuasive techniques and will be doing a Canva Multi-media project to convince our classmates on an aspect of Technology: driverless cars, robots, AI, Drones, and other aspects of technology of today and tomorrow. Collaboration and group work are a part of this unit and the students will learn about successful collaboration techniques, as well as jobs and careers for the future. They are also learning how to unpack the meaning of vocabulary using context clues and etymology- the study of word parts. We are looking forward to helping students prepare for high school English and all the reading skills they will need to be successful in 9th grade. Thank you so much for all your support. You are appreciated!
8th Grade Social Studies: Hannah Hewett hewett_hannah@asdk12.org
The year has flown by! I anticipate us starting to cover colonizers coming to the Americas. We will learn about European colonization and the thirteen colonies.
8th Grade Science: Chelsea Fullman fullman_chelsea@asdk12.org
Students has been learning about space and embarking on a big project called Destination Mars. We are making models of Mars habitats, coding robots and building transporters for the robots. This is to explore how humans could possibly live on Mars. Coming up next is Genetics!
Team Pizzazz
Greetings, Team Pizzazz Parent/Guardian!
We hope you've had a great start to March so far. Your student will be working on some exciting projects and assignments in Quarter 4. Students will participate in a poetry-writing unit, a debate, data-driven research, ecology/energy related labs, and more. Please be on the lookout for information about several upcoming field trips and other enrichment opportunities. As always, let us know with any questions you may have!
Best,
Team Pizzazz
Ms. Cash (Language Arts) --> cash_ellie@asdk12.org
Ms. Pfisterer (Science) --> pfisterer_abigail@asdk12.org
Mr. Manlangit (Writing) --> manlangit_cesar@asdk12.org
Ms. Nault (Social Studies) --> nault_tanya@asdk12.org
Team Fearless
Writing: Colleen Martinson martinson_colleen@asdk12.org
Students will be beginning the poetry unit in March.
Social Studies: Natalie Moten moten_natalie@asdk12.org
Student’s NHD projects will be judged on March 6 & 7. In the fourth quarter we will be looking at Africa, and we will be reading the novel A Long Walk to Water.
Science: Alexis Griffee griffee_alexis@asdk12.org
Students will continue to explore the world of physics, hands-on lessons and labs. We’ll explore physics in sports, automobiles, and other connecting real-world applications.
Language Arts: William Gordon gordon_william@asdk12.org
Students are continuing to read the novel Tangerine. They are currently finishing up projects for the first part of the story, which are all based on characterization. In the second part of the novel students will be focusing on setting and plot structure.
TEAM Tenacious
Getting from here to There, together by Discovering Who We Are
Exciting News for November 2023, Issue # 3
“Tenacity is more than twice the weight of intelligence.”
Springboard, Language Arts 6: Ms. M. Smith: Our class will be diving into the captivating and exciting Unit 3 theme of Springboard, " Changing Perspectives." From thought-provoking articles to insightful interviews, the students will aim to explore the transformative power of shifting viewpoints in various ways whether it's gaining a fresh outlook on familiar topics, embracing diversity of thoughts, or navigating personal growth through changing perspectives on current issues.
Math: Ms. Cleopas: This month, we will be studying rates and percentages. Here, you will unravel the intricacies of these fundamental mathematical concepts that permeate everyday life. From calculating interest rates to deciphering discounts, this exploration promises to equip you with the analytical tools needed to navigate the world of finance, business, and beyond.
SCIENCE: Ms. Olsen: In science, students have been learning about energy. In February we focused on Solar and thermal energy and in March, we will be learning and exploring energy derived from the wind. We will build models to show that wind can do work and describe the relationship between wind speed and the amount of work wind can do. We will also be able to describe how a wind turbine converts wind/movement energy into electrical energy by the end of this unit.
Springboard Language Workshop/Language Arts 6: Ms. Ridgely
In March, students will continue Unit 3: Changing Perspectives. Students will be studying/examining controversial societal arguments by using structural and argumentative text to evaluate claims. Students will learn how to effectively gather information to debate contemporary issues of the world.
SOCIAL STUDIES: Mr. Moran: Social Studies will be finishing our unit on Human rights and responsibilities, civil liberties, government policies and their impact on our individual rights, how people and groups respond to governmental policies, Bill of Rights, African American Civil Rights, Women’s Suffrage, Native American Civil Rights, Latino and Citizen Responsibilities.
Language Arts 6: Ms. Foley.: We are going to be exploring different types of nonfiction and reading about how where we live affects the way we live. Cross curricular in science. Exploring our world and determining why it is important to be good stewards of where we live.
Ms. A. Mohammad NCC/ELL STEM Teacher
The i-Ready Math6 lessons taught by Ms. Afshan Mohammad are regularly scheduled and will go deeply into practical exercises and manipulatives to solve real-world problems such as determining the volume of rectangular prisms with whole number and fractional edge lengths using unit and fractional unit cubes.
The following skills will be taught and practiced:
• Fill a rectangular prism with fractional and unit cubes.
• To find the volume of a rectangular prism, fill it with fractional unit cubes and multiply the volume of one fractional unit cube by the number of cubes needed to fill the prism.
• Recognize that multiplying the prism's length, breadth, and height will provide its volume if it has fractional side length.
The NCC/ELL 6-8 Integrated Science program has made the decision to take part in the State Windmills Construction Challenge, which will be held in March 2024 at Begich Middle School. This event will bring together 24 teams from various locations across Alaska.
Team Valor
Happy Spring from Team Valor! With the start of a new season, your student has much to look forward to.
In Social Studies, students will be finishing up spring presentation projects. Then, students will begin studying Europe.
In Writing, students will be studying poetry and its various genres and origins. They will also create their own poetry.
In Science, students will begin marine mammal madness as well as robots.
In Language Arts, students will learn about Nelson Mandela and how the choices of one person can have consequences for an entire nation. Students will research a leader of their choice who has made a positive impact on the world and present to the class.
Some dates to remember:
No school on March 8th
Spring Break is March 11th-15th
Should you have any questions, you can reach Team Valor at:
schlicht_amanda@asdk12.org - Language Arts
smith_carol01@asdk12.org - Writing
holmes_david@asdk12.org - Social Studies
apgar-kurtz_breena@asdk12.org - Science
Paper Roller Coasters Made by Ms. Apgar's 7th Grade Science Class
Special Education Department
National Teenager Day
National Teenager Day is celebrated on March 21st each year, right at the beginning of Spring. The transformative period developing from a child to a teenager can be a difficult one. The brain is maturing and the amygdala, which processes emotions, develops more quickly than the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for decision-making. This metamorphosis is accompanied by morose behaviors and moods as teenagers begin to comprehend and categorize their emotions.
On this day we celebrate and encourage teenagers in their growth. We recognize them for learning self-determination and responsibility. Our Special Education Department teaches them to think abstractly. It is our blessing to support each student in developing and blossoming through their transformations.
Team Resilience:
Team Resilience is really excited for March. Students will be signing up for high school classes on March 4th for East, and March 20th for Bartlett. After Spring Break, we will be heading to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center on April 17th and 18th. Please remember to submit your child’s permission slip and $10 for the AWCC trip no later than Friday, April 5th, 2024.
Science 8
we have converted the science room into Mars for our project “Destination Mars”. For this long term project, students will think critically and use the engineering design process to solve Mars-based problems. In order to do this the students will program and design a build around their very own Mars rover. March into April will include scientific and fundamental concepts on genetics and the diversity of life.In Social Studies, students will be transitioning into an intensive study of Colonization, Revolution, and creation of the United States of America. The focus of this look-back in history will be to have students look forward to the next stage of human colonization in space. English Language Arts is finishing The Giver and Fahrenheit 451 by the end of Quarter Three. When we return from spring break we will be completing Module 2 for the end of March and moving into Holocaust studies in Module 3 by examining Night, by Elie Wisel. Writing will be finishing argumentative writing and moving into writing their own poetry.
Writing Department:
The Writing Department is looking forward to finishing our Argumentative unit and beginning our poetry unit after Spring Break. Look forward to more information coming home with your students about the Poetry Speak competition, which will take place during Quarter 4. Students will learn more about the competition after Spring Break and will begin working on selecting poems and creating their own poems to share with their peers.
Dr. Randii Wessen - NASA Rocket Scientist
Mr. Patterson's 8th grade science classes had a great NASA Rocket Scientist visit their classes!
Dr. Randii Wessen is an Astronautics Systems Engineer specifically involved in planetary exploration.
Dr. Randii Wessen presented to students about the Jet Propulsion Lab, earth science, Mars exploration, solar system exploration, and the search for exoplanets.
We enjoyed Dr. Wessen's visit with our Clark Scholars!
FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES (FACS) – Mrs. Ramona Rivers
March 2024
Busy, engaged, and productive are words to describe the Family and Consumer Sciences students. The F.A.C.S. program is moving swiftly with rigor.
Creativity is now in motion as students are learning and engaged in “Basic Sewing Techniques” to produce excellent decorative and crafty projects. Introduction to Nutrition Basics, and Consumer Decision Skills are up-coming units.
Parents, ask your students to show or tell you about the projects they are currently working on. Students are now working and preparing tasty recipes in the Foods Lab. Look forward to your student’s samples of baked products and their Hand Sewing and upcoming Machine Sewn projects.
Students know that the ingredients to F.A.C.S. success (attendance, participation, cooperation, and responsibility) must be practiced daily to ensure desired academic outcomes.
Thank you for all that you are doing to ensure that your students are successful in school
February, we went on a trip to Alyeska! The students had a blast, and it was an amazing learning opportunity with Challenge Alaska. Our students are continuing to develop skills in science, social studies, math, and language arts, while connecting them to real life situations. Large projects, presentations, experiments are all happening within our classroom! Our students are learning to become leaders in and outside of the classroom through our community events and our internal events.
AKSDHH gear is still available to order! We have hoodies, vests, t-shirts, hats and more! If you would like to order anything or see the inventory list, please contact Clara Baldwin (Assistant Director of AKSDHH) via email at baldwin_clara@asdk12.org.
Upcoming events for AKSDHH:
- Archery Field Trip – March 20
- Jr. NAD Pizza Night – March 21 – 6:00pm – 8:00pm – Round Table Pizza
- DVR BizTown Event – March 26, 27, 28
- AKSD Annual Retreat – April 2, 3, 4
- Jr. NAD Pizza Night – April 18 – 6:00pm – 8:00pm – Round Table Pizza
- Eagle River Nature Center – May 3
Math Department....
6th Grade Math
Blake Baker baker_blake@asdk12.org
Students is working on finding unit rates from real world ratio problems.
7th Grade Math
John Weaver weaver_john@asdk12.org
we are working on the expressions, equations, and inequality unit. This unit is one of the most important unit of the year and is where all our other lessons have been leading to. There isn't much time left in the quarter so make sure your missing homework and extra credit is in. After this unit we will be doing percentages and probability near the end of the month. Have a great spring break.
Math 8
Sarah Miller miller_sarah@asdk12.org
Bryson Maxwell maxwell_bryson@asdk12.org
In March, the math department will be having their yearly math night! It will be on March 21st. More details to come as well as a flyer! Be on the lookout! This is a really fun family event to come to!
Mrss Miller & Mr. Maxwell
Math 8: We will be working with Scientific Notation and finishing up Unit 5 by the end of the quarter! WOO! Then starting next quarter we will be working on Square Roots in Unit 6.
Algebra: We will be continuing exponential functions, and then next quarter we will be working exclusively on quadratic equations!
NJHS
National Junior Honor Society
Members of the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) represent a select group of students who display the best qualities of our student body. To be selected as a member of NJHS is a privilege reserved for those students who are in the 6th and 8th grades (at Clark) who have excelled in the categories of character, scholarship, service, leadership, and citizenship. Clark's NJHS will be distributing applications to potential members in March.
Standards for selection are established by the National Office of NJHS and have been revised to meet our local chapter. In addition to having an unweighted, cumulative GPA of 3.0, students must also complete an application and receive recommendations from three staff members. While completing the application and staff surveys doesn't guarantee membership, we hope parents encourage their children to apply for this service organization. Please note that all materials must be returned by March 22, 2024, to be eligible for consideration. Once your child has been notified of his or her acceptance into the organization, a membership fee will be instituted.
Best of luck!
Mrs. Swisher
Girls Basketball
Basketball
The 20223-2024 Girls Basketball season has ended with the C-team winning all their games for the season, JV winning the ASD Middle School Tournament, and Varsity coming in 2nd in the ASD Middle School Tournament. It was an incredible season with over 80 students coming out to participate, the largest number post-covid participation. Participating in sports can help your student develop stronger friendships while also learning valuable life skills such as leadership, integrity, and dedication. These skills are not only important for the court but also the classroom. We believe that athletes are scholars first and athletes second. We thank those students who were dedicated to their teams through to their last game.
Mark Your Calendar
March
Mar. 2nd - Zap The Zeros 10 am - 12 pm
Mar. 4th - Track & Field Practice Begins
Mar. 5th - 8th Grade Cap & Gown Pictures
Mar. 7th - Bettye Davis East HS Freshman Academy
Mar. 8th - Grading Day / End Of Third Quarter
Mar. 11th - 15th - Spring Break
Mar. 20th - West HS Freshman Fair
Mar. 21st - Family Engagement - Math Night
Mar. 22nd - Due Date for all NJHS (National Junior Honor Society) Materials
Mar. 25th-Apr. 5th - AK STAR Testing
Mar. 27th - ASD Middle School Softball Begins