You Otter Know!
March 2023
"Away up in Alaska
There’s a dog race run from Anchorage into Nome
And it’s a grueling race with a lightning pace
Where chilly winds do wail.
Beneath the northern lights, across snow and ice
It’s called the Iditarod Trail."
--Words to the Iditarod Trail Song by Hobo Jim
Dear Spring Hill Families,
Furrondy was buzzing in the air- it's that exciting time in March again. I hope you had a chance to visit some of the activities throughout Anchorage this weekend. The end of quarter 3 is this Thursday. Please continue to check Parent Connect for your child's progress. Grades are not due until the Monday after Spring Break. This means you will not see a final grade until after Spring Break.
Another safety reminder when picking up your child at the end of the day. If you choose to bypass the pick-up line and come up to the parking lot using the exit lane, please know that cars exiting have the right of way. Please drive carefully and slowly when utilizing the exit lane to come into the parking lot.
We have a busy but fun-filled week ahead, and we continue with Dr. Seuss Spirit Week:
Monday, March 6- "Green Eggs and Ham" Wear Something Green!
Tuesday, March 7- "Fox in Socks" Wear silly or mismatched socks!
Wednesday, March 8- "Wacky Wednesday" Wear your clothes backward, inside out, or mismatch!
- The 4th Grade will be doing their Explorer reports presentations on March 8th from 3:00-3:30. 4th-grade parents are invited to attend!
Thursday, March 9- "The Lorax" Wear a mustache!
- Iditaread Celebration
- Last day of the Q3
- Students' last day before Spring Break
- Dr. Seuss Family Night Carnival- 5:00-6:30
- Student Council and sixth grade have been busy working on a Market Day economic project that will help them earn their way to camp! They have set up businesses and are making products to sell for real money during Seuss Family Night.
- There are still lots of opportunities to volunteer.
- The Carnival will be in the Gym, Bake Walk in the HeArt Room and the Market Day in the MPR.
Friday, March 10- No school for students.
Lastly, please let us know how we are doing by taking the Family School Climate Survey.
Here's to a safe and enjoyable Spring Break.
Sincerely,
Lena Brower
Principal, Spring Hill Elementary
Spring Break March 10-17th
Notes from the Nurse
We are raising children in a world that is certainly very different from the world we grew up in. Social media, video games, YouTube, TikTok, and iPhones/Pads have created a very different environment for our youth than we experienced in childhood. Many of us weigh the advantages and disadvantages of all this access to technology.
I have conversations about screen time almost daily in the nurse's office at school. Please note that your child's access to screens should be monitored for quality and quantity. In other words, it's important to manage both the time spent in front of screens and the content of what they are viewing.
Here are some of the guidelines that the American Academy of Pediatrics has put out:
- For children younger than 18 months, avoid using screen media other than video chatting. Parents of children 18-24 months who want to introduce digital media should choose high-quality programming and watch it with their children to help them understand what they see.
- For children ages 2-5 years, limit screen use to 1 hour per day of high-quality programs. Parents should co-view media with children to help them understand what they see and apply it to their world.
- For children six and older, place consistent limits on the time spent using media and the types of media. Make sure media does not replace adequate sleep, physical activity, and other behaviors essential to health.
- Designate media-free times together, such as dinner or driving, and media-free locations, such as bedrooms.
- Have ongoing communication about online citizenship and safety, including treating others with respect online and offline.
As you proactively consider how best to manage media use in your home, there is a general principle to remember. The primary "jobs" of childhood are to play, study/learn, interact with others, engage in physical activity, eat, and sleep. If technology uses cuts into crucial developmental tasks, it's time to consider cutting back.
Naomi Gerwin, RN, BSN, NCSN
Spring Hill Elementary School Nurse
Assessments after Spring Break
Alaska Science Assessment - March 27- April 7 for 5th, 8th, and 10th grades.
AK STAR Assessment - April 3 - April 14 for all 3rd - 6th grades students.
We place a high level of importance on these assessments . They not only measure the growth of each student through the year but also drive our decisions and teaching to meet the students where they are academically.
Here is a link to help parents and families learn more about the tests and how to help their students prepare for them. https://www.asdk12.org/AKSTAR
February in Review
❄️ ❄️ NEXT PTA MEETING❄️ ❄️
PTA Meeting in-Person
Monday, Mar 6, 2023, 06:00 PM
Spring Hill Elementary School, Lake Otis Parkway, Anchorage, AK, USA
Volunteer for our Title 1 Committee!
It's the time of year where we begin planning for next year. Please reach out to SpringHillOffice@asdk12.org if you'd like to be on our Title Team. This is an opportunity for you to have a say to what happens next year for Spring Hill!