Panther Pride News
Jane Mears Middle School, Anchorage, AK
Special Edition: Wednesday, November 22, 2022
Mears Honors Indian and Migrant Education Scholars
School Calendar: Upcoming Dates and Events
Important Dates Ahead
Thursday and Friday, Nov. 24-25 -- Thanksgiving Holiday
Thursday, Dec. 1 -- Mears/PTSA Family Engagement Night, Anti-Vaping Education Event, see below for details
PTSA/Mears Family Engagement Night, Thursday, Dec. 1, 6:30pm, Library
Staff Calendar
WED & THURS 11/24-25: THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
TUES 11/29 -- Mears Staff Meeting
Special Message from the Registrar: The best way to report a school absence
The two best ways to report a school absence:
2. Email mearsattendance@asdk12.org
This email can be used to excuse your child for the entire day, or to request a blue pass.
If you are unable to use parent connect or email, please feel free to call Mears attendance line:
3. Call our attendance line 566-3300
Special Activities Announcement: Boys Basketball and X-Country Skiing Are Now Open for Sign Ups
If your student has already participated in a sport this year, and their sports physical is still valid, you will only need to submit the Activity Participation Form. If this is their first time participating in a sports activity at Mears, be sure to turn in the Activity Participation Form, the COVID-19 Waiver, and a valid sports physical completed by your healthcare provider.
Fees will not be due until January and if the fee is a hardship for your family, you may request a fee waiver by email Ms. Svendsen at svendsen_crysta@asdk12.org, or Mr. Backman at backman_eric@asdk12.org. Students who have already paid for two sports activities have met the sports cap, so no fee will be due.
If you have any questions regarding forms and fees, please feel free to email Ms. Robin at spartz-hays_robin@asdk12.org.
Mears Launches "Finish Strong Campaign" for Quarter 2
Can you believe we are only a few weeks away from the end of quarter two? Counselors are receiving a lot of requests from parents and students on how to finish strong or improve grades. It is very normal for middle schoolers to have missing assignments. They are learning to take greater and greater responsibility, and this is an important time for them to develop self-advocacy skills and to learn how to organize their work. Here are a few tips to encourage more success as we close in on quarter two:
Turn in all missing assignments. Open Canvas and look carefully at all classes for any missing or late assignments. Even assignments with just a few points can make a difference. Keep in mind it could take a day or two for late or missing assignments to be removed from the “missing assignments” column.
Communicate with the teacher. If your child is having problems finding the assignment or understanding what is expected of them, encourage them to email the teacher (Canvas message) with the question and the name of the assignment. If possible, talk to the teacher in person. Communication is key.
Show up. Missing school days means missed instruction time. Student attendance is a powerful, research driven predictor of student success.
ASD Student-Designed Book Mark Contest
ASD Library Bookmark Contest
2022 - 2023 Theme is:
Learning for Life @ Our Library
Use your imagination and any ideas relating to reading, literacy and the love of the library!
Entries are due December 9, 2022. Submit your entry to Mrs. Fleming, the librarian. The winning school entries will go to district judging. Entries become the property of the Anchorage School District and may be used in other advertisements.
Entries must:
fit the theme and include the phrase Learning for Life@ Our Library™
be the original work of the student, whether hand drawn, digital art, or computer generated
be the correct size: 7” x 2 ¾” either horizontal or vertical
be submitted with the student's full name and grade on the back of the bookmark
No copyrighted characters may be included on the bookmark.
Forms with the correct size template are available in the library.
November Writing Contest
November's theme is family, culture, and ancestors. Write a story, either fiction or nonfiction, that centers on a cultural tradition or a family object.
See Panther Participation for full details and writing guidelines. Deadline is Wednesday, November 30th.
Here is the link to this month's prompt and details: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1x9gW15ihFR0dUG8aU4BvAKv-TtQF1iUl4mlgam8XN24/edit?usp=sharing
Good luck, writers.
PTSA Membership Drive, Show Your Gratitude and Win a Prize
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, please consider showing your gratitude for Mears PTSA by becoming a member. Family members are just $10. To join, please visit MemberHub.
All new members who join by Nov. 30 will be entered in a drawing to win a holiday wreath. The winner will be announced during the first week of December.
PTSA General Meeting Schedule: All Mears Community Members are Welcome -- Second Wednesday of each month @ 5:30pm via Zoom
Semester 1: Dec. 14
Semester 2: Jan 11, Feb. 8, Mar. 8, Apr. 12, May 10
Meeting ID: 981 2989 0912
Passcode: 986530
Join Team PTSA: Volunteer Interest Form:
https://forms.gle/P8yYKMPSuwzPR2ZU8
Please like and follow us on Facebook Mears Middle School PTSA for more information.
You can contact us at MearsMS.PTSA@gmail.com
Visit www.MearsPTSA.com for general information
To purchase Mears Gear (including gym clothes), visit the Mears Middle School Store
Yearbook is Now on Sale
Mears families can also order online by going to: ybpay.com using access code 13921123 (see the attachment). Please be certain to print and keep a copy of your receipt after completing and paying for the online purchase. Please do not wait to submit your yearbook order(s). Understand that orders made online after 11:59 p.m. on night of March 26, 2022 are not guaranteed a yearbook order. Questions? Please contact the Mears MS PTSA via email at: mearsms.ptsa@gmail.com
Happy Thanksgiving Wishes to All
On behalf of Mears teachers and staff, I want to wish all of you a joyous and relaxing Thanksgiving. I hope that each of you is able to connect with your loved ones and enjoy time together during this holiday weekend.
I want you all to know that those of us at Mears deeply appreciate the opportunity to teach, coach, support, and mentor your students here at school. Considering the last two years we have all experienced, we are extra grateful this season for the opportunity and promise that each school day brings. We are all here together--in-person--teaching, learning, and growing together.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all. Go Panthers! --Eric
We are on Dena’ina Homeland
Mears Middle School acknowledges that we operate and gather on the traditional land of the Dena’ina Peoples and honor, with gratitude, the land itself and the people who have stewarded it throughout the generations.
Email: backman_eric@asdk12.org
Website: https://www.asdk12.org/Domain/72
Location: 2700 West 100th Avenue, Anchorage, AK, USA
Phone: 907-742-6400