Chugiak Chatter
May 14, 2021
Dear Chugiak Families,
It is with gratitude that I write on behalf of your Chugiak staff to express our thanks to our parent community for their engagement over the past fourteen months. Your tremendous efforts during at-home learning helped teachers teach and students learn. Thank you. Your willingness to learn about and support the implementation of our site mitigation plan made for a successful return to in-person schooling and a smooth spring semester, all in all. Thank you. Like you, we are eager for a return to more familiar school routines for 2021-22.
As you know, guidance about mitigation plans has been shifting in recent days, including flexibility to remove masks when outside on campus. It is our staff's desire to maintain consistency through the end of the school year such that our limited instructional time remains focused on teaching and learning. As such, and in light of the fact that our students are not themselves vaccinated, aspects of our mitigation plan such as classroom cohorts, masking inside, and sanitization procedures remain. We thank our PTO for expressing their support for the staff's plans at this week's PTO meeting.
In accordance with updated guidance, masks will be optional during arrival, dismissal, and outside events such as recess starting Monday, May 17. Any students or staff wishing to continue wearing masks while attending outside school events should feel free to do so. I invite you to please let me know if you have questions about this slight shift in practice.
We wish everyone a wonderful summer and we look forward to seeing students back at Chugiak on August 17th!
Respectfully,
Heather Mildon, Principal
Mark Your Calendars
Register your child for the 2021-22 school year today!
May 19: Fourth Grade to Peters Creek
May 19: All-school dance event @ 2:20 p.m. outside
May 19: Last day for backpacks - All student items go home
May 20: Final student day; regular school hours 9:30 - 3pm
May 20: Fifth grade class picnics followed by Celebration Walk
May 20: Outdoor extravaganza - intermediate a.m. and primary p.m.
May 24: Construction Phase I begins on the secure entry vestibule project @ Chugiak.
Construction Phase II begins in September 2021 and runs through January 2022
You can find the ASD 2021-22 academic calendar here.
Aug. 16: PTO-sponsored Back to School BBQ/Meet Your Teacher
Aug 17: First - Fifth grade students' first day
Aug 17 - 20: Kindergarten Family Meetings + Academy
Aug 24: Kindergarten students' first day
Summer Learning, Summer Camps
Check out summer camp opportunities in the Greater Anchorage area here.
Happy learning! Happy camping!
We would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to Mr. Curtis Townsend, our PTO Treasurer. Curtis has held this Board position for eight years, marking a considerable donation of time and talent. He is stepping down and stands ready to coach the next Treasurer in learning the role. Thanks, Curtis!
Why PTO?
Hello Chugiak Families from your PTO!
As we wrap up this very memorable school year, we would like to invite you to join the Chugiak Elementary PTO in the upcoming year.
The purpose of the Chugiak Elementary PTO is to enhance and to support the educational experience at Chugiak Elementary, to develop a closer connection between the school and home by encouraging parent involvement, and to improve the environment at Chugiak Elementary through volunteer and financial support.
The Chugiak Elementary PTO works on many events and provides support to students that supports our purpose. We work on fun family events such as the Back-to-School BBQ, the Halloween Carnival, the Holiday Bazaar, the Cabin Fever Reliever Family Dance, Mercado. Other supports we work on and/or provide are bus fees for field trips, snacks for testing, teacher appreciation, and many other behind the scenes activities. Ending this school year and going into next year we have a few board positions open:
- President
- Treasurer
- Parliamentarian
- Volunteer & Events Coordinator
- along with some other project lead volunteers.
All positions are 1-year terms - totally manageable! If you are interested in volunteering for any of the positions and project leads below or if you have a great idea that supports our purpose or would like to participate in another way, please email chugiakptoevents@gmail.com and let us know what you would like to help with.
Board positions:
- President - The President is the principal executive officer of the PTO and shall, in general, supervise and direct all of the business and affairs of the PTO. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Board. The President shall sign contracts or other instruments which the Board has authorized to be executed, and may delegate such duties as required from time to time.
- Treasurer - The Treasurer shall manage, deposit, and invest all funds of the PTO as directed by the Board, disburse money for all PTO obligations, keep regular books or accounts of all PTO financial transactions, and provide for timely financial reports or audits as ordinarily required and as otherwise directed by the Board. The Treasurer shall secure the services of an accountant on behalf of the Board, and ensure that the PTO complies with the applicable state and federal requirements pertaining to of tax-exempt status, corporate qualification, and charitable registration. The Treasurer shall ensure that the PTO maintains liability and such other insurance as is necessary and appropriate for its type and degree activities.
- Parliamentarian - The Parliamentarian shall advise the President on questions of parliamentary law and matters of procedure, become knowledgeable about the rules of order, bring a current copy of the Bylaws to each meeting, and such other related duties as may be delegated by the Board. The Secretary shall also be in possession of a current version of Robert’s Rules of Order, which Rules shall govern the formal aspects of Board and PTO membership meetings.
- Volunteer and Events Coordinator - The Volunteer and Events Coordinator shall make and maintain lists of volunteers recruited by the PTO, assist in the planning and coordination of all events authorized by the Board in conjunction with any committees appointed for such purpose, coordinate the volunteers required to accomplish all functions of the PTO, and such other related duties as may be delegated by the Board.
Special Projects: We are also looking for volunteers to take the lead on a couple of projects. If you are interested in helping with any of these projects or would like to propose something new, please let us know!
- Do you enjoy maintaining your Facebook page? We are looking for a volunteer to maintain and keep our Facebook page current and up to date.
- Do you have a passion for gardening? We are looking for a volunteer to take the lead in organizing the school’s garden: Rams Roots.
THANK YOU, Chugiak parents, for supporting our PTO!
With Gratitude to Our Chugiak ES PTO
I would like to thank the PTO for all the support with the “Salmon in the Schools” project. Funds have been used to maintain the tank which Fish and Game can no longer do. I have also used funds in the past to purchase a bus for a field trip to release the Salmon. Your support of Salmon and the Schools allows me to connect science with our Alaskan culture and introduce topics such as sustainability and stewardship for our community. Not to mention a special field trip to a lake to release the fish the students have cared for throughout the year. I am thankful for all the support and am looking forward to next year when the Salmon return to Chugiak. – Julie Hinkle, Fourth Grade Teacher
Thank you to Kristin Chandler, our 2020-21 PTO Board President. Kristin is herself a former Chugiak Elementary Ram and her leadership on the Board has connected staff, students, and families this year while spreading school spirit! Thanks, Kristin!
Sponsor a Rams Roots Garden Box Today!
- Let the PTO know you're sponsoring a box by communicating on their Facebook page
- You pick a box, provide the plants, and come plant with your family on a day that works for you this spring!
- All kinds of kid-friendly options are available from carrots to peas to kale to broccoli!
We can't wait to see your garden creativity come harvest time! Thanks in advance for supporting the PTO's garden project. This is a gem in the Chugiak crown, and we're excited that you and your family are taking part while making memories together!
THANK YOU, Home Depot!
Home Depot donated $250 and 100 wooden builder kits to Chugiak Elementary this week to support the fifth graders' efforts to plant our garden boxes. Thank you, Jason, and the Home Depot crew! And thank you fifth graders and Mrs. Turner for getting the garden started this spring!
Super Sweepers Clean Up Day
Thank you to our community for turning out to clean up for spring! Together you all collected over 50 bags of garbage, enjoyed good company, won some fun prizes, and enjoyed a hot dog lunch. It was great fun having families at school for a shared activity and we appreciate Mrs. Flagg's sponsorship of this annual event!
End of Year Chromebook Return
Moving?
Every year we have to say goodbye to some members of our Chugiak family and wish them well in their next school adventure. If you have a student moving out of the Chugiak Elementary attendance area this summer, please notify the office by emailing the following information to butler_sue@asdk12.org by May 14th.
- Student Name(s), Teacher(s), Grade(s)
- We are moving to: _____________________________________________
- ( ) This is within ASD ( ) Out of State ( ) Leaving the Anchorage School District
Having accurate information about your school plans will be helpful as we create class lists for the 2021-22 academic year. Thank you for your assistance!
Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT)
All families are asked to:
- Check their mailing address in Q for accuracy for each student.
- If the mailing address is the same as your home address, be sure the mailing address fields are left blank.
- Apply for Free and Reduced-Price (FRP) meals here today to learn if your family qualifies.
This program is managed by the Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) for the State of Alaska. If families have questions regarding this benefit, they should call the DEED P-EBT Benefit hotline at 800-478-7778.
Chugiak Mural Project
What a week it's been as kids observed our visiting artist duo Viscaya Wagner and Eliza Carver bring their mural to life. Their site-specific mural was created to reflect our school and students. During their week here, students had the opportunity to walk by the mural as a class and participate in meet and greets. Our kids were learning about Eliza and Viscaya’s careers while gaining a larger understanding of murals, painting, and site-specific installations. This project was made possible by Art Club fundraisers and Chugiak’s PTO. Thank you, Mrs. Turner, for your vision and dedication that brought this project to life at Chugiak!
ASD 2021-2022 Online Lottery Open Now
- a former Spanish immersion student who left Chugiak this year to pursue homeschool or charter school educational options and plan to return next year.
- incoming kindergarten or first grade students who live either in or outside our attendance zone whose parents would like them to learn Spanish and are applying for Chugiak's language immersion program.
- students who live outside the Chugiak school boundary and would like to join Chugiak's Natiya program in any grade.
Put another way, any student who is not currently enrolled with Chugiak Elementary and would like to join or rejoin the immersion program for the 2021-22 school year must submit a lottery application.
Applications may be submitted through 5:00 p.m. July 22. Be sure to select the correct lottery option when completing your application. We look forward to seeing your child's name on the list!
iReady Summer Usage
Great news! Students may access iReady this summer using personal devices. This link will help you conduct a system check to get going with iReady.
iReady is available to students who are currently enrolled in face-to-face learning at Chugiak and will be a great way to track your student's reading and math skill growth over the course of the summer. We encourage all Chugiak students to make a plan for their summer iReady usage. Access will close August 6th as students are transferred to their new class list in our system. A little time spent each week on math and reading practice will keep skills sharp for next year!
Should you have questions about iReady this summer, you may email askiready@asdk12.org for support.
The following resources may be of use to families planning to use iReady on a personal device over the summer:
iReady Technical and Troubleshooting Guide for families
Construction is Coming to Chugiak!
Chugiak Elementary
Email: mildon_heather@asdk12.org
Website: https://www.asdk12.org/chugiakelem
Location: 19932 Old Glenn Highway, Chugiak, AK, USA
Phone: 907-742-3400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChugiakElementary/