The Raven's Call
Raven Homeschool
September 2019 Edition
Dear Raven Families,
Welcome to Raven's Call, your digital newsletter to keep you up to date on all things Raven. This monthly newsletter via SMORE will have an overview of highlights from each of our 6 Raven offices. Within this electronic version of our newsletter, you have easy-access to your local office news and resources by clicking on links within each section.
We are looking forward to another successful year and hope you will share pictures of your learning adventures with your local offices to be included throughout the year.
If you would like a printed copy, please contact your local office.
If you have questions, please contact Maegan, mmascagno@yksd.com.
- Raven Homeschool
From the Director's Desk:
We’re Going on an Expedition!
Now that summer is wrapping up (at least in Alaska) and we’re settling back in the routine of school, it’s time to reflect on if we’re ready for the expedition (school year) ahead. To be successful on any expedition there are processes we go through to ensure we can reach the summit or goal of our expedition.
Planning
It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of an expedition. We know we want to get to the summit, but there are so many things both expected and unexpected that will happen along the way. When faced with big challenges, I find it easiest to look at the end goal and then plan backwards from there. Planning an expedition often starts with looking at a map and planning what basecamps would be stopped at along the way. One great way to do this in education is to use the Alaska content standards to see what skills our students should know as they’re progressing through learning opportunities. It’s also helpful to start with planning main units throughout the year for each subject area, and then break those units down into smaller lessons. Here are two great websites that can assist with your planning: K12 Reader provides printable lesson plan templates that will help guide your expedition; PlanbookEdu is an online planner that can help you organize the year ahead. Expeditions are usually taken with experts in specific areas that can assist along the trail. On your expedition this year utilize our amazing Raven trail guides (teachers) and attend the awesome academic support workshops provided to help you plan your year, units, lessons. We have amazingly talented staff members and they are all excited to be on this expedition with you!
Gathering Resources
Expeditions are resource intensive, just like providing educational experiences for our children. Fortunately, you have allotments to assist with picking up the necessary gear for your journey. If you aren’t sure what resources you’ll need, stop in and see one of our gear experts (teachers) to help properly outfit you for the year ahead.
Setting Out on the Trail
Now that you’ve put in the work to plan and gather all needed resources you are ready to hit the trail! This is where homeschooling shines. As a homeschool community we’re so fortunate to have the opportunity to provide amazing experiences along the way. As the parent you’re the expert guide, and if you see something awesome out in the distance you want to explore, you have the freedom to do so. There might be other times we encounter something unexpected along the way and that’s okay too. Expeditions rarely go exactly as planned, and often it’s the unexpected things that come up that provide the most memorable experiences. Lastly, if you find yourself at a fork in the trail or come up to a raging river and aren’t sure how to cross, please reach out to our teachers for guidance and support.
We’re all on this expedition together and I can’t wait to see where our trails lead!
- Luke Meinert
Assistant Superintendent
Counselor's Corner:
7th-12th Graders:
Have you talked to your Counselor or Graduation Coach this month?!
It is the start of a new school year and a great time to touch base with Ryan or Megan. We can help review credits earned or talk about classes students might want to think about taking. We can help explore careers and educational paths, give study tips or help with challenges in life.
We are here to help! Please contact us!
ACT vs SAT:
Below is a link to a blog that talks about the differences between the two test. It really comes down to what type of student you are as to which is better. So take a moment to read before you sign-up to take the ACT or the SAT!
https://blog.prepscholar.com/act-vs-sat
PLEASE CALL YOUR SCHOOL COUNSELOR WITH QUESTIONS!
Megan Rosendall | Anchorage, Eagle River, Wasilla | mrosendall@yksd.com | 907.622.6631
Ryan Tilbury | Delta, Fairbanks, Juneau | rtilbury@yksd.com | 907.374.9432
Ryan Tilbury
Counselor
Delta, Fairbanks & Juneau
Megan Rosendall
Graduation Coach
Anchorage, Eagle River & Wasilla
WorldStrides Washington, DC Trip:
Dear Parents and Students,
I am excited to announce that I will lead a group of Raven Homeschool students on a WorldStrides program to Washington, D.C.. On this once-in-a-lifetime adventure, students will explore our nation's most important historical sites and experience incomparable learning moments. This will be a trip that your child will be talking about for years to come!
Your child will return home excited to tell you about:
- Standing where Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial
- Discovering the true meaning of sacrifice at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
- Walking in the footsteps of our great leaders on Capitol Hill
- Exploring numerous Smithsonian Museums, like the National Museum of Natural History and the National Air and Space Museum
I have chosen to travel with WorldStrides because of their exceptional service, their 50 years of experience, their safety record, and their preventive measures that ensure learning occurs in a safe and fun environment. I will chaperone the program with other teachers as needed, and throughout the program our group will be guided by a WorldStrides-certified Course Leader. Since this is not a school sponsored trip, we will not be attending as representatives or employees of the school.
I would love for your students to join us on this unforgettable trip!
Deadline to sign up: mid-September
Please call or email me with questions or to sign up!
- Terri Thurston
907-644-8590
Anchorage Office:
August Recap:
August was another month full of meetings, paperwork, orders and kicking off the 19-20 school year! Terri’s FLL Robotics teams have kicked off and started practicing. This year, we have enough students signed up to create two different teams! She also held a STEAM Robotics workshop where students learned how to program robots and make them move. We ended the month with a great Back-to-School party! We had snacks, games, prizes and went bowling as a big group! It was a great afternoon and we loved seeing so many of our families.
We have a lot of different activities starting up in September! Please make sure to check your emails and RSVP for our different events and workshops!
September Activities:
September 2nd - Office Closed
September 3rd - Battle of the Books
September 4th - Jr. FLL Team 1
September 4th - PAC Meeting
September 5th - Book Club: Hatchet & Julie of the Wolves
September 6th - Jr. FLL Team 2
September 9th - Quilting Club
September 9th - FLL Robotics
September 11th - Teacher In-Service, no meetings
September 11th - Science: Strange Materials, pt 2
September 12th - Science: Strange Materials, pt 2
September 13th - Jr. FLL Team 2
September 13th - Girls Who Code
September 16th - Quilting Club
September 16th - FLL Robotics
September 17th - Elementary Spanish I and II
September 17th - Art with Rocky: grades K-3
September 18th - Jr. FLL Team 1
September 18th - Art with Rocky: grades 4-8
September 19th - STEAM: Engineering
September 20th - Field Trip: Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
September 20th - Jr. FLL Team 2
September 20th - Jr STEAM: Engineering
September 23rd - Quilting Club
September 23rd - FLL Robotics
September 24th - Elementary Spanish I and II
September 24th - School Portraits with Tasha Boin Photography
September 25th - Geography Bee
September 25th - Jr. FLL Team 1
September 25th - Spelling Bee
September 26th - Computers! Solve the Mystery
September 26th - Civil Air Patrol
September 27th - Jr. FLL Team 2
September 27th - Girls Who Code
September 30th - Quilting Club
September 30th - FLL Robotics
Staff Schedules:
Carmen will be out of the office on the following dates: September 6th, 20th and 27th.
Danae will be out of the office on the following dates: September 23rd and 30th.
Terri will be out of the office on the following dates: September 10th, 17th and 24th.
For more details about our events and to RSVP, please click on our SMORE below!
Back-to-School Bowling
Back-to-School "Find a Friend" Activity
STEAM Workshop
Delta Office:
August Recap:
Picnic indoors - We enjoyed eating lunch together before playing board games. We did not let a little rain stop us.
Write At Home Workshop - We learned everything there is to know about Write At Home! Our students are ready to begin this great composition course.
Back to Homeschool Party! - Raven provided the hot dogs, which were expertly grilled by master chef Ryan Tilbury. Our families provided all the side dishes and desserts, and they were so delicious. Thank you for attending!
September events:
Terrific Tuesdays: Meet for a short activity then play board games and have a snack. NO ELECTRONICS ALLOWED.
September 3rd at 1:30 pm. Puffins (grades Pre-K to 2)
September 10th at 1:30 pm. Wolves (grades 3 to 5)
September 17th at 1:30 pm. Hawks (grades 6-8)
September 24th at 1 pm. (Owls grades 9-12)
September 24th - Senior Meeting - Meet and eat pizza! Ryan will be here.
September 25th - PAC Meeting - Help us plan events and activities for our students and families. We are always open to new ideas.
September 26th - Sweet Field Trip: Honey Harvesting at the Dorshorst’s
Staff Schedules:
Heidi will be out of the office September 17th - 23rd
Julie will be out of the office September 23rd - 27th
Katya will be holding down the fort on September 23rd.
For more details about our events and to RSVP, please click on our SMORE below!
Write at Home workshop
Back to Homeschool Party
Indoor Picnic
Eagle River Office:
August Recap:
August has been a month of learning here at the Eagle River office. With two new staff members, we have been learning new systems from Steve and the other admin, getting to know families and trying to keep up with the many projects. Clubs have started for the year. Geography Club gathered several students and parents into the office. Our Teen Leadership Club, TLC, began the year focusing on teenagers and implementing different projects. In September, we have more events and classes coming up:
September Activities:
September 2nd - Office Closed for Labor Day
September 3rd - TLC lunch Meeting
September 4th - PAC Meeting
September 5th - Battle of the Books Kickoff
September 6th - Field Trip: Indian Valley
September 10th - Art with Rocky
September 11th - Art with Rocky
September 12th - STEM Club
September 13th - Science: Strange Materials, Pt 2
September 17th - Science Fair Planning Meeting
September 18th - Geography Club
September 26th - STEM Club
Staff Schedules:
Steve will be out of the office September 16th-20th.
Megan will be out of the office September 23rd-30th. She will be working in the Anchorage office on September 5th and 9th, and will be working in the Wasilla office on September 3rd and 10th.
Fairbanks Office:
August Recap:
Back-to-School Celebration
Our Back to School Celebration was August 15th at Pioneer Park and we had a circus theme. It was a huge success and well attended. We had exciting activities for the kids that included train rides, a scavenger hunt, and face painting, STEM demonstrations, and door prizes. We served burgers, hotdogs, fried fish, and yummy side dishes. We ended the event with popcorn, cotton candy and prizes for the adults and children. It was an excellent way to meet families face to face.
Calypso Farms Field Trip
We had several families gather at the farm located in Ester, Alaska. The farm encourages local food production and environmental awareness through hands on experience. The farm was established in 2000 and has 3 acres of vegetables, herbs, flowers, and animals such as sheep, goats, bees, and chickens.
Sewing Club
Fairbanks started its first sewing club with 15 engaged students, led by Christina Hum. The club meets weekly on Mondays from 1:00 - 2:00 pm in the Fairbanks office. The students will learn and experience hand and machine sewing, different knot tying techniques, and quilting with squares. As many students have limited sewing skills, the students are beginning with the basics and will transition into more focused skills. Currently, the students are making hand drawn stuffed critters and monsters.
Upcoming Events:
September 2nd - Office Closed: Labor Day
September 3rd - Running Club
September 4th - PAC Meeting
September 5th - Lego League
September 6th - District Office Staff Meeting
September 9th - Sewing Club
September 10th - Running Club
September 12th - Lego League
September 16th - Sewing Club
September 17th - Running Club
September 18th - STEM Day
September 23rd - Sewing Club
September 24th - Running Club
September 26th - Lego League
September 27th - Art Club
September 30th - Sewing Club
Staff Schedules:
Chuck will be out of office September 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th.
Cathy will be out of office September 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th.
Ryan will be out of office September 3rd, 4th and 13th. He will be working in the Delta office September 24th-25th, and will be in the Juneau office on September 30th.
For more details about our events and to RSVP, please click on our SMORE below!
Back-to-School Celebration
Raven Sewing Club
Calypso Farms Field Trip
Juneau Office:
August in Review:
August has been a blur with so many ILP meetings to get the new school year started. We had some fun activities mixed in amid all the paperwork also though. Our PAC Meeting went well to help with planning upcoming events and our Yearbook Kickoff meeting was well attended to start preparing for this year’s awesome yearbook. We had another annual favorite – the Gold Rush Dog Sled Tour – where the kids got to visit the camp, ride the sleds, and pet the puppies. Definitely a highlight of the month was our “Raven is out of the World” Open House with fun space-themed games, activities, crafts, and snacks for the whole family. The decorations were amazing and it was a wonderful time for Raven families to mingle. What a month!
September Important Dates:
We are still working out the logistics of a few of our big events, so stay tuned for more details and dates/times for the TBD activities.
September 1st - Healthy Futures Fall Challenge Begins (K-6th)
September 2nd - Office Closed for Labor Day
September 4th - PAC Meeting & Student Activity
September 5th - School Photos with AK Campus Photography
September 6th - Yearbook Committee Meeting
September 12th - JrFLL
September 19th - JrFLL
September 20th - Scholastic Book Club Sept Orders Due
September 25th - Art with Rocky Grades 4-8th
September 26th - JrFLL
September 26th - Art with Rocky Grades K-3rd
September 30th - September Healthy Futures Logs Due
September 30th-October 4th - Ryan Tilbury High School Counselor Visit
TBD - Tracy Arm Whale Watching Cruise
TBD - Fall Picnic at Sandy Beach
Staff Schedules:
Theresa Off - September 16th, 23rd, 30th
Joan Off - September 13th, 20th, 27th
For more details about our events and to RSVP, please click on our SMORE below!
Gold Rush Dog Sled Tour
Open House activities
Yearbook Committee Kick-Off
Wasilla Office:
A Look Back at August:
Raven Wasilla exploded in August with returning families and many new families enrolling. To our new, larger Raven family WELCOME! We hope you had a chance to join us for our Back to School Potluck Picnic. The kids had a great time running around, playing, and eating the yummy foods everyone shared. Raven had the opportunity to run a booth at the Homeschool Expo, coordinated by our own Vice Principal, Kim Bergey. We are proud of Mrs. Bergey and grateful for her efforts to make homeschooling and a wide a variety of vendors accessible to families in the Mat-Su community. Some of our families met to hike the Butte this month, and enjoyed the escape in the outdoors. Lastly (but not in the least!), THANK YOU to everyone who volunteered to work the Green Gate at the Alaska State Fair in Palmer and helped us raise money for student activities this year!
A Look Ahead to September:
September will launch us into the classrooms - the Raven Office Classrooms! Many clubs, workshops, and activities begin this month. Search your emails for Sign-Up invites, and get signed up for these offerings. Several classes are free for students, but space is limited, so make sure to get your name on the list now!
Office Schedules:
Regular Office Hours
Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm
September Staff Schedules:
Cynthia: Off 3rd, 9th, 10th, 16th, 23rd, 30th
Joy: Off on Fridays
Ruth: Off 20th & 23rd
Kim: Off 3rd, 9th, 13th, 16th, 20th, 23rd, 27th