Panther Pride News
Jane Mears Middle School, Anchorage, AK
Friday, January 20, 2023
Panther Pride News is published weekly to keep all members of the school community informed and involved.
Ukulele: A Great Way to Start the Day
Over the last two years, since students have returned to the school building for in-person learning, Mears has done a lot to grow its music programs. All music classes, which include choir, jazz band, orchestra, and concert band have grown and are flourishing. In addition, Mears has reintroduced Ukulele classes, which are being taught by Mr. Jason Edwards (pictured here this morning) and Mr. Matthew O'Conner. The class teaches students the basics of playing the ukulele and is a great way for young people to learn the joys of music and performing as a group. Go Panthers!
Mears' Strong Commitment to Safety
Mears conducted a Fire Drill this week as part of our ongoing effort to ensure that all students and staff are prepared in case of emergency. Everyone at school did a tremendous job evacuating the building and did so quickly and efficiently. Mears will continue to conduct safety drills throughout the year.
School Calendar: Upcoming Dates and Events
Important Dates Ahead
1/16/23: MLK Day (National Holiday) No School
1/25/23: NJHS Induction Ceremony Time 6:30-8:00 pm MPR
1/26/23: Mears Welcome to New Families Event 6-7:30 pm
1/27/23: MMS Advance Band - Elementary School Tour 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
1/30/23 thru 3/9/23: Extended School Day 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
1/30 - 2/6: 6th Grade student visits at Mears
1/31/23: Mears Hosts Boys Basketball Game @ 5:30pm
2/7/23: Mears Hosts Boys Basketball Game @ 5:30pm
2/15/23: Mears Hosts X-Country Ski Meet @ Kincaid 5:30pm
2/16/23: Spelling Bee 8:45 a.m. MPR
2/16/23: Annual MMS Music Department Cake Auction Fundraiser 6 - 8 p.m. MPR
2/17/23: Spelling Bee 8:45 a.m. MPR (only if necessary)
2/20/23: President's Day (National Holiday) No School
2/22/23 & 2/23/23: Snow Day Make Up - School In Session Full Day
2/24/23: Snow Day Make Up - School In Session Full Day
Staff Calendar
1/17/23: MMS Leadership Team Meeting 3 p.m. Library
1/24/23: All employee Staff Meeting 3 p.m. LIbrary
1/25/23: NJHS Induction Ceremony Time 6:30-8:00 PM MPR
1/27/23: MMS Advance Band - Elementary School Tour 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
1/30/23 thru 3/9/23: Extended School Day 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
1/31/23: CT Collaboration Visit @ MMS Full Day
2/1/23 - 2/15/23: Access Testing
2/14/22: MMS Leadership Team Meeting 3 p.m. Library
2/15/22: ASD CT Leads Meeting
2/16/23: Spelling Bee 8:45 a.m. MPR
2/16/23: Annual MMS Music Department Cake Auction Fundraiser 6 - 8 p.m. MPR
2/17/23: Spelling Bee 8:45 a.m. MPR (only if necessary)
2/20/23: President's Day (National Holiday) No School
2/22 & 2/23: Snow Day Make Up - School In Session Full Day
2/24/23: Snow Day Make Up - School In Session Full Day
ASD's Plan for Remote Learning, Spring Semester
Dear Mears MS Parents and/or Guardians:
The purpose of this communication is to outline the educational plan for middle and high school if we have additional closure days this school year.
As of January 9, 2023, any additional closure days will be declared remote learning days for schools.
Schools will begin reinforcing expectations around technology immediately:
Students should bring their Chromebook (or personal devices) and charger home every day
If a remote learning day is declared, secondary teachers will post an assignment for each class by 8:00 am on the morning of the closure day(s). Assignments can include building on previously assigned content or providing an original assignment for the day.
On remote learning days, classroom teachers will also host Zoom office hours from 9:00-10:00 am and 1:00-2:00 pm. Zoom links will be posted in the teacher’s Canvas course page. While students are not required to attend office hours, they are strongly encouraged to attend. Teachers will use office hours to answer questions, clarify expectations, and provide support for students. Some classroom teachers may provide additional remote support to students during the school day via zoom.
Please feel free to contact the principal if you have any questions at backman_eric@asdk12.org.
ASD's Snow Day Make Up Plan
Dear Mears MS Parents and/or Guardians:
I am writing to you today to communicate plans on how ASD plans to make up the missed snow days that occurred in December and further detail how Mears Middle School plans to implement these adjustments to the schedule.
- From Monday January 30th to March 9th, 30 minutes will be added to the end of the instructional day. Middle school hours will be 8:15am to 3:15pm Monday through Friday. This will give us back 3 days over this 6 week period.
· Why begin January 30th? This will allow school leadership teams to create the most affective academic plan for the added time each day.
- Wednesday, February 22nd and Thursday February 23 will become full instructional days in lieu of the scheduled parent-teacher conferences. This will make up 1 full day.
- Friday, February 24th will become a full instructional day in lieu of the planned in-service day. This will make up 1 full day as well.
The Mears Leadership Team will work to develop a plan to optimize the value of additional instructional time during the school day to support and enhance learning. We are confident that our school community will see the benefit of the additional time returned to students during the second semester.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions at backman_eric@asdk12.org.
X-Country Skiing and Boys Basketball Training Has Begun
Please see the schedule above for upcoming after-school athletic events.
Forms and Fees:
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.
Counseling- Digital Citizenship/Anti-Bullying
Den time this week focused on students reflecting on digital citizenship and making everyone feel accepted, respected, and safe. Students explored what bullying and cyberbullying looks and feels like.
If your student did not complete the survey, please have them do so. https://forms.gle/hvuuWAUdRtZMcoku9 Super cool prizes for award winning survey responses!!!
We challenged students to say something if they see something that doesn’t make everyone feel accepted, respected or safe.
Students can say something through the StopIt
https://www.asdk12.org/stopit or share directly with a trusted adult. Students are also welcome to put in a "
Request to see Counselor" for follow up.
ASD Annual Bookmark Contest
Using secret ballots, staff and students chose bookmarks created by Kaylin Kirkham and Maximus Heilman to represent Mears in the district bookmark competition. Congratulations, Kaylin and Max!
PTSA General Meeting Schedule: All Mears Community Members are Welcome -- Second Wednesday of each month @ 5:30pm via Zoom
Semester 2: Jan 18, Feb. 8, Mar. 8, Apr. 12, May 10
https://asdk12.zoom.us/j/94592593995?pwd=QVFMZUxkZUdnYzdWa0c1b0dkNC8wdz09
Meeting ID: 945 9259 3995
Passcode: 854629
Join Team PTSA: Volunteer Interest Form:
https://forms.gle/P8yYKMPSuwzPR2ZU8
Please like and follow us on Facebook Mears Middle School PTSA for more 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
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.
