At the Creek....
December 5, 2019
Events to look forward to:
12/3-Winter Benchmark assessments begin
12/6-Movie Night with RCCA-see below for details
12/10-PTA meeting 7pm in Library
12/13-Godenview Band Tour 1:30
12/17-Winter Fine Arts Night-details below!
12/19-Band and Orchestra Concert 10:30 am
12/19-End of second quarter
12/20-No school for students
12/20-1/5-Winter Holiday
1/6-Students return to school
1/9-Report Cards go home with students
Dear Rabbit Creek families,
We also have good news as we're celebrating a few of our parents who have joined our noon supervisor team this week and next. Three of them are kindly taking a day to be with our students providing a safe and supervised recess! We're looking for a few more-see the information below to join the team! Thank you!
We are now in our Winter Assessment period of the year, with our students taking assessments in both Fastbridge (K-2) and MAP (3-6). I have spoken with a few parents in recent days regarding the testing, it's purpose and more. We take three benchmark tests a year-fall, winter and spring. This testing guides instruction in our classrooms as they tell your child's progress in the subjects of reading and math. I was recently asked why we needed to test in the middle of the year, rather than just doing fall and spring. This winter test lets us know if we are on the right page with our current instruction. If we are focusing on fluency with a younger student and the test shows that the child has grown greatly in this area, however comprehension is now lacking-we change our instructional focus to meet the student where s/he is now. I compare it to a medical doctor treating an illness and running another test every six months to see if the condition continues-allowing them to make the best decisions for next steps.
Students in all grades set goals for themselves for the winter assessments this semester at my request. Rabbit Creek historically shows less proficiency on the winter assessment than the fall and I aim to see this change to having students making continual growth all year. I visited 3rd-6th grade classes to talk about the fact that our hair grows, our feet grow, and our bodies grow-this test is showing us where their brain is growing. Students taking the MAP were reminded of their fall score and were asked to work hard to raise their score by even one point on this winter test. An incentive of sledding and hot chocolate was thrown out there to those who were successful. Anytime a child does their best, great things happen. We will, of course, allow all students who did their best on the test (which would be everyone) an opportunity to be outside for an extra time in honor of their work. The bonus will be given to those with the growth, however every child has the chance to sled at school daily when the hill is open. It was exciting to be stopped in the hall today by students who let me know how their test had gone. Everyone at Rabbit Creek is a success-every day. If you have questions-please do contact me. I'm always here for our families and students.
It's supposed to be cold these next couple of days-bundle up and have a great rest of your week.
Ms. Peterson
Some of our amazing staff Rockin" the red and green!!!
Holiday Spirit Days at Rabbit Creek
Monday, December 9th-Wear something lighted to be "merry and bright!"
Tuesday, December 10th-Grinch vs Santa-wear red or green to show which team you're on!
Wednesday, December 11th-Holiday sock day
Thursday, December 12th-Wear plaid
Share with our Student Council!
Student Council is hosting a toy drive to share with two amazing organizations. We are hoping to collect both new and gently used toys to share with the Clare House and the Alaska Chapter of Tears Foundation. The Clare House is an emergency shelter for women and children. The Tears Foundation helps bereaved families cope with the loss of a child.
Please send any donations you might have to school by December 19th.
Thank you!
From Your PTA
From Your PTA President:
Dear Rabbit Creek,
I hope everyone’s holiday season is off to a great start! A big thank you to those who have already made it a season of giving: for the Student Council led canned food drive benefiting the Food Bank of Alaska, for all of the classes who made placemats for Bean’s Café’s Thanksgiving meal, and for all of your other charitable acts, known and unknown. It is a privilege to be a part of this generous community.
The holiday break will be here before we know it and as things get busier for most of us at home, things slow down a bit here. A few PTA related dates include: our December PTAmeeting at 7 p.m. in the library--pizza provided!As always, all members are welcome to attend! Also the PTA Reflections Art Contest is underway with all student entries due to Ms. Kean in the Library by Wednesday, Dec. 11th.
Remember to stay ‘in the loop’ by checking out the reader board as you drop off & pick up your students, visit our website: www.rabbitcreekpta.orgor join our closed Facebook group: Rabbit Creek School PTA.
See you soon at Rabbit Creek,
Heather Birch
president@rabbitcreekpta.org
907-317-0015
From Heather Birch:
Rabbit Creek is in desperate need of noon duties to supervise recesses for all grade levels. We are down to only 5 noon duties currently on staff, most of whom are only part-time or have other job commitments. Some days this first semester, we have only had one noon duty available to supervise recess and we have had a few days this year with NO noon duties available.
If you are able to cover even one day a week or be on-call to fill in for regular noon-duties when they are unable to make it, please go onlineto asdk12.organd fill out an “external applicant” application for a “South High Area Noon Duty” position today!There is a spot in the application where you can indicate you want to work at Rabbit Creek. The position runs M-F from 11:00-1:30 and the pay is $10/hr.
I applied and started this Tuesday doing one day a week. If we can get several more parents to do the same we should have adequate coverage for recess. Thank you for considering! We need all the help we can get to provide safe outdoor time for our kids at recess!
More from Heather
Do your kids like the Longer Lunch and Recesses? Let the Anchorage School Board know!
There are 21 Elementary Schools in the Anchorage School District that are piloting a Wellness Initiative program this year that was established in partnership between the parent-driven non-profit, ASD60, and the Anchorage School District. Thanks to our Principal, Mrs. Peterson, Rabbit Creek is one of these pilot schools! According to this articleon ASD’s website, the district is collecting data this year to measure the impact on classroom behaviors, student learning, etc. If the School Board sees positive outcomes from the 21 pilot schools that have gone to a 30 minute lunch (20 minutes seated with 10 minutes of transition) and a 30 minute recess with 54 minutes of physical activity built into the school day, they can vote to mandate it across all elementary schools in the district next year.
I recently sat down with Deputy Superintendent, Mark Stock, to talk about the Wellness Initiative pilot program and he explained what data and input is being collected and what the next steps are in the decision-making process. Basically, the Anchorage School District and School Board will be looking at data and feedback collected from two separate research groups, which will include student surveys for 3rd and 4th graders at pilot and non-pilot schools, pilot schools staff surveys, and parent focus group surveys conducted in the month of December. Parent Focus Groups at 6 of the pilot schools (Rabbit Creek being one!) will be conducted on three separate dates in December. Dr. Stock wasn't sure how parents would be selected--most likely at random--but they would be able to give their input on their children's experiences with lunch and recess so far this year and provide feedback. All of this "preliminary research" will be presented to the School Board in a work session in January and Dr. Stock said that a vote on whether or not to change policies and implement longer lunches and recesses district-wide would take place by this Spring.
If you like the longer lunches and recesses and are noticing positive outcomes for your kids, such as more of their lunch eaten, better attitudes toward school, etc., let the Anchorage School Board and those in charge of the lunch and recess pilot program know your thoughtsby attending and testifying at an upcoming School Board meeting. The next School Board meeting will be Dec. 17th at 6 pm at the ASD Education Center at 5530 E. Northern Lights Blvd. Meetings are also scheduled for Jan 7 and 21st. (The School Board meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month through May). Here’s a link to information on how to testify. You can also testify telephonically as long as it’s submitted the Friday before the meeting. If you prefer email, you can always email the entire Anchorage School Board at schoolboard@asdk12.org. These are the people making decisions on whether or not to keep the program in place next year, so make your voice heard!
Thank you to our PTA Business Members!!!
Rabbit Creek Elementary School
Email: peterson_kristina@asdk12.org
Website: www.asdk12.org
Location: 13650 Lake Otis Parkway, Anchorage, AK, USA
Phone: 907-742-5700