Eagle's Nest Newsletter
Newsletter to the Aurora Elementary Family
March - April 2023
Greetings!
What a wonderful few weeks it's been with all of the sunshine we're getting. The extra sunshine is just one of those reminders that summer will be here before we know it.
We definitely have a lot going on at school during the months of March and April, so if you have any questions about the activities, please feel free to reach out to your child's teacher or to the front office. We'd be happy to help navigate these upcoming weeks.
The month of April begins our celebration for Month of the Military Child. Every Monday in April will be Purple Up Day and students will be invited to wear purple to celebrate. This year, Aurora has the distinguished honor of being designated as a Purple Star school by the State of Alaska. This designation is awarded to schools that have demonstrated their connection with military youth and their families. There will be a ceremony at the district office that will be broadcast on ASD's YouTube channel on April 14th. I will send out more information when we get it.
The state summative test, AK STAR, will be given this month to students in grades 3-6. You will find the schedule below. It is important for students to be here during testing. Our state testing window will be from March 27th - April 28th.
If you have any questions or would like to give feedback, my office is always open. You can reach me by calling the front office at 907-742-0300 or by emailing me at jones_margaret@asdk12.org.
Thank you,
Margaret Jones
Principal, Aurora Elementary
Upcoming
March 30th - Spring Choir Tour
March 31st - Third quarter Awards Assembly.
3-6 will be from 9:30 - 9:50, and K-2 will be from 10:00 to 10:20. If your child is receiving an award, they will come home this week with an invitation. As always, our assembly is open to all parents whether or not your child is receiving an award.
April 3rd - Purple Up Day - Wear purple
April 6th - Lunch with a Loved One
Parents can eat lunch with their child - please contact your child's teacher to find out what time they eat lunch.
April 7th - Superhero Day/Clark Middle School Marching Band
April 10th - Purple Up Day/ Grades 5&6 AK STAR Testing
April 11th - Grades 3&4 AK STAR Testing
April 12th - Grades 5&6 AK STAR Testing
April 13th - Grades 3&4 AK STAR Testing
April 14th - Camo Day/ Dance 5-7 PM
April 17th - Purple Day
April 18th - Coast Guard Band
April 20th - Lunch with a Loved One
April 21st - Where Have You Been - dress up from an area of the world where you've lived.
April 24th - Purple Up Day
April 28th - Red, White, Blue Day/ Pizza and Painting 5-7 PM
School Dress Rules
No hoods or hats on in the building;
Spaghetti strap tops must have a covering;
Tops cannot show any part of the midriff.
Shirts/Sweatshirts that promote drugs or alcohol are prohibited.
This is not an exhaustive list and the administration reserves the right to advise students to call home for a change of clothes if their dress is not acceptable. Students who are moving into secondary schools will find that the same rules that apply here, apply in middle school.
We have not had many issues with the clothing items, however, many students continue to wear their hats and/or hoods in the school. A few staff have reported to me that some students will refuse to remove the article or try to argue with the adult staff member that has requested them to remove it. I would like to ask for your support in promoting a College and Career Ready campus at Aurora Elementary.
Current Activities
Anchored 4 Life meets every 1st and 3rd Wednesday at 8:00 AM. Contact Amy Hollon at hollon_amy@asdk12.org or Liz Larson at larson_elizabeth@asdk12.org.
Badminton meets either Mondays or Wednesdays from 8:05-9:05. Contact Andrew Bydlon at bydlon_andrew@asdk12.org or Cord Lindquist at Lindquist_cord@asdk12.org
Q/Parent Connect
Input absence information,
Current assignments and grades,
Payments for field trips and lunches,
IEP/504 information
Assessment Data
Bus Schedules
If you need help accessing the portal, please call our front office and they will help you with your pin and password.
Remote Learning Plans for Future School Closures
The following plan will be utilized by Aurora Elementary in the event of a school closure:
Communication with Families:
Classroom Teacher sends email by 8:45 am on remote learning day
Classroom Teacher makes phone calls to their students’ families in AM (8:45-9:30 am)
The teacher shares learning activities and schedules for the day.
The teacher keeps a parent contact log.
The teacher provides an optional Zoom mtg. A suggested agenda for this meeting:
Welcome/Attendance/SEL
Minimum 15 min. Mini-lesson Reading
Minimum 15 min. Mini-lesson Math
15 min. Q&A Time
Attendance:
Present = evidence of participation
Zoom participation (optional)
Communication with family about student participation
Evidence of student work
Students with pre-arranged excused absences will continue to be counted as excused absences.
Automated attendance calls will not go out on remote learning days
Grading:
Grading should be based on participation in learning activities, not necessarily completeness or correctness.
Zoom sessions provided by teachers are optional for students. If you are unable to attend a Zoom session, evidence of participation in the other activities offered will suffice for attendance.
Repeat - Bus and Playground Safety
Recess expectations include:
- There is no play fighting. Students are to keep their hands to themselves and they are not to wrestle or ask others to play fight.
- Students need to sit on the swings, no twisting, swinging upside down, or jumping off.
- Students need to slide down the slide, feet first and not climb up.
- Students are not allowed to climb over the railings or jump off the play structure.
- Students must follow the directions of the noon duties at all times.
Now that snow is on the ground, we have been instructing students on the use of our sledding hill. Expectations include:
- Climb up the hill on the sides.
- Slide down on your bottom, feet forward (not on your knees).
- When you get to the bottom, move out of the way quickly so others can slide down.
Bus Safety expectations include:
- Stay seated in your assigned seat at all times.
- No moving while the bus is in motion.
- Keep your backpack and/or instrument in your lap.
- No eating on the bus.
- Do not throw items on the bus.
- Windows stay closed unless the driver gives permission for them to be down.
- Keep the noise level down so the driver is aware when there is an issue and especially at railroad crossings.
- Get off at your regular stop.
- Report all safety concerns immediately to the bus driver.
Home of the Soaring Eagles
Email: jones_margaret@asdk12.org
Website: https://www.asdk12.org/aurora
Location: 5085 10th Street, JBER, AK 99506
Phone: 907-742-0300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuroraElementaryJBER?mibextid=LQQJ4d