Many thanks to Geoff and Cathy Wright for creating and refreshing this website. Note that the Events Calendar entries were lost in the update, so that is still in progress.
We are interested to hear your suggestions and offers of help, related to the website or anything regarding parent involvement at Polaris!!! Please reply to Cathy at cathyalaska@yahoo.com or Kitte’ at mvh@gci.net.
Happy Winter Solstice! ***from Your volunteer Parent Volunteer Coordinators***
- Some Book Fair items…Wandmaker’s Guide, Rachel Ray cookbooks, Piratology, Fairyopolis, Princess Primer, Historic Britian, Scotland and other “travel intensive” books and calendars…are still available for purchase in the Library. Open till 3:30.
- Constructive comments by students, parents, and staff requested on Rachel & Kaelyn’s “About Diversity” mural proposal by the library.
- The Secondary Choir performs in the MPR at 3:15 pm on Thurs Dec 21.
- Thurs Dec 21 is the last day of school in 2006. Wishing everyone a nice break from school and sparkling Winter Solstice with the new moon and fresh snow!!!
- The 2006 Mackler Award from the Council of Educators and Facility Planners International Alaska Chapter for excellence in school facility design went to Polaris! Enjoy the stained glass award plaque and display boards in the lobby.
- View the new panoramic photo on www.asdk12.org/schooldetails.asp?ID=450
- Librarian Cindy and School Resource Officer Pratt are discussing Internet Safety (personal safety in the cyber-community and keeping our computers safe from viruses and other malicious codes) with mid level students.
- Thanks to Parent Forum supporters, Title Wave gave $752 from the Dec 1-3 fair.
- Winter Intensive classes are Jan 8-19, 2007. Mon Jan 15 is a holiday. Check paperwork from individual intensive teachers as class schedules do vary.
- Registration for 3rd Quarter is Mon Jan 22. Course catalogs distributed last week detail the secondary schedule that day.
- Save the Date: Fri Feb 2 is the Parent Forum Spaghetti Dinner and Sock Hop!
- Forgot to send in your Winter Intensive fees last week, like me? Teachers need to purchase materials and line up resources, so do it now!
- Senior meeting 11:20 am Fri Dec 15 in the Library. Deposit of $50 due for cap & gown and graduation announcement orders to Jostens. The deadline to register for the Jan 27 SAT at www.collegeboard.com is Wed Dec 20.
- Parents of Adolescents meet 2-3 pm Fri Dec 15 in Allie’s room.
- 8th grade Health Class’s Health Fair is 2:20-3 pm Fri Dec 15 in the MPR.
- Pirate Paradise 7-12 Dance 7-11 pm Fri Dec 15 in the MPR. $3 with costume, $5 without. No bikinis, bellies, fake or real weapons please!
- Elementary early release is Wednesday Dec 20. Pick up by 12:20 pm.
- The Choir sings Thurs Dec 21 at 3:15 in the MPR.
- The Last Day of school for students and end of 2nd quarter is Thurs Dec 21. Classes resume Mon Jan 8 with Winter Intensives through Jan 19.
- Causes to support:
- Nurse Patty is collecting phone cards for troops during Dec. Many thanks for the 93 Toys for Tots donated in Nov. Veronika and Patty each gave $20 to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Pennies for Patients to honor your generosity.
- DECA student store profits support Senior Scholarships. Kaladi coffee $11 per lb/2 for $20, Polaris logo t-shirts $10 & sweatshirts $15, and snacks for sale.
- Buy Harmonicas for soldiers and Iraqi children at cost ($3.50) thru Dec 21.
- Model UN proceeds from $2 Candy Cane Grams sold at lunch (delivery Wed Dec 20) and offerings of spare change support mosquito nets to prevent malaria.
- Today is an elementary early release Wednesday! Pick up by 12:20.
- Tour 8:30 am today. Lottery forms are due March 14, 2007 by 3 pm. All prospective students, including future kindergarten siblings, must apply.
- The 8th hour Spring Musical class will perform “Cinderella” May 2-5. See a Rodgers & Hammerstein movie version 3:15-4:15 pm today in rm #210.
- Parents share favorite books for young readers at Coffee & Conversation 8:30-9:30 am Thurs Dec 7 in the Library. Reading tutors contact Gail.
- Little Campbell Creek projects (challenge courses and opportunities for community service) discussed 11:45-12:25 Fri Dec 8 in Kathryn’s rm #147.
- Deliver Intensive fees directly to the Intensive teacher by Friday Dec 8. Make checks to “Polaris K-12″ with Intensive & student names in the memo.
- Carol & Gail’s Learning Buddies sell $1 frozen yogurt Fri Dec 8 at 3 pm.
- Band & Orchestra Concert 8:30 am Tues Dec 12 in the Gym.
- Visionary Committee explores Community Service Tues Dec 12 11:30. Parents meet to prepare at Moose’s Tooth 11:30 am Thurs Dec 7.
- Parent chaperons requested for the Dec 15 Pirate Paradise 7-12 Dance. Reply to Smith_Kathryn@asdk12.org for either the 6:45-9 or 9-11:15 shift.
- Terry & Jamie’s Learning Buddies “Spread Harmony Around the World” by selling $3.50 harmonicas for soldiers and children in Iraq 3pm Dec 7-21.
- Model UN tackles emerging pandemic diseases at UAA in Feb. Larry’s students collect spare change for mosquito nets to prevent malaria. $2 Candy Cane Grams sold at lunch for delivery Wed Dec 20 also support the cause.
Community Service Edition
The Visionary Committee—with student, staff, and parent reps—will discuss Community Service Tues Dec 12 at 11:30 am. Come listen & give feedback!
Parents interested in exploring concepts of Community Service in advance of the above meeting are invited to gather at Moose’s Tooth Thurs Dec 7 at 11:30 am or contact Diana ouac@gci.net or Kelly seayakfamily@gmail.com.
The Talent Show last Friday was an example of all that is good about Polaris—student initiated and organized with enthusiastic support of students K thru 12, staff, and parents. Bill’s Advisory collected $40 and lots of cans for Food Bank of Alaska.
Here are some more projects Polarians are involved with:
- Terry & Jamie’s Learning Buddies are “Spreading Harmony Around the World” selling harmonicas to send to soldiers and children in Iraq. Buy one at The Music Man’s cost of $3.50 in the lobby 3-3:30 pm most Dec days.
- Model UN students are supporting mosquito netting to prevent malaria.
- Nurse Patty is collecting phone cards for deployed soldiers. Thanks for the donations to the Marine’s Toys for Tots in November!
- Former Polaris Art Teacher Jody Jenkins, now Curator of Art Education at the Anchorage Museum, needs Teen Volunteers 9 am to noon Saturday Dec 9 to assist young children with art activities during the Visit with Santa breakfast. All materials are provided. Contact Jody at 343-6185 or jenkinsj@anchoragemuseum.org.
Community Service activities and ideas can be posted on the bulletin boards outside the Library.
Polaris K-12 School has an evolving program that creates an environment challenging its students, teachers, parents, to personal excellence, lifelong learning, and ethical responsibility to self, community, and world.