Polaris K-12 School Website

Fellow Polarants:

Don’t forget that tomorrow night is Parent Forum. All interested parents are welcome to attend. As per usual I will be provided (FREE!) child care starting at 6:30 PM, and going until 8:00 PM. My lovely wife will be bring moose and turkey chili (unusual combo, I know..), so feel free to come hungy. I’m sure great and weighty matters will be discussed, but of course I have no idea what happens at these meetings since I get to play with the kids the whole time.

I hope to see lots of you there: appetites, kids and all!

Pennies for Patients ends today…over $1800 has been donated toward our $3000 goal to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in honor of Susan Butcher.  Thanks to all penny contributors, Nurse Patty & James!

PARENTS! GRANDPARENTS! Come on down to the Library at 6:30-7:30 pm Tues May 1 to plan an awesome 2007-08 year supporting our children and our school.  Contact Kitte’ at mvh@gci.net.  Childcare provided.

Heidi’s Business students present 12:30-2 pm on T May 1 and Th May 3.

Tour 8:30 am Wed May 2.

Experience the magical, musical Cinderella at 7 pm May 2-4 in the Polaris Theater. Tickets are $6 from Brune_Bill@asdk12.org in advance or at the door. Seating is limited and fall drama productions did sell out.

Parents plan fun summer gatherings at 8:30 am Th May 3 in the Library with Hilary Seitz.  Hilary was also honored last week as an outstanding parent volunteer, sharing her wealth of knowledge about early childhood.

Senior speeches are due at the meeting 11:20 am Fri May 4.  All 30 seniors created music and photos for the video to be shown at Graduation 7 pm Mon May 21 in UAA Wendy Williamson Auditorium.  Seven of our original 1994-95 Kindergartners will graduate from high school this year!

4th quarter ends Fri May 4 and Spring Intensives start Mon May 7. Intensive fees are due….well, actually, way overdue!

Citywide Clean-up culminates 10-2 Sat May 5 with a iPod prize to the biggest Polaris bagger and community service credit for all.  Contact Waldron_Judy@asdk12.org.
Thanks to Izzy & her parents, Nikki, Dori, Phoebe, Michelle, Anna, Deb, Alice, Jennifer, Cindy and everyone supporting ‘06-07 Book Fairs which made $3000+ plus many book donations to the Library and classrooms.

Thanks to the Prom committee for a Red Carpet Affair to be remembered!

Over 30 students and 20 adults participated in the Heart Run.  Thanks to Damon & Corey for encouraging our laps of health & fitness.
Summer School applications for enrichment & remedial classes are available.  While you are in the office, let Margaret & Germaine know how much we appreciate everything they do for us!

A Red Carpet Affair Prom tickets are $45 single, $80 couple. Today is the last day to register guests from other schools.

Polaris parents Jeff Block (Fall Auction Chair), Alice McArdle & Debra McLallen (Book Fair organizers extrordinare) will be honored at the ASD Volunteer Reception at Wendler MS 6:30-8:30 pm Wed April 25.

Carol’s Family Group presents the musical Character Matters in the MPR 9 am & 1 pm on Th April 26.

The 8th hour Spring Musical Theater production of “Cinderella” plays 7 pm on May 2-4. $6 reserved tickets are available from Brune_Bill@asdk12.org or any cast member. All performances of the Fall Drama production sold out, so buy your tickets now!

Running Club meets 9 am under the Polaris banner in the UAA Arts Bldg lot for the 3K Heart Lite Run Sat April 28. It’s awesome fun running laps after school!

National Week of the Young Child Creative Activities Fair at UAA Wells Fargo Complex is 11-3 Sat Apr 28. www.anchorageaeyc.org/WOYC.html has the details.

Bon Voyage to the British Isles travelers this weekend!

7/8 Intro to Business students request mock investors to hear their presentations 12:30-2 pm on T May 1 and Th May 3. Reply to Postishek_Heidi@asdk12.org.

Let’s finish the school year well by planning for 2007-08 at Parent Forum 6:30 pm Tuesday May 1st.  All parents are encouraged to participate in setting goals, a budget, and offering your leadership for the benefit of our children.

Parents of young students meet 8:30-9:30 am Th May 3 in the Library with Hilary Seitz to think about summer fun & plan gatherings.

Congratulations to swimmers Emily, Hollis & Laura and musicians Carie, Gage, Kivalina, Keenan, Kalia, Nikki & Sam!

Thanks to Alyse, Kathryn, Rosene, Marianne, and Jacque for creating a staff appreciation luncheon, and to the many student potted plant artists.
Summer school applications are at www.asdk12.org/summer.  King Career Center offers a selection of courses for incoming 9-12th graders. See Michelle.

Borrow a bird, stick bugs, or reptile for the summer from Mark.

Prom is almost here; it will be taking place on Saturday, April 28 from 7-11pm on the top floor of the Hilton. Tickets have been on sale for the past few weeks in the entry way during lunch and in Larry’s room. The prices have been $35 for a single and $65 for a couple, but they will be going up on Monday to $45 for a single and $80 for a couple.

Prom is in great need of chaperones. To be a chaperone all you have to do is supervise the students and make sure that rules of conduct are being followed. If you would like to chaperone please contact Frick_Larry@asdk12.org or me (Meneka.thiru@gmail.com). The shifts are from 7-9 pm or 9-11 pm. There will be food and drinks available to chaperones at the Hilton. We would really appreciate your help!

What an amazing collection is ready for the Library Book Fair tomorrow! Twenty-five percent of proceeds benefit the library fund. Parent cashiers are desperately needed 9-5 Wed & Thurs! Stop by the Library or contact Alice at taxes@alaska.net.

Conference Checklist additions:

* visit the Art Show!
* complete the 2007 ASD School Climate & Connectedness Parent Survey
* donate spare 8-9 ft lengths of solid color fabric for the “Cinderella” Sat Apr 21 sewing session. Contact Jack at polardrama@yahoo.com.

Share your culinary talents to nourish our dedicated staff for lunch Thurs Apr 19. Contact Alyse (galvins@gci.net, 884-5019) with a soup, salad, bread or dessert you could bring by 11 am. A few parents to set up & clean up are requested, too.

Remember: Friday April 20 is an In-service Day with no school for students.

Sixth graders shadow middle school hosts 8:30-12:25 either MT or W Apr 23-25.

Enjoy the Band & Orchestra Spring Concert in the MPR 8:30-9:20 am Tues Apr 24.

Carol’s Family Group presents the musical “Character Matters” in the MPR 9 am & 1 pm Thurs Apr 26.

Look for more details soon about the All-School Cook Off Thurs Apr 26.

Parent Forum voted $1000 to help 6th grade campers experience the team building rope challenge course at North Star and funds to purchase art display panels.

Former Polaris art teacher Jody needs teen volunteers on KIDS’ Day Sat Apr 21 at the Anchorage Museum. She will treat you to an Italian soda after your 10-12, 12-2 or 2-4 shift and share about exciting summer art camp volunteer opportunities. Contact jenkinsj@anchoragemuseum.org or 343-6185.

It takes a village! Thank you to everyone replying to requests throughout the year. Keep your offers to contribute to this wonderful school community coming.

Contact parent volunteer coordinators Kitte’ at mvh@gci.net or Cathy at cathyalaska@yahoo.com with ideas or questions.

Conference Week in a nutshell: Mon Apr 16 & Tues Apr 17 regular school, Wed Apr 18 & Th Apr 19 student-led student-parent-teacher Conferences and Book Fair, and Fri Apr 20 in-service day with no school for students.

100% of Polaris families traditionally make it for conferences! Sign-ups are on the tie dye board or with family group teachers or advisors. http://www.asdk12.org/MiddleLink/SLC/ is a link to plan ahead for this time of celebration & inquiry.

Kitte’s Conference Week checklist for parents:

• deliver Spring intensive fees by Tues Apr 17.
• help set-up the Spring Book Fair in the Library Tues Apr 17 8-10am.
• donate your gently used books to enhance the library collection.
• be a book fair cashier for a W or Th shift 9-5 pm-sign-up in the library or contact Alice, taxes@alaska.net.
• shop for new books, DVDs, CDs, and preorder Harry Potter VII!
• express your personal appreciation to individual Polarians!!!
• submit a Polarian Award nomination.
• bring a lunch item (soup, bread, salad or dessert) to the teachers’ lounge by 11 am Thursday in appreciation of our wonderful staff-contact Alyse, galvins@gci.net, 344-8800.
• comment on the “elements of earth” mural proposal near Mike’s.
• check the Lost & Found.
• toss “Pennies for Patients” in James’ office.
• order a treat for yourself or your child at the DECA student store.
• buy $6 tickets for the Spring Musical “Cinderella” 7 pm May 2-4.
• remind your high school student to buy Prom tickets $35 single or $65 double before the prices go up…Hilton 7-11 pm Sat Apr 28.
• donate $3 for a “Let’s Save the Sea Turtles” in Playa Grande, Costa Rica blue bracelet via Mark’s Advisory.
• bag some parking lot, Habitat or playground trash.
• take recycling from the loading dock shed to the Recycling Center.
• sign up your Carrs card for eScrip here on www.polarisk12.org.
• double check your student directory information.

Parent involvement is essential to the Polaris mission! Linger in the lobby on conference days to learn more about all the ways you can be involved. Here are some current needs:

• Prom chaperones 7-9 or 9-11 pm shifts-contact Teacher Larry Frick.
• New student interview teams-contact Margaret in the office.
• Wolf Treks newsletter editor and Fall Nicholson fundraising coordinator-Kim Pigg at kimp@gci.net. Help spread the load! Kim is also the Parent Forum Treasurer, which someone could understudy for.
• Water the Habitat for a week this summer-contact mvh@gci.net.

Tour 8:30-10 am Wed April 11.

Elementary early release Wed April 11. Becky’s 5/6 Family Group sells used books in the lobby at lunch Wed to raise “Pennies for Patients.” We have $1200 toward a $3000 school goal for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society honoring Susan Butcher.

All Community Meeting 5-7 pm Wed April 11 to learn & celebrate the transition of our 6th graders into the Middle School program.

Welcome Nesselwang German exchange students with Teacher Antje to an immersion experience with Jamie’s penpal families & Polaris K-12 April 11-22.

Coffee & Conversation about summer activities with young students facilitated by Hilary Seitz 8:30-9:30 am Thurs Apr 12 in the Library.

Spring Picture Day is Th April 12 with an option for small group portraits.

Learn to knit 8:30 am Fridays at Kaladi with parent Shannon Brady (279-7933, cmsbrady@acsalaska.net), co-teacher of the Fiber Arts Intensive with Mike M.

Gifted Mentorship teacher Lisa Wiley meets with interested 10th and 11th graders to plan next year’s program at 11:45 am Fri April 13 in the Library.

ASD Special Education Community Forum is 8:30 am - 1 pm Sat April 14 at Wendler Middle School. Details are at www.asdk12.org/dept/step.

Business partner Schlumberger hosts “Lunch ‘N Learn” about oil exploration at 11:45 am Mon April 16 in Kathryn’s. Required for North Slope travel students.

Deliver fees directly to Spring Intensive teachers by Tues Apr 17.

Student-led student, parent, teacher portfolio conferences Wed Apr 18 & Th Apr 19.

Spring Book Fair 9 am-5 pm in the Library on conference days. Help Alice, Debra & Cindy set-up Tues morning Apr 17 for preview that afternoon. Donate your used books to benefit Polaris, pre-order Harry Potter book VII, shop for DVD & CDs, etc.

Students, staff & parents are encouraged to submit written comments to the red box in the Art room on the proposed mural between Mike & Kathryn’s rooms.

Troop 616 appreciates supporters who purchased over 100 boxes of Girl Scout cookies, helping with summer camp tuitions.

Thanks for donations to the Polaris Theatre, Troop 616 and Siri’s Advisory!

Contact Prince_Margaret@asdk12.org to help with new student interviews.

Contact Kitte’ at mvh@gci.net to volunteer with parent forum, advisory board, watering the Habitat this summer, fund raising, editing & printing Wolf Treks. You name it, there are so many ways to contribute to this wonderful community!

Statewide Testing continues tomorrow.  Thank you to parent helpers Beth, Lori, Molly, Lisa, Renata, Kim, and George! 

Several students & parents are featured First Friday artists on April 6th and the Anchorage Museum student exhibition continues thru mid-April.  See the Art bulletin board for info.

Senior parents meet to finalize graduation plans Mon April 9 at 6 pm in the Library.

The Visionary Committee meets 11:30 am Tues April 10 in the office conference room.

Attend Parent Forum at 6:30 pm Tues Apr 10 to learn about the Polaris History Project, Community Service proposal, student Opportunity Scholarship recipient experiences & requests, the latest from Denise & teachers, 2007-08 PF officers nominations & drafted budget.  Please contact Diana at ouac@gci.net or Kitte’ at mvh@gci.net to get involved! 

Tour 8:30-10 am Wed April 11.

Elementary early release Wed April 11 with pick up by 12:20 pm.

Come to the All Community Meeting 5-7 pm Wed April 11 to learn about the Middle School Transition for next year and welcome new students & families from the March lottery.

Jamie’s Family Group hosts German pen pals April 11-22 from Nesselwang in Bavaria.

Student-led Conferences and the Library Book Fair will be W April 18 & Th April 19 with an In-service Fri April 20.  Look for sign-ups soon and stop by the Library to offer your help.

Toss “Pennies for Patients” into James’ office for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. 

Congratulations to DECA staff who received multiple awards at the state conference!

Support for Propositions 4 & 5 is much appreciated!  See www.asdk12.org/renewal to learn more about the building projects and serving on the Capital Request Advisory Committee.