Polaris K-12 School Website

Our fabulous Fall Auction is just around the corner, on Friday October 26!  Please join the auction committee meeting at 11:30 am tomorrow, Saturday September 29, at La Roma/Kaladi on the Old Seward Hwy near 100th Avenue.  For more information, contact Jeff Block at 229-6979 or jevblock@alaska.net.

Parent Forum has money and needs everyone’s input on spending it to the maximum benefit of the Polaris community.  Treasurer Kim Pigg will be chairing the Parent Forum meeting at 6:30 pm Wednesday October 3 in the Library, which follows the 5 pm Advisory Board meeting.  All parents are strongly encouraged to attend!  Contact Kim at kimp@gci.net with $ requests or suggested agenda items.

Polaris received an international design award!  Check out the photos on http://www.designshare.com/index.php/projects/polarisk12/images.

Elementary early release Wed Sept 26 with pick up by 12:20 pm.

Don’t wait until your student is a senior!  Come to College Info Night 6-7 pm Thurs Sept 27 in the Library as Michelle Johansen and Lora Jorgensen share ideas on choosing and applying for college plus all aspects of the financial aide process including filling out FAFSA, scholarships, etc.  Also mark your calendar to attend the College & Career Fair at Egan Center 6-8:30 pm Mon Oct 29.

HSGQE make-ups will be Oct 2-4.

Denise’s annual empowerment of Advisory Board with the proposal process for school policy-making will be 5 pm Wed Oct 3 in the Library.  Following at 6:30 pm, Parent Forum seeks to engage all parents in the Polaris community, allocate $ to worthy projects, and plan the Carnival/Auction.  Contact Treasurer Kim Pigg at kimp@gci.net with $ requests.

All parents interested in the Schools That Learn seminar 5:30-7 pm on eight Thursdays this autumn co-taught by our award winning principal, contact Brune_Bill@asdk12.org ASAP.  

Ask your student about the all-school seminar on Tolstoy’s Three Questions.  When is the best time to do things?  Who is the most important one?  What is the right thing to do? 

Nicholson orders need to be returned ASAP to the classroom or the box in the office. Thank-you from Mary!

Tuesday September 25’s all-school seminar text is The Three Questions, based on a story by Leo Tolstoy written & illustrated by Jon J. Muth.  Parents are welcome as observers or participants. We will start at 8:30 am. Remember to sign in and get a name sticker in the office.

Battle of the Books Practice will commence toward the end of October. Until then, students can read, read, read BOB books and start talking to others to form teams of 3 to 4 members. The official BOB website is at: http://tinymce.moxiecode.cp/mce_temp_url Currently, we have some parent volunteers lined up to help with 3/4 and 5/6 students. I will be contacting parents who signed up to help with BOB over the next few weeks. Volunteering involves helping with materials prep, asking questions, keeping track of where teams/students are in their reading, ordering ribbons, tee shirts for the teams, and organization for the battles here at school and at the district competitions in February. We will meet in the library at lunch time to practice weekly. Dates will be announce as we get closer to the end of October. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to e-mail: charvat-drew_audrey@asdk12.org or call: 742-8708.

Audrey Charvat-Drew
Librarian
Polaris K-12

I find that a great part of the information I have was acquired by looking something up and finding something else on the way. - Franklin P. Adams

Read all about happenings at Polaris in the Wolf Treks newsletter arriving in your mailbox this week.

Learn more about the January Costa Rica secondary travel intensive at 3 pm Wednesday Sept 19 in Rosa’s room #208.

King Career Center offers selected introductory classes for high school students 3-5:30 pm MTWTh Oct 9-Dec 6. Michelle has details. KCC Open House is 5:30-7:30 pm Wed Sept 19.

All Juniors should sign up to take the PSAT/Nat’l Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test on Sat Oct 20.   Register for $15 which includes snacks with Michelle by Fri Sept 21.  Information at www.nationalmerit.org.

Readings for the All School Seminar 8:30-9:30 am Tuesday Sept 25 are available in the office.  Parents are encouraged to participate or observe.

Elementary early release Wed Sept 26 with K-5 pick up by 12:20 pm.

College Info Night 6-7 pm Thurs Sept 27 in the Library led by Michelle. 

Student Operational Group meets every Monday at lunch in Allie’s room.  Congratulations to newly elected officers:  President Ethan, VP Meneka, Secretary Nikki, and Treasurer Annie!

Parent Forum needs a secretary!  Contact Chair Diana Ede at ouac@gci.net.  PF contributes vitally to the Polaris Community, so plan to attend the next meeting Wed Oct 3 at 6:30 pm following Advisory Board at 5pm.

Bill and Denise would like to get preliminary numbers for the parent/teacher “A School That Learns” seminar class  starting 5:30-7 pm Thurs Oct 4 to ensure materials are prepared for everyone.  If you are thinking about taking this class or have questions, e-mail Brune_Bill@asdk12.org with “Polaris Class” in the subject line.

College & Career Day 2007 is being planned for Friday November 16 afternoon.  6th and 9th graders will tour either the UAA or APU campus.  Contact Postishek_Heidi@asdk12.org to share your expertise during three 45 minute sectionals at Polaris for the other secondary students.

Bring canned food donations for the Food Banks of Alaska to Nurse Patty’s office during Sept & Oct.

Yearbooks on sale for $35 softbound and $75 hardbound by Mark’s.

Open House is tonight, Tuesday Sept 11 6-7:30 pm.

Early release for K-5th graders is Wed Sept 12. Students must be picked up by 12:20 pm.

Join the Fall Auction (Oct 26) committee 6:30 pm Wed Sept 12 at Jeff and Val Block’s home, 7154 Linden Court.  Refreshments provided & children welcome.  Just come or contact Jeff at 248-0407 home, 229-6979 cell, jevbblock@alaska.net.   

Elections for Operational Group (5-12 grade student government) are Thursday Sept 13. All students at Polaris are encouraged to be active participants!

School pictures will be taken of all students on Friday Sept 14 by Lifetouch.

Nicholson fundraising orders are due Friday Sept 14. Contact Mary Shanley at 440-7388 or shanman@alaska.com with questions.

Parent needed to construct a wooden aquarium stand for the Salmon in the Classroom project. Students collect salmon eggs on September 28 with the Alaska Dept of Fish & Game, so reply ASAP to Smith_Kathryn@asdk12.org or student teacher Sarah at sjgotschall@yahoo.com to help.

“Schools That Learn” seminar class for parents/teachers taught by Principal Denise & Teacher Bill at 5:30 pm on eight Thursdays starts Oct 4.  Contact Brune_Bill@asdk12.org for more information.

Just a reminder - The Polaris K-12 School Open House will be this Tuesday, September 11 from 6-7:30p.  The open house will begin with a presentation by Principal Denise in the Multipurpose Room at 6:00p, followed by family group presentations for primary grades, class presentations for upper grades, and student-led tours for all grades.  This is a great way to learn about what your kid does all day at Polaris!
Note:The date for open house was originally published on the calendar as Sept. 12 which is incorrect.  The correct date is September 11.

If you have any questions about the open house, please call the Polaris K-12 office at 742-8700.

See you all there!

School tour 8:30 am Wed Sept 5th.

Nicholson giftwrap fundraiser packets went home last week for the K-5th graders and 6-12th will be receivng them this week. The packets include the catalog, “I sold” coupons, prize sheet and order form.  Also included are instructions and ordering information. 
Please note we do not want students selling door to door unless they are with an adult. There are lots of prizes students can earn by selling items.  There are also prize drawings every week for those who turn in the”I sold” coupons.   Secondary students should look for their own coupon return container in the office starting next week…there will be drawings geared just for them.  Every student will receive a “link pen” for each one coupon returned. The fundraiser ends September 14th. 45% of all money raised goes directly to Polaris Parent Forum!  This is a big fundraiser for our  school. If you have any questions, please contact parent Mary Shanley at 440-7388 or shanman@alaska.com.

The deadline for the Wolf Treks school newsletter is Friday Sept 7th.

Early release Wednesday next week on Sept 12 for students in elementary grades K-5. Pick up by 12:20.

Juniors can qualify for scholarships by taking the PSAT which will be given at Polaris Saturday morning October 20.  See Michelle to register with $15 for the exam and snacks.  www.collegeboard.com has details.  High school students and their parents are also encouraged to attend the College Info Night with Michelle and parent Lora Jorgenson 6-7 pm on Thursday September 27 in the Library.

Parent Forum Officers are Chair Diana Ede, Co-Chair Jeff Block, Treasurer Kim Pigg and Secretary open. Advisory Board representatives are Beth Adams, Tamatha Annis-Sanchez, Dick Emanuel, Jim Hasbrouck, Renata Hoskins, Kathy Heinlein with Molly Boots as an alternate. Contact Diana at ouac@gci.net to volunteer for the secretary position.

Save the dates November 30-December 2 to shop at Title Wave Books In-Store Book Benefit for Polaris K-12 School Parent Forum.

Sign up for eScrip on www.polarisk12.org.