Polaris K-12 School Website

Read the school newsletter Wolf Treks in your mailbox last week for all the latest.

Any high school student may register for Third Session at King Career Center which runs Tues Feb. 26-May 1 MTWTh 3-5:30 pm to earn .5 credit studying automotive maintenance, carpentry, early childhood education, culinary arts, photography, welding, criminalistics, etc. Contact Michelle or KCC Principal at fleischhacker_carrie@asdk12.org or 742-8900.

Leap into Spring Picture Day Fri Feb 29!

Parent Forum spends money at 3:15 pm Wed March 5 in the Library. Contact Diana Ede ouac@gci.net or Jeff Block jevblock@alaska.net.

All Polaris Community members are invited to Embrace our History and our Future 5 pm Wed March 5 in the MPR. Refreshments compliments of Alaska Dinner Factory.

Polaris Community Band members invited to play for the Alaska Wild Football pre-game Thurs evening March 6. Contact Glidden_Lori@asdk12.org.

Spring Intensive fees due Thurs March 6, which is the last day of 3rd quarter. Fri March 7 is an In-Service Day followed by Spring Break through March 16.

Senior pictures & music for graduation due to Michelle next week.

Congratulations to our State Model United Nations team! Larry, Michelle & Patty accompany 13 students to the national conference in New York during Spring Break.

Donate your spare change to Pennies for Patients.  Jugs located in every classroom or throw them into Tammy’s office. Our goal this year is $2000, but we’re still currently shy of $1000.

Prom will be 8-MN Sat April 19 for 9-12th graders and their guests at the Airport Railroad Depot. $25 single/$40 double sold at lunch or contact Frick_Larry@asdk12.org.

Mural Committee- Many students have shown interest with the mural proposal. Unfortunately, there has been a small amount who have actually gone to the meetings. It’s crucial for students who are interested in the art of our school to come to these meetings to become more involved. There will be a mural committee meeting this Wednesday in Christina’s room during lunch. We need more involvement, so please come and participate.

Feeling a little bit stressed? School will become a bit hectic when March rolls around, which can create lots of stress. A Polaris parent (Dr. Grove) came in to talk to teachers earlier about stress awareness and gave out packets concerning stress. If you would like to learn more about it, please talk to your advisors and teachers, who also have the packet to refer to.

Sispillé is looking for articles and pictures to put in the student newsletter. If you have any, please submit them to Sispille members.

DECA open Monday and Wednesday mornings from 7:40-8:20 am. If you enjoy your nice hot cup of cocoa in the mornings, it will be conveniently available at our school.

Kathryn’s advisory-Earlier this year, Kathryn’s advisory planted a rosebush out in the playground area but over the winter, students have walked all over it. When playing outside, please make sure not to step on the rosebushes so when summer rolls around, our playground will look beautiful.

March is Youth Art Month and there will be the Annual District-wide Student
Art Exhibition. We will have nine of our amazing students representing
Polaris through their art at the Museum this year. They will be elementary
students, Ciara Brady, Olivia Kalish, Kellyn Mushovic, Francis Starling, and
secondary students, Jade Aldridge, Derrique Balauyut, Robin Halloran,
Christina Savioni, Garren Volper. There will be a free public reception on
Wednesday, March 19, 2008 from 6-8pm, with activities and entertainment and
lots of student art!!
Contact senior parent Tamara Sheffield at sheffieldfam@gci.net or 563-7418 to help with decorations & refreshments for graduation at 7 pm Mon May 19.

Be more informed. State funding for public education is a hot topic this Legislative session. Jeff Friedman, Polaris parent and Anchorage School Board member, sends timely and informative e-updates after each ASD Board meeting. Contact him at Friedman_Jeff@asdk12.org.

The next Parent Forum meeting will be held at 3:15 on Wednesday March 5th in the school library.

Please note the new time.

Submit any agenda items to Diana Ede - ouac@gci.net or Jeff Block - jevblock@alaska.net

Thanks to Costco on Dimond for their generous donation of pizza for our Battle of the Books (BOB) award celebration this past Friday.  Costco provided pizza for 25 BOB participants, coaches, and parents.  Everyone had a great time and it was nice to talk about BOB this year and plan for next year.

Audrey, Polaris Librarian

Our Battle of the Books teams worked very hard this year and given the new school schedule; they did a great job.  Their super sportsmanship and how they conducted themselves should be commended!  Everyone seemed to really have fun at the events and many are planning next year alreadyJ.  The outgoing H.S. team was very happy with their showing and came back happy after a long day of battling. 
 
Our participants were:
 
Team #37, 3^rd/4^th graders:  Joey Aist, Cassidy Burke, and Liza Vuckovich
Team #38, 3^rd/4^th graders:  Ryan Terry, Ciara Brady, and Mary Lil Ambler
Team #40, 5^th/6^th graders:  Alisa Aist, Aurora Newkirk, and Grace Denney
Team #41, 5^th/6^th graders:  Zoe Harris and Valyn LaMothe
M.S. Team:  Matthew Newkirk and Sam Ramirez
H.S. Team:  Jonathon Weinfurter, Nikki Navio, Sam Friedman, and Allison Ducker
 
I should also mention that Battle of the Books was done on a smaller scale with the K/1s and everyone was a winner.  They really enjoyed it!  The 2/3 were given a small demonstration about Battle of the Books, however, with 3^rd grade being the time to decide to do it formally, I left it to the students.  Second graders were encouraged to join next year. 
 
Our parent coaches this year were wonderful and without them we would not have been able to have practiced as much we did!  I would really like to thank Donna Newkirk, Jen Aist, Nancy Burke, Jennifer Adler, and Brenda Theyers.  They were very dedicated and did all they could to help our teams prepare and get to their city battles.  Thanks for all your help!!!
 

Audrey Charvat-Drew
Librarian
Polaris K-12
 

Join us at lunch in Joe’s room Tues Feb 19 to share some of Jamie Rodriguez’s early memories from the beginning of Polaris K-12 School in 1994. Refreshments.

Tours 8:30 am Wed Feb 20, Mar 5 and 19 prior to lottery deadline 3 pm on Mar 20.

Pennies for Patients total is $585 of our $3000 goal. Bring in your spare change during the month of February to make a difference for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Contact Nurse Patty at barker_patricia@asdk12.org. Ask about her adorable grandbabies!

Parents who can help create a quiet atmosphere in the halls April 1, 2, 3 or 4 mornings during statewide testing, contact Lori Bixel at 561-7514 or Smith_Kathryn@asdk12.org.

Read all about happenings around Polaris from the student perspective in the first edition of Sispillé. Congratulations to peer teachers who initiated the revival of the student newpaper/newsletter with the support of Teacher Joe!

Spirit Week continues with advisory colors Wednesday, Valentines/Cupids Thursday, and Girls in Pearls & Guys in Ties Friday.

“A Black & White Affair” Dance 7-11 pm Fri Feb 15 in the MPR for students in grades 6-12. Guests from other schools must be registered by lunchtime today in the office. Becky, Bill & Marion’s advisories are arranging for parent chaperones.

Mon Feb 18 is the Presidents’ Day holiday.

How did the penpal German exchange start?  Vaudeville? Shakespeare in 5/6?  Share early Polaris memories with Jamie Rodriguez in Joe’s at lunch Tues Feb 19. Refreshments will be provided through Parent Forum as we gather more oral history with the History Project.

Tours 8:30 am Wed Feb 20, Mar 5 and Mar 19. Complete applications are due in the office by 3 pm Th Mar 20 for the Spring Lottery.

Potential new students entering grades 4-12 and their families meet with a current teacher-student-parent team to learn more about the Polaris community. Contact Rodriguez_Jamie@asdk12.org or Hellings_Mike@asdk12.org to offer your assistance with interviews this spring.

“Masquerade Ball” Prom at the airport ARR Depot will be 8 pm-MN Sat April 19 for students in grades 9-12 and their guests. Tickets are on sale now.

Sign up to receive updates from our very own parent, Anchorage School Board member Jeff Friedman at Friedman_Jeff@asdk12.org. State funding for education and the ASD budget and capital improvement plan are being determined in the next few months.

The Polaris K-12 Spring 2008 Intensive Catalog is now available online in PDF format for your viewing and printing pleasure. Click below to view the file:
Spring 2008 Intensive Catalog

Advisory Board meets at 5:00 pm and Parent Forum at 6:30 pm on Wed Feb 6 in the Library. Come see a short powerpoint progress report on the Polaris History Project.

African intensive and Model UN students team up to present a movie afternoon 3:30 to 7:30 pm Fri Feb 8 in the MPR. Donations welcome. See posters for details.

Look for the Spring Intensive catalog posted here soon!

AK Commission on Postsecondary Education hosts College Goal Sunday 2-4 pm Feb 10 at Polaris to help seniors fill out the FASFA. Contact Michelle or Andrea at 269-7973.

Dress up for Spirit Week Feb 11-15: Twins Monday Sports Tuesday, advisory colors Wednesday, Valentines/Cupids Thursday, and Girls in Pearls & Guys in Ties Friday.

Calling all parent chaperones! The Black & White secondary dance 7-11 pm Fri Feb 15 in the MPR by Becky, Bill & Marion’s advisories and the Masquerade Ball prom at the airport ARR Depot 8 pm-MN Sat April 19 want you.

Quyana to Library Audrey Charvat-Drew on http://www.asdk12.org/recognition/archives/january.asp

Polarian Award congratulations to Genny Boots and Mark Lyke!

Just a quick reminder that there will be a meeting of the Parent Forum on Wednesday January 6th at 6:30 p.m. in the school library.

Please e-mail me if you have any agenda items that you would like to add
jevblock@alaska.net

Thanks - Jeff

Hello from the Polaris Prom Committee!
Prom is happening on Saturday, April 19 from 8pm-12am at the Bill Sheffield Train Depot and is open to grades 9-12.
Tickets go on sale February 4, $25 for a single, $40 for a couple. The theme is Masquerade Ball and I am sure it will be lots of fun!
However, Prom needs chaperones to make this event happen! Delicious food and drinks are provided, and the lovely location combined with the great music will make this a wonderful evening out! Shifts for chaperones are only 2 hours long, so you do not need to stay the entire night if you do not wish to do so. If you are interested in being a chaperone, please contact me (Meneka) at meneka.thiru@gmail.com or our supervisor Larry at Frick_Larry@asdk12.org. Thanks so much and I look forward to seeing you there!

Also note: Polar Palooza will not take place this Friday, however, another event is being planned. Stay tuned for further info.