Category Archives: General Announcements

Fall 2023 In Review

A message from our Principal:

I hope that you are all staying safe, healthy, and warm these days.  As you are all aware the end of 1st semester is very near – December 21st.  This is my favorite letter to write every year because I get to talk about and reflect on all the amazing things that your children have accomplished this semester.   

  • A successful, student-run Activity Day – bringing back traditions 
  • 10 students opened and are operating the Temple of the Bean – TOB has been growing every year. 
  • 30 students took the PSAT this year – the largest number of participants in a while. 
  • 1 student participated in the World Tetris Tournament in Portland, OR. 
  • 1 student was Region Champion in the 500 Freestyle race. 
  • 37 students worked on Passages this semester, many included volunteer hours in our community. 
  • 2 successful student-run dances this semester. 
  • 2 Band and Orchestra concerts this semester. 
  • 1 JV Volleyball student was asked to play Varsity, placed 4th in the state and traveled to Florida to represent ASD. 
  • 5 alumni students came back to teach our students about Band, Outdoor Survival, and Financial Independence.
  • 5 students attended the Women in Education Leading & Learning conference.
     
  • 1 student got 15th finisher at Boys Varsity X-Country Regions IV that qualified him to run at the State meet. 
  • All 15 seniors are on track to graduate. 
  • 2 students participating in Alaska Youth Court. 
  • 1 student received a bronze medal for the President’s Volunteer Service Award by AmeriCorps. 
  • 1 student got accepted into the Anchorage Fire Explorers. 
  • 1 student was asked to be the MC for the Indigenous Fashion Show. 
  • 1 student was a dancer in the Nutcracker at the PAC. 
  • 3 students made it to state swimming competitions. 
  • 1 student earned the King Tech Student of the Semester for AK Farm and Food. 
  • Students in collaboration with SPG ran a successful fundraiser “Steller Cups for Kids”. 
  • 1 High School and 1 Middle School Battle of the Books teams going strong.
  • First successful International Travel Intensive in years – 21 students and 3 chaperones have made it to Vietnam.

Please keep in mind this is by no means an exhaustive list.  I am also so impressed by the amount of talent we have in our community.  Our students have worked very hard to make this semester spectacular.  So, please don’t forget to congratulate our young people, they are truly amazing.    

 

Our Steller staff has also been working hard at ensuring your children are getting the support they need.  Our staff has been busy, doing professional development around the major ASD initiatives:  6th grade to Middle School, Professional Learning Communities, and College & Career, Life Ready; Scheduling for a robust academic experience, Math & Reading assessments, intensives, etc. all while ensuring that we hold high academic standards for all our students.   

 

We thank our community for all your support, as you have also participated in helping us make decisions and move our school forward this semester and next school year.  As a community, we have come together to finish our first semester strong and support your children’s learning.  I hope this holiday season allows you time to gather with your friends and families.  Those that don’t celebrate the holidays I hope you also find time to share with your community and celebrate our wonderful winter months.  Please remember to be safe while you celebrate and gather and be ready to start our second semester strong with all our students healthy, safe, and ready to learn.  Wishing everyone a wonderful start to the winter holiday season.  Thank you for all your support. 

 

Sincerely, 

Maria Hernandez 
Proud Principal of Steller Secondary  

Winter Recreation Equipment and Volunteers Needed!

Greetings from Troy and Brian!

Troy and I both want to get more students out enjoying the winter recreation opportunities with skiing and snowshoeing, so we are brainstorming possibilities for 7th hour, intensives and future outdoor recreation PE classes. We are planning to groom Steller Field again this year, and are looking for both parent volunteers and equipment donations. 

If you have winter gear taking up room in your garages we are in need of more boots and skis (classic and skate) to be able to fit more students, we are happy to take them. 

Please contact Brian at gehring_brian@asdk12.org if you have donations and/or would be willing to supervise/teach/ski during 7th hour next semester. 

From Brian and Troy

 

Dates to Remember

Passage Share

Thursday, November 30, 5:00 – 6:00PM

We invite all our Steller parents and community members to join us for Passage Share on Thursday November 30, to see what our students have been working on during the school semester. Students are encouraged to get to the building at least 15 minutes early in order to set up their posters and displays as needed.

Winter Concert

Thursday, November 30 6:30 – 8:00PM

After the Passage Share, we encourage everyone to stay for our Band and Orchestra’s concert! The Band and Orchestra students have been working hard on their arrangements, and seeing everyone come out is a great encouragement!

SPG 

Tuesday, December 12 6:00 to 7:30PM

All are welcome to join our end of year SPG meeting, in person or online. 

Visit here for agenda and November Meeting Minutes. 

Winter Dance Chaperones

Needed – Winter Dance Chaperones!

Friday, December 1, 7:00 – 11:00pm

We are currently in need of at more chaperones for the Winter Dance on Friday, December 1, especially for the later shift of 9:00-11:00pm. Without chaperones, we can’t have a dance, so we appreciate anyone who can come! If you have completed a Volunteer Application, and have availability, you can register as a chaperone at the link below!

Winter Dance Chaperones: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfbw0Lz-wrl6eEf_fmku0m82tbDOnirFbJGijgdylu_eB3Xkw/viewform?usp=sf_link

Trivia Night Postponed to New Year!

Greetings Steller Community!

Between slow ticket sales, and poor weather this week, the Junior Class and SPG have decided to postpone the Quiz Night. We will choose a new date in the New Year and hope to see everyone then! If you have bought tickets we will reach out to you shortly to discuss. 

Sincerely,

Kirsten (Steller Parent Group)

Junior Class

SPG Monthly Meeting Tuesday

Mark your calendars now and join un on Tuesday the 14th.

Agenda:

  • Future of Steller Vote Results and Next Steps 
  • Requests for funding – Rock Climbing
  • Recruitment for 2024/2024 Board and Committee
  • SPG Bylaw Review
  • Staff Appreciation

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81880952031?pwd=bVdaaEJQbzU5bGo5VXU1QnE5eU8wUT09 Meeting ID: 818 8095 2031 Passcode: 793010

See here for Agenda and October Meeting Minutes. 

Join us!

Do you want to get to know more Steller parents & guardians? Are you thinking about how you can get more involved in the Steller community? Just looking for a night out? 

Steller Parent Group is a great way, and it doesn’t have to mean hours of commitment.

Join the leadership team on Thursday, November 9 for a casual dinner (location TBA). Get to know the team (we are super friendly!), learn more about SPG, and review requests for funding before the general meting on the 14th. 

RSVP to chairspg2@gmail.com