Author Archives: Sarah Burke

SPG still accepting C4K donations!

Steller families, SPG will be accepting C4K donations through the 2025/2026 school year. If you haven’t already (or if you have but are still feeling generous), donate now! We have already made it to 62% of our $16,000 goal! Your donations are what help SPG continue to fund fall/spring intensives, staff lunches, school activities, the annual back-to-school bbq, and so much more. We  truly cannot do it without YOU! You can use this link to donate.

 

Fundraising Meeting 10/22/25

Steller community, are you interested in participating in fundraising activities with other Steller families?

Please join us for the first SPG Fundraising Committee meeting of the 2025/2026 school year. 

Minimal to more involved opportunities available. 

Wednesday 10/22/25, 6-7 pm at Kaladi Brothers Cafe on West Northern Lights (1340 W. Northern Lights)

We would love to see you there!

 

Band News

A Record Number of Students Will Represent Steller Community for All-State
 
Each year, the Alaska School Activities Association (ASAA) sponsors the All-State Music Festival for high school band, choir, and orchestra students.  Participation requires rigorous and highly competitive auditions.  Attaining regular chairs or even a spot on the alternate list is the pinnacle of high school musicians.  Six students for Steller Band auditioned for this year’s All-State Band.
 
The audition results for the 2025 ASAA All-State Band were released last weekend.  All of the Steller Band students did exceptionally well: Five students are accepted; one student is placed on the alternate list. The students on the alternate list are in “on call” status.  If spots become available, the students will be called up. 
 
These highly accomplished students for Steller Band are:
 
Charlie Banning, trumpet – alternate
Liam Kraft, trumpet
Josephine Leonard, French horn
Marley McDonagh, flute
Zoe McDonagh, French horn
Remiel Porter, percussion
 
“These students put a lot of effort into the auditions.  When I learned that six of our band students made either the regular chairs or the alternate list, I was over the moon.  I am still doing the Happy Dance now”, said Mr. Toba, the band teacher.  “The number of students is, to my best of knowledge, the most in our school history.  Steller will be well-represented for All-State in November.  I cannot be prouder of these highly accomplished band students.”
 
The 2025 All-State Music Festival will be from Thursday, November 20, through Saturday, the 22nd, at Betty Davis East High School.  The gala concert will take place in the Saturday evening at West High School Auditorium, starting at 6 p.m.  The public is invited.
 

HELP WANTED

Good morning! Steller has two upcoming events that could use your help to ensure their success. 

First, we have the Steller homecoming dance on Friday, September 26th. We need a few parents to chaperone this event. Please click the link here.

Second, we have our Cups 4 Kids event on October 7th, 8th and 9th. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and the proceeds from this event help SPG help the Steller community. You can find out how to volunteer here. 

Fall and Spring staff appreciation lunches

                          Helper(s) NEEDED!

 

 Steller families, we need an amazing person…or two or three…that will happily take on the task of organizing lunch for our Steller staff in the fall and the Spring. We tentatively have the Fall date set for October 23rd and we are considering a date during the week of April 6th or the week of April 20th for the spring. 

SPG has approved $800 for each lunch, totaling $1600. We  need someone that would be willing to make some calls to our local restaurants to find the best cost. We also have vegetarian and vegan and gluten-free staff members, so the restaurant would need to meet those dietary needs. You would also need to factor in whether the restaurant will deliver to the school, or if you’ll also need to organize ensuring the food is picked up and brought to the school. Your tasks will also include setting the food up and clearing everything after the lunch has taken place.

If you would like to volunteer and want more information about handling the staff appreciation lunches, please email us at stellerparentgroup@gmail.com.