Hello to the Steller Community;

As I walk through the halls of Steller on my days that I come to be a sub (TA) or help out, I can’t stop to think of how my years at the school were so rewarding.  I look about the school with a different outlook that all the students, staff and parents have given me over the years. What a wonderful feeling it is to know that I was a part of something much bigger than just a building with children in it. Adults teaching basic math or reading. It was a community of learners, staff that taught of different ways of thinking and parents that were willing to go the extra mile to make the whole school run.

There have been many changes over the years and as with any changes some were good and some that were not so good but always Steller kept plugging away, always striving and evolving to make it better for the students that walked the halls. This is what in my mind made Steller unique and a step above all other schools that I had been at.  I always came to work and did what I thought was my job, to support the teachers and administration to the best of my ability.  If I could make it easier on them then they would have more time to teach these wonderful ideas and young minds the philosophy that is Steller’s own. Never really thinking that what I did made a huge difference but knowing deep down that I helped in shaping the youth of Anchorage in small ways I kept going.

This all changed on January 29th, the day I retired and I walked into the MPR and saw all the students with staff and parents standing and clapping and cheering. Receiving emails after emails from former students and staff and realizing that the difference I had made was bigger than I had ever thought. Reading those messages and that 10 minutes in the MPR looking into the faces of everyone I suddenly became aware of how I have touched so many and how the whole community has touched me.

I want to thank you all for all the wonderful years. The  Staff and Administration of the school for letting me spread my wings and allowing me to do more than a normal BPO would do and the thoughtful gifts and mementos that you presented me. To the parents thank you for all the support that you have given me in those extra tasks I undertook and the wonderful lunch. To the students, who are the essence of the school. Thanks for listening to me as I lectured you on the rights and wrongs of things. To let me talk about the passion of history, the world, stocks, sports, respecting of each other and the school. Thank you for those wonderful signed books, hockey stick and letters and the best of all just being yourselves and all the kindness and respect you gave me.

You all are the best,

Eugene

Chaperone Needed for this Friday’s Valentine’s Dance!
One more chaperone is needed for the 9 -11 pm shift at the Valentine’s Dance this Friday, February 12th. Please email Danielle or Jen if you can help out.
(Sjoden_Danielle@asdk12.org; Strauss_Jennifer@asdk12.org)

Unfortunately, the American Red Cross of Alaska’s donation link is not able to be linked to; however, you can still access that page online via the American Red Cross of Alaska website www.alaska.redcross.org, and by clicking on “Donate.” Please be sure to write Steller and your student’ name in the “remember someone special” box.  This will be the only way we will know it is from Steller and for which Advisory Group.  Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused.

As a reminder, donations will be accepted in any form: spare change, cash, check, or made online @ via the American Red Cross website.  Checks should be made out to the American Red Cross of Alaska.

I can’t thank all of you enough for the donations we have collect already.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me via email williams_wendy@asdk12.org or at 742-4963.

Nurse Wendy

Ole Steller Yeller has been mailed to families who requested a paper copy. If you would like to download and read it in the paper copy format click here. All articles have either been posted on the Steller Flash website or will be in the next few days for those who prefer to read them from their e-mail updates.

If you are anything like I am, one of the things you did over the break in abundance was eat.  Turkey, ham, yams, pies of all types etc… were consumed to the point of bursting.  It was also a time for grandmas, grandpas, family, and friends to experiment with different concoctions that are lauded as “mm-mm good!”  For example, a mixture of pineapple cubes, melon balls, and a dash of vanilla all combined with sparkling water was supposed to be “to-die-for”.  And I almost did, trying to drink the delicacy while keeping a straight face!

The house was alive with the sounds of little feet running around and, yes, sometimes falling down.  But, it was all in good fun and as soon as the “boo-boo” was patted, blown on, or kissed they were right back at it, giggling and screaming as though nothing ever happened.  I never knew such small throats could produce such loud, penetrating sounds!  However, I don’t think there is a more beautiful sounds than the laughter and screams of a small child having fun.

It is also very curious how moms and dads all over rush out to buy wonderful things for their young ones thinking all the while that “He is going to really love this!” or “She will be so happy to get this!” only to discover the truth.  What is the truth? Two-year olds would rather play with the paper and the styrofoam packing materials than their new toy!  I think next year I will buy large quantities of brightly colored paper, ball it all up, stick it all in a large bag, and give it to my son.

My daughter acted as if she was in a competition to see how many presents she could open in the least amount of time.  As soon as she unwrapped one she was on to the next and the item was cast aside never having been played with. Then she tried to take my son’s presents and open his.  When asked why, she said that it is ok because she was “only trying to help”.

We wanted her to begin taking piano lessons this year.  Some of you may be able to relate to this.  Not having a piano, my wife and I began looking for one.  We got one from Costco.  Although it is not a Grande and does not fill up the entire room, it is pretty big, taking up a third of one of the downstairs playroom walls.  I told her that someone had brought her a very special gift and it was downstairs.  Keep in mind she had been unwrapping brightly colored packages for the last 15 minutes.  We went downstairs and she looked around for presents, walking past and nearly bumping into the piano. She did not see the large black item against the east wall of our downstairs playroom!  Neither my wife nor I said anything while my daughter asked, “Where is the present daddy?”  In the meantime my little boy spotted it right away and rushed over. He climbed onto the stool and began to play the favorite tune of all two-year olds, “The Ode to a Little Kid”.  Then my daughter said, “Oh, whose piano is that?” We just smiled…

Having had very little as a child, I am aware that I spoil my little ones and I know that experts say that I shouldn’t do that.  However, I know for a fact that you are only young once and for a very short time at that.  So, I intend for their childhoods to be the best of times for as long as I am able to make it so.