Steller students have enrolled in the Bean’s Café Sandwich Module as part of the R.E.C.E.S.S. Program and plan to make 150 sandwiches in the Steller kitchen on Wednesday, February 11th at 12:40. The sandwiches are to be
donated to the Bean’s Café.

The Bean’s Café staff provide meals for homeless and low income individuals and families and are involved in many other charitable activities in Anchorage.

A bread store in Glenallen has donated and delivered 49 loaves of bread to Steller for this voluntary activity.

We still need the following items:

• Sandwich Meat
• Cheese
• Mayo
• Mustard
• Ketchup
• Sandwich Bags

Please bring donations to the Steller kitchen on Wednesday, February 11th. Your assistance in this community service activity will really be appreciated!

Toni

Another scholarship opportunity for the State of Alaska:

*   the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship
*   initial award of $1,500
*   scholarship is renewable for up to four years
*   must be original copies no copies or faxes
*   are due in the EED office by 4:30 p.m. April 2, 2009
*   you can get the application from Harlod or go to www:///eed.state.ak.us/forms/ and search for form 05-09-025.

Alaska Concert Association (ACA) recently held a Radio-Play Competition. A total of fifteen entries were submitted and three of those were from Steller. Yes, we have a winner!  One of our entries was selected to perform in the Sydney Laurence Theatre on Thursday, February 26th!  If they win the competition each would receive:
* tickets to ACA’s presentation of L.A. Theatreworks’ War of the Worlds and The Lost World on March 1, 2009.
* a night in the ACA’s Patron Lounge
* show memorabilia
* autographed posters
* a back stage tour
* among other prizes to be announced later

Remember, as a community based school,  we should all mark our calendars for February 26th at 7:30 and go support our own as they perform their Radio Play to the judges.  Audience support always sways the judges opinion of any performance.  Please join them on the 26th at Sydney Laurence Theatre.  If you do go, ACA suggests that you arrive early in that parking is limited.

Congratulations to our creative students!!

Call to Order 5:38

Welcome, Introductions, new items for discussion.

Some families are not receiving the Steller Flash.  What happened to the Steller Yeller?

No Principal’s report

No Op Group report

No Ad Board report

Staff Report.  Shannon informed the group that the TerraNova Testing will be done on March 3^rd & 4^th during 1^st and 2^nd periods.

Shannon reported that the staff of Steller is in favor of the RECESS Module. The students will be offered modules that include subjects such as; wild life, first aid, community service opportunities, and teen health and issues.  RECESS could be started by February 4^th.

The staff will be able to keep track of the students by having them sign in and sign out.  The staff will see to it that the module offerings will have “meat and variety.”

The motion to incorporate RECESS at Steller was passed at the All Community.  The Ad Board will discuss RECESS and vote on it at the next meeting.

A parent said that they would like to see more staff and students at the All Community Meetings. They would like to see the staff introduced.  Discussion about how important the All Community Meetings are at Steller continued.   Suggestions were given to encourage attendance at the All Community Meetings such as:  Potluck meals, a cake off, door prizes,  itune cards and improving how the meetings are run.

Intensives:  Posters that advertise Intensive suggestions will be placed in the hallways for students to look over and sign if they think they would be interested.  The Principal and the ASD Risk Management will then review the Intensive proposal and approve or deny it. If it is approved, the Intensive will be available for students to sign up.

Tenure:  The Principal observes the new teacher for 3 years to assess them. The tenured staff members at Steller have met as a group to create a cohesive SDL grading rubric and complete packet. This type of product is something that teachers can put forward as an alternative assessment product that the principal can assess to determine teacher proficiency, rather than formal observations.

Treasurers Report:  We have $9,169.59 in the checking account.   88 families have donated $6,460.00   E-Script proceeds thru today come to $1,145.76.  November and December E-Script income totaled $405.90 so efforts to sign people up have really helped.  Raffle proceeds are $1,140.  114 tickets were sold.  Thanks to all who sold tickets

There was discussion about the Parent Group funding students who cannot afford special classes offered at Steller.  There is a scholarship fund but few people know how to access the money.  There is currently a committee of 3 staff members that review applications for scholarships.  The money is distributed on financial need, how many apply and academic standing.  A parent stated that the financial need application was too intrusive.  There is a balance about $12,000 in scholarship fund that is available to students in need. The parent suggested the Parent Group take a look at the formula for scholarship grants to make it more accessible to students.

Funding request from Jennifer and Nina for $352. This is a reimbursement for wool hats purchased at Presidential Inauguration. A motion was made to reimburse Nina and Jennifer $352.  Motion was seconded.  All in favor.  Motion was passed.

Funding request for $45 to make 2’x3’ posters of the new Steller Mission Statement and The new Steller Values Statement.   A motion was made to amend the request to $100 for colors to be added.  Motion seconded.  All in favor.  Motion passed

Old and Ongoing Business.

Kitchen remodel update:  The student has submitted a grant to Lowes and Home Depot for $25,000 each.  The Parent Group has approved in the past a matching fund for the kitchen project for up to $1,000.

RECESS.  Has been discussed earlier in the meeting.  It was added that the largest resistance is from the students at this time.

Bylaws:   The By-Laws have been changed so that any parent present at an Ad Board meeting can represent and vote in place of an absent Ad Board member.  Rochelle will be working on the wording for Parent Liaison.

New Business:

Canoe Raffle.  There has been $400 raised so far for the canoe raffle.  The goal is to raise over $3,000.

College Planning Resources: Paula DeLaiarro is available to the Steller community to help students with their college selection.

Alternative Fair:  Saturday February 24^th is the Alternative Education Fair.  Volunteers are needed.

Open House: Steller Open House will be February 10^th.  Parent and student volunteers are needed.

Auction:  The Steller Auction is scheduled for March 27^th.  Donations and volunteers are desperately needed.  Please Help

Meeting Adjourned: 7:12

Next Meeting February 18^th in Ken’s room at 5:30 pm

This time it is the GILLAM FOUNDATION.   This is a local foundation funded by Robert Gillam whos son graduated from Dimond High a few years back.

This is the link for the scholarship.
www.gillamfoundation.org

When you get to the site click on “Download Application”

Due to the books not being ordered until so late, the first class will be on Monday Feb 9th in Michelle’s room.  Also, Gina [APU instructor] will be here on the 4th for those students taking the class to stop by the office and meet her.  She will be here at 1pm on Feb 4th.

This beautifully hand-crafted quilt was designed and created by students at Steller during Winter Intensive.   This lovely quilt is on display in the front office and is now being auctioned off through a silent auction for charity.  The proceeds will go toward creating warm children’s blankets for the pediatric unit at Providence Hospital.  All you have to do is print your name, number, and donation on the form in the office.  The highest bidder by the deadline wins the prize. The form and quilt can be located on the display case inside the office.

It will also be available for viewing prior to the Talent Show on Thursday.
Don’t miss out on this great opportunity.
The auction will end February 13th.

Gladys Wood PTO is offering computer iCamp at Gladys Wood.  The cost is $100 per session.  There is a morning and an afternoon session.  It is open 3rd through 8th graders.  Each session begins on Monday, March 9th and ends on Friday, March 13th.  Please see the attached flyer for more information.

There is the possibility of a trip to Germany this summer if there are enough interested participants.  If you are interested in visiting Bad Windsheim, and other areas of Germany, meeting local people, celebrating the 300th birthday of Steller, please contact Suzanne Egan, at 563-6763, or send an email to goobers@alaska.net.  The trip is expected to cost approximately $2500-3000.  Bad Windsheim looks like a lovely city and the people seem eager for us to visit.