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