Category Archives: General Announcements

Reminder: Steller Open House Today

Steller Secondary Open House is on Wednesday the 21st starting at 6:00pm.

Five reasons you should attend tonight’s open house:

  1. See the “classroom”.  It seems obvious, but we sometimes forget that our students are spending a considerable portion of their day in this online space.  This is your chance to learn about the platforms their teachers are using.
  2. Learn about work expectations. The new quarter system means that classes are moving quickly, and there is little time to catch up.  Find out how much work your student should be doing each night so you can support them.
  3. Hear it from the source. By the time our students relay information to us, something may have gotten lost in translation. 
  4. Network. Meet other parents, and meet the parents of your student’s friends. Just like our kids, it does help to have a buddy; someone we can call with a question about the project due on Monday or help with a tech question.
  5. Respect.  Attending Open House shows you respect your child’s teacher, value your child’s education, and put school at the top of the priority list. Having said that, it’s not possible for all parents to attend, and that’s ok. 

Tami has send an email with the zoom link from each teacher. To participate log into your student’s advisory zoom link at 6:00. You will then log into each of your student’s three classes via zoom. 

Adapted from “Five Reasons You Should Attend Back-to-School Night” by Wendy Kenner

October Calendar

Don’t forget to make note of the following dates in your calendar.


The Second Quarter starts Monday, October 19, 2020. Congratulations to all Students, staff and families for facing this huge challenge.  There are many stories of success to be celebrated, and a whole new quarter to grow for those who struggled.  

The Open House on Wednesday the 21st starting at 6:00pm. This is your chance to meet your student’s teachers, find out about their routines and expectations, learn about how they use canvas, and ask questions. Spending this time is an important way to help your student succeed during these particularly challenging times. It would be a real show of support to our students and teachers if every family made an effort to attend this time. 

Tami has send an email with the zoom link from each teacher. To participate log into your student’s advisory zoom link at 6:00. You will then log into each of your student’s three classes via zoom. 

Materials drop off and pick up will be Wednesday the 21st from noon to 6:00pm.  If your child has materials from this quarter that need to be returned to school please ensure you do so.  Second quarter teachers will have also informed all students if they need materials before Wednesday as well. 

Parent-student-teacher conference this quarter are by appointment only. Steller teachers are always very happy to speak with students and parents through out the term, and at conferences. But this year they have lots on their plate. One way we can support our teachers, and students that may be struggling, is to *not* book a conference unless you have a particular concern. Teachers will use this extra time to focus on supporting students that need it.

Finally,  can’t we all use some days off! Happy October!

Status Update

Dear Parents and Students,

Welcome to spring break 2.0… well, not really.  We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through this unprecedented situation.  The School District Administration has been in high action, working through new processes and the necessary supports to continue the education of your children.

In the next few days Advisors will be in contact with you with a School Closure Needs Assessment Survey to gather information from contacts to online availability.

Steller will be open to pick up necessary items (needed in the next two weeks) Wednesday and Thursday from 10 am- 1 pm.  Friday pickup will be by appointment only (742-4950). Please check into the office to be escorted to the room for your belongings.

For the next two weeks, you will be receiving emails from your teachers with directions and links as to how to access supplemental learning materials for each class.  This work will not be graded, but you are encouraged to do it to keep your skills strong, keep your curiosity piqued, and your study skills fresh.  

Many teachers will be using Google Classroom or Canvas – both of which can be accessed from the ASD website https://www.asdk12.org/domain/1758 –  as a platform to provide learning materials.  It would be helpful to play around with these platforms, and ask questions when you can’t figure them out because, in the case that schools continue to be closed, these platforms are likely how teachers will deliver lessons in the future.

Teachers are available to help answer questions, connect you to more supplemental materials, and be a resource.  Please contact us through email or calls to the office.

In addition, please look for important information by Marianne (counseling/testing) and Annette (nursing/health) posted on The Steller Flash.

We hope you and your family are well, and we look forward to seeing you in person soon.

Sincerely,
The Steller Staff

Note from the school counselor

Parents and students,
 
I have attached a parent handout from the National Association of School Psychologists with suggestion on how to communicate to your children about the Coronavirus. The situation we are experiencing may trigger anxiety in children and this is a time when everyone need a little extra TLC. COVID-19 Parent Handout.pdf
 
Many of our juniors plan to take the SAT and ACT this spring. Please check College Board and ACT websites for updates. SAT has canceled the May test date so they expect the available seats at the June test date to fill quickly. Please sign up as soon as possible if you plan to take the SAT this spring. There is another test date in August, but I recommend that is your backup date in case you want to retake the test.
 
If you are looking for something educational and interesting to do online as a family, what about visiting a museum online? Check out the link below.
 
 
Please let me know if you have any questions or if I can provide any support to your family. You can send me an email or leave a message on my phone if I am not in my office.
 
Stay safe. 
~ Marianne

 

Nurse News: COVID-19 update 3-13-20

Dear Steller Community,

I realize there has been a lot of information going around about the Coronavirus, but I also wanted to update you all.

The District continues to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 in Alaska. As of today, there has been one confirmed case in Anchorage. We have carefully considered the risk and impact in the event additional cases are identified in the coming days, and we believe it is our responsibility to take preventative steps in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19. In response to this concern, the District has decided to extend spring break for students through next week. Our goal with this action is to flatten the curve of additional cases within schools and, by extension, within the community, with the ultimate goal to resume regular operations in the District as soon as possible.

Although students will not return to school next week, ASD employees will report to work in order to plan and develop distance learning plans for students until they are able to return to their schools.

If you are sick, stay home. For those of you who traveled to any area identified by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as Level 3, (https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/warning/coronavirus-europe); (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/after-travel-precautions.html)
the CDC’s direction is to stay home for a period of 14 days after returning to the United States. Do not go to work during this 14-day period.

Please continue to follow best practices to avoid the spread of COVID-19, (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/protect/index.html).
It is recommended that group gatherings be limited consistent with CDC guidelines for response during a flu pandemic. CDC information for People at Risk for Serious Illness from COVID-19 is a reliable resource for information.

Annette Johansen, M.Ed., BSN, RN, NCSN
Steller Secondary School Nurse
2508 Blueberry Road
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: 742-4963 Fax: 742-4966
Office hours: M-F 0730-1500

Happiness intensive

Happiness intensive seeks individuals experienced in mindfulness and/or yoga.  Danielle and Ashley will be teaching an intensive about happiness.  One of the areas we will explore is mindfulness.  If you have any experience in teaching mindfulness or leading exercises in mindfulness or yoga, we’d love your expertise.  Please contact Ashley if you’re interested in contributing to our intensive: vanhemert_ashley@asdk12.org