Category Archives: General Announcements

Nurse News: Poisonings Among Children and Youth From Electronic Cigarettes and Vaping

I am continuously receiving new data regarding the hazards of e-cigarettes and vaping. This method is still relatively new and if one stops to think about how many years it took research to determine that smoking tobacco caused lung cancer. I have seen very recent stories on Chicago Med and New Amsterdam portraying youth in vaping incidents with lung injury and even death due to the chemicals used to vape. I realize it’s television, but I believe there is a lot of truth there. Below is some statistics regarding this hazard.
According to the Centers for Disease Control’s National Youth Tobacco Survey, in 2019, 5 million U.S. middle and high school students used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days, including 27.5 % of high school students and 10.5% of middle school students. These recent data show increases from 2018 when more than 3.6 million U.S. middle and high school students used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days, including 20.8% of high school students and 4.9 % of middle school students (Tobacco Product Use Among Middle and High School Students — United States, 2011-2018. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), February 2019). Electronic cigarettes are particularly unsafe for youth, young adults, pregnant women, or adults who do not currently use tobacco products. National attention has recently focused on vaping-related lung injury. As of November 20, 2019, 2,290 cases of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use- associated lung injury (EVALI) have been reported to CDC from 49 states (all except Alaska), D.C., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Forty-seven related deaths have been confirmed in 25 states and D.C. Other injury-related consequences of electronic cigarettes include acute nicotine exposure among children and youth caused by swallowing, breathing or absorbing e-cigarette liquid as well as fires and explosions caused by defective e-cigarette batteries, some of which have resulted in serious injuries.
Clinicians, school staff, coaches, parents and policy makers can all play a role in preventing the use of e-cigarettes among youth and young adults.

Dear Steller Community,

We would like to thank everyone who has already purchased a ticket to the Steller Auction on Friday, January 24 at 49th State Brewing Company, and remind those of you who haven’t that there is still time.

There are three steps:

  1. Go to the website at https://www.auctria.com/auction/steller and register your name and credit card.

  2. Buy a Ticket!

  3. Invite your friends and family to this fun event!

The Steller Auction is the single fundraiser for the school and all money raised supports Steller Secondary’s unique educational approach and commitment to foster the creation of independent, courageous people capable of dealing with the shifting complexities of the modern world. We all see how powerful this approach is in the growth of our own students.

We have planned an exciting night to help build community and raise money for the school.

Buffet style appetizers and desserts are included, and each ticket comes with one drink ticket for soda, beer or wine. Cash bar is also available.

5:30 Check in starts.  Silent Auction begins.

6:30 Fund-a-need for Intensives and Passages & Live Auction A

7:00 Fund-a-need for General Funds (ie Souper Steller, Band and other) & Live Auction B

7:30 Live Auction C

8:15 Check out starts

9:30 Event ends!

Please go to the Steller Parents Group Facebook page for previews of just some of the items that will be in the silent and live auctions!

We would also like to extend our thanks to all the members of the community that have generously donated to the auction. Without your generosity this event wouldn’t be possible.

Steller Auction Committee

stellerauctionchair@gmail.com

ATTENTION ALL PARENTS OF SENIORS!

Yearbook needs you!

We are making a “guess the senior” page for baby pictures and a Sevie to Senior page for pictures of their 7th grade photo to show their growth at Steller.

So we need EITHER a:

  • Baby picture

  • 7th grade photo

If any parents are interested please send photos to stelleryearbookstaff@gmail.com

 

Spring Break On-Stage at Perseverance Theatre

Greetings ASD Schools,

I write to you with an invitation from Perseverance Theatre — Alaska’s flagship regional theatre, based in Juneau and Anchorage. Perseverance is recruiting campers for our annual…

For students Ages 10-18. The camp will take place during Spring Break [Monday March 11 - Friday March 15 from 10am to 5pm with extended hours on Friday].

Participants can look forward to creating their very own works of theatre completely from scratch! Students will write, workshop, cast, design, and direct original, brand-new, world-premiere short plays culminating in a public performance on the final day of camp. Students will dive headfirst into the stage production process, crafting theatre from the ground up beneath the guidance of an industry professional and nationally certified theatre educator.

Attached you’ll find a camp flyer, an info packet, and a scholarship application in addition to ASD permission to post. Visit https://www.ptalaska.org/springbreakcamp/ to register online. Please forward this invitation to any prospective campers and families.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have.

Many thanks for your time and consideration,

Paul Ríos

Anchorage Education Associate, Perseverance Theatre
Performing Arts Educator, Anchorage School District
See Flyers

Steller Auction Tickets on Sale Now!

Tickets for the Annual Steller Auction are 
on sale now. 

This event is open to anyone who wants to support Steller Secondary School. Parents, grandparents, extended family and friends are welcome, as are Steller Staff and Alumni. Steller students are welcome to attend as well. Please keep in mind that alcohol will be served at this event and it is standing room only.

All money raised goes to fund projects proposed by Steller students and teachers, including:

  • Intensives and Passage (independent study) projects, including travel scholarships.

  • Souper Steller community lunch provided to all students and staff.

  • Community service outreach projects.

  • Additional student and teacher-proposed projects, equipment, and supplies throughout the school year as approved by the Steller Parent Group.

You can support the Steller Auction in a variety of ways:
1. Buy tickets and attend.
2. Donate tickets for Steller Staff to Attend.
3. Donate an item or a service for the Silent Auction by Friday, January 17.
4. Support your student’s advisory basket with a small item by Friday, January 17.
5. Volunteer your time to help at the event (4:30 to 9:30).
6. Donate directly to the Steller Parent Group.
 
We are looking forward to a fun evening to raise money for Steller Secondary!
Steller Auction Committee
Kari Hall
Tam Johannes
Kirsten Tschofen