TONIGHT!
Come one, come all to see the Steller Talent Show!
Thursday, 4/17. Show times:
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2pm for Students
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6pm for Families
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.
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
We love seeing what’s happening – send your photos to communicationspg2@gmail.com
Join us for the “Seussification of Romeo and Juliet” on November 18 at 6:30 pm on Zoom. Directed by peer teacher Taylor S, you’ll enjoy talented students, constant costume changes, and lots of laughs.
Join the Zoom link at 6:15 to make sure to appreciate the full performance at 6:30 pm.
See you there!
Submitted by Taylor and Becky
Steller Band Students Won the Command Performance
Xavier L on bassoon and Griffin L on French horn won the Command Performance Awards for 2021 Alaska State Solo/Ensemble Festival. Earning the honor is one of the most difficult tasks for high school musicians in state.
” I can’t find a way to express my feeling now for Xavier and Griffin”, said Mr. Toba, the band director. “Despite the fact we are under the pandemic, these highly motivated students did much more than they were expected. I am very, very proud of the boys.”
Because of the COVID, there will be no actual Command Performance, but Xavier and Griffin will receive certificates and pins.
Well done to both of you Xavier and Griffin! And thank you to Mr Toba for your dedication to our students.
Five high school students and four middle school students entered solo/ensemble adjudications. The results are utterly amazing:
High School
Middle School
The high school students who earned the superior ratings will advance to the ASAA State Solo/Ensemble Festival. It will be virtual.
This school year has been challenging for band, but I am so proud of these students who spent extra time preparing,” said Mr. Toba, the band director. “I would like to congratulate all of the students for their accomplishment. I wish the best of luck for state for state-bound students as well.
Nobuo Toba
Band Teacher
The UAA Wendy Williamson is empty in the hours leading up to the Model United Nations in 2018. The conference was held virtually this year (2021). (Photo by James Evans / UAA)
This month students from high schools and universities in Alaska and Washington participated in the 35th Model United Nations Conference hosted by the University of Alaska, Anchorage. Students from Steller represented four countries and participated in six committees.
A Model United Nations is a simulation of one or more of the bodies of the United Nations. High school students from around the world participate in MUN conferences at the local, national and international level. This year the topic selected at our local level was the COVID Pandemic.
Participating in MUN means representing a nation state and their positions on a specific topic on the world stage. Preparation often includes research about government, population, demographics, history and current policies in order to fairly represent your countries interests in the United Nations. This often culminates in the position paper, a brief essay describing your country’s history, policy and position on the theme of the conference. The decisions you make in MUN are based upon this paper. For me, one of the hardest things to do at MUN is adopting the mindset of your country’s government, and role playing as an official of that government – especially when I don’t personally agree with the policies of the country I am representing. My natural tendency is to want to give my own opinion about things. However, MUN is about fulfilling a role which isn’t your own, and working with others for the interest of your country and the global community.
I have learned a lot from participating in MUN conferences around the world – from learning about research skills, to crafting a resolution. But one of the most important things has been to see how all the rules and regulations in a big organization can be used effectively to get things done, and also how they can be misused and get in the way. I would recommend anyone should give MUN a try!
Eli P. Senior
Want to learn more about MUN? See here.
This quarter two middle school language arts drama classes performed plays from the Mechanicals and Fairies in Midsummer Night’s Dream. They developed a variety of techniques to make the work come to life on Zoom. They’re adorable, hard-working, and talented, and we’re proud of their successes! Becky
Well done to everyone involved!
Kirsten