There is a terrific opportunity for students in grades 3-10 to participate in a Spring Break Camp Internet.  Camp Internet is a great way for students to learn a variety of cutting-edge multimedia.  Students will produce a DVD, create a 3-D image, design their own animated creature, compose quality music, and participate in other amazing programs that will enhance learning while having fun.

The attached flyer has all of the information as well as cost and session times.  This is a first come, first served basis, so please pass this information on to your students.  Camp Internet Spring Break is sponsored by Kasuun PTA and Student Council.  We hope your students will enjoy this camp as much as other campers have in the past 15 years.

Click here for the complete information.

The TerraNova is a norm-referenced standardized achievement test that is part of the Alaska Comprehensive System of Student Achievement (CSSA).  The state requires the school districts to test grades 5 and 7. These grades will also participate in the statewide administration of the Standards-Based Assessment in April.

The TerraNova will be administered to students in grades 5 and 7 on February 3-4, 2009.  The dates schools can schedule make-up testing for the TerraNova are February 5-10.

The required sub-tests are timed and include reading, language, and mathematics. The TerraNova individual student results are reported in national percentile scores. The student’s achievement is compared with that of the national sample of students upon which the test was normed. By administering a norm-referenced test, we are able to gauge how our students in the Anchorage School District perform compared to students who were in the national norm group.

Each individual school will set their testing and make-up schedules. The combined length of the tests is 165 minutes with additional time required for test distribution and reading of directions.

Parents are asked to help by having their students rested and ready for testing on the testing days. Eating a nutritious breakfast is important. Please have your student to school on time and avoid scheduling appointments on the testing dates.

6:30 pm to 8:30 pm Thursday, February 19
ASD Education Center Atrium
5530 E. Northern Lights Blvd.

For gifted students transitioning to high school:
Gifted program at West, alternative schools, and other programs

For students looking ahead to high school and college opportunities:
Mentorships, International Baccalaureate program, Advanced Placement classes and more

For additional information, please call 742-3794.

This program was previously scheduled for another date, please make sure your calendar is correct.

To be administered the week of
February 9-13.

Our school is participating in the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) sponsored by the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development and the Department of Health and Social Services. The survey will gather information about the health risk behaviors of grades 9th through 12th grade students. The data collected will help the State and our school district to respond productively to the health and safety needs of our students.. The survey will be given during the week of February 9-13.

Thanks in advance for your participation.

Time is running out!  We have six people registered and paid for the APU American Short Stories class to receive both high school and college credit.  Two more have promised to register.  Friday is the deadline.  We must have ten students in order for the class to be held.  Please see Harlod and register for the class!

Click here for more information.

I hope that each of you had wonderful moments filled with sharing love, compassion and hope with family and friends during the recent holiday season.  We are once again in the process of beginning our Second Semester.  And, what a Second Semester it promises to be!

I am sure by now you all have read the RECESS proposal, if not you can view it here or pick up a copy in the office, and I am sure that you all have thousands of questions.  But, for now I’d like to focus on a couple components of RECESS. First is the APU College English course, “ The American Short Story”.  This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to have a college course delivered on our campus for both College and High School credit.  The course is an eleven-week offering and should prove to be very exciting.

Another aspect of RECESS is the offerings by VSA Out North Arts.  They will have someone in our school to actually work with students on writing and performing performance poetry.  This person, Faye Sikora, is also the proprietor of “Speak Easy” which is a venue for artists from around the United States and abroad to showcase their talents.  As part of Speak Easy being in the school Faye will bring these renowned performers to our school for our enjoyment pleasure.  In addition to Faye we will also have, at different times and dates, Allison Warden who is an Alaskan Native Story Teller, and Betsy Douds and actress of Film and Theatre who will share her talents with us.  In addition to being an actress Betsy is an English teacher and a certified yoga instructor.

I am very excited about this upcoming semester, it promises to be very exciting and challenging.

–Harlod

Jen, Natalie, and the 9th grade class are organizing the Steller Auction this year held on March 27th.  We could really use everyone’s support.  If you are able to secure a donation from a local business, or are able to donate an item or service, please contact Natalie or Jen.  If every parent were able to secure one donation, large or small, we would be in business.

Thank you for all of your support,
-The 9th Grade Class