As part of R.E.C.E.S.S. ADT Dance Co. is offering a Latin dance class. The total cost is $100 which will be split between the participants. If we have 20 people sign up the cost per person is $5. The classes are flexible, meaning that they can teach any dance style. If we have a large number of interested students we can offer a second class. The Latin one is an hour long and we could have another class right after. The minimum number of people per class is 10. ADT is also willing to design a class for parents and teachers if there is interest. Please see Harlod for more information
Champ Tae Kwon Do
“The family that kicks together, sticks together†~Master Yu~
As part of RECESS Champ Tae kwon do Academy has agreed to teach a beginning class. This class will run for a six-week period. If at that time we have more interest Master Yu will offer a second section. The cost of this six-week class is $30 per student which is an amazing offer for this type of class. The minimum number of participants needed to make this class work is 10.
Master Yu is also wants to hold a class for parents and staff as well. The cost is the same $30 for a six-week class. In the spirit of making Steller a true Family/Community school this seems like a perfect way for all of us to utilize Steller for our benefit. It is our hope that everyone will value the uniqueness and importance of what we have. What better way to show our children how important Steller is to the community than for our parents to also “GO TO SCHOOLâ€.
Master Yu sends this work of assurance, “Our team of trained, enthusiastic and caring certified instructors are dedicated to giving your children the most professional, well-supervised, and highest-quality classes available! Welcome to Champ Tae kwon do Academy at Stellerâ€!
Why Attendance Is Important?
Every student should attend every class every day. Regular attendance and promptness are expected in all classes and are essential for success in school. Learning to participate in group discussions, developing an appreciation for the views and abilities of other students, and forming the habit of regular attendance are legitimate objectives of any course. “Learning†which is lost due to absence can never be adequately replaced. Since regular attendance is one of the greatest single factors contributing to successful schoolwork, the first obligation of a student is to attend school regularly.
We know that good attendance is important for success at middle level and high school. We have also seen a correlation between attendance and performance on standardized tests and assessments. Additionally, good attendance is one of the life skills that will help students be successful in future education endeavors and in the job market. Let us instill in our children that good attendance is important. Show them that you are interested in their school activities and want them to do well in school. Support your child’s education. Steller offers exceptional learning opportunities every day we are in session. Help your child be at school, in classes working hard all day, every day!
Make sure they get enough sleep so that they are well rested in the morning. Talk with your child about his or her assignments. Establish a specific time and place for homework to be completed. Check homework for accuracy. Help your child create a special folder for finished assignments this will help them overcome some of the obstacles to regular attendance such as embarrassment for not having completed assignments.
Parents have the right to make the decision concerning school attendance for their children. As parents, you also have the most influence on your child’s behavior. However, when parents and the school work together, we can have the maximum influence on student attendance.
Scholarship Opportunity
Sodexo Foundation is currently accepting applications for its STOP Hunger Scholarship program – giving $5,000 scholarships to students in K – grad school who are fighting hunger in their community. If you know of someone doing great things to fight hunger, encourage them to apply between Jan. 1 and Feb. 27. In addition, the Sodexo Foundation is providing a matching $5,000 grant to the winners’ designated charity. Visit www.SodexoFoundation.org to learn more. Access key: SDXF is needed to submit an application.
Steller Receives Award
We have been awarded the Bronze Medal from USA News’ Best High Schools in American second annual list of America’s best High Schools.
Please read the letter. Click here.
Harlod
Counselor’s Corner: Spotlight on Student Volunteers


Steller Student Volunteers Shine Through the Day and Night!
Steller Secondary School students worked hard during their free time this holiday season to bring sunshine and hope into the lives of others, and had heaps of holiday fun while doing it!
Title Wave, Steller’s school business partner, continued to give Steller priority during the entire holiday season on the gift wrapping station located at the front of their flagship Northern Lights store. Title Wave provided the wrapping paper, tape, table, and periodic public address announcements free to Steller students, chaperones and staff. Steller volunteers provided cheerful and creative wrapping skills and a jar for gratuities to earn tips for charities, clubs and activities. Parent Paula DeLaiarro commented, “The folks at Title wave are always terrific!  I’ve been doing wrapping there for various Steller groups for a couple of years now and always enjoy my time.  The table is set up and supplied with everything we need when we arrive and the staff makes timely announcements about our group’s wrapping service.  It’s a well-run, stress-free operation.  Their willingness to welcome fund raising groups is a win-win deal for all!†Continue reading
Re: All-Community Meetings
Twice a year Steller holds an All Community Meeting. These meetings are to conduct important business relating to the education of students at our school. They are also often a time to get to know one another. All Community Meetings are just that – meetings for the entire school community. Attendance of students, parents and staff are what make these meetings worth our participation.
On January 12th the 2nd All Community Meeting of the year was held. There was very light attendance of students. Parents made up the bulk of the group. I am wondering what happened to the All Community Meetings of 5 years ago when my daughter was a 7th grader? Teachers gave students a night off of homework to encourage their participation. Most all of the staff would attend and they would take up 2 complete rows in the room. To kick off the meeting, staff would introduce themselves and parents who hadn’t been in yet to meet their student’s teachers could put a face with a name.
I’m wondering what it would take to get all of Steller’s staff, at least one adult from each student’s family and most all of the students to these 2 meetings a year? Is it really asking too much to request we all participate in 2 meetings a year?
I’m hoping that by raising awareness, we can increase participation. Perhaps there was a communication breakdown for this meeting. In any case, I urge each member of the Steller community to examine his/her reasons for not attending and consider making this event a priority for your family. More voices, representative of the school community, can only serve to make us richer in our dialogue and decision making.
Submitted by Cheryl Childers, Steller parent
Nurse’s Notes January 2009
Health Screening
Just a reminder, all 7th, 10th, and new-to-district students are completing health screening. Health screening includes vision, hearing, height, and weight. If your student fails any portion of the screening, a referral for follow up will be mailed home. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me @ 742-4963.
Cold Weather
The New Year seems to have ushered in colder than normal temperatures and what feels like endless days/weeks of double digit below zero temperatures. These freezing temperatures also put at us risk for cold weather injuries and related woes. Education regarding prevention, identification, and treatment of frostbite and hypothermia are important for all of us trying to stay warm while living in Alaska.
Frostbite occurs when skin and underlying tissue freezes. Continue reading
HELP US FILL THE AGENCY ROOM!
FYI…For all those AG’s who help volunteer at the food bank (or those who were thinking about starting). The food bank is in need of donations.
Wendy
As you know, we just finished feeding more people at Thanksgiving Blessing and Neighborhood GIFT than ever before.
Compounding the fact that the need is greater is that food is becoming more valuable (i.e. more expensive) and FBA is having to purchase more food than ever before. You may not know that 50% of our food comes from local donations. Food drives account for less than 5% of the food we distribute, and it’s looking like it’s going to be a brutal winter.
As the holidays close, I am hoping you will visit our web site and make a contribution to help us fill our pantry for the hard months ahead. Thank you. And thank you for believing, as we do, that no one deserves to be hungry.
Susannah Morgan
Executive Director
Spread the word and help us fight hunger in Alaska! Please forward this request to those you think might also want to help
Food Bank of Alaska
2121 Spar Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99501
907-272-3663
Food Recall Announcement
WHAT PRODUCT: All things containing Peanut butter “paste” Â cookies, crackers, ice cream, etc., including, BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
Austin and Keebler branded Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers
Snack-size Packs of Famous Amos and Keebler Soft Batch Peanut Butter Cookies
Hi-Vee Peanut Butter Cookies
Peanut Butter Reese¹s Pieces Cookies
Lunchbox Peanut Butter Cookies
People Chow Party Mix
Assorted Truffle Fudge
Wal-Mart Bakery Brand Peanut Butter Cookies
WHY: 474 persons infected with the outbreak strain of salmonella typhimurium have been reported from 43 states. 23% were hospitalized and the infection may have contributed to 6 deaths
DISPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS: Open all the packages and pulverize the contents before disposing.
FOR MORE INFORMATIONÂ visit their website.


