The first quarter report card deadline has passed as of November 30. The next deadline for your senior students to turn in their quarter two report cards is January 31, 2009.

Tiffany and Megan [Continental Auto] will be collecting the entry forms that have been turned in to Continental Subaru so far this year. Once they have count the entries, they will let me know how many seniors from our school have entered!

Again, this is as easy as easy can be.  Seniors need only turn in their grades to Continental.  In addition the qualifications for the give-away are not too stringent – seniors only need to have all grades be above a “C”.  For those students that are graduating this is a golden opportunity.  PLEASE don’ let this pass you by!

Harlod Green
Principal, Steller Secondary

First of all let me just say it is a wonderful thing that our parents are doing-  providing our staff with lunch.  You don’t find such generosity and kindness in many sectors of our society lately.  Clearly the Steller community is a unique group of people.

Every staff member appreciates your gesture of kindness however, I must make everyone aware of an incident that occurred Wednesday of last week [11/26/08].
As you may or may not know we have a staff member that has a sever allergy to all things “Banana”.  As she walked into the staff lounge she became ill due to merely being around banana bread.  After two epi-pen injections and an ambulance ride to the emergency room she is fine.

But, I would like to ask a favor-  that is if anyone should bring into our building anything with banana in it please let us know in the office.  That way our staff member with the allergy can avoid that area.  Also, the main office is a “Banana Free Zone” we have signs posted in and around the office area to alert everyone
that there are no bananas allowed.

Please, try to abide by this very simple and straight forward request to let us know if there are banana products in the building, where the products are and do not bring any banana products into our main office.

Again, thank you all for everything you do and please don’t let this announcement dampen that wonderful spirit you all exhibit towards the Steller staff.

You Are Invited
Tuesday December 2nd
Steller Choir and Orchestra performs 2:30 in the multi purpose room

Also, you are invited to hear the Stellar Choir’s entire repertoire and share in the season
The Choir is singing at The Side Street Espresso
December 2nd    7 PM  evening concert
412 G Street  (Between 4th and 5th Ave)

Please join us      ~Mary Schallert, Choir Director

The annual Dessert and Talent Show has been rescheduled to Thursday, January 15 from 7:00-9:00 p.m in the MPR.

We have a special presentation from a nationally recognized speaker Mr. Bob Lenz.  Bob is a youth communicator and is considered one of the nation’s top youth speakers, Bob easily connects with his audiences by sharing valuable principles intertwined with stories and personal experiences that help youth deal with real life.  He explores sober issues while using his unique gift of humor.  His messages of hope, worth, courage and respect ignite an interest in young people, and somewhere between laughing at one of his embarrassing moments and getting choked up over one of his true stories, they realize their lives have been changed.

Please, come and join us on Dec 2nd from 11:00 to 12:00 in our MPR.  In order to accommodate the presentation in a way that least disrupts the amount of time spent in classes, below you will see that we have switched Tuesday’s sched. with Monday’s sched.

Here is the sched. for Monday and Tuesday the week of Dec. 1st.
Monday:
1. 8:30 – 9:20
2. 9:25 – 10:15
3. 10:20 – 11:45
6. 12:40 – 2:05

Tuesday:
1. 8:30 – 9:00
2. 9:05 – 9:35
3. 9:40 – 10:15
4. 10:20 – 10:55
Presentation 11:00 – 12:00
Lunch       12:00 – 12:50
5.  12:50 – 1:25
6.  1:30 – 2:05

Knowing is not enough; we must apply. 
Willing is not enough; we must do.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Accountability

Steller epitomizes the term, “Home School” for me.  It is a home school because more than any school I have worked in Steller belongs to the community, students and staff.  As I walk around in the building I see students sitting and talking with each other- everyday, all day I see parents coming and going asking questions, volunteering, participating in the educational process.  They participate as teachers in some instances but always as concerned community members.  Steller encourages transparency and accountability right down to its core.

Transparency and accountability are two major factors that drive the success rate of a school in a positive direction.  The Anchorage School District recognizes this fact and has provided the tools necessary for community members, and staff to rate its members.  You will find detailed information here.

I encourage you to participate in this process, your comments will serve as a catalyst to our improvement.

Intensives

Students have taken the survey for their choices for intensives, they have submitted intents for the intensive class offering they would most like to take and or now they are in the process of enrolling into their choices.  It seems that we have quite a few students that have not signed up for any of the offerings at this time.  Parents please discuss the advantages of intensives as you enjoy daily conversations with your child.  Encourage them to sign up for one of the current offerings in a timely manner.  We really need your support in this effort.

Course descriptions for the intensives have been posted on the website and at school.  Please review those options with your child and together you can select the best choice for your child.

I realize that at this time we all are facing hardships with the economy in such disarray, gas prices still around $3.00 a gallon, food prices soaring and on it goes.  However, I count each day that I awaken a good one.  Each day holds the potential to transform our lives in many serendipitous ways.  And, for these reasons I hope you all have a glorious Thanksgiving.

–Harlod Green

As we are all aware, the Steller program runs on the energy and enthusiasm of its students, staff and parents.  The 10 hour volunteer commitment we seek from each family is one of the ways in which we ensure expanded opportunities for our students and build positive relationships among us all.

As advisors, we are often asked to make suggestions as to how parents might fulfill this 10 hour commitment.  Being a driver or dance/activity chaperone is just the tip of the iceberg.  Below you will find some other suggestions that we hope will make your volunteering easy and enjoyable for you; we know it will be invaluable to us!

*Become your child’s counseling group Parent Liaison or Co-Liaison

While the official Liaison attends the once monthly Parent Meetings and acts as a telephone tree or etree coordinator disseminating important information to parents from school, the co-liaison may choose to help coordinate projects and organize counseling group events.  Everything from planning a group breakfast or outing to building a program of community involvement and volunteering can be done.  Advisory group goals are a good indicator of what might be a priority for that liaison.

*Become a Classroom Volunteer

Perhaps you have a particular skill or interest that matches with a course offered here at Steller.  Give the teacher a call; we would love to have you help in the classroom.

*Become a Library Volunteer

Our librarian is part-time and working wonders.  Karen Emmel welcomes volunteers on a regular basis.  Contact her here at Steller and see if she might be able to set up a schedule for you.

*Become a Parent-Taught Teacher!

Some of our best quarter classes have been led by parents under the supervision of a staff member.  Students appreciate the time and effort it takes for you to plan and teach a course of study.  Your expertise expands the learning options for our students.

*Become a Committee Member

Steller has numerous committees, all of which require participation by students, staff and parents to operate according to our by-laws and policies.  Browse the manual and see if something appeals to you.

Health Screening
Just a reminder, all 7th, 10th, and new-to-district students are undergoing health screening in November. 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 & Flu Season
Cold and flu season is upon us. The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses, however, different viruses cause them. Because these two types of illnesses have similar flu-like symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them. In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense. Colds are usually milder than the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations. For more information related to Cold Vs. Flu checkout: www.niaid.nih.gov/publications/cold/sick.pdf

Flu shots are now available, and can be obtained from your primary care provider or from a variety of flu shot clinics held around town. For more information, contact your health care provider or call the CDC Immunization Hot Line @ 1-800-232-2522.

School attendance is important, however, an ill student with a fever should remain home. Please do not send a sick student to school to be examined by the nurse. This may expose others to unnecessary illnesses. *Parents are notified before students are excused from school for illness. Current contact phone numbers need to be provided and updated throughout the year.

Stomach Virus
We had multiple cases of the “stomach flu” in October. This is a common illness, which is spread from person-to-person on unwashed hands or food and surfaces handled by a sick person. Thus, the key to preventing the illness is frequent hand washing, especially after using the restroom or prior to eating. Symptoms include a sudden onset of nausea, cramping, chills and fever. Usually, vomiting and/or diarrhea are present. Symptoms generally last 1-3days. It is important to stay hydrated during this time and to remain home until symptoms have been gone for 24 hours.

How to avoid that sleepy feeling on Turkey Day…
– Eat small healthy snacks before you sit down for the big meal.
– Have moderate portions of your favorite foods.
– Drink water during the meal and eat slowly.
– Stop eating when you are full, there will be leftovers tomorrow.
– Take a walk outside afterward to help with the digestive process.

Follow these tips and have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING…gobble, gobble!

Nurse Wendy

Steller Helps School Business Partner Anchorage Downtown Partnership At 15th Annual Charity Ball!!

The 15th Annual Mayor’s Charity Ball was held Saturday, October 11, 2008. Steller’s school business partner Anchorage Downtown Partnership coordinated volunteers for this important and worthwhile event, and requested Steller’s help.

Immediately, more than a dozen Steller students answered their call for help and volunteered at this year’s Mayor’s Ball, even dressing in all black to complement guests’ formal “black tie” attire. ADP furnished Steller students with color “accessories,” such as hats, ties, boas, etc., to complement their wardrobe in keeping with the theme of “Cirque de Soleil du Minuit,” which translates as “Circus of the Midnight Sun.” Steller students worked cheerfully into the night for almost five hours.

Beneficiaries of this year’s Mayor’s Ball included Campfire USA Alaska, Special Olympics Alaska, Alaska Dance Theatre, and Alaska Moving Picture Image Preservation Association (AMIPA), all important charities within our community. Although the exact amount has not yet been formally announced by the Mayor’s office, this year’s Mayor’s Ball raised more money than ever before in its fifteen year history!

Kris Natwick, Volunteer Coordinator for Anchorage Downtown Partnership and for this year’s Mayor’s Ball, said of Steller students, “They did a fantastic job! Please pass around an ecstatic thank you to all of them! I had lots of great compliments on Steller volunteers. Everyone thought they were very courteous, very helpful, very well-dressed and well-behaved.”

Kris also commented, “So—big kudos to all of the Steller kids! It is such a pleasure working with them as part of our School Business Partnership. I really appreciate their willingness to spend their time investing in the Anchorage community through their volunteer work!”

Dedicated Steller volunteers that donated their time and talent at this year’s Mayor’s Ball included: Arthur B, Lauren B, Saira B, MacKenzie C, Michaela C, Krystal G, Saleem J, Laura J, Katie S, Bryn W, Kaylin Z, and others.

Great job, Steller!

Linda Samorajski
School Counselor and School Business Partnership Coordinator