Commitments are needed for the 11th grade overnight camping trip on August 22, 2016:
Who: Steller 11th grade class
When: Leave Steller Monday August 22nd at 11:30am return to Steller Tuesday August 23rd at 12:30pm
Where: Crow Creek Mine (in Girdwood)
Cost: $35 (includes food, camp fees and gold panning) or $42 (if we also rent the covered pavilion–planning committee will decide later this week) please don’t hold your kiddo back if the cost is a burden–contact me (907-360-9850) or Reed (907-742-4950) directly.
We need:
*   Parent drivers with seats for 35-45 students (have 21.5) –its possible we may be able to get a bus but right now the day won’t happen without committed carpool drivers.
*   Chaperones.  Need 6-10 (have 2–maybe 3)  Split between the following activities:
–gold pan
–hike
–cook/serve meals
*   Volunteers not sure how many needed (have none).  (may, but don’t have to go on trip):
–shop for and pack up food–lists & money will be provided.
–organize gear and food into a trailer.
*   Donors (may, but don’t have to go on trip):
–tent space. Need 55 just in case (have 46)
–sleeping bags if you have them–kids can bring regular bedding too.
–waterproof tarps
–other things I have not yet thought of…I’ll keep you posted!
An email was sent earlier but have only received 16 responses. If you did not respond before or your ability to help has changed please follow the link to, and fill out this  Response Form

We really need everyone to respond by filling out the form. Please be sure to provide an updated email address. Thank you!

Correction: On Tuesday August 23, 2016 Steller’s 8th grade class will be heading out for a team building hike from Glenn Alps towards Hidden Lake. We will be leaving Steller first thing in the morning at 8:30am and returning after lunch, at 12:30pm. We will need parent drivers and chaperones to drive all 55 students and hike with us. If you are able to drive, please email Leigh Anne Bonney at bonney_leigh@asdk12.org with the number of students you can drive, your name, your student’s name, and a contact phone number. Permission slips are attached here fieldtrip permission slip and can be dropped off at Steller or brought in the first day of school on Monday August 22, 2016. More information about what to bring will be sent out closer to hike day, but students will need to be prepared to be outside all morning and will need to bring a rain coat, water, and lunch. This is an easy hike that all students should be able to do unless they are injured or unable to participate in physical activities. Please feel free to email Leigh Anne with specific questions.

The 2016-17 ASD Online Registration is now open and available through August 21, 2016.

Yearly registration is required for all ASD students.  Online registration can be accessed through your parent Zangle account.  The office is opened Monday – Friday 7:30am – 4:00pm if you should need help with obtaining your Zangle pin and password or are in need of a computer.

Haley and Janet can be reached by phone at (907) 742-4950 or by email:

stephan_haley@asdk12.org
moffatt_janet@asdk12.org

Student accident & sickness insurance information from ASD is available here: Student Accident Insurance Letter 16-17

It’s time for Summer band classes! The classes run August 2-18–Tuesdays through Thursdays, with a concert at the Alaska Zoo on August 18.

Beginning Band: 5-6pm: learn to play a band instrument. Grades 4+

Advanced Summer Band: 6-7:15pm Play fun movie music while learning advanced playing ranges and reading strategies. New 7th graders+

Jazz/Rock Improvisation: 7:15-8:15pm: Learn the skills for intermediate and advanced improvising.

Info is here: Alaska Band 2016 Registration or online at:
http://www.rickzmusic.com/Icy_Grooves/SUMMER_CLASSES.html

Job well done!

Have a wonderful summer everyone!

Thanks Steller parents for providing a set of The Martian to be used for an intensive and for English classes in the future. Based on the Martian, we visited the planetariums at UAA and the museum, planted and pruned in the garden, and went orienteering, as well as many other activities. Thanks to Michelle Monreal and Gail Hoefler for professional advice and expertise in the garden.

The parent group provided a grant for the garden as well. This spring we planted many potatoes for Souper Steller in the fall, pruned bushes using our new pruning sheers, and performed many other gardening duties. We have two families gardening over the summer and possibly a campground host tending a garden plot as well.

Next year the middle school kids will be enjoying Touching Spirit Bear and Peak, two books requested by students for use in the classroom. Parents provided these books through another grant. We appreciate all the parent support throughout the year and the opportunity to have a variety of educational experiences that serve the Steller community.

Enjoy our Alaska summer,
Becky

Cross country running starts in August for middle school and high school runners. Meet schedules, paperwork and more information found online at asdk12.org

Greetings Stellerites!

Next year I will be joining the staff to share the interesting, insightful, and intrinsic world of physics and physical science. I am excited about physics because it allows us to experience the veracity of science through our own experiences in everyday life! Through physics, people can understand the world more deeply and acquire the skills that lie at the root of wide ranging problems ranging from freestyle snowboarding, to engineering, forest management, calculus, vehicle maintenance and much more.

Physics is not boring, especially when your teacher has 10 years of diverse work experience to connect with the content. My background includes a significant amount of guiding and outdoor education, the planting of 80000 trees, as well as original quantitative research in avalanche safety among other studies and academic presentations. Institutionally, I have completed the Master in Arts in Teaching program for certification from the University of Alaska Southeast, and will soon finish my Masters in Science in Outdoor and Experiential Education from Alaska Pacific University. I have also received a BSc in physics from the University of British Columbia with a minor in philosophy and significant coursework in astrophysics.

I look forward to growing along with Steller’s critical thinking, active community of citizens by connecting science to the world around us and learning to think differently about everyday experiences.

Sincerely,

Brian Gehring

www.mistergehring.weebly.com<http://www.mistergehring.weebly.com/>

Tuesday 5/17 End of Year Conferences (students are only at school with their parents/guardians for their scheduled conference time and then leave).

Wednesday 5/18 Students are to be here from 8:30am-11:00am. Activities are done at 11:00am and students need to be picked up/leave the building by 11:30am.

Graduation is at 3:00 at the Wendy Williamson Auditorium and everyone is invited!

• 8:30-9:00 In Advisory- Hand out ribbons for Steller Olympics
• 9:00-9:30 MPR-Hand out first places for events-Overall Advisory scores and announcement of the champion
• 9:30-10:00 Class Meetings, Seniors leave for practice, Plan Orientation
• 10:00-11:00 Final Locker Clean Out, Help your advisory clean their room

Thursday 5/19 End of Year Conferences (students are only at school with their parents/guardians for their scheduled conference time and then leave)