Author Archives: Sarah Bernhardt

8th Grade NAEP Testing February 6, 2019

Steller Secondary School will participate in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) on February 6, 2019. NAEP is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what students know and can do in various subjects. NAEP is administered by the National Center for Education Statistics, within the U.S. Department of Education. NAEP is different from our state assessments because it is a common measure of achievement across the country. The results are released as The Nation’s Report Card, which provides information about student achievement to educators, parents, policymakers, and the public.

For more information: NAEP 2019 Parent Letter Steller Secondary

Congratulations Xavier!

A Steller band student, Xavier Libbrecht, will now be heading to Portland, OR in February, to participate for the NAfME All-Northwest Wind Symphony.  He is a freshman bassoonist.  “The Wind Symphony is an honor ensemble for small schools in the Pacific Northwest Region”, said Mr. Toba, the band director.  “The auditions are still very competitive.  Xavier is the first student in the history of Steller band to participate in the honor ensemble. I am so proud of Xavier’s accomplishment.”  The All-Northwest Wind Symphony will rehearse at the Double Tree Hotel in Portland, OR, from Friday, February 15 through Sunday, the 17th.  The gala concert, along with the NAfME All-Northwest Honor Band (which Xavier’s brother, Sebastien, will be participating
in) will be held at the Oregon Exhibit CC in Portland, on Sunday, February 17th.

Volunteer Needed

Are you an organizer with a bit of time to help Steller Secondary reach out to elementary schools and let them know about the exciting opportunity for younger students to consider attending Steller? A “Recruitment Coordinator” is needed to organize students and parents as part of a team with Steller staff members and Parent Group officers. The bulk of this volunteer position will be completed between now and February 7th. Please contact Steller Parent Group (stellerparentgroup@gmail.com) if this great opportunity appeals to you.

Karen Gillis
907-887-1148

Join us tonight for Parent Group Meeting

Tuesday Jan 8th 6:00-7:30– Join Parent Group to hear updates from Principal Reed Whitmore, as well as student reports from Op Group, news from teachers, and upcoming opportunities for families and students. Parent group is a great way to learn more about making the most of Steller, navigating middle school and high school, and helping to support student travel opportunities and other non-traditional learning at Steller. Newcomers and new ideas are always welcome! Parent Group meets the first Tuesday of every month
at 6:00 pm in Ken’s room.
If you have any items for the agenda, please email them to: stellerparentgroup@gmail.com

Winter Community Letter

A Note from the Steller Office:

Intensives are wrapping up but excitement is still high. Snow is falling and winter is finally acting like winter. Steller weathered the earthquake well. Although I missed the event, staff and students all worked together flawlessly and in unison. We have started the debrief, changes in protocol (i.e. a central meeting place away from electrical lines) planned and have created a staff committee to access and determine needs for class backpacks for things like blankets and first aid supplies. Our 1949 structure rode the event as well as any. We had no academic material damage and only one toppled computer, dented, but completely functional.

Our Blue Ribbon Year is going well. We have seen mental and physical growth in many. I have heard such nice things about our students throughout this year. From exceptional city bus etiquette, and from hosts of our visited opportunities to substitute and local business comments, each has been extremely positive and always makes my heart a little bit warmer.

Looking ahead to the new year we have:

January

8th:    Parent Group meeting, 6:00pm
15th:  Fundraising, Joint Parent & OP group, 12pm
18th:  Friday, Souper Steller, 11:45am
24th:  All Community Band and Orchestra Concert, 6pm

February

5th:   Fundraising committee, 12pm
6th:   8th grade NEAP testing, morning
7th:   Open House, Blue Ribbon Ice Cream Social (prospective students)
8th:   Souper Steller, 11:45am
9th:   All Community Winter Carnival, TBA
12th: Parent Group meeting 6pm
15th:  Valentines Dance, 7pm

It is a pleasure and honor to be part of this wonderful community. Our school is full of amazing students and dedicated teachers mixed in an environment of a multitude of opportunities. What a wonderful combination!

There are many people and entities to thank for our continued success. Today my focus is family, large, small, related or chosen, thank you for your support of your children and our program. Thank you for sharing your most prized possessions; they are integral in our lives.

My daughters are home from college and I am very excited. Shared experiences always make my favorite memories. There will be a fair amount of laughter and joy. I am wishing for winter to stay winter through the season and I wish you time to celebrate our winter break with family and friends.

Happy Holidays to you all,

Reed