Category Archives: General Announcements

School Counselor News September 2019

SCHOOL COUNSELOR NEWS – September 2019

Welcome to a new school year at Steller and a special welcome to our new families. I have a new office this year. It is next door to my old office but I have much more space and more privacy for confidential conversations. It is nice to have seats for both parents and students when they come in for a meeting. I also have a new phone number: 742-4965. I have not set up my voicemail yet but this will happen soon. Email is always a good way to reach me.

MAP (Measures of Academic Progress)

All students in grades 7, 8 and 9 will be tested in Math and Language Arts. Students are tested three times a year. Next time is early December and the last testing is in April. Steller will start MAP this Friday and end the fall testing next Thursday.

COLLEGE FAIR

The annual Anchorage Alaska College Fair is Sunday October 13 and Monday October 14 at the Alaska Airlines Center at UAA, 3550 Providence Drive. We encourage families to go together on Sunday October 13. This is a great opportunity for students to connect with college admission counselors and also to learn about colleges they may not have heard about before. Many of the colleges present at the fair offer WUE tuition. Private colleges are also present. Remember to ask about scholarships and financial aid.

UAA College Fair Link

SENIORS

I would like to meet with all seniors to discuss their college applications and other post-secondary plans. Students can stop by any time to set up a time. I will provide more information about the college application later. If you are applying to universities outside Alaska, please check the application requirements and process for each college. If any of the colleges on your list is a member of the Common Application, please get started on the application as soon as possible.

FINANCIAL AID NIGHT AT STELLER BY THE ALASKA COMMISSION OF POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION (ACPE)

Seniors and parents – mark your calendar! I have invited ACPE to do a financial aid presentation this fall. They will be at Steller on Tuesday September 24 at 6 pm. The presentation will cover cost of attendance, federal aid, state aid, scholarships, important financial deadlines, financial literacy, and FAFSA overview.

OFFICE HOURS

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:00 – 2:30 & Tuesday: 11:30 – 3:30

Marianne

Parent Group Meeting

Tuesday September 10th 6:00 pm in Ken’s room is the first meeting of Steller Parent Group. Join us to hear about upcoming events, updates from the staff, students, and volunteer needs for the coming year.
Parent Group raises funds and organizes volunteers to support intensives; special projects proposed by students and teachers; and events throughout the school year.
Volunteer needs for this year include the annual fundraising auction; Souper Steller; maintenance of the website, social media, and webportals; and assistance with events throughout the year. We are also in need of a Co-Chair to help organize and run monthly meetings.
Parent Group is also a great place to connect with other families for help in making the most of Steller’s unique opportunities and navigating challenges you may run into. This is a fairly informal group and all are welcome, as are new agenda items or topics of discussion. Decisions are made by vote of everyone present at the meetings. If you would like to add agenda items or have any questions, please email: stellerparentgroup@gmail.com.
Interested in volunteering but unable to attend the meeting? Please email stellerparentgroup@gmail.com, or call or text Co-Chair Ann Mayo-Kiely 907-223-8204.
The meeting runs from 6:00-7:30 in Ken’s room. The doors on the south end of the building will be open. We hope to see you on Tuesday!

Back to School Night

Hello Steller Families,

**Back to School Night, September 19, 2019, 6:00-7:30 pm**

Tentative Schedule:

  • 6:00 – 6:15 – Parents meet in Advisories
  • 6:15 – 6:23 – P.1 (2 minute passing)
  • 6:25 – 6:33 – P.2 (2 minute passing)
  • 6:35 – 6:43 – P.3 (2 minute passing)
  • 6:45 – 6:53 – P.4 (2 minute passing)
  • 6:55 – 7:03 – P.5 (2 minute passing)
  • 7:05 – 7:13 – P.6 (2 minute passing)
  • 7:15 – 7:25 – IS classes and Passages
  • 7:30 – 8:00 – possibly Parent group meeting

Hope to see everyone!

May Travel Intensive Opportunity

                  PARIS and BARCELONA
Troy and Leigh Anne are traveling with students to Paris and Barcelona during the Spring Intensive, May 5 – 15.  There are still a few spots left.  You can look at the itinerary and registration information are at Explorica Paris and Barcelona .  The tripcenter ID is Fast-4605.
There is a $100 savings voucher for those that sign up by Sept. 27th. Use the voucher code Travel6V. There is also scholarship money available to help those with financial need. Travel Scholarship applications are available in office and need to be returned by September 18th.
For more information, email Troy and Leigh Anne at fast_troy@asdk12.org and bonney_leigh@asdk12.org or stop by after school to talk to us. We will also be available to answer questions about the trip on September 19th at 5:30 in Leigh Anne’s room, before Back to School Night.

Financial Aid Night

FINANCIAL AID NIGHT FOR SENIORS AND PARENTS
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24th @ 6 PM in KEN’S ROOM
Alaska Commission of Post-Secondary Education (APCE) will be presenting:
“FUNDING YOUR FUTURE”
  • Cost of Attendance
  • Federal Aid
  • State Aid
  • Scholarships
  • Financial Aid Deadlines
  • Financial Literacy
  • FAFSA Overview
Please contact Marianne if you have questions 742-4965.

Dr. Katharine Hayhoe will be speaking in Anchorage

Dr. Katharine Hayhoe will be speaking in Anchorage Wednesday September 11 and Thursday September 12.

Dr. Hayhoe  is the Director of the Climate Science Center at Texas Tech and the leading author of the National Climate Assessment.  She is listed among Fortune Magazine’s 50 Greatest World Leaders and Time Magazine’s Top 100 Most Influential People.

She hosts the PBS digital series “Global  Weirding”, where she  breaks up climate science into bite-size snippets.  Both her TED Talk and TED Women 2018 Talk are listed in the favorites category at TED.com

She has two events scheduled in Anchorage for the public:

  • A presentation for the general public, at the Wendy Williamson Auditorium  7 PM September 11th and
  • A pizza party for youth and young adults, at Faith Christian Community 5:30 PM September 12 (this is not a religious event)

You can find more information and RSVP at Dr. Hayhoe Anchorage or   Dr. Hayhoe Anchorage Facebook Page. 

An easy way to support Steller

Did you know that the Steller Parent Group currently receives about $1000 a year from the Fred Meyer Community Rewards program based on our collective purchases?  We would love to add your support too!  Please take the time to link your Fred Meyer Rewards account with Steller and Fred Meyers (Kroger) will donate to our school based on your purchases too.  Every dollar counts, here is how to get started:

  • Sign up for the Community Rewards program by linking your Fred Meyer Rewards Card to Steller Secondary at www.fredmeyer.com/communityrewards  You can search for us by our name or by our non-profit number:  RJ417
  • Then, every time you shop and use your Rewards Card, you are helping Steller Secondary earn a donation!
  • You still earn your Rewards Points, Fuel Points, and Rebates, just as you do today.
  • If you do not have a Rewards Card, they are available at the Customer Service desk of any Fred Meyer store.