March 2024

Hello Susitna Families!

Happy March and end of 3rd Quarter! Before I share with you how many amazing things we have coming up throughout 4th Quarter I'd like to answer some questions I have gotten about the principal interview/selection process at Susitna.

Last July I was appointed as the "acting" principal of Susitna Elementary for the 23-24 school year. This means that moving forward, the principal position has been opened to others who wish to apply. I have thoroughly loved my time at Susitna and would love to be back next year! So while I have applied to the position, I still need to go through the interview process with other candidates to see who might be the best fit for Susitna. If you'd like to be a part of that selection process, please let our assistant principal Ms. Marks (marks_elizabeth@asdk12.org) know as soon as possible. Additionally, if you haven't yet done so, please fill out the Susitna Principal Characteristic Survey HERE. The information from the survey will help the interview committee select the best candidate for the position.

Now here is a list of important events and information for 4th Quarter!

• Attendance STILL matters! Please make sure your students are consistently coming to school! There is still a great deal of learning that needs to happen to ensure our students are ready to progress to the next grade level!
• ASD Lottery: The lottery will close on March 21st and run on March 25th. You MUST accept your seat if you are accepted into the lottery program of your choice. The lottery will open again later in July.
• AK Star Testing: The Annual State Testing opens March 25th and we will send home more information when we have a schedule so you know when your student is testing
• Spring Break! Students do NOT have school March 8 through March 17th.

Ms. McDougall

mcdougall_briana@asdk12.org

The 52nd annual Anchorage School District youth art show is a collaboration between the Anchorage Museum and Anchorage School District celebrating young artists. The theme for 2024 is "Dream in Art," with this year’s art works inspired by K-12 students sharing imagery, thoughts, sensations, and aspirations associated with their dreams. Congratulations to the following Susitna students for having their artwork selected for display!

Help us with our next exciting equipment purchase! All our students will love this new game designed to help develop volleying skills. Copy the link to share or follow the link to give your donation!

Thank you! - Mr. Putman and Ms. List

https://shorturl.at/ABCDH

Contact Mr. Putman with questions: putman_christopher@asdk12.org

1. You MUST fill out a volunteer form AND be cleared before volunteering!
2. Fill out volunteer form HERE
3. Sign up to volunteer HERE

If you have empty paper towel or toilet paper rolls Ms. Courtney is collecting those for STEAM Lab projects. She will also take empty and well rinsed milk jugs.

Thank you for your support!

Ms. Courtney (STEAM Instructor and Interventionist)

budnick_courtney@asdk12.org

4th and 5th graders from both our Neighborhood and Optional programs will be attending the Anchorage Symphony on March 26th. Students will sing and play along with the Anchorage Symphony to classical pieces and to diverse new music. The cost is $5 for each attending child and chaperone. Permission slips were sent home this last week and the cost is $5/student. We are working on setting up online payment as that is preferred. Chaperones can pay at the door. If you'd like to volunteer as a chaperone please let your student's classroom teacher know. Chaperones MUST BE ON THE APPROVED VOLUNTEER LIST! You can fill out that form here: https://www.asdk12.org/volunteer

Any other questions can be sent to Ms. Grant our music teacher. (grant_erika@asdk12.org)

Ms. Benfield will be sending notices home for students that have overdue and/or missing library books. Please check under seats in cars, behind couches, in backpacks, and/or under beds to find those overdue/missing books! Others may be waiting to check out and enjoy the book you have.

Questions or concerns? Email Ms. Benfield at benfield_ann@asdk12.org

The Climate and Connectedness Survey is OPEN. CLICK HERE to take it!. While the survey is anonymous, if you let us know you filled it out, you will be entered to win a WalMart Gift Card! You can let us know you've filled out the survey by:

1. Emailing Ms. McDougall (mcdougall_briana@asdk12.org)
2. "Liking" or commenting "done" on the Facebook post HERE on Susitna's FB page.
3. Calling the front office to leave your name (907) 742-1400

** We will draw the name of the winner on Thursday, March 8th, 2024 **

We are still asking for your input! Please fill out the survey HERE so you can help us determine how to spend our Title 1 money throughout 2024-2025. We will begin writing the plan in April. Please let Ms. McDougall or Ms. Marks know if you are interested in being on the reviewing committee.

mcdougall_briana@asdk12.org

marks_elizabeth@asdk12.org

Click on this LINK to order a yearbook! Susitna's Yearbook Code is: 14422124

First you can find out more about the Open Optional Program HERE. If you'd like to enroll your student(s) in the Open Optional program you will need to enter ASD's Lottery.

Click HERE to learn more about Indigenous Education at Susitna and around ASD. Contact Kelly Liska, Title VI Student Support Specialist, with questions about Indigenous Education opportunities at Susitna, Baxter, and Chester Valley Elementary Schools.

liska_kelly@asdk12.org

Boost Reading provides your child with the opportunity to learn and practice literacy skills within an engaging story world that adapts to each student as they move through the program. This means that you do not need to assist students with their learning. Once your child can log in, they’re ready to start using the program.

Your child can learn with Boost Reading during school hours and independently at home:

• Log in to clever.asdk12.org
• Log in with the credentials from your teacher

Tips and Tricks

• Practice logging in with your child consistently until they can log in independently.

• Keep your child’s login information in a single place so they know where to go if they forget it.

• Provide your child with headphones or a quiet place to play.

Nurse Jessa may be contacted at (907)742-1401 or salamat_jessa@asdk12.org with any questions or concerns.

****Here is the link to ASD’s When to Keep Your Child Home from School:****** www.asdk12.org/Page/6622

All parents/classroom visitors must complete a volunteer application to be cleared in order to be approved and authorized to come into the classroom or to be eligible to go on field trips. Please follow the link below to be taken to the volunteer application.

It is best to get this done as soon as possible so there is no delay in being an approved volunteer.

https://www.asdk12.org/volunteer

*YES, THIS HAS TO BE COMPLETED EACH SCHOOL YEAR*

Email: Mcdougall_Briana@asdk12.org
Website: https://www.asdk12.org/susitna
Location: 7500 Tyone Court, Anchorage, AK, USA
Phone: 907-742-1400