REGISTRATION 2010-2011
Thu, Jul 29 2010 12:03 PM | Permalink
Hello SOPG family -
First off, those of you with sixth graders entering middle school and who have left us - God speed, we will miss you - and your name will be removed from this e-mail list - just not tonight.
Registration is next week!
Tues. Aug 3 9am-3pm
Wed. Aug 4 9am-3pm & 6-8pm
Thurs. Aug 5 9am-3pm
We need helpers - please reply back if you can.
Please bring your checkbook and calendar to registration
Program and supply fees are unchanged - an H2OAsis drawing again for those who pay during registration.
There will be sign up lists with information and dates for SOP events through the year - get them on your calendar now!
For greater tracking and accountabily - there will be a notebook in the office next to the sign in to record all volunteer hours - a sheet for each family. This includes in school and at home time. This information will be checked avery month and given to the teachers. WE want to know who really is doing what - don't let your time go uncounted!!
Our SOPG board for 2010-11 is (drum roll, please)
Nan Magrath and Kris Bierma - Co Chairs
Jamie Lang Secretary
April Ney Treasurer
Teresa Wagar and Khar Hood - Members at Large
See you all soon
Don't forget the website!! www.susitnaoptional.org
First off, those of you with sixth graders entering middle school and who have left us - God speed, we will miss you - and your name will be removed from this e-mail list - just not tonight.
Registration is next week!
Tues. Aug 3 9am-3pm
Wed. Aug 4 9am-3pm & 6-8pm
Thurs. Aug 5 9am-3pm
We need helpers - please reply back if you can.
Please bring your checkbook and calendar to registration
Program and supply fees are unchanged - an H2OAsis drawing again for those who pay during registration.
There will be sign up lists with information and dates for SOP events through the year - get them on your calendar now!
For greater tracking and accountabily - there will be a notebook in the office next to the sign in to record all volunteer hours - a sheet for each family. This includes in school and at home time. This information will be checked avery month and given to the teachers. WE want to know who really is doing what - don't let your time go uncounted!!
Our SOPG board for 2010-11 is (drum roll, please)
Nan Magrath and Kris Bierma - Co Chairs
Jamie Lang Secretary
April Ney Treasurer
Teresa Wagar and Khar Hood - Members at Large
See you all soon
Don't forget the website!! www.susitnaoptional.org
Comments
The Governor Needs to Hear from You!
Sun, May 9 2010 09:44 PM | Permalink
Dear SOPG Parents,
Susitna has four proposals for legislative appropriations in the State budget waiting to be signed by Governor Parnell. There is a possibility that these proposals could be vetoed and cut from the budget unless the Governor hears from YOU!
Please take a few minutes and write to Governor Parnell and let him know these proposals are important to the students and school community at Susitna. Listed below are the email addresses of the Governor and the two legislators who added the proposals to the budget. Please include each of them in your letter.
Governor Sean Parnell - sean.parnell@alaska.gov
Senator Bill Wielechowski - senator_bill_wielechowski@legis.state.ak.us
Representative Pete Petersen - representative_pete_petersen@legis.state.ak.us
Below, is a letter of support for the proposals that you can use to model your own letter. Please modify yours a little because template/form letters don't carry the same weight that individually written ones do.
========
Dear Governor Parnell,
We are writing you today as parents of two school-aged children attending Susitna Elementary School. Specifically, we’re writing in support of the legislative appropriations for Susitna Elementary School (Anchorage) that are included in the proposed 2010-11 state budget.
I’m sure there are many projects and proposals worthy of funding but without context of why they’re important, it might be difficult to know which ones are more worthy of the limited funding available. The goal of this letter is to provide you with the context for our requests so that you can see how they will positively impact instruction and, ultimately, student learning at Susitna.
Proposal #1: $15,000 for Computer Tables – While our school computer lab has tables appropriate for student computer use, most of our classrooms do not. Currently, teachers place student computers on student desks barely larger than the computer itself and others have to put student computers on the floor. This doesn’t provide for an ergonomic work setting, nor is it as safe for students to use the computers in this way. With the ability to sit comfortably at the computer, students will be able to work more effectively with more time on task and with fewer potential health issues. The funding request would provide two basic computer tables for each classroom.
Proposal #2: $8000 for Interactive Whiteboards – These computer peripherals have become standard equipment at many schools in Alaska and around the nation. They are designed to assist teachers in presenting engaging and interactive, activity-based lessons. Coupled with a multimedia projector and a digital document camera (which Susitna has worked collaboratively with the school PTA to provide to teachers), these modern teaching tools provide teachers with another means by which students acquire the skills and concepts to be successful in life. Funding this project would provide an initial implementation of five interactive whiteboards to be housed in the library and computer lab, as well having three dedicated for classroom use.
Proposal #3: $14,000 for Mobile Computer Lab – Susitna Elementary is a very full school and lucky to have a dedicated computer lab. However, the computer lab is heavily scheduled for specific teachers’ classes throughout the week, precluding teachers from engaging in whole-group computer-based activities during any time other than their 1 hour per week computer lab time. These funds would be used to purchase student laptop computers to be added to the existing mobile computer lab cart providing a much-needed “infusion” of technology tools into their classroom for specific projects during the week. Funds would also be used to improve the school’s wireless network so that the laptops would be able to used in more classrooms.
Proposal #4: $10,000 for Wireless Clickers – These handheld devices designed for education interact with the teacher’s computer to allow on-the-spot assessment of students. Student classroom response devices— commonly called “clickers” -- allow students to answer multiple choice questions from the teacher and be able to see the survey results of the question asked through the teacher’s computer and a multimedia projector. The benefit of teachers providing on-going assessment of student understanding, while giving the student immediate feedback on their own understanding is difficult to overstate. Funding of this project would provide sets of these devices to five classrooms.
These proposals are aligned with our school and district instructional goals for technology and, if funded, will help our students be better prepared for the global workforce upon graduation.
The community of Susitna Elementary School and we thank you for considering these proposals.
Sincerely,
===========
Thanks for your help, and please share this with other Susitna parents-- Optional or Neighborhood-- so all of Susitna's students can benefit from these proposals.
Susitna has four proposals for legislative appropriations in the State budget waiting to be signed by Governor Parnell. There is a possibility that these proposals could be vetoed and cut from the budget unless the Governor hears from YOU!
Please take a few minutes and write to Governor Parnell and let him know these proposals are important to the students and school community at Susitna. Listed below are the email addresses of the Governor and the two legislators who added the proposals to the budget. Please include each of them in your letter.
Governor Sean Parnell - sean.parnell@alaska.gov
Senator Bill Wielechowski - senator_bill_wielechowski@legis.state.ak.us
Representative Pete Petersen - representative_pete_petersen@legis.state.ak.us
Below, is a letter of support for the proposals that you can use to model your own letter. Please modify yours a little because template/form letters don't carry the same weight that individually written ones do.
========
Dear Governor Parnell,
We are writing you today as parents of two school-aged children attending Susitna Elementary School. Specifically, we’re writing in support of the legislative appropriations for Susitna Elementary School (Anchorage) that are included in the proposed 2010-11 state budget.
I’m sure there are many projects and proposals worthy of funding but without context of why they’re important, it might be difficult to know which ones are more worthy of the limited funding available. The goal of this letter is to provide you with the context for our requests so that you can see how they will positively impact instruction and, ultimately, student learning at Susitna.
Proposal #1: $15,000 for Computer Tables – While our school computer lab has tables appropriate for student computer use, most of our classrooms do not. Currently, teachers place student computers on student desks barely larger than the computer itself and others have to put student computers on the floor. This doesn’t provide for an ergonomic work setting, nor is it as safe for students to use the computers in this way. With the ability to sit comfortably at the computer, students will be able to work more effectively with more time on task and with fewer potential health issues. The funding request would provide two basic computer tables for each classroom.
Proposal #2: $8000 for Interactive Whiteboards – These computer peripherals have become standard equipment at many schools in Alaska and around the nation. They are designed to assist teachers in presenting engaging and interactive, activity-based lessons. Coupled with a multimedia projector and a digital document camera (which Susitna has worked collaboratively with the school PTA to provide to teachers), these modern teaching tools provide teachers with another means by which students acquire the skills and concepts to be successful in life. Funding this project would provide an initial implementation of five interactive whiteboards to be housed in the library and computer lab, as well having three dedicated for classroom use.
Proposal #3: $14,000 for Mobile Computer Lab – Susitna Elementary is a very full school and lucky to have a dedicated computer lab. However, the computer lab is heavily scheduled for specific teachers’ classes throughout the week, precluding teachers from engaging in whole-group computer-based activities during any time other than their 1 hour per week computer lab time. These funds would be used to purchase student laptop computers to be added to the existing mobile computer lab cart providing a much-needed “infusion” of technology tools into their classroom for specific projects during the week. Funds would also be used to improve the school’s wireless network so that the laptops would be able to used in more classrooms.
Proposal #4: $10,000 for Wireless Clickers – These handheld devices designed for education interact with the teacher’s computer to allow on-the-spot assessment of students. Student classroom response devices— commonly called “clickers” -- allow students to answer multiple choice questions from the teacher and be able to see the survey results of the question asked through the teacher’s computer and a multimedia projector. The benefit of teachers providing on-going assessment of student understanding, while giving the student immediate feedback on their own understanding is difficult to overstate. Funding of this project would provide sets of these devices to five classrooms.
These proposals are aligned with our school and district instructional goals for technology and, if funded, will help our students be better prepared for the global workforce upon graduation.
The community of Susitna Elementary School and we thank you for considering these proposals.
Sincerely,
===========
Thanks for your help, and please share this with other Susitna parents-- Optional or Neighborhood-- so all of Susitna's students can benefit from these proposals.
SOPG Weekly Update: April 26-30
Mon, Apr 26 2010 07:19 AM | Permalink
Here’s what’s happening this week at your Susitna Optional Program:
Monday, April 26
Tuesday, April 27
7pm - Wackadoo Zoo Musical
7pm - 6th Grade Open House at Begich Middle School
Wednesday, April 28
Thursday, April 29
8:50-9:20am - Optional Community Celebration in Sarah B.'s room
Friday, April 30
Upcoming Events:
Have a great week and we'll see you at school!
Monday, April 26
Tuesday, April 27
7pm - Wackadoo Zoo Musical
7pm - 6th Grade Open House at Begich Middle School
Wednesday, April 28
Thursday, April 29
8:50-9:20am - Optional Community Celebration in Sarah B.'s room
Friday, April 30
Upcoming Events:
- May 10-14 - Optional Program Intensives - Please contact your child's teacher if there's a particular skill you'd like to teach or project you'd like to do with a small group of students. We also need parent assistants to help with other leaders of projects. Even if you can only come for one or two days (for a half day in the morning), we'd love to have you!
- Thursday, May 13 @ 6:30pm - SOPG Meeting - Last SOPG Meeting of the year in Jillian's room. Please join us!
Have a great week and we'll see you at school!
SOPG Weekly Update: April 19-23
Mon, Apr 19 2010 07:23 AM | Permalink
Here’s what’s happening this week at your Susitna Optional Program:
Monday, April 19
3:30-4:30pm - Susitna Running Club
Tuesday, April 20
Wednesday, April 21
3:30-4:30pm - Susitna Running Club - Last one before the Heart Run on Saturday!
Thursday, April 22
8:50-9:20am - Optional Community Celebration in Sarah B.'s room
Friday, April 23
1:30-3:00pm - PACT (Parents And Children Together): Anchorage Recycling Center and ASD Recycling Coordinator - Parent volunteers needed!
Upcoming Events:
Monday, April 19
3:30-4:30pm - Susitna Running Club
Tuesday, April 20
Wednesday, April 21
3:30-4:30pm - Susitna Running Club - Last one before the Heart Run on Saturday!
Thursday, April 22
8:50-9:20am - Optional Community Celebration in Sarah B.'s room
Friday, April 23
1:30-3:00pm - PACT (Parents And Children Together): Anchorage Recycling Center and ASD Recycling Coordinator - Parent volunteers needed!
Upcoming Events:
- Tuesday, April 27 at 7pm - Wackadoo Zoo Musical Performance for 2nd/3rd Grade
- Tuesday, April 27 at 7pm - 6th Grade Open House at Begich Middle School
meeting minutes 4/12/2010
Tue, Apr 13 2010 09:05 PM | Permalink
DALE BRAINERD PROVIDED SOCK HOP DETAILS for this year's event:
Get out Your Dancing Shoes
Susitna Optional 3rd Annual
Sock Hop Dinner/Dance
Friday April 16 from 6-8PM
Music from today and Golden Oldies-Line Dancing provided by
Entertainment by DJ Mike
$4 per person $10 family of 3 or more (Admission includes dinner)
Optional Alumni and families are Invited-Pre-school children are free
Fun for the whole Family-Bring a Friend
There will be a prize for everyone that dresses in a Costume
Susitna Optional 3rd Annual
Sock Hop Dinner/Dance
Friday April 16 from 6-8PM
Music from today and Golden Oldies-Line Dancing provided by
Entertainment by DJ Mike
$4 per person $10 family of 3 or more (Admission includes dinner)
Optional Alumni and families are Invited-Pre-school children are free
Fun for the whole Family-Bring a Friend
There will be a prize for everyone that dresses in a Costume
** PARENTS MUST ATTEND WITH THEIR CHILDREN **
Dale needs a shadow / volunteer to take his place for 2011 as this is his last year at Susitna.
KIM:
SBAs are over and they're counting the booklets and teacher's materials.
Lottery: K / 1 is full and they've started making calls. 1st-5th parents will be called in August. All parents get three (3) calls. If parents call now, they will be given their number on the lottery list.
Kris will send all K students a welcome packet with information about upcoming events and registration fees.
LUCINDA
There are five (5) more weeks of instensive teaching, then school is close to being out.
Next year she wants to start an elder parent / shadow / new parent / old parent (can't figure out a name yet) hand holding type of thing so that new parents know what is happening when, and what to expect.
elder / younger students are working very well together! it's good so show the little ones what their writing will (hopefully) look like in a few years.
BUS photo / people move bus photo: these will be for sale at the sock hop. if you cannot make the sock hop event, please email Lucinda your order. Tim will also put a form on the website.
TERESA / FEES:
again - lots of unpaid fees this year. Please please please pay your fees if you haven't done so. Do you know what the fees are for? So you don't have to buy supplies for your children and there are no fund raising events.
PACT Friday 4/23/2010: GreenStar and the ASD will provide a good program on recycling. Parent's are needed to volunteer (about 15 or so are needed). Email April to sign up.
PARENT WORK NIGHT: cannot be May 5th because it interferes with another Begich band concert. We're thinking Tuesday May 4th, instead. We need gobs of parent volunteers for this which is to help prepare the class rooms for the intensives.
INTENSIVES: upcoming in May. We need helpers -- even the smallest amount of help is fabulous. What are intensives? Teacher led and 4-5 parent led intensives – multiage and half days that week. We need parent supporters for the intensives we have planned, some from each classroom. Please talk to teacher or a board member if questions/interested. If anyone else is thinking of an intensive – know that the choice is theirs, and they can ask for a certain number and a certain age)
BIKE TO VALLEY OF THE MOON PARK MAY 17TH: Amy Johns is in charge again. We need volunteers to drop off gear, pick up gear; drop of kids; ride with kids; drive; etc. The ride down to Valley of the Moon is about 30 minutes; the ride back is about 60 minutes.
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL PICNIC: we need shadows for this because Nan is stepping down next year. Kris will be helping as she has done this in the past, but she will definitely need help next year.
NAN: stepping down next year. KRIS will be our Chair for next year.
BOARD: we need new members; members at large and a new treasurer as Teresa's two year commitment is fulfilled.
SUMMER DAY CAMPS:
Ticket winners: Dexter W & Jamie L
Pizza: four pizzas got taken home - we drew names for these as well :)
WANT MORE INFORMATION???
SOPG Weekly Update: April 12-16
Tue, Apr 13 2010 07:22 AM | Permalink
Here’s what’s happening this week at your Susitna Optional Program:
Monday, April 12
3:30-4:30pm - Susitna Running Club
Tuesday, April 13
6:30 - 8:00pm - SOPG Parent Meeting - Pizza and certified child care provided ($3 donation requested) - We'd love to see everyone there!
Wednesday, April 14
3:30-4:30pm - Susitna Running Club - Last one before the Heart Run on Saturday!
Thursday, April 15
8:50-9:20am - Optional Community Celebration in Sarah B.'s room
Friday, April 16
6:30pm - Susitna Optional Family Sockhop Dinner/Dance
Upcoming Events:
Monday, April 12
3:30-4:30pm - Susitna Running Club
Tuesday, April 13
6:30 - 8:00pm - SOPG Parent Meeting - Pizza and certified child care provided ($3 donation requested) - We'd love to see everyone there!
Wednesday, April 14
3:30-4:30pm - Susitna Running Club - Last one before the Heart Run on Saturday!
Thursday, April 15
8:50-9:20am - Optional Community Celebration in Sarah B.'s room
Friday, April 16
6:30pm - Susitna Optional Family Sockhop Dinner/Dance
Upcoming Events:
- 1:30-3:00pm, Friday, April 23 - PACT - Parents and Children Together - Please consider volunteering a bit of your time to help assist with this presentation/project at the school.
SOPG Weekly Update: April 5-9
Mon, Apr 5 2010 07:23 AM | Permalink
Here’s what’s happening this week at your Susitna Optional Program:
Monday, April 5
3:30-4:30pm - Susitna Running Club
Tuesday, April 6
Standards Based Assessment (SBA) Testing for Reading - Grades 3-5 only
Wednesday, April 7
Standards Based Assessment (SBA) Testing for Writing - Grades 3-5 only
3:30-4:30pm - Susitna Running Club
Thursday, April 8
Standards Based Assessment (SBA) Testing for Math - Grades 3-5 only
Friday, April 2
Upcoming Events:
Monday, April 5
3:30-4:30pm - Susitna Running Club
Tuesday, April 6
Standards Based Assessment (SBA) Testing for Reading - Grades 3-5 only
Wednesday, April 7
Standards Based Assessment (SBA) Testing for Writing - Grades 3-5 only
3:30-4:30pm - Susitna Running Club
Thursday, April 8
Standards Based Assessment (SBA) Testing for Math - Grades 3-5 only
Friday, April 2
Upcoming Events:
- Friday, April 16 - Susitna Optional Family Spring Dance
SOPG Weekly Update: March 29 - April 2
Mon, Mar 29 2010 07:22 AM | Permalink
Here’s what’s happening this week at your Susitna Optional Program:
Monday, March 29
3:30-4:30pm - Susitna Running Club - Check with the office for a form to sign up.
Tuesday, March 30
Wednesday, March 31
3:30-4:30pm - Susitna Running Club - Check with the office for a form to sign up.
Thursday, April 1
Standards Based Assessment (SBA) Testing for Science - 4th graders only
8:50-9:20am - Community Celebration in Sarah B.'s room
Friday, April 2
Upcoming Events:
Monday, March 29
3:30-4:30pm - Susitna Running Club - Check with the office for a form to sign up.
Tuesday, March 30
Wednesday, March 31
3:30-4:30pm - Susitna Running Club - Check with the office for a form to sign up.
Thursday, April 1
Standards Based Assessment (SBA) Testing for Science - 4th graders only
8:50-9:20am - Community Celebration in Sarah B.'s room
Friday, April 2
Upcoming Events:
- Friday, April 16 - Susitna Optional Family Spring Dance
SOPG Weekly Update: March 15-19
Tue, Mar 16 2010 07:43 AM | Permalink
Welcome back from Spring Break! Here’s what’s happening this week at your Susitna Optional Program:
Monday, March 15
Tuesday, March 16
6:30-7:30pm - Susitna Optional Parent Group Meeting in Jillian's room. Parents needed. Childcare is provided. :-)
Wednesday, March 17
11:35am-12:35pm - K/1 Learning Lunch in Lucinda and Brittany's rooms. Come eat lunch with your child and let them show you what they've been learning!
5:00-7:00pm - Science Fair Viewing @ Susitna - Families welcome!
Thursday, March 18
8:50-9:20am - Community Celebration in Sarah B.'s room
Friday, March 19
Upcoming Events:
Monday, March 15
Tuesday, March 16
6:30-7:30pm - Susitna Optional Parent Group Meeting in Jillian's room. Parents needed. Childcare is provided. :-)
Wednesday, March 17
11:35am-12:35pm - K/1 Learning Lunch in Lucinda and Brittany's rooms. Come eat lunch with your child and let them show you what they've been learning!
5:00-7:00pm - Science Fair Viewing @ Susitna - Families welcome!
Thursday, March 18
8:50-9:20am - Community Celebration in Sarah B.'s room
Friday, March 19
Upcoming Events:
- Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences - Wednesday, March 24 to Friday, March, 26. Wednesday and Thursday are morning 1/2 days for students and Friday is an inservice day with no school for students.
SOPG Weekly Update: January 25-29
Mon, Jan 25 2010 06:55 AM | Permalink
Here’s what’s happening this week at your Susitna Optional Program:
Monday, January 25
Tuesday, January 26
Wednesday, January 27
Thursday, January 28
8:50-9:20am - Community Celebration in Sarah B.'s room
Friday, January 29
1:30pm - Parents And Children Together (PACT): The Alaska Zoo
Upcoming Events:
Monday, January 25
Tuesday, January 26
Wednesday, January 27
Thursday, January 28
8:50-9:20am - Community Celebration in Sarah B.'s room
Friday, January 29
1:30pm - Parents And Children Together (PACT): The Alaska Zoo
Upcoming Events:
- Friday, January 29 @ 1:30pm - Parents And Children Together (PACT) presentation in the Susitna multipurpose room. Volunteers needed to supervise students as they do a simple craft related to the presentation. Contact Nan Magrath (337-0052) if you're able to help from 1:30-3:15pm. If we don't have enough volunteers, we'll have to cancel this learning opportunity!