Thursday, March 29, 2018

Thursday, March 29, 2018

Thursday, March 29, 2018 Dear Parents, Here is the latest and greatest updated list of scheduled field trips that you can put on your calendar. On Thursday, April 5 we will be walking to the Anchorage Museum for a day of exploration. We will leave the school at 9:45 and return at about 2:30. Chaperones please meet in Room 177 by 9:30. Thursday, April 12 we will be walking to the Performing Arts Center to see the Asian Cultural Performance. We will leave the school at about 9:20 and return about 11:45. On Tuesday, April 17 (This is a change in dates) we will be returning to the Performing Arts Center to see Alaska Junior Theater’s “Peter and the Wolf” from 9:20-11:45. Wednesday, April 25 we will be taking a bus to West High Pool for the Kids Don’t Float pool session. We will leave the school at 9:15 and return at about 11:30. Friday, May 4th we will take a bus to Bartlett High School for the District K-3 Orienteering Jamboree. We will leave the school at about 9:30 and return about noon. On Wednesday, May 9 we will be taking a bus to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center near Portage. We will leave at 9:15 and return at about 2:00. Thursday, May 10 we will take a bus to the Alaska Native Heritage Center for their Preview Day. We will leave about 9:30 and return at about 1:30. Our final scheduled trip is on Wednesday, May 16. We will take a bus to the Eagle River Nature Center for a three-mile hike to the river, have a picnic and enjoy the beautiful scenery. I have sent home the second permission slip in today’s folder. I appreciate all the chaperones that make these learning opportunities possible. One more important event is our 3rd Grade Recognition Ceremony in which we send our 3rd graders with a big thank you and good luck in the future. I have scheduled this event for Friday, May 11 at 1:00. 3rd grade parents please let me know if this date and time does not work for you as soon as possible. This is an important message from the PTSA. Denali Families, At this week's PTSA meeting we have some big agenda items that will be presented and discussed. PTSA Meeting is Thursday March 29, 2018. 5:45 Potluck (Meet, Greet & Eat) and 6:00 Meeting. Childcare is provided. Please come, even if you can't bring food. We always have plenty.  We try and keep the meeting short, ending at 7:00 so additional opportunities for discussion will be made at a later date if desired.  1) Our School Counselor.  This year Denali's school counselor position was cut.  An ASD representative came to our first PTSA meeting of the year and said it was difficult decision but they looked at our school's needs and decided we really didn't need a school counselor. We disagree. On Monday April 2nd, 6:00 pm, at the Anchorage School Board meeting, Denali PTSA will be presenting our request that this position be filled next year. Our kids need it. Only a few folks are testifying (keeping our message brief but clear) -- but we'd love to have written statements to present to the school board members. And we'd love to have a large Denali crowd to show our community concern. Wear Blue! 6-7 pm. If you want to submit your statement on why a school counselor is important for your child or the school overall, you can send it to denaliptsa@gmail.com or comment on the Facebook event at http://www.facebook.com/denaliptsa  2) School Schedule Changes?  You may have heard that the School Board is considering the start times for school. Elementary start time would be moved to 7:30 or 7:45 am, with a dismissal at 2 or 2:15.  There has been a proposal for that Denali might be a pilot school to test out this start time change. There has also been a proposal that Denali change our school calendar to be more similar to Polaris. This would be re-occurring (biweekly) half-days for teacher in-service and moving when/how Fall and Spring conferences are held.  At the meeting, there will be a presentation on these ideas at the PTSA meeting and some discussion. (But this wouldn't be the only discussion on these matters). We hope to see you on Thursday and at the Anchorage School Board meeting on Monday.   Sincerely, The Denali PTSA If you have any questions or concerns, please e-mail me at moyer_craig@asdk12.org or call or write me a note. Sincerely, Craig Moyer

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