2012 back to school
DESCRIPTION
Fairbanks North Star Borough district map, schedule, FAQs and more to get the 2012/13 school year off to a good startTRANSCRIPT
SCHOOLYEAR
2012-2013
Fairbanks, Alaska
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Look inside for important
back-to-school information.
The Voice of Interior Alaska since 1903newsminer.com
2 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Saturday, August 4, 2012 17400870 8-4-12B
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See the Sunday, August 5
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Creative Movement & Danceat North Star Ballet introduces your child to movement and music
in an imaginative and creative atmosphere
Ages 4–9Fall Classes start August 27
Classes facilitate problem solving, concentration, and focus as children
develop strength, flexibility, and coordi-nation in a fun and cooperative setting
www.TheNorthStarBallet.orgRegister early at the Tanana Valley Fair
In-person registration August 24 & 25, 10 am to 6 pm1800 College Road, on the Tanana Valley Fairgrounds
451-8800 www.alaskacreativedance.comMore information at
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The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District is seeking three and four-year old children to participate in our special education preschool
programs as typical peers.
We are hoping to place two children in each of our sessions (morning and afternoon, 3 days per week, one session only). If interested, please contact the school principal at one of the following elementary schools: Ladd, Hunter, Ann Wien, Joy, Ticasuk Brown, North Pole, Arctic Light, Anderson or Pearl Creek. As opportunity is limited, priority will be given to children who are positive social role models with strong verbal skills. After reviewing your application, you will be contacted by the preschool teacher regarding potential placement opportunities. Transportation will not be provided by the school district.
This could be a very rich educational experience for your child.
If you have questions regarding this opportunity please call 452-2000, ext 11446.
An Equal Employment and Educational Opportunity Institution
By Pete LewisSuperintendent, Fairbanks North
Star Borough School District
Welcome students and parents back to another exciting
school year. I want to thank teachers and staff for all of the hard work they are doing to make sure our schools are up and ready to go from the moment the opening bell rings.
To our students and par-ents, I hope you had a reward-ing summer vacation and that you are just as excited about the upcoming school year as I am.
The start of a new school year means different things to different people, but the one common denominator for all of us is opportunity. For our teachers, it is an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of their students. For our students, it is an opportunity to challenge themselves in numerous ways, and to pur-sue success, both in and out of the classroom. For our par-ents, it is an opportunity to
do what you can to make sure your child’s educational jour-ney is a rewarding one.
Throughout the school year, you will hear a lot from us on ways you can get involved with your child’s education, from attending
parent-teacher conferences to utilizing the district’s Power-School system.
Wonderful opportunities indeed, and, as superinten-dent, I consider it my respon-sibility and the responsibility of those who work with me
to make those opportunities possible. Together, our part-nership with the community makes a difference.
Before we look ahead to this school year, I also want to take a moment to look back on some of the many accom-
plishments from the 2011-12 school year. Of particular note was the funding we received from the Alaska Legislature and Gov. Sean Parnell for this fiscal year. The one-time funding from the Legislature helped lessen cuts and protect key components of classroom instruction.
While the funding is not a permanent increase, the state’s effort to fund public education conveys quite clear-ly that the education of our young people is a priority. I look forward to continuing my advocacy for sufficient fund-ing during the next session so we can provide sustainable programs for our students.
Other district-wide items of note and, in particular, some important individual accom-plishments from last school year include:
• Lindy Kinn, instruc-tional technology teacher with the district, received the Tech Support of the Year award at the 2012 Alaska Society for Technology in Education conference.
Welcome to the 2012-13 school year
Eric Engman/News-Miner file
English teacher Alyse Loring works on remembering students’ names during her first class of the day on the first day of classes at Hutchison High School last school year.
Please see WELCOME, Page 3
3Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Saturday, August 4, 2012
� Kindergarten students and all students new to the district need a TB skin test within 90 days of admission.
State law requires all students to have the following immunizations:
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SCHOOL REGISTRATION
These requirements apply to all public school students, including students attending charter schools, Fairbanks B.E.S.T., and other alternative programs.
Please help the school comply with the law by supplying your child’s current immunization records to the school.
If your child needs an immunizaiton, contact your private provider for an appointment, or the Fairbanks Regional Public Health Center (452-1776) at 1025 W. Barnette St.
Students need immunizations to attend school... it’s the law!
SHOTS NEEDED FOR SCHOOL! � All students must have at least 4 DPT (with one after age 4), at
least 3 polio, 2 MMR, and the Hepatitis A and B series (or be in the process).
� A booster dose of Tdap is required 10 years after the last DPT.
Visit the district’s website at www.k12northstar.org or call 452-2000 for more information.
Elementary Registration: Elementary students who are NEW to the district or TRANSFERRING to a different school should register for school on August 9 and 10, 2012. Register at the school your child will be attending and be sure to bring the childʼs immunization record and proof of residency. Kindergarten and first grade students also need to supply proof of age and residency. All new students will need proof of immunization.
Secondary: Middle and high school students who are NEW to the district should contact the school for specific registration dates and times. Returning students who registered last spring do not need to register again; schedule changes will be made only after new students are registered. All new students will need proof of immunization.
High School First Day of Practice:
Swimming/Diving and Girls Volleyball August 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Out-of-Attendance-Area (OAA) Registration: Students wishing to attend an elementary school (K-6) outside their attendance area may do so on a year-by-year basis if space is available and they provide their own transportation. For students in grades 7-12, an out-of-attendance area application must be submitted the first year the student wishes to attend the school. Out-of- attendance area is not guaranteed.
Note: All secondary students (this means junior high and middle school as well as high school students) are now required to have a physical exam and a signed parent consent form on file prior to beginning his/her first team practice of the school year. The forms, as well as all handbooks can be found on the district website: www.k12northstar.org/student–activities
For more information, call Steve Zanazzo at 456-7794, ext. 17520.
An Equal Employment and Educational Opportunity Institution
� Students enrolled in part-time or after-school childcare are required to have at least one dose of varicella vaccine, although two doses are recommended.
� 2 Varicella (chicken pox) for grades K-6
Christopher H. Henry, D.M.D., M.S. Practice Limited to Orthodontics
114 Minnie St., Suite B, Fairbanks, AK 99701 (907)457-7878 • www.alaskabraces.com
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Welcome Back! Best wishes for a successful
school year from Dr. Henry & Staff
• In advanced placement, SAT and ACT test scores,
Fairbanks schools are outper-forming the state and national averages.
• Through the U.S. Depart-ment of Labor and the Federal Office of Apprenticeship, the School to Apprenticeship pro-
gram was approved, creating linkages between the school district and local apprentice-ship programs.
• Lathrop High School won the statewide GCI Alaska Aca-demic Decathlon Competition.
• Barbara Nore, a choir teacher at North Pole Middle School, was named Alaska Music Educator of the Year.
• Cheryl Severns, of Two Rivers School, and Teresa Ponder, of Nordale Elemen-tary School, were awarded the Middle School and Elementa-ry Physical Education Teach-er of the Year awards for the state, respectively.
• Mary Cofer, principal of Arctic Light, received the Fairbanks Principals’ Associa-tion’s 2012 Elementary Prin-cipal of the Year award.
• Sandra Kowalski, prin-cipal of Randy Smith Middle received the FPA 2012 Sec-ondary Principal of the Year award.
• Local voters endorsed both school bond propositions for capital projects at five area
schools in the 2011 borough election.
• Julie Wild-Curry, director of after-schools pro-grams, is one of 15 educa-tional leaders to be selected as a White-Riley-Peterson Policy Fellow from throughout the nation. She will have an opportunity to play a critical role in the development of state-level after-school policy plans.
• Tim Doran, principal of Denali Elementary, was named the National Distin-guished Principal for 2011 by the Alaska Association of Elementary School Principals.
• Hannah Boyer, of West Valley, etched her name in Alaska’s high school ski-ing record books when she
WELCOMEContinued from Page 2
Please see WELCOME, Page 4
Sam Harrel/News-Miner file
Matia Wartes, 5, gets excited as her mother, Erin, right, and father, Marwan, read her daily schedule in Eva Hartley’s kindergarten class at Pearl Creek Elementary School in August 2011.
4 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Saturday, August 4, 2012
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Registration Saturday, Aug. 25 from Noon to 5 p.m. Registration fee $30
On-Lane Coaching! All skill levels welcome! Join as an individual or a team. Earn patches, pins, awards.
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Arctic Bowl Youth Bowling Leagues Leagues begin Sept. 8! Full Service Bowling Center
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earned her third consecutive girls Skimeister Award at the Alaska state cross-country ski championships in Anchorage.
• Alisha Allen, of Lath-rop, won first place in all three Region VI track and field events in which she com-peted.
As I enter my third year as superintendent, I continue to be impressed on a daily basis of the wonderful things being accomplished through the efforts of teaches, staff and students.
Equally impressive is the dedication of our parents and the level at which the commu-nity of Fairbanks supports its public schools.
I also want to stress that the Board of Education, our administrative team, staff and
myself welcome and value input from all community
members. Working together, 2012-13 will be a great school
year.Pete Lewis has served as super-
intendent of Fairbanks schools since 2010.
WELCOMEContinued from Page 3
Eric Engman/News-Miner file
Fairbanks North Star Borough School District Superintendent Pete Lewis gives the “State of the Schools” address at the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce luncheon in September at the Carlson Center.
5Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Saturday, August 4, 2012
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S AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY INSTITUTION.
Programs prepare students for careers
Staff Report
About 8,000 Alaska stu-dents graduate from high school annually. Some go to college, some enter technical schools and some just stop educating themselves.
At age 19, fewer than one-fifth of those graduates still are in some type of education-al program, according to state and university officials who have studied Alaska’s situa-tion.
This lack of continuing education means Alaska can-not meet its current work-force needs, much less future demand, according those offi-cials. In fact, Alaska already ranks fifth in the nation for the percentage of teens not in school and not working, they say.
The Alaska Career and Technical Education Plan, produced by the state educa-tion and labor departments and the University of Alaska, asks Alaska to prepare young Alaskans for work and then move them into it.
The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District offers “career and technical educa-tion” programs to do just that.
The programs target high school students, but the dis-trict plans to give middle school students Career and Technical Education options as well. Getting young stu-dents to think about career interests and helping them follow these interests reduces the risk that they’ll drop out of high school, according to the district.
All Fairbanks high schools have CTE curriculum. Oth-er district CTE programs include:
Please see CAREER, Page 6
District provides career, technical education options
6 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Saturday, August 4, 2012
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1867 AIRPORT WAY (Next to Wendy’s)
452-2024
$25 off prescription lenses for students only through 8/30
Eye Exams Available At Clear Vision Optometry 452-2131
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If you are not an Alaska resident, you should compare this plan with any college savings plan offered by your home state or your benefi ciary’s home state and consider, before investing, any state or other tax benefi ts that are only available for investments in the home state’s plan. Go online or call the number listed above to request a Plan Disclosure Document, which includes investment objectives, risks, fees, expenses, and other information. You should read and consider the Plan Disclosure Document carefully before investing. Offered by the Education Trust of Alaska. T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., Investment Advisor and Program Manager.T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc., Distributor/Underwriter.
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• Apprenticeships: The district and local trade unions find highly qualified appren-ticeship candidates while they’re still in school and help them enter union apprentice-ship programs.
• School District Alas-ka Construction Academy Grant Program: The pro-gram offers high school stu-dents vocational courses and workshops that will lead to jobs in high-demand fields in construction and/or trade apprenticeship programs.
The academy offers a series of building trades courses and workshops to introduce and expose high school students to construction skills. Hutchison High School and North Pole High School host the academy.
In addition to the acade-my, short theme-focused con-struction workshops, taught by Alaska Works Partner-ship instructors, also will be offered.
• Tech Prep: This pro-
gram allows high school stu-dents to earn credits toward a college certificate and/or degree by completing classes that have been approved by the CTC. The credit is offered at a reduced cost compared to university tuition.
The school district is look-ing for other ways to offer career and technical education. Last year, teachers gathered in the fall to begin reviewing and revising the CTE curriculum. They discussed what parts of it were working well, what parts could be updated or changed and what those changes might look like.
For more information on CTE programs at the school district, go to www.k12northstar.org/departments/curriculum/cte.
CAREERContinued from Page 5
GET MOREFor more information on
Alaska Career and Technical Education programs offered by the school district, go to www.k12northstar.org/departments/curriculum/cte.
7Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Saturday, August 4, 2012
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The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status.
The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex in violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 in the educational programs or activities which it operates.
The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District does not discriminate on the basis of disability in violation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This includes admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs, services, and activities.
Individuals requiring further information should contact the designated compliance director:
Ms. Elizabeth (Bett) Schaffhauser Employment and Educational Opportunity Director
520 Fifth Avenue 4th Floor, Suite A, Room 410
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701 (907) 452-2000 ext. 11466
Fax (907) 452-3172
PUBLIC NOTICE
�
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Fairbanks’ own one room schoolhouse
Grades 1-8 Northern Lights Academy is a private school offering a rigorous academic program for students in grades 1-8.
We will be utilizing a one room schoolhouse/multiage philosophy to
cover the required curriculum.
Janice Trumbull [email protected] • 322-2325 www.northernlightsacademy.org
Open the door...
Northern Lights Academy
...to a whole new experience!
Now accepting applications for 2012-13
SPACE IS LIMITED
“Aurora”
Conductors Marvilla Davis and Melissa Downes
479-2914 388-0543 [email protected]
Women’s vocal ensemble for those who love to sing,
now inviting new members.
Fairbanks Travel Club
Attend the Presidential Inauguration
Grades 5-8 Open to all Students
January, 2013 Jamestown, Williamsburg
& Washington D.C.
Now scheduling interviews
Janice Trumbull [email protected]
322-2325
Melissa Downes, Director Melissa Downes, Director Janice Trumbull, Accompanist Janice Trumbull, Accompanist
For information and to schedule an audition: www.northlandchoir.org
or Call 388-0543
our Now in our
13th 13th Season Season
Now Scheduling Auditions for 2012-2013
For audition times contact Melissa Downes
Love to Sing? Love to Sing?
A Community Youth Choir, open to males and females of all cultural, racial and
religious backgrounds. All unchanged treble voices age 8 to 18 are welcome to audition.
Construction projects upgrade school facilities
By REBA [email protected]
Students walking in the doors of their schools around the district this fall might notice gleaming floors and clean-scented halls, but stu-dents at certain schools will notice more stand-out repairs and upgrades.
The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District’s facilities maintenance team has had a busy summer, work-ing to improve sewer systems and the efficiency of build-ings while also performing maintenance.
At Lathrop High School, though, students will find a new gymnasium and nearby hallways. The gym will have a better lighting and sound sys-tems. Its 56-year-old floor will
be replaced.Contractors will continue
to work on the gym into the school year, but classes should not be disrupted. The contrac-tors will work at night to fin-ish the upgrades.
Barnette Magnet School’s complete overhaul still is under way, now in its third phase. Contractors will work on the building throughout the school year, but, again, students will not be disrupted. The workers will focus on the outside of the building, not where students are learning.
The district worked on two major lighting projects during the summer — at Weller Ele-mentary School and at North Pole High School’s auditorium.
Both projects will improve
Please see WORK, Page 8
8 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Saturday, August 4, 2012
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efficiency and reduce electric-ity usage. At the auditorium, the upgrades replaced the old theater lighting and will increase lighting for classroom-type activities. At Weller, the upgrades will improve lighting levels that were found to be deficient and give teachers more control of the lighting.
At Pearl Creek Elementary School, a 30-year-old carpet will be replaced with a new, rubber floor, which will be easier to maintain.
At Badger Road Elementary School, workers are adding finish insulation to the gym’s exterior. The insulation should reduce heating costs.
The improvements are in addition to preventive maintenance around the district, which should be benefi-cial to more than just school work-ers, according to Superintendent Pete Lewis.
“They take care of a lot of wear and tear that extends life of the building and saves dollars of the tax-payer,” he said.
Sam Harrel/News-Miner file
Barnette Magnet School’s complete overhaul still is under way, now in its third phase. Contractors will work on the building throughout the school year, but students will not be disrupted.
WORKContinued from Page 7
9Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Saturday, August 4, 2012
By REBA [email protected]
In Alaska, measurements of student success are taking new form as the state receives a one-year waiver from increas-ing targets in the No Child Left Behind Act.
The student proficiency tar-gets are rolling back to the 2010-11 levels, which are about 83 percent proficiency for language arts and 74.5 percent for math-ematics. If the waiver didn’t kick in, 94 percent of students would need to be proficient in language arts and 91.5 percent in mathematics this coming school year.
In 2014, the law expects 100 percent of students across the country to be proficient in all subjects.
State lawmakers and school officials have called that expec-tation unreasonable and have looked for ways out of the requirements.
Rep. Bob Miller, D-Fairbanks, released a statement in favor of the progress toward a larger waiver from the “one-size-fits-all requirements.” He intro-duced a resolution asking the governor to apply for a waiver during the legislative session.
“The state’s efforts to set its own standards and take the opportunity to opt out of No Child Left Behind are working, and the federal government’s decision to grant the first part of our request is an encouraging step in Alaska’s efforts to main-tain local control of our schools and our children’s education,” he said.
Fairbanks Education Asso-ciation President Tammy Smith said teachers feel a school’s rela-tive success in meeting the tar-gets does not accurately portray student performance.
“Teachers in our district have and will continue to prepare stu-dents for optimal success; how-ever, the results from these tests
still only provide a narrow view of a child’s progress,” Smith wrote in a statement. “Continu-ing to have to stay focused on this specific requirement inhib-its a well-rounded education for all of our students.”
Superintendent Pete Lew-is said the one-year waiver is the beginning of a total waiv-er from the law. The state of Alaska would need to complete requirements for its own educa-tion accountability system to be granted a complete waiver.
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Looking and paying for child care doesn't have to be scary!
We're here
to help!
Looking for help paying for child care? Call 479-2212
Looking for help finding child care? Call 479-2204
Email: [email protected] Online: www.threadalaska.com
Child Care Assistance & Child Care Referrals
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Sam Harrel/News-Miner file
Nordale Elementary School third-grader Perry Akootchook plays “Spin-ning for Mon-ey” with his mother, Col-leen Sovalik, at a Nordale “Family Math Game Night” at the school in 2011. The game night introduces families to the math games students are playing to encour-age their use of everyday math skills.
Testing standards take new shapeAlaska receives 1-year waiver from increasing federal targets
10 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Saturday, August 4, 2012
West Valley High School Announces…
Before a student can participate, the STUDENT MUST HAVE: • Current physical on record with the school • Activity Consent/Release Form signed/dated with the year . • 2.00 GPA, no more than 1 F & passed 5 classes from
previous semester • Students cannot participate until they are cleared from the
book-fines list
TRYOUTS/PRACTICE TIMES FOR FALL ACTIVITIES:
ACTIVITY DATE LOCATION TIME Volleyball Aug. 6-8 West Valley TBA
(www.westvalleyvolleyball.com) Swimming Mon., Aug. 6 UAF 3:3 0 –5:30 p.m.
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NEW STUDENT REGISTRATION: Counselors will be available the following dates by appointment.
Please call 479-4221 ext. 9111 August 9 - 14 • 8:00 a.m – 2:00 p.m.
1st DAY OF SCHOOL Tuesday, August 21 Freshman and New Students to the District ONLY
2nd DAY OF SCHOOL Wednesday, August 22 Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors
FRESHMAN PARENT NIGHT Wed., Aug. 29 5:30-6:30 p.m.
WOLFPACK OPEN HOUSE Wed., Sept. 5 6:3 0 –8:00 p.m.
“Staying Connected”
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Boys and Girls Home of Alaska Treatment Center School 3101 Lathrop St. Fairbanks, AK 99701 (907) 459-4703
Our students and staff truly appreciate your generosity.
Midnight Sun Academy Thanks the following supporters
for their donations to our school...
Alyeska Pipeline Service Company Association of Alaska School Boards
Holiday Parks M AC Federal Credit Union
Pavva Inupiaq Dancers Samʼs Club
UAF Employment Relations: Alice Palen
UAF Summer Arts Festival: Bobby Lewis, Eustice Johnson, Debra Pearson & Yvonne McHenry
US Marine Corps: Gunny Sgt Sparks & MSgt Harrison Susan Bessette Pat DeRuyter Kathy Hughes
Matt & Mary Mattingly Claire Murphy
Gretchen Nolan Laura Nutter Wendy Ward
Joanne Widman Jen Wieland
Leslie Yamamoto
Staff Report
The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District is planning a new program, “Ignition,” for freshmen and new students to start the 2012-13 school year at area high schools.
Aug. 21 will be the first day of school for kindergarten through grade nine, as well as new students in grades 10 through 12.
Aug. 22 will be the first day of school for returning students in grades 10 through 12.
“Ignition” is designed as “a transition program that helps students build rela-tionships and make a positive shift to high school,” according to a district press release. On the first day, freshmen and new students will meet with mentors, attend group activities, tour buildings and famil-iarize themselves with class schedules.
More information about the various “Ignition” schedules and activities on the first day of school are available at respec-tive high school websites.
News-Miner file
West Val-ley High School freshman Michael Callahan attempts to open his recently assigned locker during freshman orientation activities for the 2010-11 school year.
School district plans ‘Ignition’ day for freshmen
Immunization clinics held Aug. 9, 15
Staff Report
Children need immuniza-tions against a variety of infec-tious diseases before they’re allowed to attend public schools in Fairbanks.
By state law, children in public school must have the immunizations or a valid medi-cal or religious exemption.
The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District will hold a free immunization clinic from 3-6 p.m. Aug. 9 in the administrative offices at 520 Fifth Ave. School nurses will review records and administer any vaccines to meet require-ments.
The Alaska Division of Pub-lic Health will offer free immu-nizations from 3-6 p.m. Aug. 15 at the North Pole Fire Depart-ment, 110 Lewis St. in North Pole.
The required immuniza-tions are:
• Ages 4 or 5 for DtaP (bac-terial infections of diptheria,
Please see CLINICS, Page 11
11Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Saturday, August 4, 2012
Looking for a PUBLIC SCHOOL that's different?
Barnette Magnet School. This downtown K-8 school provides flexible scheduling, academic and exploration courses, and options for both full and part-time students. Their mission is to "build competency through choices." Enrollment is determined through lottery. 456-6072
Building Educational Success Together. B.E.S.T. is the districtʼs home school and correspondence program. This program offers parents a chance to customize their childrenʼs education at home while still allowing them to participate in local school activities such as sports or music. Online classes are also available. 452-2000, ext. 11201
Chinook Montessori Charter School. This school on International Way stresses individually-paced, multi-age education with a strong emphasis on family and community involvement for students in grades K-8. Enrollment is determined through lottery. 452-5020
Effie Kokrine Early College Charter School. This secondary school features rigorous instruction, individual learning styles, a non-traditional calendar, and a 10:00 a.m. start time. Classes integrate traditional and contemporary knowledge and foster a strong understanding of Alaska Native culture and a respect for all cultures. 474-0958
Hutchison High School. This is a Comprehensive High School with a Career Technical Education focus centered around five career clusters. (Arts/AV Technology/ Communications; Information Technology; Health Sciences & Human Services; Architecture & Construction; and Transportation, Distribution & Logistics). We are a "School of Choice" offering strong core academics and preparing students for the next level. HHS students have the opportunity to prepare for the future whether that be immediate employment, advanced technical training, apprenticeships and/or college. 479-2261
The OPTIONS Teen Parenting Program. Child development, life skills, teen parenting and pregnancy classes are offered along with academic courses and career and technical opportunities for pregnant or parenting students who wish to continue their high school education. Childcare is available on-site at Hutchison High. 479-2261
Star of the North Secondary Charter School. Designed for students in grades 7-12 who seek a non-conventional school setting, this charter school consists of two campuses: the Career Education Center (479-4061) is located at 725 26th Avenue and the North Pole Academy is located at 2945 Monk Court (490-9025) .
Watershed Charter School. The Watershed Charter School is the districtʼs newest charter school. This K-8 school uses a model for education that emphasizes community involvement and the outdoors through “place-based education.” Enrollment is determined through lottery. 374-9350
For more information, contact the F.N.S.B. School District at 452-2000, x11401 or visit www.k12northstar.org
An Equal Employment & Educational Opportunity Institution
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tetanus and pertussis), depend-
ing upon the student’s age and the date received.
• 3 or 4 for polio virus, depending upon age.
• 3 for hepatitis B virus.
• 2 for hepatitis A virus.• 2 for MMR (measles,
mumps and rubella viruses).• 2 for varicella (chicken
pox virus). This is required
for students in kindergarten through sixth grade only. Also, students who can prove they had chicken pox in the past do not need the immunization.
CLINCSContinued from Page 10 Sleep
biggestneed forstudents
By Sharon NaylorCreators News Service
Students who skimp on sleep suffer more than just bleary eyes at the breakfast table. According to Mary A. Carskadon, Ph.D., profes-sor of psychiatry and human behavior and expert at the Sleep for Science Research Lab at Brown University says, “Evidence abounds to indicate that sleeping well — 8.5-plus hours with a regular schedule — supports learn-ing, psychological well-being and physical health. Good sleep makes paying attention and concentrating in school easier, improves the ability to recall and retain information, and the sleep that occurs after effective learning helps to consolidate and even aug-ment the daytime learning. A number of studies show a marked tendency toward bet-ter grades in teens who sleep well.” Skimping on sleep often results in a lower GPA.
Quality sleep also height-ens sports performance. Car-skadon says, “When sleeping too little, one of the most notable deficits is in reac-tion time ... to stimuli in the environment. Better sleep promotes faster reaction times that can have a signifi-cant impact on sports perfor-mance, along with improved attention and concentration.” Your student-athlete could see his or her achievements on the field or court sky-rocket, perhaps leading to captainships and scholarships down the road, if sleep habits are improved.
Outside of school-related activities, quality sleep is important for students’ health and well-being.
Please see SLEEP, Page 13
12 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Saturday, August 4, 2012
TEACHERS The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner’s Newspaper in Education Program presents the following opportunities for the '12–'13 school year:
N.I.E. Services
• E edition for use in classroom
• Curriculum materials - Lesson
plans, activities, and ideas on
how to use the News-Miner
in your classroom.
Spelling Bee The Daily News-Miner and the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District are pleased to sponsor the Interior Alaska Spelling Bee. Letters will be sent to school spelling bee coordinators in October.
This exciting
program features
curriculum tailored
to grades
kindergarten
through 12 and
culminates with
students
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day and voting alongside them.
Kids Voting is helping families l
earn
about how our democratic process
works and instilling lifel
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habits in school-age ch
ildren.
Alaska/North
FAIRBANKS DAILY NEWS-MINER, SATURDAY, AUG. 4, 2012
Brian Naplachowski
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13Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Saturday, August 4, 2012
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Matchgirl Rehearsal
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Lack of sleep affects the immune system. Experts at the Mayo Clinic say that people who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to get sick after being exposed to a virus, such as the com-mon cold. During sleep, the immune system releases pro-teins that actively fight infec-tions, inflammations and the deleterious effects of stress.
Sleep deprivation has also been linked to cardiovascular problems, obesity, diabetes and debilitating emotional states. Carskadon says, “A
major negative factor that accompanies insufficient sleep is a depressed mood, which is accompanied by fatigue, lack of motivation and general malaise.”
Clearly, quality sleep is a must for your student. But how much sleep do they need? Amy Korn-Reavis, coordinator of the polysomnography pro-gram at Valencia College, said, “At age 5, a child needs 12 to 14 hours of sleep, and the need decreases with age to 9 to 12 hours at age 16.” These hour totals may seem long, but Korn-Reavis says that children and teens need to reach different stages of sleep. “Stage N3 or slow-wave sleep is where many hormones,
including growth hormones, are produced and growth and healing occur. During REM sleep is where we consolidate our memories from short- to long-term memory.” REM sleep happens at the last part of the night.
How to improve student sleep habits
Try to help your student develop a bedtime routine. A routine “tells the brain it is time to unwind and go to sleep. You can compare it to
a computer that has certain tasks it needs to do before it shuts off,” Korn-Reavis said. “At least one hour before bed they should not be using elec-tronics such as TV, cellphones
SLEEPContinued from Page 11
Please see SLEEP, Page 14
14 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Saturday, August 4, 2012
$15.50/hour
$10/hour
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or game systems. The flashing light stimulates the brain, making it difficult for (the brain) to know it is bed time.” This includes PCs and tablets, as well.
Sleep expert Dr. Robert Oexman of the Sleep to Live Institute advises maintain-ing good sleep habits in the summertime, so they won’t be shocked back into the rou-tine when back-to-school time comes along.
Oexman suggests keeping to a set bedtime during sum-mer. A child’s summer bed-time may be later, but it must be regular.
If you let kids run com-pletely free, they will stay up much too late, starting a cycle of sleep deprivation.
General sleep-smart tips for kids include:
• Get eight hours of sleep. Set a routine and commit to getting at least eight hours of sleep but preferably more, if
possible.• Avoid caffeine. Kids
today think that energy drinks give them a boost to stay up and do homework, but these and other caffeinated drinks interrupt sleep. So pro-vide a variety of caffeine-free beverages, including ice-cold water with lemon.
• Ensure REM. If students have to stay up late to finish a project or study for an exam, aim for at least six hours of sleep, which allows for at least some REM sleep that consoli-dates memory and allows the student to remember what he or she studied.
• Block out light and noise. If your student is sensitive to noise, put a “white noise” machine in the bedroom to mask outside sounds. If light wakes the child too early, consider new curtains that block out more outside light. College students are known to wear eye masks to sleep well when a roommate stays up late.
• Be fit. Exercise boosts healthy hormones that regu-late rest and sleep.
SLEEPContinued from Page 13
How to celebrate students’academic achievements
By Kristen CastilloCreators News Service
Your child gets good grades on his report card. Do you reward him? How?
Some parents give their kids cash for good grades; others reward with electronic gadgets, movie tickets or activities.
Still other parents want to reward their children’s report cards with praise.
“What a kid is looking for more than anything is that you’re proud of them,” says Kenneth Goldberg, a 35-year professional in clinical psy-chology and author of “The Homework Trap: How to Save the Sanity of Parents, Students and Teachers.”
You can show your child your pride with a high five, a hug, some uplifting words and some quality time
together.“Kids need support and
encouragement when learn-ing,” said Brian Bonner, the California State PTA’s vice president for parent involve-ment.
“A report card shows the progress a kid has made,” Bonner said. “You can’t always expect perfection, but you can expect progress.”
How you recognize that progress is up to you.
“Rewards can be given without actually calling it a reward,” said Goldberg, who suggests telling a child you want to “celebrate” with him.
For example, Goldberg said, you tell your child, “‘Let’s go have ice cream,’ or ‘Let’s go see a movie,’” he said. “This is an accomplish-ment worth celebrating.”
The reward you choose has to be something the child
values, such as a visit to a favorite museum or extra time watching TV.
“The best rewards are the ones that work,” said Gold-berg, who explains rewards will change based on the student’s age and interest.
He also reminds parents to be flexible. “Be ready to continually adjust the reward system,” Goldberg said.
While money can be a motivator, say $20 for each A and $10 for each B, the bur-den of rewarding good grades with cash can be stressful and expensive.
“Parents need to recognize our resources and limits and follow them,” Bonner said.
So if you’re willing to reward grades with money, save up.
Don’t wait until you
Please see REWARDS, Page 15
15Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Saturday, August 4, 2012
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AUDITIONS Fairbanks
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Youth Symphony are August 24 and 25. Read more and sign up for auditions online
after August 1: www.fairbanksyouthorchestras.org
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Are eligible to participate in athletics, music programs, and other extra-curricular activities at their attendance area schools according to district/state guidelines. May enroll in up to two classes at local district schools. Are assigned a certified educational specialist who is knowledgeable of various curricula, courses, resources, and learning styles as well at B.E.S.T. policies and FNSBSD requirements.
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receive your child’s report card to know what’s going on with grades, good or bad.
“Report cards shouldn’t come as a surprise,” Bon-ner said. “Parents need to be involved with their kids’ prog-ress and learning throughout the year.”
Intervene right away if you see your child isn’t doing well at school, so the student can get academic help.
Trying to reward a strug-gling student can backfire, since most students with poor grades simply don’t under-stand the work.
“Rewards work on the assumption that a child could do the work if he just tried harder,” said Goldberg, who recommends parents talk with the teacher about what’s going on in the classroom to see whether the problem is a lack of understanding the material.
It’s not just parents who offer rewards to celebrate
student achievement and keep them focused on their studies. Some restaurants and stores honor students who have good grades by giving them free desserts, snacks and activities.
Students in the Athens, Ga., area are motivated by “Report Card Rewards,” a program that gives good stu-dents swim passes.
“The whole idea is to rec-ognize kids who’ve done well academically,” said Cathy
Padgett of the Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department, which has been running the program for a few years. “All kids love to go swimming.”
Students in kindergarten through 12th grade are eli-gible for the program.
“With all A’s, a child gets one free summer pool pass,” said Padgett, noting that kids with A’s and B’s receive 10 free swims.
“Parents see it as a great opportunity,” she says. “Plus, it’s free.”
Reward reminders• Build your child’s confi-
dence throughout the school year by recognizing his prog-ress.
• Realize that while self-motivated kids don’t necessar-ily need rewards to do well, they love positive attention and rewards, too.
• Don’t worry about spoil-ing your child. Your child is “earning” the reward by earn-ing good grades.
• If your child doesn’t earn good grades and therefore doesn’t earn the reward, find ways she can do better next time, like by studying with a tutor or doing extra credit work.
• Reward children with praise, but never ridicule them.
REWARDSContinued from Page 14
16 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Saturday, August 4, 2012
Student RegistrationsFollowing is a list of back-to-school student registration dates and times planned at district schools. Contact your school for more information or to confirm dates/times.
SCHOOL DATE TIME
FNSBSD Key contacts:
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS Anderson Aug. 9-10 9 a.m.-3 p.m.Anne Wien Aug. 9-10 9 a.m.-3 p.m.Arctic Light Aug. 9-10 9 a.m.-3 p.m.Badger Road Aug. 9-10 9 a.m.-3 p.m.Barnette Magnet Aug. 9-10 9 a.m.-3 p.m.Crawford Aug. 9-10 9 a.m.-3 p.m.Denali Aug. 9-10 9 a.m.-3 p.m.Hunter Aug. 9-10 9 a.m.-3 p.m.Joy Aug. 9-10 9 a.m.-3 p.m.Ladd Aug. 9-10 9 a.m.-3 p.m.Nordale Aug. 9-10 9 a.m.-3 p.m.North Pole Aug. 9-10 9 a.m.-3 p.m.Pearl Creek Aug. 9-10 9 a.m.-3 p.m.Salcha Aug. 9-10 9 a.m.-3 p.m.Ticasuk Brown Aug. 9-10 9 a.m.-3 p.m.Two Rivers Aug. 9-10 9 a.m.-3 p.m.University Park Aug. 9-10 9 a.m.-3 p.m.Weller Aug. 9-10 9 a.m.-3 p.m.Woodriver Aug. 9-10 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
(Tentative times, some schools may open/close earlier or at lunch time)
MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLSBen Eielson........................................................ Aug. 9-10 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Hutchison ........................................................ Aug. 13-17 8 a.m.-3 p.m.Lathrop High ..................................................... Aug. 8, 9, 10, 13, 14 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 16, 20 8-11 a.m. & 1- 3:30 p.m.
North Pole High ................................................ Aug. 8, 9, 10, 13 8-11 a.m. & noon-2:30 p.m.
North Pole Middle ............................................ Aug. 8, 9, 10 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Randy Smith Middle........................................... Aug. 10 9-11 a.m. Aug. 13 1-5 p.m. Aug. 14 9-11 a.m.Ryan Middle ...................................................... Aug. 10, 13 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Tanana Middle.................................................. Aug. 9,10,13 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
West Valley High ............................................... Aug. 9,10, 13, 14 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Call 479-4221, ext. 9111 for an appointment
High Schools:1H Ben Eielson Jr/Sr High2H Lathrop High3H North Pole High4H West Valley High5H Hutchison High
✁ Phone numbers to clip and save ✁The FNSBSD offices are located at 520 Fifth Ave. Phone number: 452-2000. Extensions:
Superintendent 11401School board 11400Asst. superintendents 11411Student records 11212Transportation 11351
Special education 11489Curriculum 11421B.E.S.T. 11201Community relations 11403After-school prog. 11271
Food service 451-1004
Elementary Schools: 1. Anderson 2. Ann Wien 3. Arctic Light 4. Badger Road 5. Crawford 6. Denali 7. Hunter 8. Joy 9. Ladd 10. Nordale 11. North Pole Elementary 12. Pearl Creek 13. Salcha 14. Ticasuk Brown 15. Two Rivers 16. University Park 17. Weller 18. Woodriver
Middle Schools:1M North Pole Middle2M Randy Smith3M Ryan4M Tanana
Charter/Magnet Schools:C/M1 BarnetteC/M2 Chinook CharterC/M3 Effie KokrineC/M4 WatershedC/M5 Star of the North (NPA)C/M5 Star of the North (CEC)
Anderson ElementaryShari Merrick, principal [email protected] Anne Wien ElementaryLeslie Campbell, [email protected] Arctic Light ElementaryMary Carlson, [email protected] Badger Road ElementaryDan File, [email protected] Barnette Magnet SchoolDana Evans, [email protected] Ben Eielson Jr./Sr HighMario Gatto, [email protected]
Career Education CenterCraig Kind, head [email protected] 479-4061
Chinook Charter SchoolPaul Fontes, head [email protected] Crawford ElementaryClarice Louden-Mingo, [email protected] Denali ElementaryTim Doran, [email protected]
Effie Kokrine Charter SchoolLinda Evans, [email protected] Hunter ElementaryJeff Mann, [email protected]
Hutchison High SchoolDan Domke, [email protected] Joy ElementaryDavid Foshee, [email protected] Ladd ElementaryRobert J. Stitt Jr., [email protected] Lathrop HighDave Dershin, [email protected] Nordale ElementaryBrian Powell, [email protected] North Pole AcademyBao Do, head [email protected]
NorthRosita rosita.w488-22 NorthRich Smrichard488-22
NorthBridgebridge488-37
Pearl Kate Lkather479-42
17Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Saturday, August 4, 2012
DeeDee Hammond/News-Miner
Two Rivers
PleasantValley
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h Pole ElementaryBryant-Wilburn, [email protected]
h Pole Middlemith, [email protected]
h Pole Highet Lewis, [email protected]
Creek ElementaryLaPlaunt, [email protected]
Randy Smith MiddleSandra Kowalski, [email protected]
Ryan MiddleHeather Stewart, [email protected] Salcha ElementaryAnnie Keep-Barnes, principal [email protected] Star of the North Secondary
See Career Education Center and North Pole Academy
Tanana MiddleGreg Platt, [email protected]
Ticasuk Brown ElementaryMichael Angaiak, [email protected]
Two Rivers ElementaryLori Swanson, [email protected]
University Park ElementaryKyra Aizstrauts, [email protected]
Watershed Charter School K-8John Carlson, head [email protected] Weller ElementaryLynn Weckesser, [email protected]
West Valley HighShaun Kraska, [email protected] Woodriver ElementaryGrant Guy, [email protected]
18 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Saturday, August 4, 2012
• District/School Calendars• Attendance History
• Personal Teacher Comments• Grade History
• Timely Communication• + more
• Student Records
New Student Registration Thursday, August 9
Friday, August 10 Monday, August 13
9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Schedule Pick Up & Lock Assignment 7 th & 8th Graders
Thursday, Aug. 16 5–7 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 17 5–7 p.m.
or
Open House Thursday, August 16 • 5–7 p.m. Parents will follow a shortened version of their student’s day
School Pictures Tuesday, Sept. 12
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Shines with Success! Shines with Success!
Should students play first, homework later?By Sharon Naylor
Creators News Service
When kids arrive home from school, is it wisest to make them sit down and dive right into their homework before playtime begins, or should they be allowed to play first and work later? As a parent, it’s important for you to weigh both options and then decide what works best for your children.
“Generally speaking, homework should be delayed until there has been some respite time after school to allow the brain a ‘vacation’ before beginning homework,” said Jennifer Little, Ph.D., founder of Parent-sTeachKids.com. Just like you need to decompress after a long workday before you’re motivated to undertake household cleaning and tasks, stu-dents often need a breather before
Please see HOMEWORK, Page 20
Eric Engman/News-Miner file
Ty Davis, left, and Katie Antal, right, work at the computer stations in the West Valley High School library in May 2010. Davis was doing research for his U.S. history class, and Antal was working on her French homework.
19Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Saturday, August 4, 2012
Thrivalaska Programs Helping Children & Families THRIVE!
Head Start Birth to Five • Summer Food Program thread Child Care Assistance • thread Resource and Referral
School Age Program at Pearl Creek Elementary
www.thrivalaska.com A 501c3 Charitable Organization since 1974
Enroll Now: Kindergarten
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Pearl Creek Elementary Contact Shelly for more information 479-0900 ext. 262
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Girl Scouts Invites YOU Girl Scouts Invites YOU to our booth at the to our booth at the
Back-to-School Socials Back-to-School Socials
Member Agency
*After volunteer screening process is complete **Dependent upon troop placement
Visit www.fairbanksgirlscouts.org or call 456-4782
Sign up to become a Girl Scout Leader and receive FREE
MEMBERSHIP !* ($12.00 value)
You can make a difference in a girl's life! Troop Leadership is designed for people with jobs, families, school commitments ...
PEOPLE LIKE YOU!
Plus, the FIRST 5 girls new to Girl Scouting will receive FREE MEMBERSHIP !** ($20.00 value)
COME JOIN THE FUN... JOIN GIRL
SCOUTS!
Eric Engman/News-Miner file
Watershed Charter School students, faculty and parents gather at Pike’s Landing to ride bicycles to school as part of National Bike To School Day in May.
Eric Engman/News-Miner file
Watershed Charter School kindergartner Kassie Peters-en, 6, locks her bike after biking to school May 9. Stu-dents, faculty and parents gathered at Pike’s Landing to ride bicycles to the school as part of National Bike To School Day. The event was held to raise awareness of the importance of exercise, road safety and the need for better roads and bike paths.
20 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Saturday, August 4, 2012
Save this Calendar!
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the next to-dos must be done. Plus, according to Dr. Mau-reen Taylor, who has master’s degrees in secondary and spe-cial education and has been a teacher for almost 40 years, “Playing after homework can
drive a child to work faster at the risk of their work.”
Allowing children a set amount of playtime before homework is what “educa-tors used to call ‘shaking out the cobwebs,’” Taylor said. “Today we call it ‘giving the child time to breathe and to process his day.’”
Children, after all, have bad days, too. They may be
stressed over an impending test or still feeling the sting of a negative comment from one of their peers. Quality free time lets them enter the “safe zone” of home and relax and unwind. “Students’ brains require a shift from the pres-sures of school to the relative calmness of home,” Taylor said.
Taylor also brings up a
valid point affecting your children’s energy levels and abilities to focus on homework: “Keep in mind that in larger schools, some children eat lunch at 10:30 and end their day at 3.” Kids may be low on energy simply because they haven’t had a nutritious meal or snack in more than four hours. They couldn’t possibly focus well on homework while
low on fuel. So a healthy snack upon their return home is a must, no matter what your homework/play arrangement is.
Homework responsibilities
“Elementary children usu-ally do not have much home-work, so doing it as dinner is prepared usually suffices,” Little said. “Middle- and high-school students will have more homework, and thus will need more hours to complete it. So before and after dinner should be allocated (for homework) before any other computer-based activities (Facebook, games, TV) occur. At some point, the child will become self-regulating with homework and decide when is best for him/her.”
Another factor is your child’s personality type. Some children cannot unwind unless their homework — about which they feel pressure — is completed, and some children would do anything to avoid their homework.
If you have multiple chil-dren, you need to create a plan that meets each child’s preferences. That may find you sitting down one child who needs to get homework out of the way, while the other child plays, and then summoning your other child to begin his or her homework after the allot-ted playtime.
Jen Lilienstein, founder of the educational site Kidzmet.com, said children with differ-ent personality types approach homework differently, such as a student who prefers to get closure on assignments before play, a student who thrives on tight deadlines, or a student who likes to work on three projects at once. (Visit www.kidzmet.com to assess your children’s personality types related to tasks.)
There is no rule saying all children must sit down togeth-er as a group to do homework. You may even find that they distract one another when they’re all at the kitchen table at the same time, working in their different ways. It may be your personal system to have kids do their homework in set shifts that work best for all.
HOMEWORKContinued from Page 18
Please see HOMEWORK, Page 21
21Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Saturday, August 4, 2012
For more information, or to get an application for free or reduced-price school meals, contact: Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, Nutrition Services, 1305 Charles Street, Fairbanks, AK 99701; (907) 451-1004 ext.16 601 or visit www.k12northstar.org.
Applications cannot be approved unless they contain complete information. Information provided on an application may be verified at any time. Households may apply for school meal benefits at any time during the school year if cir cumstances change. Children whose parents or guardians become unemployed may be eligible for school meal benefits based on their household income during
the period of unemployment. A household whose application for school meal benefits is denied will be provided an opportunity to appeal the decision.
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohib ited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a comp laint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washin gton
DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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School Year 2012-2013 Free and Reduced Price Meals
Fairbanks North Star Borough School District is pleased to announce its participation in the National School Lunch Program. Meals will be available to enrolled participants without regard to race, age, color, sex, disability , or national origin at the following sites: Anderson Elementary, Anne Wien Elementary, Arctic Light Elementary, Badger Road Elementary, Barnette Magnet, Ben Eielson Jr/Sr High, BRIDGE (lunch only), Crawford Elementary, Denali Elementary, Effie Kokrine Chart er, Hunter Elementary, Hutchison High, Joy Elementary, Ladd Elementary, Lathrop High, Nordale Elementary, North Pole Academ y (lunch only), North Pole Elementary, North Pole High, North Pole Middle, Pearl Creek Elementary, Randy Smith Middle, Rya n Middle, Salcha Elementary, SMART, Tanana Middle, Ticasuk Brown Elementary, Two Rivers School, University Park Eleme ntary, Weller Elementary, West Valley High, Woodriver Elementary . Meals meet nutritional standards established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The sites will participate in the National School Lunch Program, After School Snack, an d the School Breakfast Program.
If your income is less than or equal to the following guidelines you are eligible for free or reduce d-price meals. These guidelines are effective July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013 . If you have children who are approved for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) formerly known as Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Nati ve Family Assistance Program (NFAP), they are automatically able to receive free meals by filing an application that incl udes their assistance number from one of those programs. Students who are identified as migrant, homeless or runaway are automat ically eligible and do not need to fill out an application but do need to contact the district’s homeless liaison or migrant co ordinator to ensure benefits. Foster children receive free meal benefits regardless of the income of the household with which they reside . Note: Medicaid and Denali Kid Care case numbers do not qualify for eligibility.
Setting the rulesIf you’re experiencing
homework/play chaos with no set plan, now is the time to enforce rules in your home and decide how, when and where kids will do homework. A quiet environment with no television is ideal. Cellphones are to be left outside of the homework room to eliminate distractions.
Decide beforehand how children’s homework sessions will be scheduled, and inform kids that they are to complete all homework before their set bedtime. You will, in several weeks, review their grades and talk with them about their homework schedule, and you may decide to make changes to their schedule.
Older kids with extracurric-ular activities that affect their post-school schedules may need to switch their homework times to earlier in the evening
due to fatigue from their busy schedules. You’ll decide that at your review session.
As you observe children in their homework modes,
pay special attention to their frustration levels as they’re working. Little said, “Home-work avoidance is often a sign of problems” that may exist
in their school days, such as bullying. Be observant of what kids are telling you through their attitudes toward home-work.
If you have questions about your child’s homework lev-els, make an appointment to speak in person with his or her teachers.
HOMEWORKContinued from Page 20
News-Miner file
Just like you need to decom-press after a long work-day, students often need a breather before the next to-dos must be done after school. “Generally speaking, homework should be delayed until there has been some respite time after school to allow the brain a ‘vacation’ before beginning homework,” said Jennifer Little, Ph.D., founder of ParentsTeachKids.com.
22 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Saturday, August 4, 2012
NORTH STAR TAEKWON-DO Mary Siah Rec Center 456-3484
BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL
7 WEEKS $43 Includes FREE Uniform
and they join for $39 Bring a Friend or Family member
Day & Evening classes start Aug. 24
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Home of the Knights
WELCOME BACK, STUDENTS
North Pole Middle School
306 E. 8th Avenue • North Pole • 488-2271
17397648 8-4-12BT
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The staff of NPMS welcomes new and returning students to a new school year.
Please keep in mind these important dates:
To receive our daily bulletin, please send your e-mail address to: [email protected]
An equal employment & educational opportunity institution.
Check our Web site: http://npm.k12northstar.org/
Open Registration for Students August 8, 9 and 10 • 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Jump Start Mini Camp For all NEW STUDENTS to the building.
Invites went home in the mail, please RSVP. Lunch is provided. Monday, August 13 • 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Schedule and locker pick up Friday, August 17 • 11:30-2:00 p.m. Students First Day of School
Tuesday, August 21 See you bright & early, classes begin at 8:00 a.m.
Open House Thursday, August 30 • 6:00-7:30 p.m.
12399862-8-4-12BT
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JAZZ • TAP • BALLET • PRESCHOOL Classes start September 4 th & end December 8 th .
Register soon to ensure class placement For information/registration, call or pick up form at studio
We also sell Dancewear/shoes and excercise wear
914 College Rd• 452-5678 www.mohollanddance.com
FALL 2012 SCHEDULE TUESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 11:00-11:45
Ages 3-5 Preschool
9:00-9:45 Ages 3-5 Preschool
9:45-10:45 Ages 5-8
Ballet/Tap 1&2
4:00-5:00 Ages 5-8
Ballet/Tap 1&2
3:30-4:30 Ages 5-8
Ballet/Tap 1&2
3:30-4:30 Ages 9-12
Ballet
10:45-11:45 Ages 6-8 Intro Jazz
4:30-5:30 Ages 6-8 Intro Jazz
4:30-5:30 Teen Jazz A
5:30-6:30 Adult Jazz
1&2
4:30-5:30 Ages 9-12
Jazz/Tap 1&2
11:45-12:30 Ages 3-5 Preschool
5:30-6:30 Adult Tap 3A
5:00-6:00 Teen and
Adult Ballet
5:30-6:30 Teen and Adult
Tap 2
5:30-6:30 Ages 10 & Up
Hip Hop
6:30-7:30 Adult Jazz 3A
6:30-7:30 Teen Jazz B
7:30-8:30 Adult Tap 4
7:30-8:30 Adult Jazz 3B
8:30-9:30 Adult Jazz 4
8:30-9:30 Adult Tap 3B
6:00-7:00 Adult Ballet
3&4
1:30-2:15 Ages 3-5 Preschool
6:30-7:30 Adult Tap
1&2
12:30-1:30 Ages 9-12
Jazz/Tap 1&2
WEDNESDAY MONDAY
2:30-3:30 Ages 9 & Up Jazz/Tap3&4
1:30-2:30 Ages 9 & Up
Ballet
When your child wants to quit an activity
By Sharon NaylorCreative News Service
You surely want your child to excel in any sport or activity he or she participates in. But what happens when your child says “I want to quit”? Do you shake your head no and say, “You have to honor your com-mitments,” or do you call the coach to say your child won’t be back?
It’s a dilemma for parents who want their children to expand their horizons, develop skills and build a good college résumé, but it’s an equally large dilemma for the child who wants out.
Some of the most common reasons a student may wish to quit a sport or activity are:
• It went from play to pres-sure. According to Dr. Philip Dembro, life coach and author of “The Real Purpose of Par-enting,” “play is a necessary and healthy part of the human condition, where we begin to learn the connection between ‘fun,’ ‘learning’ and ‘effort.’
“As a child gets older, into their 4s and 5s, they begin to take that learning into orga-nized sports such as soccer and tee ball.” This is where adults today begin to take away the fun of the game and focus solely on the outcome, which is “winning,” Dembro said, “and parents often get caught up in the winning and losing.”
As the child gets older, the pressure to win gets more
Please see QUITTING, Page 23
A DAY AT THE FAIREric Engman/
News-Miner file
People make their way
through the rows of dis-plays during
public viewing at the 2012
Interior Alaska Science Fair on March 31
in the Pioneer Park Civic Cen-ter. The annual
event is open to K-8 students
and has four categories:
family, individ-ual, group and
class.
23Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Saturday, August 4, 2012
Aug. 29 & 30, 2012 • FYSA–Davis Road Soccer Fields
Founded in 1995, the Eclipse Soccer Club is the largest club in the Interior. The club is dedicated to the development of young athletes and the promotion of fair, competitive play.
for for Eclipse/Phoenix Summer 2013 Competitive Teams! Eclipse/Phoenix Summer 2013 Competitive Teams!
Announcing
TR Y UTS TR Y UTS
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Pre-register online beginning Aug. 13 www.eclipsesoccer.net
All pla ye rs must bring shin gua rd s, ball & $15 t r y o ut fee and must attend both e ve nings unless prior
arrangements ha v e been made. Contac t Amy Geiger at 322-4474 with questions .
Take your game to the next level!
THANK YOU
TO OUR COACHES
Eclipse 97—TBD Eclipse 98—John Mayer Eclipse 99—Michelle Steel Eclipse 00—Bruce Gard Eclipse 01—Greg Gibson Eclipse 02—John Cadigan Eclipse 03—Dimi Chagnon Phoenix 95/96—TBD Phoenix 97—Brian Luoma Phoenix 99—John Cadigan Phoenix 00—Shannon Sherwin Phoenix 01—Alan McGinty Phoenix 02—Justin Racette Phoenix 03—TBD
Bo y s/ Gi rls Date of Bi rth T r y o ut T i mes U11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8/1/02 – 7/31/03 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:0 0 –7:30 p.m. U12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8/1/01 – 7/31/02 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:0 0 –7:30 p.m. U13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8/1/00 – 7/31/01 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:3 0 –9:00 p.m. U14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8/1/99 – 7/31/00 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:0 0 –7:30 p.m. U15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8/1/98 – 7/31/99 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:3 0 –9:00 p.m. U16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8/1/97 – 7/31/98 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:0 0 –7:30 p.m. U17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8/1/96 – 7/31/97 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:3 0 –9:00 p.m. U18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8/1/95 – 7/31/96 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:3 0 –9:00 p.m. U19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8/1/94 – 7/31/95 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:3 0 –9:00 p.m.
News-Miner file
North Pole High School sophomore Madeline Hunter sports her school col-ors while playing flute in the pep band during a football game in September between North Pole and Wasil-la at Patri-ot Pride Field.
SCHOOL SPIRITintense, so by age 13, why would a child want to play, when winning is the only valued option? According to Dembro, 75 percent of kids who play a sport are quitting by age 13.
• The child is oversched-uled. With multiple sports and activities booking up their schedules each season, children can feel stressed and overextended, then tempted to lighten their load by dropping an activity or two.
• They’re afraid. According to Len Saunders, author of “Keeping Kids Fit,” children may develop a fear of failure, fear of getting hurt, fear of los-ing, fear of not pleasing others or “a fear of time sensitivity, where they feel there are not enough hours in the day for everything.”
Your child’s desire to quit will stem from his or her own particular issues, which you must find out in order to handle this dilemma. Accord-ing to Robyn Odegaard, CEO and owner of Champion Per-formance Development and author of “Stop the Drama! The Ultimate Guide to Female Teams,” the first step is listen-ing to them.
“It’s amazing what kids will tell you when you ask, and then you stay quiet,” she said. “So often parents don’t allow enough space in the conversation for a child/teen to answer, or will ask multiple questions in succession. Ask-ing one question and allowing the child/teen to answer will prompt a thoughtful response. Rapid-fire questions just cause a child/teen to shut down in confusion.”
Some questions to ask dur-
ing this conversation with your child include (courtesy of family life instructor Anastasia Gavalas):
• Why did you choose to join this activity/sport?
• What didn’t happen that you were hoping to accom-plish?
• What do you think would have made it better?
• What did you learn about yourself from this experience?
Your child’s responses will give you insight into his or her deeper experiences.
Deciding what to doOdegaard said: “Unless
the situation is dangerous or emotionally damaging, you may recommend that the child live up to his commitment and finish out the season. I believe it is important for children to be taught to follow through on their commitments, particu-larly when other people are counting on them.”
Explain these values to your child, and if this is the lesson you’d like your child to learn, enforce your rule to fol-low through until the end of the season. Some parents help
their child over this hurdle by returning fun to the activity, such as playing catch in the yard or going to the batting cages, but emphasizing enjoy-ment rather than pressuring to be a better hitter “so you enjoy it more.” If your child rediscovers the fun aspects of the activity, he may be more comfortable staying until the end of the season.
Parent Nikki Thompson enforces a rule that no quit-ting occurs mid-season. “If they choose not to pick it up next season, that’s fine — but not before it is over,” she said. “When I was a kid, I joined almost every sport and activ-ity, but I quit before the season was over. I hardly finished any-thing, which created a nega-tive cycle as an adult. I didn’t want my kids to continue this vicious cycle.” Thompson says she talks with her kids, encour-ages them and sticks with her rule.
“Sticking it out is always a great option,” Saunders said. “But maybe they do have a good reason for wanting to leave the sport. Yes, being on teams and clubs in high
QUITTINGContinued from Page 22
Please see QUITTING, Page 24
24 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Saturday, August 4, 2012
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The FNSB School District has arranged for a commercial carrier to make low cost accident insurance coverage, including accidental dental coverage, available to all public school students. This parent-paid insurance policy includes options for school-time, 24 hour protection, football medical benefits and dental coverage. Each district school will hand out to every student at the start of school, an application and a brochure describing benefits and premium costs. If you wish to purchase this insurance policy, mail the completed application form to the commercial carrier. This insurance may be purchased at any time during the school year. Coverage is effective the date the commercial carrier receives the application. If you do not receive an application, or have questions on this matter, contact Risk Management at 459-1392.
Contact Risk Management 459-1392
If your child is not protected by a parent or guardian’s health
insurance policy, the commercial policy outlined herein is a
reasonable and economical option.
An equal employment & educational opportunity institution.
Be Aware That The FNSB School District DOES NOT PROVIDE AUTOMATIC MEDICAL COVERAGE
If Your Child Is Injured At School. Attention: Parents
STUDENT ACCIDENT
INSURANCE
school does look great on col-lege applications, but they’re always looking at grades and
test scores first anyway.”An overextended, stressed
and miserable child won’t perform well on academics, so think carefully before you push your child to keep a com-mitment that is clearly caus-ing him more harm than good.
QUITTINGContinued from Page 23
Helping shy childrenin the classroom
By Chelle CorderoCreators News Service
You know she knows the answer, but when the teacher asks for volunteers, she just won’t raise her hand. There are children in every class-room who allow life’s opportu-nities to pass them by because they don’t feel comfortable “in the spotlight.” Parents will often react with disbelief when they are told that the
child who doesn’t know how to stay quiet at home doesn’t utter a word in class or other social settings.
John Malouff, Ph.D. — senior lecturer in psychol-ogy, author of “Helping Young Children Overcome Shyness” and father to Elizabeth — had this to say: “Shyness involves anxiety and behavioral inhi-bition in social situations. It occurs most frequently in situations that are novel or suggest evaluation of the person or situations where the person is conspicuous or others are intrusive. Although all children may experience
shyness sometimes, some chil-dren experience shyness to a debilitating degree.”
Malouf, along with his wife, Nicola Schutte, Ph.D., helped their own then-4-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, when her fears about new people and situations became over-whelming when she started school. “When my daughter entered pre-kindergarten, I expected her to have fun and learn. She talked and talked at home, loved books and said she was eager to start school. I didn’t expect her to refuse
How to create an empathetic model of outgoing behavior
Please see SHY, Page 25
25Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Saturday, August 4, 2012
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to speak to anyone there, but that’s what she did for the entire fall.”
Shyness is considered more of a feeling where the indi-vidual feels uncomfortable than a personality disorder. Some studies have suggested that there might be a “shy gene,” but if the comfort level is raised, the difficulty experienced will not become a permanent and disabling habit. The following are rec-ommended strategies that Malouf and his wife used to help their daughter:
• Tell the children about times when you acted bashful.
• Explain to the children how they will benefit from acting outgoing.
• Show empathy when the children feel afraid to inter-act.
• Prevent labeling of the children as “shy.”
• Set goals for more out-going behavior and measure progress.
• Set a model of outgoing behavior.
• Expose the children to unfamiliar settings and people slowly.
• Prompt the children to interact with others.
• Reward the children for
outgoing behavior.• Praise others’ outgoing
behavior in the presence of the children.
• Help the children prac-tice interacting with others.
• Pair each shy child with another child in each impor-tant setting.
• Read books with the chil-
dren about individuals who overcome shyness.
• Eliminate teasing of the children.
• Teach the children to identify and verbally express their emotions.
• Coordinate your efforts with those of other relevant adults.
• Read up on shyness and learn additional strategies for parents and teachers.
• Consult a guidance coun-selor or psychologist.
Never ridicule or discount the child’s fears of unfamil-iar surroundings and people; instead, sharing your own or others’ experiences and how (your) fears were coped with can certainly help.
Gradually introduce the new setting and people and if possible, be there to lend your support while you encour-age the child’s interaction with others; don’t force them to speak on their own, but include them in your conver-sations with others so they feel safe. Avoid labeling your child as shy or as anything else with negative connota-tions.
Reward your child for posi-tive improvements, but avoid singling him or her out or teasing him.
So-called shy children may fear ridicule, criticism, failure, or even bullying. If your child is bullied, Malouf said, you will have the “most success with school bullies by being persistently assertive with the teacher and school. It is pos-sible to train children to deal with bullies, but it is usually easier to press the school to end the bullying. I asked a teacher once to end the bul-lying of my daughter by a physically abusive boy, and the teacher ended the bully-ing immediately and forever. Sometimes it is necessary to change schools. If the bullying starts again in the new school, then it is time for parents to train the child to act differ-ently to prevent or end bullying.”
Children can learn behav-iors to help them feel confi-dent and interact more easily if you provide them with out-going examples and patience.
SHYContinued from Page 24
“Shyness involves anxiety and behav-ioral inhibition in social situations. It occurs most frequently in situations that are novel or suggest evaluation of the person or situations where the person is conspicuous or others are intrusive.”
— John Malouff, author of “Helping Young Children Overcome Shyness”
26 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Saturday, August 4, 2012
By Diane SchlindweinCreators News Service
Returning to classes after a school break brings with it all the excitement of reunit-ing with fellow students and making new friends. However, it can also be an opportunity for “mean girls,” bullies and gossipmongers to make life miserable for their unfortu-nate victims.
Because the first few weeks
of classes can set the stage for the rest of the school year, it’s important to keep the lines of communication wide open once school résumés. Pay closer attention to your child’s mood, ask open-ended questions and check out Face-book activity.
Whether your child seems to be happy or experiencing difficulty with peers, school counselor Beth LaFata says it never hurts to ask school
experts about a child’s class-room social life. Utilizing the school counselor can help children transition through stages of development and ensure they are making smart choices every day.
LaFata visits classrooms to discuss bullying preven-tion, peer pressure, building healthy friendships and con-fronting cliques.
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New student enrollment accepted during office hours M–F.
School supply lists are available ahead of time at our school web site http://plc.k12northstar.org
We look forward to seeing everyone on the first day of school, Tuesday, August 21. Students in 1 st through 6 th grade attend school from 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Please check the schedule for your Kindergarten or Pre-K students.
700 Auburn Drive • 479-4234 • Office Hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Pearl Creek Elementary Welcomes all new and
returning students to the
PTA Back-to-School Ice Cream Social
Friday, Aug. 17, 6–7:30 p.m. 13399566-8-4-12B
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Montessori education fosters a child’ s natural desire to learn. In a multi-age environment, Montessori teachers serve as guides rather than instructors, linking students with subjects that engage their interests and meet their developmental needs. Montessori students become confident, self-directed, life-long learners who are able to think critically, work collaboratively and act boldly .
907-479-TREE (8733)
11398357-8-4-12BT
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455-4567 1606 23rd Avenue
Sports Physicals $25.00*
*Price is for School Sports Physical only
Gear Up For Fall! School Sports Are Starting!
New Patients Welcome!
Opening communication with your kids this year
While boys are known to physically bully other children, girls can be equally cruel by causing emotional pain. Accord-ing to a Brigham Young University study, girls as young as 3 or 4 will use manipu-lative behaviors and peer pressure to get what they want. (Think the classic pre-school taunt, “You better do what I want or I won’t be your friend!”)
Please see TALKING, Page 27
27Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Saturday, August 4, 2012
The North Star Ballet SchoolFall classes for ages 4 to adult start August 27
Creative Movement for boys and girls age 4–9 Introduces your child to movement and music in an imaginative and supportive atmosphere
Balletfor children and adults
8 year comprehensive syllabusPointe, men’s class, pas de deux
PilatesFully equipped studio
erti ed instructorsMat classes and private lessons availableFeel good, look good, and be healthy!
TheNorthStarBallet or Register early at the Tanana Valley Fair, or in person August 24 & 25, 10 am to 6 pm
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Hutchison High School Fall Registration & Activities:
Activity Date Location Time
XC Running July 30 UAF (Ski Hut) 3-4:00 pm
Tennis July 30 DRTC TBA
Volleyball Aug. 6 Hutchison 5-7:00 pm
Swim/Diving Aug. 6 Lathrop TBA
Rifle Sept. 10 Hutchison TBA
Before a student can participate in sports
the student must have: • Current physical on record with the school
( BEFORE 1ST PRACTICE!!! ) • Activity consent/release form • 2.00 GPA, no more that 1 F & passed four classes from
previous semester • All Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors must be enrolled
in 5 semester units of credit or equivalent to be eligible. • Seniors who have passed all parts to the HSGQE must take
at least 4 semester units of credit to be eligible. All other seniors must be enrolled in minimum of 5 semester units to be eligible.
You can make an appointment at your local clinic for physicals.
If you are under the age of 18, your parent/guardian must sign the Health Information Confidential Form and must accompany you to the
physical. The cost is $25.00. Note: If this form is not signed the school cannot get a copy of the
physical. Therefore, the student athlete cannot participate in the sport until the form is signed.
For more information, call 479-2261
New Student Enrollment: August 13 - August 18 • 8:30–11:30 a.m. & 12:30–4:30 p.m.
August 21: District Wide Ignition Day 7:50 – 2:04 p.m. (All Freshman & New Students)
Open House: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
She recommends checking with your child’s school to see if counselors there follow the same procedures.
While boys are known to physically bully other chil-dren, girls can be equally cruel by causing emotional pain.
According to a Brigham Young University study, girls as young as 3 or 4 will use manipulative behaviors and peer pressure to get what they want. (Think the classic preschool taunt, “You better
do what I want or I won’t be your friend!”)
The study’s co-author Craig Hart explains, “It could range from leav-ing someone out to telling friends not to play with someone.”
LaFata believes in teach-ing girls to believe in them-selves. “Girls need to build up their confidence so they can reach their full potential, embrace their own gifts and be confident in their own skin.”
The author of the website A Magical Childhood, Ali-cia Bayer, suggests having girls build up good support systems by joining a church
club, Girl Scouts or taking a martial arts class.
When you choose to invite friends over to your home, try to avoid having uneven numbers of girls together, Bayer says. For example, if you have three girls together, two are more likely to pair up against one.
If you want your child to be both liked and likable, experts suggest establishing a strong parent-child rela-tionship, being empathetic, teaching kindness, encourag-ing socializing with other peers, and being a good role model.
TALKINGContinued from Page 26
DRESSED THE PARTEric Engman/
News-Miner file
Donning a cowboy
hat, west-ern shirt
and boots, fourth-
grader Hai-ley Mesner checks out
a book at the school library dur-ing a Ladd
Elemen-tary School “Wild West”
themed 2011 read-ing event.
Please see TALKING, Page 28
28 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Saturday, August 4, 2012 17400888 8-4-12B
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Saturday, Aug. 25
Tanana Middle School
600 Trainor Gate Rd.
For more information, contact:
Interior Youth Basketball 457-4IYB, (457-4492) or email: [email protected]
You must attend skill assessments to play!
$70 Players Fee Late registration
fee $20
REGISTRATION & SKILL ASSESSMENTS
Boys 3rd & 4th Grade (Minors) . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:00 a.m.
Girls 3rd & 4th Grade (Minors) . . . . . . . . . . . . 11:00 a.m. 5th & 6th Grade (Majors) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Noon 7th & 8th Grade (Jr.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:00 p.m.
COACHES NEEDED , CONTACT IYB • EMAIL : IYB @ GCI . NET
Attendance required entire time period.
Senior (Boys & Girls, 9 th – 12 th Grade) Skill Assessment & Registration
Wed., Sept. 5, at Tanana Girls: 7:30 p.m. • Boys: 8:30 p.m.
Online Registration www.interioryouthbasketball.com
Registration also available at Skill Assessments
NEW!
Pearl Creek Puffins appreciate the following
businesses and organizations for helping
re-build our rink!
A&A Roofing • AMS Handyman • C&R Pipe and Steel • Denali Fenceworks • Denali Industrial Supplies • Design Alaska • Fairbanks Amateur Hockey Association • Fairbanks Carpenter’s Training Center, Local 1243 • Fairbanks Sand & Gravel • Home Depot • Pearl Creek PTA • SBS • Scotty Gomez Foundation • Tilly & Company, Ltd. • Water Wagon
Special recognition to Chris Tilly & Family
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Immaculate Conception Grade School and Monroe Catholic Junior/Senior High
Now Enrolling
Students Pre-K
through 12th Grade Catholic Schools of Fairbanks
615 Monroe Street, Fairbanks, AK 99701
(907) 456-4574 • www.catholic-schools.org
E-mail: [email protected]
Where Faith & Academics Meet � K-12 accredited education program � K-12 accredited education program � K-12 accredited education program � Faith-filled environment � Faith-filled environment � Faith-filled environment � Low teacher-to-student ratio � Low teacher-to-student ratio � Low teacher-to-student ratio � Outstanding teaching faculty � Outstanding teaching faculty � Outstanding teaching faculty � UAF partner in education � UAF partner in education � UAF partner in education � Students of all faiths welcome � Students of all faiths welcome � Students of all faiths welcome
S e r v i c e S e r v i c e A t h l e t i c s A t h l e t i c s Tra d i t i o n Tra d i t i o n C o m m u n i t y C o m m u n i t y A c a d e m i c s A c a d e m i c s Fa i t h Fa i t h
Effie Kokrine Early College Charter School
• Small class sizes • Place Based Learning • Access to college courses with
paid tuition • After School Tutoring • Hands on activities and an emphasis
on Individual Learning Styles • FFA • Robotics • Sports Program
A school of choice where student centered education is a priority for grades 7-12
OR apply online at http://ekc.k12northstar.org/
See us at the Tanana Valley State Fair • August 3-12 in the Borealis Building See us at the Tanana Valley State Fair • August 3-12 in the Borealis Building
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EKCS classes start Tues., Aug 14
FALL REGISTRATION Open for all students. Parents are welcome to come in and complete new forms for the new school year.
Office hours: 8–5, M–F. For info, call Rhonda Frost-Gillen
474-0958, ext. 100
It’s no surprise that children practice what they experience. Many mean girls learn to domineer and manipulate because they see it at home, while boys might bully if they wit-ness a father or older brother bullying others.
If you want a child that is kind and sensi-tive to others, model kindness yourself and don’t gossip about others — and make sure that older siblings don’t do it either. And if you discover that a situation at school is neg-atively affecting your child, don’t be afraid to report it to the school authorities, LaFata says. They are the experts and will usually know just what to do.
Remember, being popular may seem important, but your child needs to under-stand that the very best friendships are based on mutual affection and similar interests — not mean-spirited behavior.
Sam Harrel/News-Miner file
Lathrop High School students Bruce Lande-
an, left, and Jazzmon Biddle browse the
annual showcase of honors and AP art stu-dents and of Lathrop’s two academies — the Fine Arts and Commu-nication Academy and the Engineering Acad-
emy in the school’s library. The two were
taking time during their digital photog-
raphy class to take in the show.
STOPPING BY FOR A LOOK TALKINGContinued from Page 27
29Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Saturday, August 4, 2012
For more tips on parenting, visit www.parenting.org or call the Girls and Boys Town National Hotline, 1-800-448-3000.
A CFC participant – provided as a public service
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Head Start Birth to Five
“2008 Program of Excellence” Awarded by the National Office of Head Start
• Age appropriate, cutting edge, center-based services • Four hour preschool sessions Monday – Thursday • Full day, year around care for ages birth to 3 • Nutritious meals • Transportation available in some areas • Parent involvement opportunities
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Enrolling NOW! Call Dotty at 452-4267 ext 238
Free Preschool in Fairbanks and North Pole and Quality Infant/Toddler Care
By Jack NewcombeCreative News Service
In 1991, Will Smith’s hit single “Summertime” boasted that summer is a time to “sit back and unwind,” but like Smith’s singing career, sum-mer must eventually come to an end.
And though most parents and kids focus on clothes and Trapper Keepers, the most important thing to consider as school gets back in session is your child’s education.
Your child’s education is full of choices that you have to make — private or public, single-sex or coed, transfer or stay where you are. One choice that might get overlooked is whether to hire a tutor.
Kathy Kubo is a college pro-fessor who has tutored off and on since she was 14 years old. Even while working at a large accounting firm, Kubo would tutor at her old high school for free because the importance of doing pro bono work and giving back was ingrained in her at an early age.
It wasn’t until Kubo left her career at the accounting firm to get her master’s in mathemat-ics from the University of Cali-fornia, Los Angeles that tutor-ing became a reliable source of income for her, and it helped pay for her own education. But tutoring seemed to be much more of a calling than it was a job or a revenue stream.
When discussing the value of tutoring, Kubo mentioned that there are certain perils that parents should consider before “getting in bed” with a poten-tial tutor. Specifically, “you don’t want someone who just gives answers and just spoon-feeds the correct numbers. You want someone to encourage ‘productive struggle.’”
When asked to define the “productive struggle,” Kubo said: “If students don’t have that experience of struggling and working through a barrier, then when it comes to taking a test, they won’t know what to do. They are used to having a crutch, someone to give them
the answer immediately. As a tutor, you want to moderate and facilitate those types of dis-cussions.”
Kubo also warned that when looking for a tutor, you should look out for “people who have difficulty explaining concepts in multiple ways; one way doesn’t work for all students.” When asked what the most impor-tant quality is in a tutor, Kubo declared, “Patience.”
However, according to Kubo, the value of a good tutor is
immeasurable and certainly worth the money. In fact, “if you can choose the right tutor, someone who is a good fit for your child, then there are ben-efits beyond mastering the sub-ject matter.”
Specifically, “good habits for math and the mindset that accompanies those habits can be translated into other areas for success, even other areas of life.”
Life lessons aside, there is still value in having a tutor, as
opposed to a teacher or even a parent, educate a student. “Some parents don’t have the time or the expertise to work with their kid, so they need somebody.” It is “nice to have somebody else explain a sub-ject, because the student will be more likely to listen to the tutor than the parent if there is a good relationship.” When dealing with parents, there is potential for other issues to cloud the learning process, and with a teacher, it might be dif-
ficult to have a one-on-one rela-tionship with a student, but a tutor can give the guidance of a teacher without the emotional baggage of a parent.
You cannot say whether all tutors are worth the money. The right tutors are certainly worth the money, but they are hard to find. Kubo declares that tutoring “can be worth the money but is not always. If it’s not a good fit, then the parent should pass. It’s all about find-ing a good fit.”
Tips to finding the right tutor
30 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Saturday, August 4, 2012
Tuesday–Saturday 11–6
374-5991 In the 3535 College Road Mall
Next to Gulliver’s Books
www.enchantedforesttoysak.com
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IMPORTANT BACK TO
SCHOOL DATES!
Together, let's make this the best school year ever!
• Registration August 8, 9 ,10, 13 8:00 a.m. –11:30 a.m. &
Noon–2:00 p.m. August 14 & 16 8:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. &
1:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m. August 17 1:00p.m.–3:30 p.m. August 20 8:00 a.m. –11:30 a.m. &
1:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
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• August 21 First day of school for all Freshmen & New to Lathrop Students Freshman Ignition & New Student Orientation: 7:50 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.
PTSA Back to School Barbecue: 11:30 a.m . • August 22 First day of school for returning
students • August 28 New Parent Info Session:
6:00–6:30 p.m. Open House: 6:30–8:00 p.m.
Steese Immediate Care
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1275 Sadler Way, Ste 101 Fairbanks, Alaska 99701 Open M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Hope to see you soon! ␣ Hope to see you soon! If you have questions, call 374-7911.
Come see the new Steese Immediate Care (behind Bostons) for your
sports physical.
SPORTS PHYSICALS $ 35
The Career Education Center is now scheduling interviews for the 2012-2013 school year. CEC allows
students flexible schedules to finish high school with a Fairbanks North Star Borough School District diploma.
Entry requirements include: • Have 11th Grade standing • Be 17 to 19 years old • Be committed to finishing high school
Call Stephani at 479-4061 to schedule an appointment
son.k12northstar.org
Career Education Center 724 27th Ave., Suite 1 Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
Earn your high school diploma at the Career Education Center!
Star of the North does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, gender, national origin, religion or ancestry. Star of the North Secondary School
is nonsectarian and not affiliated with any religious organization.
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E n r o l l N o w a n d H a v e A P l a n F o r F a l l !
NEW NEW NEW
STUDENT STUDENT STUDENT
REGISTRATION REGISTRATION REGISTRATION
9:30 a.m.– 3:00 p.m. Bring birth certificate & current shot record
POPSICLES POPSICLES POPSICLES
with with with PARENTS PARENTS PARENTS
Monday, August 20
4:00 p.m.– 5:30 p.m.
951 Airport Way 452-4751
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Save the Date: Open House
Thursday, September 6
Monday, August 13
Friday, August 10
It�s A It�s A It�s A
S U P E R S U P E R S U P E R
Yea r at
Yea r at
Yea r at
R Y A N R Y A N R Y A N
Mi d d l e Mi d d l e Mi d d l e S c h o o l
S c h o o l S c h o o l
Finding a solution to budget problemsBy Shawn Dell JoyceCreative News Service
We are all concerned about our schools and our rising school taxes. Most districts are facing a decline in state funding of 10 percent or more, which can be $3.6 mil-lion in real dollars. That’s a
lot of money, and we all won-der where it will come from.
Teachers are concerned about larger classes, less funding for teaching materi-als and salaries, and lower educational standards.
Parents are concerned about less funding for the things that keep kids inter-ested in school, such as music and art classes and sports and other extracurricular
activities. Taxpayers are concerned
about an ever-increasing bur-den that is already difficult to bear.
Kids face crowded condi-tions, increased bullying and less attention from teachers.
It’s a difficult situation for all, without an easy answer. Many school districts across the country are in the same pickle, and some have come
up with a few creative solu-tions that could be applied here.
The school district in Newburgh, N.Y., has hired an energy efficiency consultant to show faculty and students how to conserve resources and save money.
Simple measures — such as turning off lights in empty classrooms, lowering the heat after hours and reducing
paper waste — can more than pay the consultant’s salary and save school resources over the long term. Engaging the student population in the school’s efforts to conserve teaches children an important lesson to take back to the home and community.
Batavia, N.Y., schools have found methods for pooling
Please see BUDGET, Page 31
31Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Saturday, August 4, 2012
Quality Dental Care for Children preventive care • emergency care • hospital dentistry
conscious sedation • restorative dentistry Most Insurance Plans Accepted • New Patients Welcome
Call 907-452-4509 to schedule an appointment.
North Star Children’s Dentistry, PC 114 Minnie Street – Suite A | Fairbanks, AK
907-452-4509 | www.nscdalaska.com
Introducing the Newest Member of Our Pediatric Dental Team…
Dr. Shearrer joins our staff from Anchorage, Alaska, where she completed a residency program in pediatric dentistry. Dr. Shearrer received her dental degree and completed a general practice residency program at the University of Texas Health Science
Center. We’re excited to have Dr. Shearrer join our practice, and look forward to her serving the pediatric dental needs of our community as a member of our team.
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Star of the North Secondary does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, gender, n ational origin, religion or ancestry. Star of the North Secondary is nonsectarian and not affiliated with any religious organization.
Star of the North is a public charter school serving students in grades 7–12.
We offer:
• Personalized instruction
• Middle School limited to 40 students
• Strong start to high school for Ninth Graders
• Independent learning encouraged by master teachers
Call, visit us online, or pick up an application at:
North Pole Campus
2945 Monk Ct., North Pole • 490-9025
http://son.k12northstar.org/
Take charge of your education today!
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Trying to keep your child engaged in learning? Want a sense of belonging in your school?
Frustrated with the typical school setting?
T O
S C H O O L
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W E L C O M E B A C K
Jump Start for New Students
Monday, Aug. 13, 2012 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
First Day of School Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2012
9:30 a.m.
New Student Registration Friday, August 10 • 9:0 0 –11:00 a.m. & 1:0 0 –3:00 p.m.
Mon day, A ugust 13 • 1:0 0 –5:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 14 • 9:0 0 –11:00 a.m. & 1:0 0 –3:00 p.m.
Open House Tuesday, August 28, 2012
6:30–8:00 p.m.
School Pictures Thursday, September 13, 2012
Our Students Reach For the Stars!
R a n d y S m i t h M i d d l e S c h o o l
Catholic Schools of Fairbanks Catholic Schools of Fairbanks –where faith and academics meet
Now enrolling K–12 Immaculate Conception School • Monroe Jr/Sr High School
615 Monroe Street, Fairbanks, Alaska • 907-456-4574 • catholic-schools.org 615 Monroe Street, Fairbanks, Alaska • 907-456-4574 • catholic-schools.org
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resources and sharing spe-cialized staff and equipment. This sharing cuts down on individual school districts’ costs and helps keep learning standards high.
In Fairfax County, Va., the school board is asking parents to pay fees for tests, such as the SAT.
It also is planning to charge $50 per student partic-ipating in high-school sports. The most ingenious sugges-
tion was to raise class size by half a student.
Texas schools find them-selves with a decreasing tax base (as property values plummet) and an increasing student population.
Instead of building more schools, the districts are encouraging home schooling, by providing an online cur-riculum, free computers and Internet, and teachers with online class sizes of 500.
Other states also encour-age home schooling by offer-ing home-schooled children the use of the school for certain classes that parents
may not be able to provide at home. For example, a high-school science lab course would be easier to pay for than to re-create at home. This piecemeal approach to education also brings in addi-tional revenues from home-schoolers already paying school taxes.
California high-school stu-dents will soon be working from free digital textbooks online rather than from the expensive hardcover text-
books at school districts’ expense.
Perhaps the best approach to solving the school budget crunch is the one right under our nose and likeliest to be missed. Why not have the children come up with the solution? One of the biggest complaints about schools is that they don’t prepare chil-dren for the “real world.” Here’s our chance; let’s give the kids a real-world scenario and see what they come up
with.Thomas Kersten of The
National Council of Profes-sors of Educational Admin-istration has come up with a helpful module that could be applied to any classroom. It’s available for free at http://cnx.org/content/m14281/lat-est.
We are quick to give our children the latest in interac-tive online video games; how about we give them a quality education in life?
BUDGETContinued from Page 30
32 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Saturday, August 4, 2012
Welcome back to a new school year!The Fairbanks education community provides the foundation for a strong diverse learning environment. Our teachers and education support professionals are key to the success of our children and the sustainability of the community. We look forward to another enjoyable year.
PARTNERS IN QUALITY EDUCATION
FAIRBANKS, ALAS K AESSAf
A
Fairbanks Education Association & Education Support Staff Association 2118 S. Cushman | Fairbanks, AK 99701 Phone: 465.4435 | Fax: 456.2159