Denali Montessori School

Paw Prints - May 15, 2008

Karen — Wed, 21 May 2008 16:37:46 +0000

Dear Families,

It is time for me to say “thank you” for the support, encouragement, and help that you have given me during my first year at Denali. This is such a fabulous community to be part of and the time and attention that you have extended to me has been appreciated. We have such wonderful students and an extraordinary staff–it just couldn’t be any better! When coupled with a committed and dedicated MAC and PTA group, good things happen. It has been fun to work with everyone this year as we have enjoyed our many events. It just makes me smile as I constantly remember that parents can and DO make a difference in the quality of education that we can offer to our students. At Denali Montessori we are lucky as we have the BEST parents and guardians, students, and staff!

Even though we are in our final week of school, it is chock full of activities so I encourage you to check the box, on this page, listing upcoming events so that you are sure that you have not missed any information as we will be very busy during these final days. Finally, I hope that you will have a fun-filled summer and I look forward to seeing you at the end-of-the-year ice cream social.

Brooke Hull

Mark Your Calendar

Karen — Wed, 21 May 2008 16:36:28 +0000

May 21……….Talent Show- 2pm

May 21……….6th Grade Recognition
6:30pm

May 22……….4th Quarter Ends
Last Day of School
Ice Cream Social
3:30-4:30pm

Summer Programs

Karen — Wed, 21 May 2008 16:35:15 +0000

Summer programs for children are more popular today than ever. In the United States, more than nine million children participated in summer programs last year. Here are some different summer options to consider: Summer school, day camps, overnight camps, etc. Match the program with your child’s interest. Start close to home and get qualifications.
Finally, remember the power of peer pressure. If your child is unsure whether he or she is interested in camp, try to find a friend or two to go along.

Thank You

Karen — Wed, 21 May 2008 16:33:44 +0000

Thank you to IBEW, DAIRY QUEEN and GOLDEN CORRAL for their contributions on “MATH NIGHT”. It was a very successful evening and enjoyed by several of our Denial families. Thank you!

Denali Community School Classes

Karen — Wed, 21 May 2008 16:19:53 +0000

With lots of volunteer help and the backing of the PTA, community school classes are thriving at Denali! This semester, we are currently offering Spanish, chess, jigsaw puzzles, arts & crafts, reading, and computers before school, and Spanish, Chinese, board games, dance, yoga, reading, digital video, Poke’mon and computer after school. We would like to expand our class offerings. Do you have a skill or passion you would like to share? These classes are about our children experiencing and learning new things. Perhaps a language, craft, art form, exercise, music class, … We have had requests for “mad scientist” and drama classes. Interested? The semester runs from August until Christmas break. We can also have part-of-the-semester classes. Morning (8:00 or 8:15 – 8:45 am) or afternoon (3:45 – 4:30 pm), every day, twice a week, once a week, whatever works for you. Instructors* are paid as subcontractors and their children get a discount on classes. We’re planning for the Fall, so please contact Linda Klinkhart gek@gci.net or Scott Irwin icdenali-scott@yahoo.com for more information.
*Instructors must get a background check before the first class meeting, and will be reimbursed.

Nurses’ Notes

Karen — Wed, 21 May 2008 16:19:01 +0000

Is your child missing any items of clothing? Our lost and found bin is overflowing with jackets, winter hats, boots, shoes, lunch boxes, etc. Any left over items will be donated to a charity on the last day of school.
Important Medication Notice
If your child has any medications in the nurses’ office it will need to be picked by an adult before 4:30 on Thursday, May 22. The Anchorage School District requires us to discard and medications that are left in the building. We are not allowed to give medications to the students to take home.

Nurse Pattie

Congratulations

Karen — Wed, 21 May 2008 16:18:06 +0000

Congratulations - to members of our Denial community who were honored at the School/Business Partnership STAR Awards luncheon on May 12th. Daly Mutiny was nominated as a STAR student for his service as a peer mediator and Jasmin Wilson was nominated as a STAR educator for her efforts as our peer mediation program coordinator. Check out the Denali website to learn more about their STAR nominations and contributions to our school. Denali’s own star parent, Dora Wilson, NECA/IBEW, serves as a business member on the School Business Partnerships Board of Directors. Make sure and give Dora a big Thank You at the end of school ice cream social for NECA/IBEW’s sponsorship of that event, as well as for their support for peer mediation, community schools scholarships and tee-shirts!

Be Part of the Fun!

Karen — Sun, 04 May 2008 02:59:13 +0000

17th Annual Bear Valley
5K Challenge
Family Fun Run/Walk
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Race Day: Saturday May 17th

Location: Bear Valley Elementary School

(Park at Bear Valley School at the top of Rabbit Creek Road. The actual race starts at Storck Park which is located next door to the school. The race finishes in the school ice rink. A map to get to Bear Valley Elementary School should be with your race bib.)

Race Start: 10 am

Race Fee: Child, Jr. High, Sr. High = $6
Adult = $9
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
This is a smaller race than many around town (around 275 participants compared to the Heart Run’s 7,000) which makes it less intimidating.

The Bear Valley 5K course is on dirt roads and trails. Given the added snow in recent weeks, I’m guessing the trail could be muddy in places so I wouldn’t suggest wearing your brand new sneakers.

All you need to do is fill out the registration form and return it to Mr. Horning by Friday, May 9th. Mr. Horning will turn in the registration forms, pick up the bibs, and distribute them to the students in school the week of May 12th. If you miss this deadline there is race day registration from 8:30 - 9:30.

If you have any questions call Mr. Horning at Denali - 742-4500 or call Bear Valley
Community Schools at 345-0434 (bearvalleycommunityassoc.org)

Rise to the challenge, get physically active, and go for it!

Social Thinking Video!!

Karen — Sun, 04 May 2008 02:49:42 +0000

Denali MultiPurpose Room
May 14, 6:30pm**

Has your child been working on social thinking in the speech and language program this year?? Do you know someone with good language skills who has difficulty being a social thinker? Have you heard us talk all year about Michelle Garcia-Winner? Does your student talk about what is expected and unexpected? You may enjoy this DVD, which will introduce the rationale behind the lessons that have been given.

Denali Montessori will show the first hour of Michelle Garcia Winner’s DVD on Social thinking on May 14, at 6:30pm.

Social Thinking Across the Home and School Day (DVD)
Product ID: WIN04dvd

This DVD was produced by The Gray Center in conjunction with Michelle Garcia Winner. It is intended to assist parents and professionals in facilitating social thinking and related skills. It is a two-part video series: the first video consists of a workshop that Michelle presents to help define the ILAUGH framework (a six-point model of social cognition).
For more information click here.
The skills discussed are geared toward students who have difficulty with social thinking due to autism, AS, ADHD, and a variety of other challenges.

****Sorry, no child care is provided for this adult oriented video.
Questions?: Call Celia or Tamara at Denali: 742-4500.

Please Support Our School

Karen — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 21:41:55 +0000

Here is an opportunity for parents to support Denali School. A capital budget recently passed the legislature which includes $38,000 for new computer equipment for our school. Over the next two weeks, the Governor will decide which projects in the capital budget will be vetoed and which will be funded. I encourage all parents who support this grant to write to the Governor and Karen Rehfeld, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, to let them know how important this project is to the community and especially our children’s education.

The contact information for the Governor and Director Rehfeld are listed below. If you choose to write letters of support, please use the project title listed below so there is no confusion over which project you are advocating for. Please also send a copy of any correspondence to Senator Johnny Ellis and Representative Les Gara who helped promote this project. Thank you for your continued support of our school.

Brooke Hull

Project Information:
Title: Denali Elementary School Computers Purchase
Amount: $38,000
Page and Line: page 106, line 14

Governor Sarah Palin
Attn: Mike Tibbles, Chief of Staff
PO Box 110001
Juneau, AK 99811-0001
Phone: (907) 465-3500
Fax: (907) 465-3532
Sarah.Palin@alaska.gov

Karen Rehfeld, Director
Office of Management and Budget
PO Box 110020
Juneau, AK 99811-0020
Phone: (907) 465-4660
Fax: (907) 465-3640
Karen.Rehfeld@alaska.gov

Alaska State Legislature
Senator Johnny Ellis
Representative Les Gara
Official Business
716 W. 4th Avenue
Anchorage, Alaska 99501