Winter 2014 Partnership Press by Anchorage School District

Partnership Press

Winter 2014

Newsletter of the Anchorage School Business Partnership Program • (907) 339-7278 • www.asdk12.org/depts/sbp

Students learned about the Alaska Railroad Tour Guide Training Program and about career opportunities with the railroad.

The Alaska Railroad a major player in the history of Anchorage School Business Partnerships Dating back to 1991 when Anchorage School Business Partnerships was just an idea being developed, the Alaska Railroad realized that the skill level of applicants for employment wasn’t meeting the standards they hoped for. Jim Blasingame representing the Railroad met with then superintendent Bob Crystal and his assistant Carol Comeau with an offer to provide support to the Anchorage School District. At the same time, Jim Utter a retired principal and Ernie Hall the board chair of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce were in the midst of developing the Anchorage School Business Partnership program to encourage the business community to become involved in the education of Anchorage students. The Alaska Railroad jumped on board adopting Government Hill Elementary School as its partner school. There were 20 business partnerships created that first year and has since grown to include more than 600.

Comeau suggested Government Hill School as a partner because it was a Title I school in need of assistance and close in proximity to the railroad. After meeting with the principal, Blasingame made a promise to Comeau that the railroad would do everything possible to provide support for the education of the students at Government Hill.

“We wanted to plant a seed in the young minds of these students which we wouldn’t see the benefit of what we were doing for some 20 + years when these kids graduated and became adults in the workplace and would want their company to become involved in helping a school much like they experienced as a young child. That’s when we would know what we were doing was a success.”

Continued on page 8.

Executive Board of Directors Leverette Hoover, Co-Chair JJ Harrier, Co-Chair Sabra Million, Treasurer Dora Wilson, Secretary Michael Graham, ASD Representative Andrew Halcro, Chamber of Commerce Representative

Student’s video wins contest, produced for TV with help from business partner

Board of Directors Jan Abbott Melissa Bassham Jay Blury Kayla Craft Adele Daniels Heidi Embley Steve Halloran Phyllis Halverson James Kirkland

Diane Maples Karin Parker Laarni Power Jeff San Juan Brian Singleton Anita Stevens Marla Thompson Tim Thompson

Advisory Board Sharon Chriss Judith Crotty Bettye Davis Nikki Giordano Brenda Hansen Natasha von Imhof David Kennedy Sheila Lomboy

Kathleen Plunkett Lynn Shaver David Springgate Tara Stevens Andie Stone Tim Sullivan Don Thompson Julie Vincek

Honorary Board Tam Agosti-Gisler James Blasingame Bob Dickson Ernie Hall Jeff Leonard Rich Owens

Mark Rhodes Sharon Sellens Barbara Stallone Jim Utter Chris Wilson

Executive Director Cheri Spink 339-7278 sbpartnerships@gmail.com

Jack Anders produced and stars in his video about energy efficiency.

Students from Tina Arend’s and Frances Lucas’ video classes at Mears Middle School and Romig Middle School, respectively, entered Chugach Electric’s Energy Efficiency Video Contest. According to Chugach Electric’s Katie Schafer, the judging panel had a tough time selecting a winner due to the quality and uniqueness of the student videos. In the end, they selected Mears student Jack Anders as the first place winner. Local company and Mears School Business Partner, Gonzalez Marketing LLC, helped Anders reproduce his video as a commercial for television.

Partner presentations help students prepare for their financial futures Michelle Tabler, the executive director of the Better Business Bureau presented BBB’s Young Consumer program to Consumer Economics, Senior Stategies and English classes at Chugiak High School. The presentation included information on budgeting, building credit, identity theft and scams affecting young people. Stephanie Conlan, a Junior in Chugiak High School’s Consumer Economics class gets tips from Michelle Tabler of the Better Business Bureau of Alaska. School Business Partnerships

Northwood ABC students meet Governor Walker and bring cheer to partners Northwood ABC chorus was invited by their School Business Partner, the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce to sing at the opening of the Make It Monday Forum featuring Governor Walker at the Dena’ina Center on Monday, December 15. They performed holiday tunes followed by the Alaska Flag Song. While they were out caroling, they decided to visit another one of their partners, Old Navy. To help them out with transportation, the Magic School Bus stepped in and transported them from one venue to the next.

Better Business Bureau corner Social Media and ID Theft Do you have a Facebook page? Use LinkedIn for business contacts? Play online games? Post tweets on Twitter? What you may not know is that a number of popular social media sites mine your personal information for advertising revenue. Flash back to earlier this year when Russian hackers allegedly stole 1.2 billion usernames and passwords. The hackers were suspected of cashing in on hijacked social media accounts by either sending spam or selling people’s personal information to groups who send junk messages. To avoid falling victim, Better Business Bureau of Alaska warns consumers to be careful what you post on social media sites. Here are some common risks worth rethinking: • Posting your birthdate on Facebook • Showing off vacation photos while you are still traveling and no one is at your home • Including personal information (birthdays, mother’s maiden name, children’s name or birth location) on genealogical sites such as Ancestry.com Exposing this information can leave you vulnerable to identity thieves and scammers. Partnership Press

Better Business Bureau offers the following tips to help avoid identity theft: • Minimize the personal information you put on social media. Restrict who can see this information by including only people you know and trust on the privacy settings. • Avoid online games, quizzes, surveys or apps that ask for personal information. • Do not click on links you find on social media sites, even if they are from friend—you never know if their profile has been hacked. • Beware of fake social media profiles that appear using your name and information. • Use unique passwords for each site and change them regularly. • Google yourself often. • Monitor your credit report annually at annualcreditreport.com. BBB is committed to educating the public to create cybersecurity awareness and to help consumers stay safe and secure online. For more information, please visit bbb.org.

Students receive their new hoodies on “Spirit Friday” from a Carlile Transportation Systems employee.

The volunteers from Carlile Transportation Systems pose in front of one of their 18 wheelers at Mountain View elementary.

Mountain View Elementary students get brand new hoodies An entire elementary school is looking pretty sharp now that everyone who studies there, works there or volunteers there is sporting a brand new hooded sweatshirt. The hoodies were a gift to Mountain View Elementary School from Carlile Transportation Systems, one of the school’s business partners. Principal Chris Woodward said the hoodies, which sport the Mountain View Mustangs logo on the front, were a particularly welcome gift on Friday, which is when everyone tries to wear the school colors. “We all wear them on Fridays and it gives a kind of sense of unity and community in this very, very diverse school,” Woodward said. “It kind of brings us all together.” Carlile employees raised money for the hoodies, and their fundraising was matched by the company. They were able to buy more than 350 sweatshirts for the school. Mountain View is a Title I school, which means students there may not get new clothes very often. Carlile has committed to making sure everyone at the school gets something new at least once a year. This is only the beginning though. Carlile employees continue to be involved in many ways throughout the school year.

Generous partners make it possible for Mirror Lake students to attend the Nutcracker Conoco’s support for the arts made it possible for 55 Mirror Lake Middle School students to enjoy the Anchorage Concert Association’s Nutcracker ballet for free. The bus fee was paid for by a combination of an Excursion Grant funded by the Rasmuson Foundation and a donation from the Peters Creek Fraternal Order of Eagles. The school decided to “pay forward” these generous contributions by collecting cans of food for the schools community food baskets and also for the Eagle River Food Pantry. 4

School Business Partnerships

I Know I Can On Nov. 19 six adult volunteers gathered in the teachers lounge at Susitna Elementary School to receive instruction on how to present a program designed by Alaska Commission on Post Secondary Education (ACPE) that encourages children to believe that they can attain their dreams. Volunteers read the book “I Know I Can” which is designed to have students begin to think about what they want to do when they leave school and what it would take to reach that goal. The book features a classroom of Alaska animal students figuring out what they want to do and how they prepare now for the future. The emphasis is on going to college and the importance of learning basic skills needed for most interesting jobs, including math, writing, reading, science and hard work. The lesson is believing that you can accomplish your goals so while reading the book, the students had several opportunities to say “I know I can!”. Following the book, students were given pre-addressed blank postcards and asked to write what they want to do when they grow up and then illustrate it. These cards will be mailed to the students in two years. Each student was given a book to

Volunteer: Melissa White discusses the book “I Know I Can” to second grade students in Ms. Bate’s second Grade Class at Susitna Elementary.

take home and asked to read with an adult. Research has shown that children believe they can do anything until around third to fourth grade. This program is designed to catch students before they limit their options, and then remind them when they reach fourth grade. The program is a national program but the Alaska book was adapted to reflect Alaska animals that students were more likely to relate to. It was sponsored by ACPE at several Anchorage schools and throughout the state.

Change Point Church is helping Bartlett High students and families Change Point Church has lent a helping hand to the students and families at Bartlett High school this year. Since August, they have given out more than 885 clothing items, 30 toiletries and kits, 45 meals for an average family of four and multiple pairs of hard toe safety boots, tee shirts and outside work jackets. They provide clothing and food items from a well-stocked closet they operate two hours a week during lunch. They have also reached beyond the closet at Bartlett to donate clothing items to the Abused Women and Children’s Shelter and Downtown Soup Kitchen. Change Point is showing how much they care about their community by getting involved with their partner school. Thank you Change Point!

Partnership Press

Clark students celebrate Veterans Day at the Alaska VA Healthcare Clinic The Clark Informers, a group of students from Clark Middle School have been practicing public speaking under the tutelage of teacher advisor Sharon Pinkney. On Veterans Day they helped celebrate the occasion by sharing brief biographies of several local Alaskan military heroes representing different service branches to patients, visitors and staff members at the Alaska VA Healthcare clinic. This they followed with a presentation of the Missing Man Table:

The table: The table is round to show our everlasting concern on the part of the survivors for their missing loved ones.

The vase: The vase is tied with a yellow ribbon representing the ribbons worn by thousands who demand our continued determination to account for our missing.

Red rose: The single red rose reminds us of the life of each of the missing and the loved ones and friends of these Americans who keep the faith, awaiting answers.

Lemon: A slice of lemon on the bread plate is to remind us of the bitter fate of those captured and missing in a foreign land. Salt: Salt is symbolic of the countless fallen tears of families as they wait.

Glass: The upside down glass symbolizes the missing’s inability to share in a meal.

Bible: The Bible represents the strength gained through faith to sustain those lost from our country, founded as one nation under God.

Chair: The empty chair symbolizes the missing and fallen are not there.

Candle: Candle is reminiscent of the light of hope.

The ceremony was followed by a moment of silence in honor of America’s POW/MIA’s and to the success of our efforts to account for them and a poem entitled “They Did Their Share.” Many veterans and staff at the clinic participated in this event with the middle school students and were touched by their presentation, speeches and sincerity. This was the first year Clark participated but business partner representative and event organizer, James Kirkland said he believed they had started a new tradition. He was very pleased with the time and preparation that the students undertook to make it a very special occasion for the clients and staff at the Alaska VA Healthcare Clinic.

The Clark Informers with Susan Yeager, MS, Director, Alaska VA Healthcare System, James Kirkland, EEO Director, Alaska VA Healthcare System, Sharon Pinkney, Clark Middle School Teacher and advisor. 6

Clark Informers present brief biographies of Alaskan military heroes to an audience at the Alaska VA Healthcare clinic. School Business Partnerships

Eagle River High School hockey team benefits from team building exercises hosted by Army partners Story by Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey Smith Paratroopers with the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division paired up with hockey players from Eagle River High School for a day of leadership development Oct. 25, 2014, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. The day’s event included team-building, cross-fit exercises and an obstacle course. Students flipped tires, ran the perimeter carrying weights and worked together as they completed team events including the Humvee push. After completing all of these events, the students ended up at the Arctic Warrior Combatives Academy. At the academy, the teams learned some techniques in Army combatives and finished up the day wrestling on the mats.   It was a really good leadership development and teambuilding event according to many involved in the day’s activities. Bill Comer, the ERHS hockey head coach, said, “We thought it’d be a good idea to just get them out here early like this, and get them together, and do some team bonding. ”   First Lt. Michael Vansickle from the 1/501 said the event was all about team building. “This is fun and rewarding for us” said Vansickle. “We can show them what we do a little bit, and hopefully we can help them be a little more cohesive as a team.” Vansickle said events like this are important, because our local community is small and is intricately integrated into the military community. “We’re pretty committed to our school partnership program.” The high school players and paratroopers alike, both enjoyed the day, and were able to learn from each other about the importance of working together as a team to get things accomplished. “It was fun. We had a good time,” said Pfc. John Wendling from Comanche Company, 1/501. “As much as they learned from us, we definitely learned from them, just by how team work and team play can be effective for both our jobs and their team.”

Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey Smith Hockey team players and coaches from Eagle River High School carry a rail road tie during a leadership development day hosted by paratroopers with the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Oct. 25, 2014, at Joint Base ElmendorfRichardson, Alaska.

“Soldiers are great. It’s amazing how disciplined they are, and how accommodating they are for our players, and they really are great role models for our boys to see,” said Comer. “This a great event for the kids. I think they will remember this for a long time.” The leadership development day at JBER was one of the first things on this year’s agenda for the ERHS hockey team, and the coaches and players look to use their experiences working together as a team as a solid base for a successful upcoming season. Read more: http://tinyurl.com/kf7qzhv

Jesse Johnson, the ERHS hockey varsity team captain, said the event will benefit his team this year by helping them work together. Coach Comer was also glad to spend the day with JBER paratroopers. Taku Choir treats their partners Dino’s Donuts and Sam’s Club to some holiday music and good cheer. Partnership Press

Alaska Railroad continued from page 1. They have kept their promise for more than 20 years. To this day, the Railroad sponsors the annual Government Hill back to school picnic with food and volunteers, they also provide volunteers for special events including science fairs, spelling bees and classroom help. They donate railroad tickets and posters for school fundraising. In the past they have given a train ride to the entire school during the holidays and have hosted teacher luncheons to Alaska Railroad employee Shawnessy Leon volunteers as thank the teachers a judge at the Government Hill and school staff for Elementary science fair. their hard work. To the delight of the Railroad employees, Government Hill would send their “bell choir” to Railroad headquarters and play a holiday concert.

The partnership was rewarding for Blasingame who said, “I was asked and agreed to do the annual spelling bee in 2010 by calling out the words to the finalists in that event. It was one of the most rewarding events for me to do and it was one of the last official events I did prior to retiring.”

Blasingame and the Railroad played another important role in the education of students. As early as 1991 he was tasked to bring to fruition a Tour Guide program at the King Career Center for high school students. The idea was the brain-child of Kelly Campbell and Jackie Lindauer who wanted to see students get training about Alaska history and then be provided an opportunity to be summer guides on the Railroad. Hiring students was no easy task as the Railroad was then owned by the federal government. There were federal rules on hiring minors and a hiring freeze. Also the federal government was in negotiations with the State of Alaska over the sale of the Railroad. Lindauer, Campbell and Blasingame did not give up. In 1985, when the Railroad was sold to the state, the Tour Guide program began hiring student guides and soon expanded to include Fairbanks North Star School District. Today the Railroad and the King Career Center still collaborate on the long-standing Alaska Railroad Summer Youth Employment Program. The program provides on-the-job work experience and application of such curricular areas as Alaska history, cultures, geography, natural resources, flora, fauna and tourism. The Railroad has fully funded the program and since the year 2000 have hired 207 students. Graduates of the program have advanced to become college-age tour supervisors, full-time baggage supervisors, managers and even locomotive engineers. It has been twenty years since the partnership with Government Hill began and more than 30 years since the Alaska Railroad Summer Youth Employment

Students getting a “behind the scene” tour of the rail depot from Robert Russell. 8

School Business Partnerships

Travel and Tourism students working on the Alaska Railroad during the summer season.

program began. They have twice won the School Business Partnership Star award for these partnerships. The Railroad has been a trailblazer in education and continues to play a valuable role. The Railroad has

provided mentoring, resources, training and jobs and provided positive role models for young minds. Our community is the beneficiary of their corporate philosophy to invest now to build a better tomorrow.

Walk This Way effort helps to keep Wonder Park Elementary kids safe during dark winter months Safe Kids ALASKA and FedEx, along with volunteers from the Anchorage Fire and Police Departments, Anchorage School District, businesses and organizations weathered the cold this fall Superintendent Ed Graff, School Board donning reflective vests and signs to teach students the importance of members Kathleen Plunkett and being seen and being safe during the dark winter months when walkTam Agosti-Gisler and Mike Hanley, Commissioner of Education don safety vests ing to and from school. The event included an assembly and a FedEx to remind students to walk safely to school. truck safety tour.

ExxonMobil volunteers stand in front of the FedEx truck where they offered vehicle safety tips to students. Partnership Press

Safety Bear makes an appearance at Wonder Park Elementary.

Firemen help out at Walk This Way event 9

Hanshew Middle School students get interview tips from business partners On Oct. 13, employees from Carl’s Jr., Aeropostale, Putters Wild and Quiznos came in and conducted mock job interviews with students in Hanshew’s School Business Partnership class. Hanshew is really excited to have these community members help students practice for future job interviews. The students all said they appreciated the opportunity to learn interviewing tips from these business partners. Later in the month, Constance Campbell of Menchies talked to students about business marketing, management, job opportunities and more. Students were then treated to some of Menchies’ delicious frozen yogurt.

Missi Namen, owner of Quiznos on Lake Otis, instructs student Hannah Fraser on the proper way to shake the hand of a prospective employer.

Constance Campbell of Menchies shares frozen yogurt treats with the School Business Partnership class at Hanshew following her presentation.

Autumn Tetrealt from Carl’s Jr. conducts a mock interview with student Stephon Leniear from Hanshew’s School Business Partnership class.

Shawn Rogers, owner of Putters Wild, listens as student Jorge Pereda from Hanshew’s School Business Partnership class explains an answer to a mock interview question.

Shannon Reynolds, manager of Aeropostale, conducts mock job interviews with students Prince Alejo, Katelynn Carpio and Audrey Hickman from Hanshew’s School Business Partnership class.

School Business Partnerships

School business partnership supporting the community Once again in mid-October, Rabbit Creek Elementary School joined forces with their supportive school business partner connection, Siemens Industries, to raise both awareness and support for the hungry and homeless in the Anchorage community. On Oct. 20, Siemens and Rabbit Creek’s Elementary School Student Council launched its 3rd Annual Canned Food Drive to benefit the Food Bank of Alaska.

schoolwide donations. At the end of ten days, the schoolwide total was 1,117, only 107 units shy of the 2013 total. The student body would not allow defeat, bringing in enough units on the final day of the drive to bolster a whopping 1,446 units.

Having surpassed its canned unit intake from 2012 to 2013, Rabbit Creek’s Student Council set out with the goal to once again topple the units of food that the student body could produce, which was no small task as the south side elementary school bolstered an impressive 1,224 units in the fall of 2013.

Members from Siemens Industries, under the direction of Nicole Putnam, Siemens Coordinator for this event, arrived to begin the process of packing and transporting goods from Rabbit Creek along with that donated by members of their own business to the Food Bank of Alaska. When all said and done, Rabbit Creek packed 37 boxes of nonperishable goods. According to Putnam the donation weighed a mammoth 1067.2 pounds and took two pallets to remove.

On Oct. 21, dependable and hard working Student Council members took to their roller carts each morning, clipboard in hand, traveling throughout the school’s hallways to collect and tabulate classroom and

Congratulations on another SBP event that demonstrates the strength of school – business partnering and the positive outcomes within both our school and the community at large.

Partnership Press

Anchorage South Rotary provide turkeys for annual family event Thanks to Anchorage South Rotarians, Chinook Elementary School was able to give away about 45 turkeys to their families for Thanksgiving at Turkey Bingo, an annual family event. “We had a full house, lots of fun and even had a surprise visit from Boomer! What a great success!” exclaimed Anita Stevens the principal at Chinook. Students showed their appreciation by signing a big “thank you” card for their generous partners.

Junior Achievement programs are made possible through contributions and volunteer efforts from business partners Business members representing ExxonMobil, Nana Management Service, SMG, Keller Williams Realty, Southeast Alaska Guides Organization (SEAGO), Parker, Smith & Feek, LMC Management Services, LLC, Scan Home, AT&T Alaska and Alaska National Insurance spent a day at Northern Lights ABC School teaching money management and the importance of staying in school. In one day these volunteers touched the lives of nearly 600 students. A special thanks goes out to ExxonMobil for being the sponsor for the supplies needed for the program. They also donated Iditarod posters and pencils for all the students. For more information about getting involved with JA, please visit the JA Alaska website: http://alaska.ja.org.

Volunteers for Junior Achievement at Northern Lights ABC. 12

Ann Courtright of ExxonMobil volunteers in Mrs. Heinrich’s third grade class at Northern Lights ABC. School Business Partnerships

Partner helps students set a course on their career road map Janeece Higgins usually spends her days involved with the workings of Alaska Rubber and as the CEO there are many aspects to her job. This fall she shared her knowledge and passion for teaching with a group of eighth-grade students in the School Business Partnership class at Romig as a part of the Junior Achievement program, “It’s Your Future”. “I love teaching and middle Janeece Higgins explains an exercise to Ms. Lucas’s eighth-grade class at Romig M.S. school is my favorite age. These students are on the brink of their futures and it is exciting to be here to help guide them,” exclaimed Higgins. She led discussions and projects to get the students thinking about what their short term and long term goals are, what skills they have acquired up until now and helped them build a road map to get where they hope to be. The students explored what type of classes and volunteer work they may need to help them accomplish their goals. They were also given some wise tips on interviewing and presenting themselves in a positive way.

“Mrs. Higgins is the CEO of our school business partner Alaska Rubber. She’s a successful person who runs a big company and she comes in once a week to help us with stuff like resumes and interviews and branding and high growth careers. It’s a lot of stuff that we never thought much about before, but if we want to be successful like her, we’d better start preparing now.” Kristine, student, Romig Middle School. This was Higgins first experience teaching this program and she said it was fun for her. In fact, she said it made her wonder if maybe teaching will be the next direction she will take on her own career road map.

Give us a smile “Clean teeth and healthy gums are an important part of your overall health. Everybody knows that you are supposed to visit your dentist regularly, but some families can’t afford it and some kids are afraid. That’s where Alaska Premier Dental Group comes in. They take the fear out of getting your gums poked by doing free dental screenings for Romig students. And for those that need but can’t afford follow up care like cleaning out and filling rotten teeth, they take care of that too. Thank you, Alaska Premier Dental for inspecting our teeth!” Carl Doehl, Romig Middle School student. Partnership Press

School business partners recognize students to support ASD school attendance goal IBEW Local 1547, For Fun Alaska and Anchorage School Business Partnerships awarded three quarterly prizes on Oct. 31 for the Anchorage School District Elementary Attendance Recognition Promotion. One Kindergarten or first-grade student, one second or third-grade student and one fourth, fifth or sixth-grade elementary student with no unexcused absences for the entire first quarter won an inflatable party for their entire classroom. Alyssa Nonutunu and mother Laina Aiolupo pose for a photo with

The individual winners are Hamza Ba, first grader the sponsors of the Elementary Attendance Recognition program; from Williwaw Elementary; Minna Schierling, Dora Wilson, IBEW and Michelle Appel, For Fun Alaska. second grader from Northern Lights ABC and attendance among elementary students. The program Alyssa Nonutunu, fourth grader from Ptarmigan is in its second year and the ASD continues to see an Elementary. Each of the principals stated that the prize upswing in attendance within the district. Elementary could not have gone to a more deserving student. Each of students with excused absences remain eligible for this the students is a very hard working individual. Hamza incentive program. This was decided on in order to avoid Ba’s mom, Andrea, stated, “I’m so pleased that my son encouraging young students to attend school when they was recognized for his perfect attendance.” Andrea is a are ill. student attending college and as a student takes great At the end of the school year, one student will be sepride in the perfect attendance she has achieved the last lected from those with year-long perfect attendance (no two semesters. unexcused absences) will win an Ultimate Field Day for The purpose of the Elementary Attendance Incentive their entire school! Program is to support the ASD goal to improve

Mrs. Kelly’s second grade class at Northern Lights ABC celebrate with classmate Minna Shierling (third from the left on the floor) who won a party for her perfect attendance for the second quarter. In the front is Michelle Appel, owner For Fun Alaska and one of the Perfect Attendance Recognition sponsors. 14

Hamza Ba wins a party and a hug from his mother Andrea. Both have been working for perfect attendance. School Business Partnerships

Middle and high school students are rewarded for perfect attendance More than 8,000 middle and high school students achieved perfect attendance in the first quarter of the 2014-15 school year. School Business partners, GCI, Lithia Chrysler Jeep Dodge of South Anchorage and For Fun Alaska are emphasizing the importance of attendance by providing quarterly and annual rewards. This year, the program has expanded to include all middle school students. This quarter 3,012 middle school students were eligible. Each quarter one student will receive a hosted party for them and 30 of their friends donated by For Fun Alaska. This student will also win a technology prize, such as a tablet or a smartphone donated by GCI. On Wednesday, Oct. 29, Begich Middle School eighthgrade student Sean Matias was surprised in the school lunchroom with the news. Students, teachers and guests celebrated and congratulated Sean as he was presented with a certificate for a party hosted by For Fun Alaska and an iPad Air from GCI. More than 500 Begich Middle School students were eligible to win these attendance recognition prizes, which means about half of the students enrolled there had perfect attendance for first quarter.

“GCI is honored to contribute to recognizing students with perfect attendance in Anchorage,” said GCI Senior Vice President and General Manager of Consumer Services Paul Landes. “Our commitment is to the community, and a successful incentive for kids to stay in school is something we are excited to be part of.” “We reward the students for perfect attendance same as we reward our employees for jobs well done. We believe that coming to school every day, ready to work is the best preparation for the workforce. Someday these students will be seeking employment and we want to hire employees with those work ethics.” Troy Jarvis, Manager, Lithia Chrysler Jeep Dodge of South Anchorage.

During the first quarter, 5,107 high school students qualified for the “Drive for Perfect Attendance” program prizes. Each quarter all students with perfect attendance are eligible to win 25,000 Alaska Airlines miles donated by GCI. At the end of the school year, all students who have achieved perfect attendance for the entire school year will be eligible to win a 2015 Jeep Compass donated by Lithia Chrysler Jeep Dodge of South Anchorage. Amber Pettijohn, a ninth-grade student at Polaris Secondary School was the lucky first-quarter winner. The Polaris Principal, School Business Partnership committee members and her mother surprised her in her classroom with news that she won 25,000 Alaska Airlines miles.

Partnership Press

Benny Benson treats its students and partners to an unforgettable feast Tables adorned with student artwork were occupied by students, staff, volunteers and school business partners who enjoyed a feast with all the fixings on Nov. 21. The buffet table offered an abundance of turkey, potatoes, fruit salad, homemade cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, rolls, candied yams, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, pumpkin rolls, cake and more. Each year, the staff at Benny Benson Secondary School prepare enough food for the entire school to enjoy in celebration of Thanksgiving. They know that this will be the only Thanksgiving feast for many of their students. They also realize that it is a way they can give back to their business partners. Business Partners from Carls Jr. and the Alaska Botanical Garden sat with students and felt a part of this touching event. The atmosphere was celebratory and respectful and indeed those in attendance were thankful.

Business partners Autumn Tetreault of Carls Jr. along with Will Criner, Pat Ryan and Colleen Leibert of Alaska Botanical Garden and principal Frank Reuter enjoy friendly conversation and good food at the Benny Benson Thanksgiving feast.

Alyeska Pipeline Services celebrates Thanksgiving with Russian Jack Springs Elementary Alyeska Pipeline Services began a tradition many years ago providing a fully catered Thanksgiving meal for Russian Jack Springs Elementary students and staff. The school enjoyed turkey with all the trimmings thanks to this wonderful School Business Partner.

Alyeska Pipeline Services employees serve a delicious meal to appreciative students and staff.

“Our school business partner, the Moose Lodge donated food boxes for 20 families for Christmas! The boxes included everything needed for a great meal with homemade cookies, ham, potatoes and all the trimmings. Each box had extras too-lunch items for kids and extras for the pantry. The boxes were packed full for each family! Wow!” exclaimed Kristina Peterson, principal of Willow Crest elementary. School Business Partnerships

Local church partners love their partnership with Lake Otis Elementary Midtown Family Connection comprised currently of two churches Skyline Foursquare and Alliance Bible Church are taking seriously their commitment to helping their neighbors by partnering with Lake Otis Elementary School. Once they became a partner last year they have proven how much they care and are willing to do. They began by sitting down with the school to see where they could be of the most help. One of the first projects was helping to run the bike safety rodeo at the end of last school year. They provided volunteers to tune up bikes, run crafts and game stations and barbeque hot dogs for the kids. This year they organized a back to school barbeque and carnival, assisted at a multicultural night, gathered school supplies, winter gear donations and food for weekend take home food bags. They have several people who are volunteering in the school on a weekly basis assisting in the classrooms where needed. “We have loved our partnership!” Jeff Wiesinger, Pastor Alliance Bible Church

“We have really enjoyed our partnership with Midtown Family Connection. We appreciate their commitment and support to Lake Otis Elementary. Their involvement has made a big difference in our school!” —Doug Gray

Partnership Press

“Midtown Family Connection is amazing. They support our students and families in so many ways! We are so lucky to have a partnership with Midtown Family Connection!”—Jen Stoneburner

2014 Executive Exchange More than 30 business and political leaders participated in this year’s Executive Exchange organized by the Anchorage School Business Partnership. They had the opportunity to spend time in a school shadowing a principal, observing classrooms sharing a conversation on the ways that business and schools can support one another.

“I had a great time (at Polaris) and was completely impressed by the caliber of students, their level of maturity and their ability to comfortably interact.” —Nance Larsen, Carlile Transportation Systems.

At the Executive Exchange luncheon participants shared ideas about how the community and schools can support each other. Some suggestions included businesses providing volunteers for mock interviews, resume workshops, work presentations and classroom help. Exposing and inspiring students with a variety of different professions i.e. job shadowing, field trips to businesses. Give students a chance to try out a career before they go to college and invest years of study to find they don’t like it. Help younger students learn how to be successful in school by helping in the classroom. All participants agreed that to experience our schools first hand gives you a more informed view of what is happening. All said they were surprised at the level of involvement and commitment of the staff and the level of respect from the students. Several commented that they were pleasantly surprised at the number of programs and choices that students have. When asked how the community can support the mission of the ASD participants said it is important to have an informed view of the schools, this gives you a better idea of what the schools need. They agreed that they should be an advocate for students, be engaged and that the community should be taking part in the conversation of educating Alaska’s future generations.

A highlight for Chris Woodward, Principal at Mountain View was climbing inside a brand new 2015 Kenworth Daycab at Carlile Transportation Systems during his Executive Exchange with President Ron Kieswether. 18

School Business Partnerships

“My pre-conceptions of school were from my childhood experiences. My experience at Mirror Lake was not what I thought it would be like. It was impressive. Students were nice, polite and respectful.” — John Gaddis, KTVA, Channel 11 “I was awestruck at the all the work behind the scenes at KTVA.” — Sherry Ellis, Principal, Mirror Lake Middle School Sherry Ellers, PHD, John Gaddis and Megan Mazurek

“It was amazing. Unless you are in the school you don’t know the greatness that is happening. What I saw was joy in the school.” —Lydia Garcia, NEA Alaska

“My highlight was seeing the gentle personality of the principal and respect students have for him, even when a student “in trouble” was sent to his office. Mr. Wilson led a discussion about choices and consequences and how he could make this time a day turner not a day breaker. I found this correlates to the business world in terms of working with employees.” —Elaine Kroll, Wells Fargo Partnership Press

Army H4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborn), 25th Infantry DivisionHC 4th and students pose for a photo on their way out to the playground. This team of dedicated volunteers spent time eating with the students and visiting with them on the playground. They plan to tutor students, be mentors and role models. Additionally, they will be presenting certificates to students who make the honor roll. This is one of 30 units volunteering at schools throughout the Anchorage School District.

Amazing partner donation: DiTomasoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s donates $7,063 to Mountain View for purchase of winter clothing. Thank you DiTomasos!

Anchorage School Business Partnerships 5530 E. Northern Lights Blvd. Anchorage, AK 99504-3135 www.asdk12.org/depts/sbp/ www.facebook.com/AnchorageSBP