Back to School - 2014-15 by Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

BACK TO SCHOOL

B AC K TO

SCHOOL

FA I R B A N K S , A L A S K A

SCHOOL YEAR 2014-15

S AT U R D AY, A U G . 2 , 2 0 1 4

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Saturday, August 2, 2014

BACK TO SCHOOL

WHAT’S INSIDE 3/Letter from the superintendent 4/Construction at borough

schools, contact information and registration schedules

16/Time to get organized 18/Personalize your notebooks 19/Technology keeps students

schools

8/New math curriculum 10/No more exit exam in touch while studying abroad 12/Expect healthier school snacks 24/Is there a desk under that 13/New statewide assessment mess? test standards 26/Moving? Choosing a school 14-15/Map with borough from afar

ERIC ENGMAN/NEWS-MINER FILE PHOTO

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W mith Middle School Randy SFirst E Day of School L Wednesday, August 20, 2014 • 9:30 a.m. T O C New Student Registration Studuer O ts Monday, August 11 • 1:00–4:00 p.m. Reacn O h f o r t Tuesday, August 12 • 9–12:00 & 1:00–4:00 p.m. h M Starse! S E Wednesday, August 13 • 9–12:00 & 1:00–4:00 p.m. C Jump Start for New Students Parent Night Friday, August 8, 2014 Tuesday, August 26, 2014 H B 9:30 a.m. Drop off • 1:00 p.m. Pick up Starts at 6 –7:30 p.m. O A School Pictures O C Friday, September 5, 2014 L K

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Saturday, August 2, 2014

BACK TO SCHOOL

LETTER FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

Welcome to another school year in the Interior W

elcome to the 20142015 school year! For many of our students and their families summer is a break from school, however, numerous district staff spend the summer months updating curricula, attending professional development courses, and implementing new measures to ensure that every one of our students is safe, every day. Throughout the summer, the curriculum department coordinated cutting-edge professional development for our staff on a wide variety of topics including new standards, Google Apps in classroom instruction, scientific

inquiry in the boreal forest and more. These efforts and others are just a few of the ways that our district provides Gaborik an excellent and equitable education, and this commitment to excellence is apparent in the many achievements of our students. Last year alone, a record number of high school students signed apprenticeship contracts with local trade unions and set themselves on paths to

high-income, sustainable careers through the School to Apprenticeship program. Students also placed top in the state in art and history, and even won a Grammy for a musical performance. Student success, however, is not possible without a safe and secure learning environment. To that end, I am pleased to announce the district has started the process to equip schools with real-time video surveillance and new key-less entry systems. These advancements will provide centralized control and monitoring of our facilities and allow our educators to focus on the most important work – edu-

cating our students. The future is bright for the Fairbanks School District. As we start the new school year, take a moment to get connected with the district and your school. Update your contact information in PowerSchool. Enroll in Late Bus Notifications. Like us on Facebook (at facebook. com/fsdk12), and follow us on Twitter (@fsdk12). If you have questions, school secretaries are happy to assist with PowerSchool access. Parents and community members also have fingertip access to announcements and information about the district and specific

schools through the mobile app, which was made possible with generous support from Sumitomo Pogo Mine. The app features school news, student performance alerts, push notifications and more. To download, search for Fairbanks School District in the App Store or on Google Play. On behalf of the Board of Education and all of our staff, I extend my best wishes for a productive and successful new school year. This letter was written and provided to the News-Miner by Interim Superintendent Dr. Karen Gaborik.

Catholic Schools of Fairbanks r Registe Now!

Pre-K through 12th Grade Congratulations to Our 2014 Graduates:

Barnard, Mary • Brose, Nathaniel • Burcell, Robby • Burke, Ryan • Bynum, Roderick “Scooter” • Callahan, Alex • Ellanna, Jacob • Ellis, Alyssa Fleming, Nick • Gavora, Dylan • Griffin, Sebastian • Hajdukovich, Sarah • Hoppner, Garrett • Lemons, Jackie • Logan, Jamie • Martinez, Jerrill Neville, Michael • Nickerson, Chrsitian • Ostanik, Win • Sexton, Emily • Stepovich, David • Therriault, Jordyn • Tompkins, Miaya • Wells, Tyler

Classes Begin August 18

Here are the schools they are attending (alphabetically): Registration Open (All Grades) SPACE LIMITED

Arizona Western • California State University San Marcos • Cornell • Dakota College Bottineau • Florida College Gonzaga • Marquette • Montana State Univ Bozeman • Northern Arizona Flagstaff • Northwest Indian College Northwestern Prep • School of the Institute of the Arts [Chicago] • UAA • UAF • Univ of Alabama Univ of Idaho • Univ of Mary ND • Univ of Nebraska Lincoln • Univ of Portland • USAFA Villanova Univ • Virginia Tech Blacksburg • Western Wyoming Community College

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Immaculate Conception Grade School Monroe Catholic Jr/Sr High School

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Saturday, August 2, 2014

BACK TO SCHOOL

Construction improving schools for new year

School Year 2014 –2015 Public Release for Free and Reduced Price Meals FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Fairbanks North Star Borough School District is pleased to announce our participation in the National School Lunch Program. Meals will be available to enrolled students at the following schools: 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 Charter, Hunter Elementary, Hutchison High, Joy Elementary, Ladd Elementary, Lathrop High, Nordale Elementary, North Pole Academy (lunch only), North Pole Elementary, North Pole High, North Pole Middle, Pearl Creek Elementary, Randy Smith Middle, Ryan Middle, Salcha Elementary, SMART, Tanana Middle, Ticasuk Brown Elementary, Two Rivers School, University Park Elementary, Weller Elementary, West Valley High, Woodriver Elementary. Meals meet nutritional standards established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Our schools will participate in the National School Lunch Program, After School Snack, and the School Breakfast Program.

By Amanda Bohman FOR THE NEWS-MINER

About $20 million worth of construction projects are underway at various schools, including municipal bond funded renovations at Ryan Middle School and North Pole High School. The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District is also revamping a parking lot at Weller Elementary School, adding classrooms at Badger Elementary School and converting up to eight more schools to natural gas. Many of the projects will be completed by the first day of school on Aug. 20, according to Larry Morris, projects and grounds manager for the school district. A few projects are on-going, including

If your income is less than or equal to the following guidelines you are eligible for free or reducedprice meals. These guidelines are effective July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015. 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 Native Family Assistance Program (NFAP), they are automatically able to receive free meals by filing an application that includes their assistance number from one of those programs. Students who are identified as migrant, homeless, or runaway are automatically eligible and do not need to fill out an application but do need to contact the district’s homeless liaison or migrant coordinator to ensure benefits. Foster children receive free meals regardless of the income of the household with which they reside. Note: Medicaid and Denali Kid Care case numbers do not qualify for eligibility.

Reduced Price Meals – 185% of Federal Poverty Guidelines Household Size

Annual

Monthly

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

26,973 36,371 45,769 55,167 64,565 73,963 83,361 92,759

2,248 3,031 3,815 4,598 5,381 6,164 6,947 7,730

Twice per Month 1,124 1,516 1,908 2,299 2,691 3,082 3,474 3,865

Every Two Weeks 1,038 1,399 1,761 2,122 2,484 2,845 3,207 3,568

392

362

Weekly 519 700 881 1,061 1,242 1,423 1,604 1,784

a major remodel of the career technical education wing at North Pole High School. “We are trying to maintain areas for school as well as areas to get construction done,” Morris said. Some schools are also receiving technology and security upgrades, including better Wi-Fi access and wiring for security cameras.

Ryan Middle School gym wing renovation

The $10 million revamp at Ryan Middle School involves locker rooms, bathrooms, a PROJECTS » 5

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1,580 2,130 2,681 3,231 3,781 4,332 4,882 5,432

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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.16601 or visit http://www.k12northstar.org. We cannot approve your application unless it contains complete information. The information you provide on an application may be verified at any time. Households may apply for school meal benefits at any time during the school year if circumstances 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 prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Saturday, August 2, 2014

BACK TO SCHOOL

PROJECTS Continued from 4 concession stand, classrooms and the gym. Workers have spent the summer remodeling about 32,000 square feet. Morris said the proj-

ect should be completed before school starts. The wing was built in 1969 and improvements have already been made to the roof and exterior walls. “It had a lot of structural issues,” Morris said. “It can withstand seismic activity better.”

The classrooms will be high tech with faster Wi-Fi and Smart Boards, which are like dry erase boards but they interact with computers. While the gym is new, the school district kept the same floor, Morris said. The wood floor was installed in 2008.

North Pole High School vocational wing remodel

The $4 million renovation at North Pole High School involves the automotive, welding and

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• Registration: Aug. 7, 8, 11, 12, 13 & 19 • 8 a.m.–2 p.m. • August 20 First day of school for all Freshmen & New to Lathrop Students

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Freshman Ignition & New Student Orientation: 7:45 a.m.–2:15 p.m. PTSA Back to School Barbecue: 11:30 a.m.

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Hip Hop Level I 4:30-5:30

Hip Hop Level III 5:00-6:00

Jazz Primary 4:00-5:00

Ballet Level I 4:30-5:30

Warm-Up A D Ensemble 4:00-5:00

Ballet Open 9:00-10:30

Lyrical Level II 4:30-5:30

Hip Hop Level II 6:00-7:00

Tap Primary 5:00-6:00

Jazz Level 5:30-6:30

Rehearsal A D Ensemble 5:00-8:00

Rehearsal Level I 9:00-10:00

Ballet Level III 4:30-6:00

Contemporary Jazz Level III Young Adult 6:00-7:30 5:00-6:00

Jazz Level II 5:30-6:30

Ballet Primary 10:00-11:00

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The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner’s Newspaper in Education Program presents the following opportunities for the '14–'15 school year:

Dance Theatre Fairbanks FALL SEMESTER 2014 August 21 thru December 20

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Hip Hop Primary 6:00-7:00

Jazz Level III 5:30-7:00

Partnering Level III 10:30-11:30

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• August 21 First day of school for returning students • August 27 New Parent Info Session: 6:00–6:30 p.m. Open House: 6:30–8:00 p.m.

PROJECTS » 6

BU IL D C O N FID E N CE !

IMPORTANT BACK TO SCHOOL DATES!

metals shops as well as the culinary arts area. About 25,000 square feet is being remodeled, according to Morris. The project completion date is in November. Daniel Domke, career and

Rehearsal A D Ensemble 2:00-4:00

email: dancetheatrefairbanks@gmail.com www.dancetheatrefairbanks.com

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ing excit This m a r prog es r featu lum u curric d to e tailor es grad garten r kinde h 12 g throu s with ate /North lmin ir u c Alaska d he an ing t tion day pany lec accom olls on e . s t n p n m stude s to the e the ilies lear id s t g n pare ting alon lping fam rocess p o e v h g is and ting cratic Votin demo felong vo Kids how our ng li dren. li t il t u s in abo chil s and l-age work in schoo s it b ha

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Saturday, August 2, 2014

BACK TO SCHOOL

Other notable projects

PROJECTS Continued from 5 technical education director for the school district, said the renovation enables the school to improve the program by offering classes dealing with digital manufacturing and 3-D printing. “North Pole is being looked at as a new career technical education hub,” Domke said. The new vocational education wing will have a cybercafe, a souped up computer lab with high speed Internet and coffee. The culinary arts program is getting new equipment, more space and the program will focus more on job skills, Domke added.

Several smaller projects are underway, including parking lot paving, natural gas conversions, new classrooms and upgrades to technology and security. The school district is re-doing the parking lot at Weller Elementary School, adding a lot and separating the pickup areas for bus riders and those who use other transportation. Parents sought state funding for the $1.5 million project, which involves a new access road. Up to eight schools are expected to convert to natural gas under a half-amillion-dollar state grant. The schools are Ladd, Joy, Anne Wien, Univer-

SAM HARREL/NEWS-MINER FILE PHOTO

sity Park, and Woodriver elementary schools plus Randy Smith and Tanana middle schools. Morris said the Howard Luke Academy also

will convert to gas should funding allow. Four other schools, Denali, Nordale and Hunter elementary schools along with West Valley

High School, plus the central kitchen already burn gas for heat. “I have been working with Fairbanks Natural Gas for a few years making

arrangements to get lines run to these schools so that we can save some money,” PROJECTS » 7

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Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Saturday, August 2, 2014

BACK TO SCHOOL

PROJECTS Continued from 6 Morris said. Badger Elementary School will have two new classrooms ready in November.

The school has used portable classrooms in the past to deal with an influx of students. “The North Pole attendance area has grown, and we’ve had space issues there for a number of years,” Morris said.

Technology and security upgrades are underway at several schools. Janet Cobb, the school district’s technology director, said a project to equip every school with security cameras, starting last year with North Pole High

School, continues. Lathrop High School had cameras installed this summer. West Valley High School is about to be wired. Officials are also planning to install keyless entry at more schools.

Additionally, Wi-Fi is slowly getting better at area schools. Cobb said the school district is going from schoolto-school improving the Wi-Fi access, making it faster and better able to handle heavy traffic, start-

Schedule of Classes:

ing with the high schools. The school district also purchased 350 Dell Chromebooks, which are being distributed to multiple schools. Contact freelance writer Amanda Bohman at aknewsgirl@gmail.com.

Sept. 6, 2014 thru May 11, 2015 Mondays: Teen/Adult Jazz-HipHop III* • 6:00-7:00pm Teen/Adult Jazz-HipHop I/II • 6:00-7:00pm Teen/Adult Tap • 7:00-8:00pm

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Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Saturday, August 2, 2014

BACK TO SCHOOL

School year starts with new math curriculum

Ben Eielson High School FALL SPORTS INFORMATION Listed below are the starting dates, coaches' names and phone numbers, practice times and locations for the fall sports at Ben Eielson High School.

HS Football Coach David DeVaughn, 907-347-5942 First Practice…8/4/2014 • 12:00 p.m. Practice Location…Ben Eielson High School HS Cross Country Running Coach Angela Grorud, 701-330-0645 David Brannan, 907-460-9349 First Practice…8/4/2014 • 9:00 a.m. Practice Location…Ben Eielson High School HS Football Cheerleading Coach Carolyn Velez, 907-888-8352 Try-outs…8/4/2014 • 3:45–5:45 p.m. Practice Location…Ben Eielson High School HS Girls Volleyball Coach Dana Baugh, 388-2215 First Practice…8/11/2014 • 3:30–5:30 p.m. Practice Location…Ben Eielson High School

By Weston Morrow

WMORROW@NEWSMINER.COM

Students in elementary and middle school may notice changes to the way they learn math when they get to school this year. With the start of the 2014-15 school year, the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District will implement new math curricula materials for students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

Before a student can participate, the STUDENT MUST HAVE: • A current physical on record with the school • Activity Consent/Release Form (Parent/Guardian must sign) • Passed 5 classes with a 2.0 GPA the 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 of 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

WELCOME BACK INFORMATION BEN EIELSON JUNIOR–SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL August Events 2014–2015 August 7 & 8 August 18 August 20

August 21 August 26

Thur. & Fri.

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New Student Registration* All Grades 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Monday Open House and Freshman/New Student Orientation 6:00–8:00 p.m. Wednesday Freshman Ignite! AND JumpStart Day First day for 7th, 8th & 9th graders (Mandatory) and New to the school 10th–12th graders (Optional) Returning 10th–12th grade students do not attend. Thursday All Students 7:45 a.m.–2:15 p.m. Tuesday School Pictures, All Grades *New Student Registration: Bring Shot Records, Birth Certificate & Transcripts

The district selected “enVision Math” for kindergarten through sixth grade and “Go Math!” for seventh and eighth grade. District Curriculum Director Peggy Carlson described enVision as a visual approach to learning math. High schools math curriculum materials will receive a review during the upcoming school year. Some high school teachers will pilot new materials in their math classes to determine what options work best. The new materials will replace McGraw Hill’s Everyday Math in kindergarten through sixth grade and Glencoe Math for seventh and eighth grade. The district had been using Everyday Math and Glencoe Math for 8 years. Curriculum coordinator Michelle Daml said the former elementary materials worked fine for students that stayed in the district’s system throughout elementary school, but was difficult for students coming into the system partway through to pick up because it intertwined different concepts and built on them slowly from year to year. “That works really well if you have kids here for kindergarten through sixth grade,” Daml said. “If students hadn’t had those foundations built earlier, they struggled.” Daml said the new elementary material — in contrast to the former one — takes a few specific concepts at each grade level and goes in-depth with each of them. It combines visual conceptual development, problem-solving skills, visual animation and technology to help students understand the math.

Both of the new curriculum materials are aligned with the Alaska State Standards and the Common Core State Standards. Carlson and Daml said the new elementary curriculum has been praised by educators for its innovative approach to teaching math and for utilizing research in that approach. For seventh and eighth grade, the new materials utilizes both print and adaptive technologies. Both the new materials have online options for parents and students, which Carlson and Daml said is an important factor they take into consideration when choosing what to use in the end. The Go Math curriculum has programs for kindergarten through eighth grade, but the district opted only to use it for middle school students. Daml said, though the material is advertised as kindergarten through eighth grade, it is actually two separately designed materials combined into one. “The K-6 Go Math program was a completely different program than the 7-8,” Daml said. “The 7-8 teachers loved how that two year program was set up. We’re taking the best of each.” Carlson said Go Math and enVision shouldn’t create any transitional problems for students making the jump from sixth to seventh grade. While piloting the program over the last school year, the curriculum department had elementary teachers look at the middle school material and vice versa to ensure the two programs could be vertically aligned without trouble. “That was a major component,” she said. During the 2013-14 school year, the district piloted the two new materials, along with Math Expressions for elementary and Glencoe and Connected Math for middle-school level. For six weeks, 46 teachers in 16 schools piloted the proposed materials. In addition to teacher input, the curriculum department sought the feedback of parents and students in the pilot classrooms. The materials were showcased at community events, school math nights and Parent Teacher Association meetings. MATH » 9

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Saturday, August 2, 2014

BACK TO SCHOOL

MATH Continued from 8 The district also brought in people from the University of Alaska Fairbanks to look over the options. In all, the department received more than 200 comments,

according to Carlson. The high school curriculum will undergo a similar process during its review this coming year. The district chose to review the math curriculum last year in part because the state requires districts to review their curriculum every six years at minimum. The timing

C YBER L YNX

lined up wonderfully with the implementation of the new state standards and assessments for math, Carlson said. The new standards have been touted as more rigorous than the prior ones.

“

Contact staff writer Weston Morrow at 459-7520. Follow him on Twitter: @FDNMschools.

That works really well if you have kids here for kindergarten through sixth grade. If students hadn’t had those foundations built earlier, they struggled.” Michelle Daml, curriculum coordinator

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Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Saturday, August 2, 2014

BACK TO SCHOOL

‘Exit exam’ no longer required for high schoolers By Weston Morrow WMORROW@NEWSMINER.COM

After years of serving as one of the final hurdles to a high school diploma, the High School Graduation Qualifying Examination — often referred to as the HSGQE or the high school exit exam — is no more. This year’s high school students will be the first to enter the school year knowing they will not be required to tackle the test.

FIND CONTACT INFORMATION

www.education.alaska.gov/ Alaskan_Schools/Public

college. The WorkKeys test is meant to assess a student’s career readiness that attempts to measure real world skills like locating information and teamwork as well as foundational skills like reading and math. The Alaska State Legislature passed the changes to the exit exam during the 2014 legislative session as part of Gov. Sean Parnell’s omnibus education bill. The exam’s repeal was overshadowed somewhat by debate over the level of funding the legislature should

provide to schools, which was also included in the omnibus bill. The relative lack of discussion surrounding the exit exam changes appeared to come from a lack of opposition more than any other factor. When the legislature held a hearing on the exit exam’s repeal, people from around the state testified on the need to get rid of the old exam. Parnell called the exam obsolete. Les Morse, deputy commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development told legislators at the hearing that, although the exam once served an important purpose, it may not be needed any longer. The exit exam’s repeal will benefit more than just current students. The omnibus education

g owin

ight Future

In years past, every student in the state of Alaska was required

to not only take the test, but also to pass the test to receive a diploma. Students who didn’t pass were given “certificates of achievement” but were not issued diplomas. This year, students preparing to graduate from high school will have several options to ensure they get that eminently important piece of paper. Schools will no longer offer a single statewide exit exam but will give students the option of taking one of three “college and career readiness assessment(s).” Students can take the SAT, the ACT or the WorkKeys assessment. All three of the assessments are offered nationally. The SAT and ACT are meant to assess a student’s readiness for

s! 12508197 8-2-14BTS

TANANA MIDDLE SCHOOL New Student Registration

Jump Start Mini Camp

9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

All new students are invited to attend Friday, August 8 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Thursday, August 7 Friday, August 8 Monday, August 11

FNSBSD - Fall Recruitment

7th & 8th Graders Friday, August 15, 5-7 p.m. or Monday, August 18, 5-7 p.m.

600 Trainor Gate Road 452-8145

Open House Friday, August 15 5-7 p.m.

School Pictures Monday, September 22

s School Start , y a Wednesd August 20

17506444 8-2-14BTS

For more information please contact the Migrant Office 452-2000 x 11482

Schedule Pick Up & Locker Assignment

17507617 8-2-14BTS

Migrant Eligible Activities: • Commercial Fishing • Subsistence Fishing • Agricultural Work/Logging • Subsistence Berry Picking

Contact staff writer Weston Morrow at 459-7520. Follow him on Twitter: @FDNMschools.

B a c k - T o - S c hdo o l Dates An R e m in d e r s

(Closed for lunch 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.)

Does your child qualify for Migrant Ed?

bill called on the department and individual school districts to administer retroactive diplomas to students who completed all their graduation requirements except passing the exit exam. The bill directed districts to send letters to the last known address of these students, alerting them of the opportunity. Former students interested in finding out if they qualify for a retroactive diploma should contact the school district in which they attended high school. Contact information for individual districts can be found online at www.education.alaska.gov/ Alaskan_Schools/Public.

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Saturday, August 2, 2014

BACK TO SCHOOL

17507392-8-2-14BTS

CHILD FIND SCREENING

AUGUST 20 & 21, 2014

AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY INSTITUTION.

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Saturday, August 2, 2014

BACK TO SCHOOL

Expect new snack food offerings to be healthier By Amanda Bohman FOR THE NEWS-MINER

No more sugary-sweet Pop-Tarts. No more Rice Krispie Treats. No more Grandma’s cookies. “It’s all sugar and high calories. We can’t do that,” said Noah Morningstar, the Odom Corp. employee charged with stocking vending machines for the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District. “A lot of the baked snacks we used to have last year, they won’t be in the machines.”

New federal guidelines require school districts to remove junk food from vending machines and offer something healthy, such as Clif Bars and whole grain pop tarts. Granola bars, Nutri-Grain bars, raisins and nuts are also allowed under the new rules, known as Smart Snacks in School. Morningstar provided a list of what Odom might offer, including fruit bars, apple chips, Chex Mix, trail mix, PopCorners popcorn chips and Dole Fruit Bowls. Honey Maid Teddy Grahams, reduced fat Doritos, Kashi Hummus Crisps and Special K crackers also could show up in school vending machines this fall. “The list is what we have to choose from,” Morningstar said.

“Not everything will be in the schools.” Almost all of the public schools in Fairbanks have vending machines. The Smart Snacks program by the U.S. Department of Agriculture sets limits on the calories, fats, sugar and salt allowed in snack food while emphasizing dairy, whole grains, protein, fruits and vegetables. The rules effect upwards of 100,000 schools that accept funding from the National School Lunch Program. Snack food sold in a la carte lunch lines, fundraisers and in student stores must also comply with the guidelines per the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.

The rules reportedly do not apply to food brought to school from home, classroom parties or food sold after regular school hours at special events, such as athletic games. The guidelines no longer apply 30 minutes after the school day ends. All of the public high schools and middle schools in the Fairbanks area offer vending machines along with most of the elementary schools, according to school district purchasing director Bart Grahek. Salcha Elementary School doesn’t have vending machines, Grahek said. Neither do Chinook or Watershed charter schools. Vending machines in teachers’ lounges are not subject to the

guidelines, Grahek said. Drink offerings must also comply with the new guidelines, but that shouldn’t be a problem, according to Chris Gindlesperger, spokesman for the American Beverage Association, a Washington DC-based trade group. Gindlesperger said drink suppliers removed sugary sodas from schools years ago though some schools still offered diet soda, tea and Gatorade. Under the new guidelines, drinks sold in school are limited to water, milk and 100 percent juice. Juice diluted with water or carbonated are also acceptable. Caffeinated drinks are only allowed in high schools. SNACKS » 13

FAIRBANKS NORTH STAR BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT CONSTRUCTION ACADEMY

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Applications are available from counselors or online. *Open to all students currently enrolled in FNSBSD high schools.

452-2000 EXT. 11538 k12northstar.org/departments/curriculum/cte/alaska-construction-academy 17507368 8-2-14BTS

The Fairbanks Alaska Construction Academy Program is funded by a grant from the Construction Education Foundation that is funded by grants from the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the Denali Commission. Notice of Nondiscrimination: The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District is an equal employment and education opportunity institution. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request.

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Saturday, August 2, 2014

BACK TO SCHOOL

“

When I graduate from diapers, can we put money into a college savings plan?

”

If kids could see into the future, they’d put a college savings plan at the top of their wish list. It’s easy to see why: Kids who continue their education after high school are likely to earn more over their lifetime than those who don’t. You can use any savings at vocational and technical schools. $50/month is all it takes to get started. You can automatically invest up to 50% of your PFD. Get your kid’s future oﬀ to a good start today. Because there’s a proven link between higher learning and higher earning.

t t t t

Students to get first look at new state tests By Weston Morrow WMORROW@NEWSMINER. COM

Spring testing is an annual ritual for most students in Alaska. This coming spring, students once will again take a break from lessons to undergo statewide assessments, but this coming spring the test they’re taking will be a bit different. The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development announced it would ditch its previous test, the Standards Based Assessment, and hire an Outside group to create a new test in 2012. The Achievement and Assessment Institute at the University of Kansas was eventually chosen to create the test, which they

have named the Alaska Measures of Progress. The measures of progress will be administered for the first time in Alaska in the spring of 2015. Students in grades three through 10 will take the test. The measures of progress includes two categories for testing — a section on English language arts and a section on math. The tests are not timed, but the department estimates each section will take the average student between 90 minutes and two hours. Students taking the test will be receive a score between one and four, with one being the lowest score possible and four being the highest. A score of three is meant to indicate the student is meeting standards. Most students will take the test online, though students in some schools may end up taking a paper and pencil version of the test for its first year.

Districts will administer the tests during several windows in April. The earliest testing can begin is March 30 and the latest available testing day is May 1. Students can prepare and parents can get a glimpse of what the tests themselves will look like by taking one of three practice tests that the department will make available. Anyone will be able to access the tests, which should become available sometime in the fall. The practice tests will be divided for grades three through five, grades six through eight and grades nine and 10. For the 2014-15 school year, the science assessment administered to students in grades four, eight and 10 will not change. Contact staff writer Weston Morrow at 459-7520. Follow him on Twitter: @FDNMschools.

THE UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA

COLLEGE SAVINGS PLAN UACollegeSavings.com 1-888-4-ALASKA

SNACKS Continued from 12 “We did it voluntarily. We led the way,” the beverage trade group spokesman said. A list of approved packaged foods on the Smart Snacks Web site includes snacks made by Funky Monkey and Larabar,

which makes energy bars. Popchips, Monkey Brains and Kind also make snacks that comply with the new guidelines along with Annie’s Bunny Grahams, the Web site stated. The government announced the new standards over a year ago, and manufacturers touted their wares at the School Nutrition Association confer-

ence in July in Boston. Amy Rouse, director of Nutrition Services for the Fairbanks school district, attended the conference and said dried fruit, jerky and pudding were also offered as healthy snack options. Contact freelance writer Amanda Bohman at aknewsgirl@gmail.com.

A United Way Member Agency

If you are not an Alaska resident, you should compare this plan with any college savings plan offered by your home state or your beneficiary’s home state and consider, before investing, any state or other tax benefits 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 the Plan Disclosure Document carefully before investing. Offered by the Education Trust of Alaska. T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc., Distributor/Underwriter.

517 Gaffney Road • 456-6212

Providing training and supervision of volunteer tutors for adults in basic reading, writing, math, computers and English as a second language.

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Saturday, August 2, 2014

BACK TO SCHOOL

Student Registrations Following 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

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS Anderson Anne Wien Arctic Light Badger Road Barnette Magnet Crawford Denali Hunter Joy Ladd Nordale North Pole Pearl Creek Salcha Ticasuk Brown Two Rivers University Park Weller Woodriver

TIME

Aug. 11-12 Aug. 11-12 Aug. 11-12 Aug. 11-12 Aug. 11-12 Aug. 11-12 Aug. 11-12 Aug. 11-12 Aug. 11-12 Aug. 11-12 Aug. 11-12 Aug. 11-12 Aug. 11-12 Aug. 11-12 Aug. 11-12 Aug. 11-12 Aug. 11-12 Aug. 11-12 Aug. 11-12

9 a.m.-3 p.m. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

(Tentative times, some schools may open/close earlier or at lunch time)

MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS Ben Eielson........................................................ Aug. 7-8 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Hutchison ........................................................ Closed Lathrop High ..................................................... Aug. 7, 8, 11, 13, 19 8 a.m.-2 p.m. North Pole High ................................................ Aug. 7, 8, 11 8 a.m.-noon, 1-3 p.m. North Pole Middle ............................................ Aug. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Randy Smith Middle........................................... Aug. 11 1-4 p.m. Aug. 12 9 a.m.-noon, 1-4 p.m. Aug. 13 9 a.m.-noon, 1-4 p.m. Ryan Middle ...................................................... Aug. 8, 11 9 a.m.-noon, 1-3 p.m. Tanana Middle.................................................. Aug. 7,8, 11, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. West Valley High ............................................... Aug. 11, 12, 13 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. By appointment, call 479-4221, ext. 9111 to schedule

Fairbanks North Star Borough School District Administrative Center Dr. Karen Gaborik, Superintendent • Sandra Kowalski, Asst. Supt.-Elementary Shaun Kraska, Asst. Supt.-Secondary

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 Middle 2M Randy Smith 3M Ryan 4M Tanana

✁ Phone numbers to clip and save ✁ The FNSBSD administrative offices are located at 520 Fifth Ave., wwwk12northstar.org, 452-2000 Extensions:

Superintendent 11401 Special education School board 11400 Curriculum Asst. superintendents 11411 B.E.S.T. Student records 11212 Community relations Transportation 11351 After-school prog. Food service 451-1004

11489 11421 11201 11403 11271

High Schools: 1H Ben Eielson Jr/Sr High 2H Lathrop High 3H North Pole High 4H West Valley High 5H Hutchison High Charter/Magnet Schools: C/M1 Barnette C/M2 Chinook Charter C/M3 Effie Kokrine C/M4 Watershed C/M5 Star of the North (NPA) C/M5 Star of the North (CEC)

FNSBSD Key contacts: Anderson Elementary Shari Merrick, principal sharon.merrick@k12northstar.org 372-2167 Anne Wien Elementary Michael Angaiak, principal michael.angaiak@k12northstar.org 451-7500 Arctic Light Elementary Mary Carlson, principal mary.carlson@k12northstar.org 356-2038 Badger Road Elementary Dan File, principal dan.file@k12northstar.org 488-0134 Barnette Magnet School Dana Evans, principal dana.evans@k12northstar.org 456-6072 Ben Eielson Jr./Sr High Mario Gatto, principal mario.gatto@k12northstar.org 372-3110

Career Education Center Craig Kind, head teacher craig.kind@k12northstar.org 479-4061 Chinook Charter School Wendy Demers, head teacher wendy.demers@k12northstar.org 452-5020 Crawford Elementary Barbara Sperl, principal barbara.sperl@k12northstar.org 372-3306 Denali Elementary Deborah Hall, principal deborah.hall@k12northstar.org 452-2456 Effie Kokrine Charter School Josh Snow, head teacher josh.snow@k12northstar.org 474-0958 Hunter Elementary Robyn Ward, principal robyn.ward@k12northstar.org 456-5775

Hutchison High School Tyrone Oates, principal tyrone.oates@k12northstar.org 479-2261 Joy Elementary Lori Swanson, principal lori.swanson@k12northstar.org 456-5469 Ladd Elementary Cori Anthony, principal cori.anthony@k12northstar.org 451-1700

North Pole Elementar Mark Winford, principal mark.winford@k12north 488-2286

Lathrop High Bob Meade, principal robert.meade@k12northstar.org 456-7794

Pearl Creek Elementar Kate LaPlaunt, principal katherine.laplaunt@k12 479-4234

Nordale Elementary Brian Powell, principal brian.powell@k12northstar.org 452-2696

Randy Smith Middle Dave Dershin, principal dave.dershin@k12north 458-7600

North Pole Academy Bao Do, head teacher bao.do@k12northstar.org 490-9025

Ryan Middle Heather Stewart, princip heather.stewart@k12no 452-4751

North Pole Middle Rich Smith, principal richard.smith@k12north 488-2271

North Pole High Annie Keep-Barnes, prin annie.keep-barnes@k12 488-3761

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Saturday, August 2, 2014

BACK TO SCHOOL

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Salcha Elementary TBD, principal shelly.curtis@k12northstar.org 488-3267

Two Rivers School Kristie Calvin, principal kristie.calvin@k12northstar.org 488-6616

West Valley High James D. Foshee, principal dave.foshee@k12northstar.org 479-4221

Star of the North Secondary

University Park Elementary Kyra Aizstrauts, principal kyra.aizstrauts@k12northstar.org 479-6963

Woodriver Elementary Grant Guy, principal grant.guy@k12northstar.org 479-4211

See Career Education Center and North Pole Academy Tanana Middle Greg Platt, principal greg.platt@k12northstar.org 452-8145 Ticasuk Brown Elementary Shawna Henderson, principal shawna.henderson@k12northstar.org 488-3200

Watershed Charter School K-8 Jarrod Decker, head teacher jarrod.decker@k12northstar.org 374-9350 Weller Elementary Lynn Weckesser, principal lynn.weckesser@k12northstar.org 457-1629

Other schools: Fairbanks B.E.S.T. 452-2000, ext. 11201 Fairbanks Youth Facility 456-1536 BRIDGE Program 474-2144

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Saturday, August 2, 2014

BACK TO SCHOOL

Back-to-school help from professional organizers By Katherine Roth ASSOCIATED PRESS

Success in school often depends on how well a student manages to organize everything from demanding schoolwork to a dizzying array of after-school activities to technological distractions. That’s a lot to ask of a child, or even of busy parents. For those with disposable income, a new breed of experts is stepping in to help: professional organizers for kids. “Nine years ago, when I started Order Out of Chaos, I had to explain to people what a professional organizer was. Now, it’s not what’s an organizer, but who’s your organizer?” said Leslie Josel, of Mamaroneck, New

York, who offers to help kids manage everything from elementary school to dorm life. “As parents, we walk into the house and say, ‘Go get your soccer cleats,’ ‘Go get your dance things,’ ‘Do your homework,’” Josel said. But organization is like a muscle, she says, “and if you’re the one spewing all those instructions out, the only one working out that brain muscle is you. You’re ending up nagging instead of training.” Ask children before they head out the door what they think they will need for the day. “After a while, it becomes as much of a habit as brushing teeth or putting on a seat belt,” Josel said. And come up with systems for paper and time management at home and at school. “If it takes

your child more than two steps to do something, they’re not going to do it,” she said. Many of the hundreds of professional organizers nationwide are mothers or former teachers who have helped children deal with “executive dysfunction,” the technical term for the problem. Some earn certification from groups such as the New Jersey-based National Association of Professional Organizers or the St. Louis-based Institute for Challenging Disorganization. Often, professional organizers are hired to help kids with special needs. But they are increasingly invited to speak at parent-teacher associations and community groups to offer general tips. “Academic tutors help with

science or math ... but the study skills part of the picture has been a no man’s land,” said Kathy Jenkins, who runs the Richmond, Virginia-based company The Organizing Tutor. Some tips from her and other experts:

Managing their stuff

At home, each student in the household should have a “launching pad” and portable storage system. A launching pad can be a bench or box by the front door or bedroom door that holds everything that goes in and out of the house: library books, backpacks, cell phone, soccer cleats.

“For this population, the more time they spend looking for something, the less remaining stamina they have to do what they need to be doing,” Josel said. The portable storage station should be a clear box with everything needed to get homework done. “It’s essential to have one box per student, not one per household,” Josel said. “An elementary student might have glue and colored pencils, while a middle schooler might need a Spanish dictionary and a calculator.” Boxes should be labeled — but not by parents — with the child’s name and a list of contents. “Have your child fill the box and label it. It’s part of the ownership ORGANIZE » 17

Enroll Now and A Plan For Fall! Have The Career Education Center is now scheduling interviews for the 2014-2015 school year. CEC allows students flexible schedules to finish high school with a Fairbanks North Star Borough School District diploma. Entry requirements include:

• Have at least 14 High School Credits • Be 17 to 19 years old • Be committed to finishing high school

Call Stephani at 479-4061 to schedule an appointment Career Education Center 724 27th Ave., Suite 1 Fairbanks, Alaska 99701

son.k12northstar.org/cec

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.

17506443 8-2-14BTS

Earn your high school diploma at the Career Education Center!

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Saturday, August 2, 2014

BACK TO SCHOOL

ORGANIZE Continued from 16 process,” Josel said. Boxes should be portable because although some students work happily at the same desk each evening, for others, “it really helps if you change workplaces not only every day, but for every study subject,” Josel said.

Study tools

Although organizing systems vary with the individual’s learning style, some frequent recommendations for students are: • Use a planner that includes after-school activities as well as homework assignments. • Use reinforced binder paper, Jenkins says, so

papers don’t fall out or get crumpled because one hole is ripped. • Vertical, clear-plastic student envelopes can hold a textbook, notebook and papers so that nothing is forgotten. They’re easily pulled out of backpacks or lockers, can be color-coded, and are easy to carry between classes. • A binder with attached accordion file can be used for all subjects or for each subject. They come in various colors and have room to file papers in a hurry, so they don’t get lost. • For time management, organizers often recommend a timer and a vibrating watch.

This photo provided by Order Out of Chaos shows the launching pad area. Everyone should have a designated “launching pad,” professional organizers say, where everything that goes in and out of the house is kept. Students who spend 20 minutes searching for something don’t have much energy left for getting things done, says Leslie Josel, an organizer and coach from New York who specializes in helping disorganized students, many of whom also have attention challenges.

Online: www.napo.net www.orderoochaos.com www.theorganizingtutor.com

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Enrolling NOW – Fairbanks BEST Homeschool Program

Online Learning Program

K-12 Home School Families receive an allotment, choose their own curriculum, and can take advantage of the resources of the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District.

Students in grades 6-12 enroll in a minimum of four courses through a fully accredited, online learning program with highly qualified and certified teachers and 24/7 technical support.

Students in both programs:

District Tested, Mom Approved!

3ᅚ Are eligible to participate in athletics, music programs, and other extra-curricular activities

at their attendance area schools according to district/state guidelines.

3ᅚ May enroll in up to two classes at local district schools, at no cost. 3ᅚ Are assigned a certified educational specialist who is knowledgeable of various curricula,

For more information, call 452-2000 ext. 2 • http://best.k12northstar.org

17507358-8-2-14BTS

courses, resources, and learning styles as well as B.E.S.T. policies and FNSBSD requirements.

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Saturday, August 2, 2014

BACK TO SCHOOL

Add zing to notebooks, store-bought or DIY By Kim Cook

www.zazzle.com ; www.cafepress.com

ASSOCIATED PRESS

When it’s time to start stocking the school backpack, it’s easy to just grab a stack of plain, boring notebooks. But since kids have to tote these things to and fro every day, why not trade the standard-issue ones for something snazzy and personalized? There are plenty of eye-catching options to buy or to make yourself. At Zazzle and Cafepress, you can upload favorite images and decorate custom journals and notebooks with different fonts and colors. There are also fun backgrounds like chevrons, animal prints, sports themes and nature motifs that can be jazzed up with monograms or catchphrases.

This photo provided by Frecklebox. com shows personalized notebooks. Frecklebox’s personalized notebooks for school children include fun dinosaur and animal print patterns.

Frecklebox offers cute, 50-page, wide-ruled spirals printed with owls, hearts, flames, robots, camouflage, flowers and other kid-centric patterns for grades 2-8. They can be personalized with names or initials in a variety of styles. www.frecklebox.com

My Paper Monkey’s got some fun designs, including sporty cartoon dinosaurs for the younger set, and star, splatter and checkerboard designs for older kids. Names can be ordered in cool fonts that resemble graffiti, industrial stamps or pretty, Parisienne-style script.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

www.mypapermonkey.com

NOTEBOOKS » 19

LOOKING FOR A DIFFERENT KIND OF SCHOOL? Take advantage of core college classes

History: Effie Kokrine Early College Charter School opened its doors in 2006. Effie Kokrine is proud of its culturally diverse student population. Nonprofit—Charitable donations can be accepted at school or through Pick, Click. Give.

•Robotics •One-on-one support from teachers •FFA and tutors •High School Sports •After-school study hall •ANE and JOM Tutoring and Support •A chance to learn about your cultural •Early College classes heritage

See us at the Fair!

•Team sports and extracurricular activities •Native language classes •Learning styles emphasis •Community-based lessons •Hands-on projects

Early College Program: Encourage. Engage. Empower.

17507400 8-2-14BTS

•Classes start Wed., 8/13 •Grades 7-12 •Self-contained middle school classes •Small class sizes

Check out Effie Kokrine Early College Charter! The small school where big things happen!

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Saturday, August 2, 2014

BACK TO SCHOOL

NOTEBOOKS

brads, book rings, wire, elastic or stitchery.

Continued from 18

www.babbledabbledo.com

Add your name to a chalkboard image of inspiring words on a notebook at Tinyprints, or choose from designs like patchwork, meadow or feathers.

Yarn and ribbon make pretty patterns on a plain book. Create stripes of color, or make a bunch of little bows or loops as embellishment. You can affix bandanas or cloth napkins in zingy designs. Glue on buttons, sequins or shells. Or give a composition book about three coats of chalkboard paint and add a bulldog clip to hold some chalk so you can carry an always-ready art space. Find some craft pipe cleaners and create a colorful, textured notebook cover. Or add a rainbow of rubber bands to a notebook cover to hold clips

www.tinyprints.com

If your kids are crafty, consider making a notebook or journal from scratch using recycled paper. Magazines, scrapbook paper and maps make good cover art, and can be cut into geometric shapes or left intact; apply to chipboard or cardboard, add blank or lined paper, and secure. Online tutorials suggest binding them with staples, duct tape,

and pencils. Is there some material or felt lying around the house? Cover a book with soft velvet and add a stamped design of leaves for a luxe little book you’ll love to get to work in. Or if you like to sew, cut out a felt cover and embroider it closed around the edges; add a pocket for an eraser or pen. www.spoonful.com

Got a favorite cereal, cookie or other food that comes in a box? Cut it up and grab the Mod Podge adhesive to make fun notebook covers that will remind kids that home, and snack time, await at the end of the school day. www.mypaperpony.blogspot. com

Arctic Lions & Alaska Grizzlies announces 2014/2015 Hockey Tryout Schedule REGISTER ONLINE: www.arcticlions.com or www.akgrizzlies.com

TRYOUTS MIDGET 18

TRYOUTS MIDGET 16

Arctic Lions Midget U18 Adam Powell, Head Coach

Arctic Lions Midget U16 Rob Proffitt, Head Coach

␣␣

Mon, Aug 4, 2014 8:00 PM Tues, Aug 5, 2014 8:00 PM Wed, Aug 6, 2014 8:00 PM

␣

UAF UAF UAF

TRYOUTS BANTAMS

Mon, Aug 4, 2014 6:45 PM Tues, Aug 5, 2014 6:45 PM Wed, Aug 6, 2014 6:45 PM

UAF UAF UAF

TRYOUTS PEE WEES

Arctic Lions Bantam U14 Chris French, Head Coach Mon, Aug 4, 2014 5:30 PM Tues, Aug 5, 2014 5:30 PM Wed, Aug 6, 2014 5:30 PM

Arctic Lions Pee Wee Minor Greg Milles, Head Coach NAHA Pee Wee Major UAF Dima Kulmanovsky, Head Coach UAF NAHA Pee Wee Minor UAF Fred Morrison, Head Coach Joe Waggoner, Asst Head Coach

TRYOUTS SQUIRTS NAHA Squirt Major Jeff Brooks, Head Coach NAHA Squirt Minor Adam Powell, Head Coach Mon, Aug 18, 2014 5:30 PM UAF Tues, Aug 19, 2014 5:30 PM UAF Wed Aug 20, 2014 5:30 PM UAF

UAF UAF UAF

NAHA MITE FUN SKATE & SIGN UP Fri, Aug 22, 2014 6:45 PM Sat, Aug 23, 2014 3:45 PM

UAF UAF

$75.00 non-refundable tryout fee per division (regardless of the number of tryouts you attend or the position you play. Cuts will be made at the coaches’ discretion. $25.00 fee for Mite Fun Skate. Cash or checks only will be accepted. Please make checks payable to ARCTIC LIONS. Fees must be paid prior to getting on the ice. Full gear required! NO exceptions!

17507393-8-2-14BTS

All Divisions: You must bring a copy of your tryout/registration form AND a copy of your 2014–2015 USA Hockey registration. To register with USA Hockey, go to http:www.usahockeyregistration.com/ using your legal name (as on your birth certificate). For questions, please send an email to arctic_lions@hotmail.com

Mon, Aug 18, 2014 6:45 PM Tues, Aug 19, 2014 6:45 PM Wed, Aug 20, 2014 6:45 PM

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Saturday, August 2, 2014

BACK TO SCHOOL

Kids studying abroad are now never out of touch By Beth J. Harpaz AP TRAVEL EDITOR

NEW YORK — A generation ago, students on semester abroad were practically incommunicado, aside from airmailed letters and one or two calls home. These days, from the minute the plane lands, kids studying overseas are connected with home via Skype, Facebook, and messaging apps like Viber and WhatsApp.

Has technology altered semester abroad by making it impossible to immerse yourself in another culture? Or does staying in touch simply increase comfort levels, easing both homesickness and parental worries? Jane Tabachnick of Montclair, New Jersey, remembers airmailing letters to her parents when she studied in Paris for nine months at age 21, long before the cellphone era. “I knew they were worried and that they’d be waiting by the mailbox,” she said. “It seemed like an eternity between letters.” It was different when

Tabachnick’s 21-year-old daughter lived in Russia and Paris as part of her studies at Rutgers University. They often conversed by Skype or GoogleChat. “My daughter is very mature and level-headed and I’m not a big worrier, but I’m a parent, and she’s across the world, and it was just so easy to be in touch,” Tabachnick said. On the other hand, she said, the less she heard from her daughter the better, and not because she didn’t miss her: “When I hear from her a little less, I know she’s out having fun.” ABROAD » 21

Looking and paying for child care doesn't have to be scary!

Boys and Girls Home of Alaska Treatment Center School 3101 Lathrop St. Fairbanks, AK 99701 (907) 459-4703

We're here to help!

Midnight Sun Academy Thanks the following supporters for their donations to our school... Alyeska Pipeline Service Company The “Doll Ladies” Pavva Inupiaq Dancers Fairbanks Arts Association Alexis Miller – Poetry Nomadic Stars Screen Printing – Tee Shirts Laura Nutter – Dreaming Raven Mural Adult Learning Programs of Alaska Randy Cheap, Pipeline Training Center Fairbanks School District – Library Media Fairbanks School District – Art Center Fairbanks School District – Stephanie Littlewolf …and anyone else we may have forgotten to mention.

Looking for help paying for child care? Call 479-2212 Looking for help finding child care? Call 479-2204

Email: thread@thrivalaska.com Online: www.threadalaska.com

We appreciate your generosity!

11506671-8-2-14BTS

17507375 8-2-14BTS

Child Care Assistance & Child Care Referrals These services are made available through the State of Alaska Department of Health & Social Services, Division of Public Assistance.

This image provided by Jane Tabachnick shows her daughter Mel Bandler on the steps of Sacre Couer, the famous church in Paris. Bandler studied in Paris as part of her work for a degree from Rutgers University, and stayed in touch with her mom using Skype and GoogleChat. Free and lowcost apps and websites have made it easy for students to remain in contact with families abroad, unlike a generation ago, when Tabachnick studied in Paris and relied on airmailed letters as the main way to stay in touch with her parents. ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Saturday, August 2, 2014

BACK TO SCHOOL

ABROAD Continued from 20 Robbin Watson was forced to give up screen time with the home crowd when her laptop was damaged during a semester in

Italy six years ago, when she was 19. “I was devastated at first, wondering to myself, ‘How will I know what’s going on at home? How will I Skype my friends?’” she recalled. But as time went on, her experience in Rome “dras-

West Valley High School

tically changed. I began to go out more, no longer running home from class to hop online. I no longer thought about what was going on at college and soon, I began to not even care.” Looking back, she’s

• Current physical on record with the school • Activity Consent/Release Form signed and 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

Counselors will be available the following dates by appointment Please call 479-4221 ext. 9111 August 11, 12, & 13 • 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Attention: Parents

Contact Risk Management

• Business Management and Administration (Computer Applications)

• Finance (Accounting) • Health Science (Medical Terminology, Nutrition, Certified Nursing Assistant, Emergency Medical Technician, Introduction to Healthcare Occupations, Math in Healthcare) • Hospitality and Tourism (Culinary Arts, ProStart) • Human Services (Self-reliant Living) • Information Technology (Computer Networking, Introduction to Information & Technology, IT Essentials, Mobile Apps)

• Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (Digital Electronics, Principles of Engineering, Introduction to Engineering and Design)

Admission Criteria: • Open to all FNSBSD students • Enrollment in the school offering the opportunity • Registering and/or applying for the desired class or workshop • Some programs, such as the Alaska Construction Academy or School to Apprenticeship, have additional requirements. Contact your school counselor for more information.

For more information, call

Gymnastics Inc. 456-2263

• Transportation, Distribution and Logistics (Small Engines, Automotive Technology, Collision Repair)

near Van Horn Road 18510026-8-2-14BTS

* Not all offerings are available at all schools. Check with the counseling department for an accurate and current list of available courses and opportunities. ~The lack of English fluency will not bar students from participation in Occupational Education opportunities.

3411 Lathrop St., Suite A 17507366-8-2-14BTS

Individuals requiring further information should contact the designated compliance director: Ms. Elizabeth (Bett) Schaffhauser, Employment & Educational Opportunity Director 520 Fifth Avenue, Fairbanks, Alaska 99701 (907) 452-2000 ext. 11466 • Fax (907) 452-3172 • bett.schaffhauser@k12northstar.org

An equal employment & educational opportunity institution.

• Licensed • Creative Curriculum • Low Student/Teacher Ratio • Daily Movement Exploration at Gymnastics Inc. • Certified Teacher • Computers • Arts and Crafts • After-School Kindergarten Program

Program offerings may include:

(Video Production, Broadcast Journalism, Digital Photography, Graphic Design & Publishing, Graphic Design & Multimedia, Yearbook)

459-1392

A Preschool & Kindergarten for ages 3–6

The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District (FNSBSD) offers Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, creed, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status. CTE opportunities are available at the following high schools: Lathrop, Hutchison, North Pole, West Valley and Ben Eielson. *~

• Arts, A/V Technology and Communications

If Your Child Is Injured At School.

reasonable and economical option.

ANNUAL PUBLIC NOTIFICATION CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE) OPPORTUNITIES

(Building Trades, Drafting, Welding)

DOES NOT PROVIDE AUTOMATIC MEDICAL COVERAGE

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 STUDENT students. This parent-paid insurance policy includes options for school-time, 24 hour medical benefits and dental coverage. ACCIDENT protection, football Each district school will distribute to every student at the start of school, an INSURANCE application and a brochure describing benefits and premium costs. If you wish to If your child is not protected by a purchase this insurance policy, mail the completed application form to the commercial carrier. This insurance may be purchased at any time during the school parent or guardian’s health Coverage is effective the date the commercial carrier receives the application. insurance policy, the commercial year. If you do not receive an application, or have questions on this matter, contact Risk policy outlined herein is a Management at 459-1392.

ACTIVITY DATE LOCATION TIME Football Mon, Aug. 4 West Valley 5:00-8:00 p.m. Football Cheer Mon, Aug. 4 West Valley 3:00-5:00 p.m. Tennis Mon, Aug. 4 Alaska Club 3:00-5:00 p.m. XC Running Mon, Aug. 4 West Valley 10:00 a.m. (Pre-season meeting for X-Country Running - Aug. 1 at WV Library) Volleyball Mon, Aug. 11 West Valley 10 a.m.-12 p.m. (www.westvalleyvolleyball.com) Swimming Mon, Aug. 11 UAF 3:30-5:30 p.m. Girls Flag Football Mon, Aug. 11 West Valley TBD Pick up activity packets from WV Activities coordinator beginning July 28th

• Architecture and Construction

ABROAD » 22

17507364 8-2-14BTS

17506565 8-2-14BTS

NEW STUDENT REGISTRATION:

spent spring semester in Florence and is now in Israel for the summer. “My mom needs to hear from me every night before I go to sleep,” she said. From Italy, six hours

Be Aware That The FNSB School District

TRYOUTS/PRACTICE TIMES FOR FALL ACTIVITIES:

Announces . . . Before a student can participate, the STUDENT MUST HAVE:

and constant calls from parents, I think it really takes away from the experience and becomes a huge distraction.” Staying in touch is important to Daniele Weiss, 19, a New York University student who

grateful that her laptop was damaged. Her advice for semester abroad: “Get rid of your smartphone. The whole point of studying abroad is to immerse yourself in the culture, the people, the language. Once you have Skype, Facebook

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Saturday, August 2, 2014

BACK TO SCHOOL

ABROAD Continued from 21 ahead of her parents, she’d call in the morning before her dad went to work, and then text throughout the day. She said most of her

fellow American students also “stayed in contact with everybody from home. It was very comfortable and so easy. It’s not like I felt like I was missing out on the immersion. But I wanted to share things with my mom.”

She did get one snailmailed letter in Italy from a friend back home. “That was really exciting,” she said. “Nobody does that any more. So that was a really cool moment. I Facebook-messaged her as soon as I got it.”

better vision equals better grades! 18510027-8-2-14BTS

Eye Exams available now, most insurance is accepted. Same day service!

Grades 1–8 Diana Knapp, Principal & Head Teacher Excellence in education Christian environment National curriculum Standards based plus . . . Accredited school with certified teachers Small class and individualized instruction ... kids say now l l o r n E “We love Golden Heart Christian School”

18510028-8-2-14BTS

457-2555

ghcsadventist.net@gmail.com 1811 Farmers Loop Road, Fairbanks

Jason Fischbach, 24, studied in Sydney, Australia, during his senior year at Babson College in 20102011, and stayed in touch with family through Facebook and Skype, though he tried to limit it: “I was able to keep myself from

getting homesick, without really watering down the experience.” But he added that others did fall into the “traps” of too much screen time: “People would get back from class and hop on Skype/Facebook with

family and significant others. People would skip social outings or classes to reach back out to people at home. Evenings would be spent on social media.” Technology helped, ABROAD » 23

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Saturday, August 2, 2014

BACK TO SCHOOL

ABROAD Continued from 22 though, when his grandfather died during his months away. He took part in the funeral via Skype and emailed a eulogy

home, which was read out loud by his brother. “I probably would have had a different, and possibly better, experience if I’d completely disconnected for the whole time,” he said, but his family’s mourning “was not an

event that I would have been comfortable missing out on.” Annmarie Whelan, a spokeswoman for Forum Education Abroad, which develops standards for education abroad programs, doesn’t advise

parents on how often to communicate with kids overseas. Some kids are more independent than others, she said. But she acknowledges that students miss out if they spend too much time online with folks back

home. On the positive side, she added, some students gain confidence dealing with unfamiliar situations if they can process the experience with someone they know. Another plus: It’s now

It’s a

474-8054

BRILLIANT YEAR at

easier to maintain relationships with host-country families, friends and professors when semester abroad is over. The technology, Whelan said, “has dissolved the distinctions between before, during and after studying abroad.”

Ryan Middle School! New Student Registration:

Friday, August 8 and Monday, August 11 9:00 a.m.–Noon and 1:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m.

Haircuts • Perms • Highlights • Colors • Relaxers • Braids Extensions • Facial Wax • Updos • Special Occasions

Bring birth certificate & current shot record

Popsicles with Parents:

3590 Airport Way • Fairbanks, Alaska 99709

11507905 8-2-14BTS

452-4751 • 951 Airport Way

WALK IN’S WELCOME!

17506442 8/2/14 BTS

Open

Monday, August 15 • 4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. House: Thursday, September 4 • 5:30 p.m.–7:00 p.m.

Classes start September 2 & end December 6. Register soon to ensure class placement

FALL 2014 SCHEDULE

TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY 11:00-11:45 Ages 3-5 Preschool

FRIDAY

1:30-2:15 Ages 3-5 Preschool

SATURDAY 9:00-9:45 Ages 3-5 Preschool

3:30-4:30 4:00-5:00 9:45-10:45 Ages 5-8 Ages 9-12 Ages 5-8 Ballet/Tap 1&2 Jazz/Tap 1&2 Ballet/Tap 1&2

4:30-5:30 Ages 6-8 Intro Jazz

4:00-5:00 Ages 5-8 Ballet/Tap 1&2

4:30-5:30 Teen Jazz A

5:30-6:30 5:30-6:30 5:00-6:00 Adult Jazz 3A Contemporary Teen and Adult Tap 2

5:00-6:00 Beginning Hip Hop

10:45-11:45 Ages 6-8 Intro Jazz

6:00-7:00 Advanced Hip Hop

11:45-12:30 Ages 3-5 Preschool

6:00-7:00 Teen & Adult Ballet

6:30-7:30 Adult Jazz 3B

12:30-1:30 Ages 9 & Up Ballet

7:30-8:30 Adult Tap 4

7:00-8:00 Adult Ballet 3&4

7:30-8:30 Adult Tap 3B

1:30-2:30 Ages 9 & Up Jazz/Tap 3&4

8:30-9:30 Adult Jazz 4

For information/ registration, call or pick up form at studio We also sell Dancewear/shoes and excercise wear We accept VISA and MasterCard

914 College Rd 452-5678 www.mohollanddance.com

12508159-8-2-14BTS

6:30-7:30 Adult Tap 3A

JAZZ • TAP BALLET PRESCHOOL HIP HOP

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Saturday, August 2, 2014

BACK TO SCHOOL

Bedroom desk? It’s somewhere under all that junk New York, says she uses the desk in her bedroom for “everything” — creating lesson plans for her make-believe school, writing stories and storing stuff.

By Diana Marszalek ASSOCIATED PRESS

Alyssa Kimble, a soon-to-be fourth-grader in White Plains,

North Pole Middle School

Everything, that is, except homework. “Usually, my desk is covered with things, a computer isn’t nearby and my mom isn’t there to help me,”

Alyssa says. So she prefers doing homework at the kitchen table. Although bedroom desks remain common, many kids don’t use

them for their intended purpose. Thanks to laptop computers and more casual living spaces, they DESK » 25

WELCOME BACK, STUDENTS

The staff of NPMS welcomes new and returning students to a new school year. Please keep in mind these important dates:

• Open Registration for New Students to the School District August 11–15 • 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. • Schedule and locker pick up for students 6th Grade: Monday, August 18 • 11:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. 7th & 8th Grade: Tuesday, August 19 • 11:00 a.m. –3:00 p.m. • Students First Day of School Wednesday, August 20 See you bright & early; classes begin at 8:00 a.m. • Open House Thursday, September 4 • 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. 17507394-8-2-14BTS

306 E. 8th Avenue • North Pole • 488-2271

17506525-8-2-14BTS

Check our Web site: http://npm.k12northstar.org/ To receive our daily bulletin, please send your e-mail address to: kimery.healey@k12northstar.org An equal employment & educational opportunity institution.

MIDDLE SCHOOL TENNIS 6th-8th Grade August 4–September 19 6:30 p.m.– 8:00 p.m. (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)

HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS

North Pole High School Announces

TRYOUTS/PRACTICE TIMES FOR FALL ACTIVITIES:

Varsity .......................................Aug. 4– Oct. 11 Junior Varsity ....................Aug. 4– Sept. 20 Fee: $200 and $20 FTA membership fee for Before a student can participate, the STUDENT MUST HAVE: • Current physical on record with the school • Activity Consent/Release Form with parent/ guardian signature • 2.00 GPA & passed five classes from previous semester

2014 (Scholarships Available)

Dan Ramras Community Tennis Courts REGISTRATION: Monday, August 4 • 6:00 p.m. at the DRCTC

FEE: $100 (Scholarships Available)

Register August 4: Ben Eielson: Eielson AFB courts 4:45–6:00 p.m. Hutchison: The Alaska Club outdoor courts 6:15–8:00 p.m. Lathrop: DRCTC* 2:30–4:15 p.m. West Valley: DRCTC* 4:30–6:15 p.m. North Pole: NPHS courts 3:30–5:30 p.m. Monroe: The Alaska Club outdoor courts 4:30–6:15 p.m.

NEW STUDENT REGISTRATION:

*Dan Ramras Community Tennis Courts (by Lathrop High School)

FTA thanks our sponsors:

ALL SKILL LEVELS WELCOME!

17507606-6-2-14BTS

Call 378-1021 or Email: info@fairbankstennis.org for more information

DATE/TIME Friday, July 25 6–8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 4 6 p.m. Football Monday, Aug. 4 Cheerleading 5:30–7:30 p.m. Tennis Monday, Aug. 4 3:30 p.m.–5:15 p.m. X-Country Monday, Aug. 4 3:00–4:30 p.m. Volleyball Monday, Aug. 11 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. Flag Football (girls) Monday, Aug. 11 TBA Swimming/Diving Monday, Aug. 11 4:30 p.m.

COACH Equipment Check-out Rich Henert 488-0636 Leilani Frazier 347-5750 Carol Smith 378-0930 Charles Patten 799-9645 Tina Ferringer 388-9169 Nick Rogers 388-6098 Meghan O’Leary (907) 362-1520

LOCATION NPHS NPHS NPHS NPHS Tennis Ct. NPHS NPHS Gym NPHS NPHS

First Day of School for Freshman and new students: Wednesday, August 20 • 7:45 a.m.–2:15 p.m. First Day of School for Returning Students: Thursday, August 21 • 7:45 a.m.–2:15 p.m. Open House and Family Picnic: Thursday, August 28 • 5:30 p.m.

For additional information, call NPHS 488-3761, ext. 19307

17507363-8-2-14BTS

Thursday, August 7; Friday, August 8; Monday, August 11 8:00–11:00 a.m. and 1:00–3:00 p.m.

ACTIVITY Football

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Saturday, August 2, 2014

BACK TO SCHOOL

DESK Continued from 24 often opt to do homework in kitchens and family rooms, on couches or on beds, turning their desks into depositories for books, toys and crafts. What that means for study habits depends on who’s doing the work, educators and parents say. “I could always get my homework done wherever I was. But some kids, especially if they have ADHD or another disability, can benefit from doing homework at a specified location like a desk because it tells them, ‘This is the spot where I focus,’” says Ellen Pape, a La Grange, Illinois, school reading specialist. “Separating it from other

locations gives kids more of a straightforward definition of expectations,” she says. Melissa Kaufman of Santa Clara, California, says that where her daughters — Rebekah, 14, and Sarah, 11 — do their homework reflects their different needs and study habits. Kaufman bought Rebekah a desk several years ago because letting her work at the kitchen table in their small house became too hard on the rest of the family. “It meant nobody could do anything in the kitchen or living room until homework was done because it would be distracting,” she says. But having “a nice big desk surface” did little to change that. “I don’t think she did her homework at her desk more than once,”

This June 2014 photo courtesy of Michael and Melissa Kaufman shows the cluttered desk belonging to their ninth-grade daughter, Rebekah. Although the Kaufmans bought Rebekah the desk so she would have a place to study, she instead uses it as “a repository for the four outfits she tried on earlier that day and rejected,” Melissa said. ASSOCIATED PRESS Kaufman says. Initially, Rebekah resisted being isolated from the rest of the

family. And although today Rebekah does do homework in her room, it is usually on

her bed. The desk is where she puts “the four outfits she tried on earlier that day and rejected.” But Kaufman says she doesn’t fight it. “She has still managed to get excellent grades, despite what I would consider less than stellar study habits and environment, so we have to let her go with what she is comfortable with,” she says. Sarah, on the other hand, “needs much more help and encouragement to get her homework done, so doing it in isolation in her room is not really an option” — meaning she’s back at the kitchen table, Kaufman said. Sarah’s desk has suffered a fate similar to her sister’s; it’s covered with piles of books, art supplies and knickknacks. Tami Mount, a New

PUBLIC NOTICE

Pearl Creek Elementary

Welcomes all new and returning students to the

PTA Back-to-School Ice Cream Social Monday, Aug. 18, 5–7 p.m. 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

Compassionate

•

Inspired

•

Involved

The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, creed, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, 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 • bett.schaffhauser@k12northstar.org

17507365 8-2-14BTS

700 Auburn Drive • 479-4234 • Office Hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

17507612-8-2-14BTS

We look forward to seeing everyone on the first day of school, Wednesday, August 20. Students in 1st through 6th grade attend school from 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Please check the schedule for your Kindergarten or Pre-K students.

York-area educational consultant, says it’s important for children to have a quiet, dedicated workspace, but it doesn’t matter where that is. “All the tools they need to do their homework, like scissors, rulers, erasers and pencils, should be organized in a place they can be easily retrieved. You don’t want to spend 15 minutes looking for tape,” she says. But some kids work better in an environment where there is, say, music playing or a parent nearby, than isolated at a desk, Mount says. “A quiet desk, a busy kitchen, Starbucks or the living room floor. Like adults, kids find a place that is comfortable and productive,” she says. “And if the living room floor is not proving productive, try something else.”

Girl Scouts Invites YOU to our booth at the Back-to-School Socials COME JOIN THE FUN...

JOIN GIRL SCOUTS!

Sign up to become a Girl Scout Leader and receive FREE MEMBERSHIP!* ($15.00 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 10 girls new to Girl Scouting will receive FREE MEMBERSHIP!** ($20.00 value)

*After volunteer screening process is complete **Dependent upon troop placement

Member Agency

13508736-8-2-14BTS

Visit www.fairbanksgirlscouts.org or call 456-4782

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Saturday, August 2, 2014

BACK TO SCHOOL

Moving? How to choose the right school from afar By Melissa Rayworth ASSOCIATED PRESS

Janine Boldrin Gwinn has become an experienced house-hunter and an expert packer of boxes. Seven times, this Army wife has managed to move her family from one place in the U.S. to another, improving the process a little more each time. But the search for schools for her children is never easy. How can a parent choose the right school when it’s not possible to visit the potential choices?

As we’ve become a more mobile and global society, many families now face this challenge as they move cross-country or even internationally. The decision is ultimately a personal one, but several strategies can make the process go more smoothly:

Online detective work

Boldrin Gwinn’s search usually starts online at GreatSchools.com, where she compares rankings for schools in her destination city. She has noticed that the rankings can fluctuate frequently, however, so she doesn’t eliminate schools solely on the basis of that assessment.

Announcing

Her next step is to explore the schools’ websites. A school with a well-organized, informative website will likely be a place that communicates effectively with parents. Is the site kept up-todate? Do teachers have pages or sections that might give you a sense of their methodology or approach to students? Just keep in mind that a school’s website may have been designed with marketing in mind. Some of the positive buzzwords you see may be the work of a good publicist more than an accurate reflection of the school’s approach to teaching.

Word of mouth

Babette Maxwell, who has

moved her family frequently during her husband’s Navy career, also does extensive online research about new schools. And she asks people living in the community where she’s heading. If you are moving for a job, ask your employer to connect you with families who have children in the same age group as yours. Use Facebook to explore community groups or other family organizations in your new area; you can post a query on that page about schools. The Facebook pages of schools can also be a great resource for learning about the community of parents there, the issues parents are discussing and how the school’s administration interacts with them.

School before home Maxwell finds it practical to choose schools for her sons before selecting the location of her new home. Finding the right school, she says, can much be tougher than finding a suitable home. Terri Bridgwater agrees: When she moved cross-country with her children, she selected a school that was a fairly long commute from her new home. The school turned out to be a great choice, but the commute was difficult. If you don’t find a good school in your initial search, Bridgwater suggests widening the search area. You may find something perfect just a bit further away.

MOVING » 27

Take your game to the next level!

Competitive SOCCER TRY

UTS

For the Eclipse Soccer Club 2015 Competitive Season Tuesday, August 26 & Wednesday, August 27 at the FYSA SOCCER COMPLEX on Wilbur Street 5:30 pm 2005 Boys – Coach Kenny Hoop 5:30 pm 2004 Boys – Coach Robert Martinez 5:30 pm 2003 Boys – Coach Fabio Mariutto

2005 Girls – Coach Logan Lyle 2004 Girls – Coach John Mayer 2003 Girls – Coach Dimi Chagnon

7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm

2002 Girls – Coach Charlie Parr 2001 Girls – Coach Greg Gibson 2000 Girls – Coach Howard Maxwell 1998-99 Girls – Coach Howard Maxwell

2002 Boys – Coach Damon Crutcher 2001 Boys – Coach Fabio Mariutto 2000 Boys – Coach Tyler Olsen 1998-99 Boys – Coach John Cadigan

Director of Coaching: Howard Maxwell • Technical Director: Charlie Parr Senior Technical Advisor: Pablo Webster IMPORTANT NOTE: To ensure that teams are staffed appropriately, Eclipse Soccer Club may modify the above Coach and Team assignments based on gender and age demographics at tryouts. Questions regarding coaching assignments should be directed to the Director of Coaching, Howard Maxwell.

Top Row: Robert Martinez, Howard Maxwell, Damon Crutcher, John Mayer, Greg Gibson, Charlie Parr, Bruce Gard, John Cadigan, Dimi Chagnon, Kenny Hoop, Fabio Mariutto, Brian Luoma. Second Row: Cate Gruenburg, Patrick Lassel, Tyler Olson, Shannon Staiger, Heidi Bryan, Peter Shurr, Cory Nydam, James Moore, Brian McKenna, Jon Bray.

All Players must bring shin guards, water bottle, and if possible, a ball. Check-in starts 30 minutes prior to Tryout time. Players are expected to attend both days, or if unable to attend both, speak with the coaches in advance. There is a $10 tryout fee.

Contact Deb Triplehorn, 907-460-4498 or Howard Maxwell, 907-388-4073 with questions you may have. Pre-register online beginning NOW

www.eclipsesoccer.net

The largest, best organized, & most competitive soccer club in the Interior.

18510037-8-2-14BTS

The Eclipse Soccer Club was founded in 1995 and prides itself in developing excellent soccer players! The Club emphasizes fair and competitive play for all youth who make our teams.

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Saturday, August 2, 2014

BACK TO SCHOOL

MOVING Continued from 26

Pick up the phone

“There is so much you can tell about a school by talking to the front desk,” Boldrin Gwinn says. She calls with a list of questions, noting not only how they are answered but how the school staff interacts with her. The most academically impressive school may not be the best school for your child. “You’re seeking a school where your kids will be accepted and embraced,” Boldrin Gwinn says, so consider your children’s personalities and interests as you research schools. If music is important, for example, you may want to reach out to the music teacher or band director to ask about the program. If it’s athletics or art class, pay extra attention to that. How long will you be at your new location? If it’s just a year or two and your children are young, then the school district’s SAT scores may matter less than the personal impression you get of the teachers.

Go, if you can

If it’s hard to get a clear picture of a school from phone calls and online research, consider visiting in person, even if it involves an expensive trip or inconvenient scheduling. Bridgwater did that when she moved cross-country with her family, and was glad she did. It can be difficult to get a feel about some schools, she says, until you walk around in the building and meet the teachers.

Changes can be made

You may find the perfect school but discover that enrollment is full. If so, no need to settle permanently for second best. Consider picking a temporary option and then moving the kids to your desired school the next year. It does involve a second adjustment, but if you’ll be in the area for several years or indefinitely, Maxwell says, “it’s worth the effort.” And if your chosen school disappoints you, she says, “keep hunting once you’re there.”

This 2013 photo provided by Janine Gwinn shows her three children, from left, Ike, Sam, and Jane Gwinn, on field day for their school in Clarksville, Tennessee. Gwinn has become an experienced house-hunter and an expert packer of boxes. Seven times, this Army wife has managed to move her family from one place in the U.S. to another, improving the process a little more each time. But the search for schools for her children is never easy. ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Saturday, August 2, 2014

BACK TO SCHOOL