Wendler Middle School

Dear Wendler Middle School Students and Families,

Happy New Year and welcome back! We hope that everyone had a restful and enjoyable winter break. As we begin the second half of the school year, we are excited to continue working together to support our students’ growth, learning, and success.

This January, our staff is renewing our focus on strengthening foundational academic skills, particularly in reading and math at each grade level. These essential skills are critical to student success, and we are committed to supporting them across all subject areas—not just in English Language Arts and math classes. You may notice increased opportunities for reading, problem-solving, and skill practice embedded throughout your child’s daily learning experiences.

In addition to our academic goals, we are continuing to build a positive and supportive school culture. We are excited to launch our newly purchased PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) reward system, made possible through the generous support of the Wendler PTA. This system allows us to recognize and reinforce positive behaviors, responsible choices, and acts of kindness through consistent and meaningful positive reinforcement. We believe that celebrating student success—both academically and behaviorally—helps create a school environment where all students feel valued and motivated.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Together, we look forward to a strong and successful second half of the school year. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about these initiatives, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Warm regards,

Mr. Wilson
Wendler Middle School Principal

Come to class on time and prepared to learn.

FYI: RAMing up Expectations: All late work is due two weeks after the due date!

Hello Wendler Families! Our 7th grade students are on the downhill towards 8th grade — woot woot!!! We are excited for their fresh start for the new quarter! A few things we are noticing:

• Some kids need a refresh on their supplies

• Broken binders

• Out of pencils

• Used up notebooks

• Lost chromebook chargers

• Weather, illness and family trips are reminding us how important it is that students keep up on make up work for anything they miss

• Check Canvas

• Monitor grades

• Talk to your teachers before/after class or at lunch

• Tutoring opportunities are available before and after school

• Kids need to play the long game on their hallway choices

• We are already seeing a lot of tardies!

• Kids over a certain number of tardies will miss out on this quarter's Fun Day

• Students need to get their breakfast before going to first period, even if they arrive late

• Hands and feet to yourself

Students' second quarter final grades are available by viewing MARKS in ParentConnect. Please contact your child's Advisory teacher or the school if you are having trouble viewing their grades.

So many of our students are doing so well in so many areas! We're excited for some great learning, hard work, and positive community this second semester!

FYI: RAMing up Expectations: All late work is due two weeks after the due date!

Sincerely,

Team Hula Hula teachers

Way to go for these students in Mr. Harrison's class for earning +10 growth on both Reading and Math MAPS. 🙂

Come to class on time and prepared to learn.

FYI: RAMing up Expectations: All late work is due two weeks after the due date!

January 5, 2026

Dear Parent:

Under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the parents of students

attending Title I schools have the right to request the professional qualifications of their

children’s teachers. I can assure you that all teachers in the Anchorage School District

meet strict state standards and are indeed qualified to teach, but you have the right also to

ask for the following information about each of your child’s classroom teachers:

• Whether the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development has issued an Alaska teacher’s certificate for the grade(s) and subject(s) he or she teaches.

• Whether the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development has decided that your child’s teacher can teach without being certified under state regulations because of special circumstances.

• Whether the teacher is teaching in the field of discipline of the certification of the teacher.

• Whether any classroom aides or other paraprofessionals provide services to your child and, if they do, their qualifications.

If you would like specific information about your child’s teacher or paraprofessional,

please contact me. For general information about ESEA, please contact Zareena

Clendaniel, Federal Programs Compliance Coordinator, for the school district at

clendaniel_zareena@asdk12.org or 907-742-7819.

I know you want the very best for your child. All of the educators in the Anchorage

School District join me in wanting to make sure every child succeeds in school. We look

forward to working with you to make sure all students get the quality education they

deserve and all schools are successful.

Sincerely,

Marcus Wilson

Principal of Wendler Middle School

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Beginning February 2nd our school will be conducting a state required assessment for English Language Learners. This assessment is called ACCESS and provides important feedback about the progress of our English Language Learners in Reading, Speaking, Listening and Writing. Students will take the test using our school’s computers. Only students who are currently identified as members of the English Language Learners (ELL) Program will be assessed. Most of the assessments will be completed during the first two weeks of February but some may continue into March. More information about the ACCESS assessment can be found on the Alaska Department of Education and Early Childhood Development’s ACCESS page, http://education.alaska.gov/assessments/elp.

If you have any questions about this test, you are encouraged to contact us here at school (school phone number). You may also contact the District’s ELL Department at 742-4452. Information about the English Language Learners Program in the School District can be found on ASD’s website.

As always, with testing, we ask that families plan so that their students are in school and are well rested for testing. Your patience and support for this process is very much appreciated as this assessment does provide useful information that helps our district and school improve programs for English Language Learners.

Sincerely,

Marcus Wilson

Unlock Your Potential with Our In-School Tutoring Program!

Are you a student in need of support or a quiet space to complete your classwork outside of school hours? Join us every Tuesday and Wednesday for our tutoring sessions!

Session Times:

• Morning: 8:15 AM - 9:15 AM in Room 113

• Afternoon: 4:15 PM - 5:15 PM in Room 120

Please come prepared! Bring all your missing work and your Chromebook to ensure you have everything you need for a productive session. We look forward to seeing you there!

email to get, fill out, and bring necessary paperwork in order to begin: suarez_nina@asdk12.org

Thanks,

NINA R. SUAREZ

Math 7 & 8

Wendler Middle School

Prepare for the future this January!

8th graders, did you know it’s time to start preparing for high school? The counselors are visiting 8th grade classrooms to discuss high school graduation credits, GPAs, sports and clubs, and more! It’s important to keep working your hardest throughout this semester to make sure you’re in the right classes next year!

If you are looking for a zone exemption, keep in mind these due dates:

Mark Your Calendars! Our Open House for Incoming 6th Grade students will be Wednesday, February 11th from 5:30-7:30. Click here to see the flier.

Be well Ram Nation!

Sally Gonzales - All 6th grade, 8th grade (Last names M-Z)

Kristen McDonald - All 7th Grade, 8th Grade (Last Names A-L)

Peer Mediation class will be visiting Lake Otis Elementary on January 27 to partner with Mr. Jones' 3rd grade reading group. Shout out to these young leaders for sharing the joy of reading with our neighbors!

Updated: They walked over to Lake Otis and read to students and making plans to return and have them return on a regular basis. Way to RAMS!

PE / Health Update – January

PE is excited to kick off our Indigenous Games Unit, which will last most of the month of January. Students will explore new games and activities that focus on teamwork, skill-building, and cultural awareness.

We will continue practicing sit-ups and push-ups, and later this month we will restart reviewing the 14 major muscles in preparation for our muscle test at the end of Quarter 3.

Please make sure students come to class with proper footwear, ready to participate safely. Most importantly, we ask students to give 100% of what they have, try new activities, and keep a positive mindset as we begin an exciting new quarter in PE!

In 8th grade Health class, students are beginning a unit on Self-Exploration. This unit focuses on helping students better understand themselves and the choices they make each day. Topics include self-esteem, personality, emotions, managing stress, and making healthy decisions.

Through discussion and activities, students will learn strategies to recognize their strengths, manage emotions in positive ways, handle stress, and make choices that support their overall well-being—both in and out of school.

Pictures are: Seal Hop, Kneel Jump and Scissor Broad Jump

Wendler Spelling Bee is now on Friday, January 30 instead of Wednesday to avoid a scheduling conflict with Battle of the Books!

1:00 pm. Parents are welcome to watch if their student is participating.

The Ram Cafe here at Wendler strives to give students some "real world" job experience. Students must apply to the position and maintain both academic and behavioral standards.

In the Cafe, students learn how to run a cash box, stock merchandise, and practice customer service skills.

They also learn how to make Italian Sodas, Smoothies, and non-caffeine Frapps.

The Ram Cafe is usually open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at lunch and after school.

Sara Koester

Social Studies

Wendler Middle School

Hello Wendler Families!

Excited to delve into some physics this semester with our kids at the various grade levels. Thank you for signing permission slips for online and robotics work as they might come your way.

This semester we are starting back up our Wendler Science Club! The Wendler Science Club will meet Fridays during first lunch to meet some scientists, explore some equipment or materials we might not get to in classes, and support students wanting an opportunity to do their own investigation or engineering challenge. Students should see their science teacher for a pass. At this time, we are only able to accommodate first lunch, so the club is for our 8th graders and our 7th graders that have that time available. We are hoping to showcase our work at a STEM night towards the end of the school year. Please send questions to King_Rebecca@asdk12.org or kids can ask their own science teacher or Ms. King in room 126.

Thank you! Drive safe and stay warm!

Hand-me-down Pants Donations Needed!

The Nurse’s office is in need of donations of sweatpants, leggings, yoga pants, or shorts to provide to students in need of clean pants during the school day. The most useful sizes are youth L or adult S,M,L, or XL. Hand-me-downs or thrifted clothes are ideal. Thanks!

Lions Quest

In their Advisory classes, Wendler students will begin working on the Lions Quest Social and Emotional Learning Curriculum. Units of Study are:

1. Connecting with Others

2. Exploring My Values and Beliefs

3. Understanding My Emotions

4. Respecting Myself and Others

5. Making Responsible Decisions

6. Bullying Prevention

Diana Johnson, BSN, RN, NCSN

Wendler Middle School Nurse

tel: 907-742-7322

fax: 907-742-7350

ASD Visitor and Volunteer Application

We are incredibly fortunate to be part of a community where volunteers support the Anchorage School District students, teachers, and staff through commitment and service. If you are interested in volunteering at Wendler MS this year (including chaperoning any events), you can complete the ASD volunteer application now! All volunteers must be approved prior to visiting the schools. Be sure to select any schools you might want to volunteer at. It takes 1-2 weeks for volunteers to be approved. Thank you for all you do!

• All adult visitors must present and scan a government-issued photo ID upon entry when visiting a school during school hours.

  • Student and staff safety is our top priority. In order to ensure that our schools are safe places for our students and staff, we are taking some additional steps to ensure we know who is in our buildings at all times.

    The District is implementing a visitor management system to aid in the standardization of visitor check-in procedures in all schools, which complies with Board Policy 3515.5

Wrestling Schedule:

Food Sign Up - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E044FA8AF2FABFE3-61435387-wendler

XC Skiing Schedule:

Food and Volunteer Sign Up - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E044FA8AF2FABFE3-61435293-wendler

Girls Basketball Schedule:

Food Sign Up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E044FA8AF2FABFE3-61435126-wendler

NYO, Wrestling, Girls Basketball, and Cross Country Skiing have all begun. Spring sports will be coming up next. If you are interested start getting your paperwork turned in and physicals done.

All students are invited to join, regardless of experience! Middle school is the perfect time for our students to explore new sports and activities in a safe, supportive environment.

To participate, students need:

• A completed activity form (even if they've played other sports)
• A current physical on file with Wendler
• To pay the activity fee through Parent Connect (Instructions for paying online here)

• You can sign your student up for sports starting now! Email completed forms to Elizabeth Cone and pay online!
• Students can pick up paper copies of the forms in the main office.
• Practices are held Monday-Friday, after school at Wendler from 4:15 - 5:30.
• If you have any questions about athletics, don't hesitate to reach out to Wendler's assistant principal: Maria Humecky

Hello Wendler PTA Community,

Thank you to those who joined our January meeting. For the minutes of the meeting please feel free to email: wendlermschoolpta@gmail.com

Please stay tuned to more updates from us soon but these are the priority items for the coming week:

• Wendler Staff Potluck on Thursday 1/22. Our PTA is hosting the staff potluck and we are still in need of donations. The theme is salads and sandwiches. Any donation - no matter the size - is appreciated. Let's please all work together to show our appreciation for staff. Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0544A4A92AA6FCC70-61475294-wendler#/
• Ram Cafe Volunteers Needed. We are looking for family volunteers to help support sales at the Ram Cafe on Tuesday 1/27 and 1/29 Thursday evenings next week during the basketball game and wrestling meet, approximately 6-8pm. We're also looking for future volunteers. Please email us if you are able to help out!

Thank you!

Wendler Middle School Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

Join or renew your membership: https://wendlerpta.givebacks.com/shop

The Anchorage School District has a new cellphone policy starting with the 2025-26 school year. Under the new ASD policy, use of cellphones and other electronic communication devices isn’t allowed in class at any time, in any grade. Students must put them away, and they must be off or in airplane mode. Administrators may require cellphones to be placed in a secure location such as a student locker or other specified location within the school.

• Elementary and middle school students are not allowed to use their cellphones at any time during the school day, including lunch and recess.

ASD Cell Phone Policy video clip

Wendler Front Office Team:

Principal - Marcus Wilson

AP - Maria Humecky

AA - Gretchen Roe

AAFP - Beth Ann Cone

Registrar - Jennifer Marquiss

Office number: 907-742-7300

Student Schedule

Monday: 10:30 am - 4 pm

Tuesday - Friday: 9:30 am - 4 pm

Free Breakfast and Lunch

All Wendler students automatically receive free breakfast and lunch. There's no sign-up or other qualification process.

Our Grade Level Attendance Team encourages students to be in class and every minute matters. The correlation between being in class and success with what they are learning is high. When students are late, are not prepared or miss a day of learning it impacts how well they do in class.

For the month of January we will be surprising classes with popcorn, making and passing out fry bread, for being in class and on time. We are also celebrating students who have shown growth and who have 90% or better attendance by picking students to come have lunch with the principal twice a month.

It's the Wendler Way to Be!!!

Respectful, Responsible, and Safe

Like us on Facebook: Wendler Middle School

and

Visit our school website: https://www.asdk12.org/wendler

*Dates/times subject to change