Panther Pride News is published weekly to keep all members of the school community informed and involved.

Last Saturday, Dec. 10, Mears hosted the annual city-wide Varsity Volleyball Jamboree. For everyone who attended, it was a great day of competition and sportsmanship with middle school teams from throughout ASD playing their best sides to see who might win the tournament. In the end, it was Mears v. Goldenview, and in a close and hard-fought match up, the Panthers proved victorious. Big Congratulations goes out to Mears girls volleyball players and Coach Dennis Sorenson, as well as to all the other players and coaches who supported volleyball this year: Heather Fleming, James McDonald, and Greg Ross. It has truly been a terrific volleyball season! Go Panthers!

Unfortunately, vaping issues persist at Mears. School administrators and staff continue to receive reports that vaping is occurring on campus during the school day. Reported incidents typically involve students in restrooms during passing periods. Of course, the vast majority of students have no involvement in vaping. However, the current level of involvement of even a few students is a real concern. Parents and families, therefore, are strongly encouraged to discuss the health risks of vaping. (See video resources above.) Additionally, students and families need to be aware that vaping can also lead to serious consequences at school, including suspension.

FRI 12/16: Snow Day, School Canceled

MON 12/19: Advanced Band Concert, 7:00pm, MPR

WED 12/21: Last Day of the Semester (with student in attendance)

THU 12/22: Teacher In-Service - NO SCHOOL!!!

FRI 12/23: First Day of Winter Holiday Break!

MON 12/26 - FRI 12/30: Week 1 of Winter Holiday Break

MON 1/2/23 - FRI 1/6/23: Week 2 of Winter Holiday Break

MON 1/9/23: Happy New Year! First Day Back to School!!!

FRI 12/16: Snow Day, School Canceled

THU 12/22: Teacher In-Service Q2 Grading & Assessment, Grades due by 3 p.m.

FRI 12/23: First Day of Winter Holiday Break!

MON 12/26 - FRI 12/30: Week 1 of Winter Holiday Break

MON 1/2/23 - FRI 1/6/23: Week 2 of Winter Holiday Break

MON 1/9/23: Happy New Year! First Day Back to School!!!

Due to the return of full bus service for students, Mears will return to its usual pick up and drop off locations. Beginning on Monday, Jan. 9th, Mears will have one pick up and drop off location, which is the on the east side of campus near the MPR. This location has been used for 8th graders only since the beginning of the year, but will now serve the entire student body. The lot in front of the school, currently used for 7th grade drop off and pick up, will be reopened for faculty parking. Beginning second semester, all 7th graders should dropped off and picked up on the east side of the school, near the MPR. Thank you.

With the return of full bus service at school, Mears will reestablish its usual pick up and drop off times. Parents and families should be aware that beginning on Jan. 9th, the school building will open at 7:45am and will close at 3:30pm. Please be sure to plan accordingly. Unless your student is participating in after-school activities, they will need to be picked up by 3:30pm. Thank you.

Friendly reminder:

As of Dec. 5, new bus transportation details have been published via Parent Connect. For more information and to find your student's bus line, visit ASD's Bus Transportation webpage.

Panthers! We are now accepting forms for Basketball and Cross-Country Skiing! First practice for Basketball is January 10th and first practice for XC-Skiing is January 12th!

If your student has already participated in a sport this year, and their sports physical is still valid, you will only need to submit the Activity Participation Form. If this is their first time participating in a sports activity at Mears, be sure to turn in the Activity Participation Form, the COVID-19 Waiver, and a valid sports physical completed by your healthcare provider.

Fees will not be due until January and if the fee is a hardship for your family, you may request a fee waiver by email Ms. Svendsen at svendsen_crysta@asdk12.org, or Mr. Backman at backman_eric@asdk12.org. Students who have already paid for two sports activities have met the sports cap, so no fee will be due.

If you have any questions regarding forms and fees, please feel free to email Ms. Robin at spartz-hays_robin@asdk12.org.

Winter Break is just around the corner and counselors are seeing a lot of requests to change classes, electives and schedules. Please be sure to use the proper form to request counselors (Link Here) We love when students stop by the office to say hello but to get into the virtual counseling line for scheduling, the request to see counselor form is necessary. We may not get to you right away for schedule changes, but we will answer each request!

Lots of snow and one week to go but you can still finish strong! Be sure to get your sleep, balance your screen time, and don’t miss school days (unless you are sick). These simple steps can help you be successful as we complete semester one.

Christmas Break is just around the corner and counselors are seeing a lot of requests to change classes, electives and schedules. Please be sure to use the proper form to request counselors (Link Here) We love when students stop by the office to say hello but to get into the virtual counseling line for scheduling, the request to see counselor form is necessary. We may not get to you right away for schedule changes, but we will answer each request!

We also want to remind students to finish strong! There is a lot to complete before the semester ends so be sure to get your sleep, balance your screen time, and don’t miss school days (unless you are sick). These simple steps can help you be successful as we complete semester one. Looking forward to a GREAT month of Decemeber!

ASD Library Bookmark Contest

2022 - 2023 Theme is:

Learning for Life @ Our Library

Use your imagination and any ideas relating to reading, literacy and the love of the library!

Entries are due December 9, 2022. Submit your entry to Mrs. Fleming, the librarian. The winning school entries will go to district judging. Entries become the property of the Anchorage School District and may be used in other advertisements.

Entries must:

• fit the theme and include the phrase Learning for Life@ Our Library™

• be the original work of the student, whether hand drawn, digital art, or computer generated

• be the correct size: 7” x 2 ¾” either horizontal or vertical

• be submitted with the student's full name and grade on the back of the bookmark

No copyrighted characters may be included on the bookmark.

Forms with the correct size template are available in the library.

It’s December and a short month, so it’s also a short prompt:

Write a recipe for happiness. What would the ingredients be? In what order and amounts would you add them? What instructions would you provide for assembling, cooking and serving it? Decide what makes you happy and write the recipe.

See full details and tips for getting started by visiting Panther Participation and clicking on the creative writing contest link.

Deadline is Monday, December 19th.

Happy writing!

Here's the link: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1lFtziAqbf1R_9LmGD2bbyfEWWHYxqseUa_UZ1RknDs4/edit?usp=sharing

There are a lot of sicknesses going around the Anchorage community. Here is a link to an article about flu and RSV, which are both affecting a large amount of the Anchorage population, especially the pediatric population.

https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/2022/12/04/hospital-pediatric-units-around-alaska-are-packed-as-flu-rsv-makes-its-rounds/

We can all do our part to keep ourselves healthy. Please stay home when you are sick. Here is the link to ASD’s When to Keep Your Child Home From School: www.asdk12.org/Page/6622 . Please note the exclusion includes if your child is “...too tired and uncomfortable to function at school, it is best to keep the child home for a day or two.”

Check out the new nursing page on the Mears Middle School website! Go to the ‘Welcome’ tab and click on ‘Nurse’. The link is also available below:

https://www.asdk12.org/domain/6116

PTSA General Meeting Schedule: All Mears Community Members are Welcome -- Second Wednesday of each month @ 5:30pm via Zoom

Semester 2: Jan 11, Feb. 8, Mar. 8, Apr. 12, May 10

https://asdk12.zoom.us/j/94592593995?pwd=QVFMZUxkZUdnYzdWa0c1b0dkNC8wdz09

Meeting ID: 945 9259 3995

Passcode: 854629

Join Team PTSA: Volunteer Interest Form:

https://forms.gle/P8yYKMPSuwzPR2ZU8

Please like and follow us on Facebook Mears Middle School PTSA for more information

• Visit www.MearsPTSA.com for general information

To purchase Mears Gear (including gym clothes), visit the Mears Middle School Store

Yearbook is Now on Sale

Mears families can also order online by going to: ybpay.com using access code 13921123 (see the attachment). Please be certain to print and keep a copy of your receipt after completing and paying for the online purchase. Please do not wait to submit your yearbook order(s). Understand that orders made online after 11:59 p.m. on night of March 26, 2022 are not guaranteed a yearbook order. Questions? Please contact the Mears MS PTSA via email at: mearsms.ptsa@gmail.com

Mears Middle School acknowledges that we operate and gather on the traditional land of the Dena’ina Peoples and honor, with gratitude, the land itself and the people who have stewarded it throughout the generations.

Email: backman_eric@asdk12.org
Website: https://www.asdk12.org/Domain/72
Location: 2700 West 100th Avenue, Anchorage, AK, USA
Phone: 907-742-6400