Wendler Middle School
October 2025
Dear Wendler Families,
It’s hard to believe we’re already nearing the end of the first quarter! Our students have been working hard, and we’re so proud of all they’ve accomplished so far this year.
To celebrate their efforts, we’re excited to announce our upcoming Fun Day on Thursday, October 16th! The day will begin with a pep rally to build school spirit, followed by an awards assembly recognizing outstanding achievements from the first quarter. We’ll finish the day with our traditional Fun Day activities—including a dance, open gym, and a variety of quieter options for students who prefer a more relaxed celebration.
Thank you for your continued support in helping make Wendler Middle School a place where students can learn, grow, and have fun. We look forward to celebrating a great first quarter together!
I look forward to seeing all of our parents during Parent/Teacher Conferences on Wednesday, Oct. 22nd. Please be on the lookout for information coming on how to access our online conference scheduler to make an appointment for a student-led conference.
Warm regards,
Mr. Wilson
Principal, Wendler Middle School
"Team Yukon making waves and navigating new waters - 6th Grade is ready to flow into an amazing year."
We’ve had a great start to the school year in 6th grade! Students are settling into the transition to middle school with energy and curiosity, and as we wrap up the first quarter, we know parents may be feeling a mix of pride, excitement, and maybe even a few nerves—you're not alone, and we’re in this journey together!
Our 6th graders are already building strong foundational skills and embracing The Wendler Way—showing respect, responsibility, and readiness every day. We’re proud of the positive energy and effort they’re bringing into the classroom!
As conferences approach, we’re looking forward to connecting with you. Please continue checking in with your student regularly about their planner, Canvas, and the daily routines we're building together. These habits set the stage for a successful academic journey. Each quarter, we’ll gradually increase academic rigor and support students in building independence they’ll carry with them for years to come.
It’s been a joyful and productive start, and we’re excited for what’s ahead!
Classroom Donations: If you’re able, we could use pencils, glue sticks, and cleaning supplies. Prefer to donate online? You can find the link on ParentConnect—thank you for your continued support!
6th grade team also won the attendance challenge....6th graders earned Open Gym time and Hot Cocoa during advisory later this month. Way to RAM it up....Regular Attendance Matters!!
Hello 7th Grade Families! Please check your child's grades when you get a chance as we zoom towards that October 10 end of quarter late work cut off date.
Two big things we are still noticing kids need help with:
They need a stash of pencils (like a couple for each week)! They are easily lost or used up or broken, and they need to have plenty to make it through the year.
They need a chromebook charging routine. An uncharged chromebook ends up being the same as not having one. Is there a place at home they could plug it in each night before they go to bed?
Remember, kids should be finishing a book and interactive bookmark for language arts before the end of the quarter to get full credit for this quarter of their 1,000,000 word reading challenge!
Also, each time a student is absent, have them "check Canvas" for each of their classes to see what make up work they need to do.
Stay warm and drive safe!
Sincerely,
Team Hula Hula
8th graders have been working on their Original Hero Narrative.
Remember to come prepared with a pencil, charged chromebook, and ready to learn.
Amazing Sped Team
Our Care Team
Our Specialist
School Counseling
Lion’s Quest
Starting this week, students will be diving into social-emotional learning using the Lion’s Quest curriculum. Lion’s Quest is a research-based program fostering positive student behaviors that drive academic achievement, strengthen school connections, and enhance overall school climate. Throughout the year, students will be exploring their values and beliefs, understanding their emotions, respecting themselves and others, making responsible decisions, and bullying prevention.
October is Bullying Prevention Month!
As stated in the student handbook, “The Anchorage School District affirms the right of all students and employees to pursue their education or occupation with dignity in a safe environment.” We at Wendler expect students to act with a high level of respect for one another. We also have a zero tolerance policy on bullying. If a student believes they are experiencing harassment or bullying, we are here to help support them.
Families are incredible partners in tackling bullying concerns. Many incredible resources for bullying prevention are on the National Bullying Prevention Center’s website, including:
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)
Bring proper shoes to PE class.
The Advanced Band, Choir & Orchestras will be performing their Fall Concert on Tuesday, October 14th at 6:30pm in the Wendler MPR. This concert will include our annual Silent Auction where audience members can bid on various items, with all proceeds going to the Wendler music programs. Auction items this year include gift cards to local stores & restaurants, skateboards, and a dog mushing tour! The concert is free and open to the entire Wendler community.
If you would like to add a donation to be auctioned off, please contact any of the music teachers. For those who would like to attend the concert, student performers need to arrive by 6pm and the show will begin at 6:30. Please bring cash or your checkbook so that you can bid on the auction items.
Clint McBride, M.M.
Orchestra Director
Wendler Middle School
Hello Families! We are excited to start getting into our grade level curriculum in our science classes! As we start getting into hands on activities and using science equipment, we are emphasizing science safety. Lab work is serious work! Students need to be paying attention and following directions explicitly at all times. We keep reminding them science equipment and materials are tools and not toys!
Sixth grade classes have started their ecosystem models and are making awesome observations! Seventh grade is getting into our life science unit, getting into the microscopic level of biology. And, eighth grade is getting even smaller with their study of atoms!
Expect to start seeing COPPA permission slips for students to do interactive science work. These are programs that give us some more data collection opportunities and that kids usually enjoy. If you have questions when you see the permission slip, feel free to email your child's science teacher.
Thank you! Happy Fall!
Herring
Anchorage School-Based Health Center Clinics at Wendler
Wendler will host another medical clinic on October 9. This is a great chance for students to get physicals to join the volleyball team or other sports coming up. Physicals are valid for 18 months. Please stop by the nurse's office if your child needs a physical or use this link to request an appointment: https://forms.gle/DUMfETYDpArMaV23A . If you have questions about the clinic, please call the Anchorage School-Based Health Center at 907-917-6764.
Vision and Hearing Screening by Nurse Diana
I check 7th graders’ hearing and vision every fall in accordance with Alaska state statute 14.30.127. If your student has corrective lenses, he or she should wear them at school and during the vision test. Expect to receive a phone call and letter this fall only if your student does not pass the vision or hearing screening. I also offer to measure 7th graders’ height and weight during the same session. I am also happy to check the vision or hearing of 6th or 8th graders at parent request.
Lions Quest
In their Advisory classes, Wendler students will begin working on the Lions Quest Social and Emotional Learning Curriculum. Units of Study are:
Connecting with Others
Exploring My Values and Beliefs
Understanding My Emotions
Respecting Myself and Others
Making Responsible Decisions
Bullying Prevention
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!
Diana Johnson, BSN, RN, NCSN
Wendler Middle School Nurse
tel: 907-742-7322
fax: 907-742-7350
Sports and Activities Info
Next upcoming sports that are starting soon are Volleyball and Wresting....get your paperwork in!!
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)
Other Details:
- 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
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.
Like us on Facebook: Wendler Middle School
and
Visit our school website: https://www.asdk12.org/wendler
Oct. 11th - Debate Tournament 1st QTR at Mirror Lake begins at 8am
Oct. 13th - No School - Indigenous Peoples Day
Oct. 14th - 16th Ram Spirit Week
Oct. 14th - Picture Re-Take Day
Oct. 14th - Volleyball Practice begins for students who have their paperwork in
Oct. 14th - PTA Meeting at 5:30pm in Library *
Oct. 14th - Fall Concert and Silent Auction 6:30pm Wendler MPR
Oct. 14th - Texas Roadhouse Fundraiser Night 4-10pm
Oct. 17th - Last Day of the Quarter - No School for students
Oct. 22nd - Parent Teacher Conferences - Student dismissal at 1pm (Conferences 1:30-4p & 5-8pm)
Oct. 23rd - Parent Teacher Conferences - Student dismissal at 1pm (Conferences 1:30-4p)
Oct. 24th - Professional Development Day - No School for students
Oct. 27th - 31st Halloween Spirit Week
*Dates/times subject to change
Security Team
