Panther Pulse

It’s an exciting time to be a Panther! Fairbanks Local Schools is moving forward with a vision that balances academic innovation with a comprehensive master facilities plan. Here is a look at how we are transforming our instruction and our campus:

Inside the Classroom: Authentic Learning

We are bridging the gap between textbooks and the real world to better prepare students for the workforce.

• Learning in Action: A standout example is our sixth-grade English classes, which recently hosted a foster puppy to practice their writing and communication skills. Students educated the community on animal fostering and successfully raised funds for local rescues. (Pictured - Students with Scout, classroom foster dog)

• Accelerated Growth: Eighteen of our teachers are currently implementing these authentic learning strategies. Research shows that real-world application can spark up to 1.5 years of academic growth in a single school year.

• "Portrait of a Panther" Skills: We are prioritizing the "soft skills" local employers value most, including communication, collaboration, and initiative.

Outside the Classroom: Facilities Updates

Our community-developed master plan is physically transforming our campus to meet the needs of our students.

• Completed: 6-classroom elementary addition; MS/HS security enhancements; new HS HVAC; upgraded stadium turf and track.
• Summer 2026: New campus access road to reduce Route 38 traffic; MS HVAC replacement; new synthetic turf softball and baseball fields; music room renovations.
• Summer 2027: Focused renovations on Science and Vocational Agriculture classrooms to support modern workforce needs.

Funding the Vision: These projects are made possible through a strategic combination of the Permanent Improvement Levy and selective use of General Fund dollars.

See it in Action: Look for our State of the Schools video series in early April to see these lessons and campus improvements in motion!

Thank you for your continued support as we build a brighter future for our students!

Janel Chapman

Superintendent

Please help us by sharing your perspectives on the district's recent topics of interest and self-study among the members of the District Leadership Team. Your responses are completely confidential - we are not collecting personal information unless you choose to share it with us.

The survey (link below) will take about 10 minutes to complete.

The District Leadership Team comprises about 20 people, including parents, teachers, staff, administrators, and two Board members. Their purpose is to advise the district, organize priorities, gather input from stakeholders, and generate proposals for the district and Board of Education to consider.

Please reach out, if you have an interest in serving on the team; we meet five times during the school year in the late afternoons. For questions about the survey, please contact: Janel Chapman, Superintendent at janelchapman@fairbankspanthers.org.

Panther's Purses and Prizes is back! Join the FEF (Fairbanks Education Fund) on Friday, April 10, for a fun night! Purchase Tickets HERE.

The FEF’s mission is to support Fairbanks teachers and staff by expanding access to educational opportunities. This work is made possible through grants funded by generous businesses, alumni, community members, and fundraisers like the annual Panther's Purses and Prizes event.

Come out for a fun-filled evening, enjoy a little friendly competition, and help support our dedicated staff!

Each February, the Fairbanks Local School District updates its five-year financial forecast to monitor our financial health and plan ahead. Our short-term outlook (the next 2–2½ years) remains stable. We are not projecting an operating deficit and continue to maintain a responsible reserve balance.

Looking ahead, the financial picture becomes more challenging. Recent changes to property tax law are expected to limit revenue growth, and property taxes make up about 50% of district funding. State funding, which accounts for roughly 25% of revenue, also remains uncertain with no growth currently projected and the possibility of future reductions. We remain committed to being careful stewards of taxpayer dollars while continuing to provide a high-quality education for our students.

Additional financial information is available on the District Treasurer’s webpage.

Thank you for your continued support of the Fairbanks Local School District.

February was full of heart at our school! Our 4th graders, guided by Mrs. Elliott, school counselor, and Mr. Bowsher, Dean of Students, explored what it means to use their “Panther Hearts” through lessons on empathy, respect, and positive communication. They practiced seeing different perspectives, responding with kindness, and choosing words that lift others up—strengthening classroom community in the process.

Meanwhile, our 1st graders spread their Panther Hearts beyond the classroom. They wrote Valentine’s letters to family and friends asking about Valentine’s Day traditions—and were delighted to hear back from people all over the world! This fun, global exchange helped students practice curiosity, empathy, and connection, showing that small acts of kindness can reach far and wide.

Our kindergarteners also celebrated in a memorable way with one of our favorite traditions—the “QU Wedding”! In this joyful ceremony, Q and U “get married” to remind our littlest learners that Q is always followed by U. With smiles, laughter, and a little bit of learning magic, students discovered that some letters are simply meant to stick together, making this phonics lesson a cherished part of their early reading journey.

Our Fairbanks High School Robotics Team and two of our Middle School teams are on the move—they’ve officially qualified for the State Championship Competition! 🤖💥 We’re so proud of their creativity, teamwork, and engineering skills as they prepare to represent our Panthers on the big stage.

And it all starts early! At Fairbanks Elementary, our robotics club gives students hands-on experience with STEM-based design challenges, including building and managing their own competitive robots. These early experiences lay the foundation for the impressive robotics programs at our middle and high schools, where students continue to grow, innovate, and compete at the highest levels. Panther pride is alive in every gear, circuit, and code! 🐾

Engage 8 is a dynamic course offered to eighth-grade students. The class is designed to deepen real-world learning through interactive experiences that extend beyond the classroom.

Currently, Engage 8 is focused on a comprehensive unit on World War II. Throughout this unit, students have explored key events, examined the historical impact of the war, and participated in independent reading to strengthen their understanding of both the global conflict and the human stories within it. As part of this immersive approach, the class recently visited the National Veterans Memorial and Museum and plans to visit the Motts Military Museum, where students are able to engage with powerful exhibits and artifacts that bring history to life.

This unit has made a meaningful impact on students as they prepare for their upcoming trip to Washington, D.C.. To conclude the unit, students will apply their learning by teaching important concepts to their peers, reinforcing their knowledge while developing presentation and leadership skills.

At Fairbanks High School, our recent focus has been on strengthening academic systems, expanding student opportunities, and building a clearer long-term instructional vision. For the upcoming school year, we are adding CCP Psychology, CCP Introduction to Business, AP Pre-Calculus, and a new History Through Music elective—expanding rigorous and relevant options for students.

We are also developing clear “Panther Pathways” to help students and families better understand recommended course sequences aligned to post-secondary goals such as healthcare, business, education, and agriculture. At the same time, we are refining our instructional framework to emphasize rigor, engagement, and purposeful questioning, while strengthening student support systems through more structured academic interventions.

Overall, our work is centered on creating clarity, increasing opportunity, and ensuring every Fairbanks student is prepared for success beyond high school.