August 15, 2025
Friday, August 15, 2025
We've had a great start to the 2025-2026 school year these past two days!
There are a few things we want to share with you as your student prepares for their first full week of school, so make sure to read through every section below.
🏀 Sports/Activities Begin ON Monday! 👟
Fall Sports/Activities:
XC-Running - Begins Monday, 4:15-5:45pm.
Boys Basketball - Begins Monday, 4:15-5:45pm.
Baseball - Registration through Alaska Legion. Practice schedule will come from Alaska Legion.
Debate - Begins Tuesday, 8:00-9:00am.
What is Needed:
Sports Fee ($110) - Staring Monday, August 11th, these fees can be found in "Online Payments" drop-down menu in ParentConnect. You or your student are also able to bring cash/check to the Finance Office in the Front Office.
Golden Ticket - Students receive a "Golden Ticket" from Mrs. Mary once all paperwork has been turned in and is required for your student to attend the first day of practice. Golden Tickets are given out during the school day on the first day of practice.
All paperwork can be turned into the Front Office or emailed to harmon_mary@asdk12.org.
Once your student has officially signed up for a sport/activity, you will receive an email with more information about that specific sport/activity.
Feel free to send any questions you have to harmon_mary@asdk12.org!
Activity Bus for JBER Students 🚌
If you live on base and your student plans on staying after school for activities, make sure they sign-up to ride the Activity Bus! This bus leaves Gruening after school, Monday-Friday, at 6:00pm and drops students off at Two Rivers Youth Center around 6:30pm.
The Activity Bus starts on Monday, August 18th.
Completed forms can be dropped off in the Front Office.
⚓ Anchored4Life ⚓
Join the Anchored4Life Team: Students Empowering Students Through Leadership, Resilience & Community
The Anchored4Life program is all about helping students grow and make a real impact at school and in the larger JBER/Eagle River community. This program is designed for our middle school students who want to:
- Strengthen Leadership Skills: Gain confidence in leading and working others, making decisions, and taking initiative.
- Build Resilience: Learn how to handle adversity, embrace challenges, and turn setbacks into growth.
- Support the Community: Be part of service projects that help those in need and create lasting change.
Whether your student is looking to build their personal strengths or become a role model for others, Anchored4Life offers the tools, guidance, and support they need to thrive. If they want to join a supportive group of peers, work on impactful projects, and become a part of something that will shape their future and community, we are here!
This is a program sponsored by the US Air Force but all students are welcome. We will hold the club as an Advisory class on Mondays with occasional meetings and tasks outside of the school day.
Daily Schedules
Monday Schedule
Tuesday-Friday Schedule
Meet Your Counselor!
From Left to Right: Mrs. Rotante (8th), Ms. Johnson (7th), Ms. Hart (6th)
Our amazing counselors are so excited to kick off this school year!
If you have questions for your student's counselor, see their emails below:
Ms. Hart (6th): hart_jennifer@asdk12.org
Ms. Johnson (7th): johnson_amanda@asdk12.org
Mrs. Rotante (8th): rotante_amyjo@asdk12.org
🍕 School Menu Access for Families 🍎
Parents and families can view café menus for their specific school sites and grade levels online:
- Visit the www.schoolcafe.com/anchorage webpage
- Click “View Menus (as a guest)”
- Select school, grade, and meal type from the drop-down menu
Food Allergy Information
Parents/guardians are encouraged to communicate with school nurses, teachers, and café staff regarding any new food allergies/intolerances or changes to their child’s allergy/intolerance status.
ASD Practices:
- No tree nuts, peanuts, or shellfish are served during breakfast or lunch
- Pork is not served at any elementary schools
Filtering Allergens Online:
- View menus at www.schoolcafe.com/anchorage
- Click “View Menus (as a guest)” or “Create a new account”
- Select the school and desired menu
- Click the Allergens button to filter menu items by allergen
Meal Accommodations:
- An A-7 Meal Accommodation Form is required for meal/milk alternatives due to allergies/intolerances (except lactose-free milk).
- The A-7 form must be signed by a medical authority (physician, PA, nurse practitioner, or registered dietitian) and submitted to the school nurse before meal alternatives can be provided.
- For soy milk only, a parent/legal guardian may sign the A-7 form.
- Lactose-free milk is available to all students upon request without a form.
The Student Nutrition website is a great resource for schools and families: www.asdk12.org/studentnutrition.
Save The Date(s):
8/18 - Sports Begin!
8/19 - ASD Band & Orchestra Night, West High School, 6:00pm
8/20 - Band & Orchestra Fitting, 6:00-8:00pm
8/26 - Back-to-School Night, 6:15-8:00pm, Gruening Gym. More information coming next week!
9/1 - No School
9/2 - Coffee & Conversations, Gruening Library, 2:00-3:30pm
9/3 - All Schools Season Opener Jamboree for XC-Running, Bartlett, 6:00pm
9/9 - School & Sport Picture Day - More information coming!
9/9 - JV & V Boys Basketball, Clark Middle School, 6:00pm
Have a Great Weekend!
Looking to Volunteer at Gruening?
Any adults looking to volunteer at Gruening must go through the Volunteer Application process.
*This process must be completed for each school you are wanting to volunteer at. For more questions, you can reach out to perez_tatiana@asdk12.org.