Panther Pride News

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

Today, Friday, March 24, Mears Teams enjoyed a day of fun on and off campus. Teams engaged in a series of on-campus field day activities, along with field-trips to go bowling, roller skating., and to Anchorage Museum. Today's field day was originally scheduled just prior to Winter Break, but due to snow days was cancelled. Mears rescheduled the event to make sure that students had the opportunity to enjoy fun, team-building activities, as we all head into Spring and the final months of the school year. Special thanks goes out to all the teachers, staff, and parent volunteers who helped plan and chaperone the day's events. Go Panthers!

3/24: 8th grade window to input High School Elective Requests closes

3/27 - 3/31: AK Science Assessment: 8th Grade Only

3/30: Advanced Orchestra Festival 6 p.m. @ Barlett HS

4/3 - 4/7: AK STAR TESTING: ELA

4/10 - 4/14: AK STAR TESTING: MATH

4/17 - 4/21: AK STAR TESTING: Make Ups

4/20: MMS Music Dept. Annual Cake Auction Fundraiser @ MMS 6 p.m.

3/27 - 3/31: AK Science Assessment: 8th Grade Only

3/28: MMS All Employee Staff Meeting (STAR Training) @ 3 p.m.

4/3 - 4/7: AK STAR TESTING: ELA

4/10 - 4/14: AK STAR TESTING: MATH

4/11: MMS Leadership Meeting TUE @ 3 p.m.

4/17 - 4/21: AK STAR TESTING: Make Ups

4/25: MMS All Employee Staff Meeting 3:00 p.m.

Next week, Mears will begin 3-weeks of state testing. The first week will be focused on the AK Science assessment for 8th graders. The school schedule has been adjusted to allow students with enough time to take the assessment, while in their own classrooms with their science teachers (see above). Using the same schedule, Mears 7th and 8th graders will take the STAR Language Arts and Mathematics assessments beginning in April.

For additional information about upcoming assessments, please visit:

• AK STAR and Alaska Science Assessment Overview and Testing Times

• ASD AK STAR and AK Science Assessment webpage

The Anchorage School District's Fine Arts Department is proud to present the 51st annual student art show, in celebration of National Youth Art Month. Student work will be on display around our community March 3 - April 7, 2023. The opening reception will take place at the Anchorage Museum on Friday, March 3, 2023 from 6:00-9:00pm. Admission is complimentary to the public.

Spring Break photo contest Winners:

Congratulations to Sierra Walkins, Toril Peterson, and Ethan Stanis for showing their Team Pride and school spirit over Spring Break!

Categories included Local Adventure, Delightful Destinations, and Fun with Friends.

Winners were announced today and all will receive Panther Bucks to spend in the school store. Special thanks goes out to PTSA!

All Families of 8th Graders,

The deadline for DHS course sign ups is March 24. Be sure to check out this link with important information from the counseling team at Dimond High School to complete the process of signing up for classes for next year.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1t3snw0RNj9VrZ2SS1EHDNZm-_BbLQl11

This information can also be found by going to the Dimond web page and selecting "students and parents" and "course selection 23-24"

Students will not be able to enter any requests until the window opens March 6th. DHS counselors will be at Mears March 7th to do presentations and course selection.

Using the library during lunch will be very limited during the 4th quarter because of state and district testing. Please check the signs on the door to see if passes are available for the day. Students must have a pass to spend time in the library during lunch. Passes are handed out after first period. Always eat BEFORE you come to the library.

March Writing Contest: Text your Story

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1MTBT6YC2CdMO-3KG1R9t_juviYm6D79TO9T6NN58UPc/edit?usp=sharing

Mears Parents and Families are strongly encouraged to take ASD's annual School Climate and Connectedness Survey. Please use this opportunity to share your feedback so that Mears can continue its efforts to be the very best school possible. We value your experience and insights. Let's make sure all voices are heard.

Survey link: surveys.panoramaed.com/aasb/asdfamily

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

Semester 2: 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