Panther Pride News

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

Yesterday, Mears celebrated stellar academic achievement of 48 students who participate in the Indian and Migrant Education Programs here at school. These students have all earned a GPA of 3.6 or higher and have all made the Honor Roll. Special thanks goes out to Ms. Jhoana Olivares and Ms. Benita Holt, who are the coordinators for both organizations. Both have done truly remarkable work in setting high standards for students in the programs and for providing opportunities for extra support and encouragement whenever needed. All of us at Mears are truly proud of these students for all their hard work and for going above and beyond in and outside the classroom. Go Panthers!

Thursday and Friday, Nov. 24-25 -- Thanksgiving Holiday

Thursday, Dec. 1 -- Mears/PTSA Family Engagement Night, Anti-Vaping Education Event, see below for details

All Mears families are invited to attend an important educational event focused on anti-vaping. Special guests from the Alaska American Heart Association will join us at Mears to present information on vaping, its health risks, and strategies to prevent use and addiction.

• WED & THURS 11/24-25: THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

• TUES 11/29 -- Mears Staff Meeting

The two best ways to report a school absence:

1. Log in to Parent connect. Near the top right corner there is an option to Report an absence. There is an all day option, or you can select the specific classes that your student will miss. If you need help with your PIN please call 742-6000.

2. Email mearsattendance@asdk12.org
This email can be used to excuse your child for the entire day, or to request a blue pass.

If you are unable to use parent connect or email, please feel free to call Mears attendance line:

3. Call our attendance line 566-3300

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.

Can you believe we are only a few weeks away from the end of quarter two? Counselors are receiving a lot of requests from parents and students on how to finish strong or improve grades. It is very normal for middle schoolers to have missing assignments. They are learning to take greater and greater responsibility, and this is an important time for them to develop self-advocacy skills and to learn how to organize their work. Here are a few tips to encourage more success as we close in on quarter two:

1. Turn in all missing assignments. Open Canvas and look carefully at all classes for any missing or late assignments. Even assignments with just a few points can make a difference. Keep in mind it could take a day or two for late or missing assignments to be removed from the “missing assignments” column.

2. Communicate with the teacher. If your child is having problems finding the assignment or understanding what is expected of them, encourage them to email the teacher (Canvas message) with the question and the name of the assignment. If possible, talk to the teacher in person. Communication is key.

3. Show up. Missing school days means missed instruction time. Student attendance is a powerful, research driven predictor of student success.

The best we can do as parents is to consider the steps above and encourage your student to seek help from their teacher. Being able to independently reach out and ask for help is a crucial part of their development in becoming adults.

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.

November's theme is family, culture, and ancestors. Write a story, either fiction or nonfiction, that centers on a cultural tradition or a family object.

See Panther Participation for full details and writing guidelines. Deadline is Wednesday, November 30th.

Here is the link to this month's prompt and details: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1x9gW15ihFR0dUG8aU4BvAKv-TtQF1iUl4mlgam8XN24/edit?usp=sharing

Good luck, writers.

Every year, Mears PTSA does incredible work to support teaching and learning at Mears. Last year alone, Mears PTSA donated $20,000 in Panther Grants to our beloved teachers.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, please consider showing your gratitude for Mears PTSA by becoming a member. Family members are just $10. To join, please visit MemberHub.

All new members who join by Nov. 30 will be entered in a drawing to win a holiday wreath. The winner will be announced during the first week of December.

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

Semester 1: Dec. 14

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

PTSA Zoom Meeting Link

Meeting ID: 981 2989 0912

Passcode: 986530

Join Team PTSA: Volunteer Interest Form:

https://forms.gle/P8yYKMPSuwzPR2ZU8

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

• You can contact us at MearsMS.PTSA@gmail.com

• 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 Students and Families,

On behalf of Mears teachers and staff, I want to wish all of you a joyous and relaxing Thanksgiving. I hope that each of you is able to connect with your loved ones and enjoy time together during this holiday weekend.

I want you all to know that those of us at Mears deeply appreciate the opportunity to teach, coach, support, and mentor your students here at school. Considering the last two years we have all experienced, we are extra grateful this season for the opportunity and promise that each school day brings. We are all here together--in-person--teaching, learning, and growing together.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all. Go Panthers! --Eric

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