From the Principal:

Dear Denali Families,

We are at the part of the school year that we have taught routines and have a roadmap for individualized lessons based on benchmark skills. Our "What I Need" (or "WIN") groups have started. Those address the academic needs. As part of our commitment to supporting your child’s holistic growth—academically, socially, and emotionally—since you chose Montessori for your child's educational philosophy. One way we address this is through Advisory.

In a Montessori environment, we focus deeply on the development of the whole child. While our regular work periods dedicate uninterrupted time to academic exploration, Advisory provides a structured, nurturing space focused on community building, emotional intelligence, and life skills.

How Our Program Works

Our Advisory program unique blends our lower and upper elementary classrooms. This multi-age format allows older students to step into leadership and mentorship roles, while younger students benefit from the guidance and modeling of their older peers. It also provides our students with another consistent adult support for their lower and upper elementary years.

Advisory groups meet every other Monday. This intentional, bi-weekly rhythm gives students a "home base" to connect across age groups, build deep school-wide bonds, and start their week with focus and community.

Rooted in Montessori Peace Values

This year, our multi-age Advisory discussions and activities will be anchored in foundational Montessori peace values. Together, our lower and upper elementary students will explore what it looks like to live out these specific principles within our school and the broader world:

Doing Right: Practicing integrity, accountability, and making choices that respect others.
Gentleness: Approaching conflicts and interactions with a kind, soft, and considerate spirit.
Truth: Cultivating honesty with oneself and authenticity in communication with peers.
Love: Building deep empathy, inclusion, and a genuine care for our community.
Joy: Finding delight in learning, celebrating growth, and sharing positivity.
Peace: Cultivating internal calmness and practicing proactive harmony within the group.

Core Pillars of Our Advisory Program

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): Students practice identifying their emotions, managing stress, navigating peer relationships, and developing empathy.
Grace and Courtesy: We extend traditional Montessori principles across the elementary years by discussing community expectations, active listening, and collaborative conflict resolution.
Mentorship & Community: Older students practice patience and guidance, while younger students experience a heightened sense of belonging and community care.

We look forward to partnering with you this year to support your child's journey. If you have any questions about our Advisory curriculum or goals, please feel free to reach out.

Also, I want to introduce you to Chantel Black (Ms. Black). Ms. Black will be the acting principal for Denali Montessori while I am out for about three weeks for surgery and recovery. Please welcome her when you see her.

For more upcoming dates, please see the upcoming dates area below and the district calendar.

If you need assistance with anything, please contact us via email (denali_office@asdk12.org) or phone (742-4500). We are here to help you.

Wishing you well,

Deanna Beck (Ms. Deanna - pronounced like Dean-Na)

Denali's Fall Carnival is coming up on Friday, October 9 from 5:30-7:30.

We will have food for purchase from Jeepney and Garcia's Mini Chimi truck. Activities will include an obstacle course, a black light dance, Musical Cakes, and carnival games.

You can pre-purchase wristbands for access to all activities here: https://app.givebacks.gives/2026fallcarnival

We will need lots of volunteers to make our carnival a success! Please consider signing up for one or more 30-minute shifts on the October 9 date at https://signup.com/go/amcspcz

Want more information? We will be holding an informational/planning meeting on Zoom at 7:00pm on Wednesday, September 30. Join at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89306410755

Upcoming Dates at Denali Montessori

Wednesday, September 30 7:00 PTSA Fall Carnival informational meeting on Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89306410755)
Thursday, October 8 Texas Roadhouse Dine-to-Donate
Friday, October 9 5:30-7:30 PTSA Fall Carnival
Monday, October 12, 2026: NO SCHOOL for Indigenous People's Day
Friday, October 16, 2026: NO SCHOOL for students for end of 1st quarter Grading Day
Friday, October 23, 2026: Jog-a-thon at Central Middle School (see flyer below for more information)
October 26-29 PTSA-Sponsored Scholastic Book Fair
Wed, 10/28/2026-Thursday, 10/29/2026: Early Release at 11:30 am for Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences
Friday, 10/30/2026: NO SCHOOL for students for professional development
Tuesday, 11/3/2026: NO SCHOOL for students for professional development and election day
Thursday, 11/5/2026: Make up Picture Day
Wednesday, 11/11/2026: NO SCHOOL for Veterans' Day
Friday, November 13 Fundraiser at Northern Lights Panda Express
Wednesday, November 18 PTSA Member Meeting (on Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85410610197)
Thurs, 11/28-29/2026-Fri, 11/29/2026: NO SCHOOL for Thanksgiving Break
Friday, 12/18/2026: NO SCHOOL for students for 2nd quarter Grading Day
Monday, 12/21/2026-Friday, 1/1/2027: NO SCHOOL for Winter Break

*Note that most links go to Denali Montessori's Facebook page to assist you with adding events to your calendar if you have set-up your social media and technology devices for this feature

From Nurse Marissa:

On October 5th, Nurse Marissa will be conducting our students' Annual Health Screening. Please encourage your students to attend school on this date, as vision and hearing tests will be conducted as part of their annual health checkup. Please reach out to the school Nurse Marissa (cason_marissa@asdk12.org) if you have any questions.

From Mrs. Harth, our librarian:

About Denali Montessori

Mission Statement

Denali Montessori promotes the development of the whole child within a compassionate, diverse community.

Vision Statement

Within a compassionate, diverse community, Denali Montessori promotes socially responsible, resilient life-long learners who can advocate for themselves and others.

Like us on Facebook to see what is happening: https://www.facebook.com/DenaliMontessori

Anchorage School District Elementary Student Handbook

Denali Montessori PTSA: http://www.denaliptsa.org/

https://www.facebook.com/DenaliPTSA

Join the PTSA today: https://denalimontessori.memberhub.com/store

Buy Denali Montessori Spirit Gear: https://www.bonfire.com/store/denali-montessori-spirit-gear/

Email: denali_office@asdk12.org
Website: https://denali.asdk12.org/
Location: 952 Cordova Street, Anchorage, AK, USA
Phone: 907-742-4500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DenaliMontessori

From our School Business Partner, The Anchorage Museum

Family Notifications

Beginning this school year, Denali Montessori is moving to Anchorage School District's new Integrated Elementary Health Education Model. Rather than health being taught as a separate standalone subject, health topics are now woven directly into your child's everyday learning: literacy and science lessons cover topics like body systems, hygiene, and nutrition; PE class addresses physical fitness, safety, and how the body works; and weekly SEL (social-emotional learning) lessons build skills like empathy and problem-solving. Sensitive topics — including the Safe Children's Act personal-safety lessons (K–5) and Human Growth and Development (4th–5th grade) — will still be taught separately by counselors , classroom teachers and other trained staff, with the same parent notification and permission process as before. This shift means health education happens more consistently throughout the week rather than in occasional standalone lessons, while required and legally mandated topics remain fully in place.

Anchorage School Board

Carl Jacobs, President

Kelly Lessens, Vice President

Margo Bellamy, Clerk

Rachel Blakeslee, Treasurer

Paul McDonogh

Pat Higgins

Dora Wilson

The Peace Bear Corner

The Denali Montessori News: October 2026 Edition

From the Principal:

Denali's Fall Carnival is coming up on Friday, October 9 from 5:30-7:30.

Upcoming Dates at Denali Montessori

From Nurse Marissa:

From Mrs. Harth, our librarian:

About Denali Montessori

From our School Business Partner, The Anchorage Museum

Family Notifications

Anchorage School Board

Thank you for our School Business Partners for their support!

From the Principal:

Denali's Fall Carnival is coming up on Friday, October 9 from 5:30-7:30.

Upcoming Dates at Denali Montessori Upcoming Dates at Denali Montessori

From Nurse Marissa: From Nurse Marissa:

From Mrs. Harth, our librarian: From Mrs. Harth, our librarian:

About Denali Montessori

From our School Business Partner, The Anchorage Museum From our School Business Partner, The Anchorage Museum

Family Notifications Family Notifications

Anchorage School Board Anchorage School Board

Thank you for our School Business Partners for their support! Thank you for our School Business Partners for their support!

Upcoming Dates at Denali Montessori

From Nurse Marissa:

From Mrs. Harth, our librarian:

From our School Business Partner, The Anchorage Museum

Family Notifications

Anchorage School Board

Thank you for our School Business Partners for their support!