Creekside Insider

Dear Creekside Park Elementary Families,

Welcome to February! While this month brings exciting activities, it is vital that we maintain a strong academic focus. Every day, we work to ensure students succeed in foundational skills like reading, writing, and engaging in meaningful dialogue—balancing academic growth with essential social development.

Connecting with parents is one of our most important responsibilities. Nothing replaces an in-person conversation to discuss your child’s progress. We ask all families to prioritize Parent-Teacher Conferences on February 25th and 26th.

While we often have much information to share (please see the attached tips on preparing for a conference), our primary goal during this time is to listen. We need your insights on how best to support your child—whether you have questions about report cards, school data, or social interactions.

The conference scheduler link is attached to this newsletter and goes live district-wide on February 12th. Please take time to sign up; our staff has worked diligently to ensure availability.

Finally, as we begin planning for next year, your feedback on the upcoming Family Climate and Connectedness Survey is crucial. Information will be sent out the week of conferences. We ask that every parent fill this out. We limit ourselves to this single important survey and use the results directly—past data helped establish our 21st Century after-school program and shape our social-emotional supports.

Thank you for your continued partnership.

David Christal, Principal
Creekside Park Elementary

(907) 742-1563

2026 AK STAR and Alaska Science Assessment

Each spring, Alaskan students are provided an opportunity to show what they know. When students show what they know, teachers and parents can partner to promote student success. The State of Alaska Department of Education has partnered with NWEA to align and connect the English language arts (ELA) and mathematics tests with the MAP Growth benchmark assessments students take in fall and winter.

This balanced assessment system targets instruction to better support meeting students’ individual learning needs. In addition, students will take only one assessment per content area (ELA and math) and be provided two scores as follows:

1. Summative assessment result at grade-level

2. MAP Growth interim benchmark result, including growth from fall to spring

AK STAR, the Alaska System of Academic Readiness, is comprised of English language arts and mathematics and is administered to students in grades 3-9. The Alaska Science Assessment is administered to students in grades 5, 8 and 10. The purpose of a large-scale, summative assessment is to provide parents and schools an overall picture of a student’s progress in meeting the Alaska standards at grade level.

Parents can locate resources for AK STAR and the Alaska Science Assessment, including directions for Student Readiness (Practice Tests and Tutorials), student testing times and general assessment information on the ASD website at https://www.asdk12.org/akstar.

Parents can also help by ensuring their children are well rested, eat a nutritious breakfast, and are at school on time for the days of testing. Please avoid scheduling appointments on your child’s testing days.

The ASD AK STAR and Alaska Science Assessment testing window allows for school assessment scheduling flexibility. Students! Get ready to show what you know during our school’s AK STAR and Alaska Science Assessment testing dates: ___________________

2026 ASD AK STAR and Alaska Science Assessment Testing Window:

March 30-April 16

(Make-ups through May 1)

State of Alaska Window: March 30-May 1

We will no longer be able to accommodate pick-up changes after 2:15pm, except in the case of an emergency. Late changes create unnecessary confusion in the office, as we need to locate students, verify bus routes, and ensure timely dismissals. We also want to avoid delays for students on the buses. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping us maintain a smooth end-of-day routine.

2/16/2026: Presidents Day Holiday-No School

2/25/2026: Parent/Teacher Conferences-Half Day/Dismissal 11:30am

2/26/2026: Parent/Teacher Conferences-Half Day/Dismissal 11:30am

2/27/2026: Student Release Professional Development Day/No School

2/27/2026: **Start of Fur Rendezvous

3/6/2026: Student Release Grading Day/No School

3/9/3026 - 3/13/2026: Spring Break

3/20/2026: Spring Picture Day

🌟 School Nurse Newsletter

Helping Our Students Stay Healthy and Ready to Learn

Dear Families,

Staying healthy helps children do their best at school. Below are some helpful tips and reminders to support your child’s health at home and at school.

❤️ Heart-Healthy Tips for Families

Keeping your Heart healthy is one of the best ways you can LOVE yourself and feel your best. Heart health starts early! Simple daily habits can make a big difference.

Ways to keep kids’ hearts healthy:

• Encourage active play like biking, dancing, or exploring local parks for at least 60 minutes a day
• Offer fruits and vegetables at meals and snacks, focus on a balanced diet
• Choose water or low-fat milk instead of sugary drinks
• Limit fast food and highly processed snacks
• Make family time active—walks, games, or sports together count!

Healthy habits now help protect your child’s heart for the future.

Have you met Hope the Husky? This is a health initiative especially for Alaska kids!

😁 February is Dental Health Awareness Month!

A healthy smile is important for eating, speaking, and learning.

Dental health reminders:

• Brush teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
• Floss once a day
• Visit the dentist every 6 months, or as recommended
• Limit sugary snacks and drinks, especially between meals

Tooth pain can make it hard for children to focus in class. This can also be the cause of ear pain or headache.

If you need assistance with dental issues, the UAA Dental Clinic offers a variety of services at a discounted price. They provide dental cleanings, and routine check-ups – and are available for fillings during the spring semester (April-May).

UAA Dental Clinic

🏠 When to Keep Your Child Home from School

To help prevent the spread of illness, please keep your child home if they have:

• A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher (stay home until fever-free for 24 hours without medicine)
• Vomiting or diarrhea (stay home for 24 hours after symptoms stop)
• A bad cough, trouble breathing, or sore throat with fever
• Pink eye with drainage
• Any illness that makes it hard for them to participate in school

If you are unsure, it’s always okay to call with any questions.

Here is a link to district guidelines for common issues: HOW SICK IS TOO SICK?

Thank you for working with us to keep our school healthy and safe. Please reach out if you need support or have health-related concerns.

Warmly,

Creekside Park Elementary School Nurse 🩺

Julie Craft, DNP, FNP-C, NCSN

907 742-1551

Craft_Julie@asdk12.org

The School Board is committed to equal opportunity for all individuals in education. District programs and activities shall be free from discrimination based on sex, race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, physical or mental disability, Vietnam era veteran status, genetic information, good faith reporting to the board on a matter of public concern, or any other unlawful consideration. The Board shall promote programs which ensure that discriminatory practices are eliminated in all District activities.

Please stop by the Creekside Park lost and found, it is located just outside of the front office. We have accumulated lots of goodies that are trying to find their way home.

Community Resources Connection:

Food Resources:

School Lunchbox Program: Food is donated to Creekside for distribution to families. If a family is in need, please fill out this link, and we are happy to send home a prepackaged shelf-stable meal from the Lunchbox program: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe72z30roxiy0plu5gfbNvvHS6amhGofoOwTj-X6XVn42X8ZQ/viewform?usp=header

Alaska SNAP Program with updates:

https://health.alaska.gov/en/services/division-of-public-assistance-dpa-services/snap-nutrition-assistance/

Food Bank of Alaska:

Connects families to a network of food pantries and meal sites. https://foodbankofalaska.org/help

Update on Possible SNAP Benefits During Government Shutdown.

https://blog.foodbankofalaska.org/snap-benefits-during-the-government-shutdown-what-alaskans-need-to-know

211- Alaska211.org:

Call 2-1-1 (Statewide Info Line) or visit AnchorageFood.org for updated community food pantry sites

Catholic Social Services:

Operates the St. Francis House Food Pantry.

3710 E 20th Ave or call 907-222-7323

Operates Monday- Thursday 9 am -1:00 pm

4:00 PM to 5:30 PM on the fourth Wednesday of the month.

Principal: David Christal

christal_david@asdk12.org

Assistant Principal: Rita Shannon

shannon_rita@asdk12.org

Administrative Assistant: Jennifer Kalt

kalt_jennifer@asdk12.org

Secretary: Anais Martninez

martinez_anais@asdk12.org

Nurse: Julie Craft

craft_julie@asdk12.org

Counselor: Dr. Brenda Hoskins

hoskins_gwendolyn@asdk12.org

Email: askcreekside@asdk12.org

Website: https://asdk12.org/creeksidepark

Location: 7500 East 6th Avenue, Anchorage, Ak 99504

Phone: (907)742-1550

Facebook: Facebook.com/CreeksideParkElementary