Tiger Tracks

As we settle into fall, I want to thank you for helping us begin the school year Tiger Strong!

Strong attendance early in the year helps students establish positive routines and sets the precedent for a year of consistent attendance and academic success. Every school day matters, and we appreciate your commitment to having students arrive on time, ready to learn and participate.

Tiger Strong is more than a saying—it is something our community demonstrates every day. Our Jog-a-Thon was a tremendous success, raising more than $40,000 for the PTA! These funds will support fun activities and valuable opportunities for our students throughout the school year. Thank you to our families, volunteers, staff, and generous supporters who made this possible.

Have you also noticed our beautiful new lighted marquee? Our wonderful office team is having so much fun creating colorful messages to welcome you as you arrive at school each day. It is a bright and cheerful addition to our campus! Thank you PTA, for the years of work to make this happen.

Finally, the character trait of compassion. Although compassion may not always receive as much attention as some other character traits, our school community demonstrated it in an extraordinary way last week. Together, we raised nearly $3,000 to support Ava and her family. The kindness, generosity, and genuine care shown by our Tiger community were truly beautiful.

I have never been prouder to be a Tiger. Thank you for making NLABC such a caring, generous, and special place for our students and families.

Tiger Strong!

Warmly,

Principal Martin

At Northern Lights ABC, we believe student success is a shared responsibility among parents, students, and staff. Our whole-group instructional model depends on students being ready to learn, prepared, and engaged each day.

Parents play an important role by ensuring students complete homework, arrive on time and prepared, and understand the importance of respecting and supporting our staff. Students are responsible for putting forth their best effort, while staff are responsible for providing a safe, supportive, and effective learning environment.

By working together and honoring these shared responsibilities, we can continue the strong academic and behavioral success Northern Lights ABC has built over nearly 50 years.

Fall is in the air! The colors of the leaves are vibrant, and the excitement at NLABC is hopping. It was wonderful to see our students and families come together and go beyond our PTA Jog-A-Thon goal! I am so proud to say that I am a NLABC Tiger!

I also had the privilege of watching our boys' basketball team play, and I look forward to cheering on our cross-country running team as well. It is wonderful to see our students participating, supporting one another, and showing school spirit!

As the weather changes and daylight hours become shorter, some students and families may notice changes in energy, sleep, motivation, concentration, or mood. These changes can sometimes affect students' engagement in learning and academic growth.

Here are 5 simple ways parents and caregivers can support their students during the winter months:

1. Find Some Daylight

Whenever possible, encourage your child to get outside during daylight hours—even for a short walk or fresh air break.

2. Keep Moving

Physical activity can help support energy, reduce stress, and promote overall well-being. Try winter activities such as walking, skiing, sledding, skating, basketball, swimming, dancing, stretching, or playing outside.

3. Protect Your Sleep

A consistent sleep routine is important, especially as the days become darker.

• Keep regular bedtime and wake-up times.

• Create a relaxing bedtime routine.

• Put phones and electronics away before bed.

• Make sure your child is getting enough sleep for their age.

4. Stay Connected

Dark and cold days can make it tempting to stay home and isolate. Encourage your child to stay connected with people who make them feel supported.

Talk to a friend • Join a club • Spend time with family • Participate in an activity • Talk with a trusted adult

5. Have something to Look Forward To

Plan small activities that bring your family joy—reading, creating art, listening to music, baking, having a family game night, trying something new, or making plans with friends.

You don't have to make winter perfect. Focus on creating simple, predictable routines that support your child's well-being.

WHEN SHOULD YOU REACH OUT?

It is normal for students to have an occasional, difficult day. However, families should consider reaching out for additional support when changes in mood, sleep, energy, behavior, school performance, or relationships are significant, persistent, or begin interfering with everyday life. School counselors, healthcare providers, and other trusted adults can help families determine what support may be appropriate.

💙 A Counselor's Reminder

The days may be darker, but you don't have to go through them alone.

As your school counselor, I am here to listen, support, and help.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Congdon-McGee, M.Ed.
School Counselor
Congdon-McGee_Elizabeth@asdk12.org
907-742-7521

Classroom Music

Our students are doing a great job in their K-5 music classes.

We are singing songs, playing instruments together, moving with the music, and working on our music literacy skills.

If you’d like, ask your Kindergartener about the song “Pitter Patter,” your 1st grader about “Autumn Leaves,” your 2nd grader about “Engine Engine,” your 3rd and 4th grader about “Back in School,’’ and your 5th grader about their Red White and Blue songs.

Middle School and Choir

Middle school students have the opportunity to audition for All City Festival at the end of October. Please ask your ensemble director for details.

6th grade choir is doing a great job on their solfege and literacy skills. I’m proud of their growth!

All students are working hard to prep for their December concerts. It’s going to be a great year:)

Join the Choir!

Singing is an irreplaceable part of your child’s education, but the benefits of choir are often misunderstood. Here are some of the benefits of singing in a choir:

1. Singing releases endorphins–think of how you might feel after singing along with your favorite song in the car.

2. Singing together is especially effective at creating social bonds and helping people to make friends.

3. Singing in a choir is considered an aerobic activity because it requires so much breathwork! It also improves posture, which is so important in today’s world.

4. Singing in a choir increases self-confidence.

5. And, new data is coming out showing that singing in a choir is effective in promoting neural connection, cognition, and overall brain health.

There are more benefits to come in future newsletters. In the meantime, join choir!

If you have questions, you can reach me at congdon_darinda@asdk12.org

Our Lost and Found is already overflowing with items.

Please help us and your child find their lost items by putting your child's name on their articles - jackets, gloves, lunch boxes, water bottles, etc.

October 7: Middle School Fall Showcase @6:30pm

October 8: In-person School Tour @8:15 am (RSVP 907-742-7500)

October 9: Red White and Blue Assembly, 5th grade presenting (please see below)

October 9: Movie Night 6pm

October 12: No School - Indigenous Peoples Day

October 13: ABC Parent Advisory Committee meeting @3pm

October 14: School Store (Please see below for details)

October 15: Picture Retakes (please see below)

October 16: No School - Student release grading day

October 19: Texas Roadhouse Dine to Donate (please see below)

October 22: Elementary Q1 Academic Awards (please see below for details)

October 23: Middles School (7th & 8th) Q1 Academic Awards (please see below for details)

October 23: Popcorn Friday

October 26 - 29: Red Ribbon Week

October 28 & 29: Parents/Teachers Conference and Book Fair. School Dismissal @ 11:30 am. (please see below for details)

October 30: No School - Professional Development Day

November 3: No School - Election Day

November 5: PTA meeting @2:45 pm

November 6: Popcorn Friday

NLABC Book Fair will be open 10/28/26 & 10/29/26 from 12:00pm-6:00pm.

No School on Friday, 10/30/26.

K-6th Grade: Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held 10/28/26 & 10/29/26 by appointment with classroom teacher.

The online conference scheduler will open on October 13. You may access the online conference scheduler in one of the following ways:

ASD link to Conference Scheduler https://www.asdk12.org/families/parent-conferences/conference-scheduler

ASD home page via the web slider https://www.asdk12.org/conferences

ASD Mobile App ParentConnection/Quick Links

If you are unable to access the online conference scheduler, please call our office at (907) 742-7500.

Middle School (7th & 8th Grade): There is not a conference scheduler for middle school students. All conferences will take place in the classrooms with parents rotating between your students’ classrooms. Conferences should last between 5-10 minutes per teacher. It is first-come, first-serve for the middle school conferences. Conferences will be held between 12:00pm - 6:20pm on both days, 10/28/26 & 10/29/26

Below are the schedules for 10/28/26 and 10/29/26:

Wednesday, 10/28/26 *All Students (K-8) early dismissal at 11:30am

Lunch Schedule (all students will eat in their classrooms)
Kindergarten 10:40-11:10am
1st-2nd Grade 10:45-11:05am
3rd-5th Grade 10:55-11:15am
6th-8th Grade 11:05-11:25am

Middle School Schedule

Period 2: 8:00-9:35am

Period 3: 9:35-11:05am
Lunch: 11:05-11:25am (MS students eat lunch in period 3 classroom)
Dismissal: 11:30am

Thursday, 10/29/26 *All Students (K-8) early dismissal at 11:30am

Lunch Schedule (all students will eat in their classrooms)
Kindergarten 10:40-11:10am
1st-2nd Grade 10:45-11:05am
3rd-5th Grade 10:55-11:15am
6th-8th Grade 11:05-11:25am

Middle School Schedule

Period 4: 8:00-9:35am