Students chat via Skype with author Bryan Chick (above). Bayshore fifth-grader Jeong Jin, is hard at work on his novel.

Bayshore fifth-graders become amateur novel-writers

The month of November marks National Novel Writing Month. Although the program is geared towards adults, students ages 17 and younger are invited to participate in its Young Writers Program. The goal is to challenge young writers to complete a full rough draft novel in 30 days. Bayshore Elementary is taking part in this challenge and all 27 of Teacher Erin Schlemme's students are participating. Students write every day in class and at least 30 minutes on weekends. All students who complete this challenge will receive a free paperback-bound published version of their book.

"Our students have discovered the unique challenges involved in creating an extended story and maintaining a story arc. They're hitting road blocks, plot twists and dead-ends, but they're keeping their energy level high," said Schlemme about her students' enthusiasm for this project.

Joy Smith, Schlemme's intern, contacted Bryan Chick, author of "The Secret Zoo" series, and arranged for him to Skype with the class. He talked about the writing and editing process, including the importance of multiple rewrites, revisions and editing. He coached the students on topics like dealing with writer's block, changing and adding characters during the writing process, "listening" to your characters, and spending time getting into the "writing groove." Additionally, Smith coordinated a group of professional and amateur artists and illustrators to volunteer their skills. These artists are creating character illustrations and cover artwork based on student recommendations.

Lager Nordlicht German camp provides fun and educational activities for immersion students

Ravenwood first-grader Korben, mixes dough for the Lebkuchen herzen, otherwise known as gingerbread hearts.

On the weekend of Nov. 11, a date significant in German culture because it's the first day of Karnival and Sankt Martin's Day celebration, ASD's German teachers organized and taught a German language immersion camp for students learning German at seven area high schools and Rilke Schule German School of Arts and Sciences at Birchwood Camp. Supervised and organized by Will Kimball of West High School, more than 70 students ages 6-17 were in attendance. Students and teachers spoke in German the entire weekend.

Lager Nordlicht (Northern Lights Camp) began Friday evening with games, live music and dancing. On Saturday, six mini-courses were led by German teachers, Fauna Reynvaan of Service High, Elizabeth Dick of South High, Barbara DuBois of Dimond High, Kristi Senden of Chugiak High, Jennifer Dörry of Eagle River High, Kelly Hughes of Bartlett High and Lucia Woofter of Northern Lights ABC and Hanshew Middle School.

The theme this year was German festivals. Students made St. Martinstag lanterns, Karneval masks, baked Lebkuchen hearts and Weckmänner, played European handball and went wandern (hiking). Students learned German table etiquette as they enjoyed a luncheon of bratwurst, goulash and sauerkraut soup. The camp ended with skits performed by each log cabin group to entertain the entire camp.

This marked the 39th year of this event, which was founded by Jo Sanders of Bartlett High School.

SAVE students lay wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Miles Musser of SAVE High School and Dirk Fujimoto of East High School participated in a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to honor ASD graduates' service to our country. Musser and Fujimoto were visiting Washington D.C. with the Close Up Program. Photo courtesy of Ben Colson.

From left, Ralph Hollis, Dave Karaffa, Sven (Ole) Jordan, Pam York and Pam Butcher.

The people behind the printing

Do you ever wonder who designs many of ASD's printed materials? ASD's Publications Services team are the creative masterminds of ASD's branding look and feel. Publications Services, part of the Communications Department, is equipped to handle both large and small-scale print runs. Located at the King Career Center, the print shop operates offset presses for print runs of one or more colors. Services for finishing include cutting, folding, binding, padding and distribution. Variable data runs are also available.

Publications Services Supervisor Pam Butcher and Publications Technician Pam York and the rest of the Publications Services team, Ralph Hollis, Ole Jordan and David Karaffa, help make ASD shine by creating and printing everything from business cards, school forms, programs, books, banners, posters and letterhead. They strive to provide the best possible product for all schools and departments by not only providing a timely and appealing product, but also through consultation and guidance.

Butcher, who has worked at the KCC print shop for 21 years, encourages schools and departments to contact her with their projects. "We want to consult with schools and departments about their design and printing needs so we can provide the best, most cost effective product," said Butcher.

A common misconception to using ASD's print shop services is pricing. Publication Services' budget covers a certain amount of print jobs per year. Budget transfers may be required for jobs above and beyond that point. Using ASD's in-plant print shop is more cost effective than paying an outside vendor like Costco, Kinkos or the UPS Store for print runs. Last year, Publication Services produced more than 9,900,000 impressions.

For small copy jobs, there is a digital copy center at the Education Center operated by Ernie Ting.

Call Publications Services at 742-8923 to arrange a consultation about your school or department's print needs.

From left, Erik Viste, coordinator of Related Services; Linda Carlson, executive director of Elementary Education; Darrell Vincek, Bowman Elementary School principal; Deb Ward, school psychologist; and Carol Comeau, superintendent.

Bowman principal honored by the National Association of School Psychologists

Bowman Elementary School Principal Darrell Vincek was presented with the Possibilities in Action Partners Award, sponsored by the National Association of School Psychologists. The program emphasizes the belief that supporting the possibilities within each student, even in the face of adversity, is critical to helping them achieve their best in school, at home and in life.

Vincek was selected due to his professional dedication to improving outcomes for students, commitment to effective collaboration with school psychologists and other student services staff, and long-term dedication to advocacy on behalf of individual students.

In a letter of support, ASD School Psychologist Deborah Ward wrote, "Darrell promotes the possibilities in students' lives by nurturing their strengths and skills, providing caring relationships, celebrating their individuality, supporting their mental wellness and academic competence, and helping them achieve their best. His commitment and dedication are exemplified in the Possibilities in Action Partners Award."

Wendler students prepare to give out the Thanksgiving baskets they assembled.

Wendler students help provide Thanksgiving fixings to families in need

Wendler Middle School students in Clarinda Vandegrift's life skills class prepared Thanksgiving baskets for families of Wendler students who might otherwise go without. The students raised about $1,500 from collecting pennies and holding a silent auction. The students assembled and distributed 18 dinner baskets last week. Vandegrift and her students presented Kids' Kitchen with a check to provide children with food in the hopes that no child will go hungry during the holidays.

Airport Heights Teacher John Williams and students dedicated an entire building in their gingerbread village to Superintendent Comeau.

Airport Heights teacher and students create edible holiday village

Airport Heights Elementary School Teacher John Williams created a completely edible holiday gingerbread village. Williams has been making gingerbread houses since 1998. Initially, Williams made small houses and the project grew year-by-year into a large-scale village. Williams donates the gingerbread dough and Joe Hickel, pastry chef at the Hotel Captain Cook, donates the chocolate and all other supplies. For the past several years, Williams and his students have been dedicating a classroom in one of the houses to Superintendent Carol Comeau. This year, they dedicated an entire building in her honor and named it her "retirement party headquarters." After helping with the village, students will go on a field trip to the Hotel Captain Cook to see Hickel's village and make a gingerbread house of their own to take home.

TRS Tier I and Tier II retirement seminar

Members of the Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) are invited to attend a seminar hosted by the State of Alaska, Division of Retirement and Benefits. The seminar will take place from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 29 in the Education Center boardroom.

This seminar is for TRS members who are interested in retirement eligibility, an overview of the retirement process, pension options, forms, timing of benefits and enrollment in the State of Alaska Retiree Health Insurance Plan.

Due to limited seating, online reservations are required.

Goldenview students celebrate recycling with flash mob

Students at Goldenview Middle School marked America Recycles Day on Nov. 15 by performing a flash mob in the school's commons. Organized by teachers Laura Briant, Leslie Moore and Mary Frances Karnos, students created custom green T-shirts and came in early to rehearse. The flash mob took place at 8 a.m. in the commons because students gather in that location before going to class. Briant cued the music and the students started dancing. "The best part about a flash mob is that it generates a lot of talk. Students were very curious about what was happening and why. Recycling got a lot of play throughout the day," said Moore.

Students and staff at Goldenview have embraced recycling efforts. The school is working to increase aluminum and plastic recycling in the lunchroom. The flash mob was a fun way to help spread the word.

Special offers for district employees

Visit the Special Offers page on the District Connection (login required) to view recently added special offers. These, in addition to the many other offers listed, are special deals for district employees from local businesses. Be sure to show your employee badge when redeeming discounts, unless another form of proof is required.

Abbot Loop nurse featured on Kids These Days! radio program

Karen McBride, Abbott Loop Elementary School nurse, was featured on KSKA and KRUA's radio program, Kids These Days! McBride was joined by Dr. Robert Lada, medical director for the Providence Sleep Disorder Center. The guests spoke with host Shana Sheehy about the role of sleep in health and learning, problems of insufficient sleep, and ideas to improve sleep quality. The show features interviews with mothers and teenagers. Listen to the program on KTD!'s website.

Choose Respect poster contest deadline approaching

The Choose Respect initiative is offering all Alaska students the opportunity to participate in the Respect: Picture It! poster contest. Artists should depict respect and what it means to them. Artwork can be created with any medium and can be any size.

The winning artwork will be professionally printed and promoted along with the Choose Respect marches in March 2012 and the finalist's classroom will win an ice cream party sponsored by Jewel Lake Tastee Freez.

Posters should be sent via interschool mail to Myrna Clark in the Art Department, located at the Education Center, no later than Dec. 1.

Download United Way's holiday guide for ideas on how to help the community

The United Way of Anchorage recently released its second annual Holiday Guide to Giving and Volunteering. The guide is a helpful tool in finding ways to give back to the community, including ways to donate to charity, a holiday event guide, a chart of local needs and an index of local organizations that need donations and volunteers.

Download the guide (PDF). For more information, contact the United Way of Anchorage at 263-3800.

Celebrating Anchorage's centennial

The city is looking for ideas on how to celebrate Anchorage's centennial. This is an opportunity for ASD to start planning centennial events within the district. Please send your ASD-related ideas to Heidi Embley in Communications at Embley_Heidi@asdk12.org.

Hospice of Anchorage seeking volunteers and facilitators for grief program

The Hospice of Anchorage is seeking volunteers and facilitators for its Forget Me Not Greif Program. Trainings are being held on Thursday evenings and select weekend days and will prepare volunteers to work directly with grieving children, teens and adults in the program. Complete the registration form (Word) and fax it to the Hospice of Anchorage. The form also includes the training schedule. For more information, contact Jane Barber at 561-5322 or jane@hospiceofanchorage.org.

Dates and reminders

Nov. 24 – 25 – ASD closed in observance of Thanksgiving.

Tuesday, Nov. 29 – Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) seminar hosted by the State of Alaska, Division of Retirement and Benefits. The seminar will be from 5- 7 p.m. in the Education Center boardroom. Reservations are required online.

Friday, Nov. 25 – Smiles for a Child toy drive at the 5th Avenue Mall from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., coordinated by King Career Center Teacher Teena Calkin and her public safety class. Shoppers can donate a toy or pick up a tag representing a child. All donations will help underprivileged children. Calkin and her students will also be at the mall on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 1 – Choose Respect poster contest submissions due. Posters should be sent via interschool mail to Myrna Clark in the Art Department, located at the Education Center.

Wednesday, Dec. 7 – Pearl Harbor Day.

Do you have a story idea for Inside ASD? Contact Heather D. Roach in the Communications department at 742-4151 or Roach_HeatherD@asdk12.org.