Superintendent
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Superintendent Updates
October 2024
Dear Fairbanks families,
As we move into October, I want to bring up the importance of student attendance. The school board passed a resolution establishing October as Attendance Awareness Month in schools.
Research shows that students are more successful when their families actively participate in their education. Whether your child is in elementary, middle, or high school, your support at home and school can make a world of difference.
One way you can support your student is by monitoring academic progress and attendance.
Staying on top of your child’s grades and attendance is key to ensuring they are on the right track. FNSBSD uses PowerSchool so parents can view grades, attendance records, and assignment submissions. Regularly reviewing these with your child can help you address any areas of concern before they become larger issues.
How you can help:
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Use online tools like PowerSchool or Google Classroom to monitor grades, assignments, and attendance.
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In addition to checking PowerSchool, you can print off and use the Wellness Check with the attendance tracker to help keep track of your student’s absences.
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Talk to your child about the importance of attendance and arriving on time to school.
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Address any academic concerns early by working with teachers to develop strategies for improvement.
Thank you for your continued partnership in your child's education. I can’t emphasize enough how much students are missed when they are not in school. Regular attendance is crucial not only for academic achievement but also for building social connections and emotional well-being. Every day your student is in school, they are gaining valuable experiences that help them grow and succeed.
In future newsletters, we’ll share more tips and resources on how you can further support your student’s academic journey. Together, we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive both in and out of the classroom.
September 2024
Dear district families,
As we dive deeper into the first semester, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for your continued support and involvement in our school community.
Firstly, thank you for embracing ParentSquare! Your engagement with this platform has significantly enhanced our communication and collaboration. It is great to see so many of you actively participating in school updates, events, and discussions. Your involvement truly enriches our students’ educational experience and helps us work together more effectively.
I am excited to share that our district is continuing to develop a new strategic plan with the active involvement of a diverse group of stakeholders, including parents and caregivers, teachers, students, and community members. We believe that by working together, we can create a plan for the district that reflects our shared values and meets the evolving needs of our students.
Two groups met recently, one focused on drafting out pillars of the strategic plan and one on facilities. They reviewed survey responses and focus group comments to help inform their work. If you would like a more in-depth update on the strategic plan process and where we’re at, tune into the school board regular meeting on Tuesday, September 17 where a report will be provided. More information and feedback opportunities will be available as we work through the school year to build the new plan.
I also want to remind you that your student’s spring 2024 AK STAR reports are now available. Your student’s report can be found in PowerSchool under “Student Records” and “Student File”. These reports provide valuable insights into your child’s progress and performance. We encourage you to review them to better understand your student’s strengths and areas for growth. If you have any questions or need further clarification on the reports, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher or school counselor.
As we continue through this semester, please remember that your feedback and participation are invaluable. Together, we can ensure that each student has a successful and fulfilling school year.
Thank you once again for your support and commitment to our schools. Here’s to a great rest of the semester!
August 2024
Dear district families and staff,
Last year we saw many successes, such as improvements in attendance and school climate. We launched our reading initiative with the Alaska Reads Act and saw an impressive 23% boost in reading skills among our kindergarten to third graders.
This year, we’re focusing on three key areas: Literacy, Growth for All, and Family Engagement.
For Literacy, we’re committed to early literacy, aiming to build on last year’s success and continue growing our students' reading skills.
Growth for All means supporting every student to reach their full potential. We’ll offer extra help and resources for those who need it.
Family Engagement is key. We're all about partnering with families to support our students' education. By focusing on family involvement we’re making sure our partnerships between school and home are strengthened to ensure our students can be successful.
Thank you to our wonderful students, families, and staff who make this school district great. Here’s to a successful and inspiring school year ahead!
Contact Information
Erin Poland
Executive Assistant
erin.poland@k12northstar.org
(907) 452-2000 x11401
Dr. Luke Meinert
Superintendent
superintendent@k12northstar.org
(907) 452-2000 x11401
View this profile on InstagramDr. Luke Meinert | FNSBSD Superintendent (@drlukemeinert) • Instagram photos and videos