Nenana City School District - Home of the Lynx

NCS Principal Update 1-4-22 Greetings Parents/Guardians and Happy New Year, I hope you've all had a restful holiday season and found time to enjoy the company of friends and family. Teaching and Support Staff participated in inservice work and professional development on Monday and Tuesday this week. We are eager to welcome students back to the building tomorrow, Wednesday Jan. 5, 2022. Upon opening, we will operate as in the recent past, with optional masking for school staff and students. I look forward to connecting with many of you as we progress through the semester. Please refer to the school website for the most up to date Events schedule, all of which are subject to change. Warm regards, David R. Huntington Principal, Nenana City School dhuntington@nenanalynx.org 907-832-5464 (NCS office) District Website: www.nenanalynx.org

Dear Parent/Guardian, The annual K-6 Christmas performance is this week on Wednesday, 12/8. Doors will open at 6pm and performances will begin at 6:30pm. The performances will take place on stage in the Pit. Traditionally, this event draws a very large crowd. In an effort to create the safest environment possible, we are encouraging only immediate family members to attend. As with other extra-curricular events, we are asking that attendees wear face coverings. The event will also be LiveStreamed, accessible on the school website. Thank you, David R. Huntington Principal, Nenana City School dhuntington@nenanalynx.org 907-832-5464 (NCS office) District Website: www.nenanalynx.org

Dear Parent/Guardian, Each semester, Nenana City School would like to provide students an opportunity to provide administration and staff with feedback on their school experience. Student responses will remain completely anonymous. The results will be used to review and improve the school program for all students. This process is extremely important to our continued program improvement. The first evaluation, focused on school climate, will be distributed to students in grades 7-12 via email from the office of the Principal. The second, a course/teacher evaluation, is meant to provide anonymous feedback for teachers. Secondary teachers will distribute the survey to EACH of their classes via email. Again, feedback is to be used for the teacher's own reference and reflection. Teachers of students in grades K-6 may elect to distribute these evaluations if they desire. If you prefer that your student does not engage in this cycle of feedback, please inform the main office as soon as possible. Thank you kindly, David R. Huntington Principal, Nenana City School dhuntington@nenanalynx.org 907-832-5464 (NCS office) District Website: www.nenanalynx.org

School Picture Day is tomorrow, Tuesday, November 30th! Use the form that was mailed out previously to place your order online, or send your order to the school with your student. Attached is a copy of the order form as well.

NCS Parent Reminder - This is a short two day week for students. Thanksgiving break is November 24-26, 2021. The school will be closed on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Enjoy your Thanksgiving weekend!

The universal masking protocol at Nenana City School is initiated for a 14 day period following a COVID-positive case in the school or immediate school community. We have surpassed the 14 day mark since the last COVID-positive case in our school community. As of October 29, 2021, the FDA approved the Pfizer vaccine for emergency use in children 5-11 years of age. Please consult public health officials for information on availability. COVID-19 infections have tapered off greatly in Nenana and we are therefore going to lift the masking requirement for students and staff beginning on November 15th. Those who are uncomfortable are free to continue masking if desired. We are asking that the general public mask upon entering school facilities during the school day and/or for extracurricular events.

NCS 11-11-21 Dear Parent/Guardian, I trust this message finds you well and that many of you are able to reconnect with your student soon over the holidays. As you begin planning for this, I want to communicate attendance expectations and implications of early student travel. First and foremost, your willingness to honor the contact days outlined in the Academic Calendar demonstrate your commitment to, and respect for, the quality education being provided at Nenana City School. The last day of school prior to Thanksgiving is Tuesday, November 23. The last day for school prior to winter break is Friday, December 17. We are hopeful that families will refrain from removing students from school prior to these dates, as we simply cannot replicate the impact of in-person instruction. School Board policy states that all absences are considered unexcused until proven otherwise. Parents/guardians MUST notify the school in advance for absences to be excused. Excused absences include; Personal Illness - may require a doctor's confirmation, Quarantine of the Home - requires confirmation from an approved health official, Death of a Relative, Observance of a Religious Holiday, Professional Medical or Legal appointment, Other - as deemed appropriate by the school Principal. Each five days of unlawful absences constitutes a violation of Alaska state law (A.S. 14.30.020). Students will be withdrawn following ten days of unexcused absences. Hybrid (Zoom) instruction is reserved for medical-related situations only, such as COVID-related quarantines/isolations and/or extended medical travel. If you elect to remove your student prematurely beyond this scope, they will be responsible for communicating with teachers well in advance. It is encouraged that students ask their teachers for assignments prior to any upcoming absence. Students are responsible for completing any work missed while absent. Again, this process begins with notification of the school prior to the absence. Thank you all for your trust and support in our educational program. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. Please also remember that school will be closed tomorrow as we host the Ice Cream Classic Basketball Tournament. Kind regards, David R. Huntington Principal, Nenana City School dhuntington@nenanalynx.org 907-832-5464 (NCS office) District Website: www.nenanalynx.org

Nenana Parents & Fans, Catch the Games at the Ice Cream Classic Middle School Basketball Tournament this weekend, or watch LIVE Streaming of the games online, check out the link on the school website. The first game is scheduled for 9:00am Friday morning between Minto and Tri-Valley. Gate fees are $2 for students, and $5 for adults. Attached is a copy of the game schedule!

Reminder for Parents - NO SCHOOL this Friday as Nenana will be hosting the Ice Cream Classic Middle School Basketball Tournament.

Greetings Parents/Guardians, It has been wonderful to see many of you attending recent Volleyball and Jr. High basketball games. Although the home schedule has been somewhat abbreviated, it is so great to see folks back in the gym, enjoying each other and the competition that sports bring us. We are also very proud of our students participating in Music. It was unfortunate that a COVID uptick prevented us from being able to have guests in the building for their recent performance. The students were excellent, many thanks to students and Mr. Mudge for the entertainment. Please be reminded that all of our home events are being live streamed and archived. They can be accessed on our school website at THIS link. This is the time of year that we begin to reflect on all that we are thankful for. It goes without saying one of those is our ability to continue to work with students in person here at the school. Although some students continue to have interruptions due to COVID-related quarantines and/or isolations, our population remains safe and students have demonstrated a high level of resilience. November is also a time in the school year when students begin to "hit the wall". Classes become exceedingly difficult, many students are missing family more than ever, and visions of holiday breaks become more tangible. On Tuesday, October 26 we assembled as a K-12 community to celebrate our time together thus far and to recommit to each other and our core values as we head down the home stretch. Recently, NCSD has enrolled with STOPit, a technology platform that empowers students with an easy app to safely and anonymously report anything of concern to school administration - from cyberbullying to threats of violence or self-harm. Please see the full details in the News section of our website HERE. Best wishes to you all! Respectfully, David R. Huntington Principal, Nenana City School dhuntington@nenanalynx.org 907-832-5464 (NCS office) District Website: www.nenanalynx.org

MS Basketball Games at the Great Pumpkin Tournament in Glennallen today and tomorrow can be viewed on the Copper River School District's Facebook page.

Since we had to cancel tonight's Music Concert, we are streaming an in house concert for parents today at 1 pm. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOxAFe9uFfY

This is a busy week at Nenana City School. Tuesday is our first home volleyball game vs Tri-Valley (also Senior night), the Fall K-12 Music Concert takes place on Wednesday night at 6:30pm, School Picture Day takes place on Thursday morning, and Trunk or Treat is happening on Friday from 4-5 pm in the school parking lot. See attached flyers for concert and trunk or treat. If you plan to attend the activities in the school building please help us keep our kids and community safe by wearing a mask. Thank you!

Reminder for parents - School Picture Day is coming up next week on Thursday, October 28th. Order forms have been mailed out, and you can order ONLINE! just follow the directions on the order form. A copy of the order form is also attached to this posting.

MS Basketball players will be heading to Su-Valley tonight for a tournament that begins tomorrow. If you are interested in watching via LIVE streaming. The Susitna Valley MS Basketball Tournament will be livestreamed on NFHS Network. A Subscription is required. https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/schools/susitna-valley-jrsr-high-school-talkeetna-ak Attached is a copy of the game schedule.

Interested in watching the Lady Lynx volleyball game vs Glennallen tonight at 6:30pm and also tournament games this weekend? Here is the streaming link for tonight's volleyball matches. https://youtu.be/tFNSch4QWks Here are the links for this weekend's Copper River Classic!! Friday https://youtu.be/vNKE_oMOGYY Saturday https://youtu.be/Mpz5hCZoYeg Friday's game schedule and championship bracket are attached.

Attention Parents: Middle School basketball games scheduled for this weekend with Glennallen have been cancelled.

The School Board would like to say thank you to Principal Huntington and Principal Rozell for their great leadership within Nenana City School District! Please join us in #ThankAPrincipal

Reminder for parents, NO school this Friday, October 8th. It is a Teacher Inservice Day, and the school will be closed.

School Picture Day is on the calendar for October 28th! You can order ONLINE, or send your order to the school office. An order form is attached to this posting (: