<![CDATA[My Site - CURRENT AMC CHATS]]>Mon, 02 Mar 2026 04:05:57 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[january newsletter]]>Fri, 30 Jan 2026 08:00:00 GMThttps://www.americancharteracademy.org/current-amc-chats/january-newsletter
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Upcoming events​

February:
  • Mon., Feb. 2nd: 4/5 Volleyball Game @ Willow, 4:30pm
  • Mon., Feb. 9th: Q3 Progress Reports Go Home
  • Wed., Feb. 11th: 4/5 Volleyball Game @ Dena'Ina 4:30pm
  • Fri., Feb. 13th: Early Release @ 1 pm
  • Fri., Feb. 13th: Intent to Return Due
  • Mon., 16th & 17th : No School, PT Conferences & PL
  • Wed., Feb. 18th: 4/5 Volleyball Game @ Pioneer Peak, 4:30pm
  • Thur., Feb. 19th: Picture Day
  • Thur., Feb. 19th: Informational Night @ 5 pm @ AMC
  • Mon., Feb. 23rd: 4//5 Volleyball Game @ Iditarod, 4:30pm
  • Sat., Feb. 28th: 4/5 Volleyball Jamboree @ Wasilla MS

intent to return due february 13th​

If you have misplaced your form, a new one on can be found on AMC's website or at AMC's front office.
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To ensure a student's slot at AMC is not filled through the open enrollment process, the Intent to Return forms must be returned to the front office with signatures of each student and their parent/guardian no later than February 13th.

a note from your AMC secretary

​Important Items to Note
​
School Lunch:
Subway and pizza order forms for February went home on 1/26. If you need another copy, please have your student ask the front office for one.

SUBWAY: For the month of February, all students who order a 6 inch or 12 inch meal will receive a free cookie for each day they order as a Valentine's Day thank you from Subway. Additionally, Subway will randomly place a free sandwich coupon into one lucky winner's subway meal bag each Wednesday and Friday for the month of February.

Fundraiser:
AMC Kidwind's monthly fundraiser at Raising Caines will be on Feb 23rd of this month. Please come out and support our students. Your order at Caines will only count toward our fundraiser if you mention the word "fundraiser."

Siblings of Current AMC Students:
Friendly reminder that all siblings of current AMC students must submit an application for enrollment. Please indicate their name and grade level on the green Intent to Return forms, and I will send home a yellow application. Sibling applications to be submitted no later than March 4th, to accurately plan for SY26-27.

Last Chance!! 8th Grade Baby Photos:
If you would like your student to participate in the AMC's yearbook 8th grade Guess Who, please send pictures as soon as possible. Email a current and a baby photo to amc@matsuk12.us.

Picture Day is February 19th and is with Fitzgerald Photography. Fitzgerald does not collect preorders. Parents will be available to view and purchase photos within 24 hours of picture day by logging into Fitzgerald's website. The password is your student's school ID.

Buses - For planning purposes:
There will be NO bus service on 3/6/2026.

Student Highlights

Mrs Maynard's Classroom

​Mrs. Maynard's classroom got to celebrate School Choice Week while on their Ice Skating Fieldtrip.

mrs. beech's classroom

Mrs. Beech's students have been enjoying some fun outdoors this winter. They have also been working together on writing assignments in the classroom.

mrs. blankenship's classroom

In Mrs. Blankenship’s Eighth Grade Physical Science class, students are actively investigating reaction rates, catalysts, enzymes, and balancing chemical equations through hands-on experimentation with catalase. By observing how catalase speeds up chemical reactions and analyzing the factors that affect reaction speed. Students connect abstract concepts to real-world biochemical processes while strengthening their critical thinking, data analysis, and scientific reasoning skills.

battle of the books

AMC's Battle of the Books teams participated in the District level competition this month. All of these students have been working hard since October. Each student has dedicated the time to read and study their set of 12 pre-selected books Thank you to Mrs. Kerkove and Mrs. McElvain for facilitating this opportunity.
3rd & 4th gr. team at the District Competition – placing 14th out of 23 teams
Mara Blankenship
Sadie Werner
Sage Jefferson
Kynlee Harper
5th & 6th gr. team at the District Competition – placing 11th out of 19 teams
Abigail Andrews
Willow Jefferson
Hatcher Pokryfki
Grady Johnson

national school choice week

AMC students represented American Charter Academy at the first annual Students Shine event sponsored by Alaska School Choice. Mrs. Ostendorf's Super Star class treated the audience to patriotic singing and recitations, and Mrs. Blankenship's KidWind students explained 3-D printing techniques for creating efficient blades for wind turbines. Well done students!! Thank you AMC parents and staff for supporting students.

​Mrs. Ostendorf's Super Star Students

Alaska Department of Education and Early Development's commissioner, Dena Bishop was in attendance and was very complimentary and delighted with the students' performances.

Mrs. Blankenship's KidWind Students

Each KidWind student spoke to the audience explaining different aspects of solar and wind energy. Do you see the students' wind turbines? They have been hard at work.

kidwind gearing up

Twenty-seven students are hard at work designing and building wind turbines and solar houses as they prepare for the state competition in Anchorage this April. With guidance from Mrs. Blankenship and Dan and Carol Drake, students are being coached through the engineering process—testing ideas, refining designs, and collaborating as teams.

february kidwind fundraiser: 2/23

AMC Kidwind's monthly fundraiser at Raising Caines will be on Feb 23rd of this month. Please come out and support our students. Your order at Caines will only count toward our fundraiser if you mention the word "fundraiser."
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AMC's new school update

This photo is looking down the upstairs hallway toward Church Road; framers will soon be stacking the roof. Gym walls are under construction and windows will be going in soon. The contractors are planning to have the roof on by the third week of February. Currently, the completion date of the new school is still the middle of September, but a timeline extension might be required.
​ACF Foundation
Next Meeting: March 2nd @ 2:10pm in the AMC Conference Room
​APC
Next Meeting: February 10th @ 4pm in the AMC Conference Room

Attendance and timeliness data

​September- 135 Tardies, 5.35% absenteeism
October- 144 Tardies, 5.59% absenteeism
November- 144 Tardies, 5.31% absenteeism
December- 107 Tardies, 4.69% absenteeism
January- 166 Tardies, 6.68% absenteeism
​
Can AMC get fewer than 100 tardies in a month?
Can AMC keep the absenteeism rate under 5%?

Principal's corner

Hello AMC Families,

Did you know there are 31 public charter schools in Alaska, and Alaska charter schools were first authorized in 1995 when the Alaska Legislature passed the Charter School Act.

Charter schools in Alaska are public, nonsectarian, and funded through the same state foundation formula as traditional neighborhood schools. While charter schools in Alaska are part of the local school district, they operate with more autonomy and are governed by an academic policy committee (APC).

If you would like to learn more about American Charter, please attend AMC's informational night on February 19th.

I look forward to the rest of the school year as we ‘Stay True to Our Mission and Plan for the Future.’

Sincerely,
Ms. Farren
]]><![CDATA[December Newsletter]]>Fri, 19 Dec 2025 08:00:00 GMThttps://www.americancharteracademy.org/current-amc-chats/december-2025
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Upcoming Events​


 No School - Winter Break: Fri., Dec. 22nd - Mon., Jan. 5th​

Students Return to School Tue., Jan. 6th

January
  • Tue., Jan. 6th Report Cards go Home
  • Mon., Jan. 12th ACF Meeting @ 2:10pm
  • Thur., Jan. 15th Afternoon of Excellence for Students earning Honor Roll, and their Families @ 1pm
  • Fri., Jan. 16th Early Release @ 1pm
  • Mon., Jan. 19th No School - MLK Jr Day
  • Tue., Jan. 20th Spelling Bee @ 8:15am
  • Thur., Jan 22nd 3/4 Battle of the Books
  • Fri., Jan. 23rd 5/6 Battle of the Books
  • Mon., Jan. 26th - 30th School Choice Week
  • Mon., Jan. 26th Primary & Secondary Ice Skating Fieldtrip
  • Wed., Jan. 28th Multiage Ice Skating Fieldtrip
  • Fri., Jan. 30th ACF Game Night

**Safety alert**

Please be mindful of the dark, wintery conditions in the student drop off area. Use extra precautions when dropping off and picking up students. If you choose to use the North parking lot, walking students to the front gate is mandatory. Safety is the number one priority at American Charter. Thank you for partnering with the school to keep everyone safe! Ms. Farren

​A Note From Your AMC Secretary

Subway order forms will go home on January 6th for orders to resume on Friday, January 9th.

Pizza order forms will also go home on January 6th for orders to resume on January 12th. If you paid for pizza on Monday, 12/8, when school had closed for extreme weather, your purchase will be added the next available date for purchase for your student. If you have any questions of when that is, please contact me through a direct ParentSquare message.

Mrs. Ostendorf and Mrs. Yerbich's class trip has been rescheduled for January 8th. If you had not already made payment, please do so here.

Ice Skating Field Trip - The entire school will be headed to the Brett Ice Arena the last week of January. Payment is $5 and can be paid anytime between now and January 23rd here.

student Highlights

Mrs. voigt's Classroom

​When the weather is cold the students in Mrs. Voigt's class enjoy indoor recess.
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Mrs. Ostendorf's classroom

​If you looked up into the night sky, could you pick out a favorite constellation?
Students in Mrs. Ostendorf's class discovered an organization called Night Sky International. From there, stars became a focus of study. Students researched a constellation displayed in the Northern Hemisphere. Students then orchestrated a display and presentation for visiting classrooms. With the approach of Christmas and the upcoming New Year, it is logically the time to celebrate the season of stars!

mrs. brady's classroom

Mrs. Brady's classroom has been getting some hands-on science learning.
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Picture 1: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Hmmm… Does that also apply to my school work, Mr. Newton?

Picture 2: Does the Law of Conservation of Energy mean I have a good excuse for staying in bed??

Picture 3: The Center of Gravity on display!

middle school dance

AMC's middle school dance was a wonderful success, bringing students together for a fun and memorable evening with a Cozy Cabin theme. The space was transformed with festive decorations creatively made and set up by the students themselves, adding to the warm and welcoming atmosphere. Throughout the night, students enjoyed playing games, dancing with friends, and participating in exciting door prize drawings that kept the energy high. The combination of student involvement, engaging activities, and a cozy setting made the event truly special and one everyone will remember.

amc's spirit week

Thank you to all of the students who joined the Student Council in showing School Spirit this week!
Monday: Cozy Monday Morning,
Tuesday: Holiday Socks
Wednesday: Excessive Holiday Accessories
Thursday: Channel Your Flannel

Primary prep fieldtrip

Primary Prep visited the Discovery Center at the Anchorage Museum this month. They explored a variety of hands-on learning displays and a reptile exhibit. Each student was given the opportunity to learn about the importance of enrichment activities for animals and create one of their own. 

december assembly

Student Council hosted the end of the quarter assembly. Highlights included a trivia contest, poetry reading, and a performance by AMC's Christmas Choir. Bonus Trivia: What did Thomas Edison invent in 1880? Answer: The first electric sting of lights.

amc gives back

AMC proudly participated in a food drive benefiting the Fire-N-Fire Food Bank. Classrooms competed to collect the most donations, with the winning class earning a root beer float party. Congratulations to Mrs. Blankenship’s advisory class, whose canned goods weighed in at an impressive 193.2 pounds! In total, AMC donated 649.8 pounds of food to support our community. Thank you to all students, families, and staff who helped make this effort a success.
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january kidwind fundraiser

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new school update

​Walls are going up at the new school! The second story framing and the gymnasium framing have begun. The progress is most exciting

quest clubs

Session 3 Quest Clubs: January 12th - February 27th

Monday:
*Made for the Stage (select small group rehearsals)
Battle of the Books 3rd - 6th Grade (Full)

Tuesday:
*KidWInd - 4th-8th Grade (Full)

Thursday:
Volleyball-4th-5th Grade Mrs. Worley Jamboree February 28th (max 12 students)
Chess-3rd-8th Grade Mr. Johnson

Friday:
*Made for the Stage 1st - 8th Grade

*Club will continue past Session 3
Sign Up for Quest Clubs Here

​AMC Eligibility Requirements for after-school Quest Club Participation

  1. ​Students must be in good standing for behavior and citizenship which includes attendance and tardies. Also, students must be in attendance the full day of school on their Quest Club Days unless prior approval has been granted.
  2. Students must be in good academic standing, which includes completing assignments/tests and meeting homework and classroom participation expectations.
  3. If students are not in good standing, they will not be permitted to attend Quest Clubs during the current session. Good standing is determined by classroom teachers.
  4. Students must obey all Quest Clubs rules to participate. Quest Club teachers can remove students from Quest Club enrollment if behavior expectations are not being met during Quest Clubs.

Attendance and timeliness

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Incredible accomplishment AMC Families! December has been a Great Month for improved attendance and timeliness. The absenteeism rate fell below 5% for the first time this year at 4.7%, and there were 34 fewer tardies in December than there were in November (December IS a shorter month, but only by 3 days). I'm pleased to know students are in school on time, in classrooms learning, and demonstrating Academic Excellence the American Way. A very bright report for approaching the new Year!!

PRincipal's corner

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​Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, AMC Families!

As the year comes to a close, I want to personally thank everyone for contributing to the success of American Charter Academy. Thank you for your support, constructive feedback, and ongoing collaboration. Seeing students fully engaged and continuing their pursuit of academic excellence is inspiring and rewarding. Thank you to our staff and families for all you do to keep AMC moving forward.

The first two quarters of School Year 2026 have been filled with enriching in-school and after-school activities, including Reading, Spelling, Key Boarding, Geography, Writing, Student Presentations, Science, Math, Social Students, Running Club, Flag Football, Primary Games, Choir, Origami Club, KidWind, Made for the Stage, Poetry Reading, and Basketball. Seeing our students actively participating in these programs and embrace learning is truly exciting.

I look forward to welcoming everyone back in January as we continue to ‘Stay True to Our Mission, as we Plan for the Future.’

Sincerely,
Ms. Farren

STUDENT OF THE MONTH

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​AMC's Student of the Month will return in January.

​acf foundation

Next Meeting: January 12th @ 2:10pm in the AMC Conference Room

apc

Next Meeting: February 10th @ 4pm in the AMC Conference Room
]]><![CDATA[november newsletter]]>Fri, 28 Nov 2025 21:34:07 GMThttps://www.americancharteracademy.org/current-amc-chats/november-newsletter
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      upcoming events
December
  • Mon., Dec. 1st 10 am - 11:45 pm KidWind Raising Cane's Fundraiser
  • Thur., Dec. 4th PP Field Trip, Museum
  • Mon. - Fri. Dec. 8th - 12th Canned Food Drive
  • Tue., Dec. 9th Yerbich & Ostendorf Students Field Trip, AK Geological & UAA Aviation
  • Fri., Dec. 12th MS Field Trip, WHS Play
  • Fri., Dec. 12th MS Dance
  • Week of Dec. 15th - Spirit Week
  • Fri., Dec. 19th End of Quarter 2
  • Fri., Dec. 19th Early Release 1 pm
  • NO AM or PM BUSES FRIDAY, DEC. 19TH
  • Fri., Dec. 22nd - Mon., Jan. 5th - No School - Winter Break
Students Return to School Tue., Jan. 6th
  • Tue., Jan. 6th Report Cards go Home
  • Mon., Jan. 12th ACF Meeting @ 2:10pm
  • Thur., Jan. 15th Afternoon of Excellence for Students earning Honor Roll & their Families @ 1pm

***Safety alert***

​Please be mindful of the dark, wintery conditions in the student drop off area. Use extra precautions when dropping off and picking up students. If you choose to use the North parking lot, walking students to the front gate is mandatory. Safety is the number one priority at American Charter. Thank you for partnering with the school to keep everyone safe! Ms. Farren

student highlights

Mrs. kerkove's classroom

We wrapped up October with a fun hands-on pumpkin investigation! Students explored the inside of a pumpkin, counted seeds, made weight guesses, and even tested whether a pumpkin would float. They loved getting messy and learning like real scientists! As we moved into November, we kicked off our Thanksgiving fun with our annual Turkey in Disguise projects. The creativity this year was fantastic, and the students were so excited to share their clever disguises! Next, they will begin a writing piece about how their turkey will avoid being eaten-always a class favorite!  ​

mr. deboer's classroom

Students in Mr. DeBoer’s class just finished studying the Revolutionary War. One way they demonstrated their learning was through a creative “one pager” about some of the little-known American heroes of the war. Pictured are a few students whose high-quality work is showcased in a corner of the classroom.  ​
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red ribbon week

October 27-31 AMC celebrated Red Ribbon Week, a campaign to promote healthy living by staying drug free. Activities included: decorating classroom doors, a school wide poster contest, hanging red ribbons on our courtyard fence, and signing healthy living pledges. Students also had fun dressing in spirit themed attire. ​

4th/5th grade basketball

​We had a great turn out for our second year of elementary basketball. Coached by Mrs. Worley and Mrs. Kotyk, the boys were able to learn and strengthen their skills though practices and scrimmages against other Mat-Su schools, even traveling as far as the Butte (thank you, parents). The seasons ended with a district wide Jamboree. The team worked hard and made AMC proud. Go Eagles!!

christmas choir

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​
​Among the highlights of the AMC Christmas Choir program this year will be some well-known favorites. The youngest choir members, three primary prep girls, will be singing "All I Want for Christmas Is My Two-front Teeth" by songwriter Donald Yetter Gardner. Another well-known holiday favorite the choir will present is "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" by John Rox. Families and AMC staff may hear choir members humming "Deck the Halls" and "Jingle Bells" as they prepare for one of the happiest times of the year!

quest clubs

Session 2 Quest Clubs will be wrapping up December 12th. Session 3 Quest Clubs will begin January 12th. The sign up form for Session 3 Quest clubs will be included in the December Newsletter.

AMC Eligibility Requirements for after-school Quest Club Participation
  1. Students must be in good standing for behavior and citizenship which includes attendance and tardies. Also, students must be in attendance the full day of school on their Quest Club Days unless prior approval has been granted.
  2. Students must be in good academic standing, which includes completing assignments/tests and meeting homework and classroom participation expectations.
  3. If students are not in good standing, they will not be permitted to attend Quest Clubs during the current session. Good standing is determined by classroom teachers.
  4. Students must obey all Quest Clubs rules to participate. Quest Club teachers can remove students from Quest Club enrollment if behavior expectations are not being met during Quest Clubs.
Monday:
*Made for the Stage 2nd - 3rd Grade
*Battle of the Books 3rd - 6th Grade

Tuesday:
Games K-1st Grade
Origami/Paper Crafts 3rd-4th Grade
*KidWInd - 4th-8th Grade

Wednesday (alternating):
Christmas Choir K - 6th Grade (11/26, 12/10)

Friday:
*Made for the Stage 4th - 6th Grade

*Club will continue through Session 3

acf foundation

Next Meeting: January 12th @ 2:10pm in the AMC Conference Room

apc

​Next Meeting: February 10th @ 4pm in the AMC Conference Room

kidwind fundraiser at raising cane's

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new school update

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The concrete work has been completed and the walls are being erected! The close-in date for the building is scheduled for February; at that time, a final building completion date will be determined.

attendance and timeliness

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​The bright spot in November was... there were two consecutive days when there were NO TARDIES!! How wonderful is that!?! Great accomplishment AMC Families. Also, the amount of Tardies dropped by three. The absenteeism rate in November was 5.31% which increased slightly from October. Let's keep working on timeliness and attendance keeping in mind how important it is to form habits of excellence.

student of the month 

​November student of the month will be included in the December Mid Month Snapshot.

principal's corner

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​“Thanksgiving Turkey”
​by George Parsons Lathrop

Valleys lay in sunny vapor,
And a radiance mild was shed
From each tree that like a taper
At a feast stood. Then we said,
“Our feast, too, shall soon be spread,
Of good Thanksgiving turkey.”

And already still November
Drapes her snowy table here.
Fetch a log, then; coax the ember;
Fill your hearts with old-time cheer;
Heaven be thanked for one more year,
And our Thanksgiving turkey!

Welcome, brothers—all our party
Gathered in the homestead old!
Shake the snow off and with hearty
Hand-shakes drive away the cold;
Else your plate you’ll hardly hold
Of good Thanksgiving turkey.

~Wishing Everyone a Wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday, and sincerely thanking everyone for 'Staying True to AMC's Mission as We Plan for the Future.'

Warmly,
Ms. Farren
]]><![CDATA[October Newsletter]]>Fri, 31 Oct 2025 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.americancharteracademy.org/current-amc-chats/october-newsletter

Upcoming events

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  • ​Sun., Nov. 2nd - Time Change, Fall Behind 1 Hour
  • Mon. Nov. 3rd is School for ALL AMC students. However, there will be no bus transportation, because all district neighborhood schools are having parent/teacher conferences.
  • Mon., Nov. 3rd - Quest Club Session 2 Starts
  • Mon., Nov. 3rd - ACF Meeting After School
  • Fri., Nov. 7th - Early Release 1 pm
  • Mon., Nov. 10th - No School For Students - Professional Learning
  • Tue., Nov. 11th - No School - Veteran's Day Holiday
  • Fri., Nov. 14th - 8th Grade to Career Tech
  • Sat., Nov. 22nd 4th/5th Grade Boys' Basketball Jamboree
  • Mon., Nov. 24th Quarter 2 Progress Reports Goes Home
  • Thur., Nov. 27th and Nov. 28th - No School - Thanksgiving Holiday

Student Highlights

Primary Prep Classrooms

Primary prep had a wonderful visit from Josh the Otter, a fun and educational program that teaches children about water safety. This was a great reminder for AMC students about how to stay safe around water while having fun.

We encourage all families to continue the conversation about water safety. Ask your child what they learned from Josh, and together review the following three key rules they learned: Never go near water without an adult, first learn to float and/or swim before going into water, and always swim with a buddy.

mRS. VOIGT'S cLASSroom

October is wrapping up with unbelievable speed! Mrs. Voigt's class has been learning SOOOO many things this month! We celebrated our friend's book report projects and discovered that only 3% of Earth's water is fresh: with only 1% of that being thawed and accessible!

MR. Johnson's classroom

In Mr. Johnson’s language arts classes, students recently worked with a partner to write original short stories, practicing narrative structure and creative expression. After completing their drafts, they turned their stories into illustrated comics that highlighted the key events and characters. To finish the project, students read their stories aloud to the class giving them valuable practice in public speaking while sharing their creativity with peers.

Made for the stage

​Practices have begun for this year's Spring Made for the Stage production. Students will be performing a rendition of A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare.

Second and third grade students are practicing for the play Mondays from 2pm - 3pm, and fourth through sixth grade students are practicing for the play Fridays from 2pm - 3:30pm.

Openings are still available for students who wish to join Made for the Stage! Reach out to AMC's front office or contact Mrs. Ostendorf for more information.

Alaska Native Heritage Center field trip

Students from the Mulit-Age classrooms learned about Alaska Native historical homes, dances, and sports in a fantastic field trip to the Alaskan Native Heritage Center.

American charter foundation Update

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A HUGE Thank you, AMC Families for volunteering for the Fun Fall Fling, donating baked goods for the bake sale, and volunteering to work at the bake sale table. The total profit of the bake sale was $964.50 which will go toward moving expenses for AMC's Big Move next summer!

AMerican Charter Foundation

​The American Charter Foundation (ACF) is a parent (family) teacher organization (PTO) that supports AMC and its faculty and staff for the betterment of the children attending the school.

The ACF has one open board seat. Please reach out to Ms. Farren or the AMC front office prior to the November meeting if you are interested in serving as the ACF Chair or Vice Chair, please let the AMC Front Office know. Positions will be voted on during the Nov. 03 meeting.

Next ACF meeting: Monday, November 03, 2025 @ 2:10pm in the AMC Conference Room.

APC Information​

American Charter Academy is governed by a board called the Academic Policy Committee (APC); the APC oversees the operations of the school.
​
American Charter Academy’s APC board consists of three American Charter teachers, three American Charter parents, and one American Charter community member.

Next APC meeting: Tuesday, November 04, 2025 @ 4pm in the AMC Conference Room.

Quest clubs

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       Session 2 runs from Nov. 3rd- Dec. 12th
    The following clubs are starting this session. 
​
​Mondays:
  • Games - K/1st Grade - Mrs. Maynard/Mrs. Skiff - Students will enjoy playing various educational card, dice, and board games. 

Tuesdays:
  • Origami/Paper Crafts - 3rd/4th Grade - Mrs. Voigt/Mrs. Brouse - Maximum 6 students
  • KidWind - 4th-8th Grade - Mrs. Blankenship and Mrs. Drake. Sign-up forms went home 10/29 and are due on Monday 11/3. (This club is full.)

on going clubs

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The following clubs are on going.

Mondays:
Battle of the Books - 3rd-6th Grade - Mrs. McElvain/Mrs. Kerkove (sign-ups closed)
Made for the Stage - 2nd/3rd Grade - Mrs. Ostendorf (this runs until 3:00 pm) - open to new sign ups

Wednesdays:
Christmas Choir - Every other Wednesday until 3:30 pm (Nov. 12th, Nov. 26th, Dec. 10th). We are accepting new students including kindergarten (limit 4 kindergarteners).

Fridays:
Made for the Stage - 4th-6th Grade - Mrs. Ostendorf (this runs until 3:30 pm) - open to new sign ups
*Made for the Stage: The spring production will be A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare.

Attendance and timeliness

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​The numbers are in!! There has been more improvement. Last month the absenteeism rate was 5.35% and this month the absenteeism rate is 4.6%; that is a substantial improvement. Way to go AMC Families. Tardies in October held steady at 127, so let's keep working on timeliness and attendance.

Remember, when a student misses 2 days of school per month, they miss 20 days of school per year, and research shows when a student misses 17 days of school or more, they have lower reading proficiency by 3rd grade, lower middle school achievement, and decreased rates of high school graduation? When a student is absent 10% or more, they are considered chronically absent and are at risk of falling behind. 

AMC student of the month
Student of the Month
​The American Charter Foundation sponsors 'Student of the Month' at American Charter Academy. Nine AMC students who demonstrate AMC values are selected each month by teachers, and the students are invited at the end of each month to a celebration with Ms. Farren. Student photos and an All About Me page will be posted on the upstairs foyer bulletin, and students will be recognized at AMC's quarterly assemblies.

American Charter Academy Values
Citizenship: kindness and responsibility.
Excellence: work completion and work quality.
Can Do Spirit: perseverance and helpfulness.
Life Habits: attendance and timeliness.
Academic Goals: reached.
October Students of the Month
​​Primary Prep
Lily Jirak - Mrs. Kerkove's Class
Bennett Anderson - Mrs. Maynard's Class
Multiage
Myra Bird - Mrs. Beech's Class
Wyatt Wade - Mrs. Brady's Class
Skylynn Willis - Mrs. Ostendorf's Class
Eva Landry - Mrs. Voigt's Class
Killian Quirk - Mrs. Yerbich's Class
Middle School
Brody Clarke - Mrs. Worley's Advisory
Alissa Gavornoskiy - Mr. Johnson's Advisory

*Not pictured, Bennett Anderson & Wyatt Wade

CONGRATULATIONS AMC STUDENTS!!

Principal's Corner

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​Hello AMC Families,

Thank you, families and teachers for making Parent/Teacher Conferences last week a success! Everyone has been working hard since August as we ‘Stay True to AMC’s Mission & Plan for the Future.’

One of the results of everyone's efforts is how many students earned First Quarter Honor Roll: 59% of AMC’s 4th – 8th grade students earned a 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) or above, and 8, AMC students had a 4.0 GPA earning the Principal's Honor Roll of Excellence! Wow, what wonderful accomplishments and cause to celebrate!

Last week, all AMC 2nd – 8th grade students were acknowledged for their academic dedication and hard work by receiving a classroom treat and honor roll recipients were awarded certificates.

Additionally, thirty-three AMC students received perfect attendance certificates at AMC’s First Quarter Assembly, which means, thirty-three AMC students were at school everyday and had zero tardies.

I am continually grateful and amazed by the positive support American Charter receives. Thank you for choosing to be a community member of the ~Best Little School House in Alaska!

Sincerely,
Ms. Farren
]]><![CDATA[September newsletter]]>Thu, 02 Oct 2025 18:38:13 GMThttps://www.americancharteracademy.org/current-amc-chats/september-newsletter

Upcoming events

  • Wed., Oct. 1st - Christmas Choir Quest Club begins, 2-3:30 pm
  • Fri., Oct. 3rd - Picture Retakes
  • Mon., Oct. 6th - Brady/Beech Fieldtrip
  • Tue., Oct. 7th - Voigt/Yerbich/Ostendorf Fieldtrip
  • Thur., Oct. 9th - Fun Fall Fling K-5, 2-3pm
  • Thur., Oct. 9th- 4th-5th Grade Basketball Quest Club begins 2 - 3 pm
  • Fri., Oct. 10th - Made for the Stage Quest Club 4th-6th Grade begins, 2-3:30pm
  • Fri., Oct. 17th - End of Quarter 1 and Early Release 1 pm
  • Wed., Oct. 22nd - Report Cards Go Home
  • Thur.-Fri. Oct. 23rd-24th - NO SCHOOL Parent/Teacher Conferences
  • Mon., Oct. 27th - 3rd-6th Grade Battle of the Books Quest Club Begins 2-3pm
  • Oct. 27th-Oct. 31st Red Ribbon Week "Life Is A Puzzle, Solve It Drug Free."

Student Highlights​

Primary Prep fieldtrip

​The Primary Prep classrooms enjoyed a day at the Big Lake Library and the Meadow Lakes Park. For some Kindergarten students it was their first ride on a school bus! The kids enjoyed story time featuring fall and hibernating animals and made a hedgehog craft afterward. Eating lunch at the park and playing with their friends was definitely a great way to spend a cool September day.

Mrs. Yerbich's Classroom

​Mrs. Yerbich's class remembered September 11th by hiking and raising the flag. They also want to thank all of the families that participated in the fundraising for craft supplies.

Mrs. blankenship's classroom

Mrs. Blankenship’s Physical Science students investigated Newton’s Force Laws by building spaghetti bridges and calculating the force exerted on the bridge. Team members Zion Johnson, David Khuda, and Dane Laulainen had the winning design, which supported six textbooks weighing 2,610 grams. The record to beat was 83,914 grams accomplished by Elijah Chestnut and Aaron Carpenter last year. ​

​Gold Mint Trail Middle School Field Trip

​STARTING THE 2026 SCHOOL YEAR STRONG! The American Charter Academy Middle School recently went on a hike and science excursion along the Gold Mint Trail in Hatcher Pass. This adventure makes learning engaging by offering amazing experiences outside the classroom and keeping both our minds and bodies active. The hike provided students with the opportunity to get to know new students, explore nature, discover, and connect with science in a real-world setting.

 ~Leigha Bird, AMC Grade 9, Writer
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amc's running club

AMC's Running Club started practices the end of August and ran each Tuesday after school to prepare for fall competitions. This year AMC Runners competed in two events: The Colony Invitational and the MSBSD Elementary Competition. Participants in the Colony Invitational were Finn Jarik, Leon Durance, Bernadette Maixner, Aloisa Maixner, Abigail Andrews, Brynn Bird, and Grady Johnson.
​Congratulations to each AMC student who competed in the the district Cross Country Meet! Participants: Julia Leonchyk, Sadie Werner, Abigail Andres, Kalina Martin, Hatcher Pokryfki, Wyatt Wade, Sachary Yuill, Coast Schliesing, Leon Durance, Caleb Yuill, Bernadette Maixner, Abel Bowman, Killinan Quirk, and Grady Johson. A special 'Shout Out' to Bernadette who came in 2nd place out of 85 runners in the 2 mile race.

​Ground Breaking Ceremony for AMC's New School

​The Mat-Su Borough organized a wonderful groundbreaking ceremony in September for AMC's new school! Several assembly members, state legislators, district personnel, and AMC families attended the event. I was overwhelmed by the community support and am still amazed at the accomplishment of getting the building bond passed, the years of effort given to obtain land for the school, designing the school with Wolf Architecture, and the incredible support of American Charter families over the years! Truly, AMC's new school is a result of our community working together. Thank you, AMC families who were able to attend the event! I was so excited to see everyone there; if you haven't seen the new school site, drive north on Church Rd past Seldon and you can't miss seeing the ongoing construction by Big Dipper and Roger Hickel Contracting! NEW SCHOOL COMING SOON... SUMMER OR FALL 2026!!!

Student of the month-September 2025

What is Student of the Month
The American Charter Foundation is now sponsoring 'Student of the Month' at American Charter Academy. Eight AMC students who demonstrate AMC values are selected each month by teachers, and the students are invited at the end of each month to a celebration with Ms. Farren. Student photos and an All About Me page will be posted on the upstairs foyer bulletin and students will be recognized at AMC's quarterly assemblies.
American Charter Academy Values
Citizenship: kindness and responsibility.
Excellence: work completion and work quality.
Can Do Spirit: perseverance and helpfulness.
Life Habits: attendance and timeliness.
Academic Goals: reached.
September 2025 Students of the Month
Primary Prep
Alex Hinds - Mrs. Kerkove's Class
Naomi Gugel - Mrs. Maynard's Class
Multiage
Tate Landa - Mrs. Beech's Class
Levi Wade - Mrs. Brady's Class
Hatcher Pokryfki - Mrs. Ostendorf's Class
Maisy Landa - Mrs. Voigt's Class
Sadie Werner - Mrs. Yerbich's Class
Middle School
Matthew Gugel - Mr. Johnson's Advisory
*Not shown in the group photo: Maisy Landa & Matthew Gugel

Attendance and timeliness

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​** CORRECTION... Did you know last September, American Charter Academy had a 5.15% average absenteeism rate and a total of 142 tardies? Yes, that is correct; not 58 tardies, but 142 tardies September 2024.

Do you think AMC did better this September? Did the number of tardy students decline? Did the absenteeism rate decline?

Yes, the amount of tardies declined, but no, the absenteeism rate increased. September 2025: there were 127 tardies and an absentee rate of 5.35%. That is an improvement; let's build on the momentum and beat October 2024 stats: 225 total tardies and 5.62% absenteeism.

Stay tuned to see what the American, Can Do, mindset will accomplish! The rate of absences and tardies can be improved. Join the school; Stay True to AMC's Mission, and Achieve Academic Excellence! Let's do this!!!

ACF Information

​The American Charter Foundation (ACF) is a parent (family) teacher organization (PTO) that supports AMC and its faculty and staff for the betterment of the children attending the school.

The ACF has two open board seats. Please reach out to Ms. Farren or the AMC front office prior to the November meeting if you are interested in serving the ACF as a director in one of the open seats.

Next ACF meeting: Monday, November 03, 2025 @ 2:10pm in the AMC Conference Room.

APC Information

American Charter Academy is governed by a board called the Academic Policy Committee (APC); the APC oversees the operations of the school.
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American Charter Academy’s APC board consists of three American Charter teachers, three American Charter parents, and one American Charter community member.

Next APC meeting: Tuesday, November 04, 2025 @ 4pm in the AMC Conference Room.

Principal's COrner

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​Hello AMC Families,

It’s hard to believe the first quarter is winding down with just three weeks left! Already students have participated in several learning and athletic events: mClass & MAP testing, daily classroom assignments and projects, middle school & primary prep field trips, running club competitions, and flag football games. Amidst all the activities, remembering AMC’s mission and vision is of utmost importance.

Mission Statement – Achieving academic excellence… the American way!
Vision Statement – American Charter Academy students will thrive both academically and in their future careers. We aim to nurture a generation of young individuals equipped with the habits, skills, and attitudes needed to succeed as lifelong learners, contributing members of society, and exemplary citizens.

As we say goodbye to September, let's embrace October as a great month to focus entirely on learning; thank you for everything you do to make AMC such a wonderful school!!

Thank you for partnering with AMC as we, ‘Stay true to our mission and plan for our future.’
Sincerely,
Ms. Farren
]]><![CDATA[Welcome back to school]]>Thu, 21 Aug 2025 07:30:26 GMThttps://www.americancharteracademy.org/current-amc-chats/welcome-back-to-school

upcoming Events

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  • Mon. Sep. 1st - NO SCHOOL
  • Wed. Sep. 3rd - MAP Testing Begins, Grades K-8
  • Mon. Sep. 8th - American Charter Foundation Meeting 2:10 pm
  • Mon. Sep. 8th - Quest Clubs Begin
  • Wed. Sep. 17th - School Pictures
  • Fri. Sep. 19th - Early Release 1 pm
  • Mon. Sep. 22nd - Progress Reports Go Home
  • Wed. Sep. 24th - Elementary Cross-Country District Meet
For more dates view our Calendar

​Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Testing September 3rd - 5th​

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​American Charter Academy values the process of students showing what they know. Each class will be setting aside time to have students participate in beginning of the year assessments.

Please join with the school in making testing week successful and smooth. Be sure students are rested, have nutritious meals, and arrive to school on time.

Make up testing will be the week of September 8th.

​Healthy Futures

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​American Charter Academy participates in the Healthy Futures Program. Each month students track their time playing outside on a form and turn the form into their teacher.

The goal is to play outside 60 minutes for at least 15 days per month. At the end of the month, the student hands in their completed form and gets a prize.

Of course, the true prize is that by being active they will have a healthy future.

Last year American Charter was recognized for the amount of time students spent outdoors.

Forms are given to students by their teachers, and additional forms are available at AMC's front office.

Thank you, Mrs. Yerbich for organizing this event for AMC students. American Charter supports healthy lifestyles and active play outdoors!

Student highlights

Mrs. Voigt's Classroom

​Mrs. Voigt's class learned all about computer procedures on the first day of school. They also enjoyed an art class led by Mrs. Yuill titled "All About Me".

Mrs. Crum's Classroom

In Mrs. Crum's class, the first week of school, secondary math classes created a "Graph of Me".
Students answered true/false questions about themselves, plotted the true statements on a coordinate plane, and finished by coloring it their favorite color. 

RUnning club

​Running Club has begun! Once a week we run 1-3 miles on surrounding roads and trails. Led by Mrs. Yerbich, our goal is to grow a love of running and being outside. At the end of September our 4th and 5th grader runners can participate in the Mat-Su Elementary Cross-Country Meet, held at Palmer High School. This is a great event, and students are always rewarded with a real sense of accomplishment. 

attendance and timeliness

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Did you know last September, American Charter Academy had a 5.15% average absenteeism rate and a total of 58 tardies? Yes, that is correct; 58 tardies last September.

Do you think it is possible to improve the rate of absenteeism this September? Can the number of tardy students be reduced? Absolutely!

With the American, Can Do, mindset, the rate of absences and tardies can be improved. Join the school; Stay True to AMC's Mission, and Achieve Academic Excellence! Let's do this!!!

Quest Club Sign ups

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Session 1 Quest Clubs will be starting Monday September 8th unless previous information has been provided.
A ParentSquare message was sent home with the sign up form on Monday Aug. 25th. Please contact the office with any questions.
Mrs. Ostendorf is offering three clubs that have been added to the Session 1 Quest Clubs sign up form.
Made for the Stage - Starting September 29 for Spring Performance
Monday Rehearsals 2:00 - 3:00
Grades 2 - 3
At a designated time, students will join older student performers.
In the spring, some Saturday rehearsals will be needed to prepare for the downstairs portion of the building.
Made for the Stage - Starting October 10 for Spring Performance
Friday Rehearsals 2:00 - 3:30 
Grades 4-6
At a designated time, students will join older student performers.
In the spring, some Saturday rehearsals will be needed to prepare for the downstairs portion of the building.
Christmas Choir - Starting October 1 - ending in December with a presentation at the School Assembly
Alternating Wednesdays 2:00 - 3:30
Grades 2 - 6

​Stars and Stripes Student Council

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​This school year, AMC's Stars & Stripes Student Council will be meeting during the school day on the first Tuesday of each month at 1:30pm. The exception is the first meeting, which will be September 9th. Mrs. Worley is supervising student council, and each classroom/advisory nominates a class representative from grades 5th - 8th grade to be on student council. Please reach out to Mrs. Worley or AMC's front office with any questions you might have about AMC's Stars & Stripes Student Council.

New School Update

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  • Roger Hickel Construction was awarded the contract to build AMC's new school
  • Land is being cleared and prepared for foundation work
  • Foundation is scheduled to be complete mid October
  • Work will continue throughout the winter
  • Scheduled completion date is August/September 2026
Drive North on Church Road, past Seldon, and see the exciting work in progress!

Principal's corner

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Hello AMC Families,

School Year 2026 has gotten off to a wonderful start. Classrooms are full, the weather has been spectacular, and AMC has several new and returning families. With 100% AMC staff retention, the stage is set for Achieving Academic Excellence!
​
Last year’s Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) and Alaska System of Academic Readiness (AK STAR) data demonstrated the dedication of AMC families, students, and staff members:

MAP SPRING 2025 SCHOOLWIDE DATA- Reading improved 6%, Language improved 10%, and Math improved 8% in student proficiency.

AK STAR SPRING 2025 SCHOOLWIDE DATA- Reading remained the same rate of proficiency and Math improved 4.5% in student proficiency.

A Highlight from Spring 2025 AK STAR data is 92% of AMC 6th grade students were proficient or above in Math! WOW, Congratulations, teachers, parents, and students... what an AMAZING accomplishment!

I am looking forward to building momentum this year and seeing what the outcomes will be; let’s “Stay True to Our Mission as we Plan for the Future.”
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Thank you for ALL you do to make AMC a school of Excellence,
Ms. Farren
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