upcoming events
A note from your amc secretaryImportant Items to Note School Lunch & School Store:
Transportation Update from the District MSBSD Families, We are glad to share that the bus strike has been resolved, pending a ratification vote by the Teamsters tomorrow. We recognize how challenging this has been for many of our families and appreciate the effort it has taken to manage transportation and daily routines. If ratified, Durham School Services will conduct driver in-service on Friday and Monday for training and route dry runs, with bus service expected to resume as early as Tuesday, May 5, 2026. Durham is currently assessing driver availability and retention as part of the restart. If there are any impacts to specific routes when transportation resumes, families will receive direct communication with updates. We will continue to share information as it becomes available and keep families informed as service is restored. Yearbooks: Yearbooks have been delivered and will be sent home the week of May 11th. Lost & Found: Your items miss you! Please check the lost and found rack at the top of the stairs, outside the front office for any lost items. There are many coats, shoes, gloves, and water bottles on the rack. Any unclaimed items after May 27th will be donated to local charities. student highlightsmrs. maynard's classroom"Kindergarten and first grade students in Mrs. Maynard's class are enjoying a few brain breaks during their April testing weeks. They are decorating the courtyard with chalk, enjoying sunny days at the playground, and creating some special projects for the upcoming art show. They are also working on a few top-secret Mother's Day crafts. They are working hard and playing hard!" 
mrs. brady's classroomSecond graders quickly learn the art of blind typing, which enables them to compose their thoughts without looking at the keys! It’s a good day in the typing world!  mrs. kerkove's classroom Mrs. Kerkove’s classroom has been full of excitement as the students have been observing the fascinating life cycle of caterpillars up close, and the students are loving every moment of it! Each day, we check in on our tiny visitors, noticing how they grow and change. From tiny caterpillars to their transformation into chrysalises, the students are learning patience and curiosity as they watch this incredible process unfold. This hands-on experience has been such a meaningful way to learn about nature, growth, and change. We can’t wait to see what happens next as our caterpillars continue their amazing journey!
mrs. worley's classroomDuring our middle school PE softball unit, batting practice is all about getting comfortable with the basics and having some fun while improving. We go over things like how to hold the bat, where to stand, and how to swing before anyone starts hitting. Safety is our number one focus—only one person is up to bat at a time, everyone else stays back behind the safety lines, and we only use equipment when the teacher says it’s okay. As long as everyone pays attention and follows the rules, it’s a great way to build skills and enjoy the game together.
amc clubs and sportsmade for the stage performance amc kidwind advances to world competitionCongratulations to seventh-grade students Justice Lite and Olivia Rudder, Team Breszie Besties, who were selected to attend the World Clean Energy Olympics in Madison, Wisconsin, May 17-20. KIDWIND is an AMC Quest club coached by Carol, Dan Drake, and Shana Blankenship, and managed by team manager Leigha Bird. 30 students were involved in the club for over six months in preparation for the competition. This year’s Alaska competition was challenging, with 82 teams competing statewide for just five invitations to the World event in May. Congratulations to all AMC teams that competed!
Best wishes to all participants! Mrs. Blankenship, Mrs. Drake, Mr. Drake, and Leigha Bird Breezie Besties are seeking sponsorships from local businesses: To make this trip to Wisconsin a reality, we are seeking financial support to cover travel, accommodations, and participation expenses. We would be deeply grateful for any donation your business can contribute to help us send our talented team to Madison. Your generosity will help provide our students with an invaluable opportunity to present their work, gain hands-on experience, and connect with like-minded innovators from around the world. Click here to donate. We are excited about the opportunity for our students to make a real impact, and your support would mean the world to us. 
chess clubThe AMC Chess Club had 16 members who competed in both the elementary and middle school Matanuska Borough School District tournaments. The students fought hard and showed strong sportsmanship throughout the competition. Zion Johnson earned 5th place in the middle school tournament, a strong finish for AMC. Great job for all who participated. 
garden clubAMC students enjoying getting their hands dirty while they learn to garden.
may kidwind fundraiser AMC Kidwind's monthly fundraiser at Raising Caines will be on Monday the 18th 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." amc's new school updateAmerican Charter families were able to visit the new school site for a guided tour. The move in date is scheduled for November 10th, 2026. The school year 2027 calendar includes days off in November for the move. Photos taken 04.21.26 
attendance and timeliness data April- 188 Tardies, 6.49% absenteeism (No buses) March- 111 Tardies (Spring Break), 9.17% absenteeism (No buses) February- 164 Tardies, 6.45% absenteeism January- 166 Tardies, 6.68% absenteeism December- 107 Tardies, 4.69% absenteeism November- 144 Tardies, 5.31% absenteeism October- 144 Tardies, 5.59% absenteeism September- 135 Tardies, 5.35% 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,
The Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test scores are in, and AMC families met the challenge, and AMC staff knocked it out of the park. Thank you to AMC's testing coordinators Mrs. McElvain and Mrs. Skiff for making the testing schedule, having everything ready, trouble shooting problems, and completing all the necessary paperwork, and thank you families for preparing students and supporting their learning. As a school, proficiency rates increased or remained steady from Spring 2025 rates. Schoolwide Data Reading Increased- 5% to 72% proficient or above Language Increased- 1% to 72% proficient or above Math Stayed the Same- at 78% proficient or above Some Grade Levels had Substantially Increased Proficiency Rates from Spring 2025 rates. Grade Level Data Reading: K Increased- to 69% proficient or above 1st Increased- to 70% proficient or above 4th Increased- to 94% proficient or above 7th Increased- to 86% proficient or above 8th Increased- to 88% proficient or above Math: 1st Increased- to 83% proficient or above 4th Increased- to 91% proficient or above 7th Increased- to 90% proficient or above 8th Increased- to 94% proficient or above ~Achieving Academic Excellence... the American Way! This data represents the effort and time AMC staff, students, and families demonstrated on a daily basis throughout SY 26, and I am so proud, thankful, and amazed with the positive results! Wow, way to go AMC!!! Can you imagine how those proficiency rates would increase with improved attendance!?! "Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid only of standing still." — Chinese Proverb Thank you for partnering with AMC as we..."Stay True to Our Mission and Plan for Our Future." Sincerely, Ms. Farren 
Upcoming events
APRIL, Summative Assessments Tues., April 7th: 5th and 8th Grade AK Science Summative Assessment Mon., April 13th - Thur., April 16th: 3rd - 5th Grade Math & ELA AK STAR Summative Assessment and K-2 MAP Testing Tues., April 14th: 6th - 8th Grade ELA AK STAR Summative Assessment Tues., April 21st: 6th - 8th Grade Math AK STAR Summative Assessment A note from your AMC SecretaryImportant Items to Note School Lunch: Subway and pizza order forms for April went home Monday. If you need another copy, your student can grab one from the front office. Bus Transportation and Field Trips Due to a contract dispute between our bus contractor, Durham School Services, and the bus employee union, Teamsters Local 959, bus services will continue to be disrupted for the foreseeable future. AMC thanks you for ensuring your student(s) arrive to school daily and on time. Due to the ongoing strike, AMC has been forced to cancel the multi-aged classrooms' field trip to Talkeetna on April 2nd. Unfortunately, we are unable to reschedule at this time. AMC has also not be able to reschedule the middle school students' field trip to Government's Peak. If we are unable to do so, the $5 fee will be refunded. As of now, the April 8th Primary Prep field trip is still scheduled with the hopes the strike will have ended by then. More information to follow. Yearbooks: Yearbooks have gone on sale this week and must be preordered by April 15th. We will not have extra on hand for purchase after they are delivered. Yearbooks can be ordered online through ParentVue, or by cash or check made out to AMC. Payment Link Lost & Found: Your items miss you! Please check the lost and found rack at the top of the stairs, outside the front office for any lost items. There are many coats, shoes, gloves, and water bottles on the rack. Student highlightsMrs. voigt's classroomStudents participated in the Idita-READ reading challenge. They came back from break and compare their speed reading through the miles (minutes read = miles) to teams that were racing over the break in the actual Iditarod. It was fantastic to have RoseMary Maixner also join and give insight as a Junior Iditarod 6th place finisher. We used this as a great note-taking opportunity and filled out Compare & Contrast, Order & Sequence, and Frayer Models. 
mrs. ostendorf's classroomEver want to read a TON of different types of books? Mrs. Ostendorf's class played READING BINGO. Students selected their grade level or an above grade level and then matched selections to books. Choices ranged from grade 2 to grade 12. If one achieved a "blackout," it meant every square on the READING BINGO sheet was completed.  Mrs. beech's classroomMrs. Beech's students were challenged with an amazing art activity. First students drew geometric solids sketched with charcoal, and then students applied paint. Thank you, Mrs. Beech and Mrs. Hoppe for providing engaging and challenging art activities for students. Thank you, students for demonstrating perseverance and attention to details!
mr. johnson's classroomIn Mr. Johnson’s Career Readiness class, students recently practiced important workplace soft skills by creating and performing short skits. Each group acted out scenarios that demonstrated skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and professionalism. Through these creative performances, students were able to explore real-world situations and better understand the behaviors that help people succeed in the workplace.
middle schoolThe middle school advisories added some friendly competition to the end of the week with the Human Foosball Tournament. In this activity, students hold onto a rope like players on a foosball table while working together to move and score the ball. Weather permitting, advisories compete against each other on Friday afternoons, creating an exciting way to build teamwork, communication, and school spirit as students cheer on their classmates.
amc clubs and sportsvolleyballFourth and fifth grade students participated in volleyball during the 3rd Session of Quest Clubs. They played games throughout January and February and finished the final Jamboree February 28th with two wins and a loss. Thank you Mrs. Worley for coaching; thank you AMC families for supporting AMC Quest Clubs! Congratulations, AMC students who demonstrated excellent sportsmanship and showed substantial growth in their volleyball skills.  running clubDespite the below freezing temperature, nearly 30 kids came out for our first run of the spring season! Our focus over the next month and a half will be training for the May 9th district wide track and field meet where the 4th and 5th graders will compete in sprints, relays, long jumps and more!
Aleskya 5th Grade and Honor Roll Ski Trip AMC rewarded the 5th-grade class and those middle school students who earned a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher during the first three quarters with a special trip to Alyeska Resort. This initiative encourages academic excellence and healthy, active lifestyles, giving high-achieving students the opportunity to spend a day skiing or snowboarding, some for the very first time. Beyond the classroom, the program helps students build confidence, embrace new challenges, and create lasting memories. 
april kidwind fundraiser AMC Kidwind's monthly fundraiser at Raising Caines will be on Monday the 20th 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." amc's new school updateThe progress on the new school has continued at a quick pace now that the building is closed in. All of the windows are in, the sheetrock is almost all up in the main building, and the gymnasium is being wired. Next year's move in date is scheduled for November 10th. The school year 2027 calendar has included days off in November for the move. Photo taken 03.24.26 
attendance and timeliness data March- 111 Tardies (Spring Break), 9.17% absenteeism (YIKES! We can do better.) February- 164 Tardies, 6.45% absenteeism January- 166 Tardies, 6.68% absenteeism December- 107 Tardies, 4.69% absenteeism November- 144 Tardies, 5.31% absenteeism October- 144 Tardies, 5.59% absenteeism September- 135 Tardies, 5.35% 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,
I have been thinking a lot about AMC's move to our new school, so I decided to capture all of the quotes that can be found above the doors and on the walls of our current school and share them with you. Enjoy reading the quotes, and pondering them! I never dreamed about success; I WORKED FOR IT. ~Estee’ Lauder IMPROVEMENT begins with “I” Anyone who says something is IMPOSSIBLE is ALWAYS being interrupted by someone DOING IT. The US Constitution Doesn’t Guarantee Happiness ‘Only the Pursuit of It’ You have to catch up with it yourself. ~Benjamin Franklin Wish it * Dream it * Do it! …two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference. ~Robert Frost If you are too busy to LAUGH, you are too BUSY. ~Proverb In a world of possibilities… Imagine yourself as one. It’s a JOB that’s never STARTED that takes the longest to FINISH. ~J.R.R. Tolkien INTEGRITY is DOING THE RIGHT THING even WHEN NO ONE is WATCHING. ~C.S. Lewis ACCIDENTS DON’T HAPPEN. Chance favors the prepared mind. ~Goodyear The DIFFERENCE between TRY and TRIUMPH is a little ‘UMPH’ LEADERS THINK AND TALK ABOUT SOLUTIONS followers think and talk about the problems. ~Brian Tracy A #2 pencil and a dream can take you anywhere ~Joyce Myer THE happiness OF YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON THE QUALITY OF YOUR thoughts. MAN’S MIND, ONCE STRETCHED BY A NEW IDEA NEVER REGAINS ITS ORIGINAL DIMENSIONS. ~Oliver Wendel Homes a GENIUS is a TALENTED person who does his HOMEWORK Oh, the places you will go!! ~Dr. Suess Pondering these quotes is quite timely with the end of the year summative assessments right around the corner. Whether you think you CAN or you CAN’T YOU’RE RIGHT ~Henry Ford Thank you for partnering with AMC as we..."Stay True to Our Mission and Plan for Our Future." Sincerely, Ms. Farren 
Upcoming Events
Sat., Feb. 28th: 4/5 Volleyball Jamboree @ Wasilla MS MARCH
APRIL, Summative Assessments Tues., April 7th: 5th and 8th Grade AK Science Summative Assessment Mon., April 13th - Thur., April 16th: 3rd - 5th Grade Math & ELA AK STAR Summative Assessment and K-2 MAP Testing Tues., April 14th: 6th - 8th Grade ELA AK STAR Summative Assessment Thur., April 16th: Spring Family Night & Art Show Tues., April 21st: 6th - 8th Grade Math AK STAR Summative Assessment Safety during morning drop off This is a reminder that students must remain in vehicles in the morning until after an AMC staff member opens the front gate. AMC staff supervision is necessary for safety purposes and students must not exit vehicles until an AMC staff member is present. Thank you for supporting AMC's safety procedures to help keep AMC students safe. Ms. Farren A Note from your amc secretaryImportant Items to Note Buses - For planning purposes: Message from the Mat-Su Borough School District: We are aware of a notice indicating that a transportation service disruption could occur as soon as Monday, March 2, 2026, due to a contract dispute between our bus contractor, Durham School Services, and the bus employee union, Teamsters Local 959. While we remain hopeful that no job action occurs and scheduled bargaining continues, families should plan for no bus service to begin Monday, March 2. Regardless of any potential transportation disruption, schools will remain open, and classes will continue as scheduled. If transportation is able to operate on Monday, we will notify families as soon as possible via text, email, and social media. If bus services are impacted, we will continue to provide timely updates through those same channels and on the district website. Even if buses are running next week, AMC will not have bus service Friday, March 6th. School Lunch: Subway and pizza order forms for March went home on 2/23. If you need another copy, your student can grab one from the front office. Picture Day was February 19th with Fitzgerald Photography and are now ready for purchase. Parents are able to view and purchase pictures by logging into Fitzgerald's website. The password is your student's school ID. Annual Alyeska 5th grade and Honor Roll Ski Trip: This year's trip to Alyeska will be on March 25th. All 5th grade students are invited to participate as a way of marking their exit from multiage and entry into secondary. Secondary students who have a cumulative GPA average from Q1-Q3 of a 3.0 or higher will be invited to attend. IMPORTANT DEADLINE for Alyeska: Invitational/Permission Slip packets for those who reached the honor roll status and for all 5th grade students will be sent home on March 17th. It will consists of 2 forms: an AMC Permission Slip & Waiver and an Alyeska Resort Waiver and Liability form. Both forms must be completed in its entirety by March 19th. There are no exceptions to this deadline. Incomplete forms and forms submitted to the front office after 3PM on March 19th will not be accepted, forfeiting the student's invitation. Student HighlightsMrs. Kerkove's CLassroomThe primary prep had a wonderful time celebrating the 100th day of school. Throughout the day they built creations with 100 Legos, stacked 100 cups, made necklaces with 100 beads, put 100 “gumballs” in the gumball machine, licked their Tootsie Roll Pop 100 times, and completed 100 exercises. Many of the students even dressed up as 100 years old! It was a great way to celebrate being 100 days smarter.
Mrs. Voigt's ClassroomMrs. Voigt's class is having a blast using the unique events happening this February-March. They kicked it off with learning about the Winter Olympics and writing informed opinions about the Luge. Then, they are racing three Iditarod Teams to Nome in their I-dita-READ challenge. They are reading 'miles-per-minutes' and journaling summaries of the stories they read. Each team is tracking their progress on the Northern Route from Anchorage to Nome. When we return from Spring Break, we will look at the progress of the actual racers and see who raced through their check points and at what pace. The class is on sled teams by grade and are pushing hard to read farther and faster than the other teams.  Mrs. crum's classroomStudents in 6th grade math worked together brainstorming vocabulary to help them write expressions and equations.
Made for the stage Made for the Stage will be performing A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare in May. One highlight of the production will be a 3-D sculpture headdress used by the character named Bottom. The ears of the creature will be able to move as the actor performs. The mask was created and designed by Herb Flower of Utah. He is the uncle to Saskia and Kalina Martin, AMC student performers. March Kidwind Fundaiser, March 24th AMC Kidwind's monthly fundraiser at Raising Caines will be on Tuesday the 24th 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." AMC's New School UpdateA few delays have caused the finish date of the new school to be pushed to the middle of October, with the move-in date scheduled for November 10th, 2026. Windows are in, the gym trusses are installed, and the building is being heated with a temporary heat source. Photo taken 02.25.26 
Attendance and timeliness Data February- 164 Tardies, 6.45% absenteeism January- 166 Tardies, 6.68% absenteeism December- 107 Tardies, 4.69% absenteeism November- 144 Tardies, 5.31% absenteeism October- 144 Tardies, 5.59% absenteeism September- 135 Tardies, 5.35% 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,
As we welcome upcoming Spring Break, AMC staff remain focused on covering important academic content and supporting students’ positive learning trajectories. AMC staff members have been thoughtfully preparing students academically by reinforcing key concepts, building confidence, and practicing effective strategies for sustaining stamina. Dedication to learning is essential as we approach April and the standardized testing season. I encourage families to stay on course by ensuring students remain focused on academics, attend school consistently, and arrive at school on time each day. Spring break will be a wonderful time to recharge and reset, and then the school days will stay laser focused on learning. Thank you for your continued partnership in making this a successful and vibrant school year as students 'Achieve Academic Excellence.... the American Way.' I look forward to a strong Spring together as we ‘Stay True to Our Mission and Plan for the Future.’ Sincerely, Ms. Farren 
Upcoming eventsFebruary:
intent to return due february 13th
a note from your AMC secretaryImportant 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 [email protected]. 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. blankenship's classroomIn 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.
national school choice weekAMC 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.
february kidwind fundraiser: 2/23AMC 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."  AMC's new school update
Attendance and timeliness data
Principal's corner
Upcoming EventsNo School - Winter Break: Fri., Dec. 22nd - Mon., Jan. 5th Students Return to School Tue., Jan. 6th January
**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 SecretarySubway 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 HighlightsMrs. voigt's ClassroomWhen the weather is cold the students in Mrs. Voigt's class enjoy indoor recess.  Mrs. Ostendorf's classroomIf 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 classroomMrs. Brady's classroom has been getting some hands-on science learning. 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 danceAMC'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 weekThank 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 fieldtripPrimary 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 assemblyStudent 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 backAMC 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.  january kidwind fundraiser new school updateWalls are going up at the new school! The second story framing and the gymnasium framing have begun. The progress is most exciting
quest clubsSession 3 Quest Clubs: January 12th - February 27thMonday: *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 AMC Eligibility Requirements for after-school Quest Club Participation
Attendance and timeliness 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 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 AMC's Student of the Month will return in January.
December
***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 highlightsMrs. kerkove's classroomWe 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 classroomStudents 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.  red ribbon weekOctober 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 basketballWe 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 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 clubsSession 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
*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
kidwind fundraiser at raising cane's new school update 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 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 monthNovember student of the month will be included in the December Mid Month Snapshot. principal's corner “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 Upcoming events
Student HighlightsPrimary Prep ClassroomsPrimary 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 cLASSroomOctober 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 classroomIn 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
Alaska Native Heritage Center field tripStudents 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 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!
Quest clubs Session 2 runs from Nov. 3rd- Dec. 12th The following clubs are starting this session. Mondays:
Tuesdays:
on going clubs 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 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
Principal's Corner 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 Upcoming events
Student HighlightsPrimary Prep fieldtripThe 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 ClassroomMrs. 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 classroomMrs. 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 TripSTARTING 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  amc's running clubAMC'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.
Ground Breaking Ceremony for AMC's New SchoolThe 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
Attendance and timeliness ** 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!!!
Principal's COrner 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 upcoming Events
Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Testing September 3rd - 5th
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
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 highlightsMrs. Voigt's ClassroomMrs. 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
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
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
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
Principal's corner 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.” Thank you for ALL you do to make AMC a school of Excellence, Ms. Farren |
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