Stellar Secondary, an Anchorage School District choice school, offers students elective short-term intensives twice a year to enhance artistic and experiential learning. This winter, Stellar students can sign up for “Witches and Stitches.” The flyer invites student to “choose your own mysticism to explore” and hear from “local guest speakers who will help be our spirit guides on our cosmic journey.”
The intensives run December 8-18. Some of the intensives on the list give students opportunities to explore specific types of art like dance, pottery, creative writing, and filmmaking. Others like “Basketball with Bob” and “Yoga with Ayme” appeal to students who want to stay active. For science-loving students, there is “Madi’s Solar and Circuits.” For travelers, there is an intensive on Peru, a winter survival class, and “Cooking Around the World with Laura”.
“Witches and Stitches” is the only class among the 15 intensives that openly promotes a specific spiritual perspective.
Students in grades 6-12 can elect this course and receive 0.25 credits. Although some of the courses come with fees, “Witches and Stitches” is free. The course promotes occultic practices such as palm reading, tarot cards, astrology, healing crystals, and psychic readings.
Must Read Alaska reached out to both the Anchorage School District and Stellar Principal Maria Hernandez with the following questions:
1. What approval process (if any) did Stellar have to go through with the district to offer these winter intensives?
2. How does ASD propose “Witches and Stitches” advance the goals listed here by the district.
3. How does “witches and stitches” reflect the Mission and Values of Stellar/ ASD?
4. The intensive is taught by Allison. What other subjects does she teach?
5. How is this course funded?
6. Does Stellar/ ASD recognize the spiritual nature of this course and the spiritual impact it can have on children? How is this spiritual impact conducive to student success?
Principal Hernandez has not replied to any questions. ASD’s Assistant Director of Communications, Publications, and External Affairs Corey Allen Young provided some answers.
According to Young, Stellar’s intensives are “developed at the school level in alignment with ASD policies. They are reviewed to ensure they support student engagement, creativity, collaboration, and hands-on learning. All of which are consistent with ASD’s mission to prepare students for success.”
Stellar explains intensives on their website: “During Intensives, all students engage in project-based, hands-on lived experiences through enrichment opportunities in school and the community. These enrichment opportunities include hiking, camping, theatre, cooking, state and international travel, and more. Students have the option of electing into their own independent intensive study, with school approval.”
Question #2 of Stellar’s FAQs on intensives states: “Is this a mandatory class? The answer is yes, this is a part of the Steller Secondary curriculum.” Stellar did not provide an explanation for how this curriculum furthers district goals.
Although Young assures, “families may opt their student out of any course and select an alternative option,” Must Read Alaska’s question regarding the inherent spiritual nature of the course remains unanswered.
In regard to funding, Steller’s Parent Group (SPG) and the Valley Quilters Guild provided funding for “Witches and Stitches.”
According to SPG’s Bylaws: “the purpose of Steller Parent Group is to enrich the lives of Steller students through the financial support and leadership from all active parents.” SPG raises money for SPG operational expenses, SPG-hosted events and projects, school-hosted events and projects, and grants for intensives and other student programs.
SPG enables parents to directly shape school curriculum and policy decisions. The Bylaws state: “every one is automatically a member of the Steller Parent Group. Donations are not required for membership. Your participation, your voice, and your vote are all essential to the health and effectiveness of this community group. All members can bring a proposal, a funding request, or communicate ideas or concerns.”
Many public schools offer parent groups similar to Stellar’s Parent Group. Parents are encouraged to see what avenues for participation their school offers and help determine what subjects should be available for children to explore as part of their public education.