Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District

10/21/2026

🏫 SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT | Butte Elementary

At Butte Elementary, learning is about more than what happens in the classroom. It’s about building a school community where students feel supported, encouraged, and ready to grow.

With a focus on academic, social, and behavioral success, Butte Elementary works to create a safe and welcoming environment where every student has the opportunity to learn, build confidence, and be part of something bigger.

From our youngest preschool learners to students preparing for their next chapter, Butte is a school rooted in relationships, growth, and community.

💙💛 We’re proud to have Butte Elementary as part of MSBSD!

10/21/2026

🌟 MSBSD Staff Spotlight | Meet Levi Lanning!

From the trades to the classroom, Levi Lanning is helping students turn hands-on learning into real-world opportunities!

Levi teaches Career and Technical Education (CTE) at Susitna Valley Jr./Sr. High School, bringing years of experience in automotive, fabrication, and construction into his classroom.

And his dedication isn't going unnoticed! 👏 Levi was recently named Alaska's New CTE Teacher of the Year at the Alaska Association for Career and Technical Education Annual Conference!

Now in his third year of teaching, Levi is helping students explore career pathways, build practical skills, and discover what's possible beyond the classroom.

We're proud to spotlight educators like Levi who are making a difference for Mat-Su students every day!

Help us congratulate Levi on this well-deserved recognition! 💙💛

10/20/2026

❄️ Alaska Weather Is Unpredictable. Staying Informed Doesn't Have to Be! 💙💛

As winter weather settles into the Mat-Su Valley, we want to remind our families where to find the latest information about weather-related school delays and closures.

When winter conditions impact school operations, our Delays & Closures webpage is the first place we post updates.

📲 Here's how we keep families informed:
🌐 District Website: Our first source for official updates.
📧 Email & Text Messages: Notifications sent directly to families.
📞 Phone Calls: Additional notifications to help keep families informed.
📱 Social Media: Updates shared through our district channels.

We encourage all families to make sure their contact information is current with their school and bookmark our Delays & Closures page for easy access throughout the winter season.

🔗 www.matsuk12.us/delaysandclosures

Thank you for helping us keep our students, staff, and families safe and informed this winter! ❄️

10/20/2026

🏃‍♀️💨 Miles of hard work, and a strong finish at STATE!

Our Mat-Su runners showed up ready to compete at the ASAA State Cross-Country Championships, bringing home six top-15 finishes!

A big shoutout to Palmer High School's Karley Tichenor for her seventh-place finish, along with Colony High School runners Aubrey Virgin, Wren Spangler, Josiah Herrick, Benji Aliberti, and Connor Rush, who all earned spots in the top 15!

Colony's girls also raced their way to a Division I runner-up finish, while the boys secured fourth place overall!

We're proud of the determination, hard work, and school spirit these student-athletes brought to the course all season long. Congratulations to our runners and coaches! 💙💛

10/20/2026

MSBSD Special School Board Meeting - October 19, 2026

10/19/2026

🚁 A helicopter landing at school? Now that's a memorable family night!
Cottonwood Creek Elementary recently welcomed more than 225 students and family members for its first Title I Safety Night!

From exploring emergency vehicles to meeting local first responders, students had the opportunity to learn important safety lessons, ask questions, and connect with the people who help keep our communities safe.

A big thank you to the local emergency service agencies, school staff, and families who helped make this event possible!

An Alaska State Troopers helicopter circled the campus several times before landing in a large section of grass just beyond the school’s main parking lot just after 6 p.m. Oct. 8. It was part of Cottonwood Creek’s Title I Safety Night, a family event that featured a half-dozen local emergency se...

10/15/2026

🎓🌟 Celebrating Academic Excellence Across MSBSD!

Congratulations to Drake Davis, Eli Prevost, Ash Rogers, Paul Hastings, and Abel Rowland on being named 2027 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists!

This prestigious recognition places these outstanding students among the highest-scoring PSAT/NMSQT participants in Alaska and among approximately 16,000 students recognized nationwide.

As semifinalists, they now have the opportunity to advance in the competition for National Merit Scholarships!

We are incredibly proud of their hard work, dedication, and academic achievements. Please join us in congratulating these exceptional students! 👏🎉

10/15/2026

Serving up more than just lunch at Houston Middle and High Schools!

Students in Houston’s Life Skills program are gaining valuable hands-on experience by preparing and serving lunch for school staff!

From working together in the kitchen to practicing everyday skills, these experiences help students build confidence, independence, and skills they’ll carry well beyond the classroom.

A wonderful example of how meaningful learning can bring a school community together! ❤️

🎥 Take a look at the classroom in action!

10/13/2026

🌱 From planting seeds to harvesting what they’ve grown!

What started this summer through the Health & Wellness STEAM program has continued into the school year with Garden Zen Club, giving students the chance to experience the garden from start to finish.

Over the summer, students helped prepare, plant and care for the garden while exploring health and wellness through movement, mindfulness, journaling and hands-on STEAM activities. Now, Garden Zen Club students are taking it through the next season of harvesting vegetables, putting some of what they grew to use, weeding and preparing the garden for winter. 🥕🌿

And the “Zen” goes beyond the garden! Students also spend time stretching, practicing breathing and mindfulness, and getting outside for activities like mindfulness walks along the trails on campus.

Both programs were made possible through grant funding from the Mat-Su Health Foundation, creating another great opportunity for students to learn, grow and connect outside the classroom

We love seeing learning come to life like this across MSBSD! 💙💛

10/13/2026

🏃🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️💙💛

Cold and wet afternoon does not keep elementary students from across the district off the cross-country running trail.