Barnette Magnet

FAIRBANKS — Every Friday during lunch, Barnette Magnet School student entrepreneurs set up shop outside the school gymnasium offering a variety of edibles and merchandise for students to buy.

 The Barnette Mall is the student-run outgrowth of a multi-grade economics class taught two quarters each school year by electives teacher Colleen Smith.

In the classroom, students learn about economic concepts, supply demand, scarcity, how to invest money and how to run a business. Before opening a shop at the mall, students must first patent their idea, do a business plan and advertise.

 Business is brisk since customers in grades four through eight may buy a variety products such as smoothies, slightly used clothing, or trading cards from student shopkeepers with money from their attendance earnings ($5 each day).

FAIRBANKS — An 18-foot-wide by 38-inches-high mural celebrating Alaska’s four seasons now adds a cheerful sweep of color to a long counter at the Breadline’s Stone Soup Cafe.

The multi-colored mural gleams forth in a bright array of acrylic paints, courtesy of two Service Learning Art classes taught by Rae Trainor at Barnette Magnet School.

Monday, some of the fourth -through eighth-grade students spent the art class hour putting final touches on the mural which has kept them busily involved during the last school year quarter. Other students sealed rows of wood trim that were attached to frame the completed project which was installed Monday evening.

“Our (class) mission was to make Fairbanks more beautiful, and the students had to think about where they would like to do that,” Trainor said.

Barnette Magnet School artist Hannah Powell comes from a family of artists.

 A grandfather was a professional artist, and a grandmother was an art teacher, and she and another grandmother both liked to paint and draw in their spare time, as well as an aunt.

Currently enrolled students who wish to return to Barnette Magnet for the 2013/2014 school year must submit a completed Intent to Return form by March 8th.  The form is avaialble here.  If there are siblings who are not currently enrolled at Barnette, who wish to enroll,  we must received a new student application by the March 22nd deadline in order to grant sibling preference.

Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
District-Wide Lockdown Drill
Monday March 25, 2013 @ 1:15 p.m.

The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District is committed to the safety and welfare of students and staff. If an emergency situation occurs in or near a school that threatens student or staff safety, the school may initiate what is called a “Lockdown.” Lockdowns can be an effective way to keep students and staff safe during a dangerous situation. During a lockdown all doors are locked and windows are covered. Students and staff remain quiet in their classrooms, on the floor and away from doors and windows. No one is permitted to enter or leave the school until advised by local authorities.
On March 25, 2013 at 1:15 pm the school district will conduct a district-wide lockdown drill. During the school year, all schools in our district perform at least one lockdown drill to familiarize the students and staff with proper procedures. This year the district is conducting a district-wide lockdown drill as well. This district-wide drill will provide an opportunity for the entire district to practice emergency protocols, including radio communication. Please note: During the drill parents will not be able to pick up or drop off students at school.
Please note that two variations to a Lockdown are “Secure the Building” and “Clear the Halls-Sit Tight.” Schools use these procedures in less serious situations in which the goal is to keep students safe in the building or to protect the confidentiality of a student or staff member in the event of an individual emergency.
Lockdown drills are only part of our comprehensive District Safety Plan. Each school has a Crisis Plan tailored to their needs. Please contact your school’s principal with any specific questions or concerns about the school’s plan. 


Barnette Magnet School will accept applications for the 2013/2014 school year beginning January 8th. Applications will be available at the school, or you may download one from  this website. Applications must be received by March 22, 2013. The lottery will take place on April 1st, 2013.

Friday in Fairbanks Semester Two fees will be due in January.  The cost is $25 for the semester, or $50 for the whole year.  If you choose to have Family Fridays instead, you can pick your children up at 11:00 or at 12:30.  Please let us know your plans! You can download the Friday in Fairbanks form here.

View the PDF for the school supply list for 2012/2013.