Anchorage School District - Educating All Students for Success in Life |
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A Message From Our Superintendent |
Dear ASD Families,
The extended daylight and warmer temperatures of recent days bring the promise of spring. This spring, I especially look forward to finishing our school year strong and in person. Graduations and robust summer learning options are on the sunny horizon as well.
ASD is three weeks into welcoming our middle and high school students back to in-person instruction. I speak for staff across the District when I say it is wonderful to have our schools full of students of all ages! As we work hard to #KeepASDSymptomFree, I would like to remind families to continue with student health screenings at home each morning. Your diligence to keep students home who display any symptoms of COVID-19 will help keep our classrooms safe.
With summer in sight, the District is actively planning robust in-person and virtual Summer Learning Programs. In-person options will focus on credit recovery for high school students and provide middle school students the chance to make up an “incomplete” grade. Participating elementary students will receive additional support in reading, writing, and math, while participating in arts and sports activities for that “summer camp” vibe. Additionally, ASD will offer a number of special programs for students with special needs; English Language Learners, Title VI students, and students interested in CTE classes. Registration begins this month. Your students’ schools will be in touch with you soon if your student qualifies.
The District is excited to host in-person high school graduation ceremonies this year. Under the current Municipal Emergency Order (EO) 19 restrictions, graduating seniors will each be allowed two tickets for guests to attend. Should the Municipal mandates change, the District will reassess and do its best to offer more tickets. Contact your school or visit our graduation page for dates and details.
In spite of our exciting plans happening this spring, the mental health of our community weighed heavy on us all when we learned of the acts of violence in Atlanta and Colorado. I grieve for the senseless loss of life in our country. Our ASD community is richly diverse with a student population that is more than 17% Asian and Pacific Islander. Families in our ASD community may be feeling the heaviness of the senseless violence. Please know we support you. If your family or students are struggling with the recent shootings, I encourage you to speak with your school counselor or go to the ASD Student and Family Wellness page which provides resources for mental health services and crisis hotlines.
The School Board has committed to a focus on its learning goals for reading, math, and post-secondary readiness as we move into next school year. Before we transition, the Board and I want to acknowledge that this year has been especially challenging, and we could not have continued moving forward without the families in ASD. The list of sacrifices families have made for students is exhaustive: lost jobs, stay-at-home teaching, tears over missed friends, the anxiety over technology, and so many more unknowns. For myself, having worked in education over the last 31 years, witnessing the resilience of your amazing children this past year has provided me a true sense of hope for the future. My hat is off to parents and extended families, as you have been true partners in education for all our children. Thank you!
Finally, I would be remiss if I did give a shout out to our Bartlett High School girls’ and Bettye Davis East High School boys’ basketball teams for their recent state championship victories. And, of course, no state championship is possible without the season-long support and hard work of the respective cheer teams. The success of these student athletes is another example of how students, families, and educators across the District have found ways to persevere despite a very challenging school year. Congratulations!
Sincerely,
Deena M. Bishop, Ed.D
Superintendent
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ASD Roles out Robust Summer Learning Options for Pre-K—12 |
The Anchorage School District will provide both in-person and virtual Summer Learning Programs throughout the summer of 2021.
In-person programs will be offered based on learning needs and schools will begin outreach to eligible students in early April.
Programs will be free of charge, and meals options will be available to participating students.
There will be two blocks, one taking place throughout June and another block in mid-July through early August. Each block will have a morning and afternoon session.
Please see the attached flyers or visit ASDk12.org/summerlearning to see details on in-person and virtual options for Elementary and Secondary students. .
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Celebrate your Cultural Heritage at Graduation through Regalia |
Anchorage School District recognizes how important it is for students to celebrate their tribal identity or cultural heritage during high school graduation ceremonies.
The entire District is eager to continue this tradition, as we plan for in-person graduation ceremonies this year. While students will not be able to replace their cap and gown, they will be able to attach or wear appropriate cultural regalia in addition to the customary graduation attire.
Students and families interested in adorning their graduation cap and gown should complete a notification form, providing as much detail as possible about what they wish to wear and how it will be worn.
The deadline for students to provide regalia notification is April 15. Prior notice is required for administrators to evaluate the notification for consistency with regalia guidelines.
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ASD Plans for In-Person Graduation |
ASD is excited to host in-person high school graduation ceremonies this year. While the District is doing its best to make graduation as close to a traditional program as possible, the current restrictions in the Municipal Emergency Order (EO) 19 will limit family attendance.
EO-19 does not provide specific guidance for graduation ceremonies; therefore, for planning purposes, ASD is referencing the EO guidelines for Gatherings (Attachment I) as well as Organized Sports (Attachment E).
Under the current restrictions, high schools will offer each graduating senior two tickets for family members to attend. If the Municipal mandates change, the District will reassess and do its best to offer more.
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Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School Welcomes ANCCS |
It has been a long time coming for the Anchorage School District’s Alaska Native Cultural Charter School, as they were recently welcomed into a section of The Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School.
ANCCS and ASD personnel worked diligently before spring break to make the move possible and welcome students back into the classroom for the start of the fourth quarter on March 15.
“I can’t say enough good things and gratitude for how hard everyone has worked to make this possible,” said ANCCS Principal Sheila Sweetsir. “We had three days to move a whole school and they came in and swiftly packed us up and made it happen.”
The next step, said Sweetsir, is to make it work smoothly for the students and staff for the remainder of the school year and through next year. The new location only has 14 classrooms and ANCCS has 15 teachers.
“We have combined our second-grade classes and our preschool is going to be over at Mountain View Elementary,” she said. “It is not as big of a space, but we will do the best that we can with what we have.”
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ASD to Host Upcoming Pfizer Vaccine Clinics |
The ASD COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine clinic is open to individuals 16 years and older. Vaccines are free of charge. No proof of insurance is required.
Mon., April 5, 1:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Fri., April 9, 1:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Sat., April 10, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The clinic is located at the ASD Education Center at 5530 E. Northern Lights Blvd.
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Two Rilke Schule Students Selected in Semifinal Round of Artemis Moon Pod Essay Contest |
Congratulations to Rilke Schule students Sophia and Erin on advancing as semifinalists in the NASA Artemis Moon pod Essay Contest.
More than 14,000 students from across the United States submitted essays describing their innovative vision of a one-week stay at the Moon’s south pole.
The Rilke Schule students are two of the 150 semifinalists. Sophia was selected for the K-4 grade category for her essay "Hot Solar Energy on the Cold Lunar Surface" and Erin was selected for the 5-8 grade category for her essay "Journey to the Moon."
Semifinalists will be invited to represent their state or territory in a series of Artemis Explorer sessions with NASA experts. Nine finalists will have the chance to travel with a parent to NASA’s Johnson Space Center next year to learn about lunar exploration.
The national winner in each grade division will win a family trip to see the first Artemis flight test from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Finalists will be announced in early April. GOOD LUCK to Erin and Sophia as they progress through the essay contest!
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Join ASD for Kindergarten Round-Up |
Is your child starting kindergarten this fall? Join ASD for Kindergarten Round-up!
District staff will share what to expect as your child begins kindergarten in the fall. They will also share info on transitioning to kindergarten and discuss how to enroll.
Families are encouraged to ask questions and will be provided digital resources.
Together, we will partner to help prepare your child for school success.
• April 6, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
• April 12, 6 p.m.-7 p.m.
• April 22, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
• April 26, 6 p.m.-7 p.m.
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Benny Benson Secondary School Participates in Project Invent to Help Alaskan Foster Kids |
Benny Benson Secondary School is tucked quietly behind spruce trees bordering Bicentennial Park and the Alaska Botanical Garden. But the school is beginning to make noise due to its involvement with Project Invent, a national nonprofit that empowers students nationwide to invent technologies that make a difference. This is generating major buzz for its teachers, students, and school.
Teachers Kathryn Reiman and Ellen Piekarski lead the Project Invent team of five to seven students and are in the middle of developing a prototype duffle bag that hopes to address some of the biggest needs of foster kids in Alaska. Praise from a technology panel representing Facebook, Google, Amazon, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are so noteworthy due to Benny Benson's unique role in the District.
Piekarski stumbled across Project Invent while researching professional development opportunities. It was the perfect project for Benny Benson’s non-traditional teaching, Piekarski explained. “We’ve been working with kids doing project-based teaching and we’re wondering where to go.”
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Lake Hood Student Hosts Zoom "Radio" Show for Students and Staff |
“Casen the Sensation Radio Show” is the brainchild of Lake Hood student Casen and Lake Hood School Based Behavior Support (SBBS) Program teacher Ms. Shannon Basner.
The bi-monthly radio show shares knowledge, current events, and other important information. The goal to connect and spread a positive message have already landed him some big-time guest appearances, such as ASD Superintendent Dr. Deena Bishop. While Casen's mother hasn't been a guest of her son's show, Basner describes her as Casen's biggest fan.
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April is Autism Acceptance Month |
In 1970, the Autism Society launched an ongoing nationwide effort to promote autism awareness and assure that all affected by autism are able to achieve the highest quality of life possible. In 1972, the Autism Society launched the first annual National Autistic Children’s week, which evolved into Autism Acceptance Month (AAM). This April, the Autism Society continues its efforts to spread awareness, promote acceptance, and ignite change.
The Autism Society of America, the nation’s oldest leading grassroots autism organization, is proud to celebrate Autism Acceptance Month in April 2021 with its “Celebrate Differences” campaign. Designed to build a better awareness of the signs, symptoms, and realities of autism, #CelebrateDifferences focuses on providing information and resources for communities to be more aware of autism, promote acceptance, and be more inclusive in everyday life.
Read about the shift from “Autism Awareness Month” to “Autism Acceptance Month” here.
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SEAC seeks new members for the 2021-22 School year |
Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) is recruiting new members for the 2021-22 school year.
The ASD SEAC will serve as a resource and voice for its students with disabilities, families, and community. It will strive to support equal and equitable access to the highest quality of educational practices to include academics, inclusion, transition services, behavioral or mental health services, and related services.
If you are a student or parent that would like to attend the April 8 meeting, please email [email protected]
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Virtual "Speed Mentoring" Event Will Offer Students Insight Into Post-Graduation International Opportunities
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The Alaska World Affairs Council and the Anchorage School District have teamed up to offer a jump start to high school students considering international options in their post-secondary journeys.
The upcoming event "International Speed Mentoring: Virtual Edition" on April 7 at 5 p.m. will allow students to rotate through mentoring sessions with professionals from a wide spectrum of industries with international scope.
Students will have the opportunity to speak with high-level mentors with experience in a variety of fields. Previous mentors have included lawyers, judges, architects, medical professionals, oil and gas professionals, diplomats, presidents, CEOs, economists, professors, non-profits professionals and many more. Keep checking back to find out more about the mentors attending this year’s event!
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Good Morning America Features Family Partnership Charter School Student |
Family Partnership Charter School student Evan was recently featured on Good Morning America for his philanthropic endeavors.
Evan utilized his artistic talents to help raise money to keep the Alaska SeaLife Center from closing during the pandemic.
Check out out his inspirational story below!
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ASD is Hiring! With students gradually returning to in-person school, ASD has immediate full and part-time openings for: cafeteria workers, bus drivers, and substitute teachers. Apply today and make a difference for kids across our community.
ASD is an equal opportunity employer.
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Elisa Vakalis, President
Margo Bellamy, Vice President
Starr Marsett, Treasurer
Andy Holleman, Clerk
Dave Donley
Alisha Hilde
Deena Mitchell
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Mon. May 10
Graduation Week
Thurs. May 20
End of Fourth Quarter
Fri. May 21
Teachers' Last Day
Mon. May 21
Memorial Day Holiday
Sun. July 4
Independence Day Holiday
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5530 E Northern Lights Blvd.
Anchorage, AK 99504
907-742-4000
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