Anchorage School District - Educating All Students for Success in Life |
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A Message From Our Superintendent |
Dear ASD Families,
It’s been an exciting start to 2021, and there is more to come in February as we continue the gradual reentry of students into buildings.
We are more than two weeks into in-person learning for our youngest students, and I continue to be impressed by the commitment of our school staff, the enthusiasm of our students, and the overwhelming support from families. Because you successfully adapted to school safety protocols and mitigation efforts, we are able to welcome grades 3-6 to return next week.
With so much emphasis recently on our youngest learners, I want to acknowledge our high school seniors and the unique sacrifices they’ve made during the pandemic. In line with trying to do our best for them, this week I announced that the District is actively planning for in-person, outdoor graduation ceremonies this year. Our goal is for them to experience a traditional ceremony. While the specific locations and details are still being determined, graduation dates are scheduled and preparations have begun.
This is also a time for financial planning at the District. This month, the Anchorage School District is now in its fifth budgeting cycle under my tenure. The School Board is deliberating the preliminary budget, and I’m happy to present a balanced budget without a reduction in force, thanks to the additional funding from the federal government through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) and from the CARES Act. These funds will allow the District to focus all efforts on reopening our schools, helping students recover from shortfalls experienced during the pandemic, and prepare them for a bright future.
ASD Health Services is currently administering second doses of the Moderna vaccine to residents 65 and older who received the initial dose during our January clinic. Health Services will continue with another walk-in clinic February 11 that will administer first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to community members who are eligible under the state’s vaccine distribution plan. This work moves our educators closer to the day in which we can all be vaccinated.
ASD is proud to join its diverse student population in celebration of Black History Month. This year’s theme is The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity. What began as the work of historian, Carter G. Woodson in 1926, has grown. We recognize that there is a need to continue working to incorporate the history and experience of underrepresented groups into what we teach as the American story.
Read on in this newsletter for recommended books, resources, bios, and events to learn more about Black history in our nation and state, and how to apply these lessons to our lives every day, all year, as we strive to bring equity across our widely diverse community.
From our teachers and staff working hard to teach new mitigation practices to young students, to our operations teams adjusting the way transportation, meals, and sanitation work, to our nurses staffing our community vaccination clinics, I am so proud of the great work happening in ASD to educate all students for success.
Sincerely,
Deena M. Bishop, Ed.D.
Superintendent
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Welcome Back, Elementary Students and Staff! |
Despite Mother Nature’s antics that kept our elementary students in remote learning a day longer than expected, most preK—2 students returned to ASD elementary schools in January for the first time in ten months. The photo gallery below captures the excitement of day one of in-person learning in the 2020-2021 school year. |
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ASD Celebrates Black History Month with Learning Resources |
Black History Month is an opportunity to emphasize the history and achievements of Black and African Americans and their unique culture. In Alaska, African Americans have been a part of all aspects of development of the state going back almost two hundred years. This includes whaling, the military, engineering, construction, and more.
ASD educators are encouraged to engage students in learning about Black trailblazers around the world. Here are a some resources for families to help celebrate Black History Month:
Learn about a few Alaskan Black trailblazers:
Books to read:
Events in Anchorage:
Online exhibits:
The National Museum of African American History & Culture’s online collections allow visitors to engage with digital resources and explore virtual
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ASD Invites You to Visit Our Schools Virtually |
This year the Visit Our Schools sessions will take place virtually February 22 - March 5.
Community members, businesses and parents are invited to virtually visit any ASD school at the end of February/early March to learn more about the community's public schools. This coordinated effort provides parents and community members an opportunity to learn more about the many educational opportunities available.
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Count Down to Kindergarten |
Do you have a student entering kindergarten? Then you'll be interested in the ASD Kindergarten Roundup! Roundups are a set time for ASD school staff to share what to expect as your child begins kindergarten in the fall.
Together, we will partner to help your child be best prepared to experience early school success. For dates and times, please visit our Kindy Round-Up page!
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ASD Offers COVID-19 Testing Sites for Students and Staff |
The Anchorage School District and Capstone Family Medicine are working together to provide students and staff with COVID-19 testing sites conveniently located at five different schools in Anchorage.
Walk-up COVID-19 PCR testing sites for symptomatic and close-contact (quarantine) staff and students will be available at select schools during normal school hours.
After you are registered with covidsecureapp.com, you can be tested at one of the following locations Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 pm:
- Abbott Loop Elementary School
- Chester Valley Elementary School
- North Star Elementary School
- Russian Jack Elementary School
- Tyson Elementary School
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Airplane Arms: Navigating Back to School |
The Anchorage School District has created a video series to help inform staff and community members about back to school during the pandemic. All of these videos are recorded and are available on the District's website.
In episode 13 and 14, our host speaks with Erik Viste, Director, Elementary Education and Martin Lang, Director of Secondary Education, about new processes in daily routines, how classrooms will be utilized differently, and school mitigation plans.
Families preparing to return to in-person learning for the first time in 10 months will find these short interviews helpful.
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Alaska DEED Teacher Spotlight |
Courtney Romine teaches grades 3 and 4 in the Montessori program at Tudor Elementary. When offered the opportunity to bring small groups of students back into the classroom she leapt at the chance, eager for her students to have access to Montessori materials, and to provide her student teacher experience working with students in person. The teaching duo utilize Zoom with the entire class in the mornings, then have 8-10 students in the classroom each afternoon.
Despite the challenges of virtual teaching, Ms. Romine acknowledges there have been some positive outcomes as well. “We have built a strong sense of community in our class,” she said “And I credit this to spending time engaged in SEL activities as well as just the chance to get to know each other in our home environments."
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ASD Offers School Status Real-Time Dashboard |
The District has created a COVID-19 dashboard that is updated in real time to reflect the status of each school building.
An individual classroom may be closed due to a student or staff member with a confirmed positive COVID-19 test,
close contacts in a classroom, or a combination of both. Also, a class may be closed due to a lack of staffing.
These cases are self-reported to ASD and may not reflect all positive cases being tracked by the Municipality.
The COVID summary tab shows active confirmed cases, and confirmed cases since Sept. 1, 2021.
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February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month |
February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month (TDVAM). This is an issue that impacts everyone – not just teens – but their parents, teachers, friends and communities as well. Together, we can raise the nation’s awareness about teen dating violence and promote safe, healthy relationships.
In his recent proclamation, Governor Mike Dunleavy encouraged all Alaskans to take a proactive role in ending dating violence by seeking out education on healthy relationships and fostering safe and healthy environments for all individuals in every community.
The proclamation says all Alaskans have the right to experience a healthy and safe relationship, free of abuse; and it is of utmost importance that adequate education about healthy relationships be available to Alaska’s youth, as well as safe shelter for those who are experiencing abuse.
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Elizabeth Peratrovich Day - Feb. 16 |
National Elizabeth Peratrovich was a Tlingit woman from the Raven moiety, Lukaax̱.ádi clan. She faced discrimination in many ways.
She used her position as president of the Alaska Native Sisterhood to fight for Alaska Native rights. In February of 1945, Elizabeth Peratrovich addressed the Alaska Territorial Legislature. After her speech, House Bill 14 was passed and became known as the Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945.
Last year, for the 75th Anniversary of Elizabeth Peratrovich's groundbreaking speech, she was featured on the 2020 Native American $1 coin. More information on the U.S. Mint website.
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Teaching Today: Aurora Elementary |
Teaching Today is a video series documenting how ASD teachers engage student to achieve their learning goals during a health pandemic. These inspiring stories show how ASD teachers reinvent the way they teach to ensure students have access to engaging, hands-on content.
In the most recent video, Aurora Elementary Teacher Renee Wade shares how she utilizes flexible seating in her classroom to help students complete their tasks by choosing the work environment that is most comfortable for them; all while remaining within COVID-19 CDC safety guidelines.
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COVID-19 Testing at Select ASD Sites |
Throughout the month of February, the Municipality of Anchorage will be conducting COVID-19 testing at select ASD sites. This COVID-19 PCR testing service is open to the public and free of charge.
Testing will be conducted by Visit Healthcare and testing trailers or tents are located in school parking lots. Testing is NOT conducted inside schools.
You do not need to register in advance, but doing so may help get you your results faster.
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American Ninja Warrior Joins Muldoon Elementary Virtually |
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Some very lucky students at Muldoon Elementary had fun with American Ninja Warrior Nick Hanson, the Eskimo Ninja, during a virtual assembly on Wednesday, Jan. 27.
From his home in Unalakleet, Hanson (who is Inuqiaq), began the call by honoring and recognizing the Denaʼina land Muldoon Elementary is built on.
After some warm-up stretches and playing a game with the students, Hanson explained that he wasn't always an athlete, and that hard work both in-and-out of school got him to where he is now.
"I didn't grow up an athlete. I had to try to figure life out first. I was bullied as a kid, so I decided to try sports out and see if I could discover things about myself."
A multi-sport competitor, Hanson shared that his passions went beyond athletics, and that he is a self-described nerd. "I was a big time nerd in school for sure! I was involved in student government. I was a teacher's assistant. I even painted murals for the school. I had all these things I was apart of. I had to figure out what I was passionate about."
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Anchorage Parks and Rec Survey Seeks Input on Trail Use During Pandemic |
Anchorage Parks and Recreation has launched a short survey to gather data related to recreation within parks, trails, and facilities managed by the department since the onset of COVID-19. This online survey will be available for completion through Friday, Feb. 19, 2021.
The survey consists of a series of questions asking Anchorage residents to share where, when, and how they have utilized parks and trails after March 2020. Recent data from traffic counters placed at several popular areas in the municipality have indicated trail use is up, but department officials would like to capture a more detailed picture as a tool for future activities, services, and projects.
Those interested in completing the survey should be residents of Anchorage. All facility, park and trail users of any age are welcome to participate.
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Scholarship Support Resources |
ASD Families can encourage and support their high school students by helping them navigate our website for scholarship opportunities and information.
Some deadlines are fast approaching!
• Feb. 15, 2021: Hispanic Scholarship Fund, various amounts
• March 8, 2021: June Nelson Memorial Scholarship
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Alaska Public Media Hosts Science Camp with Bowman Elementary School |
The structured learning classrooms at Bowman Elementary School recently partnered with Alaska Public Media to do a Ruff Ruffman Sensational Science Camp for two hours with students.
Some science campers attended in person, while others attended virtually. All campers used a combination of wet and dry mixtures to participate in hands-on, science-based activities.
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Happy National School Counseling Week! |
Happy National School Counseling Week to all of our counselors! ASD is so proud, and thankful for our amazing counselors who work tirelessly for our students and families. |
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FEMA Seeks Student Leaders to Join Youth Preparedness Council |
Do you know a young leader who is passionate about making a positive impact on their community? The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is looking for students in grades 8 through 11 interested in supporting disaster preparedness and making a difference in their communities to join the Youth Preparedness Council (YPC). During their two-year terms on the council, members will take on projects at both a local and national level and develop their leadership and project management skills.
The YPC application period is currently open and closes on March 7, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. PST. To learn more about the YPC and application requirements, visit the FEMA website and click the following link to apply!
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Join Immersion Educators for Parent Information Night |
Are you considering a language immersion program for your incoming kindergarten child?
Join ASD’s Director of World Languages and Immersion Programs, Brandon Locke, and principals and staff from our eight elementary language immersion programs to learn more about these programs and the benefits of bilingualism at such a young age.
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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. Feb. 15
President's Day Holiday
Fri. Feb. 26
District-wide Asynchronous Learning Day
Fri. March 5
State released grade reporting day
Mon. March 8
Spring Break Begins
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5530 E Northern Lights Blvd.
Anchorage, AK 99504
907-742-4000
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