Anchorage School District - Educating All Students for Success in Life |
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A Message From Our School Board President |
Dear ASD Families and Community Members,
The economic impacts of COVID-19 continue to challenge our community. Inflation, the Base Student Allocation (BSA), and the forecasted budget deficit are three key fiscal concerns facing the Anchorage School District (ASD) for the 2022-2023 budget.
While costs continue to rise, the lack of inflationary adjustments has caused the BSA to remain stagnant for the last five years. Much has been discussed about the decline in student enrollment and the BSA. We know that declining enrollment is not unique to ASD and is reflective of the declining population in Anchorage. The Anchorage Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) forecasted that the population in Anchorage has declined by 14,000 people. This presents real challenges for ASD enrollment, workforce supply, and services. The BSA must be adjusted for inflation. If not, the forecasted $67 million plus budget deficit could have real-time impacts as early as 2024. Relying on federal funding is not an option and not fiscally responsible. The Anchorage School Board and the District remain committed to working with our state and local partners to responsibly fund public education and maintain smaller class sizes.
Commitment to the success of our students runs strong throughout ASD with multiple teams working together every day making it happen. One ASD team with a tremendous impact is comprised of school counselors. They are an integral part of the District’s mission, providing academic and mental health support for students. Next week is National School Counseling Week. This special time provides an opportunity to give thanks and appreciation to school counselors for their role in helping students examine their abilities, strengths, interests, and talents. If you aren’t familiar with the multi-faceted supports counselors provide, I encourage you to explore the role of a school counselor.
Finally, February is Black History Month. It’s an opportunity to recognize and honor the achievements of the Black community and their role in our country’s history. On a personal note, I invite you and your family to join in the celebrations and activities that lift-up the voices and contributions of Black Americans within our local, state and national conversations.
Thank you for the support shown to the schools and departments of our District. The success of our students helps to build a better, stronger community.
In service,
Margo Bellamy
President
Anchorage School Board
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District Presents Preliminary 2022-2023 Budget; Opportunity for Community Feedback This Month |
District administration presented a Preliminary Budget to the School Board during a special meeting held Feb. 1. The meeting was an opportunity for Board discussion. The 2022–23 budget will be a non-action item during the Feb. 8 Board meeting and an action-item during the Feb. 22 Board meeting. Those interested in providing feedback on the budget are welcome to sign up to provide public comment during the Feb. 8 or Feb. 22 regularly scheduled Board meetings. For the latest information on 2022–23 budget planning view the ASD Hot Topics page.
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ASD COVID-19 February Update |
ASD continues this month with no changes to its mitigation plan.
New COVID-19 resources for ASD families include the updated active cases dashboard which now includes cases by grade at each school.
This new practice provides real-time access for families and removes the administrative lift off school nurses who were previously responsible for sending notifications to families if their student had a positive case in their classroom.
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2022 School Bond Approved for April Ballot |
The Anchorage Assembly approved the 2022 bond proposition, securing it to be on the April 2022 ballot.
The 2022 ASD bond proposal is a 2-year proposition that benefits 25 schools across the District.
It includes funds to replace the Inlet View Elementary building, and focuses heavily on security and safety improvements, roof replacement and restoration, and other deferred major maintenance needs.
If passed by voters, the District will not pursue a bond in 2023.
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2022 Most Outstanding Fine Arts Senior, Exemplary Artist Announced |
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The ASD Fine Arts Department Most Outstanding Fine Arts Senior (MOFAS) and Exemplary Artist of the Year were announced during surprise visits to each of winner's art classrooms on Friday, Jan 29.
The MOFAS for the 2021-22 school year is Krissia, a senior at Service High School. The Exemplary Artist of the year is Joy, a junior at Dimond High School.
The MOFAS is awarded a $2,000 scholarship. The honor was founded by Dr. Bruce Wood in 2018 to highlight one senior with exceptional technical skills and ability, showcases creativity and individuality, dedication, work ethic, and strong artistic, musical, or theatrical work.
As the Exemplary Artist of the Year, Joy will create a portrait of Krissia, the MOFAS. The portrait will be unveiled during a ceremony at the ASD Education Center this spring. The ceremony will honor both artists, and the portrait will remain on display at the Ed Center.
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Follow Black History Month Lessons in ASD Classrooms |
Follow along with ASD all month long for a look inside classrooms as students learn and explore the history and achievements of Black and African Americans during #BlackHistoryMonth.
Pictured below: 2nd grade classes at Northern Lights ABC School completed a small unit during the first week of February that focused on Harriet Tubman and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. They will also be reading about Ruby Bridges.
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Fall 2021 Denali Award Winners to be Honored During Feb. 8 Board Meeting |
Mark your calendars! The 2021 Fall Denali Award winners will be honored Feb. 8, 2022 at the 6 p.m. Anchorage School Board meeting.
You are invited to celebrate ASD employees who demonstrate outstanding commitment to the District’s mission of educating all students for success in life.
Denali is an Athabascan word meaning “great one,” and ASD is proud to have employees that display greatness in the areas of achievement, service, and dedication. The Denali award is the highest award offered by the District.
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Visit Our Schools Special Event to Take Place Feb. 19
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Even though the standard Visit Our Schools main events were cancelled this year due to COVID-19, a special event is planned for Feb. 19, 2022. It will focus on charter schools and alternative programs.
The special event is a community-wide opportunity to learn about the unique schools and programs that ASD offers, including:
- ABC (Back to Basics) Programs
- Alaska Middle College School
- Alternative Schools
- ASD Homeschool Programs
- ASD Virtual
- Career & Technical Education Programs
- Charter Schools
- Fine Arts Programs
- International Baccalaureate
- Montessori
- Open Optional Programs
- Preschool Programs
- World Language Immersion Programs
Come join us at the ASD Education Center (5530 East Northern Lights Blvd) from Noon-4 p.m. on Feb.19 2022!
If you are interested in learning about our other schools or programs not listed above, please reach out to that school principal for more information.
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The Lottery is Now Open! Everything you Need to Know to Participate |
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ASD lotteries are held two times each year: during the last weeks of March and the week prior to registration in the fall.
Important dates to remember for the spring lottery:
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Spring lottery opens for parents on February 1, 2022 for the 2022-2023 school year
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Spring lottery closes for applications on March 17, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.
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Spring lottery runs March 18, 2022
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Parent notifications released March 25, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.
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ASD and AEA Reach Tentative Agreement |
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The Anchorage School District (ASD) and the Anchorage Education Association (AEA) are pleased to announce a tentative agreement following contract negotiations. The new three-year agreement, if ratified by AEA members and approved by the School Board, would cover the period July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2024 and addresses compensation and working conditions for more than 3000 educators.
Contract Agreement Highlights:
- Salary increases for all members, especially in the first year of the contract
- A simplified, restructured salary schedule
- Opportunities for members in the defined contribution tier of the state’s retirement system (Tier III) to contribute to a supplemental retirement plan
- Clarified expectations related to grading, educator planning time, and meeting duration and frequency
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Candidates for Next Superintendent to be Identified this Month |
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Thank you, ASD School Counselors! Feb. 7 to 11 Marks National School Counseling Week
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The superintendent search continues this month with a focus on identifying and finalizing candidates.
The Board is working with Ray and Associates, Inc. to lead the application process. Ray and Associates, Inc. specializes in educational executive leadership searches.
Dates to note are:
Week of February 21
- Community input and research completed
Week of March 7
- Candidate applications reviewed and interviews scheduled
Week of March 14
Week of March 21
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National School Counseling Week 2022, “School Counseling: Better Together,” sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), will be celebrated from Feb. 7–11, 2022, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems and how students are different as a result of what school counselors do.
National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.
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Ms. Wheelchair Alaska USA Visits Baxter Elementary School |
Ms. Wheelchair Alaska USA, Kristie Lent, gifted inclusive and adaptive toys to students in Mary Fulkerson’s kindergarten classroom at Baxter Elementary School on Monday, Jan. 24. Lent read the book Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You by Sonia Sotomayor for the class. She also talked about the importance of kindness and answered questions from students.
Lent shared how she was born with Spina Bifida and her wheelchair is a tool she uses to help get around. Lent and two students in Fulkerson’s classroom, who also use wheelchairs, showed how they can do push-ups, go fast, and spin in circles in their wheelchair. Lent even popped a wheelie upon request!
Lent said gifting inclusive toys to young people with disabilities is a passion project of hers she would like to continue. “I would have loved to have a doll that looked like me when I was in the hospital going through many surgeries and procedures as a child.”
Lent will compete in the Ms. Wheelchair USA pageant in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio this July. Her official platform as Ms. Wheelchair Alaska USA is Travel Without Barriers, where she advocates for accessibility challenges wheelchair users face day to day.
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#ASDShineBright Campaign Shares Stories of Hope |
Follow ASD on social media as we shine a light on the small but bright moments that happen every day in our schools. ASD will highlight stories of kindness, students accelerating individually and in group projects, and staff successes using the hashtag #ASDShineBright. |
Miss America 2022 and Service High School graduate Emma Broyles took time to talk with students at Wendler Middle School during a visit Thursday Jan. 20, 2022. Broyles talked about inclusiveness and her experience winning the Miss America pageant. |
Elementary Parent Teacher Conferences Happening This Month |
ASD is pleased to invite elementary parents to participate in our upcoming Parent Teacher Conferences on Feb. 16 and 17. The District recognizes the important role parents, guardians, and teachers all play in the academic and social development of students.
Schools have conference options to meet the needs of busy families. Conferences can be attended via Zoom or over the phone, as well as traditional in-person options that may be available. Parents are encouraged to reach out to their student’s school for scheduling or schedule on the ASD website.
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ASD Recognizes School Board Appreciation Month |
The Association of Alaska School Boards has declared February to be School Board Recognition Month, a time to honor school board members and to express appreciation for their contributions. ASD is joining with other districts throughout Alaska to recognize the important contributions board members make to their communities. |
Students in Mrs. Ivary's second grade classroom read Chia and the Fox Man by Barbara J. and Ethan Atwater on an outdoor path at Ravenwood Elementary School. This is part of a "P.E. Path" project open now at Ravenwood. Students follow a trail to read a book and participate in activities that relate to the story. The "P.E. Path" project is meant to incorporate reading, physical activity, and a whole lot of fun. This path is on school property and is open to the public!
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ASD is Hiring! 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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Margo Bellamy, President
Andy Holleman, Vice President
Kelly Lessens, Treasurer
Carl Jacobs, Clerk
Dave Donley
Pat Higgins
Dora Wilson
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Wed. Feb. 16 and 17
Parent conference day
Fri. Feb. 18
In-service day
Mon. Feb. 21
Presidents Day -- no school
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5530 E Northern Lights Blvd.
Anchorage, AK 99504
907-742-4000
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