Anchorage School District - Educating All Students for Success in Life |
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Message from our Superintendent |
Dear ASD Community,
It’s great to be back after a wonderful holiday season that was filled with recharging and reflection. Last semester we faced a number of unprecedented challenges in the areas of budget and buses; even mother nature threw a wrench into our plans last month, dumping a record amount of snow that resulted in six weather closures in December and a total of seven weather closure days in the first semester.
Our approved school calendar allows for two weather closure days. In recent Board meetings I’ve outlined a plan to make up in-class instruction time. This proposal will receive final approval from DEED and the School Board this month.
Additionally, the District is now prepared to implement distance learning should future weather events occur this semester.
In 2023 our leadership team will face exciting decisions to provide greater opportunities for students. Some of these upcoming discussions could be around a Districtwide shift of sixth grade to middle school, a shift of school start times, and reimagining our approach to curriculum and instruction.
ASD is eligible for approximately 3.8 million dollars in grant funds from the State of Alaska to support the cost of implementing a new English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum. The State has curated a list of four vetted options for ELA curriculum. Within the coming weeks, groups of ASD teachers and staff will closely review and compare the curricula to inform the Administration as they provide a recommendation to the Board on next steps.
With a proposed closure of their campus, the Abbott Loop community is at the forefront of my mind. Should the Board move forward with the recommendation to close the school, District leadership is committed to implementing a plan that ensures students, families, and staff receive robust support and resources throughout the spring and beyond as they transition to their new campuses.
As we start the second semester strong, I’m energized to do what is necessary to meet our ambitious goals and to put ASD in a strong position for the years to come.
Happy New Year!
Sincerely,
Jharrett Bryantt, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Anchorage School District
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The 411:
Making up the snow days
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Pending approval from the school board and State of Alaska, The plan to make up the five snow days includes the following:
- January 30th to March 9th: 30 minutes will be added to the end of the instructional day (Restores 3 days of instruction)
- February 22nd and 23rd: Full instructional days in lieu of the scheduled parent-teacher conferences (Restores 1 days of instruction)
- February 24th: Full instructional day. That would be in lieu of the professional development day (Restores 1 day of instruction)
Remote learning will play a central role in the district’s inclement weather strategy in the future.
Things to note:
- All bus route drop off times will change by 30 minutes at the end of the day.
- The 30 minutes added to the instructional day will mean changes to bell schedules for secondary students. This may impact planning for things like doctor's appointment pick up, etc.
- King Tech's schedule will look different from other secondary schools. There will by 15 minutes added to the first session and 15 minutes added to the second sessions.
- For after school activities, the District is working with rental facilities and officials to adjust scheduled activities, competitions, and practices.
For preschool families:
Families can choose to pick up at the regular dismissal time, if needed.
- 3-Year-Old Sped Developmental and Communications Programs
- AM Session: (no change) 8:15 to 10:45 a.m.
- M-Th for 3yo Developmental
- M/T or W/Th for Communication
- PM Session: (30-min extension) 12:15 to 3: 15 p.m.
- M-Th for 3yo Developmental
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M/T or W/Th for Communication
- *This includes Bartlett 3yo PM session
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4-Year-Old SpEd Developmental and Gened Programs (30-min extension)
- 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- M-F
- Exceptions
- Bartlett 4yo Sped program remains unchanged
- 4yo Developmental remains 815am-1215pm M-F
- King Tech Gened remains unchanged
- 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., M-Th
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Starting Again: Discussion to change school start times |
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Anchorage School District continues to review the benefits of changing school start times for our students.
Watch the work session below to learn more.
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Recap: 1/9/23 School Board Meeting
Aquarian Charter School renovations approved and more
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The Board voted to approve and authorize the Superintendent to award a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) contract modification for the construction of the Aquarian Charter School Renovations to Cornerstone General Contractors, Inc. in the amount of $4,175,688.
During the public comment time, members of the Alaska Native Cultural Charter School (ANCCS) testified asking that the Board consider making the Abbott Loop space available as a temporary home to the ANCCS school community (if Abbott Loop closes) while the charter school searches for a more permanent location.
During the Superintendent's update, Dr. Jharrett Bryantt recapped the Administration's propose snow day make-up plan, that is pending approval by DEED and the Anchorage School Board.
Next meeting date: Monday, Jan. 23 at 6 p.m.
How to watch:
In-person:
Anchorage School District
5530 E. Northern Lights Blvd.
Anchorage, Alaska
ASD Education Center, Board Room at 5 p.m.
or
LIVE STREAM AND ON-DEMAND
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Fiscal Year 2024 budget planning update |
After months of surveys, town halls, public testimony, and discussions, the Anchorage School District Administration is drafting a FY23-24 budget based on guidance and recommendations from the School Board to balance the $48 million deficit.
Since 2017, ASD has received an increase of .5% from the State of Alaska (SOA) through the BSA formula. For more than seven years, inflation has reduced purchasing power to a level of approximately $80 million less than what the District could afford in 2017 in real dollars. This, coupled with a declining student enrollment in our city, continues to negatively impact ASD’s ability to maintain smaller class sizes to better address student learning.
The School Board must approve the FY23-24 budget by February 21st.
You can still provide input. Help be part of the budget solutions. For more information, click here.
December 2022 media coverage:
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Wesley Early, Alaska Public Media: "Anchorage School Board recommends closing Abbott Loop Elementary among other preliminary budget cuts" Published: December 19, 2022
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Lauren Maxwell, Alaska's News Source: "Anchorage School Board votes to keep Abbott Loop on closure list and hears plan to make-up snow days" Published: December 19, 2022
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Emily Goodykoontz, ADN: "Anchorage School Board green-lights closure of Abbott Loop Elementary, among other cuts" Published: December 19, 2022
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Morgan Krakow, ADN: "As Anchorage School Board members weigh budget cuts, most proposed elementary school closures are looking unlikely this year" Published: December 18, 2022
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Morgan Krakow, ADN: "Now facing a $48 million deficit, Anchorage district and school board officials look at cuts and closures ahead" Published: December 11, 2022
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Lex Yelverton, Alaska's News Source: "Anchorage School District budget deficit drops to $48M" Published: December 11, 2022
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Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. |
The Anchorage School District will be closed Mon. Jan. 16 in observation of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. |
Celebrate in Anchorage:
"I Have A Dream" A Cultural Musical
at Bettye David East Anchorage High School
Presented by the Alaska Black Caucus
Monday, Jan 16 at 6:30 p.m.
The Alaska Black Caucus invites you to the "I Have A Dream" Solidarity Celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 16, 6:30 PM at the Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School.
This free event showcases cultural performances, choirs, and more to promote diversity, unity, inclusiveness, love, and equity as we work to build our beloved community in memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Join ASD at the Alternative Schools & Programs EXPO, Feb. 4 |
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Saturday, February 4
Noon to 4 p.m.
In the Atrium, ASD Education Center
5530 East Northern Lights Blvd.
This is an opportunity for the public to come and learn about the unique schools and programs that ASD has to offer, including:
- ABC (Back to Basics) Programs
- Advanced Placement (AP)/ International Baccalaureate (IB)
- Alaska Middle College School (AMCS)
- Alternative Schools
- ASD Homeschool Programs
- ASD Virtual
- Career & Technical Education (CTE) Programs
- Charter Schools
- Fine Arts Programs
- IGNITE/Highly Gifted
- Language Immersion Programs
- Montessori
- Open Optional Programs
- Preschool Programs
- And more!
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Help your child feel ready and confident: ASD countdown to kindergarten |
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The Anchorage School District hosts Countdown to Kindergarten events in-person and virtually in the Anchorage community. Events are designed for children ages 3 to 5-years old, not yet in Kindergarten, and their families.
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Youth Summit Awards nomination window now open |
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Do you know an amazing kid in Anchorage who is doing incredible things in our community? A kid who goes the extra mile, achieves outstanding personal goals, helps others, or advocates for a good cause?
In partnership with Peak 2 Peak Alaska, Alaska Airlines, and Anchorage Daily News, Youth Summit Awards (YSA) is a showcase and awards event that will honor students from elementary, middle, and high school, including private, charter and home school, that stand out beyond academics and athletics. Each honoree will receive an award and will be honored and celebrated during the red carpet ceremony.
Nominations are open until March 26.
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Teaching Today: ASD teachers reinventing how they teach |
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Teaching Today is a video series documenting how ASD teachers engage students to achieve their learning goals. These inspiring stories show how ASD teachers reinvent the way they teach to ensure students have access to engaging, hands-on content.
If you know of a school teacher that goes above and beyond in their classroom, let us know and we will share their story with the community!
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Leadership begins with you! Application process is open for spring break youth leadership training, grades 8-12 |
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Spring Break Youth Leadership Training
March 13 to 17
8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The Salvation Army Community Center
1701 C Street
For Students in Grades 8 to 12
Leadership begins with YOU!
Are you between the ages of 13 to 18? Apply today to the Alaska Points of Light Youth Leadership Institute.
The Points of Light Youth Leadership Institute is an innovative service and leadership training for all young people ages 13 to 19. The training prepares students for higher education, careers, employment, community involvement, and success in life.
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Join our team! Make a difference in Student Nutrition |
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You can be a cafeteria hero by joining the team that energizes students for active engagement in learning at ASD schools by providing nutritious and satiating meals.
School nutrition professionals serve a vital role in our community and enjoy great benefits, convenient work schedules, and career advancement opportunities.
ASD is hiring:
- Cafeteria managers
- Assistant managers
- School cafeteria assistants
- Central kitchen assistants
Benefits include:
- Competitive salaries
- No nights, weekends, or holidays
- Full-time employee benefits include health, dental, and vision
- All permanent employees are eligible for
- Paid holidays
- Leave (PTO) accrual
- PERS Retirement (Public Employee Retirement System)
- Opportunities to advance professionally
- Many of our mid and senior management team members started as front-line managers
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ASD lottery applications are available beginning February 1. Any student who hopes to participate in a school or program outside of their neighborhood school must complete an application.
Lotteries are held two times each year: during the last weeks of March and the week prior to registration in the fall.
Next Lottery:
- February 1, 2023 – Lottery System will begin accepting applications for the 2023-24 school year
- March 23, 2023 – Lottery closes for Applications at 5 p.m.
- March 24, 2023 – Lottery runs
- March 31, 2023 – Parent notifications of lottery results go out at 5 p.m.
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Meet Lead Custodian Mario Jacobo and Building Plant Operator (BPO) Jovito Susi of Williwaw Elementary School. The dynamic duo received recognition for their dedication and service to keeping the school clean and orderly during a spirit assembly.
Jacobo helped open the building in 1995, and has been a huge force in maintaining the building in "like new" status, a comment we receive from many visitors. Susi has been a constant help and friendly face, whether removing large amounts of snow multiple days in a row or responding quickly to every radio call, "I'll be right there!" Both are always ready to help and give 110 percent every day. Students, staff, and families alike love them, and we appreciate the joy and dedication they bring daily.
- Principal Likka McCauley
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Margo Bellamy, President
Carl Jacobs, Vice President
Kelly Lessens, Treasurer
Dora Wilson, Clerk
Dave Donley
Pat Higgins
Andy Holleman
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Mon. Jan. 16
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday
Mon. Jan. 23
School Board meeting
Thurs. Jan. 26
Communications committee meeting
Thurs. Jan. 26
Governance committee meeting
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5530 E Northern Lights Blvd.
Anchorage, AK 99504
907-742-4000
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