Anchorage School District - Educating All Students for Success in Life |
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End of year message from Dr. Bryantt |
Dear ASD Families and Staff,
I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the class of 2023 graduates as we celebrate their accomplishments and mark the end of the school year.
I want to express my gratitude for your support and resilience throughout this challenging year. Our community has come together to face various difficulties, and I am amazed by the true north spirit of Alaska—the sense of resilience, community, and mutual assistance. Your dedication and commitment have not gone unnoticed. Thank YOU for your continued support of ASD!
In light of the challenges we have faced, we have many wins to be proud of because we took the opportunity to review and reimagine our systems and processes to better serve our students. Several of these wins are directly tied to our board goals to improve student outcomes in math, reading, and career, college, and life readiness. We’ll be implementing a new K-3 ELA reading curriculum next school year and launching a strategic plan for a new college, career, and life readiness transformation initiative. Planning for these initiatives is underway and will begin to be implemented in the coming school year and beyond.
Budget
While I’m grateful to our legislators for recently voting to fund public education, I do want to manage the expectations around what an increase in funding would mean. With the rising cost of healthcare, labor, and maintenance, ASD will operate in a structural deficit even with the funding increase in the proposal currently being reviewed by the governor’s office. In other words, a one-time funding increase for Fiscal Year 2024 does not address the root cause of the issues that will result in a structural deficit in FY25.
Should the Governor approve the operating budget, the Board and Administration will discuss a spending plan for the one-time funds. This may include saving some or all of the money to address the looming deficit in the following year. Looking ahead to FY25, the District will again be in the position of not knowing if there will be any increases in education funding as the Base Student Allocation (BSA) remains largely unchanged since the 2016-17 school year.
Transportation
ASD has been working all year to make critically needed systematic changes in the area of transportation. In partnership with the union, a more competitive compensation package to attract and retain bus drivers was implemented. We’ve also transitioned to new routing system software to identify efficiencies. We believe these longer-term solutions will help to alleviate the likelihood of a repeat staffing shortage scenario.
PLCs and School Start Times
In terms of school start times, the Board has approved a phased change, beginning in August 2023 with Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). PLCs will provide teachers and staff valuable collaboration time each Monday morning for one hour. On PLC Mondays, bus transportation will start one hour late, while school will end at the regular time. Families will still have the option to drop off their students at the regular start time, ensuring a consistent schedule.
Looking ahead to August 2024, all schools will have revamped start times. This decision is supported by focus groups, interviews with medical professionals, town hall meetings, and a survey with nearly 10,000 responses. We understand the impact this will have on the community, and we will provide timely updates to help everyone prepare.
Student Safety and Mental Health
Safety is a top priority in ASD. Student behavior incident data indicate there is an immediate need to expand mental health services as we work with students in this post-pandemic environment. Through a combination of best practices in operating procedures, security upgrades to school buildings, and mental health supports, we will continue to keep safety a major priority. For a full safety and security update, view our May 9 Board meeting presentation.
As we continue to look at ways to support students, the District recognizes that we can adopt better practices in the area of de-escalation. This summer, the District will begin construction of multi-sensory de-escalation rooms in our School Based Behavior Supports (SBBS) Program schools. Next school year, ASD will continue its focus on Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports, or MTSS. This means that on a daily basis, ASD staff work together to support every student academically, behaviorally, and socially, based on ongoing needs.
I’d like to thank the Anchorage community for voting in support of the recent school bond. The vote secures funding for a variety of safety areas, from roofs, to seismic upgrades, to additional security vestibules for our elementary schools. You can expect to continue to see safety vestibules for our elementary schools on future bonds as we work towards standardizing safety measures across all schools.
Academics
This year we adopted a new ELA K-3 curriculum that is in line with the science of reading, foundational skills, and usability. The curriculum that was selected will be in classrooms this fall and is strongly aligned with the Alaska Reads Act. This adoption was made possible due in part to a grant program from the State that funded high quality, closely-vetted curricular materials for districts throughout Alaska.
I can’t wait to share more about what’s planned for our community with our College, Career, Life Ready (CCL) transformation! Education plays a vital role in preparing students to become engaged, productive members of our culturally rich community. Our community envisions students empowered by real-world and work-based learning experiences with access to educational opportunities within and beyond the walls of school buildings.
The District is currently in the planning stages with community partners for a new CCL endeavor that will use academy models. The academies will be built from the ground up with the goal of enabling graduates to gain and retain employment through career-focused classes embedded in their education. Through CCL work, ASD will be about creating structures across the system so all kids have a pathway to success. A true partnership between the District and the Anchorage community will take place through the CCL transformation and you’ll see some of these changes being implemented as soon as next school year.
In closing, I am humbled and honored to be your superintendent. I intend to make ASD the national example of what is possible for a large, multicultural school system. We will boast high levels of academic achievement and social-emotional well-being for ALL students. We will have a strong national reputation for offering an inclusive environment that recognizes and elevates staff for hard work. ASD will be well regarded for operating authentically to its engrained Alaskan values, while being willing to embrace innovative best practices that will ensure a world-class education.
Have a great summer!
Best,
Jharrett Bryantt, Ed. D.
Superintendent
Anchorage School District
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Congratulations, class of 2023! |
This month, more than 2,650 ASD graduates will walk the stage at ceremonies at the UAA Alaska Airlines Center unless otherwise noted.
Congratulations, Class of 2023!
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The Anchorage School District (ASD) is grateful for the community’s support of our 2023 school bond proposition. Voters approved the bond on April 4 and the Anchorage Assembly certified the results on April 25. Thank you voters!
The 2023 bond covers a variety of safety areas, from roofs and seismic upgrades to additional security vestibules for our youngest students at elementary schools. With the thumbs up from voters, we are moving forward with the new security and safety upgrade plan. To learn more about the planned projects, click here.
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School start time changes are happening in two phases. One in August of 2023 and one in August 2024.
2023-24 School Year: Professional Learning Communities (PLC)
What is this? Professional Learning Communities (PLC) have been in the Anchorage School District since 2016 at the high school level. Now, school for all grades will start one hour later, ONLY on Mondays. Expanding PLCs districtwide next school year is a big but exciting change. Providing this consistent professional development and collaboration time is a valuable tool that will help teachers and school staff support and adjust to student learning needs. We believe that the hour dedicated to teacher learning and collaboration on Mondays will move the needle for student achievement and greatly benefit all ASD students. PLCs equals improved classroom experiences, which leads to better student outcomes.
Bus transportation will start one hour later on PLC Mondays only. School will end at a regular time.
Families may still drop their student(s) off at the regular start time. This will allow families to have an option for a consistent drop off time every day as we adjust to this change in the student day. While teachers participate in their professional development, other staff members will be onsite to supervise students.
Our partners in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District launched a similar PLC initiative. Here’s a link to learn more about their model: https://sites.google.com/view/plcmondays/home We will be creating a similar webpage for ASD.
2024-25 School Year: School Start Times
Research indicates that healthy school start times are associated with increased sleep duration, decreased daytime sleepiness, increased attendance and graduation rates, fewer tardies and increased GPA, improved health outcomes, and fewer automobile crashes. Our recommendation and the School Board’s vote was finalized after we received feedback from you in the form of more than 10,000 survey responses, focus groups, community town halls, and more.
We understand this change impacts you and the Anchorage community. Please know we are committed to working with you and providing timely updates throughout the summer to help you prepare for these changes.
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The Anchorage School District recognizes and celebrates May as Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
As a District where 17% of students identify as Asian or Pacific Islander, ASD welcomes and celebrates the backgrounds and cultures of our AANHPI community. A diverse student population provides students the ability to interact with peers from many different backgrounds, expanding their knowledge of other cultures and preparing for life in a global society.
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ASD Celebrates Principal Appreciation Day and Teacher Appreciation Week |
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Congratulations, Catherine Walker, DEED Teacher of the Year! |
Principal Appreciation Day was on May 1 and Teacher Appreciation Week took place May 8 through 12. This is a time to thank educators for the amazing work they do every day. |
Congrats to Dimond High School's Catherine Walker! The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) announced that Catherine Walker at Dimond High School in Anchorage has been named the 2024 Alaska Teacher of the Year. Catherine was surprised with the announcement during a student assembly at Dimond High School on Friday, May 19. Congratulations, Catherine!
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Congratulations, David Nogg, AASSP Region 4 Principal of the year!
Goldenview Middle School Principal David Nogg has been named Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP) Region 4 Principal of The Year for 2023. Principal Nogg has served as the principal at Goldenview in the Anchorage School District for six years
Principal Nogg is known for his passion for education and creating purposeful and engaging opportunities for students. He is present at the school and is seen daily in the hallways and lunchroom creating positive rapport with students at Goldenview Middle School.
Congratulations, David!
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Food service will continue at select schools this summer |
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The end of the school year is but a stone’s throw away, and we’re all awaiting warm days and long nights filled with lots of sunshine!
While we all love summer, many in our community are experiencing uncertain economic times and are nervous about feeding their kiddos after the last day of school. If your family is experiencing food insecurity, we have a resource to help!
We’re happy to share that ASD will participate in this year’s Summer Food Service Program made possible through our partnership with the USDA. This endeavor includes breakfast and lunch during the work week in select schools across the city. All children 18 and under are welcome to participate, and it’s free!
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A plan for Alaska Reads Act in ASD |
In June 2022, Governor Mike Dunleavy signed the Alaska Reads Act into law, creating four new programs to support Alaska’s students to learn to read at grade level by the third grade.
On April 19, 2023, the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development passed regulations for Alaska districts to support these new programs.
The Anchorage School District is currently developing a plan for Fall 2023 to support the new regulations and communication will be shared prior to school start August 2023.
More information to come.
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Discover Summer: June Learning Offers Opportunities to Expand and Improve |
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Chromebook care over the summer |
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ASD has a variety of in-person and virtual summer learning options designed for Pre-K through 12th grade students. Offerings are open for high school students to meet graduation requirements, middle school students who need support in math or reading, or invite-only for elementary students needing additional time to build reading and math skills.
Participating programs also include Special Education, English Language Learners, Title VI, Migrant Education, and Career & Technical Education, etc.
All programs are free for participating students.
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As part of the District’s 1:1 Chromebook initiative, students who are returning to ASD (Fall 2023) and have devices checked out are expected to keep their device and power cord over the summer and bring it with them at the start of next school year. This allows students to continue to have access to learning over the summer months and builds a culture of student responsibility for device care.
All students grades 6 through 11 that are expected to return to ASD next year should have a device checked out to them.
This year’s graduating seniors are expected to return their device after they finish course work.
Any student that needs their Chromebook repaired or replaced should contact their school prior to May 24.
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Remember to return library books! |
It's time for all library books to be returned for the summer. Please help your student locate and return the books they've checked out. Questions? Contact your school librarian. Library books found over the summer can be returned to any branch of the Anchorage Public Library. Thank you, readers! |
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Spring assessments results: how to view your students' scores |
Spring Assessments Results
ASD has completed the spring assessment window. K-3 students participated in the new mClass early literacy screener sponsored by the State of Alaska. Students in grades 3-9 took AK STAR, the state summative assessment, which also provides a MAP Growth score. While the AK STAR results will not be available until the fall, the mClass and MAP Growth results are available in Q ParentConnect.
Click on resources below for additional information.
MAP Growth Resources for Educators and Families (grades 3-9)
mClass Resources for Educators and Families (grades K-3)
Select "Assessment Results" from the list of items on the left side.
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Before you go: How to prepare for the 2023-24 school year |
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Another school year is ending and we are eager for summer adventures to begin. However, before you go drop a line in the river, drop a line to your student’s school and update your contact information.
Update your contact info
Updated information will make your transition into next school year much easier, and will allow ASD to contact you in the event of process changes. Confirm or update contact information (physical address must be updated at the school with proof of residence; phone and email can be updated through Q ParentConnection.)
Here is a quick list of items to confirm before school closes:
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Free and reduced meals portal for the 2023-24 school year will be open by July 1. Students in pricing schools must re-certify every school year to avoid incurring charges. Come back to our website to see a list of schools that are paid or CEP. There WILL be changes to which schools are CEP schools and Paid schools in the 2023-24 school year.
- Confirm or update your Q/ParentConnection PIN number for Online Registration with your schools.
Remember that school staff are out of office during the summer.
Online Fall Registration for returning ASD students
Who is a returning student?
- Currently enrolled students who intend to return next year
- Students changing divisions - Elementary to Middle, Middle to High
- Students who have moved from one ASD zone to another ASD zone (you will need to provide proof of residency at your new school)
- Incoming Kindergartners who attended an Anchorage School District preschool program
Returning students can be registered through Q/ParentConnection for the 2023-24 school starting April 18, 2023 – April 29, 2024.
* The Online Registration System works best in Chrome/Firefox/Safari browsers.
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Abbott Loop community passes baton to new neighborhood schools |
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Earlier this month, the Abbott Loop community gathered to celebrate and reflect as this community completes its final school year. Students previously zoned for Abbott Loop have been reassigned to Kasuun or Trailside Elementary Schools. Principals at receiving schools were at the event to meet the incoming families. |
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STOPit tools limited during summer months |
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STOPit tips will be closed during the summer (5/24 - 8/17). The Crisis Text line and Get Help resources will remain available for all students and staff through the STOPit app or website. As always, please call 911 in an emergency.
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Congratulations, Seal of Biliteracy students! |
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Pictured above: This spring, over 60 Dimond juniors and seniors earned the Seal of Biliteracy, and were recognized at Dimond’s World Languages Awards Ceremony on May 10. |
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This spring, more than 400 high school juniors and seniors qualified for the District’s Seal of Biliteracy in 15 different languages, in addition to English. 16 students qualified in two languages, and one student qualified in three languages.
The Seal of Biliteracy is an award given to juniors and seniors by the Anchorage School District in recognition of students who have attained proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation. The Seal encourages students to pursue biliteracy, honors the skills our students attain, and can be evidence of skills that are attractive to future employers and college admissions offices. It takes the form of a seal that appears on the diploma of the graduating senior and is also documented on their official transcript.
ASD has been offering the Seal of Biliteracy since 2016. In the summer of 2022, the State of Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, officially adopted the Seal of Biliteracy as a statewide recognition (4 AAC 06.077), becoming the 49th state to adopt such award.
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More than 90 students participate in speed mentoring event with industry experts |
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On Thursday, April 20, Alaska World Affairs Council and Anchorage School District partnered to host the sixth annual Speed Mentoring event for students from ASD and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. Speed Mentoring offers high school students the opportunity to talk to mentors from a wide spectrum of industries during eight-minute mentoring sessions. This year more than 90 students participated and had the opportunity to speak with mentors experienced in a variety of fields, such as:
- Trade/ Construction
- Arts, Audio/Video Technology
- Business Management & Administration
- Communications/Marketing
- Education & Training
- Government & Public Admin
- Health Sciences
- Hospitality & Tourism
- Human Services, Psychology & Social Services
- Information Technology
- Law, Public Safety & Security
- Military
- STEM
After the event, students report they gained valuable insight into options following high school.
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Alaska Communications seeks nominations for youth who are local heroes |
Alaska Communications and Boys & Girls Clubs – Alaska are seeking youth who may be considered heroes for making a positive difference in their Alaska community. Through the Summer of Heroes program, up to six selected youth will each be awarded a $2,000 scholarship through Alaska 529 and given special recognition in their local communities.
Anyone can nominate a young hero in their life. Nominate a child or teen, age 6-18, who is improving life for those around them. Whether it was to support others during a critical season, volunteering where there was an important need or an ongoing effort, or taking action on other’s needs before their own.
Summer of Heroes aims to shine a spotlight on youth who are doing good around us.
Individuals and businesses are encouraged to nominate Alaska youth by submitting a nomination form by June 18.
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ASD Camper Host Program Now Accepting Applications |
Are you traveling with your RV to the Anchorage area this summer? The Anchorage School District Camper Host Program is currently accepting applications for the summer 2023 season. ASD is seeking RV travelers to park and provide a presence at school facilities.
Parties interested in participating in the Camper Host Program should submit an application by July 31. Please use the form to submit your contact information, desired school sites, and length of stay.
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Anchorage Public Library brings author and artist Raina Telgemeier to ASD schools |
This month ASD welcomed graphic novel author and artist Raina Telgemeier to ASD schools through collaboration with the Anchorage Public Library. About 1,000+ elementary through high school students attended four talks with the author and illustrator. Telgemeier is the author and illustrator of popular books among young readers including Smile, Sisters, and graphic novel adaptations of the Babysitters Club novels. Thank you to our friends at the Anchorage Public Library for making these events possible! Photo credit: Kenny L. Friendly II, Digital Communications Specialist with the Office of the Mayor, Municipality of Anchorage
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#ASDShineBright Government Hill multicultural festival |
Government Hill Elementary celebrated a beautiful multicultural festival last month. About 1,200 people attended the event!
There were 18 performances during the festival with a mix of student and guest performers. Many people showed up to celebrate the wonderful diversity in our school and community. Many staff members put so much work into making this event a success. Thank you to all involved. Keep shining bright!
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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. |
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Join our team! Make a difference in Student Nutrition |
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:
Pay increases:
$15.01 hourly starting wage
$16.34 hourly elementary cafeteria manager starting wage
$1000 bonus prorated by FTE for new employees
- 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 manager
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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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Tues. May 23
Classes End. End of Fourth Quarter
Tues. May 23
School Board work session and School Board meeting
Weds. May 24
Teacher's last day
Thurs. May 25
Communications Committee meeting
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5530 E Northern Lights Blvd.
Anchorage, AK 99504
907-742-4000
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