Anchorage School District - Educating All Students for Success in Life
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A Message From Our Superintendent
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ASD Families and Community members,
Happy November! This week I met with students and ASD families at the Education Center where we are offering the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine. We were able to do this within hours of final approval from the federal government thanks to our partners with Beacon OHSS. The approval for ages 5-11 opens eligibility to an estimated 21,000 students at ASD. The District’s large-scale vaccination clinics will run throughout the month of November to support families who choose to vaccinate. Again, I highlight the choice with parental consent.
This month we celebrate Alaska Native & American Indian Heritage Month. Follow us on Facebook all November long as we share engaging family activities and ASD events that bring awareness to and celebrate Alaska’s first peoples.
Happy Veterans Day to our family and community members who have served in our Armed Forces! The Anchorage School District is proud to educate nearly 5,000 students of military families as they greatly enhance the rich culture of ASD.
Finally, I’d like to share with this community that after much reflection, I’ve made the decision to retire as the Anchorage School District superintendent when my contract ends on June 30, 2022.
It truly has been a fantastic opportunity for me and a highlight of my educational career to work with the amazing people in ASD. Thank you all for welcoming me into your schools, classrooms, and offices! My best days have been spent in schools where I have said often, the “gemba” happens. Gemba is a Japanese word for “where the work happens” or “where the value is added.” Schools should be a district’s gemba as that is where the real work and value are added to our mission with children.
I look to finish my term strong and work with our School Board for a smooth transition to a new superintendent. My future plans include spending more time in my role as “grandma” to my grandson, Clay. I also aspire to continue advocacy work for early literacy in our state.
We will end this month with a nice break to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday and spend time with friends and family. I am grateful for each of you as we work together to educate all students for success in life.
Cheers,
Deena Bishop, Ed.D.
Superintendent
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Dr. Bishop guides a Tudor Elementary School student through an online assignment on Nov. 4, 2021. (Robert DeBerry/ASD)
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November is Alaska Native and American Indian Heritage Month
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Celebrate with ASD and ASD Title VI Indian Education throughout November as we honor and share stories about the history, traditions, and culture of our Indigenous people for Alaska Native and American Indian Heritage Month!
Follow us all November long as we share more engaging family activities that brings awareness to and celebrates Alaska's first peoples.
Since 1990, November has been declared as Alaska Native American Indian Heritage Month to celebrate and recognize the many contributions made by Native people in the United States—Alaska Natives, American Indians, and Native Hawaiians—along with other Indigenous peoples in our country and across the globe.
Out of the 574 federally recognized Native tribes in the United States, 231 of those are in Alaska. It is important to also acknowledge the many tribes that are not federally recognized.
Pictured below, ASD's Title VI Indian Education Cultural Enrichment Specialist, Cheryl Sherman, helps Wendler Middle School students kick off Alaska Native American Indian Heritage month with fry bread. Honor Roll students helped prepare the the fry bread for the students to try at lunch time. Before passing out the samples Cheryl talked about the origins of fry bread and its relationship to Native people.
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Superintendent Dr. Deena Bishop to Retire June 30, 2022
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The Anchorage School Board announced today that the Anchorage School District superintendent, Dr. Deena Bishop, will officially retire as superintendent, effective June 30, 2022.
In her letter to the School Board, Dr. Bishop said it has been an honor to serve the Anchorage School District (ASD) and wants to thank the community for being present and sharing priorities for its school district in the creation of the Board’s new goals and guardrails.
“After much reflection, I’ve made the decision to complete my term as the Anchorage School District superintendent. From the most tragic times as evidenced by the 7.1 earthquake in 2018 to the continuing global pandemic, our community has overcome obstacles, learned, and grown,” Bishop said.
“The spotlight I would like to shine is the heightened conversations on ASD’s strong focus on students’ academic achievement in literacy. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve our community in the capacity of superintendent and look to work with the Anchorage School Board in transitioning to new leadership. The Anchorage School District has many talented and committed employees with whom I enjoy serving.”
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November COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics at ASD
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The Pfizer-BIONTECH'S COVID-19 vaccine is now available at the ASD clinic for 5 years and older.
This is a walk-in clinic located at the ASD Education Center, 5530 E. Northern Lights Blvd., Anchorage, AK 99504.
Pre-registration is strongly recommended. More information and the link to pre-register is available on the ASD website.
The Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine will also be offered for those interested in receiving their first, second, or booster shot.
Saturday drive-through clinics will be available at the following sites:
- Chugiak High School, Saturday, Nov. 6, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Service High School, Saturday, Nov. 13, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School, Saturday, Nov. 20, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Same Day Testing Expands to all ASD Schools
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COVID-19 testing for symptomatic and close contact students and staff is now available in all ASD schools.
Through a partnership with Beechtree Diagnostics, RT-PCR testing may be done with parental consent. The parent/guardian registers with Beechtree, then chooses how they would like to receive test results, either by text or email. The school nurse will also be alerted; test results are typically available that evening.
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Some Suspended Bus Routes May Continue
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The ASD Transportation Department is preparing two additional cohorts of suspended bus routes in the event staffing shortages continue. If needed, a fifth and sixth cohort will be implemented, with Cohort 5 suspended Nov. 22 through Dec. 10 and Cohort 6 suspended Dec. 13 through January 7. This advance notice is intended to allow time for families to plan and prepare for this temporary suspension.
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Questions to ask Before Sending Students to School
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The ASD Health Services Department has updated its Health Screening Guidelines to assist families who have questions on what to do if their student is feeling unwell, or when a student who has been sick can return to school.
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It's Official: East High Becomes Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School
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Black Caucus President Celeste Hodge Growden and Bettye Davis East High School Principal Ron Brown cut the ribbon to officially name Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School after Bettye Jean Davis, the first African American State Senator. (Robert DeBerry/ASD)
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In a ceremony that took place on Oct. 23, community members gathered to honor the late Bettye Davis and celebrate the renaming of East Anchorage High School to Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School. The celebration occurred through a partnership between the Anchorage School District and the Alaska Black Caucus.
Last fall the Anchorage School Board voted unanimously to rename the school after Davis, who began her long political career when she was elected to the Anchorage School Board from 1982 to 1990 – serving two years as Board president. She continued her School Board service from 2013 to 2018. Davis was a champion for children, tirelessly working for equity of outcomes for all students.
Davis became the first elected African-American woman to serve in the Alaska State House of Representatives from 1990 to 1996, and in 2000, Davis became the first African-American ever to be elected to the Alaska State Senate. Davis served on many local and national councils, task forces, and boards. She received countless awards for her service and dedication to Alaska and our community.
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Community Joins Gruening Middle School Staff and Students for Grand Opening
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The newly renovated Gruening Middle School in Eagle River opened to students and the community during a ribbon cutting event and open house Thursday, Oct. 14.
Gruening Middle School Principal Bobby Jefts, Anchorage School District Superintendent Dr. Deena Bishop, and Governor Mike Dunleavy spoke to the crowd gathered outside the school before the ribbon cutting ceremony.
The school was damaged during the November 2018 earthquake and students attended Chugiak High School for classes from the time following the earthquake until the start of the 2021 school year.
Gruening Middle School opened its doors to community members for a tour after the ribbon cutting. The total cost of the project was $39.3 million and included some seismic upgrades. Gruening is home to about 600 seventh and eighth grade students.
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Creekside Elementary School Receives $5,000 Donation from New Burlington Store
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Burlington Stores, through its partnership with the national non-profit organization, AdoptAClassroom.org, has donated $5,000 towards school supplies to Anchorage School District’s Creekside Elementary School in celebration of its new store now open in Anchorage at 1200 N. Muldoon Road, Suite E-2. A representative from AdoptAClassroom.org contacted school administrators and helped to secure the donation for Creekside Elementary School, which will provide new supplies for each teacher’s classroom.
According to Principal David Christal, the teachers will use the funds on a number of new classroom items that will most benefit their students.
“On behalf of the Creekside Elementary School, I would like to welcome our new local Burlington store and thank them and AdoptAClassroom.org for their generous donation to our school,” said Christal. "We are thankful for the support we received from Burlington and AdoptAClassroom.org.”
Burlington is committed to supporting education through its partnership with AdoptAClassroom.org. Each time Burlington opens a new store, Burlington celebrates by adopting and funding a local elementary school in their store community.
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November COVID-19 Testing Walk-Up Sites
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ASD will continue to work with Beacon to provide walk-up COVID-19 testing.
What: ASD is working with Beacon OHSS to provide COVID testing to the ASD community.
Who: Testing is available to symptomatic and close contact, staff, students, and household members.
How: Testing sites are “walk-up” with no appointment needed. Please be prepared to be outside.
When: Testing sites are open Monday–Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where:
- Abbott Loop Elementary
- Chester Valley Elementary
- Chugiak High School
- North Star Elementary
- Russian Jack Elementary
- William Tyson Elementary
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American Education Week is Nov. 15-19
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American Education Week happens the week prior to the week of Thanksgiving. Each day of the week has its own theme, during which the National Education Association celebrates the public school community.
Festivities honor the team of people who work in our nation’s public schools, everyone from the bus driver and classroom teacher to the cafeteria worker and administrative staff, plus countless others.
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National School Lunch Program Free Student Meals to Continue Through End of School Year
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ASD continues its participation in the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option (SSO) until May 19, 2022, the last day of the school year. This program provides first meals at no charge during the 2021-22 school year. Your child will receive a free breakfast and lunch if their school offers both. Those at schools with a lunch-only option will continue receiving a free lunch. A list of schools that provide breakfast can be found at www.asdk12.org/nutrition under the Breakfast Matters Tab.
Families are encouraged to submit applications for meals despite the temporary program extension – as meal applications qualify your child for other important ASD meal programs. All children can be submitted together with one application. Families with children attending Community Eligible Provision (CEP) schools do not need to apply. Submit an application if you have a child attending both an NSLP and CEP school. Applications are accessed at www.schoolcafe.com/anchorage. Please email snadmin@asdk12.org or call 907-348-5145 for questions.
Families also have the option through Parent Connection to add additional funding to your child’s prepaid account for miscellaneous items like chocolate milk, white milk, and alternative milks (where available).
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Nov. 8 to 12 is National School Psychology Week
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National School Psychology Week is November 8 to 12 and offers the opportunity to highlight the important work school psychologists do to help students thrive, both academically and socio-emotionally. In the Anchorage School District, each and every school is directly supported by one of the District’s 47 school psychologists. Depending on the needs of each school site, they can be seen completing evaluations, assisting teams in developing academic and behavioral interventions, supporting the mental health needs of students, consulting with families and teachers, or providing crisis response. Their services are as diverse as the students and families they support.
This year’s theme of “Let’s Get in GEAR” (Grow, Engage, Advocate, Rise) focuses on the work of school psychologists as they help students, families, and staff emerge from the challenges of the past year and half. The theme recognizes that the work of school psychologists is one gear in a system of gears. When one gear moves, the gears connected to it moves as well and by moving together, there is a positive energy built that becomes greater than any single effort.
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Benny Benson Featured in American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Article
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Benny Benson Secondary School was featured in a recent article published on the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) website, written by the AFSP Alaska Statewide Area Director Dustin Morris.
In his article, Morris talks about how more than 100 Benny Benson students and staff participated in More Than Sad, an evidence-based education program that teaches teens to recognize the signs of depression in themselves and others, challenges the stigma surrounding depression, and demystifies the treatment process.
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On Nov. 11 we celebrate Veterans Day. ASD thanks the people who bravely serve our country and community. Our local military members and veterans play a big role in our District, where we educate nearly 5,000 military-connected students and recognize the sacrifice made by military families.
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2021 Apprenticeship Expo to Take Place Tuesday, Nov. 16
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Join the Alaska Works Team in celebrating National Apprenticeship Week with an in-house expo!
Events will take place Tuesday, Nov. 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mountainview Service Center.
Swing by their training center to hear presentations from masters in the industry and learn about local career and training opportunities through hands-on projects, simulators, videos, and more.
Time:
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location:
161 KLEVIN ST STE 204
ANCHORAGE, Alaska 99508
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Hilltop Ski Area Snow Sports Scholarship Application Now Open
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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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Thurs. Nov. 11
State Released Professional Development Day
Tues. Nov. 16
School Board Meeting
Fri. Nov. 19
Rock Your Mocs Day
Thurs. Nov. 25 to 26
Thanksgiving Holiday
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5530 E Northern Lights Blvd.
Anchorage, AK 99504
907-742-4000
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