Anchorage School District - Educating All Students for Success in Life
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A Message From Our Superintendent
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Dear ASD Community,
We are nearly a month into in-person learning and full school days. Let's take a moment to celebrate this mini-victory in our educational journey. Thank you, parents, staff, and students!
I am fortunate to spend time visiting schools and classrooms. Our schools are beehives of activity, as teachers and students are motivated and highly engaged. Our elementary schools have transitioned from the “one room schoolhouse” model that was implemented last year, to more natural communities where student activity, movement, and participation are enjoyed. Our secondary schools are enjoying open campus, assemblies, and the return of sports and activities. Check out this video for a peek inside the first day at Fairview Elementary School, and the collage of images below of day one from schools across our District.
While the District remains focused on its mission, the delta variant brings new waves of uncertainty that we must address. I've recently heard from families desiring a better understanding of the COVID climate in their schools. Our COVID-19 dashboard is updated in real time – tracking the number of active cases across the District, activities affected by a quarantine, and a list of each school site, noting any classrooms that may have transitioned to online learning. Beginning this month, the dashboard will also include the number of active cases per school site, allowing families to monitor conditions within their school communities.
ASD will continue to make the COVID-19 vaccine available to eligible staff and students (with parent/guardian consent) through pop-up vaccine clinics. Also, please stay tuned for details on flu shot clinics we plan to host starting in October.
While we have experienced an exciting start, it takes an incredible amount of resources and energy that's not sustainable with rising COVID numbers. Please do what you can in our community to keep schools open. Get vaccinated, as our youngest people cannot.
As we look ahead to this busy and exciting month, make time to celebrate the victories you have accomplished already this school year. Our schools’ staff deserve huge victory celebrations for a great start!
Cheers,
Deena Bishop, Ed.D.
Superintendent
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COVID-19 Vaccination Sites Open This Month
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Starting this month, the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will be available to ASD staff, students, and families at the following locations:
Abbott Loop Elementary
every Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
North Star Elementary
every Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Clinics will be drive-up, walk-up, or appointment based.
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COVID-19 Testing Sites for ASD Staff and Students
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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.
Why: ASD wants a safe and healthy school environment for children.
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Introducing ASD Flex: Custom Design an Education Program That Works for You
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ASD Flex enables students to combine both in-person and online learning to create schedules that are flexible, explore new abilities and interests, and offer new levels of opportunity for the upcoming school year.
From family-driven homeschool learning to individual learning plans with online and in-person support, ASD Flex allows families to rethink how their students do school.
Elementary and middle school ASD Flex opportunities
- In-Person full time: On-site classroom environment at various locations
- ASD Virtual: Allows for student-driven online learning with remote teacher support
- ASD Charter Homeschool: Family-driven learning with multiple learning environments
- PAIDEIA Custom Design: Customizing students’ educational plans for their success. A homeschool correspondence with online and in-person options driven by individual learning plans.
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High school ASD Flex opportunities
ASD Flex enables students to combine both in-person and online learning to create schedules that are flexible, explore new abilities and interests, and offer new levels of opportunity for the upcoming school year.
From family-driven homeschool learning to individual learning plans with online and in-person support, ASD Flex allows families to rethink how their students do school.
Custom design an education program that works for you.
- In-person full time: On-site classroom environment at various locations
- In-person/Online part time: on-site classroom with online learning at various locations including cyber centers
- PAIDEIA Custom Design: Homeschool correspondence with online and in-person options driven by individual learning plans
- ASD Virtual: Student-driven online learning with remote teacher support
- ASD Charter homeschool: Family-driven learning with multiple learning environments
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COVID-19 Summary Dashboard: View Real Time Information Regarding Your District and School
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The ASD COVID-19 dashboard is updated in real time – tracking the number of active cases across the District, activities affected by a quarantine, and a list of each school site, noting any classrooms that may have transitioned to online learning. Beginning this month, the dashboard will also include the number of active cases per school site, allowing families to monitor conditions within their school communities.
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Feeling Unwell? Understand When to Stay Home and When to Return to School
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Should they stay or should they go? The flier below outlines everything you need to know if your student is feeling unwell, when to stay home from school, plus details on when to return to in-person instruction. Please download, review, and save for your reference!
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#ASDAllAccess Contest Winner is...
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On August 19, the Dimond High School student body rocked out to the Grammy-winning band, Portugal. The Man, thanks to Dimond High School Student Government and their winning video entry in the Anchorage School District’s back to school social media contest.
ASD sanctioned clubs, groups, and sports teams were asked to share the things they loved and missed most about school in a 60 second video posted to social media using the hashtag #ASDAllAccess and #AKStateFair and tagging @ASD @PortugaltheMan @AlaskaStateFair.
The winning entry received $5,000, tickets to see Portugal. The Man, and tickets to the Alaska State Fair. The first 40 entries received $500 plus tickets to the concert and fair.
As a bonus surprise to Dimond High School for having the most submissions and the winning team, Portugal. The Man performed a private concert and the entire student body received tickets to see the band perform at the fair on August 20.
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ASD Career Tech Teacher Selected as Finalist for 2021 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools National Award
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Congratulations to Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School Career Tech Teacher Adam Wood! Adam was recently selected as one of 61 finalists for the 2021 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence, which honors excellent teaching in skilled trades education in U.S. public high schools. Mr. Wood is now in the running for one of 18 prizes totaling more than $1 million, which will be awarded in October 2021.
Please join us in recognizing and celebrating Mr. Wood, his relevant and dynamic teaching, and the talented students who benefit from it.
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Temporary Suspension of Select Bus Routes Now in Effect
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The Anchorage School District Student Transportation division enacted a temporary suspension of bus service for designated routes. This action is necessary due to a shortage of bus drivers resulting from driver attrition and the impacts of COVID-19 on the Transportation staff.
The Administration aspires to resume normal service as soon as possible but is presently unable to determine the duration of this program.
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PEAKS Spring 2021 Results Available
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PEAKS (Performance Evaluation for Alaska’s Schools) is a computer-based assessment administered to students in grades 3-9 (English language arts and mathematics) and grades 5, 8, and 10 (science) each spring during the state designated testing window.
This state-required assessment provides students the opportunity to show their understanding of important skills in these content areas at their grade level.
Individual student results will be made live on September 24. All PEAKS and Alternate Assessment results will be posted electronically to Parent Connect.
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Kids' Chance Scholarship Opportunity Now Open
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Serious workplace injuries can have a life-shattering impact on the children of seriously or fatally injured workers. Oftentimes, thinking about the future is put off and the opportunity for higher education can be well out of reach.
That’s where Kids’ Chance can help. The Planning for the Future initiative is designed to identify potential scholarship applicants, even those who are not yet of college age. Kids' Chance collects and maintains the student’s contact information so it can reach out when the time comes to consider options for higher education. It then connects these students to the appropriate Kids’ Chance state organization to begin the scholarship application process.
Kids' Chance is here to help your child achieve their educational dreams and succeed in creating a bright and productive future.
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Save the Date for Incoming Kindergarten Student Preparation Events
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The year before kindergarten is important in helping your child feel ready and confident in starting school. The upcoming ASD Countdown to Kindergarten events are meant to help support your family during this transition. In-person and virtual events are planned for the month of September and October:
Sept. 11
Eagle River Library
In-Person, 11 a.m.
Sept. 22
6:30 p.m.
Oct. 2
Muldoon Library
In-Person, 11 a.m.
Oct. 20
6:30 p.m.
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2021 Young People of Achievement Awards Application Period Open
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The Young People of Achievement Awards recognize Alaskan youth, ages 16 to 18, who have overcome major obstacles in their lives, and who have made efforts toward fulfilling the mission of the YWCA: to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
Nomination Criteria:
The nominee must:
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Be 16-18 years of age;
- Live in the state of Alaska;
- Have faced one or more major obstacles in their life;
- Have made efforts fulfilling the YWCA’s mission of eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
Application packets must be complete and submitted via email, delivered, or received in the mail by 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021.
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Join Girl Scouts for Free!
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While you still have the option of becoming a new member by purchasing an annual membership, the hope is that you’ll allow Girl Scouts of Alaska to make the purchase on your behalf this year. Just select the financial aid box on the registration form. Questions? Email [email protected] or call 907-248-2250.
Girls can register individually, or join a troop.
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Advance Child Tax Credit Made Possible by the American Rescue Plan
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The Child Tax Credit in the American Rescue Plan provides the largest Child Tax Credit ever and historic relief to the most working families ever – and as of July 15, most families are automatically receiving monthly payments of $250 or $300 per child without having to take any action. The Child Tax Credit will help all families succeed.
The American Rescue Plan increased the Child Tax Credit from $2,000 per child to $3,000 per child for children over the age of six and from $2,000 to $3,600 for children under the age of six, and raised the age limit from 16 to 17. All working families will get the full credit if they make up to $150,000 for a couple or $112,500 for a family with a single parent (also called Head of Household).
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Get Excited for the Red, White and Blue, a National Anthem Singing Contest for Youth in Grades K-12
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Spread patriotism through song! Youth in grades K-12 are encouraged to enter the VFW Auxiliary national anthem singing contest, Get Excited for the Red, White and Blue! Contestants may sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” in the arrangement and genre of their choice: rock, pop, reggae, R&B, hip-hop, country, classical, and other genres are accepted. However, they can’t change the words! The contest consists of two grade divisions: K-8 and 9-12 with one national winner in each grade division receiving a $500 prize. Entries are due to a local VFW Auxiliary by March 31, 2022.
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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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Sat. Sept. 11
Countdown to Kindergarten
Sat. Sept. 18
IT Prevention Network Maintenance Schedule for 2021-2022
Wed. Sept 22
Countdown to Kindergarten (Zoom)
Sat. Oct 2
Countdown to Kindergarten
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5530 E Northern Lights Blvd.
Anchorage, AK 99504
907-742-4000
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