Anchorage School District - Educating All Students for Success in Life
Call Us At: 907-742-4000
A message from the Superintendent
ASD Community,

This edition of ASD Connect is devoted mostly to our rotating bus routes plan. I am pleased to share that we are still on track to be fully staffed sometime this fall. It means we could also soon move away from three rotating cohorts to only two. More and more members of our community are applying to be bus drivers. Many tell us it’s because they simply want to help. We can’t thank them enough! We also can’t thank enough the thousands who have signed up as volunteers during this time.

Starting on Monday, September 12th, four more drivers will be added to the routes. We worked out an agreement with our partners at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER). After some additional training with us, members of the 673rd Logistics Readiness Squadron will take over four of the JBER elementary school bus routes. The current JBER bus drivers will then be assigned to new routes on Cohort 2.

While all this is good news, it’s important to know we still need bus driver applicants. Full-time and part-positions are available but the need is greater for full-time positions.

Also starting September 12th is the first of three cohort changes. We switch to Cohort 2 for bus services. Drivers should expect traffic delays in the areas of Bartlett High School, Begich Middle School, Bettye Davis East High School, and Wendler Middle School during the times of 7 a.m.-8:15 a.m. and 1:45 p.m.-3:15 p.m. Please avoid any unnecessary travel in these areas during these times and consider carpooling. If you must go through these neighborhoods, remember to drive slowly and be alert for students crossing the streets. You can learn more via our bus transportation FAQ webpage.

You can read more about our rotating bus routes plan, safety tips, and other ASD topics such as the new budget solutions community survey in this edition of ASD Connect.

Thanks for doing your part to help our students to get to and from school safely.

Best,
Jharrett Bryantt, Ed. D.
Superintendent
Anchorage School District
Bus driver hiring update
The District is accepting applications for bus drivers and bus attendants. Bus attendants ride the bus and assist the bus driver. We are offering new bus drivers up to $2,500 extra and new bus attendants up to $500 extra for the first semester of the 2022-23 school year.

The District currently has 168 bus drivers active on routes and 37 more in training. We are currently interviewing 20 potential candidates. The District is short 60 drivers.

As new drivers continue to onboard, we have followed route reinstatement priorities to add drivers, buses, and student passengers back onto routes. We consider safety, student needs, and efficiency when reinstating routes.

To learn more about becoming a bus driver, click here. Volunteer positions are available as well.
ASD partners with JBER
Thank you JBER!

The District and our partners at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) have solidified an agreement to allow active duty Airmen with the 673rd Logistics Readiness Squadron to transport students who attend school on base for 90 days.

The drivers start on Monday, September 12th and will handle the JBER elementary school bus routes.
Community steps up to driver for ASD
In Photos: Testing, the final phase to becoming a bus driver for ASD
ASD bus driver candidate, Devin Pearson, left, checks the oil as part of his pre-trip inspection and CDL test. ASD Transportation Specialist Dayton Keliikipi makes notes on Pearson's progress. (Robert DeBerry/ASD)
Meet part of our bus driver team!
Meet Manuel Ramos and Rosemarie Imperial, long time bus drivers with the District.

Ramos said working with students is what makes the job most enjoyable. Students share stories about their different cultures and experiences from home. He said sometimes students tell stories about going out with friends or spending time with family.

Ramos has served our ASD community for 15 years and Imperial is going on 14 years.

Imperial said being a bus driver is all about what you make of it. "I like the kids," Imperial said. "On the first day of kindergarten it was great to see them all dressed up. My job is to make them feel safe and comfortable."

We are grateful for our transportation department. Thank you bus drivers for your resiliency and the care you show our families everyday.

Join Team ASD!
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Michael Herzog, an ASD bus driver, speaks with Alaska Public Media about the safety check he goes through each day before beginning his route. (photo courtesy of Mizelle Mayo/Alaska Public Media)
Susan Turner, an ASD bus driver of 16 years, was featured on Alaska's News Source Morning Edition in a segment called "The Early Crew." (video screenshot courtesy of Mike Nederbrock /Alaska's News Source)
Cohort Change coming Monday, September 12th
Be safe and plan ahead
Beginning Monday, September 12th, ASD will switch from Cohort 1 to Cohort 2 for bus transportation services. Drivers should expect traffic delays in the areas of Bartlett High School, Begich Middle School, Bettye Davis East High School, and Wendler Middle School during the times of 7 a.m.-8:15 a.m. and 1:45 p.m.-3:15 p.m. Click here to view a map. Please avoid any unnecessary travel in these areas during these times. If you must travel through the area, remember to drive slowly and be alert for students crossing the streets.
Walk this Way: Tips to arrive at school safely
Whether your student rides the bus, walks to school, or is dropped off, we must all consider commuter safety on our way to and from school. Here are some suggested conversation starters for your family:

  • Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.
  • Look both ways before crossing the street.
  • Dress for Alaska’s unpredictable weather.
  • Remain alert and be aware of your surroundings.
  • Never assume a driver sees you. Make eye contact with drivers as they approach to make sure you are seen.
  • Bring a flashlight or headlamp, reflective gear is important during Alaska’s dark winter months.

Below you'll find additional flyers, safety information, and resources to help keep your student safe.
Stranger danger safety info
Safety is our number one priority at ASD. Below are some suggestions for how to talk to your students about strangers:

  • Stay with a group.
  • Always walk with at least one friend, two or three is even better.
  • If a stranger offers you a ride, say “NO!” and stay far away from their car.
  • If a stranger follows you on foot, get away from him or her as quickly as you can. You can run and yell loudly, “HELP!”
  • If a stranger follows you in a car, turn around and go the other direction.
  • Never leave school with a stranger.
  • Tell a trusted adult if a stranger is hanging around the school, playground, or public bathroom. Leave items and clothing that display your name at home so a stranger cannot read it and use it to talk with you.
  • If you arrive home alone, call your mother, father, or other trusted adult to let them know you are home and all right. Keep the door locked, don’t open the door for strangers, and don’t tell strangers that you are home alone.
  • Never accept things from a stranger.
  • If a stranger asks you a question, don’t talk to them.
  •  Run away.
  • Don’t go anywhere with a stranger.
Student walking conditions inspected for safety by Safe Student Transportation Committee
Safe Student Transportation Committee's mission is to inspect nominated student walking routes to and from school that are considered to be dangerous.

Responsibility of the Safe Student Transportation Committee include:

  1. The Safe Student Transportation Committee shall be responsible for the inspection of all nominated roads, walkways, etc. that are considered to be dangerous for students as they walk to and from school. The nomination may be made by any citizen in the Municipality.
  2. The Committee will review nominated areas using the Profile For Student Walking Conditions (page 5).
  3. Individuals who make requests pertaining to areas where the Committee has no authority (i.e., street lights, traffic signals, signing, flashing lights, etc.) will be provided with information regarding the proper agency to contact.
  4. If the Committee makes a recommendation it will be forwarded to Administration to provide school bus service or an adult crossing guard, which-ever is appropriate, to protect students from the traffic hazards. 
Take the survey and help us find solutions!
The District is seeking your input on solutions to the estimated $68 million budget deficit for FY24.

This is the first of several community surveys.

The September survey is intended to understand general areas to prioritize for potential reductions. Next month, you can expect another survey along with in-person and/or virtual outreach opportunities to provide us with recommendations. The District will continue to update the School Board every two weeks during the budget work sessions. You can view previous budget work sessions on the School Board webpage. The next budget work session is scheduled for September 20th at 4 p.m.
September is Attendance Awareness Month
ASD is proud to share the August average daily attendance was 90.9%. This is slightly better than he August average daily attendance for the 2021-2022 school year of 90.4. Additionally, the District has seen an improvement in the percent of students attending 90% of the time, up 54% to 71.2%.

Thank you to families, employers, schools, the Municipality of Anchorage, and all ASD parters for working to together to get our students to school.

A missed school day is a lost opportunity for students to learn. There is a direct correlation between students who attend school regularly and higher academic achievement levels. Students can miss no more than 17 days of school per year. This may seem like a lot, but it's less than two absences per month.
National Preparedness Month readiness tools
September is National Preparedness Month: Taking time to make a plan and have conversations about preparedness helps our children stay safe and navigate potentially scary situations.
Adult Community Transition Program Helps Young Adults Transition Beyond High School
The Adult Community Transition program (ACT) provides communication, social skills, transportation, recreation/leisure, independent living and vocational skills training in the community. Community-based instruction in these areas provide opportunities for a variety of experiences and activities in order for students to exit the program and the Anchorage School District, having acquired the necessary skills and numerous community connections to ensure a successful and fulfilling life. The ACT program is a post-secondary community based instructional program for adult students (18 to 21 years old) needing additional transitional supports after completing the required core credits at their neighborhood school.
People Mover Youth Connect: Middle and High Schoolers rider for free: Here's how
The People Mover Youth Connect program is a partnership between ASD and the Public Transportation Department that enables middle and high school students to ride People Mover for free by showing their student ID.

Will the bus work for you? Plan your trip with Google Maps. Enter your address and your school name in the directions to see where the bus stops are and what time you need to leave. You can also receive arrival times and bus stop locations via text.
Calling all future kindergarteners! Join ASD for Countdown to Kindergarten events
ASD will be holding a Countdown to Kindergarten event in-person on Thursday, Sept. 15 at 4 p.m. This is a time for family enjoyment and for kids to practice activities and skills that help with kindergarten readiness. Families are invited to join the activities which are both educational and fun. The whole family is welcome.

Space is limited; pre-registration is required. To register, email [email protected]. Once you register, the location will be shared with you.
African American scholarship resource page
Scholarships.com offers a long list of scholarship opportunities for college that are available to African American students. Students and families should start their research now, as deadlines begin as soon as this month. Good luck!
Shine Bright Photo of the month:
Meet PAIDEA science teacher Mr. Bowes
PAIDEIA Cooperative School High School Science teacher Matthew Bowes takes a break from the workshop he is running to point out a collection of science and math T-shirts inside his classroom.

The intent of PAIDEIA is to provide ​families ​and students an opportunity to partner​ with certified teachers to develop a flexible and customized academic experience. The workshop Matthew is leading is designed to incorporate some face-to-face learning in concert with at-home learning.  
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Anchorage School Board
Margo Bellamy, President
Carl Jacobs, Vice President
Kelly Lessens, Treasurer
Dora Wilson, Clerk
Dave Donley
Pat Higgins
Andy Holleman
Upcoming Events
Mon. Sept. 12
Bus cohort 2 begins

Sat. Sept. 17
Constitution Day

Mon. Oct. 3
Bus cohort 3 begins

Fri. Oct. 21
State released professional development day. End of first quarter

Wed. Oct. 26
Parent/teacher conferences
Superintendent
5530 E Northern Lights Blvd.
Anchorage, AK 99504
907-742-4000