Anchorage School District Families and Community Members,

This month brings a wave of big changes, but first, I’d like to recognize that November is a month of thankfulness. 

I extend my heartfelt thanks to all veterans, including those in our District. Monday, November 11 is Veterans Day. Your contributions to our students and our nation are deeply valued, and we are grateful for your service. 

This month, ASD is pleased to recognize Alaska Native/Native American Heritage Month. One way we recognize this month is by giving thanks for the generous collaboration of the Native Village of Eklutna with ASD to help establish the Chin’an employee recognition program and also the ASD Land Acknowledgement. Read on in this newsletter for more information on these efforts and additional opportunities to celebrate Alaska Native/Native American Heritage Month.

November also brings change as we move forward with the Rightsizing ASD initiative, which is a proposal to close, consolidate, or repurpose a number of schools to increase the levels of academic service for our students.

I want to acknowledge the concerns and emotions this process may bring, particularly to the families and staff directly impacted. Schools in Anchorage hold immense value—not only as places of learning, but also as hubs of connection for families, staff, and students.

In the coming weeks, we will host several Community Conversation events to give you the opportunity to learn more and ask questions. My priority is to listen to your thoughts, questions, and ideas to truly understand what is on your hearts and minds as we continue this process.

Your input is invaluable, and I hope these conversations provide clarity and support during this time. 

I am thankful for the continued efforts of our staff, students, and families to prioritize the education of our students.

The changes we have faced together this school year would not be possible without your trust, engagement, and commitment to educate all students for success in life.

With gratitude, 

Dr. Jharrett Bryantt

Superintendent, Anchorage School District

Last week, the District shared a list of schools recommended for closure, consolidation and repurposing as part of the Rightsizing ASD effort.

See the recommendation here.

If approved by the Anchorage School Board, these recommendations will be phased in over the next three years.

Our schools play a vital role in our communities. In many instances, our schools are the anchors of our neighborhoods. However, we have reached a point where tough decisions are necessary to ensure we continue providing a high-quality education that prepares students for college, career and life.

The Anchorage community is changing. We’re operating with far fewer students in the same physical capacity we’ve had in decades and we’re doing it with uncertain education funding.

We started this Rightsizing process with community feedback, gathering lessons learned from when Abbott Loop closed and incorporating community survey input into the District’s school evaluation metrics.

We encourage you to stay involved throughout this process and join an upcoming Community Conversation where District administrators will discuss the recommendation and answer questions.

Important dates

Nov. 4 - At Monday’s School Board work session, the District administration provided insight into the development of the recommendation and how the schools were chosen.

Nov. 12-18 – Community Conversations will be held, and all parents, community members, and staff are welcome to attend.

Dec. 3 – The School Board will consider the recommendation as a non-action item.

Dec. 17 – The School Board is expected to vote on the plan.

You can stay informed about the Rightsizing ASD efforts through our dedicated webpage.

ASD Administrators recently presented to the Anchorage School Board a proposed 7-period high school daily bell schedule in the 2025-26 school year, calling it an essential component of the Academies of Anchorage master plan. 

The administration also shared results of a recent survey that polled the community on two proposed options: a 7-period and 8-period schedule.

The survey was open for two weeks and translated in seven languages.

A tactic team was responsible for gathering, organizing, and presenting findings for 3,500 participants, with the survey showing a preference for a 7-period schedule among all stakeholders.

Presenters also addressed why the survey did not seek input on a 6-period day, as it would be confusing and disingenuous to seek information on an option that does not meet the goals of the Academies of Anchorage Master Plan. 

The presentation addressed benefits of an adjusted 7-Period high school bell schedule including:

• Increased credit opportunities

• Expanded career and technical education (CTE) access

• Embedded teacher collaboration time

• Supports an increase in graduation rates and access to post-secondary education

• On par with other large urban high schools

Emphasis was also placed on ASD’s post-secondary enrollment data, which shows that 42% of high school graduates enroll in college, university, and vocational schools. This means that approximately 58% of ASD high school graduates are seeking employment immediately following graduation. The proposed schedule change will provide a structure to help ensure that all students receive an education that prepares them for the pathway ahead, whether they are pursuing post-secondary education or meaningful employment. It is worth noting that ASD students who are CTE Concentrators (completing 2 or more CTE courses in a pathway) attend post-secondary institutions at a rate of 78%, considerably higher than the District average. 

The estimated cost to adopt the 7-period schedule would be approximately $5M and would require 40 additional teachers.

Next steps include budget adoption, the tactic team resuming work on actual bell schedule selection, ie., skinny v. advisory, course sign-ups, staffing, and professional development to support shifts.

You can view the entire presentation from the Academies of Anchorage proposed bell schedule change here.

You can watch the entire presentation here.

The District will present its Pro Forma Budget to the School Board during the December 3 work session.

The Pro Forma outlines expected revenue for FY26 (school year 2025-2026) based on:

• Funding currently in State Statute;

• The cost to provide services this year, with inflationary and contractual adjustments; and

• The resulting budget gap that will need to be closed to balance the budget.

A second work session will take place for the School Board to provide the Administration additional input and chart a path forward, with final guidance for budget development to be solidified during the December 17 Board Meeting.

Set expectations now

A new school year is like a fresh start - it’s a good time to create new habits and set expectations. Your family can do the same when it comes to attendance. Regular attendance is often linked with students who are more engaged, have better academic outcomes, and develop positive habits that last a lifetime. 

Every day in class builds on the previous one. When students miss days they have to work extra to stay on track with their learning. Missing too many days, even in the early weeks, can make it harder to catch up and may lead to gaps in learning. 

Set the expectation in your home now about the importance of attending every school day to create habits that will last through the school year.

When should I keep my child home?

Back to school time is often tied to cooler temperatures and a time when illnesses become more common. While we want to see your child at school every day, if they’re sick, it’s better to keep them at home. Not sure what to do?

Check out this guidance when your child has a fever, rash, earache, or other minor illness.

Celebrating Alaska Native/Native American Heritage Month!

We recognize and honor the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Native peoples in the United States.

It serves as an opportunity to learn about the diverse traditions of Alaska Natives and American Indians.

Through collaboration with the Native Village of Eklutna, ASD has officially relaunched its staff recognition program as the Chin'an employee recognition program and updated its Land Acknowledgment.

These updates are intended to honor and recognize Indigenous people and Indigenous ways of knowing. It is a privilege to learn from and collaborate with the Eklutna Dena’ina. 

Bartlett High School celebrated a special surprise send-off basketball game for 11th Grader Dominique Caradine, who is a true basketball fan, as he prepares for his Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington trip to Walt Disney World 🏀

Both boys and girls basketball players, along with the Bartlett High School Football Cheer Squad, the Bartlett Band, and about 300 students and staff in the crowd joined to make this moment unforgettable. 

We’re so excited for Dominique and wish him a magical adventure in Disney!

Check out the new podcast, ASD Shine Bright, which highlights the awesome things students and staff are doing in the Anchorage School District.

Listen to amazing stories, journeys, challenges, and successes.

Check out the latest episodes below:

Mountain View Elementary - Nayelis Sosa

In this segment of Teaching Today, we visit with Nayelis Sosa, who is a Paraprofessional and English Tutor at Mountain View Elementary. 

Check out how she helps students who are learning English to be more successful in school. 

Important November Dates

November 11th

Student Release Day/Professional Development Day

Students Do Not Attend Class

November 28th & 29th

Thanksgiving Holiday

How is the decision made to close or delay school?

School officials consult several sources to determine weather and road conditions. They advise the superintendent, who makes the final decision to delay school starting times or close school. Read the District’s Emergency School Closure Procedures for more details.

When is the decision made to close school?

The superintendent makes the final decision for a change in normal operations on inclement weather days, with public notification by 5:30 a.m. Exceptions may occur on days when weather or road conditions change rapidly during the morning hours.

When will snow be cleared from schools?

School parking and driveway areas are cleared with the following priority:

• Faculty and public parking, including fire hydrants at schools without internal sprinkler systems and primary fire lanes.
• Bus lanes
• Handicap parking
• Student parking
• Secondary fire lanes
• Snow removal and hauling to dump sites
• Skating rinks and cross country ski trail assembly areas 

Following a snowstorm, student parking areas might not be plowed by the start of the school day. Students who normally drive to school should consider taking the bus or carpooling until student parking areas are cleared.

Will after-school activities be canceled?

On days when school is in session but conditions deteriorate over the course of the day, a decision about whether to continue after-school activities is usually made by 12 p.m. at the district level. That information is shared through the same communication channels that we make closure announcements.

However, schools may also make local decisions about activities at their school, so it's always a good idea to stay tuned for announcements throughout the afternoon.

Can I keep my child at home?

Parents are encouraged to use their judgment to determine what is best for their children. Parents and guardians should notify their children’s school of the excused absence.

What factors are considered in deciding to close schools?

Safety of students and staff is the number one priority when the decision is made about whether to close schools. The superintendent must also weigh the effects a potential closure may have on the community. For example:

• Many parents must find immediate child care or stay home from work for the day. In turn, the workforce across the municipality may be drastically reduced.

• The District has a limited number of snow days available for use before it is forced to add days to the school calendar.

• A closure may affect the critical, high-stakes testing and assessment calendar set by the State.

• Many students close to graduation need credit hours and lessons completed to earn a diploma. A closure may have a negative impact on their efforts.

Why didn't I get a phone call about the closure?

When closures are limited to a single school or a small region, we use our Electronic Communication "robocall" system to call affected families and notify them about the closure. When all schools are closed, we use our regular communication tools for school closures and can get the word out quickly – the website, social media, and local television and radio stations. We do not use the "robocall" system for district-wide closures because there simply isn't enough time in the morning for our system to make it through the thousands of calls needed to reach everyone. Parents should keep an eye on those sources whenever they hear about poor weather conditions being forecast.

Is school closed or delayed today?



• Closures and delays are posted on the ASD homepage.
• The absence of a notice indicates there are no delays or closures.
• Other outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, the ASD app, email, SMS messaging to radio will also post closure information. 

When the weather outside is frightful, the ASD mobile app puts the information you need in the palm of your hand.

Our free app is available to anyone in our community who wants to stay connected, with additional features for current ASD families and students.

Download the app today to be sure you get the latest updates, including inclement weather alerts.

In recognition of National Injury Prevention Day on November 18, ASD is highlighting its partnership with Be SMART for Kids to encourage families to practice secure firearm storage, meaning storing guns unloaded, locked, and where possible, separate from ammunition.

According to the CDC, firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens (ages 1-19) in Alaska and nationwide.

Together, we can protect our kids and loved ones by using these “SMART” steps:

• Secure all guns in your home and vehicles

• Model responsible behavior around guns

• Ask about the presence of unsecured guns in other homes your child visits Recognize the role of guns in suicide

• Tell your peers to “Be SMART”

Learn about Be SMART to keep our ASD community safe at BeSMARTforkids.org.

The Anchorage School District (ASD) is dedicated to providing a safe and civil learning environment. In collaboration with the Anchorage School Board, we’ve been working on ways to make it easier for students, parents, guardians, and staff members to be informed of all available options for reporting concerns of harassment, intimidation, and bullying, including an option to report concerns anonymously. These behaviors disrupt a student's ability to learn and a school's ability to educate. 

Did you know?

If a student experiences, or another person observes, a student being harassed, intimidated, or bullied, they should report it to their school administrator or through STOPit anonymous reporting.

More information may be found on the Reporting Concerns website.

For additional information, please also see BP 5131.43 Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying. 

#ASDShineBright: Russian Jack Elementary Attendance Parade

#ASDShineBright: ASD Tennis Represents in State

Congratulations to the West Anchorage High School Eagles on becoming the 2024 ASAA First National Bank Alaska Tennis State Champions! 🦅🏅

A big shoutout to the Chugiak High School Mustangs, State runners-up, as well as the Eagle River High School Wolves, who took home the Sportsmanship Team Award, and the Robert Service High School Cougars, who won the Academic Team Award! 👏

Amazing performances from all who competed—way to represent! 🎾💪

#ASDShineBright - Mears Middle School Celebrates Indigenous Peoples' Day

#ASDShineBright: ASD Celebrates National School Lunch Week

#ASDShineBright: College Gate Elementary Yup'ik Immersion Dancers Shine at AFN Convention

Our Yup'ik Immersion dancers had the incredible opportunity to perform at the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) Convention at the Dena'ina Center in Anchorage. 

This year’s theme, "Our Children - Our Future Ancestors," resonated deeply with our mission and values.

Accompanied by Principal Darrell Berntsen, Yup'ik Immersion teacher Ms. Tunuchuk, and English partner teacher Ms. Wooten, our students showcased a series of traditional dances and powerful drumming that celebrated the rich stories and lifeways of the Yup'ik people.

This performance was not just a display of talent—it was a testament to the importance of the ASD Yup'ik Immersion Program, which enriches the lives of our students and their families through cultural education. 

Moments like these reinforce the value of preserving linguistic and cultural heritage.

Huge thanks to our dedicated teachers and staff for their unwavering support!

#ASDShineBright: Service Flag Football Represents in State Tournament

Huge congratulations to the Service High Flag Football Cougars, your 2024 ASAA First National Bowl Flag Football State Runner-up! 

Your hard work, determination, and team spirit have made the entire community proud.

#ASDShineBright: Chugiak & Susitna Elementary Students Make Ornaments For U.S. Capitol Tree

#ASDShineBright: Principal Appreciation Month

#ASDShineBright: Dimond Lynx Take State Football Crown & Undefeated Season

The Dimond High School Football Lynx faced off against the West Eagles in an unforgettable matchup, with Dimond taking the victory 14-7 and finishing an undefeated season!

Congratulations to the Dimond Lynx, your 2024 ASAA First National Bowl DI Football State Champions 🏆

#ASDShineBright: Two ASD World Language Teachers Receive Statewide Recognition at Recent AFLA Conference

Two ASD teachers were recognized for their amazing work at the 2024 statewide World Language Teacher’s Conference, Alaskans for Language Acquisition (AFLA), which took place at Palmer High School Oct 24-27. 

South Anchorage HS German Teacher - Dr. Elizabeth Dick

Dr. Elizabeth Dick, German teacher at South Anchorage High School, received the Jo Sanders Passion & Energy in Teaching Award.

Turnagain Elementary 4th & 5th Grade Russian Immersion Teacher - Olga Pustina

Olga Pustina, 4th and 5th grade Russian Immersion teacher at Turnagain Elementary School, received the Terry Higley K-12 World Language Teacher of the Year award.

Olga will represent Alaska within the Pacific Northwest Council for Languages (PNCFL), which includes AK, WA, OR, ID, MT, and WY, and will compete for the regional award.

If she wins, she will be one of five national finalists for the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Teacher of the Year award in 2025.

#ASDShineBright: Frontier Charter School voted Gold Award in the 2024 Best of Alaska competition, Homeschool Category

#ASDShineBright: Girdwood K-8 Students Having Some Fun at Open House

#ASDShineBright: Rilke Schule Celebrates Oktoberfest

Students at Rilke Schule German School of Arts and Sciences embraced the Oktoberfest spirit with a series of festive events! 

They enjoyed dress-up days, a cozy Kinoabend (movie night), and capped it all off with a family-friendly Oktoberfest meal at West Berlin restaurant. 

Prost (Cheers!) to fun traditions and cultural celebrations! 🍂🇩🇪

#ASDShineBright: ASD Choir Students Perform In "Men Can Sing" Workshop & Midnight Sons Chorus Concert

Fifty high school guys gathered at East Anchorage High School for the annual ‘Men Can Sing’ workshop, hosted by East Anchorage High School Choir Teacher Melissa Fischer. 

🎶 Tenors and basses from West Anchorage HS Choir, East, Service, South, Dimond, and Goldenview came together to learn and perform barbershop quartets ‘Hooked on a Feeling’ and ‘Silhouettes,’ guided by Eddie Martinez from the Vocal Majority. 

They capped it off with an impressive performance at the Midnight Sons A Cappella Chorus concert! 

#ASDShineBright: Kincaid In Motion

Kincaid Elementary School understands that kids need to move throughout the school day.  

To give students the physical breaks necessary to keep learning strong, Kincaid installed interactive sensory floors and added a classroom motor lab.  

The sensory floors are available to all students throughout the school day.  

The motor lab is designed for a 10-minute, whole class or small group, movement break.  

Both require body control that helps students focus on instruction when they return to class. 

#ASDShineBright: Tyson Elementary Student Council Elections

Tyson Elementary School students recently held their student council elections, complete with speeches, campaigns, and a Voting Day🐦‍⬛🇺🇸

Future leaders in action, showing school pride and learning the importance of civic engagement. 

#ASDShineBright: ASD Students Selected 2025 Coca-Cola Scholar Semifinalists

Congratulations to four of our ASD students who were recently selected as 2025 Coca-Cola Scholar Semifinalists!

Natalie Hodge - Robert Service High School

Anna Kardashyan - South Anchorage High School

Joshua Pak - Polaris K-12 School

Sung Yoon - Bartlett High School

Natalie, Anna, Joshua, and Sung were part of the 1,336 students who were among the 1.27% selected from over 105,000 applicants across the country based on their academic excellence, leadership, and service demonstrated in school and community activities. 

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.