Dear ASD Families, Staff, and Community,

This month’s newsletter is all about safety, preparedness, and wellness – topics that touch on many aspects of school and community life as we head into the colder months. 

With winter quickly approaching, our team is pursuing options to lease three front-end loaders and two graders to support our aging fleet of heavy machinery. These and other measures will strengthen our preparedness for the winter season.

We also encourage families to prepare for the possibility of remote learning during inclement weather. While we understand this could present challenges, remote learning remains an important tool to maintain continuity of learning when severe conditions prevent in-person attendance. 

On the topic of preparedness, we want to call attention to several upcoming calendar events which affect the school day: 

• October 14, Indigenous Peoples Day - no school

• October 23 and 24 parent/teacher conference days; 

Elementary students will be dismissed at 11:30 a.m. 

Middle school students will be dismissed at 1:00 p.m. 

• October 18, student release grading day 

• October 25, student release staff professional development day

• November 5, election day, remote learning day for students

As we enter the cold and flu season, we’ll have details coming soon about flu vaccine clinics that will be available throughout the District. You can find information on the Healthcare Services webpage on “How sick is too sick?” and guidelines for when to keep your child home.

We remain committed to student safety and well-being. The Anchorage School District strives to provide a safe and respectful learning environment. The STOPit app allows for easy reporting of incidents involving harassment, intimidation, and bullying, with the option for anonymous submissions. More information can be found on our Reporting Concerns webpage.

Lastly, I’d like to end on a high note: three of our schools— Alpenglow Elementary School, Aquarian Charter School, and Northern Lights ABC School—have been recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools! This is a tremendous honor, and I couldn’t be more proud of the students, staff, and families who have worked hard to achieve this distinction.

Thank you for staying engaged and for helping keep our schools safe and welcoming for all.

Sincerely,

Jharrett Bryantt, Ed.D.

Superintendent, Anchorage School District

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. 

Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) is held each October as a way to unite advocates across the nation in their efforts to end domestic violence.

Congratulations to Alpenglow Elementary, Aquarian Charter, and Northern Lights ABC schools for being recognized as a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education.

This year, all of the Alaska 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools came from ASD.

This prestigious recognition highlights schools that excel in academic performance or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps among different student groups.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with pride!

Meet Ernestina Liranzo, our amazing 5th Grade Spanish Partner Teacher at Government Hill Elementary.

Through the Spanish Immersion program, she shares her rich culture, traditions, and language with students.

Thank you, Mrs. Liranzo, for helping students #ShineBright and for sharing the beauty of Hispanic heritage with us all.

Meet Government Hill Elementary 3rd Grader Alex, who is part of the Spanish Immersion Program and teaches us some Spanish. 

As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, in this episode of ASD Shine Bright, we talk with Anchorage School Board Member Dora Wilson about her Hispanic culture and how it has helped shape her leadership in her career and from within the Anchorage School District.

In this episode of ASD Shine Bright, we talk with Chugiak Elementary School and some students from the Spanish Immersion Program about Hispanic Heritage Month and how they are learning and loving Spanish inside and outside the classroom.

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:

King Tech High School - Early Childhood Education Program

As part of the Teaching Today series, we feature King Tech's Early Childhood Education Program which provides hands-on experience in an amazing preschool classroom.

Watch how students are learning how to apply their skills in a real working environment while also getting the opportunity to earn a Child Development Associate credential before graduating high school.

As part of the ASD Alumni Spotlight Series, we feature Olympian and Chugiak High School Mustang Alev Kelter, who came back to Chugiak to celebrate her bronze medal as part of the Women’s USA Rugby Team.

Check out Alev's inspiring message to Chugiak High School students about her journey to victory and how they can follow their dreams to have success.

As part of the ASD Alumni Spotlight Series we feature the WNBA's Chicago Sky Director of Videography, former Denver Nuggets Videographer, and South Wolverine Taylor Vincek who talks about her education and life lessons at Bowman Elementary, Goldenview Middle School, and South High School that helped shape her passions into an exciting and rewarding career. 

Alaska Airlines Center

May 12th - Service HS - 2:00PM

May 12th - South HS - 6:30PM

May 13th - Eagle River HS - 2:00PM

May 13th - Chugiak HS - 6:30PM

May 14th - Bartlett HS - 2:00PM

May 14th - West Anchorage HS - 6:30PM

May 15th - Dimond HS - 2:00PM

May 15th - Bettye Davis East HS - 6:30PM

May 16th - Alaska Middle College - 2:00PM

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 around 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 and 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.

• October 14 - Indigenous People's Day - NO SCHOOL

• October 18 - End of 1st Quarter - NO SCHOOL

• October 23 & October 24 - Parent Teacher Conferences - EARLY DISMISSAL

• October 25 - Professional Development Day - NO SCHOOL

• November 5 - Election Day - REMOTE LEARNING DAY

Thank you to everyone who submitted feedback on the recent Rightsizing ASD surveys.

The results are under review and will be incorporated into a recommendation that will go to the School Board in early November.

For more information on why ASD is undergoing a process to close, combine, or repurpose buildings, please visit www.asdk12.org/rightsize.

Earlier today, more than 3,000 ninth-graders participated in the Freshman Academy Career Expo. They learned what skills are needed for a variety of jobs and experienced hands on demonstrations from more than 100 businesses and industries. The District appreciates the overwhelming interest from business and industries to participate and help students become college, career, and life ready.

Juniors and seniors will be able to participate in a college and career fair at the Alaska Airlines Center on the UAA campus on Oct. 9. Students, families, and counselors can connect with representatives from colleges, universities, training, and apprenticeship programs, U.S. military, and employers. See this webpage for more information.

Next week, students, parents, and educators will have an opportunity to share thoughts on a proposed adjustment to the high school schedule, shifting from a 6-period schedule to a 7-period or 8-period schedule.

Watch your email or www.asdk12.org/academies for details. The survey will be open October 7-21.

Next week, a letter called an mCLASS Home Connect Report will be shared with elementary families.

It provides insight on reading proficiency levels. Students in grades K-3 who are “well below” proficiency levels will receive an additional letter outlining the next steps we will take together to help improve reading skills. 

For more information on how ASD supports Reading for Life, visit asdk12.org/reading. There, you can also find tips to help young readers at home.

Our Teaching & Learning Department is launching a high school chemistry curriculum review.

Stakeholder input is important to the process of curriculum review.

The public is invited to view and provide feedback on curriculum options prior to final selection.

The ASD Education Center is located at 5530 E Northern Lights Blvd, Anchorage, AK 99504.

This opportunity is open to the general public, so feel free to share the details with other community members.

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.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a time dedicated for the public and private sectors to work together to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity.

Did you know?



The ASD Safe Computing website offers tips and resources for students, families, and staff to be safe as you navigate technology integration in education. 

ASD Safe Computing resource page

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month page

The origin of the Red Ribbon Week traces back to 1985, following the tragic murder of Drug Enforcement Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. This initiative, initiated by NFP, symbolizes a commitment to raising awareness about the devastating impact of drugs in America.

 Red Ribbon Week is observed annually from October 23rd to 31st. Join us in making a difference by getting involved.

To learn more about the contest and the campaign, visit www.RedRibbon.org.

#ASDShineBright: Chugiak High School Cross Country Running

#ASDShineBright: Thank You Damien for 30 Years At ASD

We want to highlight longtime ASD employee Damien Salvo, who began his ASD journey 30 years ago.

His official start date was 9/7/1994.

He has held one position as Auditorium Technician and has seen the district grow and change in the theatre space.

When he started, ASD only had three auditoriums and three technicians to support Chugiak, East, and West High Schools.

The team has grown to six and now supports all auditoriums as well as all large space (MPR/Gym) sound systems and projectors.

We are so fortunate to have him to share historical knowledge and guide new team members.

#ASDShineBright - ACSC Builders Donation

A huge thank you to ACSC Builders who recently donated four trailers of donated lumber that will be used by South, Service, and West high school students for classroom use.



These materials will be used to create some great work-based experiences!

#ASDShineBright: Dimond High School Homecoming 2024

#ASDShineBright: Bartlett High School Homecoming 2024

#ASDShineBright: South High School Homecoming 2024

#ASDShineBright: East High School Homecoming 2024

#ASDShineBright: Steller Secondary School Celebrates 50th Anniversary

#ASDShineBright: Happy National Custodians Day!

We take time to thank and celebrate all of ASD’s hardworking Building Plant Operators (BPOs) who keep our schools clean, safe, and ready for learning each day!

Your dedication behind the scenes ensures our students and staff have a welcoming environment, and we couldn’t do it without you!

Thank you for everything you do to make our schools shine!

#ASDShineBright: American Civic Education Teacher Award Recipient Lem Wheeles

Congratulations to Dimond High School’s own Lem Wheeles, the 2024 high school teacher recipient of the American Civic Education Teacher Award!

Mr. Wheeles, a dedicated educator in AP U.S. History, AP U.S. Government, and U.S. Government, as well as the student government advisor, is making a difference every day at the very school from which he once graduated.

His commitment to civic education and excellence in teaching is truly inspiring.

Thank you for empowering and educating the next generation of leaders!

#ASDShineBright: East vs. Bartlett Annual Boot Game 2024

What an incredible game!!!

The annual “Boot” game lived up to expectations, with the East Anchorage High School Thunderbirds defeating the Bartlett High School Bears 50-48 in six overtimes!

This epic battle, played in memory of East all-state defensive lineman Aanooalii Filoiali, was one for the ages.

#ASDShineBright: Bear Valley Elementary Celebrates 40 Years

Celebrating 40 Years of Bear Valley Elementary School!!!

From 1984 to now, Bear Valley has been a cornerstone of our community, and there’s one person who’s been there every step of the way—Mrs. Cheryl Robinson.

For all 40 years, she’s been a dedicated teacher, volunteer, and building sub.

Even after retiring from full-time teaching, Mrs. Robinson continues to inspire us all with her commitment and passion.

We’re still waiting to hear when she’ll “officially” retire, but for now, we’re just grateful to have her around.

Bear Valley celebrated this milestone in true 80’s fashion, with style, music, and lots of fun!

Here’s to four decades of excellence and many more to come!

#ASDShineBright: Kincaid Elementary Coyote Classic 2024

#ASDShineBright: Alaska State Legislature Recognizes King Tech Principal Kern McGinley

Congrats to King Tech High School & Alaska Middle College School Principal Dr. Kern McGinley, who received a special recognition from the Alaska State Legislature for his work in education.

#ASDShineBright: Girdwood K-8 School Garden

#ASDShineBright: East High Thunderbird Ukulele Group

#ASDShineBright: Orange Shirt Day

#ASDShineBright: Rabbit Creek Elementary Mario Themed Jog-A-Thon 2024

#ASDShineBright: Happy Retirement - Moyce Polanco

After 30 incredible years of dedication, Moyce Polanco is retiring as a Systems Administrator from the Anchorage School District's IT Department!

Moyce has been the backbone of our tech systems, ensuring everything ran smoothly and keeping us connected for three decades. 

His hard work, expertise, and kindness have made a lasting impact on all of us. 

Thank you, Moyce, for your unwavering commitment to the district and for always being there to support the ASD family. 

Wishing you a retirement filled with joy, relaxation, blessings, and all the adventures ahead!

#ASDShineBright: Anchorage STrEaM Academy - Fire Walk STEM Lesson

#ASDShineBright: Tyson Elementary Teams Up With AFD For Operation Warm

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.