ASD Families,

The safety of our students is always our top priority. This year, we introduced new districtwide safety protocols called the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) and the Standard Reunification Method (SRM), developed by The “I Love U Guys” Foundation.

These protocols provide simple, clear steps to follow in the event of an emergency and guide how families are safely reunited with their children.

Our staff and students are trained to use these protocols, and practice them through regular safety drills. In the first few weeks of school, several campuses have already applied the SRP in real situations. Each time, the process worked as designed. Students and staff responded calmly, and everything was handled safely.

Emergencies can be unpredictable, but the SRP ensures that students, staff, and families have a consistent and easy-to-understand way to respond. It uses five plain-language actions, which you will see listed below, with examples of how they are applied in schools.

Your feedback continues to help us strengthen this work. Together, we are building schools that are safe, welcoming, and prepared. Every student deserves to feel secure when they walk into class each day.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jharrett Bryantt

Superintendent, Anchorage School District

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NEW

DISTRICT WIDE SAFETY PROTOCOLS

Safe Storage Saves Lives

Safety is not only about how we respond to emergencies, but also how we prevent risks from reaching our schools in the first place. That is why ASD partners with Be SMART for Kids to promote secure firearm storage: guns unloaded, locked, and, when possible, stored separately from ammunition.

Firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens (ages 1–19) in Alaska and nationwide. Safe storage protects kids, prevents tragedies, and helps keep weapons off our campuses.

Learn more at BeSMARTforkids.org.

Preventing Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying

Safety also depends on how we report concerns. Reporting is simple and can be done anonymously. Harassment, intimidation, and bullying disrupt learning and have no place in our schools.

How to Report

Tell a school administrator

Or use STOPit, ASD’s anonymous reporting tool.

More information is available on our Reporting Concerns website and in Board Policy 5131.43.

As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, meet Ernestina Liranzo, an 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 Shine Bright and for sharing the beauty of Hispanic heritage with us all.

Please check out ASD social media for more Hispanic Heritage Month stories.

Check out our 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 episode below:

Click here to watch the Hispanic Heritage Month Playlist

#ASDSHINEBRIGHT

Tudor Elementary & Healthy Futures Team Up For A Special Surprise

#ASDSHINEBRIGHT

ASD Story Squad Stories

Introducing the ASD Communications Fellows program also known as the ASD Story Squad — empowering young storytellers to share the amazing things happening in our schools. 

The Story Squad students throughout the district will celebrate the voices of their peers and spotlight the creativity, achievements, and everyday moments that make our schools shine.

Click to watch the ASD Story Squads ⬇️

Academies of Anchorage Freshman Career Expo Playlist

The Academies of Anchorage held its 2nd annual Freshman Career Expo.

More than 110 community partners came out to support students and talk about the variety of careers they could pursue.

Check out the highlights in the video below.

☀️❄️ Stay Connected with ASD ❄️☀️

School Zone Safety: Darker Mornings

Just as we prepare for emergencies and prevent risks inside schools, we also need to keep students safe on the way to and from campus. With darker mornings and winter conditions setting in, it is critical that we all do our part to keep school zones safe.

Safety reminders

• Slow down and follow posted school zone speeds
• Watch for students walking or biking in the dark
• Stop for crossing guards and use crosswalks
• Wear bright or reflective clothing to be visible
• Stay alert and avoid distractions near traffic and bus stops

Colder weather is also on the way, and schedules may be affected. Families will be notified of delays or closures by 5:30 a.m. through ParentConnection, the ASD app, email, text, social media, local media partners, and a red banner on asdk12.org.

Federal Government Shutdown: What It Means for ASD

The federal government shutdown that began earlier this week has raised questions about its impact on schools. Here is what families need to know about ASD:

• Core funding continues. Title I, IDEA, and other major education programs are not interrupted.

• Meals continue. School breakfast and lunch are secured for at least the next two to three months.

• Some programs may pause. Certain services may be delayed until the shutdown ends.

We are monitoring developments closely and will keep you informed. Our priority is to maintain stability for students, families, and staff.

Rising Costs, Tough Choices Ahead

At last month’s School Board Finance Committee meeting, ASD leadership updated members about FY26 changes thanks to the Legislature’s override of the governor’s veto and outlined how FY27 is shaping up.

The FY26 budget is balanced in part due to the state’s $700 per-student increase, but mostly by drawing down reserves. Those funds will not be available next year, leaving ASD facing a projected $75 million-plus deficit in FY27.

Key challenges ahead include:

• Declining enrollment — 850 fewer students this fall could mean a $4–6 million loss in state revenue.
• Class size pressures — Some elementary classes exceed 30 students; meeting state standards would cost about $26 million.
• State funding changes — A proposed Board of Education rule could restrict $15 million in local support for pre-K and transportation.
• Future school closures — A list of recommended closures will be presented to the School Board on October 7.

🎥 Watch the full meeting and learn more

Strategy 2028: Tracking Our Progress Together

ASD is rolling out a new and improved way to share progress with our community on the School Board’s goals and guardrails. This system, called Strategy 2028 Progress Monitoring, makes it easier to track what matters most for students and see how we are moving toward long-term goals.

Why it matters

Clear goals keep us focused on student outcomes. By monitoring and sharing results, we hold ourselves accountable and make sure every student has the tools to succeed. You can expect to hear more from Team ASD about the progress of our students.

The Board’s Goals

• Early Reading Proficiency — Raise grade 3 English Language Arts proficiency from 32.4% in 2023 to 46.4% by 2028.

• Math Proficiency — Raise grade 8 Math proficiency from 34.5% in 2023 to 41.5% by 2028.

• College, Career, Life Ready — Raise the four-year graduation rate from 81% in 2023 to 90% by 2028.

These goals reflect the Portrait of a Graduate, the community’s vision for ASD students: effective communicators, engaged learners, and young adults ready for the military, workforce, or postsecondary opportunities.

📅 View the full Cycle 3 (2025–26) School Board Progress Monitoring Calendar

📖 View Board Guardrails

Anchorage School District

5530 E Northern Lights Blvd.

Anchorage, AK 99504

907-742-4000

asdk12.org