Anchorage School District - Educating All Students for Success in Life |
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A Message From Our Superintendent |
Dear ASD Community,
Welcome to the 2021-2022 school year! Whether you are excited about new classes, new students, or new friends—the ASD staff and I look forward to starting this school year strong, with face-to-face learning alongside a flexible learning model, both having a laser focus on learning.
We eagerly anticipate the return of full school days, activities, athletics, clubs, events, and social opportunities that our students have dearly missed. Since the pandemic turned our lives upside down, the District has learned much about mitigating the spread of the virus in our schools. With our Start Strong 2021-2022 Return to School Operational Guidelines in place, the District is excited to welcome students to a safe, engaging, educational home.
Please enjoy the first newsletter of the 2021-2022 school year and continue to follow our twice-monthly communication, for we will update guidance as our community conditions improve. Today’s edition is intended to be your back-to-school guide, with everything you need to know to prepare for a strong start. I am excited to give you a warm greeting as the doors open for school, and the ASD team looks forward to seeing you soon!
Sincerely,
Dr. Deena Bishop
ASD Superintendent
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As a cafeteria manger, you play a vital role in building a strong community. Join the team that serves 30,000 meals and fuels our students for success.
We need your time and talent to build a strong community. School nutrition professionals have a direct impact on the health and well-being of children today. Influence child nutrition daily and foster healthy eating habits that last a lifetime.
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ASD Registration Guide for the New School Year |
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Welcome to the Anchorage School District. ASD serves families in Girdwood, Anchorage, Chugiak, and Eagle River.
New-to-District Students
Note: If your student was not enrolled in ASD on the last day of the 2020-2021 school year, they will be considered new-to-district students.
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Returning-to-District Students
Who is a returning student?
- Currently enrolled students who intend to return this year
- Students changing divisions - elementary to middle, middle to high
- Students who have moved from one ASD zone to another ASD zone (you will need to provide proof of residency to your new school)
- Incoming kindergartners that attended an Anchorage School District preschool program
Students who are returning and already enrolled in the District need to register.
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Open Enrollment Policy
ASD has an open enrollment policy for students who attend a school or program outside their regular attendance areas.
A lottery system is used to provide an equal opportunity for students who request participation in an alternative program or school where the number of applications exceeds the number of available openings. Approval or denial is based on space availability per grade level. Lotteries are held twice per year during March and July.
Application procedures
Parents who have children enrolled in ASD can access the system through Q ParentConnection.
Part-time students
Students enrolled in non-ASD schools who wish to enroll part-time (three classes or less) should contact District schools for an application
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2021-2022 Start Strong COVID-19 Information |
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Our mitigation plan this year focuses on how to continue accelerated learning in person, while allowing for full participation in activities, clubs, and social learning opportunities. updated mitigation plan focuses primarily on:
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Universal masking will be required for all individuals while inside any ASD school or building. Some exceptions will apply. Masking while outside is optional.
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Keep ASD Symptom Free. Please stay home and get tested if you are experiencing ANY symptoms.
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Cleaning and disinfecting. Regular cleaning of classrooms, buses, and offices will continue. Hand sanitizer will be readily available and frequent handwashing will be encouraged. Enhancements and upgrades have been made to building HVAC systems to allow for optimal ventilation and air exchange.
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Keeping students and staff in the learning environment. The District will continue to make COVID-19 vaccine clinics available to eligible students (with parental consent), staff, and community members through a contracted provider. Additionally, following new guidance from the CDC, asymptomatic, properly masked students and fully vaccinated individuals will not be required to quarantine if deemed a close contact.
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ASD Flex: Explore a Spectrum of Learning Solutions for Your 2021-2022 School Year |
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.
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ASD Virtual
The ASD Virtual Program provides a self-paced, K-12 online
curriculum designed for families as an at-home option, while
maintaining a connection to their neighborhood/choice school.
The Power of virtual learning is STUDENT CHOICE
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Enrollment: full-time or part-time virtual learning
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Schedule: possible adjusted schedule
within typical school day
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Flexible: rolling enrollment, start and end times vary
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Location: in a school building or from a distance
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Catalog: core plus extensive high-interest elective course offerings
Enroll in ASD Virtual Program by visiting
Anchorage PAIDEIA Correspondence School
PAIDEIA offers a free statewide home-school program that
encourages parent and student-driven decisions with
curriculum and course selections. This program creates a small
class environment where students can pursue and develop their
passions while building academic success.
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Telemedicine Now Available In All ASD Schools |
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Registration for Limited-English Students |
Any New-to-District family should register at their home school or online. If you need language assistance, please call 742-4455. Families connecting with their home schools is our primary goal. Only new-to-country students (within the last year) need to be tested right away to determine if they are eligible for the Newcomers’ Program. If new to the country and District, please email Katie Bisson at Bisson_Katie@asdk12.org or call and leave a message at 742-4348 to request assistance.
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Update Your Student Immunization Records with ASD Health Services |
Parents must take official shot records to school registration for new-to-District students and to update school health records if new shots were given during the summer. Immunization exemptions may be granted for medical or religious reasons.
Student immunization records can be obtained from your child’s healthcare provider. The number of vaccine doses for each required immunization varies depending on a student’s age, grade, and/or prior vaccination history.
Ask your healthcare provider if your child is up-to-date on their immunizations. If needed, additional vaccinations are available at medical provider offices and public health centers throughout the community.
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District students who live more than 1.5 miles from their school, or who live along routes designated as hazardous for walking, are eligible to ride a school bus. Students who live less than 1.5 miles from school walk or arrange alternate transportation.
Bus schedules for the current school year will be available at all schools during registration and will be posted online. For more information, please contact your child’s school.
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Explore ASD Neighborhood and Special Mission Schools |
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ASD has more than 130 schools and programs to meet the various learning needs of students.
Visit www.asdk12.org/aboutschools to learn more about our schools.
Neighborhood schools
The neighborhood schools in Anchorage offer a high-quality and well-rounded standard school education program. More than 90 percent of Anchorage School District students enjoy the comprehensive curriculum in the neighborhood schools. Remedial and advanced classes are available in a variety of subjects.
Special mission schools and programs
In addition to the standard school program, the District offers many special mission schools and programs including charter schools, home school, open optional, ABC, world languages immersion, Montessori, STEM, career technical education, and middle college schools. Other programs such as English Language Learners, Gifted, and Special Education are also available.
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Discover Special Education Services |
The Anchorage School District provides comprehensive educational services through the Special Education Department to all students who experience disabilities and have additional needs beyond those which can ordinarily be met by the general education classroom program. Special education services are provided in all ASD schools, including alternative schools, optional schools, charter schools, and special school programs. Services are designed by an Individualized Education Program (IEP) team to be provided in the least restrictive environment, including the parent as a contributing member. Federal law requires a school district to develop a continuum of alternative placements to implement students’ IEPs.
IEP teams make every effort to provide the appropriate services for a student in a setting as close to their general education classroom as possible. In addition to providing the necessary special education services, the IEP team may determine a need for related services which may include speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling, specialized nursing services, audiology services, and transportation.
For more information regarding special education services or whether your child qualifies, please contact 742-4236, visit www.asdk12.org/sped, or review the Alaska Parents’ Guide and Alaska Notice of Procedural Safeguards available to all parents from the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development at https://education.alaska.gov/sped.
Early Intervention Services Center
The Early Intervention Services Center offers free developmental screening for children ages 3–5 who experience developmental delays or other disabilities.
Disability Information and Resource Center
The STEP Center is a division of the Special Education Department that serves as a disability information and resource center for students, educators, and parents. Using an extensive lending library and large website, the STEP Center personnel provide a service-oriented approach to problem solving and location of resources.
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Find Your Back-to-School Checklist |
A backpack, pencils, pens, and a clean pair of athletic shoes (no black or blue soles) for physical education class are recommended for students of all ages. A general elementary school supply list is available on the ASD website, mobile app, and at school registration. |
Pay your school activity fees |
The middle school activity fee is $110 per sport. The high school activity fee is $200.
There is an individual student cap of $220 (two middle school activities) or $400 (two high school activities) per school year. There is no fee for participation in subsequent activities once a student reaches the individual student cap.
High school sports and activities registration is online through PlanetHS.
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Student Nutrition Information for the 2021-2022 School Year |
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Children need healthy meals to learn. Anchorage School District (ASD) offers healthy meals every school day. For the 2021–22 school year, ASD will participate in the National School Lunch Program’s Seamless Summer Option Program at select schools. First meals are provided at no charge. A list of which schools participate in the program are at www.asdk12.org/StudentNutrition.
ASD encourages application every year as meal applications qualify your child for other benefit programs, have a 30-day carryover into the 2022–23 school year, help fund additional ASD meal programs such as Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Summer Feeding Programs, after school programs, and other school-based and USDA grants.
For second meals, breakfast costs $2.75 in elementary schools; $3.00 in middle schools and $3.25 in high schools. Lunch costs $4.50 in elementary schools; $5.00 in middle schools and $5.50 in high schools. A-la-carte items may also be available for purchase at some middle and high Schools. Your child(ren) may qualify for free or reduced-price meals if your household income falls within the limits on the Federal Income Chart.
Free and reduced-price meals
ASD provides free and reduced-price meals for students that meet household size and income criteria. The Federal eligibility income chart for school year 2021–22 can be found at: www.asdk12.org/meals
Children who are approved for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Aid for Needy Families (TANF) are automatically eligible to receive free meals by filling out an application that includes the assistance number from the program. Students who are migrant or homeless are eligible once certified by the Child in Transition or Migrant Education Department. Foster children receive free meals regardless of the income of the household in which they reside.
Parents must submit new applications for free or reduced-price meals each school year. If a child was approved last year there is a 30-day time period to recertify for the 2021–22 school year. Families with New-to-District students and kindergartners should apply in August. Returning students should apply between August and October 1. The new determination will take effect immediately after processing by Student Nutrition and within 10 days if that status becomes lower than the prior year’s application. Applications can take 10 days to process. Electronic applications typically process in 24 – 48 hours.
Applications are available online at www.asdk12.org/StudentNutrition, and via Q ParentConnection. Applications may be verified at any time during the school year. Please submit only one application per family.
Parents are responsible for their child’s meals until notified by letter, which is sent to the address on file at the child’s school.
CEP schools
Some schools may be designated to a special category (known as CEP Schools) which allows those schools to feed all students free without applications. If a student transfers within ASD to a non-CEP school, an application must be submitted for student(s) to continue to qualify for free or reduced-price meals.
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ASD Awarded Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting
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ASD was recognized by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) and awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its comprehensive annual financial report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020.
The report was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive "spirit of full disclosure" to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report.
The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.
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Join the ASD Community at the Eagle River Elementary School Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Monday, August 16 |
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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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Thurs. August 12
Teachers' first day back
Tues. August 17
Classes begin
Tues. August 24
pre-K/kindergarten classes begin
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5530 E Northern Lights Blvd.
Anchorage, AK 99504
907-742-4000
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