Anchorage School District - Educating All Students for Success in Life |
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A Message From Our Superintendent |
Greetings, ASD Families.
Happy October! đ
Our already short Alaskan autumn was almost skipped entirely when Old Man Winter brought ASD the earliest weather closure due to snowfall in recent history. Whether the snow stuck in your neighborhood or you are in parts of town yet to see accumulation, the cooler temps are setting in. As a friendly reminderâschool officials consult several sources to determine weather and road conditions during inclement weather, then advise me. If a decision is made for schools to be closed, delayed, or have limited bus service, I approve a public notification to be made by 6 a.m. Please visit our Weather and Closures page for more information and to sign up to receive text notifications in the event of a closure.
As we round out our first quarter of the 2021-2022 school year, weâve seen an uptick in students and staff getting âregularâ sick, with the cold and flu. Schools across the District will provide the flu shot to students this year with parent consent. Please reach out to your school nurse or visit the ASD website for more information on flu vaccine clinics across the District. Additionally, ASD continues to roll out more school services for students and staff who need COVID testing. ASD has successfully piloted 24-hour turn around testing for symptomatic students at the "big 8" high schools. The Health Services team plans to expand the in-school testing into all school sites by mid-November through its partnership with Beechtree Lab Testing. Please expect more information soon as this service becomes available across the District.
There is a saying about being an educator, âStudents need to know that you care before they care what you know.â Through teacher support, student trust, and parent guidance, we can all work together to ensure students thrive through learning.
ï»żCheers,
Deena Bishop, Ed.D.
Superintendent
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The Anchorage School District graciously accepts a $10,000 donation for Lions Quest SEL digital curriculum from First Vice District Governor Bert Verrall, District 49A, Palmer, Alaska at the ASD Ed Center on Sept. 23, 2021. (Robert DeBerry/ASD) |
Photo of the Month from Bowman Elementary School |
Bowman Elementary students created a rock garden after reading Only One You and You Be You by Linda Kranz. Each student designed their fish during their library time, then used that design to paint a special rock to represent them during their art time. Now the school has a lovely rock garden in the front of the school outside of Principal Patrick Freeman's office.
Photo credit: Shannon Brodie and Ashley Austin, Bowman Elementary School library and art teachers
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Upcoming Flu and COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics |
Throughout the month of October, The Anchorage School District, in conjunction with Beacon OHSS, will focus on making the flu vaccine available to the ASD community.
The flu shot is available to students at their school site with a guardian consent form.
The COVID-19 vaccine will also be made available at some ASD flu shot clinics. Additionally, there will be several pop-up COVID-19 only vaccination sites.
The COVID-19 vaccination is no longer available at the Abbott Loop and North Star Elementary COVID-19 testing sites.
Flu and COVI-19 vaccination clinics
Wednesday, Oct. 20 at Goldenview Elementary School from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 20 at Mountain View Elementary School from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 21 at Bowman Elementary School from noon to 4 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 30 at Tudor Elementary School from 12:30 to 5 p.m.
COVID-19 only vaccination clinics
(flu shot will not be available at these locations)
Wednesday, Oct. 13 at the Education Center from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 14 at Gruening Middle School from 2:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 21 at Mears Middle School from noon to 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 16 at Chugiak High School from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 23 at Service High School from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct 27 at Northwood Elementary School from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 30 at East High School from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Indigenous Peoplesâ Day Celebrated at ASD |
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Pictured above: A College Gate elementary student shows off her design of a Traditional Unangax Hunting Hat. These are called qayaatx^ux in the Unangam Tunuu language. According to the Alaska Native Collections at the Smithsonian, âClassic hunting hats [are] painted with fine lines, âsand dollarâ designs, swirls, rosettes, and leaves, using pigments made from plants and minerals. Long whiskers from bull sea lions [are] added in back. Only the most highly respected menâchiefs, whalers, and dauntless huntersâcould wear the hats.â |
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Indigenous Peoplesâ Day Celebrated at ASD
Title VI Indian Education and the Alaska Native Cultural Charter School (ANCCS) partnered to celebrate Indigenous Peoplesâ Day this year on Saturday, October 9. There was great food, storytelling with elders, Native cultural arts and crafts, and time together to celebrate the Native heritage of the past, present, and future.
What is Indigenous Peoplesâ Day?
This holiday represents the sustaining relationship between the Native families of today and the communities that share in Indigenous wealth. On June 28, 2017, Governor Walker signed the commemoration into State Law: âThis official recognition is just one way we, as a state, can acknowledge and celebrate the contributions made by First Peoples throughout the history of this land.â
ASD Land Acknowledgements
The Denaâina have lived, hunted and gathered within the Cook Inlet region for thousands of years. We thank the Denaâina for their stewardship of the lands, water, air, and all life that sustains us within their traditional lands. We respect the Denaâina cultural ways and their homelands and shall strive to be good neighbors.
When ASD does a Land Acknowledgement, is it done to honor the past, present, and future First Peoples whose cyclical stewardship with the land represents the responsibility of living here. According to Northwestern University, âLong before skyscrapers and more recent city life spread across the region, these Indigenous Nations have been in relationship with the land and, with that, carry responsibilities. ⊠Today, Indigenous peoples continue to protect and remain in relationship with these relatives and will do so until the end of time.â
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October is Principal Appreciation Month |
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Principals are among the hardest working, yet often least recognized individuals in education. Principals set the academic tone for their schools, and it is their vision, dedication, and determination that provide the mobilizing force for achieving student success. Please take a moment to thank the principals in your life.
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Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month |
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We celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month to recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions who have inspired others to achieve success. Discover documents, exhibits, films, blog posts, and more from the National Archives and Presidential Libraries that highlight Hispanic culture.
Spanish continues to be the second most spoken language at ASD. More than 1,700 students who attend ASD come from Spanish-speaking homes.
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COVID-19 Testing Information for October |
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What: ASD is working with Beacon OHSS to provide COVID testing to the ASD community.
Who: Testing is available to symptomatic and close contact, staff, students, and household members.
How: Testing sites are âwalk-upâ with no appointment needed. Please be prepared to be outside.
When: Testing sites are open MondayâFriday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where:
- Abbott Loop Elementary
- Chester Valley Elementary
- Chugiak High School
- North Star Elementary
- Russian Jack Elementary
- William Tyson Elementary
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ASD Flex: Explore a Spectrum of Learning Solutions |
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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 during the 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.
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New TikTok âChallengesâ Encourage Student Misconduct, Come with Serious Consequences |
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The District has been made aware of âchallengesâ that are trending on the social media platform TikTok, daring students to vandalize, damage, or steal school property, largely from bathrooms. ASD middle and high schools experienced more than 80 incidents of vandalism in September related to the challenge.
Some of these challenges have already resulted in involvement with our School Resource Officer partners at the Anchorage Police Department.
New TikTok challenges are surfacing that encourage assault. Hurting others and destroying othersâ property can lead to out of school suspension, fines, and even going to jail.
The damage done to school bathrooms has resulted in tens of thousands of dollars in damage. Families will be held responsible and invoiced for damage done by their students. The District asks families to please take an active role in your childâs social media presence. Notify your studentâs school with information about vandalism or other illegal activities.
Below please see related sites and articles to help families better understand and start discussions around being responsible on social media:
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Telemedicine Now Available In All ASD Schools |
Gruening Middle School Ribbon Cutting Event Scheduled for Oct. 14 |
When a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck north of Anchorage on November 30, 2018, Gruening Middle School building was severely impacted.
Anchorage voters passed a school bond in 2020 allowing design and construction funding for building-wide earthquake damage repairs, seismic upgrades and building, security, and educational improvements.
In 2020, construction crews broke ground on the improvement projects. When the 2021-2022 school year started, nearly 600 students returned to the building for the first time since the earthquake.
Gruening Middle School invites families and community members to attend its Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Open House Thursday, Oct. 14, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
The ribbon cutting will take place outside of the main entrance at 5:30 p.m., then attendees will be welcomed into the building for community tours, and students and families will have the opportunity to tour their classrooms and meet teachers.
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Save the Date: Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School Renaming Ceremony |
Save the date:
Saturday, Oct. 23 at noon
Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School
4025 E Northern Lights Blvd, Anchorage, AK 99508
The Anchorage School District in partnership with the Alaska Black Caucus invite you to join us Oct. 23 at noon for a ceremony celebrating the renaming of East High School to âBettye Davis East Anchorage High School."
Last fall the Anchorage School Board voted unanimously to rename the school in honor of the late Bettye Davis, who began her long political career when she was elected to the Anchorage School Board from 1982 to 1990 â serving two years as Board president. She continued her School Board service from 2013 to 2018. Ms. Davis was a champion for children, tirelessly working for equity of outcomes for all students.
Ms. Davis became the first elected African-American woman to serve in the Alaska State House of Representatives from 1990 to 1996, and in 2000, Senator Davis became the first African-American ever to be elected to the Alaska State Senate.
Senator Davis served on many local and national councils, task forces, and boards. She received countless awards for her service and dedication to Alaska and our community.
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Temporary Suspension of Select Bus Routes Continue Through October |
The Anchorage School District Student Transportation division enacted a temporary suspension of bus service for designated routes.
ï»żThis action is necessary due to a shortage of bus drivers resulting from driver attrition and the impacts of COVID-19 on the Transportation staff.
The Administration aspires to resume normal service as soon as possible but is presently unable to determine the duration of this program.
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ASD Youth Honored for Community Service, Named Local Heroes |
From improving their school climates and connections to building bridges to help others
despite their own hardships, finding their voice for others and honoring their culture, and even
learning new skills specifically to support those in need, Alaska youth are doing heroic acts in
their local communities.
Through the Summer of Heroes Program, Alaska Communications is proud to celebrate teens for their outstanding community service across Alaska.
Four of this year's heroes are youth from ASD. Congratulations to:
- Stellen, Service High School
- Logan, Dimond High School
- Jayvyn, Bartlett High School
- Nyche, Service High School
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ASD Aims for 100% Participation in ShakeOut Day |
This year's International #ShakeOut Day is Oct. 21.
Practice your earthquake safety drill when and where you want. Just remember to drop, cover, and hold on.
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The Anchorage School District has a goal of 100% participation across our buildings.
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Three West High Russian Immersion Seniors Start Work with the National Security Agency |
On Aug. 31, 2021, three West High School seniors in the final year of ASDâs Russian Immersion program collectively recited the Oath of Office during a swearing-in ceremony at the National Security Agency (NSA) training center on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
West seniors Athena Clendaniel, Sam Drews, and Payton Smith began their extraordinary journey after being selected last spring to participate in a unique work-study program with NSA Alaska.
The NSAâs High School Work Study Program has existed for several decades almost exclusively out of its headquarters in Maryland.
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Veterans History Project to host Alaska Warriors and Veterans Celebration Dinner |
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The Veterans History Project of the American Folklife Center collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war. The organization will host a dinner Saturday, Nov. 6 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. to honor Alaskan Veterans at the Arctic Red Center. For more information, please email akvetdinner@gmail.com |
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Boys & Girls Clubs Winter Sports Programs Announced |
Boys & Girls Clubs Alaska registration is now open for 2022 winter sports. Volunteer coaches will receive FREE REGISTRATION for their child.
*Please note that volunteer coaches will initially pay for their child to be registered, but will be given a full refund once they sign up as a volunteer coach and pass their background check.*
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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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Fri. Oct. 15
State released professional development day and end of first quarter
Tues. Oct. 19
School Board Meeting
Wed. Oct. 20
Countdown to Kindergarten
Thurs. Oct. 21
Parent/Teacher conference day
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5530 E Northern Lights Blvd.
Anchorage, AK 99504
907-742-4000
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