Dear ASD Families,

I hope you have had a wonderful summer. As we gear up for the start of the 2024-25 school year, Team ASD is excited to welcome you back into our schools. Here are some important changes this school year to keep in mind: 

School Start Times

ASD is launching new school start times this year to support student well-being and success. Please visit our webpage to learn more about the rationale for this change, and to review the new start times for the 2024-25 school year. 

Staggered First Days of School

To better support students transitioning to middle school and high school, ASD is implementing a staggered start for the first days of school. The first day of school for students in grades 1-5, 6, 7, and 9 is Thursday, August 15th. Students in Grades 8, 10, 11, and 12 will begin the school year on Friday, August 16th. This additional support is timely, as we will welcome sixth and seventh graders into our middle schools this year. We are ready and excited to help these students acclimate to their new school communities. 

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. I look forward to an incredible new school year. Together, we can ensure that every student in the Anchorage School District continues to grow, thrive, and succeed. 

Sincerely,

Jharrett Bryantt, Ed.D.

Superintendent, Anchorage School District

Gear Up For Success!

Registration Check:

Limited English Students, Grades 6-12

Any new-to-District family should register at their home school or online. Your home school has access to phone interpreters and should provide support if needed. If your school does not offer to provide interpreter services, please call 907-742-4452.

Calendar Check:

New School Start Times

ASD is staggering the first day of school to support students moving to new school environments. Staggered school start dates are for comprehensive/neighborhood schools only.

• Mark your calendar for day one
• Make note of your student's start time

Groups from the August 15 first day cohort also attend on August 16.

Transportation Check

• Look at your school's walking map to determine your best route, or if you qualilfy for bus transportation

• If you qualify for transportation services, find your bus route

• Optional: Complete the zone exempt application, which is used to request transportation outside the school boundary assigned

• Optional: Bus route exception form, which is used to request transportation to a site like a child care center, family member's house, etc. within the school boundary

• Bus schedules available on Q ParentConnection August 7th.

Health Check

Immunizations

• By law, students must be compliant with immunizations

• Review info on free/low cost clinics

• Review info on waivers/exemptions

Mental Health

• Review the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) video and read more about mental health and student supports

Mental health includes social, emotional, behavioral, and psychological well-being. ASD is dedicated to strengthening mental and behavioral support services for students. The District has highly trained professionals including school counselors, school psychologists, and behavior analysts that work along with school-based staff to support students' mental health and behavioral needs. ASD also collaborates with community partners to provide integrated mental health clinicians at some school sites.

Student Nutrition Check

• Does my school participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)?
• Apply for free/reduced meals
• Is my school part of the Community Eligibility (CEP)?
• View the menu
• Prepay for your student's meals

Safety Check: New Protocols

• Learn about the new Raptor visitor software at each school site
• Read about walker/commuter tips
• Download the STOPit app
• Review the Be SMART weapon safety info
• Talk with your student about school safety

Communications Check

Verify email address is current in Q ParentConnection

Review weather closure protocols

Stay connected with ASD:

• Download the app
• Subscribe to ASD Digital
• Follow Team ASD on social media

• Follow the Hot Topics page for information on the Academies of Anchorage, Moving to Middle School, Rightsizing ASD, and more asdk12.org/hottopics

• Info to expect from your student's school: welcome back message from principal, class assignment/schedule, school supplies list, and more

Registration Check: Returning Students

Online Registration for returning students is open.

Who is a returning student?

• Currently enrolled students who intend to return next 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 at your new school)

• Incoming kindergartners who attended an Anchorage School District preschool program