ASD Families,

I have enjoyed an amazing career, spanning over three decades in Alaska, doing what I do because of my passion and belief that education matters. With an abundance of gratitude, I close out this chapter of my life as a teacher, administrator, and giant fan of young people in Alaska. Education matters for our freedom, our dignity, and our fulfillment in life. 

I will admit that writing this last message has been difficult for me. As superintendent, I have been entrusted to use other people’s dollars to take care of other people’s babies. As a logical thinker, I have replayed the actions and decisions made over time in my mind, always wondering what more I could have done to serve the students and employees of ASD, especially during the pandemic. My brain knows that the decision-making occurred with the best information at the time, but my heart still hurts for the losses our students faced during the difficult times of the past two years. 

Even before the pandemic, as an experienced leader, I understood and worked through challenges such as closing two elementary schools in Anchorage when enrollment declined, subsequently downsizing our workforce. The earthquake created its own obstacles, and two schools were offline until repairs and renovations with enhanced safety measures were complete. Additionally, much work has been accomplished by updating business processes, saving millions of dollars, and establishing efficiencies. Innovative programs have been opened; Alaska Middle College School, ASD Virtual School, and French Immersion offer opportunities and choices for families. A multitude of other decisions have been made to meet District goals and move ASD in the right direction.  

I have been inspired by the speeches at graduations this week. Graduation is a milestone as students transition to their next chapter in life. Graduation rigor as well as graduation rates have increased to their highest levels over the past five years. This is a testament to the educators that have gifted knowledge and learning to the new generations. ASD graduates spoke of resiliency, gratitude, and positive futures. We can be proud of the growth and wisdom of the graduates of 2022. These students will lead us one day.  

Those who know me well, know my laser focus on literacy over the last ten years. I understand, even as a math teacher, that acquiring reading skills is truly the basis in “Educating all Students for Success in Life.” Many agree that reading is the mother of content acquisition. It is essential in any environment. ASD is set for success as we move forward utilizing scientific evidenced-based practices to teach kids to read. If we choose to employ explicit, systematic instruction in phonological awareness (sounds), phonics, fluency (ability to read accurately and at the appropriate rate), vocabulary, and comprehension, the keys to learning any language, our student learning will improve. It is important as Alaska is in danger for all that we hold dear if our children do not learn to read at higher levels.  

As I end my career in public education, I want to share my gratitude to my family. Being a spouse and children of a ‘public’ person is never easy. It was a role my family didn’t sign up for yet met with open arms. At times it has been impacted with the advent of social media, where criticism toward me would spill over into their lives. I will be forever thankful for their sacrifices and support during the journey of my educational leadership.   

In all of this, I realize nothing was accomplished in isolation. ASD is a team and we have done great things together. Thank you for allowing me to lead. I am humbly grateful. As we look to the future I am confident Anchorage School District’s outcomes for students will be a complete success so long as we keep our hearts and minds focused on what is best for students. 

 

Cheers, 

Dr. Deena Bishop
Superintendent

ASD Families,

I’m sending my April 1st update a few days early due to dangerous behavior taking place against our community. Within the last week, the Anchorage School District experienced two incidents involving gel-ball blasters on or near school grounds. The District believes these events are linked to the recent TikTok Orbeez Challenge, which encourages people to shoot soft-gel, Orbeez balls at citizens with a gel-ball blaster or an airsoft gun. You can read more about the Orbeez Challenge here).

Simply stated, this is extremely dangerous behavior to the public and to the perpetrators, and the District seeks parent and community involvement to put an end to it. Thankfully, the District and Anchorage Police Department (APD) are not aware of reports of physical injury, but several students and bystanders stated to police and local media that they were shot at and struck by gel-ball pellets. In each event, APD responded immediately upon notification to address and reduce the threat to public safety. The individuals engaged in this activity were at significant risk as the responding officers could have perceived a lethal threat. 

Safety remains a top priority and the District continues to work with our School Resource Officers (SROs) as the police investigation continues. It’s incumbent for parents to ensure their students do not bring any weapon – real, non-lethal or fake – to school grounds or on buses. APD plans to have an increased police presence at and around our schools during this time until this matter is resolved. No arrests have been made. If you have any information that would be helpful in the investigation, please call the Anchorage Police Department at 311. 

Very respectfully, 

Dr. Deena Bishop
Superintendent

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Dear ASD Families and Staff,

As we start a new month, the Anchorage School District has begun a new chapter in our mitigation efforts for COVID-19.

However, before I begin, I want to say a few words about the war unfolding in Ukraine. The Anchorage School District has students, staff, family, and friends from all over the world, including Ukraine and Russia. We are deeply impacted by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Our hearts are with those directly harmed, and we continue to offer them our support. My prayers and hopes for a peaceful end match those of people around the world.

Yesterday, the District began allowing the choice to wear a mask in our facilities and on our buses. This new phase leans heavily on respecting each other’s decisions. Respect of one another is important as we stay focused on ASD’s mission of “educating all students for success in life.” 

Our school travel groups are once again heading out for domestic travel this spring. We are encouraged by these changes as our students and staff begin to experience a more regular end to this school year.

As we approach the end of the year, I want to draw your attention to the recently released Alaska Department of Education & Early Development (DEED) Report Cards to the Public for each school district and school in Alaska for school year 2020-2021. These report cards to the public contain data and information about academics, the school environment, quality of teachers, and more. They are just one more way for families to stay engaged with their school.   

Spring break starts at the end of the week. Please enjoy the time with family and friends. Graduation and the end of the school year are right around the corner. I am excited to announce that ASD will be utilizing the Alaska Airlines Center for our large school graduation ceremonies this year. Have a terrific rest of your week and super Iditarod start weekend!

Cheers,

Dr. Deena Bishop
Superintendent

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Dear ASD Families and Staff,

Absent unforeseen conditions, I propose to transition the Anchorage School District (ASD) to parent-informed, optional mask wearing for students and optional mask wear for adults in our schools and facilities. This districtwide change will be implemented on Monday, February 28th. It’s time to do this for our students.

As a career educator, I understand how critical it is to focus the District’s energy on student learning. I believe that continued mandatory mask wearing is counter-productive and negatively impacts our students’ education, intellectual development, and emotional well-being. COVID-19 cases across the State of Alaska (SOA), Municipality of Anchorage (MOA), and ASD are dropping rapidly. Overall knowledge of COVID-19 and the availability of effective vaccines and treatments largely enable a return to normalcy in the classroom.

The last two years have been challenging for everyone and the District strives to be responsive to staff and student needs. I plan to sustain all other mitigation measures and procedures that allowed us to re-open schools and keep them open during the Omicron outbreak. The District is prepared to offer PCR tests to symptomatic staff and students through the end of the school year. Our COVID-19 page includes this year’s timeline and outlines our step-down approach.

I want to close by thanking everyone for your grace and continued support of education. By allowing informed mask choice, ASD staff, parents, and students will be able to better focus on learning. Children have carried an unprecedented burden during the pandemic, and it is time to refocus on their outcomes and our mission of educating all students for success in life.

 

Very respectfully,

Deena Bishop, Ed.D.

Superintendent

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Good afternoon, ASD Families.

I hope this bi-monthly update finds you well. I start by thanking our ASD staff at all levels for continuing education for our young people. I see education as essential in our society. School is important for children, and family/community partnership in your schools is important as well. We need your support---read with your children, ask them questions, review their homework, and surround them with as much love as possible.

Many staff at the district administration offices have been substituting in schools when needed, myself included. From my first-hand knowledge, I continue to share that our employees are doing amazing things every day. A note that a teacher sent me exemplifies this the most. It was from her first-grade student who wrote, “Dear mom, dad, and Hannah, I hope you know I love you and that I hope you do too. I encourage you to do hard things, and to do smart and creative things.”

Teachers and other school personnel are doing hard, smart, and creative things right now to keep our schools open for students. The dedication that has been given by ASD employees during this time of staff shortages and overall COVID-stress in our community is exceptional. When you have a chance, thank your child’s school team for all they do!

Changing topics to our COVID-19 mitigation plan, at this time, the mask requirement for all ASD buildings will extend. The total new cases per 100,000 persons in the past seven days was 2,210 as of January 12. For context, this number was hovering close to 100 when my decision was initially made last month to provide for parent directed mask use.

As mentioned in my previous update, ASD will follow new CDC guidelines and reduce the length of time to stay home from 10 days to five days for those testing positive for COVID-19. Schools have received questions on this, so I’d like to clarify:

• If a student or employee tests positive, they must stay home five days after their first symptom or positive test, whichever is earlier.
• After five days, the student or employee may return to school or work when they have not had a fever in 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine and as long as other symptoms are improving.

Please reference the ASD At Home COVID-19 Health Screening for Parents and Guardians document for a complete guide on what to do if your child is sick or is experiencing symptoms and guidelines for when students are permitted to return to school.

Additionally, similar to our State movement away from tracking negative tests, shifts will be made in the administrative tasks for school nurses. ASD is planning to include new dashboard detail that will allow parents to see COVID-19 cases in grade level bands in our schools, reducing the paper notices that go home. This new practice provides real-time access for you and allows our nurses to focus on the health of students and staff in school.

Another possibility in the coming days may be a return to temporarily suspended bus routes. As a courtesy to families, the Transportation Department has prepared a cohort of transportation routes that could transition into a three-week suspension period should COVID-19 staffing shortages impact transportation. This is contingency planning--please know the Administration aspires to continue normal service. To view the cohorts and to monitor COVID-19 transportation updates, click here.

Again, my priority is keeping our schools open and safe with in-person learning and not to revert back to virtual learning.  While I am an advocate of e-learning as a choice, it does not meet all students’ learning and well-being. Please enjoy the extended weekend as we celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In his words, as we face the hard work in front of us, “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”

Cheers,

Deena Bishop, Ed.D.
Superintendent

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Dear ASD Families, 

Earlier this week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its COVID-19 isolation and quarantine recommendations for K-12 schools. For ASD, the amount of time to stay home if you test positive for COVID-19 has been reduced from 10 days to 5 days. For more information about the changes for students, click here to read the updated home screening guidelines. There are no additional changes to our mitigation plan at this time.

If you would like to read more about the new CDC guidelines, click here.

I hope you had a great week and have a great weekend!

Cheers,

Deena Bishop, Ed.D.
Superintendent

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Dear ASD Families,

Happy New Year!

I hope your holidays were wonderful. 

Yesterday, we returned to the classroom after our annual winter break. I’m very pleased to tell you we’ve had great attendance. Despite the current circumstances with COVID-19, the nationwide air travel disruptions, the weather-related destruction in the Mat-Su Valley, and planned leave, attendance was only down by 5 percent from around the same time last year, and only by 8 percent pre-COVID-19. It demonstrates our community’s strong commitment to in-person learning.

The latest COVID-19 data from State of Alaska (SOA) shows an uptick for ASD and SOA. As of this time, there are no changes to our mitigation plan. More specifically, the mask requirement remains, along with testing and other mitigation procedures that were in place prior to winter break. A decision about extending the mask requirement past January 15^th will be made by January 14th. We continue to closely monitor emerging developments concerning COVID-19. We remain in constant contact with our local, state, and federal partners. For more information about the impact of COVID-19 on ASD, click here. 

The priority is keeping our schools open and safe with in-person learning. Our students belong in the classroom. Nevertheless, things could change depending on how this recent variant continues, and I want to provide some insight into what may occur if our staffing levels fall. 

Similar to the one-week closure following the 2018 earthquake, we may need to take some time off school to build our staffing if employee absences are too great to carry out our mission. We want to keep our staff healthy. This learning time would be made up with quality instructional days throughout the spring semester, consequently adjusting the school calendar for presently scheduled non-instructional days. Virtual learning would only occur as a last resort as our students’ learning and mental health were shown to be negatively impacted last year during this time.

As I stated in my December 21^st letter, I’m thankful for your continued feedback. It keeps me grounded and reinforces my thoughts about COVID-19’s impact on our community. We are stronger together and will emerge from this pandemic one day more resilient than before. Again, thank you.

Finally, our thoughts and prayers are with our friends, families, staff, and partners in the Mat-Su Valley who are dealing with extreme weather conditions and destruction.

Respectfully,

Deena Bishop, Ed.D.
Superintendent

 

 

 

 

 

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Dear ASD Families,

I hope you are enjoying all the new snow and winter break is going well! I’m reaching out during this time to provide you with new information to last week’s COVID-19 update.

Last night, the School Board voted to keep the mask requirement in place through January 15^th, and I support the will of the Board. To be sure, this is a very polarizing issue in our community, and I’ve received many emails arguing both for and against masking in schools. Please know that my staff and I will continue to monitor the COVID situation in Anchorage and consult with the medical community. With or without mandatory masking, the District will sustain current mitigation practices and will provide masks to students who request them. 

Education is my priority - it always has been. You know my strong belief that our students belong in the classroom. I am committed to keeping schools as safe as possible and, most importantly, open. The pandemic has dramatically changed the reality of where we are today, but what has not changed is our imperative to move students forward in their education. You have an outstanding ASD team of experts who continue to work hard at keeping our students and staff safe while keeping schools open. We are focused on our kids. 

I want to thank everyone who provided, and continue to send, feedback on my decision. It keeps me grounded and reinforces my thoughts about COVID’s impact on our community. As a mom and a long-time educator, I sympathize and understand. Together, we will get through this.

Please anticipate an update in my next communication in mid-January. Wishing you all the best during this holiday season. 

We will see you in 2022!

Cheers,

Deena M. Bishop, Ed.D.

Superintendent

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Dear ASD Families, 

Congratulations on making it to the last day of the semester! I’d like to begin this COVID-19 message by saying how very proud I am of our students finishing strong.

A semester of full-day in-person learning has come to a close without a school closure or widespread COVID-19 outbreak in ASD. We have kept moving forward to make student learning goals paramount, as well as activities have been ongoing, sports are in full swing, and concerts rang through the halls.

Transmission numbers in Anchorage are trending down and the Municipality of Anchorage’s (MOA) emergency order has been lifted. Our own COVID-19 testing now shows a downward trend and cases in schools have remained low as well.

I have shared that our team will re-evaluate the mitigation plan once certain factors changed. I do understand that the new variant may have left us with unanswered questions. Nevertheless, we have done quite a bit to be prepared for life with COVID.

For example, the COVID-19 vaccine has been readily available to all school-aged children for several months now, and the booster is available for those 16 and older. As you are aware, ASD played an active role in making vaccines available to all school aged students, hosting large-scale vaccine clinics throughout the month of November, during which more than 3,000 vaccines were administered.

Therefore, I am confident that ASD is able to transition to parent-informed masking when we return to school on January 3. It means parents will consider the risk levels in their family and decide for themselves if they want their child attending school wearing a mask.

You may recall during summer school when masking was not required, about 40 percent of staff and students in buildings continued masking. Strong layers of mitigation will remain in place in our schools, including quick response testing in schools, frequent hand washing, social distancing when possible, and additional sanitation. Students who ride the bus will still be required to follow federal mandates for public transportation.

If risk levels in the community change, we will reassess and may return to required masking. I will continue to keep you informed via this direct communication.

Please enjoy your well-earned break with family and friends, and I look forward to seeing you in 2022.

Cheers, 

Deena Bishop, Ed.D.
Superintendent

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Dear ASD Families,

I hope you had a healthy, happy, and memorable Thanksgiving with loved ones and friends.

We are carefully monitoring new information from our state and local health officials regarding Omicron, the new COVID-19 variant, with a case now confirmed in the United States. As of this time, Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer, says there are no cases in Alaska. As a result, there are no new changes to ASD’s mitigation plan.

Current case numbers are waning from the recent spike as reflected in our school communities’ data. While this is encouraging information, we remain in the High Transmission Red category. My hope is the trend will continue and we will soon reach levels below 100. When that occurs, I will reassess our mitigation plan and possibly make changes. Yes–it could mean a change to our mask mandate.

Today is the last of our COVID-19 vaccination clinics at the ASD Education Center, and it closes at 8:00 p.m. Since opening the clinics last month, more than 3,000 adults and children have received COVID-19 vaccines. We want to thank our partners with Beacon OHSS for taking on this important task. We also thank Alaska Public Media for having Molly of Denali spend time with our students and Crisis Response Canines, who provided comfort for students before and after their vaccinations.

Speaking of our students, great things are happening in our classrooms! We are highlighting students, teachers, and staff in a new campaign called #ASDShineBright. Please check it out on our social media platforms. You will find all types of good stories!

Please stay safe and warm.

Cheers, 

Deena Bishop, Ed.D.
Superintendent

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Dear ASD Families,

This COVID-19 twice-monthly update is short but full of good things! 

Our COVID-19 vaccination clinics have been humming along smoothly. ASD opened its vaccination clinic at the Education Center on Northern Lights and Boniface within hours of when the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine became available to those five years and older. The clinics have operated in conjunction with Beacon OHSS, which has provided approximately 2,000 pediatric vaccines to date.

If you haven’t made it in to get your students vaccinated and still want to, we will have a drive-through clinic Saturday, Nov. 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School. Walk-in clinics will return to the Education Center Monday, Nov. 22. View a full list of dates, locations, and times of ASD COVID-19 vaccination clinics here. Please remember—parental consent is required for vaccinations.

Thanks to everyone who helped operate the clinic. I’d like to give a special thank you to my friend Molly of Denali over at Alaska Public Media, who visited the Education Center vaccine clinics last week. Tears were short-lived because Molly and staff were prepared with stickers, treats, and extra care. The COVID-19 vaccine continues to be an optional vaccine to ASD students and staff.

ASD Testing in schools for symptomatic students, staff, and close contacts continues through our partnership with Beechtree. Parent consent is required before the test can be conducted. If your school nurse recommends testing, they will ask parents to complete the patient registration link to begin the process. You’ll have your results back later that evening!

ASD COVID-19 outdoor walk-up testing sites continue at six school sites across the community and are available for staff, students, and household members. These testing sites are operated by Beacon and will now also use Beechtree to process tests at all six ASD/Beacon testing trailers. If you plan to be tested at one of these sites, you may register using the new Beechtree registration page. Once you register, you will be able to bring your personal QR code to your chosen testing site.

As the numbers in our community trend downward, I am optimistic this, along with the vaccine now being an option to all ASD students, brings us closer to the day we can further loosen mitigation across our District. More soon…

Cheers, 

Deena Bishop, Ed.D.
Superintendent

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Dear ASD Families,

Happy November! As we pave our way through the second quarter, I have new information about ASD’s actions in regard to the ongoing pandemic.

Anticipated Pfizer eligibility for children ages five and up

ASD anticipates children as young as five will be eligible for vaccination against COVID-19 within the coming days. That opens up eligibility to an estimated 21,000 students at ASD. The District is preparing large-scale vaccination clinics to support families who choose to vaccinate. Again, I highlight the choice with parental consent. The indoor clinics will be held at the Education Center, located at the intersection of Boniface and East Northern Lights, and there will be several Saturday clinics at high school sites. We’ve scheduled the clinics intentionally during evening and weekend hours to accommodate family schedules. The clinics will be walk-in only, however we ask families to complete the COVID-19 Vaccine Consent Form for their child in the Beacon system ahead of time if possible. Please see details here for dates, times, and locations.

Making the vaccine available to this new group of students will add to our already layered COVID-19 mitigation plan. Our end goal is to keep healthy students and staff in school; we are excited to add this additional tool to our box to focus on learning during the pandemic.

Same-day COVID-19 testing expands to all schools through new partnership with Beechtree Diagnostics

I am happy to share that after a successful pilot program with a local lab, COVID-19 testing for symptomatic students and staff will expand into all ASD schools this week. The District piloted the program with Beechtree Diagnostics during September and October in our “big 8” high schools, and we have slowly expanded the program. This week, every school that has a nurse will have the equipment to test students. This action was taken as too many students and staff had to be out of school long periods while awaiting test results. This is how it works:

• School nurses take a nasal or saliva swab that is sent by a courier at the end of the school day to Beechtree Diagnostics.
• This RT-PCR testing is only done with parental consent; the parent/guardian registers with Beechtree, then chooses how they would like to receive test results, either by text or email.
• The school nurse will also be alerted; test results are typically available that evening, allowing families to better understand if their student should attend the next school day. 
• This option for testing will be available to symptomatic and exposed (aka close contact) staff and students.

If you have questions on what to do if your student is feeling unwell, or when a student who has been sick can return to school, please refer to our latest Health Screening Guidelines for families.

Update to Suspended Bus Routes

While we make great strides in vaccination availability and testing, we are progressing slower with increasing our workforce, specifically in our transportation department.                                                                                                                                                                                      

While our efforts to hire additional staff look promising, we are preparing two additional cohorts of suspended bus routes in the event staffing shortages continue. My hope is to give you as much advance notice as possible. I acknowledge that these changes to your daily routine are stressful.

When the District initially announced suspended bus routes in August, we planned four cohorts that would each experience a three-week suspension of service. If needed, a fifth and sixth cohort will be implemented, with Cohort 5 suspended Nov. 22 through Dec. 10 and Cohort 6 suspended Dec. 13 through January 7. This advance notice is intended to allow time for families to plan and prepare for this temporary suspension.

However, there is light at the end of the tunnel! ASD continues an aggressive recruitment campaign that includes hiring bonuses for new staff and referral bonuses for current employees. When we first initiated the suspended routes there were roughly 50 vacant bus driver positions. We have since made progress in our hiring. Three new hires just completed their training, and six additional folks are training diligently. Our goal is to absorb the suspended routes and not have to implement cohorts five or six. If anything changes we will communicate to the families affected in those cohorts.

While I will continue to send these twice monthly updates, I’d like to also direct you to our Hot Topics page, where timely information is posted as events unfold.

As we enter into the season of thankfulness, I would like to thank the ASD parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles, and all adults who support our students – thank you for your partnership and flexibility. As your students reach new milestones in their learning, you as their support system deserve just as much recognition for that good grade, star on the completed work, or spot on the honor roll. We know the best place for kids to be is in their regular school environment where they learn and grow; together we have turned against the tide to keep healthy kids and staff in school.

Cheers, 

Deena Bishop, Ed.D.
Superintendent

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Dear ASD Families,

Congratulations to our students on completion of the first quarter! I want to share my gratitude to families and teachers for their unwavering dedication to helping our students achieve their best during these challenging times. It’s easy to forget that it's been two years since a traditional school start, and getting back into the groove of full time in-person learning was an adjustment. THANK YOU! 

I also want to continue the drumbeat of recognition and gratitude that our school nurses deserve. Their tireless efforts, long hours, sacrifice, and dedication to students and families are extraordinary. At the same time, our testing capabilities as a District continue to expand.

The expansion of COVID-19 testing into all Title I schools with local partner Beechtree Molecular Lab will be complete by the end of next week, with a District-wide testing site goal of November 11. These expanded capabilities will allow nurses to provide test results before the next school day. Please know we have no plans to utilize the COVID-19 antigen take-home tests offered from the State of Alaska as we are at full capacity with our current testing plan.

While I think our school nurses are rock stars, a little help is always welcomed. Nine State of Alaska contracted healthcare workers were placed in our secondary schools to assist with testing, health screenings, office visits, documentation, and COVID education. We are excited for their help, as it will both alleviate the stresses on our nursing staff and improve the COVID-19 response by continuing mitigation efforts.

Finally, let’s remember what this is all about – our students. I am beyond proud of them. They are dealing with stresses and challenges too. By minimizing disruptions to their learning and keeping them in the classroom, we are setting them up for success. We all play a part in keeping ASD Symptom Free. Let’s continue to work together so our students can grow and learn.

 

Have a great weekend!

Cheers,

Deena Bishop, Ed.D.
Superintendent

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Preface for Today’s Message to Families:

Thank you for continuing to follow my COVID-19 communications. In additional to these twice-monthly updates, I’ve started a new video series, called “Seconds with the Superintendent” where I share my thoughts on current issues and events in our District, in about 60 seconds or less.

 

Dear ASD Families,

As we begin to wrap up the first quarter of the school year, our COVID mitigation protocols have proven to be effective. We continue to tailor our plans based on the latest data to keep healthy students and staff present in the learning environment while minimizing the spread of COVID. Please watch for upcoming flu vaccination clinics to promote wellness in your family.

While the success of keeping schools open is celebrated, I am writing to call on your support to partner in bolstering our students’ growth and development behaviorally, emotionally, and of course, academically. As a backdrop, ASD has been recognized for its Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) standards for more than 10 years. We have been a front runner in expecting and teaching these constructs. If you are not familiar with the colloquial meaning of SEL, these standards focus on employability skills, or what I like to call the “me” skills and “we” skills. They are self-efficacy skills to become masters of our actions! These skills also allow us to work collectively to solve problems. Whichever term resonates with you, social/emotional or employability, it is essential our children learn both soft and hard skills in our homes and schools.

Discussions with teachers and principals highlight that educators are elated to be back in schools. The at-home programs of the last 18 months have a taken a toll on our students, families, and staff. More specifically, this year’s start has been tougher than any other, not only due to COVID mitigation, but in learning together again in our classrooms, courts, and fields. After Zoom classrooms, drive-through graduations, and cancelled activities, we must relearn the importance of coexisting in our schools which host some of the most diverse student populations in the nation.

We see struggles manifesting in elementary schools with student outbursts, including tears and tantrums. In our middle and high schools, students are acting out at times with harsh language and disrespect to adults and each other. Staff also report more physical altercations among students. Please remind your students that violence in our schools will not be tolerated. You may see the tension and stress in your children at home as well. We can work together on this to grow our youth, as they are our hope and future.

A particular behavior I want to describe includes recent instances of discrimination and racist language. This pandemic has in many ways brought division to our nation, state, and municipality. ASD is a microcosm of our community; if prejudice and discrimination exist in our community, it most likely will rear its ugly head in our schools.

The School Board voted 7-0 to pass its new anti-racism policy which allows us to examine situations and acknowledge that racism has no place in our schools. As a result, our staff will engage in anti-discrimination and anti-racism training this semester. In addition, we are working on programs and processes that build relational capacity with students to address successful behaviors for learning and life.

The structures and routines of school are being relearned to support our students’ acquisition of soft and hard skills. Please take the time at home to share your expectations for your student’s behavior while at school and talk to him/her to see what supports our schools can offer to have each day of learning be successful. Working together, we can make a difference in the lives of our young people.

Additionally, the pandemic has placed more stress on our staff than any other time during my career. Some areas of our workforce, including our substitute pool, are operating with minimal staff this year. Our teachers and principals are stretched very thin as they serve students while often covering the duties of unfilled positions. There is fatigue at all levels. Please know that we are pursuing many avenues to recruit and hire for open positions to lessen the strain.

Again, the Anchorage School District affirms the right of all students and staff to pursue their education and work with dignity and respect, in a safe environment.

Thanks again for the encouragement and empowerment of success you give your kids every day.

Cheers,

 

Deena Bishop, Ed.D.
Superintendent 

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Dear ASD Families,

I hope your family is feeling well after a month of full time in-person learning. New routines paired with the added stressors this pandemic brings can quickly compound to stress. Let’s remember it’s been two years since a traditional school start. Please grant yourself and others around you grace and make time to enjoy the beauty of fall before the onset of winter (sorry to use the “w” word so soon).

The return of in-person learning while navigating through a pandemic requires a lot of resources, energy, and commitment. The Anchorage School District remains committed to providing students high quality in-person learning, in environments that are safe and healthy.

Simply said, we want healthy students in schools learning. It is so important for their development. Vaccinations and universal masking continue to be the best tools to keep students healthy and in school, and staff at work. To that point, effective today, the District has revised protocols which previously required asymptomatic (not exhibiting symptoms) close contacts to quarantine.

We have now changed our protocols in response to the needs of our community. Individuals deemed close contacts of confirmed positive individuals in ASD, and who remain asymptomatic, will not be required to quarantine. This change in protocol is based on our internal data that demonstrate:

1. Very few positive cases relate to close contacts
2. Length of time that it takes to receive test results in the municipality has increased from 24 hours to 72-96 hours
3. Inequities with families in smaller homes having to quarantine for 20 days or longer
4. Burden on parents having to stay home from work with their children in quarantine
5. Quarantining from school hasn't kept children from participating together in other non-ASD activities

This change in protocol is necessary to ensure a level of service that enables our staff and students to remain in school if asymptomatic. To this end, the new COVID protocols will:

1. Not automatically require the quarantine of asymptomatic close contacts. Staff and parents of close contacts will be given options if they want to stay in school (see a. below)
2. Continue to isolate confirmed COVID positives
3. Require symptomatic students/staff to remain home until they receive a negative test result, obtain a doctor note, or complete a 10-day isolation

Based on these new COVID protocols, notification to families will continue as follows:

1. Parents/guardians of students in the class/cohort/team with a positive COVID case will receive a letter notifying them of the case and giving options to remain in class, quarantine, or test. Parents can choose a combination of these options.
2. Parents of entire school bodies will receive a letter if there is a significant scenario in the school

Symptomatic students and staff will continue to be tracked. We are not giving up on COVID, simply overlaying educational practices and health practices in an incredibly difficult time.

One message remains throughout this pandemic:  Keep ASD Symptom Free. The best way to keep our schools open and safe is to stay home even with mild symptoms. This, along with the use of layered prevention strategies like vaccination, masking, ventilation, physical distancing, and testing, has held true.

Cheers,

Deena Bishop, Ed.D.

Superintendent 

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Dear ASD Families and Staff,

 

I hope this September 15 finds you well. Since Monday’s update about the revised COVID protocols, I have received questions about when it’s appropriate to attend school and/or go to work. This feedback is specifically around the term “asymptomatic.” Please know that anyone who tests positive for COVID, whether they are experiencing symptoms or not, must isolate from school and work. The quick guide below provides additional information:

 

• Anyone that is COVID positive must isolate for 10 days, whether or not they have symptoms. Be safe and keep others safe by staying home. We will welcome you back when you’re healthy again.
• Anyone that is not COVID positive and is not sick (asymptomatic) may go to school and work.

 

Simply, if someone is sick, they should stay home and rest! If healthy, please know that school is the place to be!

Cheers,

Deena Bishop, Ed.D.

Superintendent