Dimond High School Guidelines

Message from the Principal

  • Greetings and welcome to A.J. Dimond High School. As your principal, I am excited and looking forward to meeting each and every one of you. I encourage you to use this handbook as your guide to the policies and procedures of Dimond High and the Anchorage School District. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask a Dimond staff member. We are here to help you and to ensure that you have positive and successful experiences at Dimond High School.

     

    In keeping up with Dimond’s legacy of academic, athletic and fine arts excellence, I strongly encourage you to get involved in Dimond’s various clubs, academic activities and athletics. There is something for everyone. Keep the legacy going.

     

    Yours Truly,

    Whitney D'Atri, Principal

Mission Statement

  • Dimond High School’s mission is to facilitate optimal learning for all students to empower them to lead fulfilling and productive lives in a rapidly changing and increasingly complex society.

    We believe:

    • Learning is the chief priority for our school
    • All students can learn; students learn in different ways and need a variety of instructional approaches to support their learning
    • Students learn best when they are actively engaged in the learning process

Administration

Whitney D'Atri
Principal
Datri_Whitney@asdk12.org

Tarna Armstrong
Assistant Principal: Curriculum & Freshman Academy
armstrong_tarna@asdk12.org

Rebekah Hayden
Assistant Principal: Student Services
hayden_rebekah@asdk12.org

Chris Ruggles
Assistant Principal: Activities
ruggles_chris@asdk12.org

How to Succeed at Dimond

    1. Attendance is key to learning. Improving attendance is a major goal of the 2018-19 school year. Be aware that 10 or more excused OR unexcused absences in any class(es) will result in attendance probation. Fifteen or more absences may result in loss of credit for the class(es).
    2. Be on time.
    3. Be prepared by bringing text, pen, pencil, paper and other required materials. Leaving class to retrieve forgotten items may count as a tardy.
    4. Respect the rights of other students in class. Don’t disrupt.
    5. Complete homework and projects on time. These are your “work” and your earned grade is your “pay”.
    6. Take care of your assigned textbooks and locker. Excessive wear and tear will be assessed a fine.
    7. Ask questions, pay attention and stay engaged in class. You will learn more by participating.
    8. Look for “real life” applications for what you are learning.
    9. Help Dimond continuously improve. Be solution-oriented and take your ideas to Student Government or to a staff member.
    10. Help maintain a safe school. If you hear about or see a concern, refer it to a trusted adult.
    11. Be familiar with Dimond’s policies and procedures. Know what is expected of you.

  • Freshman Ignition Mentorship

    The Ignition Mentorship program provides a smooth transition to life at Dimond for our incoming freshmen. It begins with our Ignition Day on the first day of the school year. During this day, Freshman spend the day learning about life at Dimond and connecting with other freshmen and their assigned peer mentor for the year. Ignition Mentors are 10-12 graders from Dimond who spend the year supporting a small group of freshmen.

    Throughout the year, mentors will present monthly Fuel Activities to their freshmen groups (during FACE classes). These activities continue to support the transition to high school, with topics like goal-setting, positive choices, and social-emotional learning.

    Engineering Academy

    The Dimond High School Engineering Academy prepares students for a 2-year or 4-year engineering degree to help address a critical shortage of engineers. The Academy includes six engineering classes: Introduction to Engineering Design (9th grade), Principles of Engineering (10th grade), Digital Electronics (11th grade), Computer Integrated Manufacturing (12th grade) Technical Writing (11th and 12th grade) and Civil Engineering and Architecture. The classes are focused around hands-on projects that involve students in all aspects of engineering including design, research, building, testing, report writing and giving presentations. An Engineering Academy Advisory Board, comprised of engineers and educators from Mears, Dimond and UAA, guides our curriculum. UAA Engineering students assist classes during the year.

    Japanese Immersion Program

    Dimond houses the Japanese Immersion Program that begins at Sand Lake Elementary School, continues on at Mears Middle School and concludes at Dimond.

    Professional Learning Communities

    Each Monday morning, classes begin 1 hour later to provide collaborative instructional planning time for teachers. Students arriving at the normal time will remain in the Auditeria or Commons until 9:30 a.m. Breakfast is available during this time in the Auditeria. At 9:30 a.m. students may go to their lockers. First period on Mondays begins at 9:45 a.m. Students who arrive after 9:45 a.m. are tardy.