October 11, 2022

 

Dear Dimond Families:

 

Please enjoy this week’s NewsBlast.

 

Bullying Prevention Month:  Stop Bullying! 

 

Bullying can threaten students’ physical and emotional safety at school and can negatively impact their ability to learn. ASD is dedicated to providing a safe and civil learning environment.

 

Review the Anchorage School Board Policy on bullying here: https://bit.ly/3EyKqXe

 

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NEW TRAFFIC PATTERN AND BUS SERVICE:

 

Bus service returned to Dimond for the remainder of the quarter (until October 20th). Please read the information below regarding our new traffic pattern for the next three weeks.

• Starting this week, the access road will be for buses only - private vehicles are prohibited due to the fact that students exit and get on buses in this area.  
• Private vehicles will be able to use the front roundabout and the student parking lot for drop off and pick up 
• Drop off and pick up must occur on a sidewalk adjacent to the school (where the student can exit directly onto a sidewalk without crossing traffic)
• There is no parking allowed on the inside lane of the front roundabout - it is a fire lane and vehicles must keep moving in that lane
• The student parking lot will remain a drop-off and pick-up area
• The staff parking lot is not a designated drop-off and pick-up area  
• Pull as far forward as possible during drop off and pick up in either location
• Consult the map for further details and understanding
• Follow the signage and drive slowly, watching for pedestrians and bikers
• We strongly encourage students walking or biking to school to wear reflective clothing

Additionally, 1st period tardies will accumulate towards discipline as part of our tardy policy during this timeframe.  

 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY SCHOOLS SURVEY:

 

As you know, Dimond is committed to fostering a quality learning experience for our students. This year, we are continuing our partnership with Equal Opportunity Schools. This non-profit education organization will help us to examine and develop the learning culture within our school and to find ways to increase student participation in challenging high school coursework.  To support these goals, we will have all students participate in a brief survey this month. The survey window will close on November 11th.  Survey questions will address students’ views on their coursework, their school experience, and the ways in which our school supports their educational goals. The results will be used to inform and improve academic support for students now and in the future. Our goal is to encourage students to pursue interest in Advance Placement courses during their high school journey.  Finally, EOS and the Anchorage School District confirm that any confidential information will only be accessed by District and EOS personnel.  

Thank you in advance for your support of this important initiative!

 

End of 1st Quarter

 

The 1st quarter ends on Friday, October 21st, which is a teacher grading day.  Students’ last day of school for the quarter will be Thursday, October 20th.  Please review Parent Connect to ensure you know how your student is performing prior to the end of the quarter:  https://parentconnect.asdk12.org/

 

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PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES:

 

 Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Thursday, October 27th.  Students will be dismissed at 11:00 am.  The first session will be from 11:45 am-2:30 pm and the second session will be from 4:00 pm-7:00 pm. Friday, October 28th is an in-service day for students.  There will be no classes.  

 

FLU SEASON

 

It's flu season! Come get your free flu vaccine during the parent teacher conference, October 27th from 1pm - 7pm. Flu vaccines are free to the public. We will have Fluarix for 6 mos+ and Fluad High Dose for 65+ while supplies last. Tdap will also be available for all ASD students. Call the nurse's office with any questions at 742-7054!  See attached flier. 

 

PSAT/NMSQT: This Saturday, October 15th at DHS: 

 

Attention Juniors and interested Sophomores. The PSAT/ NMSQT will be held at Dimond High School on the morning of Saturday, October 15th. 

Students arrive at the DHS Commons no later than 7:45 am with testing beginning at 8:00 am. The exam should finish at approximately 11:45 am.

The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) measures what students learn in school, determines if students are on track for college success, and opens doors for opportunities to prepare and pay for college.  

 

The PSAT/NMSQT is open to 10th and 11th graders.

 

The cost is $25.  Students can sign up/register by paying Online at Q Parent Connect or in person at Dimond's Main Office before school, at lunch, and after school.   

 

Seats are limited and registration will cease when all exams are accounted for.

 

AP TEST SIGN-UP AND PAYMENT INFORMATION:

 

Information regarding Advanced Placement testing can be found on the Dimond High School website: www.asdk12.org/DimondAP

This website will be routinely updated throughout the year.

 

Payment must be made online in Q Parent Connect, or in-person to Karen Pritchard (please make an appointment, 742-7022).

The deadline for test payment without a late penalty is Tuesday, November 1st at 3:00 pm. 

 

Test Fee (per test): $105 (Late signup test fee: $145)

 

Fee reductions are available for those who qualify; contact Amber Jaasma, jaasma_amber@asdk12.org (907) 742-7063

 

The absolute last date to order a test or request a refund for canceled tests is Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at 3:00 pm. 

 

No changes to the test order will take place after this date. Note that all tests paid for after November 1st will incur the $40 late fee ($145 per test). 

 

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UPCOMING WEBINAR:  9th & 10th Graders College Admissions Checklist:

 

As a 9th or 10th grader, what should you be doing this fall to set yourself up for college admissions success? During our live webinar, Kimberly Hewitt, director of Frontier Tutoring's college counseling practice, will walk through fall semester priorities for freshmen and sophomores.

 

Webinar 

 

Time: 9th & 10th Graders College Admissions Checklist

 

Date: Wednesday, October 12, 2022

 

Time: 6:00 PM - 7:15 PM

 

Sign-On Time for Counselor Panelists: 5:50 PM

 

Schools Co-Hosting: Bartlett, Chugiak, Dimond, Eagle River, and Service High School

 

Sign-Up Link for Families: https://www.frontiertutoring.com/webinar/2022_10_12

 

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Business Academy       

The CTE Department launched a new Business Academy in Fall 2022 for high school juniors. We are recruiting students interested in careers in Financial Services (banking), Administrative Assisting (office), or Bookkeeping and Accounting.

• Dual Credit Courses taught by UAF Faculty - up to 16 credits
• An ASD Academy coach (teacher) who will provide in-person coaching and mentoring
• Internship requirement in senior year
• Students graduate with an Occupational Endorsement (link) from the University of Alaska Fairbanks

***Application is open for juniors to start in January***

Open 10/3 - 10/20

Click here to apply or cut and paste this link into your browser.

 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeg0XXYfi-7fy-Xf8GKbetR_7gFdQzAgMI3vOCqH7FY4vFoPg/viewform

 

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MATH TUTORING AVAILABLE:

 

We are currently offering an after-school math tutoring program. Students can come to B108 after school between 2:15-3:15 on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays to receive math help. We encourage them to bring notes if they have them.

 

YEARBOOK ORDERS:

 

Yearbooks for the 2022-23 school year are available at the fall sale price of $65 at yearbookforever.com.

 

Yearbook Price throughout the Year: 

Until Nov 1st - $65

Until Mar 1st - $75

Until Sold - $85 

 

Direct shipping to your home or college dorm is available for $8 on all yearbook purchases.

 

Senior Ads are available at the fall sale prices of:

 

(please note you must create/upload your ad at the time of payment)

 

Full page - $280

Half page - $140

Quarter page - $70 

Senior ads after November 1st: 

Full page - $300

Half page - $150

Quarter page - $75

 

All senior ads are due March 1, 2023

Senior portraits and quotes are due December 31, 2022

 

Email any questions, portraits, or quotes to: dimondLynxYB@gmail.com 

 

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ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY FOR SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES

 

Students participating in sports or all-state academic/fine arts competitions must remain academically eligible.  Eligibility is checked at the beginning of the 1st and 2nd semesters, as well as at the beginning of the 2nd and 3rd quarters.  Students that are not academically eligible will not be able to participate in their sport or activity.  Please see the link below for more information.

 

https://dochub.com/christopherkleckner/2GQ1NXoKyQ5WlAQKDkW6bx/eligibility-information-pdf?dt=xUEY6qdKBensifzdGr5L

 

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UPCOMING SPORTS START DATES AND SIGNUPS:

 

Please make sure to complete all forms on Planeths.com before the start date of the sport you are interested in.  If you have any questions, please contact Chelsea Hunt in the Activities office at 742-7005.  Office hours are & 7 AM to 3 PM with a closure at 12 PM for 30 mins.   

 

Please make sure to have your student check in with Chelsea Hunt in the Activities office to receive an eligibility slip before they are eligible to participate in the sport.

 

Payments

 

Each sport costs $200.00, there is now a student cap of $400.00 per year.  Once you have reached this amount all other sports will be free for the current school year.  If your family is interested in a waiver, you will need to apply and be approved for the free and reduced lunch program. You can find this on the Student Nutrition website.  

 

Activity Stickers

 

Activity Stickers are available for purchase on ParentConnect.  The cost is $50.00 for the school year.  This will get your student into any home or away game during the school year.  Your student will receive a label on their Student ID they will need to present at the games. 

 

Start Dates:   

 

Hockey & Hockey Cheer

Oct. 12 

 

Cross Country Ski 

Oct. 26 

 

COFFEE SHOP OPEN:

 

The Lynx Lair is now open for coffee drinks and snacks, on Monday mornings, in addition to lunchtime.  Our PTSA is hoping this will continue to grow into additional days as business picks up.

 

Warm Regards,

Principal Johnson-Harris