Dimond Newsletter

The longer days are increasing our energy, and it’s a good thing because springtime in high school is a busy time of year! Freshmen and sophomores are testing this week, and juniors and seniors are working hard towards prep for AP tests and finishing the semester strong, getting one step closer to graduation. With prom this weekend and spirit days all week, you can feel the excitement in the building. Plus, all of our spring sports are now competing in games and meets. There is a lot going on!

I just returned from a trip to Hawaii with our music department for the Pacific Basin Music Festival, where our student musicians played beautifully and represented Dimond and Alaska very well. We are very proud of their performance!

I’m sure I will see you on the track, at a celebration, or at a performance soon! Until then, enjoy the sunshine in the land of the mighty lynx.

Warm Regards,

Principal D’Atri

AK STAR Assessment and Alaska Science Assessment started TODAY

Our freshmen were tested for the Math portion today and will also be tested for English tomorrow. Thursday, April 3rd we will be testing our 10th graders for Science. The assessments will take place during morning testing time blocks. The bell schedule for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday is attached.

Some students may be displaced from their classrooms, teachers will be able to tell their students where their alternate location is on Monday. Please make sure ALL STUDENTS eat a wonderful breakfast and bring their Chromebooks fully charged for testing!

The period for "refusals" (previously known as "Opt-Out") ended on March 21st. If your 9th or 10th graders are at school, they will be tested.

Lastly, students CANNOT be interrupted during testing for any reason. If your student is going to need a blue pass to leave school in the morning, from 8:45-11:35am, please keep them at home.

If you have any additional questions, please call the curriculum office, 742-7000-press 5.

• April 2nd: AK Star Testing ELA

• 2nd Period: 8:45am - 11:35am

• Lunch: 11:35am - 12:20pm

• 5th Period: 12:25-3:15pm

• April 3rd: AK Science Testing

• 3rd Period: 8:45am - 11:35am

• Lunch: 11:35am - 12:20pm

• 6th Period: 12:25-3:15pm

• April 4th: Prom Assembly

• April 5th: Prom at the Anchorage Museum (more information above)

• April 15th: Honor Grad Ceremony

• April 18th: No School- Spring Closure Day

• May 1st: Japanese Completion Ceremony

• May 2nd: Senior Fun Day

• May 8th: Life Skills Graduation

• May 13th: Dimond Alumni Awards

• May 15th: Dimond Graduation, 2pm at the Alaska Airlines Center

• May 23rd: World Language Recognition

Weather Lab Field Trip at KTUU
Dimond Students Explore Careers in Weather and Media at KTUU
Last Wednesday, a group of Dimond’s math and environmental science students visited KTUU for an exciting behind-the-scenes tour of the weather labs and news studio. Led by Chief Meteorologist Melissa Frey, students gained firsthand insight into weather prediction, data analysis, and the science behind Alaska’s dynamic climate.

With the current surge in weather activity across the state, the visit was both timely and engaging. Students explored a variety of career pathways within the KTUU ecosystem, experimented with news broadcasting, and learned about the collaborative effort it takes to bring accurate information to the public.

It was a great trip filled with valuable learning and amazing insights. We’re incredibly grateful to Melissa Frey and the KTUU team for welcoming our students and bringing science and media to life beyond the classroom. Check out the story that aired on KTUU:

SkillsUSA State Competition
Dimond SkillsUSA Team Brings Home Gold. Congratulations to Dimond’s SkillsUSA team, Team Milo—Patience Johnson and Honour Drath—on their outstanding performance at last week’s State competition!

Honour Drath earned a gold medal in the Extemporaneous Speech category and was also elected as the Alaska State SkillsUSA Treasurer for the 2025–2026 school year.

We are incredibly proud of our team’s accomplishments and look forward to growing an even bigger and stronger SkillsUSA team next year!

Dimond Students Attend Alaska’s Premier Energy Conference
On Friday, March 21, Dimond students had the opportunity to attend Alaska’s premier energy conference, thanks to the generous support of Alaska Resource Education. The event offered valuable networking experiences—from exploring trade show booths and shaking hands with industry professionals to learning about the robust economic growth of Alaska’s resource sector.

Students also had the chance to hear from speakers, including U.S. Representative Nick Begich and U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan. We are incredibly grateful to Alaska Resource Education for making this experience possible and for their continued commitment to educating and empowering future leaders in resource development.

King Tech Spring Hiring Event
Students interested in career opportunities should consider attending the King Tech Spring Hiring Event on April 2. Please see one of the counselors or stop by the curriculum office for more details and to pick up a permission slip.

This event is a great way for students to take their first steps into the workforce and connect with potential employers, many of whom are eager to support and mentor young talent.

Criminology Students to Visit U.S. Courthouse
On April 4, our criminology students will visit the James M. Fitzgerald United States Courthouse. The visit includes learning about the U.S. District Court, the Marshals Service, the Probation & Pretrial Services Office, and the U.S. District Court Library. The day will conclude with a mock arraignment and a Q&A session.

We’re deeply grateful to the U.S. District Court and its staff for welcoming our students and offering this meaningful, behind-the-scenes look at the justice system.

A Heartfelt Thank You
At Dimond, we are incredibly proud of the diverse and enriching experiences we are able to offer our students—experiences that would not be possible without the engagement and generosity of our community partners. Your continued support helps us inspire, educate, and prepare the next generation of Alaskan leaders.

Our Dimond Career Resource Center is run by Mrs. Lauwers and is open on Tuesdays and Fridays or afterschool by appointment only. She is here to help you with anything related to college applications, scholarships or life after high school. If you would like to speak to her and she is not in her office her email is lauwers_kimberly@asdk12.org.

Door Dash/ Uber Eats, Etc.

This is just a quick reminder that STUDENTS are not allowed to have food delivered to the front office of the school. All delivery drivers will be asked to wait outside of the building for their pick-up. This ensures the safety of the staff and students in the building as we have no way to monitor delivery drivers in the building. Also please ensure that IF students are having food delivered to the school that it occurs during the lunch hour ONLY. Students will not be let out of class to meet their delivery driver for drop off/pick-up of items, the drivers will be told to leave the items outside the front door. Thanks for supporting us in this modern day challenge.

What to Expect When Mount Spurr Erupts

1. If school is NOT in session and ashfall is on the way, ASD will close schools.

• After-school activities and community rentals will be cancelled.

1. If school IS in session and ashfall is imminent, we’ll dismiss early so everyone can get home safely.

• Bus routes may change to avoid hazardous roads.

• After-school activities and community rentals will be cancelled.

How ASD Is Getting Ready:

Keeping Students & Staff Safe:

• Schools will check in with students and staff who have respiratory conditions and take extra precautions.

• Families, if your child has a condition we don’t know about, please let your school know.

Emergency Plans in Place:

• Every school has a volcano response plan with shelter-in-place procedures and air quality measures.

• We’re working closely with local, state, and federal partners to stay on top of the situation.

Protecting Indoor Air Quality:

• We’ll take steps to keep ash out, including shutting down HVAC exterior vents and limiting when exterior doors are opened.

• Schools have specialized air filters, and we have extra replacements ready to go.

• Ventilation systems will be adjusted as needed, and our crews will start cleaning up ash when it’s safe.

Stocking Up on Supplies:

• We have 22 emergency connex units across the district filled with N95 masks, first aid kits, and essential supplies.

How to Stay Updated:

• New volcano web resource page https://www.asdk12.org/Page/21131

• Latest updates and safety tips

• Sign Up for Emergency Alerts

• Follow ASD on Social Media

Seniors 2025

If you are looking for information pertaining to seniors, please click this link! This a live link to a Google Doc that will be updated throughout the year. This link has graduation dates/times as well as other important dates for seniors to know.

If you haven’t purchased your cap and gown, there's still time, please click on the seniors link above for more details.