We have officially concluded our first round of MAP testing for the 2024/2025 school year. MAP tests provide a great data point to help monitor and assess student growth and achievement over the course of the year. We appreciate students taking these assessments seriously and working diligently to demonstrate their skills and understanding.

I want to thank the staff, parents, and community members that were able to join Thursday's Academic Policy Committee (APC) meeting. I would like to take the opportunity to introduce our board for the upcoming school year:

• Meghan Cunningham (Staff, Secretary)
• Kelly Daugherty (Staff)
• Joe Winter (Parent)
• Kelly Sheffer (Parent)
• Serene Boyland (Parent, Treasurer)
• Maryanne Andrew (Parent, PTSO Liason)
• Ayme Johnson (Community Member)
• Leah Kellerby (Community Member)

For more information about Highland's APC, check out our website.

Highland yearbooks are officially on sale! Please see the flyer below with more information about purchasing your yearbook today. Remember - yearbooks will sell out, so reserve yours early!

Last week, ASD announced that November 5th will be a remote learning day for all students. Students will be working from home on November 5th. Highland staff will be available for Zoom support sessions that day. As we get closer to November 5th, Highland will post our remote learning procedures, as well as Zoom links for teacher support sessions.

Recently, district administrators were presented to by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration about the deadly effects of fentanyl. Please see the important information below for caregivers and parents provided by the DEA.

Feel free to reach out with any questions. Have a great weekend!

-Ms. Crosby, Principal

crosby_nicole@asdk12.org

https://www.asdk12.org/highlandacademy

Educating for Leadership, Educating for Life

Please mark your calendars for the following dates/events at Highland:

• Thursday, September 19th - APC Meeting (via Zoom from 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm)
• Friday, September 27th - Quarter 1 ALICE Drill
• September 30th - October 4th - Spirit Week
• Friday, October 4th - Fall Lock-in (6:00 pm - 9:00 pm)
• Thursday, October 10th - PTSO Meeting (Highland @ 5:30 pm)
• Monday, October 14th - Indigenous Peoples Day (NO SCHOOL)
• Thursday, October 17th - APC Meeting (via Zoom from 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm)
• Friday, October 18th - End of Quarter 1 (NO SCHOOL for students, grading day)

Next week, we will be moving into our Tuesday and Thursday morning "What I Need" (WIN) time. The purpose of WIN time is to meet students' where they are at and support their individual needs as a learner. This time will allow staff to provide meaningful supports to help students make academic progress.

Dear Parent(s)/Guardians,

Highland Academy Charter School will be teaching the Alaska Safe Children’s Act/ Personal Safety lessons throughout the 2025 school year during our Advisory period. Our teachers will present an age-appropriate lesson about personal body safety in a non-threatening way, along with the skills needed for self-protection. The focus of these lessons are to empower students with the information and skills to protect themselves and seek help from the physical, psychological and emotional harm that can occur from abusive situations and is part of the Anchorage School District’s plan to enact the Alaska Safe Children’s Act and will be handled in a sensitive, respectful manner.

ASD Prevention Tools

• Climate – Creating a safe and respectful learning environment, which is well managed, supportive, and engaging with active participation.
• Direct instruction – Using a variety of evidence based curricula and programs to deliberately teach about risk factors and healthy relationship skills.
• Infusion – Integrating social and emotional learning skills throughout the day and in all curriculum areas through modeling of instructional practices that promote SEL skill practice and maximize learning.
• At home and community supports – Developing awareness about available supports and resources outside of the school day.

The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) developed curriculum is comprised of three separate age and developmentally appropriate bands for grades 7/8, 9/10 and 11/12. Each grade band contains five modules and is designed to help prevent childhood sexual abuse and teen dating abuse.

The five modules for each grade are organized around the following topics:

• Module 1: Defining Healthy Relationships
• Module 2: Building Healthy Relationships
• Module 3: Defining Unhealthy Relationships
• Module 4: Warning Signs
• Module 5: Help and Support

For 6th Grade students, they continue utilizing The Great Body Shop (which was also utilized in grades K-5) for their lessons.

If you have any questions about the content of the program or if you wish to inquire about opting out, please contact your child’s Advisory teacher or the school office (907-742-1700).

Thank you for partnering with us as we continue to provide learning opportunities to improve the safety and well being of our students.

As we move into September, I want to remind our families about the importance of regular school attendance. There is a direct correlation between regular school attendance and positive academic performance. Check out the district website with more information about the importance of regular attendance. If students are healthy, we look forward to seeing them in the building each and every day.

We are starting to see an increase in tardies throughout the school day. While we understand that occasional delays can happen, consistent tardiness can significantly impact students learning and disrupt the classroom environment. Often times, the first few minutes of class is crucial to seeing expectations and giving directions for assignments. For students to gain the most from class, it is critical that students showing up to class on time. We will continue to reach out to families when we see a pattern of tardies.

When your child is absent or tardy, please contact the school as soon as possible. The best way to report an absence is through Q/ParentConnect. You can also call the front office (907) 742-1700 or email our Administrative Assistant, Ms. Jessi (blackson_jessica@asdk12.org).

The Highland Academy Rock Band is an afterschool music group that focuses on playing guitar, bass guitar, keyboard, and percussion, with additional opportunities for members to sing! We explore pop and rock music, including songs by The Beatles, Deep Purple, The White Stripes, Katy Perry, and more.

No experience is necessary, just an instrument and a rockin' attitude! Please contact Mr. Brosius with any questions - brosius_frederick@asdk12.org

Tuesdays, 3-4 in the Commons.

Parents please review the attached ASD medication policy. Students are not allowed to bring their own medication to school. Please do not send medication to school, contact the nurse.

Medication

No medication shall be administered without proper written consent/permission by the parent/guardian and/or physician. The school nurse will provide you with the proper form for the type of medication.

All medications must be brought to the nurse in their original container, labeled with the students’ name and accompanied by the proper form. All medications must be delivered to the nurse by the parent/guardian unless approved by the nurse or school administration. Students are prohibited from carrying any medications on school grounds except for certain emergency medications by prearrangement with the nurse and physician. The school nurse will dispense all prescription and non-prescription medications. If the nurse is absent or not available, a responsible trained alternate may dispense as allowed by the Alaska Nurse Practice Act. Certain medications may not be delegated and alternate accommodations will be arranged. Medication administration is dependent upon the nurse’s discretion and observation of possible adverse reactions or interactions and may be referred to the physician as needed to insure the safety of the student during school hours. Expired medications and/or medical supplies will not be used by ASD; parent/guardian must supply current medications and supplies at all times. Please be sure to provide the school with a current Epinephrine autoinjector (epipen) or inhaler for any school field trip. Homeopathic and herbal medications will not be given at school due to prohibition by the Alaska Nurse Practice Act. Medication forms are available from your doctor, the school office or online at the ASD website under Health Services

For any questions please contact our nurse at robinson_robae@asdk.12.org

Or 907-742-1702

As a reminder, Highland implemented a revised cell phone or headphone/earbud policy last semester. Students are expected to have their earbuds/headphones put away and cell phones turned off and out of sight during class and passing time. They are permitted to use their device before school, during lunch, and after school. If a student has their cell phone or earbuds/headphones out in class or during passing time, regardless of the reason, teachers will confiscate the device to be stored at the front office for the rest of the school day.

We request that all families pay a $150 supply and activity for the school year through Q/ParentConnection. These funds help pay for intensives, student-led activities, class sets, and more. If this is a hardship, or you would rather donate your time, we would be happy to work with you.