Dimond Newsletter
November 27, 2024
Dear Dimond Families:
The rain on Monday created some very icy conditions for driving and walking. I’d like to take the chance to remind everyone that taking small steps and shuffling your feet is the safest way to walk on slippery surfaces. We will always sand icy walkways, but sometimes conditions can change throughout the day and before we can get more sand out. ASD disperses gravel in the parking lots systematically, so there may be times where we are using them before they have been serviced. Thank you for your understanding and caution. If you or your student(s) happen to fall and injure yourself on campus, please let us know immediately so our nurse can assist.
I also want to wish everyone a wonderful break, hopefully filled with good food and good company. My heart is full of gratitude for this Dimond community!
Warm Regards,
Principal D’Atri
New News For this Week's Newsletter
Map Testing
This winter, students will be taking the MAP Growth Assessment during the testing window which occurs December 2nd-13th. The assessments will be taking place during Math and Language Arts classes as part of the curriculum for the course. MAP growth assessments are important benchmark assessments that help measure student learning throughout the year and ensure proper placement in students' courses. Their assessments are also great predictors of student success in classes as well as nationwide tests such as the PSAT and SAT.
Please see the following link for further information - 2024 Dimond MAP Newsletter.
Student Decorum
Last Friday, November 22nd, all homeroom classes reviewed the Dimond Student Decorum Expectations.This is a link to those expectations: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/17WUI2biRE7qHuRjeoZcjioJVLbhU9er_KME1wAqs6vs/preview?slide=id.g30c392c507b_0_0.
Please ask your student about it and if they learned anything or if they have any questions please feel free to see or email Assistant Principal Hayden.
Crystal Ball
Crystal Ball will be held on Friday, December 6th, from 7:00pm -10:00pm in the Commons.
Guest passes are available for pick up across from the Activities office. They are due no later than 3:15pm on November 27th.
Tickets are $10 a person, cash only, and will be on sale during lunch from Monday, December 2nd through Friday, December 6th.
Rules for the Dance:
You must bring your Student ID to get in.
Tickets WILL NOT be sold at the door
Dress is semi-formal attire (ex. slacks, button up-shirts, and a tie; appropriate dresses that follow the dress code--no cleavage, no super short dresses or you’ll be sent home, no questions asked). No Hats or Sunglasses.
You must be in the dance no later than 8:30pm or you will not be allowed in.
Dance expectations include: no sexual or inappropriate dancing, no bending over--this is your warning you will not get one at the dance
Spirit Days:
Monday- 12/2: Dimond Day (Wear maroon and gold)
Tuesday- 12/3: Anything but a Backpack (Bring any other carrier item to use instead of your backpack, be creative, but be school appropriate.)
Wednesday- 12/4: Summer Vacation (Dress like you would for vacation. Floral shirts, hats, sunglasses, arm floaties, goggles, etc)
Thursday- 12/5: Dress As Your Type (Dress as your type in a person, partner, or crush. School dress code still applies)
Friday- 12/6: White Lies (Wear a plain white t-shirt with a lie written on the front about yourself, or wear white out.)
Crystal Ball Court:
Princesses:
McKenna Collins
Leah Hughes
Xianli Nichols
Tatiana Bunton
Serayah Freitas-Turner
Princes:
Matthew Peterson
Collin Sullivan
Spike Clark
Rese Korytna
Joan Orense
The Annual ASD Bookmark Contest is here!
Dimond entries are due Friday, December 6 to the library.
Entries must:
fit the theme and include the phrase Turn a New Page @ Your Library™
be the original work of the student, whether hand drawn, digital art, or computer generated
be the correct size: 7” x 2 ¾” either horizontal or vertical
be submitted with the student's full name and grade on the back of the bookmark
No copyrighted characters may be included on the bookmark
Click on the link for more details or stop by the library: Bookmark Contest.
2024 – 2025 Bookmark Design Contest is sponsored by ASD Librarians
Senior Portraits and Quotes
Seniors can submit their own senior portraits and senior quotes here: http://bit.ly/3MHOKGn
The deadline for submitting senior portraits and senior quotes is November 27th (before the Thanksgiving break). There will be no extension.
If a senior does not submit their own photo, the photo that Fitzgerald Photography took on Picture Day or Picture Retake Day will be used.
Finals
Semester 1 finals are quickly approaching. We wanted to take a minute to communicate some finals expectations.
Final Exam Expectations -
Every class will have a final of some kind. This can be a test or presentation, but it will be of value to your students' class and be meaningful.
To help keep hallway distractions to a minimum, students need to remain in the classrooms for the entire testing period.
The only exception should be emergencies.
No students will be allowed to go to the library when they are finished with their final.
No blue passes will be given either day of finals- parents need to have those pre-arranged prior to that day.
Chart My Path
Upcoming Sports Start Dates and Signups
Each sport costs $225.00. There is now a student cap of $675.00 per year. Once you have reached this amount, all other sports will be free for the remainder of the current school year. If your family is seeking a financial waiver, you will need to apply and be approved for the Free and Reduced Lunch program. You can find this application process on the Student Nutrition website.
Please make sure to complete all forms on Planeths, before the start date of the sport you are interested in participating in. Each student must check in with Chelsea Hunt in the Activities office to receive a Golden Ticket before they are eligible to participate in their desired sport.
If you have additional questions, please contact Chelsea Hunt in the Activities office at 742-7005. Office hours are 8 AM to 4 PM with a closure at 2:15 PM for 30 mins.
Sports Start Dates
Dec. 4
Boys and Girls Basketball
Academies of Anchorage
Related to Freshmen Academy, you may have seen the message from the Superintendent about adjusting our timeline for the Academies of Anchorage. We will continue with a six-period schedule for the 25-26 school year. ASD listened to our community concerns and made the decision to slow down the roll out. High school staff will revisit the master plan soon and provide input for a new path forward that is manageable for next year. The Freshmen Academy and first day of school is sure to remain due to the success seen this year. If you have any questions about this change, please feel free to reach out.
Career Resource Office
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.
School Calendar
- November 27th: Abbreviated Bell Schedule- All 6 Periods
- November 28th and 29th: No School- Fall Break
December 17th: Abbreviated Bell Schedule- All 6 Periods
December 18th and 19th: Finals Schedule
December 19th: Student last day of the Semester- 1 Semester Ends
December 20th: Student Released Grading Day
December 23rd, 2024- January 3, 2025: Winter Break
January 6, 2025: Students First Day of 2nd Semester
Important Notices from Past Newsletters
Holiday Blues
The Dimond Counseling Department would like to provide you with some resources as we enter the holiday season.
The holidays can be a time of joy and cheer for some, but can also be a time of struggle and stress for others. We appreciate our staff and students and want to partner with you to assist students if they need support.
Attached, please find "Beat the Holiday Blues," written by ASD school psychologists, as well as a Hotlines Chart from our own Ms. Trim.
(Abby Insert 2 Fliers)
Yearbooks
Want to purchase a 2024/2025 Dimond Yearbook? Click on this link www.yearbooksforever.com and select Dimond High School on the dropdown menu.
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.
Senior Information from the Counseling Office
Attention seniors and parents of seniors! Please read this senior fall information and contact your counselor if you need assistance or have questions.
A.J. Dimond High School
Website: https://www.asdk12.org/dimond
Location: 2909 West 88th Avenue, Anchorage, AK, USA
Phone: (907) 742-7000