Trailside Parent Newsletter

Hello Trailside Families!

We've had a great first few weeks of school, with our team working hard to establish solid routines, systems, and expectations. With the year underway, it is time for our Beginning-of-the-Year testing window for mClass- K-3rd and MAP 3-5th (see info below). This data is essential in helping our team support your child's academic growth, by pointing out gaps in their learning, as well as areas of strength/mastery. Please help your child be at their best with a great night's sleep and nutritious breakfast.

As you may have noticed, there is an increased presence of wildlife around the school this year. I've reached out to Alaska Department of Fish and Game ADFG to come to the school this month to conduct their annual Wildlife Safety Presentation for our students (typically this happens around December). I'll update you all with the date as soon as we have it. Thank you parents and families for notifying the school if you see wildlife- this is a huge help!

Lastly, I'd like to encourage parents and families to join the Trailside PTA (see info below). The Trailside PTA is a driving force that supports teachers and students each and every year. Your involvement continues to support our team operating at our best. Thank you!

Trailside Testing Day: Thursday, September 10, 2026

As part of The Alaska Reads Act, the State of Alaska requires that districts administer an early literacy screening tool three times a year to students in grades K-3 to identify potential reading difficulties in order to improve reading outcomes for students. Families can read more about this comprehensive K-3 reading policy at The Alaska Reads Act website: education.alaska.gov/akreads

mClass with DIBELS 8th Edition Assessments is the State of Alaska Department of Education’s and ASD’s Early Literacy benchmark screening and progress monitoring tool for students in grades K-3 in reading. mClass utilizes curriculum-based measures and is used by schools as part of the ASD Comprehensive Assessment System to support informed instructional decisions.

The Alaska Department of Education & Early Development explains the decision to adopt mClass as the statewide literacy screener here:

https://education.alaska.gov/Alaska-Reading-Resources/Statewide-Early-Literacy-Screener

mClass screening assessments will only be administered in-person during the benchmark window listed below:

• BOY 2026: September 7 - 18

Results for K-3 students that were assessed during a benchmark window, will be available in Parent Connect by October 2, 2026 ParentConnection Login Information and Reference Guide: parentconnect.asdk12.org

Trailside has adopted the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) model this school year. Aligned with the PAWS that Trailside has utilized for many years, behavior expectations are broken down for each area/location of the school. PAWS are mentioned on the announcements every day- ask your child what they stand for- they might have them memorized already!

Additionally, the key to this system is praising the positive- when students are demonstrating appropriate behavior, we let them know! This school year our PBIS team will be working to create a strong PBIS foundation that we can build on for years to come.

Find your bus stop on Q Parent Connect and/or Stop Finder App.

Phone App Bus Finder

Need help? Head to our Transportation page for more info:

StopFinder is just one of the tools we’re excited to share this year. For supply lists, bell schedules, safety tips, tech updates, and more, visit our Back-to-School hub:

We’re proud to be part of your team and can’t wait to see what this year brings. Let’s gear up for success together!

-Team ASD

Volunteer applications are required every school year. Please complete yours today so you can participate in the many activities Trailside will offer this year!

https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/MzYxMzplbi1VUw==

Students can arrive at school for breakfast from 7:35-7:55am.

PLC Monday breakfast service is pushed 1 hour later, from 8:35-8:55am.

More information about meals and prices can be found here:

https://www.asdk12.org/Page/19907

Please call or email the office when excusing your student due to sickness, or pre-arranged absence (Travel, Etc.) donaldson_karen@asdk12.org

When leaving messages for the office, please make sure to leave the student's first and last name.

Please also leave a good contact name and number we can reach you at if we have questions regarding the message.

907-742-5500

All parents, please check your parent connection and make sure all of your contact information is correct.

Please notify the office of any of the following changes:

• Custody/Legal Documents (as soon as possible)
• Address Changes
• Phone number updates
• If you are moving, please notify the office as soon as possible.

Please make sure when using Q Parent Connection to excuse your student, it has to be done in the system prior to 8:30 am. If not, you will get a Robo-Call from the district notifying you that your student was absent for the day. Please call the office if it is after 9:30 am and the office staff will get your student excused.

If you are traveling please contact the office so we can get your student excused, you will then see a "P" (Travel status and other pre-arranged absences) in Q- Parent Connection instead of "E" (Excused).