The Scoop

Dear Chugach Families,

I would like to welcome all our returning students and families, as well as send a heartfelt welcome to our new students and families. As many of you already know, and others will soon find out, Chugach is a wonderful school and a great place for your children to learn. This year, along with welcoming our new families, we are also welcoming some new staff to our building. In our primary grades (1st and 2nd), we are welcoming Gloria Yeager; in our uppers (5th and 6th), we are welcoming Sam Joling; in music, we are extending a Chugach welcome to Tyler Desjarlais and Terry Stigall; and finally, we are welcoming our school counselor, Logan Power.

Already, many of our staff have been in the school preparing for the return of our students, and you can feel the excitement in the air. All of us who work with your children every day are excited to see you at our Back to School Night on August 12.

Please have a wonderful rest of your summer break, and I am looking forward to this school year continuing with our school traditions and seeing your children learn and grow.

Now-August 14 - ONLINE REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR RETURNING STUDENTS (https://www.asdk12.org/register)

Now-August 15 - PRE-ENROLLMENT for KINDERGARTEN AND New-to-ASD STUDENTS IS OPEN (https://www.asdk12.org/Page/3297)

Tuesday, August 12 - Back-to School Picnic (5pm-7pm on the playground)

Thursday, August 14 - First day of school for grades 1-6

School Day Starts @ 8:10am with dismissal @2:50pm

Thursday, August 21 - First day of school for Kindy

School Day Starts @ 8:10am with dismissal @2:50pm

Friday, August 29 - EARLY RELEASE DAY (Dismissal @ 11:15am)

Please join us for our annual Back-to-School Picnic, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 5-7 p.m. on the Chugach playground. We’ll kick off the new school year and meet our teachers! Hotdogs will be provided by the CEC. See below for more information on what to bring, and scan the QR code below or click HERE to help! This needs volunteers to make it a success!

Kindy Family Group Supply List

Primary Family Group Supply List (Grades 1 & 2)

Middle Family Group Supply List (Grades 3 & 4)

Upper Family Group Supply List (Grades 5 & 6)

Currently, the Cafeteria Manager position at Chugach Optiopnal is unfilled and due to Student Nutrition staff shortages, there is no substitute cafe manager to cover our school. As a result, we will not be able to have hot lunch service at our school. Shelf-stable lunches and milk will be available at no charge. However, menu selection is limited and unfortunately there are no accommodations for any student who is allergic to any of the included menu items.

If you, or anyone you know, may be interested in working at Chugach as Cafeteria Manager, please see the below flyer for information on applying for the position.

Head back to school in style! Shop our new online spirit wear store and have it shipped directly to you. We’ve included new styles and brought back some favorite past designs in a wide range of color and size options. Visit our store HERE.

ASD requires ALL volunteers (including parents) to complete a volunteer application and waiver before participating in volunteer activities at our school.

Volunteer applications must be completed EACH school year.

Please note the volunteer application system has been updated and can only be done online.

• To start the process, go to the ASD Volunteer webpage (asdk12.org/Page/13771). Click the second blue button from the top that says “Online Application and Waiver”.
• If there is any chance you will be a volunteer driver (for field trips, etc) at any time in the coming school year, please be ready to upload your driver information (license, proof of insurance, valid car registration and completed ASD driver form) at the time of your initial volunteer application.

WE LOVE OUR CHUGACH VOLUNTEERS!!!

The annual request for our "Early Release" Fridays has been submitted to ASD and the Department of Education and Early Development. While we are still awaiting final approval for the 2025-2026 school year, the TENTATIVE early release Friday dates are listed below.

August 29, 2025

September 12, 2025

September 26, 2025

October 10, 2025

November 7, 2025

November 21, 2025

December 5, 2025

January 16, 2026

January 30, 2026

February 13, 2026

March 27, 2026

April 10, 2026

April 24, 2026

May 8, 2026

On these days, students are dismissed at 11:15am.

Please note the dates listed above are tentative and may change.

School Picture Day for Chugach Optional is Monday, September 15th. Lifetouch will be taking both individual student pictures and family group class pictures. Look for more details to come in the September Scoop!

Parents/Guardians must call the Attendance Line by 9:15 a.m. when their child will not be at school for the day. Please provide the following information on the attendance line:

Student name

Parent/Guardian Name

Reason for Absence

If your child’s absence is not called in by 9:15am or if a reason for the absence is not provided, parents/guardians will receive an automated ASD phone call regarding their unexcused absence.

Excused Absences: Absences may be excused for health reasons (including medical appointments), family emergencies, participation in religious activities, or other reasons as approved by the principal. If no reason is given the absence will be considered unexcused.

Pre-Arranged Absences: If you know your child will be out for longer than a few days please fill out a Pre-Arranged Absence Form, available in the Front Office. Travel/Vacation is generally considered a Pre-arranged Unexcused Absence (unless otherwise determined by the principal).

Late arrivals: Students are considered Tardy if arrival at school is between 8:20am -9:10am. Arrival after 9:10am is considered a morning absence. Please be sure to check in with the office when arriving after 8:20am to let them know you are here and to have your school lunch counted.

Camp Fire Alaska is returning to Chugach Optional Elementary this year to provide an After School Program. Please see the flyer below for more information.

Parking spots at Chugach Optional Elementary are very limited. Luckily, we have two wonderful neighbors that allow us to use their parking spots for morning arrival and afternoon dismissal. Families are welcome to park across E Street at the New Hope Compassionate Ministries and also at the Municipal Emergency Management Building just to the south of the school.

The Emergency Management Building staff have asked us to remind parents of the following to help them continue to maintain their readiness posture while also continuing to share the parking:

1. ALL SIGNED SPOTS MUST REMAIN AVAILABLE TO STAFF IN THIS BUILDING. They are clearly marked for who they belong to, and constitute all of the parking in the middle of the lot
2. All parking along the north fence line (between our parking lots), and the east facing fence line shared with the playground are the spaces available to share
3. Speed in our parking lot MUST stay at a reasonable speed, for the sake of the families and children as well as for the sake of emergency services personnel

In ALL available parking lots, PLEASE refrain from parking in any of the "RESERVED" parking spots, the fire lane or the loading dock area. We would appreciate your help keeping these areas clear for emergency and delivery vehicles at all times.

Join our community for movie night! The CEC is hosting a showing of The Wild Robot at Bear Tooth Theatrepub & Grill on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 1 p.m. Part of the proceeds will benefit Chugach and the CEC. Tickets are on sale now HERE.

Outer wear

• Chugach Optional students go outside for morning and lunch time recess in almost all weather. The only exception is when the outdoor temperature falls below -10F. Please make sure your student(s) come to school with the appropriate outdoor gear.

Please encourage your student(s) to be prepared.

Parking Etiquette

• Please refrain from parking in any of the "RESERVED" parking spots, the fire lane or the loading dock area. We know parking is tight but for safety and courtesy reasons these areas/spots must be respected.

Parent/Visitor Sign-in

• All parents, visitors, and volunteers who are going to be in the school after 8:30 am need to sign in at the office using the RAPTOR kiosk. Please have your driver's license ready to scan when entering the building.

Opportunities

• We are in need of Noon Duty attendants to assist with outdoor recess and lunch room supervision. Please go to the ASD website to apply or ask for more details at the front office.

The Chugach Optional Office is open from 7:30am - 4:00pm every school day. We can be reached at 907-742-3730 or by email at ChugachOffice@asdk12.org