Alaska Native Cultural Charter

• February

  • 2/1 - Online Lottery Opens for NEW to ANCCS K-8 students
  • 2/2- 2/13 - ACCESS Testing for ELL students
  • 2/4 - Library Story Night, 5:15 - 6:00 pm
  • 2/9 - APC applications due
  • 2/9 - 2/13 - Valentine's Spirit Week
  • 2/12 - 8th Grade Ski Field Trip
  • 2/16 - Elizabeth Peratrovich Day - NO SCHOOL
  • 2/19 & 2/20 - ANCCS Spring Intensives
  • 2/25 - Full School Day (other ASD schools have a half day)
  • 2/26 - NO SCHOOL for parent/teacher conferences (other ASD schools have a half day)
  • 2/27 - NO SCHOOL - Staff professional development day

  
  

  March

  • 3/5 - Last school day of Quarter 3
  • 3/4 - Library Story Night, 5:15 - 6:00 pm
  • 3/6 - Quarter 3 Grading Day - NO SCHOOL
  • 3/8 - 3/13 - Spring Break - NO SCHOOL
  • 3/16 - Classes resume for Quarter 4
  • 3/18 - 3rd-5th grade field trip to Anchorage Museum
  • 319 - 6th-8th grade field trip to Anchorage Museuum
  • 3/19 - Parent Connection: Screenagers, 5:30 - 7:00 pm
  • 3/23 - MAP / AK Star Testing opens (grades 3 - 8)
  • 3/26 - ANCCS Family Night, 5:00 - 7:30 pm

During the first weeks of February, our English Language Learner (ELL) students will complete ACCESS testing, which is a comprehensive language test in the domains of speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Completing the ACCESS test is a big accomplishment and we are proud of each of our ELL students for their tremendous effort! We're excited to celebrate their growth!

The following week is a short week with the Monday holiday. Our students will be learning about Elizabeth Peratrovich, her flight for civil rights for Alaska Natives, and the impact her work and message has on us all today. That week, students also will participate in Spring Intensives. On February 19 & 20, students will explore a topic in smaller, mixed-grade group. Each intensive will touch on core academic skills and learning through the lens of the unique and engaging intensive topic.

Finally, we look forward to connecting with each of you during parent-teacher conferences on February 26. Unlike other ASD schools, we have a full day of school on February 25 followed by no school on February 26 & 27 (for parent-teacher conferences).

Families interested in joining ANCCS need to apply through the ASD lottery--this includes current ANCCS preschool students who wish to return to ANCCS for Kindergarten and beyond as preschool is run through its own enrollment process. Current ANCCS K-8 students do not need to reapply through the lottery. The District utilizes a randomized lottery system to provide equal opportunity for all students who would like to participate in alternative schools or programs other than their child's neighborhood school.

Please visit the ASD Lottery Website for more information about the lottery or call the office at (907) 742-1370.

For K-8 students NEW to ANCCS (including current preschool students):

• Lottery opens: February 1, 2026
• Lottery closes: March 19, 2026 at 5 p.m.
• Family notifications: March 27, 2026 beginning at 4 p.m.

For new preschool students:

Families interested in ANCCS preschool for 2025-2026 will need to apply through the preschool department. The application will be posted in February.

Please take a few moments to provide feedback on the parent and family School Climate & Connectedness Survey! This survey provides us with important information on our school climate, how connected students and families feel to our school, as well as social and emotional learning.

The SCCS is a voluntary statewide survey taken by students grades 3-12, all school-based staff, and ASD families since 2006, developed by the American Institutes for Research (AIR) in partnership with Alaska Association of School Boards (AASB) and Panorama Education.

ASD and ANCCS use the data in strategic planning, evaluating programs, and improving community-school relationships both at the district and school level.

Research has shown that when students feel safe, connected, and engaged in their schools they are more successful learners and exhibit fewer risk behaviors.

Take the survey today: 2026 Family Survey

ASD welcomes community input regarding our teacher and administrator employees' performance from December 1 through May 1. This timeframe allows us to review the input received and take it into consideration during evaluations.

Use this link to provide input on teachers and administrators

Please share with friends and neighbors who may be interested in our school for 2026-2027. With the lottery opening on February 1, we invite interested families to visit ANCCS to learn more about our educational program through cultural learning. We will have 3 school visit sessions on February 18 & 25.

Dear Families,

Each year in Alaska and across the country, students in Kindergarten through 12th grade who are learning the English language are required by federal law to take an assessment called the WIDA ACCESS for ELLs. This test provides important information for parents, teachers, and school leaders about the progress our students are making in learning the English language.

Why do we need the WIDA ACCESS test?

1. The test helps you and your child’s teacher monitor your child’s progress in learning English.

2. The test helps you and your child’s teacher know if adjustments are needed in instruction to help your child succeed in learning English.

3. The test helps teachers know when your child is proficient in English and no longer needs English language development classes or support.

4. The test helps school leaders, policy makers, and the public know about the progress our students are making in learning the English language.

Our testing window for 2026 is Feb 2-13. If you have any questions please contact us.

Calling all ANCCS Families:

Free Family Workshop Series (formerly Atauchikun AK Strong) is back! Join other ANCCS caregivers for hands-on traditional crafts, supportive parenting conversations, free dinner, and free childcare. Come build community, share stories, and learn together.

Dates: March 16, 18, 20, 21, 25, 27, 28 and 30
Time: Mon-Fri 5:30–7:30 PM Saturdays 11:30-2:30 PM

Sign up today using our Parent Interest Form: (https://forms.gle/uj5546FPY3iRXgNr5)

Questions or to sign up: Diana Boggess, 907-744-2232, boggess_diana@asdk12.org

BADMINTON

Badminton Team Shirts are here and will be distributed next week. Junior and Varsity Badminton matches are being scheduled with other ASD schools now! Be on the lookout for matches in late February or March.

JNYO/NYO CLUBS

Thursday afternoons in February from 3:30 - 5:00.

Our students are super excited! With over 60 athletes participating, it's a bit chaotic... but also fun! Our older students are helping our younger kids, but more help from adults would allow for smaller groups and the older kids more time to practice themselves.

A BIG QUYANA to Jessica Hunt and Daryl Burse for coaching!

If you would like to assist, even for one day, come out and let the coaches know you can help!

Cross Country Ski Trip

Feb. 4th: 8th grade students will be going on a Cross Country Skiing Field Trip to the Lidia Selkregg Chalet. The field trip is free for students and WE NEED CHAPERONES. You don't have to ski to be a chaperone and if you prefer snowshoes, we can provide some for you. Permission letters were given to 8th grade students at school and are due Monday, Feb. 2. Please indicate on your child's permission form if you would like to chaperone.

Kids Heart Challenge

Help our students practice the Native Value of Taking Care of Others by showing your support for the Kids Heart Challenge. Do you know anyone who has had a heart attack or another type of heart problem?

ANCCS is helping The American Heart Association by learning about the heart and raising funds for treatment and research through The Kids Heart Challenge until Feb. 13th. We are over halfway to our school goal and if you can help out, children born with heart defects, teenagers, adults and elders with heart issues will all benefit... even small amounts add up to big gains!

If we can get one half of our students (180 kiddos - we have a long way to go) to just register (free), ANCCS will receive $500 to purchase PE equipment!

Go to: www2.heart.org

Scroll down to Join Your School's Team

Select grade: example 4th grade

Select state: Alaska

Select school: Type in Alaska, then Search and our school will pop up

Sign up (free) and go through Finn's Mission with your child to help them learn heart facts and then assist in any way that works for your family. QUYANA!

Lisa J. Ward

Physical Education/Health

The deadline to submit your application to join our Academic Policy Committee (APC) is quickly approaching!

Applications are due Monday, February 9, 2026!

We encourage parents, guardians, and community members to apply to this important leadership opportunity. As the governing body of our school, Academic Policy Committee (APC) members serve an important role in advocating for the future of ANCCS and our students.

Join the Academic Policy Committee (APC)!

How to apply:

Apply online: https://anccs.asdk12.org/apc-overview/apc-application

Or turn in a paper application at the school front office.

Application deadline: February 9, 2026

ASD Goal: Every student will attend school at least 90 percent of the time.

ANCCS Goal: Less than 8 is Great!

The graph below shows our 90% attendance rate throughout the school year. For the month of January, approximately 65% of ANCCS students had regular attendance (attending 90% of school days or more). Did you know--students who do not achieve 90% attendance are considered chronically absent? Chronically absent students do not have the same academic, social, or emotional outcomes as students who attend school regularly. Please let your student's teacher know how we can partner together to support your student attending every day.

Quyana to our families for your dedication in bringing your student to school! As an all-driving school, our families work hard to get their children to school. We appreciate the effort and sacrifices you make to bring your kids to school. Every day that you bring your student to school or arrange a ride for them, you are investing in their future.

This graph shows that 64.59% of ANCCS students has regular attendance during January. Let's make a commitment to school attendance this month and bring the number of students who regularly attend up!

Our ANCCS Eagles shared their knowledge at the 2026 Spelling Bee. The schoolwide Spelling Bee provided an opportunity for each class champion to compete for the title of ANCCS Spelling Bee champion.

JNYO & NYO have begun for ANCCS students! We are excited to welcome guest coaches to share their knowledge and expertise with our young athletes.

Come pick out some ANCCS swag during parent-teacher conferences!

We love our parent volunteers! Volunteers facilitated engaging learning games at our winter family night.

We love our community business partners! ANCCS partners with CITC on a variety of projects, including our Read with Me program for K-3 students, Illitchuk for middle school, as well as the Riding the Waves SEL curriculum.

Michael Patterson, our APC President, served pizza to families at our winter family night. Our 8th grade students also sold snacks as a fundraiser for the 8th-grade Close Up trip to Washington DC and New York City.