It's that time of year again! As the Alaska State Fair is getting ready to kick off this weekend, that means Anchorage students are heading back to school tomorrow - Thursday, August 17. This newsletter provides reminders and resources to be prepared for the school year that impacts all of us, whether or not you have children attending local schools.

The Anchorage School District has a long list of resources available to answer many questions, from enrollment and registration to school lunches and learning English as a second language. There is also information about how to find your school bus route (and where to apply to be a bus driver!), school start times, and much more. Check out ASD's Back to School site here.

Here is a link to a printable page for the 2023-2024 ASD Academic Calendar.

The Anchorage School District also announced a late start time for Mondays this year. On Mondays only, Anchorage schools will begin one hour later. It's important to note parents can still drop off students at the regularly scheduled time and teacher supervision will be available. For more information and a full list of school start and release times, click here.

In 2019, Anchorage passed an ordinance to make it unlawful for a driver of a moving vehicle to talk on a handheld device within an active school zone. For a refresher on this local law, click here.

This is a good reminder to be mindful of flashing school zone lights, reduced speed limits, and children playing and walking in our neighborhoods at all times.

There are a number of programs available to eligible Alaskans to access health care, food, child care, senior income assistance, heating assistance, and more. Learn more at the Alaska Division of Public Assistance website here. Please feel free to contact my office if you experience any delays with applications or receiving benefits and we will do our best to assist as soon as possible. Alaskans can also dial 211 for direct assistance in navigating these programs.