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Freshmen Class of 2028 - Welcome!
Dear Guardians,
The first day of high school (8/15) being reserved for 9th graders is a deliberate approach to ensure a smooth transition for these students as they enter a new phase in their education. Here's a breakdown of the reasons and the schedule you've provided:
Reasons for a 9th-Grade-Only First Day:
Acclimation: High school can be a big change, and having a day just for 9th graders allows them to get used to the new environment without the added pressure of older students around.
Building Community: This day helps students connect with their peers and begin forming relationships with teachers and mentors, creating a sense of belonging from the start.
Reducing Anxiety: Starting high school can be nerve- wracking. A dedicated day helps reduce stress by providing a more relaxed atmosphere to navigate the new school.
Setting Expectations: It allows the school to communicate expectations, norms, and values clearly to the incoming class, setting the tone for their high school career.

Snapshot of the First Day for Freshmen:
8:25-8:45 - Arrival and Breakfast:
Students arrive and gather in the cafeteria for breakfast.
All staff are present to welcome and rally the students as they enter.
8:45-9:20 - Gym/Mock Graduation:
Students move to the gym for introductions and a mock graduation ceremony.
Teachers assist in moving students to their seats in the staff section.
9:20-9:25 - Meeting Mentors:
9:30-11:45 - Tours and Activities:
Students participate in tours around the school and engage in various activities to familiarize themselves with the layout and resources.
11:45-12:30 - BBQ Lunch and Activities:
Mini Schedule After Lunch:
After lunch, students will follow a mini version of their class schedule to get a feel for how their day will typically run.
1st Period: 12:40 - 1:00 (possible announcements during this time)
2nd Period: 1:07 - 1:27
3rd Period: 1:34 - 1:54
4th Period: 2:01 - 2:21
5th Period: 2:28 - 2:48
6th Period: 2:55 - 3:15
This schedule provides a comprehensive introduction to the high school environment, ensuring that students feel prepared and confident moving forward.

Also, 

July 26th, 2024

Our Service Vision and Goals: All Students Succeeding in College, Career, and Life.

Greetings Cougar Families, Students, and Staff,

Happy Summer!

I know many of you are still in full-time summer mode, but I wanted to reach out and welcome you to the 2024-2025 school year at Service High. We all look forward to a successful year as we continue to partner to inspire and support our students to be college, career-, and life-ready.

Our Commitment: Service High School believes in an education focused on excellence, integrity, and perseverance. We will continue to support our students in developing significant ownership of their learning. All the Service staff is dedicated to breaking down barriers that limit our students’ access to relevant academic and career technical support and challenging learning opportunities they need to excel. 

This first edition of the Cougar Community Connection contains information on school start time, registration, the new block bell schedule, the Freshman Academy, attendance, cell phone policy, and dress code.

Start Time: On May 9, 2023, the ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø approved changing school start times to be implemented beginning the 2024-25 school year. Research indicates students will see an increase in alertness, improved cognitive functionality, increased memory retention, improved focus in the classroom, and more. It is anticipated that attendance rates will go up and absences will go down. For our students who drive, it means they will be more rested and more alert when traveling to and from our campuses. For more information, please visit:

 School Start Times

Freshman Academy: As of this school year 24-25, we will launch the Freshman Academy fully. All freshmen will take the Freshman Seminar course, a semester course that teaches essential skills including taking initiative and responsibility, effective teamwork and communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Along with career exploration and development, this course will help students make an informed decision about selecting an academy for their sophomore through senior years. It’s the beginning of a student’s journey to shape their future. Freshman Academy students will visit at least one college, tour the campus, talk with a panel of college students, and see what life is like on a college campus. After selecting an academy and pathway for grades 10 – 12, freshmen will participate in the Academy Celebration at the end of the school year. They will meet fellow academy members, and academy teachers, and celebrate the opportunities that await them throughout high school.

Professional Learning Communities: Just a reminder that every Monday staff will be participating in professional learning communities. School buses will have later pick-up times on Mondays. Please refer to the linked start times and bell schedule below.

Cell Phones and Other Electronic Devices: Service High School envisions a productive learning environment emphasizing communication, attentive listening, and active participation. Research indicates that using cell phones in the classroom has proven detrimental to the learning environment. Giving students a vacation from their phones and earbuds gives our staff the best chance of maximizing each student’s learning, and creating distraction-reduced learning environments. Your parental support to have a phone-free school is essential. Students can use their cell phones before and after school, during lunch, and during passing periods. No cell phones, earbuds, or other personal electronic devices will be used in classrooms. Students carrying cell phones, earbuds, or other personal electronic devices (personal gaming devices, for example) must silence/remove them and secure them in a designated classroom storage space or their bag before class starts. For more details, please review:

.

Attendance: Service High School will continue to focus on increasing students’ attendance; students who attend school consistently are better prepared for college, careers, and life. Your support and advocacy for students to attend school daily is essential. Please open the link to learn more about attendance.

Dress Code Expectations: Another area of focus for Service High this year is professional and appropriate dress. Parents, your support of the Service High dress code is essential to help us prepare students for college, career, and life. Here is the link to the dress code expectations at Service High.

Key Information to Know (please use the links):

Registration:
Service High will be open for registration assistance on July 30th and July 31st from 8 am-11 am and 12 pm-3 pm. Stop by the school and get registration help. Note: Student IDs will be taken on August 30th.

Schedules will be live for all students and families to review through Parent/Student Connect on August 5. Schedules will not be available during registration week. Please note counselors will be working on schedules until the first day of school so this schedule may change before the first day of school. If your student has a hole in his/her/their schedule or requests a change, they may email their counselor, found at . Students without a scheduled period will meet with their counselor during that period on the first day of school to review options.

Also, students and families are welcome to come to the building after August 7th, weekdays from 8:00 am to 2:30 pm to find their classrooms and locker.

Service Block Schedule: 

Service High School Bell Schedule 24-25

NOTE: On August 20th, students will follow the Tuesday block schedule.

Important Dates:

Freshmen First Day:
Thursday, August 15th--only freshmen come to school for a full day of freshmen orientation.
Friday, August 16th-All students attend. Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors start back (yes, freshmen show up today as well ;-).

Open House - Back to School:
September 5th

Homecoming:
September 20th

Homecoming Dance:
September 21st

Senior Night:
October 1st, 5:30 pm (Senior Night is an informational night for families of seniors--go class of 2025!)

We look forward to working together to provide a safe environment for all our students and to build relational capacity among all of us. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if we can be of assistance as you prepare for your student’s return to the 24-25 school year.

Blessings,

Service Administration Team

“Being Gracious Brings Out the Best in Others”

Dear Service Community, Parents, Staff, Administration and Students:

 

Service High has been given the honor and privilege to host the Eyes of Freedom Exhibit with the sculpture Silent Battle.  This exhibit will be on display at Service High School (5577 Abbott Road) from July 22-24, 2024 to honor and remember fallen hero LCpl Grant Fraser, who graduated from Service and the Marine Forces Reserve’s 4th Reserve Reconnaissance Battalion. 

LCpl Grant Fraser was attached to Lima Company through the Marine Forces Reserve 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division. Fraser died on August 3rd, 2005 while serving combat operations in Haditha, Iraq. 

The Eyes of Freedom Exhibit - Service High School Schedule: 

Sunday, July 21, 2024 - 6PM - The Eyes of Freedom Exhibit will be transported to Service High School from JBER via an honor escort (by way of Post Road Gate, Reeve Blvd, 5th Ave, Boniface, MLK, Elmore, & Abbott).

Monday, July 22, 2024 - 10AM - There will be a short ceremony conducted by the Service High School JROTC to honor LCpl Fraser. 

July 22-24 - 10AM-4PM - Public Viewing of the Eyes of Freedom Memorial Exhibit at Service High School.

The display will be open to the public outside the auditorium. 

We welcome all students, faculty, and community members to honor LCpl Grant Fraser and all who have made the ultimate sacrifice. 

The Eyes Of Freedom functions as a traveling memorial across the United States, dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of all who answer our nation's call, ensuring that those who gave the ultimate sacrifice are never forgotten. Silent Battle, a sculpture by Anita Miller, was created after witnessing firsthand the struggles of our returning combat veterans coping with post-traumatic stress and the loss of their brothers and sisters in combat and at home. Silent Battle initiates tough conversations about veteran PTS to support our veterans and make sure their voices are heard. 

The Eyes of Freedom memorial exhibit with the portrait of Grant Fraser will be on display in a total of three locations (JBER Air Show, Service High School, UAA - Alaska Airlines Center).

For more information on The Eyes of Freedom please go to the Eyes of Freedom website:

Subject: Important Information: First Semester Final Exam Schedule and Make-up Procedures

Dear Service High School Community,

As we approach the end of the first semester, we would like to provide you with important information regarding the final exam schedule and make-up procedures. Please read the following details carefully to ensure a smooth conclusion to end the semester strong.

Final Exam Schedule: Final exams are scheduled to take place on Wednesday and Thursday, December 20th and 21st, 2023. Please take note of the specific times for each period:

Wednesday, December 20th, 2023

Period 1: 7:30 a.m. – 9:25 a.m.
Period 2: 9:32 a.m. – 11:25 a.m.
Lunch: 11:25 a.m. – 12:07 p.m.
Period 3: 12:07 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 21st, 2023

Period 4: 7:30 a.m. – 9:25 a.m.
Period 5: 9:32 a.m. – 11:25 a.m.
Lunch: 11:25 a.m. – 12:07 p.m.
Period 6: 12:07 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Make-up Procedures:

Final exam make-ups will be conducted from January 8th through January 12th, 2024.
Additionally, there will be two Saturday make-up sessions on January 13th and January 20th, from 9:00 a.m. until noon. However, Saturday should be considered a "last resort" make-up day due to time limitations.
Students must coordinate with their respective teachers to schedule a make-up exam. It is the student's responsibility to ensure this coordination.
Teachers are not expected to work outside their contractual day when administering make-up tests.
Important Reminders:

Until the make-up exam is completed and scored, students will receive a grade of 0 (zero) for the final exam.
Grade changes will be processed by the teacher upon completion of the make-up final exam.
Teachers should aim to complete and email grade changes to Julie Green by January 22nd, 2024.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we navigate the final exam period. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to the school administration or your child's teachers.

We wish all our students the best of luck in their final exams!

Dear Cougar Community,

Khan Academy is an online resource that allows students to learn material that is uniquely appropriate for them.  Students can learn and strengthen their math or other course skills by using interactive practice and tutorials. Khan Academy has launched a new pilot to test an artificial intelligence tool—a GPT-powered learning guide called Khanmigo—to assist students and teachers. As AI is still evolving, Khan Academy has invited Service High School to help beta test their new program.

We, as a district/community, are thrilled to embark on this new journey with Khan Academy, contributing to the evolution of the educational landscape. Our district's goal is to be a leader in innovative teaching and learning practices, making this opportunity a perfect fit for our mission.

Khanmigo will introduce a new layer of support within Khan Academy, guiding students through their lessons and providing assistance akin to that of a personal tutor. Moreover, it's designed to aid teachers with tasks such as crafting lesson plans.

Khan Academy has developed . We have used prompt engineering to guide and narrow the focus of the AI. This allows us to train and tailor the AI for a learning setting. As an example, parents and teachers will have access to the chat history and activities of students who use Khanmigo.

Should you choose to opt out of the features, your student’s Khan Academy account will not have access to the new Khanmigo AI features.

We are very excited about having the opportunity to support this Khan Academy effort.  If you have any additional questions related to this work, please email our Khan Champion and librarian  Scott_Ellen@asdk12.org.

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, and Students,

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I want to take a moment to express my sincere thanks to every member of our wonderful Service family.

This Thanksgiving, let us reflect on the collective bonds that make our school truly special.

A big thank you to our students for their hard work and commitment to learning. We are fortunate to have such dedicated individuals shaping the future.

To our amazing staff: your tireless dedication, efforts, and passion for education make our school a place where everyone wants to succeed, and for that, we are grateful.

As we gather with friends and family to celebrate this season of gratitude, I want to extend my warmest wishes to each of you. May your Thanksgiving be filled with joy, warmth, and cherished moments with loved ones.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Warm Blessings,

Good Evening Dear Parents and Guardians,

 It has been confirmed that tomorrow, Wednesday 11/15 is a remote learning day due to hazardous weather and road conditions. 

Please take a moment to review the following information, and we kindly request your support in reinforcing these expectations with your child . Our teachers are expected and are available for remote teaching, regardless of the circumstances.

1. Teachers will post assignments for each class by 8:00 a.m. on the morning of the closure day(s). These assignments will be accessible through our digital platforms.
2. To provide academic support and address questions, teachers will host Zoom office hours from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on remote learning days. The Zoom links will be posted within each teacher's respective Canvas course.
3.  While students are not required to attend office hours, our teachers will be available to answer questions, clarify expectations, and provide support. We encourage students to take advantage of this resource.

 If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. 

Thank you for your continued support and have a safe and blessed night.

 The intent of this letter is to inform you of what to do in the event of school closure due to bad weather.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I hope this letter finds you well.

As part of our Service High communication plan, we ensure that everyone is well-informed and prepared for the day of remote learning in the event of weather-related closure.  Our primary focus is to ensure that learning can continue even when physical school is not possible.

Please take a moment to review the following information, and we kindly request your support in reinforcing these expectations with your child.

1. Students are required to bring their Chromebooks and chargers home every day. This will allow them to access online resources and complete assignments during remote learning days.
2. Our teachers are expected and be available for remote teaching. This ensures continuity in our instructional delivery.
3. Teachers will post assignments for each class by 8:00 a.m. on the morning of the closure day(s). These assignments will be accessible through our digital platforms.
4. To provide academic support and address questions, teachers will host Zoom office hours from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on remote learning days. The Zoom links will be posted within each teacher's respective Canvas course.
5.  While students are not required to attend office hours, our teachers will be available to answer questions, clarify expectations, and provide support. We encourage students to take advantage of this resource.

We appreciate your cooperation in reinforcing these expectations and ensuring that your child is ready for remote learning when necessary. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are committed to making the learning experience as smooth and effective as possible, regardless of the circumstances.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership in your child's education.

Sincerely,

Imtiaz Azzam- Principal Service High

Dear Parent(s)/Guardians,

Service will be teaching the Alaska Safe Children’s Act/ Personal Safety lessons between September 22nd, 2023, and  March 29, 2024, during the Advisory period. Our teachers will present an age-appropriate lesson about personal body safety in a non-threatening way, along with the skills needed for self-protection. The focus of the lesson will be to empower students with the information and skills to protect themselves and seek help from the physical, psychological, and emotional harm that can occur from abusive situations and is part of the ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø School District’s plan to enact the Alaska Safe Children’s Act and will be handled in a sensitive, respectful manner.

ASD Prevention Tools:
Climate – Creating a safe and respectful learning environment, which is well-managed, supportive, and engaging with active participation.
Direct instruction – Using a variety of evidence-based curricula and programs to deliberately teach about risk factors and healthy relationship skills.
Infusion – Integrating social and emotional learning skills throughout the day and in all curriculum areas through modeling instructional practices that promote SEL skill practice and maximize learning.
At-home and community support – Developing awareness about available supports and resources outside of the school day.

The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) developed curriculum is comprised of three separate age and developmentally-appropriate bands for grades 7/8, 9/10, and 11/12. Each grade band contains 5 modules and is designed to help prevent childhood sexual abuse and teen dating abuse.

The five modules for each grade are organized around the following topics:
Module 1: Defining Healthy Relationships
Module 2: Building Healthy Relationships
Module 3: Defining Unhealthy Relationships
Module 4: Warning Signs
Module 5: Help and Support

Module information and scripts can be viewed HERE.

If you have any questions about the content of the program or if you wish to inquire about opting out, please contact the school office at 907-742-8100.

Thank you for partnering with us as we continue to provide learning opportunities to improve the safety and well-being of our students.

Dear Parents and Families,

Just a reminder that we are having an Open House this week Thursday, September 7 from 6:00 pm- 8:00 pm

We start at 6:10 p.m. - 6:25 p.m. in the Gym for a brief introduction.

Our open house is designed as a chance for you to meet your student's teacher, learn more about the curriculum offered, class material, and class expectations. Any parents who wish to meet individually to discuss issues pertinent to their child, please contact the teacher directly, ideally by email, to schedule an appointment.

Attached  is the Open House Class Visit Schedule:

P.1 6:30 - 6:40

P.2 6:45 - 6:55

P.3 7:00 - 7:10

P.4 7:15 - 7:25

P.5 7:30 - 7:40

P.6 7:45 - 7:55

 We look forward to seeing you all!

September 1, 2023

Service Parents and Families, 

I am writing to inform you of a situation that occurred during school at Service High School today.

At approximately 1:00 p.m. this afternoon, during a school assembly, there was a physical altercation between two students. During the altercation one of the students briefly wielded a box cutter knife. The student who displayed the knife put it back in their backpack. Concerned students immediately reported the incident to school administrators, who quickly intervened and also requested the involvement of our School Resource Officers (SRO) of the ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø Police Department. APD investigated and took the student into custody.  

Fortunately, no one was harmed during the incident. 

Once again, we applaud those students who brought this matter to the attention of school staff immediately.  Student safety and wellbeing are the highest priority at Service High School and our students continue to demonstrate strong leadership and commitment to our school community.   

Please discuss this incident with your student at home and let me know if you have any further questions.  

Have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend.   

Imtiaz Azzam

Principal

Service High School

August 31, 2023

Service Parents and Families, 

I am writing to inform you of a situation that occurred during school at Service High School today.

At approximately 11:30 am this morning, school administration directed all students to “stay put” in their classrooms.  This directive was precautionary in nature and was made in order to ensure safe and efficient passage for paramedics who had been called to the school to address the medical needs of a student.  

The “stay put” order lasted less than five minutes and the students received the medical attention they needed.  After the “stay put” order was lifted, the regular school day resumed without incident. 

Student safety and wellness are the highest priority at Service High School, and we are all very proud of the students who cooperated with the “stay put” order immediately and followed the directions of Service teachers and staff.  

Please let me know if you have any further questions.  

Have a great afternoon.  

Imtiaz Azzam

Principal

Service High School

Dear families and students,

Our goal this year is to continue strengthening and fostering school communication with parents, students, and staff. I believe connecting to one another and building positive relationships will further enhance student success and self-esteem.

It is my hope that the information disseminated will be timely and pertinent for meeting your planning and deadline needs. Please note that we are committed to continuing an open-door policy for all at Service. I encourage you to email or call me if you need assistance.

August and September are our busiest months of the year for assembly events, Homecoming Dance, Open House, Administring the Map Growth assessment in the area of Reading and Math for our 9th graders, and planning for College Workshops.

Below are events that are taking place this week and next week:

8/31:  BMX Assembly -Stunt Masters performance. To promote a positive lifestyle, education, inclusiveness, and turning positive thoughts into purposeful action. It features BMX freestyle, skateboard, scooter, and or inline skate pros on portable ramps. It is all about Character building, physical science, health, safety, and success. 

9/1- Homecoming Assembly

9/2. Homecoming Varsity Football Game 2 pm & Homecoming Dance 7 pm - 10 pm

9/7 - Open House - 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. You are invited and very encouraged to attend our Open House on Thursday, September 7 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. We will start in the large gym at 6:30 and I will release the parents at approximately 7:00 to visit classrooms. The format for this year will be a fixed visitation schedule, where parents follow their students' schedules on a ten-minute rotation. We will email you the actual bell schedule for the Open House soon.

Also, I would like to  introduce our two new Administrators who have joined us this year at Service High: 

Jen Palmisano: is our Freshman Academy Principal. She is a former Service and Seminar School graduate. Being at Service she " learned what it meant to be a student, community member, and a leader. " Before becoming the Freshman Academy Principal, she was a Seminar ELA and Soc. Studies teacher for about 20 years. She is proud to be a part of this community and values its commitment to student success.  

 One of her goals as an administrator at Service is to "establish positive relationships with students, staff, and the community."

 

Rick Stone said: "As a lifelong educator, I’m excited to join the Service Cougar family this year."  He has been an administrator in the ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø School District for twenty-three years. 'As your new Activities Principal, I am passionate about education and have a strong desire to improve the educational experience for our students.'"

He commented by saying"This year, we have seen a large turnout for fall activities and can feel the school pride growing in the hallways. We encourage all students to get involved in an activity associated with Service High. We look forward to seeing our community, parents, and students in the bleachers and stands cheering on the green and gold."

July 26th,  2023

Our Service Vision and Goals: All Students Succeeding in College, Career, and Life.

Greetings Cougar Families, Students, and Staff, 

Happy Summer!

I know many of you are still in full-time summer mode, but I wanted to reach out and welcome you to the 2023-2024 school year at Service High. We all look forward to a successful year as we continue to partner to inspire and support our students to be college, career, and life ready.

This first edition of the Cougar Community Connection contains information on school start time, registration, the new block bell schedule, activities, dress code, and much more.

Service High School believes in an education focused on excellence, integrity, and perseverance. We will continue to support our students in developing significant ownership of their learning. All of the Service Staff is dedicated to breaking down barriers that limit our students’ access to relevant and challenging learning opportunities. 

One of our focus areas for this school year is attendance; students who attend school consistently are better prepared for college, careers, and life. Your support and advocacy for students to attend school daily is essential.  Please review the link below that details Service High’s expectations for attendance.

The second area of focus for Service High this year is professional and appropriate dress.  Parents, your support of the new Service High dress code is essential to help us prepare students for college, career, and life. Again, there is a link below that details dress expectations for all students.

Just a reminder that every Monday staff will be participating in professional learning communities.  School buses will have later pick-up times on Mondays with details coming soon (please refer to the linked bell schedule below for start times).

We look forward to working together to provide a safe environment for all our students and to build relational capacity among all of us. 

Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if we can be of assistance as you prepare for your student’s return to the 23-24 school year.

Key Information to Know (please use the links)

Registration

, et cetera)

Note: Student IDs will be taken on Picture Day, Sept 8th. 

Attendance

Dress Code

Block Schedule

  (NOTE: On August 17th, the student will follow the Thursday block schedule)

Schedules will be live for all students and families to review through Parent/Student Connect on August 7.  Schedules will not be available during registration week.  Please note counselors will be working on schedules until the first day of school so this schedule may change before the first day of school.  If you have a hole in your schedule or request a change you may email your counselor, found at .  Students without a scheduled period will meet with their counselor during that period on the first day of school to review options.

Also, students/families are welcome to come to the building after 8/7 weekdays 7:30 - 2:00 to find their classrooms and locker.

If your 9th-grade student is new to Service High, be looking for information on Freshman Orientation, which is on 8/21.