January 2026 Superintendent Newsletter

Excellence in 2026 – Who We Are, Everywhere We Go

As we begin a new year together, January offers both a reset and a recommitment. At Anchorage Public School, excellence is not a single program, award, or moment—it is a shared mindset. It shows up in how we teach and learn, how we treat one another, and how we represent our school beyond our beautiful campus.

In 2026, excellence will continue to be defined not only by outcomes, but by expectations, effort, and example.

What Excellence Looks Like at Anchorage

For Our Faculty and Staff

Excellence begins with the adults who serve our students each day. In the coming year, we will continue to emphasize:

• High expectations for all learners, paired with the support students need to meet them
• Strong instructional practices rooted in reflection, collaboration, and continuous improvement
• Professional integrity and pride, knowing that how we speak, act, and lead shapes our school culture
• Consistency and care, ensuring students experience excellence not occasionally, but every day

Excellence is often quiet—found in preparation, follow-through, and the belief that every student can grow.

For Parents and Families

Families are powerful partners in reinforcing excellence. Small, consistent messages at home make a lasting difference.

Parent Tips to Support Excellence and High Expectations:

• Talk with your child about effort, not just outcomes: “What challenged you today?”
• Set routines that support learning—sleep, organization, and responsibility matter
• Encourage perseverance when things feel hard; excellence is built through practice
• Speak positively about school, learning, and educators—children absorb these messages
• Help students take ownership: preparing materials, meeting deadlines, and asking for help

High expectations paired with encouragement help students build confidence, resilience, and pride in their work.

For Our Community and Neighbors

Anchorage Public School is deeply connected to its community. Excellence extends beyond the classroom and into how we engage with one another.

• Welcoming visitors and guests with pride and respect
• Supporting school events, performances, and activities
• Modeling kindness, civility, and responsibility as neighbors
• Celebrating our students’ accomplishments across academics, arts, and athletics

When our community lifts up our school, students feel it—and they rise to it.

The Student Voice We Want Every Anchorage Student to Know and Feel

Launching Lifelong Learners

At Anchorage Public School, excellence means more than what students achieve today—it is about who they are becoming. As a school committed to launching lifelong learners, we want every student to know and feel:

“I am known, valued, and supported here.”
“I am challenged to think deeply and grow every day.”
“My curiosity matters, and my questions are welcome.”
“I am learning how to learn—now and for the future.”
“I represent Anchorage with pride, integrity, and purpose.”

Our students should feel confident taking academic risks, persistent when learning feels difficult, and empowered to take ownership of their learning. Excellence at Anchorage is not defined by perfection, but by curiosity, effort, reflection, and growth.

When our students speak about Anchorage, we want them to say this is a place where adults care deeply, expectations are high, and every student is encouraged to become the best version of themselves—academically, socially, and personally.  When our students leave our classrooms—whether for a field trip, a performance, a competition, or eventually to their next chapter—we want them to carry with them the habits of lifelong learners: critical thinking, responsibility, kindness, and a commitment to excellence in all they do.

Moving Forward Together

As we step into the new year, let us continue to hold one another—and ourselves—to high expectations. These moments matter. They shape how others see our school—and how our students see themselves. Excellence is not about being perfect; it’s about being purposeful, reflective, and committed to growth.

Thank you for the countless ways you support our students and strengthen our school. Together, we will continue to model what it means to learn well, lead well, and represent Anchorage with pride.

With appreciation and optimism,

 

Sharla Six
Superintendent, Anchorage Public School

Anchorage Public School Superintendent Newsletter
December 2025 – Reflections, Growth, and Gratitude

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Dear Anchorage Families and Staff,

As 2025 draws to a close, December invites us to pause and reflect.  It’s a season marked by twinkling lights, cozy gatherings, and a sense of celebration across many traditions. In that spirit, we take a moment to reflect on the progress, resilience, and growth that have shaped our school community this year.

When we began this school year, we committed to strong foundations: consistency, connection, and instructional innovation. Those early steps have blossomed into meaningful momentum—more collaborative classrooms, clearer routines that support students, and a renewed focus on belonging. We’ve seen children lean into learning with curiosity and courage, supported by staff who model excellence every day.

This winter season gives us the perfect backdrop to appreciate the bright spots that have illuminated our year. Among them:

• Stronger instructional alignment and intentional shifts across classrooms
• Purposeful work by our new administrative team to listen, support, and respond
• Collaborative planning that elevates student voice and teacher leadership
• Family and community partnerships that enrich school life
• A deepening culture of inclusion and belonging through ongoing prevention and awareness efforts

Our accomplishments remind us of the collective strength of our community.

Amid the flurry of winter activities—concerts, classroom projects, and celebrations—we also make intentional space for what matters most:

• Classrooms where every child feels seen and valued
• Routines that bring comfort and consistency
• Relationships that keep us grounded and connected
• Moments of creativity, collaboration, and joy

This season offers a natural slowing of pace. It allows us to reflect, reconnect, and prepare to step into the new year with clarity and renewed purpose.

One of the greatest gifts of this year has been witnessing how our community supports one another—through challenges, achievements, and the everyday moments that make Anchorage special. We have grown stronger in our communication, our commitments, and our shared understanding of what it means to belong to this incredible school community.

Thank you to our teachers who innovate, our staff who nurture and guide, our families who partner with us, and our students who inspire us daily. You are the heart of Anchorage Public School.

As winter break approaches, I hope you and your families find time to rest, reflect, and enjoy the many festivities and traditions that make this season meaningful. We have much to celebrate—and even more to look forward to in 2026. It is an honor to walk beside you as we continue this journey into the new year.

Warmly,

Sharla Six
Superintendent, Anchorage Public School

 

Anchorage Public School Superintendent’s Message:  November 2025

Theme: Gratitude in Growth

As November arrives, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey our Anchorage community has experienced in the past year. Transforming a culture doesn’t happen overnight — it happens through many small, steady steps, built on trust, shared purpose, and a deep belief in what’s possible for our students.

This fall, we plan on taking important steps to bring our mission and vision back to life through the development of our new Strategic Plan. This plan is more than words on a page — it’s our roadmap to becoming even stronger as a learning community. It reflects the heart of who we are and what we value most at Anchorage: connection, belonging, and excellence for every child.

Our priorities are clear and deeply interconnected:

• Strengthening core operations so our systems support the people and programs that matter most.
• Prioritizing employee engagement, because a thriving culture for adults creates a thriving experience for students.
• Partnering with families and neighbors, recognizing that education is strongest when we work side by side.
• Empowering every student to grow, achieve, and succeed, nurturing their curiosity, creativity, and confidence.

As we continue this work, I’m filled with thankfulness— for the dedication of our teachers and staff, the support of our families, and the energy and joy our students provide.  What a gift! Transformation takes time, but every day offers moments to appreciate the progress we’re making and the people walking alongside us in the process.

Thank you for your continued partnership in making Anchorage a place where every child will feel inspired to engage, connect, and belong.  Our possibilities are endless!

With much gratitude,

Sharla Six
Superintendent, Anchorage Public School

 

Anchorage Public School Superintendent’s Newsletter
October 2025

Side by Side: Improving the Student Experience

Dear Anchorage Families, Staff, and Community,

As I continue the journey as your superintendent, I find myself coming back to one central mission: to improve the student experience and make a difference in the life of every child at Anchorage Public Schools. Every decision, every initiative, and every conversation should reflect that purpose.

Last year, I began a process called “rounding,” where stakeholders shared their ideas and feedback. This year, I’ll continue rounding to impact my practice. Thanks to our new strategic planning tools, we have access to an application that will help us collect feedback more consistently, follow up more effectively, and—most importantly—make sure every voice is heard.  Feedback matters for everyone and we depend on it to grow and evolve. 

Rounding is not about my evaluation as the superintendent. It’s about listening, learning, and leading better. It’s about being accountable to the people who serve our students every day. Our principal will also implement, with a focus on school-based practices, while I’ll be asking questions about district-level direction. Together, we’ll gather insights to strengthen our practices and align our actions with what matters most—our students. 

Here are the four questions I’ll be asking staff between now and January 2026:

1. If my mission as a leader in public education is to improve the student experience, how can I better add value to our team at APS?
2. What is your dream for our school, and how can I support you in achieving it?
3. How will we know we are making an impact on our mission or dreams?
4. In our school, who helps you thrive?

I share these questions with you, our parents and community, because I want you to know how deeply we value input and collaboration. Each of us—educators, families, neighbors, and leaders—plays a role in shaping the experience of every child.

At the end of every day, my hope is simple: that a child goes home feeling seen, supported, and inspired in our school. I know many of you share the same hopes for APS, and I invite you to reflect with us. What is your dream for our school? And how can we, as a community, make it a reality together? I’d love to hear from you at sharla.six@anchorage.kyschools.us

Thank you for walking side by side with us as we strive to build belonging, strengthen learning, and ensure that every child in Anchorage Public Schools has the best possible experience.

With gratitude,

Sharla Six
Superintendent

 

Dear Anchorage Families, Staff, and Community,

As we step into September, we are reminded of the incredible power of togetherness. True belonging happens when every child, every family, and every staff member feels seen, heard, and valued. This week, we officially kicked off our strategic planning processes!  Through listening, learning, and standing side by side, I know we can work together to create a safe, inclusive, and joyful learning environment. Your voice guides our practices and reminds us why this work matters for many.

Looking ahead, our administrative team is preparing for October, as we join schools across the nation in recognizing National Bullying Prevention Month. At Anchorage, prevention is not just a campaign—it’s a commitment to improving our culture.  In our student focus groups yesterday, we met with 20 children in grades 5-8 who clearly articulated the meaning of bullying.  They know the difference between a simple disagreement or difference in opinion, a true conflict, and repetitive harassment.  Some of our kids speak of their bullying experiences and the need for adults at school and at home to be helpful.  I want you to know we are going to answer the call.  We don’t want them to feel like their voice is not heard.  Please keep us informed of ongoing situations that occur.  Knowledge is power and we’ll be sure to handle all situations with care and sensitivity.      

This fall, we want to emphasize:

• Classroom conversations focused on kindness, respect, and empathy
• Awareness events highlighting the importance of belonging
• A streamlined reporting process to make sure concerns are heard and addressed
• Two-way communication 

By engaging students, families, and staff, we can take a united stand: bullying has no place in Anchorage Public School.  Let’s do better.  

Strengthening Family & Community Partnerships

Another clear message confirmed this week:  Community is at the heart of who we are. In September, we are spotlighting family and community engagement efforts that make a difference, including:

• Volunteer opportunities at school:  Are you interested in volunteering at morning drop-off or at lunch?  We love friendly car door openers and are in need of more kindness coordinators in the lunchroom. Let me know if you are interested! 
• Partnerships with local organizations to extend learning and support:  Would your business or organization love to be more involved with our school in some way?  Let’s talk soon!  Our kids would truly appreciate serving their community in a multitude of ways.

When families and schools collaborate, students thrive.  Let me know how you’d like to be involved and we can customize our partnership to match our needs with your skill set!

With gratitude and partnership,

 Sharla Six
 Superintendent, Anchorage Public School

 

 

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Trailblazing at Anchorage – Building Upon our Momentum and Leading with Vision, Heart, and Purpose

Blazing Trails Together

Dear Anchorage Families, Staff, and Community,

As we prepare to launch the 2025–2026 school year, I want to welcome you into a new season of purpose, progress, and pride. Here at Anchorage, we are excited about the 2025-2026 theme of trailblazing—for the sake of our students, our staff, and our shared future. 

Trailblazing is about stepping forward when the path isn’t always clear.  We want to take bold, thoughtful action grounded in the love and care we have for our students and our community. This year, we hope to honor our legacy while designing systems that serve our entire school family.  Let’s emphasize innovation, creativity, and the discovery of our individual gifts. 

Our Focus for the Year Ahead

This year’s work is anchored in five key themes that will guide our efforts district-wide:

• Trailblazing – Leading with courage, clarity, and authenticity
• Going the Extra Mile – Putting students first and providing excellent customer service to stakeholders
• Discovery – Fueling curiosity, engagement, and innovation
• Step by Step – Building strong systems for sustainable growth
• Side by Side – Strengthening trust and community

You’ll see these themes throughout our communications, instructional practices, professional learning, and culture-building this year.

Leadership with a Fresh Perspective

We are thrilled to introduce a revitalized leadership team dedicated to building responsive, student-centered systems. Together, we will:

• Improve communication and transparency
• Prioritize instructional engagement and innovation
• Foster authentic stakeholder partnerships
• Refine our bullying prevention and awareness efforts
• Focus on our facility and its highest priority needs

This work starts now—and it includes all of us.  In July, with board members, we’ll kick off some “pre-strategic planning” processes to identify what we value and what our goals and objectives will be in the coming year.  I look forward to this planning time with the board and our leadership team this month as it is an integral part of the strategic planning tasks we need to begin as soon as possible.   

Our stakeholders will also be asked to actively participate in strategic planning processes during the first semester.  Through data collection and the work of shared focus groups, we will determine our priorities as a community.  Once our strategic plan is designed, our future actions should align with our goals.  With focused implementation and monitoring, we would expect improved student outcomes for success.  Additionally, the systems we create will be hard-wired and sustainable for the future. With the capacity of our Anchorage community, our possibilities are endless!

Trailblazing in the Classroom

Anchorage educators have always gone above and beyond for our students. This year, we’ll be spotlighting classroom innovation and engagement each month—amplifying great ideas, celebrating impact, and encouraging risk-taking for student success.  We can’t wait to feature our strengths!  I look forward to witnessing growth in our students as they experience an increased number of vibrant learning opportunities.

In one of our summer reading texts for staff, What School Could Be by Ted Dintersmith, the author shares many examples of students who thrive in environments where they can develop purpose, essentials, agency, and knowledge (P.E.A.K. Principles).  “Where these principles exist—children love school, learn deeply and joyously, and master the essential skills they need.”  Isn’t this what we want for every child who attends Anchorage Public School?

Whether you're teaching, parenting, learning, or leading—you are part of what makes Anchorage special. This year, let’s be bold. Let’s blaze a trail others will follow, because they see the heart behind our work. Let’s commit to working together as a team for the benefit of all.   

Save the Date

• July 20 – Look for Increased “Back to School” Communications
• August 18 – APTA’s Back to School Night (5-7 pm)
• August 20 – First Day of School
• August 22 – 8:00 am ABCs with Sharla in the District Office (All invited for Bagels and Coffee chat with the superintendent) Let me know about your child’s first week!

As always, I welcome your feedback and would love to hear about any summer celebrations your family is currently experiencing!  Please don’t hesitate to email me:  sharla.six@anchorage.kyschools.us

With optimism and gratitude,

Sharla Six
Superintendent, Anchorage Public School