Daily Sitka Sentinel

May 7, 2020, Community Happenings

Artist Ellie Schmidt Receives

Funding from UAS Program

Visual artist Ellie Schmidt has received funding from the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity  program at the University of Alaska Southeast in support of her public art project, currently titled “Ecology Web Hanging Sculptures.”

The URECA program supports students in both creative endeavors and extracurricular research, augmenting traditional classroom learning with self-motivated, hands-on opportunities.

Schmidt will be working under the mentorship of Assistant Professor of Art Liz Zacher.

“I applied to create three hanging ceramic sculptures, pretty much like large mobiles,’’ Schmidt said about her project. ‘‘I did a few sculptures like this in college and was excited to return to the form. The mobiles will represent different aspects of the ecological web of Sitka Sound.” 

Schmidt has “always been interested in marine ecology and how climate change affects it. In my art, I try to examine these issues from an expansive, symbolic point of view. I hope to install the pieces in a public place in Sitka.”

She completed a bachelor of arts in studio arts from Carleton College in 2014, and came to Sitka in 2015.

“One of my best friends from college grew up in Sitka – that’s how I originally heard of it,” she said. “I came for the summer with the Sitka Fellows artist residency. It was a very transformative summer, and I was lucky to be able to work with many wonderful people. I’ve loved making a life here since then.”

The nature Schmidt found in Sitka has fed her artist inspiration.

“I am influenced by the natural world, ocean science, my friends who are fishermen and harvesters of wild food,” she says. “My art is also grounded in feminist theory. My ceramics professor in college, Kelly Connole, is an incredible mentor and wonderful artist. She is the one who nurtured my sculpture-brain and taught me everything I know about clay.”

As a student in art courses at UAS, Schmidt has found a supportive and creative atmosphere.

“I love the community of the artists’ studio at UAS – everyone is so warm and helpful, especially Liz (Zacher) and Robert (Rose),’’ she said. ‘‘They are always around to give advice and are so generous with their knowledge, time, and even personal supplies. The other students are also so knowledgeable and friendly. It makes me sad to be doing things remotely during the pandemic, but look forward to seeing everyone in person again.”

UAS-Sitka Campus faculty and staff offer Schmidt congratulations on her award and look forward to seeing her completed project in the future in spaces around Sitka. 

To learn more about Schmidt and her work visit https://ellieschmidt.com/.

 Rep. Kreiss-Tomkins

Sets Live Town Hall

Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins will host a Facebook Live Town Hall 7 p.m.  Thursday, May 7. 

He will provide an update on COVID-19 and the Legislature, and will take questions from the chat.

Visit Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins’ Facebook page at bit.ly/2YybWPt for a link to the stream.

Kindergarten

Registration Open

Online kindergarten registration is still available on the Sitka School District website on the Baranof Elementary School page, sitkaschools.org/page/3326. 

Parents are asked to register as soon as possible so the district will know how many students to plan for next year and to be able to create balanced classrooms, a news release said. 

Children who are 5 years old on or before Sept. 1 are eligible to attend kindergarten. 

Donuts & Diplomas

For Eighth-Graders

The annual Rites of Passage Ceremony for Blatchley Middle School eighth-graders may look a little different this year, but staff members plan to honor the class just the same.

On Friday, May 22, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. BMS staff will be in front of the school holding Rites of Passage certificates and an individually wrapped donut  for each member of the class.

‘‘We ask that eighth-graders and their families pull up to the front of the school where they will be greeted and  cheered by staff and receive their certificate,’’ the school said in a press release today. ‘‘We know this is very different froml proceedings but wanted to do something to honor our eighth-grade students.’’

F&G Gives Regs

For Anglers In

Fish Landings

Marine boat anglers that return to ports where and when Alaska Department of Fish and Game conducts on-site creel surveys will be prohibited from filleting, mutilating, and de-heading sport caught lingcod, slope rockfish, and king and coho salmon at-sea from 12:01 a.m. May 11 through 11:59 p.m. Sept. 13.

Anglers can not fillet, mutilate, or de-head these fish until their vessel is tied up at a docking facility where the fish will be offloaded.

This action does not prohibit gutting and gilling fish before returning to port.

A flyer is available on the ADF&G website http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/home/pdfs/KeepDontKeepRockfish.pdf, to assist anglers with identification.

For further information, contact the nearest ADF&G office or visit: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fishingSportFishingInfo.eonr

Movement

Classes Set

4-H will feature a different style of movement, including stretching, yoga and dancing, at virtual sessions 12:30-1 p.m. Mondays, May 11 and 18.

All ages are welcome. Contact emily@sitkawild.org for registration and more information. 

‘Seaweed’ Topic

Of Workshop

A workshop unpacking the mysteries of seaweed, including their differences and similarities to other ocean algae and plant life and how they contribute to the ocean community, will be offered 1-2 p.m. Thursday, May 14.

All ages are welcome. To register, contact emily@sitkawild.org. 

Climate Lobby

Meeting May 9

Sitka Citizens Climate Lobby will  meet virtually on Zoom 9 a.m. Saturday, May 9.

The national meeting speaker is Dr Natasha DeJarnett of the National Environmental Health Association. She will talk about public health, COVID-19 and carbon pollution.

The local Sitka meeting starts at 9:45 a.m. To get directions to both Zoom meetings, email at sitkaclimatelobby@gmail.com by Friday evening.

‘‘During this Covid-19 crisis, we are comforted by the values and community of Citizens Climate Lobby,’’ the group said. ‘‘All are welcome to participate and find out what you can do during social distancing about global warming.’’

BMS Students

Get Updates

As the school year is drawing near to a close, Blatchley Middle School staff said remote learning involving technology will need to stop prior to the last day of school so the laptops that have been lent out can be reclaimed.

Teachers have begun posting assignments for the week of May 18-22 – the last week of school – on their Schoology pages.

The last day of technology-dependent remote learning will be Friday, May 15. This includes live office hours and Zoom meetings, the school said.

‘‘Students are still encouraged/expected to complete these assignments,’’ the school said. ‘‘The only difference will be that the lessons will not be  dependent upon the use of technology.’’

When students have completed these lessons, they can submit them to sixth grade, seventh grade, and eighth grade drop-boxes located in the front of Blatchley.

SEARHC Encourages Residents to Help Celebrate Nurses Week

SEARHC is inviting the public to join in observing Nurses Week, May 6-12.

SEARHC is recognizing nurses internally throughout the week, while residents can receive Nurses Week stickers to honor staff on the front-line.

Stickers can be found at local businesses, as well as at Mt. Edgecumbe Medical Center.

The American Nurses Association, creators of Nurses Week, is asking nursing staff to use #yearofthenurse to share their stories of providing essential care across social media.

“The nursing profession touches each and every person throughout our region and around the world,” said Mt. Edgecumbe Medical Center Chief Nursing Officer Kat Richards, RN BSN. “My wish is for those who receive care to take a moment and reflect on all that the nursing profession provides. To our nursing professionals, thank you all for being part of the SEARHC family and caring for our communities.”

Nurses Week was created by the ANA in 1990 to celebrate the contributions and successes of the largest group of health care professionals in the U.S. and challenge organizations to commit to nursing and nursing leaders in order to improve the nation’s health.

The World Health Assembly, the governing body of the World Health Organization, has tabbed 2020 as the “Year of the Nurse” in honor of the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth. Nightingale is considered the founder of modern nursing.

Phi Kappa Phi

Inducts Sitkans

University of Alaska Fairbanks students Laurie Serka and Rachel Larson of Sitka have been initiated into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.

They are among approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni across the nation to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi this year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. 

Its mission is “To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.”