Daily Sitka Sentinel

November 20, 2019, Community Happenings

American Education Week - November 18-22

By SHS Principal Laura Rogers

for Delta Kappa Gamma

Exciting things are happening at Sitka High School! In an effort to strengthen relationships within the building and the broader community, Herman Davis headlined an assembly on Nov. 8 that introduced students to the concept of Haa Latseen: “Strength of Mind, Body and Spirit.” Late last year, faculty members were tasked with the identification of three words that would encompass the qualities they wanted to instill in their students; they chose “Compassionate, Engaged and Responsible.” The school was fortunate to have KathyHope Erickson, Alec Duncan and Chuck Miller talk about how those qualities support the overarching concept of Haa Latseen.  

SHS teacher and coach Jeremy Strong, who coordinated the event, was proud of the outcome. “You could tell it had an impact on our students,” he said. “They were focused and watchful, just taking everything in.”

The assembly culminated with a celebration in the Sitka High School commons for all students and guests. 

On Monday, Nov. 11, in recognition of Veterans Day, the band performed several patriotic pieces, U.S. Coast Guard Commander Frawley spoke about the significance of service, and local veterans were recognized and thanked by individual students, teachers, and the school as a whole. That afternoon, Rob Miller of ProActive Coaching, revisited the three words and helped students envision action statements around compassion, engagement and responsibility. After school, he offered a leadership class to interested students. Over 50 participated in the two-hour session. 

“We are really fortunate to live in a place where everyone in the community is invested in the growth of our young people,” said Assistant Principal Sondra Lundvick.  “Hopefully, their futures will be a lot brighter because we try to make sure we are helping them grow as people, not just with respect to academics.”

By Mindy Bartolaba, BMS

for Delta Kappa Gamma

When you approach the doors of Blatchley Middle School before the school day starts, you are greeted by Principal White or one of the many faculty members. Prior to school starting, students have the option to visit with friends, play a game in the gym, or grab some breakfast before embarking on a day of learning. This systematic process is very intentional as we aim for all our students to be greeted by a facility member before their day starts. This is just one of the many ways we strive to build positive relationships with our students. We all know that students learn best in an enjoyable environment that they want to be a part of. We strive to cultivate such a place at Blatchley Middle School.  

As adults, we all know that middle school is a unique time period in every adolescent’s life. This is why when you walk the hallways of Blatchley you will see students engaging in a variety of different learning opportunities. Students leave cooking class proudly showing off their success of making banana bread while carefully guarding the last few bites as they approach their next class. Cave paintings from the Paleolithic era cover the walls of the sixth-grade wing. Students collaborate with scientists from the Sitka Sound Science Center to study the effects of climate change on shrimp. These are just a few of the many learning opportunities our students are engaging in. 

This week at Blatchley is especially exciting because it is our school-wide Spirit Week that coincides with the school basketball Jamboree. During Jamboree, the school hosts teams from our neighboring communities for fun and competitive basketball games. In addition to basketball games, each grade level competes to see who has the most school spirit. The winning grade will earn the rights to the Spirit Trophy for the whole school year. The student government initiated dress-up days, such as Twin Day and Wacky Wednesday. Students can earn points towards the spirit award by demonstrating good sportsmanship, academic leadership, and school citizenship.  

If you have the opportunity, stop by Blatchley this week, and you will see the students and staff working together to build and maintain a positive learning environment. Visit Blatchley’s Jamboree and help us contribute to a  culture that supports students in this enriching and memorable time of their lives.  

This Week in Boys Run

Boys Run I toowú klatseen is an after-school running and life skills program currently in its sixth season in Sitka. The program incorporates cultural activities that honor traditional Southeast Alaska Native values. Thirty boys participate twice-weekly at Keet Gooshi Heen Elementary School.

This week, Boys Run participants have been learning about communication and making healthy choices. Boys practiced communicating respectfully by completing a fun team run, which involved collaboration to determine what different movements they’d act out during each lap. Boys also discussed the practices they can use to take care of themselves when they are feeling upset, sad, or angry. Running is naturally a favorite method of self-care for the boys. However, they also listed activities such as deep breathing, meditating, getting enough sleep, and talking about their feelings to their mentors. All of these are healthy choices that we can make on a daily basis! 

Here are some quotes from our participants: 

–“I like to meditate when I’m feeling stressed. You can sit however you want when you meditate, but the point is to sit quietly and just relax.”

–“If I don’t go to bed on time, then I’ll be tired in school the next day, and I won’t have the energy to run at Boys Run.”

–“When I have a problem and I don’t know what to do, I usually ask my uncle because he’s really wise.” 

Throughout this season, Boys Run will be providing the Sitka community with updates on the program. We also aim to give mentors and parents an opportunity to pass on skills from Boys Run to the children in their life. Consider using these conversation starters:

–Why is laughing and having fun an important part of teamwork?

–What are some healthy choices you can practice as a daily habit? Maybe we can include them into our routines. 

–Did you feel unhappy or upset today? How did you take care of yourself?

Don’t forget! The annual Boys Run 5K fun run will take place on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 10 a.m. beginning at Centennial Hall, and all are invited! We are recruiting volunteers to help set up, clean up, cheerlead, or be Running Buddies. Running Buddies will run/walk the 5K along with a boy to encourage him. If you are interested in volunteering or being a Running Buddy, please contact Emma Thompson at ethompson@safv.org or 747-3489. 

Drug Prevention

Meeting on Tap

A drug prevention and brainstorming meeting for the community, parents and business owners to come up with ideas on how to stop the flow of illegal drugs into the community and keep them out of schools is planned 6:30-8 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 25, at the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi.

Andy Rendle from K9 Scope will be  on hand to talk about the progress of having a drug dog in Sitka. 

ANB Camp 1

Meets Thursday

Alaska Native Brotherhood Camp 1 will meet 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, at the ANB Founders Hall.

On the agenda is ‘‘persons to be heard,’’ especially for renting the hall; ANB/ANS 107th Grand Camp convention in Anchorage; second call for nominations for officers for 2019-2020; and planning for the Community Thanksgiving Dinner which is 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 28, at the ANB Founders Hall.

ANB welcomes volunteers. Those with questions can call George, 500-4400, or Harriet, 744-6912.

Story Time Set

‘‘Gratitude and Being Thankful’’ preschool story time at Sitka Public Library will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 21.

It will include readings, rhymes, songs and a craft project. Everybody is welcome. For information call the library at 747-8708.

Preschool story times help to promote early literacy skills, expand children’s vocabularies and broaden and enrich their experiences, stimulating brain development, the library said.

SCLT to Meet

The Sitka Community Land Trust will meet 6:15-7:45 p.m. Monday, Nov. 25, at the Sitka Public Library. The public is encouraged to attend.

The SCLT is a non-profit organization that relies on community support and participation. For information contact Mim McConnell at 738-2888.  

Hanukkah Service

At Calvary Chapel

Calvary Chapel Sitka will have a special seasonal message on Hanukkah (Feast of Dedication) 3 p.m. Sunday at the Methodist Church.

The topic will be “Hanukkah, Jesus and You.” 

Call Pastor Dug at 747-5454 for more information.

Roundabout Rally

For Roadless Rule

A Roundabout Roadless Rule Rally will be noon Friday, Nov. 22, at the roundabout.

All are invited to take their signs and show their support.

Tribal Council Meets

Sitka Tribe of Alaska Tribal Council will hold its December regular monthly meeting 6:30 p.m. Dec. 11, at the Sheet’ka Kwáan Naa Kahídi. 

Contact Anne Davis at 747-3207 with any questions.