School Renaming
Dear Editor: The Baranof Elementary School Renaming Committee would like to thank the community for participating in the selection process of renaming Baranof Elementary.
The committee feels there was a lot of time and careful thought put into the process and confidently presented to the board for consideration the three highest ranking names from the second survey: Xóots Elementary School (Brown Bear Elementary School), which received 51.5% of votes (303), Gat.Héeni Elementary School (Sockeye Stream Elementary School) received 14.4% of votes (81), and Shee Yátx’i Elementary School (Children of Sitka Elementary School) received 13.69% of votes (79). A copy of the committee’s full report to the board may be found on the district website.
Community members who would like to submit public comment to the board to be added to the March 6th meeting packet, please email info@sitkaschools.org before 5 p.m. on March 5.
The board will make their final selection at the March 6 School Board meeting, 6 p.m. at Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi Community House.
Many thanks to Sitka Tribe of Alaska for their help in reaching the tribal citizens of Sitka, providing them with multiple opportunities to take the community-wide surveys.
Recognition should be given to the SSD Policy Committee for their work in writing the board policy and administrative regulation for naming schools, facilities, fields, and other areas. The clearly laid out process made the committee’s work far easier.
On behalf of the committee, Gunalchéesh, Háw’aa, thank you!
Deidre Jenson, Superintendent
Sitka School District
Sitka Flotilla
Dear Editor: Sitka Flotilla of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary would like to thank our community, Sitka, for their support.
2024 celebrates our 67th year, making us the second oldest flotilla in the state of Alaska.
Since its creation by Congress in 1939, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary has served as the civilian, non-military component of the Coast Guard. Today, the 27,000 volunteer men and women of the auxiliary are active on the waterways and classrooms in over 2,000 cities and towns across the nation.
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is a civilian, all-volunteer, branch of the Coast Guard, devoted to promoting recreational boating safety, helping to maintain the security of our waterways, contribute to the safety of our citizens by education and assisting the Coast Guard with some of their missions.
In addition, you will find a special camaraderie among members that is hard to beat. Along with our missions we find time to relax and have fun at Auxiliary outings, social events, training sessions, patrols, classes, missions and conferences, making for meaningful friendships. For more information the national Website is cgaux.org or call 907-738-8891.
If you are interested in learning more about us, join us on Saturday, Feb. 17, 5-7 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 408 Marine Street. Parking is in the back. Cake will be provided.
Sitka Flotilla,
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
