BMS Field Trips
Dear Editor: Did you ever stop to think that very few places on earth have school children walk to the nearest dock, jump on a jet boat and within less than an hour document 23 species of sea birds and be on the feeding grounds of the North Pacific Humpback Whales to collect more place-based data? This amazing event has been happening at least twice a year since 1993!
A second yearly fall trip was added in 1997 to enable our school children to practice navigation and learn local Native place names. If you add it up, two trips in the fall and two trips in the spring (to get the whole sixth grade class on board), Allen Marine has taken our Sitka sixth-graders on at least 82 boat field trips. When you tell anyone else outside of Sitka or even outside of Alaska, about these unique educational sixth-grade opportunities, they are amazed.
But here in Sitka, we just take Allen Marine for granted. But in truth, I don’t ever take Allen Marine for granted because over the years I have marveled at their commitment to the education of our Sitka students. I have known that from their first price they quoted me on the first grant that I wrote, they have never gone up on the price even though fuel prices and so many costs involved in taking the trips have gone through the roof. I know that when the grants ran out and parents were funding the very low discount price we got, and the class that year was small, they would say, “Just pay us what you can.” I know that over the years, many of the trips were given free of charge. I know that when the trips would conflict with their work schedules, especially their money-making wildlife tours, they always fit us in and give us priority with their best captains and crew to get our kids safely home. I know that they never offered this for profit, recognition, or any corporate benefit, but they did it for their love of our Sitka children.
Their commitment to our kids runs deep. For example, this year was special because our captain (Eric Majeski) had his daughter on board. We managed on the trip to get him to open up to our students and share how he got to be an Allen Marine boat captain. He explained that he worked his way up, and said he even helped build the boat we were riding in. It has been so much fun over the years to find former sixth-grade students being naturalists, crew, captains, and administrators. From all the students, parents, and volunteer team leaders over the years, I would like to say a heartfelt felt thank you to Allen Marine for your contributions to our children’s education.
Of course, none of these trips could happen if they weren’t supported by parents, school faculty and administrators. The parents have always contributed generously with funds and taking time out to supervise and impart their love for the ocean. The fact is that the ocean is important to the people in this community and they are committed to educating their children for their future stewardship in protecting it.
This year again, our students were able to learn about sea birds from Ranger Ryan Carpenter (Sitka National Historical Park) when he came on both the morning and afternoon trips. What is so special about Ryan is that he is not only incredibly knowledgeable about all of Sitka’s birds, but he is an amazing teacher. He is able to break down the characteristics of each bird and explain just how students can recognize each species. His enthusiasm and positive energy really inspires us all. Anyone in town that has an opportunity to learn from him or enroll their child in any of his learning opportunities will appreciate his generous heart. Thank you, Ryan!
We would also like to thank Ms. Moll’s MEHS marine biology class for coming on our morning trip and sharing their unique sea mammal and sea bird perspective with our sixth-graders. Our students got to record information that helped them in their sea mammal oral reports from the Native world view.
In closing, gunalcheesh to Allen Marine, sixth-grade parents, AmeriCorp Volunteers, BMS teachers and administrators, Sitka Sound Science Center (for curriculum development over the years), and all sixth-grade students for the wonderful sea mammal field trips this fall. When we all learn together we learn so much more!
Patty Dick,
Sixth-Grade Science Teacher,
Blatchley Middle School
