Book Giveaway Thanks
Dear Editor: The Parent Advisory Committee at Baranof Elementary wants to extend a big, happy thank you to everyone who contributed to our Reading is Fundamental (RIF) book giveaways. Every child at Baranof was able to take home two free books of their choosing this year. Their excitement as they browse, choose, and read their books is always a joy to watch. They are becoming enthusiastic readers who love books.
Thank you to our local supporters: The Coast Guard Spouses’ and Women’s Association, and the Rotary Club of Sitka. Your support has helped our kids get excited about books. And an especially big thanks goes out to Macy’s department store for their generous financial donation. Placing books in the hands of developing readers is truly making a difference.
Thank you for supporting our children and our community,
Baranof Elementary School
Parent Advisory Committee
Cold-Water Safety
Dear Editor: Last week the Sitka School District completed its final cold-water safety unit for the school year. Once again, we have many people to thank for the assistance they gave to educate students in first, third, fifth, seventh and ninth grades on cold-water and outdoor survival skills.
All fifth grade classrooms rotated between PFD, Immersion suits, and raft stations at Blatchley pool in March. They also participated at our Centennial building activity that included presentations from Mountain Search and Rescue, small boat safety, AMSEA control damage unit, a presentation on emergency signals and an obstacle course with the Coast Guard Aids to Navigation Team, to name a few.
The first grade students enjoyed a presentation by the Coast Guard Auxiliary. The students also had three hours of swim lessons to learn proper PFD flotation use at Blatchley pool. The third-graders were introduced to immersion suit instruction and techniques. They used their newly learned skills at the Coast Guard base gazebo dock on May 14. Students in Shasta Smith’s ninth-grade health classes had instruction and presentations on CPR/first aid, boating safety, avalanche awareness, shelter building, and the ‘‘7 Steps to Survival.’’
The program would not be successful without the following organizations and people that give so much to support the program: Alaska Marine Safety Education Association instructors, Mike Morris, Hope Merritt and Coral Pendell; U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary members, Joe Meador and Carol Meador; U.S. Coast Guard Aids to Navigation Team, MK1 Joshua Michael, BM1 Charles Bowman, MK3 Dylan Smith, FA Kyle Gravelle, Recruit Amanda Miller and Petty Officer 3rd Class Kevin Walters; U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers, AST2 David White, AST2 Chris Austin, AST1 Matt Silvious, AST 2 Richard Parra, AST3 Ben Dent; ASTC Christopher Phillips; Lance Jamison, Sitka Mountain Rescue; AMSEA teacher instructors, Rich Krupa, Tyler Orbison; pool directors Shelley Long and Mandy Summer.
A special thank you is also expressed to the Centennial Hall staff; Prewitt Bus Company and drivers; and all teachers, staff and parents that assisted in these activities. Special recognition to BM1 Charles Bowman and Jason Condon, LT MH60 pilot, public affairs and comms officer who helped arrange for volunteers and locations.
Thank you, all, for your willingness to give your time, knowledge and skills to promote cold-water safety and survival education to the students.
Hector Hurtado
Cold-Water Safety Program
Sitka School District
