STA Announces
Tribal Council
Election Results
Unofficial election results for the Tribal Council election held on Nov. 9 have been announced by Lisa Gassman, Sitka Tribe of Alaska general manager.
Three incumbents were retained: Martha Moses, 53 votes, Lesa Way, 44, and Frederick Olsen Jr., 41. A write-in candidate, Rachel Moreno, 18 votes, was added. Moreno has served previously on the council.
“We would like to thank the candidates who ran for a seat on the STA Council,’’ Gassman said. ‘‘There were three candidates for four seats. Incumbent Harvey Kitka did not run again this year, STA would like to extend its thanks to Harvey Kitka for serving on the Tribal Council, his term of office will end November 30, 2021.”
‘‘Rachel Moreno received write-in votes, and after the election was contacted to see if she would be interested in serving, she responded affirmatively,” Gassman said.
“It isn’t uncommon for our elections to not have a big turnout when there isn’t competition for the open seats,’’ said Tribal Council Chairman Lawrence ‘‘Woody’’ Woodmark. ‘‘We weren’t surprised to see fewer voters get out to vote. We thank all our citizens that did vote.”
The oath of office will be administered in early December and the two-year terms will begin Dec. 1 and end Nov. 30, 2023.
For information contact Lisa Gassman at lisa.gassman@sitkatribe-nsn.gov or (907) 747-7380.
American Education Week -- November 15-19
By Sitka’s Iota Chapter
Of Delta Kappa Gamma
American Education Week, first celebrated in 1921, is Nov. 15-19 this year. It is an opportunity to celebrate public education, inform the community of the accomplishments and needs of public schools, secure cooperation and support from the public, and honor individuals who are making a difference.
In Sitka we can honor the people who work in our public schools, everyone from the bus driver and classroom teacher to the cafeteria worker and administrative staff, plus countless others.
Sitka’s Iota Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, a professional society of women teachers, will highlight and celebrate public education with an article in the Daily Sitka Sentinel each day.
Here are some easy ways we can do this:
Write a letter to the editor of the Sentinel. You can call or write a note to thank specific teachers and administrators for their service. All of us can thank the community for its support of public schools. Have your child write an email, “What I would do if I were the School Principal,” “How the pandemic has changed the way my school day is operated.”
Parental involvement means reading to your children, checking homework every night, limiting television viewing or screen time on school nights, developing a relationship with your child’s teacher, and simply asking children about their school day. Whatever the level of involvement, it is important to be consistent in order to make a difference in your children’s lives.
Ask your child to email their teacher (each school in Sitka has a web page with teachers’ emails listed). Tell about their favorite subject, best time of day, or what they liked about their classroom or teacher.
Adults who have gone through the Sitka school system could write a letter to the editor about a memorable school experience.
Transitioning back to in-person learning has had its challenges, but ESPs (Educational Support Staff) have been there for our students every step of the way. They’re cleaning and repairing buildings with old infrastructure, navigating multiple bus routes and preparing healthy meals amid staffing and supply shortages, addressing social-emotional impacts of the pandemic, and so much more.
Find out who is substituting in your children’s school(s). While we’ve spent significant time and attention on improving teaching and learning in America’s public schools over the past 25 years, there is one part of the education equation that is rarely addressed: The important role that substitute teachers play. It is important tor to recognize that effective substitute teachers make a significant contribution to the school program. They serve as educational bridges when regular classroom teachers are absent. The Sitka school district hires qualified individuals to fulfill the critical role of substitute teachers. It is difficult to find substitutes during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Share graphics on your social media channels and download virtual backgrounds and posters for American Education Week November 15-19! There are many to choose from…. here is one: https://www.clipartlogo.com/free/american-education-week.html
Please understand the enormous challenge teachers are undertaking during this pandemic. Teachers are concerned for their students’ academic and social emotional well-being. They believe in-person school is best for students. However, safety is the overriding concern – safety for their students, families, themselves and other school faculty and staff.
Cresencia Villanueva
Dies at Home at 98
Cresencia Villanueva died Sunday night at her home at age 98.
An obituary will be published later this week.
Emblem Club Meets
Sitka Emblem Club will hold a combined business and social meeting 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18, at the Sitka Elks Lodge.
BIHA Board
Meets Nov. 23
Baranof Island Housing Authority Board of Commissioners will meet 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 23, via Zoom.
Persons wanting to be heard may contact BIHA at 747-5088 or info@bihasitka.org until noon Nov. 23.
Artists Sought for
Virtual Art Walk
As part of its winter virtual art walk to promote local artists and buy locally, Greater Sitka Arts Council will host a page dedicated to Sitka artists.
Artists who sell their work online can be included with a link to their work. The Virtual Art Walk will run Nov. 26-Dec. 31, with associated live events and workshops.
Email Rain at thinkartthinksitka@gmail.com with questions.
Chowder Fundraiser
For SJ Museum
Ludvig’s Chowder Cart has teamed up with Friends of Sheldon Jackson Museum for a fundraiser Nov. 17-20.
Those who eat at the Ludvig’s Chowder Cart adjacent to the Sitka Sound Science Center will have a portion of the proceeds given to the group.
Donations will go to support the oldest museum in Alaska and its nonprofit’s mission. The Friends of Sheldon Jackson Museum is dedicated to supporting the museum and its Alaska Native ethnographic collection through advocacy, acquisition, and educational programming.
Email friendsofsjm@gmail.com or call (907)747-8981 for information.
