‘American Utopia’
Set for Nov. 26
The Sitka Film Society and Coliseum Theater will present a screening of “David Byrne’s American Utopia,” a film by Spike Lee 5:15 p.m. Friday. Nov. 26, at the Coliseum Theater.
Tickets are $9 at Old Harbor Books and at the door. Capacity is limited. Face coverings required.
American Education Week
By Jennifer Davis
Delta Kappa Gamma
November kicked off American Education week: “An educational week ... observed in all communities annually for the purpose of informing the public of the accomplishments and needs of the public schools and to secure the cooperation and support of the public in meeting those needs.” American Education Week was first instituted 100 years ago as a way to encourage support of public education. It takes place the week before Thanksgiving every year.
As I think about my life, I can’t help but reflect on the important role education has played. I am very thankful to be part of a family and community that values education. I recently asked some of my students why they are thankful for school or education. I got some responses that I would like to share with you:
–I am thankful for school because you can make new friends. And you can learn a lot. And from school when you grow up you can get a good job. The people working there are working so hard to get you smart.
–I love that school has multiplication and math.
–I am thankful for school because you get to learn a new thing every day.
–I am thankful for school because I get to have that opportunity to learn and get an education and to have a teacher that teaches me math, reading, and all of the other things that I have.
–I am thankful for school and education because if we didn’t have education we would not be smart. The reason I like school is because I like my teacher and I love learning new things.
Among the responses, I saw the recurring theme that students value the connections they make at school; the connections with their classmates, with the new ideas they’re learning, and with the teachers that are guiding them through each year.
I think we all recognize the value of connection more than ever after the last two years that we’ve had to navigate. We know that we have to work together for our education system to be successful.
Let’s take the opportunity this year to celebrate the potential of our students, to honor the team of people working in the schools, and to thank parents and guardians who encourage our students in their learning at home. Together we continue to strive for excellence in education; not just as a support system for students in school, but as a community of lifelong learners.
F/V Drill Conductor
Training in Sitka
The Alaska Marine Safety Education Association will offer a fishing vessel drill conductor class 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Dec. 3 at NSRAA, 1308 Sawmill Creek Road.
The cost for the class is $125 for commercial fishermen and $185 for all others. Register online at www.amsea.org or call (907) 747-3287.
It meets the U.S. Coast Guard training requirements for drill conductors on commercial fishing vessels.
Participants can gain hands-on training with marine safety equipment and learn best practices for surviving emergencies at sea. AMSEA is offering this class at a reduced cost to commercial fishermen with support from the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development, and AMSEA members.
Mariner First Aid
CPR Class in Sitka
The Alaska Marine Safety Education Association will offer a mariner’s first aid and CPR/AED 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 7 at NSRAA, 1308 Sawmill Creek Road.
The cost is $125, including sales tax. Mariners may register online at www.amsea.org or call (907) 747-3287.
The class will cover CPR & automatic external defibrillators (AED); treatment of choking; medical emergencies; trauma; environmental hazards; patient assessment; medical communications; drowning & hypothermia; and common fishing injuries.
Those who complete the class will receive a U.S. Coast Guard accepted, two-year certificate issued by the American Safety & Health Institute.
Sitka Business,
AKO Farms,
Wins Awards
Sitka’s AKO Farms has earned first place in the Alaska Leaf Cannabis Bowl, which was held Nov. 5-6 in Anchorage.
Marijuana businesses throughout the state participated in the two-day event. In all, a total of 123 entries were posted.
AKO Farms GMO won first place for best indica flower and their Tangie Sugar Wax won first place in its category.
Two of the 10 independent judges were from High Times Magazine, a national magazine resource for cannabis news, culture, brands and marijuana legalization laws.
The Alaska Leaf Cannabis Bowl is a yearly event, with the next event being held in June.
‘‘We are very pleased that their products are so well received throughout the state and are happy that Sitka is able to get the ‘Voted Best’ products in the state,’’ said AKO Farms owner and CEO Liza Martin and owner and grower Justin Brown.
Tribal Council
Meet Rescheduled
The Sitka Tribe of Alaska Tribal Council will meet 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 8 via Zoom. The meeting was originally scheduled for Dec. 15.
The link for the Zoom meeting is on the STA webpage at www.sitkatribe.org.
