There are a few reasons why it has been a while since my last post. For one, I’ve been extremely busy getting my students ready to pass their state assessments in April. Another reason is that for the most part nothing is new here. The weather is cold, but it is odd due to the fact that there is nearly 12 hours of daylight. Since Daylight Savings Time went into effect, the sun is out until almost 10:00pm, and we get an additional 7 minutes of sun each day.
This week has been an interesting week in town, as the native corporation (the business end of the area as a result of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act) and the church are having a weeklong conference in town. This happens each year, however, it rotates throughout the 10 villages, so this is the first time it has been here in 10 years. For this, people come from across all villages have come here, almost doubling the population in a short period. Sunday was interesting, because since Monday is the BIG day (also the last) there were planes landing about every 20 minutes (normally there is only one plane that lands here on a Sunday).
The kids are behaving much better, especially one student I’ve been working hard to build a better relationship with. He’s shown strong improvement since the beginning of the year, and I hope it continues as he moves on to 4th grade.
As for other news from elsewhere in the state, the leaders of the Iditarod have just gone through Koyuk, which is a 1 to 2 hour snow machine ride from here (and the closest the Iditarod actually gets to coming through town). The winner will probably cross the line within the next 24 to 28 hours, and the current leader, Lance Mackey has won the last 3 Iditarods, and looks to make Iditarod XXXVI his 4th consecutive win.
Monday, March 15, 2010
March 15
There are a few reasons why it has been a while since my last post. For one, I’ve been extremely busy getting my students ready to pass their state assessments in April. Another reason is that for the most part nothing is new here. The weather is cold, but it is odd due to the fact that there is nearly 12 hours of daylight. Since Daylight Savings Time went into effect, the sun is out until almost 10:00pm, and we get an additional 7 minutes of sun each day.
This week has been an interesting week in town, as the native corporation (the business end of the area as a result of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act) and the church are having a weeklong conference in town. This happens each year, however, it rotates throughout the 10 villages, so this is the first time it has been here in 10 years. For this, people come from across all villages have come here, almost doubling the population in a short period. Sunday was interesting, because since Monday is the BIG day (also the last) there were planes landing about every 20 minutes (normally there is only one plane that lands here on a Sunday).
The kids are behaving much better, especially one student I’ve been working hard to build a better relationship with. He’s shown strong improvement since the beginning of the year, and I hope it continues as he moves on to 4th grade.
As for other news from elsewhere in the state, the leaders of the Iditarod have just gone through Koyuk, which is a 1 to 2 hour snow machine ride from here (and the closest the Iditarod actually gets to coming through town). The winner will probably cross the line within the next 24 to 28 hours, and the current leader, Lance Mackey has won the last 3 Iditarods, and looks to make Iditarod XXXVI his 4th consecutive win.
This week has been an interesting week in town, as the native corporation (the business end of the area as a result of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act) and the church are having a weeklong conference in town. This happens each year, however, it rotates throughout the 10 villages, so this is the first time it has been here in 10 years. For this, people come from across all villages have come here, almost doubling the population in a short period. Sunday was interesting, because since Monday is the BIG day (also the last) there were planes landing about every 20 minutes (normally there is only one plane that lands here on a Sunday).
The kids are behaving much better, especially one student I’ve been working hard to build a better relationship with. He’s shown strong improvement since the beginning of the year, and I hope it continues as he moves on to 4th grade.
As for other news from elsewhere in the state, the leaders of the Iditarod have just gone through Koyuk, which is a 1 to 2 hour snow machine ride from here (and the closest the Iditarod actually gets to coming through town). The winner will probably cross the line within the next 24 to 28 hours, and the current leader, Lance Mackey has won the last 3 Iditarods, and looks to make Iditarod XXXVI his 4th consecutive win.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
February already!
Wow, how time flies! It is almost May already! The last two or so weeks have been very busy, and yet very uneventful. I was supposed to get out of town to go to Kotzebue for the district spelling bee finals. However, in true “Alaskan Bush” fashion, you are at the mercy of the airlines. And on the day, the airline ruled it was too cloudy here to fly (although this was just do to the readings they were getting, it was perfectly clear here!!!). So, the winner of the school spelling bee and myself were able to do the spelling bee over teleconference. She did well, ultimately spelling the word “portfolio” wrong in the 3rd round. This performance was good enough for a tie for 2nd place!!! (Ravel and tundra were spelled correctly, and as I told her, “It would be REAL embarrassing to spell tundra wrong!”
Also, this past weekend, we hosted some basketball games (my first this year, the schools’ 2nd, as I was in Kotz for the first set of games). Selawik were in town, and when games are in town a lot of responsibility falls on the teachers to assure that things run smoothly. Doing my part, I was the scorekeeper of all games. There were 3 middle school games both Friday and Saturday as Deering and Kotzebue were in town. Following the middle school games each night the varsity girls team played (the boys were in Selawik). The middle school (co-ed) team went a perfect 4-0! The girls on the other hand dropped both games to the mighty Wolves. However, our boys swept Selawik on the road!
My class size is back down to 12, the student that added right after winter break has already left us. The rest of my students are doing well, but I am really clamping down on behavior issues, which keep arising, depending how their home life is. I am also busy trying to get the students to pass these tests in April, and they are trying their best to get ready for their first ever time taking standardized tests.
I’m excited for the Super Bowl this weekend, and an advantage of being in Alaska means the game starts at 2:30, leaving me time to do my lesson plans following the game. However, this is probably a bad idea, since I have to probably do 2 weeks of lesson plans, since the following Thursday through Saturday I will be busy helping run the Buckland Bash tournament where there will be 3 boys teams and 3 girls teams visiting, meaning 4 games each day for a total of 12!!!
In other good news, Friday is an in-service day, which means no kids!!!!!!!!!
Sorry for the delay, I’m going to try and get better at keeping the blog up to date.
Also, this past weekend, we hosted some basketball games (my first this year, the schools’ 2nd, as I was in Kotz for the first set of games). Selawik were in town, and when games are in town a lot of responsibility falls on the teachers to assure that things run smoothly. Doing my part, I was the scorekeeper of all games. There were 3 middle school games both Friday and Saturday as Deering and Kotzebue were in town. Following the middle school games each night the varsity girls team played (the boys were in Selawik). The middle school (co-ed) team went a perfect 4-0! The girls on the other hand dropped both games to the mighty Wolves. However, our boys swept Selawik on the road!
My class size is back down to 12, the student that added right after winter break has already left us. The rest of my students are doing well, but I am really clamping down on behavior issues, which keep arising, depending how their home life is. I am also busy trying to get the students to pass these tests in April, and they are trying their best to get ready for their first ever time taking standardized tests.
I’m excited for the Super Bowl this weekend, and an advantage of being in Alaska means the game starts at 2:30, leaving me time to do my lesson plans following the game. However, this is probably a bad idea, since I have to probably do 2 weeks of lesson plans, since the following Thursday through Saturday I will be busy helping run the Buckland Bash tournament where there will be 3 boys teams and 3 girls teams visiting, meaning 4 games each day for a total of 12!!!
In other good news, Friday is an in-service day, which means no kids!!!!!!!!!
Sorry for the delay, I’m going to try and get better at keeping the blog up to date.
Monday, January 18, 2010
COLD!!!!!
Sorry, it has been a while, but I’ve been swamped non-stop getting the kids ready for their state standardized testing in April (You can never start too early!) In addition, I have been having constant “visitors” in my classroom observing my every move. So, in addition to being busy, I’ve been under a huge microscope, and no doubt it will continue for the remainder of the school year. So, here is a recap of my past two weeks…
First, I ran into a bit of a snag trying to return home. I was on my way to Buckland on the morning of New Year’s Eve, however, the fog in Kotzebue kept planes from flying. Later in the day, the fog had moved to Buckland, and all flights there remained on hold. Also, the airline doesn’t fly on New Year’s Day, so that meant 2 nights at a hotel in Kotzebue. After finally getting back home, It was time to start the 2nd semester.
The first week back dragged on, eventless. The only exciting point of the week was that I got a new student, bringing my count up to 13. The whole town was anticipating the basketball games that would be there that weekend. Noatak boys were here and our girls went there. However, I missed out on this because I had to go back to Kotzebue on Friday night in order to take a test the next day, so for the 3rd night out of the last 8 I had to stay at the hotel in Kotzebue. The test went fine, and when we got back, we had news that the boys had split their weekend games (Friday win, Saturday loss). The girls’ team dropped both of their games.
The next week, this past week, also went by rather fast and uneventful. Again the town was waiting with anticipation. This weekend it was to be Noorvik girls traveling here, and the boys going to Noorvik. However, Friday, the temperature in Buckland was -45, and the school district policy prevents travel when the weather drops below -35. So, sadly the games for this weekend were canceled. In lieu of basketball games, the middle school basketball team held a fundraiser, which I helped out with, a movie night. So, instead of keeping a scorebook, my Saturday night was spent popping popcorn.
In all, it has been a busy two weeks, I can’t believe how fast the time is going now, it seems like there is so much to do, and so little time to do it in.
First, I ran into a bit of a snag trying to return home. I was on my way to Buckland on the morning of New Year’s Eve, however, the fog in Kotzebue kept planes from flying. Later in the day, the fog had moved to Buckland, and all flights there remained on hold. Also, the airline doesn’t fly on New Year’s Day, so that meant 2 nights at a hotel in Kotzebue. After finally getting back home, It was time to start the 2nd semester.
The first week back dragged on, eventless. The only exciting point of the week was that I got a new student, bringing my count up to 13. The whole town was anticipating the basketball games that would be there that weekend. Noatak boys were here and our girls went there. However, I missed out on this because I had to go back to Kotzebue on Friday night in order to take a test the next day, so for the 3rd night out of the last 8 I had to stay at the hotel in Kotzebue. The test went fine, and when we got back, we had news that the boys had split their weekend games (Friday win, Saturday loss). The girls’ team dropped both of their games.
The next week, this past week, also went by rather fast and uneventful. Again the town was waiting with anticipation. This weekend it was to be Noorvik girls traveling here, and the boys going to Noorvik. However, Friday, the temperature in Buckland was -45, and the school district policy prevents travel when the weather drops below -35. So, sadly the games for this weekend were canceled. In lieu of basketball games, the middle school basketball team held a fundraiser, which I helped out with, a movie night. So, instead of keeping a scorebook, my Saturday night was spent popping popcorn.
In all, it has been a busy two weeks, I can’t believe how fast the time is going now, it seems like there is so much to do, and so little time to do it in.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
January 3-Back in Buckland Finally
Thursday, December 17, 2009
December 17- The Day After
Last night was the annual Christmas Program at the school. And only minutes before the program was to begin, I found out that as a last resort, I would be playing the role of Santa Claus for all of the kids. Up here, Santa is typically mobbed by children as he walks out. This year however I (thankfully) had the kids distracted, the lights out, and other teachers serving as bodyguards. So that when the lights went on, the kids were surprised to see me sitting there. Most of the kids in town would like either the "LEGO Indiana Jones 2" video game, or a remote control snow-go. Of course, the older kids all figured out who it was behind the beard and wig, but the little kids had no idea, in fact, a few even ran away from me!
As for my kids, we had to cut Jingle Bell Rock from the program for time reasons. I was nervous about the way the kids were practicing "The Polar Express" throughout the day Tuesday and Wednesday, and frankly, I, along with them were probably tired of doing it. However, they saved their best performance for last. I was so proud of them, they did so great reading their lines!
Now that the Christmas Program is over, I feel like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. I have to worry about grades, and then my trip home (which of course is weather permitting which always makes me nervous). But it feels good to be stress free now that the show is over and my kids were all-stars!
As for my kids, we had to cut Jingle Bell Rock from the program for time reasons. I was nervous about the way the kids were practicing "The Polar Express" throughout the day Tuesday and Wednesday, and frankly, I, along with them were probably tired of doing it. However, they saved their best performance for last. I was so proud of them, they did so great reading their lines!
Now that the Christmas Program is over, I feel like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. I have to worry about grades, and then my trip home (which of course is weather permitting which always makes me nervous). But it feels good to be stress free now that the show is over and my kids were all-stars!
Monday, December 14, 2009
December 14-Semester 1 almost done!
Sorry again for the long delay, however there are many things going on preventing me from having any free time. First, there have been many people coming in from the district office in Kotzebue to observe our school, so most of my attention has been put toward making everything look nice and neat for them.
Next, have been the countless assessments that I am required to administer to the kids before the winter break. Not to mention the fact that I need to have all their grades in the computer before I leave on Saturday, since the semester ends on Friday! It is hard to believe that it is already halfway through the year. Although my kids might at time seem to be struggling with the pace at which I am required to teach the curriculum, I can see that just me being here is having such a great impact on their lives. For instance, one student that I have comes to my house every night because he wants to “visit.” Every time he comes by, I just think of the positive influence that I must be having on him, and it makes me glad that I am here to impact these kids.
That being said, I can’t wait to get home for 10 days!!!
But, before I leave, there are many things still to take care of. Wednesday is the big school Christmas Program. My class will be doing a reading of The Polar Express and singing Jingle Bell rock for the village. Also at the program, the kids will give each other secret Santa gifts, and it will be the beginning of the Christmas Season here.
We had our staff Christmas party last night. The highlight of which was the gift exchange. It was a typical gift exchange where you have the option to “steal” the gifts of the people who pick in front of you. The hotly contested items were the two Snuggies that were up for grabs. I walked away with a nice pair of deerskin gloves, which are nice for keeping warm!
The only thing left worth discussing is how crazy the lack of daylight actually is up here. The sun is now rising afternoon, and setting around 4 o’clock, so there is no way I actually get to see sunlight, since I’m up at the school the whole time during those hours. One strange side effect to the constant darkness is the fact that I’m seemingly always hungry, and some nights I end up eating TWO dinners!!! It is really interesting though, and hopefully soon I will be able to see the Northern Lights soon!
As for my flight schedule, I leave Buckland around 5:00 AST on Saturday the 20th. From there, I fly to Kotzebue. From “Kotz” I leave at 7:30 , stop off in Nome, and then land in Anchorage at about 10:30. Next, I fly to Phoenix at 1:00 am AST. Finally, I take a flight from Phoenix to Detroit, landing at 4:01 EST at Metro Airport, a total of 20 hours of traveling, but it will be well worth it to see friends and family again!
Now, back to the busy final week of the semester, then I can worry about getting home!
Next, have been the countless assessments that I am required to administer to the kids before the winter break. Not to mention the fact that I need to have all their grades in the computer before I leave on Saturday, since the semester ends on Friday! It is hard to believe that it is already halfway through the year. Although my kids might at time seem to be struggling with the pace at which I am required to teach the curriculum, I can see that just me being here is having such a great impact on their lives. For instance, one student that I have comes to my house every night because he wants to “visit.” Every time he comes by, I just think of the positive influence that I must be having on him, and it makes me glad that I am here to impact these kids.
That being said, I can’t wait to get home for 10 days!!!
But, before I leave, there are many things still to take care of. Wednesday is the big school Christmas Program. My class will be doing a reading of The Polar Express and singing Jingle Bell rock for the village. Also at the program, the kids will give each other secret Santa gifts, and it will be the beginning of the Christmas Season here.
We had our staff Christmas party last night. The highlight of which was the gift exchange. It was a typical gift exchange where you have the option to “steal” the gifts of the people who pick in front of you. The hotly contested items were the two Snuggies that were up for grabs. I walked away with a nice pair of deerskin gloves, which are nice for keeping warm!
The only thing left worth discussing is how crazy the lack of daylight actually is up here. The sun is now rising afternoon, and setting around 4 o’clock, so there is no way I actually get to see sunlight, since I’m up at the school the whole time during those hours. One strange side effect to the constant darkness is the fact that I’m seemingly always hungry, and some nights I end up eating TWO dinners!!! It is really interesting though, and hopefully soon I will be able to see the Northern Lights soon!
As for my flight schedule, I leave Buckland around 5:00 AST on Saturday the 20th. From there, I fly to Kotzebue. From “Kotz” I leave at 7:30 , stop off in Nome, and then land in Anchorage at about 10:30. Next, I fly to Phoenix at 1:00 am AST. Finally, I take a flight from Phoenix to Detroit, landing at 4:01 EST at Metro Airport, a total of 20 hours of traveling, but it will be well worth it to see friends and family again!
Now, back to the busy final week of the semester, then I can worry about getting home!
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