Nome Public Schools has just received a check for $137,000 from Sitnasuak Native Corporation—a $100,000 donation toward the JROTC program, and a $37,000 donation for the summer school reading program.
This is the first time Sitnasuak has donated to the summer school program. President Chuck Fagerstrom presented the donations at Tuesday’s school board meeting.
“Sitnasuak was made aware of the low proficiency level of many of our students in school in reading, writing and math,” said Fagerstrom. “What can we do to encourage these students?”
The answer to that question, he said, is not focusing on negatives—like what students don’t know—but instead, ensuring the school and community have resources to support those students in their development.
Nome resident Vera Metcalf was celebrated at the school board meeting for being one of those resources for the community. She was given the Partner in Education Award for her work exposing new teachers to Alaska Native culture. Metcalf was a presenter for the district-wide in-service on cultural sensitivity.
School board member Barb Amarok presented Metcalf with the award.
“Vera has expertise in both traditional Alaska Native and Western pedagogical methods,” said Amarok. “[She] recognizes the importance of exposure to cultural worldviews by formal educators.”
According to evaluations from the new teachers who participated in culture camp and in-service activities, the experience helped them understand what it means to be a teacher in rural Alaska. One teacher commented on the need for constant self-evaluation as Native culture is incorporated into education. Others shared their excitement to learn more from their students this year.
Also during Tuesday’s meeting, the board approved Nome’s Extension School Curriculum and discussed plans to improve the new meal program—which has been running into challenges with portion size and staffing. The next school board meeting will be a work session on September 23 in the Nome Elementary School Library.
