NCS New Staff Member Introduction 1-25-21
Dear Parents/Guardians.
I hope this message finds you well. I'm writing to formally introduce Mrs. Teena Calkin to our team at Nenana City School. Mrs. Calkin has recently joined us in her new position as Transition Coordinator and ACE Demo Grant Project Co-Director. This grant is in partnership with the Nenana Native Council. Please join us in welcoming Teena to the school community.
Year one of the grant is written as a planning year. Teena's position is 0.5 FTE this year. In years 2-5 of the grant, Mrs. Calkin will transition to full time. Her responsibilities will expand to include leadership in our transition plan efforts for students in grades 7-12, along with other extracurricular offerings.
The primary focus during the planning year is to survey stakeholders' interests in a variety of program offerings intended to increase access to college and career opportunities and also to begin networking with potential statewide agencies, universities and training facilities. The opportunities are endless, and Teena has already established a far-reaching network of contacts, viable partnerships and an impressive collection of next-level opportunities for our students.
In the coming weeks, you will be asked to provide your feedback to Teena through the lens of a staff member. Parents and students (grade 7 -12) will also be asked to complete surveys.
When the time comes please take some time to reflect on your tenure with NCSD (as a parent, student, staff member or any combination of the three), in providing Teena with your most genuine and constructive input. Survey responses will play an important role in decision making and the direction of our CTE and Afterschool Program offerings moving forward.
Thank you in advance for your time and thoughtful responses.
David R. Huntington
Principal, Nenana City School
dhuntington@nenanalynx.org
907-832-5464 (NCS office)
District Website: www.nenanalynx.org
My previous posting was the NCS Update for Wednesday, January 20, 2021.
Dear Parents/Guardians and Nenana Community,
As we move forward with semester two, I am writing to provide information regarding our plans for education at Nenana City School. With the recent changes being implemented in the FNSBSD, many folks are beginning to inquire as to whether Nenana City School will follow suit.
First and foremost, we are very different from FNSBSD. One thing we do have in common is that we are both in the operational red zone (Alert Levels defined). As such, we are defaulting to our Smart Start plan, which states that we will operate with virtual instruction when COVID-19 case rates enter the high risk operational zone in Fairbanks and the surrounding region. The current case rates are roughly 4X greater than those indicated at the medium risk zone. At medium risk, we have a plan to transition to in-person schooling.
The school's current approach is consistent with public health (DHSS) recommendations and received high approval from the State (DEED). Beyond the elevated case rates in Fairbanks, we have had recent community spread in Nenana. In-person schooling is unlikely until we see community spread stabilize and Fairbanks regional case rates fall below the high risk threshold. The safety of local students and those residing at the Nenana Student Living Center, along with that of the staff at both locations is of utmost priority. A return to in-person schooling is equally valued. Other considerations impacting the prospective return to in-person schooling include our teaching and LC staff who reside in the greater Fairbanks area, potential transmission from school to local families and elders, Nenana Head Start closure and associated child-care challenges, and a genuine uncertainty surrounding the degree of community spread in Nenana.
Our current virtual delivery program has provided equal opportunities to all students, quality and continuity in instruction, and the ability for families to plan for child-care with consistency. Given our staff size and unique program needs, I am uncertain that we can deliver the same degree of quality instruction, safety, and support to all families if we attempt to provide both an in-person and remote option. Nonetheless, we will be exploring this option in the coming weeks. You can expect further communication on this if we see COVID-19 numbers continue to decline. Any return to in-person schooling would likely occur in phases, beginning with K-4, then 5-8, and ultimately high school.
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Our administrative, teaching, and support staff will continue to do all we can to meet and exceed the learning and social/emotional needs of all students. We will continue to monitor patterns and trends in COVID-19 case rates in our immediate region as well as other factors that determine our operational risk zone.
Thank you for your continued flexibility, support, and perseverance.
Kind regards,
David R. Huntington
Principal, Nenana City School
dhuntington@nenanalynx.org
907-832-5464 (NCS office)
District Website: www.nenanalynx.org
Greetings parents, guardians and community members. I hope the New Year is off to a good start!
Last week, High School students were informed of an evening Peer Tutoring opportunity to support them in their efforts this semester.
The NCS and LC staff have worked together to incorporate a peer tutor "hotline". There is an open Zoom session, Sunday - Thursday, in the evenings from 8:30-10pm. Both local and LC students may enter this Zoom room at any time to collaborate with each other, receive academic support from peers, etc.
The link to the Peer Tutor Zoom is https://zoom.us/j/92707718953
David R. Huntington
Principal, Nenana City School
dhuntington@nenanalynx.org
907-832-5464 (NCS office)
Event: Inservice Day
Thu, Feb 4
- Fri, Feb 5
Event: Vacation Day
Mon, Mar 15
- Fri, Mar 19
