Nenana City School District - Home of the Lynx

Dear Families, School districts across the country have been fortunate enough to receive funding through the American Rescue Plan (ARP) in order to mitigate some of the impact the pandemic has had upon our students. Your input will be crucial components in the planning process for the expenditure of these funds. Please take a moment to complete the following survey that will help us in our planning process. Nenana City School District (NCSD) is seeking input from stakeholders across the district as we develop our district plan. Your feedback and input are incredibly valuable and will help inform our final plan. Responses to this survey are due by 11:59 p.m. on June 16, 2021, and will be reviewed for inclusion into the NCSD’s ESSER III plan and grant application. Survey link below: https://forms.gle/d2AjdWmgBaVD7dHw7

What is the Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) program? Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) provides nutrition benefits to students who have lost access to free or reduced-price school meals, including students who have hybrid schedules that reduce the number of days or hours they are in the school building, or who are fully remote learning (even if their school is open to some students). The State of Alaska’s application is in pending status but we anticipate P-EBT benefits to be issued this summer. What is the intent of the P-EBT program? * Similar to other federal programs, P-EBT was put into place to provide assistance and relief during the COVID pandemic. *To help families of school age children during the pandemic. *Money to buy food that replaces the school meals missed while school buildings have been closed or operating with reduced hours due to the pandemic. *Issued when school buildings were closed or remote, or a reduced schedule, for 5 consecutive days or more. ​ Which students are eligible? Student must have been enrolled at a school that is approved to provide USDA National School Program and/or School Breakfast Program ~ and ~ Student must have been eligible for free or reduced-price meals by one of the following: Individually eligible by meal application or status for free or reduced price meals or status in SNAP, TANF, Migrant, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), foster care, homeless/runaway. ~ or ~ School site is approved to participate in school nutrition under Community Eligibility Provision. ​ (Nenana City School is operating under the CEP program currently) What about families in Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) districts/schools that don’t want or need benefits? Information will be provided with card on how to decline benefits Benefits are not transferable Cannot be gifted or donated A CEP school is one that is able to serve all meals at no charge to families and does not take income-applications due to the high number of children eligible w/o application (i.e. SNAP, TANF, Migrant, foster children, homeless/runaway, and FDPIR) Who is NOT Eligible for P-EBT? Students who are home-schooled. Children who are no longer enrolled in a National School Lunch Program (NSLP) /School Breakfast Program (SBP) participating school and are being homeschooled are not eligible to receive P-EBT benefits. Students enrolled at schools that normally do not participate in the NSLP. How Do Families Get P-EBT? There is no application. Benefits will be automatically issued to eligible students on a new EBT card sent to their household in the mail. Each eligible student will receive a separate card. The time frame for cards to be sent out is unknown at this point, but watch your incoming mail, after the state determines the benefit for each student, the cards will be mailed out. If you have questions, you can contact the P-EBT program representatives at 800-478-7778. ​

NCS Parents, deadline is tomorrow for Summer Recovery Registration Forms & Return of Chromebooks and Mifi Devices. Please send devices to the school with your student tomorrow, or drop off at the main office. Upcoming Events: May 19-21 Basketball Clinic. Students may attend this Clinic regardless of whether they are attending either of the Summer Recovery sessions. No registration required. 9-10:30 W, Th, F Rising Grades 4-6 11:00 - 12:30 W, Th, F Rising Grades 7-9 Summer Sessions are open to boys and girls residing in the Nenana City School District service area. Registration forms are REQUIRED, and are due tomorrow, Friday, May 14th. A copy of the registration is attached to this posting or can be picked up in the office. Transportation is not provided. May 24 - 28 Summer Recovery Session 1, Week 1 9:00am - 12:30 pm M-Th Special Education ESY services Lit Boot Camp (K-2, 3-6, 7-9) Math Boot Camp (K-2, 3-6, 7-9) June 1 - June 3 Summer Recovery Session 1, Week 2 9:00am - 12:30 pm T, W Th Special Education ESY services Lit Boot Camp (K-2, 3-6, 7-9) Math Boot Camp (K-2, 3-6, 7-9) June 7 - June 10 Summer Recovery Session 1, Week 3 9:00am - 12:30 pm M-Th Special Education ESY services Lit Boot Camp (K-2, 3-6, 7-9) Math Boot Camp (K-2, 3-6, 7-9) August 2 - 5 Summer Recovery Session 2, Week 1 9:00am - 12:30 pm M-Th Lit Boot Camp (K-2, 3-6, 7-9) Math Boot Camp (K-2, 3-6, 7-9) August 9 - 13 AK Works Carpentry Intensive (in Nenana) - Grades 9-12 Contact Teena Calkin (tcalkin@nenanalynx.org) if interested Thank you and have a great summer!

NCS Parents, deadline is tomorrow for Summer Recovery Registration Forms & Return of Chromebooks and Mifi Devices. Please send devices to the school with your student tomorrow, or drop off at the main office. Upcoming Events: May 19-21 Basketball Clinic Students may attend this Clinic regardless of whether they are attending either of the Summer Recovery sessions. No registration required. 9-10:30 W, Th, F Rising Grades 4-6 11:00 - 12:30 W, Th, F Rising Grades 7-9 Summer Sessions are open to boys and girls residing in the Nenana City School District service area. Registration forms are REQUIRED, and are due tomorrow, Friday, May 14th. A copy of the registration is attached to this email or can be picked up in the office. Transportation is not provided. May 24 - 28 Summer Recovery Session 1, Week 1 9:00am - 12:30 pm M-Th Special Education ESY services Lit Boot Camp (K-2, 3-6, 7-9) Math Boot Camp (K-2, 3-6, 7-9) June 1 - June 3 Summer Recovery Session 1, Week 2 9:00am - 12:30 pm T, W Th Special Education ESY services Lit Boot Camp (K-2, 3-6, 7-9) Math Boot Camp (K-2, 3-6, 7-9) June 7 - June 10 Summer Recovery Session 1, Week 3 9:00am - 12:30 pm M-Th Special Education ESY services Lit Boot Camp (K-2, 3-6, 7-9) Math Boot Camp (K-2, 3-6, 7-9) August 2 - 5 Summer Recovery Session 2, Week 1 9:00am - 12:30 pm M-Th Lit Boot Camp (K-2, 3-6, 7-9) Math Boot Camp (K-2, 3-6, 7-9) August 9 - 13 AK Works Carpentry Intensive (in Nenana) - Grades 9-12 Contact Teena Calkin (tcalkin@nenanalynx.org) if interested Thank you and have a great summer!

NCS Requests Return of Tech Devices 5-11-21 Dear Parents, If your student received any district technology devices that were used to facilitate virtual learning this school year, please send them back to the school with your student, or drop them off at the school office by this Friday. This may include: Chromebooks, iPads, or A.T.&T. Mifi devices. We need to do a complete inventory count after school is over. Thank you for your help.

NCS Friday Update 5-7-21 Dear Parents, We would like to remind you of upcoming events and due dates. Reminder the deadline to submit Summer Recovery Registration forms for current K-8 grade students is Friday, May 14th. Reminder that the Basketball Clinic for Rising Grades 4-9 are set for a May 19, 20, 21. Rising Grades 4-6, 9am-10:30am Rising Grades 7-9 11am - 12:30am The Community Cleanup and K-6 Carnival and Community Hotdog Lunch will take place on May 14, 2021. It will be an early release day for students at 1:45pm. 12:00-1:00pm Hotdog Lunch - Open to Community *Grab ‘n Go service. No formal seating available. *Parents may walk to ballfield to watch K-6 events from a distance while enjoying lunch. *Parents may excuse their student following lunch if they desire. Please be sure to communicate with your child’s teacher before taking your child home early that day. High School Graduation is set for May 15, 2021 at 2:00pm. We look forward to seeing parents and community members at these upcoming events!

4-30-21 Nenana City School 2021 Summer Recovery for this year's K-8th Grade Students. Summer Recovery sessions will be held at Nenana City School, classrooms TBD. Open to boys and girls residing in the Nenana City School District service area. Students are to enter through the main entrance (C street) and report to classrooms. Teachers will be in touch with students/families with more information. There will be no activities on Monday, May 31 (Memorial Day). Classes will run Monday through Thursday otherwise. Transportation is not provided. Registration Form is REQUIRED to attend Summer Recovery Sessions 1 and/or 2: Must be submitted by Friday, May 14. Hard copies at the main office, and a copy of the form is also attached to this posting. Basketball Clinic (5/19-5/21): Ball handling, shooting fundamentals, footwork fundamentals, skills competitions. Students may attend this Clinic regardless of whether they are attending either of the Summer Recovery sessions. No registration required. Students are to enter the Gym for basketball clinic through egress doors on the East side of the building (D street). Must have gym shoes. Encouraged to bring a water bottle. Basketballs will be provided. Open to boys and girls residing in the Nenana City School District service area Food Service: Drinks and light snacks will be provided each morning of the Summer Recovery Sessions and Basketball Clinic. Lunch will be available during Summer Recovery sessions (not during bball clinic) for those who indicate a desire on their registration form. May 19-21 Basketball Clinic 9-10:30 W, Th, F Rising Grades 4-6 11:00 - 12:30 W, Th, F Rising Grades 7-9 May 24 - 28 Summer Recovery Session 1, Week 1 9:00am - 12:30 pm M-Th Special Education ESY services Lit Boot Camp (K-2, 3-6, 7-9) Math Boot Camp (K-2, 3-6, 7-9) June 1 - June 3 Summer Recovery Session 1, Week 2 9:00am - 12:30 pm T, W Th Special Education ESY services Lit Boot Camp (K-2, 3-6, 7-9) Math Boot Camp (K-2, 3-6, 7-9) June 7 - June 10 Summer Recovery Session 1, Week 3 9:00am - 12:30 pm M-Th Special Education ESY services Lit Boot Camp (K-2, 3-6, 7-9) Math Boot Camp (K-2, 3-6, 7-9) August 2 - 5 Summer Recovery Session 2, Week 1 9:00am - 12:30 pm M-Th Lit Boot Camp (K-2, 3-6, 7-9) Math Boot Camp (K-2, 3-6, 7-9) August 9 - 13 AK Works Carpentry Intensive (in Nenana) - Grades 9-12 Contact Teena Calkin (tcalkin@nenanalynx.org) if interested

NCSD Community Survey now available for Parents & Community. The school board would like to know how well we are doing as a district. Please take no more than 10 minutes to share your thoughts with us on these 12 questions. This survey will close at 4pm on Monday, May 10, 2021 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1PzGMYRVoAo7r2gJlmy_QAWLmHgNc2Oj2R_BIXE0YxiY/viewform?ts=608100ee&gxids=7628&edit_requested=true

Dear Parents/Guardians and Students, As of today, we are one month out from the date of graduation. The ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 15th at 2pm. This event will take place at Nenana City School's main entrance on C street. Parking will be available nearby, with C street being closed to parking and traffic between 2nd and 3rd street. With COVID-19 uncertainties still looming and recent structural damage near the gymnasium, we are unable to utilize the gymnasium for this event as has been done traditionally. Families from outside Nenana are welcome, and in fact encouraged, to come celebrate with our Lynx community. You will want to plan for the potential for inclement weather. Chairs will be available, but families are encouraged to bring their own if they prefer, along with tents or shelters if desired. There will be plenty of room for family units to spread out as needed. Graduation committee members have been busy planning. There will be a graduation rehearsal for Seniors on Friday, 5/14 at 2pm. Seniors have been asked to submit their senior slideshow photos to acalkin@nenanalynx.org by Friday, April 16. If you have any to send along, please do. Seniors are also being asked to submit their song requests (to accompany their photos in the slideshow) to dmudge@nenanalynx.org. For those families unable to attend, we are hoping to have live streaming available. Please stay tuned for more information on this as it becomes available. Thank you kindly, David R. Huntington Principal, Nenana City School dhuntington@nenanalynx.org 907-832-5464 (NCS office) District Website: www.nenanalynx.org

Next week is almost here! Here is a reminder of the start dates for students as was previously listed in Mr. Huntington's update letter: In Person Start Dates: Monday 3/29 K-4th Grade students in the building (5th-12 grade continue virtual learning on Monday) Tuesday 3/30 K-8th Grade students in the building (Local HS continue virtually learning onTuesday) Wednesday 3/31 ALL K-12th Grade (local) students in building We are excited to have students return to school!

and here's next Friday's school menu too!

Here are next week's school menus for NSC, you can access the daily menu on the mobil app: NCSD Lynx, download it now!

Dear Parents/Guardians and Students, Since my last update on Feb.15, in which I communicated a prospective in-person start date of March. 29, we have seen COVID-19 case rates in the Fairbanks Northstar Borough continue to hover just above 10. As of this week, we have received confirmation that there has been no community spread in Nenana for over a month. We have consulted with public health (DHSS) regarding the effectiveness of our Smart Start plan to date and the implications moving forward. Public health has acknowledged our ability to do so given the current low risk in Nenana, vaccine distribution, and new guidance from CDC. The CDC K-12 Operational Strategy targeting mitigation strategies to avoid COVID-19 transmission in schools can be viewed HERE. The top 5 mitigation strategies to avoid COVID-19 transmission in schools include: 1. Universal and correct wearing of masks 2. Physical distancing 3. Handwashing and respiratory etiquette 4. Cleaning and maintaining healthy facilities, including ventilation improvements 5. Contact tracing in combination with isolation and quarantine, in collaboration with the State, local, territorial or Tribal health departments While each of these strategies is important, emphasis will be placed on the universal and correct wearing of masks and physical distancing. In considering this guidance, along with prioritizing a) what's best for students' academic needs and social-emotional health in the months ahead, and b) what's best for NCS program operations in the long-term, NCS leadership has concluded that we will move forward with a return to in-person school as proposed. We are hopeful that our efforts to do so will provide valuable lessons to inform our planning for a smooth return to in-person education in August, along with potential summer programming. Details informing our approach are available at the link HERE. In summary, please refer to the following in-person start dates: 3/29 K-4 students in building w/orientation assembly 3/30 K-8 students in building w/orientation assembly for 5-8 students 3/31 K-12 (local) students in building w/orientation assembly for 9-12 students Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions. Kind regards, David R. Huntington Principal, Nenana City School dhuntington@nenanalynx.org 907-832-5464 (NCS office) District Website: www.nenanalynx.org

2-22-21 Dear Parents/Guardians, I hope this message finds you well. Many of you were able to attend virtual conferences last Friday. Thank you! I hope you found the time and information beneficial. We are truly doing all we can to keep the feeling of connection to school alive and well amidst the ongoing pandemic challenges. Please do not hesitate at any time to reach out with questions, suggestions or concerns related to your student's education. I'm aware that Graduation is on the minds of many of you, as well as the minds of students in the graduating Class of 2021. There are many details yet to be determined, but a committee of staff members have begun meeting along with many of the prospective graduates. We have set the tentative date for the commencement ceremony to be Saturday, May 15. The time of day and location have not been confirmed, but a few options are under consideration. We are hopeful to have an outdoor event that can safely accommodate Nenana community members and parents/guardians as well as visiting parents/guardians and family members of NSLC students. Please know that details will continue to be modified as we approach the selected date. Unfortunately, at this early stage in the planning, there is even potential that an in-person event may not be possible if there were to be a surge in local COVID-19 transmission in the weeks preceding the event. In the meantime, I'm hopeful this information aids you in your planning. Thank you, David R. Huntington Principal, Nenana City School dhuntington@nenanalynx.org 907-832-5464 (NCS office) District Website: www.nenanalynx.org

Check out the Nenana Ice Classic Tripod Sunday Flyer, it's coming up fast on March 7, 2021!

2-15-21 Hello all, February is National Children's Dental Health Month. For the second year in a row, TCC Dental is participating in the American Dental Association’s ‘Give Kids a Smile’ event. An event whose goal is to provide dental care to children as well as to increase prevention and education into communities around the country. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are moving the event to our virtual space. Youth can participate by watching all of our educational videos below and then submitting answers to our quiz located below the videos. Once they submit their answers, they will be placed in a drawing for a prize. Give Kids A Smile – Tanana Chiefs Conference Dental Goody Bags have been placed in student homework files in the school building front entrance, and are ready for pick up. For more information contact: Deidre Dayton

NCS Update 2-15-21 Dear Parents/Guardians, It appears there is a need to adjust our planning based on new information published by the State of Alaska. At the link HERE, you will find COVID-19 Response and Recovery Health Advisory-2 on International and Interstate travel. This advisory was released over the weekend (2/14/21) and includes updates to recommendations for out of state travel, testing, and exemptions for fully vaccinated individuals. In light of this new information, and in an effort to ensure a safe reopening following prospective in-state and out-of-state travel by students and staff, we will continue with virtual instruction/schooling upon return from Spring Break for the week of March 22 through March 26, 2021. In person schooling for local K-12 students will commence on Monday, March 29. By Monday, March 22, all teachers and NCS staff members that have direct contact with students (when in person) are expected to have returned from any out of state travel to resume work with students virtually. This will provide a 5-7 day period to observe strict social distancing and self-monitoring for symptoms in preparation for a return to in person school on March 29. These efforts are consistent with recommendations in Health Advisory 2 and will serve us best to be confident that all individuals entering the building on March 29, 2021 are COVID-free. Again, all of this is dependent on a continued decline in Case Rate numbers and non-existent community spread in Nenana. Thank you for your flexibility and support as we continue to navigate these uncharted waters together as a school community. State of Alaska COVID Health Advisories can be viewed on the state website as well: https://covid19.alaska.gov/health-advisories/ All for now, David R. Huntington Principal, Nenana City School dhuntington@nenanalynx.org 907-832-5464 (NCS office) District Website: www.nenanalynx.org

NCS Update - Friday, February 12, 2021 Greetings Parents/Guardians and Nenana Community members, I am writing to provide information related to a prospective return to in-person schooling. It is my hope that providing this information in advance will enable parents, students and teachers to prepare accordingly. Assuming community spread remains stable in the immediate Nenana community, and Case Rates in the greater Fairbanks area continue to decline and stabilize at a value less than 10, we have identified March 22, 2021 as the day doors will open to local K-12 students enrolled at Nenana City School. This approach is consistent with our Smart Start plan, which has been guiding our decisions and actions thus far. Screen Shot 2021-02-11 at 9.04.07 AM.png Per the SmartStart plan, students in grades (K-8) will be placed into cohorts within grade level (where class sizes dictate). Student cohorts will remain together and safely distanced from one another within a classroom throughout the academic day. Breakfast and lunch will be served to the classrooms. At the Secondary level, local High School students will rotate classes in a traditional manner for direct instruction. Seating will be appropriately distanced, and masks will be worn. LC students will continue to school remotely M-Th, with in person options under consideration on Fridays. The academic day will follow the same schedule as it currently does at the Secondary level (7-12). Teachers in grades K-6 will transition to a traditional schedule of in-person instruction and away from the variety of modified virtual schedules, which have evolved through collaboration with students and parents in an effort to limit screen-time. Classroom teachers will communicate with parents and students directly on this front in the weeks ahead. The hope is that the majority of families would opt for their student(s) to attend in person. Those choosing to continue virtually will be provided the option to do so, although it will surely look different than it does currently. In the event of a localized positive case in a given class, or a student/teacher being identified as a "close contact", contract tracing may require the entire class (or some portion of it) to return to virtual instruction for an isolation period. This may have further-reaching impacts if, for example, an individual who tests positive (or who is identified as a close contact) has siblings in other grades, is a teacher, and/or has family members who are members of the teaching or support staff. Regarding Spring Break and associated travel, please find information on COVID-19 Outbreak Health Order No. 6, International and Interstate Travel at the link HERE. If your student(s) will be traveling out of state, please plan for them to continue with virtual school until they have met the requirements for quarantine/strict social distancing upon return (5 days and negative test for children over 10 yrs). There are a number of nuances that accompany a shift to operating in person safely. Beyond the masks, distancing, cleaning and disinfecting that have become common-place, students will need to be re-oriented to appropriate behaviors and expectations when in the building. While we are excited at the prospect of once again having students in the building, the process will require a team approach, flexibility, and trust. Again, it is my hope that communicating now will provide ample time to prepare for this transition. Thank you kindly, David R. Huntington Principal, Nenana City School dhuntington@nenanalynx.org 907-832-5464 (NCS office) District Website: www.nenanalynx.org

Students, Parents, and Staff - Don't miss out on the Nenana Native Council's Virtual Job Fair coming up February 22 through March 5, 2021. NNC Virtual Job Fair Flyer is attached to this posting.