Juneau’s new elementary science curriculum will now integrate aspects of Native culture in order to promote place-based learning in the classroom. It also brings Juneau’s K-5 classrooms up to date with current national and state science standards.
Education
House bill will need Senate rewrite to fund schools early
The bill no longer accomplishes its original primary purpose. Senate President Pete Kelly said he thinks House leaders were “knowingly misleading” in saying that the bill would fund all schools early.
Big change announced for Ketchikan salmon derby
Citing concerns of declining Chinook salmon stocks throughout Southeast, the Ketchikan CHARR King Salmon Derby Committee decided to skip the derby that traditionally starts on the Memorial Day weekend. They’ll hold a silver salmon contest later in the summer, instead.
Alaska House passes early school budget bill, but leaves the funding out
The House rejected the part of the bill that would use state savings to fund it.
New science textbooks could bring students closer to science behind climate change
Studying high school science in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta comes with a whole new textbook. A textbook that’s free, open source, available in print and digital formats, and customized geographically to rural southwestern Alaska.
Juneau high school students choose Thunder Bears as new football mascot
Students from Thunder Mountain, Yaakoosge Daakahidi and Juneau-Douglas high schools voted on the new mascot for their combined football teams on Tuesday. Thunder Bears won out over the Capital City Senators and the Orcas.
Legislators hope to fix uncertainty plaguing school budgets this session
This session, some state legislators hope to put an end to the uncertainty school districts across the state face when it comes to their budgets. House Bill 287 and Senate Bill 131 both address K-12 school funding, but in different ways.
Alaska’s only tribal college now offering bachelor’s degree in business
The college’s President hopes the bachelor’s program will give local students the qualifications they need to fill positions that might otherwise go to applicants from elsewhere.
University supporters rally for full funding outside state Capitol
About 100 supporters of the University of Alaska rallied outside the state Capitol Friday to call on legislators to fully fund the state’s university system. Legislators, university faculty and students spoke about the need to fund Alaska’s public university to strengthen the state’s workforce and economy.
Ray Troll’s Ratfish Wranglers return to Juneau
Ketchikan artist Ray Troll’s band performs two concerts in Juneau. See Ray Troll and the Ratfish Wranglers play a free show at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, @360 in the KTOO building. The group performs a fundraiser show at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2, at the JACC.