Education

A magnet promoting the Alaska Reads Act released by the state last year sits atop a stack of Alaskan-authored and Alaska-centric books. A shortened session last year meant the bill, announced by Senate Minority Leader Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, and Gov. Mike Dunleavy, didn't make it through the last Legislature. But there's a new bill, nearly the same as the old bill, working its way through the Senate. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)

Reworked reading bill gets second act in Legislature

Still a ways to go.

A magnet promoting the Alaska Reads Act released by the state last year sits atop a stack of Alaskan-authored and Alaska-centric books. A shortened session last year meant the bill, announced by Senate Minority Leader Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, and Gov. Mike Dunleavy, didn't make it through the last Legislature. But there's a new bill, nearly the same as the old bill, working its way through the Senate. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)
Mike Barnhill, deputy commisioner of the Alaska Department of Revenue, speaks following the drawing of names during the second annual PFD Education Raffle. During the event, state officials and lawmakers wore masks with an education raffle logo. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
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Roll out the barrel: Second annual PFD education raffle held

Four Alaskans win thousands.

Mike Barnhill, deputy commisioner of the Alaska Department of Revenue, speaks following the drawing of names during the second annual PFD Education Raffle. During the event, state officials and lawmakers wore masks with an education raffle logo. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
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Students re-entered Floyd Dryden Middle School on Monday with distancing strategies and mitigation protocols in place. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Back in class: Re-entry goes smoothly, says superintendent

More than a thousand students returned to schools this week. There are more to come.

Students re-entered Floyd Dryden Middle School on Monday with distancing strategies and mitigation protocols in place. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Emily Chao, standing, watches as her sister Anabelle, works on a writing exercise after they finished remote learning for the day, as their mom Erica sits, back left, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, at their home in North Miami Beach, Fla. Rather than wait to see how the Miami-Dade school system would handle instruction this fall, Erica Chao enrolled her two daughters in a private school that seemed better positioned to provide remote learning than their public elementary school was when the coronavirus first reached Florida. (AP Photo / Wilfredo Lee)

Nationwide enrollment drops worry public schools as pandemic persists

By FREIDA FRISARO Associated Press FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Rather than wait to see how her children’s Florida public school would teach students this fall,… Continue reading

Emily Chao, standing, watches as her sister Anabelle, works on a writing exercise after they finished remote learning for the day, as their mom Erica sits, back left, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, at their home in North Miami Beach, Fla. Rather than wait to see how the Miami-Dade school system would handle instruction this fall, Erica Chao enrolled her two daughters in a private school that seemed better positioned to provide remote learning than their public elementary school was when the coronavirus first reached Florida. (AP Photo / Wilfredo Lee)
City subsidy rallies child care enrollment

City subsidy rallies child care enrollment

Increasing in-person programs.

City subsidy rallies child care enrollment
Additional funding for a child care program was removed from a funding request from the Juneau School District by the City and Borough of Juneau Finance Committee Wednesday night. Committee members said they felt the child care issue was best merged with the Assembly’s pre-existing work on the matter. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

RALLY funding gets a rain check

Already a lot of work on child care.

Additional funding for a child care program was removed from a funding request from the Juneau School District by the City and Borough of Juneau Finance Committee Wednesday night. Committee members said they felt the child care issue was best merged with the Assembly’s pre-existing work on the matter. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
School repairs get priority in bond package

School repairs get priority in bond package

Reading, writing, ‘rithmetic, roof repairs.

School repairs get priority in bond package
Students at the Juneau Montessori School in Douglas on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020. Montessori is a private pre-school and kindergarten which has received a large number of parents looking for child care following the Juneau School District’s announcement the 2020 school year would begin mostly online, according to executive director Laura Talpey. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

With schools online, city looks for child care alternatives

Officials say there are few easy answers to looming problem.

Students at the Juneau Montessori School in Douglas on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020. Montessori is a private pre-school and kindergarten which has received a large number of parents looking for child care following the Juneau School District’s announcement the 2020 school year would begin mostly online, according to executive director Laura Talpey. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
UA board changes course on possible merger

UA board changes course on possible merger

Structural changes still an option.

UA board changes course on possible merger
Coronavirus costs rise for school district

Coronavirus costs rise for school district

Covid adds to regular costs.

Coronavirus costs rise for school district
Discovery Southeast education coordinator Kelly Sorensen talks to a student from Harborview Elementary School about what feeds on the trees during a nature hike near the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Feb. 20, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Discovery Southeast turns 30 with a flourish

Auctions, banquets, and competitions: Discovery Southeast celebrates in style.

Discovery Southeast education coordinator Kelly Sorensen talks to a student from Harborview Elementary School about what feeds on the trees during a nature hike near the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Feb. 20, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Local Mathletes compete in 2020 regional math contest

Six Mathletes are headed to state in March.

Kristine “Kristy” Germain, assistant principal for Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School interviews Thursday morning at Thunder Mountain High School to be TMHS’ next principal. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

Finalists interview for Thunder Mountain principal position

Announcement expected Friday.

Kristine “Kristy” Germain, assistant principal for Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School interviews Thursday morning at Thunder Mountain High School to be TMHS’ next principal. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

Auto transport offers student scholarship

Neighbors news in brief.

Senators weigh extending bond debt moratorium

Senators weigh extending bond debt moratorium

Bond payments could come back, but at lower rates.

Senators weigh extending bond debt moratorium
Schools are holding fast in a time of deep cuts

Schools are holding fast in a time of deep cuts

There’s more to education than schools.

Schools are holding fast in a time of deep cuts
University cuts are difficult, but manageable, UA president says

University cuts are difficult, but manageable, UA president says

UA is more focused.

University cuts are difficult, but manageable, UA president says
Moving company, garden club offers scholarships

Moving company, garden club offers scholarships

Two scholarship opportunities for Juneau’s youth.

Moving company, garden club offers scholarships
Without state payments, how will cities repay school bonds? Higher taxes, most likely

Without state payments, how will cities repay school bonds? Higher taxes, most likely

The money’s there, it’s just gonna hurt.

Without state payments, how will cities repay school bonds? Higher taxes, most likely
Gov. Mike Dunleavy talks with students at Turnagain Elementary School in Anchorage during a press conference unveiling the Alaska Reads Act Wednesday. (Office of the Governor | Austin McDaniel)

Governor’s new bill could mean help for Juneau preschools

Alaska Reads Act gets bipartisan rollout.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy talks with students at Turnagain Elementary School in Anchorage during a press conference unveiling the Alaska Reads Act Wednesday. (Office of the Governor | Austin McDaniel)