Schools

New principals will take the helm at Auke Bay and Harborview elementary schools next school year. A committee interviewed five candidates for the roles this week. School officials plan to name the new principals soon. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Principal candidates interview for open jobs

Committee interviews candidates for the top job at Harborview and Auke Bay

New principals will take the helm at Auke Bay and Harborview elementary schools next school year. A committee interviewed five candidates for the roles this week. School officials plan to name the new principals soon. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Board of Education members are debating the best way to spend operating funds, allocate grant money and use federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds for the 2021-22 school year. Personnel changes are expected at multiple schools ahead of that school year, including principal changes at Auke Bay and Harborview elementary schools. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Looking ahead: Board of education mulls budget for next school year

Enrollment uncertainty complicates budget process for Juneau School District.

Board of Education members are debating the best way to spend operating funds, allocate grant money and use federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds for the 2021-22 school year. Personnel changes are expected at multiple schools ahead of that school year, including principal changes at Auke Bay and Harborview elementary schools. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File Juneau School District Superintendent Bridget Weiss, center-right, talks to students as they re-enter Floyd Dryden Middle School on Jan. 11, 2021, the first day of hybrid learning after nine months of distance learning due to COVID-19. The extended break from full-time, in-person learning has meant enrollment changes for the district, which has resulted in reduced grant money. On Wednesday night, the city Finance Committee unanimously agreed to transfer $56,646 to the Juneau School District to help shore up fiscal year 2021 coffers.

Juneau Finance Committee agrees to transfer money to Juneau School District

The money will offset reduced grant money.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File Juneau School District Superintendent Bridget Weiss, center-right, talks to students as they re-enter Floyd Dryden Middle School on Jan. 11, 2021, the first day of hybrid learning after nine months of distance learning due to COVID-19. The extended break from full-time, in-person learning has meant enrollment changes for the district, which has resulted in reduced grant money. On Wednesday night, the city Finance Committee unanimously agreed to transfer $56,646 to the Juneau School District to help shore up fiscal year 2021 coffers.
In this Feb. 2019 photo, students wait for rides outside Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kale. Classes will be in session this summer with programs focused on credit recovery for high school students. Children in lower grades will focus on overall learning recovery after COVID-19 upended the traditional school year and process by forcing a suspension in in-person learning. (Michael Penn /Juneau Empire File)

Summer break to include school for some Juneau students

School’s in for summer.

In this Feb. 2019 photo, students wait for rides outside Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kale. Classes will be in session this summer with programs focused on credit recovery for high school students. Children in lower grades will focus on overall learning recovery after COVID-19 upended the traditional school year and process by forcing a suspension in in-person learning. (Michael Penn /Juneau Empire File)
The Juneau School District building and Harborview Elementary School, seen here on Monday, Nov. 9, 2020, will begin to offer expanded in-person instruction over the next few weeks. School officials cite the community’s stable infection rate and new science-based guidance for opening schools are driving factors behind the expanded offerings. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Lower COVID numbers mean more school options for Juneau students

District looks to add more in-person learning.

The Juneau School District building and Harborview Elementary School, seen here on Monday, Nov. 9, 2020, will begin to offer expanded in-person instruction over the next few weeks. School officials cite the community’s stable infection rate and new science-based guidance for opening schools are driving factors behind the expanded offerings. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This composite photo shows Kristy Germain and Stacy Diouf, two long-serving Juneau educators, who have been acting as interim principals at Sayéik: Gastineau Community School and Floyd Dryden Middle School, respectively. Recently, they were both named to their positions permanently. (Juneau Empire File and Courtesy Photo)

Long-serving Juneau educators named to permanent administrative posts

New principals named for Sayéik: Gastineau Community School and Floyd Dryden Middle School.

This composite photo shows Kristy Germain and Stacy Diouf, two long-serving Juneau educators, who have been acting as interim principals at Sayéik: Gastineau Community School and Floyd Dryden Middle School, respectively. Recently, they were both named to their positions permanently. (Juneau Empire File and Courtesy Photo)
A lab scientist processes upper respiratory samples from patients suspected of having COVID-19 at the Stanford Clinical Virology Laboratory on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021, in Palo Alto, Calif. Two new cases were confirmed in Juneau School District on Feb. 4, 2021, prompting quarantines of possible contacts. (AP Photo / Noah Berger)

Two new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Juneau School District

Basketball teams, elementary school class are quarantining.

A lab scientist processes upper respiratory samples from patients suspected of having COVID-19 at the Stanford Clinical Virology Laboratory on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021, in Palo Alto, Calif. Two new cases were confirmed in Juneau School District on Feb. 4, 2021, prompting quarantines of possible contacts. (AP Photo / Noah Berger)
AmeriCorps members pose with a Conex box full of PPE they helped to load for Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska during a day of service on Sept. 11, 2020. The members are also assisting with early literacy programs. (Courtesy photo / Jordan Frodge)

Back to the basics: AmeriCorps members assist with early literacy programs in Juneau

This year’s group of thirteen is heavily involved in early literacy education.

AmeriCorps members pose with a Conex box full of PPE they helped to load for Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska during a day of service on Sept. 11, 2020. The members are also assisting with early literacy programs. (Courtesy photo / Jordan Frodge)
Juneau’s students can choose to return to a limited schedule of in-person learning next week. Schedules and start dates vary by grade and building. Students will begin returning to Juneau Douglas Hight School: Yadaa.at Kale, pictured here in November 2020 on Tuesday. Mondays are designated distance learning days. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Schools to reopen to students on Monday

Voluntary in-person schedules add new options for families, students

Juneau’s students can choose to return to a limited schedule of in-person learning next week. Schedules and start dates vary by grade and building. Students will begin returning to Juneau Douglas Hight School: Yadaa.at Kale, pictured here in November 2020 on Tuesday. Mondays are designated distance learning days. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Photos by Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Members of the Juneau Education Support Staff union pose for a photo in front of meals being prepared for kids in Juneau as Catherine Pusich, second from right, hands a check from the union to Adrianne Schwartz to clear all money owed for school meals at Thunder Mountain High School on Dec. 21.

Educational support union pays off all school district meal balances

The union donated more than $7,000 to clear the ledgers.

Photos by Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Members of the Juneau Education Support Staff union pose for a photo in front of meals being prepared for kids in Juneau as Catherine Pusich, second from right, hands a check from the union to Adrianne Schwartz to clear all money owed for school meals at Thunder Mountain High School on Dec. 21.
The Juneau School District building and Harborview Elementary School on Monday, Nov. 9, 2020. The district's funding is stable for this year according to the Board of Education, but next year's budget depends on the Legislature. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

State provision means JSD’s funding formula remains steady

Classes are still online.

The Juneau School District building and Harborview Elementary School on Monday, Nov. 9, 2020. The district's funding is stable for this year according to the Board of Education, but next year's budget depends on the Legislature. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Meals slated for children in Juneau over Thanksgiving weekend are arrayed on tables at Thunder Mountain High School on Nov. 25, 2020. (Courtesy photo / Luke Adams)

Font of plenty: JSD readies meals for Thanksgiving holiday

Nearly three tons of food got distributed for the long weekend.

Meals slated for children in Juneau over Thanksgiving weekend are arrayed on tables at Thunder Mountain High School on Nov. 25, 2020. (Courtesy photo / Luke Adams)
First Student employees load meals on school buses so the meals can be distributed to Juneau youths. (Courtesy Photo / Juneau School District)

School district updates meal pickup schedules

The break and holiday meal schedule is coming.

First Student employees load meals on school buses so the meals can be distributed to Juneau youths. (Courtesy Photo / Juneau School District)
First Student employees and Juneau School District food services supervisor Adrianne Schwartz, left, carry student meals off the bus they’re being distributed from near Juneau-Douglas High School:Yadaa.at Kalé, March 16, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau schools announce changes to meal program

They start on Tuesday, Sept. 8, and are expected to last through December.

First Student employees and Juneau School District food services supervisor Adrianne Schwartz, left, carry student meals off the bus they’re being distributed from near Juneau-Douglas High School:Yadaa.at Kalé, March 16, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Juneau School District started its school year at a distance on Monday, with teacher using web apps to connect with classes. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

1st week progress report: teachers and students return to (distanced) school

It was a good start that will get better, superintendent says

Juneau School District started its school year at a distance on Monday, with teacher using web apps to connect with classes. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Sayéik: Gastineau Community School, seen in this May 4, 2020, photo, has a new interim principal, Juneau School District announced Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Interim principal named for Sayéik: Gastineau Community School

Sayéik: Gastineau Community School has a new interim principal, Juneau School District announced. Stacy Diouf will be the interim principal for the 2020-21 school year,… Continue reading

Sayéik: Gastineau Community School, seen in this May 4, 2020, photo, has a new interim principal, Juneau School District announced Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
The Juneau School District building, March 20, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Juneau School District will restart at a distance

All schools will begin Aug. 24.

The Juneau School District building, March 20, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
Sticking the landing: Schools ready for start of strange school year

Sticking the landing: Schools ready for start of strange school year

The future is fluxing furiously.

Sticking the landing: Schools ready for start of strange school year
The Juneau Board of Education met July 14, 2020 to discuss plans for the upcoming school year. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

School board approves mask policy, later start date

The school board also confirmed Dr. Bridget Weiss for another three years.

The Juneau Board of Education met July 14, 2020 to discuss plans for the upcoming school year. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
This July 2019 photo shows some of over 2,000 backpacks that were given away to students throughout Southeast Alaska through Tlingit and Haida’s Temporary Assistance For Needy Families Department. This year in order to help accommodate virtual learning, when backpacks are distributed, they will come with Google Chromebooks. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Back to school backpack program goes high tech

The program has adapted to distanced learning as coronavirus shows no signs of slowing.

This July 2019 photo shows some of over 2,000 backpacks that were given away to students throughout Southeast Alaska through Tlingit and Haida’s Temporary Assistance For Needy Families Department. This year in order to help accommodate virtual learning, when backpacks are distributed, they will come with Google Chromebooks. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)