Education

Juneau School District’s interim Superintendent Bridget Weiss watches first day of school activities on Aug. 20, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Juneau School District’s interim Superintendent Bridget Weiss watches first day of school activities on Aug. 20, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Senior Arias Hoyle is one of a number of Juneau-Douglas High School students looking to add “Yadaa.at Kalé,” the Tlingit name for Mount Juneau, to the high school’s name. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Senior Arias Hoyle is one of a number of Juneau-Douglas High School students looking to add “Yadaa.at Kalé,” the Tlingit name for Mount Juneau, to the high school’s name. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Students at Mendenhall River Elementary School run through playground equipment on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018, that is up for replacement by the school district. The hill leading to the equipment ices up in the winter and students use the tubes to hide from yard attendants. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Students at Mendenhall River Elementary School run through playground equipment on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018, that is up for replacement by the school district. The hill leading to the equipment ices up in the winter and students use the tubes to hide from yard attendants. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau School District Superintendent Bridget Weiss speaks during a Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018. Weiss is currently the interim superintendent, and the board members discussed next steps for selecting a permanent superintendent at Tuesday’s meeting. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Juneau School District Superintendent Bridget Weiss speaks during a Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018. Weiss is currently the interim superintendent, and the board members discussed next steps for selecting a permanent superintendent at Tuesday’s meeting. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain High School students attend a chemistry class on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Thunder Mountain High School students attend a chemistry class on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Former teacher Linda Buckley leads Auke Bay Elementary School students in the school song on Friday, Nov. 9, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Juneau elementary school celebrates 50th anniversary

The school has changed substantially since it was first built.

Former teacher Linda Buckley leads Auke Bay Elementary School students in the school song on Friday, Nov. 9, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
City Hall stands on a quiet morning on June 7, 2017. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire File)
City Hall stands on a quiet morning on June 7, 2017. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire File)
Unsplash.com stock image.

Opinion: Kiehl is the real deal on education

It’s easy to say, “I support education.” Every politician in this hemisphere shouts it from the rooftops — and most of the time, all they… Continue reading

Unsplash.com stock image.
Beth Weldon and supports react to a lead in the polls as results came in live at Election Central at City Hall on Oct. 2, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

New mayor forms child care task force

Group will examine city’s role in child care and gauge public opinion.

Beth Weldon and supports react to a lead in the polls as results came in live at Election Central at City Hall on Oct. 2, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this Empire file photo from May 2018, children play with then-Principal of Riverbend Elementary School Michelle Byer at Dimond Park Field House. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Election events draw families, kids

Update: The hours have changed for early voting at the Mendenhall Mall Annex for the statewide election on Nov. 6. Starting Oct. 22, early voting… Continue reading

In this Empire file photo from May 2018, children play with then-Principal of Riverbend Elementary School Michelle Byer at Dimond Park Field House. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau City Attorney Robert Palmer, left, swears-in new school board members Paul Kelly, Kevin Allen and Elizabeth “Ebett” Siddon on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018, at Thunder Mountain High School. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Three join school board, new superintendent search starts

Three new members of the City and Borough of Juneau Board of Education took their seats at a Tuesday meeting at Thunder Mountain High School… Continue reading

Juneau City Attorney Robert Palmer, left, swears-in new school board members Paul Kelly, Kevin Allen and Elizabeth “Ebett” Siddon on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018, at Thunder Mountain High School. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Mayoral candidate Beth Weldon, with family and friends, react as they watch Election results come in at the Assembly chambers on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Mayoral candidate Beth Weldon, with family and friends, react as they watch Election results come in at the Assembly chambers on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Harborview Elementary School students load up on fruit at a free school breakfast on Friday, Oct. 5, 2018. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)

Donation keeps free school breakfast going

Breakfast on Friday was served with a check for $24,000.

Harborview Elementary School students load up on fruit at a free school breakfast on Friday, Oct. 5, 2018. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration employees Kim Raum-Suryan, left, Alicia Schuler, middle, and Aleria Jensen speak to Sayeik Gastineau Community School students about ocean conservancy on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018. Gastineau is one of two Juneau schools to start an Ocean Guardian program, which will work to clean up local shorelines and advocate for ocean issues. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)

Juneau schools launch Ocean Guardian program to combat marine mess

Students at Sayéik Gastineau Community School rummaged through trash at a school assembly on Friday. A shark, a dolphin, a salmon and a warrior looked… Continue reading

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration employees Kim Raum-Suryan, left, Alicia Schuler, middle, and Aleria Jensen speak to Sayeik Gastineau Community School students about ocean conservancy on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018. Gastineau is one of two Juneau schools to start an Ocean Guardian program, which will work to clean up local shorelines and advocate for ocean issues. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)
Opinion: Alaska, Chicago and accountability

Opinion: Alaska, Chicago and accountability

What is Chicago doing that Alaska is not?

Opinion: Alaska, Chicago and accountability
Assembly candidates answers questions during a Special Native Issues Forum at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. From left: Garrett Schoenberger, Carole Triem, Tom Williams, Don Habeger, Wade Bryson, Michelle Bonnet Hale and Loren Jones. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Education topics stand out at Assembly forum

Candidates circled back to educational topics during the first public forum of election season.

Assembly candidates answers questions during a Special Native Issues Forum at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. From left: Garrett Schoenberger, Carole Triem, Tom Williams, Don Habeger, Wade Bryson, Michelle Bonnet Hale and Loren Jones. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Assembly candidates answers questions during a Special Native Issues Forum at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. From left: Garrett Schoenberger, Carole Triem, Tom Williams, Don Habeger, Wade Bryson, Michelle Bonnet Hale and Loren Jones. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Education topics stand out at Assembly forum

During the first public forum of election season, the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly candidates kept circling back to the topic of improving education.… Continue reading

Assembly candidates answers questions during a Special Native Issues Forum at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. From left: Garrett Schoenberger, Carole Triem, Tom Williams, Don Habeger, Wade Bryson, Michelle Bonnet Hale and Loren Jones. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Program aims to help students find career path

Program aims to help students find career path

The MATCH program helps people begin their education with a job in mind and then build skills that relate to that job.

Program aims to help students find career path
Former University of Alaska Southeast Chancellor John Pugh speaks to the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Committee of the Whole on Monday, Aug. 20, 2018. Pugh spoke in favor of the Assembly approving a ballot measure that would ask voters if they wanted the city to partially fund the construction of a new Juneau Arts and Culture Center. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

No initiatives will appear on municipal ballot

For the first time since 2015, no ballot initiatives will go before voters in this fall’s municipal election.

Former University of Alaska Southeast Chancellor John Pugh speaks to the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Committee of the Whole on Monday, Aug. 20, 2018. Pugh spoke in favor of the Assembly approving a ballot measure that would ask voters if they wanted the city to partially fund the construction of a new Juneau Arts and Culture Center. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Dr. Bridget Weiss, Interim Juneau School District Superintendent, left, and Harborview Elementary School special education teacher Steve Byers, center, speak with Office Max store manager Adam Dordea on Thursday, August 16, 2018, during a store fundraising event for elemenary schools. Office Max pledged to donate up to $10,000. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Program collects school supplies for teachers

Adam Dordea has the same interaction over and over during back-to-school season. Dordea, the store manager at Office Max, said teachers come in all the… Continue reading

Dr. Bridget Weiss, Interim Juneau School District Superintendent, left, and Harborview Elementary School special education teacher Steve Byers, center, speak with Office Max store manager Adam Dordea on Thursday, August 16, 2018, during a store fundraising event for elemenary schools. Office Max pledged to donate up to $10,000. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)