Schools

This June 14 photo shows Sít’ Eetí Shaanáx – Glacier Valley Elementary School. Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

District OKs ‘milk’ incident investigation, extension of food vendor’s contract

Juneau School Board approves third-party probe, allowing NANA to serve food for six more months

This June 14 photo shows Sít’ Eetí Shaanáx – Glacier Valley Elementary School. Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
This photo shows Sít' Eetí Shaanáx - Glacier Valley School the evening of Tuesday, June 14. The school is one of three sites of the Juneau School District's RALLY program. On Tuesday, children were served floor sealant instead of milk during breakfast at the school's RALLY site. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Board takes steps toward probe of ‘milk’ incident

There is debate about whether local or national experts are preferred for investigation.

This photo shows Sít' Eetí Shaanáx - Glacier Valley School the evening of Tuesday, June 14. The school is one of three sites of the Juneau School District's RALLY program. On Tuesday, children were served floor sealant instead of milk during breakfast at the school's RALLY site. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows Sít' Eetí Shaanáx - Glacier Valley School the evening of Tuesday, June 14. On Wednesday the Juneau Police Department shared the findings of its investigation into an incident in which a dozen children drank floor sealant when it was served instead of milk during a summer program breakfast at the school. There was nothing to obviously suggest criminal charges are appropriate, but the findings have been sent to the district attorney for review, according to JPD. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Police: No obvious basis for charges in ‘milk’ incident

Investigation of floor sealant being served at summer youth program being reviewed by prosecutors

This photo shows Sít' Eetí Shaanáx - Glacier Valley School the evening of Tuesday, June 14. On Wednesday the Juneau Police Department shared the findings of its investigation into an incident in which a dozen children drank floor sealant when it was served instead of milk during a summer program breakfast at the school. There was nothing to obviously suggest criminal charges are appropriate, but the findings have been sent to the district attorney for review, according to JPD. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This June 14 photo shows Sít’ Eetí Shaanáx – Glacier Valley Elementary School. School district officials are considering procuring a third-party investigator to look into how a dozen children and two adults were served floor sealant instead of milk during a summer youth program. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

‘Sip before serve’ policy violated in milk mishap

Food company admits missteps; school board seeks 3rd-party investigator.

This June 14 photo shows Sít’ Eetí Shaanáx – Glacier Valley Elementary School. School district officials are considering procuring a third-party investigator to look into how a dozen children and two adults were served floor sealant instead of milk during a summer youth program. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
A special meeting of the school board will begin with a “discussion with NANA Management Services regarding (the) food services incident,” according to an agenda published by the Juneau School District. Twelve kids and two adults ingested floor sealant when it was served Tuesday morning by the company during breakfast at the RALLY program Sít’ Eetí Shaanáx - Glacier Valley School, shown in this June 14 photo. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Contractor faces public questioning Friday about ‘milk’ incident

Company that served chemical sealant to children to face Juneau’s school board at special meeting

A special meeting of the school board will begin with a “discussion with NANA Management Services regarding (the) food services incident,” according to an agenda published by the Juneau School District. Twelve kids and two adults ingested floor sealant when it was served Tuesday morning by the company during breakfast at the RALLY program Sít’ Eetí Shaanáx - Glacier Valley School, shown in this June 14 photo. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows Sít' Eetí Shaanáx - Glacier Valley School the evening of Tuesday, June 14. The school is one of three sites of the Juneau School District's RALLY program. On Tuesday, children were served floor sealant instead of milk during breakfast at the school's RALLY site. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Superintendent: Pouches of milk, chemicals delivered side-by-side

“That’s when the beginning of this mismatch began,” she said.

This photo shows Sít' Eetí Shaanáx - Glacier Valley School the evening of Tuesday, June 14. The school is one of three sites of the Juneau School District's RALLY program. On Tuesday, children were served floor sealant instead of milk during breakfast at the school's RALLY site. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Learning bundles await pickup at what is now known as Kax̱digoowú Héen Elementary School on Friday, Sept. 4, 2020. The school’s name was officially changed Tuesday night after much debate. It was previously named Riverbend Elementary School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Goodbye Riverbend, hello Kax̱digoowú Héen

Renaming elementary school approved by Juneau Board of Education after a long debate.

Learning bundles await pickup at what is now known as Kax̱digoowú Héen Elementary School on Friday, Sept. 4, 2020. The school’s name was officially changed Tuesday night after much debate. It was previously named Riverbend Elementary School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
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12 kids ingested floor sealant served as milk during summer program, according to school district

Investigation is underway.

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Sophia Pugh, left, Eden Denton, center, and Rileyanne Payne, right, seniors from Juneau's three high schools are about to graduate as their time in high school comes to a close. (Courtesy Photos)

Ahead of graduation, seniors look back on high school

Sitting astride a pandemic, these seniors have had an interesting four years.

Sophia Pugh, left, Eden Denton, center, and Rileyanne Payne, right, seniors from Juneau's three high schools are about to graduate as their time in high school comes to a close. (Courtesy Photos)
Students at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé go through the hallways mostly without face masks during a break between classes in April shortly after the Juneau Board of Education ended a mask mandate. The decision was controversial due to concerns by some people that events such as proms and graduation ceremonies could become spreader events for COVID-19. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Officials hope for healthy graduation ceremonies

199% increase in COVID-19 cases the past two weeks has some concerned about lack of mandates.

Students at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé go through the hallways mostly without face masks during a break between classes in April shortly after the Juneau Board of Education ended a mask mandate. The decision was controversial due to concerns by some people that events such as proms and graduation ceremonies could become spreader events for COVID-19. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A magnet promoting the Alaska Reads Act released sits atop a stack of Alaskan-authored and Alaska-centric books. Lawmakers passed the Alaska Reads Act on the last day of the legislative session, but several members of the House of Representatives were upset with the bill, and the way it was passed. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

In last-minute move, Legislature passes early reading overhaul

Underlying inequities.

A magnet promoting the Alaska Reads Act released sits atop a stack of Alaskan-authored and Alaska-centric books. Lawmakers passed the Alaska Reads Act on the last day of the legislative session, but several members of the House of Representatives were upset with the bill, and the way it was passed. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
A damaged sticker on a door at Thunder Mountain High School reminds people to social distance and wear masks inside the building. The Juneau School District Board of Education on Tuesday voted to make wearing masks optional in schools. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Masks again optional in Juneau schools

School board unanimously waives normal rules and votes to end brief return to mandated masks.

A damaged sticker on a door at Thunder Mountain High School reminds people to social distance and wear masks inside the building. The Juneau School District Board of Education on Tuesday voted to make wearing masks optional in schools. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This August 2021 photo shows signs on the doors for Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé reminding those entering the building that masking is required. On Saturday, the district announced a change in CDC COVID-19 community level, masking would again be required. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Masks again required in Juneau schools

Announcement follows a change in CDC COVID-19 community level.

This August 2021 photo shows signs on the doors for Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé reminding those entering the building that masking is required. On Saturday, the district announced a change in CDC COVID-19 community level, masking would again be required. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Paula Casperson (center) meets Wednesday at JDHS with Amanda Duvall (left) the district’s teacher and learning support coordinator, and Carrie Pusich, an activities assistant for the district. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

A principal of matter: Longtime JDHS leader Paula Casperson named regional principal of the year

Ordinarily parents aren’t thrilled to get a call from the principal…

Paula Casperson (center) meets Wednesday at JDHS with Amanda Duvall (left) the district’s teacher and learning support coordinator, and Carrie Pusich, an activities assistant for the district. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Jiselle Tagaloa, a kindergarten student, accepts payment for a card from Jan Beauchamp. Beauchamp was among those who bought cards' bearing students drawings to support a Ukrainian family living in Washington state. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

A small kindness: Kindergarten students raise money for Ukrainian family

The kindness squad has a big job to do.

Jiselle Tagaloa, a kindergarten student, accepts payment for a card from Jan Beauchamp. Beauchamp was among those who bought cards' bearing students drawings to support a Ukrainian family living in Washington state. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
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Mix and mask: Administrators, students say ‘variety of strategies’ working well with masking optional

“It seems to be going very well,” said Juneau School District Superintendent Bridget Weiss.

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This screenshot from a video shown during a Juneau School District Board of Education meeting shows Riverbend Elementary School students working on a project. The school may soon have a new name, Kaxdigoowú Héen Elementary School. The name translates to “going back to clear water," in English. (Screenshot)

Renaming Riverbend: School board expresses support for gifted name

Further consideration of Kaxdigoowú Héen Elementary School comes next month.

This screenshot from a video shown during a Juneau School District Board of Education meeting shows Riverbend Elementary School students working on a project. The school may soon have a new name, Kaxdigoowú Héen Elementary School. The name translates to “going back to clear water," in English. (Screenshot)
This graph, included in the meeting packet for Thursday’s Joint Assembly School Board Facility Planning Committee, shows “high case,” “mid-case” and “low case” scenarios for enrollment in Juneau Schools. Enrollment is projected to decline by over 1,000 students in the mid-case scenario. (Screenshot)

A schooling in subtraction: Report projects drop in Juneau’s student enrollment over next 10 years

“Mid-range” forecast shows over 1,000-student reduction by 2032.

This graph, included in the meeting packet for Thursday’s Joint Assembly School Board Facility Planning Committee, shows “high case,” “mid-case” and “low case” scenarios for enrollment in Juneau Schools. Enrollment is projected to decline by over 1,000 students in the mid-case scenario. (Screenshot)
A.J. Wilson, 17, DeAndre Pittman, 16, and Elora Johnson, 16, eat lunch Thursday in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé cafeteria. They, like many students, agree the free meals available during the pandemic are worth continuing if funding can be found after it ends June 30, but they are likely to look off-campus for food if they are required to pay for school lunches again. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

With federal funding ending, full-priced school lunches could be on the menu for many students next year

District hopes to continue to offer free breakfast, “reasonably priced” lunches.

A.J. Wilson, 17, DeAndre Pittman, 16, and Elora Johnson, 16, eat lunch Thursday in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé cafeteria. They, like many students, agree the free meals available during the pandemic are worth continuing if funding can be found after it ends June 30, but they are likely to look off-campus for food if they are required to pay for school lunches again. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Riverbend Elementary School principal Elizabeth Pisel-Davis gestures at drawings of things schoolchildren were thankful for that currently decorate the walls of the school after massive flooding from a burst pipe in January meant much the school’s interior had to be gutted.

New walls, news roof, new name: Riverbend undergoing major changes

The school board will vote on the name change in April.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Riverbend Elementary School principal Elizabeth Pisel-Davis gestures at drawings of things schoolchildren were thankful for that currently decorate the walls of the school after massive flooding from a burst pipe in January meant much the school’s interior had to be gutted.