Lower Kuskokwim School District

DISTRICT UPDATE

FROM SUPERINTENDENT HANKINS

December 20, 2023

 

Dear parents, students, and the entire LKSD learning community,

 

All LKSD schools wrap up the fall semester this week and close for winter break. I’d like to extend my gratitude to our staff and students for their hard work this first semester of the school year and to all families for your continued support of LKSD. I’d also like to extend warm wishes for a happy holiday season and a new year filled with joy and happiness!

Below are a few updates about things happening in the district.

 

LKSD continues its implementation of the District Reading Intervention component of the Alaska Reads Act. The middle-of-the-year assessment window for the DIBELS literacy screener (K-3) closed on December 15th. Mid-year student data will be used to update students’ individualized reading improvement plans (iRIPS), including interventions, and to provide parent notifications. As a reminder, all reading assistance is based on a multi-tiered system of support that includes evidence-based reading instruction and intervention methods. More information about the Alaska Reads Act is available from the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, here.

 

The first regular session of the 33rd Legislature begins January 17th. Last week, Governor Dunleavy presented his proposed budget for fiscal year 2025. The Governor’s budget does not include any increases to education funding, which districts across Alaska have been strongly advocating in favor of for the past few years. In addition, the proposed budget includes very limited funding for school construction and major maintenance projects, statewide. The LKSD Board of Education will establish the district’s 2024 legislative priorities during the January 18th meeting.

Student activities continue across the district. My sincere gratitude to all LKSD coaches and chaperones for their work in support of student activities and to LKSD families for your support of our student athletes.

 

• Mix Six volleyball ended in November with the Tuntutuliak Blue Jays advancing to the state competition where they won the academic award. Congratulations!

• The fall NYO season recently wrapped up and the spring season will begin in late February.

• The state wrestling tournament was held last weekend in Anchorage. Congratulations to all LKSD student athletes who competed!

• Junior high and high school basketball practices began in late November and league play begins this month.

• The FLL robotics tournament was held in Bethel in early December. Congratulations to the two LKSD teams advancing to the state competition in January.

• Congratulations to all students who recently competed in the Junior High Speech contest.

 

You can stay up-to-date on district news and events via the LKSD website, Facebook and Instagram pages. I encourage you to stay involved, share your insights, and actively participate in activities and events.

 

Happy holidays to you and yours,

 

Kimberly Hankins

Superintendent