Lower Kuskokwim School District

The following schools remain at high risk operation levels for the week of May 9: Bethel, Kasigluk, Nunapitchuk, Toksook Bay, Tununak.

LKSD's career ladder program creates a path for people from the region to become certified teachers, increasing the number of Native and Yup’ik-speaking teachers in LKSD. There are currently nearly 60 program participants.

LKSD will be partnering with YKHC and Public Health to provide space in schools to offer TB testing for students.

The board actions from the recent LKSD Board meeting are available below.

Thank you, teachers and staff, for giving your best, every day, to enrich the lives of our students! ~Superintendent Hankins

Our Native Youth Olympics (NYO) team, the LKSD All Stars, competed at State last weekend, the first State competition for each of our NYO team members and an unforgettable event for everyone. LKSD took home the first place team award.

LKSD has amazing individuals helping enrich the lives of youth around the YK Delta. We’ll be highlighting staff throughout the year so our communities can learn the commitment and diverse skills our staff share with our students every day. Today's featured employee is Atan' Winkelman.

Long-time Ayaprun Elitnaurvik teacher, Ledwina Ayaprun "Loddie" Jones, was honored by the Thirty-Second Alaska State Legislature for 50 years as an educator and for her work championing Yup'ik language revitalization efforts.

SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) is an integral part of LKSD’s approach to students’ emotional wellness, which contributes to educational success. Read more below about SEL programs in our schools.

LKSD has amazing individuals helping enrich the lives of youth around the YK Delta. We are highlighting staff throughout the year so our communities can learn the commitment and diverse skills our staff share with our students. Today's featured employee is Golga Oscar.

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015 provides increased opportunities for parents, tribal leaders, and school districts to work together on behalf of all students. Please take time to provide the district input on our Every Student Succeed Act (ESSA) Title Programs.

**Deadline extended to April 8** We are currently accepting online student applications for LKSD’s 2022 Summer Academies, May 30-June 10. Online application deadline: Friday, April 1.

Starting April 2, artwork from around the district will be on display at the Suurvik Cinema. The community is welcome to view the gallery anytime the cinema is open throughout April. Student and Staff submissions are accepted through April 1.

The LKSD Board of Education has approved changes to the district's COVID-19 Protocols. These changes include looking at the operational risk level of each LKSD community and updated guidance on mitigation strategies, including masking.

Toksook Bay's 1A Basketball Champions, the Islanders, received an enthusiastic welcome home from their classmates, families and community.

The Lower Kuskokwim School District Board of Education met on March 9, 2022. Click below to view the board actions from this meeting.

Bilingual, culturally appropriate and effective education for all students is central to the mission of the Lower Kuskokwim School District.

The Alaska Department of Education & Early Development has approved the expansion of the Ayaprun Elitnaurvik charter school to include 7th and 8th graders.

LKSD has amazing individuals helping enrich the lives of youth around the YK Delta. We’ll be highlighting staff throughout the year so our communities can learn the commitment and diverse skills our staff share with our students every day.

This spring at UAA, 26 LKSD middle school students will increase their mathematics and science skills through hands-on activities, get familiarized with college life, and be introduced to possible STEM careers at the ANSEP Middle School Academy.

Superintendent Hankins reflects with gratitude on the way our district has come together to support our students, and on the opportunities our students have had these months to grow and learn.

LKSD is committed to honoring Black history this month and every month, and is proud to be a diverse school district. Read more below about how our schools are celebrating Black history this month.

LKSD Board Actions from the February 17, 2022, LKSD Board of Education Meeting.

Seeking local artists who can share their craft with LKSD students!

Two LKSD teams advanced to the Alaska FIRST LEGO League championship in Anchorage. Congratulations, and good work, to the GJE Lego Wizards and The Ayaprun Eagle Blimp Company.

Did you know that every state and school district is required to publish a report card with important information about school performance and progress? See below for important information on this year's report.

Ten students from schools around the Lower Kuskokwim School District put their reporting skills to the test while covering the Kuskokwim 300 sled dog race last month.

LKSD is seeking input on its COVID-19 protocols and the use of funds made available through the American Rescue Plan. Please take our brief survey below.

LKSD Board Actions from the January 27, 2022 LKSD Board of Education Regular Meeting

Students at William Miller Memorial School in Napakiak spent the last week learning how to play badminton from Badminton Goes Viral – a national initiative to get more children interested in the sport.

LKSD held the FIRST Lego League qualifier tournament at Gladys Jung Elementary in Bethel this past Friday. Students had a great time and were able to build upon valuable skills. Thank you students, staff and volunteers for continuing to support this great program!

The LKSD Board of Education decided in a Special Meeting this week to amend the mitigation protocols for student activities.

LKSD has made a few changes to our COVID-19 health and safety protocols in response to updates provided by the CDC and YKHC. Please see Superintendent Hankin's letter and updated documents below.

A happy holidays wish, and an update from Superintendent Hankins. Many thanks to our LKSD community for your dedication and commitment to our students.

The Governor's Dec. 15 budget proposal includes funds to replace the William N. Miller K-12 Memorial School in Napakiak. Due to erosion, the current facilities are now within 30 feet of the river's edge.

When Nanugaq Layla Kashatok moved to Kuigilnguq she did not know how to speak Yugtun. Nanugaq shares her experience learning Yugtun with the help of her mother and her Yugtun teachers in the attached essay.

Please see Superintendent Hankin's letter for LKSD updates that we are especially grateful for this Thanksgiving. Thank you for entrusting your child’s education to our dedicated educators! Happy Thanksgiving!

Ayaprun Elitnaurvik, Bethel's Yup'ik Immersion school, is one of two schools selected to represent the State of Alaska on this year's White House Christmas Tree.

Please join us in welcoming KLA Junior Adrian (Aidan) Johnson as the student representative to the Lower Kuskokwim School District School Board.

Following the FDC authorization and CDC recommendations for Covid vaccinations for 5-11, YKHC will be holding vaccination clinics in our schools.

LKSD regional board president, Clarence Daniel, was honored as the 2022 recipient of the Don McKinnon Educational Excellence and Human Recognition Award at the annual Alaska Superintendent's Conference.

LKSD now has weekly Covid-19 case data for our schools available on our website. This COVID HUB also has our Mitigation Plan and Close Contact Action Plan.

Tess Guinn and members of the VFW Auxiliary 10041 post recently presented Superintendent Hankins with a $5,000 donation check to LKSD for COVID-related PPE and supplies. Thank you!

Your efforts to lead and keep schools, students, and staff safe during the pandemic are appreciated beyond measure. You go above and beyond, every day! Happy National Principal's Month!

What steps is LKSD taking to keep our schools safe and open? How can you help with our mitigation efforts? Please see Superintendent Hankin's letter and safety reminders below.

Take Wing "Tengluni" is a program to explore options for education and training after high school. The application deadline has been extended to October 4 and is open to all LKSD juniors.

Congratulations to Matthew Enoch of Nunapitchuk, the first recipient of the annual Victor Kanrilak Memorial School Community Advocate Award.

Superintendent Hankins shares the results of the Best Practices Safety Audit that was presented at our most recent Board meeting. Please tune in to KYUK this Friday where she will be joined by Dr. Barry who conducted the audit.

Superintendent Hankins shares important information, updates, and announcements on our return to school policies and procedures, fall sports, and our upcoming board meeting on Thursday night.

​We are excited for the new school year and the return to full-day, in-person instruction for students five days a week. Please read Superintendent Hankin's letter for more information.

Have questions about the LKSD plan for the re-opening of schools for full in-person learning this Fall? A Smart Start Plan for Fall 2021 and more information is available below.

As we finish our 2020-2021 school year we honor all of our graduates. Recognizing that all our graduates have their own stories of the experiences that have shaped them, we give you a glimpse into the experiences of two graduates in a recent LKSD Live interview.

GCI is providing free Internet to Alaskans in need as part of the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. This FCC program will provide access to qualifying household struggling to pay for Internet service during the pandemic.