ktd summer 2013 final2
DESCRIPTION
Kids These Days is an AASB quarterly that focuses on news and information related to children, teens, parents, and families.TRANSCRIPT
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
The Value of the Arts and Youth Service in Creating Healthy Communities By Bridget Smith AASB Staff
Alaska Native Youth Success Center page 2
Poetry Out Loud page 3
StoryTRACKS from Best Beginnings page 6
Talk Story Write Story Workshop page 8
The difference between healthy communities and unhealthy ones is not just a matter of what is absent alcohol and drug abuse crime child abuse and violence against women It is also what is present opportunities for people of all ages to work together on something that is beneficial to the whole Working together on something that benefits everyone not only produces something tangible ndash it also creates a container for relationships to develop and flourish And it is in relation-ships that healthy communities specialize When relationships are disrupted communities fail in their main purpose to create healthy successful mature human beings
Two approaches to creating the kind of healthy communities for young people to flourish in arebull arts projects that are inclusive and bull youth service projects that directly benefit the community
Alaska ICE has provided funding and technical assistance for arts projects through the Artist TOPS Arts Projects since 2004 and for Youth Led Service Projects since 2009 in rural and urban Alaska The Artist TOPS program has made possible about 200 projects while Youth Led Service Projects number over 200 An integral part of every one of these projects is the intentional building of relation-ships between adults and young people
Continue reading on Page 7
Juneau
Tyonek
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2
Launching Alaska Native Youth Success Resource Center
Creating healthy environments for Alaska Native youth starts with community Engaging parents adults and youth-serving organizations to provide support and a vision for their success including opportunities for youth to lead and share their voice is vital to moving forward and sustaining the effort
The Alaska Native Youth Success (ANYS) Center a collaboration between RuAL CAP First Alaskans Institute Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Alaska Native Justice Center Alaska Native Heritage Center and the Alaska Division of Juvenile Justice does just that The Center will provide resources training and technical assistance to tribal communities in rural Alaska The Centerrsquos purpose is to increase positive youth development and reduce delinquency and other risk behaviors by supporting tribal and youth-serving organizationrsquos capacity to provide strength-based approaches
While the primary focus is on community engagement and capacity building another goal relates to increasing Alaska Native youth voice and leadership The ANYS Center will seek partnerships to support organizations as they implement policies and practices that sustain Alaska Native youth leadership This
first year has focused on 1) assessment and planning through interviews gatherings and feedback from com-munities and 2) developing an online resource center and identifying trainers to meet needs The US Depart-ment of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquen-cy Prevention provides funding to develop this training technical assistance and resource center
The Center will be up and running for the 2013-2014 school year
For more information contact Becky Judd (bjuddruralcapcom) 9073019725 or Amy Gorn (agornruralcapcom) 9076230769
Produced byThe Association of Alaska School Boardsrsquo Alaska Initiative for Community Engagement1111 West 9th Street Juneau AK 99801(907) 463-1660 Fax (907) 586-2995E-mail aasbaasborgWeb wwwalaskaiceorg
The content of this newsletter was developed under a grant from the US Department of Education However this content does not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Educa-
tion and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal government
Talking Circle at the ANYS network meeting to launch the new training technical assistance and resource center
Absolutely Everything Researchers Know About Bullying
The American Educational Research Association released this week a thor-ough new analysis on the state of bullying research in the United States The report includes several action items for improvement aimed at both scholars and schools
Each part addresses a specific aspect of bullying with 11 parts in total Here is a brief summary item by item
Go to the edweekorg Rules for Engagement blog
Youth skit for language movement workshop in Nanwalek
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull 3
Congratulations to Tong Thao of Colony High School in Palmer the Alaska State Poetry Out Loud Champion Tong went on to represent the state at the National Poetry Out Loud competition in Washington DC in April
Congratulations also goes to the other nine state competitors representing communi-ties throughout Alaska whose recitations at the Juneau Arts amp Culture Center on March 19th were inspiring to those present as well as audience throughout the state who were able to livestream the event from 360 North
These competitors were bull Brittni Tully (First Runner-up) of Revilla Alternative High School in Ketchikanbull Natalia Spengler from Juneau Douglas High School Juneau bull Samantha Saige Thomas from Chugiak High School Chugiak bull Sarina Montgomery from Lathrop High School Fairbanks bull Hazel Underwood from Kenny Lake School Kenny Lake bull Mark Sawyer Gillilan from IDEA - Region K Kenai bull Thaddeus Steve from Tukurngailnguq School Stebbinsbull Annemarie Pike from Sitka High School Sitka bull Andrea Irrigoo from Nome representing Kodiak High School Kodiak
Poetry Out Loud
Recognizing the intellectual and social-emotional benefits of instrumental music Juneau Alaska Music Matters (JAMM) started at Glacier Valley Elementary in 2010 With initial support from AASBrsquos Initiative for Commu-nity Engagement music teacher Lorrie Heagy started JAMM with an aim to make music accessible to more students starting with all Glacier Valley kindergartners then adding first graders the following year
For the 2012-2013 school year JAMM expanded to all kindergarten classes at Riverbend and Auke Bay Elementary Schools and added an after-school program for 2nd graders at Glacier Valley In total 280 students received at least 90 minutes of instrumental instruction per week throughout the school year
The school and the program continue to receive national and interna-tional attention as an inspiration for other in-school models PBS New York filmed JAMM as part of an Annenberg professional development series Derjk Wu founder of El Sistema Taiwan and Kris Wang a film documentarian made the trip to Juneau specifically to observe film and interview key people involved with JAMM and Mike Kirsch a television journalist from CCTV spent more than a week in Juneau filming JAMM for an Americas Now television news magazine story
For the 2013 ndash 2014 school year both Auke Bay and Riverbend Elemen-tary Schools will expand their programming to 1st grade while Glacier Valley will expand to 3rd grade with the addition of a bass section
Watch the Americas Now news story here
Expanding JAMM Program Receives National International Attention
Click here for the Alaska State Poetry Out Loud website which
includes a message from the state competitors a link to photographs of the competition and the link to watch
the competition online
AASB supported it from the beginning because it was all about school readiness for these students and families social emotional learning skills and student and family engagementall associated with higher academic performance
ldquoWithout AASB and your belief in our program JAMM would not have had the powerful impact it has on our Juneau community and youthrdquo
ndash Lorrie Heagy Glacier Valley Music Teacher
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
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4
On April 6 2013 over 300 individuals came out to support young Alaskans who received the Spirit of Youth award
The Spirit of Youth Awards Banquet held each year in Anchorage recognize the hard work and efforts of future leaders The mission of Spirit of Youth is to promote create and recognize youth involvement in their communities
Nominations are reviewed monthly and become story leads that are sent to media outlets across the state throughout the year The nomination process culminates in a celebra-tory dinner honoring the 20 individuals and groups who ultimately receive top honors in their respective award categories
Find a complete list of award recipients and their efforts here
Spirit of Youth Awards Alaska Teensspiritofyouthorg
The Value of School Recess and Outdoor Play(from educationcom)
Get Out and Play Everyday andTake the Healthy Futures Challenge
(from Alaska Dept of Health and Social Services)
Physical activity can help promote brain health(from Herald-Dispatchcom)
Looking for something to do this summer with your child who experiences a disability Here are agencies or groups that you may wish to contact for camps activities dates and fees
(from the Alaska Family Directory)
Physical Activity and Wellness links for Youth and Adults
The Alaska Teen Media Institute helped produce this yearrsquos Alaska Press Club Conference The Alaska Press Club is an independent professional organization that provides continuing education recognition and information to working journalists across the state
Over 50 high school students attended the event and ATMI picked up four awards Congratulations to ATMI
Spirit of Youth recently launched a new youth produced PSA with the message that todayrsquos teens are less likely to use drugs abuse alcohol or get pregnant than their parents were and they want to be heard
Watch the PSA here
Alaska Teen Media Institute takes home four more Press Club Awards alaskateenmediaorg
On April 26 2013 Alaska News nightly featured a story by Alaska Teen Media Institute student producer Arina Filippenko on their ldquoAKrdquo seg-
ment The story highlighted a local teen band
This piece is part of a partnership with Alaska Humanities Forum to have teens tell their unique story of what itrsquos like to grow up
in Alaska
Listen to the piece here
How Does Physical Activity Help
bull Builds strong bones and musclesbull Decreases the likelihood of developing obesity and risk factors for diseases like type 2 diabetes and heart diseasebull May reduce anxiety and depression and promote positive mental health
(from cdcgov)
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull 5
Meet Lydia A Native Girl From Southeast Alaska By Miranda Belarde-Lewis Ages 8 and up
Follow the daily life of a young Tlingit girl Lydia Mills and explore the history ceremonies and traditions of her unique tribe and culture including Tlingit tradi-tions ceremonial clothing festivals and stories
Eleven RurAL CAP Head Start programs of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Region gathered in Bethel on May 30 They met with the Nicotine Prevention Program staff of the Yukon-Kuskowkim Health Corporation (YKHC) and members of the Delta Tobacco Control Alliance
They learned about the risks and prevalence of tobacco
The Rural Alaska Community Action Program Inc (RurAL CAP) Head Start Cen-ters are in the final stages of a three-year project called Growing Up Tobacco-Free in Alaska RurAL CAP partnered with the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) to implement the program Twenty-four RurAL CAP Head Start Centers around Alaska 13 of which are located in the Y-K Region have been actively engaged in the program Each community found unique ways to raise awareness of the risks of tobacco use while encouraging tobacco cessation They have begun prevention activities for their three to five year olds that can be adapted for all grades
One Head Start staff member commented ldquoIt is exciting to be part of a movement It can only be good for our kidsrdquo
Growing Up Tobacco Free in AlaskaBy Amy Modig RurAL CAP
bull Teacherrsquos Choices 2013 Reading List
bull Childrenrsquos Choices 2013 Reading List
bull Association for Library Service to Children Summer Reading List
Books and Lists for Summer Reading
Mush Sled Dogs of the IditarodBy Joe Funk Ages 6-9
Iditarod racers often run in families of humans and the dogs that run The grueling exciting race is introduced in clearly labeled photographs and crisp text just right for dipping in and out of for a glimpse at the brave animals and people who run it
Two Old Women An Alaska Legend of Betrayal Courage and SurvivalBy Velma Wallis Ages Teens and up
Based on an Athabascan Indian legend passed along for many generations from mothers to daughters of the upper Yukon River Valley in Alaska this is the suspenseful shocking ultimately inspirational tale of two old women abandoned by their tribe during a brutal winter famine
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
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D bull
6
Imagine a path lined with sign posts and on each sign is a page from a childrenrsquos picture book As your family moves along ndash walking biking strolling ndash you and your children can read the story Reading nature and healthy activity ndash combined
Best Beginnings is inaugurating StoryTRACKS and with the support of a challenge grant from the Anchorage Park Foundation ten picture books will be placed on signs Theyrsquoll be laminated and weather-resistant and mounted on stakes StoryTRACKS can be more or less permanent but this plan is for moveable versions
The possibilities for StoryTRACKS include
bull Circulating to parks trails sledding hills around the municipalitybull Creating a schedule of StoryTRACKS ldquoappearancesrdquo so families can follow stories around discovering new park areasbull Scheduling them for various family events Parks amp Rec events Ski for Kids Day Farmerrsquos Markets picnics in neighborhood parks even birthday parties
How can you help
It will take quite a few volunteers to lay out the picture book pages on the signs readying them for lamination If yoursquod like to participate please contact Barbara Brown and wersquoll let you know when volunteer events are scheduled
StoryTracks Coming this Summerfrom Best Beginnings of Alaska
Note Kate Boesser was the 2012 Summer Reading Musician and Preschool Reader at the Gustavus Library Part of her program goal was to help build as-sets in youth who visited the library
Every Wednesday during Summer 2012 I led music for 40 - 60 summer readers and adults including parents and caretakers (including teens and grandparents) Folk song familiarity patterning rhyming repetition and group participation all help with reading skills
After playing and singing with all children parents and librarians I moved to the west wing of the library with preschoolers and their parents and guardians for the next hour of singing more songs doing rhyming and movement games reading books and playing rhythm instruments
Then from noon to 1230 pm each Wednesday school music teacher Ellie Sharman and I taught simple one- and two-chord song reading and playing on the ukuleles with preschoolers and children grades K-5
Continue reading on Page 9
Gustavus Library Summer Music and Reading with PreschoolersBy Kate Boesser
StoryTRACKS are another way to reinforce the message of Babies on Track and how to encourage our childrenrsquos verbal development Talk Respond Ask questions Connect Keep at it and Sing and
tell stories
For more activities your family can do outdoors visit Exploring Nature on the Best Beginnings website
ldquoThanks to an arts grant from AASB Gustavus purchased 12 new ukuleles and
gig bags used and loaned out from the library during the summer These
instruments were also used during the 2012-2013 school year in the school music
program for youth grades K-12rdquo
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
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Arts and Youth Service - cont from Pg 1
Some of the Artist TOPS Arts Projects funded from Tyonek to Kake have included painting community murals in schools and other public places learning how to play ukuleles together putting on spoken word poetry workshops and recitals taking music lessons for marimbas in a band creating public art making kuspuks writing and performing plays learning the basics of filmmaking through making one planting a community garden sewing Tlingit button blankets writing a book about the history of the village putting together a stained glass window creating a string orchestra of five-year-old violinists sculpting clay bones for a national project and composing and performing songs in Tlingit
Although some of the Youth Led Service Projects also included art such as creat-ing a huge mosaic mural on an elementary school outer wall the majority did not From Seward to Brevig Mission recent projects include making and using a classroom composting bin planting community gardens instituting regular Movie Nights for the village with ldquotheaterrdquo popcorn starting a Bike Shop that services all of the bikes in the village painting a ldquoski shackrdquo providing personal care prod-ucts for homeless kids putting together survival kits for seniors sending care packages to college students away from home building a safety ramp for snow machines erecting a ldquoKids Donrsquot Floatrdquo sign providing weekend backpacks filled with food for students and sewing kuspuks with Elders
One of the common threads in all of the arts and youth service projects was how one project seems to lead to another People who enjoy spending time together in meaningful ways want to keep going with other projects The consensus is that communities become better at inclusion and more creative in dreaming up other events and projects that would benefit everyone The surprise in all of this is that the money necessary is usually between $500 and $1000 Best advice for would- be community organizers Make sure that young people have leadership roles and are given support from adults to carry through with projects Adults need to step back in order to allow youth to have meaningful roles to play Everyone benefits then
Lead On is a three-day summit for youth leaders ages 13-18 and community partners across Alaska Participants come together to develop leadership skills for promoting peace equality and respect that can be used in their home communities Lead On youth inspire plan and organize with other youth and adults to work on projects in their communities that promote non-violence and equality in communities
The first application deadline is June 30 2013
Please see the andvsaorg website for further information
Lead On Youth Leadership Summit
Old Harbor
Cooper Landing
Seward
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
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8
All Alaska children begin school ready to succeed ndash thatrsquos Best Beginningsrsquo vision But how do we know if they are ldquoready to succeedrdquo
Herersquos a startling new statistic Fewer than 20 percent of children entering kindergarten in Alaska are prepared in all the ways experts say is impor-tant for success in school Thatrsquos according to figures recently provided by the Alaska Department of Education amp Early Development (DEED) on the results of the Alaska Developmental Profile (ADP) conducted last fall
The ADP is an annual assessment of the skills and behaviors of Alaska chil-dren entering school (things like strength and coordination curiosity ability to regulate impulses attention to task and awareness of print concepts) More information about how the ADP works what it measures is available here on our website
No Alaskan can be satisfied that fewer than 20 percent of our 5-year-olds are fully prepared for the challenges and rewards of their first year of school Itrsquos been demonstrated over and over again that investing time energy and financial resources in the first five years of a childrsquos life pays big dividends over time to the individual and to society as a whole
According to Nobel Prize winning University of Chicago Economics Profes-sor James Heckman ldquoIn an era of tight government budgetshellipthe real question is how to use the available funds wisely The best evidence sup-ports the policy prescription invest in the very youngrdquo
New statistic raises important questionsfrom Best Beginnings
For many high school seniors college or technical school is around the corner For others it may seem out of reach The competitive nature of entry into an institution of higher learning combined with securing financial aid or scholarships to attend can create a seemingly insurmountable hill to climb Some students might not deem it worth their effort too daunting a task or think themselves not worthy
Thirteen years ago Tad Bartimus agreed to share her writing talents with students in a rural isolated community in Hana Hawaii to assist with their col-lege application process She is happy as are a number of students and their families that she did The local school has a high poverty rate including roughly 80 percent of students who are entitled to a freereduced lunch What evolved for Tad and her husband Dean Wariner a fellow writer through their countless hours tutoring and coaching students became the writing workshop Talk StoryWrite Story
Since TSWS began in 2000 college applications in Hana High School graduat-ing classes ranging from 16 to 26 students have tripled and scholarship awards have increased over 1000 TSWS aims to improve students writing skills through development of their self-confidence and independence Because schools of higher education want well-rounded self-sufficient students the program emphasizes both oral and written communication skills In the 13 years
Learning to Talk StoryWrite Story
of coaching students have gained entry to good schools and won scholarships including the Gates Millennium scholarship that covers 10 years of all-inclusive free schooling In 2012 including the Gates awards 11 of the 21 gradu-ates earned $15 million in academic financial aid
Tad and Dean recently visited the communities of Ketchikan and Bethel to share the TSWS program with teachers and counselors in Alaska
Continue reading here (alaskaiceorg)
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
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Gustavus Summer Music and Reading - cont from Pg 6
This was attended weekly by six to ten people with each child being helped by a playing adult This was very amazing and fun for children ages 2 to 10 playing each time with their parent or grandparent or another adult in a group Thanks to an Assets grant from the Association of Alaska School Boards Gusta-vus purchased 12 new ukuleles and gig bags used at the library and loaned out from there during the summer These instruments were then used during the 2012-2013 school year at school in the music program for youth grades K-12 They were played daily for 20-30 minutes by the K-1 class of 12 with the teacher and aide by the 2-5 class daily for 20-30 minutes with teacher and aides plus 22 students and by the 6-12 elec-tive music class 4 days a week for one hour by 10 students and their teacher They were played during the Christmas School presentation and during the talent show The ukes are now being returned to the library for Summer ReadingMusic at the Public Library This will continue through the years
By obtaining these instruments I had the goal of adding assets to the lives of youth by partnering children with adults each with a ukulele both learning to play ukulele and singing playing folk songs together with others Reading and learning music weekly has helped create and strengthen youthadult connections making youth feel more bonded to the library and the school with adults committed to their health and education and helping community mem-bers be involved with taking more responsibility for our youth Every Tuesday night all summer in 2012 six to 18 people including three to five middle and high school students (both schoolers and home-schoolers) each time played ukuleles at the library reading words and chords making fine music This continued for the 2012-2013 school year for 9 months Eight middle and high schoolers played ukes and guitars and sang for the townrsquos yearly talent show in April 2013 on stage before the entire town - Kate Boesser
A look at school culture and student well-being
Education Week staff writer Nirvi Shah and contributing writer Ross Brenneman explore some of the nonacademic issues that bear on studentsrsquo learning Join them for insights news and analysis on a wide range of issues including school climate student engagement childrenrsquos well-being and student behavior and discipline
Follow the blog here
Rules for Engagement blogwwwedweekorg
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
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10
Alaska Childrenrsquos Trust (ACT) is fighting to eliminate child abuse and neglect to improve the health outcomes for all of Alaskarsquos kids Research shows that the societal impacts of child abuse and neglect are major and lifelong It impairs a childrsquos physical social and intellectual development resulting in increased risk of poor performance in school mental health problems substance abuse problems with the law and serious long-term health problems
Working together we can all increase the well-being of children and families One of the key ways we can keep children safe is by strengthening families Research shows that when families possess the five protective factors the risk for neglect and abuse diminish and positive outcomes for children youth and families are promoted The five protective factors are parental resilience social connections concrete sup-port in times of need knowledge of parenting and child development and social and emotional competency of children By changing our value system to reflect these five protective factors we begin to change our expectations and policies that help us eliminate abuse
There are many ways we can help build these protective factors Small and simple things include talking to the children in your neighborhood read a book to a child or recognize a child for doing something good Allow children the opportunity to interact with adults - this helps build resilience Offer to watch your friendsrsquo or siblingsrsquo children so they have the chance to relax Volunteer to coach a local sports team or volunteer as a mentor Ensure your work policies support families
As a community we can strengthen our families and ensure the success of our future by investing in our children and families from the start Consistent decisions to sup-port the needs of children are at the heart of a bright future
Alaska Childrenrsquos Trust Working for Healthier Kids and CommunitiesBy Trevor Storrs ACT Executive Director
The Alaska Childrenrsquos Trust is also lead-ing an effort to create a broad-based
statewide network to promote support and expand high quality afterschool
activities for children and youth through-out Alaska For more info contact Trevor
Storrs at ACT 907-248-7676
wwwalaskachildrenstrustorg
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
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2
Launching Alaska Native Youth Success Resource Center
Creating healthy environments for Alaska Native youth starts with community Engaging parents adults and youth-serving organizations to provide support and a vision for their success including opportunities for youth to lead and share their voice is vital to moving forward and sustaining the effort
The Alaska Native Youth Success (ANYS) Center a collaboration between RuAL CAP First Alaskans Institute Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Alaska Native Justice Center Alaska Native Heritage Center and the Alaska Division of Juvenile Justice does just that The Center will provide resources training and technical assistance to tribal communities in rural Alaska The Centerrsquos purpose is to increase positive youth development and reduce delinquency and other risk behaviors by supporting tribal and youth-serving organizationrsquos capacity to provide strength-based approaches
While the primary focus is on community engagement and capacity building another goal relates to increasing Alaska Native youth voice and leadership The ANYS Center will seek partnerships to support organizations as they implement policies and practices that sustain Alaska Native youth leadership This
first year has focused on 1) assessment and planning through interviews gatherings and feedback from com-munities and 2) developing an online resource center and identifying trainers to meet needs The US Depart-ment of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquen-cy Prevention provides funding to develop this training technical assistance and resource center
The Center will be up and running for the 2013-2014 school year
For more information contact Becky Judd (bjuddruralcapcom) 9073019725 or Amy Gorn (agornruralcapcom) 9076230769
Produced byThe Association of Alaska School Boardsrsquo Alaska Initiative for Community Engagement1111 West 9th Street Juneau AK 99801(907) 463-1660 Fax (907) 586-2995E-mail aasbaasborgWeb wwwalaskaiceorg
The content of this newsletter was developed under a grant from the US Department of Education However this content does not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Educa-
tion and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal government
Talking Circle at the ANYS network meeting to launch the new training technical assistance and resource center
Absolutely Everything Researchers Know About Bullying
The American Educational Research Association released this week a thor-ough new analysis on the state of bullying research in the United States The report includes several action items for improvement aimed at both scholars and schools
Each part addresses a specific aspect of bullying with 11 parts in total Here is a brief summary item by item
Go to the edweekorg Rules for Engagement blog
Youth skit for language movement workshop in Nanwalek
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull 3
Congratulations to Tong Thao of Colony High School in Palmer the Alaska State Poetry Out Loud Champion Tong went on to represent the state at the National Poetry Out Loud competition in Washington DC in April
Congratulations also goes to the other nine state competitors representing communi-ties throughout Alaska whose recitations at the Juneau Arts amp Culture Center on March 19th were inspiring to those present as well as audience throughout the state who were able to livestream the event from 360 North
These competitors were bull Brittni Tully (First Runner-up) of Revilla Alternative High School in Ketchikanbull Natalia Spengler from Juneau Douglas High School Juneau bull Samantha Saige Thomas from Chugiak High School Chugiak bull Sarina Montgomery from Lathrop High School Fairbanks bull Hazel Underwood from Kenny Lake School Kenny Lake bull Mark Sawyer Gillilan from IDEA - Region K Kenai bull Thaddeus Steve from Tukurngailnguq School Stebbinsbull Annemarie Pike from Sitka High School Sitka bull Andrea Irrigoo from Nome representing Kodiak High School Kodiak
Poetry Out Loud
Recognizing the intellectual and social-emotional benefits of instrumental music Juneau Alaska Music Matters (JAMM) started at Glacier Valley Elementary in 2010 With initial support from AASBrsquos Initiative for Commu-nity Engagement music teacher Lorrie Heagy started JAMM with an aim to make music accessible to more students starting with all Glacier Valley kindergartners then adding first graders the following year
For the 2012-2013 school year JAMM expanded to all kindergarten classes at Riverbend and Auke Bay Elementary Schools and added an after-school program for 2nd graders at Glacier Valley In total 280 students received at least 90 minutes of instrumental instruction per week throughout the school year
The school and the program continue to receive national and interna-tional attention as an inspiration for other in-school models PBS New York filmed JAMM as part of an Annenberg professional development series Derjk Wu founder of El Sistema Taiwan and Kris Wang a film documentarian made the trip to Juneau specifically to observe film and interview key people involved with JAMM and Mike Kirsch a television journalist from CCTV spent more than a week in Juneau filming JAMM for an Americas Now television news magazine story
For the 2013 ndash 2014 school year both Auke Bay and Riverbend Elemen-tary Schools will expand their programming to 1st grade while Glacier Valley will expand to 3rd grade with the addition of a bass section
Watch the Americas Now news story here
Expanding JAMM Program Receives National International Attention
Click here for the Alaska State Poetry Out Loud website which
includes a message from the state competitors a link to photographs of the competition and the link to watch
the competition online
AASB supported it from the beginning because it was all about school readiness for these students and families social emotional learning skills and student and family engagementall associated with higher academic performance
ldquoWithout AASB and your belief in our program JAMM would not have had the powerful impact it has on our Juneau community and youthrdquo
ndash Lorrie Heagy Glacier Valley Music Teacher
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull
4
On April 6 2013 over 300 individuals came out to support young Alaskans who received the Spirit of Youth award
The Spirit of Youth Awards Banquet held each year in Anchorage recognize the hard work and efforts of future leaders The mission of Spirit of Youth is to promote create and recognize youth involvement in their communities
Nominations are reviewed monthly and become story leads that are sent to media outlets across the state throughout the year The nomination process culminates in a celebra-tory dinner honoring the 20 individuals and groups who ultimately receive top honors in their respective award categories
Find a complete list of award recipients and their efforts here
Spirit of Youth Awards Alaska Teensspiritofyouthorg
The Value of School Recess and Outdoor Play(from educationcom)
Get Out and Play Everyday andTake the Healthy Futures Challenge
(from Alaska Dept of Health and Social Services)
Physical activity can help promote brain health(from Herald-Dispatchcom)
Looking for something to do this summer with your child who experiences a disability Here are agencies or groups that you may wish to contact for camps activities dates and fees
(from the Alaska Family Directory)
Physical Activity and Wellness links for Youth and Adults
The Alaska Teen Media Institute helped produce this yearrsquos Alaska Press Club Conference The Alaska Press Club is an independent professional organization that provides continuing education recognition and information to working journalists across the state
Over 50 high school students attended the event and ATMI picked up four awards Congratulations to ATMI
Spirit of Youth recently launched a new youth produced PSA with the message that todayrsquos teens are less likely to use drugs abuse alcohol or get pregnant than their parents were and they want to be heard
Watch the PSA here
Alaska Teen Media Institute takes home four more Press Club Awards alaskateenmediaorg
On April 26 2013 Alaska News nightly featured a story by Alaska Teen Media Institute student producer Arina Filippenko on their ldquoAKrdquo seg-
ment The story highlighted a local teen band
This piece is part of a partnership with Alaska Humanities Forum to have teens tell their unique story of what itrsquos like to grow up
in Alaska
Listen to the piece here
How Does Physical Activity Help
bull Builds strong bones and musclesbull Decreases the likelihood of developing obesity and risk factors for diseases like type 2 diabetes and heart diseasebull May reduce anxiety and depression and promote positive mental health
(from cdcgov)
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull 5
Meet Lydia A Native Girl From Southeast Alaska By Miranda Belarde-Lewis Ages 8 and up
Follow the daily life of a young Tlingit girl Lydia Mills and explore the history ceremonies and traditions of her unique tribe and culture including Tlingit tradi-tions ceremonial clothing festivals and stories
Eleven RurAL CAP Head Start programs of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Region gathered in Bethel on May 30 They met with the Nicotine Prevention Program staff of the Yukon-Kuskowkim Health Corporation (YKHC) and members of the Delta Tobacco Control Alliance
They learned about the risks and prevalence of tobacco
The Rural Alaska Community Action Program Inc (RurAL CAP) Head Start Cen-ters are in the final stages of a three-year project called Growing Up Tobacco-Free in Alaska RurAL CAP partnered with the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) to implement the program Twenty-four RurAL CAP Head Start Centers around Alaska 13 of which are located in the Y-K Region have been actively engaged in the program Each community found unique ways to raise awareness of the risks of tobacco use while encouraging tobacco cessation They have begun prevention activities for their three to five year olds that can be adapted for all grades
One Head Start staff member commented ldquoIt is exciting to be part of a movement It can only be good for our kidsrdquo
Growing Up Tobacco Free in AlaskaBy Amy Modig RurAL CAP
bull Teacherrsquos Choices 2013 Reading List
bull Childrenrsquos Choices 2013 Reading List
bull Association for Library Service to Children Summer Reading List
Books and Lists for Summer Reading
Mush Sled Dogs of the IditarodBy Joe Funk Ages 6-9
Iditarod racers often run in families of humans and the dogs that run The grueling exciting race is introduced in clearly labeled photographs and crisp text just right for dipping in and out of for a glimpse at the brave animals and people who run it
Two Old Women An Alaska Legend of Betrayal Courage and SurvivalBy Velma Wallis Ages Teens and up
Based on an Athabascan Indian legend passed along for many generations from mothers to daughters of the upper Yukon River Valley in Alaska this is the suspenseful shocking ultimately inspirational tale of two old women abandoned by their tribe during a brutal winter famine
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull
6
Imagine a path lined with sign posts and on each sign is a page from a childrenrsquos picture book As your family moves along ndash walking biking strolling ndash you and your children can read the story Reading nature and healthy activity ndash combined
Best Beginnings is inaugurating StoryTRACKS and with the support of a challenge grant from the Anchorage Park Foundation ten picture books will be placed on signs Theyrsquoll be laminated and weather-resistant and mounted on stakes StoryTRACKS can be more or less permanent but this plan is for moveable versions
The possibilities for StoryTRACKS include
bull Circulating to parks trails sledding hills around the municipalitybull Creating a schedule of StoryTRACKS ldquoappearancesrdquo so families can follow stories around discovering new park areasbull Scheduling them for various family events Parks amp Rec events Ski for Kids Day Farmerrsquos Markets picnics in neighborhood parks even birthday parties
How can you help
It will take quite a few volunteers to lay out the picture book pages on the signs readying them for lamination If yoursquod like to participate please contact Barbara Brown and wersquoll let you know when volunteer events are scheduled
StoryTracks Coming this Summerfrom Best Beginnings of Alaska
Note Kate Boesser was the 2012 Summer Reading Musician and Preschool Reader at the Gustavus Library Part of her program goal was to help build as-sets in youth who visited the library
Every Wednesday during Summer 2012 I led music for 40 - 60 summer readers and adults including parents and caretakers (including teens and grandparents) Folk song familiarity patterning rhyming repetition and group participation all help with reading skills
After playing and singing with all children parents and librarians I moved to the west wing of the library with preschoolers and their parents and guardians for the next hour of singing more songs doing rhyming and movement games reading books and playing rhythm instruments
Then from noon to 1230 pm each Wednesday school music teacher Ellie Sharman and I taught simple one- and two-chord song reading and playing on the ukuleles with preschoolers and children grades K-5
Continue reading on Page 9
Gustavus Library Summer Music and Reading with PreschoolersBy Kate Boesser
StoryTRACKS are another way to reinforce the message of Babies on Track and how to encourage our childrenrsquos verbal development Talk Respond Ask questions Connect Keep at it and Sing and
tell stories
For more activities your family can do outdoors visit Exploring Nature on the Best Beginnings website
ldquoThanks to an arts grant from AASB Gustavus purchased 12 new ukuleles and
gig bags used and loaned out from the library during the summer These
instruments were also used during the 2012-2013 school year in the school music
program for youth grades K-12rdquo
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull 7
Arts and Youth Service - cont from Pg 1
Some of the Artist TOPS Arts Projects funded from Tyonek to Kake have included painting community murals in schools and other public places learning how to play ukuleles together putting on spoken word poetry workshops and recitals taking music lessons for marimbas in a band creating public art making kuspuks writing and performing plays learning the basics of filmmaking through making one planting a community garden sewing Tlingit button blankets writing a book about the history of the village putting together a stained glass window creating a string orchestra of five-year-old violinists sculpting clay bones for a national project and composing and performing songs in Tlingit
Although some of the Youth Led Service Projects also included art such as creat-ing a huge mosaic mural on an elementary school outer wall the majority did not From Seward to Brevig Mission recent projects include making and using a classroom composting bin planting community gardens instituting regular Movie Nights for the village with ldquotheaterrdquo popcorn starting a Bike Shop that services all of the bikes in the village painting a ldquoski shackrdquo providing personal care prod-ucts for homeless kids putting together survival kits for seniors sending care packages to college students away from home building a safety ramp for snow machines erecting a ldquoKids Donrsquot Floatrdquo sign providing weekend backpacks filled with food for students and sewing kuspuks with Elders
One of the common threads in all of the arts and youth service projects was how one project seems to lead to another People who enjoy spending time together in meaningful ways want to keep going with other projects The consensus is that communities become better at inclusion and more creative in dreaming up other events and projects that would benefit everyone The surprise in all of this is that the money necessary is usually between $500 and $1000 Best advice for would- be community organizers Make sure that young people have leadership roles and are given support from adults to carry through with projects Adults need to step back in order to allow youth to have meaningful roles to play Everyone benefits then
Lead On is a three-day summit for youth leaders ages 13-18 and community partners across Alaska Participants come together to develop leadership skills for promoting peace equality and respect that can be used in their home communities Lead On youth inspire plan and organize with other youth and adults to work on projects in their communities that promote non-violence and equality in communities
The first application deadline is June 30 2013
Please see the andvsaorg website for further information
Lead On Youth Leadership Summit
Old Harbor
Cooper Landing
Seward
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull
8
All Alaska children begin school ready to succeed ndash thatrsquos Best Beginningsrsquo vision But how do we know if they are ldquoready to succeedrdquo
Herersquos a startling new statistic Fewer than 20 percent of children entering kindergarten in Alaska are prepared in all the ways experts say is impor-tant for success in school Thatrsquos according to figures recently provided by the Alaska Department of Education amp Early Development (DEED) on the results of the Alaska Developmental Profile (ADP) conducted last fall
The ADP is an annual assessment of the skills and behaviors of Alaska chil-dren entering school (things like strength and coordination curiosity ability to regulate impulses attention to task and awareness of print concepts) More information about how the ADP works what it measures is available here on our website
No Alaskan can be satisfied that fewer than 20 percent of our 5-year-olds are fully prepared for the challenges and rewards of their first year of school Itrsquos been demonstrated over and over again that investing time energy and financial resources in the first five years of a childrsquos life pays big dividends over time to the individual and to society as a whole
According to Nobel Prize winning University of Chicago Economics Profes-sor James Heckman ldquoIn an era of tight government budgetshellipthe real question is how to use the available funds wisely The best evidence sup-ports the policy prescription invest in the very youngrdquo
New statistic raises important questionsfrom Best Beginnings
For many high school seniors college or technical school is around the corner For others it may seem out of reach The competitive nature of entry into an institution of higher learning combined with securing financial aid or scholarships to attend can create a seemingly insurmountable hill to climb Some students might not deem it worth their effort too daunting a task or think themselves not worthy
Thirteen years ago Tad Bartimus agreed to share her writing talents with students in a rural isolated community in Hana Hawaii to assist with their col-lege application process She is happy as are a number of students and their families that she did The local school has a high poverty rate including roughly 80 percent of students who are entitled to a freereduced lunch What evolved for Tad and her husband Dean Wariner a fellow writer through their countless hours tutoring and coaching students became the writing workshop Talk StoryWrite Story
Since TSWS began in 2000 college applications in Hana High School graduat-ing classes ranging from 16 to 26 students have tripled and scholarship awards have increased over 1000 TSWS aims to improve students writing skills through development of their self-confidence and independence Because schools of higher education want well-rounded self-sufficient students the program emphasizes both oral and written communication skills In the 13 years
Learning to Talk StoryWrite Story
of coaching students have gained entry to good schools and won scholarships including the Gates Millennium scholarship that covers 10 years of all-inclusive free schooling In 2012 including the Gates awards 11 of the 21 gradu-ates earned $15 million in academic financial aid
Tad and Dean recently visited the communities of Ketchikan and Bethel to share the TSWS program with teachers and counselors in Alaska
Continue reading here (alaskaiceorg)
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull 9
Gustavus Summer Music and Reading - cont from Pg 6
This was attended weekly by six to ten people with each child being helped by a playing adult This was very amazing and fun for children ages 2 to 10 playing each time with their parent or grandparent or another adult in a group Thanks to an Assets grant from the Association of Alaska School Boards Gusta-vus purchased 12 new ukuleles and gig bags used at the library and loaned out from there during the summer These instruments were then used during the 2012-2013 school year at school in the music program for youth grades K-12 They were played daily for 20-30 minutes by the K-1 class of 12 with the teacher and aide by the 2-5 class daily for 20-30 minutes with teacher and aides plus 22 students and by the 6-12 elec-tive music class 4 days a week for one hour by 10 students and their teacher They were played during the Christmas School presentation and during the talent show The ukes are now being returned to the library for Summer ReadingMusic at the Public Library This will continue through the years
By obtaining these instruments I had the goal of adding assets to the lives of youth by partnering children with adults each with a ukulele both learning to play ukulele and singing playing folk songs together with others Reading and learning music weekly has helped create and strengthen youthadult connections making youth feel more bonded to the library and the school with adults committed to their health and education and helping community mem-bers be involved with taking more responsibility for our youth Every Tuesday night all summer in 2012 six to 18 people including three to five middle and high school students (both schoolers and home-schoolers) each time played ukuleles at the library reading words and chords making fine music This continued for the 2012-2013 school year for 9 months Eight middle and high schoolers played ukes and guitars and sang for the townrsquos yearly talent show in April 2013 on stage before the entire town - Kate Boesser
A look at school culture and student well-being
Education Week staff writer Nirvi Shah and contributing writer Ross Brenneman explore some of the nonacademic issues that bear on studentsrsquo learning Join them for insights news and analysis on a wide range of issues including school climate student engagement childrenrsquos well-being and student behavior and discipline
Follow the blog here
Rules for Engagement blogwwwedweekorg
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull
10
Alaska Childrenrsquos Trust (ACT) is fighting to eliminate child abuse and neglect to improve the health outcomes for all of Alaskarsquos kids Research shows that the societal impacts of child abuse and neglect are major and lifelong It impairs a childrsquos physical social and intellectual development resulting in increased risk of poor performance in school mental health problems substance abuse problems with the law and serious long-term health problems
Working together we can all increase the well-being of children and families One of the key ways we can keep children safe is by strengthening families Research shows that when families possess the five protective factors the risk for neglect and abuse diminish and positive outcomes for children youth and families are promoted The five protective factors are parental resilience social connections concrete sup-port in times of need knowledge of parenting and child development and social and emotional competency of children By changing our value system to reflect these five protective factors we begin to change our expectations and policies that help us eliminate abuse
There are many ways we can help build these protective factors Small and simple things include talking to the children in your neighborhood read a book to a child or recognize a child for doing something good Allow children the opportunity to interact with adults - this helps build resilience Offer to watch your friendsrsquo or siblingsrsquo children so they have the chance to relax Volunteer to coach a local sports team or volunteer as a mentor Ensure your work policies support families
As a community we can strengthen our families and ensure the success of our future by investing in our children and families from the start Consistent decisions to sup-port the needs of children are at the heart of a bright future
Alaska Childrenrsquos Trust Working for Healthier Kids and CommunitiesBy Trevor Storrs ACT Executive Director
The Alaska Childrenrsquos Trust is also lead-ing an effort to create a broad-based
statewide network to promote support and expand high quality afterschool
activities for children and youth through-out Alaska For more info contact Trevor
Storrs at ACT 907-248-7676
wwwalaskachildrenstrustorg
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull 3
Congratulations to Tong Thao of Colony High School in Palmer the Alaska State Poetry Out Loud Champion Tong went on to represent the state at the National Poetry Out Loud competition in Washington DC in April
Congratulations also goes to the other nine state competitors representing communi-ties throughout Alaska whose recitations at the Juneau Arts amp Culture Center on March 19th were inspiring to those present as well as audience throughout the state who were able to livestream the event from 360 North
These competitors were bull Brittni Tully (First Runner-up) of Revilla Alternative High School in Ketchikanbull Natalia Spengler from Juneau Douglas High School Juneau bull Samantha Saige Thomas from Chugiak High School Chugiak bull Sarina Montgomery from Lathrop High School Fairbanks bull Hazel Underwood from Kenny Lake School Kenny Lake bull Mark Sawyer Gillilan from IDEA - Region K Kenai bull Thaddeus Steve from Tukurngailnguq School Stebbinsbull Annemarie Pike from Sitka High School Sitka bull Andrea Irrigoo from Nome representing Kodiak High School Kodiak
Poetry Out Loud
Recognizing the intellectual and social-emotional benefits of instrumental music Juneau Alaska Music Matters (JAMM) started at Glacier Valley Elementary in 2010 With initial support from AASBrsquos Initiative for Commu-nity Engagement music teacher Lorrie Heagy started JAMM with an aim to make music accessible to more students starting with all Glacier Valley kindergartners then adding first graders the following year
For the 2012-2013 school year JAMM expanded to all kindergarten classes at Riverbend and Auke Bay Elementary Schools and added an after-school program for 2nd graders at Glacier Valley In total 280 students received at least 90 minutes of instrumental instruction per week throughout the school year
The school and the program continue to receive national and interna-tional attention as an inspiration for other in-school models PBS New York filmed JAMM as part of an Annenberg professional development series Derjk Wu founder of El Sistema Taiwan and Kris Wang a film documentarian made the trip to Juneau specifically to observe film and interview key people involved with JAMM and Mike Kirsch a television journalist from CCTV spent more than a week in Juneau filming JAMM for an Americas Now television news magazine story
For the 2013 ndash 2014 school year both Auke Bay and Riverbend Elemen-tary Schools will expand their programming to 1st grade while Glacier Valley will expand to 3rd grade with the addition of a bass section
Watch the Americas Now news story here
Expanding JAMM Program Receives National International Attention
Click here for the Alaska State Poetry Out Loud website which
includes a message from the state competitors a link to photographs of the competition and the link to watch
the competition online
AASB supported it from the beginning because it was all about school readiness for these students and families social emotional learning skills and student and family engagementall associated with higher academic performance
ldquoWithout AASB and your belief in our program JAMM would not have had the powerful impact it has on our Juneau community and youthrdquo
ndash Lorrie Heagy Glacier Valley Music Teacher
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull
4
On April 6 2013 over 300 individuals came out to support young Alaskans who received the Spirit of Youth award
The Spirit of Youth Awards Banquet held each year in Anchorage recognize the hard work and efforts of future leaders The mission of Spirit of Youth is to promote create and recognize youth involvement in their communities
Nominations are reviewed monthly and become story leads that are sent to media outlets across the state throughout the year The nomination process culminates in a celebra-tory dinner honoring the 20 individuals and groups who ultimately receive top honors in their respective award categories
Find a complete list of award recipients and their efforts here
Spirit of Youth Awards Alaska Teensspiritofyouthorg
The Value of School Recess and Outdoor Play(from educationcom)
Get Out and Play Everyday andTake the Healthy Futures Challenge
(from Alaska Dept of Health and Social Services)
Physical activity can help promote brain health(from Herald-Dispatchcom)
Looking for something to do this summer with your child who experiences a disability Here are agencies or groups that you may wish to contact for camps activities dates and fees
(from the Alaska Family Directory)
Physical Activity and Wellness links for Youth and Adults
The Alaska Teen Media Institute helped produce this yearrsquos Alaska Press Club Conference The Alaska Press Club is an independent professional organization that provides continuing education recognition and information to working journalists across the state
Over 50 high school students attended the event and ATMI picked up four awards Congratulations to ATMI
Spirit of Youth recently launched a new youth produced PSA with the message that todayrsquos teens are less likely to use drugs abuse alcohol or get pregnant than their parents were and they want to be heard
Watch the PSA here
Alaska Teen Media Institute takes home four more Press Club Awards alaskateenmediaorg
On April 26 2013 Alaska News nightly featured a story by Alaska Teen Media Institute student producer Arina Filippenko on their ldquoAKrdquo seg-
ment The story highlighted a local teen band
This piece is part of a partnership with Alaska Humanities Forum to have teens tell their unique story of what itrsquos like to grow up
in Alaska
Listen to the piece here
How Does Physical Activity Help
bull Builds strong bones and musclesbull Decreases the likelihood of developing obesity and risk factors for diseases like type 2 diabetes and heart diseasebull May reduce anxiety and depression and promote positive mental health
(from cdcgov)
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull 5
Meet Lydia A Native Girl From Southeast Alaska By Miranda Belarde-Lewis Ages 8 and up
Follow the daily life of a young Tlingit girl Lydia Mills and explore the history ceremonies and traditions of her unique tribe and culture including Tlingit tradi-tions ceremonial clothing festivals and stories
Eleven RurAL CAP Head Start programs of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Region gathered in Bethel on May 30 They met with the Nicotine Prevention Program staff of the Yukon-Kuskowkim Health Corporation (YKHC) and members of the Delta Tobacco Control Alliance
They learned about the risks and prevalence of tobacco
The Rural Alaska Community Action Program Inc (RurAL CAP) Head Start Cen-ters are in the final stages of a three-year project called Growing Up Tobacco-Free in Alaska RurAL CAP partnered with the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) to implement the program Twenty-four RurAL CAP Head Start Centers around Alaska 13 of which are located in the Y-K Region have been actively engaged in the program Each community found unique ways to raise awareness of the risks of tobacco use while encouraging tobacco cessation They have begun prevention activities for their three to five year olds that can be adapted for all grades
One Head Start staff member commented ldquoIt is exciting to be part of a movement It can only be good for our kidsrdquo
Growing Up Tobacco Free in AlaskaBy Amy Modig RurAL CAP
bull Teacherrsquos Choices 2013 Reading List
bull Childrenrsquos Choices 2013 Reading List
bull Association for Library Service to Children Summer Reading List
Books and Lists for Summer Reading
Mush Sled Dogs of the IditarodBy Joe Funk Ages 6-9
Iditarod racers often run in families of humans and the dogs that run The grueling exciting race is introduced in clearly labeled photographs and crisp text just right for dipping in and out of for a glimpse at the brave animals and people who run it
Two Old Women An Alaska Legend of Betrayal Courage and SurvivalBy Velma Wallis Ages Teens and up
Based on an Athabascan Indian legend passed along for many generations from mothers to daughters of the upper Yukon River Valley in Alaska this is the suspenseful shocking ultimately inspirational tale of two old women abandoned by their tribe during a brutal winter famine
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull
6
Imagine a path lined with sign posts and on each sign is a page from a childrenrsquos picture book As your family moves along ndash walking biking strolling ndash you and your children can read the story Reading nature and healthy activity ndash combined
Best Beginnings is inaugurating StoryTRACKS and with the support of a challenge grant from the Anchorage Park Foundation ten picture books will be placed on signs Theyrsquoll be laminated and weather-resistant and mounted on stakes StoryTRACKS can be more or less permanent but this plan is for moveable versions
The possibilities for StoryTRACKS include
bull Circulating to parks trails sledding hills around the municipalitybull Creating a schedule of StoryTRACKS ldquoappearancesrdquo so families can follow stories around discovering new park areasbull Scheduling them for various family events Parks amp Rec events Ski for Kids Day Farmerrsquos Markets picnics in neighborhood parks even birthday parties
How can you help
It will take quite a few volunteers to lay out the picture book pages on the signs readying them for lamination If yoursquod like to participate please contact Barbara Brown and wersquoll let you know when volunteer events are scheduled
StoryTracks Coming this Summerfrom Best Beginnings of Alaska
Note Kate Boesser was the 2012 Summer Reading Musician and Preschool Reader at the Gustavus Library Part of her program goal was to help build as-sets in youth who visited the library
Every Wednesday during Summer 2012 I led music for 40 - 60 summer readers and adults including parents and caretakers (including teens and grandparents) Folk song familiarity patterning rhyming repetition and group participation all help with reading skills
After playing and singing with all children parents and librarians I moved to the west wing of the library with preschoolers and their parents and guardians for the next hour of singing more songs doing rhyming and movement games reading books and playing rhythm instruments
Then from noon to 1230 pm each Wednesday school music teacher Ellie Sharman and I taught simple one- and two-chord song reading and playing on the ukuleles with preschoolers and children grades K-5
Continue reading on Page 9
Gustavus Library Summer Music and Reading with PreschoolersBy Kate Boesser
StoryTRACKS are another way to reinforce the message of Babies on Track and how to encourage our childrenrsquos verbal development Talk Respond Ask questions Connect Keep at it and Sing and
tell stories
For more activities your family can do outdoors visit Exploring Nature on the Best Beginnings website
ldquoThanks to an arts grant from AASB Gustavus purchased 12 new ukuleles and
gig bags used and loaned out from the library during the summer These
instruments were also used during the 2012-2013 school year in the school music
program for youth grades K-12rdquo
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull 7
Arts and Youth Service - cont from Pg 1
Some of the Artist TOPS Arts Projects funded from Tyonek to Kake have included painting community murals in schools and other public places learning how to play ukuleles together putting on spoken word poetry workshops and recitals taking music lessons for marimbas in a band creating public art making kuspuks writing and performing plays learning the basics of filmmaking through making one planting a community garden sewing Tlingit button blankets writing a book about the history of the village putting together a stained glass window creating a string orchestra of five-year-old violinists sculpting clay bones for a national project and composing and performing songs in Tlingit
Although some of the Youth Led Service Projects also included art such as creat-ing a huge mosaic mural on an elementary school outer wall the majority did not From Seward to Brevig Mission recent projects include making and using a classroom composting bin planting community gardens instituting regular Movie Nights for the village with ldquotheaterrdquo popcorn starting a Bike Shop that services all of the bikes in the village painting a ldquoski shackrdquo providing personal care prod-ucts for homeless kids putting together survival kits for seniors sending care packages to college students away from home building a safety ramp for snow machines erecting a ldquoKids Donrsquot Floatrdquo sign providing weekend backpacks filled with food for students and sewing kuspuks with Elders
One of the common threads in all of the arts and youth service projects was how one project seems to lead to another People who enjoy spending time together in meaningful ways want to keep going with other projects The consensus is that communities become better at inclusion and more creative in dreaming up other events and projects that would benefit everyone The surprise in all of this is that the money necessary is usually between $500 and $1000 Best advice for would- be community organizers Make sure that young people have leadership roles and are given support from adults to carry through with projects Adults need to step back in order to allow youth to have meaningful roles to play Everyone benefits then
Lead On is a three-day summit for youth leaders ages 13-18 and community partners across Alaska Participants come together to develop leadership skills for promoting peace equality and respect that can be used in their home communities Lead On youth inspire plan and organize with other youth and adults to work on projects in their communities that promote non-violence and equality in communities
The first application deadline is June 30 2013
Please see the andvsaorg website for further information
Lead On Youth Leadership Summit
Old Harbor
Cooper Landing
Seward
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull
8
All Alaska children begin school ready to succeed ndash thatrsquos Best Beginningsrsquo vision But how do we know if they are ldquoready to succeedrdquo
Herersquos a startling new statistic Fewer than 20 percent of children entering kindergarten in Alaska are prepared in all the ways experts say is impor-tant for success in school Thatrsquos according to figures recently provided by the Alaska Department of Education amp Early Development (DEED) on the results of the Alaska Developmental Profile (ADP) conducted last fall
The ADP is an annual assessment of the skills and behaviors of Alaska chil-dren entering school (things like strength and coordination curiosity ability to regulate impulses attention to task and awareness of print concepts) More information about how the ADP works what it measures is available here on our website
No Alaskan can be satisfied that fewer than 20 percent of our 5-year-olds are fully prepared for the challenges and rewards of their first year of school Itrsquos been demonstrated over and over again that investing time energy and financial resources in the first five years of a childrsquos life pays big dividends over time to the individual and to society as a whole
According to Nobel Prize winning University of Chicago Economics Profes-sor James Heckman ldquoIn an era of tight government budgetshellipthe real question is how to use the available funds wisely The best evidence sup-ports the policy prescription invest in the very youngrdquo
New statistic raises important questionsfrom Best Beginnings
For many high school seniors college or technical school is around the corner For others it may seem out of reach The competitive nature of entry into an institution of higher learning combined with securing financial aid or scholarships to attend can create a seemingly insurmountable hill to climb Some students might not deem it worth their effort too daunting a task or think themselves not worthy
Thirteen years ago Tad Bartimus agreed to share her writing talents with students in a rural isolated community in Hana Hawaii to assist with their col-lege application process She is happy as are a number of students and their families that she did The local school has a high poverty rate including roughly 80 percent of students who are entitled to a freereduced lunch What evolved for Tad and her husband Dean Wariner a fellow writer through their countless hours tutoring and coaching students became the writing workshop Talk StoryWrite Story
Since TSWS began in 2000 college applications in Hana High School graduat-ing classes ranging from 16 to 26 students have tripled and scholarship awards have increased over 1000 TSWS aims to improve students writing skills through development of their self-confidence and independence Because schools of higher education want well-rounded self-sufficient students the program emphasizes both oral and written communication skills In the 13 years
Learning to Talk StoryWrite Story
of coaching students have gained entry to good schools and won scholarships including the Gates Millennium scholarship that covers 10 years of all-inclusive free schooling In 2012 including the Gates awards 11 of the 21 gradu-ates earned $15 million in academic financial aid
Tad and Dean recently visited the communities of Ketchikan and Bethel to share the TSWS program with teachers and counselors in Alaska
Continue reading here (alaskaiceorg)
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull 9
Gustavus Summer Music and Reading - cont from Pg 6
This was attended weekly by six to ten people with each child being helped by a playing adult This was very amazing and fun for children ages 2 to 10 playing each time with their parent or grandparent or another adult in a group Thanks to an Assets grant from the Association of Alaska School Boards Gusta-vus purchased 12 new ukuleles and gig bags used at the library and loaned out from there during the summer These instruments were then used during the 2012-2013 school year at school in the music program for youth grades K-12 They were played daily for 20-30 minutes by the K-1 class of 12 with the teacher and aide by the 2-5 class daily for 20-30 minutes with teacher and aides plus 22 students and by the 6-12 elec-tive music class 4 days a week for one hour by 10 students and their teacher They were played during the Christmas School presentation and during the talent show The ukes are now being returned to the library for Summer ReadingMusic at the Public Library This will continue through the years
By obtaining these instruments I had the goal of adding assets to the lives of youth by partnering children with adults each with a ukulele both learning to play ukulele and singing playing folk songs together with others Reading and learning music weekly has helped create and strengthen youthadult connections making youth feel more bonded to the library and the school with adults committed to their health and education and helping community mem-bers be involved with taking more responsibility for our youth Every Tuesday night all summer in 2012 six to 18 people including three to five middle and high school students (both schoolers and home-schoolers) each time played ukuleles at the library reading words and chords making fine music This continued for the 2012-2013 school year for 9 months Eight middle and high schoolers played ukes and guitars and sang for the townrsquos yearly talent show in April 2013 on stage before the entire town - Kate Boesser
A look at school culture and student well-being
Education Week staff writer Nirvi Shah and contributing writer Ross Brenneman explore some of the nonacademic issues that bear on studentsrsquo learning Join them for insights news and analysis on a wide range of issues including school climate student engagement childrenrsquos well-being and student behavior and discipline
Follow the blog here
Rules for Engagement blogwwwedweekorg
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull
10
Alaska Childrenrsquos Trust (ACT) is fighting to eliminate child abuse and neglect to improve the health outcomes for all of Alaskarsquos kids Research shows that the societal impacts of child abuse and neglect are major and lifelong It impairs a childrsquos physical social and intellectual development resulting in increased risk of poor performance in school mental health problems substance abuse problems with the law and serious long-term health problems
Working together we can all increase the well-being of children and families One of the key ways we can keep children safe is by strengthening families Research shows that when families possess the five protective factors the risk for neglect and abuse diminish and positive outcomes for children youth and families are promoted The five protective factors are parental resilience social connections concrete sup-port in times of need knowledge of parenting and child development and social and emotional competency of children By changing our value system to reflect these five protective factors we begin to change our expectations and policies that help us eliminate abuse
There are many ways we can help build these protective factors Small and simple things include talking to the children in your neighborhood read a book to a child or recognize a child for doing something good Allow children the opportunity to interact with adults - this helps build resilience Offer to watch your friendsrsquo or siblingsrsquo children so they have the chance to relax Volunteer to coach a local sports team or volunteer as a mentor Ensure your work policies support families
As a community we can strengthen our families and ensure the success of our future by investing in our children and families from the start Consistent decisions to sup-port the needs of children are at the heart of a bright future
Alaska Childrenrsquos Trust Working for Healthier Kids and CommunitiesBy Trevor Storrs ACT Executive Director
The Alaska Childrenrsquos Trust is also lead-ing an effort to create a broad-based
statewide network to promote support and expand high quality afterschool
activities for children and youth through-out Alaska For more info contact Trevor
Storrs at ACT 907-248-7676
wwwalaskachildrenstrustorg
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull
4
On April 6 2013 over 300 individuals came out to support young Alaskans who received the Spirit of Youth award
The Spirit of Youth Awards Banquet held each year in Anchorage recognize the hard work and efforts of future leaders The mission of Spirit of Youth is to promote create and recognize youth involvement in their communities
Nominations are reviewed monthly and become story leads that are sent to media outlets across the state throughout the year The nomination process culminates in a celebra-tory dinner honoring the 20 individuals and groups who ultimately receive top honors in their respective award categories
Find a complete list of award recipients and their efforts here
Spirit of Youth Awards Alaska Teensspiritofyouthorg
The Value of School Recess and Outdoor Play(from educationcom)
Get Out and Play Everyday andTake the Healthy Futures Challenge
(from Alaska Dept of Health and Social Services)
Physical activity can help promote brain health(from Herald-Dispatchcom)
Looking for something to do this summer with your child who experiences a disability Here are agencies or groups that you may wish to contact for camps activities dates and fees
(from the Alaska Family Directory)
Physical Activity and Wellness links for Youth and Adults
The Alaska Teen Media Institute helped produce this yearrsquos Alaska Press Club Conference The Alaska Press Club is an independent professional organization that provides continuing education recognition and information to working journalists across the state
Over 50 high school students attended the event and ATMI picked up four awards Congratulations to ATMI
Spirit of Youth recently launched a new youth produced PSA with the message that todayrsquos teens are less likely to use drugs abuse alcohol or get pregnant than their parents were and they want to be heard
Watch the PSA here
Alaska Teen Media Institute takes home four more Press Club Awards alaskateenmediaorg
On April 26 2013 Alaska News nightly featured a story by Alaska Teen Media Institute student producer Arina Filippenko on their ldquoAKrdquo seg-
ment The story highlighted a local teen band
This piece is part of a partnership with Alaska Humanities Forum to have teens tell their unique story of what itrsquos like to grow up
in Alaska
Listen to the piece here
How Does Physical Activity Help
bull Builds strong bones and musclesbull Decreases the likelihood of developing obesity and risk factors for diseases like type 2 diabetes and heart diseasebull May reduce anxiety and depression and promote positive mental health
(from cdcgov)
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull 5
Meet Lydia A Native Girl From Southeast Alaska By Miranda Belarde-Lewis Ages 8 and up
Follow the daily life of a young Tlingit girl Lydia Mills and explore the history ceremonies and traditions of her unique tribe and culture including Tlingit tradi-tions ceremonial clothing festivals and stories
Eleven RurAL CAP Head Start programs of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Region gathered in Bethel on May 30 They met with the Nicotine Prevention Program staff of the Yukon-Kuskowkim Health Corporation (YKHC) and members of the Delta Tobacco Control Alliance
They learned about the risks and prevalence of tobacco
The Rural Alaska Community Action Program Inc (RurAL CAP) Head Start Cen-ters are in the final stages of a three-year project called Growing Up Tobacco-Free in Alaska RurAL CAP partnered with the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) to implement the program Twenty-four RurAL CAP Head Start Centers around Alaska 13 of which are located in the Y-K Region have been actively engaged in the program Each community found unique ways to raise awareness of the risks of tobacco use while encouraging tobacco cessation They have begun prevention activities for their three to five year olds that can be adapted for all grades
One Head Start staff member commented ldquoIt is exciting to be part of a movement It can only be good for our kidsrdquo
Growing Up Tobacco Free in AlaskaBy Amy Modig RurAL CAP
bull Teacherrsquos Choices 2013 Reading List
bull Childrenrsquos Choices 2013 Reading List
bull Association for Library Service to Children Summer Reading List
Books and Lists for Summer Reading
Mush Sled Dogs of the IditarodBy Joe Funk Ages 6-9
Iditarod racers often run in families of humans and the dogs that run The grueling exciting race is introduced in clearly labeled photographs and crisp text just right for dipping in and out of for a glimpse at the brave animals and people who run it
Two Old Women An Alaska Legend of Betrayal Courage and SurvivalBy Velma Wallis Ages Teens and up
Based on an Athabascan Indian legend passed along for many generations from mothers to daughters of the upper Yukon River Valley in Alaska this is the suspenseful shocking ultimately inspirational tale of two old women abandoned by their tribe during a brutal winter famine
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull
6
Imagine a path lined with sign posts and on each sign is a page from a childrenrsquos picture book As your family moves along ndash walking biking strolling ndash you and your children can read the story Reading nature and healthy activity ndash combined
Best Beginnings is inaugurating StoryTRACKS and with the support of a challenge grant from the Anchorage Park Foundation ten picture books will be placed on signs Theyrsquoll be laminated and weather-resistant and mounted on stakes StoryTRACKS can be more or less permanent but this plan is for moveable versions
The possibilities for StoryTRACKS include
bull Circulating to parks trails sledding hills around the municipalitybull Creating a schedule of StoryTRACKS ldquoappearancesrdquo so families can follow stories around discovering new park areasbull Scheduling them for various family events Parks amp Rec events Ski for Kids Day Farmerrsquos Markets picnics in neighborhood parks even birthday parties
How can you help
It will take quite a few volunteers to lay out the picture book pages on the signs readying them for lamination If yoursquod like to participate please contact Barbara Brown and wersquoll let you know when volunteer events are scheduled
StoryTracks Coming this Summerfrom Best Beginnings of Alaska
Note Kate Boesser was the 2012 Summer Reading Musician and Preschool Reader at the Gustavus Library Part of her program goal was to help build as-sets in youth who visited the library
Every Wednesday during Summer 2012 I led music for 40 - 60 summer readers and adults including parents and caretakers (including teens and grandparents) Folk song familiarity patterning rhyming repetition and group participation all help with reading skills
After playing and singing with all children parents and librarians I moved to the west wing of the library with preschoolers and their parents and guardians for the next hour of singing more songs doing rhyming and movement games reading books and playing rhythm instruments
Then from noon to 1230 pm each Wednesday school music teacher Ellie Sharman and I taught simple one- and two-chord song reading and playing on the ukuleles with preschoolers and children grades K-5
Continue reading on Page 9
Gustavus Library Summer Music and Reading with PreschoolersBy Kate Boesser
StoryTRACKS are another way to reinforce the message of Babies on Track and how to encourage our childrenrsquos verbal development Talk Respond Ask questions Connect Keep at it and Sing and
tell stories
For more activities your family can do outdoors visit Exploring Nature on the Best Beginnings website
ldquoThanks to an arts grant from AASB Gustavus purchased 12 new ukuleles and
gig bags used and loaned out from the library during the summer These
instruments were also used during the 2012-2013 school year in the school music
program for youth grades K-12rdquo
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull 7
Arts and Youth Service - cont from Pg 1
Some of the Artist TOPS Arts Projects funded from Tyonek to Kake have included painting community murals in schools and other public places learning how to play ukuleles together putting on spoken word poetry workshops and recitals taking music lessons for marimbas in a band creating public art making kuspuks writing and performing plays learning the basics of filmmaking through making one planting a community garden sewing Tlingit button blankets writing a book about the history of the village putting together a stained glass window creating a string orchestra of five-year-old violinists sculpting clay bones for a national project and composing and performing songs in Tlingit
Although some of the Youth Led Service Projects also included art such as creat-ing a huge mosaic mural on an elementary school outer wall the majority did not From Seward to Brevig Mission recent projects include making and using a classroom composting bin planting community gardens instituting regular Movie Nights for the village with ldquotheaterrdquo popcorn starting a Bike Shop that services all of the bikes in the village painting a ldquoski shackrdquo providing personal care prod-ucts for homeless kids putting together survival kits for seniors sending care packages to college students away from home building a safety ramp for snow machines erecting a ldquoKids Donrsquot Floatrdquo sign providing weekend backpacks filled with food for students and sewing kuspuks with Elders
One of the common threads in all of the arts and youth service projects was how one project seems to lead to another People who enjoy spending time together in meaningful ways want to keep going with other projects The consensus is that communities become better at inclusion and more creative in dreaming up other events and projects that would benefit everyone The surprise in all of this is that the money necessary is usually between $500 and $1000 Best advice for would- be community organizers Make sure that young people have leadership roles and are given support from adults to carry through with projects Adults need to step back in order to allow youth to have meaningful roles to play Everyone benefits then
Lead On is a three-day summit for youth leaders ages 13-18 and community partners across Alaska Participants come together to develop leadership skills for promoting peace equality and respect that can be used in their home communities Lead On youth inspire plan and organize with other youth and adults to work on projects in their communities that promote non-violence and equality in communities
The first application deadline is June 30 2013
Please see the andvsaorg website for further information
Lead On Youth Leadership Summit
Old Harbor
Cooper Landing
Seward
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull
8
All Alaska children begin school ready to succeed ndash thatrsquos Best Beginningsrsquo vision But how do we know if they are ldquoready to succeedrdquo
Herersquos a startling new statistic Fewer than 20 percent of children entering kindergarten in Alaska are prepared in all the ways experts say is impor-tant for success in school Thatrsquos according to figures recently provided by the Alaska Department of Education amp Early Development (DEED) on the results of the Alaska Developmental Profile (ADP) conducted last fall
The ADP is an annual assessment of the skills and behaviors of Alaska chil-dren entering school (things like strength and coordination curiosity ability to regulate impulses attention to task and awareness of print concepts) More information about how the ADP works what it measures is available here on our website
No Alaskan can be satisfied that fewer than 20 percent of our 5-year-olds are fully prepared for the challenges and rewards of their first year of school Itrsquos been demonstrated over and over again that investing time energy and financial resources in the first five years of a childrsquos life pays big dividends over time to the individual and to society as a whole
According to Nobel Prize winning University of Chicago Economics Profes-sor James Heckman ldquoIn an era of tight government budgetshellipthe real question is how to use the available funds wisely The best evidence sup-ports the policy prescription invest in the very youngrdquo
New statistic raises important questionsfrom Best Beginnings
For many high school seniors college or technical school is around the corner For others it may seem out of reach The competitive nature of entry into an institution of higher learning combined with securing financial aid or scholarships to attend can create a seemingly insurmountable hill to climb Some students might not deem it worth their effort too daunting a task or think themselves not worthy
Thirteen years ago Tad Bartimus agreed to share her writing talents with students in a rural isolated community in Hana Hawaii to assist with their col-lege application process She is happy as are a number of students and their families that she did The local school has a high poverty rate including roughly 80 percent of students who are entitled to a freereduced lunch What evolved for Tad and her husband Dean Wariner a fellow writer through their countless hours tutoring and coaching students became the writing workshop Talk StoryWrite Story
Since TSWS began in 2000 college applications in Hana High School graduat-ing classes ranging from 16 to 26 students have tripled and scholarship awards have increased over 1000 TSWS aims to improve students writing skills through development of their self-confidence and independence Because schools of higher education want well-rounded self-sufficient students the program emphasizes both oral and written communication skills In the 13 years
Learning to Talk StoryWrite Story
of coaching students have gained entry to good schools and won scholarships including the Gates Millennium scholarship that covers 10 years of all-inclusive free schooling In 2012 including the Gates awards 11 of the 21 gradu-ates earned $15 million in academic financial aid
Tad and Dean recently visited the communities of Ketchikan and Bethel to share the TSWS program with teachers and counselors in Alaska
Continue reading here (alaskaiceorg)
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull 9
Gustavus Summer Music and Reading - cont from Pg 6
This was attended weekly by six to ten people with each child being helped by a playing adult This was very amazing and fun for children ages 2 to 10 playing each time with their parent or grandparent or another adult in a group Thanks to an Assets grant from the Association of Alaska School Boards Gusta-vus purchased 12 new ukuleles and gig bags used at the library and loaned out from there during the summer These instruments were then used during the 2012-2013 school year at school in the music program for youth grades K-12 They were played daily for 20-30 minutes by the K-1 class of 12 with the teacher and aide by the 2-5 class daily for 20-30 minutes with teacher and aides plus 22 students and by the 6-12 elec-tive music class 4 days a week for one hour by 10 students and their teacher They were played during the Christmas School presentation and during the talent show The ukes are now being returned to the library for Summer ReadingMusic at the Public Library This will continue through the years
By obtaining these instruments I had the goal of adding assets to the lives of youth by partnering children with adults each with a ukulele both learning to play ukulele and singing playing folk songs together with others Reading and learning music weekly has helped create and strengthen youthadult connections making youth feel more bonded to the library and the school with adults committed to their health and education and helping community mem-bers be involved with taking more responsibility for our youth Every Tuesday night all summer in 2012 six to 18 people including three to five middle and high school students (both schoolers and home-schoolers) each time played ukuleles at the library reading words and chords making fine music This continued for the 2012-2013 school year for 9 months Eight middle and high schoolers played ukes and guitars and sang for the townrsquos yearly talent show in April 2013 on stage before the entire town - Kate Boesser
A look at school culture and student well-being
Education Week staff writer Nirvi Shah and contributing writer Ross Brenneman explore some of the nonacademic issues that bear on studentsrsquo learning Join them for insights news and analysis on a wide range of issues including school climate student engagement childrenrsquos well-being and student behavior and discipline
Follow the blog here
Rules for Engagement blogwwwedweekorg
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull
10
Alaska Childrenrsquos Trust (ACT) is fighting to eliminate child abuse and neglect to improve the health outcomes for all of Alaskarsquos kids Research shows that the societal impacts of child abuse and neglect are major and lifelong It impairs a childrsquos physical social and intellectual development resulting in increased risk of poor performance in school mental health problems substance abuse problems with the law and serious long-term health problems
Working together we can all increase the well-being of children and families One of the key ways we can keep children safe is by strengthening families Research shows that when families possess the five protective factors the risk for neglect and abuse diminish and positive outcomes for children youth and families are promoted The five protective factors are parental resilience social connections concrete sup-port in times of need knowledge of parenting and child development and social and emotional competency of children By changing our value system to reflect these five protective factors we begin to change our expectations and policies that help us eliminate abuse
There are many ways we can help build these protective factors Small and simple things include talking to the children in your neighborhood read a book to a child or recognize a child for doing something good Allow children the opportunity to interact with adults - this helps build resilience Offer to watch your friendsrsquo or siblingsrsquo children so they have the chance to relax Volunteer to coach a local sports team or volunteer as a mentor Ensure your work policies support families
As a community we can strengthen our families and ensure the success of our future by investing in our children and families from the start Consistent decisions to sup-port the needs of children are at the heart of a bright future
Alaska Childrenrsquos Trust Working for Healthier Kids and CommunitiesBy Trevor Storrs ACT Executive Director
The Alaska Childrenrsquos Trust is also lead-ing an effort to create a broad-based
statewide network to promote support and expand high quality afterschool
activities for children and youth through-out Alaska For more info contact Trevor
Storrs at ACT 907-248-7676
wwwalaskachildrenstrustorg
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull 5
Meet Lydia A Native Girl From Southeast Alaska By Miranda Belarde-Lewis Ages 8 and up
Follow the daily life of a young Tlingit girl Lydia Mills and explore the history ceremonies and traditions of her unique tribe and culture including Tlingit tradi-tions ceremonial clothing festivals and stories
Eleven RurAL CAP Head Start programs of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Region gathered in Bethel on May 30 They met with the Nicotine Prevention Program staff of the Yukon-Kuskowkim Health Corporation (YKHC) and members of the Delta Tobacco Control Alliance
They learned about the risks and prevalence of tobacco
The Rural Alaska Community Action Program Inc (RurAL CAP) Head Start Cen-ters are in the final stages of a three-year project called Growing Up Tobacco-Free in Alaska RurAL CAP partnered with the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) to implement the program Twenty-four RurAL CAP Head Start Centers around Alaska 13 of which are located in the Y-K Region have been actively engaged in the program Each community found unique ways to raise awareness of the risks of tobacco use while encouraging tobacco cessation They have begun prevention activities for their three to five year olds that can be adapted for all grades
One Head Start staff member commented ldquoIt is exciting to be part of a movement It can only be good for our kidsrdquo
Growing Up Tobacco Free in AlaskaBy Amy Modig RurAL CAP
bull Teacherrsquos Choices 2013 Reading List
bull Childrenrsquos Choices 2013 Reading List
bull Association for Library Service to Children Summer Reading List
Books and Lists for Summer Reading
Mush Sled Dogs of the IditarodBy Joe Funk Ages 6-9
Iditarod racers often run in families of humans and the dogs that run The grueling exciting race is introduced in clearly labeled photographs and crisp text just right for dipping in and out of for a glimpse at the brave animals and people who run it
Two Old Women An Alaska Legend of Betrayal Courage and SurvivalBy Velma Wallis Ages Teens and up
Based on an Athabascan Indian legend passed along for many generations from mothers to daughters of the upper Yukon River Valley in Alaska this is the suspenseful shocking ultimately inspirational tale of two old women abandoned by their tribe during a brutal winter famine
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull
6
Imagine a path lined with sign posts and on each sign is a page from a childrenrsquos picture book As your family moves along ndash walking biking strolling ndash you and your children can read the story Reading nature and healthy activity ndash combined
Best Beginnings is inaugurating StoryTRACKS and with the support of a challenge grant from the Anchorage Park Foundation ten picture books will be placed on signs Theyrsquoll be laminated and weather-resistant and mounted on stakes StoryTRACKS can be more or less permanent but this plan is for moveable versions
The possibilities for StoryTRACKS include
bull Circulating to parks trails sledding hills around the municipalitybull Creating a schedule of StoryTRACKS ldquoappearancesrdquo so families can follow stories around discovering new park areasbull Scheduling them for various family events Parks amp Rec events Ski for Kids Day Farmerrsquos Markets picnics in neighborhood parks even birthday parties
How can you help
It will take quite a few volunteers to lay out the picture book pages on the signs readying them for lamination If yoursquod like to participate please contact Barbara Brown and wersquoll let you know when volunteer events are scheduled
StoryTracks Coming this Summerfrom Best Beginnings of Alaska
Note Kate Boesser was the 2012 Summer Reading Musician and Preschool Reader at the Gustavus Library Part of her program goal was to help build as-sets in youth who visited the library
Every Wednesday during Summer 2012 I led music for 40 - 60 summer readers and adults including parents and caretakers (including teens and grandparents) Folk song familiarity patterning rhyming repetition and group participation all help with reading skills
After playing and singing with all children parents and librarians I moved to the west wing of the library with preschoolers and their parents and guardians for the next hour of singing more songs doing rhyming and movement games reading books and playing rhythm instruments
Then from noon to 1230 pm each Wednesday school music teacher Ellie Sharman and I taught simple one- and two-chord song reading and playing on the ukuleles with preschoolers and children grades K-5
Continue reading on Page 9
Gustavus Library Summer Music and Reading with PreschoolersBy Kate Boesser
StoryTRACKS are another way to reinforce the message of Babies on Track and how to encourage our childrenrsquos verbal development Talk Respond Ask questions Connect Keep at it and Sing and
tell stories
For more activities your family can do outdoors visit Exploring Nature on the Best Beginnings website
ldquoThanks to an arts grant from AASB Gustavus purchased 12 new ukuleles and
gig bags used and loaned out from the library during the summer These
instruments were also used during the 2012-2013 school year in the school music
program for youth grades K-12rdquo
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull 7
Arts and Youth Service - cont from Pg 1
Some of the Artist TOPS Arts Projects funded from Tyonek to Kake have included painting community murals in schools and other public places learning how to play ukuleles together putting on spoken word poetry workshops and recitals taking music lessons for marimbas in a band creating public art making kuspuks writing and performing plays learning the basics of filmmaking through making one planting a community garden sewing Tlingit button blankets writing a book about the history of the village putting together a stained glass window creating a string orchestra of five-year-old violinists sculpting clay bones for a national project and composing and performing songs in Tlingit
Although some of the Youth Led Service Projects also included art such as creat-ing a huge mosaic mural on an elementary school outer wall the majority did not From Seward to Brevig Mission recent projects include making and using a classroom composting bin planting community gardens instituting regular Movie Nights for the village with ldquotheaterrdquo popcorn starting a Bike Shop that services all of the bikes in the village painting a ldquoski shackrdquo providing personal care prod-ucts for homeless kids putting together survival kits for seniors sending care packages to college students away from home building a safety ramp for snow machines erecting a ldquoKids Donrsquot Floatrdquo sign providing weekend backpacks filled with food for students and sewing kuspuks with Elders
One of the common threads in all of the arts and youth service projects was how one project seems to lead to another People who enjoy spending time together in meaningful ways want to keep going with other projects The consensus is that communities become better at inclusion and more creative in dreaming up other events and projects that would benefit everyone The surprise in all of this is that the money necessary is usually between $500 and $1000 Best advice for would- be community organizers Make sure that young people have leadership roles and are given support from adults to carry through with projects Adults need to step back in order to allow youth to have meaningful roles to play Everyone benefits then
Lead On is a three-day summit for youth leaders ages 13-18 and community partners across Alaska Participants come together to develop leadership skills for promoting peace equality and respect that can be used in their home communities Lead On youth inspire plan and organize with other youth and adults to work on projects in their communities that promote non-violence and equality in communities
The first application deadline is June 30 2013
Please see the andvsaorg website for further information
Lead On Youth Leadership Summit
Old Harbor
Cooper Landing
Seward
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull
8
All Alaska children begin school ready to succeed ndash thatrsquos Best Beginningsrsquo vision But how do we know if they are ldquoready to succeedrdquo
Herersquos a startling new statistic Fewer than 20 percent of children entering kindergarten in Alaska are prepared in all the ways experts say is impor-tant for success in school Thatrsquos according to figures recently provided by the Alaska Department of Education amp Early Development (DEED) on the results of the Alaska Developmental Profile (ADP) conducted last fall
The ADP is an annual assessment of the skills and behaviors of Alaska chil-dren entering school (things like strength and coordination curiosity ability to regulate impulses attention to task and awareness of print concepts) More information about how the ADP works what it measures is available here on our website
No Alaskan can be satisfied that fewer than 20 percent of our 5-year-olds are fully prepared for the challenges and rewards of their first year of school Itrsquos been demonstrated over and over again that investing time energy and financial resources in the first five years of a childrsquos life pays big dividends over time to the individual and to society as a whole
According to Nobel Prize winning University of Chicago Economics Profes-sor James Heckman ldquoIn an era of tight government budgetshellipthe real question is how to use the available funds wisely The best evidence sup-ports the policy prescription invest in the very youngrdquo
New statistic raises important questionsfrom Best Beginnings
For many high school seniors college or technical school is around the corner For others it may seem out of reach The competitive nature of entry into an institution of higher learning combined with securing financial aid or scholarships to attend can create a seemingly insurmountable hill to climb Some students might not deem it worth their effort too daunting a task or think themselves not worthy
Thirteen years ago Tad Bartimus agreed to share her writing talents with students in a rural isolated community in Hana Hawaii to assist with their col-lege application process She is happy as are a number of students and their families that she did The local school has a high poverty rate including roughly 80 percent of students who are entitled to a freereduced lunch What evolved for Tad and her husband Dean Wariner a fellow writer through their countless hours tutoring and coaching students became the writing workshop Talk StoryWrite Story
Since TSWS began in 2000 college applications in Hana High School graduat-ing classes ranging from 16 to 26 students have tripled and scholarship awards have increased over 1000 TSWS aims to improve students writing skills through development of their self-confidence and independence Because schools of higher education want well-rounded self-sufficient students the program emphasizes both oral and written communication skills In the 13 years
Learning to Talk StoryWrite Story
of coaching students have gained entry to good schools and won scholarships including the Gates Millennium scholarship that covers 10 years of all-inclusive free schooling In 2012 including the Gates awards 11 of the 21 gradu-ates earned $15 million in academic financial aid
Tad and Dean recently visited the communities of Ketchikan and Bethel to share the TSWS program with teachers and counselors in Alaska
Continue reading here (alaskaiceorg)
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull 9
Gustavus Summer Music and Reading - cont from Pg 6
This was attended weekly by six to ten people with each child being helped by a playing adult This was very amazing and fun for children ages 2 to 10 playing each time with their parent or grandparent or another adult in a group Thanks to an Assets grant from the Association of Alaska School Boards Gusta-vus purchased 12 new ukuleles and gig bags used at the library and loaned out from there during the summer These instruments were then used during the 2012-2013 school year at school in the music program for youth grades K-12 They were played daily for 20-30 minutes by the K-1 class of 12 with the teacher and aide by the 2-5 class daily for 20-30 minutes with teacher and aides plus 22 students and by the 6-12 elec-tive music class 4 days a week for one hour by 10 students and their teacher They were played during the Christmas School presentation and during the talent show The ukes are now being returned to the library for Summer ReadingMusic at the Public Library This will continue through the years
By obtaining these instruments I had the goal of adding assets to the lives of youth by partnering children with adults each with a ukulele both learning to play ukulele and singing playing folk songs together with others Reading and learning music weekly has helped create and strengthen youthadult connections making youth feel more bonded to the library and the school with adults committed to their health and education and helping community mem-bers be involved with taking more responsibility for our youth Every Tuesday night all summer in 2012 six to 18 people including three to five middle and high school students (both schoolers and home-schoolers) each time played ukuleles at the library reading words and chords making fine music This continued for the 2012-2013 school year for 9 months Eight middle and high schoolers played ukes and guitars and sang for the townrsquos yearly talent show in April 2013 on stage before the entire town - Kate Boesser
A look at school culture and student well-being
Education Week staff writer Nirvi Shah and contributing writer Ross Brenneman explore some of the nonacademic issues that bear on studentsrsquo learning Join them for insights news and analysis on a wide range of issues including school climate student engagement childrenrsquos well-being and student behavior and discipline
Follow the blog here
Rules for Engagement blogwwwedweekorg
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull
10
Alaska Childrenrsquos Trust (ACT) is fighting to eliminate child abuse and neglect to improve the health outcomes for all of Alaskarsquos kids Research shows that the societal impacts of child abuse and neglect are major and lifelong It impairs a childrsquos physical social and intellectual development resulting in increased risk of poor performance in school mental health problems substance abuse problems with the law and serious long-term health problems
Working together we can all increase the well-being of children and families One of the key ways we can keep children safe is by strengthening families Research shows that when families possess the five protective factors the risk for neglect and abuse diminish and positive outcomes for children youth and families are promoted The five protective factors are parental resilience social connections concrete sup-port in times of need knowledge of parenting and child development and social and emotional competency of children By changing our value system to reflect these five protective factors we begin to change our expectations and policies that help us eliminate abuse
There are many ways we can help build these protective factors Small and simple things include talking to the children in your neighborhood read a book to a child or recognize a child for doing something good Allow children the opportunity to interact with adults - this helps build resilience Offer to watch your friendsrsquo or siblingsrsquo children so they have the chance to relax Volunteer to coach a local sports team or volunteer as a mentor Ensure your work policies support families
As a community we can strengthen our families and ensure the success of our future by investing in our children and families from the start Consistent decisions to sup-port the needs of children are at the heart of a bright future
Alaska Childrenrsquos Trust Working for Healthier Kids and CommunitiesBy Trevor Storrs ACT Executive Director
The Alaska Childrenrsquos Trust is also lead-ing an effort to create a broad-based
statewide network to promote support and expand high quality afterschool
activities for children and youth through-out Alaska For more info contact Trevor
Storrs at ACT 907-248-7676
wwwalaskachildrenstrustorg
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull
6
Imagine a path lined with sign posts and on each sign is a page from a childrenrsquos picture book As your family moves along ndash walking biking strolling ndash you and your children can read the story Reading nature and healthy activity ndash combined
Best Beginnings is inaugurating StoryTRACKS and with the support of a challenge grant from the Anchorage Park Foundation ten picture books will be placed on signs Theyrsquoll be laminated and weather-resistant and mounted on stakes StoryTRACKS can be more or less permanent but this plan is for moveable versions
The possibilities for StoryTRACKS include
bull Circulating to parks trails sledding hills around the municipalitybull Creating a schedule of StoryTRACKS ldquoappearancesrdquo so families can follow stories around discovering new park areasbull Scheduling them for various family events Parks amp Rec events Ski for Kids Day Farmerrsquos Markets picnics in neighborhood parks even birthday parties
How can you help
It will take quite a few volunteers to lay out the picture book pages on the signs readying them for lamination If yoursquod like to participate please contact Barbara Brown and wersquoll let you know when volunteer events are scheduled
StoryTracks Coming this Summerfrom Best Beginnings of Alaska
Note Kate Boesser was the 2012 Summer Reading Musician and Preschool Reader at the Gustavus Library Part of her program goal was to help build as-sets in youth who visited the library
Every Wednesday during Summer 2012 I led music for 40 - 60 summer readers and adults including parents and caretakers (including teens and grandparents) Folk song familiarity patterning rhyming repetition and group participation all help with reading skills
After playing and singing with all children parents and librarians I moved to the west wing of the library with preschoolers and their parents and guardians for the next hour of singing more songs doing rhyming and movement games reading books and playing rhythm instruments
Then from noon to 1230 pm each Wednesday school music teacher Ellie Sharman and I taught simple one- and two-chord song reading and playing on the ukuleles with preschoolers and children grades K-5
Continue reading on Page 9
Gustavus Library Summer Music and Reading with PreschoolersBy Kate Boesser
StoryTRACKS are another way to reinforce the message of Babies on Track and how to encourage our childrenrsquos verbal development Talk Respond Ask questions Connect Keep at it and Sing and
tell stories
For more activities your family can do outdoors visit Exploring Nature on the Best Beginnings website
ldquoThanks to an arts grant from AASB Gustavus purchased 12 new ukuleles and
gig bags used and loaned out from the library during the summer These
instruments were also used during the 2012-2013 school year in the school music
program for youth grades K-12rdquo
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull 7
Arts and Youth Service - cont from Pg 1
Some of the Artist TOPS Arts Projects funded from Tyonek to Kake have included painting community murals in schools and other public places learning how to play ukuleles together putting on spoken word poetry workshops and recitals taking music lessons for marimbas in a band creating public art making kuspuks writing and performing plays learning the basics of filmmaking through making one planting a community garden sewing Tlingit button blankets writing a book about the history of the village putting together a stained glass window creating a string orchestra of five-year-old violinists sculpting clay bones for a national project and composing and performing songs in Tlingit
Although some of the Youth Led Service Projects also included art such as creat-ing a huge mosaic mural on an elementary school outer wall the majority did not From Seward to Brevig Mission recent projects include making and using a classroom composting bin planting community gardens instituting regular Movie Nights for the village with ldquotheaterrdquo popcorn starting a Bike Shop that services all of the bikes in the village painting a ldquoski shackrdquo providing personal care prod-ucts for homeless kids putting together survival kits for seniors sending care packages to college students away from home building a safety ramp for snow machines erecting a ldquoKids Donrsquot Floatrdquo sign providing weekend backpacks filled with food for students and sewing kuspuks with Elders
One of the common threads in all of the arts and youth service projects was how one project seems to lead to another People who enjoy spending time together in meaningful ways want to keep going with other projects The consensus is that communities become better at inclusion and more creative in dreaming up other events and projects that would benefit everyone The surprise in all of this is that the money necessary is usually between $500 and $1000 Best advice for would- be community organizers Make sure that young people have leadership roles and are given support from adults to carry through with projects Adults need to step back in order to allow youth to have meaningful roles to play Everyone benefits then
Lead On is a three-day summit for youth leaders ages 13-18 and community partners across Alaska Participants come together to develop leadership skills for promoting peace equality and respect that can be used in their home communities Lead On youth inspire plan and organize with other youth and adults to work on projects in their communities that promote non-violence and equality in communities
The first application deadline is June 30 2013
Please see the andvsaorg website for further information
Lead On Youth Leadership Summit
Old Harbor
Cooper Landing
Seward
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull
8
All Alaska children begin school ready to succeed ndash thatrsquos Best Beginningsrsquo vision But how do we know if they are ldquoready to succeedrdquo
Herersquos a startling new statistic Fewer than 20 percent of children entering kindergarten in Alaska are prepared in all the ways experts say is impor-tant for success in school Thatrsquos according to figures recently provided by the Alaska Department of Education amp Early Development (DEED) on the results of the Alaska Developmental Profile (ADP) conducted last fall
The ADP is an annual assessment of the skills and behaviors of Alaska chil-dren entering school (things like strength and coordination curiosity ability to regulate impulses attention to task and awareness of print concepts) More information about how the ADP works what it measures is available here on our website
No Alaskan can be satisfied that fewer than 20 percent of our 5-year-olds are fully prepared for the challenges and rewards of their first year of school Itrsquos been demonstrated over and over again that investing time energy and financial resources in the first five years of a childrsquos life pays big dividends over time to the individual and to society as a whole
According to Nobel Prize winning University of Chicago Economics Profes-sor James Heckman ldquoIn an era of tight government budgetshellipthe real question is how to use the available funds wisely The best evidence sup-ports the policy prescription invest in the very youngrdquo
New statistic raises important questionsfrom Best Beginnings
For many high school seniors college or technical school is around the corner For others it may seem out of reach The competitive nature of entry into an institution of higher learning combined with securing financial aid or scholarships to attend can create a seemingly insurmountable hill to climb Some students might not deem it worth their effort too daunting a task or think themselves not worthy
Thirteen years ago Tad Bartimus agreed to share her writing talents with students in a rural isolated community in Hana Hawaii to assist with their col-lege application process She is happy as are a number of students and their families that she did The local school has a high poverty rate including roughly 80 percent of students who are entitled to a freereduced lunch What evolved for Tad and her husband Dean Wariner a fellow writer through their countless hours tutoring and coaching students became the writing workshop Talk StoryWrite Story
Since TSWS began in 2000 college applications in Hana High School graduat-ing classes ranging from 16 to 26 students have tripled and scholarship awards have increased over 1000 TSWS aims to improve students writing skills through development of their self-confidence and independence Because schools of higher education want well-rounded self-sufficient students the program emphasizes both oral and written communication skills In the 13 years
Learning to Talk StoryWrite Story
of coaching students have gained entry to good schools and won scholarships including the Gates Millennium scholarship that covers 10 years of all-inclusive free schooling In 2012 including the Gates awards 11 of the 21 gradu-ates earned $15 million in academic financial aid
Tad and Dean recently visited the communities of Ketchikan and Bethel to share the TSWS program with teachers and counselors in Alaska
Continue reading here (alaskaiceorg)
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull 9
Gustavus Summer Music and Reading - cont from Pg 6
This was attended weekly by six to ten people with each child being helped by a playing adult This was very amazing and fun for children ages 2 to 10 playing each time with their parent or grandparent or another adult in a group Thanks to an Assets grant from the Association of Alaska School Boards Gusta-vus purchased 12 new ukuleles and gig bags used at the library and loaned out from there during the summer These instruments were then used during the 2012-2013 school year at school in the music program for youth grades K-12 They were played daily for 20-30 minutes by the K-1 class of 12 with the teacher and aide by the 2-5 class daily for 20-30 minutes with teacher and aides plus 22 students and by the 6-12 elec-tive music class 4 days a week for one hour by 10 students and their teacher They were played during the Christmas School presentation and during the talent show The ukes are now being returned to the library for Summer ReadingMusic at the Public Library This will continue through the years
By obtaining these instruments I had the goal of adding assets to the lives of youth by partnering children with adults each with a ukulele both learning to play ukulele and singing playing folk songs together with others Reading and learning music weekly has helped create and strengthen youthadult connections making youth feel more bonded to the library and the school with adults committed to their health and education and helping community mem-bers be involved with taking more responsibility for our youth Every Tuesday night all summer in 2012 six to 18 people including three to five middle and high school students (both schoolers and home-schoolers) each time played ukuleles at the library reading words and chords making fine music This continued for the 2012-2013 school year for 9 months Eight middle and high schoolers played ukes and guitars and sang for the townrsquos yearly talent show in April 2013 on stage before the entire town - Kate Boesser
A look at school culture and student well-being
Education Week staff writer Nirvi Shah and contributing writer Ross Brenneman explore some of the nonacademic issues that bear on studentsrsquo learning Join them for insights news and analysis on a wide range of issues including school climate student engagement childrenrsquos well-being and student behavior and discipline
Follow the blog here
Rules for Engagement blogwwwedweekorg
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
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10
Alaska Childrenrsquos Trust (ACT) is fighting to eliminate child abuse and neglect to improve the health outcomes for all of Alaskarsquos kids Research shows that the societal impacts of child abuse and neglect are major and lifelong It impairs a childrsquos physical social and intellectual development resulting in increased risk of poor performance in school mental health problems substance abuse problems with the law and serious long-term health problems
Working together we can all increase the well-being of children and families One of the key ways we can keep children safe is by strengthening families Research shows that when families possess the five protective factors the risk for neglect and abuse diminish and positive outcomes for children youth and families are promoted The five protective factors are parental resilience social connections concrete sup-port in times of need knowledge of parenting and child development and social and emotional competency of children By changing our value system to reflect these five protective factors we begin to change our expectations and policies that help us eliminate abuse
There are many ways we can help build these protective factors Small and simple things include talking to the children in your neighborhood read a book to a child or recognize a child for doing something good Allow children the opportunity to interact with adults - this helps build resilience Offer to watch your friendsrsquo or siblingsrsquo children so they have the chance to relax Volunteer to coach a local sports team or volunteer as a mentor Ensure your work policies support families
As a community we can strengthen our families and ensure the success of our future by investing in our children and families from the start Consistent decisions to sup-port the needs of children are at the heart of a bright future
Alaska Childrenrsquos Trust Working for Healthier Kids and CommunitiesBy Trevor Storrs ACT Executive Director
The Alaska Childrenrsquos Trust is also lead-ing an effort to create a broad-based
statewide network to promote support and expand high quality afterschool
activities for children and youth through-out Alaska For more info contact Trevor
Storrs at ACT 907-248-7676
wwwalaskachildrenstrustorg
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull 7
Arts and Youth Service - cont from Pg 1
Some of the Artist TOPS Arts Projects funded from Tyonek to Kake have included painting community murals in schools and other public places learning how to play ukuleles together putting on spoken word poetry workshops and recitals taking music lessons for marimbas in a band creating public art making kuspuks writing and performing plays learning the basics of filmmaking through making one planting a community garden sewing Tlingit button blankets writing a book about the history of the village putting together a stained glass window creating a string orchestra of five-year-old violinists sculpting clay bones for a national project and composing and performing songs in Tlingit
Although some of the Youth Led Service Projects also included art such as creat-ing a huge mosaic mural on an elementary school outer wall the majority did not From Seward to Brevig Mission recent projects include making and using a classroom composting bin planting community gardens instituting regular Movie Nights for the village with ldquotheaterrdquo popcorn starting a Bike Shop that services all of the bikes in the village painting a ldquoski shackrdquo providing personal care prod-ucts for homeless kids putting together survival kits for seniors sending care packages to college students away from home building a safety ramp for snow machines erecting a ldquoKids Donrsquot Floatrdquo sign providing weekend backpacks filled with food for students and sewing kuspuks with Elders
One of the common threads in all of the arts and youth service projects was how one project seems to lead to another People who enjoy spending time together in meaningful ways want to keep going with other projects The consensus is that communities become better at inclusion and more creative in dreaming up other events and projects that would benefit everyone The surprise in all of this is that the money necessary is usually between $500 and $1000 Best advice for would- be community organizers Make sure that young people have leadership roles and are given support from adults to carry through with projects Adults need to step back in order to allow youth to have meaningful roles to play Everyone benefits then
Lead On is a three-day summit for youth leaders ages 13-18 and community partners across Alaska Participants come together to develop leadership skills for promoting peace equality and respect that can be used in their home communities Lead On youth inspire plan and organize with other youth and adults to work on projects in their communities that promote non-violence and equality in communities
The first application deadline is June 30 2013
Please see the andvsaorg website for further information
Lead On Youth Leadership Summit
Old Harbor
Cooper Landing
Seward
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull
8
All Alaska children begin school ready to succeed ndash thatrsquos Best Beginningsrsquo vision But how do we know if they are ldquoready to succeedrdquo
Herersquos a startling new statistic Fewer than 20 percent of children entering kindergarten in Alaska are prepared in all the ways experts say is impor-tant for success in school Thatrsquos according to figures recently provided by the Alaska Department of Education amp Early Development (DEED) on the results of the Alaska Developmental Profile (ADP) conducted last fall
The ADP is an annual assessment of the skills and behaviors of Alaska chil-dren entering school (things like strength and coordination curiosity ability to regulate impulses attention to task and awareness of print concepts) More information about how the ADP works what it measures is available here on our website
No Alaskan can be satisfied that fewer than 20 percent of our 5-year-olds are fully prepared for the challenges and rewards of their first year of school Itrsquos been demonstrated over and over again that investing time energy and financial resources in the first five years of a childrsquos life pays big dividends over time to the individual and to society as a whole
According to Nobel Prize winning University of Chicago Economics Profes-sor James Heckman ldquoIn an era of tight government budgetshellipthe real question is how to use the available funds wisely The best evidence sup-ports the policy prescription invest in the very youngrdquo
New statistic raises important questionsfrom Best Beginnings
For many high school seniors college or technical school is around the corner For others it may seem out of reach The competitive nature of entry into an institution of higher learning combined with securing financial aid or scholarships to attend can create a seemingly insurmountable hill to climb Some students might not deem it worth their effort too daunting a task or think themselves not worthy
Thirteen years ago Tad Bartimus agreed to share her writing talents with students in a rural isolated community in Hana Hawaii to assist with their col-lege application process She is happy as are a number of students and their families that she did The local school has a high poverty rate including roughly 80 percent of students who are entitled to a freereduced lunch What evolved for Tad and her husband Dean Wariner a fellow writer through their countless hours tutoring and coaching students became the writing workshop Talk StoryWrite Story
Since TSWS began in 2000 college applications in Hana High School graduat-ing classes ranging from 16 to 26 students have tripled and scholarship awards have increased over 1000 TSWS aims to improve students writing skills through development of their self-confidence and independence Because schools of higher education want well-rounded self-sufficient students the program emphasizes both oral and written communication skills In the 13 years
Learning to Talk StoryWrite Story
of coaching students have gained entry to good schools and won scholarships including the Gates Millennium scholarship that covers 10 years of all-inclusive free schooling In 2012 including the Gates awards 11 of the 21 gradu-ates earned $15 million in academic financial aid
Tad and Dean recently visited the communities of Ketchikan and Bethel to share the TSWS program with teachers and counselors in Alaska
Continue reading here (alaskaiceorg)
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull 9
Gustavus Summer Music and Reading - cont from Pg 6
This was attended weekly by six to ten people with each child being helped by a playing adult This was very amazing and fun for children ages 2 to 10 playing each time with their parent or grandparent or another adult in a group Thanks to an Assets grant from the Association of Alaska School Boards Gusta-vus purchased 12 new ukuleles and gig bags used at the library and loaned out from there during the summer These instruments were then used during the 2012-2013 school year at school in the music program for youth grades K-12 They were played daily for 20-30 minutes by the K-1 class of 12 with the teacher and aide by the 2-5 class daily for 20-30 minutes with teacher and aides plus 22 students and by the 6-12 elec-tive music class 4 days a week for one hour by 10 students and their teacher They were played during the Christmas School presentation and during the talent show The ukes are now being returned to the library for Summer ReadingMusic at the Public Library This will continue through the years
By obtaining these instruments I had the goal of adding assets to the lives of youth by partnering children with adults each with a ukulele both learning to play ukulele and singing playing folk songs together with others Reading and learning music weekly has helped create and strengthen youthadult connections making youth feel more bonded to the library and the school with adults committed to their health and education and helping community mem-bers be involved with taking more responsibility for our youth Every Tuesday night all summer in 2012 six to 18 people including three to five middle and high school students (both schoolers and home-schoolers) each time played ukuleles at the library reading words and chords making fine music This continued for the 2012-2013 school year for 9 months Eight middle and high schoolers played ukes and guitars and sang for the townrsquos yearly talent show in April 2013 on stage before the entire town - Kate Boesser
A look at school culture and student well-being
Education Week staff writer Nirvi Shah and contributing writer Ross Brenneman explore some of the nonacademic issues that bear on studentsrsquo learning Join them for insights news and analysis on a wide range of issues including school climate student engagement childrenrsquos well-being and student behavior and discipline
Follow the blog here
Rules for Engagement blogwwwedweekorg
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull
10
Alaska Childrenrsquos Trust (ACT) is fighting to eliminate child abuse and neglect to improve the health outcomes for all of Alaskarsquos kids Research shows that the societal impacts of child abuse and neglect are major and lifelong It impairs a childrsquos physical social and intellectual development resulting in increased risk of poor performance in school mental health problems substance abuse problems with the law and serious long-term health problems
Working together we can all increase the well-being of children and families One of the key ways we can keep children safe is by strengthening families Research shows that when families possess the five protective factors the risk for neglect and abuse diminish and positive outcomes for children youth and families are promoted The five protective factors are parental resilience social connections concrete sup-port in times of need knowledge of parenting and child development and social and emotional competency of children By changing our value system to reflect these five protective factors we begin to change our expectations and policies that help us eliminate abuse
There are many ways we can help build these protective factors Small and simple things include talking to the children in your neighborhood read a book to a child or recognize a child for doing something good Allow children the opportunity to interact with adults - this helps build resilience Offer to watch your friendsrsquo or siblingsrsquo children so they have the chance to relax Volunteer to coach a local sports team or volunteer as a mentor Ensure your work policies support families
As a community we can strengthen our families and ensure the success of our future by investing in our children and families from the start Consistent decisions to sup-port the needs of children are at the heart of a bright future
Alaska Childrenrsquos Trust Working for Healthier Kids and CommunitiesBy Trevor Storrs ACT Executive Director
The Alaska Childrenrsquos Trust is also lead-ing an effort to create a broad-based
statewide network to promote support and expand high quality afterschool
activities for children and youth through-out Alaska For more info contact Trevor
Storrs at ACT 907-248-7676
wwwalaskachildrenstrustorg
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull
8
All Alaska children begin school ready to succeed ndash thatrsquos Best Beginningsrsquo vision But how do we know if they are ldquoready to succeedrdquo
Herersquos a startling new statistic Fewer than 20 percent of children entering kindergarten in Alaska are prepared in all the ways experts say is impor-tant for success in school Thatrsquos according to figures recently provided by the Alaska Department of Education amp Early Development (DEED) on the results of the Alaska Developmental Profile (ADP) conducted last fall
The ADP is an annual assessment of the skills and behaviors of Alaska chil-dren entering school (things like strength and coordination curiosity ability to regulate impulses attention to task and awareness of print concepts) More information about how the ADP works what it measures is available here on our website
No Alaskan can be satisfied that fewer than 20 percent of our 5-year-olds are fully prepared for the challenges and rewards of their first year of school Itrsquos been demonstrated over and over again that investing time energy and financial resources in the first five years of a childrsquos life pays big dividends over time to the individual and to society as a whole
According to Nobel Prize winning University of Chicago Economics Profes-sor James Heckman ldquoIn an era of tight government budgetshellipthe real question is how to use the available funds wisely The best evidence sup-ports the policy prescription invest in the very youngrdquo
New statistic raises important questionsfrom Best Beginnings
For many high school seniors college or technical school is around the corner For others it may seem out of reach The competitive nature of entry into an institution of higher learning combined with securing financial aid or scholarships to attend can create a seemingly insurmountable hill to climb Some students might not deem it worth their effort too daunting a task or think themselves not worthy
Thirteen years ago Tad Bartimus agreed to share her writing talents with students in a rural isolated community in Hana Hawaii to assist with their col-lege application process She is happy as are a number of students and their families that she did The local school has a high poverty rate including roughly 80 percent of students who are entitled to a freereduced lunch What evolved for Tad and her husband Dean Wariner a fellow writer through their countless hours tutoring and coaching students became the writing workshop Talk StoryWrite Story
Since TSWS began in 2000 college applications in Hana High School graduat-ing classes ranging from 16 to 26 students have tripled and scholarship awards have increased over 1000 TSWS aims to improve students writing skills through development of their self-confidence and independence Because schools of higher education want well-rounded self-sufficient students the program emphasizes both oral and written communication skills In the 13 years
Learning to Talk StoryWrite Story
of coaching students have gained entry to good schools and won scholarships including the Gates Millennium scholarship that covers 10 years of all-inclusive free schooling In 2012 including the Gates awards 11 of the 21 gradu-ates earned $15 million in academic financial aid
Tad and Dean recently visited the communities of Ketchikan and Bethel to share the TSWS program with teachers and counselors in Alaska
Continue reading here (alaskaiceorg)
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull 9
Gustavus Summer Music and Reading - cont from Pg 6
This was attended weekly by six to ten people with each child being helped by a playing adult This was very amazing and fun for children ages 2 to 10 playing each time with their parent or grandparent or another adult in a group Thanks to an Assets grant from the Association of Alaska School Boards Gusta-vus purchased 12 new ukuleles and gig bags used at the library and loaned out from there during the summer These instruments were then used during the 2012-2013 school year at school in the music program for youth grades K-12 They were played daily for 20-30 minutes by the K-1 class of 12 with the teacher and aide by the 2-5 class daily for 20-30 minutes with teacher and aides plus 22 students and by the 6-12 elec-tive music class 4 days a week for one hour by 10 students and their teacher They were played during the Christmas School presentation and during the talent show The ukes are now being returned to the library for Summer ReadingMusic at the Public Library This will continue through the years
By obtaining these instruments I had the goal of adding assets to the lives of youth by partnering children with adults each with a ukulele both learning to play ukulele and singing playing folk songs together with others Reading and learning music weekly has helped create and strengthen youthadult connections making youth feel more bonded to the library and the school with adults committed to their health and education and helping community mem-bers be involved with taking more responsibility for our youth Every Tuesday night all summer in 2012 six to 18 people including three to five middle and high school students (both schoolers and home-schoolers) each time played ukuleles at the library reading words and chords making fine music This continued for the 2012-2013 school year for 9 months Eight middle and high schoolers played ukes and guitars and sang for the townrsquos yearly talent show in April 2013 on stage before the entire town - Kate Boesser
A look at school culture and student well-being
Education Week staff writer Nirvi Shah and contributing writer Ross Brenneman explore some of the nonacademic issues that bear on studentsrsquo learning Join them for insights news and analysis on a wide range of issues including school climate student engagement childrenrsquos well-being and student behavior and discipline
Follow the blog here
Rules for Engagement blogwwwedweekorg
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull
10
Alaska Childrenrsquos Trust (ACT) is fighting to eliminate child abuse and neglect to improve the health outcomes for all of Alaskarsquos kids Research shows that the societal impacts of child abuse and neglect are major and lifelong It impairs a childrsquos physical social and intellectual development resulting in increased risk of poor performance in school mental health problems substance abuse problems with the law and serious long-term health problems
Working together we can all increase the well-being of children and families One of the key ways we can keep children safe is by strengthening families Research shows that when families possess the five protective factors the risk for neglect and abuse diminish and positive outcomes for children youth and families are promoted The five protective factors are parental resilience social connections concrete sup-port in times of need knowledge of parenting and child development and social and emotional competency of children By changing our value system to reflect these five protective factors we begin to change our expectations and policies that help us eliminate abuse
There are many ways we can help build these protective factors Small and simple things include talking to the children in your neighborhood read a book to a child or recognize a child for doing something good Allow children the opportunity to interact with adults - this helps build resilience Offer to watch your friendsrsquo or siblingsrsquo children so they have the chance to relax Volunteer to coach a local sports team or volunteer as a mentor Ensure your work policies support families
As a community we can strengthen our families and ensure the success of our future by investing in our children and families from the start Consistent decisions to sup-port the needs of children are at the heart of a bright future
Alaska Childrenrsquos Trust Working for Healthier Kids and CommunitiesBy Trevor Storrs ACT Executive Director
The Alaska Childrenrsquos Trust is also lead-ing an effort to create a broad-based
statewide network to promote support and expand high quality afterschool
activities for children and youth through-out Alaska For more info contact Trevor
Storrs at ACT 907-248-7676
wwwalaskachildrenstrustorg
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull 9
Gustavus Summer Music and Reading - cont from Pg 6
This was attended weekly by six to ten people with each child being helped by a playing adult This was very amazing and fun for children ages 2 to 10 playing each time with their parent or grandparent or another adult in a group Thanks to an Assets grant from the Association of Alaska School Boards Gusta-vus purchased 12 new ukuleles and gig bags used at the library and loaned out from there during the summer These instruments were then used during the 2012-2013 school year at school in the music program for youth grades K-12 They were played daily for 20-30 minutes by the K-1 class of 12 with the teacher and aide by the 2-5 class daily for 20-30 minutes with teacher and aides plus 22 students and by the 6-12 elec-tive music class 4 days a week for one hour by 10 students and their teacher They were played during the Christmas School presentation and during the talent show The ukes are now being returned to the library for Summer ReadingMusic at the Public Library This will continue through the years
By obtaining these instruments I had the goal of adding assets to the lives of youth by partnering children with adults each with a ukulele both learning to play ukulele and singing playing folk songs together with others Reading and learning music weekly has helped create and strengthen youthadult connections making youth feel more bonded to the library and the school with adults committed to their health and education and helping community mem-bers be involved with taking more responsibility for our youth Every Tuesday night all summer in 2012 six to 18 people including three to five middle and high school students (both schoolers and home-schoolers) each time played ukuleles at the library reading words and chords making fine music This continued for the 2012-2013 school year for 9 months Eight middle and high schoolers played ukes and guitars and sang for the townrsquos yearly talent show in April 2013 on stage before the entire town - Kate Boesser
A look at school culture and student well-being
Education Week staff writer Nirvi Shah and contributing writer Ross Brenneman explore some of the nonacademic issues that bear on studentsrsquo learning Join them for insights news and analysis on a wide range of issues including school climate student engagement childrenrsquos well-being and student behavior and discipline
Follow the blog here
Rules for Engagement blogwwwedweekorg
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull
10
Alaska Childrenrsquos Trust (ACT) is fighting to eliminate child abuse and neglect to improve the health outcomes for all of Alaskarsquos kids Research shows that the societal impacts of child abuse and neglect are major and lifelong It impairs a childrsquos physical social and intellectual development resulting in increased risk of poor performance in school mental health problems substance abuse problems with the law and serious long-term health problems
Working together we can all increase the well-being of children and families One of the key ways we can keep children safe is by strengthening families Research shows that when families possess the five protective factors the risk for neglect and abuse diminish and positive outcomes for children youth and families are promoted The five protective factors are parental resilience social connections concrete sup-port in times of need knowledge of parenting and child development and social and emotional competency of children By changing our value system to reflect these five protective factors we begin to change our expectations and policies that help us eliminate abuse
There are many ways we can help build these protective factors Small and simple things include talking to the children in your neighborhood read a book to a child or recognize a child for doing something good Allow children the opportunity to interact with adults - this helps build resilience Offer to watch your friendsrsquo or siblingsrsquo children so they have the chance to relax Volunteer to coach a local sports team or volunteer as a mentor Ensure your work policies support families
As a community we can strengthen our families and ensure the success of our future by investing in our children and families from the start Consistent decisions to sup-port the needs of children are at the heart of a bright future
Alaska Childrenrsquos Trust Working for Healthier Kids and CommunitiesBy Trevor Storrs ACT Executive Director
The Alaska Childrenrsquos Trust is also lead-ing an effort to create a broad-based
statewide network to promote support and expand high quality afterschool
activities for children and youth through-out Alaska For more info contact Trevor
Storrs at ACT 907-248-7676
wwwalaskachildrenstrustorg
Kids These Days bull summer 2013 bull
K T
D bull
10
Alaska Childrenrsquos Trust (ACT) is fighting to eliminate child abuse and neglect to improve the health outcomes for all of Alaskarsquos kids Research shows that the societal impacts of child abuse and neglect are major and lifelong It impairs a childrsquos physical social and intellectual development resulting in increased risk of poor performance in school mental health problems substance abuse problems with the law and serious long-term health problems
Working together we can all increase the well-being of children and families One of the key ways we can keep children safe is by strengthening families Research shows that when families possess the five protective factors the risk for neglect and abuse diminish and positive outcomes for children youth and families are promoted The five protective factors are parental resilience social connections concrete sup-port in times of need knowledge of parenting and child development and social and emotional competency of children By changing our value system to reflect these five protective factors we begin to change our expectations and policies that help us eliminate abuse
There are many ways we can help build these protective factors Small and simple things include talking to the children in your neighborhood read a book to a child or recognize a child for doing something good Allow children the opportunity to interact with adults - this helps build resilience Offer to watch your friendsrsquo or siblingsrsquo children so they have the chance to relax Volunteer to coach a local sports team or volunteer as a mentor Ensure your work policies support families
As a community we can strengthen our families and ensure the success of our future by investing in our children and families from the start Consistent decisions to sup-port the needs of children are at the heart of a bright future
Alaska Childrenrsquos Trust Working for Healthier Kids and CommunitiesBy Trevor Storrs ACT Executive Director
The Alaska Childrenrsquos Trust is also lead-ing an effort to create a broad-based
statewide network to promote support and expand high quality afterschool
activities for children and youth through-out Alaska For more info contact Trevor
Storrs at ACT 907-248-7676
wwwalaskachildrenstrustorg