By Kris Malecha
Special to the Turnagain Times
This winter has been a flurry of activity at Girdwood School. We have some exciting news to share about Battle of the Books, the State Spelling Bee, Jr. High Cross Country Skiing, and a technology grant that will enhance the classrooms at Girdwood School. Last but not least, a reminder to vote April 1 and say “YES” to School Bonds!
But first let’s start with some big THANK YOU’s to area businesses for their recent support! The Bake Shop, Glacier City Realty, ReMax of Alyeska, the Double Musky, Girdwood Clinic, as well as the Markel and Gallup families all gave generously to the new cross country ski gear the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) recently purchased for the school. Kids in all grades are now able to include cross-country skiing in their PE program thanks to these donations, PTA funding, and the extremely generous cooperation of Bob Hodson, owner of Barney’s Ski Chalet. The kids really enjoyed their cross-country ski unit in PE and hopefully will begin to learn a skill they enjoy for a lifetime.
To the Alyeska Resort, including the ski school staff and mountain managers, a big THANKS for once again making the Girdwood School Ski Program a huge success. We are indebted to the Resort for their years of encouragement and accommodation to help us give this great opportunity to our kids.
Now onto the kids! Girdwood school continues to be “the team to beat” at the Battle of the Books. This program involves reading and recalling details from several different books. Teams compete in Regional Battles in February, then on to the State level competition for the top finishers. Placing seventh at Regionals were Nick Crews, Annika Flynn, Tim Davis, and Jim Henderson. Placing ninth at Regionals in grades 5-6 were: Gilly Szweda Mittelstadt, Preston Epley, Christina VanDenHoogen, and Caleb Chandler. Taking fourth place with only three missed questions at the third/fourth Regional Battle were: Noah Malecha, Hannah Lukes, Maya Daniel and Frances Carlisle. And our First Place team for third/fourth was: Susannah Doepken, Moriah Doepken, Jean Larson-Rein, Dylan Charnon. This team did not miss a question at Regionals, and went on to tie for Second Place at the State battle the following week! Girdwood School is extremely proud of all Battle participants.
Tucker Jonas and Nick Crews represented Girdwood in the State Spelling Bee at the PAC in Anchorage on Feb. 29. Nick went out on the word “batik.” Tucker went on to finish ninth, missing “acquiescence.” Great job guys!
Girdwood may have the smallest little team in the sport of Junior High Cross Country, but they sure do shine at the races! Skiing for Girdwood this year at the grades 6-7 level were: Chanc’ Deschampps-Prescott, Max Durtschi, Sage Dudick, and Matt Malecha. Skiing at the eighth grade level were: Brent Carse, Ben Daniel, and Tucker Jonas. Girdwood took first place in Boys sixth/seventh JV Freestyle and fourth in eighth Varsity Freestyle at the recent State Championships! Every week they raced hard, placed well, and had a great time. Thanks to coaches Dave Robinson, Karl Skustad and Mark Jonas, who do a great job not only training the skiers for races, but helping them learn how to wax and care for equipment in a variety of weather situations, encouraging team sportsmanship, and making sure everyone has fun. Thanks Coaches, for a great season.
From the Staff side of the school, we are excited to announce the award of $10,000 in technology funding for Girdwood School! Three of our teachers participate in the Anchorage School District “Technology Teacher Leaders” program which includes specialized training, creating a technology grant project, and if awarded, implementing this project in the coming year. Teachers Julie Doepken, Joan Lower and Kari Schmideke worked with Principal Kathy Recken to write and apply for the grant project this year. Being selected as one of 12 district schools to receive funding was a big accomplishment for the teachers and school! The award will have lasting benefit for all Girdwood students as they enjoy learning to use the two mobile, interactive Smart Boards and student slates in the classroom.
Finally, we want to encourage everyone to get out and vote on April 1, and help the School Bonds pass. The School Bonds this year include $300,000 for planning money for Girdwood School, which we need to begin the longer-term process of remodeling the school to meet student needs. The Anchorage School District is committed to bringing forward Bond Packages that are equal to or less than the Bonds they are retiring; we hope this earns the confidence of the voters and results in Bonds that pass each year. Thank you for your community support of Girdwood School!
Kris Malecha is the PTA President of Girdwood School.
Girdwood Parks and Recreation is partnering with area skateboard park users to design, plan and fund renovations to our local skate park. In order to begin the fundraising required to accomplish this project, they are applying for a grant from the Anchorage Parks Foundation called a “Challenge Grant”. These grants are given to local communities who want to undertake a reasonably sized project to improve a local park. One recent and extremely successful use of the Challenge Grant is the new Girdwood Playground. This year $300,000 is available in amounts up to $40,000. The Parks and Recreation hopes to be awarded $40,000 for the skate park renovations.
The Challenge Grant application suggests written support from a wide base of community members will increase the likelihood that the grant will be awarded. The Parks and Recreation is asking Girdwood residents to write a letter of support that they can include with the Grant application and demonstrate the need for the community to make these changes.
If residents feel that updating the skate park will be advantageous to the community then the Parks and Recreation urges members of the community to write a letter stating so and mailing it to: Girdwood Board of Supervisors, Attention John Gallup, Parks and Rec. Supervisor PO Box 390 Girdwood, AK 99587 Or email your comments to: gbos@Muni.org.
By Chuck Hinson
Special to the Turnagain Times
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Julie Jonas/Four Valleys Community School Dylan Charnon, Noah Malecha and Reiker Durtschi ski in the Snowball Biathlon on Feb. 18. |
People in Girdwood will NEVER let things like the weather interfere with fun activities and good times. For example, the bleak midwinter rain could have destroyed the spirit of Stumpy’s Snowball Biathalon, held Monday, Feb. 18. Do you think it did? No way! In celebration of Stumpy Faulkner and his love of Girdwood, and sponsored by Barney’s Sports Chalet, die-hard cross-country skiers showed up at Moose Meadows to participate in the free event. There was a mass start 1 K loop with three targets, and for little skiers a shorter loop with no targets. The event was also sponsored by the Ice Cream Shop, Four Valleys Nordic Ski Club, Four Valleys Community School and Healthy Futures. Every child who entered the biathalon received a medal and a prize.
Winter/Spring classes are underway at FVCS and will continue through early May. There is still space available in some classes. The full program offerings are listed on www.fourvalleys.org (if you did not see the purple Program Guide that was in your P.O. Box in late January). We are currently working on summer program offerings; stay tuned for details.
Volunteer Spotlight: This month we’d like to highlight Ross Silkman. Ross has consistently assisted with FVCS Registration, and volunteers to monitor Men’s Hoops on Tuesday evenings. He literally and figuratively stepped up to the plate when he saw Winter Baseball offered in the Program Guide. He called the instructor, Dan Shantz (another great volunteer!) and offered to help with the class!! THANK YOU, Ross!
And what would mid-winter be without Beach Blanket Bingo? Sponsored by FVCS, a very successful bingo night was held at Meadows Community Center on Feb. 9, with Jim Doepken calling games. There was also a silent auction fundraiser held in conjunction with the event. Thanks to Jim and to everyone who participated, and a very special thanks to all the business who made donations.