KCAW Staff, Author at KCAW

Yakutat School District opens to in-person classes

Around 100 students in the Yakutat School District went back to school Tuesday (Sept. 8). After a cluster of cases in late July, the community now has no active cases of the coronavirus. Students will attend classes in-person four days a week, unless they opt for virtual schooling. KCAW’s Erin McKinstry spoke with Yakutat School District’s new superintendent Patricia Hutcherson about the district’s Smart Start plan for the upcoming school year.

Talk of Southeast Alaska — School Openings: Listen Now

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Low levels of Paralytic Shellfish Toxins found near Yakutat

The Yakutat Tlingit Tribe’s Environmental Department says that blue mussels, littleneck clams and cockles collected Aug. 18 and 19 from Ankau Saltchucks and Puget Cove contained low levels of Paralytic Shellfish Toxins. Butter clams from Ankau also contained low levels, and the Tribe continues to advise against their harvest based on past high levels of PSP.

Mt. Edgecumbe High School starts the school year with strict testing and quarantining plan

Mt. Edgecumbe High School devised a complex testing and quarantining plan to bring their students back to Sitka from across the state. KCAW's Morning Host Erin Fulton spoke with Mt. Edgecumbe High School Superintendent Janelle Vanasse about the school's Smart Start plan and how things are going so far.

After 16 cases in three weeks, Kake’s school starts the year with remote learning

Around 100 students started remote classes in Kake on Monday (8-31-20). The school will remain fully remote until the community sees no confirmed coronavirus cases for two weeks. The small, Kupreanof Island community has reported 16 total cases in the last three weeks, according to data from SEARHC. KCAW’s Erin McKinstry spoke with Kake City School District Superintendent Rich Catahay about the school’s plan to balance educational needs and community health and safety concerns.

Southeast Island School District opens to in-person classes

The eight schools in the Southeast Island School District started classes on Monday (8-31-20)--including Port Alexander’s school. Students have the option to take classes online through the district’s statewide correspondence program or to attend full-time, in-person classes. KCAW’s Erin McKinstry spoke with Superintendent Sherry Becker about the district’s Smart Start plan for the upcoming school year.

Three out of four schools in Chatham School District open their doors to in-person classes

On Tuesday (8-25-20) some schools in Chatham School District opened their doors for the first time in five months. Gustavus, Klukwan, and Tenakee Springs are giving students the option to attend classes in-person, full-time. Angoon’s students will work remotely until the end of the month. Chatham School District Superintendent Bruce Houck discusses the district’s plan to operate safely during the pandemic.

Angoon reports its first case of the coronavirus

The City of Angoon’s Emergency Operations Center announced the case Monday evening in a press release on Facebook. SEARHC notified the city of the case. The Angoon City Office is closed until further notice, and the city plans to begin community-wide testing Wednesday.

Brave Heart Volunteers hosts outdoor event to celebrate donors

Brave Heart Volunteers is hosting an event to thank donors to the "Fill the Heart" campaign on Sunday, Aug. 30 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Crescent Harbor Shelter. Organizers are encouraging social distancing and masks.

Tlingit master carver recreates Haida totem pole for Sitka National Historical Park

Tlingit master carver Tommy Joseph is prolific: He’s created nearly twenty totem poles in Sitka alone, not to mention his work around Southeast and in other parts of the state and country. His latest project is a reproduction of the “Waasgo Pole” for the Sitka National Historical Park.