"Where does Jelly come from?"

Today during my online class through University of Alaska- Anchorage, they asked us to reflect on a journal entry from teaching this year. My thoughts raced back to last week when I was discussing the kids' power to make the choice to be a positive example. We were talking about the value in it, even when good behavior can go unnoticed or make you feel ostracized by your peers who are doing wrong.

From simple tasks within the school community to being a good citizen in the village, it's frustrating for my students to see some community members working diligently and others slacking. Many people including elders have had fuel stolen, windows broken, or boat anchors taken out and thrown causing them unnecessary distress. Some parents won't respond to concerned community members when their children are denting vehicles or 'causing mischief' past curfew.  Discussing these issues with the mayor of Alakanuk, he replied, "That's why I live on the other side of town."  I can say from at least three personal accounts that the Village Police Officers haven't responded to my calls to the main office or cell phones. Many others have stopped trying and will simply look the other way. This makes it harder to stress to my students why patience and perseverance are key for them to be able to create a positive change in the village someday.

While we were having the discussion, the phrase my mother said to me a few times growing up came out of my mouth. "The cream rises to the top," she'd tell me patiently, while I'd feel hot tears run down my face. I'd wrinkle my forehead trying to figure out how that saying fit my situation.

I asked my students if they had any idea what that saying meant. They didn't so I took a few minutes to let them explore this topic.

Since this climate has never been warm enough to support any type of dairy, the students were curious about the whole process. Then they asked questions like, "So butter is made from milk? Really?" "Ice Cream is made from it, too?" and "Cheese is dairy?" After a few more questions like that, I was glad we had covered that because apparently there was need to learn that.

Ready to move on, one student had another question. "Sooo... where does Jelly come from?" Not sure how to respond to that, I asked, "Well, where do you think it comes from? What kinds of flavors do you normally see for Jelly?" They brainstormed some typical flavors-- strawberry, blackberry, grape. I explained that jelly can be made differently, but usually there is some sugar to sweeten it and some type of pectin to thicken it.

Again, I was happy that we had a chance to talk about some things that may seem basic to some, but still complex for others. Then, just as we started to finally move onto our next activity, the student who asked the question piped up, "Huh. I thought Jelly came from Jellyfish!"







Note: I do not know any names of V. P. O. in Alakanuk and have no intention of harming their reputation. The facts stated in this blog are simply facts only experienced by me. I did not share any accounts or experiences by others about trying to reach the police.

Observing the jellyfish at the aquarium in Maui this summer.

High School Cross Country Meet in AUK

 One of our many beautiful sunrises from the deck of the school in Alakanuk.

 With four-wheelers and worktrucks driving through, we set up the starting and finish line next to the school.

 Outside concessions for the community to come watch the race off the deck.

 A four-wheeler led the pack of girls at 10:00 AM. After all girls were finished running the 3.1 mile course, the boys ran. I loved being a part of the races and encouraging the runners.

 Sammy's checkpoint was by the airport road, Sarah was all the way down by the Native store to direct kids to turn around, and Josh Cunningham stood close to my house for another checkpoint. I'm glad Josh was able to make it to Alakanuk; he's my WSUV friend from the program was able to fly in from Marshall to chaperone and help us all out.

 In between races, Sammy and I enjoyed a favorite leisurely activity.

 

Sammy was surfin' the sewer pipes.

 

Alakanuk had three out of four place in the top 15 for the district meet. Two were able to travel to a place near Bethel for regionals which took place today. 

Moose, Maklak, and Bear-- Oh My Mistake!

After telling multiple people that bears do not travel the tundra this close to the coast, I find myself being mistaken. Just recently, a teacher's husband went out with the Fishing and Wildlife guy and reported seeing large bear tracks following a moose just two miles away from Alakanuk.

Then, today the subject was brought back up while my students were watching a DVD with many animals, including a brown bear. The elder who helps in my classroom mentioned to me that many years ago, a bear broke into his nearby cabin. He said he didn't know how the bear got in. I commented, "Yes, bear are strong." He replied while motioning with both hands, "Ya, it knocked down the whole wall of the back bedroom." 

Also, someone else mentioned how they have seen a wolverine in our area. Apparently, there are more things to be wary of other than moose! But then again, sightings of "Hairy Man" (Sasquatch or Bigfoot) and a dog with a human head have also been spotted recently. Some of my students were quite crushed when I told them it was pretty hard to get to the end of a rainbow and there was NOT gold or Leprechauns at the end of it. I guess that leads me to the conclusion to not always believe what I hear and that when I see something, I'll have a better chance at believing it.

Here is a link to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game if you're interested in any hunting maps, seasons, or any other information. (I just found some great teaching resources on there.)

A boy in my class draws a net set across the Yukon with wood floats (now they are made from foam).

Boatride to Emmonak

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This afternoon, I got an impromptu invite from two teachers here who have a boat and wanted to take some people out on a ride to Emmonak. Although, we ran into some pelting raindrops on our ride back home, we were blessed with the opportunity to ride on the water under the beautiful clouds. With sun and rain, we also got to see Emmonak framed with a rainbow on our way to and from our final destination-- the A/C Grocery store.

While showing this picture to my class, they told me "You can't point at the rainbow or it will rain." Also, "If you kill a 'rain spider' (black on the body and red on the legs) it will rain."

My students also said that they need to start wearing their life-jackets in the boat because a "fishing game man might give you a ticket and a fine."

After seeing this picture of kids playing in Emmonak, the students said no one should play on that hill, because it's not theirs to play on, they could get hurt, and a kid from Alakanuk broke his leg running down the pile.

A student in my class Michael says, "This is the electricity from Alakanuk to Emo." They say that when it floods, Emo doesn't have as much power so we need to share. Emo does have wind-turbines, but it doesn't generate enough power so at times they use Alakanuk's.

I didn't really need my sunglasses after all.

A few times we stopped the boat on the way back to check the clearing for moose.

Cross Country Meet in Marshall, AK

This year I am assistant Cross Country Coach for a new teacher, Michael who offered to take on the coaching position. The short season is open for students from 4th grade through 12th grade who like running on the muddy roads in the villages. Although I had crutches and the boot-cast during the season, I was able to help out by timing the kids and helping out with practices and events.

Our meet for the elementary and Jr. High was held in Marshall, AK. This is about 100 miles upriver from us. Some of the students had never traveled for a sport before, so I absolutely loved helping them on their first trip out of the village without their family.

Alakanuk had sixteen runners and two of us coaches. We filled three small Cessna 207 planes, but since we were on their schedule, our planes left at different times throughout Friday. We figured we would have Michael take the first five students. Then the next six students were older and more responsible on the second plane. After we made the list of plane-loads, our Principal came up and asked if any siblings were together on the planes. Confused, I checked and told her that no, they were on separate planes. When I asked why she was wondering, she told me that it was a policy to have kids on separate planes in case the terrible event of one going down. In that case a family wouldn't lose more than one child!

I took the last plane out with the last five, seriously impatient kiddos who really thought we'd be on weatherhold and would never make it out of AUK. After school was out and our plane was late due to bad weather in EMO, I enjoyed teasing them when they'd ask what time we were leaving. I'd calmly say, "Oh 7pm?" Since it was only 4:15pm they couldn't stand it, but then before they knew it we were getting called on the VHF radio. Our school janitor Morris loaded us up in the school truck and took us down the short road to the airport. Watching their eager faces when they asked me numerous questions made me feel special to be a part of their new exciting adventure.

Marshall is having lots of road construction between the airport and the village. Since this is upriver and the land is much more hilly, someone told me they are able to get most of that gravel from a pit close by this road.

 

Since vehicles were limited and our kids are tough, we rode in the back of a Ford pick-up truck probably a mile and a half from the airport. The weather was mild, but the dense clouds from the northwest told us rain was coming soon. Most of us sat on suitcases and bags as we jostled down the gravel road. One tiny girl on our team has the nickname "Tweety" because she is small like a little bird. Her small voice commented, "Man, the trees here are soooo fat!"

 

This is Marshall which was built within the last couple years. The new Alakanuk school will look almost exactly the same, but will be double in size.

I was so excited to be able to hang out with Joshua Cunningham, a friend from my Education program at WSUV! He also teaches 5/6th grade, but at Marshall.

Although, I had had chances to talk with him earlier inside the school, I did not recognize him with all that rain gear on until he walked over to me. He's going to be coming to Alakanuk to see why he should appreciate his new school building. (Honestly, I have no complaints about our current building other than the lack of rooms in our school. It'd be nice to have a staff room and any extra space for tutoring and testing.) I'm excited that Joshua is willing to travel to a different site out on the flat tundra close to the Bering Sea.

 This garbage bag proved to have a couple holes by the time it just completely blew off my foot and I was faced with one soaked muddy boot-cast.

 

The school is on the North side of the Yukon, overlooking the beautiful various colors of the autumn leaves.

 The elementary ladies take their spots in their lanes marked with rocks.

Elementary boys took third place as a team!

 

After flying there Friday afternoon, we returned back to Alakanuk in two caravan planes (they fit nine people each) Saturday afternoon. Our school pick-up dropped them all off at their houses and then one tired assistant coach went home to sleep for twelve hours to get ready for another busy week. We are hosting the High School Cross Country Meet this weekend.