Education

While the COVID-19 pandemic and remote schooling created difficulties for the KYUK Media Ready interns, it did not stop them from creating award-winning radio content. On May 9, NPR announced that KYUK interns Kaylee King of Mekoryuk, Jamin Crow of Bethel, and Ethan Lincoln of Toksook Bay were selected as finalists in the 2021 NPR Student Podcast Challenge. The interns’ podcast, titled “Y-K Delta,” was chosen as a top 15 finalist from over 2,600 submissions.

This story was updated May 2 with more information on LKSD's plans for the upcoming school year.

Some families in Bethel are considering moving if the next school year looks similar to this one. On April 29, 18 parents, teachers, and students, nearly all from Bethel, called into the Lower Kuskokwim School District board meeting. They pleaded with the district to allow students to return to in-person school five days a week, and for sports to resume. The district is taking action to meet those demands.

On April 26, the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation said that Y-K Delta students in all grades can return to in-person learning as long as students maintain proper physical distancing. In updated guidance to schools, YKHC said that students could return to school, even in areas where there is “high transmission” of COVID-19. 

Competitors had a tough time getting to the Yup’ik and Inupiaq Statewide Spelling Bee this year, having to overcome the pandemic and weather just to attend. The competition did have fewer participants due to COVID-19, and a three-day whiteout almost kept one village from making an appearance. But the statewide event began just a little later than planned, starting in the evening instead of the morning.