Education

During school closures, the Lower Kuskokwim School District is still providing students with meals and the materials necessary for schoolwork. Those will be delivered to students in Bethel starting Monday, March 23.

The district and statewide Yup’ik Spelling Bees for Beginners are cancelled in response to social distancing measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The district tournament was planned for March 18 in Nunam Iqua, with the statewide competition scheduled to follow later this spring in Anchorage. Organizer Freda Dan said that the first Inupiaq Spelling Bee for Beginners has also been cancelled. The spelling bees serve to promote Yup'ik and Inupiaq literacy.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks, Kuskokwim Campus has tightened its restrictions due to the threat of COVID-19. KuC Student Services Technician Danny Nelson said that the campus is only open by appointment. That means students will have to call ahead of time to use computers, talk to advisors, or study on campus. 

On Friday, March 13, state officials announced that public schools in Alaska, including those in the Lower Kuskokwim School District, would be closed to students until March 30 in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Afterschool activities have also been suspended.

On Monday, March 16, Gov. Mike Dunleavy ordered that residential boarding schools, like Mt. Edgecumbe High School, would also have to send students home. He imposed a deadline that the schools be emptied of students by March 27.

During the school closures caused by COVID-19, the Lower Kuskokwim School District will still be offering breakfast and lunch to students. Starting March 23, LKSD will be delivering those meals to students in Bethel. The Lower Yukon School District is also offering lunches to its students.

The University of Alaska system, including the Kuskokwim Campus, is extending spring break, moving most classes online, and canceling events amid the threat of coronavirus. 

Due to the threat of COVID-19, the Lower Kuskokwim School District has canceled all classes next week, March 16-20. This extends the district's spring break by another week.

Bethel schools are releasing early March 4, due to “unforeseen issues with our water systems,” according to an email that Josh Gill, the principal of Gladys Jung Elementary School, sent to parents late Wednesday morning. 

The email noted that the following schools would have early releases at the following times on Wednesday, March 4:

Mikelnguut Elitnaurviat - 1:30 p.m.

Gladys Jung Elementary - 2:00 p.m.

Ayaprun Elitnaurvik - 2:40 p.m.

Bethel Regional High School - 3:30 p.m.