Education

When Y-K Delta villages locked down travel several months ago, the Lower Kuskokwim School District had to shut down construction on several new schools being built. Throughout the beginning of summer, construction crews have taken advantage of the relaxed restrictions to resume work. It’s a fragile arrangement, as new COVID-19 cases threaten to bring back village travel restrictions.

This fall, social distancing at the Lower Kuskokwim School District will mean fewer students at a time in school buildings, and there will be new ways of staying connected while students learn from home.

Resiliency and overcoming obstacles on the way to adulthood are common themes of commencement speeches. This year, those themes took on new meaning when addressed to the region’s 2020 high school graduates.

Doing schoolwork at home is tough, especially in rural villages where internet is limited and access to teachers requires a phone call. But that that’s what many students have been forced to do during the coronavirus pandemic.

With a pandemic looming over the whole world, one of the biggest disappointments came as a blow to the graduating seniors of 2020. Due to social distancing mandates, the classes of 2020 were not able to celebrate their accomplishments with family, friends, and teachers. KYUK wanted to give each senior the opportunity to hear their name publically shared over the radio, and the chance to be recognized for their accomplishments. KYUK reached out to the Kuspuk School District to participate in the radio graduations. Congratulations to the Aniak Jr. Sr. High School's and George Morgan Sr. High School’s graduating classes of 2020! 

Graduating seniors could not gather with family, friends, and teachers for a commencement ceremony this spring. KYUK wanted to give them a graduation over the radio so that they could hear their names read aloud publicly and share in traditional commencement addresses. KYUK reached out to schools in the Lower Kuskokwim School District to participate in the radio graduations, and many were happy to partner. Congratulations 2020 graduates!