Each year some 3,000 Sitkans took part in one or more community schools
activities. Sitka Community Schools offer programs to meet the needs and
interests of all members of the community from school based programs, sports,
afterschool child care, swim and summer recreational programs.
Concept of "Community Schools"
Using schools as hubs for public activity makes sense. Schools are one
of our major resources and investments. What better way to make use of
them than through community activities? Traditional school hours leave
plenty of time to schedule them for other uses. In Sitka, over 65 groups
including the Teen Center, Scout Troops, Little League and the Filipino
Community meet in classrooms. School recreational facilities, including
five gymnasiums, the Blatchley pool and track, and multipurpose rooms,
are scheduled and used by literally thousands of Sitkans each year. Affordable
fees are charged for Community Schools programs with scholarships available
to low income youth.
People Power and Community Schools
The people of Sitka are at the core of Community Schools. Each year, over
30 individuals teach classes and share their skills with the community.
Volunteers coach youth sports and help with family game nights. And many
more people take part in and actively support our programs. Community Schools
also provides ways for people, particularly youngsters, to develop their
skills. For example, youth who obtain life guarding certification at Blatchley
Pool and work there during their high school years can learn leadership
skills while gaining a strong sense of responsibility. These young people
are also encouraged to gain additional certifications obtainable through
the Blatchley Pool. This training coupled with the practical experience
of working with people of all ages, increases their potential for success
in the future.
SPECIAL NATIONAL SERVICE PROJECTS
Learn and Serve America
Community Schools is it it's ninth year of a grant from the Corporation
for National Service, which offers student opportunities for volunteer
service. Over the past eight years, over $400,000 has been awarded to the
school district for service learning. The Seniors and Sitka Sound
Youth (SASSY) Program seeks to unite seniors and youth through meaningful
activities such as the Oral History Project, which matches Sitka High School
9th graders with seniors.
Other School based programs also thrive. Sitka High School students
tutor Verstovia twice a week. Sitka High School students earn class credit
for learning through service at various non-profit and public agencies.
Adult volunteers also work with youth in the Sitka School District. Through
the Mentor Program forty adults are paired with youth in mentor relationships
at Verstovia and Blatchley. Students from two 3rd grade classes visit
senior citizens once a week at the Pioneer Home and long term care facility
at Sitka Community Hospital.
Learn
and Serve Web Page
Americorps Vista Project
VISTA - the "domestic peace corps" - is a nationwide program, which places
members in communities to meet the specific needs of that community. There
is no cost to the School District.
America Reads
The Community Schools VISTA project coordinates the "America Reads" early
literacy program by recruiting and placing volunteer tutors or "readers"
in elementary schools and daycares.
Parent - "Tot" Programs
The VISTA project also coordinates proactive family programs and activities
for parents and their children in the birth to five age group. Most activities
are based in the public schools and are open to the entire community.
SITKA COMMUNITY SCHOOLS PROGRAMS
City Wide Recreation
Community Schools organizes and plans city league sports for adults and
youth, open recreational times for all, tournaments, and training for sports
officials. The public has extensive use of the Blatchley Pool, with open
swims, and classes in diving, kayaking, scuba diving, summer swim lessons,
life guarding and more.
Community Projects
Community schools is involved in coordinating and often initiates, community
wide projects, such as the Bike Rodeo, the "Welcome to Sitka" party, and
Family Game Nights. For several years, Community Schools has put out the
"Community Resource Guide" which lists non-profit, private, and public
service groups in Sitka.
Support to the School
Besides increasing support for the school through community involvement,
Community Schools supports the district by offering enrichment classes,
afterschool recreation at the middle school, placing volunteers in schools,
and Service Learning opportunities for students K-12. The volunteer program
includes the mentor project in which 40 adults mentor Blatchley Middle
School and Verstovia students. Scheduling of school facilities for school
and public use is another important function.
Ventures
Ventures, located at the Baranof Elementary School, is an afterschool child
care program for 70 children aged 5 to 11, which features a wide variety
of activities in a fun and enriching setting. During the summer the program
runs 7 am to 6 pm and is usually at Blatchley Middle School.
Classes
Over 40 classes are offered per year for adults and youth alike. They range
from Russian and Spanish to STEP Aerobics, first aid training, gymnastics,
karate, babysitting training, art, and performing arts.
Summer Youth Programs
Summer Youth Programs include a wide range of activities for youth 3 and
older: swim lessons, recreation programs, enrichment classes, youth service
projects. This includes the SCORE program (Summer Camping Outdoor Recreation
and Education) in which 35 youth aged ten to fourteen work to improve local
trails and parks while learning about the outdoor environment. Approximately
400 youth participate each month.
Facility Use
During after-school hours, Community Schools schedules and coordinates
facility use of Baranof/Etolin Gym about 50 hours per week, Blatchley school
for approximately 55 hours, Verstovia and Sitka High School for 12 hours
each. All told, about 65 groups benefit from the use of school facilities
as meeting centers and gym use.
Blatchley Pool
The Blatchley Pool is used extensively by the school and the public for
seven days a week. During the School year, the district uses the pool approximately
35 hours per week, with public use (rentals, open swims, classes) about
45 hours per week. During the summer the pool is used for public use, and
intensive swim lessons take place for youth. The pool Manager provides
continuous lifeguard, CPR, and Water Safety Training opportunities for
staff.
OASIS and Youth Recreation
OASIS (Outstanding Achievement for Students In Sitka) provides academic
tutoring, mentoring, and out-of-school recretional activities for middle
school students. The program is active in providing meaningful activities
for youth outside of school time and continually seeks caring adults to
lead new clubs and events. OASIS provides a summer enrichment program
that includes summer school, reacreation, service projects, and mor.
Between OASIS and other programs, over 500 youth participate in Sitka Community
Schools youth recreation programs year round. If you would like more
information about mentoring or leading a youth program, please contact
the OASIS Coordination.
Community Schools Staff:
Barb Morse, Community Schools
Director
Woody Widmark, Sports
Coordinator
Jane Eidler, Pool
Manager
Karla Horner, Ventures
Supervisor
Norman Campbell,
Learning through Service Coordinator
Bridgett Stokes, Learning
through Service Coordinator
Barb Arndt, Building Secretary
Laura Clark, Teen
Recreation Coordinator
Kathryn Pierzala, Americorps
Rick Petersen, OASIS Coordinator
Lacy Simons, America Reads
Vista Volunteer
Some Links to other Community School Information
Oasis Home Page
Get a Facilities Use Request Form Right Here
Get a SCORE Application Here
Blatchley Pool Swim Schedule
BLATCHLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL
601 HALIBUT POINT ROAD
747-8670 Phone / 966-1462 Fax