Dear AAESP Members,
As November arrives, I find myself reflecting on the many reasons we have to be grateful—not just as leaders, but as a community dedicated to shaping the future for Alaska’s children. I want to take this moment to thank each of you for the hard work, care, and commitment you bring to your schools every day. It is your leadership that makes a difference, and I am truly honored to work alongside you.
November also marks Indigenous Peoples Month, a time to celebrate the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Alaska’s Native peoples. As principals, we have a unique opportunity to ensure our schools honor and embrace these traditions, integrating them into our classrooms and fostering a sense of belonging for every student. I encourage you to take time this month to highlight the voices and stories of the Indigenous communities that are woven into the fabric of our state. Whether through partnerships, classroom activities, or community events, let’s celebrate the incredible heritage that makes Alaska so unique.
This season is also a reminder to give thanks for the partnerships that sustain our work. Whether it’s the teachers who go above and beyond, the families who trust us with their children, or the staff who keep our schools running, these relationships are the heart of our success. I encourage you to take time this month to recognize and thank those who make your schools stronger. A simple note or kind word can go a long way.
Looking ahead, we know the challenges of the school year continue, but so does the impact of our collective efforts. From advocating for better resources for our schools to ensuring every child feels seen and valued, the work we do matters deeply. Let’s keep that at the forefront as we navigate the weeks to come.
Finally, I hope you find a moment this month to pause and recharge. Whether it’s spending time with family, connecting with nature, or simply enjoying a quiet moment of reflection, I encourage you to make space for gratitude in your own life as well.
Thank you for all you do, not just this month, but every day. Together, we are shaping a brighter future for our students and communities.
With gratitude,
Lori Rucksdashel
AAESP President
At Dena’ina Elementary School, our vision is Healthy Bodies, Active Minds, Responsible Citizens. We live through these values in a variety of ways, but I would like to highlight our Community Garden and how we tie those principles together with a culminating community event called the Harvest Run.
In the Spring, our classrooms begin learning about growing vegetables and planting seeds in the classroom. Students learn how plants grow, and how to take care of them. In May, students help plant the starts created in the classroom in our DNE Community Garden. Throughout the Summer, Dena’ina families volunteer to take turns tending to and watering the garden.
In the Fall, all classrooms head out to the Community Garden to harvest the vegetables. We have even won awards at the Alaska State Fair the last two years! This harvest is distributed to families in need and prepared for our culminating family engagement event: The Harvest Run! In collaboration with our sister school, Joe Redington Jr/Sr High School, students/parents/families run with the Redington Cross Country team from Dena’ina to Redington and back. Participants receive medals from Healthy Futures Alaska and families join us in eating the Garden Harvest (baked potatoes and salad) together.
This amazing event brings our community together to live our vision of Healthy Bodies, Active Minds, Responsible Citizens.
Read more at our DNE Community Garden Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092199030066
Dear Alaska Principals,
As we reflect on the recent 2024 elections, it is clear that significant changes in state education leadership present opportunities for public education in Alaska. The most current election results, and this infographic from Education Commissions of the States, highlight the shifts in governance that will undoubtedly impact schools and communities across the country. There are 7,800 more ballots to count, according to the Alaska Div. of Elections. Once those votes are tallied, the state will conduct the ranked-choice tabulations for nine contests where no candidate has secured 50% plus one. That ranked-choice tabulation is calendared for Wed Nov 20, time TBA. To add to the intrigue, the uncounted ballots will also impact the final result of Ballot Measure 2, which is an extremely close election.
As you may know and as the infographic reveals, in Alaska, the election resulted in a change of leadership in the State House, which underscores the importance of our collective voice in advocating for the needs of our schools. The new majority coalition lists education funding and reform to the state retirement system as their priority.
Given these changes, it is imperative that we, as educational leaders, strengthen our advocacy efforts to support public education. The decisions made by our state leaders will have a profound impact on funding, the retirement system, major maintenance, and student outcomes. We must be vigilant and vocal in our efforts to influence policies that benefit our schools and communities. The ACSA Joint Position Statement committee is finalizing this year's legislative priorities, and we will mail each of you a copy soon. The JPS will help you create talking points to share with your legislators. Thank you to these principals who sat on the JPS committee that drafted them: Lilly Boron, Heather Conn, Rick Dormer, Jena Fabian, Eric Filardi, Josh Gill, Mike Nigus and Brendan Wilson.
Advocacy is not just about reacting to changes but about shaping the future of education in Alaska. We need to build relationships with newly elected officials, educate them about our schools' unique challenges and opportunities, and collaborate to develop policies that support high-quality education for all students.
During the legislative session, ACSA will keep you informed about the movement of legislation that will impact our schools and students. Please join us every Friday at 1:30 p.m. on Zoom starting January 10th for the weekly ACSA Legislative update meeting. We will run through bill heard during the week, and occasionally have legislators join us to discuss their bill.
Update on the Windfall Elimination Provision
In addition to our advocacy for public education at the state level, it is crucial to address the ongoing issue of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). These provisions unfairly reduce or eliminate Social Security benefits for many of our dedicated public servants, including teachers. The Social Security Fairness Act aims to repeal these provisions, ensuring that our educators receive the full benefits they have earned.
Please contact Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan to express your support for the Social Security Fairness Act, which passed the House and was supported by Rep. Mary Peltola. By advocating for the passage of this legislation, we can help alleviate the financial hardships faced by our retired educators and make teaching a more attractive and viable career choice.
Join Us at the ACSA Legislative Fly-In
I invite you to meet with your state legislators in person and join us at the ACSA Legislative Fly-In, scheduled for March 29-April 2 in Juneau. This event is a critical opportunity for us to come together, share our experiences, and advocate for the needs of our schools at the state level. By participating in the Fly-In, you will have the chance to meet with legislators, learn more about the legislative process, and engage in discussions that will shape the future of education in Alaska. Your presence and participation are vital. Together, we can ensure that our voices are heard and that the needs of our students and educators are prioritized. You can register for the ACSA Legislative Fly-In here.
As principals and educational leaders, it is our responsibility to advocate for the needs of our schools and communities. By strengthening our advocacy efforts and participating in events like the ACSA Legislative Fly-In, we can influence policies that will support high-quality education for all students in Alaska.
Thank you for your dedication and commitment to public education. I look forward to seeing you in Juneau and working together to advocate for the future of our schools.
Please reach out if we can be of assistance.
Be well,
Dr. Lisa S. Parady
Contact Us
Email: jrinaldi@alaskaacsa.org
Website: www.alaskaprincipal.org
Location: 234 Gold Street, Juneau, AK, USA
Phone: 907.242.9989
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/akprincipals
