Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
Alaska Native Education
Parent Advisory Committee Meeting
April 1, 2015 5:45 PM – 7:30 PM
Meeting Minutes
I.
PRELIMINARIES
CALL TO ORDER
A. Meeting called to order at 5:55 P.M.
B. Roll Call/Introductions
Members:
Robert Schonberger, Vice Chair (2013-2015)
Cathy Brooks, Member, (2013-2015)
Enei Begaye Peter, Member (2014-2016)
Tanya Kaquatosh, Member (2014-2016)
Renee Linton, Community Representative (2014-2015)
Eli Evans, Secretary/Student Representative (2014-2015)
Unexcused Absences:
Damon Villagecenter, Student Representative
Maxine Dibert, Teacher Representative
Christina Rowlett, Chair
II.
III.
Administrative Support:
Yatibaey Evans, ANE Coordinator
Sandy Kowalski, Assistant Superintendent
Elders/Community Members Present:
Joann Burgess, Board of Diversity
Daphne Gustafson, JOM
Travis Cole, Parent
COMMENTS
A. Elder Sharing: No elder sharing
B. Public Comment (Limited to 3 minutes each, with a total of 20 minutes): No Public Comment
APPROVALS
A. Agenda: Mrs. Kaquatosh motioned to approve the agenda with the addition of Curriculum under
Business. Ms. Linton seconded the motion as amended. Motion carried at 6:10 P.M.
B. Prior Meeting Minutes: Ms. Kaquatosh motioned to approve the meeting minutes with amendments
regarding the Math in a Cultural Context. Mrs. Brooks seconded the motion as amended. Motion
carried at 6:20 P.M.
IV.
REPORTS
A. ANE: Mrs. Evans provided the Coordinator’s report. The report included Native Youth Olympics
updates, Festival of Native Arts collaboration in schools with dance groups, Cheryl Mayo-Kriska
assisted with the ethnicity verification for Alaska Native Science and Engineering applications, and
NYO travel eligibility. The ANE Coordinator has been working with principals to provide
professional development to all school staff. Several of the ANE tutors attended the Alaska Native
Studies Conference. Over Spring Break many of the students participated in the basketball
tournament hosted by JOM and supported by ANE.
B. Assistant Superintendent: Mrs. Kowalski reported on current conversations about Principal
Evaluations, and looking at other models that align with the Danielson model. Teachers have been
providing input.
C. JOM/FNA: Mrs. Gustafson reported on the joint ANE/JOM tutor training on the Southeast Alaska
Native Cultural Immersion, the Storytelling and Basketball tournament, Lathrop’s Student Success
Strategy, a summary of JOM in the schools, and the collaboration between the FNA and ANE
Family Advocates.
V.
BUSINESS
A. Grant Hearing: info., events for next year, & attendance: The Grant Hearing is scheduled for April 2,
2015 from 6:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. Current data on students and information about the past year will
be discussed. In regards to next year’s events the PAC provided these suggestions: Partner with FNA
and TCC for potlucks and highlight academic activities during the ANE specific events.
B. End of the Year Picnic: Venue, food, & election: It was suggested that the Coordinator ask Doyon
facilities dept. if they would be willing to help cook, inform them on the number of shareholders
they have within the district who are future voters. Additionally, suggestions were made on
locations, having a student rep. at each event, and possibly involving VPSO’s at the Picnic. PAC
voted to have the picnic at Pioneer Park.
C. NYO: last competition & state travel: The NYO coaches have been working on the final paperwork
necessary for the state travel following the last local competition. Approximately 40 athletes will be
traveling from Randy Smith Middle School, Tanana Middle School, Ryan Middle School, Effie
Kokrine Charter School, West Valley High School, and Lathrop High School. A mandatory parent
meeting will occur with all the parents of the athletes to inform them of the travel details and
behavior requirements.
D. ANE staff meeting and end of year close: The final staff meeting with ANE personnel will be held
on April 15, 2015 from 8:30 A.M – 12:00 P.M. This would be a good opportunity to say thank you
to everyone if the PAC is able to make it. Additional events that are taking place during the end of
the year are the America’s Culture Week Potluck on April 16 from 5:30 P.M. – 8:00 P.M., the
Yup’ik Cultural Immersion, and the End of the Year Picnic in May.
E. Curriculum: The PAC wants Coordinator to ask Amy Topkok about Math in a Cultural Context and
to see how the pilot went. Mrs. Brooks and Ms. Burges want a follow-up from the Curriculum
Department and indicated that the curriculum needs to be aligned with the cultural standards. It was
mentioned that in Kotzebue all students are taught about the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act
and Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
CLOSING COMMENTS FROM COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Mr. Cole mentioned that as a part of the preliminaries when there are guests, we should inform them that we
allow their input during the different conversation topics.
NEXT PAC MEETING
A. Wednesday, May 6, 2015. FNSBSD Administrative Center room 341 from 5:45 PM – 7:30 PM.
ADJOURNMENT