Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
Alaska Native Education
Parent Advisory Committee Meeting
Minutes for March 10, 2015
5:45 PM – 7:45 PM
PRELIMINARIES
I.
CALL TO ORDER
A. Meeting called to order at 6:56 PM.
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)
Eli Evans, Secretary (2014-2015)
Maxine Dibert, Teacher Representative (2014-2015)
Administrative Support:
Emily Leon, ANE Secretary
Yatibaey Evans, ANE Coordinator
Absences:
Christina Rowlett Chair (2013-2015)
Renee Linton, Community Rep. (2014-2015)
Damon Villagecenter, Student Rep. (2014-2015)
Sandra Kowalski, Assist. Super. Elm. Schools
Elders/Community Members Present:
Sean Rice, School Board Member
Daphne Gustafson, FNA Tutor Coordinator
Kathy Halverson, FNA Family Advocate
Margaret Salisbury, Interim Curric. Coordinator
II.
COMMENTS
A. Elder sharing: No Elder sharing
B. Public comment:
1. Sean Rice reported that the School Board is trying to build the budget without knowing
what money is coming. He also encouraged members to call borough legislatures to help
fund school year. Matching last year’s borough contribution of $3.6M would help.
III.
APPROVALS
A. Mrs. Kaquatosh motioned to move “Curriculum Discussion” as first order of Business. Ms. Begaye
Peter seconded motion. Motion carried at 6:00 PM
B. Agenda: Mr. Schonberger moved to approve the agenda. Ms. Begaye Peter seconded motion.
Motion carried at 6:52PM.
C. Prior Meeting Minutes: Ms. Begaye Peter moved to approve the minutes. Mr. Evans seconded
motion. Motion carried at 6:53PM.
IV.
REPORTS
A. Alaska Native Education (ANE): Mrs. Evans, ANE Coordinator, reported on the following Alaska
Native Education Grant Goals.
1. Increase Parental/Family Involvement
1. Mrs. Evans shared that the Native Youth Olympics Fundraiser raised roughly
$1,300.00 at the 2015 University of Alaska Fairbanks Festival of Native Arts.
2. Promote and Provide Culturally Relevant and Enriching Experiences
1. ANE is collaborating with Fairbanks Children’s Museum to develop their diversity
statement.
2. Southeast Cultural Immersion organized by the Fairbanks Native Association
Johnson O’Malley program is set for March 6, 2015. Lt. Gov. Byron Mallot has
agreed to be a guest speaker.
3. Encourage educators to integrate indigenous knowledge and traditions intentionally
throughout curricula
1. Mrs. Evans shared her discussion about midterm grades with principals. She had
worked with staff at their respective schools in brainstorming solutions.
2. Shirley Twogood, Lathrop High School junior, and Brandon Van Hatten, Lathrop
High School graduate, sat on a student panel for the University of Alaska Fairbanks
Alaska Native Studies Conference and shared their experiences in the school system.
4. Improving Academic in all content areas with an emphasis on Math, Reading, and Writing
1. ANE submitted the Title VII Grant with a total student count of 2,136, which is an
increase of 10 kids from last school year.
2. Mrs. Halverson inquired about the population percentage that Alaska Natives and
Native American students take up in the district.
3. Mrs. Evans shared that approximately sixteen percent of the districts student
population is Alaska Native or Native American.
4. Mark Rippy, Alaska Native Education tutor at West Valley High School, held a
webinar through the National Indian Education Association on FAFSA and
scholarship opportunities.
5. Collaboration:
1. Fairbanks Native Association and ANE continually work together on behalf of the
students in the school district. University of Alaska Fairbanks in planning the Alaska
Native Studies Conference to which ANE is assisting. Natives For Positive Change at
UAF sponsored Native Youth Olympics fundraiser table at the 2015 UAF Festival of
Native Arts. Kinross Fort Knox donated $2,000.00 and Arctic Winter games donated
$5,000.00 to the Native Youth Olympics program.
B. Assistant Superintendent: No report due to excused absence.
C. Johnson O’Malley/Fairbanks Native Association: Daphne Gustafson, Johnson O’Malley Tutor
Coordinator, reported on the following:
1. Johnson O’Malley shared that the Storytelling event at public library was a success. JOM
gave out 180 books to attendees.
2. Mrs. Gustafson shared that the following school locations will have tutor positions open:
Lathrop High, Effie Kokrine, and West Valley High.
3. Mrs. Gustafson shared the FNA Basketball tournament will begin the week of Spring
Break at Tanana Middle School gym.
V.
BUSINESS
A. Curriculum Discussion
1. Mrs. Evans prefaced discussion by introducing concerns expressed by the Alaska Native
Education Parent Advisory Committee (ANE PAC).
2. Mrs. Salisbury’s shared that her prior experience includes being a Secondary content coach
and teaching English for eight years at North Pole High School. Mrs. Salisbury shared that
through her experience as Content Coach she has seen teachers work to include Native
curriculum in their teaching. For example, Randy Smith teachers applied for grants and
bought culturally relevant books on their own. Blessings Be and My Name is Not Easy are
two examples of culturally relevant books. They had also introduced Native objects.
Teachers are making concerted effort to find resources that are newly published for their
reading units. She reported that there are 200+ support pieces available for elementary
teachers. Every school has a dedicated area for Alaska Native or Native books. Librarians
in our district work hard to encourage and honor Alaska Native populations.
3. Mrs. Brooks inquired about how the ANE PAC can work with the district to change the
mindset that being “culturally responsive” as not just teaching a unit but needs to become
the continual incorporation in all content areas. She asked, “What can we do to initiate and
make that happen?”
4. Mrs. Salisbury replied that there is no easy answer but she understands the question.
Content Leadership Teams, which include Social Studies, Math, World Language, English,
and Science groups, might be a venue to express these concerns. She said she would
address the concern for a more collaborative effort to share resources or instigate better
communication with leadership teams. She shared that the elementary curriculum reflects
what Mrs. Brooks is asking. Alaska History is mandated by district and many social
studies teachers are trying to incorporate cultural standards. They may not have opportunity
to collaborate with colleagues in science and math.
5. Mrs. Brooks asked if teachers would be receptive to workshops designed to teach them
how to teach subject areas in cultural contexts. She used math as an example: math taught
in cultural context would better reach the Alaska Native and Native American students
because it would be something they are familiar with and can visualize. Ex: Fish in a basket
– two bins to fill – how many fish total?
6. Mrs. Salisbury said she would have to put out a survey to see how teachers would respond.
7. Mrs. Halverson inquired about how well Math in a Cultural Context is working in the
school district.
8. Mrs. Evans answered that Math in a Cultural Context was piloted, but is unsure how it has
been going.
9. Mrs. Halverson shared that there are entire Kindergarten through twelfth grade packets of
complete curriculum ready to be used.
10. Mrs. Gustafson shared that Effie Kokrine Junior High and Denali Elementary Schools
piloted the Math in a Cultural Context curriculum, but may have dropped it. She mentioned
that both schools acquired new principals shortly after piloting began.
11. Mrs. Salisbury shared that Effie has freedom to choose their curriculum because it is a
Charter School.
12. Ms. Begaye Peter shared that she has not seen cultural standards integrated in Kindergarten
through sixth grade. She shared that her oldest child is in fifth grade and has experienced
difficulties with the United States History being taught in schools because it is so heavily
focused on Columbus and his ‘discovery’ of America. She shared her belief that the
textbooks are biased in that respect. Her daughter’s school papers brought home, had a
‘start and end’ date of the Natives in America. She also expressed concern about the
Fairbanks History teachings, which lack Native representation. Her daughter learned the
names of Non-natives, but did not learn any names of influential Natives in the community.
In regards to the term Natives, “Natives were conglomerate Natives,” not respected for
their differences in cultures and tribes. Ms. Begaye Peter also shared concern about
Thanksgiving time (November), when the whole of November has been dedicated to
honoring Native peoples. She shared that there are perpetuated images from schools are
pilgrims, Indians, and Columbus, but not much on the Natives of Alaska. She said, “We
could strive to do better and honor Tribes of Alaska and country. How can we help bring
awareness to Curriculum teams?”
13. Mrs. Salisbury responded by sharing that the ANE PAC should start with content
leadership because there is the feeling of disconnect, where Alaskan traditions and culture
are not honored.
14. Mrs. Begaye Peter responded that Social Studies are areas that can either engage students
to be more involved or can disenfranchise them from being involved in school. She shared
that her daughter is usually an A+ student, but was not doing so well in the month of
November because she was battling the juxtaposition between what she sees in her
community and what she is being taught in school. Ms. Begaye Peter asked, ‘What are
other students feeling?”
15. Mrs. Brooks inquired about how many of books written by, or on Native culture are
available in library and if there is a way we can see how many get checked out and utilized.
16. Mrs. Salisbury replied that the data Mrs. Brooks inquired about cannot be pulled right
away, but there are supplemental books are being used. She shared that books purchased
through Parent Teacher Associations, which include supplemental materials, may not be in
Destiny and shared amongst schools.
17. Mrs. Brooks shared that the often insulting and hurtful material could be replaced by
supplemental material.
18. Mrs. Salisbury inquired about resources she could present to the content leaders.
19. Mrs. Brooks responded with several online resources: Alaskool and the Alaska Native
Knowledge Network.
20. Mrs. Begay Peter shared a resource called “Peoples History for Young People,” in which
the author writes from perspective from ‘other’ in history books. Native identity is ‘other’,
which continues to create gap in education system.
21. Mrs. Halverson shared her experience in working with the Native community. She holds
high regard for the Elders. She shared that curriculum development could draw on the input
from ages that are grown. She suggested the following question to consider when including
Elder input: “What might have helped while they went through the education system?” She
shared that the Elders can help lead to resources. She suggested the Alaska Native
Education program send out a survey with meaningful questions to help obtain resources.
22. Mrs. Kaquatosh shared that she was a student in the Fairbanks School District. As a fifth
grader at Woodriver, she learned about Columbus but stood up to say she did not believe in
what was being taught. Her teacher embraced her stance because she realized that History
as it’s taught in the schools is two-fold; there is what is presented in the books, and how the
information can be interpreted. Mrs. Kaquatosh shared that she doesn’t think every teacher
would have been as accepting of her stance against Columbus. She then posed the
following question: “How do we bring those [teachers/beliefs] up to speed and more
modern and in way that we empower students rather than disregard us as Native people?
How can we get rid of the idea that Natives ‘were discovered’ and ‘were civilized’ because
that is exactly what is engrained in education.” She shared that she finally understands what
internal oppression is, and she ties that to what she has learned in school. She also shared
that she told her younger sister a long time ago that she was Native, and she refused to
accept that because of all the negative interpretations of Natives.
23. Mrs. Evans commented on Mrs. Kaquatosh’s notion of Natives being disregarded. This
disregard for Native peoples, may be the reason the students we serve are not doing as well
as they potentially can. She shared that the PACs concerns have been heard by Mrs.
Sallisbury, and that this is conversation will be continued in the PAC discussion for the rest
of the school year.
24. Mrs. Salisbury thanked the ANE PAC for inviting her to the meeting. She shared that the
Curriculum department is working hard finding money for language arts literature books
that positively reflect Native cultures. She shared that the Juneau district shot down
proposal to buy material that had perpetuated cultural bias on an individual.
25. Mrs. Begaye Peter asked about Alaska Native cultures training for teachers. She shared that
she had brought supplemental materials to her daughter’s principal to distribute among the
teachers, but felt it was not received as she intended.
26. Mrs. Salisbury shared that Alaska’s teachers are required to take Multicultural credits
within a year of being hired if hired from outside of Alaska. She also shared that Alaska
teacher certification required Alaska Native studies courses.
27. Mrs. Brooks shared that learning Native languages helps to learn about culture because
language is naturally integrated. She inquired about Alaska languages courses being taught
in schools.
28. Mrs. Halverson asked about the possibility of having Native entities, like the Fairbanks
Native Association or the Tanana Chiefs Conference, come to present at professional
development days for teachers.
29. Mrs. Evans shared that she inquired about presenting to teachers during professional
development days.
30. Mrs. Salisbury shared that teachers are given so much and may be resistant to ‘more,’ but
to contact principals for professional development. She shared that Professional Learning
Communities may also be a viable venue.
B. Resolutions
1. Mrs. Evans shared on the process of submitting a resolution, which starts with presenting it
to Dr. Karen Gaborik. Then the resolution is presented to the School Board President, Heidi
Haas, then to the Diversity Board or directly to Board. Mrs. Evans asked the PAC to come
up with the points for the resolution honoring the late George Attla.
C. Finalization of Grant Goals
1. Mrs. Evans shared that ANE sent out the Needs Assessment survey to all families to weigh
in on the Grant Goals. Emily Leon, ANE Secretary, compiled their responses on one sheet.
2. Mrs. Evans shared that the bi-weekly school board meetings have three-minute time slots
for community members and attendees to comment on any topic of their choosing before
the meeting, as well as after each consent item has been presented. She shared that at the
last school board meeting, construction managers for the new Ryan Middle School building
showed the new floor plan, and Mary Pat Shaffer, a tutor for the FNA JOM program,
expressed concern about where the ANE/JOM room would be located.
3. Mrs. Evans recognized Jamie Hallen, ANE Tutor for North Pole Middle School, at the
Board meeting for receiving the Extra Special Staff Person award.
4. Mrs. Evans encouraged the PAC members to take time during the school board meetings to
express concerns regarding the future of the Alaska Native Education program so that it is
in the minds of people in the community.
D. Consent Agenda Items
1. Mrs. Evans shared about Consent Agenda Items which help to expedite the meeting
process. She asked the PAC if they would prefer to have Consent Items pre-approved for
future PAC meetings. PAC unanimously agreed.
E. April-June Events
1. ANE Grant Hearing: April 2, 2015 in the Fairbanks School District Admin Center room
341 from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
1. Mrs. Evans shared that she will present the ANE Grant goals in a power point along
with data regarding the students ANE serves.
2. Mrs. Evans inquired about what the PAC would like to have included in the hearing.
a. Mrs. Kaquatosh asked if low grades list information will be shown.
b. Ms. Begaye Peter suggested including the parent comments from the Needs
Assessment survey.
c. Mrs. Dibert suggested sharing data on parent access to power school.
2. America’s Culture Week: April 16, 2015 at Ryan Middle School from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
English Language Learner Program partnering with ANE to host potluck.
3. ANE Picnic: Mrs. Evans inquired about the PACs preferred date for hosting the End of the
Year ANE Picnic.
a. PAC decided on May 8, 2015 at Alaska Land.
F. Seat Names
1. Mrs. Evans asked the PAC to think of prospective members to run for open seats.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
CLOSING COMMENTS FROM COMMITTEE MEMBERS
A. No closing comments.
NEXT PAC MEETING
A. Wednesday, April 01, 2015. FNSBSD Administrative Center room 341 from 5:45 PM – 7:45 PM.
ADJOURNMENT
A. Mr. Schonberger motioned to adjourn. Mr. Evans seconded motion. Motion carried at 8:03 PM.