Congratulations to these 2003 Star Award Winners
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ASD Star Award Winner
Anchorage Police Department
Lt. Gardner Cobb, 786-8753
partnered with
Anchorage School District
Carol Comeau, Superintendent, 742-4000
The Anchorage Police Department is an asset to the students,
parents and employees of the Anchorage School District. Through its proactive
involvement with schools, the police department fosters positive relationships
among students, school staff and law enforcement officers.
Striving to ensure the safety of students and school staff,
officers have conducted crisis response training sessions at every school.
This three-hour training teaches school staff how to prevent and prepare
for crisis situations, and what to expect from police during a crisis.
APD also reviews school crisis plans.
The department’s canine unit gives numerous elementary
school presentations that reinforce the anti-bullying messages being taught
in schools. The officers and their dogs make a positive and lasting impact
on the young students. In fact, officers and teachers at five schools
formed “Bully Busters” teams with students.
Other officers have made hundreds of classroom presentations
on topics such as personal safety, alcohol and substance abuse prevention,
violence prevention and gang related issues, traffic laws and rights,
and career opportunities in law enforcement.
The police department continually communicates with the
superintendent and others about juvenile crime and safety issues in the
community, which helps the district prepare for and minimize the impact
these events could have at school.
Through a cooperative APD-ASD initiative, Anchorage received
a Cops in Schools Grant in 2003 that enabled the city to hire 13 police
officers who will be specifically assigned to juvenile crime and safety.
The officers will be housed in high schools, but will work with students
from all grade levels at all schools. During the summer the officers will
focus on juvenile issues in the community, such as vandalism, drugs and
alcohol, and curfew violations.
Beyond the various programs and avenues of communication,APD
staff have shown a personal level of involvement with our schools that
rises far above and beyond expectation. For that, the Anchorage School
District gives heartfelt thanks and praise to the men and women of the
Anchorage Police Department.
Star Award Winners
The New Anchorage Aces, L.L.C.
Diane Johnson, Community Relations, 258-2237
partnered with
Tudor Elementary School
Lindsay Henry, Principal, 742-1050
The Anchorage Aces have been an ASD School Business Partner
since 1998, but three years ago they developed a recreational reading
program,“Skate-into-Reading,” which promotes the importance
of reading and education through the use of professional athletes as positive
role models. This year, the Aces made appearances at fifteen different
elementary schools. During the school visits, the players read to children,
passed out free books, and talked about the importance of reading, staying
in school, and teamwork. In partnership with Subway, Xpress Lube, the
Imaginarium, and Fred Meyer, they were able to give the students coupons
as incentives.
As the only professional sports team in Alaska, the Aces
feel they have an important niche to fill in Anchorage. Using the players
to promote the importance of reading to school-aged children is their
top priority in community relations. The Aces have been making visits
to elementary schools for several years, but the inspiration to turn those
visits into an opportunity to promote reading came four years ago. Creekside
Park PTA, in conjunction with a recreational reading program, contacted
the Aces to do an appearance. After seeing the excitement generated by
their visit, they decided to create a program that they could offer to
other schools as well. This year,with the help of other corporate sponsors,
the program was offered to fifteen schools!
Students look forward not only for a chance to meet their
favorite hockey player, but also for the chance to earn great prizes by
reading. At Creekside and Tudor, the PTA’s have become involved so
that additional prizes can be offered to encourage participation. Baxter
Elementary School was one of the new schools that participated in the
program with the help of Baxter Community School and the Baxter Reading
Committee.
While many schools have their own recreational reading
programs, the Aces are able to contribute in a very different and special
way. Their presence and assistance help to encourage the reluctant or
disinterested reader. The Aces look forward to the continued success of
“Skate-into-Reading!” The New Anchorage Aces deserve this recognition
for their contributions to ASD and their dedication to the lifelong learning
of our students.
Alyeska Pipeline Service Company
Janie Leask, Community Relations, 787-8565
partnered with
Russian Jack Elementary School
Karen Shaw, principal, 742-1300
Russian Jack Elementary values their partnership with
Alyeska Pipeline and its employees. Alyeska has impacted Russian Jack
students’ academic success, as well as offering financial support.
They’ve also provided role models and friendship for the students.
PAIR (Partners Assisting in Reading) Program - On a daily
basis, 15 Alyeska employees volunteer about one hour each to two or three
struggling readers. For many students, it is their only chance to sit
with an adult and read. RCCP (Resolving Conflict Creatively Program) –
RCCP teaches choosing peaceful solutions to problems.
Alyeska provides the facility to train student mediators and money to
pay for a Mediator Coach on the playground.
On a yearly basis,Halloween trick or treating for all
Russian Jack classes is hosted at the Alyeska facility. The employees
decorate the building, dress in costumes and provide treats for a safe
Halloween experience.
A Thanksgiving Feast for students and staff is provided
at the school on a yearly basis. For some children, this is their only
turkey dinner. The “formal” atmosphere is an excellent experience
for all the students.
Other donations include the following:
$500 in books during the 2002 United Way Campaign
P.E. equipment,math supplies, clothing for students and families, pizza
parties
Chaperones for field trips and academic tutors
Academic incentivesWhen Russian Jack was severely damaged by fire
in December of 1998, Alyeska was the first to step in to help. They
were extremely generous and donated building space to be used as classrooms,which
was essential for school to continue. They also donated furniture, office
supplies, books, and many other supplies that helped get Russian Jack
up and running.
Augie Hiebert
Augie Hiebert, Father of Communications in Alaska, 272-7019
partnered with
Mirror Lake Middle School
Emily Blahous, Technology Facilitator, 742-3500
When Mirror Lake Middle School opened over six years ago,
Tech Facilitator, Emily Blahous knew it had the capability for close circuit
broadcasting. Experimentation ensued and by the second year, a student
video team was established and the school news was broadcast several days
a week. The impact on the school was immediate!
Team members were experiencing the “real world”of
broadcasting. Members came in before school to ready the broadcast and
experienced the stress of a deadline. The Video Team gained stature in
the eyes of their peers.
Almost three years ago, Mirror Lake’s Video Team
invited Mr. Augie Hiebert and daughter Cathy Hiebert to watch the Team
produce the morning video news. Augie was immediately intrigued with the
sophistication of equipment, enthusiasm, and tremendous impact on the
student body. He saw potential and opportunities for communication that
stretched well beyond the closed circuit, daily morning video news broadcasts.
His enthusiasm helped to even further support the School Business Partnership
with Channel 11 – the station that Mr. Hiebert founded many years
ago.
With his highly respected and well known pioneering development
in the field of Alaska’s communication systems,Augie’s contacts
are innumerable. They not only reach all over Alaska, but also extend
across the United States. He has tapped these contacts and resources to
share with Mirror Lake! He regularly brings distinguished visitors to
watch the broadcasts.
With Mr. Hiebert’s help,Mirror Lake now has its own
fledgling radio station – CAT! He introduced station managers and
professors from the University of Alaska Anchorage's Communication and
Journalism School. Weekly broadcasts can be heard over UAA’s KRUA
station on Sundays. The partnership with UAA has been very valuable and
Mirror Lake is now applying to the FCC for a low frequency FM station,
which will allow broadcasts to parents and community!
Augie Hiebert is our mentor, our teacher, but most of
all, our friend!
Rookie Award Winner
Fort Richardson
Brian Griggs, YESS Director, 384-7500
partnered with
Bartlett High School
Chuck Fannin, Principal, 742-1820
Three programs have come to fruition through this School
Business Partnership:
Adolescent Substance Abuse Counseling Services (ASACS)
Youth Education Support Services (YESS)
Planning Academic Career Excellence (PACE) program
– a two week transition and orientation program for students
new to Bartlett High School and the ASD. It consists of six sessions
that can be completed in a two week time frame. Sessions include a
school tour, an introduction to the Bartlett High School Community,
dealing with change and stress, an introduction to Anchorage and the
state of Alaska.
Brian Griggs,YESS Director, attends Bartlett’s parent
advisory meetings as well as many athletic events and school activities
at Bartlett. Brian is a co-instructor with Leesa Wingo and Diana Lloyd,
Bartlett staff members. Neither the after school programs nor the PACE
programs is limited to military children and is open programs for all
Bartlett students.
These programs have served over 200 students at Bartlett
during the 2002-2003 school year. Fort Richardson works with Bartlett
administration to address concerns and needs of the school in all areas
that are impacted by Bartlett’s close proximity to the base.
Fort Richardson’s Buckner Physical Fitness Center
is Bartlett’s emergency relocation site. Army recruiters have been
present with the Army Hum Vee at a variety of Bartlett events. It is this
kind of presence at Bartlett that makes this School Business Partnership
an outstanding success and worthy of recognition.
Educator Award Winners
Tam Agosti-Gisler
Central Middle School teacher
Johanna Naylor, Acting Principal, 742-5100
“Tam’s eyes gleam with excitement when she teaches
students in her French classes and when she leads her School Business
Partnership Class students through the countless hours of service opportunities.
Her professional commitment to her students and the community are qualities
that have led Central students into successful leadership roles.
Her students meet her high expectations because of her
‘can do’ attitude and because of her faith in them as individuals
and as a team. She is a treasure and her students know it. The community
knows it. Our Central Staff knows it. When Tam speaks, we all listen.
Her greatest talent is that she motivates her students through her passion
for community service and responsibility. Tam sets the bar quite high
for students and demands excellence. She then gives them the knowledge,
the skills, the experience, and the motivation to reach that bar. Teachers
such as Tam are priceless and hard to find. The staff, parents, students,
and community members respect her. She motivates us all.”
Johanna Naylor,Acting Principal,Central Middle School
of Science Tam is the coordinator for Central’s School Business Partnerships
which include:
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB), YESS/Fort Richardson,
Mary Conrad Center,Key Bank,Alaska Joint Electrical Apprenticeship and
Training Trust (AJEATT), Aurora Vending, Blockbuster Video,Kid’s
Kitchen,Alaska Youth as Resources.
Examples of Central’s Semi-Annual or Annual Projects:
Pennies for the Penniless to benefit Kid’s Kitchen
($17,047,00 raised since 1997)
ACVB Wild About Anchorage Trivia Contest to increase awareness of Anchorage
and surrounding areas among 7th graders district-wide.
Mock Job Interviews and Job Shadow Days with business partners and other
companies to teach students interview and resume skills and expose students
to various careers
Key Bank Neighbors Make the Difference Day trash collection
ACVB City of Lights tree decorating
Play backdrops,Christmas caroling,Valentines,& Easter eggs for Mary
Conrad Center
Kathy Vik
Chugiak High School teacher
partnered with
Subway of Alaska
Chris Wilson, Vice President, 563-4228
“I cannot think of a more deserving individual for
this award. There is no other educator that embodies the true spirit of
School Business Partnership like Kathy Vik. Kathy has set the standard
for this inaugural award for years to come.”
“It would be tough to pin point one specific reason
for this nomination, so I’ll give a brief summary of Kathy’s
involvement with School Business Partnerships. I first met Kathy while
she taught the Mears School Business Partnership Class, here are some
of her outstanding accomplishments:" Chris Wilson,Vice President
– Subway of Alaska
2001 – initiated the SBPC program at Dimond High
School
1998 – received the Golden Heart Award for Mears SBPC
Mears SBPC performed 5,000+ hours of community service annually from 1997
Awarded four grants to support service activities
Developed high school internships with business partners
Developed,coordinated and maintained 12 School Business Partnerships
Initiated independent study for School Business Partnership at Chugiak
High School
Developed recognition program for students and business partners
Helped organize the School Business Partnership Board lunches and kick
off breakfast (set-up, takedown, hostesses, and centerpieces)
Highlights of Kathy Vik’s SBPC Activities at Mears
(1997-2002):
Kid’s Kitchen fund raising and parties
Take a Veteran to School
Adopt a pet with Friends of Pets
Hats off for the Homeless
Anchor House Christmas parties
Toys for Tots with the Marines
Senior Citizen Activities
Bean’s Café (wool sock and hat drive)
Veteran’s Domiciliary (decorations and parties)
Turkey Drive for 4A’s (Aids patients)
Clowning with kids at Alaska Regional Hospital
Student Award Winner
Mears Middle School Media Literacy Team
by Carrie Sumner, teacher
Georgia Taton, principal, Mears Middle School 563-4228
Mears SBPC Media Literacy Team Members: Nicholas Heise,
Tori Hite, Kara McNeal, Megan Morton, and
Jessica Richards
This nomination is not for individual students, but a team of students
who have taken on a daunting task. These students have taken it upon
themselves to educate their fellow students about the manipulation of
our culture by the media.
In the fall of 2002, the five team members attended the Safe and Drug
Free Schools’ Media Literacy training. The students attended a
full, two-day training. After attending the training, they were upset,moved
and inspired by what they had learned.
They were challenged to come up with a school plan. They planned an
all out attack on media literacy that was three-fold: 1) Inform the
staff about the importance of Media Literacy Education; 2) Create an
inspiring 45-minute lesson plan for students and finally; and 3) Teach
the Media Literacy Training themselves as a team.
With the plan in hand, they went to Principal Georgia Taton to propose
their ideas. She was more than receptive and put them on the calendar
for the following day’s staff meeting. The students presented the
information and let teachers know they were ready to be booked for classes.
“The team taught over a dozen classes to seventh and eighth graders.
The staff raved about the classes and the student participants often
stated that they had learned a great deal from the trainers. Students
are shown a short film to explain the harm that can come from the impact
of media, like ads for alcohol and tobacco. They help kids see the truth
about why you would not want to buy the product. It’s an empowering
tool for kids. The Media Literacy Team has gone above and beyond the
call of duty in their quest to help fellow students make good choices.
They are willing to stand up and say, ‘Alcohol and tobacco are
not cool. The only reason some people think that is because the media
tricks us into thinking that.’ The impact that these students have
had on the school population and the community is immeasurable.”
- Carrie Sumner, Mears SBPC teacher
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