Shishmaref School

📣 Open House at Shishmaref School!

Join us Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025 at 6:00 PM for our Open House! 🌟
We’ll be sharing important information and goals for the school year, plus it’s a great chance to connect with staff and our community.

✨ Refreshments will be provided
🎉 Parents /families who attend will be entered for a chance to win free admission to ASAA/District-sponsored athletic events at Shishmaref School for the entire year – 3 passes will be given out!

We can’t wait to see you there!
#NorthernLightsPride #ShishmarefStrong

📣 Good Evening, Shishmaref!

Here’s the Open Gym Schedule starting tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 5, 2025 🏀✨

Daily Schedule (Mon-Fri):
• ECE – 3rd Grade: 7:00–8:00 PM
• 4th – 8th Grades: 8:00–9:00 PM
• 9th – 12th Grades: 9:00–10:00 PM
• Adults: 10:00–11:00 PM

Weekly Nights:
• Monday: Women’s Night
• Tuesday: Men’s Night
• Wednesday: Women’s Night
• Thursday: Men’s Night
• Friday: Open

⚠️ Reminders & Gym Protocols:
• Students/children ECE through 1st grade must be accompanied by an adult during their gym time.
• Please don’t show up early for rec—we want to make sure everyone is safe and respecting each group’s time in the gym.
• Students absent from school may NOT attend rec that day.
• Students who receive a disciplinary referral during the week will be placed on the “NO GYM LIST.”
• All standard gym list protocols will be followed.

Thank you to everyone who shared feedback to help shape this schedule. We can’t wait to see you in the gym! 🙌

#ShishmarefStrong #OpenGym

📣 Extra Duty Positions – Now Open!

Hey y’all!

We’re officially accepting letters of interest for extra duty positions for the school year. If you’re someone who loves stepping up, supporting our students outside the classroom, or bringing the fun to school life — we want to hear from you!

📝 Academic & Enrichment Roles:
(Certified or BSSD employees where noted)
• Educators Rising (Certified Only)
• Site Test Coordinator (Certified Only)
• Solutions Team (Multiple Positions)
• 504 Liaison (Certified Only)
• Parent Liaison (BSSD Employees Only)
• Site Activities Director (AD) (Certified Only)
• Academic Decathlon (Certified Only)
• Battle of the Books (BSSD Employees Only)
• Science Fair (Certified Only)
• Spelling Bee (BSSD Employees Only)
• Yupik Spelling Bee (BSSD Employees Only)
• Student Council (BSSD Employees Only)
• Yearbook (BSSD Employees Only)
• Newspaper (BSSD Employees Only)
• Youth Leaders (BSSD Employees Only)

🏀 Athletics:
• Mixed 6 Volleyball
• Elem/MS Cheerleading (Wrestling)
• Elem/MS Wrestling
• HS Wrestling
• HS Boys Basketball
• HS Girls Basketball
• MS Basketball
• Lil Dribblers
• Cheerleading (Basketball)
• XC Ski/Biathlon
• NYO
• Elementary Skiing

✨ If you’re interested, here’s what to do:
📌 Send a quick letter/email saying:
• What role(s) you’re interested in
• A bit about your experience or why you’re interested
• Any ideas you have or what you’d bring to the table

📧 Send it to: Principal- Gary Perkins; Email: gary.perkins@shh.bssd.org

We’ll take a look at all submissions and do our best to match folks where they shine. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

Let’s make this year awesome — together 💪💛
#TeamworkMakesTheDreamWork #NorthernLightsPride #BSSDStrong

✨ What a great start to the school year over the first two days! 💜💚💖 Just a reminder: there will be no school on Monday, September 1st in observance of Labor Day. We’ll see everyone back on Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025. Enjoy the long weekend with family, friends, and all the good things that fill your heart! ☀️ #ShishmarefStrong #NorthernLightsPride

📢 Northern Lights Families 🌟

Check out the attached menu for August & September school lunches! 🍎🥪

Make sure to save it so you’re ready for all the yummy meals coming up.

#ShishmarefStrong #NorthernLightsPride #SchoolLunchMenu

RE: Community Eligibility Option

Dear Parent or Guardian:

We are pleased to inform you that the Bering Strait School District will be implementing an option available to schools participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs called the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for Schoo! Year 2025-2026.

What does this mean for you and your children attending the schools) identified above?

Great news for you and your students! All enrolled students of Bering Strait School District are eligible to receive a healthy breakfast and lunch at school at no charge to your household each day of the 2025-2026 school year. No further action is required of you. Your child(ren) will be able to participate in these meal programs without having to pay a fee or submit a meal application.

If we can be of any further assistance, please contact us at: Office of the Assistant Superintendent, 907-624-4269 or amy.brower@bssd.org

SHISHMAREF SCHOOL 2025 - 2026
First Day of School Morning Procedures

📣 Welcome Back, Shishmaref School!

We’re so excited for the first day of school and can’t wait to welcome all our students and staff back!

Just a reminder — classified staff returns to work tomorrow, Thursday, August 28, 2025. Let’s get ready to kick off the school year strong and shine bright like the Northern Lights! ✨

Here’s to an amazing year ahead!
#ShishmarefStrong #NorthernLightsPride #BackToSchool

📢 Shishmaref Advisory Education Committee (AEC) Elections – 3 Seats Available!

Elections will be held this October for three (3) open seats on the Advisory Education Committee (AEC)! 🗳️

Eligibility:

To run for a seat, you must:
✅ Be 18 years or older by October 1, 2025
✅ Be a U.S. citizen
✅ Be a resident of Shishmaref for at least 30 days before October 1, 2025
✅ Have no felony convictions involving moral turpitude
⚠️ BSSD employees (except short-term) are not eligible to serve on the AEC

How to File

📝 Submit your candidate letter to the local principal between August 25 – September 26, 2025
📬 Letters postmarked by September 20, 2025 will ensure your name is on the ballot
✍️ Missed the deadline? You can still run as a write-in candidate

Election Day

🗓️ October 2025 (exact date will match the local municipal election)
📍 Voting will take place at the same polling location and time as School Board Elections

Want to help shape local education decisions? This is your chance!
📞 For questions about the AEC or duties of a member, contact the principal.

📣 Welcome Back, Shishmaref School!

All certified staff returns Monday, August 18th at 8:00AM — let’s kick off the school year strong and shine bright like the Northern Lights! ✨

We’ll be reaching out to classified staff soon with more details about your return-to-work date. Thank you for your patience and understanding! 📚

Here’s to an amazing year ahead! #ShishmarefStrong #NorthernLightsPride #BackToSchool

We are excited to welcome you to the 2025–2026 school year at Shishmaref School! It is with great joy and anticipation that we prepare to open our doors and begin another year of learning, growth, and community together. Whether you are a returning family or joining us for the first time, we look forward to partnering with you in making this a safe, engaging, and successful school year for all students.

We believe that when students, families, staff, and the community work in unity, we create the best environment for academic success and personal growth. We will continue to focus on high-quality instruction, strong attendance, and cultural connections that celebrate the heritage and values of Shishmaref.

Family & Community Partnership

We encourage you to stay connected through our school website, newsletters, and our Facebook page. Open communication is key to ensuring your child’s success, so please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or concerns. We also invite parents, guardians, and elders to be active participants in school events, cultural activities, and volunteer opportunities throughout the year.

Our Commitment

At Shishmaref School, we are committed to creating a learning environment where every student feels safe, respected, and inspired to reach their highest potential. Our teachers and staff are eager to provide meaningful learning experiences that integrate both academic excellence and cultural values.

We look forward to an incredible school year filled with learning, laughter, and community connection. Thank you for trusting us with your child’s education—we are honored to serve the families of Shishmaref.

📅 The first day of school is Thursday, August 28, 2025!
We’ll be sharing more dates, details, and need-to-know info soon — stay tuned and keep an eye out!

Shishmaref School Administrative Team

Dear Shishmaref Community: Students who are in school today will receive their report cards to take home with them. Please check with your student to receive the official copy from them. Any student who is not in school will by the end of Friday will have their report cards mailed home to the PO boxes on file.

Dear Shishmaref Community: We are all very excited to host our graduation ceremony today at 7:00 PM. The doors will open at 6:30 for those who are looking for advanced seating. There will be three promotions featured in the ceremony including ECE, 8th Grade, and our Graduating Seniors. Please come and celebrate with us. Below you will find a copy of our graduation program.

Hello everyone, this is a friendly reminder that today is the last day of night rec. See you there.

Dear Shishmaref Community: Please see the following information about Prom from our Grade 11 Advisor: Prom is Saturday, May 10th beginning at 4pm-6:30 for grades ECE-4th Ticket price is $3 and includes snacks (lemonade, popcorn and cotton candy) Gr.5-7 prom is 6:30 to 8:00 Ticket price is $5 and includes snacks (lemonade, popcorn and cotton candy) Gr.8-12 prom (incl. dinner) is 9:00-midnight Ticket price is $15 for singles, and $25 for couples. Dinner is included Note: Snacks and drinks are available from 4pm till close. Tickets are available for purchase at the student store today and tomorrow after school, and at the door. Volunteers are needed for set up Friday and Saturday. We are looking for volunteers to chaperone as well. Dinner is provided for volunteers. Please contact Dan or the office for further information.

Dear Shishmaref Community, This is a reminder that today is the last day of after-school tutoring. We also have upcoming dates for: Prom: Saturday, May 10 Graduation: Monday, May 12

Attention Parents of Grade 7 and Grade 8: We are hoping to hold our annual Junior High Picnic before the busy season of graduation and prom begins. Students will receive a permission slip today at school, which must be returned before Friday, May 2. A copy of the permission slip is linked below this post if you would like to print your own. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EDYVkmdj_G_yZLJYAA-rKbNUZE8YloW02PI4S6E-Idk/edit?tab=t.0

Dear Shishmaref Community: Please review the provided information from the clinic about Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD): Patient Education Hand, Foot, Mouth Disease CHAM Patient Education Hand, Foot, Mouth Disease – Mouth 5 © 2006 Copyright Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium & Alaska Native Health Board 1. This problem is caused by a virus and usually happens in children. 2. The illness is usually mild and lasts 4 to 7 days. • Like other viruses, this illness is catching. • Keep child home from school and away from other children until fever and mouth sores are gone. 3. While child is sick, he/she should: • Get extra rest. • Drink plenty of liquids, such as water, fruit juice, weak tea, and milk. Limit soda. 4. Mouth sores are usually not very painful, and should not keep child from drinking liquids. • Child may not want to eat much. That is OK. 5. If child is not drinking well or seems to be getting worse instead of better after a few days, return to clinic.

Dear Shishmaref Community: We are erring on the side of caution to prevent the possible spread of a communicable virus in school. We will be dismissing all elementary students from school at 1:30 today. Please pick up your children if you are able. If they are showing any symptoms of Hand Foot and Mouth, please keep them home and consult with the clinic for next steps. Symptoms include rashes on hands and feet as well as sores within the mouth. The school will be undergoing a deep clean this afternoon in order to prevent any potential spreading of viruses. Please ensure good hygiene by washing your hands frequently. Avoid touching eyes and mouth with your hands. More information to follow.

A Vaccination Clinic will be held at Shishmaref School on April 10th, offering a range of important vaccinations—not just for COVID, but for several other preventable conditions as well. Earlier this week, students brought home a form from NSHC, but a new, updated version will be sent home once it’s ready. If you would like to know which vaccinations your child may need, please contact the Shishmaref Clinic directly. (1-907-649-2127) Please keep an eye out for the updated forms coming home with your child soon. Thank you for helping us keep our school and community healthy!