Shishmaref School is officially accepting Letters of Interest for our 2026β2027 Added Duty Contracts! π
If you enjoy stepping up, supporting our students beyond the classroom, coaching, sponsoring activities, or helping create opportunities for our kiddos β weβd love to hear from you!
π ACADEMIC & ENRICHMENT POSITIONS
β’ Educators Rising (Certified Only)
β’ Site Test Coordinator (Certified Only)
β’ Solutions Team (Multiple Positions)
β’ 504 Liaison (Certified Only)
β’ Parent Liaison (BSSD Employees Only)
β’ Site Activities Director/AD (Certified Only)
β’ Academic Decathlon (Certified Only)
β’ Battle of the Books (BSSD Employees Only)
β’ Science Fair (Certified Only)
β’ Spelling Bee (BSSD Employees Only)
β’ Inupiaq Spelling Bee (BSSD Employees Only)
β’ Student Council (BSSD Employees Only)
β’ Yearbook (BSSD Employees Only)
β’ Newspaper (BSSD Employees Only)
β’ Youth Leaders (BSSD Employees Only)
β’ CHAMPS Coach (BSSD Employees Only)
β’ Tech Liaison (BSSD Employees Only)
π ATHLETIC & COACHING POSITIONS
β’ Cross Country Coach
β’ Mixed 6 Volleyball
β’ Elem/MS Cheerleading β Wrestling
β’ Elem/MS Wrestling
β’ HS Wrestling
β’ HS Boys Basketball
β’ HS Girls Basketball
β’ MS Basketball
β’ Lil Dribblers
β’ Cheerleading β Basketball
β’ XC Ski/Biathlon
β’ NYO
β’ Elementary Skiing
π INTERESTED? Please submit a Letter of Interest sharing:
β’ The position(s) you are interested in
β’ Your experience related to the position
β’ Why youβre interested and/or what you would bring to the role
π§ Letters of Interest can be sent to:
Principal Frank Stanek
frank.stanek@shh.bssd.org
Assistant Principal Maggie Gray
maggie.gray@shh.bssd.org
π Positions announced August 19, 2026 and will remain open until filled.
π Interested in coaching?All athletic coaches must complete the required NFHS coaching certifications before the season begins, including Fundamentals of Coaching with the Alaska Component, First Aid/Health & Safety, Concussion in Sports, and Sudden Cardiac Arrest. Annual Safe Schools Boundary Invasions certification is also required.
We have a lot of opportunities for people to get involved and make a difference for our students this year. Whether your strength is academics, activities, athletics, leadership, or simply creating opportunities for kids to shine, we encourage you to apply! π
Please reach out if you have any questions.
Letβs make it another great year, Northern Lights! β¨ππ€
#NorthernLightsPride #ShishmarefSchool #BSSDStrong #ForOurKids



Shishmaref School is looking for someone to join our team! ππ€
π½οΈ Position: Cook I
β° Hours: 4.5 hours per day
π Location: Shishmaref School
π Approximately 181 school days
Our Cook I helps with preparing and serving food, daily kitchen cleanup, and keeping our food service areas clean and ready for our students.
Weβre looking for someone who is dependable, cooperative, and ready to be part of the team that takes care of our kiddos each day!
π² Interested in applying?Apply online using the link below:
π APPLICATION LINK: https://app.droplet.io/form/0Y84zK
Please feel free to share this post and help us spread the word throughout our community!
π Come join our Northern Lights team! π€
The Shishmaref Advisory Education Committee (AEC) currently has TWO SEATS up for election this year!
π Candidate Filing Window: August 7 β September 6, 2026
If you are interested in serving on our AEC and having a voice in supporting our students, school, and community, we encourage you to consider filing for one of the two available seats!
Candidate Qualifications:
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must have been a resident of the City of Shishmaref for 30 or more days
- Must meet the requirements regarding felony convictions involving moral turpitude as outlined on the Affidavit of Candidacy
- Must not be an employee of Bering Strait School District, other than a short-term temporary employee
π Interested in filing for one of the two seats?
Complete the Affidavit of Candidacy and submit it to Shishmaref School Administration no later than September 6, 2026.
Our AEC plays an important role in connecting our school and community and ensuring our local voices are represented. We encourage eligible community members who are interested in getting involved and supporting our school to consider filing! ππ€
Two seats are available, so please help us spread the word!
If you have any questions or need a copy of the Affidavit of Candidacy, please reach out to Shishmaref School Administration.
Calling all Shishmaref students in grades 4β12βit's time to lace up your running shoes!
π Monday, August 3
π 2:00 PM
π Meet at the playground basketball court
Practice will be held rain or shine, so please come prepared.
Please bring:
β Athletic clothing (no jeans)
β Running shoes or athletic shoes (no Crocs, sandals, or boots)
β A full water bottle
β A sweatshirt or sweatpants if you think you'll need an extra layer
Whether you're a returning runner or interested in trying Cross Country for the first time, we'd love to have you join us! Cross Country is a great opportunity to stay active, build friendships, challenge yourself, and represent Shishmaref School.
We're looking forward to another great season.
See you tomorrow, and please help us spread the word!


As my year as Principal of Shishmaref School comes to a close, I want to express my sincere gratitude to our students, families, staff, and community.
It has been an honor to serve this school and to be part of a community that cares deeply about its children. Shishmaref is a special place, and I am thankful for the relationships, lessons, and memories I will carry with me.
Acknowledgments
To the elders in the community, thank you for sharing your wisdom. I learned a lot simply by having kuupianaaziΔ‘a with elders who have a lifetime of memories and experiences to share. Growing up in the South, we were taught to listen in the presence of elders. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with me.
To our school board members and AEC members who provided support and feedback throughout the year, thank you. You were strong voices for the community and helped our administrative team make meaningful decisions.
To our staff, thank you for your hard work, resilience, and dedication. Working with someone who has a βType Aβ personality is not always easy, but you all sure did make my job easier. The elderly in Louisiana always said βsure didβ when I was coming up, so I say it with love and appreciation. Thank you for giving our administrative team a chance to lead. One thing I particularly loved was that when we had meals, get-togethers, or holiday parties, nobody talked about work. Oh, and even when I know I took too long to finish cooking (since literally Day 1), you never told me =].
To our families and community members, thank you for your support and partnership. We were truly motivated to start the year when we had such a strong turnout at Open House. I also loved how the community was always the perfect balance of competitive and positive at student athletic events and city league games. It was also pretty special how everyone says, βWelcome to Shishmaref,β when someone visits for the first time. I have been to a few communities in Alaska, but nobody is as friendly as SHH.
Most importantly, to our students, thank you for the joy, energy, and purpose you bring to the school each day. Whether it was kindergarten and first grade students tackling me at open gym, eighth grade students teaching me IΓ±upiaq when their bilingual teacher was out, or high school students beating me in a game of Around the World at lunchtime, seeing you enjoy coming to school made the year meaningful. When I am around other principals, I always mention your great behavior, strong attendance, and wonderful personalities.
I am proud of the work we have done together, and I hope Shishmaref School continues to grow, strengthen, and serve students well for many years to come.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve this community.
With appreciation,
Gary Perkins, Ed.D. aka Dr. P.
Principal, Shishmaref School β26
BSSD Strategic Plan Community Gathering: Shape the Next 5 Years! π
We are recruiting a team of participants including elders, community members, parents, students, classified staff, teachers, administrators, community leaders. In the sessions, we will use the Portrait of Your Graduate responses along with district program information and data to set the direction for the next 5 years.
Deadline to be considered for the planning team is August 15, 2026.
π [Click Here to Apply & Share Your Inspiration]

Thatβs a wrap on another school year at Shishmaref School! Thank you to our students, staff, families, and community for all of your hard work, support, and dedication throughout the year. We are so proud of all that our students accomplished this year. ππ€
We hope everyone has a fun, relaxing, and safe summer filled with family, adventures, and sunshine! Please remember to stay safe and take care of one another.
We look forward to welcoming everyone back for FY27 on Thursday, August 27, 2026! β¨
Until then β have an amazing summer, Shishmaref!
#NorthernLightsShineOnMe #ShineBrightSHH #LastDayOfSchool

Survey link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfKPDQkrVPce14B9qY2JK3RhMIvnI2DDKjQE-ccS65b-QibuQ/viewform
We value your voice. This survey will help us define what it means for students in our district to be successful as graduates.
Our goal is to create a shared vision that reflects our community, culture, and ways of life. Your input will guide how we prepare students for their futureβboth in our community and beyond.
This survey is being administered by the Association of Alaska School Board. All responses are anonymous.

Tonight is the night! Join us as we celebrate the accomplishments of our students during the Shishmaref School End of Year Celebrations! πππ€
We are excited to recognize and honor our:
π Pre-K 4 / ECE Graduates
π 8th Grade Promotion Students
π Class of 2026 Graduates
This is a special time for our students, families, school, and community as we celebrate milestones, growth, hard work, and new beginnings. We would love for our community to come together to support and cheer on our students as they shine bright and take their next steps forward.
π Tonight β Monday, May 18, 2026
β° 7:00 PM
π Shishmaref School Gym
π₯ Livestream Link:
https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/shishmaref-high-school-shishmaref-ak/evt7a9970f3ee
Letβs fill the gym and celebrate our students together as a community. Northern Lights shine bright! πβ¨

β¨ Shishmaref Community β¨
Please join us tomorrow as we celebrate the accomplishments of our students during the Shishmaref School End of Year Celebrations! πππ€
We are excited to recognize and honor our:
π Pre-K 4 / ECE Graduates
π 8th Grade Promotion Students
π Class of 2026 Graduates
This is a special time for our students, families, school, and community as we celebrate milestones, growth, hard work, and new beginnings.
We would love for our community to come together to support and cheer on our students as they shine bright and take their next steps forward.
π
Monday, May 18, 2026
β° 7:00 PM
π Shishmaref School Gym
Letβs fill the gym and celebrate our students together as a community. Northern Lights shine bright! πβ¨

Your dedication, teamwork, and love for reading have truly paid off. We are incredibly proud of your hard work and the way you represented your schools and the entire Bering Strait School District!
Keep turning those pages! πππ
#BSSD #BattleOfTheBooks2026 #BeringStraitStrong #LiteracyChampions

β¨ End of Year Celebrations at Shishmaref School β¨
βShining Bright Like the Northern Lightsβ ππ€
Weβre excited to celebrate our students during this special time of year! Please join us for Prom 2026 and Graduation as we recognize memories, milestones, and achievements across all grade levels.
π Shishmaref School Prom 2026 π
π Saturday, May 16, 2026
π Dance Times πΊ
π ECEβ3rd Grade
β° 4:00 PM β 5:00 PM
π 4thβ7th Grade
β° 5:00 PM β 7:00 PM
π 8thβ12th Grade
β° 9:00 PM β 12:00 AM
ποΈ Admission Prices
β¨ ECEβ7th Grade: $5 Admission
β¨ 8thβ12th Grade Prom Tickets
β’ $15 β Single Ticket
β’ $25 β Double Ticket
π Dress up, dance, and make memories under the Northern Lights! π

*UPDATED times, admission, & grade level groups
β¨ End of Year Celebrations at Shishmaref School β¨
βShining Bright Like the Northern Lightsβ ππ€
Weβre excited to celebrate our students during this special time of year! Please join us for Prom 2026 and Graduation as we recognize memories, milestones, and achievements across all grade levels.
π Shishmaref School Prom 2026 π
π
Saturday, May 16, 2026
π Dance Times πΊ
π ECEβ3rd Grade
β° 4:00 PM β 5:00 PM
π 4thβ7th Grade
β° 5:00 PM β 7:00 PM
π 8thβ12th Grade
β° 9:00 PM β 12:00 AM
ποΈ Admission Prices
β¨ ECEβ7th Grade: $5 Admission
β¨ 8thβ12th Grade Prom Tickets
β’ $15 β Single Ticket
β’ $25 β Double Ticket
π Dress up, dance, and make memories under the Northern Lights! π











βAurora Borealisβ
π Saturday, May 16, 2026
π Dance Times πΊ
π ECEβ3rd Grade
β° 4:00 PM β 5:00 PM
π 4thβ6th Grade
β° 5:00 PM β 7:00 PM
π 7thβ12th Grade
β° 9:00 PM β 12:00 AM
ποΈ Admission Prices
β¨ ECEβ6th Grade: $5 Admission
β¨ 7thβ12th Grade Prom Tickets:
β’ $15 β Single Ticket
β’ $25 β Double Ticket
π Dress up, dance, and make memories under the Northern Lights! π

*UPDATED*
β¨ End of Year Events at Shishmaref School β¨
Join us as we celebrate the final weeks of the school year with Prom, Graduation, and more!
π Last Day of Rec β Thursday, May 14, 2026
π Prom β Saturday, May 16, 2026
π Graduation β Monday, May 18, 2026 at 7 PM
π Last Day of School β Friday, May 22, 2026
Letβs finish the year strong and continue shining bright, Northern Lights! π

