Chatham Distance School

Dear Staff, Students, and Families, Warm Greetings and Happy Holidays! As we approach the end of another eventful year, I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for your unwavering support, dedication, and commitment to our school community. It is through the collective efforts of our exceptional staff, talented students, and supportive families that we have achieved incredible milestones together. Follow the link for the complete Superintendent Holiday Message

Dear Staff, Students, and Families, Warm Greetings and Happy Holidays! As we approach the end of another eventful year, I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for your unwavering support, dedication, and commitment to our school community. It is through the collective efforts of our exceptional staff, talented students, and supportive families that we have achieved incredible milestones together. The holiday season is a time for reflection, gratitude, and spreading joy. It is a time to cherish the moments spent with loved ones, celebrate our achievements, and look ahead to the opportunities that the coming year holds. As we embrace this festive season, I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to each and every one of you for your invaluable contributions to our school's success. In the upcoming year, our focus remains steadfast on providing a quality education for all students. We believe that every child deserves access to an education that nurtures their talents, cultivates their potential, and prepares them for a bright future. Our dedicated educators will continue to employ innovative teaching methods, create inclusive learning environments, and foster a love for lifelong learning among our students. One of our key objectives for the next year is to increase attendance rates. Regular attendance is vital for academic progress and personal growth. We will work collaboratively with families, students, and community partners to implement strategies that promote consistent attendance and address any barriers that may hinder students from being present in the classroom. By fostering a culture of punctuality and emphasizing the importance of being present, we can enhance the learning experience for all. Additionally, we are committed to raising achievement scores across all grade levels. Our talented and passionate teaching staff will continue to implement research-based instructional practices, personalized learning approaches, and targeted interventions to ensure that every student receives the support they need to succeed academically. We will closely monitor student progress, provide timely feedback, and offer additional resources to help them reach their full potential. Furthermore, we aim to increase enrollment and welcome more students into our educational community. We firmly believe that diversity enriches the learning experience and fosters a vibrant and inclusive school environment. By actively engaging with prospective families, partnering with community organizations, and showcasing the unique opportunities our school offers, we can attract a diverse range of students and create a stronger, more vibrant community. As we embark on this exciting journey together, I want to assure you that your voices, concerns, and aspirations are valued. We are committed to promoting open lines of communication, strengthening partnerships with families, and creating opportunities for meaningful engagement. Together, we can shape the future of our school and empower our students to become responsible global citizens. In closing, I would like to express my sincerest appreciation for your unwavering support and dedication. May this holiday season bring you joy, peace, and an abundance of cherished moments with your loved ones. Let us enter the new year with renewed enthusiasm, a shared vision, and an unwavering commitment to providing a quality education for all. Happy holidays and warm wishes for a prosperous New Year! Sincerely, Superintendent Ralph Watkins

Please take a few minutes and provide your input for the 2023-2024 school calendar. There are 3 calendar options open for consideration. One is a more traditional calendar with school starting in mid August and ending in May. A second calendar option has school starting in early September and ending at the end of May. A final calendar has school starting in August and includes an extended Winter break. https://www.chathamsd.org/page/calendar-survey

Congratulations to Chatham 1st grader Ry Soder, whose stop-gap animation movie "Cretaceous Period" won the iDida contest at the ASTE Conference in Anchorage! Watch the movie here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sWe6rFR0Wrd-3aHdG6731t8QQHjTiRyX/view?usp=sharing

Today was the first day of Strategic Planning. Representatives from each of the district's four communities participated in today's session. The focus of today was the development of the district's mission and vision statement.

Chatham School District is happy to celebrate National Principal’s Month. Each October, National Principals Month recognizes the essential role that principals play in making our schools great! They provide a source of inspiration and leadership for our teachers, our students, and our families. Principals play an important role in the success of our students. Principals support our teachers and support staff in providing a quality educational experience for all our students. Chatham School District is proud of our principals whose vision and leadership make our schools an exciting place to learn. Thank you, Emma Demmert and Bradley King.

Congratulations to Cheyenne Kookesh on her qualification to the Alaska State Championship in Cross Country. Congratulations to all the CSD Cros

Thank you to the crew that keeps our schools clean and orderly.

By participating in this survey, you can tell us what we do well, where we could do better, and what our priorities should be to better meet the needs of students to provide a quality education for every student every day. Choose the survey link for your community Angoon Community Survey Klukwan Community Survey Gustavus Community Survey Tenakee Community Survey

Thanks for a great year! It's been so fun getting to know students near and far, and watch your creative and unique education adventures! Here's a recent photo from a low tide walk here in Tenakee

Chatham Virtual School is accepting applications! We love to chat with you about your students' unique needs so we can create a learning plan that is just right. Please contact us at (907)736-2204 or distance.learning@chathamsd.org to chat about options.

Chatham School District is excited to announce that we have hired Superintendent Ralph Watkins. Ralph will begin his work with us in June. We look forward to him leading our District.

Meet Superintendent candidate Ralph Watkins on zoom this Sunday, March 27th at 9:30 am. Copy and paste this link for the zoom information. https://5il.co/17k21

Meet our Superintendent candidate Kary DelSignore on zoom this Sunday, March 27th at 11:30 am. Copy and paste this link for the zoom information. https://5il.co/17k22

Presenting the Tenakee ILC's Winter Recital ! You can watch our violin, saxophone and percussion players here: https://youtu.be/gnOCOPIN0tU

We just learned about this really neat program called DrawTogether. DrawTogether is an interactive art class and learning universe. The art show and activities focus on imagination, community, and confidence-building through drawing. Great for homeschooled students in our rural areas. Check it out at https://drawtogether.studio/

School Choice week has been fun. Check out this photo of us with our yellow school choice scarves on. We love all the schooling options our district has to offer.

The RSB Regular meeting agenda for Tuesday, January 11th can be viewed here. https://5il.co/13y1g

Our 2nd quarter District Newsletter can be viewed here. https://5il.co/13mc0

Virtual School Tip for Success: Plan Ahead Sometimes, life gets hectic. If you know you aren't going to meet a deadline, contact your teacher BEFORE the deadline to let them know. Teachers are much more likely to give extension when they know beforehand.