Sitka Community Schools

Sitka Community Schools is a multi-discipline education agency with a $1.6 million annual budget within the Sitka School District. Our programs include:

• Sitka AmeriCorps – As a grantee of Serve Alaska, the Sitka AmeriCorps programsadministers and places nineteen National Corporation for Community ServiceAmeriCorps members across several Sitka agencies and non-profits. The program’scurrent annual budget of $440,000 consists of $252,149 coming from the NationalCorporation for Community Service and $187,851 coming from local match sources.Members are currently building programmatic capacity in Sitka in the areas ofeducation, environmental stewardship and health promotion. One full timeAmeriCorps coordinator reports directly to the Community Schools Director
• Sitka 21^stCentury Community Learning Center – As a grantee of the State Department ofEducation via the U.S. Department of Education, the Sitka 21^stCentury Community Learning Center maintains site programs at the elementary,middle school and high school levels. With an annual budget of $246,238, theprimary goal of the program is to provide academic support and engagingenrichment activities to students who are below proficient or far belowproficient on standardized test and/or come from challenging socio-economicconditions. The Director of CommunitySchools supervises one full time program coordinator, who in turn supervisesseveral contract Academic Support Specialists, Academic Support Assistants and CommunityEnrichment Specialists.
• Sitka “Kick-it” k12 Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program – As a grantee of the State ofAlaska Department of Health and Social service, the Kick-it program is theprimary youth tobacco prevention and cessation program in the Sitka Schooldistrict. In addition to direct services to kids, the program participates incommunity wide initiatives aimed at educating the public about the danger oftobacco use and exposure. The annualprogram budget is $100,000. One full time program coordinator reports directlyto the Director of Community Schools.
• Community Swim Pool – Through a $44,500 municipal appropriation and $170,000 inannual program receipts, Community Schools manages the sole swimming pool inSitka. Swim clubs, adult groups, exercise classes, lap swims, open swims,agency and non-profit safety trainings and special events make use of the poolyear round. The Director of Community Schools supervises one full time poolmanager who in turn manages several temporary non-permanent life guards
• Recycle Sitka – Through a $36,000 block grant and general infrastructure supportfrom the City and Borough of Sitka,Sitka Community Schools “Recycle Sitka” program manages a local recyclingcenter that collects over 1.4 million tons of paper, plastic, metal and glassper year, provides community outreach, collects all recycling waste for theSitka School District, collects recycling waste for several community businessand agencies, and conducts periodic recycling education programming to SitkaSchool District students and employees. One part time recycling coordinatorreports to the Director of Community Schools.
• VenturesLatchkey Program – Through $47,000 in State and Tribal child careassistance grants and $129,000 in program tuition, the Ventures programprovides afterschool care for children in a licensed childcare setting locatedat Baranof Elementary School. Program focus is primarily on youth developmentthrough play. The Director of Community Schools supervises one full timeVentures Coordinator who in turn manages several Ventures Aides.
• Youth and Community Programming – Through a $150,000 municipal appropriation and$209,000 in program receipts (much of which is paid back to instructors),Community schools provides school space, provides administrative support andprovides direct programmatic supervision of a wide array of sports, enrichmentand educational offerings for youth and adults. A full time sports coordinatorand a full time secretary report to the Director of Community Schools.Community Schools offerings include:
  • Community Schools Summer Camps: throughcity appropriation, student tuition and need based scholarships, CommunitySchools offers seven enrichment classes a week for six weeks during the summer.Enrollment in classes averages ten students, and include science basedexploration, lifestyle and wellness offerings, and recreation and sports.
  • Community Schools Youth Sports: through city appropriation, student tuition and needbased scholarships, Community Schools offers direct program administration ofyouth basketball for students grades K-8, youth football for student grades5-8, gymnastics for children age 2-12, track and field for students ages 9-14,and youth soccer for grades 4-12. Community Schools schedules, promotes,registers participants and/or provides space and building supervision for clubswimming, karate and wrestling.
  • Community Schools Adult Sports: through city appropriation, sponsor fees and playersfees, Community Schools administers a women’s basketball league, administers a co-ed lower, upper and master’s division basketballleague; administers a co-ed, multi-division adult volleyball league;administers adult water polo program
  • Youth Court: through a $17,700 grant from the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Community Schools adminstors a student volunteer program that adjudicates minorinfractions and in-school offenses committed by youth.
  • Community Garden: through plot rental, Community Schools offers gardening opportunitiesfor Sitkans on the Blatchley Middle School Campus.
  • Community Enrichment Programs: through city appropriation and participant fee’s,Community Schools schedules, promotes, registers participants and/or providesspace and building supervision for youth church and civic organizations, youthorchestra, adult word working classes, adult art programs, adult fitnessclasses, adult dance programs