Well, I have to start out by saying it isn't so bad here after all. I really miss life in McGrath, the access to the outdoors and how beautiful it is there. I really miss my house, and my things. I was hoping to do my student teaching but once it again it has been postponed.
My grandma found out this fall she had colon cancer it had spread to her lungs and is in stage iv she opted not to go through chemotherapy. I wasn't working as I was going to student teach so I have been able to take care of her. I spent almost every night in the hospital when she first found out since then we have removed the main tumor and have come home where I watch her daily get weaker. We have some great days that come out of the blue, mostly lately the days have been full of sleep and some visiting. I keep wanting to know what is going on what to expect, the nureses that visit keep reminding me there is no crystal ball, cancer is just ugly.
My grandmother is 74 and was still full of life this was just a blow. Prior to this year we have taken many road trips together and she has spent her summers with me in McGrath. Many of those nights in the summer we have spent them around a fire visiting with friends. She is still young, and we were not ready for this. I find myself sulking and not feeling motivated to do much. I have seen cancer patients but I have never lived with one and watched them slowly disapear. I am her oldest granddaughter she introduces me to her friends as her first. I know she loves me, but we have tough days, my Aunt says it is because I am the closest to her that I get the brunt of her grumpiness. I finally told here the other day to say please. She told me to rub her down like she was giving an order. I have to keep reminding myself she is passing and how hard it must be for her too. I want to break down often, but I know soon there will be a time for that. For now I am trying to keep my head up and as they say one step at a time.
The kids are doing great here. It amazes me that Forest had so much trouble in McGrath, yet he did great in Fairbanks and he is making honor roll out here in Wasilla! Both of our children are actually. I get bitter about that too, because I would love to go home and finish student teaching with a teacher there has been teaching for years and is wonderful. I want to live in my own home, but the school is failing my children and they deserve the best opportunities I can give them. I know there are other parents in my predicament. Both of them did x-country running and did fabulous. Forest finished basketball and went strait into hockey! Alice took a break and is getting ready for NYO, I think we might talk her into track as well in the spring. If you are a parent thinking about moving you should know our first two months were terrible. My daughter hated it. She is a sophomore. Our school in McGrath has 53 students k-12 she moved to a high school with over 1,000 students. She was so depressed I got scared. She came home one day and said, "mom they bump into me and don't even realize it". I thought I made the biggest mistake of my life. What helped us get through the move was getting Alice involved in something. For us it was x-country running. She was mad at me at first for making her join. She didn't know anyone and didn't want to be there. I didn't give in and Alice met friends and ended up finishing the year as a JV runner. But, I see now why we have so many rural students dropping out when they move to the city. There is no transition it is sink or swim time and they need a huge support system when they get here. The system here had an open door policy, but if they think a child like mine is just going to walk into the office and ask questions they are crazy! It was tough. On the other hand my social child Forest had no problem at all with the transition, but becuase he is so social I could never home school him in McGrath he needs that out let.
I just thought I would use my blogg as an outlet, and since Grandma has been diagnosed with colon cancer I have done much research trying to see what others went through. Hang in there and I also think my faith in God has kept us going, actually I know it has.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Spring Fever & Senioritis
I noticed a few glances were still being made on the blog. I really should have written sooner as there is so much to catch up on. First Spring is here in McGrath I will post some pictures soon. This means it is time to ice fish and get ready to go bird hunting. We are getting nervous about break up as we normally do. Spring also brings the threat of a flood. We haven't had a terrible flood since the early 90s.
It has been a rough semester February 15th, my friend passed away from a brain tumor. She was only 27. It is so hard loosing peers, as it feels so unreal. I think after that I just wanted to spend time with my family and school work took a back burner.
I started training for Arctic Winter Games with my daughter. We went to Yellow Knife for the competition in March and it was wonderful. She did so well. I had much more fun watching her then competeing. I think this is my gradual step to quit competing. No, not yet. I still have it in me for a few more games. At the AWG we competed in the Inuit games much like at World Eskimo Indian Olympics.
I have decided to take another year off from student teaching. The primary reason is to spend time with my children. We only have 3 more years with Alice and our son is entering 7th grade. He has done so terrible here in the McGrath school. He did so well in Fairbanks, it was sad to see his academic performance dwindle here. Our children are our first priority and that means getting them out of here so that they may have a chance in the academic world and continue on to college.
I am still working with our youth, and it makes me sad that I won't be here next year for them. That is the hardest leaving our community, but for the sake of our children we don't have a choice. I will be taking 7 students to the Native Youth Olympic competition in Anchorage April 24-26th. Wish us luck!
It has been a rough semester February 15th, my friend passed away from a brain tumor. She was only 27. It is so hard loosing peers, as it feels so unreal. I think after that I just wanted to spend time with my family and school work took a back burner.
I started training for Arctic Winter Games with my daughter. We went to Yellow Knife for the competition in March and it was wonderful. She did so well. I had much more fun watching her then competeing. I think this is my gradual step to quit competing. No, not yet. I still have it in me for a few more games. At the AWG we competed in the Inuit games much like at World Eskimo Indian Olympics.
I have decided to take another year off from student teaching. The primary reason is to spend time with my children. We only have 3 more years with Alice and our son is entering 7th grade. He has done so terrible here in the McGrath school. He did so well in Fairbanks, it was sad to see his academic performance dwindle here. Our children are our first priority and that means getting them out of here so that they may have a chance in the academic world and continue on to college.
I am still working with our youth, and it makes me sad that I won't be here next year for them. That is the hardest leaving our community, but for the sake of our children we don't have a choice. I will be taking 7 students to the Native Youth Olympic competition in Anchorage April 24-26th. Wish us luck!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
JNYO Success & College Update
I just got back from Anchorage. We had 14 students competing and ended up with 7 medals. I know I know it is not about the medals, but they sure are a fun extra bonus. Our students behaved so wonderfully. We had 3 days of competition and some of the days our students didn't compete so they would have to sit and watch their team mates. Imagine that, 7 1st and 2nd graders just sitting for hours!!! I would encourage anyone reading this in Rural Alaska to get your students out anyway you can for the experience alone. We took our students ice skating at the Dimond Center and they didn't want to leave the rink! Yes, even though we live in icey conditions this was the first time for many to go ice skateing, and they loved it. They also loved the 5th avenue with all the escalators and the glass evelvator! It was a wonderful trip!
My school up date is that I am still going to finish up this semester so I can student teach in the fall (keep your fingers crossed)! I am having to take classes here though and not in Fairbanks, because I couldn't get into the dorms I wanted. So, that means three of my classes are paperbased through correspondence, UGH! I am just going to have to be disciplined!
Well, I am not sure if anyone is still reading these, but I thought I would give it a shot, just in case!
My school up date is that I am still going to finish up this semester so I can student teach in the fall (keep your fingers crossed)! I am having to take classes here though and not in Fairbanks, because I couldn't get into the dorms I wanted. So, that means three of my classes are paperbased through correspondence, UGH! I am just going to have to be disciplined!
Well, I am not sure if anyone is still reading these, but I thought I would give it a shot, just in case!
Monday, December 3, 2007
Back from Bethel
What a quick trip. We left here Friday at 9:30 a.m., got into Anchorage, ran over to Alaska Airlines, ran to our gate, got on the flight, arrived into Bethel, went over to Killabuk School and the games started. I was sort of sad though becuase the wind was blowing so hard there, that the other schools didn't show up, only Napagiak. One of the reasons I like this trip so much as our students get a chance to compete with some of the best (LKSD athletes), however we still had fun. The students were so nice our kids just had a blast. All the kids coached each other and cheered each other on, regardless of team. The McGrath students did great, and I was proud of all of them.
It is so good for our students to stay at Killabuk, they loved hearing and seeing the Yup'ik language. We actually didn't have to wait until we got to Killabuk, we heard Yup'ik on the plane to Bethel and my kids loved it. They are always motivated to want to learn their own language as well as Yup'ik when we go on this trip. The classroom we stayed in was very decorated in all sorts of learning material, it looked like a great classroom, and 90% of it was in Yup'ik!
When we flew over the communities as we got closer to Bethel I was wondering, is that Magdelina down there or is that Kendra? I sure miss you all. I was also relieved to see the river (Kuskokwim). I am a nervous flier and it did not help that both flight were turbulant and I had prior warnings that they would be from the pilots LOL!
OH! It was 50 degrees there and NO SNOW!!! We walked around in mud. Isn't that crazy. You could see the tundra! I couldn't believe the weather for December!
You all take care. Miss you all!
It is so good for our students to stay at Killabuk, they loved hearing and seeing the Yup'ik language. We actually didn't have to wait until we got to Killabuk, we heard Yup'ik on the plane to Bethel and my kids loved it. They are always motivated to want to learn their own language as well as Yup'ik when we go on this trip. The classroom we stayed in was very decorated in all sorts of learning material, it looked like a great classroom, and 90% of it was in Yup'ik!
When we flew over the communities as we got closer to Bethel I was wondering, is that Magdelina down there or is that Kendra? I sure miss you all. I was also relieved to see the river (Kuskokwim). I am a nervous flier and it did not help that both flight were turbulant and I had prior warnings that they would be from the pilots LOL!
OH! It was 50 degrees there and NO SNOW!!! We walked around in mud. Isn't that crazy. You could see the tundra! I couldn't believe the weather for December!
You all take care. Miss you all!
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Just Something I tried Getting ADN to Print
I thought this piece would be good to share, but I haven't heard back from ADN, so I'll just share it on my blogg :). Enjoy.
Communities Taking Action in Preserving
Alaska Native Cultures
What is your community doing to preserve the Alaska Native Culture? Studies have shown that students who know their cultural background have a better chance of benefiting in the Western educational system. As a country, we have known this since at least the Meriam Act. In Alaska we even have cultural standards in our State educational system, yet our actions are not backing up these facts.
Policy makers continue to say we can’t fund this or that because of funding which in part are do to decreasing numbers in rural Alaska schools. I have heard this countless times in our community, as well as through my studies as an Elementary Education major. We cannot depend on our districts to take charge of the situation; it is up to you and your fellow community members.
At our last Native Education Committee our high school students listed some of these cultural activities they wanted such as a survival class, they wanted to learn a type of Alaska Native Dancing, an Alaska Native language, and participate in the traditional Native games. Our students want to know about their community, their history. We must listen to our community needs and our youth, and just “do it”.
This is our just “do it” start.
This year we have one of our largest Junior Native Youth Olympic teams. We have 13 students that will be traveling to State as well as 2 senior Native Youth Olympic athletes, and 5 chaperones. Last year there were only 3 students traveling and no Bethel trip. We take our 5th through 8th graders to Bethel for a traditional Native games competition. Our budget is over $16,000 the district has given us $760.
Many of these cultural activities will be made possible by your time volunteering.
As a community we have seen how our children shine through the traditional games, Native and Non-Native children alike. Parents, community members and athletes have spent numerous hours of volunteering from putting on dinners, to shoveling snow, selling pies, to an antler drive, to raffles, to seeking corporate sponsors we received six; Crowley Marine, the McGrath Clinic, MTNT, MLP, AC McGrath Store and the Fraternal Order of the Alaska State Troopers. That still leaves a big chunk to be raised, but the people in our community have not given up on our youth and through every fundraiser we have had a success. What do the students in your community want? If your district is not providing those opportunities or you have heard the excuse they can’t, you can. Our community is doing it and so can yours.
McGrath’s latest population update is down to 321. There are currently 53 students enrolled in the school from grades K-12.
Junior Native Youth Olympics will be held January 11, 12, and 13th at Mirror Lake Middle School.
Noel Strick-I am a senior majoring in Elementary Education through Interior Aleutians Campus, University of Alaska Fairbanks. I am the Chair for our Native Education Committee. I am the volunteer JNYO coach as well as a mother of two. I work as a DJ in the morning for KSKO 870 am and a Facilitator for IAC-UAF in the afternoons. Contact information: fsnrg1@uaf.edu e-mail.
Communities Taking Action in Preserving
Alaska Native Cultures
What is your community doing to preserve the Alaska Native Culture? Studies have shown that students who know their cultural background have a better chance of benefiting in the Western educational system. As a country, we have known this since at least the Meriam Act. In Alaska we even have cultural standards in our State educational system, yet our actions are not backing up these facts.
Policy makers continue to say we can’t fund this or that because of funding which in part are do to decreasing numbers in rural Alaska schools. I have heard this countless times in our community, as well as through my studies as an Elementary Education major. We cannot depend on our districts to take charge of the situation; it is up to you and your fellow community members.
At our last Native Education Committee our high school students listed some of these cultural activities they wanted such as a survival class, they wanted to learn a type of Alaska Native Dancing, an Alaska Native language, and participate in the traditional Native games. Our students want to know about their community, their history. We must listen to our community needs and our youth, and just “do it”.
This is our just “do it” start.
This year we have one of our largest Junior Native Youth Olympic teams. We have 13 students that will be traveling to State as well as 2 senior Native Youth Olympic athletes, and 5 chaperones. Last year there were only 3 students traveling and no Bethel trip. We take our 5th through 8th graders to Bethel for a traditional Native games competition. Our budget is over $16,000 the district has given us $760.
Many of these cultural activities will be made possible by your time volunteering.
As a community we have seen how our children shine through the traditional games, Native and Non-Native children alike. Parents, community members and athletes have spent numerous hours of volunteering from putting on dinners, to shoveling snow, selling pies, to an antler drive, to raffles, to seeking corporate sponsors we received six; Crowley Marine, the McGrath Clinic, MTNT, MLP, AC McGrath Store and the Fraternal Order of the Alaska State Troopers. That still leaves a big chunk to be raised, but the people in our community have not given up on our youth and through every fundraiser we have had a success. What do the students in your community want? If your district is not providing those opportunities or you have heard the excuse they can’t, you can. Our community is doing it and so can yours.
McGrath’s latest population update is down to 321. There are currently 53 students enrolled in the school from grades K-12.
Junior Native Youth Olympics will be held January 11, 12, and 13th at Mirror Lake Middle School.
Noel Strick-I am a senior majoring in Elementary Education through Interior Aleutians Campus, University of Alaska Fairbanks. I am the Chair for our Native Education Committee. I am the volunteer JNYO coach as well as a mother of two. I work as a DJ in the morning for KSKO 870 am and a Facilitator for IAC-UAF in the afternoons. Contact information: fsnrg1@uaf.edu e-mail.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Day by Day, Activities for our students what it is like
Hey everyone, sorry I haven't posted in awhile. I am so worried about making it to JNYO in January. We have 7 weeks and $7,000 more to raise. We have asked for corporate sponsors to give $500 and in return we are putting their names on our t-shirts. We are also trying to raise enough money for our volleyball team to make it to Regionals in Golovin, but they only need $1,500 and we are doing an Asian dinner on Monday that should bring in $1,000, plus they have a small raffle going on. Back to JNYO we have been shoveling, cooking, raffles, etc.. Our community has really been active, but with our numbers getting smaller they can only do so much. So, I can't help but wonder why the District didn't try to find grants to help subsidize some of our programs the students love? My husband says don't do as much, because it does stress me out. My back is going out and I am breaking out like crazy, but if we don't do it who will? Everything I do he is tied into, but we need to for our children. Also, I found out I need 4 classes and the only way I can take them all is by being in Fairbanks. There is no way I could handle them via correspondence. I just don't know. When I wasn't here we had no Senior NYO team and our JNYO team had only 4 athletes compared to this years 14. I know I make a difference for our youth, but I need to take care of myself and kids so moving to Fairbanks is becoming more of a reality, yet I feel like I am betraying my community. This really just sucks. It was fun watching all the students! We even had some preschoolers and Kind students play. I was going to upload a video from our potluck last night, but the computer wouldn't let me. So, here is a picture of my son doing wrist carry.
:) PEACE & my thought today coming from a rural town with a district like ours, is do not allow money to make a choice for you and do not accept it as an excuse through the grace of others who do see the value in what you do for your youth goodness can happen!
Sunday, November 4, 2007
I've taken on a new look....what do you think?
Well I have done it, a new make over, funny though not a person realized it, except the children that visited my house on Halloween. Sadly enough we made no child cry, but took a few bye, surprise. They wiggled and screamed, but their parents said, "go in their not mean". Haha they soon also sang a different tune when monsters jumped out at them as they waited, thinking they were there just to watch, we laughed so hard, perhaps that was the scotch (kidding of course). Today I thought the make over was too much. Down came my life size skeleton that loves to sing and move, down came my spiders and cob webs, the black roses and bones in the graveyard are gone too, only 2 pumpkins remain in the back of our truck, with any luck they will vanish as well. A new Holiday is near and today we are getting 5 inches of snow as if he is laughing near bye, "hohoho" with a belly full of jelly. I can't wait to see that old man. In two weeks we will prepare to greet him galore! My friends you have seen nothing like it before. The lights will hang, the candy canes will line the way, and I plan to get more, THANK YOU E-BAY!!! Hope you are all doing wonderful. I am still stressed, but plan on going on vacation in December, and I am going to get a massage! Lots of love and hugs coming your way from MCG!
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