On November 8th, the Anchorage School District Superintendent announced that they would not be following through with a plan to bring pre-school through second grade and some special education programs back to in-person learning.

This was at least the third time this year that ASD has had to reverse course in reopening schools, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In order to better understand this saga, in this episode we’re talking with Marty Lang, a director of secondary education for ASD, who supervises the high schools.

ATMI senior producer Quinn White spoke with him about the ever-changing plans to bring kids back into schools, balancing different risk factors, precautions they’re taking to ensure safety, and much more.

They spoke on October 21st, 2020, when ASD was still planning on bringing younger students back.

Hosted by Sam Bernitz.

Music by Devin Shreckengost.

Listen:

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Alaska Teen Media Institute is based in Anchorage, Alaska. We would like to acknowledge the Dena’ina people, whose land we work on.

Many thanks to supporters of our podcast including John O’Hara, James McCoy, the Anchorage Museum, United Way of Anchorage, the Alaska Humanities Forum, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The views expressed in this program do not necessarily represent the views of the National Endowment for the Humanities or other sponsors.

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RESOURCES FOR YOUTH DURING QUARANTINE

From the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention!

• How to get your home ready
• What to do if you are sick
• Cleaning and disinfecting recommendations
• How to cope with stress
• Frequently Asked Questions

Other wellness resources!

• What foster kids need to know during COVID-19
• Careline: Alaska Suicide Prevention and someone to talk to line.
• Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224 or text LOVEIS to 22522
• Call 2-1-1 or Help Me Grow Alaska 1-833-464-2527 for help connecting to resources and services or for help knowing where to start

These resources provided in collaboration with the State of Alaska, Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Behavioral Health.