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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSupport Letter Ralph CrosslinNenana City Public School PO Box 10 Nenana, AK 99760 Phone: (907) 832-5464/Fax: (907) 832-5625 "A Community of Opportunity - Preparing Students for Life" September 21, 2012 Shawn Calla, Grant Manager Alaska Energy Authority 813 West Northern Lights Blvd Anchorage, AK 99503 Dear Mr. Calfa, Please accept this letter of support for the "Nenana Collaborative Biomass Heating System Project" application being submitted by the Nenana City School District in collaboration with the City of Nenana and the Nenana Native Council. I am currently serving as the K-12 Principal at Nenana City Public School, a position I have held since January, 2011. Previous Alaska service was as Superintendent in Kake. In all I have 40 plus years experience as a teacher and administrator, the bulk of which was served in Michigan's rural Upper Peninsula. From my perspective, the financial benefits this biomass project offers the community are obvious. I leave the "heavy lifting" and details to our superintendent and his counterparts at the City of Nenana and the Nenana Native Council. My support as school principal is twofold. First, I see many dollars that once "went up the chimney" finding their way into the instructional budget. Although we seek to provide a first rate educational program, our resources are not keeping up to the demands of 21" Century learning opportunities. This is particularly evident in technology. Second, Nenana City Public School is in the second year of a three year grant designed to boost the academic performance of its students in general and Alaska Native students in particular. The driving force of this grant is the development of a Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) curriculum with a strong focus on project based learning. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the "Nenana Collaborative Biomass Heating System Project" from an educator's point of view is the opportunity this project provides our students and teachers to explore and participate in a STEM project right in their backyard. Following the progress of this project and designing activities to interface with it is STEM and project based learning in action. Our staff cannot wait to begin. Alaska schools must produce students equipped to participate meaningfully in the 21' Century and beyond. The benefits derived from the "Nenana Collaborative Biomass Heating System Project" if funded, will go a long way in helping our community and school do its part. Sincerely, Ralph O. Crosslin Principal "providing all students with the tools and learning environment necessary to commit to achieving success"