HomeMy WebLinkAboutSouthwest Region Schoold District11/03/2009 TUE 13:24 FAX 907 842 5428 SWRS DILLINiHAM
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RESOLUTION No, 10-03
RESOLUTION OF THE SOUTHWEST REGION SCHOOL DISTRICT
AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF WIND FOR SCHOOLS APPLICATIONS
WHEREAS the United States Department of Energy through the Wind power for America program
provides for a Wind for Schools ptogram; and
WHEREAS the University of Alaska Fairbanks — Alaska Center for Energy and Power has initiated a
Wind for Schools effort for the State of Alaska; and
WHEREAS the Southwest Region School District has been identified as one of the school systems
proposed for a Wind for Schools program in Alaska; and
WHEREAS the Southwest Region School District is interested in renewable energy systems that could
potential reduce the cost of operations of its school facilities and reduce the burning of fossil fuels; and
WHEREAS the Southwest Region School District is dedicated to the implementation of high school
curricula to educate students in renewable energy systems and to develop new job skills in the
installation, operation and maintenance of such renewable energy systems; and
WHEREAS the Southwest Region School District has the opportunity to coordinate with and cooperate in
a multi -school effort with the Southwest Region School District as well as to coordinate and cooperate
with the University of Alaska Fairbanks — Bristol Bay Campus in this initiative;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the southwest School District hereby authorizes the Alaska
Center for Energy and Power to pursue Wind for Schools funding on behalf of the Southwest Region
School District from the Alaska Energy Authority and from the United States Department of Energy as a
multi -school demonstration/education program.
HEREBY enacted this 28th day of October, 2009, by official action of the School Board of the
Southwest Region School District.
SOUTHWEST REGION SCHOOL DISTRICT
JAndrews, President
ATTEST:
Leroy Fox, Secretary/Treasurer
BRISTOL BAY CAMPUS
527 Seward St.
PO Box 1070
Dillingham, AK 99576-1070
November 2, 2009
Dillingham City School District
Southwest Region School District
Dear School Districts,
UNIVERSITY OFALASKA
Toll -free (800) 478-5109
Phone (907) 842-5109
Fax (907) 842-5692
www.uaf.edu/bbc
We are writing to support your efforts to participate in the Wind for Schools program pursued by the
Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP). This program promotes education and motivation in the area
of wind energy — a very prospective renewable energy source in the Alaskan southwest region. In order to
implement and maintain wind energy in our communities, it is critical that local workforce in this field is
developed. Incorporating wind energy concepts into Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
(STEM) high-school curriculum is an important part of developing this local workforce.
In the Wind for Schools program in this region, three wind turbines will be installed in the proximity of
high schools — one turbine in each of these locations: Dillingham, Togiak, and New Stuyahok. Even though
the turbines will provide heat and/or electricity for the schools, the main purpose will be that they will serve
as an educational tool. Besides learning about wind energy concepts, students will also collect and analyze
data from these specific turbines.
University of Alaska Fairbanks Bristol Bay Campus and its Sustainable Energy Initiative, in cooperation
with the Alaska Center for Energy and Power, is offering their support in several areas:
• We will provide our expertise during designing and installing the wind systems at the high
schools.
• We will help high school teachers incorporate wind energy into their STEM classes.
• We will cooperate on dual credit courses and help high school students prepare for further
sustainable energy curriculum at a college level.
• We will encourage our college students to participate in installing the wind system, and collecting
and analyzing data, which will provide further educational material to high-school students and
support bridging between the high-school and college levels.
We are proud to support the Wind for Schools program.
Sincerely,
Dr. Tom Marsik, !/Assistant Professor of Sustainable Energy
Dr. Deborah McLean, Director
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Principal
Togiak School
P.O. Box 50
October 26, 2009
Karen Dearlove, Area Specialist
USDA Rural Development
P.O. Box 1370
Dillingham, AK 99576
Dear Karen,
I am writing this letter in support of The Wind for Schools Program. In Togiak we are constantly
searching for ways to engage students in meaningful learning with real world applications. We are eager
to have the opportunity to engage our students in wind -related research tasks, provide engineering
challenges related to the project, and using the program as a way for students to apply science and
mathematics concepts outside of the classroom,
The Wind for Schools Program could provide a renewable resource model that could have significant
implications for our community. With the price of heating fuel exceeding $5/gallon in Togiak and wind
in plentiful supply, wind power could be a long-term solution to help provide electricity for our
community.
I heartily support this program and am excited opportunities it could provide for our students.
Sincerely,
Dave Morris, Principal
11/10/2q�9 TUB 11:45 FAX 907 842 5428 SWRS DILLINGHAM
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Andrew J. Smith
Togiak School
PO Box 50
Togiak, AK 99678
Dear Superintendent,
I would like to take this opportunity to express my full support for the Wind for Schools
program. As we move forward our energy needs are constantly changing and this is an
excellent opportunity to use renewable energy as a teachable experience for our students.
With my students in particular, projects such as this are extremely valuable to harness
student interest and motivation. Energy costs are a major concern for my students and
their families. Also, students in rural Alaska are much more excited and eager to learn
when topics and lessons can be connected to their everyday life. If we were able to use
this program at my school, I know it would be a fantastic educational opportunity. In
short, I fully support and encourage the Wind for Schools program! Thank you for your
time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Andrew J. Smith
Togiak School
Science Dept.
Head Basketball
Tara Balice
HS Math Teacher
Togiak School
PO Box 371
Togiak, AK 99678
(907)493-5829
tbalice@swrsd.ora
November 9, 2009
Karen Dearlove, Area Specialist
USDA Rural Development
P.O. Box 1370
Dillingham, AK 99576
Dear Karen,
I would like to show my support for The Wind for Schools Program. As a high school math teacher, I am
always looking for ways to apply classroom topics to real world problems. I am excited for the
opportunity to engage my students in wind -related mathematics projects that could have a benefit for the
community. I believe that wind power would be very beneficial for the village, creating a renewable
energy resource and reducing heating and electricity costs.
I strongly support this program and look forward to the benefit it will have for our school and community.
Sincerely,
Tara Balice
HS Math Teacher
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Chief 'Ivan Blunka School
New Stuyahok, Alaska
0Principal: Bob Thompson Phone- (907) 693-3I44
October 27, 2009
To: Jack Foster, Superintendent
Southwest Region School District
574 Kenny Wren Road
Dillingham., AK 99576
Re: Wind for Schools Program
Dear MT- Foster:
I am excited about the opportunity presented to our students by the Wind for Schools program
supported by the Alaska Energy Authority and the U.S- Department of Energy_ This grant opportunity
will allow our students involvement in cutting edge technology that can lead to a better understanding
of the potential of wind energy in Waal Alaska.
. Our school and village, in particular, have been especially hard bit by the high cost of non-
renewable energy. For the past two months several cargo planeloads of fuel have had to be flown into
our village as a result of low water conditions on the Nushagak River. Gasoline fuel now costs us
$6.14 a gallon. We have paid costs as high as $7.28•a gallon this year. Supplementing the current use
of diesel fuel with wind energy has a great potential benefit for our community.
In addition, the involvement of out students in collecting data and understanding the science
and mathematics behind the use of alternative energy sources will be of long-term benefit. The
students currently in our school can become the forerunners of a change in energy use in our
community. The Wind for Schools program is just the sort of program we need to get our students
involved in a real way in the use of alternative energy.
Our teachers and students are in full support of this program for Chief Ivan Blunka School. 1
can assure you that we will have many students participating in this programm. I hope that the Wind for
Schools program grant is secured for the Southwest Region School District and that our school will be
a site for the project.
If I can be of further assistance, please let me ]mow.
Sincerely,
Bob Thompson, Principal
Chief Ivan Blunka School
"Chief"Nan Blunka School, PO Box29, New Stuyahok, AK99636
Phpne: (907) 693-3344 Fax: (907) 693-3165 lunch: nh9mps9n@s d.org
ZOO 0/Z000In %VB 6t:9T' 600Z/LZ/OT
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Dear Superintendent Foster and School Board,
I support the efforts of the Southwest Region School District to pursue
a Wind for Schools program as an effort to bring this program to Alaska. I
look forward to implementation of a wind turbine at our school as a practical
application of mathematics and science, as well as a visible application of
renewable energy.
As the science teacher, I will use the wind turbine as a teaching aid in
energy -related curricula and possibly as a source for science fair concepts.
Sincerely,
Kyle Casper
Science Teacher
"Chief"Ivan Blunka School
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November 2, 2009
To Whom It May Concern,
I am greatly in favor of the procurement of a wind turbine in the community of
New Stuyahok, Alaska that would help alleviate some of the expenses incurred
by the Chief Ivan Blunka School while fostering student and community interest
and involvement in math and science endeavors.
Instituting supplements to our curriculums that incorporate an on -site wind turbine
would make math and science more relevant to students, and hence increase
student interest in these subjects. It would concurrently enhance awareness of
global issues relating to responsible use of resources and the worldwide move to
renewable energy sources. Simultaneously, students would have an opportunity
to make their own mathematical/scientific measurements and to formulate
conclusions based on their own observations.
In addition to the direct educational benefits of a wind turbine in New Stuyahok,
expenses saved due to the wind generated energy can be otherwise allocated to
further enhance the education at the school.
Sincerely,
Lori Spalsbury