James C. Isabell School

📢 AEC Meeting Update

Today's AEC meeting is cancelled.
We will meet instead on Monday, November 24th, from 12–1 PM.

The schedule of topics will remain the same.

Thank you for your understanding — we hope to see you Monday! 💙🐻

November 13th, 2025
Parent/Guardian and Community Newsletter

Dear Families and Community Members,

We had an extremely fun time at our Staff vs. Students Basketball Game! It was a joy to both play and watch. There was a little confusion about eligibility, so to clarify:
Students must have had fewer than 5 unexcused absences in October and perfect attendance for November in order to participate in playing.

Our next Staff vs. Students Basketball Game—featuring familiar faces like Sir Jonathan and Ms. Lucy—will be held on Wednesday, December 17th, at 2:30 PM. If your student wants to play, please help them stay on track with attendance and punctuality between now and then!

A big thank you to everyone who helped make the volleyball tournament such a success. The event was safe, positive, and full of great energy—and we even received compliments from our visiting teams and guests about how welcoming our community was.

Our next volleyball games will take place in Gambell on Friday, and these are important matches—we need some wins to qualify for regionals!

There’s so much happening here at James C. Isabell School, and we are so proud of our students, staff, and families for their constant support and encouragement. Please keep an eye on the schedule, as things often change.

Thank you again for another amazing week!

With love and gratitude,

Mr. Reid Jackowick
Principal
James C. Isabell School — Teller, Alaska

Upcoming Dates and Events
November 14th-15th: Volleyball goes to Gamble to play against Gamble. Come back Saturday.
November 18th: 12:00-1:00, AEC Meeting, Small room in elementary wing, community welcome and invited
November 19th: Family Literacy Night
November 20th-22nd: Turkey Shootout Tournament
November 27th: 5:30, Community Feast/Potluck, Teller Traditional, Mary’s Igloo, and City are organizing, gym and cafeteria
November 27-28th, No School, Thanksgiving break
December 10th: 7:00, Family Literacy Night, Elder Story Night-Cold Travels Theme
December 15th: 10-3:30pm Ice Fishing Stick Making Day with Norton Sound - Community Welcome
December 17th: Staff vs Student Basketball Game Round two
December 18th: 6pm Holiday Program
December 19th: Fishing Derby: Link
December 15th-19th: Holiday Spirit Week, We need your ideas and input for this spirit week.
December 22nd-January 2nd: No School, Christmas and New Years Break
January 9th: 3:00, end of the quarter celebration, attendance celebration with Teller Traditional (prizes!)
January 12th, 7:00, Family Literacy Night
February 10: Norton Sound Mitten Making, Community Welcome
February 13th: Valentines Dance
March 13th: 3:00, end of the quarter celebration
March 15th-20th: No School, Spring break
April 6th-10th: Pike Fishing

Teller at Gamble Volleyball Game NFHS Free Live Stream:
https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/schools/john-apangalook-school-gambell-ak/volleyball

Link:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x1PkD1TzScGsdVWw7Jr48dhdn5uaHqAZ7LUpDeyYb8E/edit?usp=sharing

#TellerPride #GoAklaqs #AttendanceMatters #CommunityStrong

🏀Staff vs. Student Basketball Game — Today at 3:00 PM!🏀

Our Aklaqs who have fewer than 5 unexcused absences for September and perfect attendance for November have earned the chance to play in today’s Staff vs. Student Basketball Game!

📍 Location: James C. Isabell School Gym
🕒 Time: 3:00 PM
⏱️ Game Format: 5 periods, 5 minutes each

Everyone else — including our amazing community — is invited to come cheer on the players and enjoy the fun!

Let’s celebrate great attendance, teamwork, and Teller Pride! 💙🐻
Go Aklaqs!
#TellerPride #GoAklaqs #AttendanceMatters

🇺🇸 James C. Isabell School Honors Our Veterans 🇺🇸

Today, we pause to honor and celebrate the men and women from Teller who have bravely served our country. Their dedication, courage, and sacrifice remind us what it truly means to live with Teller Pride. We are so proud to call them our own.

💙 Veterans & Elders Lunch 💙

We invite our veterans and elders to join us today from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM at James C. Isabell School for a special lunch in their honor.

This is a wonderful opportunity to share stories, wisdom, and experiences with our amazing Aklaqs as we celebrate their service and legacy together.

Teller Veterans — Currently in Town

Makitta Blanche Garnie — Navy

Charlie Lee — Navy

Richard Komok — National Guard

Nathan Topkok — Alaska National Guard

Reuben Kuzuguk — Alaska National Guard

Marvin Okleasik — Alaska National Guard

Reuben Topkok — Alaska National Guard

Norman Menadelook Sr. — Alaska National Guard

Past, Out of Town, or In Memory Of

Darrel Van Dusen — Army

Ronald Kotay — Army

Rosie Snow — Army

Mr. Edward Snow — Army

Sam Komok — Alaska National Guard

Frank Miller III — Army

Gilbert Esunituk — Army

John Weyanna Sr. — Army

Herbert Noyakuk — Alaska National Guard

James Kevin Isabell — Alaska National Guard

Daniel Komok — Alaska National Guard

Bobby Foster — Alaska National Guard

Delbert Okbaok — Alaska National Guard

Darryn Tank — Air Force

Carlson Tingook — National Guard

Marvin Okleasik — National Guard

Fred Topkok - Alaska National Guard

Paul Topkok - Alaska National Guard

Dick Kugzruk - Alaska National Guard

Andrew Topkok - Navy

Phillip Kugzruk Sr. - Alaska National Guard

From all of us at James C. Isabell School,

Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

We honor you today and every day. 💙🤍❤️

#VeteransDay #TellerPride #GoAklaqs #ThankYouVeterans

November 5th, 2025
Parent/Guardian and Community Newsletter


Dear Families and Community Members,

Welcome to the new quarter! We’re so excited about the fun and meaningful things we have planned over the next few months.

Perfect Attendance Prizes:
Teller Traditional will be giving out some amazing prizes for perfect attendance — including virtual reality headsets! Let’s keep encouraging our students to show up every day, ready to learn.

Staying Warm & Prepared:
As the weather gets colder, please make sure students come to school dressed for the weather. We’ll still have walking field trips, and students need gym shoes for indoor gym time.

Healthy Habits Reminder:
We’re promoting healthy choices here at James C. Isabell School.
No soda is allowed in the school.
Only water in water bottles may be consumed during class time.
We want to help our Aklaqs grow strong with balanced meals, plenty of rest, and good hydration.

Sleep & Screen Time:
If your student is falling asleep in class, consider limiting or turning off screen time after a certain hour in the evening. To encourage reading, we have free books available at the school that students can take home.

Tutoring & Academic Support:
Tutoring is available after school, but please sign up with our tutors ahead of time so we can plan effectively.

Technology & Forms:
Some students still need to return their Student-Parent Handbook and Computer Usage Form. Until those are turned in, their Chromebook and technology privileges will be paused.

School starts at 9:00am. Please have your students in the classroom by 9:00am.

We’re off to a great start, and I’m looking forward to all the community events we have coming up. Thank you for your continued support, positivity, and partnership in helping our students succeed.

With love and gratitude,

Mr. Reid Jackowick
Principal
James C. Isabell School — Teller, Alaska

Past Information

✅ Tutoring & Academic Support
Coach Fred and Coach Boring are available after school to support students academically.
Please reach out to them directly to schedule and reserve a time. Our students deserve this opportunity for extra help and enrichment!

🏀 Updated Open Gym Schedule — Starting Wednesday, October 29th
We are excited to share the new open gym times to ensure fair access for all students and community members:
Open Gym Times
Monday-Thursday
Pre-K – 4th Grade: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
5th – 8th Grade: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
High School Girls & Ladies: 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
High School Boys and Men: 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Friday
Pre-K – 4th Grade: 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM
5th – 8th Grade: 7:15 PM – 8:30 PM
High School Girls & Ladies: 8:30 PM – 9:45 PM
High School Boys and Men: 9:45 PM – 11:00 PM

➡️ Please enter through the back gym door.
Thank you for helping us keep gym time fun, safe, and equitable for everyone. See you on the court! 🐻💙

Quick Reminder on Open Gym Expectations:
To keep open gym a safe and enjoyable space for everyone, all students and community members must follow our behavior expectations.

Advisory Education Committee and Elections
Please let me know if you have anything you would like for me to bring up with the Advisory Education Committee.
November 18: 12:00-1:00 AEC Meeting

Pay to play Saturday
Teller Tribe is paying for all students for open gym on Saturday. All you need to bring are your gym shoes.
Adults still need to pay.

Upcoming Dates and Events:
November 5th: 7:00pm, Elder Night
November 6th: Teller Wrestler goes to Nome
November 6th: 3:30-5:30, Quarter Parent Conferences
November 7th and 8th: Volleyball, We host St. Michael and White Mountain,
November 7th: Seniors night
November 11th: 2:45pm-3:30pm, Staff vs. Students basketball game, Perfect attendance for October and November to participate, but all are welcome to come watch.
November 18th: 12:00-1:00, AEC Meeting, Small room in elementary wing, community welcome
November 20th: Family Literacy Night
November 20th-22nd: Turkey Shootout Tournament
November 27th: 5:30, Community Feast/Potluck, Teller Traditional, Mary’s Igloo, and City are organizing, gym/cafeteria
November 27-28th, No School, Thanksgiving break
December 10th: 7:00, Family Literacy Night, Elder Story Night-Cold Travels Theme
December 18th: 6pm, Holiday program
December 19th: Fishing Derby
December 22nd-January 2nd: No School, Christmas and New Years Break
January 9th: 3:00, end of the quarter celebration
January 12th, 7:00, Family Literacy Night
March 5th-6th: 5pm Norton Sound Parka Making Nights (Free food)
March 13th: 3:00, end of the quarter celebration
March 15th-20th: No School, Spring break
April 6th-10th: Pike Fishing

Link to whole newsletter: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19t71wS2OfgOgzqv11DVESOeuBdIWbN9iWrzB8V481DQ/edit?usp=sharing

📢 Special Announcements from James C. Isabell School 🐻💙

Migrant Education Program
Come see Lilly at the school this week in the afternoon if you think you may be eligible for the Migrant Education Program.
Please be patient as Lilly is using a new software system and process to ensure our school and community receive the proper support and funding.
The eligibility window is open this week only, so stop by soon!

♻️ After-School Plastic Bottle Crushing Club
Join the fun and help our community recycle and protect the environment!
📅 Tuesdays & Thursdays
📍 Meet at the IRA Building
One or two students each session will help crush plastic bottles that will be sent out for recycling — keeping Teller clean and green! 🌍
Participants will be entered for monthly prize drawings!
There will not be rides for new site after.
Sign up at the school in the activities area.

📚 After-School Tutoring Available! 🐻💙
Need a little extra help in your classes or just want some quiet time to study?
You can now reserve a tutoring session with Coach Fred or Coach Eric after school!
Tutoring is available in a variety of subjects, and if you’d like to work with another staff member, we can help arrange that too — our amazing team is here to support you!
Let’s keep learning, growing, and showing that Teller Pride! 💪✨

#TellerPride #GoAklaqs #RecycleTeller #CommunityStrong