We’re excited to roll out a new schedule that gives everyone fair access to gym time!
📅 Open Gym Times
• 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 & Men: 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM
➡️ Please use the back gym door for entry.
Thank you for helping us keep open gym fun, safe, and welcoming for everyone. See you on the court! 🐻💙
#AklaqPride #TellerStrong
✅ Open Gym Expectations
We want open gym to remain a positive community activity. If a student or community member chooses to:
• Bully or harass others
• Fight or intentionally harm someone
• Create disruptions or ignore staff directions
• Cause unsafe situations inside or near the gym
They may be added to the gym list and lose open gym privileges for the day.
Let’s show respect, teamwork, and pride every time we come together on the court! 🏀👏
#AklaqPride #TellerStrong
🎃 Halloween Carnival — Friday, October 31st! 👻
Get ready for a frightfully fun celebration!
Students may wear costumes to school on Friday — but please remember: No weapons of any kind, real or fake. This includes (but is definitely not limited to):
❌ Guns (toy or real), sickles, knives, daggers
❌ Bows, arrows, crossbows
❌ Swords, katanas, brass knuckles
❌ Bullets, grenades, potato guns, slingshots, rubber chicken slingshots
❌ Anything dangerous or that looks dangerous
Let’s keep it spooky and safe! 🛑✨
🎪 Halloween Carnival Activities
✨ Games & prizes
🧟 Family-friendly spooky fun
🍬 Candy & treats
🕜 Doors open: 1:30 PM — all are welcome!
🎟 Admission:
• Adults — $2.00
• Children & Students — FREE
(Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Teller Traditional - Thank you!)
🙌 Volunteers Needed!
Volunteers get in FREE — come sign up in the office or talk with any staff member.
Let’s make this a Halloween to remember! 🐻💙 #AklaqPride #TellerStrong #HalloweenCarnival
📅 Wednesday, October 29th
🕖 7:00 PM
📍 School Library
Our IGAP representative will be hosting hands-on, eco-friendly activities that are both fun and useful! 🌍✨
This week’s highlight:
🧼 Make your own environmentally-safe laundry detergent using simple household ingredients!
Come learn something new, enjoy good company, and take home what you create! 💚
We look forward to seeing you Wednesday evening!
#IGAP #TellerStrong #EcoFriendly #CommunityNight #AklaqPride
October 25th, 2025
Parent/Guardian and Community Newsletter
Dear Parents and Guardians,
What an incredible first quarter here in Teller! We finished strong despite facing major challenges — including two powerful storms and two principal transitions. Yet, this community continues to stand tall and support our students every step of the way. It’s clear why the phrase “Teller Pride” means so much here.
Last Friday, October 24th, we held our Advisory Education Committee (AEC) meeting, where great conversations sparked exciting ideas for the months ahead. We are committed to continuing to involve our families and community as we celebrate student success.
Here are some upcoming school events to add to your calendars:
📌 Family & School Events
• Family Literacy and Halloween Craft Night — Monday, October 27 at 7:00 PM
• IGAP Night— Wednesday, October 29th at 7:00 PM
• Thanksgiving Potluck — November 26 at 5:30 PM
• Christmas Program — December 18 at 6:00 PM
• Quarter 2 / Semester 1 Celebration — January 9 at 3:00 PM
We are also working on several exciting collaborations with:
⭐️ IRA
⭐️ Nome Tribal Office
⭐️ Norton Sound Behavioral Health
⭐️ Mary’s Igloo
⭐️ Teller Traditional Council
One idea still being developed includes a cultural exchange with Nome Elementary — possibly involving each school hosting the other overnight to learn and connect together in the spring. More information will be shared as planning continues!
✅ Tutoring & Academic Support
We realized tutoring wasn’t advertised as much as it should have been — and we want to change that!
Coach Fred and Coach Boring are available after school to support students academically.
Please reach out to them directly to schedule a time. Our students deserve this opportunity for extra help and enrichment!
🏀 Open Gym Update
We are adjusting open gym times to ensure equal access for all grade levels. I know change isn’t always easy, but our students have earned this space, and we want it to be fair and consistent for everyone. I was told equity and sharing is a strong value in Teller. It checks out with the Inupiaq Values too.
There is so much to look forward to here at James C. Isabell School, and we are grateful to have you as partners in every success. Thank you for the warm welcome this first quarter, and for your patience as I settle into this role. It is truly an honor to serve what I believe is the best community in the world.
With love and gratitude,
Mr. Reid Jackowick
Principal
James C. Isabell School — Teller, Alaska
🏀 Updated Open Gym Schedule — Starting Monday, October 27th
We are excited to share the new open gym times to ensure fair access for all students and community members:
Open Gym Times
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 & Men: 9:00 PM – 10:00 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.
Gym list if:
Bully or harass others
Fight or intentionally harm someone
Cause disruptions or refuse to follow staff directions
Create unsafe situations inside the gym or at the gym entrance
Past Information
Cell Phones Revisited
Students are not allowed to have cell phones during the school day. Please review the student handbook.
The cellphones shouldn’t be in the lockers, this is still a learning distraction
1st violation student gets the cell phone back at the end of the day with gym list, 2nd violation student’s parent or guardian has to pick up the cell phone and sign the document that they are picking up the cell phone, 3rd violation student needs to turn in their cell phone at the beginning of the day or they have to keep their belongs in the office.
Upcoming Dates and Events
October 27th: 7:00pm, Family, Literacy, and Halloween Craft Night
October 27th: 6-10, Starting the new gym times
October 29th: 7:00pm, IGAP night, fun activities for the community
October 31st: 1:30-3:00, Halloween Carnival, 3pm-3:45, Zombie Game
November 6th: 3:30-5:30, Quarter Parent Conferences
November 18th: 12:00-1:00, AEC Meeting, Small room in elementary wing, community welcome
November 26th: 5:30, Community Feast/Potluck
November 27-28th, No School, Thanksgiving break
December 10th: 7:00, Family Literacy Night
December 18th: 6pm, Holiday program
December 22nd-January 2nd: No School, Christmas and New Years Break
January 9th: 3:00, end of the quarter celebration
January 14th, 7:00, Family Literacy Night
February 7th: Read for Free Run 5k Run/Walk (with t-shirts!)
Link:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vjTXStWqXPiAHB2vTnWuvZ8rrPhl-5zf8nP1aM2rh9Y/edit?usp=sharing
Team photo — and this group is ready to take on the season! 💪
Watch out… because here come the Aklaqs!
Proud of the energy, teamwork, and Teller Pride this team brings every time they hit the court. Let’s go, Aklaqs! 💙🏐
#TellerPride #GoAklaqs #VolleyballSeason #TeamAklaq #TellerAlaska
The volleyball photos are here, and they perfectly capture the hard work, dedication, and determination of our incredible Aklaqs! 💪
Every serve, spike, and dive shows the pride and teamwork that make this team so special. We couldn’t be prouder of their effort on and off the court.
Aklak Pride! 🐻💙
#TellerPride #GoAklaqs #VolleyballSeason #Teamwork #Dedication #TellerAlaska
📢 No School Thursday & Friday — Enjoy the Long Weekend, Aklaqs! 💙🐻
Today marked the end of the quarter, and that means there’s no school for students tomorrow (Thursday) or Friday this week. 🎉
🏐 Volleyball practice will still take place as scheduled.
Please take this time to rest, recharge, and enjoy your long weekend — you’ve earned it! Stay safe, have fun, and come back ready to start Quarter 2 strong. 💪
Happy long weekend, Aklaqs!
#TellerPride #GoAklaqs #LongWeekend #QuarterBreak #TellerAlaska
Today we celebrated the end of Quarter 1 — and most importantly, we celebrated our students for their hard work, resilience, and Teller Pride through an incredible start to the school year!
This quarter brought two new principals, two big storms (one even canceled school!), and plenty of challenges that most schools never face. Yet our students stood tall through it all. 💪
👏 Some achieved 100% attendance — not missing a single day!
📚 Others earned Honor Roll or High Honors through dedication and effort.
After the celebration, everyone enjoyed some delicious ice cream, generously donated by Ms. Paula — thank you for thinking of our students here in Teller! 🍦💙
Let’s carry this same energy, pride, and commitment into Quarter 2.
Way to go, Aklaqs! 🐻💙
#TellerPride #GoAklaqs #Quarter1Celebration #HonorRoll #StudentSuccess #CommunityStrong #TellerAlaska
Join us for a fun-filled Halloween Family Night and Family Literacy Night — a perfect evening for families to connect, create, and celebrate learning together!
🗓 Date: Sunday, October 27th
🕖 Time: 7:00 PM
📍 Location: James C. Isabell School
We’ll have:
🎨 Painting activities
🧁 Light baked goods and treats
📚 Family-friendly fun and literacy games
Come enjoy an evening of creativity, community, and a little Halloween spirit! 👻
Everyone is welcome — bring your family and your Teller Pride! 💙🐻
#TellerPride #GoAklaqs #FamilyNight #LiteracyNight #HalloweenFun #CommunityStrong #TellerAlaska
📢 AEC Meeting — Community Welcome! 💙🐻
Join us for our next Advisory Education Committee (AEC) Meeting at James C. Isabell School!
🗓 Date: Friday, October 24th
🕛 Time: 12:00–1:00 PM
📍 Location: Elementary Wing, Special Education Room
👥 Everyone is welcome!
Discussion Topics Include:
Swearing in of new AEC members
Review of AEC meeting norms
Community concerns and updates
Child Find activities and outreach
Student presentation to the AEC
Halloween Carnival update
Substitutes and transportation updates
Athletics: Volleyball game (Halloween weekend in Unalakleet) & tournament fundraiser
Upcoming Literacy Night in November
School goals handout
Budget form handout and discussion
Open forum for community input
Setting the next meeting date
Come share your voice, stay informed, and help support the success of our students and community!
Teller Pride! 💙🐻
#TellerPride #GoAklaqs #AECMeeting #CommunityStrong #TellerAlaska #EducationMatters
❄️ Winter Travel Reminder for All Aklaqs! 🐻💙
It’s that time of year already — full winter gear is now required for all sports travel!
If you are at New Site, with snow machines and 4-wheelers often being part of the trip to and from schools, being prepared for the elements is a must.
The BSSD Activities Director has stated that all coaches, chaperones, and students traveling on BSSD-organized trips must have:
🧥 Winter coat
🧤 Hat and gloves
🥾 Winter boots
🩳 Snow pants or bibs
If you’re traveling to or from new site, you may need to ride a snow machine or 4-wheeler to reach the school — so please dress for full winter conditions!
Let’s stay warm, safe, and ready to represent Teller with pride.
Go Aklaqs! 💙🐾
#TellerPride #GoAklaqs #BSSD #WinterTravel #StayWarm #TellerAlaska
What an incredible evening at James C. Isabell School for our Alaska Day Volleyball Fundraising Tournament!
Every team got to play at least twice, and the competition was strong with some truly amazing teams and exciting matches. The energy in the gym was full of Teller Pride from start to finish!
We closed out the night perfectly — with a light dusting of snowfall to remind us just how special Alaska days can be. 🇺🇸❄️
Thank you to everyone who came out, played, cheered, and supported our school.
Go Aklaqs! 🐻💙
#TellerPride #GoAklaqs #AlaskaDay #VolleyballFundraiser #CommunityStrong #TellerAlaska
Come join us for some fun and competition at James C. Isabell School as we celebrate Alaska Day with our Volleyball Fundraiser Tournament!
📅 Today at 3:00 PM
👕 Teams of 4 (must include 2 females per team)
💸 No cost for admission — come cheer on your favorite team!
Some teams are even covering costs for their players, and matching shirts are not required — just bring your team spirit!
🛍️ The school store will be open for parts of the tournament.
All proceeds will go toward purchasing a new volleyball net and other volleyball gear.
If you’d like to help with the fundraiser, please reach out to Coach Eric or another staff member.
Let’s bump, set, and spike our way to better equipment and bigger Teller Pride! 🐻💙
#TellerPride #GoAklaqs #AlaskaDay #VolleyballFundraiser #CommunityStrong #TellerAlaska
Get ready, Teller — the Fundraising Volleyball Tournament starts tomorrow at 3:00 PM! There’s going to be some serious spikes, dives, and fun competition on the court! 💪🔥
We do still need female players per team, and as of 9:30 AM, there are three teams looking for more players. So if you’re interested, come on down and join in!
Let’s pack the gym, have some fun, and show that Teller Pride! 🐻💙
#TellerPride #GoAklaqs #VolleyballTournament #CommunityStrong #FundraiserFun #TellerAlaska
Today we celebrate Alaska Day — a day to honor our state’s history, resilience, and pride. Teller Pride runs strong!
🏐 Tonight, October 17th, from 4:30 to 6:30 PM, come cheer on the Volleyball Aklaqs as they scrimmage against the community! It’s sure to be a fun and spirited match celebrating teamwork, pride, and community connection.
Come show your support and let’s fill the gym with energy — Go Aklaqs! 💪💙
#TellerPride #GoAklaqs #AlaskaDay #CommunityStrong #TellerAlaska #Volleyball
Today, we welcomed the Alaska Air National Guard to campus as they surveyed recent storm damage and took time to visit with our students.
Captain Oaks and his crew stopped into several classrooms to talk about careers in the Alaska Air National Guard and to see firsthand what’s happening here in Teller. They were impressed with the respect, kindness, and quality of our students and community.
Thank you, Alaska Air National Guard, for visiting James C. Isabell School and for everything you do to serve and protect our state!
Teller Pride! 🐻💙
#TellerPride #GoAklaqs #AlaskaAirNationalGuard #CommunityConnections #TellerAlaska
What a fun and action-packed way to wrap up the Nactec week! Today our students:
🤖 Raced robots across the floor and battled it out in Sumo Sphero
🍳 Cooked up some delicious food in culinary arts
🪚 Crafted with wood — even sawing and shaping their own drumsticks!
It’s been an incredible week of learning real-life skills, exploring creativity, and showing that Teller students are ready for anything.
Thank you, NACTEC, for another awesome experience — and as always… Teller Pride! 🐻💙
#TellerPride #NACTEC #HandsOnLearning #GoAklaqs #STEM #CareerReady #TellerAlaska
Today, we celebrated Indigenous Peoples’ Day with pride, gratitude, and community spirit.
Our drummers filled the gym with powerful rhythm — special recognition to Kymani and Foxlee, both Freshmen, who amazed everyone by drumming the entire celebration. What dedication and pride for their school and community! 💙
The dancers were incredible — from Pre-K students to teachers, administrators, and elders — all joining together to honor traditions and culture.
A huge thank-you to Ms. Cora, who shared a beloved family staple: Eskimo Salad and Eskimo Ice Cream! We’re pretty sure a few people are drooling just hearing that our students got to enjoy Eskimo Ice Cream during the school day! 🍦❤️
Days like this remind us what community, culture, and learning truly mean.
Every day, we are learning, growing, and showing Teller Pride. 🐻💙
#TellerPride #IndigenousPeoplesDay #GoAklaqs #CommunityStrong #CulturalPride #TellerAlaska
Our Kindergarten through 2nd grade students were hard at work today, building a variety of important skills while having some Halloween fun!
🧵 Practicing fine motor skills through crafting spooky creations
🧠 Using creativity and problem-solving to make and fill their Halloween projects
📚 Expanding their vocabulary and writing skills across grade levels — from handwriting to ELA Common Core standards
These young learners are challenged every day to be prepared for what comes next — and they’re doing it with smiles, imagination, and Teller Pride! 💙🐻
#TellerPride #GoAklaqs #EarlyLearning #HandsOnEducation #SpookySeason #TellerAlaska
🎓 NACTEC Week Continues at James C. Isabell School! 🔧🤖🍳
NACTEC is still here, and our students are learning real-world, purposeful skills! Today we:
🥚 Cooked and shared some delicious deviled eggs with the school
🏗️ Built sound and stable structures in construction
🤖 Explored robotics and simple machines, adding motors to make them move!
Our robotics instructor, Ms. Jill, said the students showed amazing curiosity — they even asked to keep working through lunch recess instead of heading to open gym (a first!). 🙌
Once again, the NACTEC instructors complimented how respectful, kind, and engaged our students — and the Teller community — are.
That’s Teller Pride in action! 💙🐻
#TellerPride #GoAklaqs #NACTEC #HandsOnLearning #STEM #CareerReady #TellerAlaska
