October 15th, 2025
Parent/Guardian and Community Newsletter
Dear Families,
What a great week in Teller!
It’s been an incredible week so far — our students had the chance to travel to Nome, NACTEC is here helping our students build valuable hands-on skills, and together we’ve continued to show the strength and resilience that make this community special, even as we prepare for another major storm. It’s no wonder Teller has the phrase: “Teller Strong.”
I am incredibly proud of our students and how well they’ve represented our school and community. They have shown respect, kindness, and maturity in every interaction. Our NACTEC instructors have had nothing but positive things to say about our students. On their very first day here, several high schoolers greeted them with a smile, a handshake, and clear, confident English — a simple but powerful moment that speaks volumes about who we are. I haven’t been here long, but I can confidently say that these students and this community embody Teller Pride.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration – Today at 2:45 PM
We will celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day this afternoon at the James C. Isabell School.
If you are a drummer, we would love for you to join us! Please come early if you need extra time to set up. Classes will continue until 2:45 PM, when the celebration begins.
We’ll have drumming, dancing, and storytelling, followed by a short movement time (open gym-style) from 3:20 to 3:30 PM. Come celebrate our cultures, traditions, and the strong sense of community that makes Teller so special.
NACTEC Programs Continue This Week
Our friends from NACTEC will be here for the rest of the week, offering excellent opportunities for students to explore real-world skills and career pathways. I recently had a chance to visit their programs in Nome — and I was impressed! From simulations to hands-on learning, their offerings are engaging, practical, and free for our students.
Stop by the school this week if you’d like more information or to speak with the NACTEC representatives on site.
Halloween Carnival – October 31st
Mark your calendars! Our annual Halloween Carnival is coming up on Thursday, October 31st. This year’s event will be packed with fun games, prizes, and spooky activities for all ages. We can’t wait to celebrate with you — it’s going to be a frightfully good time!
You make Teller School and our village a place of pride, learning, and strength.
Teller Pride — Go Aklaqs!
With Love and Gratitude,
Mr. Reid Jackowick, Principal
James C. Isabell School (Teller School)
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.
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.
October 21st: 12:00-1:00 AEC Meeting
Upcoming Dates and Events
October 14th: Indigenous people’s day. Special celebration from 2:45-3:00pm
October 21st: 12:-1:00pm AEC Meeting - Community invited
October 31st: 1:30-2:30 Halloween Carnival (HS students will be helping)
November 6th: 3:30-5:30, Quarter Parent Conferences
November 28th: Community Feast
December 18th: 6pm Holiday program
Google Doc Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Z38z62NuZ9D8VDAA_XSSpZejRyqcYdveEgsMXMRUFvY/edit?usp=sharing
James C. Isabell School invites the Teller community to join us tomorrow, Wednesday, October 15th, as we celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day!
Come drum, sing, dance, and celebrate the strength and beauty of our community and its amazing people. 💙
We’re looking for more drummers, so please come share your songs and rhythm with us!
🎶 Celebration begins at 2:45 p.m. — feel free to set up a little earlier (just note that classes will still be in session until then).
The school store will open at 2:45, and from 3:20–3:30 the gym will be open for some fun and movement to close out the day.
Let’s fill the school with learning, laughter, and pride. Go Aklaqs! 🐻💙
#TellerPride #GoAklaqs #IndigenousPeoplesDay #CommunityCelebration #BSSD
NACTEC is here this week, and our students are hard at work exploring construction, robotics, and culinary arts!
Check out today’s photos — you’ll see our woodworkers using precise measurements to build their projects and our culinary crew preparing some delicious soup from scratch. 🪚🥣
Hands-on learning, teamwork, and real-world skills — that’s Teller Pride in action! 💙🐻
#TellerPride #GoAklaqs #NACTEC #HandsOnLearning #CareerReady #BSSD
Our Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd graders had an amazing field trip to Nome today! We visited the Nome Fire Station, enjoyed some delicious pizza at Milano’s, and made a stop at the AC store for a few goodies. 🍕🚒🛍️
A huge thank you to Teller Traditional for their generous donation that made this trip possible. Your support helps our students learn, explore, and experience new things! 🙏💙
The students were so well-behaved — full of laughs, smiles, and curiosity as they pointed out ptarmigan, musk ox, a moose, and even some unique birds along the way. We also made a stop at the Rock House for photos and fun!
It’s never a dull day at James C. Isabell School — these Aklaqs make us proud every day. 💙🐻
#TellerPride #GoAklaqs #FieldTripFun #BSSD #TellerTraditional #CommunitySupport
NACTEC (Northwestern Alaska Career and Technical Center) is here and ready for an exciting week of hands-on learning — from culinary arts and construction to electrical work and robotics!
Our students are gaining real-life skills and experiencing what it means to be life-long learners. Some of our Aklaqs are even helping prepare the construction site for upcoming projects — teamwork and dedication in action! 💪
We’re proud of our students for diving into these opportunities with enthusiasm and curiosity. Teller Pride is strong! 💙🐻
#TellerPride #GoAklaqs #NACTEC #CareerReady #HandsOnLearning #BSSD
School is open today!
🍽️ Breakfast: 8:30 a.m.
📖 Classes begin: 9:00 a.m.
🕞 Dismissal: 3:30 p.m.
Happy Indigenous Peoples’ Day! 🎉
Today we honor and celebrate the rich cultures, traditions, and contributions of Indigenous peoples across Alaska and beyond. 💙
NACTEC starts tomorrow and will run through the rest of the week — we’re excited to get started!
Join us on Wednesday, October 15th at 2:45 p.m. in the gym for our Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration, featuring drumming, poetry, and community connection. Everyone is welcome! 🥁📖
We’re grateful to have made it safely through the storm — let’s make it a great week, Aklaqs! 💙🐻
#TellerPride #GoAklaqs #BSSD #IndigenousPeoplesDay #CommunityStrong
Due to the storm and late posting, our Indigenous Peoples’ Day activities will be postponed to Wednesday, October 15th at 2:45 p.m.
We’re excited to welcome community members to join us for drumming and to enjoy some local poetry readings between songs. 🥁📖
The school store will also be open, so come support our students and celebrate together!
Thank you, Teller, for your patience and spirit — we can’t wait to share this special event with you. 💙🐻
#TellerPride #GoAklaqs #IndigenousPeoplesDay #CommunityStrong #BSSD
Most of the storm threat has passed, and we’re thankful to report that Teller is doing well this Sunday afternoon with minimal damage.
There is still a small chance of intense weather, so please continue to stay alert and cautious as conditions settle.
Great teamwork and preparedness, Teller — we weathered this one together! 💪💙
#TellerStrong #CommunityResilience #TellerPride #GoAklaqs
🌊 Storm Update from Teller 9:30am 10/12 🐻💙
The storm is currently moving through Teller, and our community is feeling prepared and staying strong.
According to the latest weather maps and forecasts (available on the Teller School webpage), conditions may intensify later today.
For now, we’re doing well — staying alert, connected, and ready. 💪
Please continue to check updates, look out for one another, and stay safe, Teller!
#TellerStrong #CommunityPreparedness #TellerPride #GoAklaqs
Thank you to everyone who joined the Emergency Preparedness Meeting at Teller School. Here’s what we came up with as a community plan to stay safe during the potential flooding and tidal surges expected early Sunday, October 12th:
🏠 Evacuation Locations:
Head Start Building
Old School
VPSO Building
📣 Communication Plan:
Facebook local updates
Door-to-door communication
Future use of VHF radios for local alerts
🧰 Emergency Kits Should Include:
Water, food, first aid, medications, tools, flashlights, batteries, important documents (birth certificates, Social Security cards, tribal/state IDs), and charged electronics.
💡 Reminders:
Prioritize elders and babies during evacuation
Keep oil drums secured and watch for flying debris
Stay clear of seawall and power lines during the storm
City generators are ready if needed
🚗 Transportation & Support:
Local trucks, school vehicles, and community volunteers will assist with evacuation and supply delivery.
🙏 Thank You to the Teller Traditional Council, City of Teller, and all community members helping with communication, transportation, and emergency planning.
Stay alert, stay safe, and take care of one another. 💙🐻
#TellerStrong #CommunityPreparedness #TellerPride #BSSD
Students from James C. Isabell School — Home of the Aklaqs — spent the day exploring rock climbing, enjoying outdoor adventures, and getting some serious cardio on the cycling machines! 🚴♂️🧗♀️🌟
You can’t find kids like this anywhere else — hardworking, motivated, and full of Teller spirit! 💙
Our graduation rates and post-high-school success continue to stand out across the region. That’s what career readiness in Teller looks like! 🐻💪
#TellerPride #GoAklaqs #BSSD #CareerReady #StudentSuccess #TellerStrong
Thank you to everyone who joined the Emergency Preparedness Meeting at Teller School. Here’s what we came up with as a community plan to stay safe during the potential flooding and tidal surges expected early Sunday, October 12th:
🏠 Evacuation Locations:
Head Start Building
Old School
VPSO Building
📣 Communication Plan:
Facebook local updates
Door-to-door communication
Future use of VHF radios for local alerts
🧰 Emergency Kits Should Include:
Water, food, first aid, medications, tools, flashlights, batteries, important documents (birth certificates, Social Security cards, tribal/state IDs), and charged electronics.
💡 Reminders:
Prioritize elders and babies during evacuation
Keep oil drums secured and watch for flying debris
Stay clear of seawall and power lines during the storm
City generators are ready if needed
🚗 Transportation & Support:
Local trucks, school vehicles, and community volunteers will assist with evacuation and supply delivery.
🙏 Thank You to the Teller Traditional Council, City of Teller, and all community members helping with communication, transportation, and emergency planning.
Stay alert, stay safe, and take care of one another. 💙🐻
#TellerStrong #CommunityPreparedness #TellerPride #BSSD
Teller community members — please join us for an Emergency Preparedness Meeting to discuss the potential flooding and tidal surging expected to begin around 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 12th. 🌊
📍 Location: Teller School Library
🕕 Time: 7:00pm until 7:25pm
Please come to stay informed and prepared.
Stay safe, Teller! 💙🐻
#TellerPride #CommunitySafety #EmergencyPreparedness #TellerStrong
James C. Isabell School, Teller School
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QKBV9uauudBT6oYwYP_aO_mx2zG4XyWH6FCX1nysFD8/edit?usp=sharing
Dear Families,
As we weather another storm together, both the ones we’ve endured and the one forecasted for this weekend, we are reminded of the strength, resilience, and unity that define Teller. Our community continues to stand strong through challenges, and that spirit of support and care is something to be truly proud of.
This week, our students showed outstanding behavior and maturity during the Nome field trip. They represented Teller School with pride, respect, and excitement for learning. Teller Pride is real—and it shines through in every one of our Aklaqs!
Looking ahead, we will be celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Monday, October 13th. Students are encouraged to wear traditional clothing, and we will close the day with a special educational event honoring our cultures, heritage, and shared history.
Please stay safe on Sunday as the remnants of Typhoon Halong are expected to impact Western Alaska. Check in on one another, stay prepared, and know that your Teller family is here to support you.
Thank you for being such a caring and resilient community.
Teller Pride—Go Aklaqs!
With love and gratitude,
Mr. Reid Jackowick
Principal, James C. Isabell School
Stay Connected to Learning
Check PowerSchool regularly for grades and homework updates.
Review your student’s backpack for items that should remain at home, such as toys, candy, or other distractions.
Safety & Communication
Monitor your child’s phone and social media activity. Please report any concerning messages to the school so we can provide support.
Attendance Matters
Good attendance starts with good routines! Encourage your student to get to bed early and be well-rested for school.
Sports and extracurriculars are important—please help balance these with school attendance.
Chromebook Usage
If your student’s Chromebook permission forms are not returned by November 30th, their school computer access will be turned off until the forms are received.
We appreciate your support in building strong habits at home and at school. Together, we can help every student reach their goals and more!
Child Find Activities:
The Bering Strait School District is conducting Child Find activities to meet federal and state requirements. Child Find helps identify children who may need extra support or specialized education services, ensuring every student has the opportunity to learn in the best environment possible.
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.
Next AEC meeting is October 19th.
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
October 10th-11th: Smash Classic Mix-Six Tournament - Canceled
October 13th: Indigenous people’s day
October 19th: AEC Meeting 12:00-1:00
October 31st: 1:30-2:30 Halloween Carnival (HS students will be helping)
November 6th: 3:30-5:30, Quarter Parent Conferences
November 28th: Community Feast
December 18th: 6pm Holiday program
On October 9th, Teller students took a trip to Nome and even had some extra time to explore the beautiful East Beaches. 🏖️
Our students showed great behavior throughout the day and represented our community with pride. It’s always a good day to be from Teller! 💙🐻
#TellerPride #GoAklaqs #BSSD #StudentAdventures #TellerStrong
On Wednesday, October 8th, our Teller Middle School students traveled to Nome for a fun and educational field trip — all sponsored by the Teller Traditional Tribe! 🙌
Students enjoyed rock climbing at the Nome Recreation Center, exploring Hanson’s and the AC Store, and finishing the day with some delicious pizza at Milano’s Pizzeria 🍕 (#MilanosPizzeria).
A huge thank you to the Teller Traditional Tribe for making this adventure possible! Your support gives our students the chance to learn, explore, and show their #TellerPride wherever they go. 💙🐻
#GoAklaqs #BSSD #MiddleSchoolAdventures #CommunitySupport
On Tuesday, October 7th, some of our elementary students took a fun and educational trip to Nome! They visited the Nome Fire Station, learned about fire safety, and wrapped up the day with some delicious Milano’s Pizza 🍕 — thank you #MilanosPizza!
A huge thank you to Teller Traditional Council for making this trip possible and supporting our students’ learning experiences. 🙏
What a great day filled with discovery, teamwork, and #TellerPride! 💙🐻 #Aklaqs #BSSD #FieldTripFun
Teller has an amazing ivory carving room — and an even better teacher guiding our students’ creativity!
Check out Reggie’s incredible kayak hunter, carved from walrus ivory and whale baleen. What an awesome example of skill, culture, and craftsmanship! ✨
Teller pride is strong! Go Aklaqs! 💙🐻 #TellerAklaqs #BSSD #TellerPride #IvoryCarving #CulturalArts
Today, Teller School took a group of high school students to Nome for an adventure — sponsored entirely by the Teller Tribe! 🙌
We can’t thank the Teller Tribe enough for giving our students this amazing opportunity. Along the way, we spotted fish, musk ox, ptarmigan, and even a moose — what a drive in! 🦌🐟🦆
In Nome, we explored the Nome Recreation Center, where students had a blast playing and working out. 💪 Then we refueled with some delicious pizza at Milano’s Pizzeria 🍕 (so good! #MilanosPizzeria).
Before heading home, we grabbed some snacks at AC, then made a quick stop at House Rock for photos and memories. 📸
Our students represented Teller with pride — respectful, positive, and full of school spirit. 🩵🐻
Huge thank you to the Teller Tribe for supporting our youth and helping make this trip possible! #TellerTribe #TellerPride #Aklaqs #BSSD
