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Beneficiaries
Kotzebue Middle/High School: Kotzebue (first named "Kikiktagruk" in Inupiaq) is built on a spit approximately three miles long and half a mile wide, 33 miles north of the Arctic Circle. Located at the point where three major rivers - the Noatak, Kobuk, and Selawik - empty in the Kotzebue ("Kot-zuh-byoo") Sound. The site has been an Inupiaq Eskimo trading and shipping center for at least 600 years. Named now for European explorer Otto von Kotzebue, who landed here in 1818 while sailing for the Russian Navy, the city has a population of more than 3,500, and remains the shipping and air transport hub of the Northwest Arctic region. Kotzebue is home to a wide variety of regional resources, including the Alaska Commercial grocery store, Manniilaq Health Center, local government, and a handful of restaurants. The school has 340 students in grades 6-12. At Kotzebue Middle/High School, 19% of students scored at or above the proficient level for math, and 26% scored at or above that level for reading.
The school's minority student enrollment is 94%. The student-teacher ratio is 16, which is worse than that of the district.
The student population is made up of 46% female students and 54% male students. There are 21 equivalent full-time teachers. Two students from this school are currently preparing to travel to Milwaukee this summer where they will present to that city's World Affairs Seminar on the challenges they are facing due to climate change.
Riverdale Collegiate in Toronto ON has established a reputation for academic excellence and strong community involvement since opening in 1907. Riverdale is home to a modern library learning commons and students regularly use technology to enhance their learning. The academic program is complemented by a wide variety of clubs and sports such as: the Riverdale Environmental Action Committee, yearbook, athletics, music and theatre. The school prides itself on a strong spirit of community. There are currently 1520 students enrolled in the school in grades 9-12. The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 9 to 12, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Studies (2019) stipulates: "The Grade 11 course 'English: Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Voices' will be used to meet the Grade 11 English compulsory credit requirement." The school also has a small Ojibwe language program. All Grade 9 students are required to take the course "Expressions of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Culture." There is an extended French program at Riverdale.
FH Collins High School, Whitehorse YK is a grade 8-12 school with 684 students of whom 474 are in the English language stream and 210 in French immersion. A Northern Studies program, a course of strictly northern history, crafts, economics and development is offered to enable students to become more aware of their own heritage. The school is also a member of UNESCO's Associated School Network. Whitehorse is the site of the Kwanlun Dün Cultural Centre where traditional knowledge is shared on a regular basis.
These three schools offer a unique opportunity to create a knowledge exchange network. In Canada, the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (2015) include a mandate that teachers be trained to deliver curriculum through an Indigenous lens. As noted above, this requirement is now part of the Grades 9-12 curriculum set by the Ontario Ministry of Education. Efforts are ongoing to implement teacher training but the unique position of the District 5010 Alaska International E-club with contacts in both Northern and Southern Canada creates the possibility of developing a knowledge exchange among the staff and students in both countries. This small pilot project would entail the creation of a series of 20 minute instruction videos that would initially introduce the schools to one another. Another series of videos will focus on items specific to Northern culture as noted above. As the project will take on a life of its own as the network expands, it is anticipated that more youth will become implicated in Alaska, Wisconsin, Yukon and beyond. As the e-club also has members in Northern Sweden, there exists the possibility of reaching out to Sami culture as well. As a demonstration project, this will support students in preparing for a broader range of possible future
Funding
3000.00 eClub
3000.00 DDF requested (or as available)
Use of Funds
If less funds are available from District 5010 DDF, the scope of the project during the pilot year will be reduced by acquiring a smaller range of expertise.
A project budget is shown below..
Number of Rotarians
A minimum of 6 Rotarians from the eClub will be involved in planning and implementing the project in conjunction with at least 4 Rotarians from the local clubs. At least 4 Rotarians from the e-club will travel to the schools to help with set up and on-site instruction, including one Ontario qualified Teacher
Timeline
August 2023 to April 2024
Budget
All funds shown are in USD.
Video production costs to include scripting, set up, equipment 3000.
Materials to include resource books, craft supplies 500
Publicity 200
Local expertise Honoraria 2300
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