Schools ready to help students in need
Due to COVID-19, the level of depression and anxiety our teens are experiencing has skyrocketed. Hospitals across the country - including Juneau - are seeing huge increases in youth attempting suicide and other types of self-destructive behavior. Social services are being overwhelmed.
For instance, the state Office of Children's Services supervisor for all of Southeast Alaska recently told me that the number of child-welfare referrals they are receiving has gone through the roof, along with their levels of severity. They can't keep up.
Communities need to rally around their youth. We can no longer rely on outside agencies to protect our children. We need to do it.
In that spirit, I want to let all parents and guardians know that the school is willing to help. While our resources are limited as well, we will put our students first.
So please, if you are worried about your child in any way, please do not hesitate to contact us. We may not have the answers, but perhaps by working together we can make a difference.
Feel free to contact either one of us at the school at 874-3395, or at the emails below.
Bob Davis, assistant principal
bdavis@wpsd.us
Addy Esco, school counselor
aesco@wpsd.us
Ortiz reaffirms legislative priorities
Earlier this month, the Alaska State House of Representatives organized and established their committee memberships. I will a member of the House majority coalition. My primary committee assignment will be to serve as vice chairman of the House Finance Committee. A part of that role is to chair several budgetary subcommittees, yet to be determined. I will also serve on the Fisheries Committee and the Tribal Affairs Committee.
I am blessed with my committee membership and how it will position me to advocate most effectively for Southeast. My priorities remain the same: Protecting the Alaska Marine Highway System, supporting our industries (such as fishing and tourism), maintaining resources for education, and taking care of our elderly population.
As the legislative session gets underway, I need to continue hearing from you. I encourage folks to take the Commonwealth North survey, which asks you to balance the budget. Please leave your ZIP code, because I will be receiving all the responses from District 36 (which includes Wrangell). You can find the survey at: http://www.AKBudget.com.
Feel free to contact me any time at Rep.Dan.Ortiz@AKLeg.gov or calling my office at 907-465-3824.
Rep. Dan Ortiz
Churchill family says thank you
We would like to thank all the people who helped during the loss of our mom, Janice Churchill:
Don and Betsy McConachie, for the lovely service; Alice Rooney, for the beautiful music; the Swensons, for plowing; the Petticrews, for shoveling and salting; to everyone who was able to attend; to the ones who brought food to share.
To everyone who sent thoughts, prayers and condolences. And to the EMTs, Wrangell Medical Center staff, medivac team and Providence Hospital staff. Thank you.
the Churchill family
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