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Web posted Wednesday, May 29, 2002

Tlingit classroom increases enthusiasm
Harborview students perform 'The Great Táay'

By GENEVIEVE GAGNE-HAWES
THE JUNEAU EMPIRE © 2002

Students dressed as flowers, birds and berries filled Harborview Elementary School's Tlingit Language and Culture Classroom on Tuesday night.

The classroom's year-end play, "The Great Táay (Garden) Party," told the story of a girl named Amy who journeyed through the forest and across the beach searching for food. The children mixed Tlingit and English easily, counting, singing and dancing with enthusiasm.

"They're really self-driven and they're very excited about learning," said teacher Kitty Eddy, who oversees the 26 kindergarten, first and second-graders with fellow teacher and sister Nancy Douglas. "The whole idea is that not only will you be successful in this room, but no matter where you are."

The classroom has been operating for two years, and has expanded once to include second-graders. Next year, it will expand again into separate classrooms for kindergarten and first grade and for second and third grades.

"When we started the program two years ago, we did it with the idea that, if the program were successful, we would allow it to grow and move up through the different grades in the elementary school," said Harborview principal Robert Dye. "It has been successful, so we're adding the next level."

The program is sponsored by the Juneau School District and the Sealaska Heritage Institute, with the aid of a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Many students enter the classroom after participating in the Tlingit-Haida Central Council's Tlingit Enrichment Program, which works with the Douglas branch of Head Start to give 3- to 5-year-olds a background in Tlingit language and culture.

In both programs, teachers and Tlingit elders from the community integrate Tlingit language, ideas and traditions into the district's suggested or required curriculum.

"It's throughout the day," Eddy said. "In the morning during group meeting we do the normal, everyday things, but when we count, we count in Tlingit. Whatever we're studying is based on Tlingit."

Annie Calkins, a former district curriculum director and assistant superintendent, was hired to provide an ongoing evaluation of the program. She said the classroom's approach has increased student and parent participation in the educational process.

"From an evaluation standpoint, one of the goals had to do with parent involvement," she said. "In the Juneau School District, there are a lot of people who feel they don't own the school or the curriculum. (Here), there has been a real growth in parent involvement and active interest."

Attendance at parent advisory meetings has jumped from a handful to 18 at the last meeting, Calkins said. Many of the parents helped take an active role in pushing for the program's expansion.

"There was a lot of support," Calkins said. "In fact, now there are 39 preregistered for the K-1 classroom. It truly is a reflection of the interest a lot of people have."

Among the students themselves, Calkins has seen attendance and class participation increase. A classroom that was "very quiet" during her first semester of observation is now filled with lively chatter about books and activities.

"That was a goal here," Calkins said. "To say we really want kids to stand up and talk. It's things like doing the play and reiterating that the things you say and how you say them are important in how you live your life."

Eddy said the family atmosphere of the room and the students' connection with the elders - dubbed "Grandma" and "Grandpa" by the children - has helped cut down on teasing and boosted enthusiasm about the class.

"To be able to branch out and have that many more kids having a successful start ... I see it as a really exciting piece," she said. "It's one of the most positive things the district has done (to be) proactive."

On the other hand, it presents a problem for next year's play, which traditionally marks the end of school.

"I have a hard time even visualizing a play next year," Eddy said with a laugh. "There's not enough space for that many people."

Genevieve Gagne-Hawes can be reached at geneviev@juneauempire.com

Culture play: Harborview Elementary Tlingit Language and Culture Classroom students dance and sing at the end of the play, "The Great Táay (Garden) Party." Students in the program are taught Tlingit language and traditions as part of the school district curriculum. Left to right, Anela Liborio, Bradley Wright, Audrey White, Hunter Lee, Marcus Worthington, Melissa Washington, Thomas Johnnie and Krista Bontrager perform. BRIAN WALLACE/ THE JUNEAU EMPIRE