Author Archives: david wike

Alaska Seeds of Change – Feb 21st

Join us for an evening of food, music and demos under the glow of our neon grow lights at Alaska Seeds of Change! Learn how we support transition age youth in Anchorage with vocational training, mental health supports, and the POWER youth drop-in center.

  • Tour the Hydro-lab, Sprout City, and the rest of our indoor hydroponic farm
  •  Make your own hydro grow bottle to take home
  •  Music by DJ Spencer Lee
  •  Enjoy buffet food by the Crepe Crew
  •  Hear how our programs have made a difference in young people’s lives

Friday, February 21, 6 – 9 pm
Alaska Seeds of Change, 704 W. 26th Avenue

New Growth Interactive Fundraiser

Scholarship News from UAF

The University of Alaska Fairbanks has some very exciting news to share! UAF will offer four-year scholarships to eligible students beginning in the fall 2020 semester.

The new scholarship program, Nanook Pledge, will provide four years of annual assistance to first-year students, transfer students and readmitted students at UAF enrolled in bachelor degrees. Awards for eligible students will range from $1,000 to $10,000 per year, and will be calculated based on criteria that include test scores, grade-point averages and tuition rates. Students can check their eligibility and determine the amount of their award with our online calculator.

As many of you are aware, most scholarships that UAF currently offers only provide funding for a single year at a time. Nanook Pledge is designed to overhaul the UAF scholarship process to allow for four years of predictable financial assistance to students.
Starting in January, admitted UAF students who qualify for the award will start receiving notification of their scholarships. This spring, students will receive a financial aid offer letter detailing their total cost to attend UAF, factoring in Nanook Pledge scholarships, tuition rates and other financial aid. UAF will also provide each newly admitted student with a personalized video that outlines their anticipated financial aid and expenses in clear terms.

More details about the scholarship program are available at www.uaf.edu/finaid/nanook-pledge.php.

Nurse News: Facts about Cold and Flu

One would say keep your cold and flu germs to yourself, but that is not always possible. However, here are some tips below to try and do just that.
It is estimated that one billion colds are caught annually in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 5 to 20 percent of the U.S. population catches the flu annually as well. The flu season in the U.S. typically ranges from November to April.
While it is a myth that cold temperatures cause colds, it is true that cold weather keeps people indoors, making exposure more likely.
Here are some tips to help you avoid colds and the flu:

  • Clean and wipe down shared surfaces such as countertops, keyboards and phones with a disinfectant.
  • Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes, and wash hands thoroughly and often.
  • Get a flu shot if possible (it is most important for children and the elderly).
  • Eat healthy foods to strengthen your immune system.
  • Exercise moderately to maintain a healthy immune system.
  • Ask your doctor about vitamin supplements to help support your immune system.
  • Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
  • Get plenty of rest.
  • Try to avoid people who are sick, and know when to stay home if you become sick.

You should stay home if you have a fever because you are probably the most contagious at that time, or if you cannot control your sneezing and coughing.
When in doubt, call your physician. And don’t overtax your immune system by going to school or work if you’re really suffering. Common colds can become more serious bacterial infections such as sinusitis, and influenza can turn into pneumonia.

Flu-checklist.pdf  Cold and Flu.pdf

Nurse News: UAA Dental Days coming in March

UAA Dental Days is being offered this year on March 26th and 27th at 3500 Seawolf Dr. Dental Clinic in Anchorage. Free parking is located in the UAA South Lot. This is an event dedicated to serving those in our community with no dental insurance and limited income to provide dental care.
If this pertains to you or your family, please complete the required forms and register  for the event at https://dentaldays2020.doattend.com

Please complete the required medical forms found here https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/dentalclinic

Nurse News: Poisonings Among Children and Youth From Electronic Cigarettes and Vaping

I am continuously receiving new data regarding the hazards of e-cigarettes and vaping. This method is still relatively new and if one stops to think about how many years it took research to determine that smoking tobacco caused lung cancer. I have seen very recent stories on Chicago Med and New Amsterdam portraying youth in vaping incidents with lung injury and even death due to the chemicals used to vape. I realize it’s television, but I believe there is a lot of truth there. Below is some statistics regarding this hazard.
According to the Centers for Disease Control’s National Youth Tobacco Survey, in 2019, 5 million U.S. middle and high school students used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days, including 27.5 % of high school students and 10.5% of middle school students. These recent data show increases from 2018 when more than 3.6 million U.S. middle and high school students used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days, including 20.8% of high school students and 4.9 % of middle school students (Tobacco Product Use Among Middle and High School Students — United States, 2011-2018. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), February 2019). Electronic cigarettes are particularly unsafe for youth, young adults, pregnant women, or adults who do not currently use tobacco products. National attention has recently focused on vaping-related lung injury. As of November 20, 2019, 2,290 cases of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use- associated lung injury (EVALI) have been reported to CDC from 49 states (all except Alaska), D.C., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Forty-seven related deaths have been confirmed in 25 states and D.C. Other injury-related consequences of electronic cigarettes include acute nicotine exposure among children and youth caused by swallowing, breathing or absorbing e-cigarette liquid as well as fires and explosions caused by defective e-cigarette batteries, some of which have resulted in serious injuries.
Clinicians, school staff, coaches, parents and policy makers can all play a role in preventing the use of e-cigarettes among youth and young adults.

Steller Auction Tickets on Sale Now!

Tickets for the Annual Steller Auction are 
on sale now. 

This event is open to anyone who wants to support Steller Secondary School. Parents, grandparents, extended family and friends are welcome, as are Steller Staff and Alumni. Steller students are welcome to attend as well. Please keep in mind that alcohol will be served at this event and it is standing room only.

All money raised goes to fund projects proposed by Steller students and teachers, including:

  • Intensives and Passage (independent study) projects, including travel scholarships.

  • Souper Steller community lunch provided to all students and staff.

  • Community service outreach projects.

  • Additional student and teacher-proposed projects, equipment, and supplies throughout the school year as approved by the Steller Parent Group.

You can support the Steller Auction in a variety of ways:
1. Buy tickets and attend.
2. Donate tickets for Steller Staff to Attend.
3. Donate an item or a service for the Silent Auction by Friday, January 17.
4. Support your student’s advisory basket with a small item by Friday, January 17.
5. Volunteer your time to help at the event (4:30 to 9:30).
6. Donate directly to the Steller Parent Group.
 
We are looking forward to a fun evening to raise money for Steller Secondary!
Steller Auction Committee
Kari Hall
Tam Johannes
Kirsten Tschofen