BY LILAH RAZZO - With the amount of sports teams settling in around the school for last weekend’s ski meet and this week’s regional basketball tournament, you have to wonder, ‘Aren't the school staff overwhelmed?’
In an interview with vice principal Rayna Halverson, she states that communication is key. Everything around the school is passed along by word of mouth, emails, meetings, and even simple conversations about workarounds that help lighten the load. When updates come out, staff members are informed to ensure their readiness to adjust.
She also expresses the importance of being open minded and flexible, and how that guarantees seamless changes to schedules.
When asked about the recent ski teams’ travel, particularly their return travel home amid yet another storm, Ms. Rayna replied that the school had already thought the teams might be delayed. A coach’s meeting was held to converse about accommodations that would have to be made. Whether that be lodging adjustments or meal plan changes, everything was planned to try and maximize the comfort of the athletes, their coaches, and their chaperones.
By Tuesday mid-morning, the last of the ski teams had made their way home, and 1A basketball teams had started pouring in.
As for teams attending this week’s 1A tournament, including those who have already arrived, expect White Mountain, Shishmaref, Brevig Mission, Savoonga, Shaktoolik, Elim, Gambell, Teller, and Golovin, plus the 2A girls’ team from Chevak. Games will be beginning Wednesday, the 25th, in the morning before school starts.
That’s well over one-hundred high-school guests, but the school is prepared.
In any case, things do go a lot more smoothly when they’re quickly and accurately communicated between staff, students, and teams alike.