Sen. Kawasaki - Back-to-School, Milestones and More!

August 9, 2024

Dear Neighbors,

Summer is coming to an end and the new school year is right around the corner! A new school year means new notebooks, school activities resuming, learning, growth and a fresh start. Whether you have a child that is in elementary, middle or high school, back to school season can be exciting, yet turbulent. In this edition, I’ll share some important information on what’s going on around the community as our kids head back to school. Additionally, I will discuss ongoing issues with school zone safety, where to donate and acquire free school supplies and vaccinations, an important landmark for the Red Hackle Pipe Band, the City of Fairbanks turning 121 and the conclusion of the Tanana Valley State Fair.

Senator Kawasaki with Molly of Denali at the Tanana Valley State Fair.

Back-to-School Season is Here

Schools around the community are hosting back to school events and opportunities to meet with teachers, socialize with other parents and students and get excited about the new school year! Here are some dates and times of events being hosted by schools next week:

Ticasuk Brown Elementary Back-to-School Ice Cream Social: Tuesday, August 13 @ 4-5:30 PM
Anderson-Crawford Elementary Back-to-School Ice Cream Social: Tuesday, August 13 @ 4:30-5:30 PM
Barnette Magnet High Back-to-School “Pop in for a Popsicle:” Tuesday, August 13 @ 5-6 PM
Denali Elementary Back-to-School Ice Cream Social: Tuesday, August 13 @ 5-6 PM
Hunter Elementary Back-to-School Ice Cream Social: Tuesday, August 13 @ 5-6:30 PM
PEAK Charter Back-to-School Night: Tuesday, August 13 @ 5-6:30 PM
Pearl Creek Elementary Ice Cream Social: Tuesday, August 13 @ 5-6:30 PM
Woodriver Elementary Back-to-School “Pop in for a Popsicle:” Tuesday, August 13 @ 5-6:30 PM
Anne Wien Elementary Back-to-School Ice Cream Social: Tuesday, August 13 @ 5:30-6:30 PM
Arctic Light Elementary Back-to-School Ice Cream Social: Tuesday, August 13 @ 5:30-6:30 PM
Boreal Sun Charter Back-to-School Night: Tuesday, August 13 @ 5:30-6:30 PM
Midnight Sun Elementary Back-to-School Ice Cream Social: Tuesday, August 13 @ 5:30-6:30 PM
North Pole Elementary Back-to-School Ice Cream Social: Tuesday, August 13 @ 5:30-7 PM
North Pole Middle School Open House: Tuesday, August 13 @ 5:30-6:30 PM
Weller Elementary Back-to-School Ice Cream Social: Tuesday, August 13 @ 5:30-6:30 PM
University Park Elementary Back-to-School Social: Tuesday, August 13 @ 6-7 PM
Ryan Middle Back-to-School “Popsicles with Parents:” Wednesday, August 14 @ 5-6 PM
Salcha Elementary Back-to-School Ice Cream Social: Wednesday, August 14, @ 5-6 PM
Two Rivers Elementary Back-to-School Social: Wednesday, August 14 @ 5-6 PM
Ladd Elementary Back-to-School Ice Cream Social: Wednesday, August 14 @ 5:30-6:30 PM
Lathrop High Open House: Wednesday, August 14 @ 5:30-7:30 PM
Randy Smith Middle Back-to-School Ice Cream Social: Wednesday, August 14 @ 6-7:30 PM
Pearl Creek Elementary Back-to-School Ice Cream Social: Friday, August 16 @ 5-6:30 PM

Senator Kawasaki by the entrance to Emily Ticasuk Ivanoff Brown Elementary School.

Back-to-School: What to Know

School supplies are essential in setting up our kids for success. If you are unsure of what your child needs to bring on their first day, the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District website has lists available for each elementary and middle school. If you need assistance with school supplies, there are options available to you:

Most schools help with school supplies for those in need—contact the front office of your child’s school to see if they can provide assistance
Check out Bright Futures Fairbanks—they offer aid to students in need

If you would like to donate, you can do so through Bright Futures Fairbanks or by participating in the 2024 Fill the Bus School Supply Drive, which ends August 11. Drop off locations include Walden Home Group Keller Williams Realty – Alaska Group (728 Gaffney Rd #100 (907) 452-3000) and Bailey’s Furniture of Fairbanks (1916 S Cushman St. #6610 (907) 328-4083).

If your child needs a vaccine for school, Walmart offers free vaccinations to those who are eligible. The Walmart Pharmacy offers a wide variety of vaccinations, from flu to COVID-19 shots and MMR to Varicella (chickenpox) vaccines. Aside from Walmart, here are other places in the community offering free vaccines to kids ages 0-18:

North Pole Fire Department (110 Lewis St., North Pole, AK) on Thursday, August 15 @ 3-6 PM
Fairbanks Public Health Center (1025 W. Barnette Street, Fairbanks, AK) throughout the month of August. Call (907) 452-1776 for more information.
For other locations and vaccine opportunities, click here

Not only are vaccines a requirement for enrollment in school, they help keep our kids safe and healthy so they are able to play and learn! Click here to schedule an appointment with the Walmart Pharmacy. If you are unsure what vaccines your child needs for school, click here.

For more information about school start times, bus routes, applications for free/reduced lunch, important dates throughout the school year, updating your child’s PowerSchool with current contact information and more, click here.

Senator Kawasaki at the "Positive Picketing" event where community members encourage and welcome teachers back ahead of the new school year.

The Importance of School Zone Safety

The end of summer vacation and back-to-school season means crowded school zones with lots of children walking to, in and around schools. We must be extra cautious when driving in these areas to prevent children or others from being injured. Last fall, a student was struck by a vehicle in a school zone—this is completely preventable and the last thing we want to happen. Here are a few things we, as drivers, can do to help keep children safe according to the Fairbanks Daily News Miner:

Obey reduced speed limits—keep an eye out for signage indicating reduced speed in school zones.
Stop for school buses—buses tend to stop frequently. Please keep a safe distance to allow children time and space to board and disembark safely.
No texting/phone use—distracted driving is never a smart idea!
Watch for crosswalks—always yield to pedestrians when approaching a crosswalk. Children often are not as cautious about crossing the road as adults are.
Follow parking rules—these rules designate specific zones for dropping off and picking up students to create a flow in traffic patterns and to prevent accidents.
Stay patient—school traffic can be hectic, but patience is necessary in preventing accidents. Plan your morning routine to allow extra time for delays.
Set a positive example—children watch and learn from our behavior, so set an example they can follow!

Senator Kawasaki by the welcome sign of Hunter Elementary School.

Happy 121st Birthday, Fairbanks!

This November is the 121^st anniversary of the founding of our city, which, compared to other cities in the eastern United States, is very young. Although Fairbanks is a young city and Alaska an even younger state, we have accomplished a great deal and have many exciting things awaiting us in the future. The catalyst behind the Golden Heart City’s founding was when E.T. Barnette discovered gold near his trading post off the south bank of the Chena River. Soon after, miners swarmed the area. In November 1903, the area’s residents voted to incorporate the city of Fairbanks.

Senator Kawasaki at the Golden Days Festival, a celebration of Fairbanks' origins as a gold mining community.

Red Hackle Pipe Band: 50 Years of Music

The Red Hackle Pipe Band, the farthest north pipe band in the United States, is celebrating their fiftieth anniversary! Founded in 1974, the Red Hackle Pipe Band carries on and spreads the tradition of Scottish music, dance, and folk culture while teaching, learning and performing. The band performs at a wide variety of events, sells CDs and is open for anyone to join. For more information, visit their website.

The Red Hackle Pipe Band at an outdoor performance.

Conclusion of the Tanana Valley State Fair Centennial

The Tanana Valley State Fair has come to an end, but this wasn’t just any TVSF, it was the 100th anniversary of the event! Most days of the fair were rainy and gray, but this didn’t keep Fairbanksans from checking out the booths, eating fair food, riding rides and having a great time. The Tanana Valley State Fair was founded July 7, 1924, and is the oldest fair in Alaska. For 28 years, the fair was held in various locations around downtown Fairbanks, until 10 acres of land were secured in 1952 by a newly elected board of fair directors. Thank you to all who worked to keep this Fairbanks tradition alive and for a fantastic centennial!

Senator Kawasaki in front of the funnel cake booth during the fair.

My Staff and I are Here for You

As always, I and my staff are still working for you. Feel free to contact my office and we will assist you with issues important to you and your family.

Working Hard for Fairbanks Families,