UCSD student transportation is beginning to load students for first routes home. Thank you.
UCSD student transportation routes will be running approximately 20 min late so that we can finish enjoying the Multicultural Festival.
All UCSD students k-12 will be dismissed from the high school tomorrow (Friday) following the Multicultural Day performance. Eagle's View office will be closed after 12:30. Any changes in pickup for Eagle's View students after 12:30 will need to be made by calling the high school office at 907-581-1222. Any student going to Friday Splash will be escorted to the pool by UCSD staff following the performance. Any Eagle's View parent that plans to pick up their child before or after the Multicultural Day performance will need to sign out their child with their teacher. Student transportation will be available and will run the normal routes following the performance.
Please welcome our UCS 2025-26 new Principal, Mr. Mark Alston. Following is an introduction letter from him to all of you.
Hello UCSD Family,
I hope you’re enjoying your school year! I wanted to take a minute to introduce myself and give you some important information about the start of the 2025-2026 school year.
My name is Mark Alston, and I am honored and excited to serve as the new principal at Unalaska Jr/Sr High School. I have been a K-12 principal in the Bering Strait School District (at Martin L. Olson School) prior to that, I was an Assistant Principal in the Lexington City School District, Lexington, SC, and Dean of Students in the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools District, Charlotte, NC. Most of my Administrative experience has been at the high school level and I absolutely love working with all-aged students. There is no better job in the world, than being a school principal.
Personally, I served 23 years in the United States Army. I am married with two children. Tonya, my wife and I have been married for 3 years. We have two sons and one daughter between us. As a family, we love spending time exploring, traveling, and entertaining.
Professionally, after earning a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education Specialty Mathematics from Grand Canyon University, 2009. I have spent the last 16 years serving in various teaching and leadership capacities in education. While teaching, I earned a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University in 2015. I am passionate about finding ways to individualize instruction for students. I promote a culture of learning that gets students excited about learning new things and encourages them to engage with other students. I believe that a culturally responsive, best practices learning environment helps remove barriers to learning, and that is what I will strive to create at Unalaska Jr/Sr High School.
I made this move to UCSD because I know that I can help make a positive difference here and provide stability in leadership. I am committed to the community and plan to be here for years to come. I am a supportive leader who will listen to the needs of students, families, staff members, and stakeholders. I will use my leadership skills to help accomplish the goals that we create together. I can’t tell you how excited I am to be coming to Unalaska and to get started in August/September. Please don’t hesitate to reach out at any time. I will be here to support your students and family in any way I can.
Let’s see just how high we can go!
Respectfully,
Mark Alston, Principal
Unalaska City School
current #: (706) 726-4186
The Student Government students and advisors returned this morning from the spring AASG conference. Unalaska was well represented.
Day 3. The NYO team finished 3rd overall with 32 points. Kristal placed 2nd in seal hop, Gian Placed 3rd in seal hop, Lucy placed 4th in AK high kick, and Aaron placed 5th in stick pull.
Good job Raiders.
Day 2 results NYO. New state record by Anatoly in One Arm Reach. Lucy placed 4th in Scissor Broad Jump, and Sonny placed 5th in Eskimo Stick pull. Games are streamed through Bering Straight School District on NFHS network.
If you aren't following our NYO student athletes, you MUST! Lots of successes. I won't list here, as I am afraid I will miss some.
An Unalaska pride moment, though, was listening to Alaska News Source this morning, as Unalaska boys' athletes were the main focus. It highlights Deklan, Rafael and Kaidon with an interview that said so much. Kaidon Parker's words, "Unalaska is just a hardworking town. ... Everyone want to push their hardest. A town that likes to grind and gets things done."
Watch the full newscast here (min 22 is the NYO section). Go to videos on demand and select Morning Edition II for today.
https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/livestream/
With great appreciation to Unalaska families, our coaches, teachers and more ... we are growing amazing students!
Here is a brief recap of Day 1 at NYO. Rafael won the Toe Kick, Deklan won the Wrist Carry, and Kaidon won the AK High Kick.
The games are also streamed through Bering Strait School District's live stream. Tomorrow events begin around 10am with scissor broad jump.
Rafael takes 1st in Toe Kick at state-wide NYO tournament!
UCS Students made the news! These young people used their voice to advocate for state education funding. The Alaska Public Media news story associated with the photo can be found here: https://alaskapublic.org/
If you want to get your voice heard, contact your legislators NOW to override the Governor's veto.
UCSD Board Meeting: As scheduled, the UCSD April 16 board meeting WILL be held tonight at 7:00 pm in the UCS Library. The agenda and board packet are available on our district website.
UCSD School Closure: Due to continued poor weather and road conditions, UCSD is closing schools for the full day (Wednesday, April 16). Looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow!
Due to poor road conditions and blowing snow, UCSD will have a 2-hr late start today. Student transportation routes will run two hours later than normal times. Breakfast will not be served. School doors will open at 10:00 AM.
Based upon current borderline weather conditions and forecasted worsening weather, UCSD is cancelling school for the full day.
Due to today’s late start and weather conditions, AK STAR testing for grades 6–9 is cancelled for today (Tuesday).
If we have a regular school day tomorrow (Wednesday), we will begin testing then.
Thank you for your understanding!
UCSD will have a 2 hour late start today due to poor road conditions. Breakfast will not be served.
🎉 UCS Students Win Big at National History Day! 🏆
We are thrilled to announce that two Unalaska City School students have placed first in the entire state of Alaska for their outstanding project in this year’s National History Day competition! Congratulations to Crina & Natnicha! Their hard work, curiosity, and deep dive into historical research have earned them top honors—and an incredible opportunity.
As state champions, these students, along with their dedicated advisor Ms. Dena Royal, will travel to Washington, D.C. this summer to represent Alaska at the National History Day national competition. This is not only a celebration of academic excellence but a chance for our students to connect with history firsthand in our nation's capital, engage with peers from across the country, and showcase the talent coming from our small but mighty community.
Please join us in congratulating them for this exceptional achievement. Your pride and encouragement mean the world as they prepare to take the national stage!
#UCSPride #NationalHistoryDay #StudentSuccess #UnalaskaLearns #ThrivingTogether
Starting Tuesday through Friday, Unalaska City School students in grades 6-10 will be participating in AK STAR testing. This assessment helps us understand how well students are learning and where we can support them best, so we ask that all students take the test seriously. Please help set your child up for success by ensuring they get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive to school on time each day.
Our UCS band is in Valdez participating in the region's competition. Below are the Livestream and YouTube links to the events at the festival. Also, Mr. Withers posted part of their 1st performance on Facebook. Check it out!
Aurora Music Festival Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@AuroraMusicFestival
April 10 (Opening Concert) 7-8pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC5rA_bdfKM
April 11 (Solo and Ensemble Command Performance Concert)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JipY8CucQY4
April 12 (Festival Finale Concert, Awards)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D0pxF_12wo
