Homer Alaska - Schools

With the start of the 2010-2011 school year, Fireweed Academy, a Homer charter school for grades 3-6, opened its doors to a program expanded to include grades K-2.

"This is pretty awesome," said Rachel Livingston, president of the charter school's academic policy committee. Livingston also is the parent of a sixth-grade Fireweed student and a Fireweed graduate. "It's a dream realized after many, many years of searching."

Founded in 1997, Fireweed Academy was granted permission by the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District in April to add the additional grades. Students in grades 3-6 continue to attend classes in the West Homer Elementary School building, while grades K-2 are in a newly remodeled building at East End Road, formerly the home of Eagle Furniture and Accessories. During the 2009-2010 school year, Fireweed had an enrollment of 74 students; adding the three grades brings the student count up to 120.

Monday morning, with the first day of school less than 24 hours away, workers added finishing touches to the building, boxes of supplies waited to be unpacked, white boards were yet to be hung and volunteers were hard at work. Grades 1-2 teacher Kim Fine and kindergarten teacher Debbie Schmidt were preparing for the 40 youngsters that, as of Tuesday morning, filled the space.

"It's like growing something. We're adding to something that's already great," said a smiling Fine. After five years teaching grades 3-6 at Fireweed, Fine has moved to the new location to teach younger students.

This is Schmidt's 27th year as a teacher. She began her career in Wyoming, then Colorado before moving to Alaska. For the past 13 years, she has been the kindergarten teacher at Nikolaevsk School and was at Paul Banks Elementary School for 3 years before that.

"We've had great help from parents and volunteers," said Schmidt, looking around at the learning environment taking shape.

Finishing the remodel by Tuesday was no small effort. Fire alarms, sprinkler systems and child-sized bathrooms were installed, with the help of Strong Construction.

"They've been a wonderful help to us and everything looks great," said Livingston. "It's unbelievable all the new requirements there are for new school buildings."

A fence has been erected to secure a large outdoor play area for the youngsters. The fence installation was a team effort coordinated by Fireweed Principal Kiki Abrahamson.

"Kiki (Abrahamson) has worked very hard through the summer to get all the requirements fulfilled," said Livingston, who chose Fireweed Academy for her children for several reasons.

"It's so important to engage kids. It's not just about learning and memorization, but making it fun," said Livingston. "(Fireweed) has a very strong language arts and math program, but they also make it fun. The kids love the school. They love their teachers. That's what it's all about for me. If you can't engage the kids, I think it goes in one ear and out the other."

Fireweed also offers a theme immersion program, "so you take one subject and everyone incorporates the way they teach into that one subject. It's a real connection thing," Livingston said.

Another reason she chose Fireweed is because of her interest in selecting her children's teachers. She initially enrolled them at Nikolaevsk after visiting that school and observing Schmidt. When Livingston's children progressed beyond kindergarten, her interest in Fireweed was in part due to Abrahamson.

"I thought Kiki was a top-notch teacher," said Livingston said. "I know her personally and she's just a well-rounded person."

In addition to Fine and Schmidt, the K-2 site also will have aide Carla Baird and Title I tutor Edan Badajos. The new facility is on the bus route. Hot lunch is available, delivered from Homer High School. Start and release times are the same at both Fireweed locations: 8:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.

At the West Homer facility, Mindy Hunter and Stephanie Zuniga teach grades 3-4; Abrahamson and Kris Owens teach grades 5-6; Amanda Miller, a returning Peace Corps volunteer, is the special ed teacher; Betsey Vanek is an instructional aide; and Mindy Parks is a special needs aide.

Janet Bowen, located at West Homer, is the secretary for both sites.

Although all openings for students are currently filled at Fireweed Academy, interested families are encouraged to call Bowen at 235-9728.