Glacier View enjoys school upgrades

By Sheridan Pegg

For Frontiersman.com

MAT-SU — Of the 10 years I have attended Glacier View School, this year has been the best of all, mostly because of updates to our facility.

We have received a wonderful ski/Zamboni shed courtesy of Rep. Eric Feige, our school computer labs have also been updated with a new line of computers for better compatibly with newer programs, and while the students were relaxing over spring break, the school’s gym was resurfaced.

Sadly, all of the latter upgrades come at a time when we will be seeing our 30-year history and music teacher, Mark Owen, leave for a new adventure in Mandalay, Myanmar, where he will continue teaching.

The new equipment shed, allows us to store our ski and snowshoe equipment in a heated building that resides between the ice rink and the school building. The building, which we now call the Zamboni shed, has become a place for the community and school to use as a warm-up area, store equipment (boots, skis and poles) as well as house the Zamboni. The shed is as warm and inviting as our school building and has been used many times this year. We appreciate Rep. Feige’s support, which will benefit current and future students as they embark on learning the lessons of physical education through enjoyable outdoor activities.

While trying to work through the frustration of our Windows XP-equipped and extremely outdated computers, our labs received new computers equipped with Windows 7. This made possible compatibility among all computers, faster speeds and better quality programs. Before receiving these computers teachers and students were constantly fighting a losing battle of saving files, recovering lost material and compatibly. Students, excited to see Windows 7-outfitted computers, say they are relieved with the faster speed, better compatibility and more efficient use.

During spring break, while teachers and students were at home sleeping in and enjoy the morning sunshine, contractors were tearing the old used floor out of our gym and resurfacing it with a beautiful new design. Changes included resurfacing the color to match our school colors of green and gold and a Wolverine logo surrounded with the words “Home of the Wolverines” facing the spectator seating.

While receiving newer items and improvements to the physical aspect of our school, we are also taking a huge emotional setback in the form of Owen’s absence. He has taught at Glacier View School for about 30 years and has helped shape the school and its atmosphere even before the current building was built. He will be leaving for an exciting new adventure in Mandalay, Myanmar, where he will be teaching in a school of more than 1,000 participants. Owen, who teaches music, history and a variety of other subjects at Glacier View, will be starting over in a place that currently has no music program. Their benefit is our loss, as we will never be able to fill the shoes of such a dedicated teacher, mentor and musician.

Despite the fact that a part of our school’s soul will be leaving, Glacier View will continue to meet its students’ educational needs with assistance from the recent updates. New computers, a new Zamboni building and new floor were much needed updates to our facility and will benefit the students for years to come as they learn about technology and the importance of staying active even in the cold Alaska winter.

Sheridan Pegg is a freshman at Glacier View School.