Displaced students from Western Alaska resume classes across the state

Hundreds of students displaced by Typhoon Halong in Western Alaska have re-enrolled in schools across Alaska, according to the Alaska Beacon. State education officials estimate about 100 students have enrolled in Bethel and 140 in Anchorage, while others have joined schools in Fairbanks, Kenai, the Matanuska-Susitna Valley and other rural areas.

Alaska Department of Education Commissioner Deena Bishop said Anchorage schools are coordinating with state, tribal and nonprofit partners to provide transportation, meals and language assistance for predominantly Yup’ik families. Lower Kuskokwim School District Superintendent Andrew “Hannibal” Anderson said districts are working to keep displaced students and teachers together. Schools in several affected communities continue to serve as shelters and recovery hubs as the state applies for federal and disaster relief funding.