 It’s no secret
that Anchorage is a
very transient community,
with families
frequently moving
in or out of the city.
It’s an inevitable fact
due to the military
bases, challenging
climate, and many
seasonal employment
opportunities.
It also means
that hundreds of
students transfer into Anchorage schools
throughout the school year, rather than
beginning in August with their peers.
Switching schools can be exciting, but it
can also cause anxiety in students at all
grade levels.
To help make this transition easier,
Brian Griggs created the PACE program.
PACE is a unique program that puts current
students in charge of welcoming
newcomers to the building. It began as a
pilot program at Bartlett in 2001 to assist
new students with registration and other
transition needs. It quickly blossomed into
a fully student-run program, putting the
young adults in charge of creating the welcoming
climate in their own schools. The
PACE program provides newcomers with
school tours and an introduction to the
school community, Anchorage, and Alaska
as a whole. Students also discuss strategies
for dealing with change and stress.
Ft. Richardson’s Colonel David Shutt says,
“Brian’s genuine enthusiasm and interest
in our kids not only earns their respect and
trust — he inspires them to become confident
and successful young adults.”
Many students who are served by
the PACE program later sign up to act
as student facilitators for newcomers,
which is a testament to the success of
this special program. Victoria Blakeney,
ASD’s Social and Emotional Learning
Curriculum Coordinator, points out that
PACE is just as valuable for the facilitators
as the newcomers. “Facilitators are taught
leadership skills that will give them a huge
advantage in their futures. From a Social
and Emotional Learning (SEL) perspective,
it is one of the greatest formats I’ve seen
for teaching kids SEL skills. All 15 of the
Anchorage School District’s SEL standards
can be taught through the PACE format –
in a way that will resound with kids.” |
 |
Today, Brian Griggs’ PACE program
serves students at Bartlett, Chugiak and
Eagle River high schools, Begich and
Central middle schools, and Alpenglow,
Aurora, Ursa Minor and Ursa Major
elementary schools. Brian Griggs collaborates
closely with the Social and Emotional
Learning Department, Safe and Drug
Free Schools, and the health department.
He attends all Anchorage School Board
meetings as the military liaison. Several
community organizations have partnered
with PACE, including Ft. Richardson,
the US Air Force Pacific, Johns Hopkins
University, the University of Hawaii, Cherry
Creek High School, Hawaii Joint Venture
Educational Forum, Hawaii Department
of Education, and Department of Defense
Schools in Japan, Korea, and Guam.
 Brian Griggs has worked with the
School Business Partnership program for
many years. He served on the advisory
board from 2003 – 2006 before becoming
a voting board member in 2006. He
was elected Co-Chair in 2007 and Chair in
2008. In addition, he recruits and supports
student representatives on the board and
advisory committee. SBP Coordinators
benefit from Brian’s assistance at their
trainings and retreats. He works especially
closely with Rebecca Vano, a teacher at
Bartlett High and the recipient of last year’s
Educator Star Award. Brian Griggs’ PACE
program was recipient of the SBP Rookie
of the Year Award in 2003.
Clearly, Brian Griggs is no longer a
rookie. He has quickly become an essential
part of the SBP team. It is with great
honor that Brian Griggs is awarded a
Star Award for his service to the School
Business Partnership program and the
students of Anchorage! |
