Autumn seems to have arrived early in Southeast, but I still have hope for sunny days ahead of the official date for fall. In any case, we all know how to suit up appropriately and enjoy the outdoors in a temperate rain forest. And there are always options like a good book and hot tea or–I’ll admit it–even a little streaming service binge-watching.

Though it’s only mid-July, school is already on the minds of many District 33 parents, teachers, and administrators.

July Fourth is coming up, and I know I’m not alone in looking forward to some festivities. In all our communities we want folks to enjoy the holiday, but we also need to keep in mind to celebrate safely.

It’s been an eventful week here in Juneau. The legislature convened for hardly more than 48 hours—Monday morning through Wednesday morning—to swiftly pass a bill to speed federal COVID-19 assistance to communities, small businesses, schools, and state services across Alaska.

With the gradual “re-opening” of sectors of the state’s economy now underway, I hope many of you can take advantage of activities that bring respite to our many weeks of self-isolation. All the same, I want to encourage everyone to go about this as safely as possible. Continue social distancing, wear masks when you shop or need to interact with people at close proximity, and keep washing hands and disinfecting surfaces.

First off, I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy. These are troubling times in so many ways for so many families. To those of you who continue to provide indispensable services to our communities—from healthcare providers to grocery store employees to our first responders and state agency staff—your work is so much appreciated.