Frequent Questions

Common questions from new staff

Here are some questions new staff often ask. Always ask questions!

What should I ship, and what should I bring?

Shipping items from far away can be costly. Most staff suggest mailing most of your clothes and personal necessities from home. Bring a suitcase with a few outfits, but leave room for about two weeks of food to take to your site after shopping in Anchorage. See Shipping and Shopping.

Can I ship glass items?

Yes, but package fragile items extremely well. Your boxes or totes will pass through many post offices, so use bubble wrap and plenty of cushioning.

How do I get fresh produce?

It varies from site to site. Some communities have a local store, but most are small and don’t always carry the same items. Some staff use produce delivery services. Ask your school administrator what’s available in your community.

How do I plan food shopping for long stretches?

This is one of the hardest parts of moving to a rural community. Have a shopping list ready before you arrive in Anchorage; see the Shopping page for what to include.

What do I do with empty totes when I travel back to Anchorage?

You’ll accumulate a lot of totes. When you travel through Anchorage, take them with you to restock. Stack the empty totes with the lids on top and tape them together; they travel easily.

What are the weight limits for totes?

  • Carrying totes on the plane: 50 lbs.
  • Mailing totes through the post office: 70 lbs.

What materials will be in my classroom?

It varies from site to site. Contact someone at your school.

What should I do about banking?

The nearest banks are in King Salmon and Anchorage. You can have your paychecks deposited directly into your account.


We’re always looking to add more questions, so let us know if we’ve missed anything that would have been useful. Contact Human Resources at hr@lpsd.com or (907) 781-2210.