Additional Information
Anchorage
Allow yourself several days in Anchorage to do your shopping prior to your first contracted day on
site. “Bush” shopping is exhausting, and you’ll appreciate the additional time to get things done.
You may also need time to obtain an AK driver’s license, doctors’ appointments (current physical,
dentist, vision), fingerprints, and last minute things.
Winter Gear
Winter gear may be hard to find in Anchorage in August and early September. Mail order catalogs
are a good source for gear. REI, 6th Avenue Outfitters, Army Navy, JC Penney, and others will
send items from Anchorage. Many companies offer free or reduced shipping costs with minimum
orders.
Online Shopping
Online shopping is convenient, too, for many things. If you are looking for outdoor gear or clothes, try
For books, movies and music, try
For medicines, toiletries, paper products, laundry and kitchen supplies, [Link] www.drugstore.com is a must! If your order is more than $49, the shipping is FREE, and you get 5% back quarterly on all your purchases. They
have a wide selection of regular household items plus much more.
Word to the wise: always check shipping policies to Alaska on ANY website you use. Some places won’t
ship to Alaska. Stay away from UPS shipping, unless you are willing to spend lots of money. UPS ground
service is not available to Alaska, so items are sent 2nd Day Air instead. This can be very expensive. The best
shipping rates are found using USPS Standard or Priority Mail. Most items will arrive within a week or
two, weather permitting.
You may want to talk with your fellow villagers and teachers to see what websites they use. Local resources
are invaluable.
Some Banks in the Anchorage Area
• AK USA 800.525.9490
• Credit Union One 800.478.2222
• Northrim Bank 800.774.7776
• Denali AK Fed Credit Union 800.764.1163
• Wells Fargo 800.478.5706
There are no village banks within the district. LYSD can and will provide automatic deposit of your
paycheck should you wish. Many teachers find online banking very convenient.
Phone Service
United Utilities, Inc. is a Native owned public utility that provides telephone service to all of the
villages in LYSD. Customer Service is located in Anchorage and communications technicians are
located throughout the area.
UUI tells customers to allow two weeks for new service hookups. To expedite service, find the gray
box on your housing unit that connects the phone line to your house line. Write down the number on
the box, called the demarkation number. Call UUI’s customer service number, 1.800.478.2020.
You can leave a message or press 0 to request to talk to Customer Service.
You will probably not want to wait two weeks to contact family and friends, so it is a good idea to
bring a calling card with you. A calling card also provides an inexpensive alternative to a longdistance
service plan.
GCI now offers Cell phone service to Bush ALASKA and they have 2 Plans
NATIONWIDE UNLIMITED PLUS = $99.99 a month
ALASKA UNLIMITED PLUS = $54.99 a month
Recommend the Nation wide if you have friends and family in lower 48
Medical
All villages have a small clinic, usually staffed with an EMT or Health Aide. Please remember
this is minimal medical service. Please bring with you any special medicines you might need. It
won’t hurt to visit your doctor before you leave. Get a physical exam and TB test, as you will need
these to start work. Shop for other items, such as aspirin, iodine, band-aids, etc., that comprise a
well-stocked home medical shelf. In the event of a real emergency, transportation to Anchorage or
Bethel is usually available, weather permitting.
Payday
You will be paid on a monthly basis, on or before the last day of the month, in accordance with your
contract. Teachers can chose to be paid with a 10 or 12-month option. Payroll is processed at the
District Office, and mailed to the Sites in ample time to meet the last day of the month deadlines.
Direct deposits are made on the last day of the month as well. Questions regarding automatic
deposit, insurance, retirement, etc., should be directed to the Personnel or Business Offices.
Bush Orders
Many teachers find it convenient to order food and supplies through companies in Anchorage. Most
places will shop and mail items for you for a service fee. Below is a list to get you started.
JB Bush
1807 W. 47th Avenue, Anchorage
907.243.7233
Mr. Prime Beef
7521 Old Seward Highway, Anchorage
907.344.4066
Span Alaska Sales
800.367.9833
Fred Meyer
2300 Abbott Road, Anchorage
907.365.2000
1000 E. Northern Lights Blvd., Anchorage
907.264.9600
7701 DeBarr Road, Anchorage
907.269.1700
2000 W. Dimond Blvd., Anchorage
907.267.6700
Wal-Mart
3101 A Street, Anchorage
907.563.5900
8900 Old Seward Highway, Anchorage
907.344.5300
Sam’s Club
3651 Penland Parkway, Anchorage
907.276.2996
8801 Old Seward Highway, Anchorage
907.522.2333
COSTCO
330 West Dimond Blvd., Anchorage
907.344.6436
4125 DeBarr Road, Anchorage
907.269.9501
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