District Highlights: 2010-12
- 2011-2012 Annual Report
Posted On: Monday, August 20, 2012 8:08 AMKPBSD Today’s schools educating for tomorrow Kenai Peninsula Borough School District celebrates accomplishments, highlights, and our many areas of excellence as thirty thousand printed copies of the 2011 2012 Annual Report make their way into homes, schools, and businesses. Nearly
- Spring Creek School Graduation: We Did It
Posted On: Tuesday, June 26, 2012 4:23 PMThe final six graduates received a high school diploma on June 21, 2012. It was a bittersweet day of celebration and even a few tears at the KPBSD Spring Creek School. Keynote speaker Craig Turnbull, the Spring Creek Correctional Superintendent
- KPBSD educator receives prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
Posted On: Wednesday, June 13, 2012 4:43 PMYears ago, her high school mathematics teacher predicted, “You will become a high school math teacher.” Stephanie Cronin’s response was to laugh, and say, “No Way ” However, she didn’t forget Mr. Sellnow’s words to her, and although she initially went to college to
- Collaborating to Transform the Teaching Profession
Posted On: Wednesday, June 06, 2012 4:35 PMIn his invitation to attend the 2012 Labor Management Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio, Collaborating to Transform the Teaching Profession, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan wrote “In order to prepare our young people for an increasingly competitive global economy,
- CWOW: Classroom Without Walls
Posted On: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 11:08 AMFor hiking, camping, fishing or other outings related to the natural world, the Kenai Peninsula offers some impressive field trip opportunities for students. But though our mountains may tower above those available to students in, say, Boston or New York
- 2012 BP Teacher of Excellence program
Posted On: Friday, May 18, 2012 4:32 PM“This award recognizes how teachers inspire their students, and I must thank the teachers who I have had in my life.” –Mr. Sean Campbell, 2012 Kenai BP Teacher of the Year
- Math Bowl - Ten years and counting!
Posted On: Friday, May 11, 2012 11:42 AMMay 4, 2012, marked the tenth annual Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Elementary Math Bowl. This event, hosted by Seward Elementary School and sponsored by the Quest program, was conceived by quest facilitator, Agusta Lind, in her first year with
- Caring for the Kenai 2012—A win for students, teachers, schools, and community partners
Posted On: Thursday, May 03, 2012 3:26 PMThis year SoHi, Nikiski, Ninilchik, Kenai, Skyview, Homer, and Cook Inlet Academy all used Caring for the Kenai (CFK) as part of their classroom curriculum. More than four hundred KPBSD students submitted entries Jenna Hansen of Nikiski won top
- Alaska Construction Career Days 2012
Posted On: Wednesday, May 02, 2012 9:29 AMHundreds of KPBSD students participated in hands on welding, surveying, building, residential wiring, cable cutting, and much more during the Alaska Construction Career Days, May 1, 2012. Held at the Soldotna Sports Center, students took the driver’s seat in a
- 2012 ASAA All State Art Competition
Posted On: Tuesday, April 24, 2012 8:04 AMImagine the benefits of an online All State Art Competition—a dedicated Alaska Schools Activity Association (ASAA) online art site becomes a virtual gallery, and increased student participation from twenty three Alaska high schools. The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District celebrates
- Test prep: Brain Gym, yoga, and extra support grows
Posted On: Wednesday, April 18, 2012 11:56 AMEvery morning during the week that shall not be named—April Standard Based Assessment (SBA) testing week—Redoubt Elementary prepped for the school day with an active gathering in the gymnasium. The elementary school counselor, Lisa Schmitter, led students through a series
- A Visual Feast: Twenty-third Annual Student Art Show
Posted On: Monday, April 09, 2012 10:11 AM"It’s not just what you see – it’s how you see it!”
Visual Feast, the twenty-third annual juried student art show is an art exhibition held by the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District in cooperation with the Kenai Art Guild. All artwork—more than one hundred pieces—is created by seventh through twelfth grade students under the guidance of a school district art teacher. Seven high schools and four middle schools participated in 2012.
- Math Counts!
Posted On: Thursday, April 05, 2012 4:10 PM
A Kenai Middle School (KMS) team of four students—Ean Atchley, David Beck, Mikaela Salzetti, and Drake Thomas—accompanied by Coach David Thomas competed in Anchorage in the Statewide MathCounts Finals on Saturday, March 31, 2012, and scored! The top nine teams from throughout the state competed in three rounds of very difficult math problems. - KPBSD Film Festival 2012
Posted On: Tuesday, April 03, 2012 2:03 PM
The Kenai Peninsula Borough Juried Film Festival 2012 took place on Friday, March 23, 2012, at Soldotna High School auditorium. Elementary through high school age students from the district were asked to produce short films to submit for jurying. - Pre-Kindergarten Title I Classes
Posted On: Friday, March 23, 2012 1:56 PMDo you know a child who will be four years old by September 1, 2012?
Please take advantage of an opportunity to attend pre-kindergarten classes at a neighborhood school in the fall.
To qualify for the classes, parents and guardians need to contact their local area public school to schedule a Pre-K assessment test, and complete an application prior to the school screening appointment date noted below.
- Speed Strength Training (SST) in physical education
Posted On: Friday, March 09, 2012 4:43 PM
On March 7, 2012, Skyview High School hosted the first bi-annual Speed Strength Training (SST) Collaborative Competition between students from Skyview, Kenai Central High School and Nikiski High School. The competition is a showcase of the hard work by students and teachers—just as in art, drama, or industrial arts. It is a motivating factor for students to work hard. And we all know healthy competition breeds hard work! - Alaska Braille Challenge
Posted On: Friday, February 24, 2012 3:24 PM
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District vision teacher Mrs. Engebretsen, and students Destiny Schmidt and Maria Maes are Braille readers. Perhaps you, like other people wonder, “What is Braille? How do you learn it? How difficult is it?” - Career and Technical Student Organization Conference
Posted On: Tuesday, February 21, 2012 10:36 AM
Did you have the opportunity to join a “Career and Technical” student organization (CTSO) when you were in high school? Students from Homer High School, Kenai Central High School, Soldotna High School and Skyview High School said yes to join a CTSO last fall, and on Thursday, January 16, 2012, seventy students from these schools gathered for a day-long district Career and Technical Conference held at Skyview High School and Soldotna High School. - Alaska Winter Physical Education
Posted On: Friday, February 10, 2012 3:23 PMDelight in a wintery Alaska for students from Homer Middle School, together with Art and Physical Education teacher, Zach Zimny.
Students sled, build snow sculptures, and learn how to build fires.
- Positive behavior changing schools, students
Posted On: Friday, January 20, 2012 3:13 PM
You’ll be hearing more about PBIS: Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support. More importantly, some KPBSD schools, families, and communities already see and experience positive behavior in students that is directly attributed to a school-wide PBIS implementation. PBIS proactively prevents or reduces challenging behaviors through an entire school approach focused on making problem behavior less effective, while desirable behavior becomes more relevant. - Essential Images: KPBSD Photo of the Day
Posted On: Tuesday, January 03, 2012 3:44 PM
One district, forty-four diverse schools, and more than eighty-eight hundred K-12 grade students are learning every day a KPBSD school is in session. Who are these young Alaska students? - KPBSD Southern Peninsula Transportation
Posted On: Thursday, December 22, 2011 2:39 PM
KPBSD wants your ideas and solutions to solve a transportation deficit of $750,000.00. Informational meetings were held on December 1 and 2, 2011, in the Southern Peninsula area regarding the proposed transportation route changes. - KPBSD After School Academies
Posted On: Monday, December 19, 2011 4:37 PMTeens: do you want to learn construction, plumbing, or culinary arts skills? How about employability skills, Dental Assistant, Emergency Trauma Technician, or Personal Care Attendant skills?
Local business owners: are you aware students receive this type of skill training? Would you consider hiring a student for part-time or summer work who has completed one of these after-school academies?
- KPBSD Blogging Grows
Posted On: Tuesday, December 13, 2011 9:01 AMKPBSD blogs share content from classes, schools, media, stories of interest, adventures, and educators’ expertise and experience. Our KPBSD school district is vast, and people communicate on and through many platforms. Blogs provide an opportunity to listen, grow, and broadcast or share information.
- On the menu: KPBSD Student Nutrition Services
Posted On: Tuesday, December 06, 2011 4:58 PMFor lunch today … a few questions:
Would you like a piece of whole grain bread for you or your child?
Does low-fat mozzarella cheese sound like a good protein addition?
How about a serving of a fruit or vegetable?Sound good and healthy?
- 2011 Alaska School Principal Recognition Day
Posted On: Thursday, November 17, 2011 4:30 PM
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District applauds the dedicated professionals who serve as principals and assistant principals at our forty-four schools. Thirty-nine principals and nine assistant principals serve in the KPBSD. - Grow Awareness: Students Are Homeless
Posted On: Monday, November 14, 2011 3:52 PMIn your neighborhood—temperatures in the teens; young people in the school district seek shelter. KPBSD has a primary mission—educate young people. See in your mind’s eye the challenges that face a child or teen who is homeless, seeking basic shelter
- 2011 Outstanding School Board of the Year awarded to KPBSD School Board!
Posted On: Monday, November 07, 2011 3:22 PMOn Saturday, November 5, 2011, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District school board received the Association of Alaska School Boards (AASB) “2011 Outstanding School Board of the Year” award for contributions to the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District.
- Second annual College Fair—it was a buzz!
Posted On: Monday, October 31, 2011 2:12 PMWhy would four hundred and forty eight students, seventy representatives from colleges, vocational and technical education schools, dozens of counselors and staff make a commitment to one day, October 25, in Kenai, Alaska? Simple a time for minds to blaze
- Transformational learning for students who are visually impaired
Posted On: Friday, October 14, 2011 2:54 PMWhat transpires when KPBSD hires a blind teacher for two blind students, two aides, an itinerant vision teacher, and designates space for a vision room at a middle school? Magic and transformational learning.
This magic is no illusion—it involves hard work, commitment, learning, technology, trust, independence, and interdependence. It could be illuminating for the 350 plus sighted students and nearly fifty employees at Kenai Middle School.
- Innovation from 400+ students: ''Involve me, and I'll understand.''
Posted On: Monday, October 03, 2011 4:27 PMDo you value creativity and leadership skills? Are you the type of person that Thomas Edison describes when he said, “Tell me and I’ll forget. Show me and I’ll remember. Involve me and I’ll understand?”
- Student Council leaders risk, and connect
Posted On: Wednesday, September 28, 2011 11:44 AM
Kenai Central High School heated up with nearly one hundred student council leaders convening for an annual day of planning, connection, and inspiration. With outdoor temperatures dipping to the low twenties for the first time as students and their advisors traveled from seven high schools, the enthusiasm thermometer rose swiftly when teens from Seward, Port Graham, Ninilchik, Nikiski, and Central Peninsula schools greeted each other - Straight up facts: forty-four schools, one district
Posted On: Thursday, September 22, 2011 11:31 AM
KPBSD Points of Interest: 25,600 square miles: the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is larger than the entire state of West Virginia.; 7,725 miles on the road: everyday school busses transport 2,500 plus students throughout the district. - Kenai Middle School students head to the beach with Brie and Sangria
Posted On: Thursday, September 15, 2011 4:22 PM
Two Pacific Harbor Seals, a science teacher who engages her students, volunteers, and 134 seventh graders from Kenai Middle School joined the Alaska SeaLife Rehabilitation Program team for an exciting learning opportunity. - Implementing Three Cs
Posted On: Thursday, September 08, 2011 11:07 AM
Are you are familiar with the three Rs—reading, writing, and arithmetic? Can you name the emerging three Cs? And, equally important, do you believe the three Cs—cyber safety, cyber citizenship, and cyber security are relevant for next generation learning skills? - On the Fifth Day of School, Commissioner Hanley visits KPBSD
Posted On: Wednesday, August 31, 2011 4:26 PM
KPBSD and brilliant Kenai Peninsula weather welcomed Alaska State Education and Early Development Commissioner Mike Hanley on August 29, 2011. Beginning his visit at West Homer Elementary, Commissioner Hanley commended the students and educators for their Standard Based Assessment (SBA) scores during a morning assembly. - Teachers and Administrators Collaborate at District Wide In-service
Posted On: Monday, August 29, 2011 9:19 AM
More than seven hundred teachers and administrators from the Kenai Peninsula School District converged at Kenai Central High School on August 17. Throughout the day of Collaboration Leading to Effective Instruction, connections, preparation and learning transpired. - Soldotna Middle School Transitions Program
Posted On: Monday, August 22, 2011 4:07 PM
Need a compass? Eighteen incoming seventh graders took part in an innovative three day summer transitions program, Takin’ It To the Next Level. Soldotna Middle School principle Sarge Truesdell explains, “We want to ease the transition between 6th and 7th grade—studies have shown programs like this ease the hiccups for students.” - 2010-2011 Annual Report
Posted On: Friday, August 19, 2011 5:01 PM
KPBSD celebrates accomplishments, highlights, and our many areas of excellence as thirty thousand printed copies of the 2010-2011 annual report make their way into homes, schools, and businesses. More than 9,000 students begin classes in August together with more than 1,200 dedicated employees who work throughout forty-four schools. - Extended school year is extended fun for students
Posted On: Tuesday, August 16, 2011 4:53 PMIn movies and TV shows, summer school usually gets a bum rap. As the movies go, it’s inflicted as punishment for school-year laziness, shattering the promise of endless free hours of sun and fun that otherwise await students upon the final bell of the spring quarter.
- Tyonek mural a picture of community involvement
Posted On: Friday, August 12, 2011 9:16 AM
Painting a mural in Tyonek wasn’t simply a beautification project, though it is beautiful. It wasn’t just a skills-building exercise for the students, though they certainly learned artistic concepts and techniques. It wasn’t even limited to being a community engagement process, though that important goal was achieved, as well. - ‘Heads Up’ on student athlete concussions
Posted On: Thursday, July 28, 2011 8:24 AM
Gov. Sean Parnell and the Alaska Legislature recognize the dangers posed by concussions in school sports and have taken measures to protect Alaska’s student athletes with the passage and signing of HB 15 and SB 22. This legislation provides the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District an opportunity to enhance its already proactive emphasis on student safety. - Schools roof work looking up
Posted On: Tuesday, July 26, 2011 8:08 AM
Work is under way to replace roofs on Kalifornsky Beach Elementary, Kenai Alternative/Aurora Borealis, Soldotna High and Kenai Central High schools and the district’s warehouse in Soldotna. The work is part of a three-year replacement cycle that will cover — rather, re-cover — 11 facilities in all. - Feasting eyes on student artwork
Posted On: Thursday, July 21, 2011 9:19 AM
Recognizing and celebrating artistic achievement in student work can sometimes be a difficult — and, at times, too infrequent — endeavor. Unlike math or science, there’s often no “right” answer to arrive at in a painting or sculpture. But being creative, diligent and skilled in the arts isn’t easy, either, and art teachers in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District want to make sure those traits are recognized. - Construction Academy helps build bright futures
Posted On: Monday, July 18, 2011 8:30 AMHigh school students graduating from the Kenai Peninsula Borough School district have many opportunities for building their futures, and not all have to involve another couple years of sitting in classrooms for a college degree.
- Soldotna Middle track team takes run at Skyline Trail
Posted On: Friday, June 10, 2011 3:53 PMSoldotna Middle School track team members did a figurative 180 as their eyes took in the 360-degree views.
As they climbed above the trees and into the wide-open, bird’s-eye vantage point atop Skyline Trail, the ragged breath and questions of “how much farther” were quickly replaced with exclamations the likes of, “Oh, wow,” and, “Look at that!”
- Paul Banks students get growing in a new greenhouse
Posted On: Monday, June 06, 2011 2:31 PMStudents at Paul Banks Elementary School have a new house for their green thumbs.
This spring, two Homer High School shop students, Cody Shealy and Neil Richardson, built a greenhouse for the elementary school. It was made possible by donations and support from the Paul Banks PTA, Homer Garden Club and Spenard Builders Supply of Homer.
- Summing up success in Math Bowls
Posted On: Wednesday, June 01, 2011 3:04 PM
KPBSD students learned that math plus competition adds up to excitement in the middle and elementary school Math Bowls held at the end of the year. - Soldotna Montessori students gather lessons from trash
Posted On: Thursday, May 19, 2011 8:18 AM
It’s difficult to imagine anything outweighing the 300 pounds of trash that students in Terri Carter’s fourth- through sixth-grade class at Soldotna Montessori Charter School picked up at Johnson Lake Campground in Kasilof on the school’s annual community cleanup day - 2010-11 BP Teachers of Excellence honored
Posted On: Monday, May 16, 2011 11:03 AMA reception was held Thursday at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center to honor the five KPBSD teachers chosen for recognition as BP Teachers of Excellence and name the peninsula's Teacher of the Year. This is the 16th year of BP's teacher recognition program, conducted in the Kenai Peninsula Borough, Anchorage, Matanuska-Susitna and Fairbanks school districts. More than 1,000 nominees were submitted this year
- New Teaching Talent - Deana Kahn
Posted On: Friday, May 13, 2011 8:04 AM
Years ago Deana Kahn’s husband fished for king crab in the Bering Sea. The experience must have rubbed off, because she’s been thinking about landing a position in Alaska ever since.
“We have visited Alaska, traveling all around the state. We have always wanted to live in Alaska, and when the opportunity arose for me to job search - Trooper K-9 Chevron visits Soldotna Elementary classroom
Posted On: Monday, May 09, 2011 2:30 PMShaya Straw’s third-grade class at Soldotna Elementary School went to the dogs this spring with a unit studying working canines. The class learned about the many types of jobs that canines do — service dogs to help people with disabilities, police dogs, search and rescue dogs, sled dogs and more. To culminate the unit, the class got to meet a professional pup in person — Chevron the German shepherd, who is a K-9 unit with the Alaska State Troopers.
- New Teaching Talent - Shannon Hoffbeck
Posted On: Tuesday, May 03, 2011 8:12 AMWhen her husband got a job at Alaska Christian College, moving to Alaska seemed like a bright idea to Shannon Hoffbeck. “I visited the summer of 2005. Immediately, I was in love with the state and all it had
- KPBSD teachers awarded technology grant
Posted On: Friday, April 29, 2011 9:09 AMThe purpose of the “Classroom Without Walls” project linking social studies classes at Kenai Central, Skyview and Soldotna high schools was to foster interconnected learning beyond the boundaries of a classroom. Those physical walls have become even more nonexistent as the program is now being shared throughout the state as an example of innovative technology use.
- New Teaching Talent - Stephanie Belger
Posted On: Tuesday, April 19, 2011 8:56 AMIt didn’t take Stephanie Belger long to fall in love with her new home. She moved to the Kenai Peninsula from the Midwest — born in Ohio, raised in Nebraska — for a
- Betty Miller Named Alaska School Nurse of the Year
Posted On: Monday, April 18, 2011 11:15 AMWhen students come to see Elizabeth "Nurse Betty" Miller, it may just be for a Band Aid or a quiet place to lie down, but whether they realize it or not, they get so much more a health educator,
- Extra, extra: Kenai Middle students light up daily announcements
Posted On: Tuesday, April 12, 2011 2:29 PMEighth graders Joseph Vicere and Andi Reilly read off the teleprompter while signs remind them to smile, speak up and not chew gum. Students film a video program of the school announcements every
- SoHi exchange student raises money for Japan:
Posted On: Friday, April 01, 2011 1:55 PM
Aoi Yokomori, of Yokohama, Japan, is raising money to donate to Red Cross relief efforts in Japan. She is an exchange student at Soldotna High School this year. - One School, One Book program:
Posted On: Friday, April 01, 2011 1:35 PMNikiski North Star Elementary School students were excited to read "The Trumpet of the Swan" during February as part of the One School, One Book program to celebrate Love of Reading month.
- KPBSD hosts Sen. Murkowski:
Posted On: Friday, April 01, 2011 1:31 PMSen. Lisa Murkowski updates the KPBSD Board of Education and administration during a work session Feb. 21. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R Alaska, had much to chew on during a visit
- Principles of Technology course:
Posted On: Friday, April 01, 2011 1:30 PMSure, the cars looked cool, but how well would they run?The final project in Kenai Alternative High School's seven week principles of technology course, focusing on mechanical and fluid systems, was to
- KPBSD hosts Sen. Murkowski!
Posted On: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 2:43 PMSen. Lisa Murkowski updates the KPBSD Board of Education and administration during a work session Feb. 21. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R Alaska, had much to chew on during a visit
- Principles of Technology
Posted On: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 2:42 PMSure, the cars looked cool, but how well would they run?The final project in Kenai Alternative High School's seven week principles of technology course, focusing on mechanical and fluid systems, was to
- “One School, One Book” program
Posted On: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 1:51 PMNikiski North Star Elementary School students were excited to read "The Trumpet of the Swan" during February as part of the One School, One Book program to celebrate Love of
- New Teaching Talent - Jill Wagner
Posted On: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 1:40 PMJill Wagner came to Redoubt Elementary fresh off a whirlwind.She came to Alaska in August 2010 for a vacation with her then boyfriend, now husband, Mychal Wagner, intending to
- KPBSD hosts Sen. Murkowksi
Posted On: Tuesday, March 22, 2011 2:27 PMSen. Lisa Murkowski updates the KPBSD Board of Education and administration during a work session Feb. 21. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R Alaska, had much to chew on during a visit
- Principles of Technology Course
Posted On: Monday, March 21, 2011 12:27 PMSure, the cars looked cool, but how well would they run?The final project in Kenai Alternative High School’s seven week principles of technology course, focusing on mechanical and fluid systems, was to
- New Teaching Talent - Justin Hostetter
Posted On: Wednesday, March 09, 2011 3:51 PMConsidering one of Justin Hostetter’s main interests, it’s a good thing he’s in Alaska.“The snow, the mountains, the snow, the not so blazing hot summers, the snow,” he said.Hostetter has lived in Alaska for 22 years. He grew up and
- KPBSD team wins 2011 Inclusive Practice Award
Posted On: Wednesday, March 09, 2011 2:35 PMTina Gilman, at right, and a team from Soldotna Elementary School, also were nominated for the Inclusive Practice Award. A team of educators at Sterling Elementary School has been honored
- Playing with learning
Posted On: Monday, March 07, 2011 9:51 AMPlaying with learningYou’ve got to learn something in order to teach it. On Jan. 21, that premise resulted in a group of Kenai Peninsula Borough School District elementary school music teachers engaging in a day of playing new instruments, melting
- New Teaching Talent - Cathy Walker
Posted On: Thursday, February 24, 2011 10:14 AMCathy Walker brings a variety of unique, Alaska teaching experiences with her to KPBSD. Cathy moved to Alaska 10 years ago and had the opportunity to teach in both Egegik and Kokhanok in the Lake and Peninsula Borough School District.
- Bionic Bunch’s teamwork builds success in robotics competition
Posted On: Friday, February 18, 2011 10:33 AMBionic Bunch’s teamwork builds success in robotics competition Designing and assembling Lego robotic constructions to solve engineering challenges is only part of the blueprint for success in the First Lego League competition. Building teamwork is just as important,
- New Teaching Talent - Deanne Pearson
Posted On: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 5:01 PM
Deanne Pearson is no stranger to the Kenai Peninsula. She grew up in Washington and moved to Alaska in 1977 when her dad was transferred to Soldotna. Other than attending college, she’s been here since. - School meal program serves up choices
Posted On: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 4:11 PMKenai Peninsula Borough School District students can order up choice in school meal programs, through the A La Carte program.
Student Nutrition Services offers well-balanced meals that comply with USDA nutritional guidelines in its breakfast and lunch programs.
- New Teaching Talent - Mandi Young
Posted On: Wednesday, February 02, 2011 3:33 PM
Mandi Young is doing double duty with the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, as a part-time Title 1 preschool teacher at Soldotna Elementary School in the mornings, and a part-time Title 1 parent liaison in the afternoons at Soldotna, Redoubt, Mountain View and Nikiski North Star elementary schools. - New Teaching Talent - Wes Andrews
Posted On: Friday, January 28, 2011 4:54 PMWith one Andrews coming to Alaska, the Kenai Peninsula got a four for one deal. When Wes Andrews’ sister, Bethany, told him she was applying for a six grade teaching position at Redoubt Elementary School in Soldotna, Wes decided to
- Volunteers move mountains at Paul Banks Elementary
Posted On: Friday, January 28, 2011 1:43 PMParents play a vital role in Dina Marion’s science and social studies class projects. Her first-grade students, at Paul Banks Elementary School in Homer, are currently creating three-dimensional landform maps. For a project of this geologic scale, parental involvement is a monumental help.
- Seward sign of support
Posted On: Thursday, January 20, 2011 12:56 AMThe Seward community lost an important landmark and communication resource when the Seward Highway road expansion project led to the removal of the Seward High School sign. A group of dedicated individuals from the community and high school created a
- New Teaching Talent - Aaron Lohmeyer
Posted On: Wednesday, January 12, 2011 12:17 AMSoldotna Elementary Music Teacher Aaron Lohmeyer spent his summers on the Kenai when he was studying music at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. After a couple of years in Fairbanks, he moved to Florida and obtained two masters degrees
- First Female Tugboat Captain
Posted On: Monday, January 03, 2011 12:44 PMSoldotna High School students in Mr. Dan Harbison's Alaska History class had the opportunity to meet Marcia Macone, the first female tugboat captain in Alaska. Marcia has received three awards from the Department of the Interior for "Acts of Valor
- New Teaching Talent - Bethany Nyboer
Posted On: Thursday, December 16, 2010 3:08 PMAlthough Bethany Nyboer's three siblings are teachers, she wasn't sure teaching was her true calling. She attended Hope College in Holland, Michigan and obtained her bachelor of arts in communication. Upon graduation, Bethany worked in the public relations department at
- Professional Development for Paraprofessionals
Posted On: Thursday, December 16, 2010 2:22 PMSpecial education paraprofessionals from across the district recently took a break from their duties to attend a special presentation by guest speaker Padmaja Sarathy. Sarathy is the author of five books in the field of special education. She has also
- 2010-2011 AP Scholars
Posted On: Monday, December 13, 2010 11:36 AMTen KPBSD students have earned 2010 AP Scholar Awards in recognition of their exceptional achievement on Advanced Placement exams.The College Board's Advanced Placement Program® (AP®) provides willing and academically prepared students with the opportunity to take rigorous college level courses
- Vaughn Dosko Receives State Honor
Posted On: Monday, December 06, 2010 8:46 AMThe Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals has selected Vaughn Dosko, Assistant Principal of Kenai Middle School, as the Alaska Assistant Principal of the Year for 2010 11. Dosko is now eligible for consideration as a candidate for the 2011
- New Teaching Talent - Benjamin Caswell
Posted On: Tuesday, November 30, 2010 11:40 AMBenjamin Caswell and his family moved to Alaska from American Fork, Utah. Ben earned his bachelor degree in secondary education from Brigham Young University in Hawaii. As a student teacher, he found a passion to teach children in need, utilizing
- First Annual KPBSD College Fair
Posted On: Wednesday, November 24, 2010 10:19 AMNearly 400 students from across the borough recently attended the first annual KPBSD College Fair. Forty eight college representatives were on hand to answer questions one on one from junior and senior high students. Culinary arts students provided the college
- KPBSD Honors Veterans
Posted On: Thursday, November 18, 2010 9:46 AMTeachers and students honored our military men and women in a variety of ways on Veteran's Day. (Pictured: Kimberly Martin, United States Navy Veteran)
- Skyview Penny Wars
Posted On: Thursday, November 11, 2010 9:43 AMIt was underclassmen vs. upperclassmen in a battle of common cents at Skyview, the annual Penny War. Students brought pennies, silver coins and dollar bills to drop in either the underclassmen bucket or the upperclassmen bucket. A team could gain
- New Teaching Talent - Christopher Brown
Posted On: Tuesday, November 09, 2010 9:02 AMThe Homer Flex School gained a tremendous new asset this year in Christopher Brown. He brings his extensive experience from a variety of small school settings. Mr. Brown was previously an instructor in Kotzebue, in the Northwest Arctic. Prior to
- Mind Amazes Competition
Posted On: Monday, October 25, 2010 1:36 PMTeams of 3 4 students, grades 4 12, participated in the Mind Amazes Problem Solving Competition sponsored by KPBSD's Quest Program. This year's district wide event took place on Saturday, October 9th at Soldotna Middle School. Teams tackled long term
- Career Ready at KPBSD
Posted On: Wednesday, October 13, 2010 3:43 PMThe Workforce Development Center will be offering a variety of different after school academies for KPBSD high school students. If a student successfully completes any of the 60 hour academies, they are eligible to receive a half practical art credit.
- Conservation Efforts Support Classroom Instruction
Posted On: Tuesday, October 12, 2010 1:37 PMKPBSD's on going commitment to reduce energy costs and protect the environment netted a $297,411 energy savings for KPBSD during the 2009 2010 school year. The KPBSD Energy Incentive Program, now in its third school year, awards 25% of each
- New Teaching Talent - Bethany Andrews
Posted On: Friday, October 01, 2010 4:10 PMBethany Andrews is a sixth grade teacher at Redoubt Elementary. This is her first teaching assignment. Bethany recently moved from Portland, Oregon after she attained her master's degree in K 8 Elementary and Early Childhood. Stephanie's younger brother, Wes Andrews,
- Father and Son Create A Starworthy SoHi Tradition
Posted On: Wednesday, September 29, 2010 12:00 PM"We wanted to create a program to give back to the school system that had served us so well," explains Todd Syverson. Todd is the principal at Soldotna High School. Tate Syverson is currently a senior at SoHi and attended
- KPBSD Joins the Global Community of Technology Innovation
Posted On: Tuesday, September 28, 2010 8:41 AMCommunity members recently got a hands on learning opportunity at the 21st Century Learning Open House held at the Challenger Center. The instructors for this lesson, however, were the students from River City Academy who led a multitude of technology
- Connecting with the Community
Posted On: Wednesday, September 22, 2010 5:05 PMKPBSD has launched its first ever Superintendent Blog. The blog will provide an additional communication tool for the district to connect with the community. Blog visitors can read short announcements by Dr. Atwater, and in addition, will have the opportunity
- Audit Helps to Cultivate Culture of Continuous Improvement
Posted On: Wednesday, September 22, 2010 2:01 PMThe Curriculum Audit Team from International Curriculum Management Audit Center at Phi Delta Kappa International presented its formal final report to the Kenai Peninsula Board of Education at their monthly scheduled meeting in Homer on September 13. The report is
- Starve a Mosquito. Donate Blood.
Posted On: Monday, September 20, 2010 9:50 AMStarve a Mosquito…Donate Blood. That's the theme for this year's annual SoHi Blood Drive. The event is organized and managed entirely by the Soldotna High School Honor Society students. "We had great participation last year because National Honor Students could
- A Dash to the Finish Line Brings More Than Just Cash
Posted On: Monday, September 20, 2010 8:39 AMClockwise from top left Ty Shoemaker, Sawyer Skiba, Sebastian Strickland, Jared Wallis, Annaleah Ernst, Rebecca Wheeler, and Daniel Ribbens Nikiski's cross country team and their coaches, Anna Widman and Justine
- New Teaching Talent - Paulene Rizzo
Posted On: Thursday, September 16, 2010 9:17 AMKPBSD welcomes 35 new classroom teachers to our District this school year. Each week we will highlight one new classroom teacher as part of our series, "New Teaching Talent at KPBSD". Paulene is the new Computer Technology Library Teacher at