Year: 2015

Special Education Paraprofessional Clayton Smith receives Golden Apple

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Golden Apple Award
December 7, 2015
Clayton Smith, Special Education Paraprofessional

Clayton Smith, Golden Apple recipient and school board member Sunni Hilts
Clayton Smith, Golden Apple recipient and school board member Sunni Hilts

Clayton Smith has been a motivating leader and dedicated teammate in the Homer High School (HHS) intensive needs classroom for 15 years. He is considered the team captain in the room, based both on his positive attitude and enthusiasm for his work, as well as his vast knowledge and experience in the classroom. Clayton has taken time to get to know each student he works with very well. His experience with them allows him to identify their individual needs, to voice ideas and ways to meet those needs and support the students in very specific and personal ways. Clayton’s many years working in the school with various classes and teachers has resulted in his being considered a jack of all trades. His student ‘toolbox’ is filled with strategies and methods that he uses based on the situation and need. Because of his vast knowledge of the students, school, and teachers, Clayton is incredibly flexible in his work. If a co-worker is absent, and a substitute is present, Clayton gladly adjusts his schedule to work with different students as needed. This flexibility is present in helping out team members as well. His knowledge base is critical in ensuring high quality supports for students in the school at all times. Clayton embraces the culture of inclusion at HHS, and finds creative ways to ensure students experience success and inclusion with peers daily. He wants all students to be a vibrant and vital part of the school community, and participate as fully as possible.
Clayton has been dedicated to KPBSD since 1992, when he first began as a custodian at McNeil Canyon School. He then worked as a paraprofessional at Homer Middle School for two years before transferring to Homer High School as a paraprofessional in 2002. In spite of his many years of work and commitment, Clayton continues to seek out new ways to learn and improve in his field. Clayton identifies areas of need in the team, and suggests topics that they would benefit from training in. He participates actively in trainings, and his newly learned approaches are seen incorporated into his daily work. He exemplifies the ideals of a lifelong learner.
Clayton engages in outreach within the school regularly. He gets to know students in the school outside of the intensive needs classroom, and makes great efforts to connect with all students in HHS. Clayton is known for his birthday greetings; he somehow knows the birthdays of every student in the school, and on their birthday, he seeks each one out and gives them a personal birthday greeting. This desire to connect with every student in the building, and willingness to take the time out of his very busy days to recognize and make a student feel connected and noticed exemplifies his approach to his work, going above and beyond his regular duties daily. He also helps in the development and implementation of school traditions. Annually for three years and counting, Clayton has served as the school host for a Thanksgiving lunch, providing a warm, home-cooked meal to students who have participated in or helped with activities in the intensive needs classroom, or worked individually with students in the room. This dinner is highly attended and valued; last year over 50 students came to eat together and be recognized for their efforts.
In addition to all his efforts connecting with students during the school day, Clayton has also been very involved with extracurricular events in the school. He has volunteered for the track team for 15 years, and was a girls’ basketball JV coach for five years. Clayton uses his knowledge of athletic activities and his coaching skills to identify creative ways for general education students to aid intensive needs students, in order to include them more in the school setting. An example of this is his development of Paired Pairs in athletic activities. Clayton helped pair general education students to play next to an intensive needs student during an athletic activity; the general education student provides assistance both in showing the rules of the game, or what to do, as well as modeling the physical skills and actions necessary. Annually in the fall and spring, Clayton runs a tennis activity at the end of the day during the school Focus on Learning block, encouraging a general education student to play alongside students with intensive needs. This activity has been wildly successful; many students ask to participate in this venture. Last spring over 30 students participated in this weekly event.
Another example of this was when Clayton used his track knowledge to help discuss and initiate the development of a possible unified track team. Using his coaching knowledge and skill set, Clayton began advocating that a student he was working with may be successful in a school-based team such as track or cross country. Through Clayton’s encouragement and knowledge, skills were taught to prepare this student slowly to possibly join the team. The student then began participating in running events over the summer. With the help of many adults, including the teacher, the cross country coach, and parents, school athletic director, the student joined the cross country team this fall, participating in practices, and even running in meets and regionals. At the awards banquet at the end of the season, he was recognized with an award for having the courage to start the race. Clayton’s skill at noticing student strengths and building on them was the foundation for this student experiencing this success.
Clayton has used his experience as first mate on the Predator to help in the school setting. He helped shape the Homer Marine Trades Association Focus on Learning series at HHS, which introduces students to specific marine trades based in Homer. Clayton spoke with students about the opportunity, offered to contact individuals to present, attended presentations, and offered guidance in material to be presented. His passion for all students in the school setting shines in many more acts throughout his many years working at HHS.
Clayton exemplifies outstanding personal dedication and commitment to the school community that he serves. He is a devoted grandpa, dad, husband, teacher, teammate, and friend. He uses his knowledge and experiences to help shape all students as they learn and grow. He shares in the learning journey with his classroom team. His hard work ethic that is utilized as he serves as first mate on the Predator, also is exemplified daily at school with students. Clayton is grounded, salt-of-the earth, with a big heart that shows when he is overcome with emotion when students make small gains as well as epic milestones. Clayton shows students that he won’t give up on them, and they in turn make efforts to grow and to prove him right.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education is proud to recognize Mr. Clayton Smith for his dedication to the students of the school district, past, present, and future.
Links

Clayton Smith
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News Release: KPBSD Board of Education seeks applicants

News ReleaseKPBSD logo 4c no tag SMALL
KPBSD Board of Education seeks applicants


Soldotna, December 8, 2015—Board member Sunni Hilts (District 9) retired in December 2015, thus, KPBSD seeks applicants to fill this vacant school board position through October 2016.

A nine member board serves the diverse Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, which spans 25,600 square miles, educates nearly 8,700 students, and has more than forty schools. This vacant school board position requires residency in Assembly District 9, located in the southern Kenai Peninsula. This geographical area includes schools in the Homer area off the east end road, and across Kachemak Bay in Nanwalek, Port Graham, and Seldovia.
Responsibilities
For information on the role and responsibilities of board members, review the Bylaws of the Board on the KPBSD website. http://bit.ly/SchoolBoardBylaws
Qualifications
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, a qualified voter of the State of Alaska and a resident of the Kenai Peninsula and District 9 for 180 days.
Term of Office
Appointment will begin January 11, 2016.  Appointee will stand for re-election at the regular election in October 2016.
To Apply
Applications are available through the KPBSD website, or at the District office. Application period closes Tuesday, December 29, 2015, 12:00 noon, (AKST)
Interviews
Qualified applicant interviews will be Monday, January 11, 2016, and the selected candidate will be sworn in during the Board of Education meeting January 11, 2016, in the Borough Assembly Chambers.
Questions?
Contact Debbie Tressler, 907-714-8836, dtressler@kpbsd.k12.ak.us
Links

KPBSD receives Head Start School District Collaboration Award

Nearly every community in Alaska has a head start program; KPBSD is proud to receive the Head Start Award for Collaboration with the Kenaitze Early Childhood Center (ECC) Head Start program.

Teresa Smith, Kenaitze Childhood Manager, and Robin Evans, KPBSD, receive the Head Start Award for Collaboration on behalf of the KPBSD.
Teresa Smith, Kenaitze Childhood Manager, and Robin Evans, KPBSD, receive the Head Start Award for Collaboration on behalf of the KPBSD.

“We value our relationship with Kenaitze Head Start and feel that we are fortunate to have their outstanding staff working with our future students,” said Clayton Holland, director of pupil services. “The good work of the Kenaitze Head Start staff with our students and families has made a significant difference in how we perform as a school district and how our students do on an individual level. The collaboration between Kenaitze Head Start and the school district is truly about mutual welfare and benefit for the students and families on the Kenai and is part of what makes this district and community special.”
For seventeen years the Kenaitze Early Childhood Center (ECC) – Head Start has had a strong relationship with KPBSD Pupil Services, Child Find, administrators, and kindergarten & Pre-K staff.
The Child Find Coordinator works with our program to ensure all developmental screenings are completed and reviewed prior to the 45 day deadline required by Head Start,” said Teresa Smith. “This collaboration allows students with possible developmental delays to be observed and referrals made as early as possible in the school year. Through each school year KPBSD will include ECC staff in their trainings and events. Over the years our relationship has grown to be positive and flexible. Concerns regarding a certified special needs child are resolved timely with a phone call, emails or face to face meeting between ECC staff, KPBSD staff and parents. Our strong Memorandum of Agreement clearly defines roles and responsibilities and provides the framework for our collaborative process to provide the best possible services for children and families.
Each year, for the last fifteen years, ECC has hosted a “Transition Night Dinner” for all of our graduating preschoolers, their families and KPBSD kindergarten staff and principals. On Transition Night, teachers and principals from the LEA kindergartens join us and our families for a dinner to meet and provide information about the schools in which their children will be enrolled. This is a very well attended activity, and is a good opportunity for families to begin developing a relationship with their new school. The goal is to allow for smooth transition of children and families from Head Start into kindergarten. In addition kindergarten teachers have scheduled transition meetings with our Education Coordinator to discuss specific needs and possible placement suggestions prior to students moving on. Some teachers have even come over to observe students in their preschool classroom in the late spring.
The KPBSD continually, year after year, works collaboratively with us to ensure that together we provide quality preschool services in our community. We are privileged to work together with the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District to serve children and families in this community.”

KPBSD students sing, dance, make merry

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District News Release
Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, 907.714.8888

KPBSD students sing, dance, make merry

Winter concerts KPBSD 2015


Soldotna, December 1, 2015—Please treat yourself and attend a KPBSD school music concert or holiday program in December.

  • Aurora Borealis Charter School – December 1, 7:00 p.m., Grades K-8, Christmas Concert, KCHS Auditorium
  • Chapman School – December 3, 7:00 p.m., Grades K-8
  • Cooper Landing School – December 11, 5:30 p.m., Holiday Program and Community Potluck
  • Fireweed Academy Charter School – January 15, 7:00 p.m., LINK-UP with Kenai Peninsula Orchestra
  • Homer High School – December 14, 7:00 p.m., Mariner Theatre; December 16, 7:00 p.m., Candlelight Carols and Desserts, Mariner Theatre
  • Homer Middle School – December 15, 7:00 p.m., Mariner Theatre
  • Hope School – December 17, 6:00 p.m., A Seussified Christmas Carol
  • K-Beach Elementary School – December 11, 6:30 p.m., Band Concert, K-Beach Gym; December 14, 6:00 p.m., Grades K-2, Soldotna High School Auditorium
  • Kaleidoscope School of Arts & Science Charter School – December 3, 7:00 p.m., Winter concert, KCHS auditorium; December 8, 6:00 p.m., Band concert, Kaleidoscope
  • Kenai Central High School – December 8, 7:00 p.m., KCHS Band Holiday (Joint with KMS), KCHS Auditorium; December 13, 3:00 p.m., Choir Concert, KCHS Auditorium
  • Kenai Middle School – December 8, 7:00 p.m., KMS Band Holiday Concert (Joint with KCHS), KCHS Auditorium; December 10, 7:00 p.m., KMS Holiday Choir, KCHS Auditorium
  • McNeil Canyon Elementary School – December 10, 6:30 p.m.
  • Moose Pass School – December 16, 7:00 p.m., Garfield Christmas Carol
  • Mountain View Elementary School – December 7, 6:00 p.m., Grades 4-5, Choir and Band Concert, gym; December 15, 6:00 p.m., Grades 1-3, Winter Performance, KCHS Auditorium
  • Nanwalek School – December 30, 4:00 p.m.
  • Nikiski Middle-High School – December 10, 7:00 p.m., Middle & High School Choir & Band
  • Nikiski North Star Elementary School – December 3, 6:00 p.m., Grades 1-2, Winter Holiday Concert, NMHS Auditorium; December 10, 6:00 p.m., Grades PreK-K, Christmas Concert, NNS Gym
  • Ninilchik School – December 15, 7:00 p.m.
  • Paul Banks Elementary School – December 10, 1:00 p.m., Bugz Christmas Performance, Homer High Mariner Theater
  • Port Graham School – December 18, 6:00 p.m.
  • Redoubt Elementary School – December 3, 6:00 p.m., Grades 4-6 Winter Concert, Soldotna High School; December 10, 6:00 p.m., Grades 5-6 Band Concert, Redoubt Gym
  • Seward Elementary School – December 10, 5:30 p.m., Grades 3-5, Art Show and Potluck, South wing
  • Seward Middle School – December 10, 1:50 p.m., Holiday Strings Performance, Auditorium; December 15, 1:40 p.m, Holiday Drama Performance, Auditorium
  • Skyview Middle School – December 15, 7 p.m., Band and Choir Winter Concert, Skyview Commons
  • Soldotna Elementary School – December 1, 6:30 p.m., SoHi Auditorium (Joint with Soldotna Montessori)
  • Soldotna High School – December 8,  7 p.m., Soldotna High School Auditorium (Joint with Soldotna Prep)
  • Soldotna Prep – December 8,  7 p.m., Soldotna High School Auditorium (Joint with Soldotna High School)
  • Soldotna Montessori Charter School – December 1, 6:30 p.m., Soldotn High School Auditorium (Joint with Soldotna Elementary)
  • Sterling Elementary School – December 9, 6:00 p.m., Grades Pre-K-3; December 14, 6:00 p.m., Grades 4-6
  • Susan B. English School – December 8,  7 p.m., Middle and High School Band Concert;December 15, 6:30 p.m., Grades K-12 Christmas Program
  • Tebughna School – December 16, 6:00 p.m.
  • Tustumena Elementary School – December 10, 6:00 p.m.
  • West Homer Elementary School – December 8, 6:30 p.m., Mariner Theater

Link
KPBSD Winter concerts online list, http://bit.ly/2015WinterMusicConcertsKPBSD
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Let’s turn 10K into 20K for students who are homeless

News Release
Kenai Peninsula Borough School DistrictKPBSD logo 4c no tag SMALL
Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, 907.714.8888

What’s Your One Thing?

Soldotna, November 25, 2015—A generous person who believes in kindness learned about the Candlelight Vigil for KPBSD students who are homeless, and wants to make a difference. So, the donor offered a gift: a 100% matching challenge up to $10,000 for all financial donations to the Students In Transition (SIT) program through December 18, 2015.

Help make it $20,000. Why?
KPBSD anticipates serving close to 300 students who are homeless this year; already 185 students are enrolled. Our student numbers are on the rise, needs are increasing. One of the highest expenses is for basic clothing and winter gear. In addition, emergency food supplies, hygiene products, school supplies, and other unexpected expenses. The 2015-2016 McKinney-Vento grant funds are spent. Thus, the program relies on generous donations that come from student advocacy, school projects, private donations, and fundraisers, such as the spaghetti feed and silent auction the Kenai Central High School student leaders are hosting on December 4, 2015, at 6:00 p.m.

“This is an incredible offer of generosity, and I am truly grateful; it is also an incredible opportunity for the community to make a significant impact. My hope is that people with a heart for homeless children and youth use this challenge as a catalyst for conversation, contribution, and extension of care.” – Kelly King, KPBSD homeless liaison

How to contribute
Monetary donations can be made through the school district into a designated KPBSD account.
One hundred percent of every donation goes directly to supports and services. Donations are 100% tax deductible. To donate, contributions can be made at the district office—make sure to indicate it’s for the SIT program. Additionally credit card* donations can be made through the KPBSD website online payments link on the Students-Parents tab or via the online payments icon on the KPBSD mobile app. Questions? Call Kelly King or the district office. *There is a 3.61% processing fee calculated on all payments, no exceptions. This is the actual cost of the processing fee from RevTrak, and is not a source of revenue for the district.

“We are very appreciative that a donor is willing to make such a substantial and generous donation to our SIT program. I am very thankful for this opportunity and for all of the donations that are coming in for our program.” – Sean Dusek, superintendent

This school year
The SIT program has enrolled 185 students since the start of the school year in August, 2015, and this number will continue to increase as the year progresses. These students range from pre-kindergarten to the twelfth grade and are in every community within our school district. In the central peninsula, 136 youth are enrolled, 31 are unaccompanied youth, and 105 are with a family unit. In the southern peninsula, 49 students are enrolled, 19 are unaccompanied youth, and 30 are with a family unit.
The purpose of the SIT program is to ensure educational programs for students are not interrupted while they are in transition. Eligible families or youth are those who lack a stable, adequate, and permanent place to sleep at night. If you or someone you know is sleeping in a motel, a camper, a tent, couch-surfing, or living with friends or relatives then this program can help.
KPBSD Students in Transition program contacts 
Kelly King, homeless liaison, serving Central Peninsula, Seward and Tyonek schools, kking@kpbsd.k12.ak.us, 907.714.8869
Jane Dunn, homeless liaison, serving Southern Peninsula schools and Ninilchik,
jdunn@kpbsd.k12.ak.us, 907.226.1890
Links
KPBSD SIT program website http://bit.ly/TransitionsKPBSD
KPBSD Students in Transition on Facebook
December 4, 2015, public event KCHS Spaghetti Feed and Silent Auction Fundraiser
KPBSD Highlight Story
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6th Annual Candlelight Vigil for Youth and Families who are homeless
6th Annual Candlelight Vigil for Youth and Families who are homeless

Care notes for students enrolled in the SIT program
Care notes for students enrolled in the SIT program

Chapman School and Nikolaevsk School named National Title I Distinguished Schools

Kenai Peninsula Borough School DistrictKPBSD logo 4c no tag SMALL
Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, 907.714.8888

News Release
Soldotna, November 23, 2015—Each year two Alaska schools are honored as a National Title I Distinguished School. This year, Chapman School in Anchor Point was recognized for exceptional student performance for two or more consecutive years. Nikolaevsk School in Nikolaevsk was recognized for significantly closing the achievement gap between student groups. Both schools are in the diverse Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD). 

We are very proud of the schools,” said Sean Dusek, superintendent. “Their staff, students, and communities have worked very hard. There is an obvious focus on meeting individual student needs which has shown great results. We are very excited that the schools have earned this honor from the state level.”
A November 20, 2015, press release from the State of Alaska Department of Education and Early Development stated: “Title I schools receive federal funds to support programs that supplement instruction to meet the educational needs of low-achieving students in high-poverty schools. The National Title I Distinguished Schools Program is a project of the National Title I Association. Selected schools must have a poverty rate of at least 35 percent and have been recognized by the state as a reward school in either the highest performing category or the highest progress category. Each state, using its own selection process, may select one school in each category for the honor.”
“The educators, students, and parents of Chapman School and Nikolaevsk School believe that all students can achieve, and they prove it every day,” said Commissioner Mike Hanley. “It is a great pleasure to congratulate these school-communities for their well-deserved recognition.”
Chapman School
Chapman School focuses on interventions and supports for grades K-3 in an effort to help decrease the learning gap between student groups. The foundation for these interventions is based on district-adopted and research-based curriculum partnered with strong data-based decision making for all students. The students at Chapman get a rich and varied education experience thanks to strong community partnerships.
“Through our Title I programs, Response To Intervention (RTI) program, community involvement, and top-notch staff, we continue to make it possible for all of our students to achieve—our students continue to rise to the challenge and do just that,” said Principal Conrad Woodhead.
Nikolaevsk School
Nikolaevsk School is proud of its high expectations for students and consistent 100% graduation rate. All students at Nikolaevsk develop SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound) based on their personal academic data and lead their own student-parent-teacher conferences. All Nikolaevsk teachers work as a cooperative team and operate under a shared philosophy that every student is everyone’s responsibility.
Principal Michael Sellers said, “As a result of the teachers’ efforts toward focusing on individual student needs, adopting programs that fit within those goals, and focusing on research-based methods in instruction, Nikolaevsk has seen years of success as a five-star school and a school with successful students.”
Alaska identifies eligible schools for the award based on their students’ performance on state standards-based assessments. Identified schools then must choose to apply for the honor, providing evidence of effectiveness in research-based instructional strategies, opportunities for all children to achieve, coordination of Title I with other programs, professional development of staff, and partnerships with parents, families and communities.
Links and contacts

News Release: Two KPBSD Schools named National Title I Distinguished Schools
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This and all KPBSD media releases are online at this web page: http://bit.ly/MediaPublicRelationships
Suggest or contribute a story online link: http://bit.ly/SuggestKPBSDstory
 

Nikolaevsk School
Nikolaevsk School

Chapman School
Chapman School

News Release: KPBSD students are homeless // come to a candlelight vigil

Kenai Peninsula Borough School DistrictKPBSD logo 4c no tag SMALL
Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, 907.714.8888

News Release
Candlelight vigil for KPBSD students who are homeless

Soldotna, November 12, 2015—Families and unaccompanied youth are homeless on the peninsula. An invisible reality to many residents, would it surprise you to know that 253 is the average number of students who experience homelessness, but are enrolled in the KPBSD Students In Transition (SIT) program, and attend a KPBSD school, everyday?
The SIT program has enrolled 183 students since the start of the school year in August, 2015.
People of every age are invited to the 6th Annual Candlelight Vigil for Homeless Youth and Families
Thursday, November 19, 2015
6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Farnsworth Park
Birch Street, Soldotna, Alaska
The event is posted on the KPBSD Students in Transition Facebook page. Please connect there, then share the event invitation in social circles.
Guest speaker Pegge Erkeneff, KPBSD communications liaison, will help raise awareness about the reality of homelessness on the Kenai Peninsula, and invite us to become a voice, advocate, and welcoming presence to our young people who are homeless. Music will be provided by Vickie Tinker, the Knight in Shining Armor Award will be presented, and information for high school students regarding the Scholarship of Hope will be shared. Learn ways everyone can help support local homeless students, and connect with our caring community members. This is an outdoor event, please dress for the weather.
2014 Candlelight Vigil
“For the past several years we have seen an increase in the number of students in transition across our district,” said Sean Dusek, superintendent. “This is very challenging, but through the efforts of Kelly King, homeless liaison, our district is stepping up to support our students and meet this challenge. The public vigil is an excellent opportunity for all of us to stop and reflect on our students in transition. The vigil is also a time to re-focus attention on this issue to further benefit our students in transition.”
About KPBSD Students in Transition (SIT) program
Students experiencing homelessness are provided assistance through two KPBSD homeless liaisons. This program’s primary purpose is to ensure that educational programs for students are not interrupted while they are in transition. In order to facilitate helping our communities grow in awareness and advocacy, KPBSD created a Facebook page to provide updates and resources. Please like and share, KPBSD Students in Transition.
The SIT program provides KPBSD Pre-K to12th grade students:
• An advocate to help students and families find the resources they need in the community for food, shelter, clothing, transportation, and permanent housing
• Free school lunches
• School supplies
• Immediate school enrollment
• Paperwork assistance to secure school documents
• Special academic support if needed
• Local referrals to other agencies
Eligible families or youth are those who lack a stable, adequate, and permanent place to sleep at night. If you or someone you know is sleeping in a motel, a camper, a tent, couch-surfing, or living with friends or relatives then this program can help.
KPBSD Students in Transition program contacts 
Kelly King, homeless liaison, serving Central Peninsula, Seward and Tyonek schools, kking@kpbsd.k12.ak.us, 907.714.8869
Jane Dunn, homeless liaison, serving Southern Peninsula schools and Ninilchik, jdunn@kpbsd.k12.ak.us, 907.226.1890
Links
KPBSD SIT program website http://bit.ly/TransitionsKPBSD
KPBSD Students in Transition on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kpbsdStudentsInTransition
2014 Vigil for Youth and Family Homelessness KPBSD story
An outpouring of advocacy, care, and service for students who are homeless: 2015 students helping students story
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Suggest or contribute a story online link: http://bit.ly/SuggestKPBSDstory
 

News Release: State, district, and school AMP results now online

Kenai Peninsula Borough School DistrictKPBSD logo 4c no tag SMALL Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, 907.714.8888

Soldotna, November 9, 2015—Results from the first year of the Alaska Measures of Progress (AMP) online assessment for students in grades three through ten in English language arts and mathematics are now available online. In every grade level, KPBSD students continue to outperform state median scale scores in both English language arts and math.

“We have worked very hard to implement the shift to the new Alaska State Standards,” said Sean Dusek, superintendent. “The results from the first implementation of the new assessment are in line with trends across the country in states that have also significantly raised student expectations. AMP is only one component that is utilized in our efforts to prepare students for their future. We are proud of our progress with graduation rates, student earned industry recognized certifications, college acceptance and completion, and Jumpstart college participation. KPBSD utilizes many sources of data to help our students grow and measure progress.”
Background
In spring 2015, our third through tenth grade students took the new online AMP assessment for the first time. AMP replaces the Standards Based Assessments (SBA). Fewer students in Alaska scored at the “meet standards” levels in AMP than scored at the “proficient or above” levels in the SBAs. KPBSD students meet these new standards at a higher rate than their peers across the state. The AMP questions in the new standards measure higher order thinking skills and complex problem solving in contrast to recalling facts and simple processes in the old SBAs. Alaska has new standards and a new assessment, which means we have a new baseline this year. It’s important to remember:

  • Student achievement has not declined
  • What is expected of students, and measured, is different than in previous years
  • These first AMP results are setting a new baseline to help us understand where students stand on their path to success

We anticipate parents will receive individual student reports with English language arts and math results in December. KPBSD will mail reports from the district office.

A November 9, 2015, Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) press release states, “AMP gives families, educators, and the public a more accurate understanding of whether students are on track to graduate with the academic skills they need to have choices in an ever-changing economy.”

As teachers and students gain more experience in the new and much more rigorous standards, AMP scores will rise. This has been true for other states which adopt higher standards.

  • AMP is not a pass-fail test
  • AMP scores do not affect course grades, graduation, or grade retention, but students will receive focused support to improve
  • Some students will meet the standards and some students will partially meet the standards
  • The AMP test and the SBAs are not comparable because they measure different standards, have different questions, and use different scoring
  • Fewer students meet the new standards than used to meet the old standards; the new standards focus on higher order thinking skills and problem solving
  • Our students and educators work hard and are capable of meeting and exceeding the new standards

Links

### This and all KPBSD media releases are online at this web page: http://bit.ly/MediaPublicRelationships Suggest or contribute a story online link: http://bit.ly/SuggestKPBSDstory

Volunteer Lisa Green receives Golden Apple award

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Golden Apple Award
November 2, 2015
Lisa Green, Volunteer

Mrs. Lisa Green and Superintendent Sean Dusek
Mrs. Lisa Green and Superintendent Sean Dusek

“If it needs done, Lisa Green is there to do it,” said Doug Hayman, Tustumena Elementary School principal. “She does it with style, thoroughness, and the upmost attention to detail. A room parent and “Miss Lisa” to the students, she goes on every field trip with her children. Her level of commitment and involvement is unmeasurable. She is in our building at least one full day each week, but the work she gets done in that day exceeds anything one would normally expect. Her leadership is also appreciated. She recruits other parents for school events and field trips as well. She was instrumental in the completion of our school garden including the planting, and now harvesting, of our first crop of potatoes. Mrs. Green is always willing to work with small groups of children whether it is on a project or remedial instruction.”
Mrs. Lisa Green volunteers at Tustumena Elementary nearly every day she has off from her regular work at Cadre Feed Store. Even when she is working at her regular job, she is functioning as a liaison between the school and the business community, gathering donations or arranging discounts for projects around the school. She has been a part of every PTO function or activity in the last seven years.
In addition to the PTO events, Mrs. Green helps every teacher—in any capacity that is requested. It doesn’t matter if one of her children is in the classroom, she will laminate, prepare materials, make take-home booklets, tear out workbook pages, label supplies, and she makes extravagant bulletin boards throughout the school. She runs our Box Top store, organizes bake sales—including large contributions to the sales—and solicits items for the school Harvest Auction fundraiser.
Lisa Green also takes on initiative projects. She has been the point person on professional development with our Vari-Quest machine (a fancy die-cut machine), and worked on our Schoolyard Habitat Project. She has taken the initiative to clean out and organize the school workroom, as well as contact a company representative when the Vari-quest machine was in need of repair.
Without doubt, Mrs. Green’s service to Tustumena Elementary has benefited every member of the school community. From students, to teachers, from parents, to administration, Lisa Green is a go-to person and a value-add to the community.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education is proud to recognize Mrs. Lisa Green for her dedication to the students of the school district, past, present, and future.
Links

Lisa Green and Tustumena Elementary staff, school board meeting
Lisa Green and Tustumena Elementary staff, school board meeting

Educator Patrick Dwyer receives Golden Apple award

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Golden Apple Award
November 2, 2015
Patrick Dwyer, Educator

Golden Apple recipient Patrick Dwyer, and Skyview Middle School staff
Golden Apple recipient Patrick Dwyer, and Skyview Middle School staff

“Mr. Patrick Dwyer is a positive educator who builds rapport with students and goes beyond the scope of his teaching duties when working with students,” said Sarge Truesdell, Skyview Middle School principal. “He is an innovator in the classroom as well as in his duties as our athletic director and head track coach. He has been teaching science at the middle school for the past nine years. A positive staff member, he mentors young teachers and is creative when working toward complex problems in our large building of over 400 students, and more than 50 staff members.”
In 2012, Mr. Dwyer co-created a sixth grade transition program for incoming students to the middle school. As a seventh grade science teacher, he recognized the challenges that incoming students had when transitioning from elementary school to middle school. The summer program has continued to grow serving over 20 students a year, despite shrinking resources. In the four years since Mr. Dwyer helped to create the program, it has served nearly 100 students. Mr. Dwyer has been able to work alongside one of his colleagues to continue to be responsive to the need of students despite limited time and funding.
An innovator, Mr. Dwyer not only developed the middle school transition program, but he has contributed on several district and statewide committees. This past summer he was part of a district-wide science collaboration that worked well into the summer break to find resources that matched the KPBSD science curriculum. Mr. Dwyer is a highly organized person and during his five years as the athletic director, he has put policies and procedures in place to make the athletic department more efficient. When Soldotna Middle School relocated and transitioned to become Skyview Middle School, he successfully transitioned the entire athletic department—including all the equipment and ordering of new uniforms. The ordering of uniforms was a daunting task as it required sizing, quotes, colors, numbers, and funding for every sport offered at the middle school.
Mr. Dwyer has his administrative degree and is the first person to volunteer to substitute in the office when the principal and vice principal are out of the building. Additionally, he has substituted in other KPBSD schools when an administrative substitute was not available. As a substitute principal, Mr. Dwyer can handle any situation that arises, keeps parents informed, and holds students accountable. “Mr. Dwyer is a work horse—he puts in the time that most other educators are just unwilling to put in,” said Sarge Truesdell. “His vehicle can be found in the parking lot early in the morning and late at night. He can be seen setting up cross country running events, putting the flags on the soccer field, and rolling out the scorer’s table for basketball games all throughout our athletic seasons. He does all of that while still planning and preparing for a full six class period day with multiple age and grade science classes. He demonstrates on a daily basis all of the personal and professional qualities of a powerful and dedicated educator.”
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education is proud to recognize Mr. Patrick Dwyer for his dedication to the students of the school district, past, present, and future.
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