Year: 2016

KPBSD Key Communicators Collaboration

KPBSD logo 4c no tag SMALLKey Communicators

KPBSD formed a network of people who are interested in our schools in order to cultivate positive relationships with the school district and in our diverse communities. Conversations happen every day in school parking lots, at the grocery store, via social media, and in everyday ordinary life interactions. At times, people of all ages who care about public education want facts about issues in order to communicate effectively with community leaders, each other, and elected officials. The idea is that our Key Communicators will be informed about school district initiatives, issues, and celebrations through responses to questions, email messages, media releases, and e-newsletters from district office communications–and have an open line of communication with district leadership to ask questions and express concerns and celebrations in the school district.  Together we will broaden community advocates and share our #golden stories.
On February 2, 2016, a KPBSD Key Communicator Collaboration with more than eighty participants took place from 10:00-3:00 p.m., at the Challenger Learning Center, in Kenai, Alaska.
Attendees: School board members, Key Communicators, site council representatives, leadership team, students, regional principals, community partners
Purpose: Collaborate with key people in our schools to talk about issues KPBSD faces this year, reflect on what we are doing well, ask questions, give administration a perspective, and grow advocates for KPBSD public education.

Key Communicator Collaboration, Challenger Center morning presentation, by Sean Dusek, superintendent; Dave Jones, assistant superintendent of instructional support; John O’Brien, assistant superintendent of instruction; Pegge Erkeneff, communications liaison
2016_02_02 Key Communicators State of the KPBSD
 

Key Communicator Collaboration, Challenger Center, afternoon presentation by Pegge Erkeneff, communications liaison
2016_02_02 Key Communicators presentation Golden Stories_Page_1
 

Key Communicator Collaboration, Challenger Center, afternoon presentation by Pegge Erkeneff, communications liaison
2016_02_02 Key Communicator presentation Collaboration and Communication
 
Links
KPBSD Key Communicators
KPBSD and The Legislature webpage
KPBSD Board of Education goals: Promote a shared value and responsibility for the process of education throughout the school district | Funding public education
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Typical Tustumena Elementary Day #iAmKPBSD

Tustumena Elementary is a small school in a diverse, supportive community. Students learn in an individualized, positive, accommodating, and caring environment. Tustumena Elementary is an ideal school. Our students and community greatly benefit from all staff member’s efforts. Their dedication to education is so very apparent. We are so fortunate and appreciative to have such an exception school!
Tustumena 6
On a typical Day at Tustumena Elementary, students and families are greeted outside by our Principal, Mr. Hayman. No matter rain, snow, or shine, he is always there with a familiar smile. The day begins with morning announcements and the Pledge of Allegiance. Students transitioning in the hallways are often observed respectfully pausing to say the Pledge.
Many positive observations can be made by peering into our primary classrooms. Students are actively participating in circle time. A soft chorus of voices can be heard reading out loud. Examples of student’s creativity are proudly displayed. Students are engaged, and eager to learn here.
Tustumena 5
In the intermediate wing, students can be seen enthusiastically taking part in hands on learning activities. Students are encouraged to participate in classroom discussions. Artwork and writing samples adorn the hallways and classroom walls. Intermediate students mentor younger students in our Buddy Reader program. This greatly encourages our younger students to enjoy reading. This also inspires leadership skills. Students are often observed helping and encouraging each other.
Fun, educational field trips are taken throughout the year. Kindergarteners visit the animal hospital and forestry department. First graders visit the hospital to learn about different medical occupations. Second graders visit local museums which correlate with their grade level history lessons. The fourth grade class participates in an “egg take” at Anchor River. They collect salmon eggs to raise, and they learn about life cycles. The fifth grade class travels to Seward to tour the Sea Life Center. They also hike to Exit Glacier to see and observe various geologic features. The sixth grade takes an overnight fieldtrip by boat to Peterson Bay. They observe and learn about tide pool habitats.
School Enrichment Model (SEM) classes teach and inspire our students with a variety of activities. Recent classes include: yoga, karate, grains and bread baking, spices, and fly tying. These classes encourage students to explore new areas of interest, and discover new talents.
Tustumena 2
Students are encouraged to volunteer here and their participation plays a significant role in success of school fundraisers. With the support and guidance of our PTO, our students get to see the benefits of their dedication and hard work, (which also instils good work ethics) during the fieldtrips and special events that are funded by these efforts.
Here at Tustumena, we are fortunate to have a dedicated group of parents. They lend us their individual talents. On any given day, volunteers are seen reading with students, helping with art projects, leading SEM classes, fundraising, creating bulletin boards, and participating in class parties and events. Community involvement is encouraged, and our school strongly benefits from it!
A typical day at Tustumena ends with a bustle of activity in the lobby. Students greet their families and excitedly fill them in on their day. Teachers and staff wave and wish them all well as they part ways.

  • Story contributed by a Tustumena School parent
  • To contribute a school or “#GoldenNews story to KPBSD, click this link.

Tustumena 4
Tustumena 1

News Release: All KPBSD schools will be open after earthquake

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

News Release
All KPBSD schools will open on a normal schedule, Monday, January 25, 2016

Soldotna, January 24, 2016—On January 24, 2016, an earthquake rocked southcentral Alaska. On Sunday, school principals checked school sites, and the district worked with borough maintenance to inspect every KPBSD school to make certain that they are safe for our students and staff.
We are happy to share that there has been minimal damage and all schools will be open on a normal schedule on Monday, January 25, 2016.
All students, parents, and staff have been sent an automated call and email from the district office with this information.
Our thoughts extend to families and staff who are affected by the earthquake. Student and staff safety are our number one priority.
Bus transportation in the Kasilof area:
We do have an impact to transportation in the Kasilof area that affects Route 42 (Skyview Middle School, Soldotna Prep, River City Academy, and Soldotna High School); and Route 44 (Tustumena Elementary). Please check our social media sites for specific details. This information was sent in the automated email, and is posted on the KPBSD Facebook page.
Please check for any further updates on our social media pages. Parents should contact specific schools with any questions.
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note: Transportation information for Bus Routes 42 and 44 in the Kasilof area:
We do have an impact to busing in the Kasilof area that affects routes 42 (River City Academy, Skyview Middle School, Soldotna High School, and Soldotna Prep); and Route 44 (Tustumena Elementary):

  • Route 42 serving Skyview Middle School, Soldotna Prep, RCA and Soldotna High School will arrive at the church at Mile 1 (Sand Street) at approximately 6:40 a.m., and will remain there until about 6:50 a.m. before heading into town. Parents can bring their children to the bus there, and pick them up there in the afternoon at approximately 2:45 – 2:50.
  • Route 44 for Tustumena Elementary: All the children on K-Beach who ride this bus are on the north side of the road closure, so the morning bus will come from K-Beach Elementary to Satori Way and then turn around. ALL pickups in the morning will be done as the bus is northbound. The driver will then drive all the way around the top of K-Beach Rd and then back down Sterling Highway to Tustumena Elementary. The estimate is that any students who do ride the bus will arrive to Tustumena Elementary at 9:30 or thereabouts.
  • The Pollard Loop portion of Route 44 in the morning will be covered by Route 41, and it may run about 3 – 5 minutes later than usual.
  • In the afternoon, everyone who normally rides route 44 in the afternoon will do so. However, the K-Beach students will ride all the way up Sterling Highway to loop back around the top of K-Beach, and may not arrive to their stop until 4:30 or so.

Transportation information for Bus Route 43

  • Route 43 serving Kenai Central High School, Kenai Middle School, and Mountain View Elementary will add an extra stop at the Armory on the way to school.

Soldotna High School does remain without power at this time, (Sunday afternoon) but HEA expects power back on sometime on Sunday. Soldotna High School does plan to open on a normal schedule on Monday.

News Release: Collective bargaining impasse continues

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

NEWS RELEASE
Collective Bargaining Impasse Continues

Soldotna, January 21, 2016— Negotiations between the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD), and the Kenai Peninsula Education Association (KPEA) and the Kenai Peninsula Education Support Association (KPESA) remain at impasse. The January 13, 2016, KPBSD health insurance counter proposal to the KPEA and KPESA was not accepted by the Associations.
After an extended caucus on January 13, 2016, the KPEA and KPESA bargaining team comments—in response to the KPBSD proposal—made it clear that they will not accept any upper limit, or cap, on the amount of the District’s contribution to the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) that they proposed in October 2015. That proposal requires the District to pay 100% of the costs of the HDHP. In January, the Associations’ comment that it wants the District to pay the first $1,700 per employee per month, plus 100% of an annual cost escalator, and then 85% of any additional cost, is not a cap on the District’s contribution to health insurance costs. It regresses from the current 85%-15% cost sharing for the existing health plan. As such, the Associations’ comments were non-responsive, and displayed no reasonable, economically feasible, or realistic effort to break the current impasse in bargaining.*
The Associations have not presented a written counter proposal to the District. As a result, another negotiating session has not been scheduled.
A two day advisory arbitration hearing before Arbitrator Gary Axon has been scheduled for June 1 and 2, 2016. He was jointly selected by KPBSD, KPEA and KPESA.
Links
*January 20, 2016: KPBSD Response to KPEA and KPESA January 13, 2016 comments
KPBSD webpage: School District Collective Bargaining
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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

News Release: Update – Collective Bargaining

News ReleaseKPBSD logo 4c no tag SMALL
Update: Collective Bargaining

Soldotna, January 16, 2016—On Wednesday evening, during collective bargaining, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD) negotiating team responded to a high deductible health care offer presented by the Kenai Peninsula Education Association (KPEA), and the Kenai Peninsula Education Support Association (KPESA). After thorough analysis, the District provided an 11 page response* outlining costs and reasoning, with the conclusion it could not accept the proposal because the district’s health care costs would increase by $1.1 million, among other reasons.*
In response to the KPEA and KPESA offer, on January 13, 2016, KPBSD presented the two Associations with a health care proposal** that also included a high deductible health care plan, but with a monthly cap on the employer contribution. The offer also included opt-out provisions for employees with alternate health care coverage. The District’s proposal was rejected by the KPEA and KPESA on January 13, 2016, and the two Associations did not present a formal counter proposal to KPBSD.
Links
*January 13, 2016: KPBSD Response to KPEA and KPESA October 14, 2015, Health Care proposals
**January 13, 2016: KPBSD Health Care Proposal to KPEA and KPESA
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Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, Communications Liaison
communications@KPBSD.org | 907.714.8888
www.KPBSD.org

News Release: KPBSD Board of Education extends applicant deadline

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

News Release
KPBSD Board of Education seeks applicants

Soldotna, January 15, 2016—KPBSD extended the District 9 (South Peninsula) school board vacancy application deadline until January 20, 2016, at 5:00 p.m. 
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 Kachemak-Selo, Razdolna, Voznesenka, McNeil Canyon Elementary, Nanwalek, Port Graham, Susan B. English in Seldovia, and Chapman School in Anchor Point, Alaska.
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 February 1, 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 has been extended from Tuesday, December 29, 2015, 12:00 noon, (AKST) through January 20, 2016, at 5:00 p.m.
Interviews Qualified applicant interviews will be Monday, February 1, 2016, and the selected candidate will be sworn in during the Board of Education meeting February 1, 2016, in the Borough Assembly Chambers.
Questions? Contact Debbie Tressler, 907-714-8836, dtressler@kpbsd.k12.ak.us
 
Links

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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
 

High School Flexibility in Homer

Homer Flex
Homer Flex

“For many reasons, Homer Flex High School is the kind of school I wish I could have attended. At Flex, teachers encourage students to be self-motivated and tailor their education to their learning style, while still providing enough structure and support that students aren’t lost in an ocean of options. It is also one of the most accepting places I’ve had the pleasure of spending my time. And that’s what I’d like to celebrate: Flex’s ability to accept a range of quirky characters and find a way for them all to fit.

Roughly 35 students attend Flex, and each of them has their own way of making themselves known. Where one student might wear a fedora, another will come in with a cape. On any given day there will be pinks, blues, and purples scattered throughout the brown, black, blonde, and red hair of Flex’s population. Students who might inhabit opposing cliques in a different school will work together to create a rap defining and exemplifying literary terms (with a little social commentary in there, too). And then you realize that one student’s shirt is covered in kittens all silently judging the world in their cat-like way.

But those kittens are the only ones judging. Students and staff alike accept those who walk in ready to learn. “It wouldn’t be the same without them,” can be heard from one student about a peer they routinely find annoying. This recognition of the importance of each other’s different personalities is fostered in a myriad of ways, one of which is the school’s small size which allows for close relationships between students. In one exercise students were assigned to different groups and asked, over the following few days, to write notecards about each of the others in their group naming positive characteristics, and then present them to each other in front of the group. Because of the school’s size, most students have enough exposure to each other that they could easily find responses. Even students who were absent the day of the assignment were able to step into their group upon returning and name positive aspects of everyone else’s personalities.

This isn’t to say Flex is a magical school where everyone gets along and only sees the best in each other. Like in all schools, drama rears its ugly head, but Flex’s “leave drama at the door” mantra reminds students that the school strives to be a comfortable, safe place and every person who walks through its doors is responsible for maintaining that environment. And they do.

Flex changes a lot every year, every semester, as students come and go, but their level of acceptance remains a constant.”

Story contributed by Deb Meadows, a local skill provider from The Center, in Homer, Alaska

Links

Homer Flex
Homer Flex

Homer Flex
Homer Flex

Robotics enrichment at HMS

Homer Middle School Enrichment Opportunities
Robotics Class 1
Exciting changes happened to the master schedule at Homer Middle School. In an effort to offer students a variety of enrichment classes, every seventh and eighth grade student takes band or choir for thirty minutes each day. In addition to the core content classes, each student has an enrichment period to take one quarter of robotics, art, business, and health. In the robotics class course, students are given an opportunity to use meaningful problem-based learning, a hands-on approach to math and science, integrate and apply knowledge of engineering, math, and science, and work in cooperative teams. At the end of each quarter, students compete with one another in the Robot Challenge in which the robots are programmed by students to complete an obstacle course. The challenge requires the robot to follow a black line, complete maneuvers and listen to voice commands.
Robotics Class 2 Robotics Class 3