Weekly update: school start and end times, student forms, face coverings, and COVID19 risk

Dear KPBSD staff and families,

It is getting closer to the start of school! Monday, August 24, 2020, is the first day of school for most KPBSD schools with the exception that Kachemak Selo, Razdolna, and Voznesenka schools begin Tuesday, August 18, 2020; and Nanwalek, Nikolaevsk and Port Graham schools begin Friday, August 21, 2020. Your KPBSD school and district staff are working and focused to open and be ready to welcome students and families to the new school year!

Important items to know this week:

School Start and End times for many schools have changed. Make sure to check the times for your school, and read the August 14, 2020 news release with details.

The new “Returning Student Update Forms” online portal is open to you now! Kindly do your best to respond by Wednesday, August 19, 2020, to assist schools in their planning. Thank you to everyone who has completed their forms, and if you are having trouble or questions, contact your school office for assistance to log in. These forms will streamline the required annual paperwork for your child, and are where you will indicate your choice about school (onsite, 100% remote, Connections Homeschool) for your learner during the COVID19 pandemic.

Cloth Face Coverings: You have read that cloth face coverings will be required for staff, volunteers, visitors, and students in grades three to grade 12. PreK through second grade students will not need to wear a mask in their class cohort, but will be required to wear a mask on the bus, when mixing with grades three or higher, or in common areas with other classes or grades. Today I posted clarifications about cloth face coverings from KPBSD Nursing Supervisor Iris Wertz, RN, RSN, for Pre-K to 2nd grade students, based on questions from parents and schools. Read about when PreK to 2nd grade students would need to wear cloth face coverings.


As of today, good news! Based on current COVID19 Risk Levels, all 42 of our schools would be open to in-person onsite learning. There are no current high-risk areas on the Kenai Peninsula (Friday, 8-14-20). The KPBSD health team is closely monitoring positive COVID19 case counts, and both eastern (Seward area) and southern (Homer area) regions are continuing to trend down. If this continues, we may be able to open schools in low or green risk levels. Daily updates M-F are posted to the website, and I will send the risk status in the weekly update late next week, or if any area changes. PLEASE continue to do your part to wash hands, keep your circles small, physically distance, and wear a mask when appropriate.

Enjoy this weekend, the weather is spectacular!

Kind Regards,
Pegge Erkeneff, Director of Communications, Community, and Government Relations

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
148 N. Binkley Street
Soldotna, Alaska 99669
907.714.8888
www.KPBSD.org | Twitter @KPBSD | Facebook KPBSD

KPBSD will inspire all learners to pursue their dreams in a rigorous, relevant and responsive environment.

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