Author: Pegge Erkeneff

Get It and Go Meals for students with 100% Remote Learning

Get It & Go Meals for KPBSD Students Begin Monday, August 24, 2020

Students who receive their education via 100% Remote Learning, OR
if schools shift to 100% Remote Learning during COVID19 High Risk, can order Get It & Go Meals

Sign-up online by Friday at noon each week

Point the camera on your phone to this QR code to open the sign up form immediately

Action: complete the simple online sign-up for lunch and breakfast meals. If you do not have access to the internet, call KPBSD Student Nutrition Services at 907-714-8890.

100% Remote Learning Students pickup is once a week: Wednesday from 10:00-10:30 AM

When a school is in HIGH RISK status, all students shift to 100% Remote Learning, and student meal pickup is every day, from 12:00-1:00 PM
Children must be currently enrolled in KPBSD through either 100% Remote Learning or Onsite at School Learning to be eligible for Get-It & Go meals. Connections Homeschool students are not eligible for meals.


Get-It & Go Meals at 29 Schools

  • Small across the water schools: Nanwalek School, Port Graham School, Tebughna School
  • Eastern Peninsula: Moose Pass School, Seward Elementary, Seward Middle School, Seward High School
  • Kenai Area: Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science, Kenai Alternative School, Kenai Central High School, Kenai Middle School, Mountain View Elementary
  • Nikiski Area: Nikiski Middle-High School, Nikiski North Star Elementary
  • Soldotna Area: K-Beach Elementary, Redoubt Elementary, Soldotna High School, Skyview Middle School, Soldotna Elementary, Tustumena Elementary
  • Sterling Area: Sterling Elementary School
  • Southern Peninsula: Chapman School, Homer High School, Homer Middle School, McNeil Canyon School, Nikolaevsk School, Ninilchik School, Paul Banks Elementary, West Homer Elementary

Pickup is curbside at the school this fall. If the student is not present, please have the student ID to present at the pickup location. We apologize that no special dietary substitutions will be accommodated. When you pick up your meals, protect your personal health and the people near you by frequent hand-washing, wearing cloth face coverings, and keeping a distance of 6 feet or more between yourself and others.

If you have questions, or do not have internet access to complete the weekly online signup, call KPBSD Student Nutrition Services, 907-714-8890, or email dbuchanan@KPBSD.org.

Details:

100% Remote Learning Students – Weekly Meal Pickup

  • Once a week pickup is Wednesday, between 10:00-10:30 AM
    if the school shifts to High Risk, meal pickup changes to daily delivery from 12:00 – 1:00
  • You must order meals before 12:00 noon, on the Friday before week of pickup (This is a firm cutoff time)
  • Pickup location is curbside in front of the school
    Seward schools will pickup at the top of Sea Lion Drive, on the Seward Middle School side
  • People may order up to a maximum of five lunches and five breakfasts for each enrolled student
    No breakfast meals are provided at K-Beach Elementary, Kaleidoscope School of Arts & Science, or Kenai Alternative School
  • Meals will be charged to student account based on their meal determination of Free, Reduced, or Paid
  • Meals are only available for KPBSD students enrolled in a brick and mortar school. Connections Homeschool is not eligible, nor are student family members
  • Charging for meals will only be allowed if parent has signed the Opt-In form to charge meals, and the maximum is two days of meals. Charges must be paid back before subsequent meals will be distributed
  • Preorder form must be completed every week by noon on Friday, for the following week
  • Parents must notify the pickup kitchen at their school if they will cancel the order once it has been placed

During High Risk (Red) Status
Daily meal pickup from 12:00-1:00 PM is available for all onsite learners who shifted to 100% Remote Learning due to High Risk at their school, and for students who are already 100% Remote Learners

  • Daily Curbside pickup at schools during high risk school status is between 12:00-1:00 PM
  • Meal orders must be made online before 12:00 noon, on the Friday before week of pickup (This is a firm cutoff time)
  • Pickup location is curbside in front of the school
    Seward schools will pickup at the top of Sea Lion Drive, on the Seward Middle School side
  • People may order up to a maximum of five lunches and five breakfasts for each enrolled student but will be a daily pickup unless requested by parent on first day of pickup
    No breakfast meals are provided at K-Beach Elementary, Kaleidoscope School of Arts & Science, or Kenai Alternative School.
  • Meals are Free to enrolled students during high risk school status (family members and Connections Homeschool are not eligible.)
  • Preorder form must be completed every week by noon on Friday, for the following week
  • Parents must notify the pickup kitchen at their school if they will cancel the order once it has been placed

Signup tips http://mealapp.kpbsd.org/preorder

  • When you complete the online order form, you will see a drop down menu of schools enrolled for Get It & Go meals
  • You will then choose the location for pickup 
  • The form will automatically take you to the correct page for your order depending upon the school Risk Level
    • High Risk Schools have daily pickup from 12:00-1:00 PM
    • Low-Medium Risk School pickup is once-a-week on Wednesday from 10:00-10:30 AM
  • If a school is in High Risk (Red) status, meals are free

Order online at http://mealapp.kpbsd.org/preorder

New: COVID19 Risk Levels in KPBSD dashboard

Example dated August 20, 2020

When the onset of COVID-19 happened, the need to make rational and informed operational decisions became primary for the health and safety of our students, staff, and communities. KPBSD incorporated science-based guidance to assist in our decision-making processes.

Find COVID19 Risk Level information for KPBSD schools in two places:

Webpage: KPBSD and COVID19 Risk Level descriptions, and information

DASHBOARD: KPBSD and COVID19 Risk Levels, updated daily from State of Alaska official counts

The KPBSD COVID19 risk webpage offers detailed information and shows low, medium, or high risk in three general areas of the Kenai Peninsula, and small communities. The risk determination is made in conjunction with the State of Alaska actual 14 day case counts, state seven day averages of positive cases, Public Health, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), the Alaska Department of Education and Early Learning (DEED), Kenai Peninsula cooperators, and the KPBSD COVID19 Community Risk Level Medical Advisory Group.

First version is live!
The new COVID19 Risk Level for KPBSD schools dashboard updates automatically with data from the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) daily positive state case counts. You can find it from the www.KPBSD.org homepage, and in future weeks, it will be automatically updated and visible on 42 school websites. Updates are daily.

Example dated August 19, 2020
Example dated August 19, 2020

Central Peninsula schools rise to High Risk

News Release: 17 KPBSD schools in Central Peninsula will open with 100% remote learning on August 24, 2020

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

Soldotna, August 18, 2020—COVID19 community transmission risk level jumped to High Risk (Red) on August 18, 2020, for the geographical region KPBSD defines as “Central Peninsula” when the State of Alaska positive COVID19 case count reported numbers today. This triggers a safety and operational decision for the school district about opening schools to onsite learning. The need to make rational and informed operational decisions is primary for the health and safety of our students, staff, and communities. In contrast, at this time, risk levels dictate schools in the Southern Peninsula (Homer area), Eastern Peninsula (Seward area); and schools in individual or remote communities* will all begin with the onsite school option available.

“Offering predictability for our families, staff, and communities is tricky during a global pandemic,” said Superintendent O’Brien. “I’ve made the difficult decision to suspend opening schools in central peninsula to onsite at school learning on August 24, 2020. I know how hard this is for our students who are excited to return to school, for families, and for our staff. I’ve looked at the science-based guidance to assist in our decision-making process, consulted with our KPBSD COVID19 Risk Level Medical Advisory Group, and am following our SmartStart plan. I am disappointed the positive case count appears to be trending with increases in high risk levels. Every day we will evaluate risk level trends and actual counts. To aid planning for families and eliminate a ping-pong effect back and forth between risk levels, I hope that if case levels in the central peninsula drop to a medium risk level, we can open schools to onsite learning after Labor Day, on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. We will continue providing district level updates every week, plus each school will communicate directly with their families.”

When a school moves into a High Risk (red) level, KPBSD will provide services and learning opportunities onsite in school for vulnerable students. In the SmartStart plan, Special Education PreK; Title I PreK; Kindergarten; and certain groups of students in special education will be able to attend school in person. Bus transportation will continue for students in special education who already receive special education bussing services. In all other instances, transportation will need to be provided by parents or guardians during high-risk levels. Please contact your school or case manager directly with questions.

Which schools are opening with High Risk, 100% Remote Learning?

Central Kenai Peninsula includes Kasilof to Sterling, extending through Kenai, Nikiski, Soldotna, and DHSS “other north” communities

  • Aurora Borealis Charter School
  • Kaleidoscope Charter School
  • K-Beach Elementary School
  • Kenai Alternative School
  • Kenai Central High School
  • Kenai Middle School
  • Mountain View Elementary School
  • Nikiski Middle-High School
  • Nikiski North Star Elementary School
  • Redoubt Elementary School
  • River City Academy
  • Skyview Middle School
  • Soldotna Elementary School
  • Soldotna High School
  • Soldotna Montessori Charter School
  • Sterling Elementary School
  • Other North: Tustumena Elementary School

What do parents and guardians need to know?

  • Schools will contact their families to give further instructions and respond to questions about the new school year beginning with 100% remote learning
  • Get It and Go Meals for students will begin Monday, August 24, 2020. Details will be in a separate communication
  • All sports competitions in the central peninsula are cancelled. This affects Kenai Central High School; Nikiski Middle-High School; Soldotna High School; Aurora Borealis Charter School; Kenai Middle School; and Skyview Middle School. KPBSD follows ASAA Return-to-Practice Protocols  
  • Pools: Kenai Central High School, Skyview High School, and Soldotna High School pools are closed to public use

How are risk levels determined?

The KPBSD COVID19 risk map shows low, medium, or high risk in three general areas of the Kenai Peninsula, and small communities. The risk determination is made in conjunction with the State of Alaska actual 14 day test counts, state seven day averages of positive cases, Public Health, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), the Alaska Department of Education and Early Learning (DEED), Kenai Peninsula cooperators, and the KPBSD COVID19 Community Risk Level Medical Advisory Group. Learn more.

Links

All links are accessible from the KPBSD webpage www.KPBSD.org, and your school will have updates and school specific news on their website, and through communications to families

webpage: COVID19 Risk Levels in KPBSD and new risk level dashboard

webpage: COVID19 and KPBSD

webpage: KPBSD 2020 Smart Start

webpage: Sports and Activities, and conditions for play

webpage: KPBSD School Start and End Times

Geographical Risk Areas

The KPBSD is divided into geographical risk areas:

Central Kenai Peninsula includes Sterling to Kasilof, extending through Kenai, Nikiski, Soldotna, and DHSS “other north” communities:
Aurora Borealis Charter School; Connections Homeschool; Kaleidoscope Charter School; K-Beach Elementary School; Kenai Alternative School; Kenai Central High School; Kenai Middle School; Mountain View Elementary School; Nikiski Middle-High School; Nikiski North Star Elementary School; Redoubt Elementary School; River City Academy; Skyview Middle School; Soldotna Elementary School; Soldotna High School; Soldotna Montessori Charter School; Sterling Elementary School and Other North: Tustumena Elementary School

Eastern Kenai Peninsula includes Seward area, including Moose Pass
Moose Pass Elementary School; Seward Elementary School; Seward High School; Seward Middle School

Southern Kenai Peninsula includes Homer area, north to Ninilchik, Anchor Point, Fritz Creek, and DHSS “other south” communities:
Chapman School; Connections Homeschool; Fireweed Academy; Homer Flex School; Homer High School; Homer Middle School; McNeil Canyon Elementary School; Paul Banks Elementary School; West Homer Elementary School; and Other South: Kachemak-Selo School;Nikolaevsk School; Ninilchik School; Razdolna School; Voznesenka School

Schools in Individual or Remote Communities

Cooper Landing School; Hope School; Nanwalek School; Port Graham School; Susan B. English School (Seldovia); Tebughna School

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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.

Links

info: Cloth Face Coverings in the KPBSD

Cloth face coverings will be required in KPBSD schools in all COVID19 risk levels (low, medium, high) for all staff, and students in third grade and older, whenever a 6’ physical distancing is not possible. If a cloth or clear face covering is medically inappropriate or cannot be worn, a face shield that extends at least to the chin and around the sides of the face will be allowed. Students in grades Pre-K through second grade will not be required to wear a face covering, yet do still need to have a cloth face covering in their school supplies. They will be directed when and if they need to wear them. Handwashing and physical distancing will emphasized in all grades.

Clarifications specific to Pre-K to 2nd grade mask wearing:

1. If a cohorted* student steps outside the classroom and there is the possibility that they will come in contact with a person from another class cohort, they should wear a mask. Example: leaving class to go down the hall to the bathroom or nurse office, riding the bus, coming into school in the morning before they reach their classroom, or leaving at the end of the school day.
*students treated as a group

2.  If a medical doctor deems there is a medical issue that dictates a student not wear a mask at all, a note to that effect from the doctor will suffice for an exemption. However, if they cannot wear a mask, perhaps they can still wear a face shield.

3.  Students with special or intensive needs will follow the same mask wearing guidelines as all students. Although, there may be extenuating circumstances that due to the child’s disability, a mask will not be required.

4.  Classes need to be cohorted on the playground, and masks do not need to be worn.

5. If a class has mixed grades, and some of those students are in grades 3 or above, or if a small school combines students in PreK – 12th grade, everyone needs to wear a mask, even if they are in PreK – 2nd grade.

6. All vulnerable student populations attending school during a high “Red” High Risk scenario will be required to wear mask unless a medical condition or disability prevents that from occurring. This includes all preschool and kindergarten students.

A cloth or clear face covering is included in the student school supply list (needed in certain situations, such as when a student is ill and going to the nurse’s office or will be in a common area of the school outside their cohort.)

This communication is from our KPBSD Nursing Supervisor Iris Wertz, RN, RSN, about mask wearing at this age:

Now that there has been enough time to gather data from a worldwide perspective on COVID19 we are able to see patterns of transmission and infection on a larger scale. What we are finding is that children under 18 have a lower rate of transmission and infection than older groups, and children under 10 have significantly lower rates. Due to this, our state changed the travel mandates from testing children over the age of 2, to only testing over the age of 10. We are in line with the CDC’s statement that: Younger children (e.g., preschool or early elementary aged) may be unable to wear a mask properly, particularly for an extended period of time. Wearing of masks may be prioritized at times when it is difficult to maintain a distance of 6 feet from others (e.g., during carpool drop off or pick up, or when standing in line at school).

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-guidance.html

When younger students are able to be in their regular classroom they will not be required to wear masks and physical distancing will still be emphasized where possible. However, in commons areas outside the classroom where they might mix with other classes or students, they will need to wear a mask. They will be directed when to do that by their teacher.

Change to KPBSD School Start or End Times

News Release: Change to KPBSD School Start or End Times

School start or end times have changed for several Kenai Peninsula Borough School District schools when the school year begins August 24, 2020.*

These past two weeks, KPBSD staff totally focused on planning for the new school year with the Smart Start plan, and changes due to COVID19. Enrollment numbers and education delivery choices are becoming clear through the completion of returning student update forms, and school phone calls to families.

In order to provide quality onsite in schools and 100% remote learning, additional time for staff preparation, collaboration, and cleaning of buildings resulted in an adjusted student day for some of the 42 Kenai Peninsula Borough School District K-12 schools. The change in start or end time decision was determined on a school by school basis with district administration, site administration, and in consultation with Apple Bus, our transportation provider, who runs double-tier busing routes.

Apple Bus is in process of updating bus routes and will be updating the parent portal frequently, and thanks everyone for their patience as this may take up to a week to complete.

Parents and guardians can contact their school with questions about school times or enrollment.

Links

*KPBSD schools open to students on Monday, August 24, 2020. Variance: Kachemak Selo, Razdolna, and Voznesenka schools begin Tuesday, August 18, 2020. Nanwalek, Nikolaevsk and Port Graham schools begin Friday, August 21, 2020.

New School Year Letter to KPBSD Special Education Families

info: Read about the three options available to every KPBSD student to attend school during the 2020-2021 school year

August 11, 2020
Dear Parents and Guardians,

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD) is committed to turn challenges into opportunities, and ensure that every student with a disability will have access to their peers as well as core instruction, curriculum, and learning. With the opening of the 2020-2021 school year, we want you to be reassured that KPBSD learned through the experiences from this past spring, and there will be increased rigor and accountability with service delivery and instruction for all learners, including students with disabilities.

KPBSD Student Support Services is preparing and planning to provide an excellent education to our students with Individual Education Programs (IEPs) when school opens in August. With this comes increased measures to ensure the health and safety for all students and staff. The spring of 2020 raised a challenge that no one was prepared for when COVID19 closed schools to students. We acknowledge that emergency remote learning was implemented with varying degrees of success throughout our school district, the state, and country.

Now more than ever, communication and collaboration between teachers, parents and students is vital. To that end, please note:

  • We will continue to encourage meeting options that reduce exposure and risks
  • Meetings should be held via video conferencing (Zoom or Skype) or telephonically
  • Staff will reach out to you to determine the best way for your student’s meetings to occur
  • Your student’s special education case manager, in partnership with you, will construct a remote learning plan that will address service delivery, accommodations, related services and supports in order to help your child make progress towards their IEP goals

Our school district has a long history of turning challenges into opportunities. Successfully educating over 8,800 students distributed amongst 42 schools of varying grade level configurations and enrollment, six different school calendars, and spread across 25,600 square miles, encompassing 17 distinct communities (of which four are fly in only) is one example of how KPBSD overcomes challenges.

Plans will account for changes in education delivery modes if COVID19 risk levels change to high in communities or schools, and as we navigate the 2020-2021 school year. If you believe an IEP meeting is necessary, please reach out and communicate this with your child’s school team. We are here for you.

Together, we each must acknowledge that this school year will be different from any school year in the past.  Together, as partners, we will help set students and staff up for a successful school year. KPBSD will work closely with our families and students, in order to meet their individual and unique needs. By becoming even more resilient, creative, and flexible in this time of uncertainty, we are confident that each of us can and will navigate through this global pandemic, and most importantly, quality education and support for our students with disabilities will occur.

It is our intent, desire, and mission to support our students and families. If you need more information or have questions or concerns, kindly contact your school team or Student Support Services office at 907-714-8881.

Kind regards,

Amy Hagen, Director of Student Support Services, together with the Student Support Services Administrative Team

KPBSD Student Support Services webpage

August 2020 KPBSD-COVID19-New School Year Letter-to-Special-Education-parents-and-guardians
Download

new: Returning Student Update Forms online portal is now open

Dear KPBSD parents and guardians,

The new “Returning Student Update Forms” online portal is open to you now! This will streamline the required annual paperwork for your child, and where you will indicate your choice about how your child will begin school in August.

Your KPBSD instructional teams and school staff are working to prepare for school beginning Monday, August 24, 2020* for most of our 42 schools on the Kenai Peninsula. Our school principals and secretaries are available to answer your questions, or you can contact the KPBSD help desk during business hours with questions about COVID19 and schools.

ACTION NEEDED
To assist your school to put plans for safety and instruction about who will attend school onsite, or 100% remote, or shift to homeschool, kindly complete your online forms and school choice as soon as possible, and no later than Friday, August 14, 2020.

Parent Choice: Parents and guardians filling out the form packets will be prompted to answer a question about their preferred learning environment during the COVID19 global pandemic. We invite every family to choose the plan best for their circumstances. The KPBSD 2020 Smart Start Plan offers three options:

  • ONSITE at Your KPBSD School
    Learning at your neighborhood school, charter school, or non-traditional KPBSD school

  • 100% Remote with Your KPBSD School
    Learning with your neighborhood school, charter school, or non-traditional KPBSD school

  • HOMESCHOOL: Enrollment in KPBSD Connections Homeschool program
    Learning is designed by families with a Connections Teacher Advisor and facilitated by parents

If you have questions about these three options, contact your KPBSD school for help to discern what is best for your child and family.

Thank you for your time to complete these student updates.

Begin your online student updates in PowerSchool FORMS portal

*Links

News Release: KPBSD Student Nutrition Services (SNS) Updates

SNS will serve meals onsite, plus Get-it and Go
new! streamlined online application process for free or reduced meals

Soldotna, August 4, 2020—The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District will provide meals to students who attend school onsite, and to everyone who chooses 100% remote learning with their KPBSD school.* New! A streamlined online application for Free and Reduced Meals to determine benefits and qualify communities for federal funds is now live.

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District 2020-2021 Meal Prices

Breakfast

  • Students approved for Free and Reduced meals: $.00
  • Grades K-12: $2.00

Lunch

  • Students approved for Free meals: $.00
  • Students approved for reduced meals: $.40
  • Grades K-6: $3.00
  • Grades 7-12: $3.50

The Community Eligible Program (CEP) qualifies every student in the school to receive free meals. KPBSD CEP schools are: Homer Flex School; Nanwalek School; Nikolaevsk School; Port Graham School; Tebughna School

New! Two key changes in the 2020-2021 school year:

Online Application: Parents or guardians must reapply each year for free or reduced meal benefits

This year, all applications will be accepted online through the new state portal at http://mealapp.kpbsd.org. If someone does not have access to the internet, each school will have a few paper applications in the school office.

Meal benefits from the 2019-2020 school year will carry over until October 5, 2020, but a new application must be received by KPBSD Student Nutrition Services by then, or the student will revert to a paid meal status.

Opt-In form required to charge meals up to two days of meals

Students will not be permitted to charge any meals this year until parents or guardians have signed an Opt-In form for their child. The Opt-In is included in the online packet, and SNS needs a form completed for each student that a parent gives permission to charge. When completed, students will be allowed to charge up to two days of meals, and no further charges will be allowed until the amount is paid back.

*Get It and Go Meals will be provided to families who choose 100% Remote Learning with their KPBSD School, and available for pickup once a week at the school. If a KPBSD school shifts to high COVID19 risk and becomes 100% Remote, then those students will also be able to receive Get It and Go Meals, similar to spring 2020. Meal charges will be applied to the students account according to their Free, Reduced, or Paid status. Homeschool students are not eligible for Get It and Go Meals.

In 1965, federal funds were established through the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) to ensure that all children have a fair and equal opportunity to education. KPBSD has developed programs to support struggling learners all around the district, and various forms are included in school registration packets each year to help identify qualifying students and families. Completion of the Free and Reduced Meal application–even by families who do not want to use free or reduced price meals–is important to the continuation of these federally funded programs. Federal funding is based on qualified applications.

Links

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Weekly Update: a video, cloth face masks, a poll, a FAQ

Dear KPBSD students, families, and staff,

Greetings! This week Superintendent O’Brien has a video message* for you about the new cloth face covering decision in KPBSD schools, a request that you take a brief poll about what you think your school choice would be, and current COVID19 risk levels. Today the district leadership team and all 42 school principals and assistant principals met for several hours to plan for the new school year!

View video on YouTube, or go to @KPBSD Facebook to watch

Quick School Choice Poll
Schools need your help: kindly take a less than one-minute poll asking, if you had to choose today, Which K-12 learning option would be best for your child?

Responses will assist principals and school instructional leaders during the Leadership Academy next week with plans for the opening of school on August 24, 2020. This is not your definitive answer—you will receive a separate required “Returning School Information Update” response form next week.
Your quick poll response is needed by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 4, 2020.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Q28JDBS

Quick poll: Which KPBSD school option would you choose today?

NEW! All KPBSD staff, and students in third grade and above, will be required to wear cloth face coverings whenever 6’ physical distancing is not possible.

Cloth face coverings will be required for KPBSD staff and everyone in grades three and above, if 6′ physical distancing is not possible.


Cloth face coverings will be required in KPBSD schools in all COVID19 risk levels (low, medium, high) for all staff, and students in third grade and older, whenever a 6’ physical distancing is not possible. If a cloth or clear face covering is medically inappropriate or cannot be worn, a face shield that extends at least to the chin and around the sides of the face will be allowed. Students in grades Pre-K through second grade will not be required to wear a face covering, yet do still need to have a cloth face covering in their school supplies. They will be directed when and if they need to wear them. Handwashing and physical distancing will emphasized in all grades.

Smart Start 2020 Frequently Asked Questions Flyer

2020-07-30-KPBSD-Frequently-Asked-Questions-FAQsDownload

Make sure to do something kind for yourself this week. We know this might be hard, we are confident in our plan, and being flexible, along with staying hopeful that schools will open, and stay open. This year will be better than “last year with a mask on” and it will take all of us working together with resiliency, and kindness toward each other.

ps: Please take a minute to complete the poll – it will really help with planning the best school year possible for all students, and our hard working staff.

*Links

REFERENCE: Which K-12 learning option will be best for you? Review or download the PDF

ONSITE at Your KPBSD School
Learning at your neighborhood school, charter school, or non-traditional KPBSD school

100% Remote with Your KPBSD School
Learning with your neighborhood school, charter school, or non-traditional KPBSD school

HOMESCHOOL: Enrollment in KPBSD Connections Homeschool program
Learning is designed by families with a Connections Teacher Advisor and facilitated by parents

Kindly note: if you ask questions in a comment, I’ll do my best to review them a few times a week, and respond. You can always contact your school, or call the district office at 907 – 714 – 8888 – Pegge Erkeneff, Director of Communications