Mrs. Sharon Hale, Redoubt Elementary School Golden Apple Award | June 1, 2020 Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
“Mrs. Sharon
Hale is an incomparable human who goes beyond her duties as if there were no
other option,” said nominator Stephanie Belger. “She is the librarian aide at
Redoubt Elementary, and the whole community knows her as much more. My own
children remember Mrs. Hale as the one who ‘always made us tie our shoes and
dresses up as Dr. Seuss’ Cat in the Hat.’ She is known for many activities in
our school that are developed, continued, and spearheaded by her. A part-time
employee, she is constantly seen working over than weekend and later than many
other staff because she cares about our school. She helps children connect with
books so they can learn to love reading. She encourages every aspect of reading
support—even with the teachers!”
Throughout the years Mrs. Hale has run the Scholastic
Book Fair, the Sunshine Committee, the annual Walk Your Child to School
activity, the school-wide fundraiser, the math and science night, family night
activities throughout the year, the bike rodeo, and the Dr. Seuss and Love of
Reading month.
This all is a tremendous feat but it is still shy of
the whole picture. She reaches out to peers, students, and the community with
even more passion. Mrs. Hale can always be found giving individuals what they
need before they even know what they need! At every staff departure there is a
special Mrs. Hale handmade gift. In addition, there is always one for new
coming baby “Roadrunners” as well. She never misses an opportunity to
help students with Forensics, Geo-Bee, Spelling Bee, and is known to spot
children with books, games, and anything that will encourage them out of her
own pocket. She is a substitute and jumps in for the other half of the day as
much as possible when teachers are in need at a moment’s notice. Mrs. Hale
loves helping others, even to helping student learn how to sew in Friday
electives. Students can learn this wonderful trade and, staff call upon her on
weekends to help with t-shirt quilts. She immediately gives of her time to
assist with all the knowledge she has, and with her presence. Her outreach to
the community is also long lasting. She has given decades to the CES fire
family as a wife to a fire chief, stiches of love community projects, and
Oiler’s baseball.
Mrs. Sharon Hale has been working in our school
district since 1997, however she began volunteering at Redoubt Elementary in
1991. She has impacted the Redoubt community officially for 23 years and
unofficially for 29. By the count, she has positively supported over thirteen
thousand students, hundreds of teachers, and several administrators. Her
leadership, service, and remarkable contributions to everyone will forever be
remembered. In the words of the current administrator, Principal Bill Withrow,
“When you look at the heartbeat and pulse of our school, Sharon Hale’s
name is in all of it.”
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of
Education is proud to recognize Mrs. Sharon Hale for her dedication to the
students of the school district, past, present, and future.
Volunteer Red Asselin Martin receives Golden Apple award at Paul Banks Elementary during a Virtual Board of Education meeting
Ms. Red Asselin Martin, Paul Banks Elementary volunteer Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Golden Apple Award | June 1, 2020
“As the principal of Paul Banks Elementary in Homer, Alaska, I have witnessed firsthand the incredible resource that “Red” or Ms. Lisa Asselin Martin is for our school,” wrote nominator Eric Pederson. “She is a parent, the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) president, Sprout partner, and community advocate, and emulates all of the qualities the Golden Apple award represents. In the three years I have worked with her, she has gone from active parent to school leader.”
–Nominator Eric Pederson, Paul Banks Elementary principal
Paul Banks Elementary has numerous activities
throughout the school year such as fundraisers, movie nights, Bingo for Books,
and the Scholastic Book Fair, and it does not take long to notice that Red is
behind many of them. As the PTA president, she saw a need for afterschool
childcare when we moved to an early start and dismissal—so she created our
afterschool program. All kindergarten to second grade students are invited to
participate, including our students with special needs. Because of her
leadership and skill in recruiting community members to teach, students have
been able to choose from a variety of activities, including sign language,
Japanese, Legos, Zumba, Outdoor Explorers, and Sports Hour.
During the potential KPBSD staff strike last fall, Red
assembled pop-up childcare for working parents, utilizing volunteers and church
space, and coordinated with other schools. As a Birth to Three Sprout staff
member, she collaborated with Paul Banks Elementary to provide a weekly open
gym playgroup for children ages one to four. This has allowed many of our young
students to arrive already being familiar with our school. Red teaches
parenting classes open to the whole community that benefits our families.
Recently, Red organized and facilitated a State
Education Budget 101 for our entire community. The event brought people from
opposing fiscal viewpoints together where factual data was shared and everyone
had a great discussion.
The Paul Banks Elementary staff shared the following
descriptors for Red: “persistent, thoughtful, caring, persistent,
compassionate, gracious, persistent, hilarious, approachable, supportive and
PERSISTENT.” Principal Eric Pederson wrote, “Red is one of those parents who
has made me a better and more thoughtful person and leader. Her support,
innovation, and contribution to our school community will be dearly missed at
Paul Banks Elementary when her child moves to West Homer Elementary for the
August 2020 school year.”
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of
Education is proud to recognize Ms. Red Asselin Martin for her dedication to
the students of the school district, past, present, and future.
How did the March to May remote learning work for you and your family? Your response will help KPBSD plan for a Smart Start for school in August. Our 20 person planning team is meeting several times a week, and you’ll hear more about that throughout June and July. Your thoughts will assist: we’re at 1,400+ responses & the goal is 5,000+ by June 8, 2020. Kindly invest a few minutes to respond: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MXTPHGT
Sources of Strength Family
Toolkit
Take a deep breath! We all have strengths, and your social
and emotional health is important. Download
a wonderful booklet with activities and resources for all ages.
#WhatHelpsUs #KPBSDstrong
Safety: Create your
COVID-19 Family Plan
Have you made your plan for what will happen if the caregiver or caregivers in the family become ill with COVID-19? Who is in your Circle Of Support? Download a helpful three-page resource to create or refine your plan.
Connect with the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District throughout the summer. Call during office hours 907-714-8888. Visit the www.KPBSD.com website for online registration, and regular updates about COVID-19, and the KPBSD planning and response.
It is very important to keep
doing this. Breathing in and out. So many things have changed in the Spring of
2020, and transitions are hard.
KPBSD offers you these tools
to help you navigate the transitions you are facing. Sources of Strength is a
public health program that 14 of our KPBSD schools currently offer for their
students. Sources of Strength focuses on promoting mental health and building
protective factors that increase connection, coping, resiliency and wellness.
We all have
strength!
Our Sources of Strength programs help teams of
students and school staff identify what strengths they have in their lives to
help them move through the ups and downs of life. The Sources of Strength Wheel
is composed of eight categories that we can draw strength from: Family Support,
Positive Friends, Mentors, Healthy Activities, Generosity, Spirituality,
Physical Health and Mental Health. These strengths are powerful strengths that
help us build resilience and health relationships.
We all have
mental health.
How we cope, calm and connect when we experience feelings and emotions are what
creates our mental health. We can use our strengths to support our mental
health. It is possible for us to not just survive, but thrive in our new
reality. These resources provide you check-ins, activities for exploring
emotions, conversation starters, and practices for you and for the student in
your household to calm, to cope and to connect.
These activities and resources are from elementary
schools, middle schools, and high school programs. Feel free to modify them
however works best for you. Start your day with a check-in. Take the emotional
temperature in your home and find out how everyone is doing. End your day with
thankfulness, naming things that you are grateful for. Share these resources
with your friends and neighbors, and together let’s practice #WhatHelpsUs.
Share posts on social media and hashtag #WhatHelpsUs and #KPBSDstrong
Gratefully,
Your KPBSD Sources of Strength Champions
Connect – let’s be social!
Kenai Peninsula
Borough School District www.KPBSD.org
Superintendent
John O’Brien said, “I am so proud that
one of our principals received this prestigious national honor when the Alaska
Association of Elementary School Principals selected Eric Pederson as the
Alaska National Distinguished Principal for 2020! Congratulations to Eric
and the entire Paul Banks Elementary School learning community—this recognition
is so well deserved!”
Nominated
and selected for this recognition by principals through a statewide search
process conducted by the Alaska Association of Elementary School Principals, they wrote in a press release, “Pederson
is a true leader in the profession in the state. He has served on the Alaska
Association of Elementary School Executive Board since 2018 and is the current
board president. In this role, Eric represented Alaska principals in both
Washington DC and Juneau as an advocate for students. He has also served on the
Alaska Council of School Administrators (ACSA) board during this time. Outside
of school, Pederson has served on the Kenai Borough Legislative Committee, the
Teacher of the Year Selection Committee, and the Alaska Council of the Arts.
Eric was nominated for the Life Changer of the Year Award as well as the LKSD
Teacher of the Year. During the COVID 19 Pandemic, Pederson has stepped up as
an educational leader across the state. He is working to make sure that the
principal voice is heard and that, as a state, we are making the best decisions
possible for our staff and students. Eric believes strongly that a
positive school atmosphere is paramount in the overall success. He strives to
be present for staff, students, and the community at all times. He will only
support new initiatives that add to this atmosphere. He also sees making
the community a better place as part of his job as a principal. This past year
he started a “Dudes and Donuts” event that allowed fathers to network with one
another. Pederson’s job does not end at the close of school each day.”
About Principal Eric
Pederson, in his words
Influences – “my principalship is a product of Alaska”
“There are many people to thank for influencing my career path. First my wife and family—this job is a family affair and they have been incredibly supportive and encouraging. My Paul Banks staff! I have had the privilege to work side by side with some of the best teachers in the profession, and I have learned so much from them. Finally, my principalship is a product of Alaska. I have been blessed with incredible leadership throughout my career from my education at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) to the statewide new principal mentorship program to my work in the Lower Kuskokwim School District (LKSD) and the KPBSD. There are amazing people in this state who have had an impactful presence in my life, too many to mention.”
Best part from A
Day In The Life of this elementary school principal
“I am a morning person and I absolutely love greeting students in the morning. I get high-fives and the latest news about students’ fishing reports, pet reports, moose sightings, upcoming trips to visit grandparents, etc. The energy and eagerness of learning at this age group level is inspiring. Rain or shine it is the highlight of my day. If you ever need a pick me up feel free to meet me in the parking lot at 7:30 a.m.”
The COVID challenge and inspiration
“The way this school year ended was challenging to say the least. I know we relied a lot on our families and used up a significant amount of trust capital we had built with them. A positive outcome of the Covid-Crisis was being part of our schools’ Care Team, who worked with the PTA to provide a lot of support to our families both emotionally and financially. Many of our families were caught in a financial pinch without work and students at home. The strength of our relationships with families was on full display as we shifted conversations from learning academics to the more basic Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. It was very inspiring to work side by side with these people. It’s the type of work that makes you want to get up a little earlier and stay a little later every day.”
A Growth Mindset
“Those
of you who know me well, know that I am very qualified to be a principal solely
based on the amount of time I spent in the principal’s office as a child. I
probably would advise my younger self to be more grateful to my parents who did
not give up on me.”
Final words
“Trust is so important. This school year we have had to rely on our parents and families like never before. Many of our schools were very successful when dealing with the remote learning mandate because our relationships we built with families was steeped in trust. I have always viewed the taxpayer as my ultimate boss. I would like everyone to know that we are diligently working to make sure we have an effective and safe environment for next school year.”
Excerpt from the Alaska Association of Elementary School
Principals Press Release: The
Alaska Association of Elementary School Principals is proud to announce our
National Distinguished Principal for 2020 is Eric Pederson, Principal of Paul
Banks Elementary School in Homer, Alaska. The 2020 National Distinguished
Principal Celebration marks the 36th year that the National Association of
Elementary School Principals has presented this prestigious award.
Pederson
graduated from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul Minnesota with a
Bachelor’s Degree, he then added a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership
from the University of Alaska, Anchorage. Eric began his administrative career
as a principal at Kuinerrimuit Elitnaurviat School in Quinhagak, Alaska in 2007
and moved to Homer in 2013 where he has served as the principal at Paul Banks
Elementary since that time.
Pederson
will travel to Washington DC in October 2020 for two days of activities planned
to honor and bring well-deserved recognition to the elementary administrators
selected by their respective states.
AAESP
believes that Eric Pederson is well deserving of the National Distinguished
Principals’ Award. We are proud to acknowledge his leadership and commitment to
Alaska’s children representing Alaska’s elementary principals.
The
NAESP’s National Distinguished Principal ® (NDP) program was established in
1984 to recognize elementary and middle level principals who set high standards
for instruction, student achievement, character, and climate for the students,
families, and staffs in their learning communities.
For
more information:
Jennifer
Schmitz, Alaska Association of Elementary School Principals Executive
Director
Lynn
Mayberry, Alaska Association of Elementary School Principals Vice President/NDP
Chair
Pegge
Erkeneff, KPSBD Director of Communications, Community, and Government Relations
Planning for the future: What is the remote learning experience from the KPBSD student, parent, and guardian perspective?#survey
When health mandates closed 42 schools on the Kenai Peninsula to students this spring, KPBSD shifted to remote learning for students. We’ve all learned and experienced a lot, and want to capture the learnings. To both reflect, and help the school district plan for an August smart school start, parents and high school students are asked to complete a brief online survey.
–May 20, 2020 KPBSD News Release
The SURVEY will take approximately five minutes to complete, and is open through June 5, 2020.
Students in grades 9-12 are encouraged to respond to this survey
Parents or guardians are asked to reply on behalf of their students in grades K-8
Families with more than one child are invited to respond once for each child enrolled in KPBSD
“There are many uncertainties about what the start of school will look like in August. To help prepare for those uncertainties, The KPBSD has a working group of 20 members that are planning for the start-up of the next school year, and your responses will assist us.”
–Clayton Holland, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction
A separate survey for KPBSD staff is happening simultaneously to the parent and student survey.
For 90 minutes on Tuesday, May 12th, tap into theAlaska Teacher Placement Virtual Job Fair (VJF) with guest Kenai Peninsula Borough School District! Join us from3:30-5:00 PM AST, Tuesday. May 12, 2020.
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Virtual Job Fair Host (s): Kevin Downs, Student Support Services Program Coordinator and Sarge Truesdell, Principal, Skyview Middle School, and backup crew ready to respond to your questions and comments during the live stream event. When: Tuesday, May 12, 2020, 3:30-5:00 pm AST (7:30 – 9:00 pm EDT) Time Zone Conversion:(Click here to convert event time!) How to Participate: ATP Facebook Page
KPBSD Hosts during the Virtual Job Fair Kevin Downs has been an educator in Alaska for twenty-two years. The first four years were in Point Hope, Alaska, working with the North Slope Borough School District. Since then, he has continued his career working with the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District going on eighteen years—six as a middle school special education teacher, and twelve as a special education program coordinator at the district level. He thoroughly enjoys his time as an educator in Alaska, and finds KPBSD to be an incredible place to work, and the Kenai Peninsula itself, to be an amazing place to raise children and grow strong roots as a family.
Sarge Truesdell has worked in the KPBSD as a teacher, coach, and administrator for twenty-two years. Nine of those years were as a middle school teacher, four as an assistant principal, and he has been a middle school principal for nine years now. Sarge says the Kenai is an amazing place to work, live, raise our family, and play.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is especially interested in chatting on the ATP Facebook page with teachers, counselors, and administrators about the following openings:
Discover the spectacular Kenai Peninsula through the extensive Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District website which includes industry and education sections, real estate, our municipalities, borough, and the great outdoors.
The Facebook Live is a great opportunity to connect directly to the HR decision makers with our school district. Bring your questions, and tune into the ATP Facebook Live stream. This event will be recorded for archived viewing. KPBSD is not able to sponsor foreign teachers for H1 or J1 visas.
“I am thrilled that you are considering employment with the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District! We are located in a beautiful part of southcentral Alaska and one of the more unique and progressive districts in our great state. Our schools, ranging in size from a K-8 building of 16 to a traditional high school of 600, offer our students a strong education that prepares them for life after graduation. The 1,200 KPBSD dedicated staff members are committed to continuous improvement that embraces our strategic plan goals in academic success, organizational excellence, and community and family engagement. Should you work with us, you will be joining an exciting and successful team of top notch educators who do what it takes to help our students find success.”
–John O’Brien, Superintendent of Schools
“I will be watching live and responding to questions in the comment thread during the Facebook Live Virtual Job Fair, together with Laurie Wood, our human resources recruitment specialist. We are excited that you are interested in our school district and may potentially join our phenomenal team of educators!
Our diverse K-12 district is a leader in Alaska and at the forefront to support our teachers’ instruction—especially in this new time of remote learning. We strive, every day, to prepare our students for their future in a rigorous, relevant and responsive learning environment. Our students perform at or near the top in any standardized test required of them. They are creative thinkers and problem solvers. Our staff focus is to enhance student skills in critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity through personalized learning. This focus only happens in a culture of continuous improvement with high expectations of staff. Our school district makes a commitment to meet these high expectations through professional development for our staff, and ongoing striving to be an innovative, world class school district.
–Pegge Erkeneff, KPBSD Director of Communications, Community, and Government Relations
About the District
The Kenai Peninsula is 25,600 square miles, with 17 distinct communities, and 42 schools. You’ll find neighborhood schools, village schools, a home school program, charter schools, K-12 small schools, and a performance based school. An estimated 58,522 (2018) residents live on the Kenai Peninsula. Southcentral Alaska offers year-round outdoor adventure, mild summers, and relatively warm winters. You can live near glaciers, on salt water, rivers, or lakes. Outdoor activities are plentiful and include fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, canoeing, clamming, birding, berry picking, wildlife viewing, ice skating, sled dog mushing, and more! Art, music, native culture, sports, wildlife centers, and museums are integral parts of the diverse Kenai Peninsula communities. Local industry includes oil and gas, a vibrant medical community, commercial and sport fisheries. The climate is mild in contrast to the interior and northern Alaska. Our winters last a month or two longer than the Lower 48. December temperatures average in the mid 20’s, and our summers are brilliant, with nearly 24-hour sunlight, and a lush, green landscape.
Located south of Anchorage, nothing about the Kenai is formal or stuffy. In fact, no other destination offers such an up close and personal Alaskan experience. That’s why we are known as Alaska’s Playground! This map shows links to a detailed Google Map view of the 42 KPBSD school locations.
Facebook Live Streaming Event Format You will need a free Facebook account to actively participate in ATP’s Live Chats. Once you create that account, you can use it to log in and ask the presenters questions. Anyone can watch the video stream, and observe the chat. If you would like to ask a question or introduce yourself, it is very easy to sign into the comment or post your reactions in real time.
Be social: check your camera roll and share, or take a new photo if you can practice physical distancing! #sos#SourcesofStrength#SourcesatSkyview #SOSinvite #KPBSDStrongerTogether #WhatHelpsUs #SOSmentor #FamilyStrength
Skyview Middle School, Soldotna Alaska
Trusted Mentors
Mentor Mysteries “Wanted Posters” in a Month of Mentors!
To
highlight Skyview Middle School mentors, the Sources of Strength team sent
students on a mystery to determine the WHO in the wanted-poster mentors for the
week!
The
investigation and mystery encouraged students to connect with mentors, ask them
questions about their likes and interests, and find similarities between
themselves and Skyview Middle School mentors. Students who could figure out all
three wanted-posters each week were entered into a raffle for prizes. This was
our coolest #sos campaign we did this school year!
Family Support
Many
of us feel stuck in problems and it is hard to see the solution. Sometimes
getting unstuck is simple when we have some strategies, techniques, or help.
During Covid19 we feel like we are “stuck” at home, when really, we can and
have built on the strength of our Family Support! Skyview Middle School
students learned the Yarn Knot Game this year, which can really assist especially
now!
Sources
of Strength is in 12 KPBSD schools: eight high schools, three middle schools, and
one K-12 school.
A
strength-based comprehensive wellness program focusing on suicide prevention, Sources
of Strength also addresses substance abuse, violence, resiliency, and
relationships. Teams of peer leaders mentored by adult advisors change peer
social norms about seeking help, and encourage students to individually assess
and develop positive strengths in their life.
KPBSD: Shifting to Remote Learning free online webinars for parents & guardians
You can find on-demand videos of past webinars, current offerings, and registration information on the Remote Learning Resource for Parents webpage and scroll to the section titled, “Trainings and Webinars for Parents”
After registration, you will receive an auto-generated email with a list of your session choices, and the password to enter the virtual classroom for your session. Plan for approximately 30-minute sessions, followed by Q & A.
This
is a parent education strand about how to implement accommodations usually used
in their child’s classroom in the home setting to support success for the whole
fAMily.
Education and support for caregivers in the KPBSD area who are rearing children prenatally exposed to alcohol/drugs. Meeting every Thursday until May 14th.
