Author: Pegge Erkeneff

Dr. Steve Atwater Named 2013 Alaska Superintendent of the Year

PRESS RELEASE

Dr. Steve Atwater Named 2013 Alaska Superintendent of the Year

Dr. Steve Atwater (L), Alaska 2013 Superintendent of the Year, and AASA executive director Bruce Johnson (R)

 Soldotna, September 12, 2012—The Alaska Association of School Administrators (AASA) announced that Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD) Superintendent, Dr. Steve Atwater, has been selected by his peers as Alaska’s 2013 Superintendent of the Year.
The Superintendent of the Year program, now in its 26th year, pays tribute to a school system’s top leader who exemplifies effectiveness, knowledge, leadership, ethics, and commitment. In nominating Dr. Atwater, colleagues and board members noted his success at leading both small and large school districts. They lauded his leadership expertise by comments such as “If you take a close look at each and every one of Dr. Atwater’s decisions or actions, you will find an unerring focus on the improvement of education and direction that favors kids.” Another nominator commented that “Dr. Atwater exemplifies the true essence of what an educational leader should be … and believes that every child can learn and that every child deserves to be taught by an outstanding teacher.”
When he learned about the award, Dr. Atwater said, “I am both humbled and honored by this award.  Humbled because I was nominated by my peers from across the state and honored because it affirms my good work and by association the good work that all of us at KPBSD are doing to meet the learning needs of our 8,900 students.”
Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Mike Navarre said, “Kenai Peninsula residents take pride in our outstanding school district and recognize the combined contributions of School Board members, administrators, teachers, support staff, parents and students as a part of our success. Most importantly, we recognize the leadership provided by our superintendent, Dr. Steve Atwater, as a key part of that success. Dr. Atwater’s vision, commitment, values, knowledge, and competence are reflected in the extraordinary job he does and the educational achievements of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District. We’re extremely fortunate to have Dr. Atwater as our Superintendent and congratulate him on his well-deserved recognition as 2013 Alaska Superintendent of the Year.”
“Dr. Atwater has been a great supporter of Kenai Peninsula College (KPC) and ensuring Peninsula students are college or career-ready when they graduate,” said Gary J. Turner, KPC director. “He is not only involved with our children from pre-K to 12th grade, but he is also teaching teachers at the university level where he serves as an adjunct faculty member with UAA’s College of Education. While Steve will say this is a district award, his leadership and vision have earned him this well-deserved accolade,” said Turner.
AASA will advance Dr. Atwater’s candidacy to the 2013 National Superintendent of the Year program knowing that he is highly respected by his colleagues, board members, and constituents throughout Alaska. All State Superintendents of the Year will be recognized in February at the 2013 AASA National Conference on Education in Los Angeles, California.
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For more information contact Pegge Erkeneff, KPBSD communications specialist, Pegge@kpbsd.k12.ak.us, 907.714.8838
KPBSD media releases are online at this web page: http://bit.ly/MediaPublicRelationships

West Homer Elementary named a 2012 National Blue Ribbon School


PRESS RELEASE

 

West Homer Elementary named a 2012 National Blue Ribbon School

Soldotna, September 7, 2012—U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan recognizes West Homer Elementary School as a 2012 National Blue Ribbon School. Based on overall academic excellence or for making progress in improving student academic achievement levels, 269 schools are honored as a 2012 National Blue Ribbon School.
Speaking in Arlington, Virginia, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said, “Our nation has no greater responsibility than helping all children realize their full potential…. Schools honored with the National Blue Ribbon Schools award are committed to accelerating student achievement and preparing students for success in college and careers. Their work reflects the conviction that every child has promise and that education is the surest pathway to a strong, secure future.”
 Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski extended her heartfelt congratulations to West Homer Elementary (WHE) principal Raymond Marshall and everyone in the WHE community. Marshall believes, “West Homer Elementary School works hard to provide every student with a well-rounded, world class education. We have an exceptional teaching staff with hard working students and parents who are dedicated to their children’s success. Additionally, we receive great support from our community and students come to us from Paul Banks with a strong educational foundation that we can build upon.”
KPBSD superintendent, Dr. Steve Atwater, said, “I am thrilled to learn that West Homer Elementary is the recipient of a Blue Ribbon School award. This award is an excellent way to recognize the superb work of the West Homer staff with the students as well as the wonderful level of support for the school by the greater West Homer Elementary community.”
Principal Raymond Marshall and educator Shirlie Gribble will represent West Homer Elementary school in Washington, DC, when the Department of Education will honor approximately 219 public and 50 private schools at a recognition ceremony November 12-13, 2012.
The National Blue Ribbon Schools award honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students perform at very high levels or where significant improvements are being made in students’ levels of achievement.
The program recognizes schools in one of two performance categories. The first category is “Exemplary High Performing,” in which schools are recognized among their state’s highest performing schools, as measured by state assessments or nationally-normed tests. The second category is “Exemplary Improving,” in which schools that have at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds demonstrate the most progress in improving student achievement levels as measured by state assessments or nationally-normed tests. WHE is recognized as an “Exemplary High Performing” National Blue Ribbon School.
School board member Liz Downing reflected, “I am so proud of the students, teachers, staff, and families of West Homer Elementary School. It truly is a special place well deserving of this recognition!” and Sunni Hilts, school board member commented, “Once again a South Peninsula school has joined others in the district in demonstrating the commitment to quality education that the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District strives to offer. West Homer has been recognized for the awesome school we have known and appreciated. Congratulations!”
In its thirty-year history, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed this coveted award on nearly 7,000 of America’s schools. Between 1982 and 2010, eight additional KPBSD schools have earned the National Blue Ribbon School recognition.
Links:
2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools
September 7, 2012 U.S. Department of Education Press Release
National Blue Ribbon School Program

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This and all KPBSD media releases are online at this web page: http://bit.ly/MediaPublicRelationships
CONTACT:
Pegge Erkeneff, Communications Specialist
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Pegge@kpbsd.org
907-714-8888
148 N. Binkley Street, Soldotna, AK 99669

In Homer and Soldotna: Taylor Crowe “My Life With Autism…”

Is your life centered on capability or disability?
In spite of a daily struggle with autism, national speaker, Taylor Crowe, knows his life is centered on his capability. Now thirty years old, his life is in direct contrast to the physician who initially diagnosed his autism, adding, “There is no hope for him.”
The Alaska Autism Resource Center, in partnership with Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, welcomes national speaker, Taylor Crowe, to Soldotna and Homer for two inspirational evenings.
Crowe is an inspiring young man, artist, and graduate of the California Institute of the Arts with a degree in Character Animation. He will offer two free public presentations, and a general school assembly in Homer.
Taylor Crowe “My Life With Autism…” free public presentations:

  • SOLDOTNA: Monday, March 19, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Soldotna Middle School library

  • HOMER: Wednesday, March 21, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Homer Middle School library (childcare provided)

    • 3/21/12: general school assembly, West Homer Elementary Auditorium, 10:00-10:30 a.m.

Seventy-four students currently receive educational services in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School Special Education eligibility category of autism. Eligibility is based on student needs; students are varied and may be in a general education classroom, a resource classroom, or a contained class.
About Taylor Crowe and his presentation:
Diagnosed with severe autism when he was a preschooler, in the years of public schooling and intense therapy that followed, an extraordinary young man emerged.
Presentation will touch on the areas of his education and upbringing that had the greatest influence on him, vividly describing his evolution from a child given virtually no hope by the physician who diagnosed him, to a grade school student who showed occasional glimmers of promise, to an artistically gifted high school student surrounded by caring friends, to a refreshingly independent young adult who successfully completed a rigorous course of studies at one of the premier art schools in the world.
Focus on the impact teaching professionals, therapists, friends and family have in the daily lives of students with disabilities. He will share details about those specific situations both in and out of school that had the greatest influences on him. He will outline his personal advice to educators and educational assistants about what should and shouldn’t be done in school settings for students with autism.
Describe life from the frame of reference of an individual on the autism spectrum, explaining what life is like to someone who is a visual learner predisposed to interpreting things precisely and literally. Taylor will not describe a “miracle cure” of autism. He explains that he still struggles daily with the challenges his autism presents but emphasizes his conviction that by growing up in a caring and positive environment, he learned that his was a life of capability, not disability.
Share how his specific interests and areas of ability were discovered, nurtured and cultivated, not for any anticipated vocational benefit but as social tools for interacting with mainstream peers.
Coauthor and narrator of The View from Here: My Life with Autism, a video documentary describing his insights about the disorder. He has been the keynote speaker at scores of autism conferences and seminars throughout the United States and Canada, and is one of the individuals with autism featured in the 2010 HBO documentary film A Mother’s Courage: Talking Back to Autism.
Currently finishing a children’s book about autism he and a friend wrote and illustrated. He also draws editorial cartoons for The Southeast Missourian newspaper. In addition to this, he is also preparing a series of lectures about a particular area of interest to him, the history of animated theatrical short cartoons. In 2008 Taylor wrote and animated a short cartoon about the discovery of x-rays for the American Roentgen Ray Society. In his spare time, he paints landscapes.
Links:
Alaska Autism Resource Center
KPBSD Pupil Services
www.TaylorCrowe.com
Facebook: “Autism from the Inside: Taylor Crowe “My Life with Autism””

SB 182: Pupil Transportation Funding

February 23, 2012–KPBSD encourages your support of SB 182: Pupil Transportation Funding. We’ve made announcements that public testimony would be taken on Friday morning, at 8:00 am.

This afternoon  the LIO office announced  that the scheduled SB 182 public testimony hearing scheduled for Friday, February 24, 2012, at 8:00 AM status has been changed to testimony by invite only.
However, you can offer written testimony which will be treated and weighed like oral testimony.
Send your e-mail (or letter) regarding SB 182 (or any bill) to your LIO office. The LIO office will compile e-mails, and forward them to the committee. (Also contact your local legislator.)
The teleconference can be viewed live online at Legislative TV at http://alaskalegislature.tv/
Homer LIO
Homer_LIO@legis.state.ak.us  
345 W Sterling Hwy, Ste#102A, Homer, AK  99603
235-7878; Fax: 235-4008 
Kenai LIO
Kenai_LIO@legis.state.ak.us   
145 Main St Loop #217, Kenai, AK   99611
283-2030; Fax: 283-3075
Seward LIO
mailto:Seward_LIO@legis.state.ak.us302
302 Railway Suite 107 Seward, AK 99664
224-5066; Fax: 224-5067
Several education bills are in the current legislative process. In particular, KPBSD is supportive of these three:
SB 171: Increase Base Student Allocation (BSA) An Act increasing the base student allocation for public schools; and providing for an effective date. Increases the base student allocation (BSA) each of the next three years resulting in a FY13 BSA of $5,805; FY14 BSA of $5,935 and FY15 BSA of $6,070. (Increases of $125, $130 and $135)
SB 182: Pupil Transportation Funding An Act amending the amount of state funding provided to school districts for pupil transportation.
 SB 3: Funding for School Meals An Act providing for funding for school lunch and breakfast; and providing for an effective date.

KPBSD and Alaska Shield 2012 simulation

KPBSD is participating in the Alaska Shield 2012 simulation exercise.
Thank you to staff, Soldotna Middle School, custodians, Student Nutrition Services staff, and locals who will stay at the SMS shelter.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management explains:

The Kenai Peninsula Borough (KPB) is participating in Alaska Shield 2012. Alaska Shield is an annual, state-wide exercise to test the ability of emergency responders to manage disasters and emergencies. Alaska Shield 2012 will SIMULATE a natural gas outage in Soldotna and Sterling during a period of extreme cold. In a real gas outage emergency, many people would have difficulty heating their homes, cooking and so on.
As part of the exercise, an emergency shelter will be established at SMS to provide a refuge for people who would not be able to stay safely in their homes. There will be NO ACTUAL interruption in natural gas service.

In the event of a REAL gas shortage, residents would be requested to:
• Set thermostat at 60 degrees in living areas (55 if away)
• Turn water heater gas valve to “pilot”
• Do not use natural gas fireplaces, decorative heaters or gas grills
• Consolidate household activities into as few rooms as possible
• Use the microwave for cooking
Links:
Kenai Peninsula Borough homeowners: Do you know you can register your cell phone to receive emergency messages?
Aaron Selbig, KBBI reports “Emergency Responders Participate in Alaska Shield 2012”
Peninsula Clarion reports: “Preparedness exercise a good reminder to us all”
Press Release from the Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management

Dr. Atwater will continue to serve as Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent!

Press Release
Soldotna, January 31, 2012—Dr. Atwater will continue to serve as Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent!
Questions and speculations about a potential superintendent for Anchorage and perhaps the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District began circulating several weeks ago. In December,  2011, Anchorage School District announced KPBSD Superintendent Atwater was one of two finalists in a national superintendent search to replace Ms. Carol Comeau, who will retire in June, 2012. After hearing the Anchorage School District superintendent announcement this morning, Mr. Joe Arness, the KPBSD School Board President said:

“It is with mixed emotion that we acknowledge the news this morning that Dr. Atwater was not chosen as the new Anchorage Superintendent.  On the one hand, it was a courageous decision on his part to make the effort and apply for that job. On the other hand, this news means that we can continue on with the business of providing a first class educational experience for our District’s students without the distraction of a search for a new superintendent. Clearly, however, the fact that our superintendent was a finalist for such a high profile position is a credit to our students, staff, and communities as well as a credit to Dr. Atwater himself.”

Dr. Atwater serves as one of nine commissioners for the Professional Teaching Practices Commission (PTPC), and is in Anchorage for a previously scheduled PTPC meeting all day today, January 31, 2012. He says,

 “I was honored to be chosen as a finalist and appreciate our School Board, employees, and community support through this time. I offer my congratulations to Dr. Browder, and appreciate the Anchorage School Board selecting me as a finalist. The application process was a positive experience; it helped me gain a deeper understanding of education in Anchorage and Alaska. I look forward to continuing the good work that we are doing to give our students here on the Kenai a world class education.”

Links
Anchorage School District Superintendent search
December 15, 2011:  KPBSD Superintendent Steve Atwater named as Anchorage finalist 
January 31, 2012: Anchorage School District Superintendent position  
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Pegge Erkeneff, Communications Specialist
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
148 N. Binkley Street, Soldotna, AK 99669
907.714.8888 | fax: 907.262.5867
KPBSD Communications
Facebook: Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
twitter: @KPBSD
One district—44 diverse schools: www.KPBSD.org

Who will you nominate? 2012 BP Teachers of Excellence program

Who is your favorite KPBSD teacher? 
Please make time to nominate the educator you want to be recognized as a 2012 BP Teacher of Excellence, and possibly the Alaska BP Teacher of the Year!

 

BP is pleased to be able to recognize teachers throughout the entire state of Alaska for their dedication to teaching and for inspiring students. Each Teacher of Excellence receives a $500 gift card and an award certificate. In addition, the school of each of the Teachers of Excellence will receive a $500 matching gift. One of the teachers will be chosen as BP’s Teacher of the Year. That teacher will receive a $1,500 scholarship for continuing education and a bronze sculpture by Alaska artist Mary Regat. BP has recognized more than 500 outstanding Alaska teachers since 1995. Each Teacher of Excellence is automatically eligible for the BP Teacher of the Year award.

Nominations are due by February 14, 2012.
Online nomination: http://www.bpteachers.com/
More information: 1-888-530-8962 or 907-564-4001, email: bpteachers@bp.com
 

News Release: KPBSD Superintendent Steve Atwater named as finalist

Soldotna, December 15, 2011—The Anchorage School Board named KPBSD Superintendent Steve Atwater as one of the two finalists in its search for the next Anchorage, Alaska, Superintendent.
Mr. Joe Arness, KPBSD School Board president said:

“The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is proud to hear that Dr. Atwater has been named a finalist in the application process for the Anchorage superintendent job. Dr. Atwater has done a fine job on behalf of the Kenai Peninsula, and while we would be very sorry to see him go, we certainly wish him well. Operations of the school district will continue without interruption until such time as a final decision is made in Anchorage, and then the KPBSD School Board will respond to whatever that decision may be. At this point, Dr. Atwater remains under contract to the Kenai Peninsula and will remain welcome to continue that relationship should he not be offered, or accept, the Anchorage Superintendent position.”

In a press release on December 15, 2011, the Anchorage School District announced: “The Anchorage school board reviewed more than 150 applications, containing more than 1,600 pages of candidate information. The two finalists, Atwater and Browder, will each participate in a three-day on-site visit in early January to continue the interview process, learn more about the district, speak with staff and students, and meet members of the community.”
Links
KPBSD Press Release: KPBSD Superintendent Steve Atwater named as Anchorage finalist
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District website
Anchorage School District Superintendent Search
E-mail Mr. Joe Arness, School Board President: JArness@KPBSD.k12.ak.us
Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, Communications Specialist
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Phone: (907) 714-8888
Fax: (907) 262-5867
Pegge@kpbsd.org 
148 N. Binkley, Soldotna, AK 99669
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Knot tying for KPBSD students

On December 6, 2011, KPBSD students who took a Nautical Science class through AVTEC (via Distance Delivery),  were able to go to AVTEC in Seward, Alaska, and prove their mastery in knot tying and receive a Knot Letter.  This letter and certification can help these students obtain employment in the Nautical Science pathways. 
For more information you can contact the instructor, LA Holmes at AVTEC.  Her email is:  la.holmes@avtec.edu and her phone number is:  224-6195.
Learn about Spring 2012 KPBSD After-school Academies

Back row L-R: LA Holmes (instructor), Maddy Campbell (Seward High), Kacie O’Sullivan (Kenai Central High), Dale Butts (instructor)
Front row:  (left to right), Sam Rininger (Seward High), Allen Oskolkoff (Nikiski High), Doogun Seater (Nikiski High)

 

 

Alaska Performance Scholarship Information for 2011 Graduates

Alaska Department of Education and Early Development announcement:
Alaska Performance Scholarship Information for 2011 Graduates

Application Extension for APS Class of 2011 Closes December 15

The extended application window for the Alaska Performance Scholarship closes December 15, 2011. The extended application window provides an opportunity for High School graduates who graduated prior to June 30, 2011, and who met all academic eligibility requirements, including test scores, prior to June 30, 2011, to document their eligibility and apply for an APS award.
If you have not yet filed a 2011-2012 Free Applications for Federal Student Aid (FAFSAs), you can still submit it to be considered for an Alaska Performance Scholarship award through December 15, 2011.
If you are a private school student or privately homeschooled student who has not yet submitted a 2011 Eligibility Determination Application; you may also submit it through December 15, 2011. Public school graduates of 2011 also may use the 2011 Eligibility Determination Application to submit SAT/ACT scores directly to the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development for tests taken June 2011 or earlier that were not received by their public school. 

Note that the deadline for future graduates to apply will be June 30 immediately following high school graduation (June 30, 2012, for Class of 2012 graduates).