Author: Pegge Erkeneff

Soldotna, March 3, 2020—In response to the growing concern about Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and KPBSD schools, a new dedicated webpage is live at www.KPBSD.org specific to KPBSD pandemic preparedness and response.

Superintendent John O’Brien explains, “As the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) evolves, I assure you that I have been working with our pandemic response team to develop our Continuity Of Operations Plan (COOP). Our COOP includes response, logistics, and the potential for education delivery in the event that one or more of our schools or communities on the Kenai Peninsula is impacted by COVID-19. The safety and well-being of our students, staff, families, and community is always central to our mission.

Effective immediately (March 3, 2020) all district or school sponsored travel outside of Alaska is cancelled until further notice. In state travel is not affected at this time.

I truly believe that we cannot increase the risk of COVID-19 exposure for our students or staff through out of state district or school travel. I do not make this decision to cancel travel lightly. The risk that staff or groups of students would be exposed to by contracting COVID-19, or becoming quarantined for an extended period of time out of state due to school or work related travel is too great, with so many unknowns at this time.

Spring break begins for most of our schools next week, and it is my hope that this is a restorative time for everyone. When school resumes, if students or staff experience flu-like symptoms or are sick, it will be important to stay home to minimize the spread of illness.

Our team is working closely with local and state agencies, and making contingency plans for emergency school closures if the situation in our state or on the Kenai Peninsula changes with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in coming days or weeks.

This Covid-19 and KPBSD webpage will be updated when we have new information and resources to share. Please contact your school or my office with questions.”

–Superintendent John O’Brien, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

Current content on the “Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and KPBSD” webpage includes Communications from Superintendent O’Brien; Travel Restrictions; a Parent and Guardian section; KPBSD 2020 Pandemic-Epidemic COOP; and valuable Helpful Links from the State of Alaska Health and Social Services and CDC.

View “Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and KPBSD” webpage

A volunteer at Sterling Elementary School, Mrs. Nada “Lynn” Rickert has logged 277.5 hours since March 2018. Principal Denise Kelly said, “She works well with all of our teachers and our students. She is willing to work with individual students or small groups, complete teacher tasks, make popcorn every Friday, and assists our Native Youth Olympics club. Ms. Lynn does all of these things for our school several times per week. How is she so different from our many other fabulous volunteers? Ms. Lynn does not have any children at Sterling Elementary!”

The teachers who work with Ms. Lynn put into words who she is:

“She is selfless. Many times, she has mentioned helping our kids and teachers before running her own errands in town. Or trying to find a ride to get to school to help when her own car will not start.”

“She has unconditional love for all the students. She always has a smile and a warm welcoming attitude. She is happy to help with any task. Ms. Lynn is genuinely a compassionate lady and her warmth is felt by all.”

“She is humble. She is willing to so any task needed–even if it is something that she has never done before. Always willing to give her time to volunteer. She is very kind and always has a positive attitude.”

“She has a quiet manner, and always asks what can be done. She stays late to get things accomplished. Ms. Lynn comes in and asks if she can help in any way and then accepts the work with a smile.”

“Ms. Lynn is very selfless. She takes on any task with a smile. She cares deeply for staff and students alike. She goes out of her way to notice and talk to students who may be having a rough day. Many of the things Ms. Lynn does to help students and staff are thankless and she avoids recognition (making popcorn, copying, washing dishes, etc.). She try changes the world of Sterling Elementary with kindness.”

“Ms. Lynn is a hidden gem in Sterling,” said her nominator, Principal Kelly. “She works for our school in the only way that she knows how–from the heart! She helps us all in every way asked and is someone that we have all come to rely on.”

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education is proud to recognize Mrs. Lynn Rickert for her dedication to the students of the school district, past, present, and future.

• Golden Apple recipients
• Nominate someone to receive KPBSD Golden Apple Award Recognition

2020 ASTE Technology Teacher of the Year is Ms. Carlyn Nichols

Soldotna, February 28, 2020—Ms. Carlyn Nichols [Seward Middle School] is recognized as the 2020 Alaska Society for Technology in Education (ASTE) Teacher of the Year for her exceptional and intentional integration of technology to redefine the learning experiences of students!

“This award has special meaning to me because it came from a group of people who have served as my mentors and inspiration for using technology to improve student learning and engagement. Technology is a powerful tool to improve the equity and impact of learning, but it should be used in moderation and with intention. Technology can’t substitute for hands-on, experiential and collaborative student experiences, and when they are available, these activities are powerful and important.”

–Carlyn Nichols, 2020 ASTE Technology Teacher of the Year

Seward Middle School teacher Ms. Carlyn Nichols is continually on the forefront of innovation and strategic in her application of technology. The drive to personalize the education that her students receive from her is paramount in all aspects of her practice. She is consistently applies new strategies to address the needs of her students, streamline her practice, and the learning experience. Her utilization of the learning management system to offer flexibility in learning paths, content options, and pacing is exceptional. Above all else, her continual design, prototype and iteration process values empathizing with the perspectives of her students. She continually incorporates new technologies into her classroom not for technology’s sake, but instead for the expansion of learning into realms previously not possible. On a continual basis, she uses the technology to reach kids and offer them access to their learning journey. Her teaching practice is truly exceptional, balancing intentional and purposeful technology integration.

“Carlyn is the instigator and creator of the Makerspace Lab at Seward Middle School. So, not only is she all the things described in the award, she is also a purveyor of the balancing act of hand-on creation in tandem with digital creation!”

–Amanda Adams, KPBSD Personalized Learning and Student Success Specialist, ASTE President

“My favorite thing about Ms. Nichols’ use of technology is that it exists behind her effective teaching practices and philosophy for meeting the needs of every student she serves. Specifically, she knows that it’s her responsibility to help every child learn and grow—regardless of the challenges they bring through her door. She is also a master teacher with a vast array of skills and strategies that she can leverage in her planning and in her instruction. It is at this point, in her craft, that she considers how technology will best help her students meet their instructional outcomes. This is what makes her technology integration in instruction seamless and effective.”

–Trevan Walker, Seward Middle School principal

“Every time that I have the privilege of visiting Carlyn Nichol’s classroom, I am amazed with the level of engagement of her students. Carlyn brings learning alive for her students in a truly personalized way. She is so very deserving of this honor.”

–Superintendent John O’Brien

Links

• ASTE: Alaska Society for Technology in Education
• Graduate Inspiration: Carlyn Nichols, Seward High School #ClassOf1997
• Carlyn Nichols, 2018 BP Teacher of Excellence

Legislative Flyin Packet AASB: February 8-11, 2020

Association of Alaska School Boards (AASB) Legislative & Leadership Fly-In & Youth Advocacy Institute, February 8-11, 2020
Juneau, Alaska | https://aasb.org/2020-legislative-fly-in-youth-advocacy-institute/

DOWNLOAD PDF:
KPBSD Board of Education packet for legislators*

Contents:

• Pre-K and Literacy in KPBSD*
• Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in KPBSD*
• Strategic Plan 2017-2022
• Key Performance Indicators (KPI)
• FY21 Budget 101*
• Fiscal Reality: Budget Reductions (FY15-FY20)
• School Bond 2020*
• School Bond 2020 (this list will be updated)*
• Health Care Costs Increase
• Blank page
• FY21 Education Funding Calendar (KPBSD, KPBorough, State of Alaska)
• BOE letter to Governor Dunleavy, December 3, 2019
• 2020 State Legislative Priorities
• 2020 Federal Legislative Priorities
• KPBSD Board of Education
• FY19 Annual Report

*These documents were created in February 2020, and will be refined and updated throughout the session and as new information becomes available.

“I am honored to receive this award, I hope this is seen as a reflection of the great work our entire district office department team has done along with our outstanding teachers, related services staff, and paraprofessionals that we have working in the KPBSD. I am thankful for our parents and community partners who work with us to provide positive long-term outcomes for our students. As the foundation to what we do, we have focused on building positive relationships and developing a culture across the district that is inclusive and welcoming to all students. One of the departmental highlights has been that we continually improve our graduation rate, and consistently lead the state with the number of student in special education graduating high school in four years. We have also lowered the discipline rate for students with disabilities (nationally, students with disabilities are up to five times as likely to receive long term suspension) to the point that students with disabilities are less than half as likely to face long term suspension.”

Clayton Holland, Director of Student Support Services, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

Superintendent John O’Brien said, “I consider our Student Support Services department to be one of the highest performing and well-run departments in this fine district. Clayton is a visionary leader who sweats the small stuff and pays attention to details. His proactive approach to deliver quality professional development and essential trainings for his staff has resulted in exemplary services to our students, very few parental complaints for the size and diversity of our district, and no requests for mediation or due process hearings for as long as I can remember.

Clayton does a fine job overseeing our school psychologists, school nurses, Quest staff (gifted & talented), and our intervention department. He is the district point person for suicide risk assessments, self-harm, and behavioral threat assessments. Last year he spearheaded a major re-vamp of our behavior threat assessment process transforming it into a multi-disciplinary team approach. In addition, he serves as our district lead director for social & emotional learning and for partnerships with community-based behavioral health agencies and services. Mr. Holland is an exemplary educational and instructional leader, and our special education and gifted students are served well by the leadership that Director Holland provides.”

2020 Distinguished Special Education Administrator of the Year Award
Mr. Holland learned he was the recipient of this distinguished state recognition when he heard this spoken at the annual special education conference: “Each year, the Alaska Council of Administrators of Special Education (AK CASE) awards the Distinguished Special Education Administrator of the Year. W. Clement Stone once said, ‘I think there is something more important than believing: ACTION! The world is full of dreamers; there a rent’ enough who will move ahead and begin to take concrete steps to actualize their vision.’ This year’s recipient demonstrates the actualization of their vision each day by providing quality education and instructional leadership to their district. He always has the students’ educational needs at heart, working tirelessly to ensure that no matter the school, classroom, or student that all students are afforded the opportunity to be successful. He serves as an advocate throughout the district and his community, focusing on the needs of each child individually. He is committed to excellence and holds high expectations for both himself and those he works with. He models acceptance and inclusive practices in his everyday life and work, while working hard to nurture and develop a purposeful and accessible learning environment for all. He has led the idea and the statement ‘They’re all, all of our kids’ which is echoed throughout the district-from the custodians, secretaries, teachers and administrators. We are honored to recognize this year’s recipient of the Distinguished Special Education Administrator of the Year Award -Clayton Holland of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District!”

About Mr. Holland

Mr. Holland has been the director of student support services (formerly known as director of pupil services) for the past 12 years. Prior to this, he served as the assistant director of pupil services, a pupil services program coordinator, and as a special education teacher in the KPBSD. Mr. Holland has experience as a special education teacher in the Lower Yukon School District (three years), and in Missouri (two years).

KPBSD is a district of nearly 9,000 students and over 1,200 employees, and boasts one of the highest graduation rates for special education students in the State of Alaska, and also compares well to the national average.

Mr. Holland has been an active member and leader of the Alaska Council for Administrators of Special Education. He has served as president (2015-2017), has held other officer positions, and has presented at many conferences.

Link
KPBSD Student Support Services

You have questions & thoughts about K-12 education on the Kenai, so Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent John O’Brien and communications director Pegge Erkeneff invite you to join us on Friday, February 21, 2020, for an informal, responsive conversation!

Who? parents, site councils, KPBSD key communicators, business and community partners, you!

No RSVP necessary, everyone is welcome.

Meet at KBay Caffe & Roasting Co. (378 E Pioneer Ave, Homer, AK 99603) at 10:30 AM, order yourself a tea or coffee and pull up a chair. Your thoughts about K-12 education and schools matter, and we care. Bring your questions and ideas for a helpful, insightful conversation. We look forward to connecting.

Coffee & Conversations are happening in Homer, Kenai, Nikiski, Seward, and Soldotna this spring

10:30-11:30 AM

• 1-31-20, Soldotna, Odie’s: 10:30–11:30
• 2-21-20, Homer, K-Bay Caffé, 10:30-11:30
• 3-6-20, Seward, Resurrect Art Coffee House, 10:30-11:30
• 3-19-20, Nikiski, The Compass Coffeehouse, 10:30-11:30
• 3-20-20, Kenai, Veronica’s, 10:30-11:30

►ALERT: KPBSD schools in the Eastern Kenai Peninsula* will open with a TWO HOUR DELAY START on THURSDAY, February 20, 2020, due to weather and road conditions.

If weather and road conditions warrant a full closure for any schools, that announcement will be made about 7:00 AM. If you don’t hear anything, the two-hour delay start remains in effect.

Parents and guardians, if you decide, based on conditions near you to keep your child at home, absences will be excused.

*A two hour delay means that morning buses run two hours later than normal, school begins two hours later than normal, staff arrives at school two hours later than normal, and both morning and afternoon Pre-K sessions are cancelled. The school day ends at the normal time.

*Eastern Peninsula Schools
Hope School
Moose Pass School
Seward Elementary
Seward High School
Seward Middle School

►UPDATE, 5:15 AM: Eastern Peninsula Schools (Hope School to Seward area) will also open with a TWO-HOUR DELAY START on Thursday, January 30, 2020.

►ALERT: KPBSD schools in the Southern Peninsula* will open with a TWO HOUR DELAY START on THURSDAY, January 30, 2020, due to weather and road conditions.

If weather and road conditions warrant a full closure for any schools, that announcement will be made about 7:00 AM. If you don’t hear anything, the two-hour delay start remains in effect.
All Pre-K sessions—both morning and afternoon–at these schools are cancelled during a two-hour delay start.

Parents and guardians, if you decide, based on conditions near you to keep your child at home, absences will be excused.

*A two hour delay means that morning buses run two hours later than normal, school begins two hours later than normal, staff arrives at school two hours later than normal, and Pre-K sessions are cancelled. The school day ends at the normal time.

Southern Peninsula Schools:

• Chapman School
• Connections Homeschool (Homer)
• Fireweed Academy
• Homer Flex School
• Homer High School
• Homer Middle School
• Kachemak Selo School
• McNeil Canyon Elementary School
• Nanwalek School
• Nikolaevsk School
• Ninilchik School
• Paul Banks Elementary School
• Port Graham School
• Razdolna School
• Susan B. English School
• Voznesenka School
• West Homer Elementary School

**Eastern Peninsula Schools
Cooper Landing School
Hope School
Moose Pass School
Seward Elementary
Seward High School
Seward Middle School

Central Peninsula Schools:
Schools in this area (Kasilof, Kenai, Nikiski, Soldotna, Sterling, Tebughna) will be opening on a normal schedule.