February 17, 2012
Last weekend Zane Boyer, Logan Harris, Douglas Dean, Denver Waclawski , Ben Kettle, and I went up to Anchorage for the annual Math Counts competition. Zane, Logan, Douglas and I were on the official team while Denver and Ben were official individuals.
When we first got to the meet, we went into a large room with a bunch of other kids from 11 other schools. After we registered, the competition soon began. We each sat at different tables with kids from the other schools. The parents and coaches then had to leave the auditorium. The first round we did was the Sprint Round; it was 40 minutes long and consisted of 30 questions. After the round all the kids excitedly awaited the answers.
After a short break, the Target Round, which is eight questions in groups of two, started. We were allowed to use calculators and had six minutes to complete each set of two. When the round was over, it was time for the Team Round. The official team all sat together and we got right to work. The round was designed so that no one person could finish all the questions, so we had to divide up the problems between the team. After 30 minutes of hard work, the round was over.
We took a break for lunch which was pizza and nervously anticipated the results. After lunch it was time for the Countdown Round, which is where they take the 12 highest scoring people and have them compete two at a time until only one person is left. Homer’s very own Douglas Dean competed in this round. Finally it was time to see the results; we sat at our table nervously.
At first they announced first, second and third place overall. None of us placed in this round but we were more excited about seeing if we placed in the Team Round. First they announced 4th place; it wasn’t us. Then they were about to announce 3rd place. We couldn’t wait to see if it was us; if it was then we would get to go to Juneau! When they said “Homer Middle” we were ecstatic! We went up and got our trophies and had our photo taken. We sat through the rest of the placing so excited. That day we drove back to Homer very eager to go to the state competition.
— Kenny Cortez, 8th grade student at HMS, member of the Math Counts team
Thank you to Math Counts coach Sara Reinhert
Category: Awards
Nominate your favorite KPBSD teacher! 2013 BP Teacher of Excellence program
Who is your favorite KPBSD teacher?
Please make time to nominate the educator you want to be recognized as a
2013 BP Teacher of Excellence!
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 chosen by our local community on the Peninsula will receive a $500 gift card and an award certificate. In addition, $500 will also be awarded to the winner’s school or PTA group.
BP has recognized more than 500 outstanding Alaska teachers since 1995, and this years nominations are due by February 15, 2013.
Online nomination: http://www.bpteachers.com/
Resources to share the program: www.BPTeachersToolkit.com
More information: 1-888-530-8962 or 907-564-4001, email: bpteachers@bp.com
KPBSD assistant superintendent Dave Jones named 2012 Alaska School Business Official of the Year
Media Release
KPBSD assistant superintendent Dave Jones is named 2012 Alaska School Business Official of the Year
Soldotna, December 7, 2012—The Alaska Association of School Business Officials (ALASBO) announced that Dave Jones, KPBSD assistant superintendent of instructional support, is named 2012 School Business Official of the Year.
The ALASBO Business Official of the Year is a peer recognition program for outstanding service, innovative plan design and implementation, and other exemplary business practices within school business management. Melody Douglas, Past President of ASBO International said, “Dave Jones’ long-time and exemplary service to public education and the school business profession warrants recognition as Alaska’s 2012 School Business Official of the Year! Among his many accomplishments is the process he co-chaired that ensured all school districts completed the data gathering questionnaire for the American Institute for Research study that ultimately, after an Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) peer review, led to an unprecedented three-year forward funding of public education to Alaska school districts a number of years ago. Dave’s willingness to help his colleagues when asked makes him a valuable resource to ALASBO and to ASBO International. Working with Dave over the years has been an honor and a privilege.”
Dr. Steve Atwater, KPBSD superintendent said, “KPBSD is thrilled that Dave is being recognized for his long and distinguished career in school finance. The District joins ALASBO in applauding Dave for receiving this award.”
Jones began working with the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District in 2007. His responsibility as assistant superintendent of instructional support is to manage non-instructional operations of the school district including finance, human resources, information services, facility planning, custodial care, transportation, food services, warehouse, purchasing, and risk management. In addition he serves as a member of the District’s leadership team. From 1997-2007, Jones was director of finance for the Kodiak Island Borough School District in Kodiak, Alaska. Prior to his move to Alaska, Jones worked as the business manager and director of business services at school districts in Montana and Wyoming.
“It is an honor to be singled out for recognition by my peers,” said Jones. “However, I believe it is more of a recognition of the team I work with and our cumulative efforts than it is the things I have done individually. I want to thank the folks I work with and let people know I am proud to work for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District.”
“We are proud and pleased to learn that Mr. Jones has received this prestigious award,” said KPBSD school board president, Joe Arness. “I think the entire district can be proud of our administration and of Mr. Jones in particular.”
Links: KPBSD Instructional Support | Alaska Association of School Business Officials (ALASBO)
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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, 907.714.8888, www.kpbsd.org