Category: Community Partners

KPBSD Federal Programs Open House + Indian Education Title VI committee meeting

News Release: Federal Programs Open House

You are invited to a KPBSD Federal Programs Open House
November 5, 2019, from 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Cook Inlet Aquaculture Center
40610 K-Beach Rd, Kenai, Alaska

Did you know that local and state contributions to public education make up the bulk of the school district’s budget, but federal funds provide support for targeted activities to expand the opportunities available to students in the Kenai Peninsula Borough? Title I Pre-K is a generally well-known example of a federally funded program, but there are many others!
The November 5, 2019, federal programs events will be downstairs in the Cook Inlet Aquaculture Center on K-Beach Road. Information about the various federally funded programs in KPBSD will be available for review and input, and Dr. Christine Ermold, the KPBSD Director of Professional Learning & Federal Programs will be there to answer your questions.
The Open House will follow the Title VI Advisory Committee Meeting happening from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m., also at the Cook Inlet Aquaculture Center.
Links

2019-11-5 Title VI Advisory Committee Meeting
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Community partnerships: a habitat for learning

Tebughna School students bundled up to wade the frosty streams of Tyonek in exploration of baby salmon habitat. Just outside their school building, juvenile salmon flourish in small streams and ponds before heading out to the saltwater to hopefully later return as big, delicious table fare. In a partnership with Project GRAD Kenai Peninsula (PGKP) and the Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (KBNERR), Tebughna students were coached to sample salmon and trout using electrofishing, and then sample creek bottoms with kick nets to see what those baby salmon might be eating.
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KBNERR researcher Jacob Argueta and KBNERR educator Dana Nelson visited with Tebughna’s K-12 students to provide the equipment and instruction. Following a morning in the field, collected samples were brought back to the school and classrooms were converted to wet labs. Students, staff, and community members were fascinated to discover that the gravel and leaf litter of the creek bottom teemed with thousands of invertebrates- from larval flies to earth worms. Using special magnifying glasses, the captivated students learned how to use dichotomous keys to identify the various organisms collected from the creek a stone’s throw from their classroom.
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As part of a research project exploring groundwater recharge, KBNERR is engaging villages in KPBSD to identify how communities value groundwater. Often times, the conversation quickly leads to healthy salmon habitat. Over the course of KBNERR’s two-day visit there were lively discussions regarding how groundwater cycles valuable nutrients into salmon streams.
In addition to introducing the students to research methods and a great field trip, the visit from KBNERR also served as a follow-up to a trip four Tebughna High School students made to Homer. Sharon Jones, Reka Smoke, Alicia Smoke, and Dulcinea Moon had the opportunity to join KBNERR to sample salmon habitat and peatlands near Stariski Creek just north of Anchor Point. Back at Tyonek, the four students presented on their experience and helped lead the KBNERR team in the field with Tebughna’s younger students.
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A big thanks is warranted for the KBNERR staff, Native Village of Tyonek, and Tebughna’s staff for coordinating such a high-quality fieldtrip experience delivered to Tebughna School. Fortunately, KBNERR and Tebughna’s relationship will not end here. Future visits and engagement is in the works. Whether an interest in natural resource management or a more resilient commercial fisherman, PGKP’s partnership with KBNERR is providing the stepping-stones from classroom student to community provider.
Thank you to Kenny Daher, Project GRAD Kenai Peninsula, for contributing this story!
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Supreme Court LIVE in Kenai: State of Alaska v. Alaska Democratic Party

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Supreme Court LIVE is coming to Kenai on March 29, 2018
State of Alaska v. Alaska Democratic Party

Three hundred and seventy-five students from six KPBSD high schools will attend, the public is invited, and the case will be streamed live at 360 North at https://www.360north.org/alaska-supreme-court

Courtesy Press Release forward:

Press Release

Alaska Court System, 303 K Street, 5th Floor   Anchorage, AK   99501

Contacts: Marilyn May, mmay@akcourts.us, 907-264-0612; FAX 907-264-0878
Mara Rabinowitz, mrabinowitz@akcourts.us, 907-264-0879; FAX 907- 264-0640
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ALASKA SUPREME COURT TO HEAR CASE AT KENAI CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
“Supreme Court LIVE” Event Fosters Understanding of the Justice System
 
Anchorage, Alaska (March 27, 2018) –  The Alaska Supreme Court will visit Kenai Central High School on Thursday, March 29, from 9:40AM–11:40AM for the Supreme Court LIVE educational program.  Supreme Court LIVE brings Supreme Court oral arguments in actual cases to student audiences at Alaskan high schools. Designed to help students better understand the justice system, this unique learning opportunity debuted in 2010.
The court will hear oral argument in State of Alaska v. Alaska Democratic Party, which involves a dispute related to the way political parties choose the candidate who will represent them on the general election ballot.  The Alaska Democratic Party seeks to allow persons who are not affiliated with any political party, including those who registered to vote as nonpartisan or undeclared, to run as candidates for the Democratic Party in a primary election.  A state law requires candidates who want to run in a primary election for a political party’s nomination to be registered to vote as a member of the political party whose nomination they are seeking. The Alaska Democratic Party sued the State of Alaska, arguing that the law was unconstitutional. The trial court agreed with the Democratic Party. The State has appealed to the Alaska Supreme Court and is asking the court to decide the law is constitutional.
Volunteer attorneys from the Alaska Bar Association and staff from the court system have visited Kenai Peninsula high schools in the days preceding the program to help students understand the appellate process and the case itself, using a case summary and information from the court’s website:  http://courts.alaska.gov/outreach/index.htm#scl. The program will include question-and-answer sessions with the attorneys arguing the cases, and with members of the Supreme Court.
The program is open to the public.  Attendees are encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes early to allow time for security screening.  Members of the media wishing to use cameras or other electronic equipment should file an Application for Court Approval of Media Coverage https://public.courts.alaska.gov/web/forms/docs/tf-945.pdf with Appellate Clerk Marilyn May by noon, March 28, 2018 at the email address or fax number noted above.
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Everyone can learn, starting with newborns!

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Developmental Screenings for newborns to age five in Seward and Soldotna areas

Empowering all learners, starting with newborns!

Soldotna, January 12, 2018—Free opportunity for a screening to learn a child’s early development, motor skills, speech, early learning concepts, vision, and hearing for children ranging from newborn to age five (not yet in kindergarten) are offered this month. Children will be seen by appointment only, and appointments are free.
 Bubble girls in KPBSD

Opportunity! Child Find Developmental Screenings

 

Seward and Moose Pass
Friday, January 19, 2018

Seward Community Library
239 6th Ave. Seward, Alaska
10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
*By appointment only – call PJ at 907-422-1053 to schedule an appointment or for more information. SeaView Community Services Infant Learning Program and the KPBSD Child Find Program

Central Peninsula
Friday, January 26, 2018

Red Diamond Center, Suite 32 B, Soldotna, Alaska
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
*By appointment only – call 907-714-6647 to schedule an appointment or for more information.
Frontier Community Services Infant Learning Program and the KPBSD Child Find Program

Southern Peninsula area

Date not yet determined – it will be in February 2018
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Upstream Academy: STEM, speed, drones, connect, learn!

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KPBSD’s second Upstream Academy in October expanded to include students from both Title VI and Migrant Education–this brought a new dynamic and an element of cultural diversity and sharing to the academy! Students from Kachemak-Selo joined other migrant students from Homer, Soldotna, and Sterling and were able to share their lifestyle and culture with our Title VI students to the benefit of everyone.
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Students were able to design their own obstacle courses for their drones, then code their drones on an aerial pathway through the course. Students could choose the difficulty for the courses and often had to rework the courses as they coded along. In addition, student’s problem solved issues facing drone technology and sought to understand how the current technology could be improved upon. This led to creative designs for future technology.
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The success of Upstream Academy in part goes to the amazing community partners who help put together a week of STEM-based activities. The Alaska State Troopers came with their armored Bear Cat and demonstrated how the current technology in law enforcement keeps all of us safe. Students were even able to check for speeders in the Kenai Spur Highway using the Trooper radar equipment and drive their SWAT team robots. The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Rangers taught students how they collect evidence in the field and how to read topography maps with their high-tech sand table.
Students enjoyed a visit to the Kenai Peninsula College where they learned about dorm life “ResLife”, and the welding, paramedics, and process technology departments. Dr. Nels Anderson even taught students how to start their own fires in the wilderness, using what they have on hand. The Kenaitze Tribe’s Yaghanen Youth Center provided a great afternoon learning about and participating in Native Youth Olympics.
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“This week was so inspiring because I saw students who came in very shy and timid, but by the end of the week, these were the very kids that were helping other students troubleshoot their drones. It was an amazing transformation to see! This academy brought many kids out of their shells and they really seemed to have a sense of belonging and purpose.” –Kristin Jones, Lead Interventionist, Skyview Middle School
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Story contributed by Rachel Pioch, KPBSD Migrant Recruiter, Skyview Middle School Title VI Tutor, Native Youth Leaders Advisor
Facebook: KPBSD Upstream Academy

Meet Chris Mburu, be inspired by A Small Act

Kenai Peninsula! Meet Chris Mburu and be inspired by
A Small Act
November 16 – 17, 2017

Kenai | Ninilchik | Port Graham | Razdolna

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Chris Mburu, international human rights lawyer currently serving with the United Nations as a Senior Human Rights Advisor, is visiting Kenai, Ninilchik, Port Graham, and Razdolna schools, November 16 and 17, 2017. Originally from a small village in Kenya, Mburu benefitted from the generosity of a holocaust survivor named Hilde Back who sponsored his education. Thanks to her philanthropy, he successfully completed secondary school, went on to college at the University of Nairobi and Harvard Law School. He continues in this philanthropic vein through an education fund he began in her name. The Emmy nominated film, A Small Act, tells this story. For the last 20 years, he has worked extensively in the areas of human rights, governance, democracy, rule of law, transitional justice, peacekeeping, and conflict resolution. Joining Chris Mburu will be Kimani Nyambura, a young man who benefitted from the Hilde Back Education Fund, and is now attending college at Washington State University in Richland, Washington, USA.
KPBSD families and the community are invited to meet Chris Mburu and be inspired by his story. Bonus: in Kenai on November 16, everyone will also view the Emmy-nominated documentary, A Small Act, which shares his powerful story. Mburu is committed to justice in action and education as a human right.

Thursday, November 16, 2017

Port Graham School | 9:45 AM

Chris Mburu and Kimani Nyambura will speak to students and community members at the school from 9:45 – 10:30 a.m. The morning will culminate when the cross-country team runs through the village wearing Education is a Human Right t-shirts from 10:30 – 11:00 a.m.

Kenai Central High School | 5:00 – 8:00 PM 

Join Chris Mburu and Kimani Nyambura for a reception and hear them speak from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m., followed by a film screening of Emmy-nominated documentary, A Small Act. Everyone is welcome! Free.

Friday, November 17, 2017

Ninilchik School | 10:45 – 11:40 AM

Chris Mburu and Kimani Nyambura will visit Ninilchik School to speak. This is open to 7th – 12th grade students, parents, and community members.

Razdolna School | 2:00 – 3:30 PM

Chris Mburu and Kimani Nyambura will visit Razdolna School to speak. Everyone is welcome.

Education is a human right, and small gestures of kindness and giving can change individuals, families, communities, societies, and the world at large.

Thank you to Project GRAD Kenai Peninsula for sponsoring Chris Mburu to the Kenai Peninsula.
Questions? Contact Jane Beck; Executive Director Project GRAD Kenai Peninsula
907-226-1876, jbeck@kpbsd.k12.ak.us
About Chris Mburu
An international human rights lawyer currently serving with the United Nations as a Senior Human Rights Advisor. He graduated with a Master’s degree in law from Harvard Law School, where he had focused primarily on international human rights. For the last 20 years, he has worked extensively in the areas of human rights, governance, democracy, rule of law, transitional justice, peacekeeping and conflict resolution; he has served in many countries including USA, Switzerland, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Uganda, South Africa, Burundi, Ethiopia, Cuba, Rwanda, Kenya and Eritrea, mainly with the UN. He also served as Senior Advisor and later Acting Director for the UN Regional Center for Human Rights and Democracy in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Outside of the UN, Chris has served as an expert with leading human rights organizations and policy think-tanks, including Global Rights, the International Crisis Group and Amnesty International.
Outside of his professional work, Chris founded a charitable organization in Kenya in 2001 which he named “The Hilde Back Education Fund” (www.hildebackeducationfund.com) in honor of a Swedish woman called Hilde Back, a Jewish holocaust survivor who sponsored his education when he was a poor needy child growing up in rural Kenya. The story of Hilde and Chris became became the subject of an Emmy-nominated Hollywood documentary film called “A Small Act” (www.asmallact.com), which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2010 and went on to win several awards. Chris’ charity has supported the education of hundreds of poor children and inspired the creation of “small act” initiatives in different countries.
 

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Creativity, assessment, and learning in small school classrooms

Creativity, Assessment, and Learning in a Small School Classrooms
August 3 – 4, 2017

Project GRAD Kenai Peninsula (PGKP) organized and partnered with KPBSD to present a two-day professional development training and conference at Land’s End Resort on August 3-4, 2017.
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Due to travel costs and logistics, it is difficult for teachers in these rural schools to attend national conferences where progressive ideas and productive networking can advance instructional practice and provide relevant insights and strategies. Because PGKP is committed to providing quality instructional and academic support to the seven K-12 schools it serves, Jane Beck, Executive Director, began exploring the possibility of bringing educational leaders to Homer to speak directly with teachers, principals, and district administrators.
In July 2016, Myron Dueck, author of Grading Smarter Not Harder and Dave Burgess, author of Teach Like a Pirate agreed to visit Alaska to share ideas for accurate assessment, feedback, and creativity in the classroom. Fifty-seven participants gathered for two days of insights and laughter for new ideas to engage students in learning. Teachers left feeling invigorated and inspired to develop rapport with students, tap into their passions, step out of the traditional learning in rows, and create classrooms where students are excited about their education and who receive valuable feedback on what they understand, know, and can do. Funding was provided by a US Dept. of Education Alaska Native Education grant and US Dept. of Education GEAR UP grant as well as a partnership with KPBSD.
Story contributed by Jane Beck
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Dolphin's class names drug detective K9

As part of the Safer Alaska initiative, Governor Bill Walker  announced the names for the two new Alaska State Trooper drug detection K9s.  K9-B will be named Mak (short for Kachemak, as in Kachemak Bay) -that name was suggested by Hannah Dolphin’s class at Kalifornsky Beach Elementary School in Kenai!

Hannah Dolphin, 6th Grade Teacher, K-Beach Elementary said, “We’re excited! One of my students, Karley Johnson, was the one who came up with the name. When I asked her why she picked it she said, ‘I thought of it because my dad goes fishing a lot. He fishes in Kachemak Bay and I was thinking of some of the days I’ve gone fishing with him.’ My class also thought the name was fun because of the play on words with Kachemak, like “Catch ‘em, Mak!”
As 5th graders, K-Beach students have the opportunity to participate in D.A.R.E, thanks to the Soldotna Police Department. Officer Brennan comes in each year to teach students about positive decision making, and resisting drugs. Our school works closely with the police department, and I think these are really good ways to foster positive relationships between students and law enforcement.”

K9 Contest Winner K9B K-Beach
K9-A will be named M.O.C.H.A. (acronym for Meth, Opioids, Cocaine, Heroin, Alaska); the name was suggested by Ryan Engebretsen’s class at Teeland Middle School in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley.
“M.O.C.H.A and Mak will play important, integral roles in our efforts to create a Safer Alaska,” Governor Walker said. “I’m so grateful for the participation of Alaska 6th graders and citizens across the state in selecting these names. I look forward to seeing the important work these new dogs will do.”
The State Troopers will use the K9s to help detect opioids and other drugs in a variety of places across the state in continued efforts to tamp down on drug use and trafficking. Alaska 6th graders initially submitted over 70 potential names for the new dogs after learning about the impacts of drug abuse, and how to respond in difficult situations.
Names were selected via Facebook poll from suggestions made by Alaska 6th-graders.
K9 Mak 2017

700 kids: Take me to the river #service

2017 River cleanup (2)
The weather cooperated with the 4th Annual Kenai River Spring Cleanup, students scoured the river and campgrounds, and logged in a total of 3,055 pounds of debris and trash. And that’s a lot considering how light fishing line is!
Six KPBSD schools and nearly 700 students participated from 27 third through sixth grade classes. Connections Homeschool program, Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science, K-Beach Elementary, Soldotna Elementary, Sterling Elementary, and Redoubt Elementary participated.
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Congratulations to Redoubt Elementary for once again pulling together to bring in the “Most Trash Collected” award! Their contribution to this year’s total was a whopping 1,540 pounds!
Thank you to all of the students and volunteers who contributed their time to make this year’s event another huge success, and all the local area sponsors who collaborated and donated prizes to create another excellent event for children and the community.
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Links
Photo album: 2017 Kenai River Spring Cleanup

Facebook: Kenai River Spring Cleanup

 

News Release: 2017 Kenai BP Teachers of Excellence

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2017 Kenai BP Teachers of Excellence

Soldotna, May 2, 2017—KPBSD celebrates Stephanie Cronin, 2017 Kenai BP Teacher of the Year, our five BP Teachers of Excellence, and new this year, the BP Educational Ally award recipient.
This year’s nominees were again, an excellent representation of our staff as a whole,” said Sean Dusek, superintendent. “They are humble, hard-working and student-centered. They are willing to go above and beyond to help students succeed and reach their full potential. Mrs. Cronin is definitely one of our finest teachers who has transformed math instruction at Seward High School. She makes a positive difference every day and is an unforgettable influence on her students. This award is very well deserved.”
Kodiak, Alaska
2017 Kenai BP Teacher of the Year Stephanie Cronin teaches math and engineering at Seward High School. She has spent all 20 years of her teaching career in Alaska. Described by colleagues, she is a “legendary teacher in the district and state, who continues to impact many lives through the ability to engage students, and is consistently working to strengthen the district and enrich the working lives of colleagues.”
2017 Kenai BP Teachers of Excellence

  • Stephanie Cronin, Seward High School, Read Stephanie Cronin’s story here.
  • Jonathan Dillon teaches music in kindergarten through fifth grade at Mountain View Elementary School in Kenai. He has been a teacher for five years, all five of which have been in Alaska. Read Jonathan Dillon’s story here.
  • Barbara “Bobbi” Larrivee teaches special education at West Homer Elementary, grades 3-6. The subjects she teaches are all academics, plus life and social skills. She’s been a teacher for 21 years, 18 of which have been in Alaska. Read Bobbi Larrivee’s story here.
  • Meredith McCullough is a teacher at Kenai Central High School. She teaches 11th grade English and honors English, and French two, three and four. She’s been a teacher for eight years, five in Alaska. Read Meredith McCullough’s story here.
  • Colby Way is one of two teachers at Port Graham School in a community of fewer than 200 people across Kachemak Bay, near Seldovia. He teaches all subjects to a wide range of ages, grades five through 12. He’s been a teacher for six years, five of which have been in Alaska. Read Colby Way’s story here.

BP Educational Ally Award, 2017 Kenai Peninsula
The award recognizes the additional unsung heroes in our schools—support staff, administration or volunteers—who are working alongside teachers to inspire students and are making a difference in our schools and community.
Karl Kircher, Mountain View Elementary principal, “It is an honor to receive the BP Educational Ally in the School Community Award. The words ally and community really made this special for me. I’ve always considered my job as principal to be a supporting role to help create a community where teachers are inspired to excel by each other and by their students.” Read Karl Kircher’s story here.
The 2017 Kenai BP Teacher of the Year receives a $1,500 scholarship to be used towards continuing education and an award sculpture. The five Kenai BP Teachers of Excellence, selected from 45 nominations, receive $500, and an additional $500 grant will go towards a program at their school.
Plus, BP will pay the tuition for all winners to enroll in the Alaska Resource Education Rock and Roll course, learning fun, hands-on activities they can take back to the classroom. As part of that graduate-level course, BP will host a group of winners on a one-day tour of the North Slope in August. “BP is proud to honor these great teachers and their tireless work in the classroom,” said BP Alaska Regional President Janet Weiss. “We see it as part of our ongoing commitment to the communities where our people live and work – and an investment in the people who help make Alaska great.”
Learn more Click the individual awardee name to read a specific story, or click the school name for the school website

View photos of the BP Teachers of Excellence celebration