Category: Community Partners

June 16 #CardStreetFire UPDATE from several agencies | 5:45 PM

Approximate #CardStreetFire Perimeter, June 16, 2015, 12:00 p.m.
Approximate #CardStreetFire Perimeter, June 16, 2015, 12:00 p.m.

Alaska DNR- Division of Forestry (DOF) UPDATE 5:45 PM, Tuesday, June 16, 2015

  • The second evacuation of the day is underway in the Kenai Keys subdivision on the Kenai Peninsula due to the Card Street Fire, which is now estimated at 2,000 acres.
  • The fire, which started yesterday, flared up on the southeast side and is less than a mile east of the subdivision. Firefighters are holding it out of the area but they want to get people out in the event wind associated with thunderstorm cells building to the east produces winds that could fan the flames.
  • It’s the second time today and the third time in two days that an evacuation order has been issued for the area. An evacuation advisory was issued this morning because northerly winds were pushing the fire toward the subdivision along the Kenai River. Air tankers have been ordered to drop retardant on the encroaching fire and are enroute.
  • Most of the fire activity on the fire today was on the east side of the fire and the fire has burned into the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. The fire is burning about 1 1/2 miles from Skilak Loop Road, though it is not threatening anything on that side of the fire. The only structure there is an old U.S. Forest Service guard station that has been closed. Sprinklers have been set up around the guard station to protect it.

City of Soldotna Open Burn Ban

  • Effective 5:00 pm, Tuesday, June 16, 2015, until further notice, per Central Emergency Services’ Fire Marshal Wes Perkins, there is no open burning allowed in the city of Soldotna limits, with the exception of covered barbeques only.
  • The ban will be enforced by Soldotna Police Department.

Kenai Peninsula Borough UPDATE: 4:oo pm, Tuesday June 16, 2015

  • Ten structures have been damaged in the Card Street Fire. The borough is confirming addresses and will be contacting residents as appropriate. As of 06/16/2015, the preliminary damage report confirms that three structures are homes.
  • The call center cannot provide personal information regarding any damages to property or structures.
  • Updates are regularly posted on www.facebook.com/kenai.peninsula.borough
  • Register your mobile phone to receive emergency notifications through “Rapid Notify.”  Visit www.kpb.us
  • OEM call center information, please call 907-714-2495

Kenai National Wildlife Refuge UPDATE: 3:30 pm, Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Skilak Lake Road at Sterling Hwy is CLOSED

  • Fire response activity is moving EAST toward the Refuge.
  • ROAD CLOSURE: The WEST entrance of Skilak Lake Road at the Sterling Hwy will be closed to lower Skilak campground. The boat ramp at the campground will still be accessible.  The closure will be until further notice due to fire activity.

Homer Electric Association | Hazard Tree Mitigation update

  • In an effort to reduce further damage to HEA facilities and tree related power outages associated with the Card Street Fire in Sterling, HEA will be conducting hazard tree mitigation near overhead electric lines in the vicinity of Feuding Lane and Kenai Keys Rd. as soon as this afternoon, 6/16/2015.
  • It is unknown at this time where the exact location of the current threats exist as line patrols are ongoing, but it has been determined that this work will occur along portions of the overhead lines within State maintained rights of way, across State owned lands within the Stephenkie Alaska Subdivision South of Kenai Keys Rd. as well as Kenai Borough lands South of Kenai Keys Rd., including KPB rights of way.
  • Mitigation efforts will include the removal of burned or live vegetation that is currently deemed a “hazard tree” that could damage HEA facilities should it come within 5 ft. of contacting conductors if it were to fall toward the line.  A combination of hand cutting using chainsaw and a dozer will be used to conduct this work.
  • If you have questions please contact either Cody Neuendorf, Land Management Officer at 907-335-6209 (Office) or 907.398.6170 (mobile); or Jon Cress, HEA’s Director of Operations at 907-398-4942 (Mobile) or 907-283-2337 (Office)

Helpful Online Links:

###

June 16 CARD STREET FIRE UPDATE Evacuations map + 1500 acres burned

#CardStreetFire Evacuation Areas, June 16 2015, 12:30pm
#CardStreetFire Evacuation Areas, June 16 2015, 12:30pm

From Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management:
The map indicates the evacuation perimeter for affected Sterling and Funny River subdivisions. The map will be updated as information changes and is available at www.kpb.us and www.facebook.com/kenai.peninsula.borough

CURRENT EVACUATION AREA | June 16, 2015, 12:30 p.m.

  • Sterling area includes subdivisions from Card Street EAST to Kenai National Refuge boundary at Sterling Hwy. mile 76 and SOUTH to the Kenai River. This still includes Feuding Lane and Kenai Keyes.
  • Funny River area includes subdivisions off the end of Salmon Run Drive to the end of Fisherman’s Road and Dow Island residents.
  • Printable PDF: Evacuation Areas June 16, 2015, 12:30 p.m.

Please stay away from the evacuation areas and use caution when driving through smoke or passing fire apparatus. Do not attempt to return to evacuated areas. Updates will be provided to all local radio stations, Rapid Notify and KPB Facebook page when evacuations are lifted.

ONLINE LINKS

Approximate Fire Perimiter 1500 acres
Approximate #CardStreetFire Perimeter, 1500 acres, June 16, 2015, 12:00 p.m.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough provided this Alaska Forestry  update:

  • Approximately 1500 acres have burned. Three helicopters and three fixed wing aircraft and 50 crew are assigned to the fire. Air attack and retardant will resume this morning. Five hot shot crews are arriving late afternoon today and the Type 2 team is expected tomorrow.
  • Six structures are confirmed lost, and Forestry is currently conducting structural, damage assessments. The borough will work with the assessing department to confirm addresses and contact home owners directly just as soon as we receive the information.
  • Once the Type 2 team is operational, perimeter mapping will be provided. Until that time, the Alaska Interagency Incident Management Team has a mapping tool that tracks fire activity at http://afsmaps.blm.gov/imf_fire/imf.jsp?site=fire

The borough will continue to provide resources and support as requested.

###

Helpful Facebook links:

 

Reading Comes Alive in Port Graham

2015 Story time in Port Graham
The village of Port Graham has seen a burst of activity in the area of reading this year. Students’ interest in curling up with a good book has been sparked by two programs, Accelerated Reader and the Battle of the Books.
Elementary teacher, Stephanie DeVault had used the Accelerated Reader (AR) program in a previous district and saw how it motivated students to become avid readers. AR is web-based software that allows teachers to monitor students’ independent reading. It does this by providing comprehension tests on an enormous range of books. In short, students read a book at their reading level and then take a short, multiple choice test. Upon successful completion of the test, students are awarded points based on the length of the book. This allows teachers to set goals for students, monitor student understanding of reading, and provides a motivator for students to finish books on their own.
The program, naturally, is not free. Because DeVault had seen it provide the impetus needed for students to dramatically increase their reading, she was determined to implement it in Port Graham. She wrote a grant using a website called Donors Choose. Donors Choose was designed to help teachers access funds from donors for classroom supplies. People wishing to contribute to education can browse the website and choose projects they find meaningful, but all materials are purchased by the organization. Teachers are never tasked with handling the funds. This allows donors to give tax-deductible donations, but protects teachers from showing extra income.
The grant posted in mid-September and donations started arriving from friends and family of locals in the village and even from parents of Stephanie’s former students who had watched AR transform their children into voracious readers. At best, Stephanie guessed that it would take two to three months for the grant to be fully funded. In early October, the grant was complete! A generous donation from Chevron, as part of their Fuel Your School program, had paid the balance.
 
Story contributed by Principal Nancy Kleine, Port Graham School
Connect:

2015 May Storytime

Neighborhood school takes it to the streets

2015_05_18_MtView_walk and roll
On May 2, 2015, twenty six “Mountain View Minions” participated in the Walk and Roll for Hope. This event, the 46th annual, takes place in communities throughout Alaska to raise funds for and awareness about disability services available for Alaskans.
As a large, open enrollment, neighborhood school Mountain View Elementary is fortunate to be able to provide services to students with a wide range of disabilities. By forming a team to participate in this event the Mountain View family was able to show our support for those students as well as the people who work with them, both within our school and elsewhere.
The Mountain View Elementary team included staff participating with their children, grandchildren and parents as well as students participating with their families. With a little inspiration from Disney and artistic help from Pinterest a group of staff members made customized Minion shirts for the team. Wearing bright yellow, googley eyed, and smiley faced tee shirts the team was hard to miss and certainly did its best to add to the festive nature of the event. The “Mountain View Minions” raised $900 to support Hope Community Services, the most raised by any team participating in the event.
The Mountain View Elementary staff has a strong sense of community service that it hopes to impart on its students as well. Other ways they have served the Kenai neighborhood this year include:

  • Staff members setting up a booth at Industry Appreciation Days where they helped close to 200 local children make individualized, hand printed, eagle art work
  • The after school choir singing patriotic songs at an evening veterans day celebration
  • The student council, working with Hilcorp Alaska, serving Thanksgiving Dinner at the Kenai Senior Center
  • Staff members coordinating a Christmas drive that provided dinner and gifts for over 100 local families
  • The 2nd grade singing Christmas carols at a variety of local businesses
  • The kindergarten promoting a Pennies for Pets campaign that raised $500 for the Kenai Animal Shelter
  • Student families maintaining a city of Kenai flower bed over the summer

Mountain View Elementary is Kenai’s “Neighborhood School” and its students and staff strive to live up to that moniker. Look for their students and staff at a community service event near you.
2015_05_18_MtView_W & R Martine and Jonathan

Nikiski Middle-High gets creative with Checkmate King CNC Laser

laserThrough a State of Alaska grant, Nikiski Middle-High School received a Checkmate King CNC Laser. The “King,” as the students call the CNC Laser, has made quite an impact both in quality projects and the understanding of dimensional geometry. NMHS CTE teachers Paul Johnson and Vern Kornstad have challenged both themselves and their students to master the fundamentals of this new technology. They are challenged to understand the maintenance, functions, media, and how exportation in CorelDraw has had to change from previous machines. Should you visit the class you will hear excited and eager students anticipating their projects and troubleshooting to make them even better! Each moment is excitement in hands-on learning, applied math, computer technology, and employability skills.
The class is partnering with the Soldotna, Alaska, business Threeguysnowood.com. The task the partnership developed was to create a small inexpensive project that tourists could purchase at the business. The winning project would be class produced, marketed and sold this summer through the business with all proceeds returned to the CAD/CAM program at NMHS. Students brought their creativity and understanding of computer program tools,  CorelDraw, geometry and measurements to create and execute product ideas. The class voted on the computer assisted drawings and discussed marketing potential. The samples below are some of the CorelDraw ideas that students created. Each color of a line tells the CNC Laser where to cut, how deep to cut, and where to burn on the student designs. Each component is a layover of a layover, so the students must be aware of each line, close each line, and what that line will be doing when exported to the King.
 
artThe selected design from each class was then exported to the CNC Laser. There were some exciting moments when the computer assisted drawings did not turn out exactly as anticipated. As a class, a team in the real-world, they assisted each other in correcting the pathways needed to cut out the prototype(s).
 
Tami Murray, Executive Director of the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce, worked with the business to assist in choosing the most marketable item. After careful consideration the Alaskan puzzle was designated to be produced.
 
TamiFrom that discussion, the instructors further discussed with the students the factors of: packaging, cost of items, and overall marketability. One of the unforeseen and most exciting results of this grant funding is that all chosen student projects will be produced and sold at Threeguysnowood.com this summer with 100% of those proceeds returning to the CAD/CAM program. In a sense every class then has a stake in sales, and every class is a winner.cribbage board
The State of Alaska CTE 2015 grant has made an enormous impact on students already. The grant has provided a vehicle in which to foster student learning and to bring resources back into the CTE program. Students are challenged in an integrated cross-content project emphasizing applied math, computers, marketing, and fostering employability skills. This has truly been a success!
keychain
Thank you to Paul Johnson and Vern Kornstad, Nikiski Middle High School for this story.
students 2 students
 

Student centered initiatives shape Voznesenka School

2015_03_Voz_beach group
Several staff members at Voznesenka School have diligently worked to create an environment that makes students feel connected to our school, rather than school being something they attend as a requirement. Making aesthetic modifications to the facility, offering additional courses of interest, implementing a school-wide student management system and providing opportunities for our students to participate in cocurricular activities are some of the approaches we have used to produce this transformation. To the outside eye our most visible changes are the athletic opportunities we now offer our students.
Two years ago our school only had a few intramural activities available to students. Next year, we will have four ASAA sanctioned sports available at Voznesenka School, as well as a few activities for our elementary and middle school students. These opportunities bring a sense of pride, belonging and commitment to Voznesenka. Since the school is the only public entity in our village, it has been challenging to increase school-community interaction. Sporting events have opened new doors of communication among staff, students, and community members through attendance at games and meets.
Increased cocurricular opportunities are also positive persuaders for students’ academic accomplishments. Grade checks keep our athletes motivated to meet school and district expectations. Participation in practice and games is dependent on attendance, which positivity impacts students’ time in school. Furthermore, athletics will encourage more students to graduate from Voznesenka School.
We are proud of the student-centered initiatives shaping the culture of Voznesenka School. Striving to meet the needs of our students is our first priority, which does give them a sense of belonging. Continued efforts will enhance the engagement of students at their school.
Story contributed by Principal Michael Wojciak
2015_03_Voz_boys wrestling
2015_03_Voz_slip and slide
 
 

Student grown seeds and greens in Tebughna's community garden

Tebughna Garden
Tebughna Garden

How does your garden grow?   We do not have silver bells or cockle shells. However, our ‘pretty maids all in a row’ are the ladies who work for the Tyonek Tribal Conservation District (TTCD).  These “dirt ladies” coordinate and collaborate with the school and the community to create a successful and productive community garden.
The “Dirt Ladies”
Christy Cincotta – Executive Director Christy has been with the Tyonek Tribal Conservation District since October of 2011
Christy Cincotta – Executive Director
Christy has been with the Tyonek Tribal Conservation District since October of 2011

Tonya Kaloa – Program Assistant Tonya Kaloa started working for TTCD in February, 2014
Tonya Kaloa – Program Assistant Tonya Kaloa started working for TTCD in February, 2014

Nicole Swenson – Conservation Project Manager Nicole began working with TTCD in April of 2014
Nicole Swenson – Conservation Project Manager
Nicole began working with TTCD in April of 2014

Shortly after spring break they begin having the students plant the seeds.  It is the responsibility of the students to water and care for the sprouts until mid-May when they have the students plant the sets into the prepared ground at our community garden plot.
On August 23, 2014, a community harvest meal was celebrated.  People prepared their favorite dishes made from the produce gathered from the community garden.  We took this opportunity and held the Open House at that time as well.  Due to the fire in Tyonek last spring, we were unable to have our promotional celebration for our students, so we presented trophies and awards to our students at this celebration.  Great food and trophies, who could ask for anything better?
The TTCD ladies, Nicole Swenson and Tanya Kaloa have provided and continue to provide fun activities for our students.  So far they helped our students make pumpkin muffins from pumpkins harvested from our community garden. They also baked some of the pumpkin seeds.  Yum-yum!!!    They were at the school in January and helped the students build a watershed model and demonstrated how a watershed works and what happens when conditions in a watershed change.  On February 25, they plan to take the students ice fishing for pike and later we will be dissecting some of the pike. Then in March we will begin the preparation for the new garden plants again.
garden kidsgarden kids 2 garden kids 4
We were fortunate to have Deborah Kane, the National Director of USDA’s Farm to School Program, visit our school along with the Alaskan Director, Johanna Herron. They were here to see how effectively the school is working with TTCD to help provide fresh produce for our village and to work on a plan to have some of the garden products used within our school lunch program.  They spoke with our students, staff and Dean Hamburg.  A couple of our students taught them how to do the seal hop.
We may not have silver bells and cockle shells, but we sure do have fresh vegetables from our local garden which are not always available to us here in a fly-in village.  The garden also provides a great way for us to learn new things about science and nutrition.
garden kids 5
 

Job shadow: a big, heavy project

March job fair
Seward High School students Marcus Sharamek and Kris Hettick spent Friday March 20, 2015, with Troy Hager and his heavy equipment class. The job shadow day was arranged through the Kenai Peninsula School District and John Clare. It allowed Kris and Marcus to see what AVTEC is like and to get a taste of the type of work a Heavy Equipment mechanic does. The guys had fun and it was “cool to see how the excavator came apart,” said Hettick. They enjoyed the new trucks, being in the shop, and getting hands on experience with the other students. It was fun to be involved taking the tracks off of the John Deere 135 Excavator and seeing how it actually works. Both Sharamek and Hettick feel this type of work is something they are interested in pursuing. They learned a little about shop operations, shop safety, and how to work with a team on a big heavy project. It was also good for the AVTEC students–they became the mentors and found out they learn more when they have to explain what is going on. AVTEC hopes to extend this type of opportunity to other high school students around the peninsula or state.
Story contributed by Kent Berklund
March job shadow

10K benefits Seward Elementary classroom instruction

$10,000 Worth of Gifts Arrive at Seward Elementary
The gifts have arrived, and teachers at Seward Elementary School are very excited about integrating all the new equipment into their lessons. After receiving a $10,000 gift for computer hardware from the education non-profit organization, Code.Org, teachers selected items that would enhance classroom instruction, especially S.T.E.M. lessons. For example, the new 3D printer by MakerBot will allow students to engineer tangible solutions to simple real-world problems, design their fix in SketchUp, then print the object out!
10K award
Third grade teachers are thrilled to have 28 new Chromebooks for their students. These are a cross between a notebook and a laptop, and they run without fans—allowing for stackable storage. The Chromebooks use Google for education applications, which KPBSD supports for all teachers and students.
“The third grade classes are looking forward to using the Chromebooks,” said Erin Flowers, a third grade teacher.  “These devices will provide extra opportunities for our students to prepare for AMP tests, improve fluency in reading and math, as well as provide the technological foundation required for continuous improvement in technology skills.”
Excitement stems from the possibilities that the new web cameras give each teacher, too. Leigh Ray, a second grade teacher, explained how websites such as www.epals.com allow teachers to connect with other classrooms around the globe—making contact based on age, academic unit of study, or other similar purposes.
Several other items rounded out the gifts received, including mp3 players, a new digital projector, and document cameras. With these new tools, students at Seward Elementary are definitely receiving a leading-edge, twenty-first century education.
Many thanks to Hadi Partovi, the CEO and co-founder of the education non-profit Code.org, for having the vision to bring computer science to every student in the United States, for instituting the now-famous Hour of Code, and for gifting Seward Elementary School with $10,000 of computer hardware.
Story contributed by David Kingsland, principal, Seward Elementary
Scan 500

An outpouring of advocacy, care and service for homeless students

KPBSD students demonstrate incredible compassion and support for their homeless peers and the KPBSD Students in Transition (SIT) Program. They are on the move, making a tangible difference.
Socktober!
Kenai Middle School Leadership Class
Leadership students organized a collection drive for socks, hats, and gloves to benefit the local homeless population. Students created a PowerPoint presentation to inform their peers about the issue, designed promotional posters, and placed decorated collection boxes in each Advisory class. KMS students brought in donations for this “Socktober” event – collecting over 1,700 items.
Penny Wars!
Skyview Middle School Student Council
Panther Student Council sponsored a Penny War to benefit the SIT Program. Two collection jars were placed in the school office, one for seventh grade and one for eight grade. Pennies were collected and added up for each grades’ score. Other coins and dollar bills subtracted from the score for that grade level; sabotaging the other grade by adding silver or bills was encouraged!

SMS Penny Wars
SMS Penny Wars

Going Social!
Maddy McElrea
Wanting to make a difference for a family in need, Kenai Alternative Community Projects leader Maddy McElrea reached out to the community through Facebook. Within two days she had collected a variety of items including clothing, books, food, and household goods. “It really warmed my heart seeing that there were so many people willing to help within hours of me making a post. If I was able to do that, just think about what we could accomplish for all the other kids by coming together as a community,” said McElrea.
Birthday Gifting!
Damien Redder and Devin Every
For the second time in recent years, these two KCHS boys decided to celebrate their birthdays by thinking beyond themselves. Invitations were sent to friends and family asking that in lieu of gifts, donations be made to benefit the SIT Program and local homeless youth. This resulted in a monetary donation as well as numerous food cards for local vendors to be used in emergency situations.
Damien and Devin's birthday party
Damien and Devin’s birthday party

Spaghetti feed and auction raises thousands!
Kenai Central High School Leadership Class
KCHS Leadership class initiated, organized, and hosted a spaghetti feed and silent auction fundraiser with all proceeds benefitting the SIT Program. Students approached local businesses to gather auction donations, advertised, sold tickets, and cooked the meal for attendees. KCHS senior, Kyla Whannell, had this to say: “We feel that no child should have to worry about when their next meal will come or where they’re going to sleep. Knowing that this issue affects many youth in our community made us want to help in some way. Making this an annual event is something KCHS Leadership finds important, so we can keep spreading the word about youth homelessness.”
KCHS Spaghetti Fundraiser
KCHS Spaghetti Fundraiser

Reindeer delivers donations!
Jenna Hansen
This Nikiski Middle-High School student and her reindeer, Crash and Comet, have made several public appearances throughout the Central Peninsula, as a fundraiser for the SIT Program and to help spread awareness. In addition to these photo opportunities with the public, Jenna does additional fundraising for homeless youth issues through her “Scene of the Crash” Facebook page and GoFundMe account.
 
Crash and comet with NMHS student Jenna Hansen
Crash and comet with NMHS student Jenna Hansen

Hats and gloves adorn the tree!
McNeil Canyon Elementary School
McNeil Canyon again sponsored their annual “Helpful Holiday Tree.” Food for the Homer Food Pantry was collected beneath the tree, which was decorated with hats and gloves donated for local homeless children.
Packing!
Chelsea Marsh (Teens Inbetween)
Chelsea is completing her senior project, collecting goods for backpacks she plans to put together for homeless teens. These backpacks will include items such as toiletries, job applications, business cards for community resources, and an invitation for a clothing giveaway at the Rec Room.
Links

KCHS students, Kyla and Amber homelessness presentation to Soldotna Rotary #advocacy
KCHS students, Kyla and Amber homelessness presentation to Soldotna Rotary #advocacy