Natalie Kant, Alaska Counselor of the Year!
Skyview Middle School (SMS) counselor Natalie Kant received top acknowledgment from the State of Alaska for her “exceptional leadership skills, work ethic, enthusiasm for the profession, and care for students.” Sarge Truesdell, principal of SMS said, “There is this old saying in schools that the head secretary and head custodian run a school building. Here at SMS, Mrs. Natalie runs the building. She outworks us all, is a leader amongst her colleagues, is innovative, original, competent, and continually striving to learn and improve. She loves what she does!”
“I am very humbled to receive this incredible award for something that I love to do,” said Natalie Kant. “I am honored to be an employee of the KPBSD and absolutely love being a school counselor. My students, their parents, my colleagues and friends, my family and my school district have inspired me to always be involved and have motivated me to do my best. I love working with all students. Thank you for encouraging and challenging me to be the person I am today. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your life. I am very grateful for the influence you have had in my life. Thank You!”
Category: Inspiration
Panther leadership at Skyview Middle School
Leadership is many things to many people. For this year’s Skyview Middle School Panther Student Council (StuCo), leadership can be summed up in three words: courage, compassion, and commitment.
Each of those words was exemplified in the work Panther StuCo did to raise funds for the KPBSD Students in Transition program earlier this school year. Program liaison, Kelly King, was a guest speaker at a lunch time meeting. The library was packed with seventy plus student council members who hung on her every word as she described the students and families she assists, their situations, and what our council could do to be helpful to the program. StuCo members asked great questions, the compassion for their peers in need evident in every word. And then courage made an unexpected appearance as one of our StuCo members raised his hand and shared how important the SIT program is to people in need. He knows. He was one of them. The commitment of the young people in that room grew ten-fold as they listened to their friend’s words. And that commitment resulted in a Penny War fundraiser that gathered over $700.00 in donations for the SIT program.
The young people who make up our Panther Student Council are not elected. They are not nominated. There are no speeches, campaigns, or popularity contests to win to be in StuCo. Instead, students in good academic and behavior standing sign a Membership Commitment agreeing to the following:
- Work with others to establish a welcoming environment for ALL students at SMS
- Model behavior that demonstrates kindness and helpfulness toward ALL students and staff
- Value and respect the ideas and contributions of ALL members of our school community
- Organize and participate in activities and events that promote a positive culture at SMS
- Identify and organize ways to serve our community: local, national, global
- Actively promote and participate in activities that serve our community
- Demonstrate commitment to community by meeting service requirements each semester
- Maintain academic eligibility in order to participate in Student Council meetings and events
- Meet Attendance criteria in order to participate in Student Council meetings and events
- Meet high behavior expectations required of a leader at Skyview Middle School
- Serve as an ambassador for SMS at events such as conferences, orientations, celebrations
Lunch time meetings held in our school library are packed and table leaders work with advisor, Mrs. Pothast, to ensure agenda items are covered, votes taken, and attendance recorded. Activity Nights, Pep Rallies, and Service Projects are coordinated through committees, e-mails, bulletin board sign up sheets, and the tireless efforts of students working together to get things done.
Given the right opportunity, encouragement, and guidance leadership ability blooms in all of us. Organizers, chairpersons, artists, craft creators, music DJs, set up crews, clean-up crews, photographers, poster makers, food collectors, announcers, mascots, spirit leaders, game supervisors and more have emerged from this group of seventy plus Student Council members as each has found his or her niche, a way to step up, share a talent, and lead.
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!
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.
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.”
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.
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
SALT offers flexibility and individuality, a bedrock for success
Soldotna Alternative (SALT) is new program at Soldotna High School designed to serve primarily juniors and sophomores who are at risk of dropping out or not graduating from high school on time. SALT enables students to earn credits at an accelerated rate through an individualized learning experience, smaller class size and an altered school schedule. Ultimately, SALT offers students the flexibility, small class size, and individuality needed for them to succeed.
A day in the life of a Soldotna Alternative student looks a little different from other students at Soldotna High School. Each day includes time to journal, eat a hot breakfast, extended time to focus on only two subjects at a time, and get some physical exercise. To help meet their physical and emotional needs, a hot breakfast is cooked every morning and consumed as a group. Each learning “rotation” lasts approximately six weeks so students are able to make up missed credit at an accelerated rate while having the ability to focus their attention on only a couple of classes at a time.
This is what students have to say about the program:
- “We have more time to do work.”
- “It’s small, calm and I can clearly think.”
- “It has helped me calm down about school work and has helped me catch up.”
- “I’m getting my credits back that I’m missing.”
The goal of Soldotna Alternative is for every student to graduate high school with a diploma and be able to pursue their own dreams. This is based on the belief that all students are important and capable of learning and succeeding.
Questions? Please email or call Soldotna Alternative School, housed in Soldotna High School, 907-260-7000.
After 13 years, student takes flight and lands back at Razdolna School
Meet Polagia Basargin
Polagia was born in the village, and attended the small school there for thirteen years, graduated, and now works in the school!
Prezi: A Student Takes Flight
A Student Takes Flight….
At the end of her 8th grade year, the students outgrew their building, and she waited a full year for a high school portable to be built.
The Making of a Middle-High School
Polagia pitched right in to help create the library in 2010.
Growing…
Though she struggled with reading, Polagia continued to grow and blossom as a student. She exited the IEP program in 2012.
She had a knack for art…
Meet Basargin Village
Otherwise known as Razdolna, this village is home to approximately 30 growing Old Believer families.
… and her sense of humor and style were inspirational. We knew she was bound for great things. When Polagia graduated in 2013, many of her friends had plans to marry. She decided to be a career girl, at Razdolna K-12 School!
Polagia’s talent with teaching the younger students has become apparent the last couple of years.
She now works alongside her former teachers, and never fails to impress us all with her maturity and willingness to be a lifelong learner.
Story submitted by Tim Whip, principal, Razdolna School
American Sign Language (ASL) on the upswing in KPBSD
Sign Language is busting out all over the district!
This year interest is surging to learn American Sign Language (ASL). Why? New students who are deaf are enrolling in our district. When that happens, a whole school perks up and notices there are people signing in the halls and the classroom. Classroom teachers like Lyn Maslow at West Homer Elementary see an opportunity for the whole class to learn a new language and grow in their understanding of how “us” can include even greater diversity. When the idea was floated for an after-school Sign Club, it took off like a shot. Educational Sign Language Interpreter Chelsea Carpenter was nervous about teaching at first, especially when almost 50 people showed up to the first meeting! She did a great job, though, and with help from the students, parents are sharing this visual language with students, staff, and even some other parents each week this semester. Participants are learning communication skills they can use in the classroom and community immediately and having a great time doing it.
Another reason Signing is becoming more popular is in KPBSD we have several students who lost their hearing after already learning to speak and listen. With the new technology of cochlear implants, they function as hearing children. However, when they take their implants off, they hear nothing. Parents and professionals see the value in these students learning good basic Signing for situations when they might be “unplugged” and for emergencies. Knowing ASL also opens some doors for our young people. Growing into adulthood, they may want to be involved in the Deaf community. Signing is an important part of this culture, and it’s a natural choice as a second language for these students.
Nikiski Middle-High School has a small group that meets at lunch time each week to learn and practice conversational ASL. Each week, students in Mrs. Settlemeyer’s second grade class at Nikiski North Star Elementary learn signs for basic communication as well as for vocabulary from their regular reading program. Their enthusiasm spills over into other classes as well. Recent performances by West Homer Elementary and Nikiski North Star featured students signing along with their music numbers.
“Jazz Hands” have nothing on these kids!
Story contributed by Renee Estelle, KPBSD Hearing Specialist
Links:
KPBSD Pupil Services department
PBiS: If you're peaceful you get a ticket
According to kindergartener, Kalena Schriner, “The Warrior Way is peaceful. If you are peaceful, then you get a ticket.” First grader, Kaptelina Fefelov says, “The Warrior Way makes the school better.” And kindergartener, Alexander Stading says simply, “The Warrior Way is fun!”
Nikolaevsk School is in its second year of implementing school-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBiS). The Nikolaevsk Warrior Way defines behaviors that are respectful, responsible, and safe in common areas that are accessed by all students in the school, such as the hallways and the bathroom. Nikolaevsk staff are very proactive in teaching students expectations in settings, and then rewarding students for using good behaviors with tickets.
Students earn tickets for using good behaviors and making good choices in the school. Tickets earned by students are collected in the office, and counted. Once the ticket goal amount has been reached, a school-wide celebration is held. Celebrations this year include: a school-wide celebration center, principal day projects, K-3 horseback riding trip at Mr. Seller’s house, principals club, among others.
Teachers have now expanded their efforts into the classroom, using student surveys to gain student input on aspects such as student attendance and connectedness in school, and creating action plans to further support their students. The strategies in PBiS of focusing on and rewarding positive behaviors have been so widely embraced in the school, that the site council has adopted these practices as well. Due to concerns about the need to improve sportsman-like behaviors of fans at basketball games, the site council defined good fan behaviors, taught the behaviors at games, and rewards fans who exhibit these behaviors, regardless of which team they are supporting. Rewards come in the form of raffle tickets, which are drawn during the game for prizes.
The entire school body has changed their approach to recognize and reward positive behaviors. As a result, student behavior in the school has changed positively. Student office referrals decreased 63 percent in the first year of implementing PBiS in the school, which resulted in more students using positive behaviors, and fewer discipline issues.
Story submitted by Trina Uvaas, EdS, Nationally Certified School Psychologist
Link
KPBSD celebrates employee Kelly King
“One of the more challenging tasks that we face is educating our homeless students. Because of the extraordinary effort and dedication of Kelly King, the district is able to do its best to meet this challenge.” –Steve Atwater, superintendent
“I am blessed with the opportunity to do what I love every day. Having the work I do be recognized at the vigil, by good friends who have the same vision … I am very humbled and just so grateful. Receiving the Knight in Shining Armor award means so much to me; I am sincerely honored.” –Kelly King, KPBSD homeless liaison.
November 7, 2013, Kelly King was awarded the Knight in Shining Armor award during a candlelight vigil for youth and family homelessness. The award is named after retired KPBSD school teachers Janiece and Nina Knight. The Knights are founders of a non-profit, Luva Child, Inc. The mission of the non-profit is to provide food, shelter and education for children at risk.
Speaking at the vigil, Sandy Miller, federal programs coordinator said, “KPBSD is proud of the support Kelly provides and is pleased she is receiving the Knight in Shining Armor award this evening. She truly is a hero. The task of the homeless liaison is not a high profile position and it does not garner a lot of attention. King doesn’t need those accolades; she truly has a heart for families and youth finding themselves in difficult times. Over the course of a year, Kelly typically supports approximately 300 students.
The real reward for Kelly is watching her clients grow and rise above their challenges. During her time as homeless liaison, Kelly has watched many of her unaccompanied youth make it through high school, graduate on time, and go on to college or enroll in vocational education.”
The KPBSD Students in Transition program has been in existence since the early 1990s. The numbers of students and families served through the program have increased each year; however the staffing to serve this population has not. KPBSD has one full-time and one part-time position to cover the majority of KPBSD needs. On average 275 – 300 individuals are provided assistance each year through the KPBSD Homeless Liaison.
Kelly King came to KPBSD in 2008. As a lifelong Kenai resident, King understands the unique characteristics of each community. She continually goes well above her job expectations to develop strong, respectful relationships with local and state agencies in order to provide the very best assistance possible for her clients.
Tim Vlasak, director of K-12 Schools, Assessment and Federal Programs reflected, “It was so nice to have this program as part of the district; in my previous school district we did not have a program such as this one. I so appreciate the opportunity to recognize a member of our team who provides essentials for students—we cover bases for K-12 students from food, to clothing, transportation, and this includes both unaccompanied youth, and families with K-12 students who are experiencing homelessness. Kelly has an ability to find a way to meet the essential needs of students with her vast community connections and the limited resources available in the district. Any opportunity we have as a school district to support our students in transition in an effort to keep students in school and on a path to providing life skills to and through graduation and beyond is valuable.”
King adds, “A special thanks to Covenant House and Dave and Debbie Michaels who help with the annual vigil for homelessness, work in the KPBSD, and are advocates in the community.”
Links
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””
Giving thanks in Kenai
November 15, 2011
A feast was held today! Kenai Alternative High School served their 21st annual Thanksgiving Day Meal to 166 parents, students, and invited guests–many who were community members active with the high school throughout the year. Greeters at the door welcomed everyone with hellos and smiles. What a contrast to the frigid, wind-to-the-bone noon day winter sun! Smells flooded the hallway–turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes–my taste buds quivered when I took the few steps to the gym.
Inside, more students welcomed everyone who gathered and stood in line for the feast! Students said they’d been cooking since the previous Friday, and shared the story of oh, so many spuds. After a meal fit for a king (or queen) I wandered the room with my camera, talking to students, a 2011 graduate who had returned to help, and community members. At one round table members from local churches explained to me they cooked a hot meal each morning for the students, five days a week, serving between 25-70 breakfasts each day. Another table of pre-school students wore festive hats, and posed for several delightful photos–little faces complete with the remnants of pumpkin pie crumbs. High school students were warm and welcoming, thanking me for coming. A young Mom took a few minutes to visit while she rocked her baby to sleep in his stroller (except I kept smiling at him so his eyelids were slow to close.) A few photos from the day are in the Kenai Alternative High School photo album at the KPBSD Facebook page.
Let us give thanks for these students, for their parents, community members, and for everyone who shared a meal together. The noon-day sun flooding through upper windows in the gymnasium highlighted warmth in the belly, mind, and heart of all who gathered.
Thank you Kenai Alternative High School–may you continue this tradition for decades to come. The community appreciates you–and clearly you appreciate students, parents, and local residents.
