Category: KPBSD District Stories

Isaiah Trevino, Kenai Alternative School #ClassOf2018

Kenai Alt School Isaiah Trevino

Isaiah Trevino
Kenai Alternative School, Class of 2018

Isaiah Trevino is one of the twenty-five graduates to walk the handshaking, hugs, and celebration line at Kenai Alternative’s graduation ceremony in 2018. Two years ago, Isaiah came to Kenai Alternative looking for a different school environment. The shorter rotation schedule offered him the opportunity to grow and achieve in his classes, and it was not long before he started taking leadership roles within the school community. Isaiah would often speak up at the daily morning meetings to encourage other students to arrive to school on time, and get their grades up. As time grew closer towards graduation, Isaiah began developing his post-secondary plans. In the fall, he plans to move to New Mexico where he will start working and attending school. Principal Loren Reese said, “We look forward to hearing great things about his future successes!”
Kenai Alt Class of 2018
Kenai Alternative School

Borough Mayor vetoes 652k in school funding

Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor vetoes $652k of school funding
June 19, 2018, Soldotna, Alaska—Today, Borough Mayor Pierce introduced two funding vetoes for the Borough budget beginning in less than a month. The Borough Assembly meets tonight, and one veto directly affects school district funding.
Mayor Charlie Pierce said this in the memorandum to decrease funding to Kenai Peninsula Borough schools by $652,609: 

“Including this amount in the budget for school district operations would reduce the general fund, fund balance to an amount that is, in my view, too close to the recommended minimum fund balance to be financially prudent. Had the funds been appropriated from the Land Trust Fund I would not have taken this action.”

  • The school district hoped to add mental health counselors and school security measures with the $652k funding appropriation from the Borough. Plans were already in motion, and these important measures would have taken effect beginning July 1, 2018.
  • The veto announced today would increase the FY19 school district overall deficit to more than two million dollars.
  • Tonight is an opportunity to provide your thoughts during public testimony. The Tuesday, June 19, 2018, Assembly Meeting begins at 6:00 PM in the Borough Assembly Chambers, 144 N. Binkley Street, Soldotna, Alaska 99669.

The school district is hopeful Borough Assembly members and Borough administration will resolve their budget prior to the start of the KPBSD fiscal year in 12 days.
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Budget cuts

Jode Sparks, Soldotna High School, #Classof2018

Jode Sparks
Soldotna High School, Class of 2018

Soldotna High Jode Sparks Class of 2018
“Jode Sparks is a remarkable leader who genuinely cares for the needs of others,” said Principal Tony Graham. In Jode’s words,

“Community is not a location—rather, it is the result of a group of people caring about the same thing and caring about each other.”

A former United States Senate Page, and Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Student Ambassador, Jode is involved in many activities promoting good things for our community and good things for our state. In the Soldotna Unified Track team, he participates alongside special education students in track and field events. In the Alaska Youth for Environmental Action—a diverse group of high school students from across the state—Jode works with young people to advocate, and speak up in the political system. This led him to his future studies.
In the fall, Jode will attend the University of Chicago, pursuing degrees in Public Policy and Environmental Studies. Everyone at Soldotna High School is excited to see him begin the next phase of his life, and we wish him the best!

 

Preventing Summer Slide #read

Summer 2018 Reading
Preventing Summer Slide
Summer Slide? No, not the slide at the playground or the water park. Not the Slip ‘N Slide from days gone by either. Summer Slide refers to the time period when kids are not in school and things they have learned slip from their minds. One area commonly affected is reading.
Scholastic suggests the following in the article Three Ways to Prevent Summer Slide.

  1. Six books to summer success. – Research shows that reading as few as six books can help prevent loss of reading skills.
  2. Read something every day.
  3. Keep reading aloud. – Yes, even to teens!

Since our school libraries are not open during the summer, students will need other options when looking for books to read. Many of our communities have awesome public libraries with summer reading programs. If you live in an area with a public library, please visit often during the summer break.
If you do not have access to a public library, several digital options are available for readers:

OVERDRIVE 

All KPBSD staff and students (Gr. 6-12) have access to our shared Overdrive collection. This collection includes over 2,000 titles in ebook or audiobook format. Titles can be accessed through a browser on a computer at this website: KPBSD Overdrive Collection.
How to use Overdrive video.
There is also a free Overdrive App available for iOS and Android devices. Make sure to choose the KPBSD Schools (Main Collection) when searching for our Overdrive Library.
KPBSD students login with ID number and regular password. KPBSD staff members login using eNumber (change the E to a 9) and regular password.

SYNC 

This is a free summer audiobook program for teens 13+. Beginning April 26, 2018, SYNC will give away two complete audiobook downloads a week through July 25. That amounts to 26 FREE audiobook downloads! Visit the SYNC website for more information. https://audiobooksync.com/ Anyone interested can sign up through email or text. This is an amazing deal!

PEBBLE GO

PG is an award-winning database for reading and research written especially for elementary students. Information can be found related to animals, science, biographies, and social studies. Images, video, maps, activities, and games are also included. Pebble Go also has a read-aloud feature and a built in glossary. This great resource can be found here: https://www.pebblego.com/.
KPBSD student login for summer is as follows: Username: 9999 / Password: jkl
No matter where you go to find books, the most important part is to keep reading!
Thank you to Karla Barkman, KPBSD Librarian and Technology Coach, for contributing this story. Do you have a story tip or idea?
 

Kristin Klaich, Nikolaevsk School, #ClassOf2018

Kristin Elisabeth Klaich, Class of 2018
Nikolaevsk School

Nikolaevsk School_KKlaich Class of 2018
I plan to spend a semester at home and take a full load of online college classes through the University of Alaska, Anchorage (UAA). Then, I will travel to Peru for six months to live with a missionary family and help with their three children. In the fall of 2019, I will attend a college full time and graduate in Spring of 2022 with my degree in Early Childhood Education. Recent scholarship awards include: University of Alaska (UA) Scholar $12,000; Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS)—up to $3,566 per year; Safari Club International (SCI) $4,000; Austin E. Lathrop $1,000; Benjamin B. and Virginia M. Talley $1,500.
My best memory of learning at Nikolaevsk isn’t one specific thing, it’s just how everyone is one big family and how we have and had amazing teachers that really care about us students on an academic and personal level. Also, the opportunity I had to aid for Mrs. Parrett, our elementary teacher, both helping and even teaching a little bit of all the elementary grades. This really changed my prospective on teaching and now I actually want to go into this field!
Facebook: Nikolaevsk School
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District www.KPBSD.org
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Rachel Davidson, Connections Homeschool #ClassOf2018

Class of 2018
Rachel Davidson
Connections Homeschool

Connections_Rachel_Davidson Graduation Photo
How many students graduate twice in three weeks? Rachel Davidson walked across the stage at Connections Homeschool graduation and received her high school diploma on May 24, 2018.  Fifteen days earlier, Rachel walked across the stage at Kenai Peninsula College’s graduation and received her Associate of Arts degree. Rachel started homeschooling during her freshman year and used a very focused, highly personalized approach to achieve this feat. Using Jumpstart, and her educational allotment, Rachel was able to get a head start on her goal of an associate and bachelor degrees in nursing with a specialty in obstetrics. Earlier in the year, Rachel became a certified nursing assistant (CNA) and is currently working in the health care industry.
Ms. Davidson is an active member of the community, and volunteers with the Safe Kids Kenai Peninsula Coalition, the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program, and the Kenai Watershed Forum. Additionally, Rachel volunteered at the Central Peninsula General Hospital at least once per week. Her three varsity letters for swimming at Soldotna High school demonstrate an accomplished young woman who contributes to her community, and the lives of others—family, friends, and strangers.
Rachel’s academic success coupled with her community focus point to a promising future. Congratulations Rachel Davidson!
Connections Homeschool
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District www.KPBSD.org

New! Text Messaging Service Opt-In

New! Text Messaging Service for parents & guardiansKPBSD logo 4c no tag SMALL
A positive Opt-In is necessary to participate in this free service
Soldotna, Alaska—The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District can now utilize the SchoolMessenger system to deliver text messages, straight to a parent, guardian, or student mobile phone with important information about events, school closings, safety alerts and more. A positive opt-in text will be sent to current mobile contacts in PowerSchool on Thursday, May 17, 2018 from #67587.
To activate the new free Text Messaging Service, a positive opt-in is necessary from your mobile phone.
Parents, guardians, and students can participate in this free service by sending a text message of “Y” or “Yes” to our school district’s short code number, 67587 anytime, and making certain that your cellular contact is correct in PowerSchool.

FAQs

Opt-In Graphic for HL story

QUICK CHECKLIST for Parents and Guardians


Do you have a cell phone registered in the KPBSD PowerSchool contact information?
 

  • NO?

    Contact the office at your child’s school to update PowerSchool with your preferred mobile phone contact in order to activate SMS text messages and alerts. Each student contact may include three numbers to receive SMS texts: two adult contacts, and the student SMS contact (if applicable).

 

  • YES?

    You will receive a legitimate (it’s not spam) text on Thursday, May 17, 2018, from 67587 that begins with, “Kenai Peninsula Borough School District alerts.” The text invites you to positively OPT-IN to receive future messages from your child’s school, or the main school district office. If your cellular number is activated in PowerSchool after May 17, you will receive the positive opt-in text within 24 hours. You can positively opt-in at any time.

TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS FREE SERVICE and ACTIVATE THE ABILITY TO RECEIVE FUTURE TEXT MESSAGES, YOU MUST:

Reply to the text you receive on or after May 17, 2018, with a Y or YES

 

Or

Initiate your own text anytime to this number: 67587
With this message content: Y or YES

Questions? Review FAQs
SMS Information Flyer
The contact information for parents, guardians, and students is sourced from contact information in PowerSchool. To update or review your information in PowerSchool, contact your school secretary, go to PowerSchool via your computer, the PowerSchool app, or the Kenai Peninsula SD mobile app.
In ongoing efforts to increase campus safety and communication, the school district added SMS alert functionality to our existing communication alert system (School Messenger). For specific questions about safety protocols, please talk to your school principal.
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Communications: SMS Text Messaging FAQs

KPBSD logo 4c no tag SMALLKPBSD Parents and Guardians, you can take advantage of our Text Messaging Service
Our schools and district utilizes the SchoolMessenger system to deliver text messages, straight to your mobile phone with important information about events, school closings, safety alerts and more.*

  • You can participate in this free service just by sending a text message of “Y” or “Yes” to our school’s short code number, 67587.
  • You can also opt out of these messages at any time by simply replying to one of our messages with “Stop”.

The SMS (text) contact numbers for you is sourced from your information in PowerSchool. To update your information in PowerSchool, contact your school secretary, go to PowerSchool via your computer, the PowerSchool app, or Kenai Peninsula SD mobile app.
May 15, 2018, News Release
Opt-In

SMS Text Messaging FAQs

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
KPBSD SchoolMessenger Text Messaging System
 

  • How do recipients “Opt-In” to receive text messages?

  1. Confirm the text device number(s) are in imported to Communicate.
  2. Text “Y” to 67587 from each wireless device they wish to receive texts on.

 
Note: Depending on the data synchronization configuration, it may take 24 hours or more for numbers to be updated from the district SIS database.
 

  • How do recipients opt-out of receiving text messages?

Recipients not wishing to receive text messages to a particular number can simply do one of the following:

  1. Don’t opt-in and don’t reply to the opt-in invitation message.
  2. Text “STOP” to 67587 (or whichever is correct for your account) at any time.
  3. Opt out online at http://schoolmessenger.com/txtmsg
  4. Request that your organizations Communicate system administrator add the number to the account’s phone number block list.

  • Can the text messages come from a district phone number, instead of the short code?

No. Short codes are the industry standard, and the only fast and reliable way to deliver mass text notifications.

  • I received a text message that says it’s from SchoolMessenger? What does it mean?

If it was from 67587 that was most likely the Opt-In Invitation message sent by Communicate.
To continue receiving informational text messages from the school(s) reply with “Y” or “Yes”
If you do not reply, you won’t receive any future texts from our schools.

  • I “Opted-In”, but I’m not receiving texts?

Ensure that the school district has your correct device number in the PowerSchool database, and that it is located in the SMS phone field(s) that are synchronized with SchoolMessenger Communicate. It may take 24 hours for a number to become active after being changed or added to the district’s system.
Send a text with “Y”, from your specific mobile device, to 67587. You should receive an opt-in confirmation message from the service.

  • If you want to receive texts on multiple devices, each device number must complete the Opt-In process.

 Confirm that the district has actually attempted to send a Communicate broadcast which includes an SMS text message to your mobile phone number.

  • How do I know if it worked?

After you text one of the key words (“Y’ or “Yes”) to the short code number 67587 the system will ALWAYS respond back with one of three messages:
Opt-in Response: You’re registered 4 SchoolMessenger notifications. Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. Msg&data rates may apply. msg freq varies. schoolmessenger.com/txt
Opt-out Response: You’re unsubscribed from SchoolMessenger. No more msgs will be sent. Reply Y to re-subscribe, HELP for help. Msg&data rates may apply. schoolmessenger.com/txt
Help or Unknown Key Word Response: SchoolMessenger notification service: Reply Y to subscribe or STOP to cancel. Msg&data rates may apply. Msg freq varies. Visit schoolmessenger.com/txt for info
Any other response – or no response: indicates the recipient should contact their wireless device provider to have SMS messaging/premium content enabled (see below for more details).

  • What does it mean if I texted “Y” or “yes” and I received some sort of error message back?

If you receive what appears to be an error message, similar to one of the following, it most likely means that short code text messaging is not enabled on your wireless subscription plan:

  • Service access denied
  • Message failed
  • Shortcode may have expired or shortcode texting may be blocked on your account
  • Does not participate

These replies DO NOT indicate that the wireless provider cannot receive messages from Communicate. Rather, they are an indication that the specific mobile device does not have short code SMS texting enabled for that number (this is sometimes disabled by default on company provided cell phones). To address this, contact your wireless provider.
Note: Providers sometimes use various names for this type of texting service (e.g. short code, SMS, premium, etc.). If you simply ask about text messaging, your carrier may assume you are referring to person-to-person. Therefore, be very clear to refer to “short code” text messages. Most TV programs that have a voting component use short code SMS messaging (e.g. American Idol, Dancing with the Stars). In addition, many department or grocery stores use SMS to distribute coupons and deals. Using an example such as this can be helpful in clarifying the type of texting service you want to enable.

  • Will I be charged for the text messages that I receive from Communicate?

Communicate does not charge recipients for the text messages that they receive or send to the short code; however, wireless providers may charge for individual text messages, depending on the plan associated with the wireless device. Please consult your carrier if you are uncertain.

  • What does SMS mean? SMS Terminology

You may find these descriptions helpful:
 SMS – This stands for “Short Message Service”, and is a system that enables cellular phone users to send and receive text messages.
 Common Short Code – A short code is similar to a phone number, but shorter. Typically, short codes are five or six digits and can only be used to send or receive SMS messages. The term “common” refers to the ability of a single short code to work across all major wireless carriers.
 Opt-In – Direct permission from a recipient that they are willing to receive your SMS text messages. This must come in the form of a response text sent from the recipient’s wireless device using an opt-in key word.
 
Opt-In Graphic for HL story

Facebook Live Q and A with Superintendent Dusek

20180508 Facebook Live Q and A events with Superintendent Dusek

You’re invited to a
Facebook LIVE Q & A
with the KPBSD Instructional Team

Tuesday, May 8, 2018
7:00 – 7:30 p.m.

 How-to watch:

It’s simple. Go to the KPBSD Facebook page on 5/8/18, at 7:00 PM, via your device or computer, and connect! You’ll see that KPBSD is live – click to view.

How-to ask questions or share thoughts:

Post your questions ahead of time on the Facebook event page, or live during the event in a comment on the live video.

How Facebook LIVE Q&A works:

  • KPBSD launches Facebook LIVE video, viewers click to view, and see content live in real time.
  • Viewers type comments into the feed below the video.
  • KPBSD does not “see” viewers via videoconferencing, this is a one way video view feed from KPBSD. Interaction happens via comments and post likes or emojis.

Everyone is invited to tune in – KPBSD parents and students, staff, community members, KPBSD partners, and KPBSD Key Communicators. Afterwards, the Q&A will be saved as a video to review at your convenience.

Why?

This Facebook live event is a way to hear from our communities in a conversation. Your perspective, questions, stories, and ideas are valuable. Please join in, and offer your thoughts and ideas.

Tip:

You don’t need a Facebook account to watch live.

  • At 7:00 PM, go to https://www.facebook.com/livemap. Locate the live event streaming from Soldotna, Alaska, using the interactive map.
  • Click the blue dot indicating Facebook LIVE is happening in Soldotna, and the video will pop up.
  • Click on the video image to enlarge it on your screen. https://www.facebook.com/livemap
  • note: You cannot post questions without a Facebook account. You can email them to communications@KPBSD.org, and we will answer as many as we can during the video LIVE Q&A.

The mission of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is to empower all learners to positively shape their futures.
www.KPBSD.org
Facebook Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

Questions?

Contact Pegge Erkeneff, KPBSD Communications Liaison, communications@KPBSD.org. Or private message Kenai Peninsula Borough School District on Facebook.

Supreme Court LIVE Fosters Understanding of the Justice System

Supreme Court LIVE Event Fosters Understanding of the Justice System
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Three hundred and seventy-five students from six KPBSD high schools attended Alaska Supreme Court LIVE at Kenai Central High School on March 29, 2018. The court heard 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 public was invited to this once-in-a-lifetime event for most people present, and the case was streamed live at 360 North at https://www.360north.org/alaska-supreme-court. At the conclusion of the oral argument, Supreme Court Chief Justice Craig Stowers said he would issue a written ruling the following week.
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Students asked insightful questions to the case attorneys, Laura Fox, Assistant Attorney General, Anchorage who represented the State of Alaska, and Jon Cholate, Cholate Law Firm, LLC, Juneau who represented the Alaska Democratic Party. Then, for twenty-five minutes, the Justices responded to student questions. Chief Justice Stowers said, “There are almost no limits to what you can do with your life. Dedicate yourself to some course of study. Anything is possible is you put your mind to it, and work hard enough.”
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On April 4, 2018, The Alaska Supreme Court affirmed that an independent candidate can run in partisan primary elections in Supreme Court No. S-16875.
“It was an honor to host the Supreme Court LIVE program,” said Sean Dusek, superintendent of schools. “The students were able to experience a relevant case that will have immediate impact to our State. I really appreciated how our staff and local attorneys prepared our students for this event and made it very engaging. This is the type of opportunity our schools can facilitate that allow our overall community to participate in State level government. It was a great overall experience for students, staff and the community.”
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State of Alaska v. Alaska Democratic Party
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 appealed to the Alaska Supreme Court and asked the court to decide if the law is constitutional.
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Supreme Court LIVE
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.
“Kenai Central was honored to host the Alaska Supreme Court at our school and to be the first school in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School district to do so,” said Alan Fields, Kenai Central High School principal. “This is for most people, a once in a lifetime opportunity to see an Alaska Supreme Court case argument. The program gave students an opportunity to see not only how the court works but also a firsthand view into a case that is relevant to all Alaskans and directly related to what students are learning. One of the best parts of the program took place before the supreme court even got to Kenai. Local attorneys visited classrooms and provided students with in depth explanations of how the court system works and the potential ramifications of this decision. Our teachers and students raved about how interesting and educational these presentations were.”
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Student Learning
Volunteer attorneys from the Alaska Bar Association and staff from the court system visited many 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 included engaging question-and-answer sessions with the attorneys arguing the cases, and with members of the Supreme Court.
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