KPBSD District Stories – Page 14 – KPBSD Communications Field Notes

Supreme Court LIVE in Kenai: State of Alaska v. Alaska Democratic Party

News Release

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, 5^th 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
______________________________________________________________________

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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Battle of the Books #BOB2018

KPBSD Battle of the Books

Students of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District have been participating in Battle of the Books (BOB) for 33 years. The original idea for BOB came from a radio program sponsored by the Chicago Public Library in the 1940s. A school librarian from Illinois, Joanne Kelly, took the idea and used it in her library. Years later the idea came to Alaska with Ros Goodman, a former Illinois librarian, on her way to Kodiak. The idea was piloted by a few Alaskan schools and by the 1984-1985 school year 26 districts were involved. KPBSD was one of those districts and had a state-winning team from Kenai Junior High that year.
KPBSD students, once again, competed valiantly in district and state battles. This year’s battles included 61 teams across four grade levels for students in grades 3-12. Students in grades K-2 can also participate, but only at the building level.
Battle of the Books is a statewide reading and comprehension program sponsored by the Alaska Association of School Librarians. The goals of the program are to encourage and recognize students who enjoy reading, broaden reading interests, increase reading comprehension, and promote academic excellence. All this is accomplished through a game-show style competition known simply as “BOB”.

Grades K-12 compete

Lists of books are chosen and questions are written for all the grade levels. Students read the books (12 titles for Grades 3-6 and 10 titles for Grades 7-12), quiz each other, learn title and author information, and compete in teams of no more than three students attempting to score as many points as possible answering questions related to the books. Battle questions all begin with the words, “In which book…”. Students are allowed thirty seconds to confer with team members and come up with an answer which is always the title and author of a book on the list.

Compete via videoconference

All KPBSD battles took place using Skype for Business to video conference. Students loved being able to “see” the competition. In addition to using Skype for battles, a Battle “Canvas” course was created where coaches accessed all needed battle materials and information and discussions took place. Google was used during battles to report scores and chat with Battle Central (Karla Barkman) when needed. Battle coaches were exposed to many different technologies again this year and did a fabulous job. Our KPBSD student battlers did an awesome job as well. District Battles were held in February with state battles in early March.

Congratulations to the following teams that made it to the final round of KPBSD district competition!

Grades 3 & 4

1st Place – Seward Elementary
2nd Place – Soldotna Connections
3rd Place – Aurora Borealis Charter School
4th Place – Tustumena Elementary

Grades 5 & 6

1st Place – West Homer Elementary
2nd Place (Tie) – Cooper Landing
2nd Place (Tie) – Fireweed
2nd Place (Tie) – Sterling Elementary

Middle School

1st Place – Homer Middle
2nd Place – Kenai Middle
3rd Place – Seward Middle
4th Place – Nikiski Middle

High School

1st Place – Cooper Landing
2nd Place (Tie) – Nikiski High
2nd Place (Tie) – Soldotna High
4th Place – Voznesenka School

State Battles were held the beginning of March. Each of our first place district teams went on to state competition and did a great job finishing! Congratulations to:

Seward Elementary (Grades 3 & 4) – 7th place out of 32 teams
West Homer Elementary (Grades 5 & 6) – 5th place out of 35 teams
Homer Middle (Middle School) – 3th place out of 27 teams
Cooper Landing (High School) – 7th place out of 20 teams

Battle of the Books 2018 photo album on Facebook

Book lists for next year’s battles were chosen by librarians, teachers, and battle coaches at a title selection workshop held during the State Library Conference before spring break. The new lists can be found at the State Battle of the Book’s website.
Article contributed by Karla Barkman, District Battle of the Books Coordinator.

Student Voice and #AKleg visits in Juneau

KPBSD and The Legislature
School Board Leadership and Youth Advocacy Institute

A full weekend of learning and collaborating with school board members and students from around the state, plus two days of appointments with more than 25 legislators to share “Kenai schools” stories was fun, informative, and thought provoking! February 10–13, 2018, two students, three school board members, a Soldotna Prep teacher, and the district communications liaison participated in the Alaska Association of School Board (AASB) Legislator Leadership Flyin and Youth Advocacy Institute in Juneau, Alaska.
Whether it was testifying at a hearing, being introduced on the House of Representative floor, meeting with Governor Walker around his many yards long conference table, or the many excellent questions and facts and figures shared, our team was so well received. Aides and legislators showed our young people and team kindness, genuine interest in schools, and affirmation about the diverse schools in KPBSD. Two KPBSD student leaders reflect on their experience:
Highlight of High School
“Going to Juneau was the highlight of my high-school experiences. Having the opportunity to go to the state capital building and seeing, first hand, how hard our government works for us opened my eyes to the challenges we, as a state, face. I was proud to be a part of a group with such a positive attitude and the ability to articulate the needs of not only our district but all the districts of our state. The respect we were shown as a group and on an individual basis by everyone we met, from the Commissioner of Education, the Governor of Alaska, to the members of the House and the Senate showed me the value of a student’s voice. I have personally been advocating for education for many years, I feel my voice was truly heard in Juneau. I had several legislators stop me in the halls of the capital building to tell me they appreciated my voice and the positive message the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District conveyed. Thank Goodness for the DREAM TEAM of three school board members, two students, a teacher, and our communications liaison!” – Sabrina Ferguson, Ninilchik School, KPBSD Information Committee Student Representative
My Experience
“I had the pleasure and honor of meeting with Representatives and Senators from across the state during the February legislative fly-in with the school board and youth advocacy institute. It was a great time, opened my eyes to so many different things, and an opportunity to promote our wonderful district. I realized that the representatives and senators love hearing from kids! They love hearing what we have to say, and what we think needs changed or improved. Our local school board is just such a wonderful group of people! I loved every moment and aspect of the time in Juneau, and I encourage any student who is reading this to get involved with our school board, and to take the time to write to your Representative and Senator and let them know what’s going on in your school!” – Calvin Mitzel, Soldotna High School, KPBSD Board of Education Student Representative
Alaska Association of School Boards website
KPBSD and The Legislature webpage

Governor Bill Walker meets with the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District in the Cabinet Room at the State Capitol in Juneau, Alaska, February 12, 2018. David Lienemann/Office of the Governor — Governor Bill Walker meets with the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District in the Cabinet Room at the State Capitol in Juneau, Alaska, February 12, 2018.
David Lienemann/Office of the Governor

KPBSD School “Safety Closure” information

KPBSD
School “Safety Closure” information

After extensive research and study of historical and recent school safety incidents, the U.S. Department of Education issued a new document with new guidelines for school safety entitled “Guide For Developing High-Quality School Emergency Operation Plans.” One of the major findings was that the lone option to lockdown was no longer enough. It was stressed that “as the situation develops, it is possible that students and staff will need to use more than one option.” In order to give our staff and students more options to protect themselves, KPBSD adopted the ALICE protocols to be used when the presence of a violent intruder necessitates a “Safety Closure.” ALICE is an acronym for:
ALERT
Use Plain and Specific Language. Avoid Code Words
Get the word out! Notify authorities and those in harm’s way of the danger at hand. The objective is a conveyance of plain, clear, concise and accurate information, not an issuance of a command. The goal is to empower as many individuals as possible with the ability to make an informed decision as to their best option to maximize their chances of survival!
LOCKDOWN
Barricade the Room. Silence Mobile Devices. Prepare to EVACUATE or COUNTER if Needed
Locking down and barricading entry points may still be the best option in some situations. The noise of cell phones and phone conversations could put students and staff in danger so all mobile devices should be silenced. ALICE training includes instruction on practical techniques to assist in better barricading the room. Pre-Planning and obtaining of materials can improve the ability to barricade. The time in Lockdown can be used to prepare for the use of different protocols (i.e. Counter or Evacuate) as the incident proceeds and situational information is supplied.
INFORM
Communicate the Intruder’s Location in Real Time
Inform is a continuation of Alert and uses any means available to pass on real-time information.
Communicate real-time updates throughout the incident to those involved. This can be accomplished through the use of video surveillance equipment, public address systems, or electronic updates. Updates during an incident allow those involved to make sound decisions about how to react and what steps, if any, to take next. Information should always be clear, direct and, as much as possible, should communicate the whereabouts of the intruder. Effective information can keep the intruder off balance, giving people in the school more time to further lockdown, or evacuate to safety.
COUNTER
Create Noise, Movement, Distance and Distraction
This protocol is used only as a “last-resort” or “worst-case” option if those involved have not been able to find a secured area, or their secure area has been breached. Staff and students are trained in disruptive actions that create noise, movement, and distance to distract, confuse, and gain control through age appropriate tactics. ALICE does not endorse civilians fighting an active shooter, but when confronted directly in a life-and-death situation, individuals should use any actions necessary to defend themselves.
EVACUATE
When Safe To Do So, Remove Yourself From Danger Zone
The goal is to safely put as much time and distance between the threat and our staff and students as possible. The decision to evacuate can be made at any time during the incident based upon information that becomes available. Evacuating to a safe area takes people out of harm’s way and hopefully prevents civilians from having to come into any contact with an intruder. Evacuation is the number one goal! When Evacuation is one of multiple protocols that are safely available, Evacuation should be the first choice.
It is important to understand that these protocols are age appropriate, not sequential or chronological, and those involved have the ability to change protocols as an incident progresses.
KPBSD’s change to the use of A.L.I.C.E. protocols has been done in conjunction with our local law enforcement agencies. These agencies also participate in the training of staff and students.

KPBSD School Safety Closure information flyer
KPBSD webpage http://bit.ly/SchoolDelaysOrClosures

KPBSD Emergency Guidelines for Parents and Guardians

Parents and guardians, school safety is a top priority in the KPBSD. It’s important for you to know what to do before, during, and after a school emergency, weather related delay start, or school closure. Kindly read KPBSD Emergency Guidelines for Parents and Guardians. KPBSD regularly practices safety drills in schools, and includes law enforcement in our ALICE trainings for school emergencies. School delays and closures protocol.

Before A School Emergency

PARENTS NEED TO BE PREPARED
Contact information entered in PowerSchool is used to make emergency contact with parents. So that KPBSD can keep you informed, make sure your child’s emergency contact information is accurate, current, and updated as needed. That information may be used during an emergency to generate automated phone messages, emails, or text messages to parents from schools or the district office. Parents need to go to the school office to update and sign their information.

Download the KPBSD Mobile App so you can automatically receive emergency update push notifications
Become familiar with the KPBSD Facebook and Twitter social media sites where emergency information is posted

PARENTS NEED TO BE INFORMED
Familiarize yourself with these KPBSD emergency terms and procedures:

Stay Put: A “stay put” takes place when a potential threat is identified in the school’s neighborhood. All school doors are locked but classes continue inside as normal. No entry into or exit from the school is allowed. Students will not be released until the situation is resolved and the “stay put” has been rescinded.
Safety Closure: A “safety closure” takes place when a violent intruder is identified on school grounds or in the school building. The ALICE protocols will be followed. No entry into or exit from the school is allowed. Students will not be released until the situation is resolved and the “safety closure” has been rescinded.
Shelter-In-Place: A “shelter-in-place” takes place when students take refuge in designated areas to be protected from hazardous materials or severe weather. Entry or exit from the schools will be controlled.
Evacuation: In the event of certain building emergencies, students will be relocated to an appropriate evacuation assembly area. Students will be released to parents per district student release procedures.

During A School Emergency

PARENTS AND GUARDIANS

Should trust that during an emergency the school and district is first doing what is needed to protect students, and then communicating to parents as quickly as possible when we have full and accurate information.
Should trust that staff and students are prepared for emergency situations. Schools participate in emergency drills throughout the year, and staff and emergency responders know the best procedures for keeping students safe.
SHOULD NOT call or rush to your child’s school
Phone lines, staff, and local roads are needed for emergency response efforts.
SHOULD NOT phone or text your child
The sound or vibration from cell phones and phone conversations could put students in danger. Also, students need to be paying attention to the instructions from trained staff. Conflicting instructions from parents may put a child’s safety at risk.

After a School Emergency

HOW WILL I BE REUNITED WITH MY CHILD?
Parents and guardians will be directed by school or public safety officials to their child’s specific location. This information will be distributed via the previously discussed emergency modes of communication. Students will be released ONLY to parents and guardians or other designated individuals who are documented as emergency contacts. All individuals will be required to present a valid picture ID such as a driver’s license, military ID, or passport. Please remember to bring your ID with you and inform your child’s emergency contacts that they will be required to show proper identification if they are picking up your child.
The reunification process can be time-consuming, so everyone is urged to be patient.
RECOVERY
Following an emergency, we encourage parents to:

Listen to and acknowledge your child’s concerns
Provide reassurance that your child is safe
Assure your child that additional prevention efforts are being put in place
Seek help from school personnel or a mental health professional if concerns persist

Should your child have serious concerns in response to an emergency or crisis, contact your school directly for information and guidance.
Questions?: Please contact your school principal or office.

Link: KPBSD dedicated webpage: School Delays or Closures

Everyone can learn, starting with newborns!

News Release

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.

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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Facebook Live Q and A with Superintendent Dusek

You’re invited to a
Facebook LIVE Q & A
with KPBSD Superintendent Sean Dusek

Tuesday, January 23, 2018
7:00 – 7:30 p.m.

How-to watch:

It’s simple. Go to the KPBSD Facebook page on 1/23/18, 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 the first in a series to expand the KPBSD Key Communicator program, engaging our people and publics with conversation, and offering accurate stories, information, and responses to questions about the KPBSD. 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.

How RESPONSIVE fits into the KPBSD educational strategy

Four key areas define the KPBSD five year strategic plan. In this two minute video, Superintendent Sean Dusek explains how Responsive is a core element:

Learn more about the KPBSD 2017 – 2022 Strategic Plan

Video text
Hello! This is Sean Dusek and today we are going to examine what Responsiveness means in KPBSD.
As you know, we are working hard to refine our instructional approach for each student in our schools. With that being said, our foundational philosophy is still centered on the concept of a strong, positive relationship between every teacher and each of their students. In order to strengthen this foundation, our teachers believe that every student can learn and hold high expectations for that learning. A growth mindset for all teachers and students is critical.
The Alaska State Standards define what each student should know. Our teachers understand what engages each student through the foundation of a strong, positive relationship. This allows teachers to build assessments tailored to each student to determine if they are proficient in a given standard. The assessment is very likely much more than a test and is relevant to the individual child.
If a student cannot demonstrate proficiency on a given standard, we respond in a variety of ways with that individual. The learning environment is of the highest quality with specific interventions and a wide-variety of instructional practices that fit what an individual child needs, when they need it. If a student easily demonstrates proficiency, we respond with other opportunities for growth that expands the depth of knowledge for the child.
Overall, KPBSD responsiveness is about the instructional environment and expanding the quality of it for each individual. This will take outstanding and focused professional learning opportunities for teachers and leaders as the instructional toolbox is deepened to optimize student learning.
Thank you!
Responsive: Be immersed in a high quality instructional environment:

Prioritize strong, positive relationships with all students to support their social and emotional needs
Teachers will utilize a repertoire of high-yield instructional strategies that are research-based, high quality instructional strategies, within the instructional environment
Develop a culture of continuous innovation within all schools across the district
Professional learning is embedded and ongoing, resulting in continuous growth and innovation
Develop a highly reliable and efficient organization through online and concurrent collaboration tools

Links

Celebrate Audra Faris, NNS music teacher

School Band and Orchestra SBO 20^th Annual “50 Directors Who Make a Difference” in 2017!

Audra Faris, Nikiski North Star Elementary music teacher, represents Alaska!

“I feel quite honored and totally undeserving of this award. Somewhere, some kind soul nominated me for this modern band award. I am thankful that someone noticed I was doing modern band. It is not nearly as popular as concert band is in elementary schools. In fact, I think I am the only modern band teacher for elementary level in our district. But the kiddos love it! Our “rock band” is very successful. Kids get to play the tunes they know and enjoy, and it is very fun for me as well. Rockin’ out is a new concept for this classically trained singer and music teacher! I have to say jamming on the drum kit is my favorite!”

School Band and Orchestra Magazine asked Ms. Faris a few questions, and shares her responses online

What is your proudest moment as an educator?

“I have had several. Whenever a student is smiling and enjoying themselves while performing, I am thrilled. There are thousands of those little moments that happen, not only during a performance, but while they are here in the classroom. But most of all, when a student continues music beyond my classroom, it lets me know that I have planted a seed in their hearts and sparked an interest that may not have been there before.”

How do you hope to make a difference in students’ lives?

“I want students to enjoy music. I want them to experience something really cool here in my classroom that makes them stop and say, “Wow, that was fun,” or “Wow, that makes me want to know more!” Music should be more than just a break from the regular classroom, it should be an enlightening adventure to exposing a part of who they already are. It should be a compliment to the wonderful person they are inside!”

What’s the most important lesson that you try to teach your students?

“Truly, it is that music is in everything. It is hard to imagine our daily lives without music: a radio in the morning on our way to work, the school song on the intercom, the students sharing their favorite artists and songs. But music goes beyond that. It is in the fluency of which we read and talk. It is the counting rules and fractions in math, it is our history that brought about many changes in our culture and diversity. Music is in everything. I talk often with my students about how what we are learning fits in to what they are already experiencing. It is not a hard bridge to cross. Rhythm, improvisation, theory, melody, playing an instrument and all that music encompasses can be sewn into a lesson pertaining to our daily routines and lives.”
Mrs. Gilman, Nikiski North Star Elementary principal said, “We are so excited and proud for her! Since she has been at NNS she has started a modern (rock) band and continued to develop the concert band. In addition, she has now started an after school choir. In terms of engagement, 68% of our fourth and fifth graders started band last fall and played at the spring concert in May. That is a tremendous level of participation for something they have to miss part of recess to pursue!”
http://sbomagazine.com/

How-to measure KPBSD student success #KPI

KPBSD measures student and organizational success with multiple Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
Superintendent Sean Dusek explains in short two minute video:

Learn more about the KPBSD 2017 – 2022 Strategic Plan, and KPBSD KPIs

Video text:
Hello! Sean Dusek here with you again today to continue our discussion on the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Strategic Plan.
The focus of this video is on what our district measures to determine organization success. We call these measures Key Performance Indicators. With such a diverse school district we monitor a wide range of data points that are meaningful to not only the district, but to local communities.
First, we monitor academic performance very closely at all grade levels. This includes how students perform in relation to the Alaska State Standards. Most of these measures are classroom based and our teachers use a wide variety of assessments to ensure students are growing on a daily basis.
Attendance is a very important indicator we monitor as we have seen that students who are at school more than 90% of the time perform at a high level in school. While this seems intuitive, we have many students who struggle to get to school for a lot of different reasons and we do our best to support families to be in school every day with a positive and safe learning environment.
Another area that we monitor is a student’s participation in school and the community. Research has shown that school and community connection provides additional supports for a student as they go through a wide variety of experiences. We call these wrap around services to provide safety nets to promote student resilience, work ethic and empathy. These characteristics are highly valued by employers as they are looking for people who can work with others, overcome challenges, be optimistic and think.
We have several other indicators we monitor and I encourage you to take a look at our district dashboard on our website for more information. All of the indicators we currently have are grounded in research and give us a snapshot of how our district, schools and even individual students are doing throughout a school year. We will provide updates on progress with these indicators periodically and utilize the information to make adjustments to better meet the needs of our students.

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