Category: News Release

Caution: student safety traveling to and from school

PrintSoldotna, November 12, 2014—This morning, November 12, 2014, an elementary age student was taken to Central Peninsula Hospital with what appears to be a non-life-threatening injury, after being struck by a passenger vehicle near K-Beach Road in Soldotna, while walking to a bus stop.
Student safety is always the district’s top priority. In response to this accident, KPBSD will review what took place this morning and then as necessary, take corrective action. If you have concerns about other bus stops and routes to schools, please contact either KPBSD transportation at 907-714-8824, or First Student, our bus transportation provider, at 907-260-3557.
SAFETY REMINDER: With the late sunrise and early sunset, many of our students are traveling to and from school in the dark. The lack of light and snow may make it difficult to see students. Parents: safety and reflective tape is available from Kenai Peninsula Safe Kids—please make sure your child is visible at bus stops and while walking or riding a bicycle. Reflective tape on jackets, backpacks, and caps is helpful! Drivers: please watch out for students, and slowdown in school zones.
TIP: Contact Jane Fellman with Kenai Peninsula Safe Kids if you would like to receive free reflective tape or a reflective zipper pull tab for your child’s jacket, backpack, or cap. The reflective tape increases visibility. Call 907-714-4539, or email safekids@cpgh.org.
Links

Walk your child to school KPBSD

Candlelight Vigil for homeless youth and families

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District News ReleasePrint
Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, 907.714.8888

Candlelight Vigil for homeless youth and families

Soldotna, November 5, 2014—Families and unaccompanied youth are homeless on the peninsula. An invisible reality to most residents, the number 253 is important. Would it surprise you to know that 253 is the average number of students who are homeless in the KPBSD Students In Transition (SIT) program, and attending a KPBSD school?
The community is invited to learn more at an annual candlelight vigil for homeless youth and families:

Thursday, November 13, 2014

6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Farnsworth Park

Birch Street, Soldotna, Alaska

Guest speaker Dr. Steve Atwater, KPBSD superintendent, will help raise awareness about the reality of homelessness on the Kenai Peninsula. Music will be provided by Beau Miller and Scott Lazaros. Please dress for the weather.
The SIT program has enrolled 138 students since the start of the school year, which is thirty-three percent higher than last year at this time. In the central peninsula, 111 youth are enrolled, and thirteen are unaccompanied youth, while ninety-eight are with a family unit. In the southern peninsula, twenty-seven students are enrolled, eighteen are unaccompanied youth, and nine are with a family unit.
“One of our more persistent challenges is serving our students in transition,” said Dr. Steve Atwater, superintendent. “The good work of our students in transition coordinator Kelly King and our Students in Transition Facebook page are helping us to meet this challenge. The public vigil is a good opportunity for all of us to stop and reflect on our students in transition. I trust that each of these students will benefit from this attention.”
2014 Candlelight Vigil Poster PDF with disclaimerAbout KPBSD Students in Transition (SIT) program
Students experiencing homelessness are provided assistance through two KPBSD homeless liaisons. This program’s primary purpose is to ensure that educational programs for students are not interrupted while they are in transition. In order to facilitate helping our communities grow in awareness and advocacy, KPBSD created a Facebook page to provide updates and resources. Please like and share, KPBSD Students in Transition.
The SIT program provides KPBSD Pre-K to12th grade students:
• An advocate to help students and families find the resources they need in the community for food, shelter, clothing, transportation, and permanent housing
• Free school lunches
• School supplies
• Immediate school enrollment
• Paperwork assistance to secure school documents
• Special academic support if needed
• Local referrals to other agencies
Eligible families or youth are those who lack a stable, adequate, and permanent place to sleep at night. If you or someone you know is sleeping in a motel, a camper, a tent, couch-surfing, or living with friends or relatives then this program can help.
KPBSD Students in Transition program contacts 
Kelly King, homeless liaison, serving Central Peninsula, Seward and Tyonek schools, kking@kpbsd.k12.ak.us, 907.714.8869
Jane Dunn, homeless liaison, serving Southern Peninsula schools and Ninilchik,
jdunn@kpbsd.k12.ak.us, 907.226.1890
Links

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Homeless vigil 2011
 

Nanwalek School to receive 1:1 technology via Apple and ConnectED

Kenai Peninsula Borough School DistrictPrint
Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, 907.714.8888
News Release

Nanwalek School receives Apple and ConnectEd grant

Soldotna, October 31, 2014—One of 114 schools in the country, and the only school in Alaska, our KPBSD school in Nanwalek, serving 79 students in kindergarten through twelfth grade, will receive an Apple grant as part of the national ConnectED program. This award enables Nanwalek School to provide a comprehensive 1:1 technology solution for every student and teacher, including Apple hardware, software, and services.
Instructional practices and student learning at Nanwalek School will radically change as a result of this initiative to receive iPads for each student in the following ways:

  1. Students and teachers will be introduced to a new level of technology that they have not previously experienced in the village or school. This experience will be enhanced by faster Internet was installed by the district through ACS in September
  2. Academic core learning will be strengthened through resources and e-books on the devices
  3. This grant includes professional development for teachers in differentiation to strengthen core instruction, and intervention processes to increase achievement

“I am thrilled to learn that Nanwalek School is a recipient of an Apple ConnectEd Grant, said Steve Atwater, superintendent. “I am confident that the infusion of technology into the classrooms and professional development for the staff will lead to an increase in student engagement and in turn academic achievement. Thanks to Principal Nancy Kleine and Director Jim White for all their work to make this happen.”
We continually seek ways to engage students in instruction, and trust that having this exciting technology will attract students to school and increase attendance,” said Principal Nancy Kleine. “This type of learning is interactive and focused, and students will learn the necessary skills to be effective members of society.”
“We believe that the young minds and young innovators of tomorrow should have every opportunity to realize their potential through today’s powerful learning tools,” states the Apple website. “It’s important to us that our contribution to ConnectED makes a difference for students and communities who need it the most. We’ve chosen to provide our support to schools where at least 96 percent of the students are eligible for the free or reduced-price lunch program. Despite their economic challenges, these schools share a vision of what their students’ lives would be like with Apple technology.”
Links

News Release: KPBSD 2014_10_31_Nanwalek School Awarded Apple ConnectEd grant
Nanwalek 3x2Apple
 

Assistant Superintendent Dusek will take over district leadership December 1, 2014

Kenai Peninsula Borough School DistrictPrint
Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, 907.714.8888

News Release
Assistant Superintendent Dusek will take over district leadership December 1, 2014

Soldotna, October 23, 2014—At the October 20, 2014, Board of Education meeting, the school board, “unanimously approved a Contract Amendment for the Interim Superintendent.” Thus, current assistant superintendent Sean Dusek will become the superintendent of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District effective December 1, 2014.
Board president Joe Arness said, “The KPBSD school board is proud and happy Mr. Sean Dusek accepted the position of interim superintendent. We consider ourselves fortunate, indeed, to have someone with his credentials and abilities already on staff and ready to assume the leadership of our district.”

Sean Dusek, Assistant Superintendent, presents to all staff at opening inservice. August 2014
Sean Dusek, Assistant Superintendent, presents to all staff at opening inservice. August 2014

In an email to all employees on October 21, 2014, Mr. Dusek wrote, “KPBSD is widely perceived as strong and innovative. I truly believe that. I have been a part of this district for more than 22 years and am deeply committed to our students, staff, community, mission and vision. My wife, Lynn, and I are proud parents of two children who have been in our school system from the start of their public education. Lynn is also a graduate and retired, long-time teacher from our system. We have witnessed first-hand the dedication and effort the KPBSD staff demonstrates on a daily basis to meet the needs of all students. … I believe our district has the will to catch greatness, and as your superintendent, I will work to make that vision a reality, serving every child, every day, for a better tomorrow.”
“I am pleased that the Board has chosen Mr. Dusek to be our district’s interim superintendent,” said Steve Atwater, superintendent. “Sean brings a wealth of knowledge about KPBSD and a good understanding of each of our initiatives to make his transition to superintendent a smooth one.”
Links
KPBSD website: Assistant superintendent of instruction Dusek
October 23, 2014: KPBSD: New KPBSD Interim superintendent is Sean Dusek
September 9, 2014: School board offers interim superintendent position to Sean Dusek
August 4, 2014: Superintendent Atwater announces his resignation 
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Teens: are you thinking about going to college or a university?

News ReleasePrint
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, 907.714.8888

College fair for teens coming to the Kenai Peninsula
Juniors and seniors: Want to attend college, but not quite sure where?

Soldotna, October 10, 2014—Don’t drive to Anchorage or fly to the lower 48. High school teens can meet face-to-face with representatives from 40 plus educational institutions, during the fifth annual Kenai Peninsula College Fair. It’s free, no appointments are needed, and KPBSD will provide transportation for our students.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014
10:00 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Soldotna Sports Center
Soldotna, Alaska

“We are excited to have so many post-secondary institutions visiting our district to meet with our students,” said Sean Dusek, assistant superintendent of instruction. “This partnership allows our students to explore their college and career aspirations in a convenient and safe location. This is due to the large number of students in our district that are qualified for post-secondary education.”

Specifics
KPBSD juniors and seniors will attend with their schools. To attend, KPBSD students need to sign-up with their school counselor. Our Connections Homeschool students, IDEA and Cook Inlet Academy students can sign-in at the door. Students and parents can learn more about scholarships, loans, state and federal financial aid programs at the Financial Aid booth.
Confirmed educational institutions
Alaska Christian College, Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education, Alaska Pacific University, AVTEC – Alaska’s Institute of Technology, California Baptist University, Central Washington University, Colorado State University, Corban University, Eastern Oregon University, Eastern Washington University, Grove City College, Gustavus Adolphus College, Humboldt State University, Idaho State University, Kenai Peninsula College, Lewis & Clark College, Lincoln College of Technology, Linfield College, Mayville State University, Montana State University, Montana Tech, Northern Arizona University, Northern Industrial Training, Oregon Coast Culinary Institute, Oregon Institute of Technology, Pacific Lutheran University, Peninsula College, South Dakota State University, Southern Oregon University, Southwestern Oregon University, The Art Institutes, The College of Idaho, Universal Technical Institute, University of Alaska – Anchorage, University of Alaska – Fairbanks, University of Alaska – Southeast, University of California – Davis, University of Hawaii at Manoa, University of Idaho, University of Portland, Utah State University, Western Washington University.
Link
College Fair, http://bit.ly/KenaiPeninsulaCollegeFair
News Release:  KPBSD_2014_10_10_College Fair Comes to the Kenai
2014 college fair poster

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2014 college fair

Budget development: $160 million for public education on the Kenai?

Kenai Peninsula Borough School DistrictPrint
Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, 907.714.8888
News Release

$160 million for public education on the Kenai?

Soldotna, September 29, 2014—Does the bottom line in a $160 million+ budget matter to you?
These are the top three reasons to ink the date for the districtwide KPBSD budget development meeting, coming to a school near you, Thursday, October 9, 2014, at 6:00 p.m.

  1. Up front learning how KPBSD crafts an award-winning, multi-million dollar budget, every year
  2. Give your opinion about budget areas to reduce and increase in 2015-2016. What matters, what doesn’t?
  3. Q & R: question and response opportunity

“The district is again facing a fiscal gap for FY16 that may result in recommendations to our school board to reduce expenditures,” said Dr. Steve Atwater, superintendent. “I encourage the public to use this meeting as an opportunity to learn about this fiscal tension and to think in terms of what we can do differently to produce a balanced budget.”

Thursday, October 9, 2014, 6:00 p.m., via MS Lync, parents, staff, community members, and elected officials are invited to attend at these KPBSD school sites:

Chapman School – HMS library; Connections Homeschool – Main office; Cooper Landing – Room 4; Fireweed Academy – HMS library; Homer High School – HMS library; Homer Middle School – Library; Hope – Room 4; K-Beach Elementary – Room 18; Kachemak-Selo – HMS library; Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science – Library; Kenai Central High School – Library; Kenai Middle School – Library; McNeil Canyon – HMS library; Moose Pass – SWHS music room; Mountain View Elementary – KMS Library; Nanwalek – recording will be shown 10/14; Nikiski North Star – NMHS library; Nikiski Middle/High School – Library; Nikolaevsk – Library; Ninilchik – Library; Paul Banks – HMS library; Port Graham – recording will be shown 10/16; Razdolna – HMS library; River City Academy – library; Redoubt Elementary – Library; Seward Elementary – SWHS music room; Seward Middle School – SWHS music room; Seward High School – music room; Skyview Middle School – Staff lounge; Soldotna Elementary – Library; Soldotna High School – Room 24; Soldotna Prep – Library; Sterling Elementary – Room 161A; Susan B. English – Commons area; Tebughna – Room 1; Tustumena Elementary – Multipurpose room; Voznesenka – MHS library; and West Homer Elementary – HMS library.

money“Our yearly budget is one of the most important things we do each year,” said Dave Jones, assistant superintendent of instructional support. “As such, we like to give our students, parents, staff, and community members a chance to participate and offer input. The meeting on October 9, will be the first step in the process to develop the FY16 budget and we hope to see a large turnout at all our schools across the district.”
Participant input will be synthesized and presented to the KPBSD school board during a work session on October 21, 2014.
Link
KPBSD Finance Department
News Release: KPBSD_2014_09_29_District Budget Development Meetings

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Meet students with disabilities in Project SEARCH school-to-work program open house

Kenai Peninsula Borough School DistrictPrint
Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, 907.714.8888
News Release

Project SEARCH open house is September 29, 2014

Soldotna, September 26, 2014—What takes place when a school district and hospital collaborate to create a business-led, one-year, school-to-work program for students with disabilities? Join KPBSD and Central Peninsula Hospital for the third annual Project SEARCH High School Transition Program open house and find out about a life-changing opportunity happening in our community.

Monday, September 29, 2014
5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Denali Room, Central Peninsula Hospital
Soldotna, Alaska

Families, educators, partner organizations, and community members are invited

  • Meet three student interns who will showcase learning from their respective internship rotations
  • Talk with the teacher and job coach
  • Meet the hospital job mentors
  • Presentation of a national Project SEARCH award based on employment outcomes, by Patrick Reinhart, director of public policy, Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education
  • Light refreshments will be served

Dr. Steve Atwater, KPBSD superintendent said, “One of our on-going challenges is to ensure that our students with disabilities make a smooth transition to life after high school. Project SEARCH is thus, a wonderful way to help us meet this challenge.”
The Project SEARCH High School Transition Program is a total workplace immersion, facilitating a seamless combination of classroom instruction, career exploration, and relevant job-skills training through strategically designed internships. Through a series of three targeted internships the students acquire competitive, marketable, and transferable skills. Students also build communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills which is important to their overall development as a young worker. The goal: independent adults prepared for competitive employment opportunities.
Kenai Peninsula Project SEARCH is made possible through the collaborative efforts of Project SEARCH Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Central Peninsula Hospital, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, the Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and Frontier Community Services.
Links

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2013-2014 Project SEARCH
2013-2014 Project SEARCH

It's time to ShakeOut and “Drop, Cover, and Hold On”

Kenai Peninsula Borough School DistrictPrint
Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, 907.714.8888

News Release
Shake out, don’t freak out earthquake drill is 10/16 at 10:16 a.m.

Soldotna, September 17, 2014—Schools in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District will participate in the Great Alaska ShakeOut “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” earthquake drill on Thursday, October 16, 2014, at 10:16 a.m.
 KPBSD students and staff join more than 66,000 Alaskans who already registered to participate. Dave Jones, assistant superintendent of instructional support, said, “We need to be prepared for incidents we hope never happen, but if they do, we can minimize the danger to our students, staff, and community.” Earthquake preparation and the proper “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” technique is valuable safety education for our students and employees. We will also practice a radio check-in to the district office from each of our schools following this earthquake drill.
Please encourage Alaska businesses and families to also participate.
Resources, including audio clips for the drill, are available online at: http://www.shakeout.org/alaska/ 

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To attain a high school diploma: take a College or Career Ready assessment

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Print
Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, 907.714.8888

NEWS RELEASE
College and Career Ready Assessments replace HSGQE

Soldotna, September 17, 2014—Students no longer need to take and pass the High School Graduation Qualifying Exam (HSGQE) to earn a high school diploma. In May, 2014, the Alaska State Legislature repealed the HSGQE requirement with the enactment of HB 278.
Students must now take a College or Career Ready Assessment in order to attain a high school diploma. The state determined the career ready assessment will be the WorkKeys job skills assessment system, and the college ready assessment portion will be a choice of either the American College Test (ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).
Action by October 15, 2014
The State of Alaska will pay for an eleventh grade student to take one of the three assessments. School counselors or principals will work with KPBSD juniors to support their test choice, and assist them through the registration process prior to October 15, 2015.
ACT and WorkKeys assessment during the school day
KPBSD district high schools will continue to administer WorkKeys, as they have for the past several years. KPBSD high schools will now also administer the ACT during the school day. School day administration of the WorkKeys and ACT at school sites will occur on these dates:
• WorkKeys assessments will be administered at schools during a testing window from November 10, 2014, to February 13, 2015
• ACT testing will occur at schools on Tuesday, March 3, 2015, with a make-up date of Tuesday, March 31, 2015
SAT assessment testing
Students can choose to take the SAT at a SAT approved national test center, and it will be paid with a state voucher. The SAT voucher administration will be on Saturday, January 24, 2015. These approved national testing centers will administer SAT and ACT:
• Kenai Peninsula College (both SAT and ACT)
• Seward High School (both SAT and ACT)
• Homer High School (both SAT and ACT)
• Ninilchik High School (SAT only)
• Susan B. English School in Seldovia (SAT only)
Students may continue to take both the SAT and ACT, and take them as many times as they choose at a national test center site. However, the State of Alaska will only pay for one test administration of either the WorkKeys, SAT, or ACT.
Questions?
Parents and students can contact their school counseling department or school principal.
Link
HB 278
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News Release: School board offers interim superintendent position to Sean Dusek

News Release: Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Print
Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, 907.714.8888

School board makes next move for district leadership

Soldotna, September 9, 2014—During the KPBSD Board of Education meeting on Monday, September 8, 2014, in Homer, Alaska, board member Navarre moved that the school board authorize the board president to offer Mr. Sean Dusek the position of interim superintendent, and negotiate the terms of said employment. Board member Hohl seconded.

“The KPBSD school board is proud and happy to be offering the position of interim superintendent to Mr. Sean Dusek,” said Joe Arness, board president. “We consider ourselves fortunate, indeed, to have someone with his credentials and abilities already on staff and ready to assume the leadership of our district during this transition process. Decisions regarding timing and scope relative to a permanent search will now be made in the absence of at least some of the time pressures.”
Mr. Dusek, the current KPBSD assistant superintendent of instruction, said, “I am honored to be offered the position of interim superintendent of our district. I look forward to meeting with President Arness to discuss the terms of the offer.”

Next steps

  • The school board president and Mr. Dusek will meet
  • The school board would take action at an upcoming board meeting to approve an interim superintendent contract for the remainder of the 2014-2015 fiscal year, effective December 1, 2014
  • By January 2015, the school board will determine the scope and timing of next steps to hire a superintendent for the 2015-2016 school year and beyond
  • Further updates will be shared with staff and the public as decisions are made

Links
September 9, 2014: School Board offers interim superintendent position to Sean Dusek
KPBSD website: Assistant superintendent of instruction Dusek
August 4, 2014: Superintendent Atwater announces his resignation

Sean Dusek, Assistant Superintendent, presents to all staff at opening inservice. August 2014
Sean Dusek, Assistant Superintendent, presents to all staff at opening inservice. August 2014

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