Students at Seward High School are using their greenhouse to supply the school with healthy greens, which provides essential nutrients and supports the local student body. Greenhouse preparations began in November and planting started the first week of January. Seeds were planted a week apart in order to have a sustained yield, which means the students can harvest every week. The first batch of lettuce was delivered on Wednesday, February 11, 2015, and demand exceeded supply.
By utilizing the greenhouse, students can extend the growing season in Alaska throughout the winter. The project will conclude before the spring term ends. The greenhouse is an interactive way of getting greens locally, which is fresher, cleaner, and helps consumers know what is put into their food. This is project-based experiential learning. It helps students in finance with business planning, students in environmental science with agricultural understanding, and students in statistics with concepts and data.
–Story contributed by George Reising, Seward High School math and science teacher
Category: School Stories
Huskies collect cans
Homer Middle School Huskies shared the love during the Month of February to give back to the community and to show their spirit. The students at Homer Middle School partnered with the Homer Food Pantry to collect and donate 765 cans and other non-perishable items. The Student Government sponsored the event; Mrs. Jen Booz’s class won a pizza party for their class donation of 195 cans. In addition to the food drive, Student Government sponsored an ice cream fundraiser to purchase a gift card for Angelica Haakenson, a fellow student from Chapman School involved in a car accident earlier this year.
Chapman School students head outside for service learning
Chapman School Charitable Works
The eighth grade class in working on a documentary about the good that the Chapman School students do. The main focus of the documentary is about a field trip in late September. During the field trip, the students erected a new trail. That required clearing out the path, hauling the wood a quarter mile up a hill, then laying out and constructing the boardwalk.
Not only did we build a trail, we built a new outhouse. A lot had to be done to build the outhouse: first, the hole was dug, the wood was gathered and transport-ed, then the wood was measured and cut, a couple nailed the boards to put the walls together, then the ground where the hole was had to be leveled, after that, the walls were put up. We were not able to complete the outhouse, but we helped them a lot. Please stay tuned for the documentary.
Contributed by Garrett Cooper
10K benefits Seward Elementary classroom instruction
$10,000 Worth of Gifts Arrive at Seward Elementary
The gifts have arrived, and teachers at Seward Elementary School are very excited about integrating all the new equipment into their lessons. After receiving a $10,000 gift for computer hardware from the education non-profit organization, Code.Org, teachers selected items that would enhance classroom instruction, especially S.T.E.M. lessons. For example, the new 3D printer by MakerBot will allow students to engineer tangible solutions to simple real-world problems, design their fix in SketchUp, then print the object out!
Third grade teachers are thrilled to have 28 new Chromebooks for their students. These are a cross between a notebook and a laptop, and they run without fans—allowing for stackable storage. The Chromebooks use Google for education applications, which KPBSD supports for all teachers and students.
“The third grade classes are looking forward to using the Chromebooks,” said Erin Flowers, a third grade teacher. “These devices will provide extra opportunities for our students to prepare for AMP tests, improve fluency in reading and math, as well as provide the technological foundation required for continuous improvement in technology skills.”
Excitement stems from the possibilities that the new web cameras give each teacher, too. Leigh Ray, a second grade teacher, explained how websites such as www.epals.com allow teachers to connect with other classrooms around the globe—making contact based on age, academic unit of study, or other similar purposes.
Several other items rounded out the gifts received, including mp3 players, a new digital projector, and document cameras. With these new tools, students at Seward Elementary are definitely receiving a leading-edge, twenty-first century education.
Many thanks to Hadi Partovi, the CEO and co-founder of the education non-profit Code.org, for having the vision to bring computer science to every student in the United States, for instituting the now-famous Hour of Code, and for gifting Seward Elementary School with $10,000 of computer hardware.
Story contributed by David Kingsland, principal, Seward Elementary
Cooper Landing School celebrates achievement and performance
Cooper Landing School is recognized by The Alaska Department of Education & Early Development as one of 41 Alaska Reward Schools for the 2014-2015 school year honoring their performance from the 2013-2014 school year!
Cooper Landing School was recognized as one of 12 schools in the state of Alaska as a highest performing school and, for the second year in a row, as a high progress school!
On Wednesday, December 18, 2014, the Cooper Landing School and community gathered to celebrate a great accomplishment. Fifty to sixty community members, students, and staff came to a luncheon to celebrate this awesome achievement. Cooper Landing School recognizes that it takes the whole community to achieve this kind of success and we wanted to thank everyone for their hard work and support.
“It is a pleasure to announce Alaska’s Reward Schools for 2014-2015, an achievement shared by their families and educators,” said Alaska Education Commissioner Mike Hanley. “Reward Schools strive to meet the academic needs of all students, however large or small the school is. They support students’ progress toward the goals of college- and career-readiness and graduation. We congratulate them.”
“It was such a joy to share this celebration with everyone who help make this all possible. Congratulations and thank you to all who attended!” –Michael Hanson, principal
Read Alaska Reward Schools media release
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.
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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.
SoHi students construct building #skills
The Soldotna High School Construction class is building a 20 foot by 30 foot storage building near the new track and field area. Students assisted with the cement pour and will do the rest of the project from the slab up under the direct supervision and instruction of their teacher Mr. Doug Gordon. Construction is continuing throughout the school year with a completion date this spring.
Story contributed by Doug Gordon, Soldotna High School
SoHi serves up Family and Consumer Science classes
Soldotna High School is a leader in Family and Consumer Sciences, offering six courses: Nutrition, Culinary Arts, Child Development, Interior Design, Interpersonal Relationships, and Independent Living.
Many of these classes have articulation agreements with the University of Alaska where students can earn college credit. They also earn certifications in First Aid, CPR, AED, ServSafe, and their Alaska Foodworker card.
It is important to bridge our community and our students together. Our Family and Consumer Science students have over 15 community partnerships to learn about careers for future employment.
“My students inspire me because I learn so much from them. The greatest moment is watching them walk across the stage at graduation and knowing you were a part of that.” –Meggean Bos
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
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