Several staff members at Voznesenka School have diligently worked to create an environment that makes students feel connected to our school, rather than school being something they attend as a requirement. Making aesthetic modifications to the facility, offering additional courses of interest, implementing a school-wide student management system and providing opportunities for our students to participate in cocurricular activities are some of the approaches we have used to produce this transformation. To the outside eye our most visible changes are the athletic opportunities we now offer our students.
Two years ago our school only had a few intramural activities available to students. Next year, we will have four ASAA sanctioned sports available at Voznesenka School, as well as a few activities for our elementary and middle school students. These opportunities bring a sense of pride, belonging and commitment to Voznesenka. Since the school is the only public entity in our village, it has been challenging to increase school-community interaction. Sporting events have opened new doors of communication among staff, students, and community members through attendance at games and meets.
Increased cocurricular opportunities are also positive persuaders for students’ academic accomplishments. Grade checks keep our athletes motivated to meet school and district expectations. Participation in practice and games is dependent on attendance, which positivity impacts students’ time in school. Furthermore, athletics will encourage more students to graduate from Voznesenka School.
We are proud of the student-centered initiatives shaping the culture of Voznesenka School. Striving to meet the needs of our students is our first priority, which does give them a sense of belonging. Continued efforts will enhance the engagement of students at their school.
Story contributed by Principal Michael Wojciak
Category: Sports
ASAA – Skyview students to determine school of eligibility for sports
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
contact: Pegge Erkeneff, 907.714.8888
News Release
Soldotna reconfiguration requires former Skyview students to determine school of eligibility for sports
Soldotna, May 14, 2014— Current 2013-2014 Skyview High School students must establish a new school of eligibility for interscholastic activities. One of two actions will determine the Alaska Schools Activity Association (ASAA) school of eligibility. In addition, ninth grade students who will attend Soldotna Prep (2014-2015) are only eligible to participate in ASAA activities as Soldotna High School students.
The ASAA has provided a one-time waiver from the “Transfer/Residency Rule” for Skyview students enrolled in 2013-2014, the final year of Skyview High School.
Students enrolled at Skyview High School (2013-2014) have the option of enrolling at any high school, and establishing a new school of eligibility of ASAA sports.
Students who were enrolled at Skyview High School at the conclusion of the 2013-2014 school year must establish a new school of eligibility in 2014-2015.
The school of eligibility is determined by one of these two actions, whichever occurs first:
- Fifteen (15) days of enrollment at any area high school establishes ASAA school of eligibility
- Attending the first day of practice, tryout, or interscholastic activity at any high school establishes ASAA school of eligibility at that school
Once a new school of eligibility is determined (by one of these two actions), if a student wants to transfer to a different school they are subject to the existing ASAA transfer rule. This means no participation in any ASAA school activity for ninety (90) school days.
Note:
- Students who attend Soldotna High School have already established Soldotna High School as their school of eligibility. (If a current Soldotna High School student wanted to transfer to a different school for ASAA eligibility, the “Transfer/Eligibility” rule applies, which requires no participation in ASAA activities for ninety (90) days.)
- Ninth grade students attending Soldotna Prep will only be eligible to participate in ASAA activities as Soldotna High School students.
- The special ASAA waiver only applies to students who attended Skyview High School in the 2013-2014 school year, and was approved due to the Soldotna schools reconfiguration.
“I am pleased that the ASAA Board put the best interests of students first in this unanimous vote,” said John O’Brien, director of secondary education and student activities. “Skyview’s students have been affected the most by the reconfiguration of Soldotna’s two high schools. They may now select a new school of eligibility without being subject to the ASAA transfer rules. It would have been unfair for Skyview’s students to be ineligible and have to sit out of interscholastic activities for 90 school days. Now these students can establish a new school of eligibility and continue on with interscholastic opportunities. I would like to personally thank Gary Matthews, ASAA executive director and the entire ASAA Board for working with KPBSD to best meet the needs of our Skyview students on this matter.”
Questions
If you have questions or concerns, contact John O’Brien, Director of Secondary Education and Student Activities, 907.714.8884, or email jobrien@kpbsd.org.
Links
information on KPBSD website: http://bit.ly/ASAAandSkyviewSportsEligibility
Alaska Schools Activity Association (ASAA)
Kenai Peninsula Student Activities Association (KPSAA)
PDF: KPBSD 2014_05_14_Soldotna high school reconfiguration and ASAA sports eligibility
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Region III Cross Country Running Championships scheduled at Seward High School relocated to Soldotna
KPBSD NEWS RELEASE
Region III Cross Country Championships relocated
Soldotna, September 21, 2012—The Region III Cross Country Running Championships scheduled for Saturday, September 22, 2012, at Seward High School has been moved to Skyview High School at the Tsalteshi Trails Wolverine Trailhead accessible from K-Beach Road, across from the Soldotna Sports Center. Race start time is 1:00, Saturday, September 22, 2012.
In the late afternoon on Thursday, September 20, 2012, after consulting with Kenai Peninsula Borough Emergency Services and other agencies working in the Seward area, a decision was made to change the venue. The decision was made in order to help facilitate logistics and safe transportation for all region teams who will participate, together with preparing the course at the new site. The City of Seward declared a state of emergency on Wednesday, September 19, 2012 at 1:15 p.m. in response to localized flooding.
Sixteen Alaska schools—including schools from Cordova, Kodiak, Valdez—are scheduled to compete in the Region III Championships. Athletes must compete in this event in order to qualify for the Alaska State Region III Cross Country Running Championships scheduled for Saturday, September 29, 2012, at Bartlett High School Trails in Anchorage.
The new meet director will be Skyview High School principal Randy Neill.
Everyone who has requested housing will now be housed at Skyview High.
Coaches’ meeting is 11:30 a.m. in the Skyview High School Library.
NOTE: The race will begin and end at Wolverine Trailhead located on K-Beach Road, approximately 1 mile from Sterling Highway in Soldotna. The parking at the trailhead is reserved for buses; additional parking is available across the street at the Soldotna Sports Center.
- Open Girls 1:00
- Open Boys 1:45
- 123A Girls 2:30
- 4A Girls 3:15
- 123A Boys 4:00
- 4A Boys 4:45
- Awards (location will be determined at the coaches meeting.)
This course is different than the Skyview Invitational course.
The Kenai Peninsula Step Out to Stop Diabetes 5K scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 22, 2012, at Skyview High School, Tsalteshi Trails will be held as planned. The course for this is not the same as the Region III Cross Country Running Championships.
Finally, it is with regret that Seward High School will not be hosting the Region III XC Championships. Principal Trevan Walker said, “First and foremost, I want to thank Sami King for all of her work with planning and logistics to host the Region III Cross Country Championships at Seward High School, and for her complete cooperation to get everything to Skyview High School. Ron Hemstock, Dan Marshall, and a fleet of parent volunteers braved our storm here in Seward to continue prepping the course, and we had a crew lined up for hospitality, among other logistics and preparation. I am happy to have colleagues like Skyview High School principal Randy Neill, and Kent Peterson, for taking this on with such short notice.”
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KPBSD media releases are online at this web page: http://bit.ly/MediaPublicRelationships
Athletes Dig Pink
The 2011 Dig Pink Volleyball Match between Soldotna High School STARS and Kenai Central High School Kardinals cleared $6,179.00! This is a record amount, and demonstrates what vision, sports, collaboration, and positive rivalry accomplishes.
2011 Dig Pink makes a difference for KCHS graduate
Cassie Walker graduated from Kenai Central High School in 2003. In May she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She’s had several surgeries and has gone through radiation treatment for the past six weeks. Her radiation treatment and surgeries went very well, and she plans to go back to college after the winter break.
Carol Nolden from Kenai Middle School shared,
“The exciting news is that we are taking a portion of the funds that we raised and we are donating them to Cassie to help offset her medical expenses. The Side-Out Foundation is also going to help her with financial support and hook her up with other young adults in her area that are going through the same process. I know this was a tremendous amount of work, but I sincerely appreciate everything you did to make this happen–I know Cassie does, too!”
To all the players, coaches, organizers, volunteers, and local businesses who offered donations–thank you! You make a difference. Dig Pink!
Links
KPBSD Dig Pink 2011 Facebook photo album
Peninsula Clarion story
Dig Pink Side-Out Foundation