Mrs. Jeanne Duhan receives Golden Apple award

Jeanne Duhan Golden Apple KPBSD

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Golden Apple Award | June 5, 2017
Mrs. Jeanne Duhan

Mrs. Jeanne Duhan is an outstanding music educator, a tireless advocate for children, and a kind person. In the past five years at K-Beach Elementary School, Mrs. Duhan has gone above and beyond expectations to meet the unique needs of her students. For example, recognizing the need for more structured music learning activities for students over the summer, Mrs. Duhan cofounded and directed the band of the Con Brio Music Camp for two years. She spearheaded the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District adoption of SmartMusic, which is an innovative software application used to provide band students with individualized feedback on their performance.
Under the guidance of Mrs. Duhan, the K-Beach Elementary band program expanded to include grades four through six, three levels of band instruction, and close to 70 students studying a band instrument. “Jeanne inspires a true love of music and band in her students,” said Kent Peterson, Soldotna High School music teacher. “In addition to performing as a full band, she features many of her students in small ensembles and solos. These soloists and ensembles are sometimes performing at a level that is equal to and beyond what would be expected in grades seven and eight.”
“Additional contributions to our district and the wider music education community include adjudicating at a number of regional and statewide festivals; serving as guest conductor of the Aurora Music Festival Mass Band; serving as a student teaching mentor, as well as an informal mentor to a number of early career teachers in our district; designing and leading a number of professional development programs for our district music teachers, including training in instrument repair, music technology, and band teaching methods; and opening an instrument repair business,” said Jonathan Dillon, Mountain View Elementary music teacher.
In addition to the band program, the students at K-Beach Elementary are not just performing music, but learning how to perform music. The fundamentals of becoming a good musician are taught throughout her classes and will benefit her students and the schools for many years to come. Outside of school, Mrs. Duhan maintains an active performance schedule, and plays the French horn with the Kenai Peninsula Orchestra, the Redoubt Chamber Orchestra, and various chamber ensembles; Bari saxophone with the Peninsula Jazz Band; and guitar and vocals with the band, Recess Duty. Being so active in the community through music offers inspiration to her students and families.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education is proud to recognize Mrs. Jeanne Duhan for her dedication to the students of the school district, past, present, and future.
Golden Apple recipients
Jeanne Duhan Golden Apple 2017 June
Jeanne Duhan Golden Apple

Three state virtual choir imagining a wonderful world

2017 Imagine a Wonderful World virtual choir

click to watch Imagine a Wonderful World

In April and May, three KPBSD Redoubt Elementary music classes (4th, 5th, 6th) joined students from Michigan and Texas to learn a song and employ technology to create a video with 115 young people from three states singing the same song together in a virtual choir!
“We are following the model of Eric Whitacre’s virtual choirs, one of which you can see here,” said teacher, Ms. Pugia. “Students learned and recorded, individually or in small groups, a song that they and two other choirs also learned. Together, all of the videos were uploaded and multi-tracked (voice and video) into one cohesive project, so the whole song is heard as if it is sung by just one choir all in the same place!”
Thank you to:

All composer credits are in video. All songs copyright to original composers.

KPBSD Class of 2017 Graduations

2017 KCHS graduation
“Congratulations to the class of 2017! I’m very proud to send another high caliber group of young people into their future. I wish all of our graduates the best and look forward to seeing the positive difference they will make in the world!” –Superintendent Sean Dusek

Class of 2017 Graduation Dates & Times
Thursday, May 18, 2017

  • Kachemak Selo School – 2:00 PM
  • Razdolna School – 11:00 AM
  • Voznesenka School – Land’s End, Homer 4:00 PM

Monday, May 22, 2017

  • Homer Flex – Land’s End – 5:00 PM
  • Homer High – Homer High Gym – 7:00 PM
  • Hope School – 7:00 PM
  • Kenai Alternative School – K-Alternative Gym – 5:00 PM
  • Soldotna High School – Soldotna Sports Center – 7:00 PM

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

  • Nikiski High School – Nikiski High Gym – 7:00 PM
  • Nikolaevsk School – 5:00 PM
  • Seward High School – 7:00 PM
  • Susan B. English – 4:00 PM

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

  • Kenai Central High School – Renee C. Henderson Auditorium – 6:30 PM
  • Nanwalek School – 1:00 PM
  • Ninilchik High School – Ninilchik School Gym – 7:00 PM
  • Port Graham School – 4:00 PM
  • River City Academy – Soldotna Sports Center – 6:00 PM
  • Tebughna School – Tebughna School Gym – 6:00 PM

Thursday, May 25, 2017

  • Connections – Soldotna High School Auditorium – 4:00 PM

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Departing KPBSD after fifteen plus years

KPBSD appreciates dedicated staff who will retire or depart this year

“This is a bittersweet time of year with our staff. It is a time to celebrate the successes and growth we’ve all experienced throughout the district. It is also a time for transition. We are losing some excellent educators and support staff, and while it is sad they are leaving the district, it is also a time to be thankful for their contributions and also wish them well on their next adventure. So, thanks and best of luck goes to all our retirees and staff moving on to other adventures. You will be missed!” – Sean Dusek, Superintendent

2017 Retiree well wishes
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District appreciates the commitment and service these employees contributed, each with fifteen or more years in the school district. Each of you has made a difference, THANK YOU!

  • Rosemary Bird, Kenai Middle School, Choir and Home Economics Teacher, 37 years
  • Teri Zopf-Schoessler, Soldotna High School, English and Drama Teacher, 33 years
  • Leobof Dorvall, Nikolaevsk School, ELL Tutor and Food Service Manager I-S, 32 years
  • Daniel Hastings, Student Nutrition Services, Districtwide Kitchen Manager, 31 years
  • Mo Sanders, Montessori Charter School, Administrator, 30 years
  • Kenneth Roser, Kenai Middle School, Physical Education and Health Teacher, 30 years
  • Daniel Calhoun, Homer Middle School, Math Teacher, 30 years
  • Linda Raemaker, Soldotna High School, Social Studies Teacher, 29 years
  • Bill Noomah, McNeil Canyon Elementary School, Fifth Grade Teacher, 28 years
  • Marilyn Dvorak, Homer Flex and West Homer Elementary, Custodian I, Food Service Cashier, 28 years
  • Phyllis Halstead, Kenai Alternative High School, School Secretary II, 27 years
  • Eric Benson, Paul Banks Elementary School, Head Custodian II, 26 years
  • Jean Calhoun, West Homer Elementary School, School Secretary III, 26 years
  • Pamela Howard, Tebughna School, School Nurse, 26 years
  • Catherine Patterson, Sterling Elementary School, Food Service Manager I-S, 26 years
  • Katie Blossom, Tustumena Elementary School, Kindergarten Teacher, 25 years
  • David Fischer, Kenai Middle School, Math and Science Teacher, 25 years
  • Michele Stenger, Kachemak-Selo, Kindergarten and  First grade Teacher, 25 years
  • Laurie Olson, District Office, Director of Finance, 24 years
  • Teresa Dalebout, Soldotna Prep School, Special Education Aide, 24 years
  • Stuart Laurion, Soldotna High School, Special Education Aide, 23 years
  • Martha Shirley, Skyview Middle School, Special Education Resource Teacher, 22 years
  • Penny Duncan, Seward High School, Head Custodian III, 22 years
  • Laurie Martin, Paul Banks Elementary School, Second Grade Teacher, 20 years
  • Dolan “Wayne” Cowan, Kenai Middle School, Head Custodian II, 20 years
  • Mary Helminski, Redoubt Elementary School, School Secretary III, 20 years
  • Diane Ames, Nikiski North Star Elementary School, Food Service Cashier, Kitchen Assistant, 19 years
  • Barbara Njaa, Central Peninsula Area Schools, ELL Tutor, 18 years
  • Carol Boehmler, Sterling Elementary School, Third and Fourth Grade Teacher, 17 years
  • David Kingsland, Seward Elementary School, Administrator, 17 years
  • Teri Diamond, Soldotna Elementary School, Administrator, 17 years
  • Janet Szajkowski, Connections Home School Program, Generalist Teacher, 16 years
  • Kimberly Johnson, Chapman School, Second Grade Teacher, 15 years
  • Andrea Fischer, Kenai Middle School, Food Service Manager I-S, 15 years

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Dolphin's class names drug detective K9

As part of the Safer Alaska initiative, Governor Bill Walker  announced the names for the two new Alaska State Trooper drug detection K9s.  K9-B will be named Mak (short for Kachemak, as in Kachemak Bay) -that name was suggested by Hannah Dolphin’s class at Kalifornsky Beach Elementary School in Kenai!

Hannah Dolphin, 6th Grade Teacher, K-Beach Elementary said, “We’re excited! One of my students, Karley Johnson, was the one who came up with the name. When I asked her why she picked it she said, ‘I thought of it because my dad goes fishing a lot. He fishes in Kachemak Bay and I was thinking of some of the days I’ve gone fishing with him.’ My class also thought the name was fun because of the play on words with Kachemak, like “Catch ‘em, Mak!”
As 5th graders, K-Beach students have the opportunity to participate in D.A.R.E, thanks to the Soldotna Police Department. Officer Brennan comes in each year to teach students about positive decision making, and resisting drugs. Our school works closely with the police department, and I think these are really good ways to foster positive relationships between students and law enforcement.”

K9 Contest Winner K9B K-Beach
K9-A will be named M.O.C.H.A. (acronym for Meth, Opioids, Cocaine, Heroin, Alaska); the name was suggested by Ryan Engebretsen’s class at Teeland Middle School in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley.
“M.O.C.H.A and Mak will play important, integral roles in our efforts to create a Safer Alaska,” Governor Walker said. “I’m so grateful for the participation of Alaska 6th graders and citizens across the state in selecting these names. I look forward to seeing the important work these new dogs will do.”
The State Troopers will use the K9s to help detect opioids and other drugs in a variety of places across the state in continued efforts to tamp down on drug use and trafficking. Alaska 6th graders initially submitted over 70 potential names for the new dogs after learning about the impacts of drug abuse, and how to respond in difficult situations.
Names were selected via Facebook poll from suggestions made by Alaska 6th-graders.
K9 Mak 2017

700 kids: Take me to the river #service

2017 River cleanup (2)
The weather cooperated with the 4th Annual Kenai River Spring Cleanup, students scoured the river and campgrounds, and logged in a total of 3,055 pounds of debris and trash. And that’s a lot considering how light fishing line is!
Six KPBSD schools and nearly 700 students participated from 27 third through sixth grade classes. Connections Homeschool program, Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science, K-Beach Elementary, Soldotna Elementary, Sterling Elementary, and Redoubt Elementary participated.
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Congratulations to Redoubt Elementary for once again pulling together to bring in the “Most Trash Collected” award! Their contribution to this year’s total was a whopping 1,540 pounds!
Thank you to all of the students and volunteers who contributed their time to make this year’s event another huge success, and all the local area sponsors who collaborated and donated prizes to create another excellent event for children and the community.
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Links
Photo album: 2017 Kenai River Spring Cleanup

Facebook: Kenai River Spring Cleanup

 

Middle School Math Meet in Homer

KPBSD Math Meet
Peyton Tobin
Homer Middle School reports over seventy 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students from all around the school district met in at Homer Middle School gym on Thursday, May 11, 2017, to compete in the KPBSD Middle School Math Meet. This all day event consisted of four grueling rounds of math competition in which students competed against and collaborated with their peers from around the district.
Team winners
HMS results
Larry Dunn took third in the sprint round, a 40-minute test of thirty questions students had to tackle without the aid of a calculator. In the target round, a shorter round with longer, more complex questions, Ben Coble also scored a third place finish. For the team round, competitors are put into groups of four with students from other district schools and asked to work together to solve ten difficult problems. Casey Otis came in first with his team, Hunter Green and West Homer student Garrett Briscoe second, and Kazden Stineff third.
Overall Homer Middle School’s Larry Dunn took second on the combined total, with Ben Coble and Sam Larson also placing in the top ten and going on to compete in the game show style countdown round.
The students who represented Homer Middle School this year were Larry Dunn, Ben Coble, Sam Larson, Katlyn Vogl, Emmet Wilkinson, Vianne Sarber, Casey Otis, Olivia Glasman, Keith Roderick, Kazden Stineff, Delilah Harris, Peyton Tobin, Hunter Green, Ryan Carroll, Izzy Fisk, and Elijah Blake.
Homer Middle School would like to thank all of the volunteers who helped make the math meet possible as well as the sponsors: Two Sisters, Latitude 59, SpitwSpots, K Bay Coffee, Alice’s, Representative Seaton, and the Strydom family.
Thank you to Rand Seaton for contributing this story.
Individual Winners from left 4th place – Sean Raftan, 3rd – Samuel Roberts, 2nd – Larry Dunn, 1st – Hayden Hanson
Casey Otis
Delilah Harris left, Olivia Glasman right
Vianne Sarber

Budget Update: Borough Assembly discussing FY18 funding

KPBSD logo 4c no tag SMALLThe Borough Assembly proposed and passed (5-4) an amendment that had the effect of reducing the amount of funding available to KPBSD for use in the classroom by $138,052. The State of Alaska has not yet determined funding for public education.

Mayor Navarre proposed to increase the borough funding appropriation to KPBSD by $1.5 million in KPB Resolution 2017-035* on May 2, 2017. This increase would have provided KPBSD the fiscal certainty to offer seven teaching contracts the morning of May 3, 2017.
However, also on May 2, 2017, a Borough Assembly Amendment to Resolution 2017-35 reduced Mayor Navarre’s proposed education funding by $1,438,432. Because this reduction was designated solely in section A. Local Effort Appropriation (in contrast to in-kind funding categories), the net result is a further deficit to the KPBSD FY18 budget of $138,052.
The Borough Assembly will meet on May 16, and June 6, beginning at 6:00 PM in the Borough Assembly Chambers. Borough residents have the opportunity to speak about education funding during public hearing on item M4, 2017-19, An Ordinance Appropriating Funds for Fiscal Year 2018. Click here for the Assembly calendar, agenda, and documents.
If you support funding education, please contact your Borough Assembly member today. This is your link to the Borough Assembly member contacts: http://www.kpb.us/assembly-clerk/meet-the-assembly
As a result of the unanticipated Borough Assembly amendment action to the original funding resolution on May 2, 2017, offering contracts for the following positions was frozen:

  • Four kindergarten teachers: Mountain View Elementary, Soldotna Montessori, Sterling Elementary, and Tustumena Elementary
  • Two first grade teachers: Nikiski North Star Elementary, Paul Banks Elementary
  • One middle school math teacher: Kenai Middle School

These positions reflect seven of the thirty unfilled and frozen teaching vacancies for the school year beginning in August.
Links

*Mayor Navarre’s $1.5 million increase designated $1,303,380 for local effort, and $199,620 for in-kind funding categories, which is not available for unrestricted use.

News Release: State education funding cut scenarios for KPBSD

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State education funding cut scenarios for KPBSD

Soldotna, May 10, 2017—The HB57 Operating Budget conference committee is appointed. If you value public education in the KPBSD, please contact committee members* and local legislators now to request status quo education funding. In preparation for potential reductions to education funding, KPBSD administration anticipates:
The effect of a 1% reduction in state education funding for the KPBSD is $1,055,166
If a 1% cut were made, KPBSD would:
 

  • Raise the Pupil-Teacher-Ratio (PTR) ratio by one in elementary and middle schools
    Thirteen schools would be affected: K-Beach Elementary, Kenai Middle School, McNeil Canyon, Mountain View Elementary, Nikiski North Star Elementary, Paul Banks Elementary, Redoubt Elementary, Seward Elementary, Skyview Middle School, Soldotna Elementary, Sterling Elementary, Tustumena Elementary, and West Homer Elementary
  • Use of Fund Balance for remaining deficit

 
The effect of a 2% reduction in state education funding for the KPBSD is $2,110,332
If a 2% cut were made, KPBSD would:

  • Implement the identical changes as outlined in the 1% cut
  • Implement a variety of these administrative recommendations:
    • Cut library aide positions
    • Reduce calendar days for support staff employees including pool manager, secretarial, and custodial positions
    • Reduce co-curricular offerings for all types of activities including sports

 

*House and Senate HB57 Conference Committee members

These are the six legislators who will meet together representing the House and the Senate, and determine funding for public education:

Click here to send a Public Opinion Message to any or all legislators, or call any LIO and they can send it for you – 50 word limit.
iPhone-Keyboard
Kenai Peninsula Legislators
These are legislators who represent schools and communities in the KPBSD:

School starts in three months. KPBSD has 30 positions on hold until we learn what our FY18 funding will be, in addition to millions of dollars and positions already reduced.
 
Budget Background
For several years, budget reductions have come through efficiencies, Pupil to Teacher Ratio (PTR) increases, and reduction of staff. Increased costs related to healthcare continue to rise.

The effects of these cuts have been kept as far away from the classroom as possible and most of the public do not realize these are already in effect. But, $8,550,530 has already been reduced in KPBSD since FY15.

  • FY15 Budget Reductions        ($1.25 million)
  • FY16 Budget Reductions          (1.37 million)
  • FY17 Budget Reductions          (3.44 million)
  • FY18 Budget Reductions          (2.48 million)
  • Total Budget Reductions     ($ 8.55 million)

Links

 
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News Release: 2017 Kenai BP Teachers of Excellence

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2017 Kenai BP Teachers of Excellence

Soldotna, May 2, 2017—KPBSD celebrates Stephanie Cronin, 2017 Kenai BP Teacher of the Year, our five BP Teachers of Excellence, and new this year, the BP Educational Ally award recipient.
This year’s nominees were again, an excellent representation of our staff as a whole,” said Sean Dusek, superintendent. “They are humble, hard-working and student-centered. They are willing to go above and beyond to help students succeed and reach their full potential. Mrs. Cronin is definitely one of our finest teachers who has transformed math instruction at Seward High School. She makes a positive difference every day and is an unforgettable influence on her students. This award is very well deserved.”
Kodiak, Alaska
2017 Kenai BP Teacher of the Year Stephanie Cronin teaches math and engineering at Seward High School. She has spent all 20 years of her teaching career in Alaska. Described by colleagues, she is a “legendary teacher in the district and state, who continues to impact many lives through the ability to engage students, and is consistently working to strengthen the district and enrich the working lives of colleagues.”
2017 Kenai BP Teachers of Excellence

  • Stephanie Cronin, Seward High School, Read Stephanie Cronin’s story here.
  • Jonathan Dillon teaches music in kindergarten through fifth grade at Mountain View Elementary School in Kenai. He has been a teacher for five years, all five of which have been in Alaska. Read Jonathan Dillon’s story here.
  • Barbara “Bobbi” Larrivee teaches special education at West Homer Elementary, grades 3-6. The subjects she teaches are all academics, plus life and social skills. She’s been a teacher for 21 years, 18 of which have been in Alaska. Read Bobbi Larrivee’s story here.
  • Meredith McCullough is a teacher at Kenai Central High School. She teaches 11th grade English and honors English, and French two, three and four. She’s been a teacher for eight years, five in Alaska. Read Meredith McCullough’s story here.
  • Colby Way is one of two teachers at Port Graham School in a community of fewer than 200 people across Kachemak Bay, near Seldovia. He teaches all subjects to a wide range of ages, grades five through 12. He’s been a teacher for six years, five of which have been in Alaska. Read Colby Way’s story here.

BP Educational Ally Award, 2017 Kenai Peninsula
The award recognizes the additional unsung heroes in our schools—support staff, administration or volunteers—who are working alongside teachers to inspire students and are making a difference in our schools and community.
Karl Kircher, Mountain View Elementary principal, “It is an honor to receive the BP Educational Ally in the School Community Award. The words ally and community really made this special for me. I’ve always considered my job as principal to be a supporting role to help create a community where teachers are inspired to excel by each other and by their students.” Read Karl Kircher’s story here.
The 2017 Kenai BP Teacher of the Year receives a $1,500 scholarship to be used towards continuing education and an award sculpture. The five Kenai BP Teachers of Excellence, selected from 45 nominations, receive $500, and an additional $500 grant will go towards a program at their school.
Plus, BP will pay the tuition for all winners to enroll in the Alaska Resource Education Rock and Roll course, learning fun, hands-on activities they can take back to the classroom. As part of that graduate-level course, BP will host a group of winners on a one-day tour of the North Slope in August. “BP is proud to honor these great teachers and their tireless work in the classroom,” said BP Alaska Regional President Janet Weiss. “We see it as part of our ongoing commitment to the communities where our people live and work – and an investment in the people who help make Alaska great.”
Learn more Click the individual awardee name to read a specific story, or click the school name for the school website

View photos of the BP Teachers of Excellence celebration