KPBSD Federal Programs Open House + Indian Education Title VI committee meeting

News Release: Federal Programs Open House

You are invited to a KPBSD Federal Programs Open House
November 5, 2019, from 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Cook Inlet Aquaculture Center
40610 K-Beach Rd, Kenai, Alaska

Did you know that local and state contributions to public education make up the bulk of the school district’s budget, but federal funds provide support for targeted activities to expand the opportunities available to students in the Kenai Peninsula Borough? Title I Pre-K is a generally well-known example of a federally funded program, but there are many others!
The November 5, 2019, federal programs events will be downstairs in the Cook Inlet Aquaculture Center on K-Beach Road. Information about the various federally funded programs in KPBSD will be available for review and input, and Dr. Christine Ermold, the KPBSD Director of Professional Learning & Federal Programs will be there to answer your questions.
The Open House will follow the Title VI Advisory Committee Meeting happening from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m., also at the Cook Inlet Aquaculture Center.
Links

2019-11-5 Title VI Advisory Committee Meeting
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2019 Mind aMazes Problem Solving Competition

Mind aMazes!
Mind aMazes 2019 for KPBSD (24 of 70)
The 2019 Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Mind aMazes was musical! In a new location at Skyview Middle School, 47 teams representing 15 KPBSD schools on the Kenai Peninsula competed in the “Music Mechanisms” problem solving competition, and a spontaneous problem that included making shoes, running, and jumping jacks!
The KPBSD gifted education KPBSD Quest program coordinates an annual engineering and problem solving challenge called Mind A-Mazes. This challenge brings teams of students from around the peninsula to a district meet in October where students share constructed devices with judges and attempt to earn points for a set of predetermined tasks.

“Mind aMazes is an incredible event that highlights the creativity and team building skills of students from around the district,” said Clayton Holland, Director of Student Services. “For many students, this event is one of the highlights of the school year and offers a great opportunity to work together as teams to solve challenging problems. The real life learning and collaboration that takes place for students during and in preparation of Mind A-Mazes is amazing and also highlights the great work of our teachers.”

The Mind aMazes challenge focuses on teamwork, communication, and problem solving—key aspects of the project. Students work on sharing their ideas with others, listening to others, trouble-shooting problems that arise, invest hours to test and modify, striving for consistency, and having fun throughout the process! This year’s challenge was fun for the teams, and the October 12, 2019, event at Skyview Middle School turned into a great delight for everyone who participated and rallied in the stands. A big thank you to all the Quest teachers, parents, volunteers, judges, and students who helped make this year’s “Mind aMazes” happen!
The award winners for this year’s “Mind A-Mazes” include:
Junior Division:

  • Judges Choice – Nikiski North Star Elementary “Salty Squids”
  • Spontaneous 1st – K-Beach Elementary “Chubby Chickens”
  • 3rd place Overall – Seward Middle School “Half & Half”
  • 2nd place Overall – Kenai Middle School “VSCO Peppa”
  • 1st place Long-Term & Overall – Seward Elementary “Dragonfly Girls”

 
Intermediate Division:

  • Judges Choice – Seward Middle School “Ghostbusters”
  • Spontaneous 1st – Nikiski Middle School “Master Procrastinators”
  • 3rd place Overall – Nikiski Middle School “Divide and Conquer”
  • 2nd place Overall – Nikiski Middle School “Master Procrastinators”
  • 1st place Long-Term & Overall – Seward Middle School “The Wood People”

Thank you to Brian Bailey, Mind aMazes organizer, everyone who assisted, and the fantastic teams!
Link: Mind aMazes Blog
Mind aMazes photo album on @KPBSD Facebook
Mind aMazes 2019 for KPBSD (10 of 70)

It’s October: celebrate a school principal!

“A school principal is one of the most difficult and rewarding jobs in education! Our principals care deeply for KPBSD logotheir students, staff, schools, and communities and strive to create the best possible educational environment. I am thankful for the hard work and dedication exhibited on a daily basis by our KPBSD principals. –John O’Brien, superintendent of schools

National Principal Appreciation Month is your opportunity to say thank you to current and retired principals, and share the many ways that principals serve students, staff, and the community!
#ThankAPrincipal
2019-10 thank a principal
 

2019 Mind a-Mazes problem solving competition

2019-10-12 Mins a-Mazes
A KPBSD problem solving competition sponsored by Quest with a 2019 theme of Music Mechanisms
17 @KPBSD schools. 47 teams.
Long-Term Problem: Using teamwork, creative thinking, and problem solving, teams will design and construct a chain reaction device that will play a musical instrument.
Plus, Spontaneous Problem competition the day of!
Mind aMazes blog: http://mindamazes.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/
Location: Skyview Middle School, 46188 Sterling Highway, Soldotna, Alaska 99669
Schedule
9:00 – 10:30 AM: Judge’s training, (judges only, meet in Library)
10:30 AM: Registration volunteers report to school foyer
11:00 – 11:30 AM: Junior Division (grades 4-6) team check in at registration tables – set up continues until 12:00.
11:30 – 12:00 noon: Intermediate/Senior Division (grades 7-12) team check in at registration tables – set-up continues until 12:15 PM.
12:15 PM: Proceed to bleachers in big gym for welcome and announcements. All students are expected to be in the big gym at all times after 12:15. Students found in other areas without adult supervision may be disqualified.
12:30: Junior Teams begin Long Term Competition
1:30 PM*: Intermediate/Senior competition
2:30 PM*: Spontaneous Problem for all divisions
3:00 PM*: Awards Ceremony
*Competition times may vary depending on number of entrants.
event on Facebook to share: https://www.facebook.com/events/971401006531864/
www.KPBSD.org

The Honorable Representative Paul Seaton awarded Golden Apple

2019-09 Paul Seaton Golden Apple.pptx

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
The Honorable Paul Seaton, Alaska House of Representatives
Golden Apple Award | September 9, 2019

Golden Apple nominator Sean Dusek said, “It is with great pleasure that I nominate Paul Seaton for a Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Golden Apple Award for his tireless support of public education in Alaska.” The Honorable Paul Seaton, Alaska House of Representatives, is a long-time Kenai Peninsula Borough resident, a successful businessperson, and public servant. He served as a leader in the Homer community before serving as a State Representative from 2003-2018. His time in the State House of Representatives culminated as the House Finance Co-Chair where he led Alaska in its strong support of public education during a critical time in the history of this state.
Representative Seaton took great risk to do what was right and serve all Alaskans, especially those who could not necessarily speak for themselves—our children. Former Superintendent of Schools Dusek said, “He protected public education throughout his legislative career and consistently expected better results, innovative practices, and a high return on investment. By championing adequate funding with high expectations, our district worked hard to deliver, and I believe he is quite proud of our results, current students, and graduates. With his leadership, personal technology has engaged students from Chapman to Nanwalek. Data shows this engagement led to higher student achievement as well as increased attendance.”
Representative Seaton made a tremendous difference in the lives of the students in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District. He championed a healthy life style—especially with Vitamin D, a safe and supportive school environment, an engaging and innovative instructional environment, and a fully funded public school system. This has made the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District one of the best districts in Alaska and we thank him for all he has done and hope he continues to be actively engaged with our schools.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education is proud to recognize the Honorable Paul Seaton, Alaska House of Representatives, for his dedication to the students of the school district, past, present, and future.

October Board of Education meeting and worksessions

School Board Public Involvement Opportunities

2019-10-7 BOE monthly meeting
Monday, October 7, 2019
Borough Administration Building
148 N. Binkley St., Soldotna, AK 99669
Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers
Committee Meetings – Redoubt Conference Room
12:30 p.m. Policy Review Committee
12:45 p.m. Information Committee
1:45 p.m. Charter School Advisory Committee
Work Sessions – Assembly Chambers
2:45 p.m. 2020 State and Federal Legislative Priorities and 2019 AASB Resolutions
3:30 p.m. Threat Assessment Update
4:00 p.m. Social Studies Curriculum
4:30 p.m. Board Discussion
AASB Annual Conference
Board Health Care
6:00 p.m. Monthly Board Meeting*
Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Chambers in Soldotna
Streamed live: http://bit.ly/KPBSDschoolboard
Online documents: http://bit.ly/BoardDocsKPBSD
Meeting Schedule: Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Quarterly Work Session
Donald E. Gilman River Center
9:30 a.m. FY19, FY20 and FY 21 Budget Process
10:30 a.m. Strategic Plan Update
11:00 a.m. Project GRAD
11:30 a.m. Community Partners Lunch

9/17/19 Collective Bargaining Signed Tentative Agreement

9/17/19 Collective Bargaining Signed Tentative Agreement (TA) between the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD) and the Kenai Peninsula Education Association (KPEA) & the Kenai Peninsula Borough Education Support Association (KPESA)
Document: September 17, 2019 Collective Bargaining Signed Tentative Agreement
September 17, 2019 News Release: Tentative Agreement Reached between KPBSD and KPEA & KPESA Associations
2019-09-17 logos for news release
 

Tentative Agreement reached | KPBSD schools will open on 2-hour delay start

News Release, September 17, 2019

2019-09-17 logos for news releaseTentative Agreement reached between KPBSD and KPEA & KPESA
All 42 KPBSD schools will open with a two-hour delay start on September 17, 2019*

Soldotna, September 17, 2019—At 1:37 AM, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD), the Kenai Peninsula Education Association (KPEA) and the Kenai Peninsula Education Support Association (KPESA) reached a Tentative Agreement, for a three year contract for the time period of July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2021.
*All 42 KPBSD schools will open with a two-hour delay start on Tuesday, September 17, 2019. Student absences will be excused—simply call the school. Buses will run two hours later than usual in the morning. Sports and after-school activities will take place on a normal Tuesday schedule.

“After months of hard work and strained emotions the bargaining teams came together tonight in the spirit of compromise,” said Superintendent John O’Brien. “Together we can all now focus on our core mission: educating the children of the Kenai. I look forward to working together with our staff and this community to advocate for public education on behalf of our students. Together we will continue to innovate and lead our state with the high quality of education we provide to our students.”
“Working together, we were able to find a creative solution with the District that will keep kids in class and educators working,” said Anne McCabe, President of KPESA. “This process has drawn on for nearly two years and I’m pleased that we’ve reached a tentative agreement that values our educators and the students they work with every day.”
“This tentative agreement represents a big step forward for everyone working to improve the lives of Kenai Peninsula students,” said David Brighton, KPEA President. “I’m proud of the work we’ve done, and I’m pleased that we are able to find a compromise with the District.”
“I am extremely pleased that both negotiating teams have reached an agreement and the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District can get back to doing what it does best: educating our students through the many quality programs and activities it has put in place and preparing them for their future,” said Penny Vadla, Board of Education President. “We, as a board, are looking forward to a bright future.”

Details will be posted on the KPBSD Collective Bargaining webpage and the KPEA-KPESA.org later in the day on Tuesday.

Document: September 17, 2019 Collective Bargaining Signed Tentative Agreement

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2019-09-17 Tentative Agreement Reached

9/16/19: KPBSD Message to Parents and Guardians

Monday, September 16, 2019KPBSD logo
KPBSD communications sent this message via email to all KPBSD parents and guardians via student contact information in PowerSchool.
Dear KPBSD parents and guardians,
Good evening, I know you are all waiting to learn if a Tentative Agreement has been reached, and if school will be in session on Tuesday. Tonight the school board began a special board meeting at 6:00 PM, and is still executive session. At 9:30 PM, the District team presented a Package Proposal to KPEA and KPESA bargaining teams and the Associations are currently reviewing it. It is likely bargaining will continue late into the evening, so at this time, plan for no school on Tuesday, September 17, 2019.
We will send you an update when further information is available.
This evening KPBSD posted resources for activities on our Facebook page, and community partners and members are adding additional offerings in the comments. This is your link:
KPBSD celebrates the sources of strength offered in community resources rising up to assist our families and youth.

9/15/19: KPBSD message to parents about emergency school closure

Sunday, September 15, 2019KPBSD logo
KPBSD communications sent this message via emnail to all KPBSD parents and guardians via student contact information in PowerSchool.
Dear KPBSD parents and guardians,
We hear your concerns and care for all of our schools and communities. It’s Sunday evening, and all KPBSD schools will open Monday, September 16, 2019, on a normal schedule.
The school district team worked throughout the weekend, and will continue to work with KPEA and KPESA to reach a Tentative Agreement that would prevent or end this strike. Monday evening the Board of Education will meet in executive session to discuss employee contract negotiations.
We have received questions about how you will learn if the strike will happen, or how schools will be reopened during a work stoppage.
Please prepare for a work stoppage and emergency school closure slated to begin Tuesday, September 17, 2019. A strike will continue until a Tentative Agreement is reached between the school district and the KPEA and KPESA associations. When a Tentative Agreement is reached, we will communicate with everyone through all KPBSD platforms about the opening of schools. On Monday:

  • Make sure that your child takes home any personal belongings he or she may want, and that you pick up any medications from the school nurse.
  • If you have updates to your contact information in PowerSchool, talk to your school secretary, and make sure to opt-in to receive text messages from KPBSD. Simply text “Yes” or “Y” to 67587 to receive text messages to your PowerSchool mobile contact.

Monday may be challenging for you and your family with the unknown about school being in session on Tuesday or in coming days. We will continue to provide you with daily updates every evening, and as soon as a Tentative Agreement is reached.
Links:

*The KPEA and KPESA association presidents sent an email to the superintendent of schools the evening of September 13, 2019 giving 72 hours’ notice about a work stoppage beginning September 17, 2019. Read the email letter.