All Communications

Weekly Update: Three KPBSD School Solutions during a pandemic

Planning continues to open 42 KPBSD schools, and the science and spread of COVID19 in Alaska continues to change–you likely have questions and concerns. One size does not fit everyone, and COVID19 is creating challenges we have never lived through. Together we will create solutions and help you choose the best option for learning this fall.

We understand education during a global pandemic requires adaption, a flexible mindset, and serious decisions. We promise to communicate and be proactive, even when we do not have all the answers. Toward that end to assist you, a dedicated phone number and email address that will reach district office to respond to your COVID19 and school choice questions is now available—look in the question section for the contacts. School principals and secretaries return to work the week of July 28, and school staff return later in August.

Included this week is a new flyer with the Three Flexible Solutions for School in KPBSD, and responses to seven common questions. We know some of you will need devices or internet—the survey next week will help determine your needs so the district can assist.

July 23, 2020 KPBSD Weekly Update: Three Flexible Solutions for School in 2020-2021 during a Global Pandemic

Which KPBSD K-12 learning option will be best for you?

  • ONSITE at Your KPBSD School
    Learning at your neighborhood school, charter school, or non-traditional KPBSD school
  • 100% Remote with Your KPBSD School
    Learning with your neighborhood school, charter school, or non-traditional KPBSD school
  • HOMESCHOOL: Enrollment in KPBSD Connections Homeschool program
    Learning is designed by families with a Connections Teacher Advisor and facilitated by parents
Which K-12 learning option will be best for you? Download the PDF flyer Download

Seven Questions

Q: Can I change once I decide?


Yes. If you need flexibility to change between options, KPBSD wants you to be successful and you can make a change

Q: Will face coverings be required when school begins in August?

Superintendent O’Brien and the district leadership planning team are currently reviewing the science and recommendations from CDC, DHSS, DEED, and public input about requiring face coverings to be worn in the school environment. An update to the SmartStart plan is forthcoming, and will be shared in the communication next week.

Q: Help Desk


We know many of you want to talk to your school principal, secretary, or teachers, prior to making a decision. Principals and secretaries begin returning to work on or after July 28, and teachers return in August. If you need help deciding what is best for you and your children, have questions, or simply need someone to hear your thoughts and concerns, the district office is open. For your specific COVID19 and school related questions, call 907-714-8864, email us at covid19@kpbsd.org, or visit covid19.kpbsd.org. For general questions, the main KPBSD office number is 907-714-8888

Q: When do I need to choose?


You will receive an online update form next week, and can complete it any time prior to the start of school. Through the form, you can also update student contact information, indicate what access you need for internet and learning devices, and indicate your choice for school beginning in August 2020

Q: When will schools close in high COVID19 risk level?

  • Always open: The 100% Remote with Your KPBSD School, and the KPBSD Connections Homeschool, will be open during all risk levels
  • Pivot needed: The ONSITE at Your KPBSD School will close to students during high COVID19 risk, and shift to 100% Remote Learning through the Virtual Classroom

Q: Can I receive school meals if schools close during High COVID19 risk?

Yes. We are planning to implement the “Get-it and Go” meals if schools need to close to students during high COVID19 risk

Q:How do you determine COVID19 Risk Levels on the Kenai Peninsula?

KPBSD implemented an operational plan to indicate low, medium, or high risk of COVID-19 community transmission in a geographical region or school based on 14 day averages and seven day trends. Decisions are based on state data, and local current information from the DHSS and public health. Beginning August 1, updates will be made daily, posted on the KPBSD website, and changes in risk level communicated to our families, staff, and publics. A visual map of the Kenai Peninsula risk level in our 42 schools is in development, and will be live online no later than August 1, 2020

Links

To safely open schools, we must each take actions now, to slow or stop the spread of the COVID19 virus. When you wash your hands, watch your 6’ distance with others, and wear a mask in public places, you directly influence the safe opening of schools and learning for our children. Our actions add up, and we can and will get through this global pandemic.

COVID19 Risk Levels in KPBSD

COVID19 Risk Level in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

UPDATE:
On July 28, 2020, Southern Peninsula rose from LOW to MEDIUM Risk
On July 27, 2020, Central Peninsula dropped from HIGH to MEDIUM Risk

Current Risk Levels effective July 19, 2020, July 27, 2020, July 28, 2020, until further notice*
Central Peninsula: HIGH (on 7-27-20 risk dropped to MEDIUM)
Eastern Peninsula: HIGH
Southern Peninsula: LOW (on 7-28-20 risk rose to MEDIUM)

When the onset of COVID-19 happened, the need to make rational and informed operational decisions became primary for the health and safety of our students, staff, and communities. KPBSD incorporated science-based guidance to assist in our decision-making processes.

Beginning on or before August 1, KPBSD will provide daily COVID19 risk updates for our schools on a new dedicated webpage at www.KPBSD.org, and include a robust visual risk level map of Kenai Peninsula schools on the district and school website homepages for easy reference. Included will be what to expect with each risk level.

*RISK LEVELS Documents. (To read the most recent reports, go to www.KPBSD.org)

July 20, 2020: KPBSD-COVID-Positive-Cases-and-KPBSD-Risk-Level-Determination- Download
July 19, 2020: KPBSD-COVID-Positive-Cases-and-KPBSD-Risk-Level-Determination-ChartDownload

The KPBSD is divided into geographical risk areas:

  • Central Kenai Peninsula includes Sterling to Kasilof, extending through Kenai, Nikiski, Soldotna, and DHSS “other north” communities:
    Aurora Borealis Charter School; Connections Homeschool; Kaleidoscope Charter School; K-Beach Elementary School; Kenai Alternative School; Kenai Central High School; Kenai Middle School; Mountain View Elementary School; Nikiski Middle-High School; Nikiski North Star Elementary School; Redoubt Elementary School; River City Academy; Skyview Middle School; Soldotna Elementary School; Soldotna High School; Soldotna Montessori Charter School; Sterling Elementary School and Other North: Tustumena Elementary School
  • Eastern Kenai Peninsula includes Seward area, including Moose Pass
    Moose Pass Elementary School; Seward Elementary School; Seward High School; Seward Middle School
  • Southern Kenai Peninsula includes Homer area, north to Ninilchik, Anchor Point, Fritz Creek, and DHSS “other south” communities:
    Chapman School; Connections Homeschool; Fireweed Academy; Homer Flex School; Homer High School; Homer Middle School; McNeil Canyon Elementary School; Paul Banks Elementary School; West Homer Elementary School; and Other South: Kachemak-Selo School;Nikolaevsk School; Ninilchik School; Razdolna School; Voznesenka School
  • Schools in Individual or Remote Communities
    Cooper Landing School; Hope School; Nanwalek School; Port Graham School; Susan B. English School (Seldovia); Tebughna School

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) created a tool with three levels of alert based on the amount of community transmission on a per capita incidence of cases per 100,000 population as part of their plan to reopen long-term care facilities to visitors. Every day the DHSS calculates the number of new cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 residents, then averages it over the past 14 days. The DHSS article and chart are found at this link: http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/Epi/id/Pages/COVID-19/alertlevels.aspx

The DHSS article specifically states:

“These community transmission levels were developed to inform decisions about allowing visitors to long-term care facilities. However average daily per capita incidence may inform decision making in other sectors as well, such as schools, institutions of higher education, and businesses.”

The Alaska School Activities Association (ASAA) adopted this modeling to determine risk levels for student activities and sports.

KPBSD believes that the safety of our staff and students should be as important as the safety of our senior citizens, so we have adopted the same numbers used by DHSS. We have created a “KPBSD Level of Determination by Community-Region” chart that converts the population of the borough and its communities on the “cases per 100,000 population” standard that the State used. The KPBSD chart shows case counts in two ways, the daily average case rate over fourteen days, and the total maximum number of cases in the last 14-day period.

KPBSD created a “Resident Coronavirus Cases On The Kenai Peninsula” chart to track the daily number of cases on the Kenai Peninsula as reported by the State of Alaska on the upper portion of the chart. On the bottom half of the page, cases are grouped by Region. The cases are shown in three different ways:

  • a total of all cases
  • a total of cases in the last 14-day period
  • a daily average in the last 14-day period

The latter two numbers are used in coordination with the “KPBSD Level of Determination by Community-Region” chart to determine what alert level each Region is in for KPBSD operations.

Reports for Resident Coronavirus Cases On The Kenai Peninsula and KPBSD Level of Determination by Community-Region were moved near the top of this page.

Links

In July, posts will only be made when risk levels change. Beginning August 1, daily count updates will be live online and posted to KPBSD social media. Kindly note: if you ask questions in a comment, I’ll do my best to review them several times a week, and respond. However, I will be out of the office July 20-25, 2020, so there will not be any responses. I appreciate your patience and understanding until the new risk level webpage and map under development for the school year is live on August 1. – Pegge Erkeneff, Director of Communications

KPBSD Weekly Update: 7-16-20

COVID19 is creating a bumpy and difficult time. We know it may be very hard for you, and adaptions may require a new focus, mindset, and decisions. We promise to communicate and be proactive, even when we do not have all the answers. Let us trust that together we can and will continue offering learning for all our students, and keep our excellent KPBSD staff employed. To do this we need grace, kindness for each other, and self-care for families and ourselves.

To safely open schools, we must each take actions now, to slow or stop the spread of the COVID19 virus. When you wash your hands, watch your 6’ distance with others, and wear a mask in public places, you directly influence the safe opening of schools and learning for our children. Our actions add up, and we can and will get through this global pandemic.

July 16, 2020 KPBSD Weekly Update

  • The KPBSD Board of Education approved the KPBSD 2020 Smart Start for Schools, and we know it will continue to evolve.
  • The first day of school for students in most KPBSD schools is Monday, August 24, 2020. View Variance calendars for some smaller schools
  • Quick view Smart Start Plan highlights for parents and families:
PFD: KPBSD Smart Start Key Points for Parents and Families flyerDownload

Safety

New! Symptom Free School Protocol: If any symptoms of illness are present, students and staff will not go to school. New cleaning protocols are in place. Updates to COVID19 risk levels on the Kenai Peninsula will be made daily*.

Choice: Where will learning happen?

Families will have the choice* to elect for their children to:

When you enroll in your neighborhood school and choose to attend in person or via remote learning, or in KPBSD Connections Homeschool, your choice keeps education funding coming to KPBSD for the Kenai Peninsula, employs our excellent staff, and offers options for students.

*We know you have questions and want to make the best choice for your family. Helpful guidance will arrive to you next week. In addition, updated online enrollment with a preference about the three KPBSD options will be coming out soon.

Continuity

Learning is designed for flexibility of location: in-person or remote. Each grade or subject course will have both the physical classroom option in school, and the virtual “remote” classroom where materials will be shared and lessons taught.

Consistency

Schools will continually work to support students during this singular time in education. Students and parents will be able to count on WHO supports them, and WHERE to find materials, feedback, and access to learning.

Communication

KPBSD and schools will provide timely resources and information to staff, families, and publics. School websites will serve as a hub for their learning community and include contact information and virtual classroom links, school COVID19 risk level, updates, and school social media sites.

*Determining COVID19 Risk Levels on the Kenai Peninsula

KPBSD implemented an operational plan to indicate low, medium, or high risk of COVID-19 community transmission in a geographical region or school. Decisions are based on state data, and local current information from the DHSS and public health. Updates will be made daily, posted on the KPBSD website, and communicated to our families, staff, and publics when changes in risk levels occur. KPBSD schools will be open to students in low and medium risk levels, with increased safety measures in place.

A visual map of the Kenai Peninsula risk level in our 42 schools is in development, and will be live online no later than August 1.

Links

Kindly note: if you ask questions in a comment, I’ll do my best to review them several times a week, and respond. I appreciate your patience and understanding that until we create a FAQ, that your questions assist to develop it, and I will get you answers soon. – Pegge Erkeneff, Director of Communications

School Board to approve Smart Start Plan and Change to First Day of School in August

News Release: KPBSD Smart Start 2020
How will COVID19 risk levels Affect K-12 Education and the first day of school for students in KPBSD?

During their Monday, July 13, 2020 meeting at 6:00 PM, the KPBSD Board of Education will take action to approve the KPBSD COVID19 Smart Start 2020 plan, and change the first day of school for students to Monday, August 24, 2020.

Smart Start 2020

Preparations for the safe and prudent reopening of schools in August 2020 has been ongoing for two months. Twenty members of the KPBSD 2020 Smart Start Work Group designed the KPBSD plan to address how K-12 education and activities in our diverse schools will take place depending on low (green), medium (yellow), or high (red) risk COVID19 community transmission scenarios. The KPBSD plan will continue to be revised as medical information, science, and the pandemic situation evolves throughout the 2020-2021 school year. The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development requires all school districts to submit their plan by July 31, 2020.
The recommended action for the Board of Education is to approve the KPBSD plan. After approval, on July 14, 2020, the plan will be available at the KPBSD Smart Start webpage. You can view the document now in BoardDocs.

Delay first day of school for students by four days
School would begin Monday, August 24, 2020 for students

Changing the first day of school for students to August 24, 2020, will provide four additional critical in-service workdays for staff. COVID19 brings a significant number of extra health and safety measures, instructional options for parents and guardians, school routine shifts, schedules, and operational procedures. These four additional in-service and staff workdays will ensure a smooth and safe startup of schools during the COVID19 pandemic.
The recommended action for the Board of Education is to change to first day of school for students from the original date of Tuesday August 18, to Monday August 24, 2020.

6:00 PM, Monday, July 13, 2020, Board of Education meeting

The Board of Education will hold a virtual and telephonic meeting in the Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers, George A. Navarre Administration Building, in Soldotna. However, due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and CDC recommendations, this meeting will not be physically open to the public. However, the meeting will remain public.

The public is invited to listen and participate by calling the following toll-free number on July 13 at 6:00 p.m.:

  • (877) 853-5257
  • Conference ID: 708 024 188
  • When prompted for an Attendee ID, press #

The meeting will be broadcast live on the district website. https://www.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/

Anyone can submit comments that will be read during the meeting. Email them to Lisa Gabriel lgabriel@kpbsd.k12.ak.us by 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 9, 2020

To pre-register to testify telephonically (optional) or for technical difficulties or questions, contact Lisa Gabriel at 907-714-8836, Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Links

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June 29, 2020 KPBSD Update

KPBSD Sports & Activities webpage

There is a new opponent on the Kenai Peninsula—meet COVID-19, who changed the game plan and conditions for summer activities and play in KPBSD schools. Several schools have plans approved now, and youth are practicing. Read the “Playing Safely” Peninsula Clarion June 18, 2020 article. Pools at Skyview Middle School and Kenai Central High School are reopening.

You can learn more at the KPBSD Sports and Activities COVID-19 webpage, and read a letter to students, families, and staff about summer activities.

Everyone needs to be a superhero and do their part so that schools open to students. Make sure to wash your hands, watch your 6’ feet, and wear a mask when appropriate. In a pandemic, personal choices count and it will take teamwork from all of us to keep positive COVID counts down, summer sports happening, and schools to open to students in August.

Helpful Resources

August SmartStart 2020

As preparations continue for the reopening of schools in August, you can count on parental choice, consistency and continuity, and symptom free schools. During the July 13, 2020 Board of Education meeting, the SmartStart 2020 plan will be shared, then posted online that week. The KPBSD planning committee of district leadership, administrators, and others are working diligently. We will meet with the State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services and the Department of Education and Early Development in early July to define updated risk determinations in order to keep schools open to students and staff. More details will be available to respond to your questions in mid-July. Thank you for your patience!

KPBSD Summer Sports & Activities Game Plan

KPBSD Sports & Activities webpage

Dear KPBSD students, parents, and staff,

KPBSD is dedicated to the continuation of our various athletic programs for the physical and mental well-being of our students. We are mindful of the risks associated with these events to take place and are taking necessary steps to create as safe an environment as possible for student athletes, coaches, officials, organizers, and spectators. Therefore, additional requirements are in place as summer sports and activities resume in June.

We are working closely with local and state agencies, ASAA, and reviewing the guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), to create standards and expectations to help lower the risk of COVID-19 exposure. We will implement safety measures during summer practices, camps, and conditioning that will make these sporting events safer for everyone. 

Some of the COVID-19 safety measures include requiring participants to sign in when they arrive at each session, take a temperature check, and to respond COVID-19 related symptom questions. Students are asked to follow their coaches or school guidelines, dress appropriately for their activity, bring their own water bottle, and cloth face covering that can be worn outside of practice. Our actions now will slow the community spread of COVID-19, and allow schools and sports to remain open.

We encourage every family to consider the risks to participate in sports and activities during a pandemic, and make the decision that is best for their family. Due to the risks associated with playing sports during the COVID-19 pandemic, KPBSD will require each family of a student athlete, as well as anyone participating in the sporting event, to sign an acknowledgement of the risks and a waiver of liability. This form is designed to assess certain risk factors, highlight the dangers of participating in sports, and ask that each participant not hold KPBSD liable for any harm that may result if a student athlete or participant contracts COVID-19. Make sure to read the sports waiver before you sign, as you will be giving up important legal rights.

We strive to continue our sports programs to the fullest extent practical and intend to take responsible measures to promote the safety of all participants, coaches, staff, and supporting families. KPBSD will monitor community spread of COVID-19, low-medium-high risk in our diverse communities, and potentially make updates as state health mandates and guidance updates are available. You can always find information on our new dedicated KPBSD Sports and Activities webpage.

Kind Regards,
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

Planning summer travel, and COVID-19 testing or self-quarantine health mandates

KPBSD All Staff Communication

Hello! This summer, many of us will travel within our great state, and out of state. While health guidelines and mandates do change, these may be helpful travel related resources for you:

State of Alaska Travel information and declaration forms: https://covid19.alaska.gov/travelers/

Online Link to Travel Graphic

Current State of Alaska Health Mandates including two notes of interest:

  • Health Mandate 010: Interstate and International Travel
    • note: As of June 28, 2020, Alaskans returning to the state from a trip five days or less are not required to take a test before departing, and can upon return, take a COVID test at the airport, and quarantine until receiving a negative result. Plus, “The resident will receive a voucher for a second test that must occur within 7-14 days after arrival, and should minimize interactions until the results from the second test shows the resident is negative for COVID-19.” Alternately, if no test is taken upon return, Alaskans must quarantine 14 days. Details about this option are on the State Travel webpage, in the Travel Declaration Form options.

  • Health Mandate 018: Intrastate Travel
    • note: “Intrastate Travel Between Communities Located Off The Road System or The Marine Highway System Is Permitted, but subject to local travel restrictions.”

Tip: Follow the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) on Facebook, Instagram, and twitter for their informational posts and updates.

As our KPBSD SmartStart 2020 plans for reopening schools in August comes together, you will definitely receive more information later in July. Meanwhile, may your Fourth of July be safe and restful, while doing your part to keep community spread of COVID at bay, so we can open schools—and children and staff can be in buildings!

www.KPBSD.org | Twitter @KPBSD | Facebook KPBSD

KPBSD will inspire all learners to pursue their dreams in a rigorous, relevant and responsive environment.

KPBSD Smart Start plans for new school year

Work is underway for a smart start to the new school year

Soldotna, June 18, 2020—Superintendent John O’Brien assures parents, students, and communities that although it may be summer break, significant work is underway to plan for the August start of 42 schools, during a global pandemic.

Dear parents, students, staff, and Kenai Peninsula Borough communities:

A 20 person team has been designing the safe start-up plans for school in August when we will welcome all children and staff into the new 2020-2021 school year. Our sincere hope and planning goal is to open up all 42 schools for onsite and in-person teaching and learning.

The Alaska Departments of Education and Health and Social Services requested every school district in the state to develop alternative plans in the event it becomes necessary to provide for safe social distancing measures, or a more drastic return to remote learning if the COVID-19 virus makes a strong return in our communities. Part of the planning process includes how we will be able to accurately determine community and school risk levels, and our response. Information and guidance will come from both the state and public health. The risk levels and the implemented actions in KPBSD may include:

In a Green or Low Risk environment, school will open on a normal schedule, and be as typical as possible with increased health and hygiene measures in place

In a Yellow or Medium Risk environment, plans may require safe social distancing in schools and during bus transportation, smaller groupings of students, the possibility of wearing cloth face masks in some settings, and options for remote work or learning for higher risk students and staff

If we were experiencing community spread and transmission of the COVID-19 virus, this would trigger Red or High Risk plans to be implemented which will likely result in the closure of some schools, and the need to provide remote off site instruction in that region of the district

In July, the KPBSD Board of Education and the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development will receive our draft plans for final approval. I offer a special thanks to the hundreds of staff and thousands of families who participated in the survey that took place in May.

Our critical mission is to provide equitable educational support and opportunities for all students, all school year. For information and the latest updates about the KPBSD 2020 Smart Start team’s work, please frequently visit our KPBSD 2020 Smart Start web page at https://bit.ly/3eflLXC, or access it from the KPBSD.org homepage.

Wishing you success and positive impact,
John O’Brien, Superintendent

Links

Chris Brown, 2020 Principal of the Year in AASSP Region III, personifies flexibility

Soldotna, June 11, 2020—Rising like a Phoenix, Chris Brown consistently greets his own inquisitive single-digit age children with delight. At Homer Flex High School, his smile and twinkling eyes offer a welcoming presence to each teen who walks through the door and pauses to remove shoes in the foyer to enter a new day of learning. Principal Brown says, “They are genuinely excited to be here and a part of our community. They show up having overcome obstacles and barriers beyond anything I have experienced.”  

Students at “Flex” awaken to personal responsibility, and land into a sense of family and belonging supported by Principal Brown and the Homer Flex team. Restorative practices, social and emotional learning, teacher support, and group time accompany their academics to graduation. School becomes a classroom for life.

Named the 2020 Region III Principal of the Year, the Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP) recognize Brown for his pivotal role in student success. He stepped into leadership at Flex five years ago, following five years of teaching in the school. He focuses on professional development opportunities to keep staff engaged—and his attention to staff needs and policy changes equates to an impressive 100 percent staff retention spanning more than four years.

“Homer Flex High School respects student choice to live an adult life; therefore, we require that they accept the responsibilities required to be a successful adult,” says Brown. “It is our mission to facilitate students’ academic, vocational, and social and emotional skills toward success in their postsecondary lives. We encourage self-motivation and self-direction, respect for self, respect for others, and respect for the world in which we live.”

Principal Brown worked with the National Council and the Southern Kenai Peninsula Resiliency Coalition to implement Trauma Informed Practices in school, and is a strong advocate for small schools and underserved populations. He focuses on incorporating and prioritizing mental health in schools and is a Youth Mental Health First Aid trainer.

He is instrumental in introducing Restorative Practices to the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, and Superintendent John O’Brien says, “I applaud the leadership Principal Brown has shown in the area of restorative justice—his leadership has positively transformed the culture of Homer Flex. He is the epitome of a student centered educational leader and a tireless advocate for his students. Regional Principals of The Year are eligible to be in the running for the statewide Alaska Principal of The Year, and I wholeheartedly hope this additional recognition is awarded to Principal Brown—he would be an excellent choice.”

Ms. Margaret Griffin awarded Golden Apple

Ms. Margaret Griffin, Soldotna High School
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Golden Apple Award | June 1, 2020

Ms. Margaret Griffin has been working in the education field for twenty-four years. She began teaching English, then earned her Master of Arts degree in School Counseling, moved to Soldotna, Alaska, and has been a school counselor for seventeen years, twelve of which were in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District.

“Margaret is one of the hardest working, most capable people that I have ever met. Her ability to pay attention to details, plan college and career trips, and parent nights is unbelievable. She has worked diligently to utilize different social media and advertising to get the word out about the events the Soldotna High School Counseling Department hosts. She managed to advertise our Postsecondary Planning night so well, that we had over 130 people in attendance. Her work ethic shines through on every task she takes on. She works through schedule changes until 11:00 p.m. at night, ensuring all of her students have schedules that work for them. On weekends, she can be found writing letters of recommendation, and making sure all the tasks are ready for the upcoming week. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) established RAMP to promote exemplary school counseling programs—and Margaret was instrumental for Soldotna High School to receive the national RAMP award! She put in 80 plus hours outside of data collection at school in order to create the RAMP application, awarded to Soldotna High School in 2018. She planned the schedule to work towards RAMP, and without her hard work and push to make Soldotna High School a nationally Recognized ASCA Model Program, it would not have happened.”

–Megan Murphy, Golden Apple nominator

Besides her incredible work ethic, Margaret is described as an incredible advocate for staff, students and parents. Nominator Megan Murphy writes, “I have witnessed Margaret take at risk students shopping to Fred Meyers to let them get needed items. Her advocacy extends to parents, staff, and students. She is someone the staff feels comfortable coming to with information they are not comfortable handling, or something they want to vent or share with her. Margaret knows how to listen and hear all sides. She is never someone to jump to a conclusion or make a judgement based on what she hears. When we debrief, her continual ability to talk through situations and see the whole picture is amazing. She provides a whole world sense when she talks with students, parents, and staff. She is able to talk to people where they are at in their lives, without making judgement, and provide support. Not every school counselor has this ability, and it is inspiring how much support and advocacy Margaret can provide, in such a well­ rounded manner.”

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education is proud to recognize Ms. Margaret Griffin for her dedication to the students of the school district, past, present, and future.