All Communications – Page 42 – KPBSD Communications Field Notes

#KPBSD Stephanie Cronin is 2017 Alaska Alternate Teacher of Year

#KPBSD State Championship of Teaching!

Stephanie Cronin [Seward High School] is
2017 Alternate Alaska Teacher of the Year!

“The staff and students of Seward High, and entire community, could not be more proud of Ms. Cronin and her amazing accomplishment,” said Trevan Walker, Seward High School principal. “It’s gratifying to know that she is recognized, at the state level, for that which we have always known in Seward … that her Positive Math Attitude (PMA) has resulted in years of Seward High graduates who share her passion.”

Ms. Cronin will serve as Alaska Teacher of the Year if Mr. James Harris (2017 Alaska Teacher of the Year) is named national Teacher of the Year. She has been teaching mathematics and engineering at Seward High School for 17 of her 19 years in the profession. A leader in our district and the community, she serves on committees for effective instruction, teacher evaluation, professional development, assessment, curriculum, and educational technology, the school site council, and the local Native Youth Olympics.

Reached by telephone, Cronin said, “I am humbled and honored to be selected as the 2017 Alaska Alternate Teacher of the Year. I’m proud to represent the amazing teachers of the State of Alaska.” A celebration assembly will take place at Seward High School on December 15, 2016.

Cronin says her greatest contribution to education is her impact on students, which is based on respectful, close relationships. Her passion is to show students the beauty and possibilities of mathematics. One student wrote that Ms. Cronin planted the seed that it’s okay to be excited about mathematics. “She increased my positive math attitude exponentially,” the student said, mathematically. She is a leader in Seward High School’s technology-heavy hybrid model, which offers students many ways to earn credits, videotaped lectures to make the most of class time, and online parallels to courses so students have some control over where and when they learn.

The 2017 Alaska Teacher of the Year is also from the #KPBSD, and Superintendent Sean Dusek said,
“This is the State Championship of teaching! We are excited and humbled to have two of our teachers recognized as the best in our state! Congratulations to Mrs. Stephanie Cronin for being the alternate this year. She is and always has been an outstanding teacher. As for our new 2017 Alaska Teacher of the year, Mr. James Harris, I am very pleased his great effort with our students has been recognized at the state level. He is an excellent representative of the teachers in our district! It is truly a great day in our district as both of these outstanding individuals have earned the highest honors in our state.”

Ms. Cronin holds a bachelor of science degree in economics from the University of Minnesota. She holds three degrees from the University of Alaska Anchorage: a bachelor of science degree in mathematics, a master of arts degree in teaching, and a master of arts degree in educational leadership.
Past Teachers of the Year from KPBSD include:

1999 – Daniel Walker, Seward Middle-High School
1988 – Sammy Crawford, Soldotna High School
1976 – Gary Woodburn, Cooper Landing School

Links
Webpage: Alaska Teacher of the Year
October 22, 2016 Commissioner Johnson Announces Finalists for Teacher of the Year
October 22, 2016 KPBSD story: two KPBSD educators named Teacher of the Year Finalists
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, 907.714.8888
News Release

Ms. Shanette Wik receives Golden Apple award

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Golden Apple Award | December 5, 2016
Ms. Shanette Wik, Community Member

Ms. Shanette Wik, unit director of the Nikiski Boys and Girls Club, definitely goes “above and beyond” in her service to youth. In fact, say the students and staff of Nikiski North State Elementary, Ms. Wik may be described as having gone “above, beyond, and upside down to selflessly meet the needs of Nikiski North Star students.”
Ms. Wik has served as the unit director for the Nikiski clubhouse since 2003, and during that time the program has expanded and flourished. A typical day brings 100 students to the clubhouse and in the summer of 2016, they had the highest attendance ever recorded. “Shanette attracts many Nikiski North Star employees to work for the clubhouse which provides a tremendous continuity of service and instruction to our students,” said Margaret Gilman, Nikiski North Star Elementary principal.
Under her leadership, there is a tremendous sense of cooperation between Boys and Girls Club and Nikiski North Star. Boys and Girls Club provides support for Family Science Night, Love of Reading night, and this past summer they took on the additional task of being the summer caretakers for the Nikiski North Star garden. Ms. Wik also provides assistance with academics for students. She worked with the teachers and was instrumental in requesting funding for Reflex Math which is used consistently as a means of improving math facts computation at Nikiski North Star and Boys and Girls Club.
Shanette Wik is keenly aware of the needs in the Nikiski community. She can always be relied upon to help families who need assistance with food, and is always trying to find ways to assist students who might need help with basic needs. She implemented a fruit and vegetable snack program as well as a supper program at the clubhouse. This provides an opportunity for the kids to have a nourishing snack before they start their after school programming, and the dinner helps those students whose families may need more assistance.
Principal Gilman said: “We are so fortunate at Nikiski North Star Elementary to have a person who demonstrates such caring, kindness, respect and leadership skills. Her work with the Nikiski Boys and Girls Club will provide lasting benefit to our students.”
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education is proud to recognize Ms. Shanette Wik for her dedication to the students of the school district, past, present, and future.
Links
Facebook page: Nikiski North Star Elementary
Facebook page: Boys & Girls Club of the Kenai Peninsula
Golden Apple recipients

Golden Apple awarded to Coach Galen Brantley

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Golden Apple Award | December 5, 2016
Mr. Galen Brantley

Galen Brantley, coach and educator, has served the students and community of Kenai Peninsula Borough School District since “the dawn of time” or more accurately, since August 2002, when he began working in the KPBSD. Coaching a record of 97 wins and only 5 losses, is only a portion of what makes Mr. Brantley such a positive impact for our students and athletes. At the state level, his teams earn championships on the field, state academic awards for the highest division GPA, and sportsmanship awards.
Darren Jones said, “I’ll never forget the first away game my wife and I attended as “SoHi football parents” in Palmer. The JV and Varsity teams played on Friday evening, and the C-Team played the following day. My freshman son was kicking for the JV team. I noticed at half-time during the JV game, when the varsity players and coaches went to the locker room to prepare for the varsity game, that Coach Brantley stayed the entire second half, cheering up and down the sidelines, spending time with each player. Hugs, high-fives, pats on the back were generously given to all. He them repeated the process with the varsity team. The next morning, after sleeping on the gym floor, he was back on the field doing the same with the C-Team. He gets to know each students personally, and builds their self-esteem and self-worth.”
“I have watched Galen Brantley grow into a caring, yet demanding coach who understands his athletes and wants what is best for them while at the same time, expecting the best from them in their efforts,” said Heather Swanson.
“As a mother on the sidelines, I have witnessed a passion that Coach Brantley has for young athletes,” said Brandi Urban. “Our middle son needed structure and Coach Brantley’s football program has been a perfect fit for him all four years of school. He encourages his athletes to pursue college and has given our older son a love of football that we never saw coming. Hearing things from our boys that they do prior to games melts my heart as they all gather in prayer.”
Shelli Furlong said, “Coach Brantley has done so much more than coach both of my boys. In some of the most adverse situations he is able to reach out and share moments of support and courage when they needed it most. Coach Brantley has graciously led my boys to set goals and accomplish challenges both on and off the field with great determination and kindness.”
“Kids come and go but Galen and his staff remain constant,” said Tim and Kim Trammell. “During the 2014 year, many members of the team spent significant time in our home. These were no more than a bunch of goofy kids. However, all these carefree kids changed as soon as they walked into the football locker room where they became focused and disciplined on game day. It was an amazing transition. What we found most interesting was watching these same young men after they graduated. They have carried the discipline and motivation into their early adulthood. Many of these young men still contact Coach for advice and mentoring. Coach Brantley also encourages mentoring of past student athletes with players that are currently in the program. It was impressive to watch last year’s cornerback, linebacker, and tackle helping this year’s cornerback, linebacker, and tackle. We were literally watching them pass the torch.”
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education is proud to recognize Mr. Galen Brantley, for his dedication to the students of the school district, past, present, and future.

Link
Facebook page: Soldotna Stars Football
Golden Apple recipients

Changing times for schools in Southern Peninsula

Plan ahead

In August, 2017, with the start of the new school year, ten school locations in the southern peninsula will begin with new school start and end times. This change is taking place to accommodate a switch from single-tier to double-tier bus transportation, which is already in effect for other schools throughout the KPBSD. No changes will take place in the 2016-2017 school year.
New School Times beginning August 22, 2017:

Bus transportation
Important transportation clarifications taking effect with the change to two-tier busing in the southern peninsula include:

KPBSD transportation routing will only be from home-to-school, and school-to-home.
Some situations in which out-of-area transportation is provided for students to attend a school outside their attendance area currently exist, and will not be available beginning with the 2017-2018 school year.
Parents may continue to have a child attend an out of area school through the Out-of-Area Attendance Request process (see E 5116(a)) but KPBSD will no longer provide bus transportation if a bus serving another school was available.
Bus routing and schedules will be updated in the summer of 2017, and available on the KPBSD website, at the same time as districtwide school routes are posted.

A series of community meetings took place throughout 2016, with parents, KPBSD staff, students, and community members in attendance. School administrators met, and worked together to create the new school start and end times. If you have questions about specific schools, please contact the school principal with your questions.
Southern Peninsula principals continue to meet together and work with community service providers to discuss after school childcare, recreation, and structured activity options to accommodate family needs for the 2017-2018 school year.
Changes will take place at southern peninsula schools served by bus transportation and include:
Chapman School
Fireweed Academy
Homer Flex School
Homer High School
Homer Middle School
McNeil Canyon Elementary
Ninilchik School
Paul Banks Elementary
West Homer Elementary
Links:

October 12, 2016: Southern peninsula school start and end time options
September 14, 2016: Southern Peninsula community meetings – school start and end time changes
July 27, 2016: KPBSD Board of Education, Approval of Apple Bus Contract
May 5, 2016: Southern Peninsula Bus and School Time Meetings

If you have questions about specific schools, please contact the school principal with your questions.

You're invited: winter musicfest at KPBSD schools #delight

KPBSD Winter Concerts & Music Programs
Please treat yourself and attend a
music concert or school play in December!

Aurora Borealis Charter School – November 22, 7:00 p.m., Winter Program, KCHS
Chapman School – December 15, 7:00 p.m.
Homer High School – December 19, 7:00 p.m., Winter Concert; December 21, 7:00 p.m., Candlelight, Carols and Desserts
Homer Middle School – December 15, 7:00 p.m., Winter Concert, Mariner Theater
K-Beach Elementary – December 15, 6:00 p.m., Grades K-2, SoHi Auditorium; De cember 20, 6:30 p.m., 4-6 Bands, K-Beach
Kaleidoscope School of Arts & Science Charter School – December 6, 7:00 p.m., Holiday Concert grades 1-5, KCHS
Kenai Central High School – December 18, 3:00 p.m. KCHS Choir Holiday Concert, KCHS Auditorium; December 13, 7:00 p.m. KCHS Band Holiday Concert, KCHS Auditorium
Kenai Middle School – December 8, 7:00p.m., KMS Choir Holiday Concert, KCHS auditorium; December 13, 7:00 p.m., Dessert Auction and Holiday Concert with the KMS Concert Band, Intermediate Band, KCHS Concert Band & Jazz Band, KCHS auditorium
McNeil Canyon Elementary – December 8, 6:30 p.m., Winter Program
Moose Pass School – December 5, 7:00 p.m., Holiday Play
Mountain View Elementary – November 15, 6:00 p.m., Grades 4-5 Concert & Band Concert, KCHS Auditorium; December 15, 6:00 p.m., Grades 1-3 Concert, KCHS Auditorium
Nikiski Middle-High School – December 12, 7:00 p.m., Winter Band and Choir Concert
Nikiski North Star Elementary – December 6, 6:00 p.m., Grades 1-2 Winter Concert, NMHS Auditorium; December 13, 6:00 p.m., Grades PreK-K, modern and concert band Winter Concert, NNS Gym
Ninilchik School – December 19, 7:00 p.m., Winter Concert, Rootbeer Float Fundraiser
Paul Banks Elementary – December 6, 1:00 p.m., Winter Program, Mariner Theatre
Redoubt Elementary – December 8, 6:00 p.m., Grades 1-3 Winter Concert, Soldotna High School; December 13, 6:00 p.m., Band Concert, Gym
Seward Elementary – December 15, 6:00 p.m., South Wing Winter Concert, Gym
Seward Middle School – December 12, 1:40 p.m., Holiday Drama; December 14, 6:30 p.m., Holiday Music Show, Hotel 360
Skyview Middle School – December 15, 7:00 p.m., Band and Choir Winter Concert, Skyview Commons
Soldotna Elementary – December 6, 6:30 p.m., Primary Winter Concert (SOEL and SMCS); December 20, 6:00 p.m., Band and Choir Concert (SOEL and SMCS)
Soldotna High School – December 13, 7:00 p.m., Band and Choir Concert (with Soldotna Prep)
Soldotna Prep – December 13, 7:00 p.m., Band and Choir Concert (with Soldotna High School)
Soldotna Montessori Charter School – December 6, 6:30 p.m., Primary Winter Concert (SOEL and SMCS); December 20, 6:00 p.m., Band and Choir Concert (SOEL and SMCS)
Sterling Elementary – December 13, 6:00 p.m., Winter Concert, Grades Pre K-3; December 15, Winter Concert, Grades 4-6
Susan B. English School – December 13, 6:30 p.m., K-12 Christmas Program
Tebughna School – December 21, 6:00 p.m.
Tustumena Elementary – December 13, 6:00 p.m.
West Homer Elementary – December 13, 1:00 p.m., Mariner Theater

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, 148 N. Binkley Street, Soldotna, Alaska 99669 907.714.8888
PDF: KPBSD Winter Concert schedule

Preludes: Paul Banks Elementary music makers

After a month of paper violins, Paul Banks Elementary “Preludes” graduated to real violins. They are learning how to play the open strings as an ensemble group, how to keep beat in unison, as well as how to hold a bow and develop fingering techniques. While much of the instruction still focuses on building physical stamina, frequently students can be heard calling out notes and plucking strings.

Parent perspective
“I recently moved to Homer and enrolled my first grade son in Paul Banks Elementary. I was surprised to hear of the violin program starting this year. Admittedly, my first reaction was one of doubt whether it would work with such young children.
I became involved in helping out with classroom management for the violin lessons. I am so impressed with what I have witnessed. Not only are the kids really enthusiastic about their program, but they are quickly improving. I have read the research about the positive impact on cognitive development when children learn to play a string instrument so young. What impresses me more is what I have seen. The team of program developers, talented violin instructor, violin players who are volunteering and the elementary music and classroom teachers are really giving a lot of energy and “heart” into this program.
I have observed the kids working happily on posture, stamina to focus, endurance for sustaining physical postures, new patterning coordination, eye-hand isolated coordination tasks, following multi-step directions, retaining previous lessons by memory, spinal and upper body strength, developing rhythm, learning where their own bodies go in space (proprioceptive training) and showing respect for the violin.
It is my opinion that only a team of dedicated and driven adults could pull this off successfully. I am writing this to bring awareness to what I have witnessed. Paul Banks Elementary violin “Preludes” program with its team of charismatic musicians is teaching far more than just violins. I am so pleased that my son gets to be a part of this. It is impressive that ALL kids in the first grade are a part of this, as it would be my guess that a number of these children would not otherwise be included.
I now know that my son is learning a lot more than just music while having a great time. I frequently get reports on violin class without even asking him.” –Ginnie Oliver, MOMT, Physical Therapist
In the news: Beautiful music begins at Paul Banks

Mr. Perry and students lead the class in a song

“This program has been a positive addition to Paul Banks. The community has generously donated money and volunteer hours to get the program up and running. Daniel Perry, Linda Reinhart, and Lyn Maslow have teamed with our teaching staff to create an incredible program.” – Eric Pederson, principal.

Mrs. Reinhart’s first graders playing a song that teaches them the names of the notes on the four open strings of the violin, E, A, D, and G.

Soldotna High Making a Difference

“Every day I speak to students at Soldotna High School about respect, treating people right, kindness, and dreams. I tell them that the choice is theirs: they can choose to make a difference in their lives as well as the lives of others.

Actions speak louder than words, and this year they broke the sound barrier!

With the help of the students, staff, and the community, we were able to fill 25 baskets for families in need at Soldotna High School, give 30 turkeys and all the meal fixings to Love Inc., and still donate over 900 pounds of food to the Food Bank. All-in-all, we had enough food to feed 75 families this Thanksgiving year.
I am so proud and extremely thankful to call this my community and be a part of the Soldotna High School family. Make it a great Thanksgiving. Remember, the choice is yours!”

–Tony Graham, Principal, Soldotna High School

KPBSD students connect with Syrian refugee crisis #videoconference

KPBSD students across the Kenai listen and learn firsthand about the Syrian refugee crisis, via a videoconferencing presentation from Seward, Alaska, USA.
Teresa Gray, a retired paramedic, spent several weeks volunteering in Lesvos, Greece, greeting and serving refugees from Syria, offering medical aid, hugs, and suckers, alongside volunteers from other countries.
At a camp on the beach, where she spent three weeks, she said, “The whole point is to get them at least fed, and dry, and warm, and a smile on their face. They didn’t spend long at this temporary camp. … In the 21 days I was on Lesvos, 60,000 people came in those 21 days. Four hundred people drowned, trying to make it.”
That’s only the beginning of a powerful hour, with Gray’s photos, recounting of facts, and her sobering, heart-wrenching experience.
Students from Kenai Central High School, Kenai Middle School, Seward Middle School, Soldotna High School, Soldotna Prep, and countless others logged in to watch live through the videoconference (VTC) link. KPBSD students in the Polycom Certification Practicum helped facilitate the VTC.

Watch the same presentation through our KPBSD Polycom channel via this link: http://bit.ly/KPBSDvcSyrianRefugeeAid

Tsalteshi Trails Story Mapping and App Project

Skyview Middle School eighth grade students in Sheilah-Margaret Pothast’s classes took to the Tsalteshi Trails to learn about GIS (Geographic Information Systems), use GPS to map a new trail, build a mobile app, and provide research for a story map now posted on the Kenai Peninsula Borough website.

Mrs. Pothast explains, “My first and second hour eighth grade American History classes participated in much of the research “grunt work” guided by our outstanding adult volunteers. Many of the ideas for direct links, etc. that you’ll see in the product are ideas the kids recommended. Our adult volunteers contributed the expertise in their respective fields as well as the actual technical construction of the map. Students worked with adults to add attributes to the app and worked in teams led by the adults to develop the basic content ideas for each tab. Students are seeing the work for the first time and loving it! They are also already thinking of ways to improve it. This has been a wonderful learning experience for all of us, and one I look forward to continuing in the future. Many thanks to our adult volunteers without whom this would not have been possible.”

Thank you to the SMS staff, and amazing community partners and volunteers who did so much with our students, including: Bobbi Lay and Celina Robinson – KPB GIS Department; Nancy Carver – KPB Kenai River Center; Austin Johnson, City of Soldotna; Stephanie Queen – City of Soldotna Economic Development & Planning; Branden Bornemann – Kenai Watershed Forum GIS Specialist; Mark Laker – Kenai Wildlife Refuge Ecologist; and Bill Holt, Tsalteshi Trails Maintenance Manager extraordinaire.
Link: Tsalteshi Trail System

#iAmKPBSD Outstanding Students | Distance Learning

Meet #iAmKPBSD outstanding Distance Learning education students, Fall 2016

Annie Quinn
Soldotna High School
Distance Class: Computer Applications
Distance Teacher: Darren Jones
“Annie Quinn completed all three computer applications courses this year earning her six college credits from Kenai Peninsula College. Annie has a great work ethic, time management skills and has demonstrated outstanding computer skills.”

David Weisser
Connections Homeschool
Distance Class: Biology A
Distance Teacher: Kim Leslie
“David’s creativity and enthusiasm for learning shine through on all of David’s work in Biology. He moves through this rigorous course on pace, showing strong understanding and bringing a level of curiosity that honors the wonders of science.”

Caleb Rauch
Homer High School
Distance Class: World History
Distance Teacher: Steve Cothran
“Caleb finished the whole semester of World History by the quarter mark, and more importantly, did so while maintaining the highest quality of work. His assignments were always comprehensive and he looked for meaningful insights between the course material and his contemporary world.”

Gage Charlesworth
Connections Homeschool
Distance Class: Health
Distance Teacher: Amanda Adams
“Gage has demonstrated true diligence in his first online course! Working continually to understand the material and remove roadblocks along the way. He responds to feedback by thinking deeper about the topics, and furthering his understandings.”

Kaitlyn Johnson
Nikiski Middle-High School
Distance Class: Language Arts 10
Distance Teacher: Amanda Adams
“Kaitlyn continually demonstrates diligence in her efforts to become a better reader and writer. Her work ethic is unwavering, always reworking assignments, clarifying with questions, and applying feedback. Kaitlyn allows her creativity to shine through into her writing, and she isn’t afraid to take risks in trying new things with the goal of expanding her ability.”

Olivia Delgado
Ninilchik High School
Distance Class: Pre-Calculus
Distance Teacher: Gabe Evins
“Olivia is doing outstanding in Pre-Calculus online and is seven assignments ahead of schedule. Olivia continues to be one of my best students and shows exemplary work. She is very respectful with her communications and is not afraid to ask for help if help is needed.”

Marissa Geissler
Homer High School
Distance Class: Italian 1
Distance Teacher: Emanuela Pokryfi
“Marissa has been a remarkable student with her positive and proactive attitude throughout the first quarter. She was very helpful by letting me know of errors or issues with the course and its content whenever she found one, suggesting possible solutions. Marissa also agreed to meeting with another student in her school who is enrolled in the same online course to help her in getting more grounded in the course.”
Learn more: KPBSD Distance Learning Department

The mission of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is to develop productive, responsible citizens who are prepared to be successful in a dynamic world.

#KPBSD State Championship of Teaching!

Stephanie Cronin [Seward High School] is 2017 Alternate Alaska Teacher of the Year!

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Golden Apple Award | December 5, 2016 Ms. Shanette Wik, Community Member

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Golden Apple Award | December 5, 2016 Mr. Galen Brantley