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Neighborhood school takes it to the streets

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On May 2, 2015, twenty six “Mountain View Minions” participated in the Walk and Roll for Hope. This event, the 46th annual, takes place in communities throughout Alaska to raise funds for and awareness about disability services available for Alaskans.
As a large, open enrollment, neighborhood school Mountain View Elementary is fortunate to be able to provide services to students with a wide range of disabilities. By forming a team to participate in this event the Mountain View family was able to show our support for those students as well as the people who work with them, both within our school and elsewhere.
The Mountain View Elementary team included staff participating with their children, grandchildren and parents as well as students participating with their families. With a little inspiration from Disney and artistic help from Pinterest a group of staff members made customized Minion shirts for the team. Wearing bright yellow, googley eyed, and smiley faced tee shirts the team was hard to miss and certainly did its best to add to the festive nature of the event. The “Mountain View Minions” raised $900 to support Hope Community Services, the most raised by any team participating in the event.
The Mountain View Elementary staff has a strong sense of community service that it hopes to impart on its students as well. Other ways they have served the Kenai neighborhood this year include:

  • Staff members setting up a booth at Industry Appreciation Days where they helped close to 200 local children make individualized, hand printed, eagle art work
  • The after school choir singing patriotic songs at an evening veterans day celebration
  • The student council, working with Hilcorp Alaska, serving Thanksgiving Dinner at the Kenai Senior Center
  • Staff members coordinating a Christmas drive that provided dinner and gifts for over 100 local families
  • The 2nd grade singing Christmas carols at a variety of local businesses
  • The kindergarten promoting a Pennies for Pets campaign that raised $500 for the Kenai Animal Shelter
  • Student families maintaining a city of Kenai flower bed over the summer

Mountain View Elementary is Kenai’s “Neighborhood School” and its students and staff strive to live up to that moniker. Look for their students and staff at a community service event near you.
2015_05_18_MtView_W & R Martine and Jonathan

Celebrate KPBSD Natalie Kant, Alaska Counselor of the Year

Natalie Kant, Alaska Counselor of the Year!
Skyview Middle School (SMS) counselor Natalie Kant received top acknowledgment from the State of Alaska for her “exceptional leadership skills, work ethic, enthusiasm for the profession, and care for students.” Sarge Truesdell, principal of SMS said, “There is this old saying in schools that the head secretary and head custodian run a school building. Here at SMS, Mrs. Natalie runs the building. She outworks us all, is a leader amongst her colleagues, is innovative, original, competent, and continually striving to learn and improve. She loves what she does!”

USE large Natalie Kant Alaska Counselor of the Year
Natalie Kant, Alaska Counselor of the Year, with Skyview Middle School (SMS) students

“I am very humbled to receive this incredible award for something that I love to do,” said Natalie Kant. “I am honored to be an employee of the KPBSD and absolutely love being a school counselor. My students, their parents, my colleagues and friends, my family and my school district have inspired me to always be involved and have motivated me to do my best. I love working with all students. Thank you for encouraging and challenging me to be the person I am today. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your life. I am very grateful for the influence you have had in my life. Thank You!”
Natalie Kant Counselor of the YEar
KPBSD School Counselors celebrate Alaska Counselor of the Year, Natalie Kant

Nanwalek School Contributes to Retention of Ancestral Language

NAnwalek 1Good morning! Today is Wednesday, May 13, 2015! Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.” …. A typical school morning announcement? Yes! Until…. “Camai uciitilat, camai uciiniit. Ernerpak nupugpet Ipitaqa aniuq.”
Nestled at the foot of beautiful mountains and along the shores of Cook Inlet, Nanwalek, or “a place with a lagoon,” is home to approximately 250 residents who are from the Sug’piaq culture. The language of the Sug’piat is a dying language, with only about 20 fluent residents. They are the elders, who often do not live with children who are developing language skills.
It is hard for most people to imagine their language disappearing off the face of this earth. What would that be like? The exponential effects are many, for language affects interactions, culture, and history. Most would make every effort to save the language – or risk losing all traditions. In Nanwalek, the school has been key in the effort to save the Sugt’stun language.
nanwalek 3Alongside other schools, Nanwalek is focused on academic standards to help students from this isolated K-12 multi-graded school have as many options as possible when they graduate. As importantly, the Alaska Cultural Standards are essential to daily life at Nanwalek School. These provide another set of standards based on traditional and ancestral beliefs that are about survival of a Native world view, and in Nanwalek this is a way of knowing and being to preserve Sug’piaq values and history through bilingual education.
Links
School website
Connect with Nanwalek on Facebook
 
 
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Survey: Soldotna area schools reconfiguration follow-up

KPBSD 50 years logo Smallest versionSoldotna Area Schools Online Survey
open May 7 – 22, 2015

We are ending the first year of the Soldotna area schools reconfiguration, and seek your opinion via an online survey about two topics: the reconfiguration, and school start and end times for ten area schools. Please respond to brief questions in an online survey, open through May 22, 2015. Parents, guardians, staff, 7-12th grade students, and community members are invited to participate!
Start the survey now! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SoldotnaSchools2015
Reconfiguration
At the start of the 2014-2015 school year the Soldotna area schools were reconfigured resulting in:

School start and end time
Should KPBSD consider changing the school start time for Soldotna area schools? This question continues to be asked to district administration, so we are asking you. Please keep in mind that we are simply gauging the school and community perception of school start and end times, no decision is made, and that any potential change would not take place in the upcoming 2015-2016 school year.

Thank you for your time and thoughts!

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.

Connections students question: When will we do this again?

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Connections Homeschool program supports innovative approaches in education and fun opportunities unique for students. In March we had very little snow on the ground. Our skiing club couldn’t get out on the trails as we had in previous years. We needed to find another activity. A great alternative to skiing in the winter is Fat Tire biking the beaches. Cycological and Saw and Cycle in Homer both rent Fat Tire Bikes, so we put an invite out to our peninsula-wide students.
We set a date for the ride and everyone met at Bishops Beach in Homer, for the first Connections Fat Tire Bike Ride. It was a little overcast and windy on the beach. Everyone bundled up for the weather. We had a brief safety meeting and started peddling towards Diamond Creek. Part of scheduling the event was ensuring that we could hit low tides mid-day. Our low tide was a negative 1.5 at 11:30 a.m.; there were tons of exposed boulders, tide pools, and flat sand to ride. We peddled up the coastline, hopping rocks, crossing tide pools, and scraping the edge of the ocean surf. As we moved up the beach we hit several little showers along the way. After peddling four miles up the beach we stopped in an accumulation of driftwood and took a lunch break. After refueling we started the trek back to Bishops Beach. Everyone improved their riding on the way back to Bishops Beach.
Connections provides a unique opportunity for students across the peninsula. Students were able to get outside in the winter, exercise, and learn how to ride the beaches of Homer. The only question posed by the students was, “When will we do this again?” What a great opportunity for our students!
Story contributed by Jacob Parrett, secondary advisor, Homer Connections Homeschool
Connections Homeschool on Facebook
 website: Connections Homeschool
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News Release: KPBSD launches new system to accept online payments

News ReleasePrint
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, 907.714.8888

Soldotna, April 21, 2015—“Mom, I forgot my lunch money!” Have you ever wanted to add money to a school meal account, for a student activity fee, donation, or lost book via an online payment? Now you can! KPBSD is working with RevTrak, which allows parents and other interested parties to make online payments to the district, via a computer or mobile device.

Food service payments
Online payment for food services is now available for all KPBSD schools. Online payments are processed in real time; this means that someone could make a payment in the morning, and the funds would be available for the student when he or she goes to lunch that day.
Student activity fees
Kenai Central High School and Ninilchik School are piloting the receipt of online payments for student activities, such as class fees, activity participation fees, donations, lost book fees and so forth. Additional schools are going live in coming weeks.
To make a payment
Parents or other people making payments can access a student record in three ways to make payments:

“The district has had many requests for some type of online payment capability, so we are glad to be able to offer this service for students and we hope it will be helpful,” said Laurie Olson, director of finance. “Liz Hayes in our finance department together with Eric Soderquist and David Henson in information services have worked since last summer to get this online and functioning; they are the main reason we are able to offer this service.”
Note: there is a 3.61% processing fee calculated on all payments, no exceptions. This is the actual cost of the processing fee from RevTrak, and is not a source of revenue for the district.
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KPBSD web store

News Release: KPBSD and Proposed Education Funding Reductions in HB72

PrintSoldotna, April 10, 2015—The Senate and House Conference Committee for HB 72 Operating Budget formed. The first meeting is Friday, April 10, 2015, at 4:00 PM.

  • KPBSD understands that difficult financial decisions have to be made. We have confidence in our legislators and Speaker of the House Chenault, who have demonstrated support and advocacy for public education on the Kenai Peninsula.
  • Over 80 percent of our 2015-2016 budget is related to staff (salary and benefits). The proposed reductions of $8 million translates into the potential loss of up to 100 positions and vital programs.
  • It is a constitutional responsibility of the State of Alaska to provide and maintain a public school system open to every child.

Principal Nate Crabtree, K-Beach Elementary: “Legislators are proposing additional reductions to education funding. Our children have one chance for a K-12 education and it needs to be the best we can provide. KPBSD is committed to delivering a quality education to our students and providing stability for our staff and communities. Unanticipated education funding reductions, proposed this late in the budgeting process, will have an impact on K-Beach Elementary. While it is imperative that we find ways to save money as a state, we need to carefully consider doing so in a way that doesn’t negatively influence students during these very formative years when the emerging skills of reading, writing, and math are taking root. Please consider ways in which you can positively influence legislators. Time is essential; the legislative session ends April 19, 2015.”

 

Principal Dan Carstens, Nikiski Middle-High School: “When I learned of the possible additional reduction to the BSA [Foundation Formula 4.1% reduction], I was taken aback and immediately examined my current staffing sheet to determine what else could go. It came down to programs and opportunities for our students. … I looked at our Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and would have to have lighter versions due to the fact that our instructors would need to teach a wider variety at mainly a beginning level. In other words, not a deep understanding, only introductory. Which would be a shame, especially with the variety of equipment we currently possess.”

 

Soldotna High School student council: “We, the students of Soldotna High School Student Council would like to address the current status of HB72 as it stands on April 8, 2015. We are gravely concerned about the educational implications of this bill if it should pass as it currently exists. … We would encourage you to continue to look at a variety of ways to help balance the budget without such extreme cuts to education.”*

 
Please contact legislators to voice your opinion about the proposed reductions to education funding.
 
The Senate Finance Committee amended HB 72 with a 4.1 percent reduction to the Foundation Formula educational funding on April 2, 2015. The impact to KPBSD is:

  • Reduction of state contribution to KPBSD: $4,238,432
  • Reduction of local (borough) contribution to KPBSD: $977,007

 
Governor Walker proposed an operating budget reduction of educational One-Time Funding in HB 72.The impact to KPBSD is:

  • Reduction of state contribution to KPBSD: $2,262,989
  • Reduction of local (borough) contribution to KPBSD: $520,487

 
Potential 2015-2016 revenue loss to KPBSD: $7,998,915
Total possible reduction in state funding to KPBSD: $6,501,421
Total possible reduction in local (borough) funding to KPBSD: $1,497,494
 

 
*HB72 Operating Budget Conference Committee Members

Kenai Peninsula Legislators

 
Connect with KPBSD on Facebook, twitter, our Mobile App, and website to follow updates. Contacts for Alaska legislators are noted in this announcement, and also on the Alaska State Legislature webpage.
Links

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Nikiski Middle-High gets creative with Checkmate King CNC Laser

laserThrough a State of Alaska grant, Nikiski Middle-High School received a Checkmate King CNC Laser. The “King,” as the students call the CNC Laser, has made quite an impact both in quality projects and the understanding of dimensional geometry. NMHS CTE teachers Paul Johnson and Vern Kornstad have challenged both themselves and their students to master the fundamentals of this new technology. They are challenged to understand the maintenance, functions, media, and how exportation in CorelDraw has had to change from previous machines. Should you visit the class you will hear excited and eager students anticipating their projects and troubleshooting to make them even better! Each moment is excitement in hands-on learning, applied math, computer technology, and employability skills.
The class is partnering with the Soldotna, Alaska, business Threeguysnowood.com. The task the partnership developed was to create a small inexpensive project that tourists could purchase at the business. The winning project would be class produced, marketed and sold this summer through the business with all proceeds returned to the CAD/CAM program at NMHS. Students brought their creativity and understanding of computer program tools,  CorelDraw, geometry and measurements to create and execute product ideas. The class voted on the computer assisted drawings and discussed marketing potential. The samples below are some of the CorelDraw ideas that students created. Each color of a line tells the CNC Laser where to cut, how deep to cut, and where to burn on the student designs. Each component is a layover of a layover, so the students must be aware of each line, close each line, and what that line will be doing when exported to the King.
 
artThe selected design from each class was then exported to the CNC Laser. There were some exciting moments when the computer assisted drawings did not turn out exactly as anticipated. As a class, a team in the real-world, they assisted each other in correcting the pathways needed to cut out the prototype(s).
 
Tami Murray, Executive Director of the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce, worked with the business to assist in choosing the most marketable item. After careful consideration the Alaskan puzzle was designated to be produced.
 
TamiFrom that discussion, the instructors further discussed with the students the factors of: packaging, cost of items, and overall marketability. One of the unforeseen and most exciting results of this grant funding is that all chosen student projects will be produced and sold at Threeguysnowood.com this summer with 100% of those proceeds returning to the CAD/CAM program. In a sense every class then has a stake in sales, and every class is a winner.cribbage board
The State of Alaska CTE 2015 grant has made an enormous impact on students already. The grant has provided a vehicle in which to foster student learning and to bring resources back into the CTE program. Students are challenged in an integrated cross-content project emphasizing applied math, computers, marketing, and fostering employability skills. This has truly been a success!
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Thank you to Paul Johnson and Vern Kornstad, Nikiski Middle High School for this story.
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Soldotna High School student council addresses education funding

On April 9, 2015, the Soldotna High School Student Council sent a letter to Alaska legislators in response to proposed reductions to education funding.

2015 April 9 SoHi Student Council to Legislators FundingDear Senators and Representatives,

We, the students of Soldotna High School Student Council would like to address the current status of HB72 as it stands on April 8, 2015. We are gravely concerned about the educational implications of this bill if it should pass as it currently exists.

While we do recognize the importance of drafting a balanced budget, the cuts to education are extremely distressing. With the additional reduction of 4.1% to the Foundation Formula and a cut to other One-Time funding sources, our district is now facing up to an additional $8 million reduction to the new school year budget—which was already a deficit budget and included cuts. We worry about what this means for our school next year and in the future.
With the adoption of new curriculum standards and adjustment to the new testing procedures, we are worried that decreased budgets could lead to increases in the size of our classrooms and a reduction in resources. While each of them by themselves is alarming, combined they could be devastating. Already we do not have enough one on one time with teachers and while we have internet access, our computers and buildings are showing their age.
Extra-curricular activities will also be hit very hard. Student fees to play may need to be increased to help cover the costs of busing, uniforms, referees and coaching staff. Many students are already discouraged about the high costs of participating in sports and yet it is these activities that help keep many kids in school and motivates them to get passing grades. We will need to lean more on local businesses and communities to help with fundraising efforts at a time when they already feel the pressure of helping our local schools.
Thank you for this opportunity to share our concerns. We would encourage you to continue to look at a variety of ways to help balance the budget without such extreme cuts to education.
Sincerely,
Members of Soldotna High School Student Council

HB72 and Education Funding in KPBSD

HB72 and Education Funding in KPBSDPrint

  1. Prioritize Alaska’s future.

Our children have one chance for a K-12 education and it needs to be the best we can provide. KPBSD is committed to deliver a quality education to our students and provide stability for our staff and communities. Unanticipated education funding reductions, proposed this late in the budgeting process, compromises our ability to prepare our students for their future.
 

  1. Proposed cuts will compromise the ability of schools to deliver quality education and vital programs.

“In addition to our Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses, art, music, and technology education, we have been able to increase the amount of college prep classes we are able to offer at our school,” said Dan Carstens, Nikiski Middle-High principal. “Our AP course offerings have doubled in the past year and we were able to offer an honors course to our freshmen and sophomore classes. Our main focus is to differentiate what we offer to our students to best meet them at their current levels. The bottom line is that we have a fine balance of offerings to meet the needs of our diverse population at Nikiski Middle-High School.
For the next school year, in part due to enrollment and budget reductions, we already needed to eliminate one full position. We were able to manage this reduction while still being able to offer our complement of courses, albeit at a decreased level. Obviously it was not our desire to eliminate a position, however, we also understand the need to reduce our spending with the state income not what it used to be.
When I learned of the possible additional reduction to the BSA [Foundation Formula 4.1% reduction], I was taken aback and immediately examined my current staffing sheet to determine what else could go. It came down to programs and opportunities for our students. … I then looked at our CTE programs and would have to have lighter versions due to the fact that our instructors would need to teach a wider variety at mainly a beginning level. In other words, not a deep understanding, only introductory. Which would be a shame, especially with the variety of equipment we currently possess.
Again, I understand the need to make reductions. It is imperative, however, that these reductions are incremental and they are not applied all at one time. We have made our plans for next school year to continue our services. Each year we have the normal attrition of our staff from retirements and resignations; we examine how we can restructure our staffing on a regular basis to continue to meet the needs of our students. As you know, it is never easy, but we have made those decisions based on what our students need to graduate and be successful beyond high school whether it is in college or a career.”

Please contact legislators to voice your opinion about the proposed reductions to education funding.

Last Thursday, the Senate Finance Committee amended HB 72, with a 4.1 percent reduction to the Foundation Formula educational funding. The impact to KPBSD is:

  • Reduction of state contribution to KPBSD: $4,238,432
  • Reduction of local (borough) contribution to KPBSD: $977,007

 
Governor Walker proposed an operating budget reduction of educational One-Time Funding in HB 72.The impact to KPBSD is:

  • Reduction of state contribution to KPBSD: $2,262,989
  • Reduction of local (borough) contribution to KPBSD: $520,487

 
Potential 2015-2016 revenue loss to KPBSD: $7,998,915

  • Total possible reduction in state funding to KPBSD: $6,501,421
  • Total possible reduction in local (borough) funding to KPBSD: $1,497,494

 
A joint Finance and House conference committee has formed for HB 72  and will be meeting soon.

 
*HB72 Operating Budget Conference Committee Members

Kenai Peninsula Legislators

Connect with KPBSD on Facebook, twitter, our Mobile App, and website to follow updates. Contacts for Alaska legislators are noted in this announcement, and also on the Alaska State Legislature webpage.
Links

Nikiski Middle High School shop
Contact Pegge Erkeneff, Communication Specialist
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
907.714.8838
Communications@KPBSD.org
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