All Communications – Page 62 – KPBSD Communications Field Notes

Take Your Child to School Week

CONTACT: PEGGE ERKENEFF, KPBSD Communication Specialist | 907.714.8888

NEWS RELEASE
Take Your Child to School Week

Soldotna, August 15, 2014—Most KPBSD schools begin Tuesday, August 19, 2014, which is perfect timing to act on the proclamation by Governor Sean Parnell, making August 18 – 22, 2014, as Take Your Child to School Week in the state of Alaska.

“I am pleased to learn that the Governor is proclaiming next week as Take Your Child to School Week. The importance of parental involvement in children’s education is well documented; let’s use the proclamation as a motivation to recommit and to strengthen this involvement.” – Dr. Steve Atwater, superintendent

A new school year begins! Parents, relatives, older brothers, sisters, and friends … will you walk, bike, drive, or ride to school with a K-12 student during the first week of school?

Take Your Child to School Week
WHEREAS, Alaska’s children are our greatest and most valuable resource, and their education is essential to the future of our great state; and
WHEREAS, the end of August marks the beginning of a new school year – a chance for families, school staff, and community groups to recommit themselves to supporting students as they continue to learn and grow; and
WHEREAS, studies indicate that when students feel supported, they tend to do better in school, stay in school longer, and enjoy school more; and
WHEREAS, parental involvement plays a large role in a child’s classroom success; research shows that students with engaged parents are more likely to earn higher grades and test scores, attend school regularly, have better social skills, enroll in higher level classes, stay enrolled in school, pass their classes, graduate, and go on to postsecondary education; and
WHEREAS, Alaskans and Alaskan schools are keenly aware of the importance of the family-school partnership in helping our children reach their full potential; and
WHEREAS, expanded and enhanced family engagement in schools across the state helps parents build positive relationships with school staff, connect with other families in the school environment, and feel like welcome members of a friendly school community; and
WHEREAS, as parents, guardians, and community members, let us set a strong example for each other, our children, and their teachers and schools, and demonstrate our involvement in our children’s education throughout the school year. We can start by taking them back to school the first week of the school year.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Sean Parnell, Governor of the State of Alaska, do hereby proclaim
August 18-22, 2014 as:
Take Your Child to School Week
in Alaska, and encourage parents, guardians, relatives of Alaska’s schoolchildren, and community members to foster the learning, growth, and success of the children in their lives through continual encouragement, support, and engagement.

Links
KPBSD pupil transportation, http://bit.ly/TransportationInfo
Take Your Child to School Week proclamation by Governor Sean Parnell, http://1.usa.gov/1t4Cu1E
Volunteer in a KPBSD school, http://bit.ly/VolunteerInKPBSD
PDF August 15, 2014: News Release: Take Your Child to School Week
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It's party time! Celebrate 50 years with KPBSD, KPB, and KPC

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

Celebrate 50 years with KPC, KPB and KPBSD!

Soldotna, August 12, 2014—The public is invited to celebrate an important milestone with Kenai Peninsula College, Kenai Peninsula Borough and the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District. To mark fifty years of service to the Kenai Peninsula, the three key organizations are hosting a community barbecue:

Thursday, August 14, 2014

4:00-7:00 p.m.

KPC’s Kenai River Campus in Soldotna

Everyone is invited

In addition to historical displays, a brief ceremony, tours, live entertainment, free food, games for children, and organization booths, everyone present will have an opportunity to win a commemorative coin set.
The commemorative coins, representing each organization, were minted to mark this historic occasion and will also be available for sale. The college will dedicate a time capsule that will be opened at the 100 year anniversary celebration in 2064. There will also be copies of KPC’s recently released 50 year history book available for purchase.
Overflow parking will be at the KRC Residence Hall and K-Beach Elementary located on E. Poppy Lane in Soldotna. A shuttle bus will run from the elementary school to campus throughout the celebration event.
Link Kenai Peninsula Borough 50^th Anniversary Celebration webpage or http://bit.ly/1AbchCT Joint media release: KPBSD_2014_08_05 Celebrate 50 Years BBQ

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This and all KPBSD media releases are online at this web page: http://bit.ly/MediaPublicRelationships Suggest or contribute a story online link: http://bit.ly/SuggestKPBSDstory Please contact me with questions or connections to be made for your KPBSD district and school stories.

News release: Superintendent Atwater announces his resignation

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, 907.714.8888
News Release
Superintendent Atwater announces his resignation
Soldotna, August 4, 2014—During an executive session with the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education, Dr. Steve Atwater, KPBSD superintendent, tendered his resignation, effective December 1, 2014. His resignation was formally announced and accepted during the public school board meeting. Dr. Atwater will leave KPBSD to become the Associate Vice President for K-12 Outreach at the University of Alaska.
“Deciding to resign as KPBSD’s superintendent was a difficult decision for me,” said Dr. Atwater. “Because my work leading our school district for the past five years has been so rewarding, it is hard to step down. However, I am excited to become the University of Alaska’s Associate Vice President for K-12 Outreach. I am appreciative of working for a supportive school board that places our students’ needs as their number one priority and am proud that our district made so many improvements while I was here. I know the district has a clear vision for what is next and is well positioned with a strong team to continue to meet its goals. I thank all of the employees of KPBSD, families, and community members of our borough for their commitment to our school district. It is an honor to serve our students; I look forward to continuing to do so in my new position.”
The school board met in executive session on Monday evening, and will determine the next step for a new KPBSD superintendent. Three options are possibilities: a national search and new hire; appoint a new superintendent from qualified internal or external candidates; or hire an interim superintendent for the remainder of the school year. When a decision about the next step is made, KPBSD will communicate with our staff, schools, families, and the public.
“It is with sincere regret that the board will accept the resignation of our superintendent, Dr. Steve Atwater,” said Joe Arness, school board president. “At the same time, we feel sincere pride and happiness in his accomplishments and his movement towards a new challenge. His tenure here has been entirely productive and successful and he can take justified pride in the organization that he has been instrumental in creating and continuing. The district will continue in its current directions. As a school board, we will make a determination as to how to proceed in the process of filling the very large shoes which Dr. Atwater will leave. However, we know that the internal strength of the district and its employees is such that we will be able to find his replacement, get on a steady track, and move forward without hesitation. We certainly wish Dr. Atwater well and thank him for the contributions he made to our district.”
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This and all KPBSD media releases are online at this web page: http://bit.ly/MediaPublicRelationships
Suggest or contribute a story online link: http://bit.ly/SuggestKPBSDstory

Central Peninsula Hospital receives KPBSD Golden Apple award

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

Golden Apple Award | August 4, 2014
Central Peninsula Hospital, Community Partner

KPBSD recognizes the dedication and contribution Central Peninsula Hospital makes with their commitment and partnership as the host business for the Central Peninsula Project SEARCH program. Project SEARCH is an intensive internship program for eighteen to twenty-two year olds, with disabilities, to learn targeted job skills in order to successfully apply for and earn a job within the community. In order to be successful, the host business must understand the requirements of the program and the needs of the young adults. The hospital staff is not only understanding of these aspects, but they are dedicated to helping the interns to learn job skills. It all starts at the top with the directors of the departments taking a risk to have an intern work within their department. From there, the departments’ job mentors dedicate their time to ensuring success for all. In addition, every member of the hospital staff who interacts positively with interns and provides feedback to assist their learning is a part of their success.
Hospital staff who participate with the program, as a director or job mentor, have dedicated countless hours to these young adults. Not only are the job mentors performing the duties of their own jobs within the hospital, but they are essentially training a new employee three times a year, collaborating with KPBSD teaching staff, and mentoring young minds! The department directors and job mentors know and care for the interns by the end of their fully immersed ten week rotation. They are involved in the Open House at the beginning of the year, and the completion ceremony at the end of the year. They are with the interns every day helping them to become honest, hard-working citizens.
Evidence of the success of the hospital staff is the fact that for the past two school years the program has been in operation, 100% of interns successfully applied for and received positions within the community–two of whom have remained working for Central Peninsula Hospital! The hospital staff has consistently provided strong support, dedication, and contributions to the learning of KPBSD interns. Without their support, the central peninsula would not have a Project SEARCH program.
Specific members of the Central Peninsula Hospital staff who have taken these steps and risks with Project SEARCH include:

Mr. Rick Davis, CEO: Mr. Davis took the risk of starting this program and partnership.
Mr. John Dodd, Vice President of Human Resources has been an advisory committee member and part of the planning process for two years prior to the start of the program during the 2012-2013 school year. Mr. Dodd has provided guidance and structure for the committee and the interns.
Mr. Jim Childers, Business Liaison just completed his first year with Project SEARCH. His motivation, dedication and desire to help the interns is infectious! He is truly a valued member of the Project SEARCH team.
Craig Ashley, Patty Brantley, Shanda Hall, Sean Harris, Cindi Irwin, Jeff McGee, Shayne Pond, Kristie Sellers, and Alan Thye are the department directors who have dedicated staff within their departments to work with the interns. These directors know the time it takes to train an effective employee and have provided the resources for Project SEARCH.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education is proud to recognize Central Peninsula Hospital for their dedication to the students of the school district, past, present, and future.
Link: Golden Apple certificate

Celebrate! Principal David Kingsland is 2014 National Distinguished Elementary Principal

The Alaska Association of Elementary Principals announces the National Distinguished Principal for 2014 is David Kingsland!
“I was thrilled to learn that one of our own is being recognized by his peers as a National Distinguished Principal for 2014,” said Dr. Steve Atwater, Superintendent. “Mr. Kingsland’s unwavering commitment to the students of William H. Seward Elementary School is both commendable and inspiring. This is a great honor for Mr. Kingsland and by association all the students and staff of his school.”

“The Alaska Association of Elementary School Principals is proud to announce our National Distinguished Principal for 2014. David Kingsland is the principal of William H. Seward Elementary School in Seward, Alaska. The 2014 NDP Celebration marks the 31st year that the National Association of Elementary School Principals has presented this prestigious award.
Principal Kingsland was nominated and selected by his fellow principals through a statewide search process conducted by the Alaska Association of Elementary School Principals. Kingsland has previously held the position of Assistant Principal in Shishmaref. He was a teacher at Davis-Ramoth School in Selawik as well as at Head Start in Fairbanks and Circle School in Circle, Alaska. He has served as principal at Seward Elementary for fourteen years.
Kingsland will travel to Washington DC in October for two days of activities planned to honor and bring well-deserved recognition to the elementary educators selected by their respective states.
AAESP believes that David Kingsland is worthy of the National Distinguished Principal’s award and appreciates his commitment to Alaska’s children.”
Link
Alaska Association of Elementary Principals

KPBSD celebrates nurses!

These numbers may surprise you!
Fast facts: in September, October, and November 2013, KPBSD nurses served an average of 382 students each school day. Staff and community visits were not included in this number. In addition, viruses and respiratory infections were abundant, and fall sports and football injuries always keep school nurses busy.
More specifically, nurses improved student time in the classroom with these interventions:
Total encounters and average per day:

Injury, First Aid assessment and treatment: 6,555 students; 111 daily average
Illness assessment and treatment: 8,981 students; 152 daily average
Mental health, behavioral, social support: 2,728 students; 46 daily average
Scheduled medications given: 2,068 students; 35 daily average
Scheduled procedures provided: 1,715; 29 daily average
Individual health education (class/groups not included): 466 students; 8 daily average

The result was a following return to class rates:

Illness—88 %
Injury—99 %
Mental, Behavioral Health—99.5 %

And an overall return to class rate of 96 %
Additionally, school nurses improved educational access with the following interventions:

Health Screenings: State mandated school entry requirements (TB tests, immunizations, physical exams) and scheduled health screenings including vision and hearing—10,598 students
Medication Administration: Total number of all doses given by nurses of scheduled, emergency and as-needed medications—5,745 doses or an average of 97 per day
Case Management: Including encounters with staff, parents, health care providers, community agencies about individual student health issues—10,843 or a daily average of 184.

These resulted in an average of 485 additional student encounters per day.

These statistics are tracked in the State School Nurse Data Collection, yet there are many more things our school nurses do every day, from offering health classes to head lice checks and beyond.
“Thank you to all of our dedicated school nurses. In addition, our nurses were chosen to develop a streamlined standard and procedure for Alaska’s school districts to follow with regard to collecting body mass index (BMI) data,” said Dr. Steve Atwater. “The school district appreciates Ms. Naomi Walsworth, RN, BSN, Health Services Coordinator, and our thirty KPBSD nurses for continuing to be leaders in Alaska.”
Please let your nurse know that he or she is appreciated and valued as part of the KPBSD educational team helping our schools and students be successful!
Link
KPBSD Health Services

June 4 Funny River Fire UPDATE 193,597 acres with 60 percent containment

ALASKA INTERAGENCY INCIDENT MANAGEMENT
TYPE 2 TEAM
Rob Allen, INCIDENT COMMANDER
FIRE INFORMATION
PHONE: (907) 714-2484
FACEBOOK: Alaska Interagency Incident Management Team
INCIWEB: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3878/
EMAIL: funnyriverfire@gmail.com
10:00 AM June 4, 2014
PDF: 6-4-14 – Funny River Fire Update

FUNNY RIVER FIRE UPDATE

193,597 acres with 60% containment

Today, we expect to see isolated small smoke columns well within the existing contained fire perimeter in pockets of unburned fuels (trees). Southwest light winds are predicted. Last night near Torpedo Lake, a very small (50ft x 50ft) section of unburned fuel (trees) burned within the existing fire perimeter. This was extinguished using air support.
Staffing continues to downsize as fire crews are released to other assignments in Alaska and the Lower 48. The Incident Command Post is a hub of activity as fire crews are returning in from the spike camps for the demobilization process and ground and supply resources are packaged up to be warehoused until the next assignment.
The Prevention Team will be at the Kenai River Festival this weekend to help homeowners with firewise defensible space questions and three “After the Fire” workshops have been scheduled:
Thursday, June 5:10:30am-Noon:             Funny River Community Center
Thursday, June 5: 6:30-8pm:                       Tustumena School
Friday, June 6: 630-8pm:                               Sterling Community Center
Here is a picture of the technical specialists in our Planning Section. This section works long hours often on night shifts. We owe our continued success on the fire to the weather and fire behavior forecasters and the GIS team making the maps to assist the firefighters and the public.

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Facebook links:
Alaska DNR- Division of Forestry (DOF)
Alaska Interagency Incident Management Team
Central Emergency Services
Firewise Alaska
Funny River Wildfire
Homer Electric Association, Inc
Kenai Peninsula Borough
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

Project GRAD Mike Petersen receives Golden Apple award

Golden Apple awarded to Mike Petersen, Project GRAD, and students from the 2014 Summer Institute surprise Mr. Petersen at the school board meeting!

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

Golden Apple Award | June 2, 2014

Mike Petersen, Community Member

Mike Petersen’s contribution to Kenai Peninsula Borough School District students started in 2004, when he moved from Saipan International School to Homer, Alaska. A math and literacy coach with Project GRAD Kenai, he began by serving our schools in Nanwalek and Port Graham.
Mike was interviewed and hired over the Internet, and flew directly from his former position to Houston, Texas, to meet his new Project GRAD team and receive training. Rita Pfenninger, a former Project Grad coach, recalls that when the Kenai team waited in the hotel lobby to meet Mike, they watched the door and wondered if he would arrive suited and formal like many of the gentlemen entering the lobby. When Mike arrived they knew immediately that he would fit in well with the team due to his open, friendly, and casual manner.
Working as a Project GRAD Coach from 2004 – 2011, in order to assist staff to determine school needs, Mike provided his schools, and Project GRAD, with detailed data reports. According to Mike Sellers, former principal at Nanwalek School, “Mike’s strong suit is his ability to give you exactly the information you need to make good decisions. Mike could provide any data you needed.” Jamie Meyers, former Project GRAD coach reports, “Mike is a data person, always crunching numbers to get a better picture.”
In addition to data collection, Mike provided school staff with professional development based on best practices; he actively modeled lessons and consistently provided instructional support. As a coach, each week he flew to Nanwalek and Port Graham where the chances of being weathered in can be a very real problem. Mike was never afraid of what the weather might do. Once in the village he didn’t watch the weather, but focused on the job. He always arrived with a back pack ready to extend his stay if necessary.
Project GRAD hosts an annual summer institute for two weeks in June. The Institute provides Project GRAD students an opportunity to work together in teams and earn high school credit. From the beginning, Mike has been instrumental in both organizing and facilitating summer institutes. Mike facilitates courses such as orienteering and Kayak or Yurt construction, and students put to use math concepts such as measurement or angles to complete projects.
In 2011, Mike moved from his coaching position to become the Project GRAD Kenai Executive Director. In this position Mike provides professional development to his team of coaches, works closely with the Project GRAD board, and continues to build strong community support for the Project GRAD program. He works collaboratively with KPBSD directors, administrators, and staff to continue the development of support systems to ensure student success for all KPBSD students.
Mike consistently provides strong, respectful leadership to his team and to Project GRAD schools located in Nanwalek, Ninilchik, Nikolaevsk, Port Graham, Razdolna, Tebughna, and Voznesenka. He is well respected among his peers and the students with whom he works. He takes to heart the Project GRAD goal that “Graduation really achieves dreams.”
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education is proud to recognize Mike Petersen for his dedication to the students of the school district, past, present, and future.
Link
Project GRAD Kenai Peninsula on Facebook
Project GRAD website

Mike Petersen, Project GRAD executive director, receives Golden Apple award from KPBSD Board of Education

May 31 Funny River Fire UPDATE – 193,243 acres with 54 percent containment

ALASKA INTERAGENCY INCIDENT MANAGEMENT
TYPE 2 TEAM
Rob Allen, INCIDENT COMMANDER
FIRE INFORMATION
PHONE: (907) 714-2484
FACEBOOK: Alaska Interagency Incident Management Team
INCIWEB: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3878/
EMAIL: funnyriverfire@gmail.com
10:00 AM May 31, 2014
PDF: 5-31-14 – Funny River Fire Update

FUNNY RIVER FIRE UPDATE
193,243 acres with 54% containment

Alaska Lieutenant Governor Mead Treadwell will be visiting the ICP this afternoon and available at the 1:30pm Media briefing.
Fire crews took advantage of the cool and damp conditions as they continued to “mop-up” (extinguish all burning material) up to 300’ from the firelines. Fuels dried considerably on Friday with Chinook winds affecting the Eastern edge of the fire area. Isolated pockets on the east side of the fire displayed very active backing despite 40mph easterly winds and limited precipitation. Crews have tied in the line to Star Lake and are now mopping up the area near Kasilof. Fire containment is now 54 percent, with 751 firefighters working to keep the fire away from populated areas.
Today crews will continue to “mop –up” on the west side of the fire in the Kasilof and Sterling Highway areas (up to 500’ from firelines) and in the Funny River Road area. Containment lines on the north side of Torpedo Lake and north side of the Kenai River will be improved and strengthened. Hotshot crews will also continue building fireline south of the fuel break in the Browns Lake area.
Structure protection continues in the Tustumena Lake, Kenai Keys, Private Allotments and the Wilderness Adventure Lodge, Skilak Lake areas.
Even with the current weather and level of containment, several consecutive days of heavier rain are still needed to alter the overall fire activity. Residents can expect to see smoke from inside the perimeter of the fire into the summer.
Early Friday and Saturday mornings, a team from the university’s Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration flew a ScanEagle aircraft over the fire. The aircraft, equipped with infrared image sensors and cameras, found hot spots within the fire perimeter allowing line firefighters to monitor the areas.
Residents and visitors are urged to continue to use extreme caution with anything that could ignite a fire. Visitors and area residents are reminded that fire crews, air and ground equipment are working in the areas of the Sterling Highway and Funny River Road.
Daily advisories on smoke conditions are available from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation at http://dec.alaska.gov/Applications/Air/airtoolsweb/Advisories.
Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Services has set up a call line to help homeowners with fire preparedness. Residents can call (907) 714-2495. Information is available at http://www.borough.kenai.ak.us/emergency-mgmt/fire.

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Funny River Fire Public Information Map
Facebook links:
Alaska DNR- Division of Forestry (DOF)
Alaska Interagency Incident Management Team
Central Emergency Services
Funny River Wildfire
Homer Electric Association, Inc
Kenai Peninsula Borough
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

May 29 Funny River Fire UPDATE – 192,831 acres with 46 percent containment

FUNNY RIVER FIRE UPDATE

192,831 acres with 46% containment

No evacuation notices or alerts are in effect for the fire area.
The Lower Skilak Lake Campground and boat launch are now open; burn ban remains in effect.
Fire crews are taking advantage of the recent cooler and moist conditions as they continue to “mop-up” (extinguish all burning material) up to 200’ from the firelines. Yesterday, very light precipitation was reported over most of the fire area. Up to .10” of rain fell in the west end of the fire. Humidity was recorded above 45% with light winds. Today, very similar conditions are expected with winds increasing to 10-15 miles per hour and gusts up to 25 mph from the east.
Crews will continue to reinforce containment lines on the west side of the fire in the Kasilof and Sterling Highway areas, and in the Funny River Road area. Containment lines on the north side of Torpedo Lake and north side of the Kenai River will be improved and strengthened. Fire containment is now 46 percent, with 760 firefighters working to keep the fire away from populated areas.
There was a public meeting at the Funny River Community Center last night where over 70 interested citizens were updated on the fire and had an opportunity to speak with fire managers and learn specifics about the status of the fire.
Several consecutive days of heavier rain are needed to alter the overall fire activity. Residents should not be surprised to see smoke from inside the perimeter of the fire into the summer.
One firefighter injured his knee yesterday while working on the fire and is being treated. Much of the area is remote and difficult to access. The safety of the firefighters and the public is of great concern to fire managers. Crews are continually briefed and reminded of potential hazards in this rugged terrain. The safety record has been excellent to date and plans are in effect to keep it that way. Residents and visitors are urged to continue to use extreme caution with anything that could ignite a fire. Visitors and area residents are reminded that fire crews, air and ground equipment are working in the areas of the Sterling Highway and Funny River Road.
Daily advisories on smoke conditions are available from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation at http://dec.alaska.gov/Applications/Air/airtoolsweb/Advisories.
Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Services has set up a call line to help homeowners with fire preparedness. Residents can call (907) 714-2495. Information is available at http://www.borough.kenai.ak.us/emergency-mgmt/fire

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NEWS RELEASE Take Your Child to School Week