All Communications – Page 64 – KPBSD Communications Field Notes

Update: Funny River Fire Grows to 44,423 acres, Public Meetings Scheduled for Tonight

ALASKA INTERAGENCY INCIDENT MANAGEMENT

TYPE 2 TEAM
Rob Allen, INCIDENT COMMANDER
FIRE INFORMATION
PHONE: (907) 714-2484
INCIWEB: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3878/
EMAIL: funnyriverfire@gmail.com
May 22, 2014
PDF 5-22-14 Funny River Fire Update

FUNNY RIVER FIRE UPDATE

Funny River Fire Grows to 44,423 acres, Public Meetings Scheduled for Tonight

Firefighters continued working through the night to contain the Funny River Fire. The Funny River Fire has burned 44,423 acres within the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. It is five percent contained. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The Alaska Interagency Incident Management Team will hold two public meetings tonight.
The first will be held at 6 p.m. at Tustumena Elementary School, 58231 Sterling Highway, Kasilof
and the second will be held at 8 p.m. at the Funny River Community Center, 35850 Pioneer Access Road, Soldotna.
Fire managers and emergency operations officials will discuss the firefighting efforts and public safety and will take questions.
Crews have made good progress in corralling the fire on the northwest corner by creating a dozer line. The arrival of water-scooping aircraft today will help reinforce efforts to contain the southwest flank of the fire and protect the community of Kasilof. The fire is approximately 4 miles from the Kasilof River and 3.5 miles east of the Pollard Subdivision. Firefighters will also continue work today on the northwest corner, where they worked overnight burning out vegetation to protect Funny River Road residents. The fire is 3 miles from the water accessible only Bear Creek Subdivision and a crew of firefighters are headed to the subdivision today. The arrival of additional crews today is expected to help the Alaska Type II Incident Management Team make progress on containing the blaze.
Residents in the area should expect to see increased air traffic related to the fire. A Temporary Flight Restriction remains in effect over the fire area.
The fire continues to send heavy smoke over the Kenai Peninsula and other parts of Southcentral Alaska. An Air Quality Advisory remains in effect.
Information about smoke is available from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation at http://dec.alaska.gov/air/am/smoke.htm
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.
Central Emergency Services is urging residents who live near the fire to stay aware and be prepared. Information is available at http://www.borough.kenai.ak.us/emergency-mgmt/fire
Vegetation remains extremely dry on the Kenai Peninsula. Residents and visitors are urged to use extreme caution with anything that could ignite a fire.

Funny River Fire Update via Alaska Incident Management Team

ALASKA INTERAGENCY INCIDENT MANAGEMENT
TYPE 2 TEAM
Rob Allen, INCIDENT COMMANDER
FIRE INFORMATION
PHONE: (907) 351-2206
EMAIL: funnyriverfire@gmail.com
5-21-14 Funny River Road Fire Update – PDF
May 21, 2014

FUNNY RIVER FIRE UPDATE

Funny River Fire Grows to 20,000 acres

The Funny River Fire is sending significant smoke into Soldotna and Kasilof today and as far as Anchorage and Homer. The fire, currently estimated at 20,000 acres, is burning within the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Despite cooler temperatures and higher humidities overnight, the fire was active, with significant movement on the eastern flank of the fire.
Crews with the Alaska Division of Forestry and Central Emergency Services worked overnight to keep the blaze from crossing the Funny River Road at about Mile 7. Recent efforts by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to reduce the buildup of beetle-killed spruce along the Funny River Road helped stop the advance of the fire.
The Alaska Type 2 Incident Management Team took over management of the fire this morning. Fire managers are focusing efforts today on the northern flank to keep it from crossing the Funny River Road and on the western flank to keep it from reaching the Sterling Highway and the communities of Kasilof and Sterling. It remains at least three miles from the Sterling Highway. Fire managers are also working to better map the fire and provide maps to the public.
Significant resources are being deployed on the fire, including air tankers, wildland firefighting crews and engine crews with experience fighting structural fires. Heavy smoke is affecting visibility and efforts to fight the fire from the air.
An early spring with very little precipitation has left vegetation extremely dry on the Kenai Peninsula. Residents and visitors are urged to use extreme caution with anything that could ignite a fire.
Air Quality Advisories are in effect for Southcentral Alaska. Information about smoke is available from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation at http://dec.alaska.gov/air/am/smoke.htm
Central Emergency Services is urging residents who live near the fire to stay aware and be prepared. Information is available at http://www.borough.kenai.ak.us/emergency-mgmt/fire
5-21-14 Funny River Road Fire Update – PDF

News Release: Nikiski Schools update

NEWS RELEASE

Nikiski schools update II

Soldotna, May 9, 2014, 5:00 PM—The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD) can confirm that the person who is the subject of an investigation of inappropriate contact between a teacher and a student is the same suicidal person Alaska State Troopers (AST) were searching for yesterday.
KPBSD can also confirm that AST contacted the person at noon today. He was in his vehicle parked on the Kenai Spur Highway. Based on the fact that he was suffering from apparent physical injuries, the trooper called for an ambulance which transported him to a hospital where he is undergoing treatment for his injuries. He is not in custody of the troopers at this time, and neither the school district nor the troopers are releasing his name.
The case is still under investigation.
On 05-08-2014, the AST Department of Public Safety posted on their website: “On 5/8/2014 around noon, the Alaska State Troopers received a report of a suicidal adult male in the Nikiski area. The man reportedly threatened to commit suicide by consuming sleeping pill and alcohol. The man had been at the local high school earlier in the day. Troopers responded to the school in an attempt to locate the individual. The man is described as a white, adult male with dark hair. He is believed to be in a dark red, extended cab 1998 Dodge Dakota with a dented driver’s door. The vehicle has a license plate with the last three number 396. Anyone with information regarding the location of this vehicle is encouraged to contact law enforcement immediately by calling 9-1-1.”

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Nikiski schools update I

Soldotna, May 9, 2014, 1:00 PM—An internal KPBSD investigation began during the morning of Thursday, May 8, 2014, at Nikiski Middle-High School, which resulted in a call to the State Troopers.
The school district report to the Alaska State Troopers (AST) resulted in AST beginning an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior between a teacher and a student.
Further information resulted in the school district initiating precautionary lockdowns at both Nikiski Middle-High School and Nikiski North Star Elementary School. Throughout the afternoon the school administrators and district office continued to communicate with law enforcement.
Student and staff safety is a priority in KPBSD schools, and the district will always act proactively to keep students safe. We thank the parents, staff, students, and community for their patience and understanding during a stressful time on Thursday at our schools as we assessed the unfolding situation.
At this time, Friday, May 09, 2014, the school district is continuing to cooperate with AST in an ongoing investigation.
The teacher involved with the investigation is on administrative leave. Further updates will be provided when and if additional details are available and can be made public.
On 05-08-2014, the AST Department of Public Safety posted on their website: “On 5/8/2014 around noon, the Alaska State Troopers received a report of a suicidal adult male in the Nikiski area. The man reportedly threatened to commit suicide by consuming sleeping pill and alcohol. The man had been at the local high school earlier in the day. Troopers responded to the school in an attempt to locate the individual. The man is described as a white, adult male with dark hair. He is believed to be in a dark red, extended cab 1998 Dodge Dakota with a dented driver’s door. The vehicle has a license plate with the last three number 396. Anyone with information regarding the location of this vehicle is encouraged to contact law enforcement immediately by calling 9-1-1.”

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Media Release: KPBSD 2014_05_09 Nikiski Schools Updated Information

Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, communications specialist, 907.714.8888
Pegge@kpbsd.org
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

Student highlight: Kiowa Richardson, River City Academy

Kiowa Richardson, River City Academy (RCS) senior, appointed to the United States Air Force Academy
River City Academy is proud to announce the appointment of RCA’s Class of 2014 Valedictorian, Kiowa M. Richardson, to the United States Air Force Academy. Kiowa has been selected from an elite applicant list of over 9,700 candidates to become a select member of United States Air Force Academy Class of 2018. This prestigious appointment is offered to only approximately 1,200 nominees and valued at over $400,000. It is also the most recent in a long list of accomplishments for this fine young person.
Over a year ago, Kiowa began the intense process of preparing herself for the Congressional Nomination required for application to the USAFA. As part of this process, Kiowa was selected to attend the USAFA Junior Diversity Visitation Program in Colorado Springs, Colorado. During this experience, she gained first hand exposure to the daily life of a USAFA cadet and returned with a renewed commitment to the Academy. This commitment paid off in her recent appointment.
Outside of her commitment to the USAFA, Kiowa has also demonstrated her commitment to her education, school and community over the course of her career at RCA. Kiowa joined River City Academy during her 8^th grade year, when RCA first expanded to include middle school grades. During these past five years, she has worked to shape the culture of RCA, as well as expanding her own horizons both inside and outside of school. Kiowa can be relied on as a member of the leadership team at RCA and is a co-teacher of the RCA Batik class during our January Interims. Over the past years, Kiowa has received numerous awards and acknowledgments of her extensive talents, including first place finishes in the Annual RCA Poetry Slam, the Kenai Peninsula Writers Contest, and numerous Superior District Medallions in fine arts. Outside of school, Kiowa published her book, “The Christmas Kangaroo” at age 14 and has attained the Silver Award in Girl Scouts. She also devotes a considerable amount of her free time to volunteering at local service agencies and with her church.
The staff and students at River City Academy and Kiowa’s family are very pleased to share in her most recent accomplishment and are anxious to see Kiowa’s vast talents shared on the larger stage of this elite military academy.

Celebrate Karla Barkman, recipient of Linda K. Barrett Service Award

Karla Barkman, KPBSD District Librarian and Technology Integration Specialist, was chosen to receive the 2014 Linda K. Barrett Service Award. This award is given annually by the Alaska Association of School Librarians to a fellow librarian who is member of AkASL, has demonstrated service to the school library profession, and has provided significant services to both state and local activities.
“Ms. Barkman’s leadership with our libraries is first rate,” said Dr. Steve Atwater, Superintendent. “The regular improvements that she makes to our libraries as they more and more shift to a digital environment is exciting.”
Karla uses her knowledge and training to help librarians in her district move beyond the basics. She facilitates district collaboration days as well as organizing monthly virtual meetings. Karla actively provides library and technology support to the librarians and teachers in her district. She is the district coordinator for the Battle of the Books program, and also writes questions and moderates for this program at the state level.
In addition to her district duties, Karla is on the AkASL board serving as the Professional Development Grants Coordinator. Karla is a member of the Alaska Association of School Librarians, The American Association of School Librarians as well as the American Library Association. No matter what she takes on, Karla sustains a winning smile. Students and staff are nourished by her positive personality.

“Karla’s leadership in the transformation of our district libraries into hubs of learning for KPBSD students and teachers alike, is exemplary. The fact that she was recognized for her leadership on a state level speaks volumes about the impact she is having on the learning of thousands of children and adults–not just in our district, but also across our great state!” – Christine Ermold

Barkman received this award at the AKLA awards banquet held March 2, 2014, at the Captain Cook Hotel.
Link
Linda K. Barrett Service Award, Alaska Association of School Librarians

Jason Bickling awarded 2014 Region III Principal of the Year

Jason Bickling, Seward Middle School administer, is named Alaska 2014 Region III Principal of the Year!
His response:

“Honestly, it’s very humbling to be recognized when I know there are a lot of administrators out there doing great things in their schools and making a difference for kids.”

“I am pleased to learn that Mr. Bickling’s is recognized as Alaska’s Region III Principal of the Year,” said Dr. Steve Atwater, superintendent. “His tireless work to create an optimum learning environment for his Seward Middle School and Moose Pass School students is inspiring. All of us at KPBSD hope that he is named Alaska Middle School Principal of the Year.”
Please join KPBSD in celebrating Mr. Bickling, and his commitment to education, his students, families, staff, and public education.
Jason–you make a difference!

Appreciation – hospitality and KPBSD applause

Dear Dr. Atwater,
My name is John Baker. I am just recovering from two days of music making at Kenai Central High School with over 300 students from your school district. From the moment Alan Fields picked me up at the airport to the time Renee Henderson dropped me off for my trip home, I was treated with warmth, respect and dignity.
If the 300+ students are a cross section of your overall student population, you have much of which to be proud. I asked a great deal of the singers in respect to focus and effort; they did not disappoint. They stayed focused and worked long hours in preparation for our concert. I know that it is no accident when students behave so extraordinarily well. Teachers, parents, administrators, and community mold our kids. “It takes a village.”
I would like to commend Renee Henderson of Kenai Central High School for her organizational skills and ability to run a big festival. She was also a wonderful hostess. She is a gem in your community. Renee was very professional in all of our correspondence before and during the event.
I would also like to commend the other choir directors for their efforts in preparing their singers for the festival and remaining engaged during the rehearsals:

Mr. Vernel Schneider of Soldotna High School
Mr. Kent Peterson of Skyview High School
Mr. Jeremy Anderson of Nikiski High School
Ms. Breighley Sexton of Seward High School
Mr. Eric Simondson of Ninilchik High School
Mr Kyle Schneider of Homer High School

How very fortunate you are to have such a fine and caring music staff within your school district.
In addition, Lassie Nelson, Administrative Specialist was very prompt in filling out the necessary paper work for my services. Not only was she friendly in our correspondence, she came to the concert to meet me in person. Your students and staff have left quite a positive impression on me.
Sincerely,
John Baker
Choir Consultation
4235 SE Concord Rd
Milwaukie, Oregon 97267

Media release: KPBSD 2014-2015 budget revision

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, 907.714.8888
Media Release
KPBSD 2014-2015 budget revision

Soldotna, April 11, 2014—Due to the changing fiscal climate at state and local levels, district administration is recommending that funding for the Skyview Middle School pool in Soldotna, Alaska, be reinstated into the 2014-2015 (FY15) budget.
KPBSD district administration has reinstated a $180,000 General Fund expenditure for the Skyview Middle School pool, previously eliminated during a January 14, 2014, Board of Education work session, and included in the 2014-2015 Preliminary Budget presented to the school board on February 3, 2014. The $180,000 reduction was in addition to a $1.3 million budget reduction made in the fall of 2013, in anticipation of a substantial FY15 budget deficit.
The insertion of the $180,000 into the FY15 budget means that the Skyview Middle School pool would remain open during the 2014-2015 school year.
The Board of Education packet prepared for the April 14, 2014, school board meeting has been revised. The FY15 Budget (Revised) document states, The Preliminary General Fund revenue budget will increase by $180,000, from $161,206,486 to $161,386,486, with budgeted revenue from all sources of $154,456,357, use of Fund Balance reserved for Health Care in the amount of $2,156,400 and use of General Fund Balance increased from $4,593,729 to $4,773,729.”
Links
April 14, 2014 School Board agenda and business packet
School Board Communication: FY15 Budget (ADDENDUM), view pages 4-5 of the FY15 Budget (REVISED) document.
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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.

KPBSD and KPC Announce New Efforts to Make it Easier and Less Expensive to Take College Classes

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and Kenai Peninsula College
Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, 907.714.8888 or Gary J. Turner, KPC Director, 907.262.0315
KPBSD and KPC Joint Media Release
Soldotna, April 7, 2014—JumpStart opens to juniors, and includes bus transportation from high schools to KPC. Kenai Peninsula College (KPC) and Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD) officials jointly announced two new initiatives will enable more high school students to take KPC courses at reduced tuition rates.
Beginning with the fall 2014 semester, high school juniors will be able to take advantage of the JumpStart program that had previously only been available to high school seniors. Students can enroll for up to six credits each semester starting the fall semester they become juniors. Tuition cost is $55 per credit versus the regular rate of $174.
Funded by a 1/10^th mill rate on borough property taxes, JumpStart has been in existence for many years. Opening the program to juniors means that high school students will be able to take up to 30 credits (one full college year) at the reduced rate—by the time they graduate from high school.
Students and their parents can potentially save $3,570 on their first year of college compared to regular University of Alaska rates. [View KPC JumpStart Costs Savings Fall 2014-Juniors] These courses are dual credit meaning students taking the KPC courses receive both high school and college credit if they successfully complete the course(s) with a “C” or better. Course credits earned at KPC through the University of Alaska are typically transferable to accredited colleges and universities throughout the United States.
Transportation
Secondly, KPBSD will transport KPC enrolled students from all central peninsula high schools to KPC’s Kenai River Campus in order to take courses. Buses will arrive at Kenai River Campus (KRC) at 9 a.m. and the last departure will be at 1:30 p.m. Nikiski students would depart their high school and KRC 15 minutes earlier.
The shuttle service will provide continuous service between the schools throughout this period meaning a student could take one or two classes at KRC and return to their high schools to continue their high school classes. Bussing students on the southern peninsula to KPC’s Kachemak Bay Campus is still being discussed with high school administrators and transportation providers.
“I get many requests from parents asking that the JumpStart program be opened to juniors,” said Gary J. Turner, KPC director. “Due to the declining number of high school seniors, we looked closely at our borough budget and the projected number of seniors the district is anticipating, and determined we can afford to do this with the same amount of funds.” The borough budget request sent by KPC to the mayor and assembly has been revised to include juniors.
“Access to KPC courses has always been a challenge to our students without transportation,” said Dr. Steve Atwater, KPBSD superintendent. “We believe that by providing a shuttle, many more of our students will be able to take these dual credit classes and save a considerable amount of money on their college education. I am thrilled to learn that our juniors will now be eligible to use the JumpStart support for taking KPC classes. This is a necessary and positive change to help our graduates prepare for life after high school. I offer thanks to our borough for their continued support of KPBSD and KPC.”
Registration
Registration and advising for high school students at the Kenai River Campus (KRC) in Soldotna will be held from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., April 26, and from 3-5 p.m., April 28. Students who do not enroll during these “early bird” sessions will be able to receive advising from 1-4 p.m., August 13, and enroll in classes from noon-5 p.m., August 15 and from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., August 21 and 22.
High school students can receive advising and register at the Kachemak Bay Campus (KBC) in Homer from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., April 21 – August 22.
Contact:
Gary J. Turner, KPC Director, 907-262-0315, gjturner@kpc.alaska.edu
Pegge Erkeneff, KPBSD Communications Specialist, 907-714-8888, Pegge@KPBSD.org
Links:
Kenai Peninsula College
Kenai Peninsula Borough School 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
Please contact me with questions or connections to be made for your KPBSD district and school stories.
Pegge Erkeneff | Communications Specialist
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, 148 N. Binkley Street, Soldotna, AK 99669 | 907.714.8888

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.

Homer High School intensive needs classroom receives 2014 Inclusive Practice Award

“The intensive needs (IN) team at Homer High School is outstanding and goes to incredible lengths to make sure that our students have meaningful inclusion,” said Clayton Holland, director of pupil services. “Along with the other wonderful staff at Homer High School, they have created a school culture that accepts, includes, and is accountable for every student. The benefits of what this team has done extends not only to the students they serve directly in their classroom, but to every student and staff member in the building who has the opportunity to work and interact with students with disabilities on a daily basis.”

The 2014 winner of the Inclusive Practice Award is the Homer High School Intensive Needs Classroom. The Governor’s Council on Disabilities & Special Education established the Inclusive Practice Award to recognize outstanding educators who work to ensure students with disabilities have the opportunity for an inclusive education with their peers as part of the general education curriculum. The 2014 dynamic group includes:

Monica Stockburger (Intensive Needs teacher)

Bobby Creamer (Speech Language Pathologist)

Mary Cooper (Paraprofessional)

Sara Fischer (Paraprofessional)

Michael Kelley (Paraprofessional)

Rhonda Owens (Paraprofessional)

Clayton Smith (Paraprofessional)

Michael Steen (Paraprofessional)

The team bases their support of students on the expectation that inclusion in all aspects of the school fits with the individual needs of the student. As a result, virtually the entire school staff interacts and works closely with the Intensive Needs students. These students are involved in functional skill training as well as regular education classes and extracurricular activities both inside the school and outside in the community.

“All of the special education staff working with our Homer High School intensive needs students are to be commended for their willingness to go beyond the norm of what is expected in their pursuit of helping their students have a meaningful and successful experience at school.” –Dr. Steve Atwater, superintendent

The 2014 The Inclusive Practices Award is given by the Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education, and recognizes outstanding educators who work to ensure students with disabilities have the opportunity for an inclusive education in the general education curriculum. The nominations are based on the following activities that assure a positive learning environment for all:

Involving parents as equal partners in their child’s education
Encouraging student’s self-determination
Emphasizing inclusive practices amongst peers and others
Providing leadership in sharing the values of inclusion
Designing support services that enable access to the regular curriculum
Modifying programs or curricula as needed

This year’s award was presented Tuesday February 11, 2014, at a luncheon at the Hilton Hotel in Anchorage. It was attended by more than 200 special educators, administrators, parents and advocates from all over the state.
Links:
KPBSD Pupil Services
Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education
2014 Inclusive Practice Awards photo album