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School lunch time!

Happy to be at school today! Feeding body, mind and spirit!

I visited one of our local elementary schools during lunch time today. I’d forgotten how much interaction, conversation, and social buzz happens during meal time! In addition, we can be proud of the KPBSD Student Nutrition Services team–do you know that KPBSD serves more than 3,000 school lunches everyday? And 1,000 breakfasts? The nutritious lunch meal smelled delicious. Maple grazed french toast, sausage–breakfast for lunch, a favorite of mine–was on the menu. Next week, the beef and black bean tacos sound yummy. Wish we had KPBSD food service at the district office!

A lot of conversation--much like all friends share at meal times

Table manners! He's so polite--smiled, then covered his mouth to finish his grapes.

The National School Lunch Program began in 1946 when Congress passed the National School Lunch Act, and the National School Breakfast program began in 1966.

Thirty-three million public school students are served a hot lunch in the United States, every day school is in session.

Kudos to the hard-working KPBSD Student Nutrition Services staff!
Menus and more: KPBSD Student Nutrition Services

Your free chance. Learn construction, plumbing, culinary arts skills

Teens: do you want to learn construction, plumbing, or culinary arts skills? How about employability skills, Dental Assistant,  Emergency Trauma Technician, or Personal Care Attendant skills?
Local business owners: are you aware students receive this type of skill training? Would you consider hiring a student for part-time or summer work who has completed one of these after-school academies?
The following free after school academies will be offered through the Workforce Development Center next semester:

Construction Academybegins January 5th at Skyview High School with instructor Barry Hartman.  The students will be constructing a gazebo. This class will run Tuesday and Thursday from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. through March 8.

Culinary Arts Academybegins January 10th at Nikiski High School with instructor Gary Wiebel. Students will learn safety in workplace, safe food handling, nutrition and wellness, weights & measurements, purchasing & planning, basic cooking techniques, and earn the Alaska Food Handlers Card Prep Test. Class days are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and occasional Saturdays.
Emergency Trauma Technician (ETT) Academy will be held at Soldotna High School beginning January12th through February 27th. Class days will be Mondays and Thursdays from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and occasional Saturdays from 9:00 to 5:00 p.m.  This course will cover all areas required to receive certification as an Emergency Medical Technician.  The last week of class will be review and the final exam. Students who pass the exam will receive certification and an ETT patch.
Employability Skills Academy begins January 9th at the Workforce Development Center. Class days will be Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:15 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Students will learn resume writing, mock interviewing, job etiquette, basic job skills, how to apply for jobs and much more.

Medical Terminology class beginning Jan 5th at Soldotna High School with instructor Bruce Rife. Juniors or Seniors who have had or are in Anatomy with a B or better or permission from the instructor (sophomores) may attend this class. Students interested in a career in Emergency Medical Services, Radiation Technology, Medical Coding, Medical Assisting, Health Information Technician, Physician Assistant, or Medical Doctor will definitely benefit from this class. You will learn basic word structure, digestive system, nervous and cardiovascular system, respiratory system and much more. Class days will be Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. thru April 26. Students with a grade B or better in this class will earn Tech Prep KPC college credit.

A  PCA (Personal Care Attendant) class is available for juniors and seniors only. Students will learn how to physically care for people. Students who are close to the age of May 18, 2012, will receive a State Certificate after passing the exam. This class size is limited to only 12 students. Textbooks will be provided, however they are available to purchase for $35 if a student chooses to keep their book. There is a mandatory meeting in the nursing lab at Skyview High School @ 3:30 p.m. on Monday, January 9. During this meeting, class times will be set depending on student and instructor’s schedule.

Plumbing Academy begins February 6th at Soldotna High School with instructor Tyson Cox.  This will be an introduction to care and use of tools, fittings and materials used in the plumbing and heating trade to safely transfer fluids and gases. Class days are Monday and Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. through April 23.

Upcoming academies with dates and times yet to be determined: Construction (Kenai  and Ninilchik), and Dental Assistant.
High school students may attend any of the academies at any of the schools and all academies are free.
If a student successfully completes any of the 60-hour academies they are eligible to receive a half practical art credit.
Transportation may be provided if needed.
To sign up contact your high school counselor or contact Debbie Pearson at 283-2145, or e-mail pearson@kpbsd.org .
Funding for the Alaska Construction Academies comes from a grant from the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, The Alaska Department of Commerce and Economic Development and The Alaska Youth First Program.

 

Robotics competitors prevent strawberry mold

The West Homer First Lego League Robotics Team with their first place trophy. Douglas Dean, Caleb Rauch, Tucker Weston, Joe Ravin, Ben Kettle and coach Arthur Kettle. Not pictured: Lauren Cardwell

 West Homer Elementary heads to Anchorage in January to compete 

In a three-component robotics, research, and teamwork competition sponsored by First Lego League, a West Homer fifth and sixth grade team won their first tournament this year against seven other teams in Kenai on November 19 to advance to the Anchorage competition in January! 

Competing in FLL’s 2011 Food Factor Challenge, teams find ways to improve the quality of food by researching food safety and examining possible contaminants our food encounters—from exposure to molds, bacteria, and insects during production, processing, transportation, preparation, storage, and serving. The competitors find ways to prevent or combat spoilage or contaminants, put their research into a creative presentation before a panel of judges, and compete with their programmed autonomous robot to solve a set of Food Safety missions. The West Homer team’s focus was mold prevention on strawberries. 

Throughout their experience, the team operates under FLL’s signature set of core teamwork values of learning together, friendly competition, discovery is more important than winning, sharing experiences with others, and displaying gracious professionalism in everything they do in the challenge experience. 

Story and photo provided by Arthur Kettle and Suzanne Haines, West Homer Elementary

Great Grocery Grab at Redoubt Elementary

Kids and adults raced Redoubt Elementary halls today…for a good cause!

Principal John Pothast competed against Superintendent Steve Atwater to see who could race the hallways, pushing grocery carts, fill them with cans of food donated by students, and get back to starting position, first.
Dr. Atwater won the blue ribbon for time, wearing his speedy sneakers and sporting a tie headband. Principal Podhast was slowed a bit by his hat of swinging eggs, and a wobbly cart wheel. In the end–everyone wins, as more than one thousand pounds of food is collected for the Food Bank.
The sound was deafening–truly–as children lined the hallways ready to hand off their cans. The littlest kids screamed the loudest in hallways where usually only soft whispers are heard. It’s a good cause to shout out for–providing canned food to the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank.
Thank you Redoubt Elementary! You bring fun and food to our community and help others.
Watch for a story in the local newspaper–last Friday Borough Mayor Mike Navarre competed with Soldotna Mayor Peter Micciche.
See more photos in the Redoubt Elementary photo album.

Giving thanks in Kenai

November 15, 2011
A feast was held today! Kenai Alternative High School served their 21st annual Thanksgiving Day Meal to 166 parents, students, and invited guests–many who were community members active with the high school throughout the year. Greeters at the door welcomed everyone with hellos and smiles. What a contrast to the frigid, wind-to-the-bone noon day winter sun! Smells flooded the hallway–turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes–my taste buds quivered when I took the few steps to the gym.

Inside, more students welcomed everyone who gathered and stood in line for the feast! Students said they’d been cooking since the previous Friday, and shared the story of oh, so many spuds. After a meal fit for a king (or queen) I wandered the room with my camera, talking to students, a 2011 graduate who had returned to help, and community members. At one round table members from local churches explained to me they cooked a hot meal each morning for the students, five days a week, serving between 25-70 breakfasts each day. Another table of pre-school students wore festive hats, and posed for several delightful photos–little faces complete with the remnants of  pumpkin pie crumbs. High school students were warm and welcoming, thanking me for coming. A young Mom took a few minutes to visit while she rocked her baby to sleep in his stroller (except I kept smiling at him so his eyelids were slow to close.)  A few photos from the day are in the Kenai Alternative High School photo album at the KPBSD Facebook page.

Let us give thanks for these students, for their parents, community members, and for everyone who shared a meal together. The noon-day sun flooding through upper windows in the gymnasium highlighted warmth in the belly, mind, and heart of all who gathered.
Thank you Kenai Alternative High School–may you continue this tradition for decades to come. The community appreciates you–and clearly you appreciate students, parents, and local residents.

Share awareness: students are homeless

I am a foster adoptive mother. My heart stretches to people on our margins–especially teens and children. I believe that change begins with awareness. So I pose the question to you:

Are you aware that 121 students are homeless in our school district? In our local towns? At the end of the 2010-2011 school year, 301 students were homeless in our district. The number this year will continue to rise.

What can I do? What can you do? We can start with what is right in front of us.
Attend a vigil for youth who are homeless
Thursday, November 10, 2011 | 6:00-7:00 p.m.
In Soldotna at Farnsworth Park, behind Key Bank, on Birch Street
Together we will learn about local agencies that offer support (and need suppport), and the KPBSD “Students in Transition Program for Homeless Children and Youth.” Students who attend will have an opportunity to apply for a $500.00 Scholarship of Hope. Beginning Wednesday, follow a series of articles in the Peninsula Clarion concerning teens who are homeless in the Central Peninsula.
Take a step–maybe a step you don’t want to take. Share awareness, show up. You matter–we each matter.

Please, dare to care.

When a bus stops…

Do you know what to do when a bus is stopping or stopped on a road? Alaska State Law lists eight “Stops Required” for motorists. Number seven is: 

School bus — “Stop when red flashing lights are in operation, and stop arm is extended. Drivers meeting and following bus must stop.”

Please drive with caution during our dark winter months, in winter driving conditions, especially while busses travel their routes and stop frequently. 
We all appreciate seeing children wearing reflective clothing alongside the dark roads, and adults waiting with children at bus stops. It would be nice if moose could wear reflective vests or caps too!
KPBSD busses travel 7,725 miles every day, transporting 2,500 plus students throughout the school district.
Links

Recognition Day for KPBSD school principals

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District appreciates the dedicated professionals who serve as principals and assistant principals at our forty-four schools. Thirty-nine principals and nine assistant principals serve in the KPBSD.

Governor Parnell proclaims School Principal Recognition Day
November 18, 2011


“The principal is the principal teacher, the first among many—part of a team of professionals. His or her job is to gather this community, to find its special genius, to press it hard, to nurture it, to depend on it.” – Theodore R. Sizer

Please share your stories and praise about your school principal. Students, parents, educators, and community members are invited to comment.
Please e-mail a photo and caption of your favorite principal to communications@kpbsd.k12.ak.us for inclusion in the photo montage.
On November 18, 2011, photos of principals will be added to this post.

Art reflects Red Ribbon Week

October 27, 2011
I’ve been thinking about Red Ribbon Week and how young people learn to make healthy choices in their lives, and in their peer relationships. (Red Ribbon Week is the last week in the month of October.)
While visiting a mini-art show at Soldotna Middle School, this digital image project grabbed my attention. Kudos to eight grade artist Russell Yurcina, a student in John Harro’s Digital Photography I class.

Red Ribbon Week is week-long campaign providing multiple opportunities for students, parents, teachers and others to join together to address the alcohol, tobacco, other drug and violence related issues or concerns in their community.

PSA: KPBSD revises "Goals for Student Learning"

FOR RELEASE OCTOBER 28, 2011

What is your vision for student learning?

Public Comment Invited:
KPBSD revises “Goals For Student Learning” BP 0210

 The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is revising “Goals for Student Learning” BP 0210.
The KPBSD school board invites your comments and thoughts about the proposed revised policy. The current Board Policy 0210, Goals for Student Learning, was adopted in 1996. This is a broad policy that serves to guide district level curriculum decisions.
Please take a few minutes to review the new draft “Vision for Student Learning,” the current policy, then offer your thoughts via an online comment box.
To respond, go to the KPBSD website, and follow the link in the Community Interest section, www.kpbsd.k12.ak.us
Please respond by December 1.
Read and comment link: “Vision for Student Learning”