“Singing in a small choir group this year was the best decision I have made! It was my way of relaxing after a long day of school. I became closer with some of the girls I barely knew. When we had a chance to sing carols at the senior center, I refused to pass this up! Even though I am glad we no longer have the pressure of performing in front of our school for a grade, I miss singing in front of a crowd. We practice two days a week during our advisory singing our hearts out. The senior center performance is the best memory I have of choir since I joined last year. I feel like I am giving back to the community that does so much for us. Even though we had a small crowd, I enjoyed every second if it. It was a great experience and I hope to do it in the future!” –Tala Marystar Hadro, Ninilchik School student
“My Foods 1 class made cookies for our senior center, and Eric Simondsen’s choir class delivered them to the senior center, and sang songs on December 19, 2017. The girls performed admirably. Mr. Simondsen conducted a great medley of Christmas time favorites, including a number from ‘The Grinch’, requested by the choir. Snow was falling and the seniors very much enjoyed the young voices and cookies provided. We hope to make it an annual event.” – Joel Hilbrink, Ninilchik School teacher
Thank you to Joel Hilbrink, story contributor
Tag: Ninilchik
Mind A-Mazes: Fantastic Flight
Fifty-eight student teams from twenty-two schools designed, built, and flew paper airplanes on Saturday, October 8, 2011, in the annual KPBSD Mind A-Mazes contest sponsored by Quest.
A KPBSD problem-solving competition, 3 to 4 students work in a team to solve a long-term problem, prior to the competition. In addition, the day of the competition, a spontaneous problem is presented for teams to solve in a short period of time. A dedicated blog, hosted on our KPBSD servers provides an opportunity for students to ask questions, receive and post answers, and demonstrate collaboration in action.
The 2011 Long-term Fantastic Flight problem instructions:
Teams will design and create paper devices that will be used to earn points by performing a series of tasks. Devices will be constructed for competition at the time of the event, using paper that will be provided. Students will not be allowed to bring any devices that were constructed prior to the event into the competition area. Up to five different devices may be constructed during the competition and will be used for attempting the following flight challenges: Distance; Flight Duration; Accuracy; and Altitude.
Congratulations to the 2011 Winning Teams and Schools
Junior Division (4th-6th grade)
1. West Homer – “The Paper Bombers”
2. Nikiski Middle/High – “Flying Bacon Strips”
3. Mc Neil Canyon – “McNeil Canyon 4”
Judges Choice – Nikiski North Star – “The Flaming Hawks”
Spontaneous – West Homer – “Ernie Airlines”
Intermediate/ Senior Division (7th-12th grade)
1. Hope – “Ice Cream Ninjas”
2. Kenai Middle – “The Firebolts”
3. Nikiski Middle/High – “Mach 5”
Judges Choice – River City Academy – “Angry Birds”
Spontaneous – Ninilchik – “Team Wilcow”
Thank you to Soldotna Middle School, and all the students, educators, volunteers, and families who participated this year in the district-wide Mind A-Mazes academic program.
Please share a comment here, and view photographs or add yours to the Mind A-Mazes photo album on the KPBSD district Facebook page.