Volunteer Red Asselin Martin receives Golden Apple award at Paul Banks Elementary during a Virtual Board of Education meeting
Ms. Red Asselin Martin, Paul Banks Elementary volunteer Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Golden Apple Award | June 1, 2020
“As the principal of Paul Banks Elementary in Homer, Alaska, I have witnessed firsthand the incredible resource that “Red” or Ms. Lisa Asselin Martin is for our school,” wrote nominator Eric Pederson. “She is a parent, the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) president, Sprout partner, and community advocate, and emulates all of the qualities the Golden Apple award represents. In the three years I have worked with her, she has gone from active parent to school leader.”
–Nominator Eric Pederson, Paul Banks Elementary principal
Paul Banks Elementary has numerous activities
throughout the school year such as fundraisers, movie nights, Bingo for Books,
and the Scholastic Book Fair, and it does not take long to notice that Red is
behind many of them. As the PTA president, she saw a need for afterschool
childcare when we moved to an early start and dismissal—so she created our
afterschool program. All kindergarten to second grade students are invited to
participate, including our students with special needs. Because of her
leadership and skill in recruiting community members to teach, students have
been able to choose from a variety of activities, including sign language,
Japanese, Legos, Zumba, Outdoor Explorers, and Sports Hour.
During the potential KPBSD staff strike last fall, Red
assembled pop-up childcare for working parents, utilizing volunteers and church
space, and coordinated with other schools. As a Birth to Three Sprout staff
member, she collaborated with Paul Banks Elementary to provide a weekly open
gym playgroup for children ages one to four. This has allowed many of our young
students to arrive already being familiar with our school. Red teaches
parenting classes open to the whole community that benefits our families.
Recently, Red organized and facilitated a State
Education Budget 101 for our entire community. The event brought people from
opposing fiscal viewpoints together where factual data was shared and everyone
had a great discussion.
The Paul Banks Elementary staff shared the following
descriptors for Red: “persistent, thoughtful, caring, persistent,
compassionate, gracious, persistent, hilarious, approachable, supportive and
PERSISTENT.” Principal Eric Pederson wrote, “Red is one of those parents who
has made me a better and more thoughtful person and leader. Her support,
innovation, and contribution to our school community will be dearly missed at
Paul Banks Elementary when her child moves to West Homer Elementary for the
August 2020 school year.”
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of
Education is proud to recognize Ms. Red Asselin Martin for her dedication to
the students of the school district, past, present, and future.
Superintendent
John O’Brien said, “I am so proud that
one of our principals received this prestigious national honor when the Alaska
Association of Elementary School Principals selected Eric Pederson as the
Alaska National Distinguished Principal for 2020! Congratulations to Eric
and the entire Paul Banks Elementary School learning community—this recognition
is so well deserved!”
Nominated
and selected for this recognition by principals through a statewide search
process conducted by the Alaska Association of Elementary School Principals, they wrote in a press release, “Pederson
is a true leader in the profession in the state. He has served on the Alaska
Association of Elementary School Executive Board since 2018 and is the current
board president. In this role, Eric represented Alaska principals in both
Washington DC and Juneau as an advocate for students. He has also served on the
Alaska Council of School Administrators (ACSA) board during this time. Outside
of school, Pederson has served on the Kenai Borough Legislative Committee, the
Teacher of the Year Selection Committee, and the Alaska Council of the Arts.
Eric was nominated for the Life Changer of the Year Award as well as the LKSD
Teacher of the Year. During the COVID 19 Pandemic, Pederson has stepped up as
an educational leader across the state. He is working to make sure that the
principal voice is heard and that, as a state, we are making the best decisions
possible for our staff and students. Eric believes strongly that a
positive school atmosphere is paramount in the overall success. He strives to
be present for staff, students, and the community at all times. He will only
support new initiatives that add to this atmosphere. He also sees making
the community a better place as part of his job as a principal. This past year
he started a “Dudes and Donuts” event that allowed fathers to network with one
another. Pederson’s job does not end at the close of school each day.”
About Principal Eric
Pederson, in his words
Influences – “my principalship is a product of Alaska”
“There are many people to thank for influencing my career path. First my wife and family—this job is a family affair and they have been incredibly supportive and encouraging. My Paul Banks staff! I have had the privilege to work side by side with some of the best teachers in the profession, and I have learned so much from them. Finally, my principalship is a product of Alaska. I have been blessed with incredible leadership throughout my career from my education at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) to the statewide new principal mentorship program to my work in the Lower Kuskokwim School District (LKSD) and the KPBSD. There are amazing people in this state who have had an impactful presence in my life, too many to mention.”
Best part from A
Day In The Life of this elementary school principal
“I am a morning person and I absolutely love greeting students in the morning. I get high-fives and the latest news about students’ fishing reports, pet reports, moose sightings, upcoming trips to visit grandparents, etc. The energy and eagerness of learning at this age group level is inspiring. Rain or shine it is the highlight of my day. If you ever need a pick me up feel free to meet me in the parking lot at 7:30 a.m.”
The COVID challenge and inspiration
“The way this school year ended was challenging to say the least. I know we relied a lot on our families and used up a significant amount of trust capital we had built with them. A positive outcome of the Covid-Crisis was being part of our schools’ Care Team, who worked with the PTA to provide a lot of support to our families both emotionally and financially. Many of our families were caught in a financial pinch without work and students at home. The strength of our relationships with families was on full display as we shifted conversations from learning academics to the more basic Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. It was very inspiring to work side by side with these people. It’s the type of work that makes you want to get up a little earlier and stay a little later every day.”
A Growth Mindset
“Those
of you who know me well, know that I am very qualified to be a principal solely
based on the amount of time I spent in the principal’s office as a child. I
probably would advise my younger self to be more grateful to my parents who did
not give up on me.”
Final words
“Trust is so important. This school year we have had to rely on our parents and families like never before. Many of our schools were very successful when dealing with the remote learning mandate because our relationships we built with families was steeped in trust. I have always viewed the taxpayer as my ultimate boss. I would like everyone to know that we are diligently working to make sure we have an effective and safe environment for next school year.”
Excerpt from the Alaska Association of Elementary School
Principals Press Release: The
Alaska Association of Elementary School Principals is proud to announce our
National Distinguished Principal for 2020 is Eric Pederson, Principal of Paul
Banks Elementary School in Homer, Alaska. The 2020 National Distinguished
Principal Celebration marks the 36th year that the National Association of
Elementary School Principals has presented this prestigious award.
Pederson
graduated from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul Minnesota with a
Bachelor’s Degree, he then added a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership
from the University of Alaska, Anchorage. Eric began his administrative career
as a principal at Kuinerrimuit Elitnaurviat School in Quinhagak, Alaska in 2007
and moved to Homer in 2013 where he has served as the principal at Paul Banks
Elementary since that time.
Pederson
will travel to Washington DC in October 2020 for two days of activities planned
to honor and bring well-deserved recognition to the elementary administrators
selected by their respective states.
AAESP
believes that Eric Pederson is well deserving of the National Distinguished
Principals’ Award. We are proud to acknowledge his leadership and commitment to
Alaska’s children representing Alaska’s elementary principals.
The
NAESP’s National Distinguished Principal ® (NDP) program was established in
1984 to recognize elementary and middle level principals who set high standards
for instruction, student achievement, character, and climate for the students,
families, and staffs in their learning communities.
For
more information:
Jennifer
Schmitz, Alaska Association of Elementary School Principals Executive
Director
Lynn
Mayberry, Alaska Association of Elementary School Principals Vice President/NDP
Chair
Pegge
Erkeneff, KPSBD Director of Communications, Community, and Government Relations
Celebrate Wendy Todd, 2019 Kenai BP Teacher of Excellence “When I learned I was recognized as a BP Teacher of Excellence, I thought that this award truly goes to the Paul Banks Peanuts community; my special colleagues, committed parents, and the incredible students I am lucky enough to teach every day. It truly takes a “whole” team to help the “whole” child grow. I am so thankful I have been given the freedom while teaching to allow kids to explore, do, try, create, and learn to love school. I feel passionate about helping students and parents get a positive start on their child’s education and get a foundation of skills to lean on for their future years.” – Wendy Todd Ms. Wendy Todd teaches kindergarten at Paul Banks Elementary School in Homer, Alaska. She also coaches basketball at Homer High School, and she has a Bachelor of Science from Ithaca College and a Master’s in Education from the University of Alaska Southeast.
Kindergarten is most children’s first experience in school. Ms. Todd welcomes these young students into their first group-learning environment in a way that engages them in creative, consistent, meaningful activities that create a love of learning.
One parent of a child just entering the school system wrote, “Our daughter comes home every day excited to share what she’s learned. She is not even six years old, yet her reading improves weekly and she loves playing math games. I’m amazed at Wendy’s knowledge of each individual child’s stage of learning.”
Stories are told that some parents have a hard time determining if their child is really sick or not, because the young students won’t risk missing school.
Ms. Todd creates a safe, kind classroom with clear expectations. Furthermore, she works to engage older mentors, regularly inviting high school students and parents to her classroom to help with what she calls “cooperative learning and personalized instruction.”
One of her biggest strengths is helping intensive needs students or behavioral students improve their behavior and learning. Thankfully, Wendy is generous with her time and experience, hosting several student teachers and many practicum students over the years. She also serves as the newspaper liaison to share all the exciting learning happening at Paul Banks with the community.
“Wendy Todd is one of those teachers who makes everyone around her better,” said Eric Peterson, Paul Banks principal. “She is a professional through and through. Many students have become great readers under her tutelage and instruction. From a principal’s viewpoint, she is one of those teachers you cannot replace, but revel in the fact that you had a chance to work with someone who is exemplar in the profession.”
I am very proud of all our finalists for this prestigious award,” said Sean Dusek, superintendent. “They all embody the qualities we want all of our teachers to exhibit, especially in how they ensure a strong, positive relationship with each and every student. Each finalist is very deserving of this recognition and I look forward to their continued excellence and leadership in our district.”
For 24 years, the BP Teachers of Excellence program has honored K-12 teachers from public and private school districts statewide. Since the program’s inception in 1995, BP has recognized more than 750 teachers. Winning teachers receive a $500 gift card and a $500 matching grant to their school. Teachers also receive a trip to Prudhoe Bay to learn about BP’s operations and paid admission for the Alaska Resource Education’s teacher course. BP Teachers of Excellence website
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Golden Apple Award | March 6, 2017 Stephanie Young
“Miss Stephanie” Young is an exemplary community partner at Paul Banks Elementary School in Homer, Alaska.
The kids call her “Miss Stephanie,” and she cares deeply about the students and staff of Paul Banks Elementary, and the community of Homer. A skills trainer through The Center, Miss Stephanie has a firm but gentle way with her clients and the students she serves at Paul Banks. She is always kind while simultaneously providing rigorous support. She is one of those people who bring out the best in not only the students, but the adults around her. She is always positive and supportive. Miss Stephanie goes beyond normal expectations in many ways, for example, by donating her lunch hour to support a teacher meeting with a parent. She gives her clients extra attention because they really need it, and she lends a hand wherever it is needed.
Always willing to chip in, she invests her time training other skills trainers, and is very effective, and frequently called upon to provide guidance to other skills trainers. Paul Banks staff says, “We know that we have become better teachers and Paul Banks has become a better school from having her in the classrooms!”
Stephanie takes time to think things through, wants to brainstorm about what is working, and what might work for her often very difficult clients. Due to student confidentiality, we cannot share specific stories, however, staff members say, “She is always willing to meet, even on her own time and has excellent ideas to share. When things are not working, Stephanie stays patient and supportive of both the students and staff, and works together with us to find solutions.” Often staying after the school day, she will meet with students and teachers to better meet the needs of students. When she has down time from her work she supports other families in need, and provides support beyond her duties as a Skills Trainer on her own time, doing things such as helping to create manipulatives, activities, and schoolwide activities.
Outside of the school, Stephanie helps out with church activities and has been a foster parent. For many years, she helped with youth groups. Youth group is a place for kids to come together to sing, and to play sports and other recreational games. Through community service projects they make it a point to visit and sing at Long Term Care several times a quarter. She also helps with the Truth Seekers program.
The Paul Banks staff believes, “When we think about people that are truly good for kids and good for our schools, we think of people like ‘Miss Stephanie’ Young!”
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education is proud to recognize “Miss Stephanie” for her dedication to the students of the school district, past, present, and future. Links Click here to nominate a business, community member, volunteer, or KPBSD staff for Golden Apple recognition Golden Apple recipients
Public Comment Opportunity now open through February 14, 2017
Dear Parents in the Homer area, I need your input to determine the level of interest in our community to host a Boys & Girls Club at Paul Banks Elementary, which would serve Homer area schools.
I’ve heard from several parents who are concerned about after-school childcare starting in August, when the school start and end times will permanently change. Students from other Homer area schools could be bused to Paul Banks.
This survey is the first step in finding out the need and what population would use a Boys & Girls Club.
In August, 2017, with the start of the new school year, ten school locations in the southern peninsula will begin with new school start and end times. This change is taking place to accommodate a switch from single-tier to double-tier bus transportation, which is already in effect for other schools throughout the KPBSD. No changes will take place in the 2016-2017 school year. New School Times beginning August 22, 2017: Bus transportation
Important transportation clarifications taking effect with the change to two-tier busing in the southern peninsula include:
KPBSD transportation routing will only be from home-to-school, and school-to-home.
Some situations in which out-of-area transportation is provided for students to attend a school outside their attendance area currently exist, and will not be available beginning with the 2017-2018 school year.
Parents may continue to have a child attend an out of area school through the Out-of-Area Attendance Request process (see E 5116(a)) but KPBSD will no longer provide bus transportation if a bus serving another school was available.
Bus routing and schedules will be updated in the summer of 2017, and available on the KPBSD website, at the same time as districtwide school routes are posted.
A series of community meetings took place throughout 2016, with parents, KPBSD staff, students, and community members in attendance. School administrators met, and worked together to create the new school start and end times. If you have questions about specific schools, please contact the school principal with your questions.
Southern Peninsula principals continue to meet together and work with community service providers to discuss after school childcare, recreation, and structured activity options to accommodate family needs for the 2017-2018 school year. Changes will take place at southern peninsula schools served by bus transportation and include: Chapman School Fireweed Academy Homer Flex School Homer High School Homer Middle School McNeil Canyon Elementary Ninilchik School Paul Banks Elementary West Homer Elementary
Links:
After a month of paper violins, Paul Banks Elementary “Preludes” graduated to real violins. They are learning how to play the open strings as an ensemble group, how to keep beat in unison, as well as how to hold a bow and develop fingering techniques. While much of the instruction still focuses on building physical stamina, frequently students can be heard calling out notes and plucking strings. Parent perspective “I recently moved to Homer and enrolled my first grade son in Paul Banks Elementary. I was surprised to hear of the violin program starting this year. Admittedly, my first reaction was one of doubt whether it would work with such young children.
I became involved in helping out with classroom management for the violin lessons. I am so impressed with what I have witnessed. Not only are the kids really enthusiastic about their program, but they are quickly improving. I have read the research about the positive impact on cognitive development when children learn to play a string instrument so young. What impresses me more is what I have seen. The team of program developers, talented violin instructor, violin players who are volunteering and the elementary music and classroom teachers are really giving a lot of energy and “heart” into this program.
I have observed the kids working happily on posture, stamina to focus, endurance for sustaining physical postures, new patterning coordination, eye-hand isolated coordination tasks, following multi-step directions, retaining previous lessons by memory, spinal and upper body strength, developing rhythm, learning where their own bodies go in space (proprioceptive training) and showing respect for the violin.
It is my opinion that only a team of dedicated and driven adults could pull this off successfully. I am writing this to bring awareness to what I have witnessed. Paul Banks Elementary violin “Preludes” program with its team of charismatic musicians is teaching far more than just violins. I am so pleased that my son gets to be a part of this. It is impressive that ALL kids in the first grade are a part of this, as it would be my guess that a number of these children would not otherwise be included.
I now know that my son is learning a lot more than just music while having a great time. I frequently get reports on violin class without even asking him.” –Ginnie Oliver, MOMT, Physical Therapist
In the news: Beautiful music begins at Paul Banks Mr. Perry and students lead the class in a song
“This program has been a positive addition to Paul Banks. The community has generously donated money and volunteer hours to get the program up and running. Daniel Perry, Linda Reinhart, and Lyn Maslow have teamed with our teaching staff to create an incredible program.” – Eric Pederson, principal. Mrs. Reinhart’s first graders playing a song that teaches them the names of the notes on the four open strings of the violin, E, A, D, and G.
News Release Southern peninsula school start and end time options Soldotna, October 12, 2016—Changes to school start and end times will begin in August, 2017, and in order to inform and gather input, three southern peninsula community meetings will take place in November. The same content will be presented at each meeting. Parents, KPBSD staff, students, and community members are invited and encouraged to attend a community meeting of their choosing:
Tuesday, November 1, 2016, 6:00 PM, Ninilchik School
Wednesday, November 2, 2016, 6:00 PM, Homer High School
Thursday, November 10, 6:00 PM, Chapman School, Anchor Point
Following community meetings and feedback from community members, on Tuesday, October 4, 2016, school principals met with district administration and staff to develop three options for new school start and end times in the southern peninsula. The preferred option from all school administrators is “X”. However, two additional options were also developed. Option “Y” adds ten minutes to start and end times, and option “Z” is most problematic, swaps the start times, and tiers schools without like needs. Next steps:
The transportation department analyzed X, Y, and Z options, and transportation routes for X and Y are viable.
School administrators will share the three options with site councils, and gather input.
November community meetings will be an excellent time for a shared conversation and discussion.
Principals will evaluate input and make final recommendations to district administration.
KPBSD transportation will make certain bus transportation for the chosen option is viable.
The district anticipates completion and a final decision before winter break so that parents and communities can begin to plan for the changes that will start in August, 2017.
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Golden Apple Award | March 7, 2016 Linda Reinhart, Volunteer
Linda Reinhart has been a consistent volunteer at Paul Banks Elementary for thirteen years, since her granddaughters attended Paul Banks. She donates one to two days every week to help teachers and work with students, in addition to other special projects. The entire staff nominated her, and said, “Just when we feel like we can’t do one more thing, “Grandma Reinhart” is there for us. Paul Banks would not be the same learning community without her support.”
Linda is willing to assist with any situation at Paul Banks—including math centers, evening events, reading centers, art projects, and implementation of interventions. Linda has taken time to learn the Handwriting Without Tears Program and Read Naturally Program so that she can support teachers in the classrooms implementing these two important programs. She will take projects home to prepare them for instruction. Linda is a talented musician and will learn educational songs and teach them to the students. An example of this is teaching students a clock song she learned on the ukulele. She is equally present to assist students with special needs, and offer enrichment for other students. She loves to learn and shares this passion with the students and staff of Paul Banks. Every day it is evident how much she cares about all of the staff and students of Paul Banks.
Over the years, Paul Banks has had situations where support was needed and the school needed help providing it. Grandma Reinhart will step into a classroom to help with students that need extra support or spend time reading with students who don’t get the opportunity to do so at home. When a student is in need of love or attention, she is there.
Linda is an active member in the community. She assisted with sewing costumes for countless school plays, for students in schools from McNeil Canyon to Homer High School. She is passionate about making music and orchestra available and accessible to all the children in our community, and has been a key leader in the Kenai Peninsula Orchestra, the Homer Youth Symphony, and several years of Link-Up programs, which provide supplemental music instruction to entire schools.
Paul Banks is a better school because of Linda “Grandma” Reinhart. Most students call her Grandma Reinhart, and some even insist that she must really be their grandma, because they see her at school all the time. This spring she will be 80 years young and the students and staff of Paul Banks think they are lucky to have her consistent, quality, caring support!
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education is proud to recognize Linda “Grandma” Reinhart for her dedication to the students of the school district, past, present, and future.
Link Golden Apple recipients
Bronze Award from the USDA HealthierUS Schools Challenge (HUSSC) is awarded to Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science, Paul Banks Elementary, Seward Elementary, and Soldotna Elementary Soldotna, September 12, 2012—Four Kenai Peninsula Borough School District schools received national recognition for supporting the health of children and communities. As part of their efforts in the federal HealthierUS School Challenge, the districts feature healthy items on their school menus and emphasize physical education and activity. KBPSD is one of the first two Alaska school districts to achieve this award. A HUSSC Awards Assembly with representatives from the USDA will celebrate Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science, Paul Banks Elementary, Seward Elementary, and Soldotna Elementary on September 20, 2012, from 2:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. at Soldotna Elementary School, 162 Park Avenue, Soldotna, Alaska.
Upon learning of the national award, Dean Hamburg, administrator of KPBSD Student Nutrition Services said, “Since 1946, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has supported success in school meal programs. As a longtime leader in support of appropriate nutrition for student success in American classrooms, the USDA developed the criteria and award program that is the HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC). The KPBSD community can be proud and pleased that these four schools are among the first in Alaska to meet the award winning criteria for appropriate nutrition in school meals, physical education, and nutrition education. This is a significant achievement in Alaska nutrition history for the students we serve.”
Dr. Steve Atwater, KPBSD superintendent said, “I am thrilled to learn that our four schools are being recognized in this way. The award speaks to our progressive stance toward student wellness and shines a light on the careful attention that these schools give to their students.”
Together with the USDA, the state of Alaska supports the HealthierUS Schools Challenge (HUSSC). HUSSC is a voluntary initiative established in 2004 to recognize schools and Residential Child Care Institutions that have created healthier school environments through promotion of nutrition and physical activity. The three goals of HUSSC are: improve the quality of foods served; provide students with nutrition education; and provide students with physical education and opportunities for physical activity.
KPBSD thanks the support staff who work in student nutrition services, to educators, and to the students who learn the value of physical activity and healthy nutrition. Links KPBSD Student Nutrition Services
State of Alaska Department of Education and Early Development Press Release HealthierUS Schools Challenge (HUSSC) in Alaska Federal HealthierUS Schools Challenge (HUSSC)
For more information contact Pegge Erkeneff, KPBSD communications specialist, Pegge@kpbsd.k12.ak.us, 907.714.8838
### KPBSD media releases are online at this web page: http://bit.ly/MediaPublicRelationships
