On Tuesday, December 10, 2019, all 42 Kenai Peninsula Borough School District schools will begin with a two-hour delay start due to a combination of road conditions, weather conditions, power outages, flooding, and safety concerns. Buses will run two-hours later than normal in the morning. Pre-K classes in the morning and afternoon session are cancelled on 12-10-19. If weather conditions warrant any full school closures, an additional announcement will be made about 7:00 AM. Please be safe, and if you decide to keep your child at home, the absence will be excused. link: How it works: weather related school closures and delays KPBSD SCHOOLS: Aurora Borealis Charter SchoolChapman Elementary SchoolConnections ProgramCooper Landing SchoolFireweed ...
Treat yourself and attend a music concert or school play! Programs are at the school location unless otherwise noted. Also note that some schools have more than one program, and the location may vary by date. Aurora Borealis Charter School - December 3, 6:00 p.m., "Merry Christmas to you from the Red, White and Blue," KCHS AuditoriumChapman School - December 10, 7:00 p.m., Winter Concert, Root Beer Float & Cookie Sale, Grades PreK-8Cooper Landing School - December 10, 5:30 p.m., "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and Holiday Potluck DinnerHomer High School - December 16, 7:00 p.m., Winter Concert, Mariner Theater; December 19, 7:00 p.m., Candlelight ...
December 6, 2019 | Friday night | 6:00 PMSpaghetti Feed and Silent Auction to benefit KPBSD Students In Transition Kenai Central High School cafeteria9583 Kenai Spur Highway, Kenai, AK 99611 $10 for adults$5 for kids (under 14)$25 for families (five or more) Student leaders at Kenai Central High School are working hard to support their peers without permanent housing! Everyone is welcome to come to this student-led and student-organized fundraiser! Friday. 6:00 PM. "Even if you are not eating you can stop by to take a look at silent auction items provided by our local families and businesses. We hope to see ...
7:00 AM update: The Two-Hour Delay start for Central and Southern Peninsula schools on 12-2-19 remains in effect. The only closures are for both morning AND afternoon Pre-K classes in Central and Southern Peninsula schools. ►ALERT: KPBSD schools in the Southern Peninsula and Central Peninsula will open with a TWO HOUR DELAY START on MONDAY, December 2, 2019, due to weather and road conditions. If weather and road conditions warrant a full closure for any schools, that announcement will be made about 7:00 AM. All morning and afternoon Pre-K class sessions at these schools are cancelled during a two-hour delay start. Parents and guardians, if you decide, ...
News Release Soldotna, November 27, 2019—At the special school board meeting on November 26, 2019, Virginia Morgan took the Oath of Office to serve District 6 representing Cooper Landing, Hope, Moose Pass, and Seward schools until the regular municipal election in October, 2020. “A very special thanks to the four very qualified candidates who took the time and energy to apply for the District 6 East Peninsula School Board seat. I am thrilled and honored that we had four well-rounded candidates who were willing and eager to fill this seat. We are very fortunate in the Kenai Peninsula Borough to have many ...
Soldotna, November 25, 2019—Four applicants will be interviewed for the vacant District 6 East Peninsula seat serving Cooper Landing, Hope, Moose Pass and Seward schools. The special board meeting is Tuesday, November 26, 2019, beginning at 10:00 AM in the Borough Administration Building, 148 N. Binkley St., Soldotna, AK 99669, in the Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers. District 6 East Peninsula Candidate Interviews Four people applied and met the eligibility qualifications for the District 6 board vacancy, and their applications are available online. The public is welcome to attend the interviews, however, the doors will be shut before each ...
Superintendent John O’Brien was surprised after he delivered a presentation to school counselors in Anchorage when the Alaska School Counselor Association (AkSCA) recognized him as their Advocate of the Year! “The Advocate of the Year award recognizes a special individual or group for their assistance in furthering the mission of school counselors in Alaska,” wrote @MyAkSCA. “The Advocate of the Year may have developed or implemented a new program that affects the well-being of students and staff; they may have initiated improvement in counseling services; or they may have provided outstanding opportunities for the professional growth of counselors. Whether an ...
News Release: School board vacancy in Eastern Peninsula District - Applications accepted until November 22, 2019 The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education seeks applicants to fill the District 6 (East Peninsula) school board vacancy. KPBSD schools in District 6 are in Cooper Landing, Hope, Moose Pass, and Seward. Applications will be accepted until Friday, November 22, 2019, at 3:00 PM. Applicant interviews will be Tuesday, November 26, 2019, and the successful applicant will take the oath of office on November 26, 2019, during the special school board meeting. The District 6 Term of Office begins November 26, 2019, and will stand for ...
KPBSD School Weather Related Delays and Closures Announcing a school closure or two-hour delay start in a timely manner for our students, families, and staff is important to KPBSD administration. Timing of the decision is crucial so we can notify transportation before busses begin their routes, employees head to work, and students and families prepare for a school day, potentially waiting at bus-stops. The decision to close school for the day or institute a two-hour delay start is the responsibility of the Superintendent of Schools. KPBSD is committed to school safety, and educating every student. An involved process takes place early in ...
Special Emergency School Board meeting There is a School Board Vacancy in District 6, East Peninsula (Cooper Landing, Hope, Moose Pass, and Seward schools). The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education will hold an emergency special meeting: Wednesday, November 13, 2019, 5:00 PMBetty J. Glick Assembly Chamber 148 N. Binkley St., Soldotna, Alaska This meeting is held to address a District 6 East Peninsula school board vacancy. Recommended action: Move to announce a vacancy for school board District 6 East Peninsula and open the application period through November 22, 2019, at 3:00 p.m. Online Links Board Docs for all meetings, agendas, policy, and library: http://www.boarddocs.com/ak/kpbsd/Board.nsf/public November 13, ...
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On Tuesday, December 10, 2019, all 42 Kenai Peninsula Borough School District schools will begin with a two-hour delay start due to a combination of road conditions, weather conditions, power outages, flooding, and safety concerns.
Buses will run two-hours later than normal in the morning.
Pre-K classes in the morning and afternoon session are cancelled on 12-10-19.
If weather conditions warrant any full school closures, an additional announcement will be made about 7:00 AM.
Please be safe, and if you decide to keep your child at home, the absence will be excused.
link: How it works: weather related school closures and delays
KPBSD SCHOOLS:
www.KPBSD.org
Programs are at the school location unless otherwise noted. Also note that some schools have more than one program, and the location may vary by date.
Kenai Central High School cafeteria
9583 Kenai Spur Highway, Kenai, AK 99611
$10 for adults
$5 for kids (under 14)
$25 for families (five or more)
Student leaders at Kenai Central High School are working hard to support their peers without permanent housing! Everyone is welcome to come to this student-led and student-organized fundraiser! Friday. 6:00 PM.
“Even if you are not eating you can stop by to take a look at silent auction items provided by our local families and businesses. We hope to see you there and are blown away from our communities support–thank you!”
Hunter Beck and Elizabeth Hanson, Kenai Central High School
For more information on the SIT Program or to see if you qualify, contact your local liaison. Homeless Liaisons can help students and families access supports and services to address these challenges.* (see contacts below)
Who are Homeless Children and Youth?
Eligible children and youth are students who lack a permanent, stable, and adequate place to sleep at night. This can include students who are living in a shelter, hotel, tent, camper or car, students that are “doubled-up” with extended family members of friends because of financial difficulty, or loss of housing, students who are couch-surfing, and those in “substandard” housing. Students may be part of a larger family unit that is homeless, or may be unaccompanied youth (youth living in a previously stated situation with without a parent or legal guardian).
What can the Students in Transition Program provide?
• Immediate School Enrollment
• Free school meal benefits
• Transportation to and from school
• School Supplies
• Assistance in obtaining vital records
• Referrals to local social service agencies and public programs
Students who don’t have stable housing face special challenges when it comes to school success. It is hard to learn if you are worried about your next meal, about staying warm at night, or about where you’ll be sleeping next. Students who frequently change schools or are frequently absent lose out on valuable learning time and often fall behind their peers.
In the 2018-2019 school year, 224 KPBSD students were identified as homeless, using the federally required McKinney-Vento Act definition. These students ranged from Pre-K through the 12th grade, and received support services through our Students in Transition Program and homeless liaison staff.
Contacts:
Kelly King
Homeless Liaison – Serving Central Peninsula, Seward and Tyonek schools e: kking@kpbsd.k12.ak.us or call 907-714-8869
Jane Dunn
Homeless Liaison – Serving Southern Peninsula and Ninilchik schools
e: jdunn@kpbsd.k12.ak.us or call 907-235-4664
7:00 AM update: The Two-Hour Delay start for Central and Southern Peninsula schools on 12-2-19 remains in effect. The only closures are for both morning AND afternoon Pre-K classes in Central and Southern Peninsula schools.
►ALERT: KPBSD schools in the Southern Peninsula and Central Peninsula will open with a TWO HOUR DELAY START on MONDAY, December 2, 2019, due to weather and road conditions.
If weather and road conditions warrant a full closure for any schools, that announcement will be made about 7:00 AM.
All morning and afternoon Pre-K class sessions at these schools are cancelled during a two-hour delay start.
Parents and guardians, if you decide, based on conditions near you to keep your child at home, absences will be excused.
*A two hour delay means that morning buses run two hours later than normal, school begins two hours later than normal, staff arrives at school two hours later than normal, and Pre-K morning sessions are cancelled. The school day ends at the normal time.
Central Peninsula
Aurora Borealis Charter School
Connections Homeschool
Cooper Landing School
Kaleidoscope Charter School
K-Beach Elementary School
Kenai Alternative School
Kenai Central High School
Kenai Middle School
Mountain View Elementary School
Nikiski Middle-High School
Nikiski North Star Elementary School
Redoubt Elementary School
River City Academy
Skyview Middle School
Soldotna Elementary School
Soldotna High School
Soldotna Montessori Charter School
Sterling Elementary School
Tebughna School
Tustumena Elementary School
Southern Peninsula
Chapman School
Connections Homeschool
Fireweed Academy
Homer Flex School
Homer High School
Homer Middle School
Kachemak Selo School
McNeil Canyon Elementary School
Nanwalek School
Nikolaevsk School
Ninilchik School
Paul Banks Elementary School
Port Graham School
Razdolna School
Susan B. English School
Voznesenka School
West Homer Elementary School
News Release
Soldotna, November 27, 2019—At the special school board meeting on November 26, 2019, Virginia Morgan took the Oath of Office to serve District 6 representing Cooper Landing, Hope, Moose Pass, and Seward schools until the regular municipal election in October, 2020.
“A very special thanks to the four very qualified candidates who took the time and energy to apply for the District 6 East Peninsula School Board seat. I am thrilled and honored that we had four well-rounded candidates who were willing and eager to fill this seat. We are very fortunate in the Kenai Peninsula Borough to have many talented individuals who are so passionate about education.
–Board President Penny Vadla
On behalf of the entire school board, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to our newly appointed board member Virginia Morgan. We are looking forward to working with you and having you on the team!”
During her interview, among other things, Ms. Morgan’s responses reflected her passion for literacy and reading, community involvement, a high value on relationships, differing opinions, social-emotional learning, and the value of small schools and diversity in KPBSD.
“As a previous student, teacher, and currently a parent of students in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, I’m excited to have this opportunity to serve on the Board of Education,” said Virginia Morgan. “It will be a great honor to represent Cooper Landing, Hope, Moose Pass, and Seward schools. I want to champion the diversity of our school district, and I look forward to working with the board to build relationships, strengthen connections, and increase opportunities for our youth.”
The next Board of Education worksessions and regular monthly meeting is Monday, December 9, 2019.
Link: November
26, 2019, board meeting and applicant interviews
Soldotna, November 25, 2019—Four applicants will be interviewed for the vacant District 6 East Peninsula seat serving Cooper Landing, Hope, Moose Pass and Seward schools. The special board meeting is Tuesday, November 26, 2019, beginning at 10:00 AM in the Borough Administration Building, 148 N. Binkley St., Soldotna, AK 99669, in the Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers.
District 6 East Peninsula Candidate Interviews
Four people applied and met the eligibility qualifications for the District 6 board vacancy, and their applications are available online. The public is welcome to attend the interviews, however, the doors will be shut before each interview begins, as a courtesy to the candidate. Public comment forms will be available in the back of the room for those in attendance only. Interview schedule:
• 10:05 AM: Shawn Butler
• 10:40 AM: Katie Hamilton
• 11:15 AM: Heather Lindquist
• 11:50 AM: Virginia Morgan
12:30 PM: Executive session, selection of appointee, Oath of Office
The Oath of Office
will be administered to the appointed candidate during this special school
board meeting.
View the agenda and
applications: https://go.boarddocs.com/ak/kpbsd/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BHQ2J50250DF
Superintendent John O’Brien was surprised after he delivered a presentation to school counselors in Anchorage when the Alaska School Counselor Association (AkSCA) recognized him as their Advocate of the Year! “The Advocate of the Year award recognizes a special individual or group for their assistance in furthering the mission of school counselors in Alaska,” wrote @MyAkSCA. “The Advocate of the Year may have developed or implemented a new program that affects the well-being of students and staff; they may have initiated improvement in counseling services; or they may have provided outstanding opportunities for the professional growth of counselors. Whether an administrator, community group, or other individual in or out of the school environment, the recipient of this award represents true advocacy for our profession.”
“This recognition by our State’s School Counselors is perhaps one of the most meaningful awards that I have received in my career as a professional educator. Our school counselors play such a vital role in the social and emotional well-being of our students. They build capacity in our schools by assisting our teachers, support staff, and school administrators to understand the importance of educating the whole child.”
Superintendent John O’Brien, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Skyview Middle School counselor Natalie Kant wrote in the nomination for O’Brien, “I have worked in the KPBSD for 30 years. Of those years, I have been a school counselor for 16 years. Throughout my time with KPBSD, I have seen Superintendent O’Brien always support school counselors. At one point in his career, he was the Director of Secondary Education and oversaw all of the district counselors for four years. Through his leadership and district influence, counselors’ voices have been heard. He worked on removing non-counseling duties from counselor’s plates, and his efforts led to school counselors no longer had to be school assessment coordinators.
I remember when counselors wanted to be evaluated by the ASCA (American School Counselor Association) national model instead of the same rubric used by teachers. He allowed school counselors to create a district evaluation tool that aligns with the ASCA National Model. This evaluation tool continues in our district. Because of his continuous support of school counselors, Skyview Middle School and Soldotna High School have become RAMP (Recognized American School Counseling Association Model Program) schools. Making history, these are the first ever RAMP schools in the state!”
What difference does a school counselor professional make in a school? In 2013, former Alaska Governor Sean Parnell proclaimed, “School counselors are an integral part of the educational process and work closely with teachers, administrators, fellow educators, and parents to assist students in exploring their potential and setting realistic academic and career goals.”
Congratulations to Superintendent O’Brien! Together let us celebrate our school counselors, district leadership, and the many ways school counselors assist students, families, and coworkers to create a positive school culture!
News Release: School board vacancy in Eastern Peninsula District – Applications accepted until November 22, 2019
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education seeks applicants to fill the District 6 (East Peninsula) school board vacancy. KPBSD schools in District 6 are in Cooper Landing, Hope, Moose Pass, and Seward.
Responsibilities:
For information on the role and responsibilities of board members, review the Bylaws of the Board on the District website. http://www.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/board.aspx?id=360
Qualifications:
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, a qualified voter of the State of Alaska and a resident of the Kenai Peninsula and District 6* for 180 days.
Term of Office:
Appointment will begin Nov. 26, 2019. Appointee will stand for re-election in October 2020.
Application:
Applications will be accepted until 3:00 p.m. on Friday, November 22, 2019.
Paper applications and instructions are available are also available at the district office and at the school offices in Seward, Moose Pass, Hope and Cooper Landing.
Deadline:
Applications are due by 3:00 p.m. on Nov. 22, 2019.
Kenai Peninsula Borough District 6 legal description: Borough Code 22.30.010
District 6 map: https://www.kpb.us/images/KPB/CLK/images/District6_Redistrict_2012.pdf
Announcing a school closure or two-hour delay start in a timely manner for our students, families, and staff is important to KPBSD administration. Timing of the decision is crucial so we can notify transportation before busses begin their routes, employees head to work, and students and families prepare for a school day, potentially waiting at bus-stops. The decision to close school for the day or institute a two-hour delay start is the responsibility of the Superintendent of Schools.
KPBSD is committed to school safety, and educating every student. An involved process takes place early in the morning before the decision is made to close, or delay the start of school by two-hours. Additionally, if a school make-up day is necessary, several factors contribute to determine the date for one or more make-up days of school.
If school remains open, and you as a parent or guardian do not believe it is safe for your child to travel to school based on conditions in your area, please use your best judgment to decide what is safest for your family. Please notify the school if your child will not attend; absences will be excused.
KPBSD district office communications will post two-hour school delays or closures, and subsequent updates, usually starting by 5:30 AM. If nothing is announced, assume schools are open on a normal schedule.
Assistant Superintendent gathers information, beginning as soon as accurate information is available. Most of the time this begins very early in the morning. If a significant storm is expected, a decision might be made the night ahead of time, but this rarely happens. Consultation and assessment includes:
The Assistant Superintendent contacts the Superintendent to give an update about specific conditions and offer a recommendation for a two-hour delay start* or school closure. (Delay starts are always two hours.)
The Superintendent of Schools makes a final decision to delay start by two hours, or close schools.
*KPBSD may be briefed with information that helps to determine that a two-hour delay start will result in school being in session for the day. At other times, the two-hour delay allows time to assess the evolving conditions, before making the decision to close school for the day. If the roads are impassable due to inclement weather, a two-hour delay will give road crews additional time for sanding and plowing. Updates are posted as soon as decisions are made.
If school is closed for the day, by state law, a make-up day must be scheduled. KPBSD does not build additional days into the annual calendar for potential inclement weather or school closures that may or may not occur.
A make-up day is generally scheduled on a vacation day, or after the official school calendar ends in May. One day is built into the calendar—typically the third Friday in the last quarter—and is often used as the first option for a make-up day.
Factors to consider when a make-up day is scheduled for one or more schools in KPBSD:
State law mandates a school term of 180 days with up to ten of these days used for teacher in-service.
Per state law, all students must attend school for the minimum of 170 student contact days.
KPBSD teaching contract is 188 days (also includes orientation days and 7 mandated holidays.) Teacher in-service days are part of Professional Development and required by contract. Flexible work days are most often utilized at the front end of the school year (August) in preparation for the school year.
Closing school for the day or instituting a two-hour delay start is a complex decision, with several factors involved. Every effort is made to keep school in session.
###
Links
PDF printout of KPBSD school closure or two hour delay information
KPBSD webpage school closure or two hour delay information
There is a School Board Vacancy in District 6, East Peninsula (Cooper Landing, Hope, Moose Pass, and Seward schools).
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education will hold an emergency special meeting:
Wednesday, November 13, 2019, 5:00 PM
Betty J. Glick Assembly Chamber
148 N. Binkley St., Soldotna, Alaska
This meeting is held to address a District 6 East Peninsula school board vacancy.
Recommended action: Move to announce a vacancy for school board District 6 East Peninsula and open the application period through November 22, 2019, at 3:00 p.m.
Online Links