News Release

Soldotna, November 12, 2020—KPBSD schools in the central, eastern, and southern Kenai Peninsula will continue with Remote Learning for an additional two weeks, through Thanksgiving Break. KPBSD small schools operating in low COVID-19 risk will remain open with the onsite-at-school learning option. KPBSD Connections Homeschool is open. Schools are closed Thursday and Friday, November 26-27, 2020.

Student groups (pre-k, kindergarten, Special Education Intensive Needs students) who attend KPBSD schools during High Risk operations will attend school onsite on Friday, November 13, 2020. If there will be a future change that would begin Monday, November 16, 2020, it will be announced by Friday afternoon.

District leadership is requesting clarity from the State of Alaska to determine clarification and intent for school operations after Governor Michael J. Dunleavy’s statewide message the morning of November 12, 2020.

KPBSD school safety and mitigation plans are in place, which require 6’ physical distancing, and wearing of masks. Superintendent O’Brien said, “Thank you for your patience as we work through school operation details related to the Governor’s urgent message this morning. I join the Governor’s appeal when he said, ‘For the next three weeks, I am asking you as the governor of Alaska, that we do everything possible to reduce these cases and bend this trend downward.’ I thank you for your continued and renewed efforts to keep our students, families, staff, and communities healthy and safe.”

What to know

• Schools will continue to be in contact with their families. If you or a friend are struggling or need assistance, do not wait. Call your school secretary, a teacher, the principal, school nurse, or counselor, if you have questions about materials, packets, mental well-being, or other questions
• Get-It and Go Meals are free for all students during 100% Remote Learning, and can be picked up daily at school between 12:00–1:00. Make sure to place your order by noon on Friday for the following week daily pickup: Signup online for FREE lunch and breakfast meals
• Need some inspiration? This is a recycle of a free resource for you: Sources of Strength Family Toolkit

Central Peninsula Schools operating in High Risk (Red) Status through at least Wednesday, November 25, 2020
Central Kenai Peninsula includes Kasilof to Sterling, extending through Kenai, Nikiski, Soldotna, and DHSS “other north” communities. Cooper Landing is not included in the 17 Central Peninsula schools:

• Aurora Borealis Charter 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
• Other North: Tustumena Elementary School

Eastern Kenai Peninsula Schools operating in High Risk (Red) Status through at least Wednesday, November 25, 2020

• Moose Pass School
• Seward High School
• Seward Middle School
• William H. Seward Elementary

Southern Kenai Peninsula Schools operating in High Risk (Red) Status through at least Wednesday, November 25, 2020

• Chapman School
• Fireweed Academy
• Homer Flex School
• Homer High School
• Homer Middle School
• Kachemak Selo School
• McNeil Canyon Elementary School
• Nikolaevsk School
• Ninilchik School
• Paul Banks Elementary School
• Razdolna School
• Voznesenka School
• West Homer Elementary School

Small schools

Six small KPBSD schools in Cooper Landing, Hope, Nanwalek, Port Graham, Seldovia, and Tebughna will also continue to operate in low COVID-19 risk, and offer both 100% Remote and onsite-at-school learning options. A shift to 100% Remote Learning could happen at any time if there is positive COVID-19 in these communities.

KPBSD operates schools with plans defined in the KPBSD SmartStart 2020 Plan, that was built with approval from the Board of Education, and review and feedback from DEED and DHSS. Decision Basis about operations in risk levels
To determine if schools should operate in 100% Remote Learning, or offer options for 100% Remote Learning and onsite at-school learning, district leadership and the KPBSD Medical Advisory Team:

• Analyze the 14-Day positive COVID-19 case counts
• Analyze the 7-Day positivity trend
• Consult with public health contact tracing knowledge, and local medical providers
• Review the KPBSD COVID-19 Positive Case in a School Decision Matrix
• Based on this analysis and scientific data, the medical advisory team (which now includes a mental health professional) closely watch positive cases, types of community spread, and offer informed insights about safely operating schools during a pandemic.

Helpful Links

KPBSD Smart Start 2020 Plan webpage

KPBSD COVID-19 Hub or covid19.kpbsd.org

KPBSD COVID-19 risk level dashboard

Helpful new flyer: What to Do if You’ve Been Exposed to COVID-19: put your quarantine plan into action

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Posted in KPBSD District Stories by Pegge Erkeneff No Comments Yet