Beginning Tuesday, October 20, 2020, KPBSD schools in the Southern Kenai Peninsula will shift to 100% Remote Learning, and operate in High COVID-19 Risk (Red)
The school district leadership and KPBSD Medical Advisory Team reviewed the high positive case count COVID-19 cases in the Southern Kenai Peninsula today, the rising 7-Day trend, information from public health and DHSS, and determined the data merits immediate action for an additional 13 KPBSD schools. Therefore, Southern Kenai Peninsula schools will shift to 100% Remote Learning immediately, beginning Tuesday, October 20, 2020.
The 100% Remote Learning in the Southern Kenai Peninsula will be for a minimum of this week. We know that Alaska is experiencing an accelerated phase of COVID-19 spread. Several positive cases are reported each week that are connected with KPBSD schools, and contact tracing takes place for every positive staff or student COVID-19 case, to help further exposure from occurring.
*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 watches positive cases closely, types of community spread, and offers informed insights about safely operating schools during a pandemic.
What to know during 100% Remote Learning in COVID-19 High Risk
- Schools will contact their families to give further instructions, call your school if you have questions about materials, packets, or other issues
- 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
- Pre-K, Kindergarten, and Special Education Intensive Needs students may still attend school onsite-at-school during 100% Remote Learning, based on the 2020 SmartStart Plan. Schools will contact these families directly
Thirteen Southern Kenai Peninsula Schools operating in High Risk (Red) Status
KPBSD schools in Nanwalek, Port Graham, and Susan B. English in Seldovia are considered individually, and remain open to onsite at-school learning at this time.
- 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
“The decision to operate Southern Kenai Peninsula schools in High COVID-19 risk, with 100% Remote Learning, is not only to address concerns for the safety and wellbeing of our staff and students, but as a school district we play an important role to help our communities mitigate positive COVID-19 spread. By shifting to 100% Remote Learning during periods of high community spread, we lessen the number of large groups of people in one location. Even with our mitigation plans, we have seen an exponential growth of positive cases in our schools this past week. My hope is that we can slow the spread, and reopen schools as soon as is safely possible. I sincerely apologize for the strain this puts on families, students, staff, and businesses in an already stressful pandemic.”
-Superintendent John O’Brien
What you can do
We urge Alaskans to exercise caution and take the following steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:
• Do the 3 W’s: Wear a mask, watch your distance and wash your hands
• Avoid the 3 C’s: Crowded places, close contact settings and confined or enclosed spaces. Keep contacts limited and social circles small. Avoid indoor gatherings
• Don’t ride in cars with people who are not in your household bubble
• Limit your errands and outings
• Watch out for COVID-19 symptoms. Get tested even if you have just one symptom or mild symptoms
• Don’t be around others if you are not feeling well. Stay home and isolate immediately
• If you test positive, let close contacts know so they can protect others
• Quarantine quickly if you are exposed to COVID-19, for a full 14 days
Helpful Links
KPBSD COVID-19 Hub or covid19.kpbsd.org
KPBSD COVID-19 risk level dashboard
Posted in KPBSD District Stories by .
October 14, 2020
Four schools in the Eastern Kenai Peninsula will continue to operate in 100% Remote Learning, during High COVID-19 Risk (Red) status
Today the school district leadership and KPBSD Medical Advisory Team met to discuss continued high positive COVID-19 case counts, the 7-Day trends, information from public health and DHSS stating Alaska is experiencing accelerated spread today, and determined an extension of 100% Remote Learning is merited.
Moose Pass, Seward Elementary, Middle, and High School will continue with 100% Remote Learning for one more week, through Friday, October 23, 2020. An evaluation of risk status will be made next week, and an announcement about a return to onsite-at-school learning on October 26, 2020, will be made October 22, 2020, to aid in planning purposes for families and staff.
“The decision to continue to operate KPBSD schools in High COVID-19 risk, with 100% Remote Learning, is not only to address concerns for the safety and wellbeing of our staff and students, but as a school district we play an important role to help our communities mitigate positive COVID-19 spread. By shifting to 100% Remote Learning during periods of high community spread, we lessen the number of large groups of people in one location. Even with our mitigation plans, we have seen an exponential growth of positive cases in our schools this past week. My hope is that we can slow the spread, and reopen schools as soon as Monday, October 26, 2020. We will all know more in the next week as the state catches up with a backlog of positive test results. I sincerely apologize for the strain and mental health concerns that this action puts on families, students, staff, and businesses in an already stressful pandemic.”
Superintendent John O’Brien
What to know during 100% Remote Learning in COVID-19 High Risk
- Schools will contact their families to give further instructions, call your school if you have questions about materials, packets, or other issues
- Get-It and Go Meals are free for all students during 100% Remote Learning, and can be picked up daily between 12:00–12:30. Make sure to order by noon on Friday for the following week. Note: No meals are available on Friday, October 16, 2020—it’s an inservice day for staff, no school for students
- Pre-K, Kindergarten, and Special Education Intensive Needs students may still attend school onsite-at-school during 100% Remote Learning, based on the 2020 SmartStart Plan. Schools contacted these families directly
- ASAA Protocols are in effect during High Risk school operations
What you can do
We urge Alaskans to exercise caution and take the following steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:
• Do the 3 W’s: Wear a mask, watch your distance and wash your hands
• Avoid the 3 C’s: Crowded places, close contact settings and confined or enclosed spaces. Keep contacts limited and social circles small. Avoid indoor gatherings
• Don’t ride in cars with people who are not in your household bubble
• Limit your errands and outings
• Watch out for COVID-19 symptoms. Get tested even if you have just one symptom or mild symptoms
• Don’t be around others if you are not feeling well. Stay home and isolate immediately
• If you test positive, let close contacts know so they can protect others
• Quarantine quickly if you are exposed to COVID-19, for a full 14 days
*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 watches positive cases closely, types of community spread, and offers informed insights about safely operating schools during a pandemic.
Helpful Links
KPBSD COVID-19 Hub or covid19.kpbsd.org
KPBSD COVID-19 risk level dashboard
Posted in KPBSD District Stories by .
Soldotna, October 14, 2020
“It is with great sadness that we learned one of our long-time Nanwalek School staff members has died during a house fire on Tuesday. Our hearts go out to Jim Reinseth, his family, friends, and the staff, students, and community of Nanwalek where he has been an educator since 2007. We are working with our principal and the village to ensure that any additional support and comfort that we can offer is provided.”
–Superintendent John O’Brien
Emotional support has been made available to staff and students to assist them as they navigate through this difficult process. Jim dedicated many years of service to the Nanwalek community and will be greatly missed.
Posted in KPBSD District Stories by .
Beginning Wednesday, October 14, 2020,
17 KPBSD schools in the central peninsula will shift to 100% Remote Learning, and operate in High COVID-19 Risk (Red)
The school district leadership and KPBSD Medical Advisory Team discussed the high positive case count today of +14 COVID-19 cases in the central peninsula, the 7-Day trend, information from public health and DHSS, and determined the data merits immediate action for schools. Therefore, central peninsula schools will shift to 100% Remote Learning immediately, beginning Wednesday, October 14, 2020.
The 100% Remote Learning in the central peninsula will be for a minimum of one week. Today, DHSS stated that Alaska is experiencing an accelerated phase of COVID-19 spread.
Positive cases are reported daily in KPBSD schools and in the past few days in the central peninsula alone, between Nikiski Middle-High School, Nikiski North Star Elementary, Redoubt Elementary, and Skyview Middle School, contact tracing has placed over 63 staff and students in isolation or a 14-Day Quarantine.
“The decision to operate central peninsula schools in High COVID-19 risk, with 100% Remote Learning, is not only to address concerns for the safety and wellbeing of our staff and students, but as a school district we play an important role to help our communities mitigate positive COVID-19 spread. By shifting to 100% Remote Learning during periods of high community spread, we lessen the number of large groups of people in one location. Even with our mitigation plans, we have seen an exponential growth of positive cases in our schools this past week. My hope is that we can slow the spread, and reopen schools as soon as Monday, October 26, 2020. We will all know more in the next week as the state catches up with a backlog of positive test results. I sincerely apologize for the strain this puts on families, students, staff, and businesses in an already stressful pandemic.”
Superintendent John O’Brien
What to know during 100% Remote Learning in COVID-19 High Risk
- Schools will contact their families to give further instructions, call your school if you have questions about materials, packets, or other issues
- 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. Note: No meals are available on Friday, October 16, 2020—it’s an inservice day for staff, no school for students
- Pre-K, Kindergarten, and Special Education Intensive Needs students may still attend school onsite-at-school during 100% Remote Learning, based on the 2020 SmartStart Plan. Schools will contact these families directly
- ASAA Protocols are in effect during High Risk operations. Only state level competitions are approved at this time
Central Peninsula Schools operating in High Risk (Red) Status
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
What you can do
We urge Alaskans to exercise caution and take the following steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:
• Do the 3 W’s: Wear a mask, watch your distance and wash your hands
• Avoid the 3 C’s: Crowded places, close contact settings and confined or enclosed spaces. Keep contacts limited and social circles small. Avoid indoor gatherings
• Don’t ride in cars with people who are not in your household bubble
• Limit your errands and outings
• Watch out for COVID-19 symptoms. Get tested even if you have just one symptom or mild symptoms
• Don’t be around others if you are not feeling well. Stay home and isolate immediately
• If you test positive, let close contacts know so they can protect others
• Quarantine quickly if you are exposed to COVID-19, for a full 14 days
*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 watches positive cases closely, types of community spread, and offers informed insights about safely operating schools during a pandemic.
Helpful Links
KPBSD COVID-19 Hub or covid19.kpbsd.org
KPBSD COVID-19 risk level dashboard
Posted in KPBSD District Stories by .
Dear KPBSD Central Peninsula Families and Staff:
We know you are concerned and watching the COVID-19 risk levels closely. The school district and KPBSD Medical Advisory Team joins your concern and is carefully analyzing a spectrum of information and data.*
Advance Notice: if positive COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the central peninsula over the next few days, there is a likelihood schools will shift to 100% Remote Learning. KPBSD will give as much advance notice as possible, and if this happens, the 100% Remote Learning will be for a minimum of one week to aid in your planning, and to assess community spread and risk.
At this time, schools in the central peninsula continue to operate in Medium Risk (yellow) status. District leadership and the medical advisory team are watching this closely, and will determine if schools will operate at High Risk and in 100% Remote Learning next week. If this decision is made, it will be communicated to staff and families immediately. If a situation emerges that merits an immediate shift to High Risk, 100% Remote Learning, the district will respond accordingly.
*Decision Basis
To determine if it is appropriate to shift schools to 100% Remote Learning, district
leadership and the KPBSD Medical Advisory Team:
- Analyzes the 14-Day positive COVID-19 case counts
- Analyzes the 7-Day positivity trend
- Consults with public health contact tracing knowledge, and local medical providers
- Reviews our COVID-19 Positive Case in a School Decision Matrix
Based on this analysis, information, the medical advisory team is watching the sharp increase in positive cases closely, and if they continue, an updated decision to move to High Risk and 100% Remote Learning could happen rapidly, or soon.
What to know during 100% Remote Learning in COVID-19 High Risk
- Get-It and Go Meals are free for all students, and picked daily
- Schools will contact their families to give further instructions and respond to questions about their school if there is a shift to 100% remote learning
- Pre-K, Kindergarten, and Special Education Intensive Needs students may still attend school onsite-at-school during 100% Remote Learning, based on the 2020 SmartStart Plan. Schools will contact these families directly.
- Activities continue with ASAA Protocols in effect
- Schools will communicate update status mid-week to aid parent planning
Central Peninsula Schools
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
What you can do
We urge Alaskans to exercise caution and take the following steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:
• Do the 3 W’s: Wear a mask, watch your distance and wash your hands
• Avoid the 3 C’s: Crowded places, close contact settings and confined or enclosed spaces. Keep contacts limited and social circles small. Avoid indoor gatherings
• Don’t ride in cars with people who are not in your household bubble
• Limit your errands and outings
• Watch out for COVID-19 symptoms. Get tested even if you have just one symptom or mild symptoms
• Don’t be around others if you are not feeling well. Stay home and isolate immediately
• If you test positive, let close contacts know so they can protect others
• Quarantine quickly if you are exposed to COVID-19, for a full 14 days
Helpful Links
KPBSD COVID-19 Hub or covid19.kpbsd.org
KPBSD COVID-19 risk level dashboard
“Offering predictability for our families, staff, and communities is tricky during a global pandemic. I am disappointed the positive case count appears to be trending upward. Every day we evaluate 7-Day risk level trends, 14-Day actual positive case counts, and confer with our medical advisory team. To aid planning for families and eliminate a ping-pong effect back and forth between risk levels, when we shift to 100% Remote Learning, it will be in one-week time blocks unless it’s a positive case at a school, which might have a different response or time frame. We will continue providing district level updates every week, plus each school will directly communicate with their staff and families.”
– Superintendent John O’Brien
Posted in KPBSD District Stories by .
McNeil Canyon Elementary School will shift to 100% Remote Learning on Monday, October 12, 2020 for contact tracing after a positive COVID-19 case
October 11, 2020
Dear McNeil Canyon School Staff and Families,
Sunday morning, October 11, 2020, the school district learned that a positive COVID-19 case is connected to someone at McNeil Canyon Elementary School. Contact tracing is beginning, but without ample time to complete it immediately, and the potential that it affects the entire K-3rd grade classes, with positive cases trending upward, and out of an abundance of precaution, school will immediately change to 100% Remote Learning on Monday, October 12, 2020, and possibly longer. Additional communications will be sent later today, and as contact tracing happens, everyone who is a close contact will be called personally.
Kindly trust that we are working as quickly as possible, and working with public health to assess any interactions in the time period the person was at school and potential exposure to others.
Everyone who is identified as a close contact will be called personally today, and need to Quarantine for 14 days. The quarantine would likely go through October 22, 2020, and students or staff could return to school October 23, 2020. At this time, we request that everyone connected with K-3 grades limit interactions with others today, until contact tracing is complete.
Principal Pete Swanson is away right now, and making arrangements to return asap. Paul Banks Principal Eric Pederson is assisting your school through this until his return, together with Nurse Iris, district leadership, and your school team. Your school and KPBSD will share further information as it becomes known—but we may not know until Monday if the 100% Remote Learning will continue into Tuesday.
KPBSD honors HIPAA and FERPA privacy laws, so the identity of a student or employee will not be revealed by the school or KPBSD, unless permission is given to do so.
Each case of COVID-19 is interviewed by public health, and our team. As part of this public health investigation and contact tracing at school, and based on CDC guidance and Alaska DHSS protocols:
- Everyone diagnosed with COVID-19 is kept home from school until they are no longer infectious
- The person’s activities when they could have spread COVID-19 were assessed
- The people who were close contacts of the person with COVID-19 are instructed to stay home from school for 14 days after the exposure. This is called quarantine and there is no way to test out of a 14-day quarantine when someone is identified as a close contact
What to know during 100% Remote Learning Monday, October 12, 2020, and possibly beyond
- Teachers will reach out to students and parents
on Monday with more information with how we are moving forward
- Free Get-It-And-Go meals will be available
Monday for all students during 100% Remote Learning. Daily pickup at your
school between 12:00-12:30
- No students or staff will be at school on
Monday, October 12, 2020
- You can expect regular contact as soon as there are updates. Check your School Messenger alerts, and the McNeil Canyon Facebook page.
If you have questions, kindly contact your school, Principal Pederson at 907-435-7379 until Principal Swanson returns, or call our public health agency at 907-335-3400.
You can find specific information for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District on our dedicated COVID-19 in KPBSD Hub webpage that includes communication updates, safety protocols, 2020 Smart Start Plan, sports and activities, risk levels on the Kenai Peninsula, and the COVID19 Confirmed Case in School Response Matrix.
Thank you for your understanding and patience as contact tracing takes place, and our lives are further disrupted. Together the Dragons will get through this.
Posted in KPBSD District Stories by .
Any KPBSD staff or student, who participated in or attended the 2020 Termination Dust Invitational, held Oct. 2-4 at the Ben Boeke and Dempsey Anderson arenas, needs to quarantine for 14 days, through October 18, 2020* and is not permitted to attend school onsite-in-person, or report to work onsite-in-person, at a school campus until Monday, October 19, 2020.
*Dr. Ohlsen, our KPBSD state Physician Consultant for schools, explained today that this quarantine applies to our school district. Many coaches and students are still testing positive. Any KPBSD staff or students, who participated in or attended this event, must quarantine, and not go to school or work. Students can shift to 100% Remote Learning. Staff or students who need to quarantine can reach out to their school or supervisor for further information. The last day of quarantine will be October 18, 2020, and they can return to school on Monday, October 19, 2020. If anyone experiences any symptoms of COVID19, they should be tested.
KPBSD’s high school hockey season was slated to start Wednesday October 14, 2020 (first allowable practice date as per ASAA). As a result of this Youth Hockey event and resulting COVID-19 positive cluster, I am postponing the start of the KPBSD high school hockey season to Monday October 19, 2020.
–KPBSD Superintendent John O’Brien, October 9, 2020
Anchorage Health Department News Release: October 9, 2020
AHD urges attendees of youth hockey tournament to
quarantine or isolate following cluster of COVID-19 cases
ANCHORAGE – The Anchorage Health Department (AHD) is investigating a youth hockey tournament after a cluster of COVID-19 cases were identified. The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services is assisting with the contact tracing investigation.
Contact investigations indicate that the 2020 Termination Dust Invitational, held Oct. 2-4 at the Ben Boeke and Dempsey Anderson arenas, was attended by more than 300 players, coaches and fans. Teams from Anchorage, Eagle River/Chugiak, Wasilla/Palmer, Kenai/Soldotna and Juneau participated in the tournament. Contact investigations indicate significant close contact in indoor spaces, including locker rooms, with inconsistent use of face coverings.
To avoid further spread of COVID-19, AHD urges all attendees without symptoms to quarantine at home for 14 days, except to get tested. Additionally, AHD urges all attendees with COVID-19 symptoms should isolate from others at home for 10 days, except to get tested.
Most children have asymptomatic, mild or moderate symptoms and recover within one to two weeks of symptom onset. As with adults, children with medical conditions, for example, heart or lung disease, neurologic, genetic, or metabolic disorders, cancer, kidney disease, obesity, immune disorders, are at higher risk for severe disease.
“Participating in physical activity is incredibly important for everyone, especially our youth. This year we have the added challenge of ensuring those activities are done consistently in a COVID-conscious way that keeps our youth, their families, and our community healthy,” said AHD Director Heather Harris. “It is extremely important for anyone who might have been exposed at this tournament to follow COVID-19 isolation and quarantine guidelines.”
We must stop COVID-19 with simple steps and smart choices.
- Stay home except for essential trips.
- Feeling even mild
symptoms? Get tested. Stay home.
- Use AnchorageCOVIDTest.org to find free testing.
- Wear a mask and stay at least 6 feet from others outside your house.
- Avoid social gatherings, especially indoors. Gatherings are not safe.
- Keep a log of your contact with others.
- Stay informed by listening to public health experts.
- Get a flu shot. Use AnchorageFluShot.org to find free flu shot clinics.
- Encourage your family, friends, and neighbors to remain vigilant. Do not underestimate COVID-19.
What you do matters. Stop the spread of COVID-19. Together, we can save lives.
###
Media Inquiries:
AHD Director Heather Harris, Epidemiologist Dr. Janet Johnston and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bruce Chandler will be available to answer questions at the Mayor’s Community Update today, October 9, at noon.
Barry Piser, Public Information Officer, (907) 343-4622, barry.piser@anchorageak.gov
Moose Pass School, and three schools in Seward, Alaska shift to 100% Remote Learning beginning Friday, October 9, 2020
Read October 7, 2020 communication: KPBSD Eastern Peninsula schools may shift to 100% Remote Learning
October 8, 2020
Dear KPBSD Staff and Families at Moose Pass and Seward area schools,
Late in the day on Thursday, October 8, 2020, the school district learned that a new positive COVID-19 case is connected to someone at one of our Seward area schools. Without ample time to conduct contact tracing, positive cases trending upward, and out of an abundance of precaution, Moose Pass and Seward schools will shift to 100% Remote Learning beginning Friday, October 9, 2020. On Friday, no students will attend school onsite, in person.
On Friday, KPBSD will work with public health to assess any interactions in the time period the person was connected with school, and everyone who is determined to be a close contact will be called personally.
Your school and KPBSD will share further information as it becomes known, and announce midweek next week if we will reopen to onsite at school learning on Monday, October 19, 2020, or need to extend the 100% Remote Learning. This decision will be determined by COVID-19 risk level and community spread in the Eastern Peninsula.
KPBSD honors HIPAA and FERPA privacy laws, so the identity of a student or employee will not be revealed by the school or KPBSD, unless permission is given to do so.
Each case of COVID-19 is interviewed by public health, and our team. As part of this public health investigation and contact tracing at school, and based on CDC guidance and Alaska DHSS protocols:
- Everyone diagnosed with COVID-19 is kept home from school until they are no longer infectious.
- The person’s activities when they could have spread COVID-19 were assessed.
- The people who were close contacts of the person with COVID-19 are instructed to stay home from school for 14 days after the exposure. This is called quarantine and there is no way to test out of a 14-day quarantine when someone is identified as a close contact.
What to know during 100% Remote Learning in COVID-19 High Risk
- Free Get-It-And-Go meals are available for all students during 100% Remote Learning. Daily pickup is at your school between 12:00-12:30
- No students will attend school on Friday, October 9, 2020. Schools will contact Pre-K, Kindergarten, and Special Education Intensive Needs students directly about school starting Monday, October 12, 2020, based on the 2020 Smart Start plan
- Activities operate with ASAA High Risk Protocols in effect
- Schools will communicate an update status mid-week to aid parent planning for the following week specific to if school reopens to onsite at school learning on Monday, October 19, 2020
If you have questions, kindly contact your school principal, or public health at 907-335-3400.
You can find specific information for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District on our dedicated COVID-19 in KPBSD Hub webpage that includes communication updates, safety protocols, 2020 Smart Start Plan, sports and activities, risk levels on the Kenai Peninsula, and the COVID19 Confirmed Case in School Response Matrix.
Posted in KPBSD District Stories by .
October 7, 2020
Dear KPBSD Eastern Peninsula Families and Staff:
We know you are concerned and watching the COVID-19 risk levels closely. The school district and KPBSD Medical Advisory Team joins your concern and on Wednesday carefully analyzed a spectrum of information and data.*
Advance Notice: if positive COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the eastern peninsula over the next few days, there is a high likelihood we will shift to 100% Remote Learning on Monday, October 12, 2020, for a minimum of one week. A decision will be made no later than Sunday.
At this time, Eastern Peninsula schools (Seward and Moose Pass) will continue to operate in Medium Risk (yellow) status this week, even though the 14-Day positive case count indicates high-risk levels. This means that schools will remain open to onsite at-school learning. The medical advisory team is watching this closely, and if positive cases are linked to a school, or trend upward Thursday or Friday, an updated decision for next week to operate schools at High Risk and 100% Remote Learning could happen, and will be communicated to staff and families immediately.
*Decision Basis
To determine if it is appropriate to shift schools to 100% Remote Learning when the 14-Day count data moved the Eastern Peninsula into high risk on October 7, 2020, the KPBSD Medical Advisory Team:
- Analyzed the 14-Day
positive COVID-19 case counts
- Note: four positive cases will drop from the 14-Day case count in the next four days, which moves Eastern Peninsula into Medium Risk, if no additional positive cases are added
- Analyzed the 7-Day positivity trend
- Consulted with public health contact tracing knowledge, and local medical providers
- Reviewed our COVID-19 Positive Case in a School Decision Matrix (no recent cases have been linked to eastern peninsula schools.)
Based on this analysis, information, and that no cases that involve KPBSD schools, Seward and Moose Pass schools will be remain in yellow or medium risk October 8-9, 2020. The medical advisory team is watching this closely, and if positive cases trend sharply upward, or are linked to a school, an updated decision to move to High Risk and 100% Remote Learning could happen immediately, or beginning Monday, October 12, 2020.
What to know during 100% Remote Learning in COVID-19 High Risk
- Get-It and Go Meals are free for all students, and picked up Wednesday morning for the week
- Pre-K, Kindergarten, and Special Education Intensive Needs students may still attend school onsite-at-school during 100% Remote Learning, based on the 2020 SmartStart Plan. Schools will contact these families directly.
- Activities continue with ASAA High Risk Protocols in effect
- Schools will communicate an update status mid-week to aid parent planning for the following week specific to if school reopens to onsite at school learning on Monday, October 19, 2020
What you can do
We urge Alaskans to exercise caution and take the following steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:
- • Do the 3 W’s: Wear a mask, watch your distance and wash your hands
- • Avoid the 3 C’s: Crowded places, close contact settings and confined or enclosed spaces. Keep contacts limited and social circles small. Avoid indoor gatherings
- • Don’t ride in cars with people who are not in your household bubble
- • Limit your errands and outings
- • Watch out for COVID-19 symptoms. Get tested even if you have just one symptom or mild symptoms
- • Don’t be around others if you are not feeling well. Stay home and isolate immediately
- • If you test positive, let close contacts know so they can protect others
- • Quarantine quickly if you are exposed to COVID-19, for a full 14 days
Helpful Links
“Offering predictability for our families, staff, and communities is tricky during a global pandemic. I am disappointed the positive case count appears to be trending upward. Every day we evaluate 7-Day risk level trends, 14-Day actual positive case counts, and confer with our medical advisory team. To aid planning for families and eliminate a ping-pong effect back and forth between risk levels, when we shift to 100% Remote Learning, it will be in one-week time blocks unless it’s a positive case at a school, which might have a different response or time frame. We will continue providing district level updates every week, plus each school will directly communicate with their staff and families.”
-Superintendent John O’Brien
Posted in KPBSD District Stories by .
KPBSD Symptom Free School Protocol Update: COVID-19 Testing for Symptoms or Travel outside of Alaska
Per State of Alaska COVID-19 protocols, KPBSD only accepts PCR and Molecular COVID-19 test results. Antigen or Antibody test results do not currently fulfill the testing requirement.
Tip! bookmark this webpage: KPBSD and COVID-19 Web Hub
Posted in KPBSD District Stories by .