KPBSD: Shifting to Remote Learning Free online webinars for parents & guardians
You can find on-demand videos of past webinars, current offerings, and registration information on the Remote Learning Resource for Parents webpage and scroll to the section titled, “Trainings and Webinars for Parents”
To register for these free parent webinars taught by KPBSD professional development coaches, complete this simple online registration.
After
registration, you will receive an auto-generated email with a list of your
session choices, and the password to enter the virtual classroom for your
session. Plan for approximately 30-minute sessions, followed by Q & A.
Week of April 20-25, 2020*
Tuesday, April 21
2:00 PM Lexia
Core 5 with Cindy McKibben
Explore what Lexia Core 5 is & what children learn by using it
3:00 PM Lexia Power Up with Cindy McKibben
Explore what Lexia Power Up is & what children learn by using it
Wednesday, April 22
3:00 PM Live
Homework Help! with Karla Barkman
Learn how to connect to live tutors to get help with homework
5:30 PM Exploring Discovery Education Resources with Melissa Linton and Karla Barkman
An introduction to Discovery Education and how parents can use this resource to engage their students in learning at home
6:00 PM Exploring Wide Open School Resources with Melissa Linton and Karla Barkman
An introduction to Wide Open School and how parents can use this resource to engage their students in learning at home
Thursday, April 23
9:00 AM Discovery
Education for Parents with Melissa Linton
Learn about Discovery Education and how students and parents can use it as a powerful learning tool
1:00 PM Reading Apps and KPBSD with Karla Barkman
Learn how to use free apps for Sora, TumbleBooks, & more
3:00 PM Help Me Grow Alaska with Abby Stuffert
Learn how Help Me Grow Alaska can support Alaskan families with children who may be experiencing developmental delays and-or behavioral issues
*If you have ideas for future topics, kindly email Dr. Christine Ermold, KPBSD director of professional development and federal programs.
Links
KPBSD Graduate Inspiration
Tatiana Tucker, Nikiski-Middle High, Class of 2006
Early education at Nikiski North Star Elementary, then Nikiski Middle-High School (2006), Tatiana graduated from Amherst College in 2010, and now lives in Washington. An artist, she’s the author and illustrator of Stay-at-Home Hero, a new children’s book in response to the coronavirus. She offers a free download PDF (and it’s a coloring book!) on her website www.TatianaTucker.com.
Tatiana Tucker is the author and illustrator of the 2020 book Stay-at-Home Hero
LINK: Stay-at-Home Hero free download
(tip: this PDF download is designed to be a coloring book!)
Or, you can order it through Amazon
Advice to her younger self if there had been a global pandemic in the early 2000s
“Try to focus your nervous energy, your worried energy, your frustration energy into positive actions if you can. If you redirect those feelings and try to brighten someone else’s day, or make art, or support doctors and nurses, you will probably feel a bit better. Although school is important, do not stress too much about perfection right now. Everyone, including your teachers, know what a challenging time this is, and we are all giving each other a little bit of grace.”
Favorite Phrase
“Everything you are doing is okay!” I think this is a message a lot of people need to hear especially if they suffer from anxiety or perfectionism. There is so much pressure in today’s world to always be achieving, to be the best, or to have already accomplished a whole laundry list of successes. We can often feel that if something is not already remarkable, we have failed, and that is simply not the case. Some of the most remarkable people I know did not embark on their life’s pursuit until their 40s. It can take time to figure out what you want to be doing in life. The important thing is to make time for your passions and follow them where you can. Everything you are doing is okay, and everything you are is wonderful.
Inspirations
My mom and dad, or students in the school district might know them as Mrs. Boyle and Mr. Boyle. They have worked so hard to give me, and all of their kids, a great start in life full of the love of art, and the bravery to pursue your passions. They have always encouraged me: from building an art studio in my childhood closet, to helping to edit and process the illustrations for my new book, “Stay At Home Hero.”
Celebrating teachers
My drama and debate teachers, Carla Jenness and Joe Rizzo, and my dance and science teacher Phil Morin really made my entire high school career. The amount of dedication and care these three individuals bring to teaching and to fostering the passions of their students is truly remarkable. They help make space for everyone to belong and have a sense of home and purpose in the school. The skills they have taught me have carried me through job interviews, college courses, and a lifelong love and pursuit of dance.
Play and fun
I love to go hiking and camping in the mountains of Washington where I now live, and whenever I am home visiting family in Alaska, a hike up Skyline is a must. I love to paint and dance!
Live your life
You have never missed your chance to follow your passions or live the life you want to lead. There is no shame to work in an unrelated field during high school or college or in the workforce, while following your passion in the evenings or weekends. There are many ways to make a difference in the world, and none of us is just one thing. I have worked for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Safeway, environmental nonprofits, science nonprofits, and as a commercial real estate appraiser before I decided to pursue art full time. So never be afraid to try new things, or to take a big leap into a new career. Volunteer for non-profits, practice your music, try to be kind to others and make the effort to understand where they are coming from, and go play in the woods.
YouTube: Listen to the author tell about how she created the illustrations, and why she wrote Stay-at-Home Hero in response to COVID-19: https://youtu.be/hYl7g38AtP0
About the book: Danny does not understand why his world has suddenly changed due to a strange new sickness people call Coronavirus. This gentle and informative book delves into all of Danny’s new complicated feelings that range from boredom, anger and fear to hope and pride. Stay-at-home Hero is designed to provide parents and caregivers with a tool to discuss the Covid-19 crisis on a level even very young children can relate to. The book follows Danny’s journey of discovery on how he can still be connected with his family and friends even though the social rules have changed. The book empowers children on how they can help; whether that means making a friend smile with a phone call or even just staying at home. Danny learns the many ways that we can all be stay-at-home heroes during this uncertain time.
Visit her author, illustrator website at tatianatucker.com
Do you have a story tip about a KPBSD graduate, current student, or staff member to profile in our weekly inspiration highlight?
Kindly email Pegge Erkeneff, KPBSD director of communications, community, and government relations: Pegge@KPBSD.org
Soldotna, April 10, 2020—All 42 KPBSD schools will continue delivering Remote Learning education instruction for more than 8,500 students through the end of the school year on May 20, 2020. Free “Get-It and Go” meals for KPBSD students will continue Monday through Friday at 25 locations on the Kenai Peninsula.
“KPBSD began providing distance-delivered instruction to our students on March 30, 2020, and initially we knew it would be through May 1, 2020. On Thursday evening, the issuance of State Health Mandate 013 clarified Alaska K-12 school buildings will be closed to students through the end of the school year. Consequently, we will complete the school year via remote learning education for all of our students. With the certainty that schools will not reopen to students, we are now planning for the end of the year. The district and schools will provide information to parents and students as soon as plans are finalized. We have so much confidence in our staff and every one of you–we know that even if this spring is different than everyone ever anticipated, we will finish this school year with resilience, determination, and victory.”
–Dave Jones, Acting Superintendent, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Highlights after nine days of Remote Learning for 8,500+ students in the KPBSD
Links:
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Kenai Peninsula Borough School District – Shifting to Remote Learning
Free online webinars for parents now open!
To register for these free parent webinars taught by KPBSD professional development coaches, complete this simple online registration. After registration, you will receive an auto-generated email with a list of your session choices, and the password to enter the virtual classroom for your session. Plan for approximately 30-minute sessions, followed by Q & A.
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
Thursday, April 16, 2020
Links
The statewide school closure of K-12 public schools is now extended through the end of the 2019-2020 school year.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District will continue educating all of our students through the Remote Learning that began March 30, 2020. Monday through Friday meal delivery for students will continue.
The effects of COVID-19 in the lives of everyone is disruptive, and we know that our Class of 2020 is especially disappointed. Kindly trust that in the coming weeks, together we will creatively design solutions to celebrate all of our students and their achievements.
Issued: April 9, 2020
By: Governor Mike Dunleavy
Commissioner Adam Crum, Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
Dr. Anne Zink, Chief Medical Officer, State of Alaska
To prevent the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the State of Alaska is issuing its thirteenth health mandate based on its authority under the Public Health Disaster Emergency Declaration signed by Governor Mike Dunleavy on March 11, 2020.
This mandate is issued to protect the public health of Alaskans and mitigate the impact of COVID-19. The goal is to flatten the curve and disrupt the spread of the virus.
Health Mandate 013 – K-12 Public and Private Schools
The statewide school closure of all K-12 public and private schools is being extended from May 1, 2020 to the end of the 2019-2020 school year. Despite the need to extend school building closures, student learning will continue, per each school district’s individual plan, to provide distance-delivered educational services to students.
It is recognized that this difficult decision ends the school year with students physically separated from their teachers. Incident Command will reconvene later this month to consider whether the state’s health outlook will safely allow for small groups of students to meet with their teachers in-person for final student conferences before the end of the school year. This option, if allowed, will be dependent upon the coordination of each school district.
As school districts contemplate how to properly celebrate this year’s graduates, COVID-19 Health Mandate 011 – Social Distancing is still in effect, which prohibits gathering for events, such as graduation.
This mandate supersedes COVID-19 Health Mandate 008.
For
the latest information on COVID-19, visit coronavirus.alaska.gov
State of Alaska COVID-19 Mandate 013
Mandates available at https://gov.alaska.gov/home/covid19-healthmandates/
Apr 20
7
On World Health Day in 2020, let us all thank and celebrate our school nurses and nurses everywhere who make a difference for students, families, and our communities, everyday!
“We want all our students out there to know, that even though you aren’t coming to school right now, we are STILL your school nurses, and we are here for you!” -Iris Wertz, BSN, RN, KPBSD nursing supervisor
What do school
nurses do?
School nurses address
the physical, mental, emotional, and social health needs of students and
support their achievement in the learning process. They assist by removing
barriers and by identifying and correcting health problems that can interfere
with learning. School nurses are able to coordinate care so that a child has a
successful school experience.
A typical day
Most school nurses see between 30 to 60
students a day to treat everything from bloody noses to asthma attacks to
diabetic crashes.
Now that students are
not coming to school, nurses are contacting families who request it to answer
questions regarding:
Students and families can reach their school nurse by directly emailing the school nurse or calling your school. If you cannot find your school nurse easily, you can always call KPBSD Health Services at 907-260-2390, and they will put you in touch with someone who can help you.
Link
KPBSD Health Services website
Apr 20
6
Board of Education Virtual and Telephonic Meeting
Monday, April 6, 2020, 6:00 PM
The Kenai Peninula Borough School District Board of Education will hold a virtual and telephonic meeting in the Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers, George A. Navarre Administration Building in Soldotna, Alaska.
6:00 p.m. Board Meeting
Watch the Live Broadcast beginning at 6:00 p.m.: https://bit.ly/SchoolBoardMeetingLivestream
Online agenda and documents: http://bit.ly/BoardDocsKPBSD
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and CDC recommendations, this meeting will not be physically open to the public. However, the meeting will remain public. The public is invited to listen through the livestream at bit.ly/SchoolBoardMeetingLivestream
If you would like to testify, please participate in the Board of Education meeting using this Public Phone-in Information:
Call: (877) 853-5257|
Enter: Conference ID: 708 024 188
When prompted for an Attendee ID, press #
If you would like to pre-register to testify telephonically (optional) or if you have any technical difficulties or questions, contact Debbie Tressler at 907-714-8886, Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
If you wish to submit your comments to be read during the meeting, email them Debbie Tressler dtressler@kpbsd.k12.ak.us by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 3, 2020.
Apr 20
3
KPBSD
WEEKEND INVITE #stayinghomeisCOOL
Make
your #physicaldistancing snow
people, angels, sculptures, artsy messages, then play it social! Post your
photos or videos & # tag
#stayinghomeisCOOL
#SixOrMore #kPenQuaranteam
#ThankYou to KPBSD Student Voice Leaders SVL for this idea! Friday they connected in a zoom room, bounced ideas, and talked about COVID-19, mental wellness, remote learning school, friends, current challenges, how to be social, and happy stuff we can celebrate!
Be social with KPBSD!
Instagram: @KenaiPeninsulaSchools
Twitter: @KPBSD
Facebook: Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Apr 20
3
Thursday Thank You!
Sixty-nine KPBSD student nutrition services staff are preparing daily meals for 1,735 students and serving 3,470 “Get and Go” meals every day at 25 locations on the Kenai Peninsula!
“We are finally settling into a routine and the team is doing fantastic. I could not ask for a better bunch of people to work with.”
Diane Buchanan, KPBSD Student Nutrition Supervisor
Do you need to sign-up or change your order for “Get and Go” Free meals for students? Call 714-8890.
Take Care Tips
Helpful Resources for KPBSD families:
Links
For non-clinical COVID-19 related questions call 2-1-1 or 1-800-478-2221, or contact your health provider