News Release
The ninth annual Kenai Peninsula College Fair is free, and no appointments are needed. Students and parents can learn more about scholarships, loans, state and federal financial aid programs at the Financial Aid booth. KPBSD juniors and seniors will attend with their schools. Connections, IDEA and Cook Inlet Academy students can sign-in at the door. KPBSD students need to sign-up with their school counselor to attend; transportation is provided.
Academy of Interactive Entertainment, Alaska Christian College, Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE), Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Peninsula Job Center, Alaska Pacific University, Alaska State Troopers, Boise State University, California Baptist University, California Lutheran University, College of Saint Benedict & Saint John’s University, Colorado Mesa University, Colorado State University, Corban University, Eastern Washington University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Fort Lewis College, Grand Canyon University, Idaho State University, Kenai Peninsula College, Kenaitze Indian Tribe, Lewis-Clark State College, Linfield College, Northern Arizona University, Northwest Nazarene University, Pacific Lutheran University, Peninsula College, Southwestern Oregon Community College, The College of Idaho, Tulsa Welding School-The Refrigeration School, Universal Technical Institute, University of Alaska Southeast, University of Alaska College of Engineering, University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Alaska Fairbanks-College of Liberal Arts, University of Alaska Fairbanks College of Engineering and Mines, University of Alaska Southeast Sitka, University of Idaho, University of Montana, University of Montana Western, University of Portland, University of Puget Sound, Washington State University, Weber State University, Western Washington University, Whitworth University, and Willamette University.
“We are excited to have so many post-secondary institutions visiting our district to meet with our students,” said Sean Dusek, Superintendent. “This partnership allows our students to explore their college and career aspirations in a convenient and safe location. This is due to the large number of students in our district that are qualified for post-secondary education.”
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“It is with great pride for Homer Middle School to be recognized as a 2018 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. Students, staff, parents, and the community of Homer are all responsible for this extraordinary achievement. This accomplishment is a result of support, hard work and dedication to high academic expectations that makes Homer Middle School one of the best schools in the Great State of Alaska.” –Kari Dendurent, Homer Middle School principal
“Congratulation on your students’ accomplishments and for your extraordinary commitment to meeting their unique needs,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos in an October 1, 2018, video message announcing the awardees. “We recognize and honor your important work in preparing students for successful careers and meaningful lives.” Homer Middle School is a 2018 National Blue Ribbon School, based on overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.
One of three schools in Alaska to receive this distinguished honor in 2018, Homer Middle School, in Homer, Alaska, joins ten other schools in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD) to achieve the National Blue Ribbon excellence designation. Nationwide, 349 schools are honored with 2018 National Blue Ribbon School recognition.
“I am very proud of the effort our staff and students put in at Homer Middle School,” said Sean Dusek, superintendent. “This is a very well deserved award that exemplifies what is happening around KPBSD. Congratulations Homer Middle School! Great job and I look forward to many more years of great leadership, excellent instruction, and significant student learning growth.”
“These three diverse Alaskan schools are excellent examples of educational communities coming together to support all students, every day,” said Alaska Education Commissioner Dr. Michael Johnson. “I am pleased that Homer Middle School, Pioneer Peak Elementary School and, for the second time, Stellar Secondary School are being recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools. Congratulations to the students, staff, and families of these schools. Alaska is very proud of you!”
The U.S. Department of Education will honor the 300 public and 49 private schools at a recognition ceremony on November 7-8, 2018, in Washington, D.C.
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The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Title VI (Indian Education), formerly known as Title VII, seeks parent, student, and staff advisory committee representatives. The qualities desirable in the members of the advisory committee are:
Committee members must commit to quarterly meetings, usually held at the KPBSD office building in Soldotna. Remote area representatives participate via Skype for Business.
Parent Representative A parent is any person who on the date of election for Advisory Committee membership is the parent, acting local parent, legal guardian, or elder of a student currently eligible for Title VI and enrolled in KPBSD
Student Representative Any KPBSD Title VI enrolled student
Staff Representative Any KPBSD employee
The KPBSD Title VI Advisory Committee is a requirement of the federal government to receive Title VI funds and assists KPBSD in setting the priorities to meet the unique educational and culturally related academic needs of Alaska Native and Native American student population. The KPBSD Title VI Advisory Committee will also consider and make recommendations as to programs, projects, or other efforts specifically aimed at encouraging or assisting Alaska Native and Native American students to stay in school and pursue further education.
Nominations for membership are due by noon on September 28, 2018. (scroll to the bottom of the webpage for nominations.) Return your completed nomination by region to Conrad Woodhead, KPBSD Native Education Coordinator, at cwoodhead@kpbsd.k12.ak.us. Questions? Please call 907-235-8671.
A Title VI Advisory Committee Meeting will take place October 3, 3018, 3:00 – 4:30 p.m., Borough Assembly Chambers, or via Skype.
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Sep 18
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On September 17, 1787, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention met for the last time to sign the U.S. Constitution document they created.
KPBSD invites teachers, students, and the community to celebrate Constitution Day through activities, learning, and demonstrations of our love for the United States of America and the blessings of freedom our Founding Fathers secured for us.
This Canvas link provides resources teachers can use to engage students in civics and the Constitution: https://kpbsd.instructure.com/enroll/A474MW
Kachemak Selo New K-12 School Bond*
Kenai Peninsula Borough Proposition No. 1
To be voted on by all KPB voters, October 2, 2018
Soldotna, September 10, 2018—The Kachemak Selo New K-12 School Construction project began July 9, 2011, when a petition was submitted to the school board by local residents requesting a public school facility. Kenai Peninsula Borough voters
Kindergarten through twelfth grade classes are currently housed in three leased residential facilities that have deteriorated beyond useful capacity. The estimated cost of this construction project will not exceed $15,460,000. The proposed bonds in the amount of $5,450,000 would fund the 35% local match as well as costs associated with planning, design, site acquisition, preparation and development, construction and equipping the Kachemak Selo K-12 School.
The approximate annual amount of taxes on $100,000 of assessed real or personal property value to retire the debt are $4.95 (based on the Borough’s FY2018 taxable assessed valuation). Review supporting legislation.
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*GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO PAY THE LOCAL REQUIRED MATCH PORTION OF THE COSTS OF THE KACHEMAK SELO NEW K-12 SCHOOL. To be voted on by all voters October 2, 2018.
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News Release: KPBSD: Proposition 1 Kachelmak Selo New School
News Release
KPBSD schools offer National School Lunch Program
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD) participates in the National School Lunch Program. Applications for free and reduced meals are currently being accepted, and meals will be available to all children at these schools:
Chapman School; Fireweed Academy; Homer High School; Homer Middle School; Kalifornsky Beach Elementary; Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science; Kenai Alternative High School; Kenai Central High School; Kenai Middle School; McNeil Canyon Elementary; Moose Pass School; Mountain View Elementary; Nikiski Middle-High School; Nikiski North Star Elementary; Ninilchik School; Paul Banks Elementary; Redoubt Elementary; River City Academy; Seward Elementary; Seward High School; Seward Middle School; Skyview Middle School; Soldotna Elementary; Soldotna High School; Soldotna Prep School; Soldotna Montessori; Sterling Elementary; Susan B. English School; Tustumena Elementary; and West Homer Elementary.
Meals meet nutritional standards set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Your KPBSD schools participate in the National School Lunch Program, After School Snack, and School Breakfast Program.
Community Eligible Meals
Students at Homer Flex; Nanwalek; Nikolaevsk; Port Graham; and Tebughna qualify for the Community Eligibility Meal program that allows all students to eat a free meal for both breakfast and lunch. Families with students that attend these schools or attend a school that does not have a National School Lunch or Breakfast Program will not fill out the School Meals Application but will fill out the Income Declaration Form.
Parents and Guardians
If your income is less than or equal to these 2018-2019 guidelines you are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. These guidelines are effective July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019.
To receive an application for free or reduced-price school meals, or ask questions, contact KPBSD Student Nutrition Services, 139 Park Avenue, Soldotna AK 99669, or call 907-714-8831. Applications cannot be processed and determined until fully completed. Information provided on applications is subject to verification at any time.
If you have children who are approved for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) formerly known as Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Native Family Assistance Program (NFAP), they are automatically able to receive free meals by filing an application that includes their assistance number from one of those programs. Students who are migrant, homeless, or runaways are automatically eligible and do not need to fill out an application. Foster children receive free meals regardless of the income of the household with which they reside. Note: Medicaid and Denali Kid Care case numbers do not qualify for eligibility.
Read the rest of the KPBSD schools offer National School Lunch Program news release
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KPBSD celebrates #STEM leader Riley von Borstel, Seward High School, Alaska, who participated in the Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders in Lowell, MA, June 29 – July 1, 2018.
Winner of a Nobel Prize in Physics, and Science Director of the National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists, Dr. John C. Mather nominated Riley von Borstel to represent Seward High School based on her academic achievement, leadership potential and passion for science and technology.
Dr. John C. Mather, winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics and Science Director of the National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists nominated Riley von Borstel to represent Seward High School based on her academic achievement, leadership potential and passion for science and technology.
“Among the many problems in today’s world one that really catches my attention is climate change,” said von Borstel. “We are beginning to see frequent negative changes in our environment—much quicker than ever before. I am not necessarily interested in environmental studies, but I am interested in the wellbeing of our future as a society. I think that as a society, we need to discover new, greener methods that would be kinder to our planet than what we are currently doing.”
The Congress is an honors-only program for high school students who are passionate about science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM). The purpose of this event is to honor, inspire, motivate and direct the top students in the country who aspire to be scientists and technologists, to stay true to their dream and, after the event, to provide a path, plan and resources to help them reach their goal.
“I was inspired by my driven peers and the motivational speakers to get a jump start on my future and lay out a plan for my senior year; it was truly inspiring to be around thousands of different students from all across the United States who all had similar morals and priorities,” said von Borstel.
During the three-day Congress, Riley von Borstel joined students from across the country and heard Nobel Laureates and National Medal of Science recipients talk about leading scientific research; was given advice from deans of the world’s top tech universities; be inspired by fellow teen science prodigies; and learn about cutting-edge advances and the future of science and technology.
“This is a crucial time in America when we need more nimble-minded and creative scientists and technologists who are even better prepared for a future that is changing exponentially,” said Richard Rossi, Executive Director, National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists. “Focused, bright, and determined students like Riley von Borstel are our future and she deserves all the mentoring and guidance we can give her.”
The Academy often offers free services and programs to students who have the desire to learn more about their future in science and technology. Some of the services and programs the Academy offers include online social networks through which future scientists and technologists can communicate; opportunities for students to be guided and mentored by tech and science leaders; and communications for parents and students on college acceptance and finances, skills acquisition, internships, career guidance, and much more.
The academy was founded on the belief that science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education plays a critical role in enabling the United States to remain the economic and technological leader of the global marketplace of the 21st century and that we must identify prospective talent at the earliest possible age and help these students acquire the necessary experience and skills to take them to the doorstep of vital careers. Based in Washington D.C. and with an office in Boston, MA, the Academy was chartered as a nonpartisan, taxpaying institution to help address this crisis by working to identify, encourage and mentor students who wish to devote their lives to advances in society as scientists, technologists, engineers, and mathematicians.