Alaska School Psychologist of the Year Honors Two Recipients, one from KPBSD!
Congratulations to Terese Kashi, PhD, NCC, NCSP, school psychologist from Kenai Peninsula Borough School District!
Terese’s nominator said, “Terese has provided years of dedicated service to ASPA and the profession of school psychology, presented at multiple ASPA conferences, was previously the ASPA President, and is currently the ASPA Ethics & Professional Practices Chair.” One of her principals said, “Terese leaves an imprint of love on every step she takes, is the finest school psychologist she’s ever worked with, gives helpful recommendations and directions, and synthesizes information from many professional sources to share at meetings.” Another principal said, “Terese is a pleasure to work with, builds effective and positive relationship with staff and students, is very knowledgeable in the areas of student emotional-behavioral needs, and is an excellent listener and excellent communicator.”
“Dr. Kashi may best be described as intelligent, active, and giving,” said Clayton Holland, Director of Pupil Services. “In addition to her dedicated work as a school psychologist, Dr. Kashi strives to give back to the others with her involvement in several organizations. Dr. Kashi also contributes to our students and community in many smaller ways. She recently sewed a weighted vest and donated it to a local school; that vest is now being happily and effectively used by a student who is on the autism spectrum.”
Dr. Kashi has served as a SESA board member, a member of the Alaska Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Education, and as a member of the Alaska Statewide Special Education Conference Planning Committee. Ms. Kashi has been very active with providing FASD training to different organizations and educators from around the state. Ms. Kashi is also an active participant with the Alaska School Psychologist Association, having most recently donated her time and expertise to the state association by providing an ethics training to other school psychologists.
The Alaska School Psychologists Association news release states,
“ASPA is thrilled to announce this year’s recipients of the distinguished award of Alaska School Psychologist Of The Year. Typically ASPA only has one recipient of this award per year, but this year there are two, which were announced and celebrated at ASPA’s spring social and general membership meeting. Here’s how this process works: ASPA members are confidentially nominated at some point during the school year, supporting documentation from supervisors or colleagues is obtained, and then ASPA leadership makes the final determinations. Congratulations to Brooke Itter, MS, CAGS, NCSP, school psychologist from Anchorage School District, and Terese Kashi, PhD, NCC, NCSP, school psychologist from Kenai Peninsula Borough School District.
Link: http://www.akschoolpsych.org/
Posted in Awards by .
School principal authors free interactive eBook to showcase 1:1 iPad initiative
Free eBook!
Inspiring New Ways of Learning at Nanwalek School
Learning leaders in Nanwalek, a small village on the southern tip of the Kenai Peninsula, across the bay from Homer, Alaska, published Inspiring New Ways of Learning at Nanwalek School. The free interactive digital book details and celebrates the journey and accomplishment to leverage iPads for learning across the classrooms and community.
The 33 page eBook Inspiring New Ways of Learning at Nanwalek School, showcases how Nanwalek School worked to capture and archive cultural stories, teach native language, personalize learning, and transform classrooms into places of deeper exploration and creativity.
In August, 2015, Nanwalek School became an Apple and ConnectED school, when a comprehensive 1:1 technology solution for every student and teacher kicked-off, and included Apple hardware, software, and services.*
“The process of transforming learning at Nanwalek School through technology has been an incredible experience for everyone, and I believe it is important to capture the beginning of what can only continue to grow and expand,” said author Nancy Kleine, principal of Nanwalek School. “Learning focuses on strengthening academic skills while treasuring cultural values and resources at the heart of our students’ lives. Nanwalek’s isolated geography accentuates the impact of our 1:1 iPad initiative through the Apple & ConnectED grant, for it truly unveiled the world and its possibilities to students. However, what we are doing is relevant to everyone.
We offer learning that is engaging, personalized, and place-based.
“I attribute our successes to the time dedicated to strategic planning in partnership with students, parents, community, and the school district. We have provided a model for transforming learning. Sharing our work to date is a way to benefit others, contribute to the collective imagination of the educational community, and most importantly to help all students expand their options to live happy, hopeful lives. This book was created as a gift to the students and community of Nanwalek—people I have come to love dearly—and to the educational world at large.”
“I am very proud of Nanwalek School and Principal Kleine for their work on a book describing learning and traditions at Nanwalek School,” said Superintendent Sean Dusek. “It captures the hard work the students, staff and community do every day to help everyone be a life-long learner to reach their fullest potential. Great work and I look forward to many more years of blending tradition and technology to inspire learning at Nanwalek!”
Links
- The free Inspiring New Ways of Learning at Nanwalek School digital book can be accessed via the iBookstore. Click here to download to iBooks on an iOS device or Mac. This version of the book contains videos and rich media that details learning in Nanwalek.
- The book may also be read in PDF format (without videos and media) via the PDF version on the Nanwalek school website.
*August 17, 2015 News Release: 1:1 iPads bring dynamic learning opportunity to Nanwalek School through White House ConnectEd initiative
Posted in Inspiration News Release by .
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Golden Apple Award | May 7, 2018
Miss Heleana Backus
Heleana Backus is a senior at Seward High School and she has been an integral part of the 2017-2018 ELA curriculum revision process. Her work on the committee is helping to ensure the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District moves toward even more meaningful opportunities for student growth and personalized learning, work which will impact students long after her own graduation.
Heleana joined the 2017-2018 ELA curriculum committee as a student representative. She attended every meeting, took time to ask questions and dig into the data alongside the other committee members, and engaged in difficult discussions about effective teaching and differing philosophies about students’ academic needs. Heleana remained open-minded, courteous, and professional, even as she stood her ground and brought up the challenges she and her peers are facing in and out of school. She worked tirelessly to remind her teacher colleagues on the committee about the modern society all KPBSD graduates are preparing to join, and to advocate for a broader and more applicable focus on the state’s ELA standards. The work that she is contributing to will be the foundation of the English-Language Arts learning for secondary students in KPBSD. And for being a student, Heleana far and away contributes integrally to the advancement of learning in our district.
Additionally, Heleana jumped right into the creation of district curriculum documents, learning the new format, expectations, and professional vocabulary necessary to complete the task. She pushed herself beyond her comfort zone again and again, all while communicating clearly when she needed assistance and when she was prepared to continue her work independently. She, like all the teachers in the curriculum committee, was assigned specific deadlines and expectations for work quality, and met those standards time and time again. This work on the committee translates to an entire school year of dedication to this work by her.
Heleana’s willingness to explore the depth of the educational field and to participate in creating a strong foundation for future students make her an excellent young leader who goes above and beyond. Her work will leave a lasting impression in our district and help guide our district’s growth and improvement for many years to come.
Miss Backus has professional aspirations of becoming an educator that she is actively pursuing with her work on the committee. Her vision is best shared in her own words, “I push myself towards my goals with this constantly in mind: conformity can no longer be taught under the guise of public education. I am actively helping to integrate this idea into the classroom with the ELA curriculum committee, but I want to take that further. I strive to bring the vision that the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District has for personalizing education to every school.” We can only hope to have many more students taking this type of initiative to drive the education that they want to see for themselves, and those that come after them.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education is proud to recognize Miss Heleana Backus for her leadership and dedication to education for the students of the school district, now and into the future.
Posted in Awards by .
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Golden Apple Award | May 7, 2018
Principal Nancy Kleine, Nanwalek and Port Graham Schools
As a consummate advocate for her students and schools, Mrs. Nancy Kleine is quick to brag about her student’s latest accomplishments, which is usually accompanied by a tour of the building. As a colleague, Nancy is supportive of District initiatives that benefit students. As a result, students from Nanwalek and Port Graham schools benefited from opportunities provided by multiple KPBSD UPSTREAM Academies, the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program Middle School Academy, and through opportunities with District partners such as the Kenai Peninsula Native Youth Leaders.
eBook – Inspiring New Ways of Learning at Nanwalek School
Going above and beyond, in February, 2018, after working on the project for hundreds of hours, Nancy published a book in the Apple iTunes store. It’s 33 pages, free, and titled, “Inspiring New Ways of Learning at Nanwalek School.” This book chronicles the outstanding education contribution that is now in place for the current students, and students to come in future years. Nancy has worked with local tribal councils, and with partner agencies to publish Nanwalek historical resources about the school, and obtain permissions from older school materials that were produced to tell the story of Nanwalek and Port Graham.
ConnectEd Grant
In 2015, Nancy was instrumental in garnering a ConnectEd grant from Apple for Nanwalek School. They were one of 114 schools across the country who received one-to-one iPads for each student, a Mac and iPad for each teacher, and an Apple TV in each classroom. In addition to the technology, the grant implemented processes for planning and professional learning. Her advocacy led to the acquisition of materials and ConnectEd included Port Graham School in their support. Nancy’s role was vital to the successful implementation of this technology and its transformative effect on both sites.
Additionally, as a seasoned educator, Nancy can be counted on to provide valid insight to situations, practices, and protocols. “Nancy has done a great job mentoring me this year,” says Josh Hinds, principal of Susan B. English School in Seldovia. “Her assistance, clarifications, and insights have been very helpful to me in my first year with the district,” he adds.
Devin Michel, teacher at Port Graham, says about Nancy, “She is the epitome of support. Nancy puts everything she has into her schools, students, and staffs. She works with people as individuals and helps them to utilize their strengths to benefit the greater good. When asked about such things as rabbits, salmon, or chickens, she enthusiastically wants her staff to take on projects that will truly have an effect on the life learning of her students. Nancy will be greatly missed in her retirement, as she has come to be the mother hen of both schools. She leaves big, warm, patient, and loving shoes to fill.” Renee Estelle, KPBSD Itinerant Teacher of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, adds, “It’s been an honor to work with Nancy and to see positive changes in Nanwalek School over the years she’s been at the helm. I appreciate Nancy’s hard work, her commitment to excellence, and her willingness to think outside the box to meet the unique needs of students. Her kindness and caring for students is evident as she encourages them to move ever upward toward success!”
When Nancy Kleine announced that she will retire at the end of this school year, it marked the end of a career in education spent entirely in Alaska. Nancy served KPBSD in multiple capacities and at multiple sites. After two years with Connections serving as an Academic Advisor, Nancy became the principal of Nanwalek School. A year later, she assumed leadership responsibilities at both Nanwalek and Port Graham, where she quickly brought with her the kind of credibility that can only come from a career in education. She is steadfast in her expectations as a school leader, for personnel and students alike. As a result, under Nancy’s leadership, both schools have seen a marked gain in the areas of academic achievement and attendance.
Principal Kleine’s tenure with the District will have lasting effects for the students, families, and schools she has served. Educators, more than anything, want to make a difference. It is clear that Nancy, through a career spent creating opportunities for students, has done this successfully.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education is proud to recognize Principal Nancy Kleine for her dedication to the students of the school district, past, present, and future.
Posted in Awards by .
The First Annual Seahawk Day of Caring was a huge success!
Spring sports athletes completed several community projects including Spring Cleaning at the Cemetery City Campgrounds. They swept gravel for several local churches and for the Bear Creek Volunteer Fire Department. Local businesses pledged their financial support to these projects, and the teams raised more than of $11,000 to support their sports!
Links
- Seward High SHS Today News
- Seward Seahawk Athletic Booster Club Facebook page
- KTVA May 6, 2018 story: Seward girls soccer returns to action
Posted in Appreciation by .
You’re invited to a
Facebook LIVE Q & A
with the KPBSD Instructional Team
Tuesday, May 8, 2018
7:00 – 7:30 p.m.
How-to watch:
It’s simple. Go to the KPBSD Facebook page on 5/8/18, at 7:00 PM, via your device or computer, and connect! You’ll see that KPBSD is live – click to view.
How-to ask questions or share thoughts:
Post your questions ahead of time on the Facebook event page, or live during the event in a comment on the live video.
How Facebook LIVE Q&A works:
- KPBSD launches Facebook LIVE video, viewers click to view, and see content live in real time.
- Viewers type comments into the feed below the video.
- KPBSD does not “see” viewers via videoconferencing, this is a one way video view feed from KPBSD. Interaction happens via comments and post likes or emojis.
Everyone is invited to tune in – KPBSD parents and students, staff, community members, KPBSD partners, and KPBSD Key Communicators. Afterwards, the Q&A will be saved as a video to review at your convenience.
Why?
This Facebook live event is a way to hear from our communities in a conversation. Your perspective, questions, stories, and ideas are valuable. Please join in, and offer your thoughts and ideas.
Tip:
You don’t need a Facebook account to watch live.
- At 7:00 PM, go to https://www.facebook.com/livemap. Locate the live event streaming from Soldotna, Alaska, using the interactive map.
- Click the blue dot indicating Facebook LIVE is happening in Soldotna, and the video will pop up.
- Click on the video image to enlarge it on your screen. https://www.facebook.com/livemap
- note: You cannot post questions without a Facebook account. You can email them to communications@KPBSD.org, and we will answer as many as we can during the video LIVE Q&A.
The mission of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is to empower all learners to positively shape their futures.
www.KPBSD.org
Facebook Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Questions?
Contact Pegge Erkeneff, KPBSD Communications Liaison, communications@KPBSD.org. Or private message Kenai Peninsula Borough School District on Facebook.
Posted in KPBSD District Stories by .
Dear Taylor Swift, kindly meet Amelia and Stella, two very special teens from Homer High School, in Homer, Alaska. You inspire Stella to be herself, and you brighten her life everyday.
My name is Amelia Springer and I compiled this video for my friend Stella, who says she is the #1 Taylor Swift fan! I love watching Stella dance and sing to Taylor Swift songs at lunch and thought how amazing it would be if Stella ever got the chance to meet her in person.
Stella has down syndrome and I have a rare type of ectodermal dysplasia, AEC, which is a skin condition and was #21 in the world diagnosed with my specific type.
“I want this video to show people that we are individuals outside of our conditions, because I often feel that medical conditions are looked at from the medical side of things and I want people to see the brilliant minds and personalities behind the conditions.” – Amelia Springer
Although Stella and I both have our syndromes we don’t let them define us, which is my goal for this video.
My other goal for this video is for it to possibly reach Taylor Swift so Stella experience her dream of meeting her!
So please like this video and share it!
Let’s see how far this gets!
Posted in Inspiration by .
Supreme Court LIVE Event Fosters Understanding of the Justice System
Three hundred and seventy-five students from six KPBSD high schools attended Alaska Supreme Court LIVE at Kenai Central High School on March 29, 2018. The court heard oral argument in State of Alaska v. Alaska Democratic Party, which involves a dispute related to the way political parties choose the candidate who will represent them on the general election ballot. The public was invited to this once-in-a-lifetime event for most people present, and the case was streamed live at 360 North at https://www.360north.org/alaska-supreme-court. At the conclusion of the oral argument, Supreme Court Chief Justice Craig Stowers said he would issue a written ruling the following week.
Students asked insightful questions to the case attorneys, Laura Fox, Assistant Attorney General, Anchorage who represented the State of Alaska, and Jon Cholate, Cholate Law Firm, LLC, Juneau who represented the Alaska Democratic Party. Then, for twenty-five minutes, the Justices responded to student questions. Chief Justice Stowers said, “There are almost no limits to what you can do with your life. Dedicate yourself to some course of study. Anything is possible is you put your mind to it, and work hard enough.”
On April 4, 2018, The Alaska Supreme Court affirmed that an independent candidate can run in partisan primary elections in Supreme Court No. S-16875.
“It was an honor to host the Supreme Court LIVE program,” said Sean Dusek, superintendent of schools. “The students were able to experience a relevant case that will have immediate impact to our State. I really appreciated how our staff and local attorneys prepared our students for this event and made it very engaging. This is the type of opportunity our schools can facilitate that allow our overall community to participate in State level government. It was a great overall experience for students, staff and the community.”
State of Alaska v. Alaska Democratic Party
The Alaska Democratic Party seeks to allow persons who are not affiliated with any political party, including those who registered to vote as nonpartisan or undeclared, to run as candidates for the Democratic Party in a primary election. A state law requires candidates who want to run in a primary election for a political party’s nomination to be registered to vote as a member of the political party whose nomination they are seeking. The Alaska Democratic Party sued the State of Alaska, arguing that the law was unconstitutional. The trial court agreed with the Democratic Party. The State appealed to the Alaska Supreme Court and asked the court to decide if the law is constitutional.
Supreme Court LIVE
Supreme Court LIVE brings Supreme Court oral arguments in actual cases to student audiences at Alaskan high schools. Designed to help students better understand the justice system, this unique learning opportunity debuted in 2010.
“Kenai Central was honored to host the Alaska Supreme Court at our school and to be the first school in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School district to do so,” said Alan Fields, Kenai Central High School principal. “This is for most people, a once in a lifetime opportunity to see an Alaska Supreme Court case argument. The program gave students an opportunity to see not only how the court works but also a firsthand view into a case that is relevant to all Alaskans and directly related to what students are learning. One of the best parts of the program took place before the supreme court even got to Kenai. Local attorneys visited classrooms and provided students with in depth explanations of how the court system works and the potential ramifications of this decision. Our teachers and students raved about how interesting and educational these presentations were.”
Student Learning
Volunteer attorneys from the Alaska Bar Association and staff from the court system visited many Kenai Peninsula high schools in the days preceding the program to help students understand the appellate process and the case itself, using a case summary and information from the court’s website: http://courts.alaska.gov/outreach/index.htm#scl. The program included engaging question-and-answer sessions with the attorneys arguing the cases, and with members of the Supreme Court.
Posted in KPBSD District Stories by .
News Release
Supreme Court LIVE is coming to Kenai on March 29, 2018
State of Alaska v. Alaska Democratic Party
Three hundred and seventy-five students from six KPBSD high schools will attend, the public is invited, and the case will be streamed live at 360 North at https://www.360north.org/alaska-supreme-court
Courtesy Press Release forward:
Press Release
Alaska Court System, 303 K Street, 5th Floor Anchorage, AK 99501
Contacts: Marilyn May, mmay@akcourts.us, 907-264-0612; FAX 907-264-0878
Mara Rabinowitz, mrabinowitz@akcourts.us, 907-264-0879; FAX 907- 264-0640
______________________________________________________________________
ALASKA SUPREME COURT TO HEAR CASE AT KENAI CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
“Supreme Court LIVE” Event Fosters Understanding of the Justice System
Anchorage, Alaska (March 27, 2018) – The Alaska Supreme Court will visit Kenai Central High School on Thursday, March 29, from 9:40AM–11:40AM for the Supreme Court LIVE educational program. Supreme Court LIVE brings Supreme Court oral arguments in actual cases to student audiences at Alaskan high schools. Designed to help students better understand the justice system, this unique learning opportunity debuted in 2010.
The court will hear oral argument in State of Alaska v. Alaska Democratic Party, which involves a dispute related to the way political parties choose the candidate who will represent them on the general election ballot. The Alaska Democratic Party seeks to allow persons who are not affiliated with any political party, including those who registered to vote as nonpartisan or undeclared, to run as candidates for the Democratic Party in a primary election. A state law requires candidates who want to run in a primary election for a political party’s nomination to be registered to vote as a member of the political party whose nomination they are seeking. The Alaska Democratic Party sued the State of Alaska, arguing that the law was unconstitutional. The trial court agreed with the Democratic Party. The State has appealed to the Alaska Supreme Court and is asking the court to decide the law is constitutional.
Volunteer attorneys from the Alaska Bar Association and staff from the court system have visited Kenai Peninsula high schools in the days preceding the program to help students understand the appellate process and the case itself, using a case summary and information from the court’s website: http://courts.alaska.gov/outreach/index.htm#scl. The program will include question-and-answer sessions with the attorneys arguing the cases, and with members of the Supreme Court.
The program is open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes early to allow time for security screening. Members of the media wishing to use cameras or other electronic equipment should file an Application for Court Approval of Media Coverage https://public.courts.alaska.gov/web/forms/docs/tf-945.pdf with Appellate Clerk Marilyn May by noon, March 28, 2018 at the email address or fax number noted above.
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Posted in Community Partners KPBSD District Stories by .
Mar 18
26
Battle of the Books #BOB2018
KPBSD Battle of the Books
Students of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District have been participating in Battle of the Books (BOB) for 33 years. The original idea for BOB came from a radio program sponsored by the Chicago Public Library in the 1940s. A school librarian from Illinois, Joanne Kelly, took the idea and used it in her library. Years later the idea came to Alaska with Ros Goodman, a former Illinois librarian, on her way to Kodiak. The idea was piloted by a few Alaskan schools and by the 1984-1985 school year 26 districts were involved. KPBSD was one of those districts and had a state-winning team from Kenai Junior High that year.
KPBSD students, once again, competed valiantly in district and state battles. This year’s battles included 61 teams across four grade levels for students in grades 3-12. Students in grades K-2 can also participate, but only at the building level.
Battle of the Books is a statewide reading and comprehension program sponsored by the Alaska Association of School Librarians. The goals of the program are to encourage and recognize students who enjoy reading, broaden reading interests, increase reading comprehension, and promote academic excellence. All this is accomplished through a game-show style competition known simply as “BOB”.
Grades K-12 compete
Lists of books are chosen and questions are written for all the grade levels. Students read the books (12 titles for Grades 3-6 and 10 titles for Grades 7-12), quiz each other, learn title and author information, and compete in teams of no more than three students attempting to score as many points as possible answering questions related to the books. Battle questions all begin with the words, “In which book…”. Students are allowed thirty seconds to confer with team members and come up with an answer which is always the title and author of a book on the list.
Compete via videoconference
All KPBSD battles took place using Skype for Business to video conference. Students loved being able to “see” the competition. In addition to using Skype for battles, a Battle “Canvas” course was created where coaches accessed all needed battle materials and information and discussions took place. Google was used during battles to report scores and chat with Battle Central (Karla Barkman) when needed. Battle coaches were exposed to many different technologies again this year and did a fabulous job. Our KPBSD student battlers did an awesome job as well. District Battles were held in February with state battles in early March.
Congratulations to the following teams that made it to the final round of KPBSD district competition!
Grades 3 & 4
- 1st Place – Seward Elementary
- 2nd Place – Soldotna Connections
- 3rd Place – Aurora Borealis Charter School
- 4th Place – Tustumena Elementary
Grades 5 & 6
- 1st Place – West Homer Elementary
- 2nd Place (Tie) – Cooper Landing
- 2nd Place (Tie) – Fireweed
- 2nd Place (Tie) – Sterling Elementary
Middle School
- 1st Place – Homer Middle
- 2nd Place – Kenai Middle
- 3rd Place – Seward Middle
- 4th Place – Nikiski Middle
High School
- 1st Place – Cooper Landing
- 2nd Place (Tie) – Nikiski High
- 2nd Place (Tie) – Soldotna High
- 4th Place – Voznesenka School
State Battles were held the beginning of March. Each of our first place district teams went on to state competition and did a great job finishing! Congratulations to:
- Seward Elementary (Grades 3 & 4) – 7th place out of 32 teams
- West Homer Elementary (Grades 5 & 6) – 5th place out of 35 teams
- Homer Middle (Middle School) – 3th place out of 27 teams
- Cooper Landing (High School) – 7th place out of 20 teams
Battle of the Books 2018 photo album on Facebook
Book lists for next year’s battles were chosen by librarians, teachers, and battle coaches at a title selection workshop held during the State Library Conference before spring break. The new lists can be found at the State Battle of the Book’s website.
Article contributed by Karla Barkman, District Battle of the Books Coordinator.
Posted in KPBSD District Stories by .