Soldotna High School is a leader in Family and Consumer Sciences, offering six courses: Nutrition, Culinary Arts, Child Development, Interior Design, Interpersonal Relationships, and Independent Living.
Many of these classes have articulation agreements with the University of Alaska where students can earn college credit. They also earn certifications in First Aid, CPR, AED, ServSafe, and their Alaska Foodworker card.
It is important to bridge our community and our students together. Our Family and Consumer Science students have over 15 community partnerships to learn about careers for future employment.
“My students inspire me because I learn so much from them. The greatest moment is watching them walk across the stage at graduation and knowing you were a part of that.” –Meggean Bos
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Meet Polagia Basargin
Polagia was born in the village, and attended the small school there for thirteen years, graduated, and now works in the school!
A Student Takes Flight….
At the end of her 8th grade year, the students outgrew their building, and she waited a full year for a high school portable to be built.
The Making of a Middle-High School
Polagia pitched right in to help create the library in 2010.
Growing…
Though she struggled with reading, Polagia continued to grow and blossom as a student. She exited the IEP program in 2012.
She had a knack for art…
Meet Basargin Village
Otherwise known as Razdolna, this village is home to approximately 30 growing Old Believer families.
… and her sense of humor and style were inspirational. We knew she was bound for great things. When Polagia graduated in 2013, many of her friends had plans to marry. She decided to be a career girl, at Razdolna K-12 School!
Polagia’s talent with teaching the younger students has become apparent the last couple of years.
She now works alongside her former teachers, and never fails to impress us all with her maturity and willingness to be a lifelong learner.
Story submitted by Tim Whip, principal, Razdolna School
Posted in Education Inspiration KPBSD employees by .
Sign Language is busting out all over the district!
This year interest is surging to learn American Sign Language (ASL). Why? New students who are deaf are enrolling in our district. When that happens, a whole school perks up and notices there are people signing in the halls and the classroom. Classroom teachers like Lyn Maslow at West Homer Elementary see an opportunity for the whole class to learn a new language and grow in their understanding of how “us” can include even greater diversity. When the idea was floated for an after-school Sign Club, it took off like a shot. Educational Sign Language Interpreter Chelsea Carpenter was nervous about teaching at first, especially when almost 50 people showed up to the first meeting! She did a great job, though, and with help from the students, parents are sharing this visual language with students, staff, and even some other parents each week this semester. Participants are learning communication skills they can use in the classroom and community immediately and having a great time doing it.
Another reason Signing is becoming more popular is in KPBSD we have several students who lost their hearing after already learning to speak and listen. With the new technology of cochlear implants, they function as hearing children. However, when they take their implants off, they hear nothing. Parents and professionals see the value in these students learning good basic Signing for situations when they might be “unplugged” and for emergencies. Knowing ASL also opens some doors for our young people. Growing into adulthood, they may want to be involved in the Deaf community. Signing is an important part of this culture, and it’s a natural choice as a second language for these students.
Nikiski Middle-High School has a small group that meets at lunch time each week to learn and practice conversational ASL. Each week, students in Mrs. Settlemeyer’s second grade class at Nikiski North Star Elementary learn signs for basic communication as well as for vocabulary from their regular reading program. Their enthusiasm spills over into other classes as well. Recent performances by West Homer Elementary and Nikiski North Star featured students signing along with their music numbers.
“Jazz Hands” have nothing on these kids!
Story contributed by Renee Estelle, KPBSD Hearing Specialist
Links:
KPBSD Pupil Services department
Posted in Inspiration KPBSD District Stories by .
According to kindergartener, Kalena Schriner, “The Warrior Way is peaceful. If you are peaceful, then you get a ticket.” First grader, Kaptelina Fefelov says, “The Warrior Way makes the school better.” And kindergartener, Alexander Stading says simply, “The Warrior Way is fun!”
Nikolaevsk School is in its second year of implementing school-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBiS). The Nikolaevsk Warrior Way defines behaviors that are respectful, responsible, and safe in common areas that are accessed by all students in the school, such as the hallways and the bathroom. Nikolaevsk staff are very proactive in teaching students expectations in settings, and then rewarding students for using good behaviors with tickets.
Students earn tickets for using good behaviors and making good choices in the school. Tickets earned by students are collected in the office, and counted. Once the ticket goal amount has been reached, a school-wide celebration is held. Celebrations this year include: a school-wide celebration center, principal day projects, K-3 horseback riding trip at Mr. Seller’s house, principals club, among others.
Teachers have now expanded their efforts into the classroom, using student surveys to gain student input on aspects such as student attendance and connectedness in school, and creating action plans to further support their students. The strategies in PBiS of focusing on and rewarding positive behaviors have been so widely embraced in the school, that the site council has adopted these practices as well. Due to concerns about the need to improve sportsman-like behaviors of fans at basketball games, the site council defined good fan behaviors, taught the behaviors at games, and rewards fans who exhibit these behaviors, regardless of which team they are supporting. Rewards come in the form of raffle tickets, which are drawn during the game for prizes.
The entire school body has changed their approach to recognize and reward positive behaviors. As a result, student behavior in the school has changed positively. Student office referrals decreased 63 percent in the first year of implementing PBiS in the school, which resulted in more students using positive behaviors, and fewer discipline issues.
Story submitted by Trina Uvaas, EdS, Nationally Certified School Psychologist
Link
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Kenai Central High School (KCHS) Job Shadow Day: helping students plan for the future
Nearly twenty years ago the KCHS Job Shadow program had its beginnings as a partnership between Kenai Central High School, the Kenai Chamber of Commerce, and the Peninsula Job Center to help students determine their plans after high school.
The annual job shadow day is in March. In preparation for the 2015 Job Shadow Day, juniors at KCHS spent several months researching careers and preparing business portfolios, including job applications, résumés, and cover letters. The unit culminates with individualized, first-hand workplace experiences with local business hosts across the Central Peninsula.
Joseph Gabriel, David Beck, Mikaela Salzetti, and Homer Electric Association (HEA) Jim Cross
The Chamber of Commerce and its members have made arrangements to place 110 students into a “job placement” that matches a career interest they have selected. This pairing assists students in making decisions regarding career field, education or training required, as well as leading to possible intern or employment connections.
KCHS Principal Alan Fields points out, “The Job Shadow program is an opportunity the KCHS students get that is not available anywhere else in the state. This program demonstrates how much the community cares about our students. It takes a tremendous amount of work from all of the entities involved.”
KCHS students and staff extends sincere appreciation to all of the individuals, agencies, and businesses that helped to support this program and to make this such a positive experience for students.
Concluding lunch with business partners, student participants, and keynote speakers
Posted in Community Partners by .
February 2015
KPBSD’s English Language Learner (ELL) program has seen a 55 percent increase in the number of Limited English Proficient (LEP) students in the district since 2010. Currently:
- 286 LEP students are enrolled across 34 KPBSD schools
- 23 languages are represented in the following categories:
- Eastern European-Russian
- Asian-SE Asian
- Northern European
- Pacific Islander
- Native Alaskan
- 23 ELL paraprofessionals base their support activities on students’ specific academic needs
Administration of the annual English proficiency assessment, ACCESS, is currently underway. State and federal requirements include the administration of this annual test. The test:
- Measures student progress
- Determines students’ eligibility to be reclassified as non-LEP (LEP students who pass the test are exited from LEP status)
- Gives educators valuable information to inform their teaching
- Gives the ELL office information that can be used to determine relevant professional development and possible program modifications
This is the last year the assessment will be administered in paper-pencil format. Next year, the test will be taken online (with the exception of the Kindergarten test).
Links
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Outside of KPBSD’s Annual Open Enrollment period, employees may make changes to the Health Plan policy if they are in connection with certain qualifying life events. Please read the important Health Plan information below for details!
When should I notify the Benefits Manager of any change in status for myself or my dependents?
You have 31 days to notify the Benefits Manager of these qualifying events:
- Marriage (Copy of Marriage Certificate required)
- Birth (Copy of Birth Certificate required)
- Adoption or Placement for adoption (Copy of adoption documents required)
- Involuntary loss of other coverage
If an enrollment form and required legal documents are received within 31 days, coverage will begin on the date of the qualifying event. If you fail to make the desired changes within the allowed time period, you must wait for the next Open Enrollment period. Open Enrollment occurs annually from July 15 – August 31, with an effective date of September 1.
You have 60 days to notify the Benefits Manager of the following COBRA qualifying events:
- Divorce (Copy of Divorce Decree required)
- Loss of dependent status (Attained limiting age)
- Legal Separation (Court order required)
- Death of a covered member
Failure to notify the Benefits Manager of a COBRA qualifying event could constitute forfeiture of COBRA election rights. If an employee fails to notify the Health Plan within 60 days, the employee may be responsible for reimbursing the Plan for any claims that have been paid for their ineligible dependents.
If you have experienced a life event or have questions relating to the Health Plan, please contact the Employee Benefits Manager, Stacey Cockroft, at scockroft@kpbsd.k12.ak.us or call 907.714.8879.
Posted in KPBSD employees by .
Student success quietly built on school breakfast success: 1,000 times every school day
Each KPBSD school day, about an hour before the first bell, dedicated Student Nutrition Services (SNS) staff members quietly begin the preparation for School Breakfast Service. As the breakfast preparation begins in the 34 KPBSD schools that sponsor a National School Breakfast Program (NSBP), ovens warm up, coolers are opened, and serving lines are filled with cereals, fruits, juices, hot entrees and of course the ubiquitous half pint milk.
A KPBSD SNS breakfast included a hot breakfast quesadilla, strawberry cup, orange juice and milk.
By the time breakfast service is completed 1,000 KPBSD students will have participated in the early morning nutrition opportunity.
As the students quietly pass through the serving line, the SNS team guides them through the selection offered breakfast items. And the adult servers offer up a warm, good morning and, Are you ready for school today?
USDA Breakfast Friends at Mountain View Elementary
Older siblings and friends help younger brothers, sisters, and friends who sometimes proceed sleepily through the line. They help unzip coats, and ensure they select the proper mix of items for their USDA Breakfast.
During the actual eating time for breakfast, it is quiet in the service area.
Sometimes a little homework gets done.
Sometimes, students come back to the serving line and whisper a request for a second portion of breakfast. SNS staff smile and comply.
SNS Breakfast Program Manager Ginger Self very successfully keeps record of student breakfast accounts. Ginger prepares the breakfast offering before stepping into role as cashier.
As students proceed to their class, having consumed a nutrient powerful breakfast of whole grain, low sodium, protein perfect foods, some ask What’s for lunch?
When students depart the serving area, SNS members complete the clean-up and the record keeping required for breakfast service. And then the prep begins for the thousands of USDA lunches to be provided four hours later.
National School Breakfast Week is in March!
We invite you to join in the breakfast success at any of the 34 KPBSD schools that sponsor a National School Breakfast Program.
*Update: payment for student nutrition services can now be accepted online at all KPBSD schools. Click here: http://bit.ly/KPBSDonlinePayments
SNS menus and information: http://bit.ly/StudentNutritionServicesKPBSD
“In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Posted in KPBSD District Stories by .
Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, Communication Specialist
907-714-8838
News Release
Careers in the Health Sciences are in High Demand
Soldotna, February 12, 2015—High school students are invited to learn how to become part of the fastest growing career track in Alaska and the nation.
Hospital Career Fair
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
10:00-1:30 p.m.
Central Peninsula Hospital
Students will learn about careers in Therapeutic (Nurse, Counselor, etc.), Medical Information (Billing, Coding …), Diagnostic (Radiologist, Imaging …), and Environmental (Chef, Electrician …) fields.
During the 2014 Hospital Career Day, nearly 80 KPBSD high school students attended, and hospital employees shared their passion and commitment to their chosen occupations, providing students valuable tips about how to prepare for a career in a hospital setting.
To sign up for the 2015 Hospital Career Day or learn more, students can contact their high school counselor. This opportunity will not take place again until 2017. Lunch is provided and the event is sponsored by Central Peninsula Hospital, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, and the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Links
KPBSD Career and Technical department
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This and all KPBSD media releases are online at this web page: http://bit.ly/MediaPublicRelationships
Suggest or contribute a story online link: http://bit.ly/SuggestKPBSDstory
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Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, 907.714.8888
News Release
How would you spend 167 million dollars?
Soldotna, February 10, 2015—KPBSD faces a multi-million dollar deficit for a status quo budget in 2015-2016. If you care about quality schools and an excellent public education for our Kenai Peninsula K-12 students, please attend a public meeting in your area.
In addition, KPBSD seeks input to evaluate the operation of the pools within our schools. Community members are asked to provide thoughts about how to improve pool usage, and help KPBSD examine cost efficiencies.
“The KPBSD focus is to maximize opportunities for the students in our classrooms,” said Sean Dusek, superintendent. “The district looks forward to gathering innovative options from the public to help us address our fiscal realities. Additionally, we want to hear ideas from the public related to our pool usage and operation costs.”
Parents, employees, students, community members—please attend. Mark your calendar and bring your questions and ideas to a KPBSD public meeting, where you will learn about the district budget perspective, expenditures, revenues, and receive responses to your questions.
KPBSD Public Pool Use Meeting and Public Budget Forum Meetings
- Tuesday, February 17, 2015, Seward High School library
- 5:00 Pool Use; 5:30 p.m. Public Budget Meeting
- Wednesday, February 18, 2015, Soldotna High School library
- 5:00 Pool Use; 5:30 p.m. Public Budget Meeting
- Tuesday, February 24, 2015, Homer High School library
- 5:00 Pool Use; 5:30 p.m. Public Budget Meeting
Link
KPBSD finance department and budget documents: http://bit.ly/FinanceKPBSD
February 10 2015 News Release: Public Budget Forum
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This and all KPBSD media releases are online at this web page: http://bit.ly/MediaPublicRelationships
Suggest or contribute a story online link: http://bit.ly/SuggestKPBSDstory
Please contact me with questions or connections to be made for your KPBSD district and school stories.
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