"Playing with these large toys is fun," said Alex Konev, a Kachemak Selo student. "When you are a child, you play with little toy trucks. Now it's large toys—I'm still just playing with Tonka trucks."

A KPBSD guiding principle is college or career ready high school graduates and Alaska is facing a critical shortage in the construction fields, so when nearly three hundred KPBSD students from the Kenai Peninsula and industry representatives participated in hands-on welding, surveying, building, residential wiring, and cable cutting, future careers were ignited.

During Alaska Construction Career Day, May 1, 2013, held at the Soldotna Sports Center, students took the driver's seat in a variety of heavy equipment including a backhoe, dozer, excavator, and a semi-truck.

Mavrick Ivanov, a sophomore at Voznesenka School, was impressed with the outdoor welding station and his challenge to hold a steady pace while welding two steel pieces. "It was fun," said Ivanov. Meanwhile, indoors, at a computer simulator station, another student practiced welding, while several students watched and waited for their turn. "This is the third best weld today," explained the instructor, pointing to the clean welding line on the computer screen.

"I want to be an architect," explained Adam Poss, a Homer High School sophomore. "I'm surprised that this is so hands on. It's a really cool experience." Gregory Trail, a freshman at Nikolaevsk School explained, "It's all interesting. I was aligning steel brackets to create a stable, safe piece."

A day to explore future possibilities in construction and transportation careers, students met with training and educational programs that could lead them to careers in construction. Representatives from state agencies, educational, trade, and professional organizations were available to meet with students. "Career awareness in the transportation industry encompasses more than heavy equipment," said Norma M. Lucero, Statewide Support Services Coordinator for the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Civil Rights Office. "There are many opportunities for managers, engineers, and the field is wide open for women."

KPBSD extends a thank you to the many people who worked to offer this day for students. Union members, industry experts, school counselors, staff, and local volunteers merit applause. Alaska Construction Career Days is a state wide program sponsored by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Civil Rights Office, and the Local Technical Assistance Program.

Links:

• KPBSD Career Pathways
• Alaska Construction Career Day website
• 2011 ACCD YouTube video
• KPBSD Alaska Construction Career Day 2012 story

"The mission of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is to develop productive, responsible citizens who are prepared to be successful in a dynamic world.

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

 Fast facts: in April 2013, school nurses served an average of 518 students each day that students were in attendance. Staff and community visits are additional and were not included. In addition, the Noro-like virus hit Anchorage and some of our KPBSD schools, and spring sports were in full swing.

More specifically, nurses improved student time in the classroom with these interventions:

Total encounters and average per day, April 2013

• Injury, First Aid assessment and treatment: 3,203 students; 149 daily average
• Illness assessment and treatment: 4,351 students; 202.4 daily average
• Mental health, behavioral, social support: 808 students; 37.6 daily average
• Scheduled medications given: 1,345 students; 62.6 daily average
• Scheduled procedures provided: 1,103 students; 51.3 daily average
• Individual health education (class/groups not included): 327 students; 15.2 daily average

The result was a following return to class rates:

• Illness—87.5%
• Injury—98.4%
• Mental, Behavioral Health—98.8%

And an overall return to class rate of 94.6%

Additionally, school nurses improved educational access with the following interventions:

• Health Screenings: State mandated school entry requirements (TB tests, immunizations, physical exams) and scheduled health screenings including vision and hearing—4,314 students
• Medication Administration: Total number of all doses given by nurses of scheduled, emergency and as-needed medications—3,229 doses or an average of 150.2 per day
• Case Management: Including encounters with staff, parents, health care providers, community agencies about individual student health issues—4,091 or a daily average of 190.3.

These resulted in an average of 550.6 additional student encounters per day

These statistics are tracked in the State School Nurse Data Collection, yet there are many more things our school nurses do every day, from health classes to head lice checks and beyond.

“Thank you to all of our dedicated school nurses. In addition, our nurses were chosen to develop a streamlined standard and procedure for Alaska’s school districts to follow with regard to collecting body mass index (BMI) data,” said Dr. Steve Atwater. “The school district appreciates Ms. Naomi Walsworth, RN, BSN, Health Services Coordinator, and the thirty-three KPBSD nurses for continuing to be leaders in Alaska.”

Please let your nurse know that he or she is appreciated and valued as part of the KPBSD educational team helping our schools and students be successful!

Link: KPBSD Health Services

2013 BP Teachers of Excellence

Seven Kenai Peninsula Borough teachers were honored May 1, 2013, as 2013 BP Teachers of Excellence. The eighteenth annual BP Teachers of Excellence awards event was held at the Soldotna Senior Center, and Janet Weiss, President of BP in Alaska, presented awards with Dr. Steve Atwater, superintendent.

Rob Sparks, Skyview High School, was named the 2013 Kenai Peninsula BP Teacher of the Year.   

“The annual BP Teacher of Excellence Award is our chance to stop and recognize a few of our district's excellent teachers,” said Dr. Steve Atwater, superintendent. “I know that each of the seven teachers is an excellent representation of our staff as a whole.”

Meet the 2013 Kenai Peninsula Teachers of Excellence:

• Donna Austin, Chapman Elementary School (Anchor Point)
• Sue Biggs, Redoubt Elementary School (Soldotna)
• Myla Liljemark, Seward Middle School
• Lyn Maslow, West Homer Elementary School
• Renee Merkes, Soldotna High School
• Rob Sparks, Skyview High School (Soldotna)
• Greg Zorbas, Kenai Central High School   

Donna Austin teaches kindergarten at Chapman Elementary School

“My goal as an educator is to inspire students to do their best and instill in them a love for learning. I want students to love coming to school and to enjoy the learning process. I want them to have the desire to learn all they can about the world and how they can contribute at their level. I believe the key is to teach them a love of reading, not because they have to, but because they want to.” – Donna Austin

After teaching for 26 years, colleagues still refer to Austin as “exceptional” and “amazing.” With kindness, patience and commitment, she inspires her students by taking a genuine interest in each one. She listens to ideas from her students, asks them what they want to learn, and helps them navigate new ideas. She tells her students they can do it, she believes they can, and she then praises their accomplishments. Austin’s kindergarteners participate in community clean-up and school-wide math and science nights. She’s been recognized as a Who’s Who teacher and received the Golden Apple Award from the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education.

“Donna is an invaluable asset to our school and the community of Anchor Point,” said Conrad Woodhead, Chapman Elementary principal. “Her spirit of continuous improvement has benefited the students at Chapman for nearly three decades. Donna’s ‘students first’ approach, her positivity, her knowledge of how students learn, and her ability to incorporate best practices into her instruction helps make her a master at the craft of teaching young people.”

Sue Biggs teaches music at Redoubt Elementary School

“As an educator, I am inspired when my students’ creative bents and inquiring minds unfold before my eyes. It is such a gift when they share their wit, insights and deep thoughts through our learning processes. The familiar warning I was once taught, “If you give them an inch, they’ll take a mile,” now holds an entirely different meaning to me; I have seen, when giving them a small window of opportunity to express their stories and ideas tied to our curriculum work, students will run with it.  We are currently finishing the work on a musical: fifty students wrote the play, over a hundred worked on costumes, props, posters, and scenery. It is a huge risk on my part to allow them to run with this project. My role is guide and consultant; I love facilitating, mingling and encouraging ... my constant challenge is to continue developing more student-directed learning. Through the inspiration of the Orff-Schulwerk (thank you to Elaine Larson and others) and the incredible journey through Leslie University’s master program in the integration of the arts, I have come to believe that my part as educator is to help each child find meaning in their learning and to give students opportunities to shine as unique individuals.” – Sue Biggs

For more than three decades, Biggs has been sharing her love of the arts with her students, working to reach them cognitively, emotionally and culturally. As a professional musician, composer, dancer and artist, she brings real life experiences to her classroom. Biggs uses technology to inspire and motivate students with Smart Boards, YouTube, Discovery Education and Finale Note Pad all useful for student composing and demonstration. Biggs also directs two musicals every year, involving as many as 200 students and staging the shows for the entire community.

“As a musician herself, Mrs. Biggs has a tremendous passion for the arts, and strives daily to instill in her students an appreciation and passion for art and music, not just as a subject to study in school, but as an extension of our daily lives,” says John Pothast, Redoubt Elementary principal. “Her dedication to our students is commendable!”

Myla Liljemark teaches social studies at Seward Middle School

“I am inspired when my students critically question history, current events, and perspectives of people they encounter in their everyday lives.  It is through these questions that evidence of thought, wonder, and independent thinking are exposed.

A goal that I have for my class, is to nurture globally competent students. These are students that understand the historic and contemporary relationships between regions, countries, and peoples of the world. These are students that understand and tolerate others within a world where international connections are the norm. Through global competency, I hope students develop an understanding of who they are as an individual, and the role they play within their society and the world.” – Myla Liljemark

Through promoting self-awareness, student success, and international mindedness, students in Liljemark’s class are provided a student-centered learning environment where they are the drivers of their education. Liljemark believes the internationally-minded focus is key to helping students see themes of social studies played out around the world. She often brings in guest speakers from organizations such as the local historical society, National Park Service, or a Native tribe to bring real-life perspective to what’s being studied.

“Myla Liljemark is deserving of this recognition. This last year she was International Baccalaureate Certified for Social Studies. She constantly searches for ways to better engage students into what is going on in the world and to understand their part in it,” said Jason Bickling, Seward Middle School principal. “Students enjoy the minds, hands, and eyes-on activities that are a staple in her classroom. She is self-critical and reflective of her lessons and how they can be improved–then implements those changes. She takes risks regularly in her teaching and pushes the envelope in her pursuit of student engagement and learning. On top of social studies, she also teaches health, yearbook, and an enrichment history day course. She is an asset to Seward Middle School and enriches student lives on a daily basis.”

Lyn Maslow teaches 4th grade at West Homer Elementary School

“I am inspired by my students’ curiosity and enthusiasm for how things work and how events are connected. One of my goals is to create a safe and comfortable environment for all kids so they can learn. I appreciate my colleagues. This year we started peer coaching through a grant, and I grew as a professional more than in any other year.” – Lyn Maslow

Maslow’s goal is to create a classroom where students are willing to express ideas, take risks, learn from each other, and celebrate success. She believes learning comes in a challenging, purposeful, and cooperative environment where different learning styles and passions are supported. A teacher for nearly 30 years, Maslow involves her students in several out-of-class ventures including marine monitoring projects, planting and harvesting community gardens, and building a schoolyard habitat and nature trail. She is also the cosponsor of West Homer Elementary School’s student council.

“Lyn Maslow is a master teacher with strengths in creativity and integration. She consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that students at West Homer Elementary School have access to creative hands-on learning that enhances the educational opportunities that we offer students,” said Raymond Marshall, principal. “Most recently Lyn chaired a project to add planter boxes in front of the school. Students assisted in this adventure and we will annually plant vegetables in these boxes and conduct research. Additionally, she is working with our trails committee to have an interpretive trail built around West Homer. Further, she actively participated in a peer coaching project that will enhance teaching and learning for both the students and the staff at West Homer. Lyn Maslow is a leader in a building of leaders and she is one of many teachers who worked hard to earn West Homer’s 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Award.”

Renee Merkes teaches math at Soldotna High School

“With so many dedicated and talented teachers in our district, I was deeply moved when I received the BP Teacher of Excellence Award. Every day I am inspired by the amazing students, parents, teachers and staff at SoHi and around the district. I am thankful to be a member of a math department that works together to help our students be successful after high school.” – Renee Merkes

Everyday Merkes assesses each student’s level of engagement, understanding, excitement or frustration with math. She uses what she learns to modify her daily lessons to fit the needs of the students and will even reteach a lesson to provide a more enhanced version for better understanding. Her students participate in state and national math competitions, and she is a member of the District Math Curriculum Committee. In addition to continuing her own math education through conferences and training, Merkes has former students come back each year to discuss what she taught and whether it helped prepare them for life after high school.

Todd Syverson, Soldotna High School principal said, “Mrs. Merkes gets to school early to help support her students. She works with students during her prep, during lunch and after school, and volunteers her time to support our local ski programs. Her work with our National Honor Society students and program is to be commended. Her tireless efforts put her among the “best of the best” within our District!”

Rob Sparks teaches social studies, 10th grade world history and 12th grade government at Skyview High School

“I appreciate administrators, IT staff, district office staff, and fellow teachers who support our efforts to bring new ideas to the classroom. Mr. Zorbas and I often need flexibility and new technologies to accomplish the goals we set, and whenever we have asked for anything extra people have encouraged us and provided us with the needed assistance. Most importantly I appreciate the students. Over the years as we have developed our Classroom WithOut Walls (CWOW) program, our students have been our motivation. Their acceptance of new teaching strategies and new technologies inspire us to continually improve our teaching.

I’m inspired when a student from KCHS acknowledges me as one of their teachers. On several occasions Kenai students have recognized me in the community or at different events and have taken the time to speak with me. I’m also inspired when a 35 year old mother of three comes up to me in the grocery store and introduces me to her children and then thanks me in front of them for being their teacher. I’m inspired when kids come to my class and are eager to get working because they enjoy what we are doing!” – Rob Sparks

Believing education is a 24-hour experience, Sparks encourages his students to discuss information from school at home, and has received numerous comments from parents who say their children are knowledgeable about events and subjects they never had interest in before. Sparks is a co-creator of the Classroom WithOut Walls (CWOW) Program which allows students to use digital devices and mobile technologies to connect with other parts of the world. Through CWOW, students have discussed important historical events with people who lived through them, and have been a part of videoconference lessons with students in Afghanistan, Kenya, Israel, Yemen and numerous states. This global teaching is bringing a new sense of learning and connectedness to the students at Skyview High and across the Peninsula.

“Rob Sparks was nominated for a national award from the International Society for Technology in Education, and is the Classroom Without Walls instructor. CWOW is a series of cross-cultural lessons taught by local educators delivered in real-time through video-conferencing, connecting Skyview students with students at Kenai Central High School, in Pennsylvania, in Texas, in California, and all over the world. Rob has also used CWOW to hold special events with students in Israel, Kenya, Afghanistan, Russia, and Yemen. Rob engages all his students with 1-1 computers using video conferencing and other twenty-first century skills in his classroom. Rob is definitely one of our finest educators always challenging students to achieve their best,” said Randy Neill, Skyview High School principal.

Greg Zorbas teaches 10th grade world history at Kenai Central High School

“One of the goals Mr. Sparks and I have been developing this year is a better way of making history relevant to today’s students. We are using current events to engage students to learn about the past and most importantly continually raising the expectations of our students, developing the idea that they will use history to help them make decisions in the future. We are expecting our students to ask how something happened, and why something happened then, analyzing the outcome and applying it to what is going on in the world today and what effect it may have in the future.

Mr. Sparks and I are using many forms of twenty-first century technology in our classrooms; I hope in the future we can continue to grow these opportunities. We connect our students live with students and leaders in places like Africa, Afghanistan, Israel, and Yemen or through interactive lessons from places like the Manhattan School of Music. I hope that the collaboration continues to push me professionally to continue to embrace new innovative ways of doing what we do every day.” – Greg Zorbas

Zorbas is the co-creator of the CWOW program with Robert Sparks and Gregory Weissenberg. A true innovator, Zorbas says his goal is to make these classes so interesting, students won’t want to miss. To that end, a student diagnosed with leukemia who went Outside for treatment participated in class through the videoconferencing almost every day, and those around the student said it motivated her to get up and get ready. Another student, who had been suspended, asked if he could attend class via video. Zorbas believes in inspiring students by setting high expectations and holding them accountable. His goal is to get young people thinking about how what they learn applies to their lives and how it can be used to help make decisions in the future.

Alan Fields, Kenai Central High School principal said, “Mr. Zorbas joins a long line of distinguished teachers recognized as BP teachers of excellence at KCHS. His integration of technology into his classroom has engaged students and allowed them to utilize their existing technological skills as well as develop new collaborative uses for technology in the classroom. We are proud to have Mr. Zorbas as a representative of our school.”

The BP Teachers of Excellence program recognizes teachers from throughout Alaska for their dedication to teaching and for inspiring students. The BP Teachers of Excellence program expanded last year becoming available to all Alaska school districts. Nearly 1,400 nominations were received this year. The seven Kenai Peninsula teachers are among more than 30 Alaska educators being honored as 2013 Teachers of Excellence.

Each BP Teacher of Excellence receives a $500 gift card and an award certificate. In addition, the teacher’s school receives a matching $500 grant. One Kenai teacher was chosen as BP’s Teacher of the Year at the May 1, 2013. Robert Sparks from Skyview High School was chosen, and he received a $1,500 scholarship for continuing education and a bronze sculpture by Alaska artist Mary Regat.

“Recognizing outstanding Alaska educators is among the most rewarding and important aspects of BP’s investment in Alaska,” said Phil Cochrane, Vice President of External Affairs, BP Exploration (Alaska). “It is an honor to say thank you to these teachers who areinvesting themselves to make sure Alaska’s young people are receiving the best possible education as they head down the path to future success.”

Link: BP Teachers of Excellence

Join KPBSD and BP to congratulate and extend appreciation for Rob Sparks, the 2013 BP Teacher of the Year in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District! Sparks received the award in a ceremony May 1, 2013, at the Soldotna Senior Center. The award includes a $1,500 scholarship for continuing education and a bronze sculpture by Alaska artist Mary Regat.

Sparks teaches social studies, tenth grade world history, and twelfth grade government at Skyview High School. "For years Rob has distinguished himself as one of KPBSD's more innovative teachers; I am pleased to see him recognized in this way," said Dr. Steve Atwater, superintendent. "I ask that all of KPBSD join me in congratulating him and the other six BP Teachers of Excellence."

During the May 1, 2013 awards presentation, Janet Weiss, president of BP (Alaska) spoke to the gathered group of educators, family members, school board members, community leaders and said, "This teacher does not let students fail. This teacher finds students during lunch and brings them to the classroom to complete any missing assignments. They make every assignment and every project important. And they do what is undisputedly the most important job of an educator: they teach students how to think, not what to think.

One student says: "He was my teacher for my sophomore year and he just made it great. If I needed to talk to him he would listen. If I had a bad day, he would brighten it. He made class fun every day. Even when I was sick I would come to school just to go to his class."

A parent comments: "He has always gone out of his way to engage students in the active learning process. As a parent of a special needs student, he has always tried to find a way to engage my child in the activities of his class."

 

This teacher believes in taking advantage of technology to broaden his student's horizons and connect them with each other and the outside world. Parents, colleagues, students and members of the community would agree that this teacher tirelessly and consistently generates a "spark" that energizes the education process."

Sparks was deeply moved by the award and recognition. Dozens of former students and colleagues have shared positive comments on the KPBSD Facebook page, where an announcement of the recognition was posted. Sparks wrote, "I appreciate administrators, IT staff, district office staff, and fellow teachers who support our efforts to bring new ideas to the classroom. Mr. Zorbas and I often need flexibility and new technologies to accomplish the goals we set, and whenever we have asked for anything extra people have encouraged us and provided us with the needed assistance. Most importantly I appreciate the students. Over the years as we have developed our Classroom WithOut Walls (CWOW) program, our students have been our motivation. Their acceptance of new teaching strategies and new technologies inspire us to continually improve our teaching.

I'm inspired when a student from KCHS acknowledges me as one of their teachers. On several occasions Kenai students have recognized me in the community or at different events and have taken the time to speak with me. I'm also inspired when a 35 year old mother of three comes up to me in the grocery store and introduces me to her children and then thanks me in front of them for being their teacher. I'm inspired when kids come to my class and are eager to get working because they enjoy what we are doing!" – Rob Sparks

Believing education is a 24-hour experience, Sparks encourages his students to discuss information from school at home, and has received numerous comments from parents who say their children are knowledgeable about events and subjects they never had interest in before. Sparks is a co-creator of the Classroom WithOut Walls (CWOW) Program which allows students to use digital devices and mobile technologies to connect with other parts of the world. Through CWOW, students have discussed important historical events with people who lived through them, and have been a part of videoconference lessons with students in Afghanistan, Kenya, Israel, Yemen and numerous states. This global teaching is bringing a new sense of learning and connectedness to the students at Skyview High and across the Peninsula.

"Rob Sparks was nominated for a national award from the International Society for Technology in Education, and is the Classroom Without Walls instructor. CWOW is a series of cross-cultural lessons taught by local educators delivered in real-time through video-conferencing, connecting Skyview students with students at Kenai Central High School, in Pennsylvania, in Texas, in California, and all over the world. Rob has also used CWOW to hold special events with students in Israel, Kenya, Afghanistan, Russia, and Yemen. Rob engages all his students with 1-1 computers using video conferencing and other twenty-first century skills in his classroom. Rob is definitely one of our finest educators always challenging students to achieve their best," said Randy Neill, Skyview High School principal.

The BP Teachers of Excellence program recognizes Alaska teachers for their dedication to teaching and for inspiring students. Nearly 1,400 nominations were received this year from across the state. The seven Kenai Peninsula teachers are among 30 Alaska educators honored as 2013 Teachers of Excellence. Each teacher receives $500, and their school receives a matching $500 grant.

Link: BP Teachers of Excellence  

“The art is a ray of sunshine that helps us remember why we’re here, as well as the importance and support of folks back home.” –Senator Micciche

KPBSD students of every age create vibrant art. When Senator Peter A. Micciche, District O, arrived in his new legislative office in Juneau, Alaska, he contacted the school district with a request: student artwork to display in his office.

Second grade students from Redoubt Elementary were the first to participate. Ms. Gomez explains, “Art plays a big part in our learning. Each month the students learn about a new artist. We study the color, lines, texture, shapes, and content of each artist to look for similarities and differences between their pieces and those of other artists. We then recreate our own renditions of paintings done by that artist. We have done renditions of Monet's "Magpie," Picasso's "faces," and "Lighthouse's" done by Maud Lewis which we sent to Juneau.”

Second grade students share their thoughts about creating art to be displayed in the Senator’s office:

• “I feel so happy that the senator is letting us put our artwork up in Juneau.” –Jordan
• “I’m excited my painting is in Juneau.” –Camren
• “I am happy that I got to send my artwork to the senator.” –Angel
• “I was so happy when my teacher said we were going to send our artwork to Juneau because I am proud of it.” –Sydney
• “The artwork was delicate and hard to make.” –Regan
• “I like to give people things I make.” –Amaura
• “I feel very happy because I have never had a piece of art put up in Juneau before.” –Violet
• “The project was very difficult but fun to make.” –Kali
• “It was super hard to make, but good it went to the senator.” –Drew
• “I want to say thank you to the senator for putting up our art in Juneau.” –Marina
• “I feel great that my art went to Juneau. We had to make the lighthouse out of paper and paint.” –Matthew
• “I was so excited to do art that I messed up my first painting and had to start over.” –JD
• “I felt so happy that the senator asked to have kid’s art up in Juneau.” –Katelyn
• “I feel super happy because I had never had this happen before.” –Charlie
• “I feel so happy that our art is there in Juneau.” –Abby

Senator Micciche said, “I thank the students of the KPBSD for the artwork currently gracing our Senate office in Juneau. The art is a ray of sunshine that helps us remember why we’re here, as well as the importance and support of folks back home. This week we have art proudly displayed by Sohi students Juliet Bremonte, Xochi Harbison, Brielle Saul and Jessica Jackson. Last week we were honored to have displayed art from Ms. Gomez’s Redoubt Elementary second grade class. Thank you to all the artists! You have no idea how much your art means to us and we appreciate you helping to represent the district with your talent!”

To date, three schools have sent student art to Juneau, and we will continue to share art from our schools throughout each legislative session.

High School Physical Education: Speed Strength Training (SST)
The third annual Speed, Strength, Training (SST) contest between Kenai Central High School (KCHS), Nikiski Middle-High School, and Skyview High School took place in Nikiski on March 27, 2013. The three schools competed for the traveling trophy—each school has won the trophy one time over the past three year period. Students have discovered the benefits of the SST program and continue to increase in the areas of strength, endurance, flexibility, speed, explosiveness, quickness, and mental toughness as is shown in the event, Fight Gone Bad (FGB).

The SST physical education program is focused on developing fitness and strengthening the entire body. Each student works to improve their personal best every day in class and can also compare themselves to national norms of age and body weight in the categories of squat, clean, snatch, front squat, vertical, broad jump, 40 yard sprint, I test, and the medicine ball toss. Eric Pomerleau from Skyview High School helped start the SST program on the Kenai Peninsula and has assisted in developing the program for KPBSD schools. His experience and knowledge of the program has been vital in helping the program to grow in the three KPBSD high schools. Jeff Baker from KCHS has worked closely with Pomerleau to help develop the collaboration process between the three schools and provided the support that the program needs for continual development. His work with kids has been inspiring. Ted Riddall from Nikiski Middle-High School assisted both Pomerleau and Baker with the program and continues to grow in the process of challenging kids to reach their full potential.

The SST program provides the opportunity to highlight the student efforts in the way of the SST Competition. Students compete in the fall with the running component. It includes the broad jump, vertical jump, 40 yard dash, I test, and FGB (Fight Gone Bad). In the spring, students compete with the lifting component, including the squat, clean, snatch, and FGB. Students compete against their age group (11-12 Boys, 11-12 Girls, 9-10 Boys, and 9-10 Girls). The winner of each group receives a Champion T-Shirt and the team with the most points takes the traveling trophy home with them. "The effort from the students participating in the competition over the past three years has been incredible," said Ted Riddall. "Some of the things they have done and are doing currently are amazing. Seeing their ability and effort has inspired us as teachers and coaches to get in better shape. Some are actually doing the SST program before school every day. Great role modeling!"

First Place Winners: 11-12 Boys Squats: Lincoln Johnson, Nikiski, 425 11-12 Girls Squats: Katie Costello, Nikiski, 245 9-10 Boys Squats: Daniel Evans, Kenai and Christian Riddall, Nikiski, 350 9-10 Girls Squats: Cipriana Castellano, Kenai, 225 11-12 Boys Cleans: Stephen Hartley, Nikiski, 285 11-12 Girls Cleans: Taylor Calderwood, Nikiski and Cat Schoessler, Skyview, 145 9-10 Boys Cleans: Christian Riddall, Nikiski, 255 9-10 Girls Cleans: Beverly Schindler, Kenai and Hannah Barcus, Kenai, 125 11-12 Boys Snatch: Gabe Holley, Skyview, 195 11-12 Girls Snatch: Ashley Perry, Kenai, Taylor Calderwood, Nikiski, Madison White, Skyview, and Sidney Roumagoux, Skyview, 95 9-10 Boys Snatch: Luke Johnson, Nikiski, 165 9-10 Girls Snatch: Heidi Perkins, Kenai, 90 11-12 Boys Fight Gone Bad: Jesse Ross, Nikiski, 616 11-12 Girls Fight Gone Bad: Justice English, Kenai, 525 9-10 Boys Fight Gone Bad: Travis Cooper, Kenai, 536 9-10 Girls Fight Gone Bad: Beverly Schindler, Kenai, 43

;

 Links:

• October 17,2012 SST Competition Story
• March 12,2012 SST Competition Story

“Thank you to the nearly forty people who are helping us learn to give back, instead of take it all in. We are able to help a bunch of kids our age who actually need this stuff. Thank you for all the donations.” – Devin Every and Damien Redder

A birthday party developed extra meaning and significance when two Kenai Middle School boys learned young people who are homeless live on the Kenai Peninsula and attend local schools. Sixth graders Devin Every and Damien Redder took action. Their birthdays, one week apart, sparked an idea: invite friends to a joint birthday party with a request to bring a present or gift card that would benefit youth and teens in the KPBSD Students in Transition program. Redder and Every took the opportunity to learn about homelessness in the Kenai Peninsula and tell their friends. The gifts poured forth, and were delivered to the school district for distribution.

“When I received the email from Amber (Devin’s mom) telling me about the birthday party and the way the boys wanted to help homeless students...well, I was tearing up by the end,” said Kelly King, homeless liaison, KPBSD Students in Transition program. “These young men were thinking so far beyond themselves on a day that was supposed to be all about them. It was just awesome. When we met, I was really impressed by how sincerely happy Devin and Damien were to give. I delivered items from their donation to over a dozen of our local homeless teens—their generosity made a true difference and was very appreciated.”

The boys went shopping for several items with cash donations. “It’s the first time I really had fun shopping,” said Damien Redder. Devin Every appreciated the opportunity to help educate his friends and be an advocate. The boys said, “Thank you to the nearly forty people who are helping us learn to give back, instead of take it all in. We are able to help a bunch of kids our age who actually need this stuff. Thank you for all the donations.”

Many people want to take action on behalf of youth who are homeless; however there is not always immediate and tangible ways of doing so. Concerned residents are encouraged to become involved however they can: attend the annual Candlelight Vigil each November, be a voice of awareness in the community, and advocate for a homeless youth shelter in the area. Volunteering at events or with agencies that provide services to these students and families, such as through Project Homeless Connect, at the Food Bank or the Way Café, is also an excellent way to offer support. Taking one small step makes a difference.
KPBSD Students In Transition (SIT) Program
The KPBSD (SIT) Program for homeless children and youth began in 2003. Over the last ten years, the SIT Program has provided supports and services to hundreds of KPBSD students who were without a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. Every school year, the program “number of students identified” count starts again, thus some of the students are not newly identified, and reapply for the program from one school year to the next.

As of February 21, 2013, 219 KPBSD students have been identified as experiencing homelessness at some point during the current school year; this is 23 students above program enrollment at this time last school year. Of these 219 students, 61 are unaccompanied youth (homeless youth not living with their parent or legal guardian). Our homeless liaisons will continue to identify and enroll students until the last day of the current school year, and expect final enrollment numbers to be upwards of 300 students.

“I am continually impressed by how well we respond to the myriad of challenges that we face each day,” said Dr. Steve Atwater, superintendent. “One of these challenges is supporting our students who are in transition. All of our staff members who work with these students deserve to be recognized for the positive impact they are making in these students’ lives.”

The primary focus of the KPBSD SIT Program is access to kindergarten through high school graduation for homeless students. School can be challenging for all students, but students living in unstable situations face many additional challenges. The goal of the SIT Program is to ensure that homeless students have the same educational opportunities as their peers in permanent housing–that they have the ability to attend school and focus on learning. There are a variety of agencies and organizations who work hard to support vulnerable residents of the Kenai Peninsula. Our KPBSD homeless liaisons provide information to students and families about these resources to help address their additional needs.

The Students in Transition program provides:
• An advocate to help students and families find the resources they need in the community for food, shelter, clothing, transportation, and permanent housing
• Free school lunches
• Immediate school enrollment
• Paperwork assistance to secure school documents
• Special academic support if needed
• Local referrals to other agencies
Eligible families or youth are those who lack a stable, adequate, and permanent place to sleep at night. If you yourself, or someone you know, is sleeping in a motel, a camper, a tent, couch-surfing, or living with friends or relatives until you can find or afford a place on your own then this program can help.
To learn more about the Students In Transition program, which students may qualify, and available program services, please talk to your school principal, secretary, counselor or nurse, or contact your KPBSD local area liaison directly:
Central Peninsula and Seward: Kelly King, 907-714-8869, kking@kpbsd.k12.ak.us
Homer area: Marlaina Thiel, 907-226-1890, mthiel@kpbsd.k12.ak.us
KPBSD SIT Program website link: http://bit.ly/TransitionsKPBSD
KPBSD story: Grow Awareness: Students Are Homeless, November 14, 2011

In her quest to visit every school in Alaska, on January 11, 2013, Senator Lisa Murkowski toured Soldotna High School, learned how iPads are being used in Consumer Science classes, talked with dozens of students, including several high school seniors who will enter the military after graduation.

Students from a US History class and student government engaged in a lively question and answer with the Senator, and received the gift of an American Flag and a book for the school library. Afterwards, students offered these thoughts:

I really enjoyed everything she talked about and I loved to hear all of her responses to the questions we had, especially on the gun control. It was good to hear her opinion on our problems we are experiencing in our country. - Callie Kant

Senator Murkowski's visit was very fun, and I enjoyed hearing her opinion on certain things. -Kenley Kingrey

It was cool to hear that a Senator cares about high schoolers and want us involved in current issues and government and values our opinions. - Julie Litchfield

The Senator did a fantastic job of including the teenagers and picking topics that are easy to relate to. However, she did "beat-around-the-bush" so to speak, when answering some questions. - Gabrielle Saldivar

I liked that Senator Murkowski really wanted to hear what the high school students have to say about what is going on in our government. It was also neat to hear her responses to our questions, because she is actually part of the political world, and it seemed to me like what she said was true, not just people talking. - Katelynn Kerkvliet

I enjoyed Senator Murkowski's visit to SoHi very much. I learned a lot more about the difficulties of representing Alaska and its inhabitants. I'm glad she cares about the young adults and their opinions. - Serena Prior

Senator Murkowski's visit to Soldotna High School was very entertaining and educational. It was an honor to be able to meet her and be able to talk to her about her opinion on things that are currently going on in our nation. I'm glad she doesn't only care about the adult's opinions, but students' opinions as well. Huge thanks to her for coming in. - Kiana Hendricks

I very much enjoyed the visit of Senator Murkowski. I greatly appreciated the fact that she took the time to talk to the young people of the community. Personally, I think more people of interest should come and talk to our school because it was very educational to hear the opinions of others and the world news I didn't know about previously. - Rachel Blossom

Having Senator Murkowski to visit our school was an amazing opportunity. It was cool to actually talk and ask questions to someone who actually makes decisions and helps run our government. It was comforting to know that our opinions on political issues matter to politicians like Senator Murkowski! - Makayla Wong

Having Senator Murkowski visit our school was very beneficial. She was very friendly and nice to talk to. I enjoyed her stories about being in the Senate because it really showed what is really like there. She showed she cared about us and what we thought. I enjoyed having her at our school and would love it if she came and visited again. - Kelci Benson

Senator Murkowski was very informative in her visit. I especially liked to hear about the reasons she became a politician. I also liked hearing her opinion on many of the things happening in our country. I would love it if she would come again. - Daniel McElroy

Senator Murkowski's visit was very fun and informative. I enjoyed the reasons and explanations of the legal debates and issues in the nation. - Caleb Harshman

Having Senator Murkowski visit our school was very beneficial. She was very friendly, and nice to talk to. I enjoyed her stories about being in the Senate because it showed what it is really like there. She showed she cared about us and what we thought. I enjoyed having her at our school and would love it if she came again. - Dustin Hunter

Senator Murkowski was fun and energetic and had a great connection with the group so I enjoyed having her visit, and she likes Pink Floyd! - Colton Diehl

I quite enjoyed Senator Murkowski's view. I surprisingly liked it and was amazed at the good questions that were answered. - Kaitlyn Groleski

“If you would consider living larger do it now in how you treat friends—you live larger than self in small things. When you are faithful in that, you’ll be ready for leadership. I hope you’ll keep that perspective.”

– Governor Parnell, November 27, 2012, visit to KCHS

Alaska Governor Parnell and First Lady Sandy Parnell visited a Kenai Central High School government class taught by Justin Carr, on November 27, 2012. Students asked several questions, listening to Governor Parnell explain, “I never dreamed of being a governor. After 2003 I thought I was never going to serve again.” Instead, in 2012, standing with his wife, he looked intently at each of the high school seniors sitting at small desks, and said that his favorite part of being governor is, “Serving you and creating those paths of opportunity for you.”

To create college education or post graduate opportunities for students, and increase the graduation rate, Parnell explained the benefit of the Alaska Performance Scholarship—and the opportunity Alaska students have for the “state to pay you to go to college,” or receive “job training.” Expanding his thoughts about the value of public service, Parnell talked about five paths of opportunity and focus for his administration: Resource Development; Education; Public Safety; Transportation; and Military Support.

He advised students to “question what you read” and said his passion is, “being a catalyst for change.” Fielding questions, Parnell asked who wanted to ask his wife something. When no one immediately responded, he turned to Sandy Parnell and asked, “What is your passion?” With her response, students took deep breaths, and focused all eyes toward her, some in disbelief and with growing awareness as she said, “I’m a volunteer…I have a passion for ending sex trafficking.” Students heard harsh, sobering facts about sex—human—trafficking in Alaska, and steps and action being taken. The First Lady explained that highly vulnerable targets are Alaska Native girls from rural communities who end up in Anchorage working, then out of innocence, recruit young village girls.

She shared a statistic, “Homeless youth are vulnerable. One in three teens on the street will be lured into trafficking within 48 hours of leaving home.” The governor created a “Crimes of Human Trafficking, Promoting Prostitution, and Sex Trafficking” task force after legislation (SB 210) was passed in 2012.
When asked why he was a republican, Governor Parnell replied, “My dad was a democrat, my mom was a republican, and I chose right.” After the laughter subsided, he said, “I do believe government has a limited role” and believe in “individual liberty and smaller government.” Furthermore, “We have to learn to work across the aisle—I learned that at the dinner table.” Ending, he encouraged everyone: “If you would consider living larger do it now in how you treat friends—you live larger than self in small things. When you are faithful in that, you’ll be ready for leadership. I hope you’ll keep that perspective.”

“The students were excited to meet with the governor and were surprised to hear his candid responses to their questions,” said Justin Carr, KCHS teacher. “They felt that the small group setting gave them the opportunity to have a more intimate dialogue with the governor.”

Thank you to Governor Parnell and the First Lady, KPBSD teacher Justin Carr, and the students at KCHS for an excellent half hour of explanation and inspiration.

Links
• Alaska Performance Scholarship
• Choose Respect
• Task Force on the Crimes of Human Trafficking, Promoting Prostitution, and Sex Trafficking. Established by Senate Bill 210
• First Lady Addresses AFN Convention: Standing Together Against Human Trafficking

Please join us to appreciate and celebrate our school counselors during National School Counseling Week, February 4-8, 2013.

KPBSD employs 17 certified school counselors who serve approximately 4,100 middle and high school students. KPBSD counselors recently began implementing an electronic Personal Learning and Career Plan that will be available in the student, parent, and teacher portals of PowerSchool to provide students with purposeful career guidance in order to make informed choices about their future.

John O'Brien, the KPBSD director of secondary education said, "It is a pleasure to recognize the professionalism and critical work of our school counselors.  Our students are well served by this group of dedicated professionals who ensure that their academic, social-emotional, and future college and career planning needs are met."

KPBSD counselors were asked, What is most meaningful to you regarding your work as a school counselor? Their responses:

• "The students! Working with teens and helping them navigate the ups and downs of life as well as planning for their future …" - Erin Neisinger

• "Being a school counselor is the best job! We get to work with high school students for all four years and watch them grow, mature and move on with their lives." - Lin Hampson

• "I love being able to see a student meet a goal they set and worked hard to meet, knowing I was able to play a small part in encouraging them along the way!" - Laura Fourtner

• "Academic and career coaching middle school students is the most meaningful to me as a school counselor. Seeing them explore jobs and beginning to value their classes and grades is so great." - Karen Ruebsamen

• "I most enjoy seeing graduates who have successfully applied their KPBSD learning and experiences and who are thriving as young adults." - Paul Story

• "Helping students navigate the developmental journey from middle school through graduation is a constant inspiration for school counselors. Running into those students post-graduation-whether they are working at the coffee shop, an oil platform, or returning from college for a visit-allows us to confirm that the journey continues!" - Sara Moore

Dr. Steve Atwater, KPBSD superintendent said, "I am pleased that our counselors are playing such an important role in the development and facilitation of career pathways for our high school students. This exposure to applied learning through our pathways is invaluable for our students."

National School Counseling Week, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), is celebrated February 4-8, 2013, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of professional school counselors within United States school systems and how students are different as a result of what school counselors do. National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.

Professional school counselors are certified, experienced, educators with a master's degree in guidance and counseling. The combination of their training and experience makes them an integral part of the total educational program.

School counselors are given responsibility for being actively engaged in helping students examine their abilities, strengths, interests and talents; for working in a partnership with parents as they encounter the challenges of raising children in today's world; for focusing on positive ways to enhance students' social, personal, educational and career development; and working with teachers and other educators to provide an educational system where students can realize their potential and set healthy, realistic and optimistic aspirations for themselves.

"School counselors work with all students to remove barriers to learning by addressing students' academic concerns, personal, social skills, and career awareness in post-secondary options," said Kwok-Sze Wong, EdD, ASCA executive director. "Comprehensive school counseling programs help to increase student achievement and provide a much-needed resource for students, parents, teachers and administrators. School counselors are integral to student success."

Please take time to recall a school counselor from your past, and offer a few words of appreciation to thank a KPBSD school counselor for their work with our students.

Youth leadership programs in KPBSD schools, Project GRAD, and local communities collaborate and partner to give small school and native youth opportunities to learn both western and indigenous governing styles, together with leadership skills that increase academic success. Students at four of our schools- Nanwalek, Ninilchik, Port Graham, and Tebugna-participated in several events throughout the fall of 2012. Highlighted are Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) Elder and Youth Conference; Alaska Association of Student Government (AASG) Youth Leadership Conference; Alaska Association of School Boards (AASB) Youth Leadership Conference; a Native Student Representative on Student Council resolution; and Nanwalek student council elections.

 Swearing in of Nanwalek Student Council during assembly

Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) Elder and Youth Conference

Students presented the Traditional Kayak project, were interviewed on a radio program, and worked with tribal elders for tribal government training.

"I learned I need to learn to listen to my Elders more to understand my culture. Seal meat is better for us than ten hamburgers. And blueberries have as much iron in them as seal meat. We have everything we need in our backyards." - Cyrena Joseph, Port Graham

 Tshanna Constantine, Julie Anahonak, Penny Vadla, Steve Atwater, AASB Conference

"I liked the breakout sessions. I learned how native plants are the healthiest way to live because you don't need to do anything to them. They replant and re-grow on their own!" - Kelsey Meganack, Port Graham

"I had fun at AFN because I got to go and experience and learn what is out there, and I learned a little bit of our language. I heard how bullying has affected our planet and how we can prevent it. The dance was fun and I am looking forward to going to Juneau if I get picked. Kids should try to go!" - Raquell Salas, Tyonek

"I enjoyed this year's AFN-the language groups and regional break outs were more exciting and fun to be in. I loved talking to the Elders and telling them my concerns, and it was great to have friends that I made that felt the same feelings that I did. Seeing everyone there, even first graders being serious, made we want to do more for my state." - Jean Shanagin, Tyonek

 Julie Anahonak, Tshanna Constantine, Sunni Hilts, AASB Conference

"Project GRAD invited us to join them with the building of the kayaks. We participated in presenting kayaks we built. People asked questions like how long it took us to make the kayaks and how did we work together to get it built. We went to learn about plants, what is bad and good for you, and what types of plants are out there. Elders showed us how they hunted and cut seal, how they cooked and made it. We went to NYO to learn step by step, then we taught others how to do it. We went to a dance and we went to groups to learn language and still had to do our homework." - Michael Anahonak, Port Graham

 Julie Anahonak, Tshanna Constantine, KPBSD School Board Members, AASB Conference

"It was not that easy to build the kayak, especially without any instructions, just a bunch of wood sticks. But after, when we took it out on the water that felt really good. And when we presented to all the Elders and people who attended AFN, it was really a surprise how many people were proud of us, and how we were a success. They asked all kinds of questions and lots of the kids and other Elders want to do the same in their villages. It is important to continue these type of projects." - John Romanoff, Nanwalek

"Hands on learning with our Elders is always better than sitting in a classroom trying to figure out how to build (the kayaks) by reading only." - Xaiver Romonoff, Nanwalek

"When I first started the Kayak project I didn't think I could do it since I wasn't taught by our Elders or anyone about our traditional ways of building. But at the end of the two weeks when we finished the kayak and took it out on the water I thought different. I always knew how to build our kayaks. It is in our heart and in our blood." - Tim Ukatish, Nanwalek

 AASB Conference Student Body, AASB Conference

Alaska Association of Student Government (AASG) Youth Leadership Conference

  "AASG is a state-wide student council conference with councils from all around the state," said Natashia Ukatish of Nanwalek. "They are split into seven regions with Nanwalek being part of region three. During the four day stay at Wasilla High School, we got the opportunity to attend a three and one-half hour Suicide Prevention Class. We learned about how to deal with people considering suicide and how we can help them. We also attended many meetings with all the regions where we were given the chance to vote for other schools' resolutions. During the meeting all the regions showed their spirit for their region. We met plenty of people and made many friends. It was all-around fun and a place I know I will be counting down the days, 'till I can go again."

 Terrence Swenning, Natashia Ukatish, Rebekkah Standifer, Trinity Standifer, Jovena Salas, Elizabeth Ukatish, Erin Thomson, Bonnie Pierce, AASG Conference at Wasilla High School

Terence Swenning from Nanwalek supports a resolution to have a native youth representative as a student council officer in Kenai Peninsula schools where there is a population of native students. Swenning said, "It would be good to have a position that could ask native students what they want, especially since our school is all native. I thought at first AASG wouldn't be any fun. It was. There were all kinds of activities and all the kids who ran the conference were helpful and nice."

Rebekkah Standifer, Jovena Salas, and Serenity Standifer from Tyonek added, "I learned how to be respectful and how to debate; I had fun, it was really cool to work with high school students! I really enjoyed the Olympic activities. I learned how to make a motion. I learned some new activities and songs that I brought back to my school. I liked the whole conference; it's hard to choose a favorite."

 Bonnie Pierce, Natashia Ukatish, Terrence Swenning, Rebekkah Standifer, Trinity Standifer, Jovena Salas, Erin Thomson, AASG Conference at Wasilla High School

Alaska Association of School Boards (AASB) Youth Leadership Conference

Attendees worked on leadership skill training with youth leaders, KPBSD school board members, and Dr. Atwater, KPBSD superintendent. Additionally they brought an AASG draft resolution to the attention of the school board through student representative, Hayden Beard's support.

Julie Anahonak from Port Graham, said, "We learned leadership skills, met new people. We tried new things, and I had a ton of fun! The perk of going on these trips? You never know who you are going to meet. So far I've met Jack Dalton [native traditional storyteller and educator], Isaiah Potkotak [actor in On the Ice], David Thomas [native Alaskan Olympic level WEIO/NYO athlete], and Sven Hakanson [Harvard graduate, Kodiak Natural History Museum]."

 Timothy Ukatish, Xavier Romanoff, John Romanoff, Julie Anahonak, Seraphim Ukatish, Michael Anahonak, Rita Meganack, AFN ElderYouth Conference

 "Students connected with Hayden Beard, the KPBSD student council district representative from Seward High School who sits on the KPBSD school board," said Tshanna Constantine from Tyonek. "We first met Hayden at the district student council conference when he was voted in as the district representative. He listens to the small schools and sees the importance of collaboration among all the small schools to have a stronger voice in Kenai Peninsula's student requests." Beard helped with a "Native Student Representative on Student Council" resolution. The idea of writing the proposal started two years prior when the KPNYL group went to the district student council and discovered KPNYL had no voice since they were not a part of a school student council. In order to bring forth a native youth voice, a resolution was needed to create an official officer position for a student council native student voice. Native school sites learn and work with two governing systems: their western "American" government system and their sovereign native Alaskan governing system. It is important to have a youth liaison that can bridge the two systems in regard to communicating back and forth the needs of native youth. Youth representatives presented this draft at AASG. The draft proposal was tabled due to the number of resolutions submitted prior to the Kenai Peninsula proposal. It was suggested the group could either wait for the spring conference or talk to their district representative, thus student school board representative Beard stepped in to help. He took the proposal to his board during AASB to discuss its merit; the resolution is still in progress.

 Timothy Ukatish, Xavier Romanoff, Julie Anahonak, John Romanoff, AFN Elder Youth Conference

Nanwalek Student Council Elections

The Nanwalek's student council election is an example of the student's on-site youth leadership activities. Adding native youth representation to student council officers increases goals of student spirit on campus through parent and community engagement and asset development.

Nanwalek had not had a voted instudent council body for several years. Principal Klein is very supportive of youth leadership on campus and had already started the school year by asking students come up with how they would like to improve student involvement on campus.

Project GRAD put support behind the idea of having a regular campaign and election process for student council officers under the theme, "Improving School Spirit." The goals start with teaching students the importance of their voice toward change, and include giving relevance to the student's lives on what the American election process means to them and the importance of tying their native tribal governing process with student council's process. Nanwalek added a native student representative to their officer position to help students see the importance of learning both governing systems they live within.

Middle and high school students were challenged to self-nominate for either an officer or class representative position in October. Since the student council is so new, the only criteria was to be a middle or high school student, and a student needed to self-nominate for one position, thus learning that to have a voice a person has to step up to the plate and be part of change. During the month, students researched their position, through art class created campaign posters, began writing their campaign speeches, and campaigning to the younger students who would be the largest number of voters election day.

November 5, 2012, the nominees turned their speeches into written campaign slogans on the walls of their gym. On November 5, Project GRAD played on the national election theme. The gym was arranged for the assembly, students reviewed the nominee campaign posters and slogans, with the end result of each student experiencing what it is like to go into a polling booth and vote for a candidate.

With tremendous support from school staff, elections and counting of the ballots took place during the afternoon assembly. The assembly concluded with Principal Klein pledging in Nanwalek's Student Council.

The council is now linked to the school base site-council and Nanwalek IRA Tribal Council with representatives communicating and gathering input from their adult governing bodies. The student council meets once a month to learn Parliamentary Procedures, Indigenous Consensus-Style Procedures, and to plan and implement the four components of youth leadership: government, student activities, fund-raising and community service. Congratulations to President Joshua Evans; Vice-President Xavier Romanoff; Secretary Roderick Wilson; Treasurer Shoshana Huntsman; Historian Tania Romanoff; Native Student Representative Tim Ukatish (also the liaison with KPNYL-Kenai Peninsula Native Youth Leaders; Title 7 sub-committee and Nanwalek IRA); Site Base Council Representative Ivana Ash; High School Class Representative Elaina Peterson; Middle School Class Representative Natashia Ukatish, and Elementary School Class Representative Uriah Huntsman.

Future leadership opportunities

Students who attended a Project GRAD or other leadership institute training will implement at least one community service project on site. For example:

• Nanwalek Winter Survival Training, December 2012

• Port Graham Hoop House Construction, winter 2012

• Ninilchik Red Ribbon Week, November 2012

• Tyonek students will work to support Elders (cutting and stacking wood, providing lunches, cleaning yards, and so forth)

Students who complete the four components of leadership and are Project GRAD student team members will be invited to attend the Juneau's Junior and Senior Close Up program, scheduled for late January. This is an opportunity for middle school and high school student teams to work directly with both state congress and Alaska Federation of Native state leaders for a close up look at two governing bodies who collaborate together for youth.

Questions: contact Bonnie Pierce, Project GRAD, 907-394-1362

Imagine what can happen when a school district and hospital collaborate to create a business-led, one-year, school-to-work program for students with disabilities that takes place entirely at the workplace.

“One of our on-going challenges is to ensure that our students with disabilities make a smooth transition to life after high school,” said Dr. Atwater, KPBSD superintendent. “Project SEARCH is thus, a wonderful way to help us meet this challenge. I am thrilled that our partnership with Central Peninsula Hospital is working so well for our students.”

On November 27, 2012, an open house at Central Peninsula Hospital introduced the community to the program and students. Erin Riehle, co-founder and senior director of Project SEARCH, offered a challenging and insightful presentation about long-term, successful employment of people with disabilities who learn to perform very complex, repeatable duties in the workplace with incredible accuracy and success.

Fran Stetson, the KPBSD program teacher said, “The Project SEARCH model views hiring people with disabilities as smart business and has proven the disabled person can rise to the challenge. Being the Project SEARCH teacher is a dream come true for me, and being part of the team that gives each intern a real-life, integrated meaningful work experience and promotes competitive employment for people with disabilities has rejuvenated my teaching soul. A challenge for me is to match interns with jobs and work environments that are compatible to interns’ skills and interests; and to find those high-quality internships that involve complex and systematic work. I am deeply moved when a student shows confidence and independence at their internship site and I witness the confidence and satisfaction they feel—it all makes my heart feel good. I am learning the Kenai Peninsula community is recognizing and accepting people with disabilities; that our businesses want to be involved with training and hiring people with disabilities. Our open house proved to me that there are many interested people who share our goal of employing people with disabilities.” During the open house, student interns showcased their learning from their respective internship rotations, and talked with attendees.

Student interns say:

• "I'm learning a lot of job skills...like using the commercial dishwasher and filing medical forms,” said Sarah Mohorcich. “I want to get a job, learn new skills, and live on my own.”

• Nat Hammack said, "My high school teacher, Mr. Willets, motivated me to become involved and encouraged me to go. [Project SEARCH is] getting me to do jobs that I wouldn't have done otherwise. I'm learning how to rotate and stock freight and how to budget my money."

• "I wanted to get a paying job,” said student Vincent Chavarria. “I'm learning to clean patients’ rooms, take out trash, clean restrooms and fold laundry, and getting ready for the adult world of work."

Liz Cristiano, Project SEARCH job coach said, “I see first-hand the benefits Project SEARCH provides to student interns and job mentors. They develop a unique partnership based on respect for each other.”

Parents speak:

“We are very grateful to be involved as a family in the very first year of Project SEARCH here on the Kenai Peninsula. Project SEARCH being a transitional program from school to work is ideal timing for our daughter. Sarah is adjusting very well into the total immersion of job-skills training through our business professional, Central Peninsula Hospital. We want to especially thank Fran Stetson and Liz Cristiano with the school district and those employees at the hospital that are providing Sarah this career exploration opportunity. Project SEARCH is a program our community needs to hear about and understand that a new standard is being set to carry on for generations.”— John and Laura Mohorcich, parents

“I work in the hospital. Project SEARCH had a couple students come through my department. I asked what the program was about and if it was possible that my son could be involved in this. Seeing the responsibilities that were being learned was a ray hope for me—the chance for my son to accomplish the next stage of his life. I am very pleased with his progress. The attitude he is learning is bleeding over into his everyday home and public life.” – Alysia Smythe, parent

“People with disabilities are the largest unemployed and underemployed group in the United States and youth with intellectual or developmental disabilities have even a greater chance to experience long-term unemployment. The Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education brought Project SEARCH to Alaska for two reasons,” said Patrick Reinhart from the Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education. “One, to replicate a proven model of employment training for youth with disabilities whose outcome is simple—good jobs and the shot at a career. Second, to demonstrate to the business community that hiring and training these young people for real jobs is a good investment in a largely untapped talent pool. We want to see more of a willingness to hire people with disabilities, regardless of their involvement in Project SEARCH.”

Project SEARCH is a collaborative partnership with KPBSD, Central Peninsula Hospital, Frontier Community Services, the Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and Project SEARCH. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital launched the new Project SEARCH High School Transition Program at Central Peninsula Hospital. “Our ultimate goal as a district and within the special education department is to meet the individual needs of each student and to have each student obtain job ready skills or be ready to transition to post-secondary educational or vocational opportunities,” said Clayton Holland, director of KPBSD pupil services. “Project Search helps to do this while also educating the community at large about the many capabilities of our students with disabilities. It has been inspiring to watch our community business leaders start to learn about what is happening with Project SEARCH and to see the enthusiasm being generated. We have the potential to really educate the whole community about people with disabilities and what they can accomplish and contribute to the work place and to our communities. I am thankful that the hospital has been such a wonderful partner.”

“I’m learning how much our community cares about students with disabilities, and that business leaders in the community want to know more about what is happening and how they can get involved.”

- Clayton Holland, director of pupil services, KPBSD

Rick Davis, Central Peninsula Hospital CEO said, “We are very pleased to participate as a business partner in the Project SEARCH program. These students are learning to perform basic job requirements such as coming to work on time, being neatly dressed, and coming to work with a positive attitude. The program is designed to help prepare these students to enter the job market as good employees that will add value to an organization in the future.”

The Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education has helped start four Project SEARCH sites in Alaska in the past two years and we want to develop two more over the next two years. Reinhart said, “As the statewide coordinator of this effort, I have seen the graduating classes of four separate groups and the one thing that stands out the most for me is the pride exhibited by these young people and the genuine belief that they are going to get a job and succeed. You can see that even now in the first group of students at Central Peninsula Hospital. Even though the number of students in each Project SEARCH site in the state is low, i.e. 3-8 at each site, there is substantial positive spillover going on in each community. For example, other families who have a student with a disability are starting to realize the possibility that their child can be, and generally wants to be, a contributing and productive citizen who works for a living. Also, businesses are seeing the results and understanding they have this untapped talent pool that only requires a bit of creative thinking and training to get them working in their business. Through Project SEARCH, we are seeing a whole philosophical shift among special educators and disability providers from “we’ll take care of you” to “what do you want to do for a living and what can we do to make that happen?”

Shawn Reynolds, HRM CPR COR, job developer at Frontier Community Services said, “It is such a thrill to be able to see our interns from the beginning to the end of the program, how they are on the first day, nervous but very willing to move forward, and the amount of confidence gained on a daily basis. This is what we do at Frontier Community Services, and this gives me a chance to assist with another organization that provides the services to school age interns. It is an opportunity for the school district, DVR, the Governor’s office, and Frontier Community Services to work together for the same goal of providing skilled persons to the local community workforce. Without the assistance of our hospital, that provides the training locations for our interns, this outcome would be difficult at best. Through the cooperation of all entities involved, I am learning how the other organizations provide services and support, and now we are all talking and working with each other for the same outcome: skilled employees for the community.”

“KPBSD saw a need to provide additional services and support for the transition to work of our students with disabilities,” said Denise Kelly, program coordinator, pupil services. “I personally am excited to be involved with this program because providing opportunities for young adults with disabilities to earn competitive employment and to live productively within their communities, with their families, is enriching for me on a personal level. I believe that we have a responsibility to hold high expectations for all of our students with disabilities and to provide them the support they need to meet those expectations. This program meets that responsibility.”

The Project SEARCH High School Transition Program is a total workplace immersion, facilitating a seamless combination of classroom instruction, career exploration, and relevant job-skills training through strategically designed internships. Through a series of three targeted internships the students acquire competitive, marketable, and transferable skills to enable them to apply for a related position. Students also build communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills that are important to their overall development as a young worker. The goal: independent adults prepared for competitive employment opportunities.

Kenai Peninsula Project SEARCH is made possible through the collaborative efforts of Project SEARCH Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Central Peninsula Hospital, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, the Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and Frontier Community Services.

Links

Project SEARCH

KPBSD Pupil Services

Central Peninsula Hospital

Frontier Community Services

The Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education

Mix a dedicated mother, a teacher, an adaptive physical education itinerant teacher and a powerful day emerged for students who attend Soldotna Montessori School and Soldotna Elementary School in April 2012. Both schools’ principals were supportive of working together to offer experiential exercises to teach tolerance and compassion for all people, and create an opening for both schools to talk about these tough issues. An excellent learning opportunity for students, the gymnasium was packed with activity stations where students physically experienced a new sensation of moving in the world and with others.

Jordana Engebretsen, a vision teacher who participated from Kenai Middle School said, “I am a teacher with a disability. I believe most of the issues that a person with a disability experiences are due to ignorance and misconceptions. I think teaching our students about disabilities or what I called mix-abilities is very important. I would like to see events like this organized district wide.” Soldotna Montessori Principal Mo Sanders, explained, “My brother was ‘disabled.’ He didn’t see it that way, though. He always said the biggest part of the word disability is ability. It was a joy to observe the kids from both schools experiencing the many different ways individuals are able to take part in life.”

Parent and advocate Tonja Updike envisioned the collaborative, experiential event. She said, “I am a parent of three children, and my middle child experiences autism. I volunteer and sit on various boards across the state such as the Governors Council for Disabilities and Special Education, a board member of the Special Education Service agency (SESA), a member of the Autism Society of Alaska, as well as speaking on disabilities and autism across the state. I have gone into classrooms to offer trainings on autism and wanted to do something different. Our idea was that instead of doing an assembly where the kids just sat and listened to me the whole time, they would come in and do activities together. Logistically, to make sure that there would always be a Montessori and Soldotna Elementary class together, we decided to divide the times into class grades so all kindergarten classes would attend together, and so forth. Each group would spend 30 minutes to do the activities, with the last few minutes spent talking and processing the experiences. The activities were taken from various places to give the students an idea on what it’s like to have different disabilities. The intent is multifaceted:

• Both schools are working together
• Teaching tolerance and compassion for all people (including those with disabilities)
• Creating an opening for both schools to talk about these tough issues

It is difficult to truly understand what it is like for other people unless you put yourself in their shoes. So we needed to create simulations. To do this we needed to work with different senses and offer several stations in order to provide an experience of what a person with a disability might feel. For example, the only way to feel blind is to take away the sense of sight—so blindfolding kids while trying to do an everyday activity helps kids understand the difficulties others face. Another example of sensory overstimulation is orchestrating a group of kids in a circle all saying different things, with one person in the center who is trying to figure out what they are supposed to do. All of the stations are meant to show the kids that they are each unique and we can all be good at some things and have a hard time with others. Also, with tolerance and compassion we can help others who are having difficulties, and that people who are different (whether they have disabilities or not) are not scary, they are people just like them.”

The day took effort, which was well-spent. The students participated, asked questions, and reflected. One young boy wrote, “I learned that disabilities do not mean that you can’t do what regular people do. Just because you’re blind doesn’t mean you can’t read. Though you have a disability doesn’t mean you can’t do something.” Another young boy, Colton, wrote, “Dear Journal, Today I went to the gym and there were places where you find out how people with disabilities get around. My favorite was the one with the blind person because it really meant something to me. She acts like she has no disability and that made me realize that everyone is the same. They still are a person. I should act like a normal person too.”

Soldotna Elementary principal Teri Diamond said, “We are excited to create and nurture these experiences for our students. We are proud of both the interest our students are taking and the compassion and kindness they have demonstrated throughout the school. The opportunity for our children to experience the challenges that some people have to overcome daily strengthens character and builds knowledge. We are also very fortunate to have such strong advocates like Tina Gilman, Tonja Updike, and Carloyn Hitzler to help provide these opportunities. They are always a source of inspiration, and the volunteer time they put into this event is truly appreciated. Hopefully we can continue this and make it an annual event.”

December 3 marks the international observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities promoted by the United Nations since 1992. The day aims to promote an understanding of people with disabilities and encourage support for their dignity, rights, and well-being. In the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, understanding and awareness is cultivated daily through our Pupil Services department, dedicated staff and parents. 

Hundreds of KPBSD students—approximately 200 from Redoubt Elementary and K-Beach Elementary, and 120 from McNeil Canyon—and the Kenai Peninsula Orchestra (KPO) delighted thousands through two fall concerts and the national Carnegie Hall Link Up Program.

Tammy Vollum-Matturro, the director and conductor of the KPO said, “The Kenai Peninsula Orchestra was excited to include elementary students ON STAGE for this concert! The concert is very educational: introducing the sections of the orchestra, how melodies are written, and many other elements of music through music and projected visuals.”

August, 2012, Sue Biggs, music teacher at Redoubt Elementary School and KPO concertmaster, and Jeanne Duhan, music teacher at K-Beach Elementary and KPO horn player have been teaching and preparing their students to sing and play for their memory-making concert. Additionally, nine members of the Homer Youth String Orchestra Club learned the music to play with the orchestra. McNeil Canyon Elementary School in Homer completed an Artist in Schools residency with the conductor of the Kenai Peninsula Orchestra, Tammy Vollom-Matturro. During their residency, students learned to play the recorder and sing songs in preparation for their concert in Homer with the Kenai Peninsula Orchestra.

Two public concerts were held—on Saturday, November 3, Redoubt Elementary and K-Beach Elementary students performed at the Kenai Central High School auditorium, and on November 4, the McNeil Canyon children and their teachers played alongside the orchestra on the Mariner Theater stage. Materials for the concerts were provided by Carnegie Hall’s Weill Institute through their Link Up program.

For McNeil Canyon students, the Artist in Schools residency was made possible with funds provided by the Alaska Legislature through the Alaska State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts with additional funding from the Rasmuson Foundation and the McNeil Canyon Community Council.

KPO said, “Link Up is a 28-year program of Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute, which pairs orchestras with elementary aged students at local schools across the country to explore orchestral repertoire through hands-on curriculum. Students participating in Link Up perform in a culminating concert where they sing and play recorders with the orchestra. Nationally, this program will serve approximately 185,000 students and teachers.”

Debbie Piper, a KPBSD teacher said, “The entire McNeil Canyon community is still smiling about our concert with the Kenai Peninsula Orchestra. Students learned music by singing and playing the recorder; they learned about the instruments of the orchestra; they learned stage presence; they got to know a real conductor; they felt like stars! They discovered that if you practice, practice, practice you can accomplish really hard things. The staff learned alongside their students and some even stepped outside their personal comfort zones. We all took to the stage together, sharing what we had accomplished, being proud together, and shining together.”

The collaboration with these significant organizations provided our students, their families and friends with an amazing gift—the joy of music. In a season of thanksgiving, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is especially appreciative of the students, organizations, educators, musicians, families, and volunteers who made these two concerts and learning experience possible.

Weill Music Institute at Carnegie Hall

On October 17, 2012, Kenai Central High School hosted the second annual SST contest. Kenai Central High School, Skyview High School, and Nikiski High School took part in the event. More than 80 student athletes took part in the evening’s challenges.

During the SST contest, students participated in five events. The events were the 40 Yard Dash, I Test, Vertical Jump, Broad Jump, and FGB (Fight Gone Bad). 

The 40 Yard Dash measures speed and acceleration, the I Test measures side to side quickness and agility, the Vertical Jump measures explosiveness and leaping ability, the Broad Jump measures lower body power explosiveness and body control, and FGB measures endurance in the muscular system and mental toughness.  

 

Students could sign up for two events. Scoring was based on first through eighth place finishers. Times and distances were used to determine place finishers. All students competing are in the SST program in one of the three high schools and meet activity eligibility requirements. 

The competition goals are to celebrate student achievement, performance levels, good sportsmanship, and to be a positive reinforcement for students. 

First Place Winners: 

• 11-12 Boys 40’s, Stephen Hartley, Nikiski, 4.56 
• 11-12 Girls 40’s, Taylor Calderwood, Nikiski, 5.32 
• 9-10 Boys 40’s, Tim Duke, Skyview, 4.65 
• 9-10 Girls 40’s, Rachel Thompson, Nikiski, 5.3 

• 11-12 Boys Standing Broad Jump, Seth Carstens, Nikiski, 9’1.5 
• 11-12 Girls Standing Broad Jump, Marlee Cunningham, Skyview, 7’2.25 
• 9-10 Boys Standing Broad Jump, Luke Johnson, Nikiski, 8’3.25 
• 9-10 Girls Standing Broad Jump, Kiana Harding, Kenai, 7’5.5 

 

• 11-12 Boys Vertical, Grayden Mendenhall, Kenai, 35 
• 11-12 Girls Vertical, Taylor Calderwood, Nikiski, 25 
• 9-10 Boys Vertical, Michael Tilly, Kenai, 32 
• 9-10 Girls Vertical, Kiana Harding, Kenai, 24 

• 11-12 Boys I Test, Garrett Feller, Nikiski, 4.16 
• 11-12 Girls I Test, Baily Buchholz, Nikiski, 4.75 
• 9-10 Boys I Test, Justin West, Skyview, 4.29 
• 9-10 Girls I Test, Rachel Thompson, Nikiski, 4.68 

 

• 11-12 Boys Fight Gone Bad, Nate Mole, Kenai, 13 
• 11-12 Girls Fight Gone Bad, Sarah Rawson, Kenai, 13 
• 9-10 Boys Fight Gone Bad, Austin Craig, Skyview, 13 
• 9-10 Girls Fight Gone Bad, Hannah Barcus / Beverly Schindler, Kenai, 11 

 

Jeff Baker from Kenai Central High School was the announcer and building host for the evening. Eric Pomerleau from Skyview High School was the scorer and event administrator. Ted Riddall from Nikiski Middle-High School was the floor supervisor. All three teachers have been collaborating through the SST program over the past few years and work hard together to highlight physical education in their respective schools and communities. 

 
• “The SST competition was an exciting method to showcase our new, rigorous PE curriculum. The kids worked extremely hard and had a lot of fun, which is what we want with all of our subjects. They are seeing real results of their work and it definitely has come together because teachers are working together to get better at implementing the curriculum. I am looking forward to more schools participating in this and also using technology to work together during the day like what is happening between KCHS, Nikiski, and Skyview. Great work!” – Sean Dusek, assistant superintendent instructional services 

 

• “The night was awesome, seeing the high performance level in each kid was incredible. Can’t believe how much the kids are getting out of the SST program.” – Dan Carstens, principal Nikiski Middle-High School 

• "It is clear from seeing all the competitors that they are having fun and have bought into pushing themselves further then they had thought they could go, especially when you watch the FGB event.” – Ted Riddall, physical educator Nikiski High School 

 

• “Seeing kids competing in a healthy and positive competition was inspiring.” – Jim Coburn, head custodian, Nikiski High School  

• “The energy and excitement displayed by all the schools created a great environment! I think it is awesome that the three schools can come together like this and provide a productive positive experience for the kids! As a track coach it was fun to be a timer for the 40’s competition. Great job!” – Rob Sparks, educator, Skyview High School 

Link  

March 12, 2012 SST competition story 

Thank you to Ted Riddall (Nikiski) for providing the photographs and story. 

On October 13, 2012, students from fifteen KPBSD schools had an opportunity to work together collaboratively to solve a common challenge, involving the contribution and exchange of ideas, knowledge or resources to achieve a goal. Schools competed at their own schools to determine who would compete at Soldotna Middle School, during the 2012 Mind a-Mazes competition, Curiosity: On Mars! 

Student teams create a land rover-type device, which is designed to travel along a 30 foot course in the KPBSD version of Gale Crater on the surface of Mars. The course involved several obstacles to negotiate. Students were also required to design and create a Space Colony which needed to be placed at the finish line of the course. 

 

This 2012 Mind a-Mazes Long Term problem encouraged student teams to not only design and build a land rover type vehicle and space colony, but also to learn about and be inspired by the Mars Rover Curiosity that has been exploring the planet Mars since August 6, 2012. The obstacles on the Soldotna Middle School course were named for specific sites on Mars: “Mount Sharp” (a mountain on Mars almost as high as Alaska’s own Denali) was represented by a ramp 4 feet wide by 2 feet long by 6 inches high; “Glenelg” (an area on Mars marked by a natural intersection of three kinds of terrain) was represented by red corrugated cardboard 4 feet wide by 2 feet long; and the Martian Rocks were three pound coffee cans filled with kitty litter. 

 

Approximately 150 students from the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District representing fifteen schools participated in this annual event held at Soldotna Middle School. There are two main parts to the competition: the Long Term Problem and the Spontaneous Problem. This year’s Spontaneous Problem required teams to create and use the longest marker using a variety of materials provided to them (straws, craft sticks, rubber bands, and so forth) in a paper bag.  

Thank you to everyone who volunteered and participated, especially the coaches and judges. A special thank you to Matt Widaman and the KPBSD Work Force Development Center in Kenai for designing and building the ramps for the competition, and to Kaladi Brothers for providing coffee for the Judges Training on Saturday morning. 

Congratulations to the winners! 

 

Junior Division 

1^st place – Sterling Elementary/Tustumena Elementary – Coach Linda McConnell 

“The BJ Attackers” 

• Jacob McConnell 
• Joseph Reutov 
• Bryan Rutherford 
• Hannan McMullen  

 

2^nd place and Judges’ Choice – West Homer – Coach Nadya Klingel 

“Curiosity Killed the Cat” 

• Willem Strydom 
• Wynand Strydom 
• Taylor Carlos 
• Henry Russell 

 

3^rd place - Soldotna Elementary – Coaches Kristin Cannava and Ellen Adlam 

“Rockin’ Rovers” 

• Austin Adlam 
• Olivia Davis 
• Ryder Giesler 
• Josh Pieh 
• Colton Sorhus 

Spontaneous Award - Fireweed Academy – Coach Darius Kleine 

“Caution Rat Trap Snap Dot Dot Dot Duck” 

• Solstice Kraszeski 
• Alden Ross 
• Connor Roderick 
• Tyler Gilliland  

 

Space Colony Award – Soldotna Montessori – Coach Gail Moore 

“The Employees” 

• Ethan Evans 
• Porter Evans 
• Ben Snow 
• Cy Updike 

 

Intermediate/Senior Division 

1^st place and Spontaneous Award – Kenai Middle School – Coach Cynthia Romberg 

“Dumbledore’s Army” 

• Eric Kempf 
• Patrick Michels 
• Drake Thomas 
• Dai-Ana Smith 
• Kameron Brazell 

 

2^nd place – Kenai Middle School – Coach Cynthia Romberg 

“The Meteor Dracons” 

• Jacob Anderson 
• Kameron Maxie 
• Ithaca Bergholtz 
• Maria Salzetti 

3^rd place – Nikiski Middle/High – Coach Brian Bailey 

 “Duct Tape Girls” 

• Jamie Yerkes 
• Sarah Nash 
• Melanie Sexton 

 

Judges’ Choice – Nikiski Middle/High – Coach Brian Bailey 

“Working Junk” 

• Braden Ellis 
• Lochlan Quiner 
• Aaron McCollum 

 

2^nd Spontaneous Award – Soldotna Middle/River City Academy – Coaches Julie Shuler/Connie Ferguson 

“Callisto” 

• Hans Hesse 
• Ethan Bott 
• Josh Shuler 
• Jode Sparks 

Link 

Mind a-Mazes Blog 

More than 600 students participated in a construction and welding class during the 2011-2012 school year through the Alaska Construction Academies offered at KPBSD high schools. Of those 600, at least 150 students completed the first module of the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), and a few students completed the Construction Math module and the Introduction To Hand Tools. Academies were announced via newspaper, e-mail, school newsletters, Facebook, Twitter, the district website, and flyers throughout the schools. Students can attend a class at any local high school.

 

For the past two years, Nikiski instructor, Paul Johnson, has been dedicated to a remodeling project. He and students have been remodeling an old building into a well-structured Triumvirate Theatre. Each time we go and visit the site all of the students are working very diligently with all of their safety gear on. They are learning how to frame, sheetrock, mud and tape, sauder and much more. The students are very proud of their work. This has been an ongoing project that will be a wonderful resource for the community and this project will continue next school year also.

 

Barry Hartman held a construction academy in January 2012 at Skyview High School. Mr. Hartman and his students constructed a gazebo. This project allows students to work with many different tools such as the miter saw, table saw, band saw (for the fancy scrolling), drill press, circular saw, portable drill, impact driver and more. Mr. Hartman usually has community members contact him to request a gazebo be built for them. At the summer academy studnets will construct a car utility trailer.

Steve Schoessler held a welding academy this last quarter at the Workforce Development Center in Kenai. Mr. Schoessler had a mixture of different skill leveled students in his academy. The big project that the students worked on was the construction of a Sled Deck for a pick-up truck. Some smaller projects included: a fire pit, trailer crosspiece repair and receiver hitch caps. Schoessler mentioned they focused mainly on welding skill development in their projects.

 

Ninilchik was happy to have to have the support from CEF to be able to work with the students and develop a project that would benefit the community. The students have built a playhouse that will be located on the fairgrounds in Ninilchik. This playhouse will be available for children to play in during the fair while the parents can sit and take a break. This project is like building a mini house. Students will learn the basic construction skills and also be framing the floor, walls, building the roof, installing windows, doors and much more.

Soldotna High School had a new instructor on board this year. Tyson Cox taught an Introductory to Plumbing Academy. He taught the students the basic care and use of tools, fittings and materials used in the plumbing and heating trade. They also learned how to safely transfer fluids and gases, how to solder copper pipe along with much more. There seems to be a large interest from students in plumbing so we hope to be able to offer this again next year.

 

Mickey Todd in Homer had a great turnout for his first ever Welding Academy. He had 24 students attend and 20 of them completed the first module of the NCCER. They built a few ATV trailers.

Mike Boyle at Kenai High School had a construction academy this year. They built a shed that Kenai High will be purchasing for the use of lawn maintenance equipment. Seldovia offered their tri-academy again this year. Students fly over from Nanwalek and Kachemak Selo to participate in a two week academy. The students built a shed and a green house.

 

The instructors evaluate the students with ongoing informal assessment by observing the safety of the students using machines and tools, and also by noticing if the students apply what they’ve learned later in the semester on a different application without having to repeat instructions. The instructors also give formal written tests midterm and for a final test. The best way to evaluate the skill level is in the final product such as the greenhouses, trailers, smoke houses, and so forth. The final product says a lot about the training they have received.

 

About Alaska Construction Academies
During the 2011-2012 school year KPBSD was responsible for the outreach and basic skills training for students with an emphasis in basic carpentry skills, residential wiring, framing, plumbing, weatherization, gas metal and shielded metal arc welding, employability skills, basic computer aided drafting, CAD/CAM and blue print reading. The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) is taught in all of our construction and welding academies.

Funds for the Alaska Construction Academies are provided to the Construction Education Foundation by grants from the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development

--Story contributed by Debbie Pearson

Thank you to Senator Begich and his staff for taking time to visit with Kenai Peninsula Borough School District students!

Four Kenai Peninsula Borough School District schools received national recognition for supporting the health of children and communities in September, 2012. As part of their efforts in the federal HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC), the districts feature healthy items on their school menus and emphasize physical education and activity. KBPSD is one of the first two school districts in Alaska to achieve this award.

Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science, Paul Banks Elementary, Seward Elementary, and Soldotna Elementary were celebrated at a HUSSC Awards Assembly with representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in San Francisco, California, the USDA State of Alaska Child Nutrition Services team, and KPBSD Student Nutrition Services on September 20, 2012, at Soldotna Elementary School.

 

Upon learning of the national award, Dean Hamburg, administrator of KPBSD Student Nutrition Services said, “Since 1946, the USDA has supported success in school meal programs. As a longtime leader in support of appropriate nutrition for student success in American classrooms, the USDA developed the criteria and award program that is the HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC). The KPBSD community can be proud and pleased that these four schools are among the first in Alaska to meet the award winning criteria for appropriate nutrition in school meals, physical education, and nutrition education. In the spring of 2012, the SNS office worked with nutritional analysis of menus and documentation of good nutrition and physical education efforts in these four schools. This is a significant achievement in Alaska nutrition history for the students we serve.” 

 

Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science 

“We are honored to receive this award as a school. It is an honor to be recognized for the commitment we share with our students, staff, families, and community to lead active, healthy lives. We commend our students for making healthy choices with their nutrition and exercise and appreciate being recognized for our continual efforts to grow responsible citizens.” – Robin Dahlman, principal 

 

Paul Banks 

“Paul Banks Elementary School is pleased to receive the Bronze Award from the USDA Healthier US Schools Challenge. The parents, staff and students at Paul Banks have worked together to educate and encourage students to make healthier food choices and to become more physically active. We are now seeing those efforts make a difference. We are seeing students participating in more physical activities and choosing more fruits and vegetables during meals and for snacks. We are excited to see our students making healthier choices and appreciate being recognized for these efforts and the success we see in action.” – Benny Abraham, principal 

 

Seward Elementary 

“Seward Elementary is proud to be recognized by the USDA Healthy Challenge Award program for our nutrition and physical education programs. Our healthy snack program, which brings fresh fruit and vegetables into every classroom, has been well received by students and teachers. Our physical education program, which includes P.E., recess, and intramurals offers students many ways to stay active every day.” – David Kingsland, principal 

 

Soldotna Elementary 

“It is important to recognize the support of our incredible physical education teacher Lisa Juliussen, and our outstanding kitchen staff, Theresa Grilley, Gerri Habighorst, and Toni Cook for all they do to promote a healthy lifestyle. In addition, we would thank Dean Hamburg and the entire staff of the District Student Nutrition Services department for their dedication and hard work supporting and meeting the needs of all of the students in our diverse and outstanding school district. Their creativity and initiative provides the foundation for our students to excel academically, while assuring families their children will have a healthy meal at school. Soldotna Elementary is proud to host a celebration assembly on September 20th in our gym to recognize and celebrate this achievement.” – Teri Diamond, principal 

 

Dr. Steve Atwater, KPBSD superintendent said, “I am thrilled to learn that our four schools are being recognized in this way. The award speaks to our progressive stance toward student wellness and shines a light on the careful attention that these schools give to their students.” 

Together with the USDA, the state of Alaska supports the HealthierUS Schools Challenge (HUSSC). HUSSC is a voluntary initiative established in 2004 to recognize schools and Residential Child Care Institutions that have created healthier school environments through promotion of nutrition and physical activity. The three goals of HUSSC are: improve the quality of foods served; provide students with nutrition education; and provide students with physical education and opportunities for physical activity. 

KPBSD thanks the support staff who work in student nutrition services, to educators, and to the students who learn the value of physical activity and healthy nutrition. 

Links  

KPBSD Student Nutrition Services   

HealthierUS Schools Challenge (HUSSC) in Alaska:

Federal HealthierUS Schools Challenge (HUSSC):