Contact Information:
Debbie Tressler
Administrative Secretary
Superintendent/School Board
907-714-8836
dtressler@kpbsd.k12.ak.us
  Strategic Plan - District Goals
Superintendent Blog  

Superintendent's Message

Welcome back to a new school year! I look forward to helping our district successfully navigate through a variety of challenges. Predictable and sustainable revenues are essential to ensure that KPBSD can continue to provide a high quality education for our students.

More students are suffering from trauma and have needs in the area of mental health support and building their own resiliency and healthy coping skills. In this coming school year we will focus on positive school climate, and support of students’ social and emotional needs. Added emphasis will be placed on learning opportunities and supports for students, parents, and staff in the areas of the effects of trauma, adverse childhood experiences (ACES), and suicide and self-harm prevention. We plan to accomplish this important shift through implementing programs and efforts such as:  Sources of Strength, Youth Mental Health First Aid, Restorative Practices (in contrast to punitive discipline practices), and mental health resources from a variety of grants and community partnerships. Healthy students and positive school culture are paramount to student achievement, and we will strive to meet the needs of our students in this crucial area.

John O'Brien, Superintendent

Learn more about PL, or read on:   

Personalized Learning in KPBSD

Personalized learning shifts from a one-size-fits-all factory model of education to better prepare students for the jobs and needs of their future. The design of instruction and the classroom allow educators to respond to the individual needs of students instead of expecting students to fit the current mold or adapt to unsuccessful learning structures. PL does not replace teachers with computers. Many of our teachers implement elements of PL in their classrooms right now, and we will now build on this foundation to create an even better learning environment. Key elements your child will experience include:   

• Teachers integrate digital content, which allows for a differentiated path and pace based on individual student needs
• Teachers use targeted instruction based on specific student needs and learning goals
• Teachers use current and relevant data to help inform instructional decisions and groupings
• Students engage in ongoing self-reflection that promotes ownership of their learning 

When will PL formally start in KPBSD schools?  

Every KPBSD school is doing some degree of work with personalized learning. However, the formal work of individual schools and teachers working directly toward personalized learning will be rolled out in three "waves" over the next year.   

• Wave 1 schools began their work in spring 2017, and will continue in the fall of 2017.
• Wave 2 schools will begin their formal work with Education Elements in the fall of 2017.
• Wave 3 schools will begin their formal work with Education Elements in the spring of 2018. 

Links

Personalized Learning webpage
KPBSD Personalized Learning Blog  

Personalized Learning FAQs