Around the District

School board meetings slated

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education meets at 7 p.m. at 148 N. Binkley St. in Soldotna (unless otherwise noted).

For more information, call 714-8888 or visit www.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/school_board.aspx/id.

* April 14;

* May 5 Seward High School.

No school planned for Friday

Public schools in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District will be closed Friday for a teacher in-service day. Classes will resume at normal times Monday.

Private school students should check with their schools about holiday and in-service closures.

School Web pages available

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District schools information is available through the district's Web site at http://www.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/schools.aspx.

Find your school and click on the name to be linked to its site. Up-to-date information, sports schedules, grade and contact information are listed.

Scholarships offered

The following groups and organizations are offering scholarship opportunities:

* SCI The deadline is March 17. Alaska's Kenai Peninsula Chapter of Safari Club International is accepting applications for a $4,000 scholarship ($1,000 per year for four years) to a graduating senior from any high school within the Kenai Peninsula Borough. To be eligible, students must be accepted into an education program, wildlife management or research curriculum in a related field at an accredited college or university and enroll for a minimum of 12 semester hours or full-time equivalent.

A trade school or vocational program in a related discipline will be considered and future teachers are eligible. For more information or an application, call school counselors or Billie Hardy at 262-9881. The essay topic will be "The Effects of Ballot Box Initiatives on Wildlife Management."

* KBEA Deadline is March 31. The Kenai Borough Employees Association is offering three $500 scholarships to all 2008 graduates from the Kenai Peninsula Borough schools including public, private and home-school students. Applications are available from any high school counselors office, at the information desk at the Borough Building in Soldotna or at www.borough.kenai.ak.us. Applications may be mailed or dropped off at the Kenai Peninsula Borough, KBEA Scholarship Committee, 144 N. Binkley St., Soldotna, AK 99669.

* Homer Electric Association Scholarships are available for the youth rally in Idaho. High school sophomores and juniors are eligible for an all-expense paid week in Caldwell, Idaho, to learn about leadership skills and cooperatives and to participate in team building exercises. The deadline to enter is April 1. For more information, call 283-5831 in Kenai or (907) 235-8551 in Homer.

* Labor Council The deadline is April 1. The Kenai Peninsula Central Labor Council is offering four $500 scholarships to 2008 peninsula high school graduates from union families. The school also must be accredited. Applications should be sent to the Labor Council, P.O. Box 1162, Kenai, AK 99611. Information is available at area high schools or by calling Joan Schrader at 283-4359 or Patty Collier at 776-5233 after 5 p.m.

* The Central Peninsula General Hospital Auxiliary Health Care Scholarship The deadline is April 15. The scholarship was established to offer financial aid to selected high school seniors pursuing post secondary education in a medical career field. High School seniors with minimum of 2.5 grade point average, that can demonstrate financial need and is a resident of the CPH service area are eligible. Interested students are asked to call their school guidance counselor or Elizabeth Wilson at 714-4543 for application.

Aurora Borealis Charter

Dates to remember:

* Today Hat Day;

* Wednesday Tie Day and forensics assembly at 12:15 p.m. parents are welcome;

* Thursday Sports Day and end of third quarter;

* Friday applications for the 2008-09 enrollment lottery (including those for siblings who have not previously gone through the lottery) are due in the school office by 3 p.m. For more information, call 283-0292; and

* March 11 APC meeting at 6 p.m. in Mrs. Hagen's room. The bylaw revision concerning member terms is on the agenda.

Families are reminded to bring in Box Tops for Education.

Connections home-school program

March Scholastic Book Clubs are available online until March 14. There are new clubs not available online but are in the offices to be picked up. Contact your advisers for more information.

Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. the program will host a free ice skating party at the Homer Ice Rink. All home-schooling families are welcome, regardless of program affiliation. Participants may bring their own skates or use the rinks. Bagels, chips and drinks will be available for purchase at the concession stand. For more information, call the Homer Connections office at 907-226-1880.

One of the programs parents has arranged a free tour of the Soldotna Water Treatment Plant at 1:30 p.m. March 14. For more information or to sign up, call 714-8880 or e-mail lee@kpbsd.k12.ak.us.

Grace Lutheran School

Parents who do not have an appointment to re-enroll their students are asked to call Mr. Leckwee at 283-9551.

Open house for preschool through eighth grade will be held from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the school. It is open to the public. Students will be accepted for next year on a first-come, first-served basis. Kindergarten visitation will be held at the same time. Families will visit classrooms, check out the curriculum and set up a screening date if their child is planning to attend kindergarten next year.

There are openings for afternoon preschool for any child who is 3 and potty trained. For more information, call at 283-9551.

For the Friends of Grace Lutheran School meeting, students will be part of a living museum. Children will assume the role of a historical figure, in costume and share the person with the museum audience.

Families are reminded to continue saving aluminum cans for the Great Aluminum Can Round-up.

Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science

Fun Fest will be held from 3:45 to 5 p.m. Thursday. Permission slips are required and the cost is $3 per student. There will be small toys along with healthy snacks available for purchase.

On Thursday an artist celebration for the art residency with Shala Dobson will be held. Students will have a piece of artwork on one of four collage murals that will be permanently installed in the school. Classes will sign their art and view other class murals during the day. Parents are invited to see the displays in the library from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Friday is the deadline for lottery applications for new students and siblings of current students. The lottery will be held at 4:15 p.m. March 27.

APC will meet at 6 p.m. Monday.

The PTA has changed its meeting dates to the fourth Tuesday of the month. Its next meeting will be at 6 p.m. March 25.

Kalifornsky Beach Elementary

The following students will compete at the district forensics meet: sixth-graders humorous poetry, Brittney Moore-Hollers; storytelling, Arianna Gabriel; interpretive reading, Whitni Stockton; and multiples interpretive reading, Bradley Hamilton and Austin Laber; fifth-graders humorous poetry, Andi Reily; nonhumorous prose, Zoe Zorn; humorous prose, Serene Hobbs; and multiple interpretive reading, Kendra Bass and Caitlin Gamble; and fourth-graders humorous poetry, Alexis Baker; nonhumorous poetry, Delaney Crosby-Schneider; storytelling, Kendra Kolasinski; and multiple prose, Amber Hamar and Savannah Kreider.

Kierstyn, Bradley, Haiden and Mika are the school's Future Problem Solving team. They have been invited to the state bowl April 21 and 22.

Kenai Central High

A school assembly will be held at 8:35 a.m. today in the auditorium to listen to University of Alaska President Mark Hamilton speak.

The cross country ski team will hold its end-of-the-season banquet Thursday.

Also on Thursday, the national honor society will hold its monthly meeting at noon in Mrs. Herring's room.

Friday is the end of third quarter.

Monday is the first official day for soccer and track practice. Athletes must have a current physical and all of their paper turned in to Mr. Delaney before they may practice.

February Students of the Month are: Rotary, Justin Wisniewski; chamber, Derrik Harris; Elks, Maggie Cox; Kard of the Deck, Nate Saltzgiver; super staffer, Dave Boyle; band, Halyn Lipps; culinary arts, Audrey Forrest; accounting, Megan Gabriel; personal finance, Colton Carroll and Ronni Sounart; study skills, Janeece Kummert; social studies, Leah Stephens; power mechanics two, Hector Rivera; performing arts-music-choir, Devin Boyle; physical science, Valerie Mason; honors LA nine, Lincoln Wensley and health, Virginia Newton-Conley.

Kenai Middle

Third quarter ends Friday. Report cards will be mailed out the following week. Families who do not receive one in the mail are asked to call the office at 283-4896 to update their mailing address.

Students raised $1,322 for the American Heart Association. Students who raised the most in their physical education classes are Tatiana Edeleman, Joshua Liedes, Tierra Cloud, Collin Morse, Anna Tomrdle, Dakota Neely, Xavia Feik and Cody Conoway. These students have earned the right to be the PE teacher of the day.

Character Counts winners are Katie Hinchman, Leah Sandahl and Kelsey Williams.

Dates to remember:

* Thursday band concert at Kenai Central High School at 7 p.m.;

* Monday through March 14 book fair;

* March 17-21 spring break; and

* March 31 track begins.

Mountain View Elementary

Character Counts award winners are Nathan Wynn, Briana Weimer, Alyxandrhea Cook, Valerie Powell, Jerrik Brewer, Damion Alexan, Cory Carlisle, Kali Bravo, Annika Oren, Amanda Anglebrandt and MacKenzie Evenson.

Forensics results are: Humorous poetry fifth-grade first-place winner is Tori Askin and fourth-grade first-place winner is Chase Feagin; and multiples poetry fifth-grade first-place winners are Makai-Lynn Smith and Hevyn Hoff.

These students will compete in the district meet Saturday at Sterling Elementary School.

Nikiski Middle-High

Middle school student Daniel Ribbens won the district spelling bee and will represent the school at the state bee in Anchorage.

Nikiski North Star Elementary

February Students of the Month are Alex Langseth, Avery Kornstad, Carlee Rizzo, Dominique Showalter, Heather Tibbetts, Holly Lewis, Katy Tumsuden, Kelsey Clark, Kristen Scott, Luke Brown, Margy Cox, Reese Barndt, Ryder Payment, Trevor Baxter, Tyler Morrison, Zoe Kovelda, Boden Quiner, Kailin Yeager and Brandon Bailey.

There will be an end of the third quarter assembly Thursday. The primary assembly will begin at 2:15 p.m. and the intermediate assembly to follow at 2:45 p.m.

On Thursday at 7 p.m., the school will celebrate Music in Our Schools Month with an evening of the arts. Under the direction of Rosemary Pilatti, scheduled performers include Peninsa-Lads Barber Shop Quartet, Sarah Superman, Joe Rizzo Family, Suessical and the fifth- and sixth-grade band. Refreshments will be served after the performances.

There will be a PTA meeting at 3:45 p.m. Thursday in the library.

Forensics winners are fourth-graders Alison Litke, Margy Cox, Evie Cox, Lauren O'Brien and Cheyenne Larson; fifth-graders Sherrie Murray, Holly Lewis, Erin O'Brien, Kiana Edgmon Rachel Thompson and Jade Elsey; and sixth-graders Alissa Darch, Rebecca Krogseng and Summer Handley. They will compete in the districtwide meet Saturday.

Ninilchik School

The school provides a breakfast program for students who wish to participate from 8:30 to 8:45 a.m. Contact the office for information. For students on free lunch, breakfast is free. For reduced-lunch students, breakfast is 30 cents. For students not in the free/reduced-lunch program the cost is $1.50.

The junior class fundraiser for prom is online at www.currentfun.com. Select the class as the group from the pull down menu before shopping.

March 14 is National Pie Day. Juniors will sell pies. Order forms for pre-ordering will be in establishments around town and at the school. Families also can purchase pie for $3 a slice. Call Mrs. Leman or Mrs. Connealy for details or see juniors Grace or RyAnn.

Friday is the next eligibility check.

The Spring 2008 Close-Up trip has been rescheduled for January 2009. The students are using the extra time to do fundraisers for a trip during the presidential election in Washington, D.C. The trip may cost $600 to $800 more per student. For more information or to help, call Heather Pancratz at 907-567-3301.

Redoubt Elementary

School forensics results are: humorous poetry fourth-graders Kayla Haeg, first place, Michael Tilly, second place, and Michael Lewis, third place; fifth-graders Alyx Malbrough, first place, Bradyn Holly, second place, and Alicia Hobart, third place; and sixth-graders Josh Outzen, first place, Addy Beller, second place, and Bryan Dombovy, third place; nonhumorous poetry fourth-graders Desiree Barbaza, first place, Hannah Pothast and Gracie Larson, second place, and Jenna Barry, third place; fifth-graders Miranda Wolfe, first place, Courtney Vinzant, second place, and Sierra Baldwin, third place; and sixth-graders Malyq McElroy, first place, Xochi Harbison, second place, and Hana Anderson, third place; humorous prose fifth-graders Brenner Musgrave, first place, Ali Dusek, second place, and Collin Fritschle, third place; and sixth-graders Paul Holmgaard, first place, and Madison Roberts, second place; nonhumorous prose fifth-graders Sadie Fox, first place, Paxton Quint, second place, and Tyler Montague, third place; and sixth-graders Kelci Benson, first place, and Camryn Boulette ,second place; interpretive reading single fifth-graders Logan Parks, first place, Rachel Henry, second place, and Nick Truesdell, third place; and sixth-graders Victoria Oberts, first place, Cajewl Musgrave, second place, and Morgan Krohn and Matt McDowell, third place; interpretive reading multiple sixth-graders Kelci Benson and Alissa Garcia, first place, Jakob Kooly and Khelbi Miller, second place, and Gen Gallagher, Shaylee Brenton and Madison Roberts, third place; and prose multiple sixth-graders Addy Beller, Camryn Boulette and Delaney Love, first place.

Forensics students will perform at a school assembly at 9 a.m. Thursday in the gym. Parents are welcome. Students who placed first will represent the school at the borough forensics meet Saturday.

The site council is soliciting input regarding parking lot issues at 3:45 p.m. March 12 in the staff lounge. Parents unable to attend may share their ideas and concerns by calling 260-4300 or sending a letter to the office.

Kyle Marcuson won the puzzle contest, and Serena Larrow won the coloring contest in the library.

Ms. Biggs needs help with costumes and sets for the spring musical, "Folk Tales Around the World." The performance will be held at 6:30 p.m. March 11 at Soldotna High School. For more information, call 260-4337 or e-mail at sbiggs@kpbsd.k12.ak.us.

Skyview High

Eighth-grade parent night will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. March 11 in the library. A brief orientation, performances by artists and clubs, drawings for school gear and opportunities to tour the building, ask questions and register for extracurricular actives are planned.

Spring break will be held March 17 through 21.

High School Graduation Qualifying exams will be held April 1 for reading, April 2, writing, and April 3, math, for 10th-graders, junior and seniors who have not passed all of the tests. On April 8, science tests will be given for all 10th-graders. Tests will run from morning to lunch on listed days.

February Students of the Month are: aide, Anndrea Frank; business technology, Luke Lusardi; fine arts, Ane Johansen; food technology, Danielle Barve; health, Earshal Wildman; language arts, Brad Lapp and Denali Pearson; math, Wayne Epperson and Kyler Wortham Turnbull; performing arts, Sophia Taeschner; physical education, Josh Fine and Samantha Nelson; science, Ben Woodland and Chad Oakes; social studies, Bret Gochenauer and Rita McMillan; work co-op, Tiffany Clyde; world language, Ariel Self; chamber, Amanda Millay; rotary, Jessica Pugh; Teacher of the Month, Kent Peterson; and Staff Person of the Month, Kelli Sponholtz.

February Rotary Students of the Month are Tasha Brown, Paris Cooper, Wayne Epperson, Jessica Jones, Soundra Jones, Jacob Klumb, Luke Lusardi Amanda Millay, Mallory Millay, Mike Morris, Cassandra Nolen, Mercedies Piersee, Theresa Ramponi and Calvin Williams.

A dance will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. March 14. Students are asked to dress in a style from their favorite decade. The cost is $5 per person or $20 for a family. Friends and families are invited.

Soldotna Elementary

Parents are reminded to register their 2008-09 kindergartners on March 24, 25 or 26 at the school. Children need to be age 5 by Sept. 1. Parents will need to bring a birth certificate, up to date immunization records and proof of residence to complete the registration process.

On March 28, the Great Kinder Round-up, where students can visit and become familiar with kindergarten will be held.

The site council will meet at 4 p.m. today in the conference room.

The PTA will meet at 3:45 p.m. Thursday in the library. It is open to parents.

Order forms for Memory Books went home with students. If ordered before April 1, yearbooks cost $10, or $11 after April 1.

On Friday teachers will compile third-quarter report cards and discuss school goals and assessments.

Report cards will go home with students March 14.

Soldotna High

University of Alaska President Mark Hamilton will address sophomores, juniors and seniors today during sixth period about post-graduation opportunities in Alaska.

Parents of eighth-graders are invited to the school at 6 p.m. Monday for an incoming freshmen orientation.

The site council will meet at 5 p.m. March 11 in the staff work room.

The PTSA will meet at 5:30 p.m. March 13.

The following students received honors in the recent Career Technical Student Organizations competition in Anchorage: Alan Moiles, first place drafting; Greg VanCuren, first place culinary arts; Josh Mokracek first place job interview; Nick Tesch second place, keyboarding; Dillon Ball second place, drafting and third place in extemporaneous speech; Will McDermond third place, drafting; and Jesse Carlson third place, job interview.

Soldotna Middle

Dates to remember:

* Today PTSA meeting at 3 p.m. in the library, spring band and choir concert at 7 p.m. in the big gym, with a PTSA, student council and music department bake sale for the Alex Brown Memorial Fund to follow;

* Thursday last day to purchase a yearbook for $30;

* March 17-21 spring break, no school;

* March 31 track begins;

* April 1-3 SBA tests for all students; and

* April 8 SBA tests for eighth-graders to take the science portion.

Tustumena Elementary

Interviews for selecting a new principal for the school will be held at 4 p.m. Monday in the library. It is open to the public. Those attending the interviews will have the opportunity to submit written input on each candidate prior to the selection announcement.

An awards assembly will be held at 10 a.m. March 14. This is being done in order to shorten the length of the awards assembly on the last day of school. Outstanding performances and participation certificates will be awarded for the spelling bee, geography bee and Battle of the Books. There also will be recognition for those participating in forensics, cross country skiing and the Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser. It is open to parents.

Wings Christian Academy

Joel Consiel won the Cleanest Desk of the Week award.

Jesse Puletau won for the most interesting fact contest.

Monday through March 14 will be spring break.