Around the District
The following students were named September Students of the Month at Kenai Middle School:
Alice Han, Shaina Aho, Amber Bundy, Dixie Renfrow, Lee Ann Magiera, Mariah Huhndorf, Shaynee DeVito, Tye Hays, Zach Zulkanycz, Taylor Matson and Dylan Wannamaker. These students received pizza for lunch last week at their school.
The following student was named the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce September Student of the Month at Soldotna Middle School:
Emily Smola.
Artists in Schools accepting applications
The Alaska State Council on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Rasmuson Foundation and sponsoring schools are accepting applications for the Artist in Schools Program. Artists in visual, literary, traditional Native and performing art forms are encouraged to apply.
The AIS program provides an opportunity for artists to work in a variety of art forms and enable them to share their skill in a variety of situations ranging from large urban schools to small Bush schools for a period of two to 16 weeks. Artists are paid a fee, a supply budget and travel expenses. Food and housing also are provided.
Application forms are available online at http://alaska.-cgweb.org. Guidelines are available at www.eed.state.ak /aksca. Application deadline is 5 p.m. Nov. 1. For more information, call (907) 269-6682 or e-mail ais_aksca@ eed.state.ak.us.
Young Alaskans Seeks Nominees
The Conference of Young Alaskans will be held Jan. 13 through 16 at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Nominations for young citizens interested in participating in the conference closes Oct. 28. Delegates to the conference, patterned after Alaskas Constitutional Convention, will be announced Nov. 14.
In honor of the 50th anniversary of Alaskas Constitutional Convention and its 55 delegates, 55 young Alaskans will be chosen to meet at UAF to consider five challenges: providing quality education, developing healthy communities and families, creating leaders for Alaska's next generation, responsible development of the natural resources and reviving the Alaska dream and Last Frontier spirit.
Delegates will draft policy statements and proposed action to be submitted to Alaskas leaders. They'll be charged to participate with the nonpartisan and cooperative civic spirit that characterized the real convention 50 years ago. A steering committee of nine Alaska leaders representing high school and university students, as well as young business leaders, has been appointed to select delegates and guide the conference.
For more information, call Patti Harper at (907) 786-1169 or Joe Hardenbrook at (907) 450-8599.
The coya.alaska.edu Web site has information on the nominations process.
Connections
The school is enrolling students. For more information or to make an appointment, call 714-8880.
School pictures will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. today at Magic Moments Studio. Retakes will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. Oct. 26.
The College and Career Fair will be held in Anchorage on Monday and Tuesday at the Egan Center. The Imaginarium Homeschool Science Workshop will be held Oct. 12 in Anchorage. Call 343-0625 or stop by the office for more information.
The PSAT for sophomores and juniors will be Oct. 12 at Kenai Central High School. The cost is $12 per student. For more information, call Patti Lawyer.
Registration for the Challenger Earth E-Mission for grades six through nine continues through Monday. Call Tanya to register.
Registration for the Pudewa Writing class level C for grades seven through nine continues through Monday. Call Tanya to register.
The book fair will be held Oct. 17 through 21 at the District Media Center. There will be free tours of the facility and resources.
The Solid Rock hay tunnel in Soldotna will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. and from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 21. The cost for admission is $5. Bonfire and hot drinks will be provided. Call 714-8880 to register.
Cook Inlet Academy
The junior high cross country team finished the season at the borough's meet in Seward. Top finishers were Sadie Arneson, first place; Ivy O'Guinn, fourth place; and Josh Holly, first place. The team would like to thank Coach Trish Kopp for sharing her knowledge and love of running.
The senior high girls cross country team took first place at regionals and the boys teams took second place. Top ten finishers were Holly Kopp, second place; Brooke Forsi, fourth place; Sara Wood, ninth place; Chelsea Hardcastle, tenth place; Lars Arneson, fourth place; John Forsi, seventh place; Scott Litchfield, eighth place; and Chuck Kopp, ninth place. The girls team also won the Sportsmanship Award.
Mrs. Smith's kindergarten class has learned to write their numbers up to 100.
Ulli Minelga is the new German teacher. Her sixth grade students are studying time and creation, and the highschoolers are learning times, dates and the Lord's Prayer. The school welcomes her.
Students of the Week are Kade Cooper, Skyler May, Xander Miller, Meghan Powers, Keefe O'Dell, Lacey Cashman, Katie Dutcher, Kelsie Leaf, Keely Powers, Autumn Chumley, Haley Buckbee, Emma Seldon, Michale Anthony Tovar, Richele McGahan and Drew Fowler.
Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Sciences
The Imaginarium presented Rockin' Reptiles and Radical Reactions to students last week. The family science festival was well attended and science door prizes were awarded.
The PTA fund-raiser is due Friday. Money earned supports a variety of programs including Artists in Schools and other projects, such as re-covering the library chairs.
Welcome to Mrs. Boersma, Mrs. Shelden's long-term substitute. Boersma and Mrs. Stroh are working with the second- and third-graders on an Alaska animal research project for a performance Oct. 20. Students wrote haiku poems reflecting the need for balance in nature.
There is an APC meeting at 4 p.m. Monday in the library.
The PTA meets at 3:45 p.m. Oct. 13 in the library.
Picture retakes are Oct. 18.
Kalifornsky Beach Elementary
PTA parents are needed as volunteers for the Arctic Winter Games dance. For more information, call Mrs. Reynolds or Nurse Tracy.
The school had its Reading is Great in Summer (RIGS) Assembly. RIGS is a summer reading program that encourages students to read. This past summer 122 students participated and read a total of 444,471 minutes. Ten participants read more than 10,000 minutes each. The school would like to thank the community sponsors.
The first-graders held a raffle fund-raiser. The proceeds will be used for centers and projects. The students would like to thank the sponsors that contributed prizes.
The second-graders have been studying pond habitats. Students have learned the difference between frogs and toads, played habitat games and took a field trip to Scout Lake as a culminating activity.
Mr. Daniels students have seen a live Web cam of Mt. Spurr, watched a demonstration of a volcano erupting, demonstrated tectonic plate movement, created poems and used a seismograph. Students are working on a home science project. This project challenges students to build an earthquake proof house. Students will demonstrate their projects this week.
Kenai Central High
Today is the second day of the High School Graduation Qualifying Exam for juniors and seniors who have not yet passed any part of the exam. Students will take the writing test today and the math test tomorrow. In addition, the PSAT test will be given Oct. 12 in the auditorium. For more information, call 283-7524 and request to speak to a counselor.
Tuesday is financial aid night at 7 in the little theater. Any senior with thoughts of pursuing a post-secondary education should plan on attending with their parents.
The end of the first quarter is Oct. 21. Parents are reminded to check their students progress on Edline and call the school with any questions.
Activities for the week:
Friday — Varsity volleyball at Grace on Friday and Saturday, junior varsity and C team volleyball against Soldotna at the school and swimming at the school;
Saturday — The semifinal round of the small schools football state championship at the school against Nikiski; and
Tuesday — C , junior varsity and varsity volleyball teams play at Skyview High School.
Kenai Middle
The school would like to congratulate the cross country runners for a great season. Here are the following placements from the borough tournament: girls teams — Shaina Aho,10th place, 11:52; Megan Gordon,11th place, 11:56; Ella Stephens, 17th place, 12:30; Abigail Chadwick,19th place, 12:38; Shaynee DeVito, 20th, 12:40; and Annalise Theisen, 25th place, 12:48. Boys teams: Anders Nyquist, fifth place, 10:33; Lincoln Wensley,13th place, 11:21; Adam Agosti, 15th place, 11:25; and Dylan Wannmaker, 21st, 11:50. The open race is sixth-graders who participated in the borough meet: Russell Dukowitz, Kyle Scarlett, Travis Semmens and Morgan Wensley.
The school is collecting Safeway Rewards Coupons. Parents are asked to see if they have received a school reward coupon and to send them in with your student. The school can redeem the coupons through Tuesday.
The school also collects General Mills box tops. A drawing is held every Friday and the winner receives a $1 coupon to spend at the school store. The winners last week were Ryan Fusaro and Brianna King.
The school would like to thank the students and staff who contributed to the Hurricane Katrina fund-raiser last week. The school raised a total of $784.19.
Kenaitze Cuya Qyut'anen Head Start
The Moose and Bears class has been painting fall colors, making feet and hand butterflies, Hey gek'a (cranberries) pictures and working on counting cords.
The Raven and Eagle class is looking for signs of fall, the changes in the weather and in plants. It also is learning songs about fall.
The Whale and Salmon class made fall leaves. Look for them in the school's October newsletter.
The first fire drill was held and the students did well.
Parents are reminded to send their students to school with warm outerwear.
Mountain View Elementary
Mrs. Stephen's and Mrs. Heath's classes went to Exit Glacier.
The annual school carnival will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 20. Volunteers are needed. Interested parents should call the school at 283-6148.
The book fair will be open during the carnival and the next week for class visits.
The fourth- and fifth-grade Quest students participated in Project Backpack for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Students donated used backpacks, clothes, books, toys and new school supplies for children who had to be relocated. Approximately 20 packs were filled with supplies.
Last Thursday, Mrs. Heath's fourth grade class took a trip to Portage. The class took a boat ride to the face of Portage Glacier and learned about the animals at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.
Mrs. Cramer's class celebrated Johnny Appleseed's birthday Monday. Children did apple art, apple math and baked apple pies.
Mr. and Mrs. Wensley's students visited the United States Geological Survey in Anchorage. While there, they learned about rocks and minerals with geologists and went to the Alaska Volcano Observatory. They participated in small and large group activities while there. They also participated in a field study activity with the USGS geologists at Bird Point.
Nikiski Middle-Senior High
Dates to remember;
Today — High School Graduation Qualifying Exam retakes and Aspirations Mentors and students will have a meet and greet meeting at 11 a.m.;
Thursday — Budget orientation meeting that is open to the public at 6 p.m. at the Kenai Central High School little theater and High School Graduation Qualifying Exam retakes;
Friday — Varsity wrestling at Houston Invitational, time to be announced;
Saturday — Varsity wrestling at Houston Invitational, time to be announced, and 1 p.m. varsity football playoffs at 2 p.m in Kenai
Tuesday — Site council meets at 6:15 p.m. in the library; and
Oct. 13 — The PTSA meets at 6:30 p.m. in the library.
Melissa Farrell, Megan McLemore and Kevin Smith were selected to attend Borough Honor Choir in Homer Oct. 17 and 18. They will work with Dr. Jeff Carter, director at Ball State, Ind.
Nikiski staff member Ted Riddall was inducted into the Washington State High School Hall of Fame last weekend. The staff and students would like to congratulate him.
Nikiski North Star Elementary
NASA Family Night will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday. Families are invited to attend. There will be science and space activities planned with NASA prizes for completed activities and door prizes. Child care will be available for younger siblings. The PTA will sell brownies and root beer floats.
The school raised more than $20, 000 in its QSP fund-raiser this month. The school would like to thank the community for its support. Top winners were Lucas Demars, Dylan Holloway and Marlee Cunningham. They were principal for the day last Friday.
Mrs. Pilatti invites fifth- and sixth-graders to try out for band. The advanced band meets from 12:40 to 1:20 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. The beginning band meets Tuesdays and Thursdays. Mrs. Pilatti has school instruments available for rent.
Reads
Students will participate in the national Book It program. October reading goals were sent home with the weekly newsletter. Parents are encouraged to call the office if they did not receive a copy.
Kindergartners have begun reading simple stories in class and practicing patterns and number recognition in math. The kindergarten Student of the Week is Whitney Wortham.
First grade students are working on place value in math, completing a first grade reader together and their first workbook. The first grade Student of the Week is Adaya Pollock.
Second grade students are working on column addition in math, completing their first workbook and a second grader reader in reading group. They also are finalizing their second paper using the writing process. The second grade Student of the Week is Isabelle Luze.
Prekindergartners are graphing objects, practicing alphabet sounds and discussing the five senses. Melissa Holmes shared her embroidery with us.
Redoubt Elementary
The school's QSP fund-raiser total was $31,500. Merchandise will arrive by Nov. 15. Top sellers were Jessica Jackson and Morgan Krohn. They will be principal and vice principal for the day in October.
Alyssa Garcia won the savings bond and Connor Larson won a Build-a-Bear. Because the school exceeded its $26,000 goal, Mr. Pothast will dress up as build-a-bear at the fire prevention assemblies in October. The school would like to thank Sharon Hale, Stephanie McDowell, Seane Oglesbee and Maureen Mokracek for the hours they volunteered helping with the fund-raiser. The school also would like to thank the students, parents and community for their support.
The school would like to thank Debbi Bass and Stephanie McDowell for their help with school pictures last week.
The lost and found will be emptied Friday.
Battle of the Books for grades two through six is starting. Teachers and the librarian have the book lists. Students with questions may call Mr. Gossard, Ms. Carrow or Ms. Cox.
A Parent to Parent parenting skills workshop will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Tuesday and Oct. 13. Call Nurse Donna at 260-4306 for more information and to register.
Sears Elementary
The kindergarten classes are working on using the five senses and are discovering that it is apple picking season. Students are cooking, graphing, drawing, counting, reading, writing, painting, describing, comparing and eating apples.
Mrs. Hanson's class has been studying the honeybee and its importance to humans. The class observed a hive with live bees and also was able to taste honey from different areas of the world — Kenai, Georgia and South America.
Ms. Ralston's first-graders are learning about the color wheel. The students used several different techniques to explore mixing colors. The students are learning the primary colors, secondary colors and intermediate colors. In science the students explored how wind makes water move and how water changes shape.
PTA fund-raiser orders are due Friday.
The PTA will meet at 3:45 p.m. Oct. 13 in the library.
Skyview High
The High School Graduation Qualifying Exam will be today and Thursday for juniors and seniors who have not passed one or more of the tests. Students will test in the Soldotna High School Auditorium. Bus and personal vehicle permission slips are required. Students are recommended to bring a photo ID.
The swimming and volleyball teams are off to Kodiak to compete.
The cross country running banquet will be held Thursday.
The Anchorage college fair will be held from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at the Egan Center.
On Monday the fair will reopen from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for a seniors only parent night.
A parent consent form is required and should be given to Mrs. Fowler. Students wishing to attend must find their own transportation to Anchorage and will count as an absence from school. Students must show proof of attendance to the front counter.
Monday through Oct. 14 is School Lunch Week. The school would like to thank the kitchen ladies: Mary Bell, Cindy Barnes, Annette Weigle and Rosie Clement.
The PSAT test will be administered Oct. 12. A nonrefundable fee of $13 must be paid to Ms. Hanson by Tuesday at lunch time.
Soldotna Elementary
Every Friday, a drawing is held for students turning in Box Tops for Education. Congratulations to Ember Lohrke for winning an ice cream bar this week. The new school sign was funded through this project.
Oct. 17 is Wolves Spirit Week. Oct. 17 is College Wear Day; Oct. 18 is Fashion Disasters Day; Oct. 19 is Retro Day; and Oct. 20 is Multiplicity Day. Spirit Week will be introduced Oct. 14 at a Spirit Assembly at 3 p.m.
The book fair will be held during parent-teacher conferences Oct. 24 through 28.
Parents are encouraged to check out the writings that are on display in the foyer which were done by students focusing on ideas in writing.
Cell displays done by science students in Mrs. Pettijohn's and Mrs. Meyer's classes also are available for viewing.
Soldotna High
Retakes for the High School Graduation Qualifying Exam continue today and Thursday.
Volleyball plays at Grace Christian on Friday and Saturday.
The PTSA will meet at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 13 in the teachers' work room.
On Monday and Tuesday, the Anchorage College and Career Fair will be held.
The PSAT will be given Oct. 12 and the SAT will be given Saturday.
The deadline for freshmen to sign up for class officers is Friday.
Soldotna Middle
Students are encouraged to find the biggest Alaska tree leaf they can and turn it in to the library. No indoor plant leaves can be entered. There is a prize for the largest leaf found and a participation prize. The contest ends Oct. 17.
Students also are encouraged to start thinking about the pumpkin decorating contest.
Parents are reminded to pay their student's class fees before Oct. 21 — the end of the first quarter. If you are having a financial problem, call the school so it can help with a payment plan.
Intramural basketball has begun. There will be four weeks of intermurals before competition teams are selected. Intermurals are coached by competition coaches and intermurals focus on fundamental drills and skills that will help players make the competition teams. The boys coaches are Coach Blossom and Coach Tovoli. The girls coaches are Coach Gustkey and Coach Zobeck. The girls will practice for the first two weeks and then have late practice for the last two weeks of intermurals.
Picture retakes are Thursday.
Mind-A-Maze, an annual science and creative thinking competition, will be held at the school Saturday. Call the school's science or Quest teacher for detailed rules.
Sterling Elementary
Congratulations to the following students for having their patches voted as the five best by the site council: Tyra Rivera, Ashley Gerola, Kaitlyn Boyer, Naomi McMullen and Samantha Fry. One winner could have their patch selected as the Sterling Nikiski North Star Explorer School patch at this week's NASA events.
Thursday night the school will host a NASA Family Math and Science Blast Off that all members of the community are invited to attend. The event will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and will include activities such as microscope observations, paper plane models, trying on a space suit and gloves, robotics, family art night, flight simulators, NASA prizes and more.
On Thursday and Friday, the school will welcome Brian Hawkins from NASA. He will teach science lessons in each classroom, along with Brian Kruse, also from NASA, who will do NASA presentations for each class.
AmeriCorps is sponsoring a variety of afternoon and evening activities for adults and children, including hallwalking, coed basketball and volleyball, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, 4-H, homeschool gym time, open computer lab and sewing. For more information, call Chris Thorne at the school for a complete schedule of events and details.
Tustumena Elementary
Mrs. Knobf's sixth grade class reports that $502.22 was donated this month during its Hurricane Katrina fund-raising effort. The students wish to thank those students and parents who contributed to this effort. The money was delivered to the local American Red Cross affiliate to be forwarded for the hurricane victims in Louisiana and Mississippi.
Central Emergency Services staff will be at the school Oct. 12 to present a fire safety puppet show for students in grades kindergarten through third. The program begins at 10 a.m. in the gym. Parents are invited to attend.
Parents of students in grades fourth through six are reminded to log on to Edline. The Web site provides grades and often assignments for students. Check with your child's teacher if you have misplaced the password for your student. This is a way to stay on top of your son or daughter's school work and avoid any surprises come the end of the quarter.
Ms. Thompson would like to notify everyone that the school is hosting its annual book fair beginning Oct. 24. The fair will run through parent-teacher conferences Oct. 27 and 28. Funds gathered during the sale will support the Author in Our School program as well as new publications for the library.
Wings Christian Academy
Joel Consiel won the cleanest desk award for the Learning Center and Victoria Grant won for the kindergartners.
On Friday the volleyball team will have its second match with World Harvest. The team is undefeated.
The kindergartners have learned how to spell and write the word "the," the numbers one through five and are learning to spell three-letter words.
The student council had its first meeting and awards for the triathalon were given out.