School board to meet
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education meets at 6 p.m. in the borough building at 148 N. Binkley Street in Soldotna (unless otherwise noted). For more information, call 907-714-8888 or visit kpbsd.k12.ak.us. The agenda and packet items are posted on Wednesday afternoon prior to the date of the Board meeting. Persons with disabilities who need accommodations to participate at the School Board meetings should contact Debbie Tressler at 907-714-8836 or email dtressler@kpbsd.k12.ak.us no later than three business days before the meeting date. The board will meet:
■ Sept. 12 (Homer High School)
■ Oct. 3
■ Nov. 7
■ Dec. 5
■ Jan. 16
■ Feb. 6
■ March 6
■ April 3
■ May 1 (Seward High School)
■ June 5
■ June 6 (Planning Session)
Holidays and vacation days scheduled
■ Sept. 5 – Labor Day;
■ Oct. 27-28 – Parent-teacher conferences, no school for students;
■ Nov. 24-25 – Thanksgiving;
■ Dec. 22 – End of second quarter, no school for students;
■ Dec. 22 to Jan. 6 – Winter vacation;
■ Jan. 16 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day;
■ Feb. 9-10 – Parent-teacher conferences, no school for students;
■ March 10 – End of third quarter, no school for students;
■ March 13-17 – Spring Break;
■ May 24 – Last day of school.
Connections Home School Program
Dates To Remember:
■ Sept. 8 – Yukon Island Kayak Trip – Homer
■ Sept. 9 – 2nd Yukon Island Kayak Trip – Homer
■ Sept. 5 – Labor Day – Office Closed
■ Sept. 13 – Soldotna Open House at Soldotna Creek Park 1-3 p.m. (more info below)
■ Sept. 28 – Soldotna School Pictures – 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Borough Building in the assembly room
– Yukon Island Kayak 3/4 Day Trip: Connections is partnering with True North Kayak Adventures to offer a 3/4 day kayak trip around Yukon Island in Kachemak Bay!
The event will take place Thursday, Sept. 8 and Friday, Sept. 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
All Connections students grades 4-12 are invited to participate at the Homer Spit and take the water taxi to Yukon Island.
The cost is $105 per student, and student allotments can be used, but parents must pay their own way.
Contact Derek Bynagle (dbynagle@kpbsd.k12.ak.us) 226-1880 or sign up with a Connections advisor to hop on board.
Space is limited so sign up ASAP! Parent payment may be submitted to a local advisor.
– Soldotna Connections Open House: This event will take place Tuesday, Sept. 13. The Soldotna Connections office will have their annual open house at the Soldotna Creek Park from 1-3 p.m. There will be lots of fun activities including: face painting, cake walk, along with badminton and fishing. Hot dogs and snacks will also be provided. All home school families are welcome so please feel free to invite other home school families to attend, the more the merrier! All children must have an adult present and the staff looks forward to seeing everyone!
– School Pictures at the Soldotna Office: School pictures will be taken Sept. 28 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Borough Building in the assembly room.
– Book It – Pizza Hut Coupons: Book It Pizza Hut coupons are in, please stop by a Connections office to pick up coupons.
Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science
■ Sept. 5 – No School in observation of Labor Day
■ Sept. 6 – Summer Reading Logs are due. Flyers came home Friday if families need another log.
■ Sept. 8 – PTA special meeting to vote on the budget for the year at 9:15 a.m.
– Important dates:
■ Sept. 13 – PTA Gear committee meeting at 9 a.m., third and fourth grade Parent Night
■ Sept. 14 – Yearbook committee meeting at 9 a.m.
■ Sept. 19 – Third and fourth grade study trip to Captain Cook State Park
■ Sept. 26 – APC Meeting at 4:15 p.m.
■ Sept. 29 – School Pictures, sibling pictures are from noon to 1 p.m. PTA Meeting is at 2:30 p.m. in the art room.
Volunteers:
If parents would like to volunteer, be sure to complete a background check. Go to kaleidoscope.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/wpmu/volunteers and click the link to the background check. The next link on the page will take viewers to the Online Volunteer Training for those who were unable to attend the in-house training last week. These two steps must be completed each school year in order to volunteer at Kaleidoscope. Volunteers make all the difference and are very appreciated!
Lunch menus are now only available online. They are on the Kaleidoscope webpage as well as the KPBSD webpage and KPBSD app.
Kalifornsky Beach Elementary
Fifth grade is off to a great start. They spent the week team-building and getting to know each other. They will begin their stewardship of Slicok creek in a little over a week with water shed leader Melissa.
Mr. Daniels’s and Mrs. Marcou’s classes are jumping into the new year in style. The two classes are competing in the first ever K-Beach Decathlon! There are two events per day for five days. The goal is to create a cohesive team of learners that will last the whole year. The emphasis is on individual responsibility, attitude, respect, and sportsmanship.
Ms. Chambers’ third graders are working on place value in math. In reading they’re learning about story elements. Cursive is one of their favorite things to practice. So far they’ve earned many compliments for hallway behavior!
Mrs. Romatz’s third grade class will be communicating with a third grade class in Michigan this year as pen pals. The students will write letters, make videos, and possibly Skype with a third grade class in Michigan. The goal is to share with the Michigan students all that our students are learning about Alaska. In turn, the Michigan students will share their learning with K-Beach classes and then everyone can compare their states. They will also be working on some common writing, science, social studies, and other projects. They are excited to begin correspondence this year with their pen pals in Michigan.
– Important dates:
■ Sept. 5 – Labor Day, no school
■ Sept. 14 – Early Release, students will be dismissed at 12:55 p.m.
■ Sept. 23 – School picture day.
Kenai Central High
School staff say ‘A big thank you to all of the parents, community members and students who came to Back-To-School night!’ Welcome to Homecoming Week! The Homecoming theme this year is “Out of This World”. Staff are always looking for volunteers and involved community members so come down the school and help planet!
■ Sept. 5 – Labor Day, no school
■ Sept. 6 – Volleyball Home versus Nikiski at 3:30, 4:30 and 6 p.m., C Team Football versus Seward at 3 p.m.
■ Sept. 9 – KCHS Parade and Bonfire: The parade is routed on the Kenai Spur to Lawton and then KCHS from 6–6:30 p.m.
A bonfire will take place in front of the auditorium from 6:30–8:30 p.m., Cross Country Running @ Seward 2 p.m., Swim and Dive teams compete at Homer High School
■ Sept. 10 – Football versus Kodiak at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., the Homecoming Dance from 8–11 p.m., Swim and Dive teams compete at Homer high.
Kenai Middle
KMS will observe the Labor Day holiday today. Enjoy the extra day off from school.
Staff say ‘Congratulations to our first Character Counts winner of the year: Logan Dawson and Taylor Andrew!’
There will be an Open House and BBQ on Thursday, Sept. 8 from 5:30–7:40 p.m. At 6:30 p.m., everyone is invited to follow along their student’s daily schedule. Teachers will explain their course content and class expectations.
Also on Thursday, Sept. 8, the KMS B Soccer Team will compete against CIA at Cook Inlet Academy at 3 p.m. Go Kossacks!
Math counts begins Sept. 8 as well, and goes from 2:30–5:30 p.m.
On Friday, Sept. 9, The Kenai Kossacks Cross Country Running team will compete in the Skyview Invitational at 3 p.m. and the KMS Boys and Girls A Soccer Teams will compete here at Kenai Middle School against Homer at 3 p.m. Good Luck Kenai!
Like the school on Facebook to keep up with things going on at KMS!
– Save the Date:
■ Sept. 12 – Sixth Grade Swimming begins
■ Sept. 1 – Picture Day.
Mountain View Elementary
■ Sept. 5 – There is no school Monday.
■ Sept. 13 – The first PTA meeting of the year will be held at 4 p.m. in the Library.
■ Sept. 14 – All Mountain View students will be dismissed at 1:55 p.m. This early release day allows grade level teachers to begin collaborating early in the afternoon and then continue after normal release time as part of their scheduled staff meeting time.
■ Sept. 20 – Picture Day. More information will be coming home soon.
Nikiski Middle High
■ Sept. 5 – No School
■ Sept. 6 – C Team Volleyball at Kenai at 3:30 p.m., JV Volleyball at Kenai at 4:30 p.m., Varsity Volleyball at Kenai – 5:30 p.m., C Team Football at Nikiski versus Voznesenka at 3 p.m.
■ Sept. 7 – Picture day: Picture packets were sent home last week. Additional packets are available at the school office.
■ Sept. 9 – Football at Redington at 7 p.m., HS Cross Country Running at Seward Invite at 2 p.m., C Team Volleyball at Grace Christian at 4 p.m., JV Volleyball at Grace Christian at 5 p.m., Varsity Volleyball at Grace Christian at 6:30 p.m.
■ Sept. 10 – C Team Volleyball at Houston at 11 a.m., JV Volleyball at Houston at noon, Varsity Volleyball at Houston at 1 p.m.
– Coming up:
■ Sept. 14 – Early release at 12:45 p.m.
■ Sept. 24 – Homeing!
■ Sept. 28 – High school wrestling begins.
Nikiski North Star Elementary
NNS will provide volunteer training on Wednesday, Sept. 7 beginning at 9:15 a.m. in the school library. This training will guide families through the process of being a valuable volunteer in the school. In order to ensure that all students will be as safe as possible, KPBSD requires volunteers to be screened each year. Anyone interested in being a school volunteer needs to complete an online form and agree to a background check even if you have volunteered in the past. All information is kept confidential. To complete the screening process, visit the District’s web page at: kpbsd.org and look for the volunteers tab then follow the prompts to Nikiski North Star Elementary. NNS appreciates all volunteers!
School picture day will be on Friday, Sept. 9 in the library. Sibling pictures will be taken at 3:30 p.m. If families need more information, please call the school office at 776-2600.
Redoubt Elementary
Front doors are unlocked at 8:15 a.m. School is in session from 8:45 a.m . to 3:18 p.m. It is important that students are at school on time every day.
Redoubt is a “Positive Behavior Intervention Support” school. Students at Redoubt Elementary are off to a “Responsible, Respectful, and Safe” school year. Grades 1-6 participated in PBIS lessons reminding them of the Redoubt expectations. The school staff are working hard to demonstrate these expectations to new kindergarteners.
Everyone is super excited to get back into the routine earning pink tickets, Roadrunner cards, and class compliments. Ask a child about the three Redoubt expectations and take a peek at the PBIS board outside the office.
– Important dates:
■ Sept. 12 – PTA Meeting from 5-7 p.m. in the staff lounge. Special Meeting, extra time to go over important information. Parents are encouraged and welcome to join Redoubt’s PTA, membership forms are available at the school.
■ Sept. 14 – Early Release Day for students at 1:45 p.m. Boys and Girls Club will be open and buses will be operating.
■ Sept. 15 to Oct. 7 – School Wide Fundraiser “Believe Kids”. Information will be sent home with students.
■ Sept. 20 – Site Council Meeting at 3:45 p.m. in the staff lounge.
■ Sept. 30 – School Photos (retakes Nov. 8)
Free and Reduced Lunch Program – Applications have been sent home in student and parent folders. Additional applications are available at the school office. Students who were receiving lunch benefits at the end of last school year will continue receiving benefits through Oct. 3 2016. Oct. 4 is the drop date unless a new application has been submitted and approved. A new application must be filed each year.
Update a child’s contact information. Communication with parents is important, so please let staff know if families have a new mailing address, telephone or cell number or email address.
Parents, please make sure to have an after-school plan in place for children. Students are released at 3:18 p.m. If a child is being picked up, please make sure parents arrive in time to pick them up by 3:18 p.m.
The school has new staff this school year – Mr. Stitt the fifth and sixth grade teacher!
Welcome Panthers!
– Panther Student Council: There will be an information meeting for all those interested in joining the Panther Student Council on Tuesday, Sept. 6 at lunch time in the library. Member Contracts will be available and details on Student Council events and responsibilities will be shared. Member Contracts are due back to Mrs. Pothast no later than Thursday, Sept. 15 for Fall Semester membership. If families have any questions, please contact Mrs. Pothast.
Auditions for “Once Upon a Mattress” will be Thursday, Sept. 8 from 3-5 p.m. in the Soldotna High School auditorium. The show will be performed from Nov. 10-12 and is open to any academically eligible seventh through twelfth grade Soldotna area student. This is Soldotna High School’s first musical in many years and the last high school musical Mrs. Zopf-Schoessler will direct, so please be part of history! More information is posted on the Student Information Board located in the Skyview commons.
Morning Tutoring is from 7-7:50 a.m. in the Skyview library with Mrs. Goodwill. All students are welcome to attend.
Attention Parents! Have families activated their PowerSchool account? If not, please contact the school at 260-2500 to request the information parents need to view a child’s grades, attendance, and fees. This is an excellent way to monitor their progress throughout the school year!
Skyview Middle
Soldotna Elementary is off to a great start for the 2016-2017 school year. Mark calendars for these upcoming events:
■ Sept. 5 – No School in observance of Labor Day
■ Sept. 14 – Early Release at 1:55 p.m.
■ Sept. 21 – Picture Day
School News:
To keep the school safe, visitors and volunteers are asked to sign in at the front office and pick up a visitor badge to wear while in the school. Anyone interested in volunteering can complete an online form by visiting the KPBSD website at www.kpbsd.k12.ak.us and click on the volunteers link. This process must be completed each school year.
Please contact the Human Resources Department with any questions. Please return the Parent and Student Handbook Acknowledgement of Receipt to Soldotna Elementary. Families can view the handbook online atkpbsd.k12.ak.us/students.parents.aspx?id=28047 or access a printed copy in the office.
The Title 1 Pre-K program is still taking applications for the 2016-2017 school year. Children must be 4 years old by Sept. 1. Paperwork is located in the Soldotna Elementary office.
Staff asks that parents please wait in the lobby if the pick up their child in the afternoon to help keep hallways and classrooms clear. Teachers will always escort students to the lobby for dismissal.
The Soldotna Sentinel is our school newsletter. It will be sent out via e-mail the first Tuesday of each month or families can access it on the school website. Watch for the Sentinel to get the latest news and updates from Soldotna Elementary.
Staff say ‘Congratulations to Jameson Harney who placed 2nd in the Frozen T-Shirt pulling contest Saturday during Industrial Appreciation Day in Kenai. Way to go!’
Soldotna Prep
Lego Robotics Camp will be held every third Saturday of each month from 1-4 p.m. at Soldotna Prep School
Ages 6-14 can participate and the cost is $35 per student. For more information contact Kristin McGlothen, kmcglothen@KPBSD.k12.ak.us. Robotic Club meets Monday and Wednesday from 2:30–5 p.m. in Room 19 and Thursdays from 5-7 p.m. After School Tutoring Monday and Wednesday 2:30–3:30 in Room 10 and Tuesdays and Thursdays in Room 30
KPC 9th grade field trip and BBQ will be Tuesday, Sept. 6 for Team 1 and Wednesday, Sept. 7 for Team 2. Home Coming Week is Sept. 6–10. Soldotna Prep School Picture Day will be Monday, Sept. 19. Please visit Soldotna Prep School Page for important updates under “School News”. soldotnaprep.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/home/
Tustumena Elementary
■ Sept. 5 – No School Labor Day
■ Sept. 6 – Picture Day
■ Sept. 10 – 5K Fun Run at 9 a.m. registration and 10 a.m. race time
■ Sept. 14 – Early Release at 2:05 p.m.
■ Sept. 20 – PTO Meeting at 4 p.m.
■ Sept. 26 – Site Council Meeting at 4 p.m.
