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:
■ Oct. 5;
■ Nov. 2;
■ Dec. 7;
■ Dec. 8 (Worksession);
■ Jan. 11;
■ Feb. 1;
■ Feb. 2 (Worksession);
■ March 7;
■ March 21;
■ April 4;
■ April 5 (Worksession);
■ May 2 (Seward High School);
■ June 6;
■ June 7 (Planning Session);
Holidays and vacation days scheduled
■ Oct. 29-30 — Parent-teacher conferences, no school for students;
■ Nov. 26-27 — Thanksgiving;
■ Dec. 16 — End of second quarter, no school for students;
■ Dec. 21-Dec. 31 — Winter vacation;
■ Jan. 18 — Martin Luther King Jr. Day;
■ Feb. 4-5 — Parent-teacher conferences, no school for students;
■ March 11 — End of third quarter, no school for students;
■ March 14-18 — Spring Break;
■ May 18 — Last day of school.
Connections Home School Program
Dates To Remember:
■ Sept. 21 & 22 – Safe Sitter Class – More Info Below
■ Oct. 1 – Soldotna School Pictures – 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. @ Borough Building: Assembly Room
■ Oct. 8 – Homer School Pictures – 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. @ Paul Banks Gym
■ Oct. 14 – PSAT for Central Peninsula Grades 10 & 11
■ Oct. 18 – HEA Entry Deadline for Energy & Conservation Contest
Battle of the Books:
Connections is currently recruiting students that would like to participate in Battle of the Books. There is a team for all grades, so all students are eligible! Central Peninsula families please contact Mark Wackler (mwackler@kpbsd.k12.ak.us) and Homer families contact Derek Bynagle (dbynagle@kpbsd.k12.ak.us) for more information.
Safe Sitter Class:
Do your children babysit siblings or other children? If so we are excited to offer a unique opportunity to homeschoolers in our area! Central Peninsula General Hospital is offering the Safe Sitter class for homeschoolers.
This nationally recognized class is a great way to prepare our children to care for each other as well as become certified to babysit other children. This is a two day class and will be offered Sept. 21 & 22 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
What Will They Learn?
Babysitting is an important business. Safe Sitter® can teach your student the skills to do it well! Safe Sitter® was created by pediatrician Patricia A. Keener, M.D. Becoming a Safe Sitter® means you’ll gain confidence and learn how to handle situations that may happen on the job or at home.
This knowledge will help you in the future too! What do you learn?
■ How, why and where injuries happen so you can prevent them from happening in the first place.
■ How to decide how serious a problem is if someone is injured.
■ How to get help if you need it.
■ How to keep yourself safe when babysitting.
■ How a child’s age affects how to care for them.
■ How to prevent problem behavior.
■ How to rescue a choking infant or child.
■ How to run your babysitting business.
This class is very informative and offers hands on training for general care to emergency care. Preparing our children for what to do in case of an emergency is very important. Children need to be between the ages of 11 & 14 to attend. Each class has room for 13 students. The cost is $50.00 and may be fully reimbursable by Connections.
Each child will receive a backpack with tools that they will know how to use upon completion of the class. For more information go to www.safesitter.org or www.cpgh.org click on quick links, go to community programs and click on safe sitter. Please register early to attend, you can call the hospital cashier to reserve your child’s seat.
For more information please contact Marcia Knowlton 598-0950 (Instructor/Parent contact) or Berta Wilfong or Nicole Price 714- 4775 (Hospital contact). Please feel free to invite other homeschool families who are not currently with Connections.
We look forward to hearing from you soon as space is limited.
School Pictures Soldotna Office: Oct. 1
Soldotna – 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. @ Borough Building in the Assembly Room. Order portraits now at mylifetouch.com using Picture Day Idenfitifcation Code: AK315267Q0
Homer School Pictures 10/08/15:
Homer – 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. @ Paul Banks Gym
PSAT Information for Central Peninsula Students:
PSAT – For grades 10 & 11 will be given Oct. 14. Central Peninsula Students wishing to register should pay the $15 fee to the Soldotna Connections office by Sept. 15. If you have any questions, please contact your advisor.
The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a program cosponsored by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). This year the test will be given on Wednesday, Oct. 14.
Sophomores will benefit from the exposure to standardized timed tests. Juniors can qualify for scholarships through the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
If you wish to find out more about the PSAT, you may go to: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/about.html
Book It – Pizza Hut Coupons:
We just received our Book It Pizza Hut coupons! The Book It program encourages students to earn Reading Award Certificates by meeting reading goals that you set.
The certificates can be redeemed at Pizza Hut where they receive a one topping personal pan pizza to celebrate their reading accomplishments!
Please stop by any of the Connections offices to to pick up the certificates and start the Book It program. We hope to see you soon!
Practical Positive Parenting:
South Central Parenting is holding weekly parenting workshops at Cook Inlet Academy starting Sept. 1. The cost is $35 per family and includes:
■ Family Dinners
■ Challenging Behaviors
■ Communication Challenges
■ Child Development
■ And much more!
For more information you can go to their website: www.southcentralparenting.org (Please Note: this is a non-reimbursable activity)
Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science
Monday, Sept. 21
■ 4:15 p.m. APC meeting in the KSAS Library
Thursday, Sept. 24
■ 2:30 p.m. Fire drill with evacuation to the church
Friday, Sept. 18
■ 1:30 p.m. Kindergarten will be walking with Mr. Dan to the Creek
Reminders
■ The Life Skill we are focusing on this week is Personal Best: To do one’s best given the circumstances and available resources.
■ If your child arrives after 9:10 a.m., please come in and sign him / her in at the office.
■ If you would like to be a volunteer, be sure to complete your background check. Go to http://kaleidoscope.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/wpmu/volunteers and click the link to the background check. Please allow up to 2 weeks for this to clear.
The next link on the page will take you to the Online Volunteer Training for those who were unable to attend the in-house training last week. These 2 steps must be completed in order to volunteer at Kaleidoscope. Completed Volunteer Indemnification forms are needed 48 hours before all field trips.
Kenai Central High
A big thank you to the KCHS staff, Football Booster Club, Volleyball Booster Club community members, businesses, and the Kenai Fire and Police Departments for helping make our Homecoming week a successful one!
■ Monday, Sept. 21
C Team Football @ Homer
■ Friday, Sept. 25
Football @ North Pole 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Cross Country Regions @ Colony
Swim/Dive @ Soldotna High School
Volleyball @ West Tourney
Kenai Middle
It’s Spirit Week! Monday- Pajama Day, Tuesday- Animal/Furry Day, Wednesday- Rock Star Day, Thursday- Age Day, Friday- Nerd Day. Be sure to join in the fun, there will be drawings for students who dress up. The week will end with an Activity Night and Dance.
If you are interested and willing to volunteer please contact the school at 283-1700.
On Tuesday, Sept. 22, Mrs. Bressler and Mr. Fischer’s sixth grade classes will have a field trip to Exit Glacier.
Mrs. Beck and Mrs. Rolph’s classes will visit the glacier on Wednesday, Sept. 23.
Also on Tuesday, Nurse Dixie will conduct Vision & Hearing screenings for all seventh grade students.
On Friday, Sept. 25, our KMS Cross Country team will compete @ the Nikiski Invitational @ 3 p.m.
KMS Soccer Families- Be on the lookout for information about Boroughs which will be held on Saturday, Sept. 26 here @ KMS beginning at 10 a.m.
Fall begins the week on Wednesday. Here’s wishing you a wonderful Autumn season!
Mountain View Elementary
Tuesday, Sept. 22 is Picture Day. Picture packets were sent home last week and are also available at the office. Orders may also be placed online at mylifetouch.com. The Picture Day I.D. for Mountain View is AK315259Q0.
Miss Fischer is inviting Mountain View families to “Get Up and Move!” on Thursday, September 24 from 5:30 – 7:00 PM. This is an event giving families an opportunity to participate in moving and learning about the importance of healthy bodies by walking/running around our “track.” Students will earn a chain and pendants/beads. We will also have pizza for sale! We hope to see you here!
The 30 day grace period for Free and Reduced meal benefits will end on Thursday, October 01, 2015. As of Thursday, October 01, 2015, all students who do not have a new application in and approved will have to bring a sack lunch or bring $2.85 for a hot lunch. Please allow up to 10 working days for an application to be processed. Applications are available at the office.
The Site Council meeting has been rescheduled until Thursday, September 24 at 4:00 PM in the Mountain View Library.
Nikiski Middle-High
Upcoming Dates:
■ Monday, Sept. 21
C Team Football @ Seward – 4 p.m.
■ Tuesday, Sept. 22
Volleyball @ Nikiski vs. Homer. C Team – 3 p.m. JV – 4 p.m. Varsity – 5:30 p.m.
Middle School Soccer Boroughs – TBA
■ Thursday, Sept. 24
PTSA Meeting – 6:30 p.m. in the school library.
■ Friday, Sept. 25
Middle School Cross Country @ Nikiski Invite – 3 p.m.
Middle School Field Trip
Volleyball @ West Spiketacular
■ Saturday, Sept. 26
Middle School Soccer Boroughs – TBA
Football @ Thunder Mountain, Juneau
Volleyball @ West Spiketacular
High School Cross Country Regions @ Colony
■ Monday, Sept. 28
C Team Football @ Nikiski vs. Homer – 4 p.m.
■ Looking Ahead:
Homecoming Week – Sept. 28 – Oct. 3
Middle School Basketball Begins – Monday, Oct. 5
Picture Retakes – Monday, Oct. 1
Nikiski North Star Elementary
Last Friday we had our kickoff assembly for our annual fundraising program. This year the students are selling Innisbrook products including: gift wrap, candy, magazine subscriptions, candles, and lots more. Please help support our school and its students by purchasing items. The fundraiser will be open until Oct. 12.
The NNS PTA is gearing up for the annual Fall carnival taking place at the school on Saturday, Oct. 24. The carnival will be open to the public from 1 – 4 p.m. Volunteers are always needed to help run the game booths and for cleanup. Also, the PTA is asking for candy donations and cupcakes for the cake walk. There will be lots of games, food, a costume contest and prizes for everyone. If you need more information, please see a PTA member or call the school at 776-2600.
PTA meetings are held the first Thursday of each month at 3:45 p.m. in the staff lounge. The next scheduled meeting is Oct. 1.
Skyview Middle
Sports Schedule this week:
■ Tuesday, Sept. 22 – Soccer A – First Round of Borough Tournament – TBA
■ Friday, Sept. 25 – Cross Country – Nikiski Invitational @ Nikiski – 3 p.m.
■ Saturday, Sept. 26 – Soccer A – Finals of Borough Tournament @ Kenai – 10 a.m.
Please Mark your Calendar:
■ Friday, Oct. 2 – Activity Night – Afterschool 2:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
■ Thursday, Oct. 8 – Skyview Band /Choir /Drumline Concert – 7 p.m.
■ Thursday, Oct. 15 – Picture Retakes
■ Thursday, Oct. 15 – Site Council Meeting – Time TBA (rescheduled from Monday, Oct. 12)
■ Friday, Oct. 16 – No School for Students – End of First Quarter
IMPORTANT: Current contact information is essential for effective communication with parents/guardians during the school day. If a student has a change in address or phone number, please contact the front office to update. Thank you!
Soldotna Elementary
Mark your calendars for these upcoming events at Soldotna Elementary:
■ Sept. 21- Soldotna Elementary Site Council will meet at 3:45 p.m. in the library. The public is welcome. The Site Council is currently looking for a community member and a school parent to join the team. Please contact Mrs. Harding at the office if interested.
■ Sept. 23- Mrs. Baktuit’s class will take a field trip to the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.
■ Oct. 1- Soldotna Elementary will participate in the Annual Walk your Child to School Event. More details to come!
■ Oct. 19- Get your smiles ready for school picture day.
To keep our 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.
Mrs. Kvamme’s sixth grade class will be running the school store again this year. The store will be open on Wednesday mornings before school. Students can purchase pencils, pens, folders, pencil holders and much more!
Soldotna High
Auditions for SoHi’s One-Act Play Festival will be Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 23-24, after school in the auditorium. This fall’s plays are “How to Date in High School” directed by Sara Erfurth and “How to Succeed in High School without Really Trying” directed by Terri Zopf-Schoessler. The directors are looking to cast 20-25 actors who can take direction, have good vocal projection, and are academically eligible. The One-Act Play Festival will be Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 12-14; rehearsals will take place after school. See Mrs. Erfurth or Mrs. Zopf-Schoessler for further information. Every Friday is spirit Fridays! Wear your SoHi gear for a chance to win gift cards and more!
Soldotna Prep
After school Tutoring Monday through Thursday 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Check school blog for important information and updates soldotnaprep.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/wpmu/
Yearbook Back to School Special: $60 & Personalized with name. Deadline is Sept. 30. Order forms available in the front office, or you can order on line at Jostens.com. We encourage you to purchase online. If not you will need to take your order form and payment to the SOHI office. Sports, Yearbook, Robotics Club fees must be paid at SOHI.
Auditions for Night of One-Act Plays Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 23 and 24 in the SOHI Auditorium 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
“How to Succeed in High School Without Really Trying” Directed by Terri Zopf-Schoessler.
Tustumena Elementary
Oct. 15 – Site Council Meeting, 5:30 p.m. school library
Oct. 16 – Inservice Day/No School for Students
Oct. 20 – PTO Meeting, 4 p.m.
Oct. 19 – Lynx Track to Ninilchik Pool for Kindergarten
Oct. 20 – Lynx Track to Ninilchik Pool for First Grade / Hay Tunnel for Second/Third Grade
Oct. 21 – Lynx Track to Hay Tunnel for Fourth/Fifth/Sixth Grade
Oct. 26 – Site Council Meeting, 4 p.m.
Oct. 28 – Picture Retakes in our Music Room
Oct. 29 – Parent Teacher Conferences
Oct. 30 – Parent Teacher Conferences / Winter Carnival 6-8 p.m.
