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);
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 Homeschool
Dates To Remember:
Tuesday — Soldotna AIMS Web; please see below for more information
Tuesday — Fat Biking in Homer – More info below!
Wednesday — Soldotna Book Club Meeting from 10:30-11:30 at New Kaladi Brothers
Friday — High School Eligibility Due
Soldotna AIMSweb Assessments K-6th: Soldotna Connections will be offering AIMS WEB (Math and Reading) Testing on Tuesday, 1:30 – 4 p.m. The assessment is a brief literacy and math test. Wendi Dutcher and Shelli Furlong will be administering the assessments at the Soldotna Connections office. Please call the Soldotna Connections office at 714-8880 to schedule your student’s appointment.
Homer AIMSweb Assessments K-6th: Homer Connections office ongoing AIMSweb Assessments for grades K-5. If you have not already done so, please call the Homer office at 226-1880 to schedule an appointment before September 18th.
Join the Homer Connections Crew on a Fat Bike ride! The ride is open to 7th through 12th graders that currently have Physical Education in their ILP. The bike ride is set for Tuesday at 9:30. Low tide is at 10:16am with a 0.1. Weather permitting we will ride from Diamond Gulch to Bishops Beach. It’s an 8 mile ride with lots of boulders, eagles, otters, seals, and exercise. We will stop for a beach lunch along the way.
Space is limited to 12 participants! The $55 cost can be deducted from the student allotment. Parents are encouraged to participate in the fun. Please contact Jake Parrett through email jparrett@kpbsd.org or give the office a call at 226-1880 to reserve your spot by Friday the 11th.
Soldotna Office Book Club: The Soldotna Office will host a Book Club meeting on Wednesday from 10:30-11:30 at the new Kaladi Bros Coffee (by Subway in Soldotna). Students and parents grades K-6 join Shelli and Wendi for an informational meeting about the Book Club that we will be starting.
PSAT for grades 10 and 11 will be given October 14. Central Peninsula Students wishing to register should pay the $15 fee to the Soldotna Connections office by September 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). 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
IDEA Homeschool
IDEA Homeschool is now enrolling. You can apply online at www.ideafamilies.org or come by the IDEA office! Our office is open Monday-Friday 8:30-4:30. Come by and take a look at our Resource Room, filled with curriculum ideas! Or check out a book in our extensive library! Want homeschooling ideas or advice? Come in and speak with any of our experienced staff, all with homeschooling experience! We are here to serve you!
Wednesday – ILPs due. Do you need help filling out your ILP? Call your contact teacher or visit us in the office! We are happy to help! Remember – if you get your ILP in before the 15th, you get your early bird coupon. Outdoor Education Day at Solid Rock Bible Camp – This is a fun filled day for our families and school age children. There are 2 different options to choose from. Lunch is included in the cost! Check it out online at www.ideafamilies.org.
Friday – This is the deadline to register for the PSAT! The test is on Wednesday, October 14th at 8:30 am. The cost is $15 and it is open to all IDEA sophomores and juniors. Please contact Linda Ruffidge at 260-7555 or email her at linda.ruffridge@ideafamilies.org to sign up.
It’s time for our first Parent Advisory Council Meeting! September 25 from 12-1:30 p.m. If you’re new to IDEA or just want to meet more IDEA families, this is a great opportunity! This is a time to get together with other IDEA parents to help plan activities and events for your children, talk about homeschooling issues and more! Whether you have been homeschooling for years or are new to IDEA we welcome you! Come and be a part of what helps make us who we are- the leading homeschool program in the state of Alaska! Signups and more details can be found on our website www.ideafamilies.org. Check out our Region K Blog for up to date events! We look forward to seeing you soon!
Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science
Tuesday, 5:30 — Kindergarten Connection and Potluck Family Night
Wednesday, 8:35 a.m. — PTA meeting — EARLY RELEASE – School ends at 2:10 p.m. Six days throughout the academic year, students will meet the minimum day requirement, leaving teachers with approximately ninety minutes of additional time for planning/training. The length of the school day will be reduced by ninety minutes, for a total of nine hours during the 2015-2016 school year. On these early release dates, school will end ninety minutes (1.5 hours) earlier. Bus transportation will be adjusted by ninety minutes.
Thursday — 1st/2nd grades will go to Ridgeway Farms
Friday — Fall Pictures. Packets were sent home in Friday Folders for student pictures as well as packets for purchasing an All-School group photo. Siblings are from 12 -1 . To order online, visit mylifetouch.com; enter picture day ID code AK315255Q0 Friday, 10 a.m. — School Yard Habitat Training
Mark your calendars: APC meeting Sept. 21 at 4:15 p.m.
The Life Skill we are focusing on this week is Truthfulness: To be honest about things and feelings with oneself and others.
If your child arrives after 9:10, you must 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.
Kalifornsky Beach Elementary
K-Beach staff would like to welcome our new kindergarten teacher, Melanie Beverly. Thank you to Theresa Salzetti, our intervention specialist, for filling the position during the first weeks of school.
Mr. Daniels’ class is learning about Community Safety resources this week. We will cover topics which cover how to deal with conflict, who are our community safety officers?, rules and laws, and bully proofing our school.
First Grade Fund Raiser raffle tickets are due Wednesday, sold or not. All tickets need to be accounted for. The drawing will be held Friday at the RIGS Assembly.
Wednesday – Early Release Day; K-Beach will let out at 12:55p.m.
Friday – RIGS assembly at 8 a.m. in the gym.
Sept. 24 – The Great Caribou Migration – please contact PTA for more information.
Kenai Middle
On Tuesday all Soccer teams will play here at home vs. Skyview M.S. Games begin at 3 .
Wednesday is an Early Release day. Students will be released at 12:57p.m. Buses will accommodate the earlier release time.
On Thursday, all soccer teams will compete again in Nikiski. Games begin at 3 .
Friday our KMS Cross Country Running team will compete here at home beginning at 3 .
Be sure to take advantage of all the opportunities to get outside and show support for our KMS Kossack athletes!
With the start of school sports, and organized dress-up days, please keep in mind that KMS follows a dress code. Skirts and dresses should be longer than finger-tips with arms extended by the sides, jeans should not hang below the waist, shoulders should be covered- no sleeveless tops, no hats (except for spirit days, and no inappropriate wording or graphics on clothing. If you haven’t done so already, Like us on Facebook at Kenai Middle School to keep up to the minute with updates about sports, activities, and all the information you need to know!
Mountain View Elementary
We will have our volunteer orientation on Tuesday at 9 a.m. and again at 5 p.m. If you would like to volunteer in your child’s classroom or participate in a classroom field trip, please plan to attend one of these orientation sessions. All volunteers are required to pass a background check through the KPBSD website. If you have any questions or need help with this process please call the office at 283-8600. Volunteers are very important and appreciated here at Mountain View Elementary!
Mountain View students will be dismissed at 1:55 p.m. on Wednesday. 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. 22 is Picture Day. Picture packets were sent home on Friday 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 September 24 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. 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 Oct. 1. As of Oct. 1, 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.
Nikiski North Star Elementary
Wednesday is early release day. NNS will dismiss at 2 p.m.
Volunteer training will be at 9:30 am on Thursday in the school library. This training will be specific to volunteering at NNS. 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 volunteered last year. Please visit the KPBSD webpage at www.kpbsd.org and follow the links. If you have any questions, please call the school office at 776-2600.
Redoubt Elementary
Site Council — There is one parent representative position that needs to be filled. Redoubt is currently accepting nominations for this open position. Nomination forms are available at the school office or in last week’s school newsletter. Elected representatives meet once each month to discuss important school issues. With last week being a short week we will be accepting nominations through Friday. This is a two year term.
Tuesday — International Dot Day – Wear your Dots.
Wednesday — Early Release Day for students – 1:45pm. Boys and Girls Club will be open and buses will be operating.
Thursday-Oct. 8 — School Wide Fundraiser “Believe Kids”. Information will be sent home with students. School Photos (retakes October 27th)
October 1 — Walk Your Child to School Day
Free and Reduced Lunch Program — Applications have been sent home in student/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 September 30th 2015. October 1st is the drop date unless a new application has been submitted and approved. A new application must be filed each year.
Update your child’s contact information. Student contact information forms have been sent home with students. Please update your child’s contact information and return the form to your child’s teacher.
Power School – Parents activation letters have been sent home. Power School is a great way to keep up with your child’s grades, lunch account, test scores and much more.
Box Top Winners – Brooklyn Howarth, Sarah Frederickson & Makayla Eberhard. Keep bring in those box tops. Funds raised will be used to help support technology and other equipment for our students.
Parents, please make sure to have an after-school plan in place for your child. Students are released at 3:18pm. If your child is being picked up, please make sure you arrive in time to pick them up by 3:18pm.
Redoubt has a few extra backpacks and school supplies to help out those students who may need these items. Please contact the school office for additional information.
Skyview Middle
Events this week:
Monday — First Site Council Meeting at Skyview Middle School – Home Ec Room — 3:30 p.m. A BIG thank you to this year’s members! Principal – Sarge Truesdell; Assistant Principal – Jill DuFloth; Certified Staff – Patrick Dwyer; Classified Staff – Michelle Graves; 8th Grade Parent – Michelle Blackwell; 8th Grade Student – Cameron Blackwell; 7th Grade Parent – Lauri Kapp; 7th Grade Student – Spencer Kapp; 7th Grade Parent – Pam Burns; 7th Grade Student – Zach Burns; Community Member – Brennan Jackson
Wednesday — School Pictures – Students received a picture packet last week. Extra packets are available at the office. EARLY RELEASE FOR STUDENTS – Students at Skyview Middle School will end the school day at 1p.m. Bus schedules have been adjusted to accommodate this time change.
Sports Schedule this week:
Monday — Soccer Pictures – All teams – 2:45 pm
Tuesday — Soccer A – Kenai vs. Skyview at Kenai – 3 p.m., Soccer B – Skyview B1 vs. Kenai at Kenai – 3 p.m., Soccer B – Skyview B2 vs. Kenai at Kenai – 4:30 p.m., Cross Country Pictures – 2:45 p.m.
Thursday — Soccer A – Homer vs. Skyview at Homer – 4:30 p.m., Soccer B – Skyview B2 vs. Chapman at Skyview – 3 p.m.
Friday — Cross Country – Kenai Invitational at Kenai – 3 p.m. Soccer B – Skyview B1 vs. Skyview B2 at Skyview – 3 p.m.
New Bus Pass Policy: Bus notes must be in written form and signed by a parent or guardian for a student to be dropped off a bus stop that is different than the student’s physical home address. The note must include the bus number and the actual bus stop. The office will not be responsible for this information. Please call First Student at 260-3557 for assistance. All bus notes must be brought to the office by noon. Bus passes will not be written in the afternoon.
Soldotna High
Mark your calendars for these upcoming events at Soldotna Elementary:
Wednesday — Students will be released at 1:55p.m. for our first early release day. Students riding the bus will be dropped off 90 minutes earlier than their regular scheduled time.
Friday — Ms. Davis’ class will take a field trip to the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.
September 21 — Soldotna Elementary Site Council will meet at 3:45p.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.
September 23 — Mrs. Baktuit’s class will take a field trip to the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.
October 1 — Soldotna Elementary will participate in the Annual Walk your Child to School Event. More details to come!
October 19 — Get your smiles ready for school picture day.
The Soldotna Elementary SMORE (Summer Months are Open for Reading Everywhere) challenge came to a close. This summer 36 students tracked their daily reading minutes and recorded 59,312 minutes of reading! Way to go readers!
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 Prep
Auditions for SoHi’s One-Act Play Festival will be 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 Nov. 12-14; rehearsals will take place after school. See Mrs. Erfurth or Mrs. Zopf-Schoessler for further information.
Homecoming is the week of Sept. 14! We will have games and activities during Homeroom. Dress up for points for your class!
Monday — PJ Day
Tuesday — Generation: 9th Babies, 10th Toddlers, 11th Adult (30-50’s), 12th Senior (65+), Staff: Teenagers
Wednesday — Alaskan Day
Thursday — Class Color: 9th Purple, 10th Blue, 11th White, 12th Black, Staff: Grey
Friday is Spirit Day. We will have a pep assembly and royalty crowning in the gym at 1:34 p.m. 5th and 6th hours will be on a modified schedule.
Our bonfire will be from 8-10 p.m. at the Soldotna Sports Center. Pallets can be dropped off between 3-6:30 on Friday.
We will have our halftime show on Saturday during the varsity game against Eagle River.
The homecoming dance will be from 7:30-10:30 p.m. on Saturday. The cost is $15. Students are asked to bring their ID. Exact change will be helpful. Note the Marydale entrance will be the entrance for the dance. Picture order forms are available in the main office. The photographer will be here at 7 p.m. if students want their pictures early. They will need to enter the back doors behind the theater and re-enter through the front doors. Look for the banner!
Students, check your school Gmail for directions on how to request music for the dance. Requests are limited and will be screened. Guest forms are located outside of Mrs. Marquez’s room and the main office. These are due by Tuesday to Mr. Neill. Guest forms are needed for students who are not full time at Soldotna High School.
The SOHI Library Media Center will be open 7:30-4:30 Monday-Friday. Contact Ms. Wear at 260-7036 or twear@kpbsd.k12.ak.us for information on the 4:15 bus.
Soldotna Prep
After school Tutoring Monday through Thursday 2:30-3:30
Check school blog for important information and updates http://soldotnaprep.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/wpmu/ .
Yearbook back to school special — $60 and personalized with name. Deadline is September 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.
The Alaska Studies classes (all team 2 members) will do the Manhattan School of Music “Talking Drums” session on Sep 14th from 9:30-10:25 in Mr. Sparks class.
Early Release day Wednesday at 12:45.
Home Coming Week Activities
Monday: PJ Day
Tuesday: Generation…9th Babies, 10th Toddlers, 11th Adult (30-50’s), 12th Senior (65+), Staff: Teenagers
Wednesday: Alaskan Day
Thursday: Class Color: 9th Purple, 10th Blue, 11th White, 12th Black, Staff: Grey
Friday is Spirit Day – Bonfire at Sports Center 8-10 p.m.
Saturday: Football game 11 and 2 , Dance 7:30-10:30 p.m., $15. Photographer available at 7 p.m.
Sterling Elementary
Picture Day! — Tuesday. Sibling Pictures are 11:45 – 12:45.
Early Release — Wednesday — Students released at 2:05 pm. Teachers will be learning more about and collaborating to write their Student Growth Maps
Site Council Meeting — September 24, 4 pm in Mrs. Van Slyke’s room
PTA Meeting, September 29 at 4 pm in the library – Childcare provided! Please join us in supporting our school!
October 2 is National School Custodial Workers’ Day! We have outstanding custodians to celebrate every day!
Please remember to drive the speed limit in our school zone when the lights are flashing! It is a really quick change from 55 to 20 during those times of the day, so be extra vigilant and don’t miss it!
The Study
The Study is excited to offer academic pre-k/kindergarten and first, second, and third grade in the 2015/16 school year! The Study is an accredited learning center that partners with the KPBSD, home school entities, and private schools. The Study offers private tutoring in all academic subjects, music (guitar, voice, and piano), and a variety of courses for high school credit. Visit thestudysoldotna.com or call at 262-6227.
Tustumena Elementary
Tuesday — PTO Meeting, 4 pm
Wednesday — Early Release, 2:05 pm
September 28 — Site Council Meeting, 4 pm
Wings Christian
Hot Lunch, Wednesday, Spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, fruit, dessert and drink.
Triathlon, Sept. 21: Students will need a Helmet, PE Clothes, this year our water bottles are provided.
Volleyball practice: every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 3:15-4:15 p.m.
Cleanest Desk awards: Michelle Duffield, Sara Brubaker, and Keegan Brubaker.
