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:
— 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
— 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
Dates To Remember:
Dec. 8 – Homer Connections Senior Meeting (more info below)
Dec. 9 – Program Wide Inservice – ALL OFFICES CLOSED
Dec. 14 – Site Council Mtg at Soldotna Office 11:30-1:00
Dec. 16 – 1st Semester Reports Due
Dec. 16 – Soldotna Connections Skate Party
Dec. 16 – Homer Connections Holiday Open House (see flyer)
Dec. 16 – Seward: Christmas Caroling at Seward Senior Center – 12:00 Noon, Followed By Caroling at Seward Mtn. Haven Care Facility – 1:00 pm, Wrapping Up with a Christmas Ornament Project at Connections (In the Seward Middle School) – 2:00/2:30ish.
Dec. 23 to Jan. 6 – Homer and Seward offices closed
Dec. 23, Dec. 26 and Jan. 2 – Soldotna office will be closed
Homer Connections Senior Meeting: On Thursday from 1:00 -2:30 pm the Homer Connections office will have a senior meeting. Advisors will discuss the graduation ceremony, have individual student credit checks, college applications and post high school opportunities. Kim Frost from KPC will present on college financial aid. All seniors and their parents are encouraged to attend. Please RSVP with your advisor.
Soldotna Connections Skate Party: Soldotna Connections is hosting an ice skating party at the Soldotna Sports Complex from 1-2:45 p.m. Dec. 16. Refreshments will be served and ice skates will be provided free of charge! All homeschooling families are welcome. Please remember to bring hats, gloves, coats, spare socks and helmets. We look forward to seeing everyone at the rink!
Homer Connections Open House: The Homer Connections office will have an open house on December 16 from 11:00am-3:00pm. Please join the staff for refreshments, music and holiday activities! Remember to bring your 1st semester reports and we hope to see you there!
IDEA Home-school
IDEA is gearing up for winter activities! All activities and signups are listed in detail on the Region K Blog at www.ideafamilies.org.
December 13 – Homer Skating party at the Kevin Bell Ice Rink. Cost is $10 per student. Please bring a snack to share and warm clothing. IDEA will provide cocoa, cups, napkins, plates, etc.
December 15 – Winter Celebration at the Soldotna Sports Center. There will be skating from 1-2:45, a student craft sale, STEAM activities and crafts, board games and more. Cost for skating is $6 person, this includes skate rental. Don’t forget a snack to share.
December 15 – Calling all crafters! IDEA will be having a craft sale during the Winter Celebration on December 15th, 1:00 – 3:30 pm at Soldotna Sports Center! This is the time for students to pair their crafting side with their business side. Registration is required. Call Suzanne at 260-3158 or email Suzanne.alioto@ideafamilies.org for more information.
January 12 – Crazy 8’s Math Club is coming. IDEA Families are invited to participate in eight weeks of math activities. Watch for details coming out soon!
January 17 – Performance Night at the IDEA Office. This is time for students to show off anything from music to art to PE. Signups are available on the Region K Blog.
January 20 – Geo Bee at the IDEA Office. Join IDEA students in grades 4th-8th for the annual Geography Bee. The local event will be at 1:00. The winner will represent IDEA-Kenai at the Alaska State Geography Bee to be held at the Egan Convention Center in Anchorage on March 31, 2017. Any questions? Call Marian Werth at 260-7555.
January 20 – National Geographic Geography Bee at the IDEA Office at 1:00. This competition is for students in 4th – 8th grade. All students participate in one and the same bee, there are no grade specific bees. The winner of the local bee will represent IDEA – Kenai at the Alaska State Geography Bee to be held at the Egan Convention Center in Anchorage on March 31, 2017. Please call Marian Werth at 260-7555 or email her at marian.werth@ideafamilies.org.
January 27 – Frisbee golf for high school students. Students will meet at Skyview at 1:00 pm. Make sure to dress warm and bring a Frisbee!
February 10 – Spelling Bee at the IDEA Office at 1:00. The winner of our local bee will represent IDEA-Kenai at the Alaska State Spelling Bee to be held at the Performing Arts Center in Anchorage on March 31st, 2017. IDEA Families should check the Region K Blog for a list of practice words for the National Spelling Bee. Any questions? Call Marian Werth at 260-7555.
There are four courses available for IDEA high school students in Galena. Classes available are Media Technology, Automotive Technology, Aviation, and Cosmetology. Students who participate will stay in the GILA dorms and eat in the cafeteria. For more information on GILA go to http://gila.galenaalaska.org. The dates for these classes are tentatively February 18-March 18, 2017.
Don’t forget to check out IDEA’s Intentional Math emails! These emails are full of wonderful ways to encourage students in the world of math! Math can be fun! Parents can also post daily math activities on IDEA’s regional Facebook page for a chance to win a $25 gift card.
BookIt! Coupons are available at the IDEA Office. IDEA Families are encouraged to participate in this program where students read for pizza coupons.
Want up to date information on IDEA activities? Check out the Region K Blog at www.ideafamilies.org.
Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science
The Life Skill we are focusing on this week is Flexibility: To be willing to alter plans when necessary.
Check out the electronic bulletin board in the entryway for all upcoming events and meetings as well as pictures of Kaleidoscope in action.
Monday
— Food Drive
— 3:45-5:00 Dance Ensemble Club
Tuesday
— Food Drive
— PTA Penguin Patch Store will be open.
— 9:30 a.m. 1st-5th graders will go to KCHS for Holiday Concert rehearsal
— 7:00 p.m. Holiday Concert at KCHS with 1st-5th graders performing and well as the Dance Ensemble
Wednesday
— Food Drive
— PTA Penguin Patch Store will be open.
Thursday
— Food Drive
— PTA Penguin Patch Store will be open.
Friday
— Food Drive
— PTA Penguin Patch Store will be open.
— 2:30 p.m. PTA Staff Appreciation Committee Meeting
Winter is here and students need to be prepared to go outside unless the temps are below -10. Please remember to send them to school with their name written on their snow pants, hats, gloves and coats as well as backpacks and lunch boxes.
Mark your Calendar
December 14 – 3:00 5th grade Celebration of Learning
December 15 – 3:00 3rd / 4th Celebration of Learning
December 16 – 3:00 1st / 2nd Celebration of Learning. 6:00 Family Fun Night- Movie Night
December 22 – Inservice Day – no school for students
December 23 – January 6 – Winter Break No School
Kenai Central High
KCHS is holding a silent auction and spaghetti dinner from 6:00 – 7:30 on Saturday in the school cafeteria to help us raise money for the KPBSD Students in Transition Program. The SIT program helps provide assistance to local homeless children and provides them with clothes, school supplies, food and other necessities. Attendees can pay at the door $10 per plate or $30 per family. We look forward to seeing everyone there.
Kenai High School is putting on a canned food drive through Dec. 9. Donations will be given to our local community food bank. If you would like to donate please drop of canned goods in the office.
Reminder there is after school study hall for KCHS students. Study hall is in the library 2:30 to 3:30 Monday through Thursday. Teachers are available as well as National Honor Society student tutors during the study hall. This is great opportunity for students to get some extra help with their school work
Monday
— Senior Parent Meeting 6:30 in the Library
— Basketball Parent Meeting 6:00 in the Cafeteria
Thursday
— Student of the Month Luncheon
— Hockey at Houston Tourney High School 2:00
Friday
— Wrestling Regions (Home)
— Hockey at Houston Tourney
— Cross Country Ski at Dimond Lynx Loppet
Saturday
— Wrestling Regions (Home)
— Hockey at Houston Tourney
— Cross Country Ski at Dimond Lynx Loppet
— Silent Auction and Spaghetti Feed Dinner 6:00 – 7:30 in the cafeteria
Mountain View Elementary
It is not too late to help a family in need during this holiday season. If you would be able to donate anything from a pair of gloves, a hat, a turkey, or a complete holiday meal, please drop your donation off at the office or call Kimb or Kelly at 283-8600. Your contribution would be very much appreciated!
Members of the Mountain View after school Youth Chorus will be performing at the School Board Meeting at the borough building today at 6:00 PM.
There will be a PTA meeting on Thursday, December 8 at 4:00 PM in the Library.
The after school Youth Chorus and the 5th grade band will hold a winter concert on December 12 at 6:00 PM in the Mountain View gym.
The primary winter concert for all 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade students will be on December 15 at 6:00 PM in the Renee C. Henderson auditorium at Kenai Central High School. The PTA will be hosting a bake sale after the concert to benefit the Music program at Mountain View. If you would like to donate baked goods please dropped your baked goods off at school the day of the performance or call the office at 283-8600.
“The Holiday Wonderland” will be open December 12 through December 16th. This is a program hosted by the PTA to allow students to shop for inexpensive Christmas gifts for family and friends. If you would like to volunteer to help students shop please call the office at 283-8600 to schedule a time. Volunteers need to have completed a background check through the school district.
Kalifornsy Beach Elementary
Mr. Daniels’s Class is learning about the structures that help animals digest food and aide in circulation. They will research each process and then put their new knowledge to the test in a series of videos which show these processes in real life examples and animations.
Dec. 15 — K-2 Winter Concert 6:00 p.m.at Sohi Auditorium
Dec. 205 — K-Beach Band Concert 6:30 p.m. in K-Beach gym
Dec. 22 — Inservice Day; NO SCHOOL
Dec. 23 to Jan. 65 — Winter Break; NO SCHOOL
Nikiski Middle-High
Thursday
— Middle School Basketball at Nikiski vs. Skyview – 3:00 p.m.
Friday
— Wrestling Regions at ACS
Saturday
— Wrestling Regions at ACS
— National Honor Society hosts the High School Winter Formal at Nikiski High School. 8:00 p.m. – Midnight. $8.00 student/$15.00 couple
December 12
— Band and Choir Concert – 7:00 p.m.
High School Christmas Spirit Week – Monday-Saturday
— Monday – Reindeer and Santa Day
— Tuesday – Christmas Tree Day
— Wednesday – Christmas Movie Character Day
— Thursday – Ugly Sweater Day
— Friday – Snowman and Elf Day
— Saturday – Winter Formal – 8:00 p.m.
Nikiski North Star Elementary
Yearbook orders are due today. The cost is $15.00 and needs to be turned in along with the order form. For more information, please call the school office at 776-2600.
Tuesday is the Christmas Concert for first and second graders. The performance will be held in the auditorium of Nikiski Middle High School and will begin at 6:00 pm. It promises to be a wonderful concert under the direction of music teacher Audra Faris.
December 16 is the deadline to turn in PTA Reflections entries. The PTA Reflections program is a great way for students to express themselves through the arts. The theme this year is ‘What is your story?’. Entries can be submitted in the following categories: dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts. Entry forms are available in the front hallway and can be turned in to your child’s teacher or the school office.
Redoubt Elementary
Redoubt’s Elf Shelf Holiday Store is coming December 6-8. Redoubt PTA sponsors this annual gift shopping opportunity for students. Complete information has been sent home with students.
Mark your calendar:
December 8 – Winter Concert grades 1-3, Soldotna High School 6:00pm.
December 13 – PTA Meeting, 3:45 in the staff lounge.
December 13 – Band Concert, Redoubt Gym 6:00pm.
December 16 – 4 grade fundraiser MOVIE NIGHT- Movie TBA. Permission slips will be sent home prior to Movie Night.
December 22 – No School for Students – In-service day
December 23 – January 6 – No School for Students – Christmas Break
Assisting Redoubt families in need this holiday season. Please help this year if you can, purchase a gift or gifts from Redoubt’s Angel Tree for a Redoubt family. The angel tree is up and tags will be added daily. All gifts need to be brought to the school by Monday, December 12th. Cash donations in any amount can be dropped off at the school office. Money will be used to purchase holiday gifts for Redoubt children and their families.
Skyview Middle
Basketball this week:
Tuesday – Skyview 7th Boys vs. Kenai at Kenai Middle School – 3:00 pm
Tuesday – Skyview 7th Girls vs. Kenai at Kenai Middle School – 4:30 pm
Tuesday – Skyview B Boys vs. Kenai B at Kenai Rec Center – 3:00 pm
Tuesday – Skyview B Girls vs. Kenai B at Kenai Rec Center – 4:30 pm
Wednesday – Basketball Photos in Skyview Commons – 2:30 pm
Thursday – Skyview 8th Boys vs. Nikiski at Nikiski Main Gym – 3:00 pm
Thursday – Skyview 8th Girls vs. Nikiski at Nikiski Main Gym – 4:30 pm
Thursday – Skyview B Girls vs. Nikiski at Nikiski Commons – 3:00 pm
Thursday – Skyview B Boys vs. Nikiski at Nikiski Commons – 4:30 pm
Friday – Skyview 8th Girls vs. Seward at Seward – 3:00 pm
Friday – Skyview 8th Boys vs. Seward at Seward – 4:30 pm
A BIG thank you for all the wonderful donations to the Skyview Middle School Angel Tree. The overwhelming kindness and generosity is greatly appreciated!
Important Meeting for students going to Washington DC: All students going with Ms. Dwyer to Washington DC need to meet with her on Tuesday at LUNCH. Room assignments will be discussed.
Panther Student Council is hosting a Holiday Food Drive to benefit the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank! Non-perishable food items will be collected December 12-16 in Mrs. Pothast’s classroom. Donations can be dropped off before school, at lunch, or after school. Deliveries will be made to the Food Bank throughout this time and the total weight of food donated will be recorded. Food donations will also be collected at the Soldotna Middle School Holiday Concert on December 15. Mr. Truesdell has agreed to take a pie in the face if we reach our goal of 1,000 pounds of food collected. Any questions regarding the Food Drive, please contact Mrs. Pothast. Let’s make sure the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank has the supplies they need to feed our friends and neighbors in need this holiday season!
Soldotna Elementary
Mark your calendars for these upcoming events:
Tuesday — Winter Concert (Grades 1-3) 6:30pm at the Soldotna High School Auditorium
December 14-15 — Soldotna Elementary Holiday Store 8:30am-3:30pm
December 20 — Band and Choir Concert 6:00pm in the Soldotna Elementary Gym
School News:
Colder weather is here! Please be sure to send students with appropriate cold weather attire.
There is a “Toys for Tots” donation box in the school lobby for new and unwrapped toys for kids of all ages.
Look for Christmas Kindness Food Drive information coming soon in Tuesday Packets.
Soldotna Elementary would like to wish our families and friends a safe and relaxing Winter Break beginning December 22. School will resume on Monday, January 9.
Soldotna High
Volunteers are needed to assist with the PTSA hosted SoHi and SoPrep Staff Luncheons on Dec. 7 and Dec. 15 respectively. Please e-mail Sheilah-Margaret Pothast at agr8fulmom@hotmail.com with “PTSA” in the subject line if you can help Beth with either of these events.
Class of 2018 Parents of Juniors will meet on Jan. 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the SoHi Staff Lounge. Prom is early this year, April 1, so we need to kick off fund raising efforts right away! If you’d like access to the google doc link for that purpose, are interested in volunteering, or have questions please e-mail Sheilah-Margaret Pothast at agr8fulmom@hotmail.com with “After Prom” in the subject line.
SoHi PTSA will meet on Jan. 12 at 5:30 p.m. in the SoHi Staff Lounge. New members are always welcome
Graduation is May 22, 2017 at 7 p.m. at the Sports Center.
Soldotna High School is collecting gently used formal dresses, shoes, and accessories for Cinderella’s Closet 2017. This is a program which helps all area high school ladies with free prom dresses, shoes, and accessories. We have helped over 500 ladies in the past 7 years. We are taking donations of prom dresses, shoes, and accessories. All sizes dresses are welcome, however we are in particular need of dresses in size 12 to 18. These items can be dropped off to the main office at Soldotna High School between 8am-3pm. Since the donations are made to a school, tax donation forms can be issued by SoHi upon request. If you have any questions, please email epokryfky@kpbsd.org for more info. Thanks for helping the young ladies of the Kenai Peninsula!
The SoHi SkillsUSA chapter is having a fund raiser selling rural mail boxes. Contact Advisor Mr. Gordon at 260-7000 for more information.
Soldotna Stars Letterman Jackets are available to order at www.neffco.com. Click on Varsity Jackets, find our school by State, select Soldotna High School, starting at $149 you can personalize it anyway you would like. Any questions contact Heather Parkki, 907-260-7022. Makes a great Christmas gift!
The afterschool tutoring buses leave at 4:15. You must be on the route list to ride the bus. See Ms. Wear or Ms. Bartman in the library to find out more information and/or get on the bus list. You can also email them at twear@kpbsd.k12.ak.us or call 260-7036.
Soldotna Montessori Charter
It will be a busy week at SMCS!
Monday —PTO meeting at 4:00
Tuesday— Winter Concert at Sohi: 5:30, Cookie Train—Homemade cookies for fundraiser; 6:00, Performers arrive; 6:30, Concert begins.
Thursday — Craft Night—Right after school, students go to the gym. Students must be picked up by 6 PM.
Friday — School Spirit Assembly led by Mrs. Moore’s class.
Intermediate grades are engaged in the intriguing study of matter.
Primary grades are engaged in reading and writing non-fiction.
In Physical Education, Mrs. Brewer appreciates Mrs. Juliussen sharing the tumbling unit.
Save those Box Tops for Education to help support the field trip fund.
Soldotna Prep
Congratulations to Camron Presley for being selected November Soldotna Chamber Student of the Month.
Volunteers are also needed to help with the December Staff Appreciation luncheons at SoHi on December 7 and at SoPrep on December 15. Please email Sheilah-Margaret Pothast at agr8fulmom@hotmail.com with “PTSA” in the subject line if you can assist Beth with either of these events.
Robotic Club meets Monday and Wednesday from 2:30 – 5:00 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.
Lego Robotics Camp will be held every 3rd Saturday of each month from 1-4 p.m. at Soldotna Prep School. Ages 6-14 cost is $35 per student. For more information contact Kristin McGlothen, kmcglothen@KPBSD.k12.ak.us.
Please visit Soldotna Prep School Page for important information http://soldotnaprep.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/home/
Tustumena Elementary
December 9 — Spelling Bee
December 13 — Winter Concert, 6 p.m.
December 16 — Geography Bee
December 21 — Reindeer Games
December 22 — NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS – Inservice Day – End of 2nd quarter
December 23- January 8 — WINTER BREAK
