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)
— 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.
Dates To Remember:
Tuesday — Kenai: Open Gym
Nov. 29 — Kenai: Open Gym
Nov. 30 — Math Tutoring at new Sterling Hwy Kaladi Brothers – 1:00-2:00
Nov. 30 — Soldotna Office: Battle of the Books for 3rd & 4th Grade at 3:00pm
Dec. 1 — Soldotna Connections: Jam Session at Odies 2:30-3:30 (more info below)
Dec. 2 — Homer K-12 Art Show
Dec. 16 — Soldotna Connections Skate Party (see below)
Dec. 19 — All Stocking Stuffer Items Due! Soldotna Office!
Connections Jam Session at Odies in Soldotna: Once a month Connections will have an impromptu music jam session for high school students. Thursday, December 1st the meeting is at Odies in Soldotna from 2:30-3:30. Bring laptops, homework, music and let’s and jam out while socializing! Call Connections at 714-8880 for more information and we hope to see everyone there!
Homer Connections First Friday K-12 Art Show, Dec. 2, 3-4 p.m.: If you are taking an art course this semester: painting, drawing, ceramics, photography, printmaking, digital art; please share your work! This is an opportunity to recognize students with artistic ability in the Connections’ program. Student Art will be displayed for students, parents, and the community members during an Open House. The deadline for entering artwork is November 29th. Appetizers, coffee, and hot cocoa will be provided. Please contact Jake Parrett at jparrett@kpbsd.org or call 226-1880 to reserve a spot. Please include Name/ Grade/ Category when reserving your spot.
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!
Operation Stocking Stuffer – Soldotna Office: Please join the Soldotna Connections staff in a Holiday Stocking Stuffer Drive! Connections is collecting items at the Soldotna office until December 19th. All proceeds will be donated to Love Inc. Suggestions: hats, gloves, socks, safe small toys, stuffed animals, toothbrushes, coloring books, crayons, books, markers, comb/brushes, games, pens/pencils, hair accessories. If you have any questions please call 714-8880. Thank you for your generous donations!
The IDEA Office will be closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday Thursday and Friday. Happy Thanksgiving from all IDEA staff!
Dec. 2 — Application Day for high school seniors. Students will meet at the IDEA Office anytime from 11-2 for help from UA staff to apply to KPC or any school in the UA system. Laptops will be available, but it is recommended for students to bring their own. The cost of the applications will depend on the degree programs that the students choose. The fee for a Certificate or Associate Degree is $40, and the application fee for a Bachelor’s Degree is $50.
Dec. 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.
Dec. 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.
Jan. 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!
Jan. 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.
Jan. 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.
Jan. 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.
Feb. 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.
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.
The Life Skill we are focusing on this week is Effort: To do your best.
Check out the electronic bulletin board in the entryway for all upcoming events and meetings as well as pictures of Kaleidoscope in action.
Wednesday
— Early release, school ends at 2:10 p.m. Bus transportation will be adjusted by ninety minutes.
— Book giveaway, each Kaleidoscope student will receive a free book provided by the PTA
Thursday
— No School-Happy Thanksgiving
Friday
— No School
Reminders: Winter is here and students need to be prepared to go outside unless the temps are below -10. Please remember to label snow pants, hats, gloves and coats as well as backpacks and lunch boxes.
Mark your Calendar
November 28 — 4:15 APC Meeting
November 29 — f1:30 Family Fun Night Committee Meeting and 2:30 PTA general meeting
November 30 — 3:45-5:00 Dance Ensemble
December 5-9 — PTA Penguin Patch Store will be open.
December 6 — 7:00 p.m. Holiday Concert at KCHS with 1st-5th graders performing.
December 16 — Family Fun Night- Movie Night
December 22 — Early release, school ends at 2:10 p.m.
December 23 — January 6 Winter Break No School
Mr. Daniels’s Class dissected plants last week. To be more specific, they took apart flowers, dissected the reproductive structures, and sorted and labeled them in their science notebooks.
Some students found pollen in the flowers and Mr. Daniels put the pollen under a microscope so students could find out what pollen looks like under magnification. The students thought they sort of looked like a bunch of eggs bunched in a pile.
Wednesday — Early Release Day
Thursday and Friday — Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 15 — K-2 Winter Concert 6:00 p.m.at Sohi Auditorium
Dec. 20 — K-Beach Band Concert 6:30 p.m. in K-Beach gym
Kenai High School is putting on a canned food drive through Dec. 9. Donations will be given to our local community food bank.
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
KCHS Choir Students who made the All-State Mixed and Treble Choirs: Candice Bowers, Olivia Brewer, Victoria Cannady, Gideon Collver, Anya Danielson, Karl Danielson, Nya Dukowitz, Emily Dunham, Addison Gibson, Brittany Gilman, Hunter Hanson, Devynn Heath, Lisa Krol, Elias Machen-Gray, Kyaran Matturro, Thera Mullet, Kelsey Pisa, Mikaela Pitsch, Mayzie Potton, Nicole Prior, Damaris Severson, and Mara Youngren- Brown.
American Choral Director’s Association National Honor Choir will be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota in March. The following students will be traveling to compete: Candice Bowers, Brittany Gilman, and Tristan Summers.
Monday — Eligibility Check, 8 a.m.
Tuesday — Hockey at SOHI, 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday — Nordic Ski at SOHI Turkey Skate
Thursday — Happy Thanksgiving!
Friday — No School, Craft Fair at KCHS
Saturday — Craft Fair at KCHS
Nov. 30 — First Day of Basketball and Cheerleading
Congratulations to our Character Counts winners: Ben Crawford and Mary Nash.
Today, the 6th Grade class will be making Holiday Swags.
Wednesday is an Early Release day. School will end at 12:57. Buses will accommodate the early release schedule. There will be no Basketball Practice or After-School Tutoring today.
There is no school Thursday and Friday. KMS wishes all of you a happy and safe holiday!
Save the Date:
December 8 — Holiday Choir Concert
December 13 — Holiday Band Concert
Wednesday is an early release day for students. Students being picked up will be dismissed at 1:50 p.m. and all other students will be dismissed at 1:55 p.m.
There will be no school Thursday and Friday due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
Christmas Drive forms were sent home last week. If you are in need of a Christmas basket, applications must be returned by December 2. If you would like to sponsor a child or a family or make a cash donation please call the office at 283-8600.
Members of the Mountain View after school Youth Chorus will be performing at the School Board Meeting at the borough building on December 5 at 6:00 p.m.
The after school Youth Chorus and the 5th grade band will hold a winter concert on December 12 at 6:00 p.m. 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 p.m. 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.
Congratulations to the Nikiski Volleyball team who ended the season as the South Central Conference Champions and Region III State Runner-up team placing second at the state tournament. A special congratulations to the following players:
Region awards — 1st team: Ayla Pitt, Melanie Sexton and Kelsey Clark; 2nd team: Jamie Yerkes; Good sport: Emma Wik.
State awards — All state team: Ayla Pitt, Melanie Sexton and Kelsey Clark; Good sport: Brianna Vollertsen, Desmeranda Napoka.
Monday
— Grade Checks
Tuesday
— Middle School Basketball at Seward – 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday
— Early Release – School is dismissed at 12:45
— High School Wrestling at SoHi – 5:00 p.m.
— High School Cross Country Skiing at Soldotna Turkey Skate
Thursday — Thanksgiving – no school!
Friday — No school!
November 30 — High School Basketball Begins
NNS is accepting donated food to help the Nikiski food pantry this holiday season. Please bring canned and non-perishable food to help support the local food bank. Donations are welcome this week through December 5. Some suggested items are: canned meats, peanut butter, rice, spaghetti sauce, soups, jelly, grains, dried beans, pasta, infant formula, and canned veggies and fruits.
Wednesday is early release day. NNS will release students at 2:00 p.m.
Thursday and Friday are school holidays. The staff of NNS wishes each of our students and their families a very safe and Happy Thanksgiving. School will resume on November 28.
Helping Redoubt Families: Does your family need help this holiday season? Complete the form on the back of Redoubt’s weekly newsletter and return it to Mr. Withrow by December 2. Please call the school office if you have questions regarding this program.
Box Top Winners: Congratulations Gage Van Vleet and Michael Davidson. Keep turning in those box tops for education and weekly prize drawings.
Mark your calendar:
Wednesday — Early Release Day – 1:45pm
Thursday and Friday — No school, Thanksgiving Vacation
Redoubt PTA is sponsoring a Gently Used Winter Gear Drive. Items may be dropped off in the school lobby. Collected items will go to benefit those in our community who may not be as well equipped for the cold. Please bring your donations by Wednesday.
Redoubt’s Elf Shelf Holiday Store is coming Dec. 6-8. Redoubt PTA sponsors this annual gift shopping opportunity for students. Complete information will be sent home soon.
There will be a special Winter Carnival meeting Tuesday at 3:45 p.m. in the staff lounge. For anyone on a committee or helping with the Carnival, this meeting is very important.
The Penny Drive ends today! There are collection jars on the front office counter – one for 7th grade, one for 8th grade. Pennies add up for each grade’s score. Silver/bills subtract from that grade’s score. Sabotaging the other grade by adding silver or bills to their jar is encouraged.
A BIG thank you to Mrs. Pothast and the Panther Student Council for sponsoring this event to benefit Skyview neighbors in need.
2016-2017 Yearbooks can be ordered on the Skyview Middle School Blog or at the office for $30.
Basketball Schedule this week:
Monday — Skyview 8th Boys vs. Aurora at Skyview – 3:00 p.m.
Monday — Skyview Girls B vs. Ninilchik at Skyview – 4:30 p.m.
Monday — Skyview Boys B vs. Ninilchik at Skyview – 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday — Skyview 8th Girls vs. Skyview 7th Girls at Skyview – 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday — Skyview 8th Boys vs. Skyview 7th Boys at Skyview – 4:30 p.m.
Attention students: Show your school spirit and class pride for the Annual SMS Turkey Trot! 8th graders will be PURPLE and 7th graders will be WHITE.
Early release is Wednesday. Skyview Middle School students end the school day at 1:00 p.m.
No School for students and staff Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving Break.
Mark your calendars for these upcoming events:
Thursday and Friday — Thanksgiving Break
School News:
Kvamme’s school store is open on Wednesday mornings before school. Students can purchase pencils, pens, folders, pencil holders and much more!
Colder weather is here! Please be sure to send students with appropriate cold weather attire.
SoHi Prom is April 1, 2017.
Graduation is May 22, 2017 at 7 p.m. at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex.
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 8 a.m.-3 p.m. 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!
Volunteers are also needed to help with the December Staff Appreciation luncheons at SoHi on Dec. 7 and at SoPrep on Dec. 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.
The SoHi SkillsUSA chapter is having a fund raiser selling rural mail boxes. Contact Advisor Mr. Gordon at 260-7000 for more information.
Mr. Gordon is collecting Baby and Senior pictures for the Graduation Slide show. Turn in no more than one of each. Dec. 2 is the due date for all pictures to be turned in. We will also be collecting video highlights from the various extra-curricular events throughout the year. Due date for the video highlights will be April 21, 2017 but please turn them into Mr. Gordon immediately after the events if possible. Pictures and video clips can be sent by email to dgordon@kpbsd.k12.ak.us. Pictures and video clips turned in after the above dates will not be included in the Graduation Senior Video/slide show.
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.
Primary grades have been reading several versions of the folktale Stone Soup. Families and friends are invited to join the fun at the annual Stone Soup gathering Wednesday at 12:15.
Intermediate grades have been engaged in historical reading, researching, and writing about the Civil War.
Upper grades have started reading for the 2017 Battle of the Books.
First and second graders will practice on Thursdays beginning Dec. 1.
Kindergartners will practice on Tuesdays beginning Nov. 29.
Wednesday — Early Release. Students will be dismissed at 1:55. Bus riders will arrive home 90 minutes earlier than usual.
Thursday and Friday — Thanksgiving Break
Dec 6 — Primary Winter Concert @ Sohi. Performers arrive by 6 p.m.; Concert starts at 6:30.
Dec 9 — School Spirit Assembly led by Mrs. Moore’s class
Conscious Discipline skill focus for the week is Assertiveness: To communicate calmly and clearly what you want others to do.
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.
Battle of the Cans, Canned Food Drive is going on through today.
Early Release Day, Wednesday.
No school Thursday and Friday.
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.
Please visit Soldotna Prep School Page for important information http://soldotnaprep.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/home/
Our 21 Day Kindness Challenge started on November 1! We had our kick-off assembly with special guests and guest speakers! Our Student Kindness Ambassadors did an amazing job! Everyone in our school is challenged to do 5 acts of kindness every day for 21 days!
Wednesday — Early Release In-Service, students out at 2:05 p.m., and Sterling’s Annual Family Day with Soup Lunch for sale for $4 for adults. This is a fundraiser for the 6th grade end of the year field trip! Lunch starts at 12:30 with all families and students. We welcome all families to join us!
Thursday and Friday — No School, Happy Thanksgiving!
December 1 — 21 Day Kindness Challenge Final Celebration! (More details to come!)
December 6 — PTA meeting – 4:00 p.m. in the library
Thank you for the kindness that you show to each other every day! Sterling Elementary is proud to be sharing in this kindness!
The Study is excited to announce that its expansion in the 2016-17 school year has been an absolute success! Not only are they offering highly Academic Pre-K through third grade, but by request have added fourth through sixth grade! If your little one is not receiving highly academic, direct instruction, call The Study to inquire about how to enroll in their year-long programs.
For the older students, The Study offers the following:
— High School Courses for Credit: Algebra 1 & 2, Geometry, Alaska Studies, Government, Art Exploration, Cosmetology, Spanish, ASL
— Private & Group Tutoring in most academic subjects
— Piano, Voice, and Guitar Lessons
— SAT Prep
— A wide variety of workshops, such as Jr. High Math, Mastery of Multiplication, Excellence in Writing, Ground School, Study Skills, and even Summer School
As an accredited private school and learning center, The Study is committed to meeting the educational needs of the Kenai Peninsula.
Wednesday — Title I Meeting/Thanksgiving Luncheon 11:45-12:45
Wednesday — Early Release, 2:05 p.m.
Thursday and Friday — Thanksgiving Break NO SCHOOL
November 28 — Site Council Meeting, 4 p.m.
December 2 — Cash Raffle 4:30 p.m.
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
School news may be submitted to schools@peninsulaclarion.com. Submissions are due by noon on the Wednesday prior to publication.
