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. 3
■ Nov. 7
■ Dec. 5
■ Jan. 16
■ Feb. 6
■ March 6
■ April 3
■ May 1 (Seward High School)
■ June 5
■ June 6 (Planning Session)
■ 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.
Tuesday – Kenai Rec Center Homeschool Gym Is Back! (more info below)
Wednesday – Soldotna School Pictures – 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Borough Building: Assembly Room
Wednesday – AT&T at Soldotna Office for Presentation
Wednesday – Math Tutoring at New Sterling Hwy Kaladi Brothers 1-2pm
Thursday – Connections Jam Session at Old Kobuck Kaladi Brothers 2:30-3:30 (more info below)
Oct. 6 – Salmon Egg Take at the Anchor River with ADF&G 10:45 – 11:20
Oct. 7 – Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center Field Trip (more info below)
Oct. 19 – PSAT for 10th & 11th Grade at Soldotna Connections Office 8:15am
Oct. 19 – PSAT for 10th & 11th Grade in Homer
Oct. 20 – Eligibility Due For High School Students
Oct. 26 – Hay Maze at Solid Rock Camp 1:00-2:30
Nov. 04 – AVTEC Tour
Math Tutoring at New Soldotna Kaladi on Wednesdays:
Drop in math tutoring at the new Sterling Hwy Kaladi Brothers (by Subway) every Wednesdays from 1-2 pm. Bring your books and questions to ask, Connections will be in the community room. Parents and students are welcome!
Connections Jam Session at Kobuck Kaladi Brothers:
Once a month Connections will have an impromptu music jam session at the old Kaladis off of Kobuck for high school students. Bring your laptops, homework, music and let’s and jam out while socializing! If you are interested in participating please email Shelli Furlong: sfurlong@kpbsd.org or Carole Nolden: cnolden@kpbsd.org. Mark down September 29th from 2:30-3:30 for this month and we hope to see you there!
Salmon Egg Take at the Anchor River with ADF&G:
As part of the “Salmon in the Classroom Project”, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game is doing salmon egg takes at the Anchor River Campground on Thursday October 6th at 10:45am at the Alaska State Park Recreation Site on Anchor Point/Beach Road. Please contact Derek at dbynagle@kpbsd.k12.ak.us or (907) 226-1880 to confirm numbers with ADF&G.
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center Field Trip:
Connections Home School Program will be sponsoring a field trip to Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center on Friday, October 7th. Connections will provide grilled hotdogs, drinks and chips. If you have any questions or plan on attending please RSVP Reubin Payne: rpayne@kpbsd.k12.ak.us or call 714-8880.
AVTEC Tour:
All Connections High School Students are invited to attend a free guided tour of AVTEC in Seward on Friday, November 4th at 10:00 am. AVTEC offers a variety of educational programs such as: Construction, Welding, Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Maritime Studies, Electronics, Culinary Arts and many other courses.
Kenai Rec Center Homeschool Gym Is Back!
Free weekly homeschool open gym at the Kenai Recreation Center beginning Tuesday September 27th from 12pm-2pm. Gym time will consist of some instructor led activities and games, as well as some open gym time. All homeschool students are invited, and parents are welcome to participate if they like. Please wear gym clothes and tennis shoes with non-marking soles. Contact Mark Wackler for more information at mwackler@kpbsd.k12.ak.us and we hope to see you there!
Monday
— 3:45-4:45 Running Club
— 4:15 APC Meeting
Tuesday
— 9:15 PTA Family Fun Night Committee Meeting
Wednesday
— 3:45-4:45 Running Club
Thursday
— School Pictures, sibling pictures are from 12:00-1:00.
— 2:30 PTA meeting
Friday
— Hat Day! Student Council sponsored Spirit Day so wear your favorite hat to school.
Mark your Calendar
— October 6- 3rd and 4th grade Study Trip to Anchor River for egg take
— October 12-1:30-3:00 Kindergarteners will walk to the creek.
— October 17-4:15 APC Meeting
— October 21 – Inservice Day, no school for students
— October 26- 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.
— October 27 and 28- Parent Teacher Conferences-No School
Volunteers
Two steps are required each school year to be an approved volunteer. Go to http://kaleidoscope.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/wpmu/volunteers and click the link to the background check. This may take 2 weeks for approval to be returned. The next link on the page will take you to the Online Volunteer Training. Read and complete the quiz at the end.
Lunch menus are now only available online. They are on the Kaleidoscope webpage as well as the KPBSD webpage and KPBSD app. They will also be attached to the weekly message sent the first of each month.
K-Beach kindergartens enjoyed Otterpops from The Jolly Rodger’s Taste of Paradise ice cream truck.
Our 65 kindergartners were so excited for their Caribou Celebration of excellent behavior.
We are grateful to Brent and Maryanne Rogers for their donation.
Mr. Daniels’s science class buried pitfall traps near the school last Monday. Pitfall traps are cans buried at ground level and left for 2-3 days to discover what might skitter along the ground where they are placed. During their study of plants and animals students went through a pitfall trap training. Then they put away the books and headed to the woods around the school and carefully place the traps in likely areas where bugs may be found. They will check the traps in a couple of days and take them back to class for further study.
Last week’s Box Tops raffle winners are Wyatt Abbot and Madison Acker. Way to go, Caribou! Keep clipping those Box Tops.
Second graders and parents in Mrs. McCoy’s classroom are learning to use the app SeeSaw. With this app, students can post videos and pictures of their learning for parents to see. Parents can comment on their child’s work. Mrs. McCoy has been busy posting pictures and videos of classroom activities so that parents can take a look at a day in second grade.
Picture day is Tuesday. Orders can be made before Picture Day at the website: mylifetouch.com and using the Picture Day ID Code: AK336436Q0
Kenai Central is participating in Suicide Prevention month by creating a “Wall of Hope.” The “Wall of Hope” is a way for students to work together with their peers, teachers, counselors, with a goal of reducing teenage suicide rates and creating a healthier, happier, and brighter Alaska for future generations.
Another big thank you to the KCHS staff, Football Booster Club, community members, businesses, and the Kenai Fire and Police Departments for helping make our Homecoming week a successful one!
Monday
— C-Team Football vs Soldotna 4:00
Tuesday
— Volleyball (Home) vs Nikiski 3:30 4:30 6:00
Wednesday
— Wrestling Practice Begins
Thursday
— Academic Awards Banquet 6:00
Friday
— Volleyball at Soldotna 3:30, 4:30, 6:00
Saturday
— State Cross Country Running at Bartlett
— Football at Soldotna High School 11, 2:00
— Swim/Dive at Seward Invite
— Volleyball at Homer 11, 12, 1:30
The Fischer/Bressler team is traveling to Exit Glacier today. They depart at 8:00 a.m. (students should arrive at 7:45) and will return at 4:00 p.m.
The Rolph-Beck-Tews team will take the Exit Glacier trip on Wednesday. They will depart at 7:00 a.m. (students should arrive at 6:45p.m.) and return in time for buses at 2:30.
All students should dress for the weather and bring a sack lunch and water bottle. Safe travels to our staff and students.
The 6th grade swimming unit continues this week with Group 1 swimming on Monday/ Tuesday and Group 2 swimming on Wednesday/ Thursday. Remember to call early to make arrangements if you will be picking up your student early on any of these days.
Friday the KMS XC Running team will compete in Homer at 3:00.
Soccer Boroughs will start on Saturday for both Boys and Girls at Skyview. Details will be sent home with players this week.
The Site Council meeting has been rescheduled and will be meeting on Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. in the Library.
The 30 day grace period for Free and Reduced meal benefits will end on Oct. 4. 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 PTA “Believe Kids” fundraiser catalog and information were sent home with students last Friday. Orders need to be turned in by Monday, October 10.
Monday
— B Team Middle School Soccer at Chapman-3:30 p.m.
Tuesday
— Volleyball at Nikiski vs. Kenai. C Team-3:00 p.m./JV-4:00 p.m./Varsity-5:00 p.m.
— Middle School Soccer First Round Boroughs- Skyview at 3:00 pm.
Wednesday
— High School Wrestling Begins
— B Team Middle School Soccer at Nikiski vs. Chapman-3:00 p.m.
Friday
— B Team Middle School Soccer at Nikiski vs. Chapman-3:00 p.m.
— Volleyball at Nikiski vs. Grace Christian. C Team-3:00 p.m./JV-4:00 p.m./Varsity-5:00 p.m.
— Middle School Cross Country Meet at Homer – 3:30 p.m.
— Varsity Football at Seward at 4:00 p.m.
Saturday
— Volleyball at Nikiski vs. ACS. C Team-12:00 p.m./JV-1:00 p.m./Varsity-2:00 p.m.
— Middle School Soccer Boroughs at Skyview-10:00 a.m.
PTA will have a membership meeting on October 6 at 3:45 p.m. in the staff lounge. The members will be discussing the Annual Fall Carnival which will take place on October 22 at the school. PTA is always looking for volunteers to help with the carnival. The carnival will consist of lots of games, food, costume contest for all ages, pumpkin carving contest, a live band and silent auction baskets. Please check the NNS PTA Facebook page to keep updated on all of the events and times.
There will be picture retakes on October 12. If you need more information, please call the school office at 776-2600.
Mark your calendar –
Tuesday — Walk Your Child to School Day. Meet at the Catholic Church on Fireweed and Redoubt Ave. at 8:00 a.m. Snacks will be served back at Redoubt about 8:30 a.m. Soldotna Montessori and Soldotna Elementary will be joining us for this fun family event. All students must be accompanied by an adult. Rain or Shine. Please dress for the weather.
Last week’s Box Top winners – Hayden Howard, Gavyn Cochran & Carter Norman.
Save your Box Tops, put your name on the back, and put them in the box outside the office. Weekly prize drawings are held.
Friday – School Photos, all students will be photographed for the school yearbook (retakes November 8th).
Friday – Parent Teacher Conference forms will be sent home with students. Please use one form per family.
Friday – Health screenings with nurse Iris.
October 8 — Redoubt’s 6th Annual Fun Run and bake sale to benefit the 6th grade Peterson Bay field trip. Individuals $10.00, Family $25.00. Registration/Check-in 9:00-9:45am. Volunteers are needed, rain or shine. No dogs or bikes, strollers welcome.
Students who were receiving lunch benefits at the end of last school year will continue receiving benefits through October 3rd 2016. October 4th is the drop date unless a new application has been submitted and approved. A new application must be filed each year. We encourage all families to complete a Student Programs Application. Programs such as our Pre-K program, school lunch program, funding for technology equipment along with Athletic & Activity Waivers are dependent on these funds.
Volunteers and Field Trip Drivers – must complete the online school district volunteer application before volunteering in the school or on school field trips. Please go to the KPBSD website for additional information on how you can volunteer at Redoubt Elementary.
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.
Mark your calendars for these upcoming events:
September 27 Parent PACK Meeting 3:45pm in library
School News:
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.
Please wait in the lobby if you pick your child up in the afternoon to help keep our hallways and classrooms clear. Teachers will always escort students to the lobby for dismissal.
The Parent PACK would like to welcome anyone interested in volunteering this year. With support of amazing parent volunteers, the Parent PACK is able to offer many fun events for our students. To volunteer please sign up for email communications or follow the PACK on Facebook to keep up-to-date on volunteer events in the school.
The Square One Art Fundraiser is coming soon! Stay tuned for more details.
Please join us for a Financial Aid Night in the SoHi Library All parents and students welcome Tuesday from 6-7 p.m. Topics to be covered are: Timelines, Financial Aid Literacy, Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), FAFSA, Types of Costs, Scholarship Portfolio, Scholarship Search, the Award Process, and will include a guest speaker from the KPC Financial Aid Department Hosted by: Soldotna High Counseling Department
Auditions for Once Upon a Mattress, the Princess and the Pea Musical yielded a dynamic cast from Skyview Middle School, SoPrep, RCA, Connections, and SoHi. The musical is under the direction of Terri Zopf-Schoessler, Audra Faris, Kent Peterson, Sara and Nathan Erfurth; rehearsals will continue after school until the show goes up November 10-12. Musicians who wish to be play in the orchestra should contact Mr. Peterson; students who would like to work backstage and/or on props, sets, and costumes should contact Mr. or Mrs. Erfurth.
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!
SoHi PTSA welcomes new members! Membership dues are $10 annually and forms can be picked up in the office. Please email Sheilah-Margaret Pothast at agr8fulmom@hotmail.com with “SoHi PTSA” in the subject line for more information.
Mr. Gordon is collecting Baby and Senior pictures for the Graduation Slide show. Turn in no more than one of each. December 2, 2016 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 will start running on 9/6. There are 2 buses that 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.
After School Tutoring Monday and Wednesday 2:30 – 3:30 in Room 10 and Tuesdays and Thursdays in Room 30
Robotics Club meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:30 – 5:00 p.m. and Thursdays from 5-7 p.m. in Room 19.
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
TATU Training (Teens Against Tobacco Use) Tuesday, September 27th 4-8 p.m. KPC Dorm Conference Room. Pick up and return completed application to School nurse.
Whitney Benson was selected as Soldotna Prep’s September Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Student of the Month. She will be honored at a Soldotna Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Tuesday, Sept. 27.
ALICE TRAINING ASSEMBLY September 29. For Bell Schedule and for important information please visit http://soldotnaprep.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/home/ and click on School News.
Oct. 4 — PTA meeting 4:00 pm – library
Oct. 8 — PTA Recycle bin building party! Community welcome to help out! Starts at 9:00 and refreshments are provided! Help build a new shed/bin to collect our aluminum cans with which we earn a lot of money for our school!!
Oct. 20 — Falcon Fun Night 3:45-5:00 pm – Volunteers who have completed the background check process are encouraged to call our office to help!
Oct. 21 — No School – In-service/ End of quarter
Oct. 26 — Early Release – Students out at 2:05 pm
Oct. 26-27 — Parent Teacher conferences – schedule coming home soon!!
Oct. 28 — No school for students
Oct. 28 — Sterling PTA Trail or Treat! 4:00 – 5:30 – includes trick or treating on our habitat trail, chili cook off and pumpkin carving contest! Donations of Halloween decorations and candy requested as well as volunteers who would like to participate and hand out candy on the trail!
Today — Site Council Meeting, 4 p.m.
Thursday — SEM 2 p.m.
October 18 — PTO Meeting, 4 p.m.
October 21 — Inservice Day, No School for Students, End of 1st Quarter
October 25 — Picture Retakes
October 26 — Early Release, 2:05 p.m.
October 27-28 — Parent Teacher Conferences
October 28 — Winter Carnival, 6-8
October 31 — Site Council Meeting, 4 p.m.
Submit school news to schools@peninsulaclarion.com.
