Around the District

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:

■ June 6;

■ June 7 (Planning Session);

Holidays and vacation days scheduled

■ May 18 — Last day of school.

Connections Home School Program

Dates To Remember:

■ May 13 – Ongoing until the end date, the EdPerformance assessments for grades fifth through eighth, more information below

■ May 10 – Gym Time at KCHS Track from noon to 2 p.m.

■ May 10 – Homer high school orientation, more information below

■ May 11 – Salmon Celebration – save the date

■ May 11 – Homer Rock Climbing at 1:30 p.m. at the Bay Club, contact Jake Parrett at jparrett@kpbsd.org for more information

■ May 12 – AIMS Web Testing: Soldotna Office, call for an appointment

■ May 17 – Gym Time at Nikiski Pool for free from 2:30-3:30 p.m.

■ May 19 – Connections Graduation Ceremony at SoHi, practice is at 2:30 p.m. and the ceremony is at 4 p.m.

– Salmon Celebration:

On Wednesday, May 11, 2016, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Sport Fish Division, will be holding the 16th annual “Salmon Celebration” in Kasilof at the Johnson Lake State Campground from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This year: Elementary school children will able to release rainbow trout catchables from the William Jack Hernandez Sport Fish Hatchery as part of ADF&G’s lake stocking program between 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. at a separate activity station. Students in kindergarten through third grade are invited to attend from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and students in grades four through sixth should attend between 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. It takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to do all the activities. Jenny Cope, Alaska Department of Fish & Game, Soldotna: 260-2930 or email: jenny.cope@alaska.gov.

– Homer High School Orientation:

Believe it or not, the next 4 years will fly by and Connections would like to help families make the most of these high school years. Students and parents are invited to the “Class of 2020” Orientation that will take place May 10 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Homer Connections Office.

Topics will cover high school requirements and building a 4-year plan, accessing school district Gmail, checking Grades and Credits on the Powerschool database, making an interest inventory, and staff will try to shed some light on where a student may be heading after high school. Staff will also address setting up a personal learning and career plan, and whether or not a family is planning on homeschooling next year staff encourage anyone to join! Please RSVP to Derek Bynagle (dbynagle@kpbsd.org) or call the office at 226-1880. If families would like to attend, but this time does not work staff will be happy to schedule another date.

Interior Distance Education of Alaska

IDEA Homeschool is now enrolling for the 2016-2017 school year! Check out the website at www.ideafamilies.org. Click enroll now. You are always welcome to come visit the staff at the office in the Red Diamond Center. Come check out the library, Resource Room, used curriculum, and speak with a certified teacher. IDEA staff is here to serve you in your homeschooling journey.

■ May 11 – IDEA is heading out to Johnson Lake for the Salmon Celebration at noon. Please sign up online.

■ May 13 – IDEA will be having a Graduation Celebration. This is time for families to celebrate graduates locally. This celebration will be held at the IDEA Office from 6-8 p.m. Join families of graduates for pizza and cake!

■ May 16 – IDEA is having an end of the year celebration. It will be an all day trip to Anchorage. From 10 a.m. to noon, families will be touring the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Then, families will head over to H2Oasis to take advantage of the last homeschool day. Please sign up online.

■ May 17 – IDEA will be having their annual track meet. Families will meet at the Skyview Track at 4 p.m. There is no need to sign up – just come!

■ May 23 – IDEA will be having their End of the Year Picnic at Soldotna Creek Park. Families will gather at noon. IDEA director, Daryl Bowers, will be there to visit with families. This will also be a time to say goodbye to assistant director, Janice Habermann. She will be relocating to IDEA’s Anchorage Office. IDEA will provide hot dogs and drinks. Please bring a side dish to share.

Remember to check out ideafamilies.org for more details on all the activities sponsored by IDEA. Check under the Region K Family Blog and Region K Blog.

Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science

Upcoming Events:

The office has the remaining yearbooks available to purchase for $20. They will be sold on a first come, first served basis.

■ May 9 – Stroh’s and Tronnier’s classes will leave for the Yukon Island at 6 a.m. An email was sent last week with details. If families need more information, please check with the teacher

– Kindergarten will go to Bishop’s Beach at 8 a.m. in Homer

■ May 10 – Darch’s and Lundstrom’s classes will leave for Yukon Island at 6:45 a.m. An email was sent last week with details. If families need more information, please check with the teacher

■ May 11 – First through second graders go to Seward Sealife Center at 7:30 a.m. in Seward

– graders will go to the Salmon Celebration at 10:15 a.m. to Johnson Lake

■ May 12 – Third and fourth grade Author’s Tea at 2:45 p.m.

■ May 13 – Student Council sponsored Spirit Day “Back to the Future Day” while following school dress code

– Science Day at 10 a.m.

– APC meeting in the library at 5 p.m.

– Kaleidoscope’s End of Year BBQ sponsored by the APC at 6 p.m. Families with last names beginning with A-H are asked to bring fruits or veggies, I-Q bring a side dish and R-Z bring a dessert.

Reminders:

The Life Skill we are focusing on this week is Friendship– to make and keep a friend through mutual trust and caring.

– If a child arrives after 9:10 a.m., please come in and sign him or her in at the office.

– If a parent would like to be a volunteer, be sure to complete a background check and volunteer training. Go to kaleidoscope.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/wpmu/volunteers kaleidoscope.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/wpmu/volunteers and click the link to the background check. Please allow up to two weeks for this to clear. The next link on the page will take parents to the Online Volunteer Training. These two 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

What’s Happening:

Kenai Central band and choir’s annual pop concertns are at 7 p.m. this Tuesday and Thursday. Plan on attending at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, for the band performance and 7 p.m. Thursday, May 12, for the choir performance, enjoy KCHS choir and band students at their best – singing their favorite popular songs

■ May 9 – Boys and Girls Varsity Soccer at 4 and 6 p.m. at Nikiski

■ May 10 – Band “Pops” concert at 7 p.m. in the KCHS auditorium

■ May 11 – J.V. girls Soccer against Voznesenka at 4 p.m. at home

– Baseball against Houston at 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. at home

– Softball against Soldotna at 6 p.m. at home

■ May 12 – Choir “Pops” concert in the KCHS auditorium at 7 p.m.

■ May 14 – Track Boroughs field events at 10 p.m. at Soldotna High School

– Baseball against Wasilla at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

– Soccer against Soldotna at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Kalifornsky Beach Elementary

The winners for the Box Tops contest were Mr. Vedders’ class, Mr. Daniels’ class, and Mrs. Romatz’s class. Way to go, Caribou! The school has met and exceeded its goal for this school year. The staff thank all the students and families who saved Box Tops.

Fifth graders finished a yearlong stewardship project collecting monthly data on turbidity, conductivity, PH, dissolved oxygen, and temperature under the wonderful guidance of Stream Dan Paccuci from the watershed forum. They also learned about safety, salmon, aquatic insects and the challenge of dealing with invasive species. On May 2 the kids did a stream clean up as the culminating activity to their yearlong study.

Mr. Daniels’s class is working on their Biography Project. Students choose a notable person to study. They research the person, take notes on the person, then choose from a selection of final presentation choices. These choices include PowerPoint, Prezi, written report, speech, or information poster. The students will choose the one that fits them best. Finally, students will write a “1st person” speech and dress as the person for the second annual Wax Museum show! Classes and families will tour the Wax Museum of Notable People next week!

K-Beach is honoring its sixth grade students at a Continuation Ceremony at 8 a.m. on May 17 in the gym. Families of 6th grade students are invited to join us for the ceremony and the reception that follows.

■ May 18 – Last day of school

Kenai Middle

All fees and library books are due. Students cannot attend Mini Courses without taking care of fees first. If families are unsure if a student owes fees or has outstanding library books, please contact the school at 907-283-1700.

■ May 9 – All supplies for sixth grade camp are due. Students should have brought a list home from school, listing the supplies each student needs, if families have questions, please contact the school at 907-283-1700.

– Site Council Meeting at 4:30 p.m.

■ May 10-12 – Sixth graders head to camp

■ May 10 – Borough Track Preliminaries will be held at Soldotna high

■ May 13 – Eighth Grade Farewell at 8 a.m.

■ May 14 – Middle School Track Boroughs at Soldotna high, “Good Luck Kossacks!”

Save the date: May 16 and 17 are Mini Courses.

■ May 18 is the last day of school! The school will host an Awards Assembly in the morning and a BBQ in the afternoon.

Mountain View Elementary

■ May 10 – The PTA will have their final meeting for the school year at 4 p.m. at Mountain View.

A Retirement Celebration for Cathy Carrow, Susan Crane and Mary Fischer will be held at 4 p.m., Tuesday, May 10 in the Library at Mountain View

Wednesday, May 11 is the last day to borrow lunch money. Please try to pay back all lunch money owed to the office before the last day of school.

Please be sure to check lost and found. There are a lot of coats, hats and gloves just waiting to be found!

If students have any Library books checked out please turn them in as soon as possible.

Wednesday, May 18 is the last day of school. The Mt. View PTA and the Moose Lodge will be providing a picnic lunch for the students.

Nikiski Middle-High

■ May 9 – Girls Varsity Soccer against Kenai at 3 p.m. in Nikiski

– Girls JV Soccer aginast Kenai at 5 p.m. in Nikiski.

– Boys Varsity Soccer against Kenai at 7 p.m. in Nikiski

■ May 10 – JV Boys Soccer against Homer at 4 p.m. in Nikiski

– Varsity Girls Soccer against Homer at 4 p.m. in Nikiski

– JV Girls Soccer against Homer at 6 p.m. in Nikiski

– Varsity Boys Soccer against Homer at 6 p.m. in Nikiski

– Middle School Track Boroughs Prelims at Skyview middle

■ May 12 – Senior Awards Night at 7 p.m.

■ May 13 – Varsity Girls Soccer at 4 p.m. in Seward

Varsity Boys Soccer at 6 p.m. in Seward

■ May 14 – JV Girls Soccer, Nikiski against Grace at 10 a.m.

– Varsity Boys Soccer, Nikiski against Grace at 10 a.m.

– Varsity Girls Soccer @ Nikiski against Grace at noon

– Middle School Borough Track Meet at Soldotna high

– High School Borough Track Meet at Soldotna high

■ May 16 – Graduation at 7 p.m.

■ May 18 – Students last day of school

Nikiski North Star Elementary

There will be a site council meeting at 3:45 p.m., in the staff lounge.

Congratulations to the NNS Trimathaletes! The following students represented NNS at the annual district “Trimathalon” math meet on April 28: Savanna Stock, Lilly Anderson, Braeden Porter, Celina Martinez, Jasmine Durfee and Jessica Perry. The students were challenged with chess matches, factoring, counting and lightening round math questions.

The third through fifth grade spring music concert will be held on Tuesday, May 10. This will take place at 6 p.m. at Nikiski Middle-High School. If families need more information, please call the school office at 776-2600. Friday, May 13 is the NNS Jog-a-thon beginning at 9:30 a.m. Please join in to raise funds for NNS by pledging to a favorite jogger. There will be prizes for the top fundraisers and it is guaranteed fun for the whole family! Times are as follows: grades kindegarten through first grade from 9:30–10:30 a.m., grades second through third from 10:35-11:35 a.m., and grades fourth through fifht from 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Redoubt Elementary

■ May 9 – First graders head to Jumpin’ Junction

■ May 10 – PTA Meeting at 3:45 p.m.

– Fifth grade Salmon Release at Johnson Lake

■ May 11 – Site Council Meeting at 3:45 p.m.

■ May 12 – Second graders head to Kenai National Wildlife Refuge

– First and sixth graders at Farnsworth Park

■ May 17 – Beach Day for grades fourth, fifth and sixth

■ May 18 – Awards in the gym, Field Day and the last day of school

Box Top winners last week were: Katy Cox, Zaeryn Bahr and MaKayla. Keep those Box Tops for education and Labels for education coming, weekly drawings are held so don’t forget to have a child put their name on the back of each Box Top and turn them in at school. Help earn money for Redoubt.

This week’s Redoubt’s Spotlight shines on Redoubt’s PTA. Without this group of hard-working, dedicated people, Redoubt would not be what it is today. Winter Carnival, Fun Fest concessions, Teacher Supply Cabinet, Staff Lunches, Decorated Doors and Classroom Donations are just a few of the many wonderful things they provide for our school. Redoubt Elementary staff and students would like to thank them for their continued support throughout the school year. “Volunteers do not necessarily have the time: they just have the heart” ~Elizabeth Andrew

The School Picnic will be held May 18 at regular lunch times. The school staff asks each each student to bring in $2.

Hotdogs, cookies, chips and a drink will be served. Families are welcome to join the picnic lunch. Parents should call the school if they are planning to join their child for lunch.

PBIS – Tie-Dye celebration will take place May 9 and 10. The school will need about 10 school district approved volunteers to help with this school-wide project. If parents are interested in helping please call the school office for additional information.

Help Wanted for Field Day, which is May 18. If families would like to help and have fun at the same time please call the school office. Mr. Joachim is seeking 18-20 district-approved volunteers to help during field day. This is a fun filled day of outdoor activities. Please call the school office for more information.

The Summer Reading Program begins May 22. Information will be sent home.

Skyview Middle

May 9-13 in the last week for Track and Field!

■ May 10 – Borough Prelims and field event finals start at 1:30 p.m. at Soldotna High School. Running Events Preliminaries start at 3 p.m., with the exception of the 800 meter race. The 800 meters will be a final race.

■ May 14 – Borough Running Finals at noon at Soldotna High School

Mark calendars:

■ May 10 – Awards Ceremony and Band and Choir Concert at 6:30 p.m. at Skyview Middle School Gym. Awards ceremony will honor students for outstanding achievements. Band and choir final concert will begin immediately following the awards ceremony

■ May 13 – Final Activity Night will start afterschool from 2:45-4:45 p.m. Parent volunteers needed. Kenai Peninsula Borough School District volunteer approval is required to attend. Please contact the school at 260-2500 if interested.

■ May 18 – Last Day of School.

– Eighth Grade Ceremony and Talent Show and Field Day – The eighth grade ceremony will begin at 8 a.m. followed by the talent show. Field Day will follow lunch.

Student Council Leadership Group for the 2016-2017 School Year: Congratulations to the following students who will be serving in the Panther Student Council Leadership Group for the 2016-2017 school year: Erika Arthur, Adison Beck, Heidi Brendtro, Morgan Chace, Cheyenne Friedersdorff, Mack Frost, Alexis Gomes, Katherine Gross, Kaytee Hackett, Alana Houser, Jaron Kenner, Catherine Kline, Nicholas McConnell, Max Rogers and Macie Schroeder.

KPBSD Art Teacher Art Show – Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Art Teachers will display selections of their work at the Kenai Fine Arts Center in Kenai during the Month of May. Please stop by to see the wonderful work!

Skyview Middle School Cross Country Skiers who have not yet picked up their skis, please see Coach Shannon Dwyer during lunch or before or after school.

All library books are due! Please contact Ms. McCabe in the library if families have any questions or concerns.

All outstanding fees are due! Please contact Mrs. Kircher in the office with any questions or concerns.

Soldotna High

The second semester SoHi Art and Ceramics students will be having a final art show displaying their best projects of the semester. All are welcome to attend! Refreshments will be provided. May 12th from 7:45am to 2:15 p.m., in the art room (26) at Soldotna high. Please contact Stephanie Cox with any questions at 907-260-7000.

Awards Night will be held at 7 p.m.Tuesday, May 10.

A Free Physical Night will be at 5 p.m., Thursday, July 14, at Soldotna Prep.

Sara Erfurth, Kent Peterson, and Terri Zopf-Schoessler are planning a SoHi musical theatre presentation next fall, which will be open to Soldotna-area students. Auditions will be the second week of school, and the show will be performed in November at SoHi auditorium. Several different titles are being discussed: Parents and students should check out Once Upon a Mattress–the Princess and the Pea fairy tale musical, Footloose the Musical, and others. Interested students should be prepared to sing and dance!

SoHi Parents of Seniors are seeking help and donations for the After Grad event to be held on Wednesday, May 18. Parents of Seniors who are unable to volunteer, but would like to contribute are encouraged to send donations in any amount to the school in an envelope marked “After Grad”. If families would like to volunteer for the event, please email Sheilah-Margaret Pothast at agr8fulmom@hotmail.com with “After Grad” in the subject line. All volunteers must complete the KPBSD background check available on the school district website (it’s quick and easy!) and be a member of PTSA for insurance purposes. PTSA forms are available at the school and dues are $10 annually.

The Soldotna High School Child Development class is having a free daycare May 12 and May 13 from noon to 2 p.m. Games, crafts, snacks, and other activities will be provided. Children must be potty trained and between 2-5 years of age. Registration is required. Please email Meggean at meggean@kpbsd.k12.ak.us for an enrollment form.

Parents of Seniors, Fundraising help is needed! Please email Sheilah-Margaret Pothast at agr8fulmom@hotmail.com for more information with “After Grad” in the subject line. Parent volunteers planning to help chaperone at the event MUST be PTSA members for insurance purposes. Membership forms can be picked up at the school office and PTSA dues are $10 annually.

Soldotna High School PTSA’s primary fundraiser is the Fred Meyer Rewards Program. It’s easy to sign up and makes a BIG difference for the PTSA and school. Visit fredmeyer.com with a Rewards Program number and select Soldotna High School PTSA. It’s quick and simple and way families make a positive impact just by doing everyday shopping! The school staff say “Thank you!”

Soldotna Stars Letterman Jackets are available to order at neffco.com. Click on Varsity Jackets, find the school by selecting the State, and select Soldotna High School, starting at $149 students can personalize it anyway they would like. Any questions contact Heather Parkki, 907-260-7022. Makes a great Christmas gift!

The Soldotna high Library Media Center will be open 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Contact Ms. Wear at 260.7036 or twear@kpbsd.k12.ak.us for information on the 4:15 p.m. bus.

The Study

The Study is already looking forward to a bright, busy summer. If families are worried about a student losing skills and knowledge over the break, bring them to The Study!

Summer Offerings:

■ June-July summer school sessions for kindergarten through eighth graders are Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon

■ June-July Mini Kinder Prep sessions for 3-6-year-olds are Monday through Thursday from 12:30-2:30 p.m.

■ June-July Jr. High Math sessions for sixth through ninth graders are Tuesday through Thursday from 1-3 p.m.

■ July Mastery of Multiplication session for third through sixth graders is Monday and Wednesday from 3-4 p.m.

■ July Excellence in Writing session for fourth through seventh graders is Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon

■ July Study Skills session for sixth through 12th graders is Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30-11:30 a.m.

■ Piano for 5-year-olds and older is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday

School Year:

– Homework Club on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4-6 p.m.

– High School Courses for Credit: Algebra 1 & 2, Geometry, Alaska Studies, Government, Art Exploration, Spanish, ASL

– Private & Group Tutoring in all 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.

Tustumena Elementary

■ May 9 – First grade Lynx track trip to Ninilchik Pool

■ May 10 – Kindergarten Lynx track trip to Ninilchik Pool

■ May 11 – Second and fourth grade Lynx track trip to Nikiski Pool

– Salmon Celebration

■ May 12 – Third, fourth, fifth and sixth grade Lynx track trip to Nikiski Pool

■ May 13 – Kindergarten and first grade to the Soldotna Fire Station from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

■ May 16 – End of year assembly at 10 a.m.

– Sixth Grade Graduation at 2 p.m.

■ May 17 – Sixth Grade Bridge and Egg Drop at 10 a.m.

– Primary classes to Johnson Lake at 11 a.m.