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:
■ May 2 (Seward High School);
■ June 6;
■ June 7 (Planning Session);
Holidays and vacation days scheduled
■ May 18 — Last day of school.
Dates To Remember:
■ May 3 – Kenai Fjords Trip in Seward
■ May 4 – Soldotna office kindergarten orientation and end of the year BBQ at 2:30-4 p.m.
■ May 5 – Middle School Math Meet at Homer Middle School from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (more info below)
■ May 10 – Homer high school orientation (more info below)
■ May 11 – Salmon Celebration – Save the Date
– Soldotna office kindergarten orientation and end of year BBQ:
The Soldotna office is hosting a kindergarten orientation and end of year BBQ from 2:30-4 p.m., May 4. Please come join Connections to celebrate the end of another successful year and to introduce the Connections program to any incoming students and families.
Kindergarten curriculum will be available to look at along with the elementary advisor to answer any questions families have. Connections will also provide food and drinks, please bring a blanket to sit on and any outdoor games they would like to share! The Connectons parking lot will be closed off but parking is available across the street. Please feel free to invite other families to join, the more the merrier!
– Middle School Math Meet:
The Middle School Math Meet will be held at Homer Middle School on Thursday, May 5 and will run from around 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. All advanced math students in sixth through eighth grade are welcome.
Participants will compete in two individual rounds, a team round, and a gameshow style countdown round with a chance to win competition and door prizes.
Please contact Derek at 226-1880 or dbynagle@kpbsd.k12.ak.us for more information and example questions. If there is interest Derek will also hold practice sessions leading up to the meet in Homer; for Central Peninsula inquires please contact Wendi Dutcher wdutcher@kpbsd.k12.ak.us.
Connections Home School Program
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.
IDEA’s 18th Annual Curriculum Fair is on May 4 at Kalifonsky Christian Center.
There will be a buffet breakfast and Keynote Speaker – Carol Simpson, presenting,
The IDEA Curriculum Fair is open to the public. Tickets are $15 pre-paid or $20 at the door. Tickets may be purchased at the IDEA office in the Red Diamond Center. All currently enrolled IDEA families are free of charge. Buddy passes are available at the door for $10. A buddy pass is for non-IDEA families who come with an IDEA family.
■ 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:
■ May 2 – APC meeting at 4:15 p.m.
■ May 3 – First and second graders will go to Captain Cook State Park
– Fifth grade Music Concert Rehearsal at 9:30 a.m. at Kenai Central High
– Fifth grade Music Concert at KCHS at 7 p.m.
■ May 4 – 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 and training. The length of the school day will be reduced by 90 minutes, for a total of nine hours during the 2015-2016 school year. On these early release dates, school will end 90 minutes earlier. Bus transportation will be adjusted by ninety minutes.
■ May 5 – Bike Rodeo with bikes for first through fifth graders (leave bike outside a classroom window)
– Band Concert at 6 p.m.
■ May 6 – School Assembly for band concert in the gym at 9:20 a.m.
Reminders:
The Life Skill we are focusing on this week is Caring – To feel and show concern for others.
Kalifornsky Beach Elementary
K-Beach is honoring its sixth grade students at a Continuation Ceremony at 8 a.m., May 17 in the gymnasium. Families of sixth grade students are invited to join in the ceremony and reception that follows.
K-Beach sixth grade students worked with Ranger Michelle Owstrowski from the Kenai Wildlife Refuge on April 22, Earth Day. They made new paper from shredded, recycled document paper. The paper will be used for a combined science and language arts project. The school staff want to say “Thank you, Ranger Michelle!”
Mr. Daniels’s Class is learning about waves in science, measurement in math, biographies in reading, and excercise in health. Students are reading, reading, reading, to reach their quarter goal in hopes of qualifying for the end of quarter Reading Counts celebration.
The K-Beach band concert will be at 6:30 p.m., Monday. Students should meet in the library no later than 6:15 p.m.
Upcoming dates:
■ May 2 – K-Beach Band Concert at 6:30 p.m. in the gym
■ May 4 – Early Release Day; K-Beach will dismiss at 12:55 p.m.
■ May 5 – JA in a day
■ May 18 – Last day of school
Kenai Central High
April 2016 Students of the Month: Kenai Rotary Club – Connor Jones, Kenai Chamber of Commerce – McKinley Sorhus, Kenai Elks – Emily Hamilton, Kard of the Deck – Damien Redder, Super Staffer – Amy Blume, Study Skills – Alexis Coray – Mrs. Bisset Anatomy & Physiology – Denali Lockwood – Mrs. Davis, AP Calculus – Emily Koziczkowski – Mrs. Herring Choir – Kelsey Pisa – Mr. Nissan, LA 9 Honors – Sharmaine Aguilar – Mrs. Schneider Study Skills – Stormy Vandermartin – Ms. Smith, Life Activities – Daytona Powell – Mr. Marquez Alaska Studies – Alexandra McKinstry – Mr. Settlemyer
Algebra 1 – Travis Stuller – Mr. Songer LA 11 – Madison Chanley – Mr. Baskin, Earth Science – Melanie Lee – Mrs. Bergholtz AP US History – Mara Youngren-Brown – Mrs. Calvert, Welding – Brandon Hopkins – Mr. Hartman, Spanish 1 – Emma Linna – Mr. Moss, Foods II – Aurora Dell – Mrs. Sims
Upcoming dates:
■ May 3 – Baseball against Homer at 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. at home
– Softball at Homer
■ May 4 – Early Release at 12:45 p.m.
– Soccer against Houston at 4 and 6 p.m. at home
– Baseball against Soldotna High School from 3:30–6:30 p.m. at home
– Softball at 3 p.m. at Soldotna High School
■ May 5 – Student of the Month Luncheon
■ May 6 – Soccer against Wasilla at 4 and 6 p.m. at home
– Baseball at Wasilla
– Track at Colony Invitational
■ May 7 – Track at Colony Invitational
– Baseball at Colony from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
– Soccer against Grace at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. at home
Kenai Middle School
The school staff say “Congratulations to our Character Counts winners: Pierce Felix-Hughes and Jeramiah Kvasnikoff.”
This week, May 2-6, is teacher appreciation week. The school says if families have the opportunity, please thank a teacher today!
Mini Course meetings will be held today. If a student has not paid their mini course fee, they should do that immediately.
All school fees must be paid as well. No student will be allowed to participate in Mini Courses without paying school fees.
Join the school Tuesday for the newest version of “Live-It’s Fairy Tale News!”, a handful of monologues and a poem, performed by the Drama Class from 10:25-11 a.m.
■ May 4 – Student Nutrition Employee’s Day! The school is thankful for all that they provide the students of Kenai Middle. The school says “Andrea and Laurie, we appreciate you!”
– Early Release Day. School ends at 12:57 p.m. The buses will accommodate the early release schedule
■ May 5 – Middle School Math Meet in Homer. Good Luck Kossacks!
■ May 6 – School Spirit Day
– Activity Night and Dance from 7:30–9:30 p.m. The cost is $3 and is open for sixth, seventh and eighth grade students
– The Nikiski Invite Track Meet, Go Kossacks!
The school says “Have a great week! You’ve almost made it!”
Mountain View Elementary
The school staff are accepting pre-orders for the yearbook. Yearbooks are $18 each and will be available before school ends. Order forms were sent home and can also be found at the office.
■ May 2 – National Principal’s Day. Be sure to thank Mr. Kircher and Mr. DeVolld for being the school’s Principals!
■ May 4 – Early Release Day. Students will be dismissed at 1:55 p.m.
■ May 4 – The Kindergarten Spring Concert will be Thursday, May 5 at 2 p.m. in the gym at Mountain View
■ May 6 – National School Nurses Day
– Attention all first and seocond graders mark all calendars, it is Bike Rodeo time!
Bicycle Safety Instruction in the classroom will be held Tuesday, May 3. The Kenai Police Department will send an officer to teach and instruct students on Safe Bicycle Tips. Friday, May 6 students may bring their bicycle and helmet to school and ride the obstacle course. Students will also be able to have their bicycle checked and registered with a sticker. Outgrown or don’t have a helmet? No worries! Helmets can be purchased for $5 and will be personally fitted for students thanks to Safe Kids through Central Peninsula Hospital. Get ready for fun! If parents would like to help with the bike rodeo, please call the office at 283-8600.
National Teacher Appreciation Week is May 2-6. The Mountain View PTA is providing lunch for the staff every day of the week. If families would like to help by bringing some food please call Traci at 953-3779 or the office at 283-8600.
■ 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 Mary Fischer will be held at 4 p.m. in the Library at Mountain View.
■ May 18 – The last day of school.
Nikiski Middle-High
■ May 6-7 – The Wizard of Oz at 7 p.m. The cost per ticket is $10 for adults and $5 for students.
■ May 3 – PTS meeting at 5:45 p.m.
■ May 5 – Girls Varsity Soccer at home against Wasilla at 3 p.m.
– Girls JV Soccer at home against Wasilla at 5 p.m.
– Boys Varsity Soccer at home against Wasilla at 7 p.m.
■ May 6 – Boys Varsity Soccer at home against Palmer at 3 p.m.
– Girls Varsity Soccer at home against Palmer at 5 p.m.
– Girls JV Soccert at home against Palmer at 7 p.m.
■ May 7 – Girls Varsity Soccer at home against Colony at 10 a.m.
– Boys JV Soccer at home against Colony at 10 a.m.
– Boys Varsity Soccer at home against Colony at 12 p.m.
– Girls JV Soccer at home against Colony at 12 p.m.
■ May 9 – Girls Varsity Soccer at home against Kenai at 3 p.m.
– Girls JV Soccer at home against Colony at 5 p.m.
– Boys Varsity Soccer at home against Colony at 7 p.m.
■ May 16 – Graduation at 7 p.m.
Nikiski North Star Elementary
The month of May will be a very busy time at NNS!
■ May 4 – The last early release day for this school year. NNS will dismiss at 2 p.m.
■ May 5 – The fifth grade band concert at 7 p.m. at Nikiski Middle High School
– The PTA will have its final meeting of the year on May 5 at 3:45 p.m. in the staff lounge
■ May 6 – The NNS school wide tie dye day beginning at 9 a.m. Each child and staff member will be dyeing a shirt to be worn on the last day of school
■ May 7 – The 2nd annual Girls on the Run fun run beginning at 10 a.m. This will take place at North Peninsula Recreation and everyone is welcome to participate
NNS will be having a Jog-a-thon Fundraiser on Friday, May 13. Please make a pledge to the students so they can raise funds for their school. There will be prizes for the top fundraisers and it will be fun for the whole family. Please call the school at 776-2600 with any questions.
Redoubt Elementary
Enroll now for the 2016-2017 school year. Registration is now open for all grades. Please call the school office for more information on the enrollment process.
Spring Concert Schedule:
■ May 3 – First through third grade concert at 6 p.m. at Soldotna High School
■ May 5 – Band Concert at 6 p.m. in the Redoubt Gym
Other dates to remember:
■ May 2 – Principals Day
■ May 2-6 – Teacher Appreciation Week
■ May 4 – Early Release Day for students at 1:45 p.m.
■ May 5 – Kenai River Cleanup for fourth through sixth grade students from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
■ May 6 – Kindergarten Visitation Parent and New Kindergarten Student Informational Meeting from 9:15-10:45 a.m. This meeting is for new kindergartners that will be starting school in the fall. Parents and incoming students will have the chance to see the kindergarten and pre-kindergarten classrooms, as well as meet the teachers.
– Skyview Middle School visitation for this year’s sixth graders from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
– School Nurse Day
■ May 10 – PTA Meeting 3:45 p.m.
■ May 11 – Site Council Meeting 3:45 p.m.
■ May 17 – Beach Day for fourth, fifth and sixth grades
■ May 18 – Awards in the gym, Field Day and last day of school
– Box Top winners last week were Sylas McKnight, Jesse Allen and Caiden Hershberger. 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: Redoubt Elementary would like to spotlight one of the school’s volunteers who goes above and beyond the call and often works behind the scenes. Angie Kenner has been an active member of the Redoubt community since August, 2012. Angie has served as Redoubt’s PTA President, Christmas Kindness Coordinator and is currently a Site Council member. Angie volunteers for the Winter Carnival, Fun Fest, Field Trip transportation, classroom activities and is often seen in her amazing homemade costumes for school celebrations. Each month Redoubt’s birthday bulletin board is a beautiful display with Angie’s creative touch on it. She is a kind and gentle presence at Redoubt. The school staff say “Angie Kenner, for all you do Redoubt Elementary thanks you.”
Skyview Middle
Events this Week:
■ May 3 – Seventh grade Performance Testing
■ May 4 – Eight grade Performance Testing
■ May 4 – Early Release Day – All students end the school day at 1 p.m.
■ May 5 – Eighth grade students visit Soldotna Prep and Soldotna High School – All eighth grade students need to be at Soldotna Prep by 7:35 a.m. All morning buses will drop off 8th grade students at Soldotna Prep. All parents transporting an eighth grade student to school this morning need to drop off their student at Soldotna Prep. Bus transportation will bring all eighth grade students to Skyview Middle School after their visit ends at 9 a.m.
■ May 6 – Next year seventh grade students (currently in sixth grade) to visit Skyview Middle School – Bus transportation provided and school lunch available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
– Nikiski Invitational Track Meet at 3 p.m. in Nikiski
Congratulations to the following eighth grade students who are finalists for five Soldotna High School Student Council positions for the next school year: Whitney Benson, Cameron Blackwell, Tim Cashman, Autumn Chumley, Kiana Dalton-Amend, Eve Downing, Bryan Kingrey, Janna Kreiger, Jacob McConnell, Makayla Raemaeker, and Mollee Verba. These students were interviewed by the Soldotna High School Student Council committee and five will be selected by that committee to represent the Freshman Class at the high school next year.
Congratulations to seventh grade student Zachary Burns – April Chamber Student of the Month!
The end of the year is approaching fast. Please take a moment to check a students Power School fees account. If a child has an outstanding fee, please send in payment. All fees must be paid by the end of the school year or they will carry over to their next year and families will be asked to pay those fees at registration. Any questions please call Mrs. Kircher at 260-2500.
Soldotna Elementary
Upcoming events:
■ May 5 – Talent Show at 6 p.m. in the gym
School News:
The Reading Counts winners this week are: Troy Dixon, Tristan Yoncher, Fisher Kennamer, Ely Campbell, Jeren Nash, Chasce Langvardt, Jerrod Oberts and Theoren Nelson. Congratulations and keep on reading!
Order a Soldotna Elementary yearbook for $20 in the front office.
Soldotna High School
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!
The SOHI National Honor Society’s annual Talent Show, showcasing Soldotna High and Soldotna Prep students was held, Thursday, April 21, and it was another great success. The following are students who placed in the Fine Arts portion and Performing Arts portion of the Show: Sculpture: 3rd – Sarah Baktuit, 2nd – Erika Saltenberger, 1st-Rachel Fredrickson. Ceramics; 3rd-Riley Kruse,2nd – Sean Marks, 1st-Megan Fenton; Painting & Drawing; 3rd –Emily Pieh, 2nd – Sean Marks, 1st –Emily Pieh. Performing Arts: solo-6th-Drew Golden, 5th- Connor Larson, 4th-Dylan Stockdale, 3rd- Danielle Tuttle, 2nd- Naomi Green, 1st- Allison Towell. Duet Artists: 3rd-Jesse Boze & Thomas Rhodes, 2nd- Levi Michael & Koby Vinson, 1st- Austin Erickson & Rebekah Keener. Group Performers: 2nd- Megan Eske, Erika Bennett, Kortney Birch.
The schools thanks the local community who always do an outstanding job of supporting the students with prizes and support. “Thank you to: Grant Aviation, Jumpin Junction, Papa John’s, Lucky 13 Fashions, Sweeney’s, Fred Meyers, Alaska Midnight Sun Rowing, Frilly Lane, Odies, Coffee Express, Inkwell’s, Pathways, Alaska Christian College, Trihydro Corp., Alaska Sure Seal, Trustworthy Hardware, Acapulco’s, River City Books, King Salmon Restaurant, P.J.’s Diner, Gary Lindman, Audra Faris, Deb Delker, Rene Gervais, Stephanie Cox, Lisa Thomas.”
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.
Sterling Elementary
School Principal Denise Kelly wants to invite families to participate in some fun next week:
■ May 3 – The PTA is holding a surprise assembly at 11 a.m. for teacher appreciation day. They will have piñatas filled with office supplies for the teachers to claim
■ May 6 – The school will complete its Artist In Residence with Eddie Wood with a performance by some classes. That will start at 2:30 p.m.
Kelly says “Hope to see you there!”
Come and register a child for kindergarten next year. Children who will be 5-years-old by Sept. 1 are eligible for kindergarten at Sterling Elementary next school year. Please stop in soon for a registration packet.
Upcoming events:
■ May 2 – Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week and the school’s Artist in Residence Week. Kelly says “Thank you to our amazing teachers and staff!”
■ May 3 – Staff and Community workshop with Mr. Eddie Wood (Artist in Residence from Homer) from 3:50 – 5:30 p.m.
■ May 4 – Early Release – students released at 2:05 p.m.
– Family Science Day (sponsored by title 1) from 12:30–1:45 p.m.
■ May 5 – Site Council Meeting at 4 p.m.
■ May 6 – Sixth graders visit Skyview Middle School
– Artist in Residence Showcase with Eddie Wood at 2:30 p.m. Please remember to drive the speed limit in the school zone when the lights are flashing! It is a really quick change from 55 to 20 miles per hour on the highway during those times of the day, so be extra vigilant and don’t miss it.
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.
Tustumena Elementary
■ May 3 – Kindergarten through third grade concert
■ May 4 – Early Release
– Fourth through sixth grade concert
■ May 5 – Pre-Registered kindergarten visitation
■ May 6 – Sixth Grade to Skyview Middle School for visit
■ 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.
– Talent show, at 2 p.m.
■ May 18 – Field Day at 9:30 a.m.
– Report Cards Sent Home and the last day of school.
Wings Christian Academy
■ May 2-5 – Spirit Week: Monday = Crazy Hair, Crazy Sock day. Tuesday = Super Hero Day, Wednesday = Old People Day, Thursday = Sports Day
■ May 5 – Field Day, will be at Mrs. Berga beach front from noon to 2:30 p.m. Volunteers are needed, please call 283-9361 to let the school know if a parent can help. The alternate date is set for Monday, May 9, 2016, if weather is bad
■ May 6 – BEMA Volleyball Tournament at 1 p.m. in Anchorage
■ May 10 – Spelling Bee for students who are selected in Anchorage.
■ May 11-12 – Kindergarten will be held for only half days
■ May 12 – Half day for all students will be dismissed at 12 p.m. All testing should be completed by Wednesday, May 11.
