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

The school staff would like to thank Connections families for making this year successful and say that they look forward to the fall. Please remember: If families haven’t reenrolled a student for next year call the Connections office for an appointment, the Soldotna office is open all summer.

– Homer: 226-1880

– Seward: 224-9080

– Soldotna: 714-8880

Dates To Remember:

■ May 16 – Semester Reports Due!

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

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

Fall classes at the A building:

Mark calendars for August. Students wishing to take a class in one of the peninsula middle or high schools will have a special registration time for Connections students to enroll in one or two classes in the building. If families have any questions please contact their advisor. Times will be as follows:

■ Aug. 11 – From 9-11 p.m. at Skyview Middle

■ Aug. 12 – From 10 a.m. to noon at Kenai Middle School

■ Aug. 15 – From 9-11 a.m. at Soldotna Prep

■ Aug. 19 – From 9-11 a.m. at Soldotna High

■ Aug. 22 – From 8-10 a.m. at Kenai Central High

■ Aug. 22 – From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Homer High

Also check out the Connections website at connections.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/wpmu/info-for-families-2/activities-contests-and-more/ for numerous student activities, contests and more!

The last gym time of the year will be at the Nikiski Pool from 2:30-3:30 p.m. All students are welcome but Connections students swim free, otherwise admission fee is $4 to swim and $7 with the use of the slide.

Interior Distance Education of Alaska

IDEA Homeschool is now enrolling for the 2016-2017 school year! Check out the website at ideafamilies.org. Click enroll now. Families 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 families in their homeschooling journey.

■ 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

The office has a few remaining yearbooks to purchase for $20. They will be sold on a first come, first served basis. If families owe borrowed lunch money, please add money to a child’s account to pay that amount back before school ends.

■ May 16 – Fifth graders head to Mountain View at 9:55 a.m. to listen to the Concordia College Bell Choir

– The third-fourth grade classes will perform a casual, impromptu ‘Geology Rocks’ play at 2:45 p.m.

■ May 17 – Field Day, please make sure to send a change of clothes in case a student gets wet. Volunteers are needed! The day goes through 9:45-11:45 a.m. third through fifth graders, and 1-3 p.m. for Kindergarenters through second graders.

– The third-fourth grade classes will perform a casual, impromptu ‘Geology Rocks’ play at 2:45 p.m.

■ May 18 – Last day of school for students – no hot lunch will be served.

– School wide beach day. Please check with teachers for the time that a child’s class will be heading to the beach.

Upcoming Dates:

– The first day of school is Aug. 23. Typically, the class lists will be posted Aug. 19, and Aug. 22 will have an APC meeting at 4 p.m. Meet the Teacher at 5 p.m. and join the BBQ at 6 p.m.

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

The KCHS community would like to offer seniors congratulations for reaching this mile stone in their lives. The administration and staff would like to thank all seniors for the many contributions that they have made to KCHS over the last four years and to wish all the best of luck in the next chapter of their lives.

Graduation practice is at 7:45 a.m., Monday, May 16. All seniors that are planning on walking during the ceremony later that evening need to be at practice that morning. The Graduation Ceremony will start at 6:30 p.m. that night in the Renee’ C Henderson Auditorium. The 2015-2016 school year is coming to an end. The school staff say “Thank you students and staff for making this year at KCHS, great. The bell schedule will be different this week to accommodate the students that are taking finals.”

Friday, June 3 will be the last full day when a secretary or an administrator will be working at the school until Aug. 1. If families have any business to take care of school staff as they please don’t wait until the last minute, and have a great summer!

■ May 19 – No School

– Softball at 5:30 in Palmer

– Baseball at Homer, times to be determined

– Boys and Girls Soccer Regions at Kenai Central High, times to be determined

■ May 20 – No School

– Boys and Girls Soccer Regions at KCHS, times to be determined

– Track Regions at Colony High School

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

– Softball at 5:30 p.m. at Colony

■ May 21 – Boys and Girls Soccer Regions at Kenai Central High times to be determined

– Track Regions at Colony High School

– Softball at 10 and 11:45 a.m. at Wasilla

Mountain View Elementary

If a child owes lunch money please try to pay it back 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 16 – Class of 2016 Graduation Ceremony at 7 p.m. in the Nikiski High School Gymnasium

■ May 18 – Last Day of School for Students

■ May 19-21 – Soccer Regions at Kenai

■ May 20-21 – Region High School Track at Colony

■ May 27-28 – State High School Track at Dimond

For the 2016-2017 School Year:

■ July 27 – High School Football Begins

■ Aug. 3 – High School Volleyball Begins

■ Aug. 12 and Aug. 15 – New student registration from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Incoming sixth grade Ice Cream Social at 1 p.m.

■ Aug. 23 – First Day of School for Students

Nikiski North Star Elementary

Today is the fifth grade promotion at 9:30 a.m. in the gym. All parents and family of fifth grade students are welcome to attend the ceremony. Also, the PreKindergarten will have their graduation ceremony at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 17, in the school gym. Please call the school office at 776-2600 if families need more information.

The annual NNS talent show will take place on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. in the gym. There will be a variety of acts and promises to be a fun time! The last day of school is Wednesday, May 18. PTA is putting on its annual end-of-the-year picnic. All families are invited to join NNS staff and students for lunch on the last day. The picnic will consist of a hot dog, chips, fruit, cookie and a drink all for only $1. Please make checks payable to NNS PTA. The staff at NNS wish all of the students and families a safe, restful and fun filled summer, and will see everyone in August.

Redoubt Elementary

■ May 17 – Beach Day for the fourth, fifth and sixth grades. All volunteers must be approved by the school district. Drivers must have current paperwork on file with the school office

■ May 18 – Awards Assembly from 9-9:30 a.m. in the gym for grades fourth through sixth, and 10-10:45 a.m. for grades first through third

■ May 18 – Field Day, School Picnic and Last Day of School!

– The School Picnic will be May 18 at regular lunch times. Staff ask 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 Day celebration was a huge success! Over 400 shirts were tie-dyed by students, staff, PTA members, parent volunteers and River City students, Jenna Helminski, Kaylin Morrell and Izabeau Pearston. Teachers will pass out t-shirts to students to wear the last day of school. The school staff thank the PTA for donating t-shirts, Lauri Kapp for her donation of t-shirts and Dr. Bauder for his donation of latex gloves. Congratulations to the students at Redoubt for having such a great school year.

Help Wanted, Field Day is May 18. If parents 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.

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

Redoubt staff would like to wish all of our Redoubt students and a safe and relaxing summer! Don’t forget to be Respectful, Responsible and Safe.

Soldotna Elementary

Mark calendars for these upcoming events:

■ May 17 – Sixth Grade Awards and Graduation Assembly at 9 a.m. in the gym

■ May 18 – School-wide Picnic

■ May 19 – Last day for students

School News:

Please be sure to stop by the Lost and Found. All Items left at the end of the year will be donated to charity.

The Soldotna Elementary Summer Reading Program (Read S’more) will start the first day of Summer break. Calendars were sent home the last week of April for students to track their daily reading minutes. All calendars should be returned the first week of school in August.

Skyview Middle

It is the final week of School! Monday is the yearbook assembly, Tuesday is a regular class day, and Wednesday is the last day of school for students! The eighth grade celebration of academic achievement and talent show and field day Ceremony will begin at 8 a.m. in the Skyview Middle School Gym followed by the talent show. All family and friends are welcome to attend. Field Day will follow lunch.

Student Council will have a End of the Year Pizza Lunch on Tuesday, May 17, at lunchtime in the library. All current members in good standing are invited to attend. Current rosters are posted outside Mrs. Pothast’s classroom door and on the Student Council bulletin board upstairs. The celebration will include pizza and certificates of appreciation for all the good work the Student Council has done this year!

The Panther Student Council would like to thank all Student Council families who helped with Staff Appreciation Week! The goodies and soup luncheon were much appreciated by all! Also – Student Council would like to thank everyone who helped with the final Activity Night of the school year! It was a great, fun-filled, end-of year event!

Congratulations to the April Students of the Month! Malcolm Adams, Daniel Antebi, Mackinley Baxter, Brooke Belluomini, Whitney Benson, Stevie Berninger, Tanner Brooks, Aaron Callos, Ryann Cannava, Ross Christian, Ray Chumley, Catherine Conner, Elisha Cravens, Drysta Crosby-Schneider, Liam Culver, Kiana Dalton-Amend, Sadie Daly, Ella Dearmore, Serenity DeMello, Wyatt Dement, Seraiah Dorman, Erica Eberhard, Christopher Edelman, Taylor Edwards, Kilei England, Adin Fielden, Autumn Fischer, Esther Frederickson, Mack Frost, Braydon Gagnon, Ryder Giesler, Faith Glassmaker, Emily Hagelund, Levi Hart, Jack Hatten, Paige Hegwer, Ryan Hill, Dylan Hogue, Alana Houser, Thomas Hudson, Gabrielle Humphreys, Christian Jaime, Holland Jaime, Garrison Jones, Spencer Kapp, Catherine Kline, Cassidy King, Lucas Kline, Janna Krieger, Bailey Leach, Mikayla Leadens, Meijan Leaf, Matthew Lewis, Ree’Lynn Lisenby, Ryan Long, Kaden Matson, Jacob McConnell, Grace McElroy, Hudson Metcalf, Journey Miller, Kobe Miller, Robert Mize, Alex Montague, Arianna Moonin, Tyler Morrison, MaCady Musgrave, Rileigh Parton, Ryan Pearcy, Janessa Pontious, Tabor Pyhala, Louis Redmon, Chance Reynolds, Maxwell Rogers, Levi Rosin, Payton Rusk, Joseph Russo, Olivia Schwenk, Bailey Smith, Logan Snoddy, Colton Sorhus, Mia Stewart, Crystle Tapia, Dennis Taylor, Jersey Truesdell, Tanner Ussing, Robert Van Bruggen, Hosanna VanHout, Brayden Vanmeter, Kenny Vanorsdol, Rowan Vasquez, Mollee Verba, Riley Vickaryous, Bradley Walters, Osric White, Maia Whitney, Aiden Willets, Anna Williams, Amanda Wylie. All library books are due! Please contact Ms. McCabe in the library if families have any questions or concerns.

Summer IXL Math – A letter of invitation will be sent to all next year’s seventh and eighth grade students to participate in summer IXL math. For additional information, please visit the Skyview Middle School KPBSD Webpage at skyviewmiddleschool.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/wpmu.

School staff encourage a child to read! Summer Reading information will be sent to all next year’s seventh and eighth grade students. For details, please visit the Skyview Middle School Webpage > Student/Parent Information > Summer Reading.

2016 -2017 Fall Registration Dates at Skyview Middle School:

■ Aug. 11 – New to KPBSD and Connections Home School students will go from 9 a.m. to noon

■ Aug. 12 – All seventh grade students will go from 9 a.m. to noon

■ Aug. 12 – All eighth grade students will go from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Parent volunteers are needed during registration. Please contact Mrs. Kircher in the office at 260-2500 if interested. School staff say: “To all Skyview Middle School parents, guardians, volunteers, students and staff – Have a safe and enjoyable summer vacation!”

Soldotna High

Graduation is at 7 p.m.. Wednesday, May 18 at the Soldotna Sports Center.

The Soldotna High School PTSA would like to thank all of the Parents of Seniors who have volunteered with the After Grad committee! Many thanks, also, to all of the generous individuals, businesses, and organizations who have donated to this effort. PTSA is looking forward to hosting a fun and safe event for the SoHi Class of 2016 graduates!

SoHi PTSA officers for the 2016-2017 school year are: Sheilah-Margaret Pothast – President, Michelle Blackwell – Vice President, Jeff Belluomini – Treasurer, and Christine Carlson – Secretary. Many thanks to all of the PTSA members for service to the school! Staff look forward to seeing families at the next meeting in September.

Attention SoHi Class of 2016 Seniors: All are cordially invited to attend an after graduation party!

The event will take place from 10:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 18 at the Jumpin’ Junction on Kalifornsky Beach Road. Soldotna High School 2016 graduates only are invited, and no guests. The cost is free.

Activities, food, and prizes include Black Light Golf, Cosmic Cannons, Arcade, Jousting Arena, Velcro Wall, all the inflatables, and an awesome Minute-to-Win-It type games corner! Each graduate will receive $10 in tokens to use in the Arcade and a ticket for the Photo Booth. Pizza, sub sandwiches, nachos, desserts, fountain drinks and more will be available to eat. Prizes include gift cards, cash, gift certificates from local businesses, Jostens Senior Class of 2016 gear, various products and gifts, and end of the event drawings for VISA gift cards in $100 and $250 increments.

The school staff are looking forward to hosting a fun and safe event for all to celebrate this milestone together! The school staff hope all graduates will join in the fun and enjoy the time as classmates – reminiscing about good times and creating new memories for the future. Congratulations!

A free physical night will be at 5 p.m., Thursday, July 14, at Soldotna Prep. 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 the school. Visit fredmeyer.com with a personal Rewards Program number and select Soldotna High School PTSA. It’s quick and simple and anyone can make a positive impact just by doing everyday shopping! Thanks!

Soldotna Stars Letterman Jackets are available to order atneffco.com. Click on Varsity Jackets, find our school by State, select Soldotna High School, starting at $149 anyone can personalize it anyway they would like. Any questions contact Heather Parkki, 907-260-7022. It also makes a great Christmas gift!

Soldotna Prep

SoPrep congratulates the following scholar-athletes for maintaining a 3.7 GPA. They will receive a scholar-athlete pin: Kortney Birch, Brittani Blossom, Hannah Delker, Gideon Hutchison, Sydney Juliussen, Katelyn Kimes, Darby McMillan, David Michael, Aliann Schmidt, Sophie Thomas. SoPrep is pleased to announce the May Chamber of Commerce Student of the Month is Sydney Juliussen.

SoPrep final schedule:

SPS will run a block schedule on Monday, May 16 and advisory, 1,3,5 and Tuesday, May 17, advisory 2,4,6 will run.

Visit school blog for bell schedule soldotnaprep.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/wpmu/

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 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

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