Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Schools aim for business as usual as cases reach new highs

On Monday, there were 14 staff members and 69 students self-isolating with the virus

The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel (left) swears in student representative Silas Thibodeau at the Kenai City Council meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai junior sworn in as council student rep

Thibodeau says he wants to focus on inclusivity and kindness during his term

Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel (left) swears in student representative Silas Thibodeau at the Kenai City Council meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Terri Carter’s class celebrates the National Blue Ribbon award after their assembly at Soldotna Montessori Charter School on Friday, Jan 14, 2022. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

A ‘pathway to a brighter and fulfilling future’

Soldotna Montessori Charter School celebrates national achievement

Terri Carter’s class celebrates the National Blue Ribbon award after their assembly at Soldotna Montessori Charter School on Friday, Jan 14, 2022. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Clayton Holland speaks during a board meeting on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Clayton Holland speaks during a board meeting on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education meets on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School board works to highlight students’ voices

Within the first hour of the meeting students would have up to five minutes each to address the board about any issue

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education meets on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A cast member holds up a cue card in Soldotna High School’s production of "Annie" on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Voices of the Peninsula: Is theater dead?

“It will not be an easy task, performing CPR on this theater, but imagine the joy that you could bring to the students.”

A cast member holds up a cue card in Soldotna High School’s production of "Annie" on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
The homepage of KPBSD’s new website. (Screenshot)

School district soliciting feedback on new website

The redesign is meant to make the site more accessible and responsive

The homepage of KPBSD’s new website. (Screenshot)
A graphic shows the enrollment numbers for the Kenai Peninsula School District from 2016 to 2021. (Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara)
A graphic shows the enrollment numbers for the Kenai Peninsula School District from 2016 to 2021. (Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara)
The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

COVID hurdles prompt district to expand early release days

In all, the change will result in an additional loss of 4.5 hours of school time.

The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Fireweed Academy kindergarteners drum along with Sankofa Dance Theatre during their residency on Thursday, Dec. 9. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Sankofa Dance Theater teaches Fireweeders traditional African culture

Sankofa Dance Theater Alaska, established in 2017, is an Anchorage-based African dance and drum group.

Fireweed Academy kindergarteners drum along with Sankofa Dance Theatre during their residency on Thursday, Dec. 9. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
(Black Press File)

Alternatives sought for tobacco-related school suspensions

Tobacco policy violations accounted for more than 1,800 days lost from school in Alaska in the 2018-2019 school year.

(Black Press File)
One of the two buildings used to teach elementary school children in Kachemak Selo sits on the outer edge of the village Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018 in the village at the head of Kachemack Bay. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Borough awards contract for K-Selo design report

The bid award will cover a programming phase, value analysis and cost estimate in a not-to-exceed amount of $125,000.

One of the two buildings used to teach elementary school children in Kachemak Selo sits on the outer edge of the village Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018 in the village at the head of Kachemack Bay. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Jacquelynn Tomrdle, left, and Nicole Murphy, right, present on behalf of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Students in Transition program at the Kenai Peninsula Association of Realtors award ceremony at Kenai Catering on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Happiest time’

Realtors donate holiday gifts to at-risk kids.

Jacquelynn Tomrdle, left, and Nicole Murphy, right, present on behalf of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Students in Transition program at the Kenai Peninsula Association of Realtors award ceremony at Kenai Catering on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education meets on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Lawmakers, school board talk Juneau priorities

Lawmakers were invited for an “open discussion” about the upcoming legislative session.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education meets on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A school closure announcement from the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District was issued Monday, Dec. 6, 2021.
A school closure announcement from the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District was issued Monday, Dec. 6, 2021.
The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

District changes substitute requirements amid shortage

The changes are focused on streamlining the application process.

The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Central High School Assistant Principal Will Chervenak speaks during graduation on Monday, May 17, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. Chervenak won the Alaska Region III assistant principal of the year honor on Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District announced. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Chervenak awarded assistant principal of the year

The Kenai Central High School administrator said he was flattered and grateful that the community appreciated his efforts.

Kenai Central High School Assistant Principal Will Chervenak speaks during graduation on Monday, May 17, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. Chervenak won the Alaska Region III assistant principal of the year honor on Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District announced. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The case of “Annie” rehearses at Soldotna High School on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Tomorrow’ starts today

Soldotna High School returns to stage with production of musical “Annie”

The case of “Annie” rehearses at Soldotna High School on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Tatihana DeHoyos cuts out the centerpiece stencil for the Kenai Alternative High School’s mural installation at the Kenai Art Center on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Finishing touches

High schoolers fill last-minute spot in art center’s mural project.

Tatihana DeHoyos cuts out the centerpiece stencil for the Kenai Alternative High School’s mural installation at the Kenai Art Center on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)