Week at a Glance
Hope, Moose Pass, and Cooper Landing Schools
District News
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District requests input from staff, parents, and community members at the districtwide KPBSD budget development meeting, scheduled at the following locations:
- Tuesday, February 19, 2019 @ 6:00 pm in the Homer High School Library
- Wednesday, February 20, 2019 @ 6:00 pm in the Soldotna High School Library
- Thursday, February 21, 2019 @ 6:00 pm in the Kenai Central High School Library
- Tuesday, February 26, 2019 @ 6:00 pm in the Seward High School Library
As new budget information becomes available, it will be posted here: http://www.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/departments.aspx?id=38. If you have questions, please call Natalie Bates at 714-8888.
A Note from the School Nurse
Addiction
“Addiction is a chronic brain disease that causes a person to compulsively seek out drugs, despite the harm they cause. The first time a person uses drugs, it’s usually a free choice they’ve made. However, repeated drug use causes the brain to change which drives a person to seek out and use drugs over and over, despite negative effects such as stealing, losing friends, family problems, or other physical or mental problems brought on by drug use—this is addiction.” NIDA Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov
Most drugs of abuse such as nicotine, cocaine, marijuana and others affect the brain’s “reward” circuit. Normally, the reward circuit responds to feelings of pleasure by releasing the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine creates feelings of pleasure. Drugs take control of this system and causes large amounts of dopamine to flood the system. This flood of dopamine is what causes the “high” or intense excitement and euphoria linked with drug use.
The younger the child starts abusing drugs and alcohol will also influence he/she into an addictive behavior. In addition, method of use such as smoking/vaping a drug or injecting it into a vein increases its addictive potential. Both smoked and injected drugs enter the brain within seconds, producing a powerful rush of pleasure. However, this intense "high" can fade within a few minutes, taking the person down to lower levels. Scientists believe that this low feeling drives individuals to repeat drug use in an attempt to recapture the high pleasurable state.
How do we know if someone is starting to have a problem? These are some warning signs to look out for possible substance abuse:
Behavioral Changes:
-Change in friends, withdrawn from family members -Frequently breaks curfew -Avoids eye contact -Disappears for long periods of time -Laughs at nothing
Mood and Personality Shift:
-Sullen, withdrawn, depressed -Silent, uncommunicative -Deceitful or secretive -Hyperactive, anxious, paranoid
Hygiene and appearance problems:
-Poor hygiene -Messy appearance -Smell of smoke or other unusual smells on breath, body or clothes -Burns or soot on fingers or lips
Health Issues:
-Nosebleeds -Sores and spots on skin -Sudden or dramatic weight loss or gain -Frequent illness
School Concerns:
-Absenteeism -Loss of interest in extracurricular activities, hobbies, sports -Failure to do school work responsibilities -Failing classes
Home:
-Disappearance of prescription or OTC pills -Missing alcohol -Disappearance of money or valuables - Drug paraphernalia including pipes, rolling papers, butane lighters, JUUL and other vaping devices
As a parent, it is a very hard question to ask. “Have you been drinking or using drugs?” We don’t want to hear “yes” but how we respond to our kids can be a starting point for a more positive conversation. In addition, don’t be afraid to ask for help from a medical provider, therapist or a drug counselor if needed.
Nurse Yoly
Cooper Landing School February 4-8
Monday-Friday - Lap Walk/Independent Workout in Gym 7:30-8:45am
Monday 2/4 - Tot Time 11-noon & Chess Club 3:15-4:00pm
Tuesday 2/5 - High School Battle of the Books & Volleyball for adults 6pm
Wednesday 2/6 - Tot Time 11-noon & Early Release 1:45pm
Thursday 2/7 - NO SCHOOL Parent/Teacher Conferences
Thursday 2/7 - Preschool 10am-noon & Volleyball for adults 6pm
Friday 2/8 - NO SCHOOL Parent/Teacher Conference and In-Service
Cooper Landing School Upcoming Events
Monday-Wednesday - Lap Walk/Independent Workout in Gym 7:30-8:45am
Monday 2/11 - Tot Time 11-noon & Chess Club 3:15-4:00pm
Tuesday 2/12 - Ski Day Alyeska & Volleyball for adults 6pm
Wednesday 2/13 - Tot Time 11-noon
Thursday 2/14 - Preschool 10-noon & Volleyball 6pm
Hope School February 4-8
Monday 2/4 – ASL club meeting @3:45 pm AND Lego Robotics @4:45 pm
Tuesday 2/5 – Hope School lap walking @ 7:30-8:30 am
Tuesday 2/5 – NEW: Fluid Power Hydraulic Engineering Activity @ 3:30 to 6:30 pm (see flyer)
Wednesday 2/6 – Early Release @2:00 pm
Wednesday 2/6 – Hope School Community Meeting with Principal Hayman 2:00-3:00 pm
Thursday 2/7 - Open Gym 6-7:30 pm
Thursday 2/7 – No School / Parent Teacher Conferences
Friday 2/8 – No School / Parent Teacher Conferences
Hope School Upcoming Events
Monday 2/11 – ASL club meeting @3:45 pm AND Lego Robotics @4:45
Tuesday 2/12 – Alyeska Skiing
Wednesday 2/13 – PTO Meeting @3:45 pm
Thursday 2/14 - Open Gym 6-7:30 pm
Moose Pass School February 4-8
Tuesday 2/5 - NO SKIING Lego Robotics 1st-3rd Grades 3:15-4:30
Wednesday 2/6 - Early Release 1:45pm & SBMC Meeting 5pm
Thursday 2/7 - No School/Parent Teacher Conferences 9am-3pm
Friday 2/8 - No School/Inservice
Moose Pass School Upcoming Events
Wednesday 2/13 - Girl Scouts/Snack- Gabby