3 School Newsletter
Cooper Landing, Hope, and Moose Pass Schools
The staff at Cooper Landing, Hope and Moose Pass Schools recognize that these are trying times for our families. This newsletter is created with that in mind. We would like to share with you what the Kenai Peninsula School District is doing and share some good information for families who are dealing with their children being at home and missing school.
A Word From Our Principal
Good morning Cooper Landing, Moose Pass, and Hope Families,
The first thing I would like to address is the Governor's declaration and what effect it has on our school. In the declaration, it states that Spring Break for students is extended through March 27, 2020. This means just that. Students will not receive instruction until March 30, 2020. You may have thought, like I did, that we would start remote teaching right away. I was wrong. The declaration also allows districts to convert these ten days to in-service days. So teachers and paras will be at school. You may ask, "What will they be doing?" The answer is, "a lot."
First, they will conduct a "needs assessment" of all of their students. Please expect a phone call from your child's teacher in the next day or two. This assessment will determine what resources you have available and in what way the teacher can best support learning.
Second, they will be instructed to review ALL the curriculum scheduled to take place for the rest of the semester and evaluate the essential learnings that can be delivered in an alternative fashion then break these essential elements into week-by-week blocks. This is because we cannot say with certainty when school will start again. It could be March 30, it could be later. We will take this time to plan for all of the foreseeable scenarios.
Third, they will participate in professional development learning or perfecting several tools for delivering instruction remotely. Many of you know about programs like Skype, Zoom, Google Docs, and so on, but many of you may not have used them before. Some of you may not have access to electronic instruction and so contingencies will need to be developed for those students as well.
Next, our teachers will design instruction. This means matching the needs of the students with the curriculum using the technology (or no technology) available. For every student.
This is just the beginning of what we will be doing. Our classified staff will be helping in all aspects of this as well, including taking the professional development around the technology so delivery of instruction can be meaningful and effective.
This adds up to a crash course for all staff to completely relearn how to deliver effective and meaningful instruction. What they learned in 4+ years they have to relearn and adapt in 10 days.
"We got this," is the phrase that keeps coming to mind as we make this plan. Some things will change as we get a better idea of what to expect, but one things is sure, "Together, we got this."
I am already seeing heroes rise to the occasion. Thank you in advance for joining them.
If you have any questions, my direct line is: 907-260-1371. If I don't answer right away, please leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
Thanks
Doug Hayman
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Friday, March 13, 2020 COVID-19 UPDATE
Friday evening the State of Alaska extended spring break for students. K-12 students in Alaska will not attend school March 16, 2020, through March 27, 2020. All after school activities are cancelled. The KPBSD will provide additional information to families on Monday about this State Mandate 1.2. Our understanding is that these missed days will not be added to the school calendar.
Read: Commissioner Johnson’s Memorandum to Alaska Public School Families and Staff: COVID-10 Planning and Preparatory Period for Alaska’s Public Schools Starting March 16, 2020
KPBSD STAFF:
KPBSD staff will return to work on March 16 or 17 depending on job type. Details & instructions were emailed to all staff on Friday, March 13, 2020.
MEALS!
A student nutrition services meal delivery plan is in the works to begin Tuesday, March 17, 2020. Details for families to respond will be available by Sunday.
District Information on School Lunches
Soldotna, March 15, 2020—The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District will continue to feed our students during the extended spring break. With schools closed to students, KPBSD will provide free “Get It & Go” breakfast and lunch meals for KPBSD students at food distribution buses for youth age 18 and younger.
Sign-up online (preferred!) and choose your pick-up location
Action Needed: By 10:00 AM on Monday, March 16, 2020: complete the simple online sign-up for free daily lunch and breakfast meal service delivery. If you do not have access to the internet, call KPBSD Student Nutrition Services at 907-714-8890.
Twenty-five pickup locations throughout the Kenai Peninsula will be open daily from 12:00-1:00 PM beginning Tuesday, March 17 through Friday, March 20, and extending throughout the school closures. You will choose your location when you sign-up. A KPBSD student must be present with you at the pickup location. We apologize that no special dietary substitutions will be accommodated.
If a student attends any of these KPBSD schools, all household children 18 and younger are eligible for daily free meal service: Kalideoscope School of Arts and Science, Kenai Alternative, Kenai Central High School, Kenai Middle School, Mountain View Elementary, Nanwalek School, Nikolaevsk School, Ninilchik School, Port Graham School, River City Academy, Skyview Middle School, Sterling Elementary, Tebughna School, and Tustumena Elementary. If your child or children do not attend these KPBSD schools (including Connections Homeschool), only the children currently enrolled in KPBSD are eligible for free breakfast and lunch.
Twenty-Five Pickup Locations
Pickup locations will be open from 12:00-1:00 PM beginning Tuesday, March 17, 2020, At your spot, you will meet a school bus, where students will recognize familiar faces—support staff, including student nutrition employees, and bus drivers—will assist with the delivery of meals! A KPBSD student must be present with you at the pickup location.
· Across the Water: Nanwalek School, Port Graham School Tebughna School
· Eastern Peninsula: Moose Pass School, Seward High School
· Kenai Area: K-Beach Fire Station, Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science, Kenai Central High School, Mountain View Elementary
· Nikiski Area: Nikiski Middle-High School, Nikiski North Star Elementary, North Peninsula Rec (formerly Nikiski Elementary)
· Soldotna Area: K-Beach Elementary, Soldotna High School, Skyview Middle School, Soldotna Elementary, Tustumena Elementary
· Sterling Area: Sterling Elementary, Sterling Highway Pullout (MP 80.5)
· Southern Peninsula: Chapman School, East End Road at Basargin Road (MP 18.8) Turnout, Homer High School, McNeil Canyon School, Nikolaevsk School, Ninilchik School
· Other*
When you pick up your meals, protect your personal health and the people near you by practicing social distancing. These practices include frequent hand-washing, covering coughs and sneezes, and keeping a distance of 6 feet or more between yourself and others. A lunch and breakfast meal will be delivered each day.
* If your child has special needs accommodations for door-to-door bus transportation, please check the "other" box at the end of the online sign-up list, and you will be contacted for your additional delivery option.
If you have questions, or do not have internet access to complete the online signup, call KPBSD Student Nutrition Services, 907-714-8890, or email dbuchanan@KPBSD.org.
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Kind Regards,
Pegge Erkeneff, Director of Communications, Community, and Government Relations
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
148 N. Binkley Street
Soldotna, Alaska 99669
direct: 907.714.8847 main: 907.714.8888
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KPBSD will inspire all learners to pursue their dreams in a rigorous, relevant and responsive environment.
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Just a Suggested Schedule
It is just a suggestion.
I find it to be helpful to establish some routine for kids at home for an extended period of time.
I hope that you all find time to go out and enjoy the beautiful spring weather.
Sincerely,
Ms. Susanna