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:

• Homer Community – Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at 6:00 PM Homer High Library
• Central Peninsula - Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at 6:00 PM Kenai Central High Library
• Seward Community – Thursday, February 20, 2025 at 6:00 PM Seward High 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.

Early Release

New Student Interviews

Early Release

Last day of Rotation 4

Parent Conferences. (No School)

After School Academy

• Culinary Arts
• Photograph and Graphic Design

If you missed out this rotation, talk to Raeann and Anna to get in Rotation 5

Aubrey was selected by the Staff at Kenai Alternative as December's Student of the Month.

I hope everyone was able to enjoy and observe your families traditions over the holidays. I was impressed by the many different activities and adventures many had over the break as they follow their own unique traditions. I believe it is the memories of the past and present moments that bind families together.

This edition of the Kenai Alternative newsletter is devoted to those memories and traditions that create the supportive family environment here at the Alt. Our Giving Tree Project was once again a success with all the gifts being picked up within a week of our dropping them off. We look forward to working with the Elks to continue our tradition of giving. Another tradition is our Grinch Day. We share a home cooked lunch family style and await a visit from Santa. Thanks to the gracious donations from the community, each student receives gifts for the Holidays. Time is then spent playing games and decorating Christmas cookies before the students leave for the winter break. It was a glorious sight watching the students and staff come together a share a meal as a family.

As we enter January, we return to the routine of alarm clocks and classwork. This rotation is a quick 27 days with only one early release day to serve as a break for students. Attendance will be absolutely critical to the success of students, We have pointed out in prior news letters that attendance is one of our School Development goals. Our December data dipped to a school wide attendance rate of 72%. To combat this we will be following another Alt tradition of an attendance award fieldtrip. Beginning this rotation and running until the trip in late April or Early May, all students maintaining an attendance rate of 85% or better will qualify to go on a float trip on the Kenai River. In the past this has had a positive impact and helped reach or plan goals. I anticipate this tradition will have a similar effect this year. Please encourage you students and remind them of the importance of daily attendance.

The last tradition of Kenai Alternative I want to be sure to mention is our After School Academy. A second School Development goal we have is to increase our graduation rate. Many of our students come to the Alt credit deficient for one reason or another. Here at the Alt we use our rotation scheduling to increase the credit offerings. A second way we increase the availability for students to get the credits they need is our After School Academy. This rotation we are offering Culinary Arts and Photography /3D Graphic Design. Rotation 5 will also have an After School Academy. The second section of each class will be offered. If you or your student are interested, please have them contact RaeAnn, Anna or myself.

If you are interested in joining us and sharing in our traditions, Rotation Five Student interviews are set for the week of February 3rd - 7th. Give us a call and set up an interview.

We do not have a full time counselor at this time and are looking forward to searching for one in the coming months.

Shannon Dodge and her crew from Kenitze are here every Wednesday to help with career planning, resume writing, interview assistance, and general mentorship. Please don't hesitate to stop in.

Middle College has opened and is taking applications. They are anticipating 5 openings. If you are interested act quickly to get on the waiting list.

Job Center opportunity. We will be setting up a presentation and a visit for a small group of students to the Job Center across the street.

Home Town?

Kenai

What is your favorite Holliday and why?

My favorite Holiday is Easter because I really like the Easter Bunny.

Most influential Person?

The most influential person to me is Robert Smith because I love his music and his band is cool.

What do you like most about Kenai Alternative?

That there is more one-on-one help rather than a whole class. The format also is really cool because you can get more things done.

What advice do you have for future students at the Alt?

TO ATTEND EVERY DAY!

What are your future plans / Goals / Next Steps?

My future goal is to become a paramedic and with the help of the Alt I can finally achieve this!

Home Town?

Platinum Alaska

What is your favorite Holliday and why?

Christmas, I like spending time with family.

Most Influential Person?

My Mom.

What do you like most about Kenai Alternative?

How relaxed it is.

What advice do you have for future students at the Alt?

Don't miss too much school.

What are your future plans / Goals / Next Steps?

Work and get different licenses for jobs.

Our goals for the 2024-25 school year are a continuation from the progress we made last year in the areas of improving attendance and graduation rate and social emotional awareness.

For SY 204-25, Kenai Alternative High School will increase the graduation rate to 55% and in turn decrease our drop out rate to less than 25% by offering credit earning opportunities through the continues implementation of the 6 rotation schedule, offering Academic Academy classes and partnering with community organizations with credit offerings

For SY 2024-35 Kenai Alternative will continue working to increase student's ability to remain clam even when under stress by 8% (to 80%) and the KPBSD Climate and Mindset annual survey through the mentorship classes and community building activities.

For SY2024-25 Kenai Alternative will be working to increase our attendance rate past 73% by emphasizing relationships in our mentorship classes.

Attendance rates are up overall but the winter slump continues lead by the Senior Class. Please help your students get to school.

Five month attendance averages:

• 10th grade- 78.48% Down 0.56% from last month's average.
• 11th grade- 77.65% Up 1.67% from last month's average.
• 12th grade- 73.6% Down 9.4 % from last month's average.

The application for the 2024-25 free and reduced lunches are open now. Please take a moment to fill out this form if you haven't done so already - please note that this form is also part of the online forms on the District webpage. If you need to add money to your student's lunch account, you can do so through PowerSchool or by sending cash or a check in with your student.. Pricing is below.

Breakfast

· Students approved for Free and Reduced meals: $0.00

· Students K-12: $2.50

· Adults: $3.00 excluding milk

· Second meal: $3.00

Lunch

· Students approved for Reduced meals: $0.40

· Students 7-12: $4.00

· Adults: $5.50 excluding milk

· Secondary second meal: $4.50

The Safe School Helpline is provided to allow students, parents, and community members the ability to confidentially submit reports of threats of violence, suicide, bullying, or illegal activity that impact KPBSD schools, students, or staff. This service provides users the opportunity to leave a message or speak with a live crisis counselor for immediate needs. The helpline is administered by an independent, outside company. All communications remain private, confidential, and anonymous.

Four Ways to Report to the Safe School Helpline:

Call: 1-800-418-6423 or 1-800-4-1-VOICE (Ext. 359)

Text: TIPS to 614-426-0240

Online: SafeSchoolHelpline.com

Mobile App: Download FREE on the App Store or Google Play

Your message will be communicated with school officials. All information will remain anonymous to encourage the reporting of all safety concerns. Your report will be assigned a case number, which you may use later to confirm that your report was received.

*The Safe School Helpline does not replace 911. Please call 911 if you know an emergency is actively occurring.