Migrant Education Newsletter
February 2025
District Wide
FAMILY FUN SWIM CANCELLED!
Program Survey
It is time to conduct the annual surveys for the Alaska Migrant Education Program. Each year, we send surveys to the families of migratory children. The results from these surveys provide the us with information on the needs of our students and families. Furthermore, the results are often utilized by the the State of Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) as one of many data elements to form the annual needs assessment and aid in helping us provide quality services to our stakeholders . The electronic surveys will remain open through March 31, 2025. We greatly value your feedback, thank you in advance for your time completing this SURVEY.
Close Up Academic Intensive Student Trip
Close Up’s once-in-a-lifetime opportunities are designed to inspire and empower students to become active participants in our democracy. The high school, Washington D.C. trip we participated in last fall allowed students to make personal connections with the people and institutions that embody our nation’s past and present. Migrant Ed provides this academic opportunity to our 10th-12th grade students who then earn an elective credit in a consolidated, intensive learning experience.
Federal Programs Family Fun Fest
As enrolled families of the Migrant Ed Program, you are part of KPBSD Federal Programs and are invited to our Annual Family Fun Night. We will be hosting three events based on region. PLEASE watch Facebook for information in case of inclement weather. That will be the fastest way to notify everyone in the event we have to cancel last minute.
Soldotna | February 6 | 5:30-7:30 | Soldotna High School Commons
Seward | February 19 | 5:30-7:30 | Seward Middle School Commons
Please join us for family activities, food, information on our programming, and other local family resources. You can RSVP to this link. Please reach out to your local program specialists with any questions. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you there!
Parent Advisory Committee
Our first Parent Advisory Committee meeting has been rescheduled for February 6th, at 11:00 am, at the Kenai Public Library - 163 Main Street Loop, Kenai, AK. Our committee is comprised of Migrant Ed staff and regional parent representatives. This is an opportunity to learn more about KPBSD’s Migrant Ed Program and provide a parent perspective and input on Migrant Ed programs and activities.
If you are interested in being part of our committee please contact
Jackie Tomrdle: jtomrdle@kpbsd.k12.ak.us
This meeting will be available to view by the public. Please keep an eye out on our social media for that information as the meeting day approaches. This is a great way for families to participate in, and be a part of our Migrant Ed Program!
Book Fairs!
Migrant Ed is excited to partner with schools & book stores to bring reading opportunities to students! Migrant Ed is able to purchase up to $30.00 worth of books for each Migrant Ed student. We will be working with schools to provide them Migrant Student info. If your school did not have a book fair or you missed it, student names will be on file at your local bookstore. If you have any questions about this please don't hesitate to contact us.
Our spring book fair will be from February 10th to March 17th.
Al Wright Memorial Scholarship? Due soon!
12th grade students and families. Here is a link to the Al Wright Memorial Scholarship. This is a scholarship managed by the National Association of State Directors of Migrant Education (NASDME) - a leading Migrant Education organization. The application is due on or before March 1, 2025.
Scholarship link HERE.
ACPE’s Master the FAFSA Training
The 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now available.
ACPE’s Master the FAFSA Training sessions are delivered weekly, on every Monday and Thursday, from 2:00 to 3:30 pm (STARTING ON 12/09/2024).
ACPE’s Master the FAFSA Training provides a line-by-line overview and detailed explanation of the 2025-26 FAFSA process.
Education and Workforce Development Professionals gain better understanding and navigation of the 2025-26 FAFSA form to ensure they can support students/families and adult learners with successful FAFSA completion.
Southern Peninsula
HOMER Wilderness Explorers
Wilderness Explorers Program – Session Two Update
We’re excited to welcome participants who signed up for the second session of the Wilderness Explorers Program! As a reminder, the make-up date for the December 13th session is now scheduled for February 14th. We look forward to seeing you on February 7th and 14th at Homer Bay Club from 2:00–5:00 PM.
During these sessions, students will develop essential water safety skills, including reach-and-throw techniques, immersion suits, and life rafts. They will also gain valuable outdoor survival skills, such as the seven steps to survival, orienteering, fire building, beach shelter construction, signaling, and hypothermia prevention.
What to Bring:
- Bathing suit and towel (for pool activities)
- Warm outdoor clothing (for portions of the workshop held outside)
🚗 Transportation is not provided—students must be dropped off and picked up.
📝 A signed permission form is required for each session.
We can’t wait for another exciting adventure—see you there!
Please contact Joanna Fonkert with any questions:
907-235-4640
HOMER Cold Water Safety Training
Migrant Ed High School Cold Water Safety Training Saturday, February 22, from 8-4pm at Homer High School
This course is designed for high school aged students who might be at risk of a cold water immersion while fishing or doing other activities in Alaska's cold water environment. The course is offered to all high school students in the greater Homer area. Space is limited. Preference will be given to PFS (Priority for Service Students). For more information about PFS please review our monthly newsletters. Registration will be open until February 9th, this will allow time to review the interest list, prioritize available seats, and send required forms to parents that must be filled out and returned before the course begins.
Joey Kraszeski | 907.235.4630 | jkraszeski@kpbsd.k12.ak.us
Homer Driver's Ed Session I
Migrant Ed Driver's Ed Session 1, March 3-9th
This Learn to Drive session is open to students in the greater Homer area. Space is limited, with priority given to PFS (Priority for Service) students. For more information about PFS, please refer to our monthly newsletter.
This form serves as an interest list and will accept responses until February 23rd. After this date, we will review applicants' PFS status, age, and grade level. Parents will also need to complete required forms before instruction begins.
Another course will be offered later this spring (dates TBD). PFS students who are not accommodated in this session will receive priority for the next one.
Joey Kraszeski | 907.235.4630 | jkraszeski@kpbsd.k12.ak.us
Central Peninsula
KENAI Cold Water Survival
Migrant Education is excited to announce that we will host a Cold Water Survival course.
Greg Olcott with The Challenger Learning Center will lead the Cold Water Survival Course again.
The exciting news is that Migrant Education has partnered with our Career & Technical Education coordinator, so we can now offer his course to all KPBSD high school students.
- Space is Limited
Who:
- Migrant Education High School Students. If you sign-up for Cold Water Survival, you can now and bring a KPBSD high school student friend!
How:
- All students must sign up HERE
- All Students must have a signed permission slip HERE
- All Student must have a signed Cold Water Egress Training Form HERE
When:
- Feb. 13, 2025. Students will meet at the Challenger Learning Center at 9:00 AM
- 9:00 AM- 4:30 PM
What do I need to bring:
- Swimsuit and Towel for the pool
Lunch will be provided.
Cold Water Survival is conducted by AMSEA MSIT and Coast Guard-approved drill Conductor Trainers.
Trainers are members of the International Association of Safety and Survival Training (IASST).
Jackie Tomrdle 907-283-8621 | Betsy Vanek 907-714-0343 | Maureen Todd 907-260-2536
Central Peninsula Driver's Ed
Migrant Ed is pleased to offer Driver's Ed in the Central Peninsula this semester. Space is limited!
To enroll, students must have a valid Alaska Learner's Permit or Alaska Driver's License.
Kenai, Nikiski, Sterling, Ninilchik, Kasilof, Soldotna, and Seward Area students - you are welcome to contact Kenai Peninsula Driving Instruction directly to make arrangements for "Learn to Drive" course.
Course Dates:
Jan 11, Feb 8, March 1, April 12, May 10
Contact:
Kenai Peninsula Driving Instruction, Sarah, 907.335.3333
Contacts
Central Peninsula Student Support Specialist
Shannon Dosko 907.283.8621 sdosko@KPBSD.k12.ak.us
Head of the Bay
Joey Kraszeski 907.235.4630 jkraszeski@kpbsd.k12.ak.us
Homer Area
Joanna Fonkert 907.235.4640 jfonkert@kpbsd.k12.ak.us
Homer Area
Colette Choate 907.235.4745 cchoate@kpbsd.k12.ak.us
Kenai | Nikiski
Jackie Tomrdle 907.283.2329 jtomrdle@kpbsd.k12.ak.us
Ninilchik | Tustumena | Niko | Chapman | Seward
Betsy Vanek 907.714.0343 bvanek@kpbsd.k12.ak.us
Soldotna | Sterling
Maureen Todd 907.260.2536 mtodd2@kpbsd.k12.ak.us
Southern Peninsula Student Support Specialist
Roslyn Kreigh rkreigh@KPBSD.k12.ak.us