March News Letter
March, 2025
Kenai Peninsula Borough District Requests Public Input
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District requests input from staff, parents, and community members at the districtwide KPBSD planning meetings. Our next board Meeting is March 3rd in Homer.
Supporting Information to Help Parents help with Attendance
Important Dates
March 4th
ASVAB Testing for Juniors and Seniors.
March 6th
Early Release
March 7th
No School
March 10th - 14th
Spring Break
April Dates
April 4th- End of Rotation 5
March 31 to April 4- New Student Interviews
April 7th- Rotation 6 begins
February Student of the Month
Jeff Fairbanks
Chase was selected by the Staff at Kenai Alternative as January's Student of the Month.
Principal's Message
Thank you to everyone who took time out of their schedules to attend the Community budget meetings in your area. Please continue to share your thoughts as the District navigates the issue of trying to finalize a balanced budget before knowing how much money will be coming our way. Watch the upcoming board meeting times and locations and plan to attend.
In past newsletters I have mentioned our work on our Attendance goal and the progress we are making. Further into the Newsletter I have more in-depth information about our continuing growth. I wanted to mention our newest project at Kenai Alternative. We have begun a student newspaper. Under the direction of Anna Widman our students are learning to write and present articles from the students’ perspective. I will be adding this Newspaper in whole or part within this Newsletter under the heading of “Student News”. Be on the watch for their work forthcoming.
Our After School Academy has been very successful. We are offering Culinary Arts and Photography /3D Graphic Design. I am working with DEED to possibly get more money to run an Academy 6th rotation. More news to come.
If you are interested in joining our family, Rotation Six Student interviews are set for the week of March 31st - April 4th. Give us a call and set up an interview.
Counselor's Message
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.
Student Spotlight
Jorja Lealanni Christmas
Home Town?
Kasilof
What is your favorite Holliday and why?
Halloween, because you can dress as anyone / anything for a day and go out!
Most influential Person?
Mercy Gephart (Senior Student), because she makes sure her work is done.
What do you like most about Kenai Alternative?
The time we get to socialize.
What advice do you have for future students at the Alt?
DO YOUR WORK! DO NOT SLACK, it will catch up to you in the future!
What are your future plans / Goals / Next Steps?
Joining a branch of the military, either Air Force of the Army.
Zaeryn Bahr
Home Town?
Soldotna
What is your favorite Holliday and why?
Halloween, I have lots of great memories from childhood.
Most Influential Person?
My Mom. She's worked for everything she has ever had.
What do you like most about Kenai Alternative?
The extra help and thoughtfulness of the staff
What advice do you have for future students at the Alt?
Stay on track and you'll do great.
What are your future plans / Goals / Next Steps?
I want to be a welder to raise money for my future restaurant.
Student Activities at Kenai Alternative
Sources of Strength Valentines Activity
Successes!
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 calm 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.
Senior Class turn-around!
Senior Class Attendance Gains:
- December Average- 69%
- January Average- 84.2%
- February to date Average- 89.35 %
Total Gain in Attendance- 20.35%
Not to be ignored; Great Job Juniors!
Junior Class Attendance Gains:
- December Average- 69.06%
- January Average- 77.38%
- February to date Average- 85.90 %
Total Gain in Attendance- 16.84%
Below is a graph used to monitor trends in attendance. Good work continuing the upward trend!
Free/Reduced Lunch Prices and Menu
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
School Helpline
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.
