This week at Connections!

We wish you all a Happy & Safe Thanksgiving holiday! May it be blessed with family, friends and fun!

ALL Connections offices will be CLOSED on Thursday, November 28th & Friday, November 29th in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday!

This last session was learning about marsupials. Enjoy some photo highlights of their art project!

ONE SESSION LEFT!! Please RSVP today!

Our LAST session is this Thursday, December 5th!

Click the image below to RSVP!

The creative juices were flowing, and creations were made! Examples: Christmas Trees, Sun Bursts, Ranch Brands and Dragonfly Trivets, to Coffee Coasters and more made with beautiful and shimmery glass pieces! It was messy, fun and wonderful!

Our first meeting for 5th/ 6th Grade Battle of the Books will be Wednesday, December 4th at 3:30-4:15 pm at Soldotna Connections office.

Our schedule will be:

3:30-4:15pm at Soldotna Connections Office

PRACTICE DATES

December 4, 11, 18

January 8, 15, 22, 29

DISTRICT BATTLE will be held on Tuesday, February 4. It starts in the morning and is usually done by 2:30 pm, sometimes earlier.

Click the file below for Parent Info for BOB!

One of our homeschool families shared this with us and wanted to share it in case any of you will be in Anchorage this weekend.

A fin whale has washed up near the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail in West Anchorage this past weekend and, as of this report, it is easily accessible for investigation. The family said it was “AWESOME” to see this huge animal up close! You might want to check it out if you will be in the area.

Here are a couple of news articles for you to learn more about this event:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/11/20/dead-fin-whale-washes-ashore-anchorage-alaska/76449587007/

https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/video/2024/11/19/fin-whale-found-washed-up-beach-near-coastal-trail-2/

Information about Fin Whales in general:

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/fin-whale#:~:text=Fin%20whales%20have%20sleek%2C%20streamlined,and%20white%20on%20the%20underside.

https://kids.kiddle.co/Fin_whale

We love to feature our amazing students!! If you'd like to share something fun your student is doing for school or in their extra-curricular activities, please send photos and short description to jlarsen@kpbsd.k12.ak.us.

ALYESKA SKI DAYS!!

We have scheduled a couple of fun filled days in February, at Alyeska and are truly hoping you can join us there!!

Below is the flyer with all of the information you need.

PLEASE take a close look at the rate sheet (included in the flyer), as we have been given some great group rates and discounted lessons!

For lessons we must have 20 + students, participating per group session to take advantage of this great deal. But even more than that, this is a great opportunity for your students to learn and enhance their skiing and snowboarding abilities; thereby giving them skills, confidence, and a much better time on the mountain!

The sign-up links for Thursday, Feb 20th & Friday 21st are in the flyer as well. You should receive an email verifying that you have signed up for the program, if you do not, please let me know. Once Julie sees you on the roster, she will reply with an email verifying your choices, amounts and other details. Please give her a call if you do not hear from me within a few days of signing up. 907-224-9035.

The Attached Alyeska Rental & Waiver form needs to be submitted for every participant, even if not taking lessons or rentals. Please after signing up, fill out and return to Julie at jlindquist@kpbsd.k12.ak.

Alyeska Event Information: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Lyq7SUUqkYuTQfurtw-7XZU9G69Rca0u/view?usp=drive_link

Alyeska Rental & Waiver: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C1xA6DuvzZg6aexecWrh_cKOvhE5WrVC/view?usp=drive_link

We have been fortunate enough to reserve a Kenai Fjords Marine Science Tour on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, for students grades 3-12.

Seating is limited and is first- come, first-serve; so, once you are sure, please don’t hesitate to sign up for this awesome excursion! One parent/guardian will be allowed per family .

Also, once the available seating is filled, Julie Lindquist will start a waitlist, and it will be first-come first-serve.

This trip is reimbursable for students and one parent/guardian, or it may be deducted from your student’s allotment. Once you make a reservation, Julie will contact you to confirm and go over the details and answer any questions you may have.

The last day to cancel for a full refund is the 31st of March.

Here is a very short description of the trip and what it entails.

The goal of the Marine Science Explorers Program is to provide students with an exceptional learning environment, to help students understand and appreciate the marine ecosystem in the Gulf of Alaska and inspire interest in Marine Science. During the five-hour cruise, we explore beyond the surface of the water. Students are introduced to sampling techniques and lab activities as they investigate seawater and plankton. Students observe marine mammals and seabirds in their natural habitat and consider their adaptations. In this living laboratory, students are encouraged to examine how these pieces fit together into an ecosystem concept.

Please click the Kenai Fjords flyer below, which will take you to the sign-up link & see the Explorer trip description sheet for more details.

Here is another essay contest opportunity! This one is for students in grades 5th-8th. We encourage you to participate and wish you the best in the contest!

ATTENTION- High school students!

Consider creating and sharing your original art focused on the ocean in Alaska!

The annual Scripps Spelling Bee will be coming January 2025!

Study Lists are NOW available! If you are interested in participating, click the image below to access the study lists.

Would you like a Connections hoodie, t-shirt, or other item to represent your school?

Heather & Heather Screen-Printing has created an online store for us! Click the link below to access and order directly!

Each of our locations have special events in their certain areas!

Be sure to click the link below for your area to see what each Connections location has coming up AND the community events for each area.