School Community Newsletter

Dear families and educators,

As we previously communicated, PowerSchool – a cloud-based software vendor

used by Petersburg – recently experienced a cybersecurity incident involving unauthorized

access to certain information in the PowerSchool Student Information System (SIS).

We are reaching out to share more information and next steps that we recently received directly from PowerSchool:

• Identity Protection and Credit Monitoring Services: PowerSchool has engaged Experian, a trusted credit reporting agency, to offer two years of complimentary identity protection services for all students and educators whose information from our PowerSchool SIS was involved. This offer will also include two years of complimentary credit monitoring services for all adult students and educators whose information was involved.

• Notification to Individuals Involved: Starting in the next few weeks, in collaboration with Experian,

PowerSchool will provide notice to students (or their parents / guardians if the student is under 18) and educators whose information was involved, as well as a phone number to answer any questions you may have about the incident. The notice will include the identity protection and credit monitoring services offer (as applicable).

• As soon as PowerSchool learned of the incident, they engaged cybersecurity response protocols and mobilized senior leadership and third-party cybersecurity experts to conduct a forensic investigation of the scope of the incident and to monitor for signs of information misuse. PowerSchool is not aware of any identity theft attributable to this incident.

In the meantime, I encourage you to visit https://www.powerschool.com/security/sis-incident/ for up-to-date information on the cybersecurity incident. We care deeply about the welfare of our Petersburg School District families and will continue to do everything we can to support you. Thank you for the important role you play in our community and your shared commitment to putting our students first.

Sincerely,

Robyn Taylor

Superintendent, Petersburg School District

Please take a few moments to complete the surveys regarding your learner's teachers and administrators. Your input is highly valued and assists us in determining areas of strength and areas for growth. These surveys are anonymous.

pcsd.us/page/community-feedback

Dear Parent(s) and Guardian(s):

Recently the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development (DEED) released the 2023-2024 Report Cards to the Public for each school district and school in Alaska. These Report Cards present information about performance for the 2023-2024 school year. During this third administration of The Alaska System of Academic Readiness (AK STAR) assessment, students in grades 3-9 were assessed in English Language Arts and Mathematics. Students in grades 5, 8, and 10 took the Alaska Science Assessment.

To view a 2023-2024 School or District Report Card to the Public, go to

https://education.alaska.gov/compass/report-card.

Once there, you will be able to select which School or District Report Card to the Public you wish to view. This user-friendly website aims to provide families with clear, common information about all public schools and districts in our State. These Report Cards to the public contain data and information about academics, school environment, teacher quality, and more. If you are unable to access the Report Card to the Public online, please contact your student’s school.

We know that the Report Card to the Public is just one of many ways you will engage with us at

each of the district's schools. We look forward to sharing our school’s successes with you and working together to make our school better every day.

We hope you will closely follow your student’s academic progress and work with his or her teacher(s) to help ensure academic success. Working together as a team, we can improve not only how well our​ students are performing individually, but how our school and district is performing as a whole. There is​ nothing more important to administrators and teachers at the Petersburg School District than ensuring that students are ready for the next step in their academic career. We look forward to partnering with you.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding our School or District Report Card to the Public, please don’t hesitate to contact your building principal at 877-526-7656.

News from the District Office- Budgeting - Activity TRAVEL Fee Removal

At its December meeting, the Petersburg School Board approved the district administration's proposed winter budget revision. Revenues received have exceeded the district's initial projections, placing us in a fortunate position to revisit expenditures as well as address both short-term needs and long-term liabilities. One key aspect of the revision is the removal of the activity travel fee for middle and high school students for the 2024-2025 school year.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What do I need to do as a parent since the travel fee has been removed for this year?

• All middle and high school students' activity travel fees have already been refunded to their student accounts.
• If there were other outstanding fees, the credits were automatically applied to pay those fees.

2. What happens if there is still money left on my student's account?

You have two options:

1. By default, the funds will remain as a credit on your student's account to cover upcoming class or activity fees.
2. You may request a refund check.

3. How do I request a refund check?
To request a refund check, please contact Nancy Curtiss at:

• Email: ncurtiss@pcsd.us
• Phone: 877-526-7656, Ext. 201

Nancy can assist you in initiating the refund process.

Petersburg staff and students have worked through an iterative process to develop Learning Disposition which represent what it means to be a learner in our district. These disposition are being integrated daily into new learning and instruction.

You can help at home! We encourage YOU to integrate our learning dispositions into your every day language!

They are:

R- Resilient (Perseverance, Grit)

O- Open-Minded (Curious, Thoughtful, Reflective, Critical Thinkers, Courageous)

C- Confident (Take Ownership, Independent, Risk-Takers)

C- Connected (Communicate, Teamwork/Collaborative, Relational)

____________________________ BALANCED__________________________________

When we ROCC we balance life and learning!

Stedman Elementary Webpage-Click Here

Important Dates

January

27th There IS School Today (originally it was inservice)

30th STREAM Night @ 6:30pm in Stedman Library

31st Stedman’s Annual Reading Challenge BEGINS

31st Reading packets and Bookmarks sent home

February

6th 100th Day of School

7th Family Activity Night @ Community Gym 6-7:30pm

10th-17th Spelling Bee Parent Letter goes home

13th-17th AK Age Group Champs for VSC Swimmers

24th-28th Personal Safety Lessons K-5

24th-28th Spelling Bee list goes home

27th Stedman Elementary Scholastic Book Fair

27th Early Out @1:45pm

27th Conferences 2:00-8:00pm

28th Stedman Elementary Scholastic Book Fair

28th Conferences 2:00-6:00pm

28th Stedman’s Annual Reading Challenge ENDS

Are you interested in joining us for a night of fun? Our night includes exploration with science, technology, reading, engineering, art, and math. Of course, no event could be complete without dinner for you and the family. Please consider joining us on Thursday, January 30th 6:30-7:30pm!

~Sign-up to help us have the right amount of food~

https://forms.gle/kRT7WZVU4abHaaYJ7

In kindergarten we have been learning about octopuses. The focus has been on basic physical characteristics, simple actions including: appearance, habitat, movement, diet, and other interesting facts. For example, a kindergartener might impress you by saying, "Did you know that an octopus has 9 BRAINS and 3 HEARTS?" "Also, did you know that they can squeeze into tight spaces because they are invertebrates and have soft bodies." : ) My little learners like to show off that they know what the word "camouflage" means and they use it correctly every time.

We were able to collaborate with the high school Art teacher and combine art with science as she introduced to the students how to draw and paint an octopus. They started out by tracing their hands and then learned how to extend the arms and add suction cups using oil pastels and watercolor. Their artwork was unique, and stunning as they showcased their new art skills taught by the fabulous Mrs. Lohr.

Mr. Willis, a local fisherman brought in a real life octopus from the ocean to share with the kindergarten class. Their excitement in the room was palpable as we learned about these remarkable and incredibly bright creatures. For many students it was their first time seeing a real life octopus and to be able to touch it made the learning experience one to remember.

This was an exciting unit not only because of the subject matter but also because of the fantastic collaboration between a local fisherman, a high school art teacher and a kindergarten teacher.

You're invited- Tuesday, February 4th 9:00 a.m. - Noon

2nd Annual Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Competition

Family and community members are invited to attend the 2nd annual underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) competition. Please feel free to stop by for a little bit or stay for the whole competition. Big thank you to Alaska Sea Grant and the Petersburg Community Foundation for making it possible!

Mitkof Middle School Gear Store- Click here to order your Mitkof Viking Gear

This past quarter 27 middle school Viking Volunteers volunteered for 80 total hours in the community. Nineteen students participated in the canned food drive for Thanksgiving meals. Volunteers also helped HIP organize donations every week and ran kids’ activity booths at the Parks and Recreation winter event. We encourage all middle school students to take advantage of group volunteering opportunities or individual activities they find on their own and get involved in their community!

We have a FACEBOOK page!

https://www.facebook.com/people/Petersburg-High-School/61571925772105/

Congratulations to our Elks Students of the month!!

November: Ethan Bertagnoli and Cadence Flint

December: Cadum Whitethorn and Emi Anderson

January: Noah Pawuk and Heidi Brantuas

Concerns of Bullying and Cyberbulling:

Message read to students:

We are seeing a rise in bullying incidents in school. These include in-person and cyber bullying incidents. School Board policy and the student handbooks prohibit harassment, intimidation and bullying. Reports of bullying will be addressed by staff and administration. School Board policy states that "Students who engage in such acts are subject to appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including suspension or expulsion" (BP 5131.43).

Cyberbullying that occurs on or off campus is subject to school discipline. It is important to note that cyberbullying is a crime that can also be addressed by law enforcement. This is true even if the distributor is not the author of the cyberbullying content.

If you witness or are a victim of in-person or cyberbullying, please come and see Mr. King or Mr. Cabral in the office and we will investigate and work to correct the situation. In the case of cyberbullying, please bring screenshots of texts, emails, or social media posts that contain the bullying events.

Secondary Testing Schedule (including ACT & SAT)

The lesson was about the Market Crash of 1929.

Learning Intentions:

Market Crashes
Students will analyze the causes and effects of the Stock Market Crash of 1929, identifying key economic factors and societal impacts. They will evaluate the role of speculation, margin buying, and government policies in contributing to the crash.

Product: Collaborative poster (Expert Group) and Cornell Notes (Individual)

PHS students were recognized for their Semester 1 accomplishments at last week's assembly.

Congratulations to all the students who earned status for:

Honor Roll (3.5-3.74 GPA)

High Honor Roll (3.75-3.99 GPA)

Highest Honor Roll (4.0 + GPA)

Attendance (95% or better)

No Tardies

The staff also selected two students from each grade level who best represent the characteristics of being a respectable Viking learner!

Semester 1 Student Standouts

Freshmen: Maelle Boitor, Edgar Olsen

Sophomores: Brylea Kivisto, Rebecca Midkiff

Juniors: Tory Fry, Logan Tow

Seniors: Joseph Tagabon, Sam Olson

January 30th STREAM Night @ 6:30 in Stedman Library

January 31st Stedman's Annual Reading Challenge Begins

January 31st-February 1st. MS State Robotics Competition

February 5th Policy committee meeting 3:30 District Office

February 6th Petersburg Borough Assembly and School Board Budget Worksession 6:00 Chambers

February 6th 100 Days of School

February 7-8th Basketball vs. Metlakatla

February 7th Youth Risk Behavior Survey administration at PHS

February 11th Budget Committee meeting 5:30 p.m. PHS Library

February 13th-15 All Northwest Music @ Spokane

February 14-15th PHS Basketball @ Haines

February 14th Middle School Activity Night 6:30-8:00

February 14th-15th Middle School Wrestling @ Juneau

February 17th President’s Day- No School

February 18th School Board meeting 6:00 PHS Library

February 21-22nd PHS Basketball @ Wrangell

February 22nd Wrestling in Main Gym

February 27th Stedman Elementary Scholastic Book Fair

February 27-28th Parent Teacher Conferences- Early Out Elementary @ 1:45

February 27th Policy Committee 3:30 District Office

March 3rd PHS Pep Assembly

March 4th-8th Region 5 Tournament in Ketchikan

March 7th-14th Spring Break - No School

March 11th-15th State Basketball Tournament in Anchorage

March 20th Policy Committee 3:30 District Office

March 21st 8th-12th grade College/Career Fair

March 25th Budget Work Session 6:00 PHS Library

March 25th-27th MAPS Testing for Middle and High School Students

March 25th PHS ACT Test

March 27th-29th PHS Play

Robyn Taylor, Superintendent

supt@pcsd.us

Petersburg School District

PO Box 289

Petersburg, Alaska 99833

877-526-7656

Vision: Inspiring all to become responsible and healthy citizens, positively contributing to our global community.

Mission: Petersburg Schools will advocate for continuous growth, promote a healthy environment, and provide diverse educational opportunities where all students achieve.