Principal's Corner

Niko Mix-6 Volleyball team’s performance at Palmer High School for state would make anyone proud who watched them perform! I saw a lot of great effort, team work, and support for one another. We have very supportive chaperones who went above and beyond in making their journey a success, and I’d like to call out Jason & Trena Dagenhart, Becky Miller, Olivia Tipikin, and of course Coach Amanda Jerde for making this experience something wonderful to enjoy! They are planning some fundraising opportunities at some point in the near future. And now…we have HS Boys Basketball season started with Coach Aaron Donham. Be on the lookout for more details about scheduled games!

Look "beyond the report card." The report card is a good indicator of success or proficiency in the classroom, even towards standard completion for elementary students. But like all test results, report card data must be viewed in conjunction with other relevant information. A report card may not show the child's specific strengths/weaknesses in a particular subject area, or every standard. It can't (for example) gauge literacy skills compared to other similar aged students. It may not even indicate class participation levels, behavior, or the ability to work independently.

For a comprehensive understanding of your child's progress, look for the following:

• Benchmark Screeners - given 3x per year, these are nationally normed tests that compare students to students nationwide. Ask your child's teacher for these student reports.
• Conference with your child's teacher about his/her strengths & weaknesses in class. Parents can even share insights about their child that may help the teacher support their child's learning in the classroom.
• Observation: Have your child read a selection of text in a book, and monitor the speed and accuracy of words read aloud. Support any assigned homework. If there is no homework, and you wish for your child to have homework...ask your child's teacher for additional work.
• Standardized Testing: Based on the student's grade level, students will take the AK STAR and AK Science test once per year. In addition, some students will take the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), and English Language Learners (ELL) will take the ACCESS test for English language proficiency. Schools are required to share this info with parents when they become available.

Other Resources:

• KPBSD Standards
• KPBSD Handbook - see pg. 10-12 for district grading and report card policies
• KPBSD Standard Reporting FAQs for Parents

See below for responses to last month's "Newsletter Poll." Let me know if you have any questions!

- Gregory Melvin

Nikolaevsk School

• Sports: Mix-6 Volleyball & HS Boys Basketball
• Grow Room: Lettuce, tomatoes, and other veggies are cared for by students.
• Tumbling Class (coming January 2024)
• Student Council: Afterschool program for MS/HS students.
• Open Gym (Friday & Sunday)
• Archery (occasionally takes place during MS/HS P.E. Class)

Port Graham School

• Sports: HS Boys Basketball
• Native Youth Olympics
• Open Gym (Monday - Friday). A Saturday option may be coming soon.
• Project GRAD: Family Nights

Email: gmelvin@kpbsd.k12.ak.us
Website: https://kpbsd.org/schools/nikolaevsk/
Location: 65524 Nikolaevsk Rd, Anchor Point, AK, USA
Phone: 907-235-8972
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NikolaevskSchool/

Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself

- John Dewey

Niko students interact daily with music, whether it be patriotic songs in the morning or music lessons in the afternoon throughout the week. Our K-5 elementary teacher, Mr. Houchins has done a great job in coaching students in various musical instruments (such as seen in the picture). Students are also learning to play recorders and boomwhackers, as well as basic musical theory. If you would like an opportunity to see our students play, visit our school or attend our Christmas Program this coming Thursday, December 14th at 2:00pm!

In the dynamic realm of education, our Title I program takes the spotlight with the engaging presentation of "The Gift of The Great Venus Flytrap." This Reader's Theater Play, a journey into imagination, showcases students' talents and their commitment to literature.

Beyond the stage, Title I students are also delving into character analysis, breaking down traits to better understand the texts they explore. Meanwhile, other students are mastering word skills by learning to break words apart, fostering a love for language.

Looking ahead, Nikolaevsk Title I invites families to a STEAM Night on December 8th, a blend of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math activities. During this night, we'll also host the First Semester Committee Meeting for Title I parents to discuss the program and plan for the upcoming semester. Your involvement is crucial in shaping the direction of Title I.

Amidst the holiday season, our talented Title I students are adding a touch of magic by working on a script and charming props for the Christmas Production hosted by Nikolaevsk Elementary. Get ready to be charmed by their hard work and holiday cheer at this special event!

We are pleased to announce that Nikolaevsk School will be opening the school gym to children ages 0-5 who are accompanied by a supervising adult! There is no cost. This is a community service to our Nikolaevsk families, with the main sponsorship provided by the Nikolaevsk Community Council. We hope this experience can provide our younger children with the opportunity for enjoyable physical activities, social interactions with other children, positive playtime experiences, building & maintaining relationships with parents...and even getting used to the "big school" setting.

• Dates: Monday - Friday (school days - see Nikolaevsk Calendar)
• Times: 8:00 - 9:00am
• Who: Ages 0-5
• Requirements: Children must be accompanied by supervising adult
• Cost: Free

Starting today, parents can bring in their children ages 0-5 in the school gym during the times listed above. There will not be any supervising staff member, as that expectation & responsibility will be on the attending parent. If you have any questions, please contact our school. Thank you!

Nikolaevsk School will host two Christmas Programs this year! Our first program will be hosted by the Nikolaevsk Homeschool Co-Op on Thursday, December 7th at 5:00pm. Our second program will be hosted by our elementary students of Nikolaevsk School on Thursday, December 14th at 2:00pm. Community members and families are invited to enjoy this year's festivities with the children!

Movie night will follow the Christmas Program on Thursday, December 14th. Showtime is 3:00pm, and admission is charged. This is a Student Council sponsored fundraiser.

Nikolaevsk School is looking for a quality Secondary Teacher candidate for the Spring 2024 school semester. Please reach out to the school at 907-235-8972 if you have any questions, and review the links provided below for additional job position details.

Job Posting (Apply Here): https://www.applitrack.com/kpbsd/onlineapp/default.aspx?AppliTrackPostingSearch=location:%22Nikolaevsk+School+-+Anchor+Point+Area%22

Job Description: https://www.applitrack.com/kpbsd/onlineapp/1BrowseFile.aspx?id=100619

Thank you for your service and support towards student learning!

Surveys are a great way for parents, students and the general public to voice their praise or concerns about the school districts facilities and employees. Your input is valuable, and we encourage you to take a moment to complete one or all of the following surveys:

• School Survey
• School Administrator Feedback Survey
• Teacher Performance Survey

• Central Peninsula – February 12-16 (Central Peninsula Hospital)
• Homer – March 10-15 (Spring Break) (South Peninsula Hospital)
• Seward – April 8-12 (Providence Seward Medical Center)

**Students can sign up for all KPBSD CTE Opportunities HERE: https://forms.gle/2SDuPZopo5MoBvxB7

Email: gmelvin@kpbsd.k12.ak.us
Website: https://kpbsd.org/schools/port-graham/
Location: 63693 Graham Rd, Homer, AK, USA
Phone: 907-284-2210
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PortGrahamSchool

Project GRAD "Family Game Night" - November 30, 2023

• Wednesday, November 29th - High School Basketball Practice Starts
  
• Friday, December 8th - Early Release @ 2:30pm
• Tuesday, December 19th - Family Night w/ Project GRAD (4:30-6:30pm)
• Friday, December 22nd - Christmas Program @ 6:00pm
• Monday, December 25th - Christmas (No School
• Tuesday, December 26th - Christmas (No School)
• January 1st - 12th: Winter Break (No School)
  
• Monday, January 15th - Staff In-Service (No School)

KPBSD Indigenous Ed. Specialist, Rachel Pioch, has provided recipes, instructions, templates, and a how-to video for Alutiiq/Sugpiaq Gingerbreads. Her goal is to include all Alaskan cultures at some point. You are welcome to print these templates and enjoy gingerbread snacks this season!

Click this LINK for all the digital materials.

It's gingerbread season! Join us and engineer an epic village of gingerbread houses. All materials and decorations will be provided, plus hot cocoa and cookies for snacking. All students and their families are welcome!

Click HERE for the Quarter 1 newsletter from Project GRAD.

SPRING REGISTRATION OPENS OCT 1, 2023
Spring Registration Deadline January 5, 2024

Official Title: High School Introduction to Nautical Skills

Calling all high school students!

Are you ready to begin your voyage into a high paying maritime career?

Spring course starts January 16 and ends Febuary 27, 2024

Bi-weekly live webinar via Zoom Tuesday and Thursday mornings 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

The Alaska Maritime Training Center at AVTEC’s Nautical Skills course introduces high school students to the exciting and lucrative maritime industry and assists them in developing the basic skills essential to their success and safety as a mariner. This six-week course will focus on maritime career awareness, chart navigation, the safety of life at sea, time/speed/distance problems, nautical courtesy, basic rules of the road and knot tying. Information about maritime careers, apprenticeships and additional training opportunities will also be shared. Live webinar training sessions with a United States Coast Guard (USCG) licensed maritime training instructors will be delivered, online twice a week via Zoom and a wide range of activities, assignments, tutorials and assessments will be delivered online via AVTEC Online. A total of twelve topics will be introduced that will equate to about sixty hours of school work.

Upon successful completion of the Nautical Skills class, high school students are eligible to apply for grant funding to help pay for a portion of tuition, room and board to assist them with the completion of a wide range of USCG approved courses at AVTEC. Many Alaskan students have become fully licensed, highly employable professional merchant mariners while still in high school.