NOTE:

This blog is maintained as an effort to coordinate and collocate responding agencies' information for easier public access during events on the Kenai Peninsula. The information here is written and provided by the contributing agencies. NOTE: The blog will be updated as the need arises and may be dormant at times.

Friday, April 10, 2020

News Release: New State Health Mandate for schools, plus KPBSD highlights

Online News Release
KPBSD and State Health Mandate 013, plus nine days of Remote Learning highlights

Soldotna, April 10, 2020—All 42 KPBSD schools will continue delivering Remote Learning education for more than 8,500 students through the end of the school year on May 20, 2020. Free “Get-It and Go” meals for KPBSD students will continue Monday through Friday at 25 locations on the Kenai Peninsula.

Acting Superintendent Dave Jones said:
“KPBSD began providing distance-delivered instruction to our students on March 30, 2020, and initially we knew it would be through May 1, 2020. On Thursday evening, the issuance of State Health Mandate 013 clarified Alaska K-12 school buildings will be closed to students through the end of the school year. Consequently, we will complete the school year via remote learning education for all of our students. With the certainty that schools will not reopen to students, we are now planning for the end of the year. The district and schools will provide information to parents and students as soon as plans are finalized. We have so much confidence in our staff and every one of you–we know that even if this spring is different than everyone ever anticipated, we will finish this school year with resilience, determination, and victory.”

 

Highlights after nine days of Remote Learning for 8,500+ students in the KPBSD

·        The KPBSD instructional team created and delivered more than 400 professional development (PD) webinars covering 90 topics for all KPBSD staff when the school district transferred the delivery of education to remote learning. PD classes continue to be added, and are available on demand for KPBSD employees.

·        To offer additional supports for parents during this time of student remote learning, KPBSD professional development coaches will begin offering free online webinars for parents and guardians on April 14, 2020. These webinars for parents are free, and registration is necessary.

·        Staff continues to contact and support students and their families. School nurses and counselors are available as resources for students and families during this time of physical distancing. Individual schools provide outreach and engaging activities for academics, and social and emotional learning. For families who do not have the ability to access instruction online, packets for learning are made available by teachers for students.

·        Special education classified and certified staff were trained on distance delivery and have plans for regular connection with every student receiving special education services. Related service providers, including district occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech and language therapists will be providing online support and resources for students, parents, and other staff members. Training opportunities and supports for parents are in progress, and students are receiving materials via special education bussing (for those already served by this bussing)

·        The information services department has deployed about 700 Chromebooks to students, created an online platform for new-to-KPBSD student registrations, worked with telecom providers to offer internet support for students and staff, and Monday through Friday staffs a help desk to support staff and families.

·        Approximately 1,700 students receive free “Get-it and Go” meals every day. On average, that equates to 3,400 meals delivered every day, to 25 locations across the Kenai Peninsula.

·        District administration continues to work closely with the Borough Office of Emergency Management Unified Command, agencies, municipalities, health care providers, and law enforcement.

 

Links:

·        KPBSD COVID-19 and KPBSD webpage

·        KPBSD Remote Learning Resources for Parents webpage

·        KPBSD Shifting to Remote Learning Employee website

·        Borough Virtual Joint Information Center website

·        State of Alaska COVID-19 Health Mandates webpage

 

 

###

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.