news release: 34 KPBSD schools deliver education via 100% Remote for all enrolled students

News Release

High COVID-19 cases cause 34 schools to shift to 100% remote learning for all students through Thanksgiving break

 

Friday, November 13, 2020, marked another significant leap of positive COVID-19 cases on the Kenai Peninsula, so beginning Monday, November 16, 2020, learning at 34 of the 42 KPBSD schools will be 100% Remote for all students. This means that Pre-K, Kindergarten, and Intensive Needs students will not attend school onsite, and education delivery for students enrolled at schools operating in High COVID-19 Risk areas will be delivered remotely via digital platforms or with paper packets.

 

In an effort to do our part during this acceleration phase of COVID-19 on the Kenai Peninsula, KPBSD must act prudently and proactively. Governor Dunleavy made a plea to Alaskans on Thursday: “I’m going to ask Alaskans to sacrifice a little more by changing their daily routines. If you own a business that can operate remotely, send your employees home. I’m urging municipalities to take similar action and protect your workforce and communities.”

 

The KPBSD continues to build the plan to bring more students back onsite during high COVID-19 risk, and it is true that school buildings may be one of the safest places to be. However, the extreme phase of exponential spread that is happening now on the Kenai Peninsula must first be slowed, and begin to trend down before onsite learning can resume. You can track the data yourself on the KPBSD COVID-19 data dashboard—today the state reported an all-time high of 90 positive cases on the Kenai Peninsula. Please do your part—we are all still learning new habits. You know how hard this is, and we are all concerned for everyone’s safety and well-being. It will take effort from each of us in our daily habits and choices to shift this dangerous trajectory.

 

What to know

·        Schools will continue to be in contact with their families. If you or a friend are struggling or need assistance, do not wait. Call your school secretary, a teacher, the principal, school nurse, or counselor, if you have questions about materials, packets, mental well-being, or other questions

·        Get-It and Go Meals are free for all students during 100% Remote Learning, and can be picked up daily at school between 12:00–1:00. Make sure to place your order by noon on Friday for the following week daily pickup: Signup online for FREE lunch and breakfast meals

·        Need some supports for mental wellness? This is a recycle of a free resource for you: Sources of Strength Family Toolkit

 

Links

·        New! Parent tips to talk to kids about COVID-19 alerts to their phones

·        New from DHSS: What to Do if You’ve Been Exposed to COVID-19: put your quarantine plan into action

·        Governor Michael J. Dunleavy’s statewide message the morning of November 12, 2020

·        KPBSD COVID-19 risk level dashboard

·        KPBSD COVID-19 Hub or covid19.kpbsd.org  

 

Do you know? “Most Alaskans get COVID-19 from a friend, family member or coworker. Alaskans should avoid indoor gatherings with non-household members, avoid crowds, wear masks when around non-household members and stay six feet from anyone not in their household.” –DHSS, November 13, 2020

 

100% Remote Learning through Thanksgiving break for all students in central, eastern, and southern Kenai Peninsula schools
Central Peninsula Schools Central Kenai Peninsula includes Kasilof to Sterling, extending through Kenai, Nikiski, Soldotna, and DHSS “other north” communities. Cooper Landing is not included in the 17 Central Peninsula schools:

 

·        Aurora Borealis Charter School

·        Kaleidoscope Charter School

·        K-Beach Elementary School

·        Kenai Alternative School

·        Kenai Central High School

·        Kenai Middle School

·        Mountain View Elementary School

·        Nikiski Middle-High School

·        Nikiski North Star Elementary School

·        Redoubt Elementary School

·        River City Academy

·        Skyview Middle School

·        Soldotna Elementary School

·        Soldotna High School

·        Soldotna Montessori Charter School

·        Sterling Elementary School

·        Other North: Tustumena Elementary School

 

Eastern Kenai Peninsula Schools

 

·        Moose Pass School

·        Seward High School

·        Seward Middle School

·        William H. Seward Elementary

 

Southern Kenai Peninsula Schools

 

·        Chapman School

·        Fireweed Academy

·        Homer Flex School

·        Homer High School

·        Homer Middle School

·        Kachemak Selo School

·        McNeil Canyon Elementary School

·        Nikolaevsk School

·        Ninilchik School

·        Paul Banks Elementary School

·        Razdolna School

·        Voznesenka School

·        West Homer Elementary School

Small schools are open to onsite learning in low risk
Six small KPBSD schools in Cooper Landing, Hope, Nanwalek, Port Graham, Seldovia, and Tebughna will also continue to operate in low COVID-19 risk, and offer both 100% Remote and onsite-at-school learning options. A shift to 100% Remote Learning could happen at any time if there is positive COVID-19 in these communities.

 

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