I like to brag that KPBSD is the best school district in Alaska. While much of this opinion is based on emotion, I do feel that we have lots of data to help support this claim. Nevertheless, we do experience our fair share of bumps in the road. It is not uncommon for a parent to be upset with their school or the district, for a staff member to be at odds with an administrative decision or for a student to be injured in an accident on the playground. Yesterday morning was one of those days when I received notice of three such concerns or incidents. It was a relief then, when I walked across the street to attend Soldotna Elementary School ‘s celebration of reading. What I saw quickly changed my mood.
The school wide assembly was a great reminder of what makes our schools so special. The assembly began with students shaving the beard of one of their teachers. Earlier in the year he set a reading challenge to his students. They met it, and took pleasure eliminating his whiskers. The student body was enthralled with the moment and in deafening unison chanted encouragement to their peers taking turns with the clippers. The Cat in the Hat was next, prancing around the gym to the delight of the students. While I was struck by the students’ enthusiasm, I was also impressed by the staff’s oversight of the event. The obvious care and dedication that the staff showed their students made me think of a parent with children. What was equally impressive was how the students respond to the staff members. The symbiotic relationship if it is fair to say this, was evident from the moment the classes filed into the gym. As the year comes to a close, let’s appreciate that Soldotna Elementary, like all of our schools, is a welcoming place where students feel at home. This is part of why I feel that we are the best district in Alaska. Thanks to all of our staff members who work so hard to make this the case.
Welcoming schools
I like to brag that KPBSD is the best school district in Alaska. While much of this opinion is based on emotion, I do feel that we have lots of data to help support this claim. Nevertheless, we do experience our fair share of bumps in the road. It is not uncommon for a parent to be upset with their school or the district, for a staff member to be at odds with an administrative decision or for a student to be injured in an accident on the playground. Yesterday morning was one of those days when I received notice of three such concerns or incidents. It was a relief then, when I walked across the street to attend Soldotna Elementary School ‘s celebration of reading. What I saw quickly changed my mood.
The school wide assembly was a great reminder of what makes our schools so special. The assembly began with students shaving the beard of one of their teachers. Earlier in the year he set a reading challenge to his students. They met it, and took pleasure eliminating his whiskers. The student body was enthralled with the moment and in deafening unison chanted encouragement to their peers taking turns with the clippers. The Cat in the Hat was next, prancing around the gym to the delight of the students. While I was struck by the students’ enthusiasm, I was also impressed by the staff’s oversight of the event. The obvious care and dedication that the staff showed their students made me think of a parent with children. What was equally impressive was how the students respond to the staff members. The symbiotic relationship if it is fair to say this, was evident from the moment the classes filed into the gym. As the year comes to a close, let’s appreciate that Soldotna Elementary, like all of our schools, is a welcoming place where students feel at home. This is part of why I feel that we are the best district in Alaska. Thanks to all of our staff members who work so hard to make this the case.