We are using Sign Up Genius for Parent/Teacher Conferences on

Thursday, February 4th from 8-3 and Friday, February 5th from 8-3.

You should of received an email from a Seward Middle Teacher ask-

ing you to sign up. If you did not please call the school at 224-9000.

We would like to welcome our new math teacher

Meghan Williamson. She has traveled all the way from Tennes-

see to join our staff and is teaching 7th & 8th grade math. We

are excited to have her!

Our school is using the school messenger for unexcused absences.

If your child is absent and you have not called the office before

3pm to excuse them a call will be made to the parent notifying

them of the unexcused absence.

Seward Middle School yearbook class is short on actions shots of the boys cross country team. If you took pictures during one of the meets, and are willing to submit them to be included in the yearbook, please email them to Mrs. Liljemark. Mliljemark@kpbsd.org. We appreciate any pictures that you are willing to share!

General News

Important Dates for February

Wednesday, 2/3: Early Release for students at 12:50pm

Thursday, 2/4: No School Parent/Teacher

Conferences 8am-3pm

Friday, 2/5: No School Parent/Teacher Con-

ferences 8am-3pm

Tuesday, 2/16: Public Budget Meeting at

5:30pm Seward High Library

Sporting events check page 4

KPBSD

February 1, 2016

February Newsletter

Inside this issue:

Principals News 2

Teachers News 3

Honor Roll 3

Students of the

Month

4

Sports News 4

Yearbook 5

Student Nutrition 5

Nurses News 5

Geo Bee 6

Lost & Found 6

SLT 6

District News 6

From The Principal’s Desk

Page 2

February Newsletter

Dear Parents and Guardians,

It’s hard to believe we’re into February, and what’s the deal with this rain? We hope you are making use of

all the incoming fresh water!

I’d like to welcome Joshua Williamson from Tennessee as our new resource aide. He is the spouse of Me-

ghan Williamson, our math teacher. Mr. Williamson has experience as a computer engineer, and even did a

stint working as a daycare provider to help pay for his college classes. Welcome to Seward, Josh, we’re hap-

py to have you!

Priscilla Stoltz, Nick Valenza and Tommy Cronin represented Seward Middle School at the Native Youth

Olympic Games held in Soldotna last weekend. Both Priscilla and Nick medaled in their events, and Tommy

Cronin set two state records: the 7ft high kick, and the knee kick of 34inches. The high kick is where you

kick a ball suspended in the air at said height. Way to represent Seward! Seward Middle will host the next

Native Youth Olympic games on February 26-28.

In wrestling news, Seward Middle made a great showing at the Skyview Invitational last weekend. Michael

Honebein placed first and won the rubber chicken. To win the rubber chicken, you have to win all your

matches, including a match outside of your weight class. Isiah Harris and Levi Deboard placed second.

Thomas Ooka, Jaden Vandyke and Collin Mullay placed fourth. The next wrestling match will take place in

Nikiski on January 30. Go Silvers!

Lastly, 9 students competed in this year’s first annual Geography Bee. After two grueling days of competi-

tion, in the end, Joshua Park took home the prize. Congratulations to Josh!

Our Student Leadership Team is hosting a canned food drive through February 12 to benefit the Seward Food

Bank. For every can a student brings to school to donate, they will receive a ticket. At the end of the drive on

Feb 12, two student names will be drawn—provided the drive collects 1000+ cans by the deadline. The win-

ning students will dump a 10gallon ice bucket on Mr. Rothenberger’s head in honor of the ALS Ice Bucket

Challenge.

Recently, Commissioner Hanley sent a press release out announcing that Alaska will pursue new assessment

options. In essence, the Department has responded to public testimony from many areas, including superin-

tendents, and Hanley feels there is very little confidence in what the vendor can deliver for instructional infor-

mation from the AMP assessment. Because of state and federal requirements, the Commissioner has deter-

mined that the final year of this assessment will be administered this spring.

I would like to end by saying thank you to the Seward Music Association for making opportunities available

to students K-12. Many of these students will perform tonight, on January 28 in the high school auditorium—

7pm. Thank you Seward Music!

Sincerely,

Mr. Rothenberger

Teacher News

2nd Quarter A/B Honor Roll

2nd Quarter Honor Roll

6th Grade: Kekoa Albino, Rowan Bean, Ryan Brown*, Gaia Casagranda, Caitlin Corr igan, Kai’Sha Croom,

Michael Dague, Wren Dougherty, Karlye Ebberson, Gavin Foote, Joseph Foutz*, Kloey Fredrick*, Luke Gunter, Grant

Hinders, James Milburn, Annika Nilsson, Aiden Perea, John Polasek, Hannah Schilling, Shelby Sieminski, Peter

Spanos, Chynna Stanley, Sailor Terry.

7th Grade: Anevay Ambrosiana*, Reanna Brewi*, Zander Bircher , Lucas Brockman, Cody Bryden, Selma

Casagranda, Emmalee Deland, Malia Hewitt, Trey Ingalls*, Sam Koster *, Neil Lindquist, Calysta Lohman, Collin

Mullaly, Kylie Mullaly, Max Pfeiffenberger*, Thomas Ooka, Clay Petersen, Tegan Retzer, Katelyn Sawyer-Lemme*,

Jordan Sewell, Sequoia Sieverts, Alexie Wayne, Makaira Williams.

8th Grade: Madison Athey, Isaiah Bivins, Sophia Dow, Dylan Dunning, Lincoln Far r is, Lindy Guernsey*, Jack

Gunter, Hunter Hollingsworth, Naomi Ifflander, Kyrsten Johnson-Gray, Jonah Lindquist, Justin McMurray*, Madilyn

Moore, John Moriarty, Bjorn Nilsson*, Joshua Park*, Connor Spanos*, Jaden Vandyke.

*4.0 GPA

*Honor Roll Students have a 3.0 GPA or above AND a letter grade of a B or above.

Page 3

February Newsletter

Parents/Students please take time to visit the teachers sites below. If absent this is where you

and your child need to check for assignments.

Mr. Barnwell (rbarnwell@kpbsd.k12.ak.us: https://sites.google.com/a/g.kpbsd.org/mr-b-s-6th-

grade-09-10/

Ms. Gal (jgal@kpbsd.12.ak.us): Math 8: https://kpbsd.instructure.com/courses/10432

Math 7: https://kpbsd.instructure.com/courses/10433

Math 6: https://kpbsd.instructure.com/courses/11214

Ms. Hammer (ahammer@kpbsd.k12.ak.us): PowerSchool: https://ps.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/public/

home.html

Mrs. Liljemark (mliljemark@kbpsd.k12.ak.us): https//kpbsd.instructure.com/courses/10875

Mrs. Nichol’s (cnichols@kpbsd.k12.ak.us): https://kpbsd.instructure.com/courses/10445

Mrs. Scrivo(kjurneyscrivo@kpbsd.k12.ak.us): www.scrivosuperstars.com

Mrs. Williamson (mwilliamson@kpbsd.k12.ak.us): https://ps.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/

public/home.html

Mrs. Walker (mwalker@kpbsd.k12.ak.us):

Language Arts 7: https://kpbsd.instructure.com/courses/10435

Language Arts 8: https://kpbsd.instructure.com/courses/10436

Silvers of the month demonstrate quality character through academic

achievement and school citizenship.

Silvers Of The Month

Sports News

Volleyball Schedule February:

Saturday, 1/30 @ Kenai 10am Jamboree

Tuesday, 2/2 @ Skyview 3pm

Wednesday, 2/3 @ Seward 3pm

Friday, 2/12 @ Skyview 3pm

Saturday, 2/13 @ Seward 11am

Saturday, 2/20 @ Homer Noon

Tuesday, 2/23 First Round of borough tournament—

TBA

Saturday, 2/27 @ Homer 10am Finals borough tourna-

ment

Page 4

February Newsletter

Wrestling Schedule February:

Saturday, 2/13 @ Seward

10 am

Saturday, 2/20 Borough

Tournament @ Kenai

10am.

(The Homer Meet for Friday,

1/5 has been canceled). GO SILVERS!!!!!!!

Left to right: Lincoln Farris (8th), Isaiah Bivins (8th), Lucas Brockman

(7th), James Millburn (6th), Hailey Anderson (6th), Alexi Wayne (7th).

February Newsletter

It is not too late to order your Seward Middle School Yearbook! For just $23 you can purchase a yearbook to help you capture the memories of the 2015-2016 school year. The book is designed by students in the yearbook exploratory, and the front and back covers and title page features original art of Seward Middle School students. If you are interested in making this purchase, bring $23 (cash or check - made out to Seward Middle School) to the front office. We have a new easy feature of online ordering this year! If you would like to order your yearbook online, go to www.inter-state.com/yearbook and use the code 02967K If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Liljemark - 907-224-9024 or mliljemark@kpbsd.org

Yearbooks

Student Nutrition

Parents you are now able to pay online for your Childs lunch. If you are registered with

PowerSchool for your child you will be able to find the link under the left side navigation—lunch

planner.

You can also make payments through this link: https://kpbsd.revtrak.net/tek9.asp?pg=SewardMS

If you use this link instead of PowerSchool you will need your Childs student number.

Nurses News

Playing with Fire

January 25-31st is the National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week. Prescription and over-the-counter drugs are the most com-

monly abused substances by Americans 14 and older after marijuana and alcohol according to the National Institute on Drug

Abuse (NIDA). We often think prescription drugs are safer than illicit drugs but they can be as addictive and danger-

ous. Users put themselves at risk for adverse health effects, including overdose especially when taken along with other drugs

or alcohol. What is quite disturbing is that most teenagers who abuse prescription drugs are given to them for free by a

friend. The classes of prescription drugs most commonly abused are Opioid pain relievers such as Vicodin or Oxycontin;

stimulants for treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) such as Adderall, Vyvanse or Concerta; and central

nervous depressants for relieving anxiety such as Valium or Xanax. The most commonly abused OTC drugs are cough and

cold remedies containing dextromethorphan.

Prevention is key. Teen years are the most likely time for someone to start taking

drugs. Some prevention tactics by the

National Institute on Drug Abuse are:

1. Talk with your children about drugs.

2. Be part of their lives.

3. Know where your children are and what they are doing.

4. Set clear rules and enforce them fairly.

5. Teach your children how to refuse drugs.

6. Make your home safe by keeping track of your medicines and cleaning products.

Research shows that when parents tell their kids that they don’t want them to do drugs, the kids are less likely to do drugs.

Resource: http://teens.drugabuse.gov/peerx/about-peerx. NIDA for Teens can be found on Facebook.

Nurse Yoly

Page 5

Seward Silvers

The school has an excessive amount of lost and

found. If your child is missing something

please have them check the lost and found or

parents are welcome to come check. Items will

be put out for parent/teacher conferences on

Feb. 4 & 5. Any items left will be donated.

Lost and Found

Geography Bee

The winner for this year’s National Geography Bee is Joshua Park. His final question, answered cor-rectly, was “The Tibesti Mountains are located in which landlocked country east of Niger?” (the an-swer is Chad). Peter Spanos was the runner up in a hotly contested match, with many former ele-mentary school bee past champions competing. Joshua will be taking a qualifying test, and then competing, once again (he won in elementary school years ago) in Anchorage. If he does well there, he will compete at the national level. Great work Mr. Park, and good luck.

Student Leadership Team

SLT Canned Food Drive!!!

Seward Middle School is collecting food items for the local food bank. Hunger is not just

a Thanksgiving and Christmas issue. The food bank needs donations year round.

1000 cans is our goal. If we can bring in 1000 cans by February 12, Mr. Rothenberger has

agreed to participate in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

Even better! Students will get a ticket for every can they bring in, and if we meet our goal by February

12, two names will be chosen from the bucket to be the students who get to pour the ice water over Mr.

Rothenberger. You’ve got it! The more cans a student brings in, the more of a chance they have to be

one of the “student drenchers”.

Turn in cans and get your tickets:

6th graders - Mr. Barnwell

7th grade – Mrs. Walker

8th grade – Mrs. Liljemark

So hit your cupboards and bring in those food items for a good cause!

SLT will be selling Heart-O-Grams at lunch February 1-11 for .50¢. Send your friends a sweet

message with candy! They will be delivered at lunch on 12/12!

Page 6

Seward Silvers

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is holding Public Budget Meetings at the following locations:

Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at 5:30 p.m. in the Seward High School library

Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at 5:30 p.m. in the Soldotna High School library

Tuesday, February 23, 2016 at 5:30 p.m. in the Homer High School library

Everyone interested is encouraged to attend one of the meetings. If there are questions, please contact Lassie Nelson at 714-8838.

The KPBSD has Board Policy that addresses the process for concerns or complaints. As stated in BP and AR 1312.1, the Board

encourages individuals to resolve problems early and informally whenever possible. Towards this end, concerns should be shared

directly by the complainant to the person against whom the complaint is lodged. If the complaint cannot be resolved informally,

then the complaint or concern may be submitted in writing to the school principal. If the concern is still not adequately resolved,

the complaint may be submitted to the district for review by the appropriate supervisor. Further information is available online at

http://www.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/board.aspx?id=344

Apply for Free or Reduced price meals You can now apply online! It’s safe and secure. KPBSD provides free and reduced-price meals for

children served in the National School Breakfast and Lunch programs. Every year the results from students qualifying for free or reduced price

meals results in significant funding for the school district. Please take five minutes to complete the online application—click here.

School Safety Closure or Delay Start information Parents and guardians, school safety is a top priority in the KPBSD. It’s important for

you to know what to do before, during, and after a school emergency, weather related delay start, or school closure. Please visit this webpage to

familiarize yourself with A.L.I.C.E., KPBSD emergency terms and actions, and how to learn if there will be a two-hour delay start or school clo-

sure. Learn more here.

District News

Were on the web: http//sewardmiddleschool.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/wpmu/

Seward Middle School

P.O. Box 1149

304 Sea Lion Drive

Seward, AK 99664

Tel: 907-224-9000

Fax: 907-224-9001

Seward Middle would like to thank Carole Tallman

from Hertz for submitting our school in a random

contest in which we won 40 ukuleles that are valued

at over $2000. Thank You Carole!

Page 7