It’s that time of the year when the District begins the budgeting cycle for next year. Check out the District’s homepage at www.kpbsd.k12.ak.us for ways you can educate yourself about the funding process and access the Alaska State Legislature page to track bills and contact your legislative representatives. MARK YOUR CALENDARS! The Kenai Penin-sula Borough School District will be hosting the Seward area Budget Meeting on Tuesday, February 26th, at 6:00 PM in Seward High’s Library.

Parent communication and parent involvement is critical in the success of Seward High’s programs. One of Seward High’s mindsets is that parents are partners in academic decisions that impact their child(ren)’s post-secondary goals. To this end, the staff and I are commit-ted to engaging parents on scheduling decisions, academic progress, work-study placements, and co-curricular events/schedules. This newsletter represents monthly communication and we send our daily announcements out as an email attachment for all parents/stakeholders who have signed up on our mailing list. In exchange we ask that you be proactive with your communication—sign up for our mailing lists, ensure your PowerSchool Account is activat-ed, engage your child(ren) in discussions about their post-secondary goals, and reach out to the school if you ever have questions, concerns, or suggestions for ensuring your child(ren)’s success.

The school’s main number is (907) 224-9040. Stephanie Withrow, Seward High’s Counsel-ing and Attendance Secretary, is the keeper of our Daily Announcements and Mailing Lists. My direct line is (907) 224-9066 and you can always email me at twalker@kpbsd.k12.ak.us

There are several important dates and deadlines coming up. Please mark your calendars:

The Seward Seahawk Classic is Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, March 31-February 2.

The sophomore’s Winter Formal will be Saturday, February 2nd from 8:00-11:00 at Seward High.

Parent-Teacher Conferences will occur on Thursday, February 7th from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM and on Friday, February 8th from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

The National Ocean Sciences Bowl will be on Friday, February 22nd through Sunday, Feb-ruary 24th.

Eligibility check date will be Monday, February 4th.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Annual Budget Meeting in Seward will oc-cur on Tuesday, February 26th.

Seward area Schools’ next teacher collaboration will occur on Wednesday, February 6th. Students will be released 90 minutes early.

There is a lot happening in the month of February—all part of our plan to keep Seward High busy and engaged through the winter months. Please come out and support our teams, events, and activities and the students who make them happen.

My door is always open to the entire Seward High Community. Feel free to contact me if you have questions, comments, or concerns. My direct line is 224-9066 and my email is twalker@kpbsd.org.

Sincerely,

Trevan Walker

Notes from the Principal

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Nurse’s News 2

Counselor’s Corner/ PT Conferences

3

Art Room 4

KPC 5

Booster Club News/ Events Calendar

6-7

Seahawk Classic &Pool Schedule

8-9

Popular Links 10

Seahawk News

SEWARD HIGH SCHOOL KPBSD

February 2019

Jan 31, Feb 1-2

Seahawk Classic Basketball

February 4

Eligibility Grade Check

February 6

Early Release Day 12:50pm

February 7 & 8

Parent/Teacher Conferences

SIGN UP LINK IN COUNSELOR’S

CORNER!!

NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS

Page 2

Nurse’s News

Addiction

“Addiction is a chronic brain disease that causes a person to compulsively seek out drugs, despite the harm they cause. The first time a person uses drugs, it’s usually a free choice they’ve made. However, repeated drug use causes the brain to change which drives a person to seek out and use drugs over and over, despite negative effects such as stealing, losing friends, family problems, or other physical or mental problems brought on by drug use—this is addiction.” NIDA Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov

Most drugs of abuse such as nicotine, cocaine, marijuana and others affect the brain’s “reward” circuit. Normally, the reward circuit responds to feelings of pleasure by releasing the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine creates feelings of pleasure. Drugs take control of this system and cause large amounts of dopamine to flood the system. This flood of dopamine is what causes the “high” or intense excitement and euphoria linked with drug use.

The younger the child starts abusing drugs and alcohol will also influence he/she into an addictive behavior. In addition, method of use such as smoking/vaping a drug or injecting it into a vein increases its addictive potential. Both smoked and injected drugs enter the brain within sec-onds, producing a powerful rush of pleasure. However, this intense "high" can fade within a few minutes, taking the person down to lower levels. Scientists believe that this low feeling drives individuals to repeat drug use in an attempt to recapture the high pleasurable state.

How do we know if someone is starting to have a problem? These are some warning signs to look out for possible substance abuse:

Behavioral Changes:

-Change in friends, withdrawn from family members

-Frequently breaks curfew

-Avoids eye contact

-Disappears for long periods of time

-Laughs at nothing

Mood and Personality Shift:

-Sullen, withdrawn, depressed

-Silent, uncommunicative

-Deceitful or secretive

-Hyperactive, anxious, paranoid

Hygiene and appearance problems:

-Poor hygiene

-Messy appearance

-Smell of smoke or other unusual smells on breath, body or clothes

-Burns or soot on fingers or lips

Health Issues:

-Nosebleeds

-Sores and spots on skin

-Sudden or dramatic weight loss or gain

-Frequent illness

School Concerns:

-Absenteeism

-Loss of interest in extracurricular activities, hobbies, sports

-Failure to do school work responsibilities

-Failing classes

Home:

-Disappearance of prescription or OTC pills

-Missing alcohol

-Disappearance of money or valuables

- Drug paraphernalia including pipes, rolling papers, butane lighters, JUUL and other vaping devices.

As a parent, it is a very hard question to ask. “Have you been drinking or using drugs?” We don’t want to hear “yes” but how we respond to our kids can be a starting point for a more positive conversation. In addition, don’t be afraid to ask for help from a medical provider, therapist or a drug counselor if needed.

Nurse Yoly

Counselor’s Corner

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Thursday, February 7th

8:00 AM - 7:00 PM

&

Friday, February 8th

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Click Here to Sign Up

NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS

Page 3

Parent/Teacher conferences will be held on Thursday, February 7th and 8th. This is a great opportunity to speak with your child's teachers. There are 15 minute slots open for each teacher.

Please use SignUpGenius to schedule your appointments.

Scroll down to the teacher you would like to make an appointment with and pick an availa-ble time.

Please call Martha at 224-9070 or Stephanie Withrow at 224-9060 if you need assistance.

9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade

Fisher Allen Anevay Ambrosiani* Madison Athey Trapper Allen

Hailey Anderson Paola Baez Tayten Barhaug Beau Freiberg

Rowan Bean Reanna Brewi* Sophia Dow Ashley Jackson*

Caitlin Corrigan Cody Bryden Lindy Guernsey* Joshua Jarvis

Wren Dougherty * Selma Casagranda Naomi Ifflander Christopher Kingsland

Gavin Foote Hana Cooney Kyrsten Johnson-Gray Brendan McMurray*

Joseph Foutz* Levi DeBoard Jonah Lindquist Meghan Mullaly*

Luke Gunter Emmalee DeLand Justin McMurray* Coral Petrosius*

Taylor Huett Malia Hewitt Madilyn Moore* Karl Pfeiffenberger*

Lydia Jacoby* Trey Ingalls* John Moriarty* Alexandria Toloff

Bryan Mitchell Samuel Koster Bjorn Nilsson Riley von Borstel*

Belladonna Proietti Calysta Lohman Joshua Park* Emilia Whitcome

Hannah Schilling Amanda Mchone Kalista Rodriguez

Peter Spanos Kylie Mullaly Connor Spanos

Emily Unrein Maxwell Pfeiffenberger* Priscilla Stoltz

Daniel Vo Marisa Phasomsap Hayley Unrein

Mikya Wallace Tegan Retzer Jaden Vandyke

Katelyn Sawyer-Lemme* Akilena Veach

Angel Schwertfeger* Sequoia Sieverts Makaira Williams

1st Semester Honor Roll

The Art Room

Page 4

We have a lot going on in the Art Room this month and many are ocean-themed! Students are entering the NOSB Tsunami Bowl Art Show with a wide variety of media including ceram-ics, drawing, photography, and painting; all ocean-themed. In ceramics, students are continuing to build skill on the wheel as well as completing sushi sets in preparation for an Art/Sushi Party in February. Several students have begun to learn oil painting which will be ongo-ing this semester. Upcoming, we have the Kenai Peninsula District Art Show, possibly clothing design, and mixed-media art projects.

Krystal Murphy-Art Teacher

Sushi Set—Multiple Artists

Reanna Brewi Madilyn Moore

Madilyn Moore

Page 5

KPC-Resurrection Bay Extension Site News

To Pay Sports Fees, Class

Fees, School Lunches and

more, visit our website:

http://www.kpbsd.org

—> Go to Students/Parents tab

—> Online Payments

—> High Schools

—> Seward

Seniors have you applied to a college, vocational school or making plans to enter the

military? Stop by the KPC office with your letter of application so we can get your name on

the application board.

Grades for Fall 2018 Semester are available at UAOnline. Grades for Spr ing 2019 clas-

ses will be available May 9th.

Transcripts for the college classes taken at KPC will need to be ordered and sent to the

post-secondary institution you plan to apply or attend. Transcripts must be ordered online

via www.kpc.alaska.edu click on UAOnline and log in to secured area using UA Username

and UA Password. Please note-It is the student’s responsibility to review their unofficial tran-

script for accuracy prior to submitting the online request for an official transcript.

Consider pursuing a college degree at KPC: Check out the areas of study offered at

http://www.kpc.alaska.edu/academics/areas-of-study/

KPC Residence Life (student housing) Please visit

http://www.kpc.alaska.edu/student_life/housing_dining/krc-residence-life/

Contact Resurrection Bay Extension Site Coordinator Jackie Marshall for more information

224- 2285 or jjpepimarshall@alaska.edu

Page 7

Seward Seahawks Athletic Booster Club News!

Maya Moriarty, President Jason Ebberson, Vice President VACANT, Secretary Grace Williams, Treasurer Julie DeBoard, Member At Large Andrea Rodriguez, Concessions

Contact us at sewardboosters@gmail.com

Facebook: Seward High School Athletic Booster Club

Super Bowl LIII 2019 is this weekend with the Los Angeles Rams facing off the New England Patriots. For one team, this is their ninth Super Bowl as a group and their third in a row. For the other team, they haven’t been in the big game for seventeen years! You know what I call that? Perseverance.

Perseverance is something our athletes know a lot about. We are one of the smallest (maybe THE smallest) school in our Region and we persevere. We don’t have much snow on the ground and cross country ski meets keep getting cancelled but the team still practices and they still have fun events together. Our boys basketball team was down seventeen points in the first quarter against Houston but they persevered and came back for the win. We persevere through challenges because that’s what how we’re trained. That’s how we roll.

We see perseverance in our Booster Club volunteers too. If there’s a need in concessions someone who’s already worked a shift will volunteer for another day. This club is made up 100% of volunteers, or if you’re in my family, you’re a VOL-UNTOLD. I’ve been super impressed with how many people have been helping out cleaning, stocking, and shopping for concessions on their time.

Seward alumni, current parents, and the community came together for our Dessert Auction. I’m assuming it was a huge success because I know some of the donors and their desserts are fabulous! I can’t imagine the event not being a success with Celeste Lemme at the helm. Thank you for leading the event (and she’s not even a Booster Club member). Thank you to everyone who helped set up and donated items and to those of you who purchased a desert……………….HAT’S

OFF!!!

We might have a bucket raffle during Regions basketball and are looking for some great auction items like gift certifi-cates and other cool stuff. Give us a call or email us if you’d like to donate. We will sell tickets that you can put in to buckets for an item and then we’ll draw the winners during half time. We’re also going to bring out the Green & Gold sale for Regions where you can get cool deals on gentle used Seahawk uniforms/gear. Al Plan is having his own A.D. fundraiser right now where the winter sports athletes are selling raffle tickets for TWO ALASKA AIRLINE tickets any-where AKAIR flies except Cuba, no black out dates, and good for one year! That’s a $2,500 value for a $20 investment. Contact an athlete in XC Skiing, Basketball, Cheerleading or Al if you’d like a ticket. Winner will be drawn during the Regions tournament.

Booster Club meets the first MONDAY (new day) of every month with our next meeting February 4 th, 6 p.m., SHS Li-

brary. We’re in need of a new secretary too if anyone is so inclined. Hope to see you there!

“Life's most persistent and urgent question is,

'What are you doing for others?.”

Martin Luther King

Calendar of Events

Home sporting events are in bold print.

February Events Calendar: February 1 Girls Varsity Basketball @ Home vs. Unalaska (6:00PM)

Boys Varsity Basketball @ Home vs. Unalaska (7:30PM)

XC Skiing @ Homer

February 2 Girls Varsity Basketball @ Home vs. Hutchinson (2:00PM)

Boys Varsity Basketball @ Home vs. Hutchinson (3:30PM)

XC Skiing @ Homer

February 5 Girls C Team Basketball @ Home vs. Nikiski

February 7 Girls C Team Basketball vs. Homer @ 1:30 p.m. (Homer Tourney)

Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Sitka @ 3:30 p.m. (Homer Tourney)

Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Sitka @ 5:00 p.m. (Homer Tourney)

Parent Teacher Conferences

February 8 Girls C Team Basketball vs. Nikolaevsk @ 6:00 p.m. (Homer Tourney)

Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Homer @ 6:30 p.m. (Homer Tourney)

Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Homer @ 8:00 p.m. (Homer Tourney)

Parent Teacher Conferences

February 9 XC Skiing Regions (Valley)

Girls C Team Basketball vs. Homer @ 10:00 a.m. (Homer Tourney)

Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Galena @ 2:00 p.m. (Homer Tourney)

Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Galena @ 3:30 p.m. (Homer Tourney)

February 12 Girls Varsity Basketball vs. King Cove (5:30PM)

Boys Varsity Basketball vs. King Cove (7:00PM)

February 15 Girls Basketball vs. Nikiski (JV, V @ 3:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m.)

Boys Basketball vs. Nikiski (JV, V @ 4:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m.)

February 16 XC Skiing Boroughs @ Soldotna

Girls Basketball vs. Kenai (JV, V @ 12:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m.)

Boys Basketball vs. Kenai (JV, V @ 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m.)

February 22 Girls Basketball vs. Kenai (JV, V @ 3:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m.)

Boys Basketball vs. Kenai (JV, V @ 4:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m.)

Girls Varsity Basketball @ Home (6:00PM)

Boys Varsity Basketball @ Home (7:30PM)

Seward High School Blog

http://sewardhighschool.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/ For all the latest news! Takes the place of our daily bulletin.

Be sure to add to your favorites for easy access.

Page 7

Click here for our Online Events Calendar: http://sewardhighschool.bigteams.com/main/calendar

Schedule for 2019 Seahawk Classic

Teams listed 1st are away and will wear dark and will sit on the right of scorer’s table. Teams listed 2nd will be home and will wear white with Hutch v. Seward the only exception.

Thursday 3:00 –Hutchison vs. Unalaska Girls

4:30 – Hutchison vs. Unalaska Boys

6:00 - Eielson vs. Seward Girls

7:30 - Eielson vs. Seward Boys

Friday 12:00 - 3 point/Free throw competition

3:00 – Unalaska vs. Eielson Girls

4:30 – Unalaska vs. Eielson Boys

6:00 –Hutchison vs. Seward Girls (Seward will wear darks, Hutch will wear lights)

7:30 - Hutchison vs. Seward Boys (Seward will wear darks, Hutch will wear lights)

Saturday 11:00 – Hutchison vs. Eielson Girls

12:30 – Hutchison vs. Eielson Boys

2:00 – Unalaska vs. Seward Girls

3:30 – Unalaska vs. Seward Boys

Awards to immediately follow the last game Saturday.

Seahawk News Page 9

PowerSchool - Where to Go To Be In The Know

Seward High School makes every effort to communicate with students and their families about what is happening at the high school. A great source of information is our online PowerSchool program. Students and parents can access a wealth of information including class schedules, grades, attendance, and the school blog. Parents and students must have their own access code to use PowerSchool and letters with this information have been sent home this year. If you have not logged into PowerSchool please con-tact our school counselor.

There are two ways to log into PowerSchool. Go to the internet and type in 1.) http://ps.kpbsd.org/public. This will take you to the login page, or 2.) Go the school district’s website www.kpbsd.k12.ak.us and click on Students/Parents. On the left side of the screen you will see the PowerSchool icon or symbol. Click here and it will take you to the login page. If you haven’t checked out PowerSchool by now you should.

We also distribute information via daily announcements to the student body every morning and we send out a monthly newsletter that has a calendar for the month’s events with important dates to remember. All three schools use the electronic sign on the high-way that is updated weekly. Also check out the High School’s blog for daily information. Be sure to take an active role in finding

out what is happening at the high school. So, now you know—where to go—to be in the know!

Seward High School Pool Schedule

Jan 7 – May 17 2019

Pool closed Jan 21, Apr 19

Lap Swim

M, W, F 6:30 - 8:00 am 5:00 – 6:30 pm

T & Th 11:00 – 12:30

Sun (starting Sept 16) 5:30 – 7:00 pm

Open Swim

M, W, F 6:30 – 7:50 pm

Sun (starting Sept 16) 4:00 – 5:20 pm

Parent & Tot Swim

T & Th 11:00 – 12:30

Admission fees Adults $5. Youth/Senior $4.

Plunge cards 10 adult $45. 10 youth/senior $35.

Purchase plunge cards at pool.

Closed evenings: Jan 25, Feb 1, 22, Mar 7,8

Spring Break schedule Mar 10 – 17. No Sun swims and an added Open swim on

Tue & Thur 1:30 – 2:50

224 – 9050 to leave message, 224 – 3900 for schedule update.

If you would like to be added

to the email list to receive the

SHS Daily Bulletin, please

email Stephanie Withrow at

swithrow@kpbsd.org

Early Release Days

Bus Routes and Student Transportation

Mobile App

New-To-District Students

Online Payments for Activity Fees and Food Service Fees

Parent Student Handbook

PowerSchool Navigation Tips

Safety Protocol at KPBSD Schools

School Calendars

School Delays and Closures

School Development Plan Goals

School Start and End Times

Common Links for Parents and Students