Tag: Susan B. English

Clean up and repair of SBE’s school shop after November fire

| December 16, 2014 | 0 Comments

by Jenny Chissus

SBE School ShopToday, Julie Cisco, Risk Manager from the Kenai Peninsula Borough was accompanied by Tim Vlasak from the Kenai Peninsula School District and Kevin Lyons with the Kenai Peninsula Borough to update the community about the process ahead regarding the clean up and repairs to our school shop after the fire on November 24th.  I appreciate Julie taking a moment to visit with me to share with the community the plan for our shop’s renovations.  There has been concern over the future of the structure, and the good news is that it is a sound building, and though there is a lot of clean up to do – we will have our shop back!

I also had an opportunity to visit with our principal, Alan Haskins after the meeting to go over a few more details and to gain his insight – which we wanted to share with the community.

Jenny:  Who reported the smoke that was visible at the site that morning?  How long was from the time it was reported to the time of the fire department on the scene? How much time did it take to contain the fire?

Alan Haskins:  Tyler Tucker from the city noticed and reported the fire to 911.  The fire call came in at 5:45 am, and the fire department was on scene at about 6:00am. Fire was contained in about 1/2 an hour. 

Jenny:  Please give us a brief description of the damage that was caused?

Alan Haskins: The majority of the damage is cosmetic, but there is some roof damage and damage to the old gym floor from the water. With lots of asbestos exposure.

Jenny:  Realizing that we don’t know the timing, but we’re thankful that the process has begun, and that the borough will start cleaning up shortly, what are your hopes for the completion of this project?

Alan Haskins:  Here is my analogy there are a 100 steps to the process and we are on step 3.   I hope to see that the building would be open at the start of next school year.

Jenny:  Julie mentioned that there will be more public input and participation and up coming meetings, what do you feel the community can do to support this project?

Alan Haskins:  I will keep the community informed about the project as I receive information. I will request meetings with all parties as we reach major steps in the process.

Jenny:  I’m sure you want to give a big thanks to Tyler and to the fire department for a job well done!

Alan Haskins:  Yes I want to thank the volunteer fire department and Tyler for making great decisions on the morning of the fire.  Their quick response kept the damage to a minimum.

Jenny:  Do you feel that with the opportunity to make upgrades and improvements on this building, that there will be different spaces created, or classroom changes to enhance opportunities for student learning in Seldovia?

Alan Haskins: I do see this event as a way to make improvements for the students at Susan B English.

Jenny:   It appears that there’s a lot of involvement between the borough, school district and the city, can you elaborate on that any further?

Alan Haskins:  The district, borough and city are working together to move the process along smoothly. I want to thank everyone who came to the meeting, it really shows that everyone cares about the education of our young people.

Jason Farnham Returns to Seldovia

| August 12, 2014 | 0 Comments

by Susan Mumma

Jason_FarnhamJason Farnham from Santa Rosa California is back in Seldovia this coming weekend to play at Susan B. English School presented by the Seldovia Arts Council.

On August 16 at 7:30 PM, he returns with his zany piano styles, his sense of humor and his crazy antics which created a delightful family friendly event two summers ago. One could say that he was Classical or one could say New Aged or perhaps even Jazz piano, but one thing is certain. He is pure entertainment. and indescribably fun.

Reaching out from his great “ little piano “ pieces to his multi- media productions, adults and children all over the country have been charmed by Jason’s enthusiasm and sense of fun. You will be too.

SACLogoJason has been featured in film and television. He has several acclaimed CDs featuring his original compositions.

He says “An Evening of Piano with Jason Farnham delights audiences around the U.S., again and again. Fans have affectionately dubbed him “Schroeder” from Peanuts because of his toy piano, his witty Victor Borge-style piano comedy antics and the clever way he interacts with the audience.

CouncilArtsLogoThe variety includes contemporary romantic piano, jazz, bossa nova, blues, stride piano, and classical with a modern twist! Jason is always looking for an interesting spin on the status quo, a way to take a classic and turn it on its ear, so… the newest addition to his piano show is Fur Elise with a techno-rock-dance beat: “Fur Crying Out Loud Elise, Let’s Dance!” And Mozart’s Rondo Alla Turca has now become “Rondo Alla Techno”. He’s also re-envisioned Autumn Leaves into a fusion of bossa nova and samba styles. Playing the piano while lying upside down Amadeus-style? Check. And always included in the lineup are a handful of Jason’s signature original piano pieces that his fans adore, like his 2008 original instrumental hit, Lisa’s Song (When).”

Jason_FarnhamConcert

Dessert Potluck – Meet our New Principal!

| June 4, 2014 | 0 Comments

by Mark Janes

Welcome Dessert Potluck

Seldovia Beach Volleyball

| May 31, 2014 | 0 Comments

by Jen Giles

Mixed Six VolleyballJuly 5th the high school mixed-6 volleyball team will be hosting a fundraiser volleyball tournament at the Outside Beach to help pay for new uniforms. Last year was our first year with a mixed-6  team and we managed to scab together uniforms with basically anything that was red and had a number on it- this ranged from old girls’ jerseys to red t-shirts and tape. If we hope to join the lineup of State contenders next year I want us to look the part and represent our community well.

My hope is to make this a fun annual event, with future proceeds benefiting the Booster Club. The tournament will be set up as a buy in single elimination bracket, winner and runner up taking home generous cash prizes.  To make the winnings enticing and the event profitable I am asking for help from the community to come up with the prize money. Any donation, big or small, will be a huge help in making this tournament a success. Donations would also be appreciated for food to host a barbeque in addition for participants and spectators as a sort of “concession stand.”

Most importantly I want people to come out and participate. The goal is to have a 16 team bracket of 2 man teams (high school age and up) playing on two courts for an afternoon filled with action, and hopefully some sunshine!

To make a donation or to sign up a team please contact me, Jen Giles at 399-3563. Thank you in advance.

Community Potluck to Welcome our Math/Science Teacher to Seldovia

| May 27, 2014 | 0 Comments

by Mark Janes
Math/Science Potluck

Congratulations Seldovia Graduates! Part IV of V – Alexandria Lauren Swick

| May 16, 2014 | 0 Comments

by Jenny Chissus

This week, we are honoring our 5 Seldovia graduates, Alexandria (Xandria), Aydana, Chaela, Kaitlyn and Taylor!  5 beautiful girls with 5 stories to share about their Seldovia experience in school and community!  This is part I of V in a series this week!  Graduation will be held at Susan B English school on May 20, 2014 at 4:00pm in the school gymnasium and all are welcome to celebrate with our graduates and families!

There is one exception as Aydana Omar will be leaving Seldovia for Kazakhstan on Monday, the day before graduation, so there will be a Community Graduation/Certificate Ceremony for her on Sunday, May 18th at the Sea Otter Community Center at 4:00pm, with a potluck to follow – and all are welcome!

Xandria1Congratulations Xandria!

Gazette:  What is your “Seldovia” story?
Xandria:  I was born in Homer but was raised in this itty bitty town for all my eighteen years and have loved every minute of it. I know kids my age say they don’t like this town or can’t wait to leave it, but honestly I love this little town and plan on living here for the rest of my life. I love Seldovia because to me, it is so beautifully simple. I’m a small town girl and this small town is just perfect for me. This community is so helpful and a part of everything, it makes me feel like I have one big family.

xandrias 005Gazette:  As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Now, as a Senior – what do you want to be when you grow up? How has that changed?
Xandria:  When I was younger I wanted to be a figure skater but my dream was shattered when I realized I didn’t know how to figure skate. I quickly got over it and moved on to wanting to be paleontologist and then it was an archeologist and then a CSI. Now even though I am still interested in bones and such, I seem to be more into being a Forensic Psychologist or a Personality and Behavioral Psychologist. I am also into writing and have always enjoyed writing stories and creating characters. Of course I am also still waiting for my Hogwarts letter that must have been lost in the mail. (A girl can dream right?)  Over the years I have thought and thought about what I wanted to be when I grow up and it seems to always change, so I am going to embrace not knowing right now and live life. One thing that I know I want to be for sure is a mom.  (Not right now of course!) People say being a mom is the best job in the world, and one day, many years from now, that will be the job I want.  But I have some things to do before that.

xandria2Gazette:  What are some of your favorite school memories? Seldovia memories?
Xandria:  This year was by far my favorite year of school. It’s just been my happiest year overall and it has left me with so many great memories. Most of my favorite memories come from sports trips like the mixed six volleyball trips or the basketball trips. This year we traveled with the boys every time so it was nice, the atmosphere was a bit even. This year we all got to know each other very well just from spending so much time together in school and on the weekends on sports trips.  I am going to miss all those trips because so many of my cherished memories were made on them. We all have our inside jokes and stories about something funny that happened on them and those memories will always be with me. Like the time we stayed at KPC for regions and when the boys won regions. Or the time the girl’s team upset Lumen at regions. I will miss the long ferry rides, traveling by bus, early morning wake up calls, McDonalds/ Taco Bell/ Subway stops, and perhaps, what I will miss the most is the excitement we all share after our team gets a victory.

10363516_10202113075696889_1398394309_nGazette:  What are your plans this summer? This next year?
Xandria:  This summer, like always, I will head out to my 2nd home on Kalgin Island and set net fish at my family’s fish camp. I also plan on relaxing a little and enjoying the bliss of FINALLY being done with high school. I will return in August and head up to Kenai where I will be going to KPC. I am going in undecided on a major at the moment but hope that my first year away from home and seeing my options will help me figure out what I want to do.

Gazette:  Growing up requires a lot of help – who do you want to thank? Who made a big impression on you and has influenced you in a positive way? Who deserves a “Virtual Rose”?xandrias 008 Xandria:  I want to thank my family: My Mom and my Dad for raising me right and my three older brothers Keith, Jeff, and Griffin for being the best older brothers a girl could ask for. I want to thank Jen for being a great volleyball coach and for being like the older sister I never had. I want to thank all my grandparents for passing down their wisdom and sharing their experiences. I would also like to thank all my teachers that I’ve had over the years for teaching me and putting up with me all these years. My best friend Lily has always been there and has always made me smile. I would like to thank my god parents Peni and Toby for being there and sharing their lives with me. Thank you to Shad and Tiffany Haller for being amazing coaches and for giving me the best senior year in basketball. Thank you to all my friends in high school! I will miss every single one of you next year!

I would also like to thank the community and everyone in town. You may not know it but in some way whether it be big or small you have all helped me become the person I am today. Thank you so much for everything you have done.

Gazette:  What would you do with your life if you KNEW you could not fail?
Xandria:  Uh If I knew I couldn’t fail? Hmm, I think I would become a billionaire. I know money can’t buy you happiness, but what the heck it sure buys you a lot!

Gazette:  Final thoughts:
Xandria:  In the end I am so thankful that I grew up in this town and got to be a part of such a beautiful place. The memories I have made along the way will last a life time and I will always cherish them. I may be leaving and going to college but Seldovia will always be my home. So thank you all again for everything. And finally after all these years of waiting (since kindergarten) I am finally graduating! YAY!