KPBSD McKinney-Vento Program

As we wrap up another school year, we want to thank our incredible community for the support, kindness, and generosity folks have shown the McKinney-Vento Program and the students we serve.

This school year we identified 282 students facing housing insecurity across the KPBSD - this is a 23% increase in identification from last year and we know with certainty that this number should be higher.

Behind every number is a child, a youth, a family, and a story. Because of donations from our community partners, our students had increased access to their education, clothing, food, school supplies, caps and gowns, and a variety of other reminders that they matter.

Thank you to everyone who helps us stand beside our MVP students and families. We are grateful for each of you and look forward to continuing this important work together.

With gratitude, your KPBSD MVP team -
Kelly King
Nicole Murphy
Nicole Stover (not pictured but still awesome)

Kasilof friends - here is a great opportunity to connect.
Please feel free to share out! :)

📣📣 School Staff Spotlight 📣📣

MVP would like to highlight Kenai Central High School staff member Misty Hamilton. Misty is a trusted face - one of kindness, compassion, and humor for students and staff - and her dedication is an integral piece of the work MVP does for her school. She sends referrals, helps us communicate with students and families, keep us posted on student need, is a strong advocate at the site-level, and helps celebrate every win for our shared kids.

Misty, what you do makes a difference every day, and we appreciate you. 👏🏽 ⭐️ 👏🏽

A heartfelt “thank you” to Peninsula Radiation Oncology Center and their generous donation to the McKinney-Vento Program. PROC has been a consistent supporter of the program and the work we do to remove barriers for unhoused children and youth across the KPBSD. We appreciate their efforts and all the ways they give back and build into our wonderful community.

Peninsula Radiation Oncology Center was proud to present a check to KPBSD's McKinney Vento Program. Giving back to this amazing community brings us such joy!💚💙🤍

Wow ❤

Our MVP staff are honored, and humbled, to be chosen as the recipients of this quarter's giving.

I (Kelly) had tears of gratitude streaming down my face last night when Tiffany Eck, who nominated us at the meeting, texted to let me know that MVP had been selected.

Thank you - to Tiffany for seeing such value in the work we do and for always being an advocate; to every lady who voted for MVP at the meeting; and to every woman who is sharing your generosity to support the work we do for so many local unhouse children and families. We truly cannot do what we do without community support, and every dollar is both appreciated and put directly to student need.

With so many amazing groups, projects, and non-profits to choose from, we are fortunate to live in a community surrounded by such beautiful company: those dedicated to making our collective home safer, brighter, and more supportive for those who need it most.

With sincere appreciation,
Kelly King
Nicole Murphy
Nicole Stover

Last night, MVP staff Nicole Murphy (center of the picture) participated in a fundraiser event for the program, performing a 10-minute stand up comedy routine for the first time and in front of a sold-out crowd. She did an amazing job.

Through this event, over $3,000 was raised to help up support our MVP students!

We want to thank and highlight those that made this possible:

* Matt Plant with Power Plant Comedy for organizing and hosting the show

* Main Street in Kenai for giving the show a home

* The Kenai Lions Club for running the split-the-pot - and Tiffany Eck who donated her winnings back to us ❤️

* Silent Auction donors: David Martin of Dave's Skeeter Be**er mosquito spraying, Echo Lake meats, Denise Thompson of Soothe. Collection, Rainy Kisena of Rainy Days Hair Design, Angie Wellborn of Kenai Peninsula Massage Therapy, and Kelly Griebel and Kelly King, both of Century 21 Realty Solutions

* Every person who bought a ticket and joined us ❤️

As a reminder, 100% of donations to the program go directly to student need, helping us provide supports that increase the attendance and retention of every eligible child.

A huge “congratulations” to Megan Murphy, counselor at Soldotna High School, for this well-deserved recognition.

School counselors play a vital role in the work we do to support our unhoused students. Megan has been one MVP’s biggest advocates and goes above and beyond every day in how she meets students where they are. The KPBSD McKinney-Vento Program, the district, and all of our students and families are so lucky to have her.

Congratulations to Megan Murphy!

We are proud to recognize Megan Murphy, counselor at Soldotna High School, for being named the 2025 Alaska School Counselor of the Year.

Megan’s dedication to students, thoughtful guidance, and steady leadership make a meaningful difference every day at SOHI. This statewide recognition reflects her commitment to supporting student success—academically, socially, and emotionally.

Please join us in congratulating Megan on this well-deserved honor and thanking her for the positive impact she has on our students, families, and school community.

We loved seeing everyone’s smiling faces last night! Thank you to everyone who contributed, and everyone who joined us.