Middle School Flex Room Has Many Benefits

Fort Scott Middle School Principal Brian Weilert welcomes guests of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee to the school Thursday morning.

Fort Scott Middle School Principal Brian Weilert spoke to the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Weekly Coffee social Thursday at the school.

An important purpose of the building is safety during tornados.

“We can fit 650 people in this space,” Weilert said. “We can get the student body in here in four minutes.”

The building was constructed of concrete with minimal windows for student safety.

But the school uses what is referred to as “flex space”, for other purposes, Weilert said. “There is a community space, an art gallery, and breakout rooms.”

The brightly painted and colorfully decorated large building can be divided easily for different purposes. It is located on the south side of the school

“This space encourages creativity and it’s good to get out of class once in a while, to change environments,” Weilert said.

The newly constructed space was added to the school in 2017 as part of a district-wide building improvement project.

USD 234 Business Manager Gina Shelton shows the community room that is available for organizations in the community to use. The room is located in the high wind building, completed in 2017 and has innovative technology.

Pictured below are members of the community who congregated in small groups before the announcement segment of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Weekly Coffee.

During the coffee event, members can tell about upcoming community events or organizations for a $1 donation, which goes to fund the town trolley car.

At the conclusion of the weekly coffee, the host organization/business/school/church gets a platform to tell about the events or projects that are currently happening.

This is the dedication plaque that was placed in the community room of the new high wind building, completed in 2017.

Ed2Go at Fort Scott Community College

Fort Scott Community College offers the Ed2Go Program.

“This program allows anyone to take classes (non-credit, but can receive a certificate) from the comfort of their home,” DeAnn Welch, Student Success Center Director Tutoring and Testing Administrator at FSCC, said. “They are  eight weeks, with two assignments per week.”

According to the FSCC website:

Self-Paced Tutorials are used, with these features:

Build skills or earn continuing education credits
Start Anytime
Most tutorials completed in a few hours
Quick self-study on demand
Supported independent study
Certificate of completion awarded with passing score
Learn More View Catalog
These are instructor-led courses, which feature:
Professional development and personal enrichment
Sessions start monthly
Convenient six-week format
Interactive learning environment
Instructors lead each course
Award of completion with passing score
Learn More View Catalog
To view the flyer about the program, click here, then click to enlarge:

grey brochure

Obituary Of Richard Cowen

Richard Cowen, 92, of Fort Scott, Kansas passed away Wednesday evening, February 28, 2018, at the Medicalodge Nursing Home.

He was born December 31, 1925, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the son of John Harold and Gladys (Emmerson) Cowen. He married Freda Elaine Bentley July 31, 1948, in Fort Scott, Kansas, and she preceded him in death October 2, 2012.

Richard graduated from Fort Scott High School with the class of 1944.

He served in the US Army, Private First Class, and served in the Special Services Army Band.

He worked as a Manor Bread Delivery Driver, the Frisco Railroad, as well as the family dairy business, Cold Spring Guernsey Dairy, located on the Cowen farm on Stringtown (Native) Road. He also worked for Kansas Gas Service for 28 years before his retirement.

Richard and Freda were members of the Iza Stompers Square Dance Club and the Old Forters Camping Club. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, having served as a Deacon and Elder.

Richard is survived by his sons, Wayne Cowen and wife Beverly, Kenton Cowen, Bradley Cowen and wife Joyce, and Larry Cowen and wife Sondra, all of Fort Scott; sister-in-law Phyllis Ward and husband Harold, of Wichita, Kansas; sister-in-law Jolene Clark of Belton, Missouri; fifteen grandchildren; twenty-seven great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife Freda, he was also preceded in death by his parents.

Dr. Rev. Jared Witt will conduct funeral services 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 6, 2018, at the First Presbyterian church, under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Burial will follow in the Fort Scott National Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday evening, March 5, 2018, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church or Mercy Hospice, and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, PO Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.