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Dalaina Smith, who has served as the Fort Scott High School Director of Academics will become USD 234 Assistant Superintendent, as of July 1.
Although she will maintain many of her previous duties, she is “excited to move into an administrative role and get more involved with staff and students in the classroom,” she said.
She highlighted some of the changes in the district as of this date.
New Teaching Model
“This past academic year, the district embraced the Professional Learning Community model and began training teachers and administrators,” Smith said. “A group of twenty, including staff and a board member, had the opportunity to attend the PLC Summit in Phoenix, Arizona in February and returned excited for the direction the district is moving.”
At this summit there were keynote speakers and breakout sessions designed to help infuse the PLC at Work process into every aspect of the district, according to information from Smith.
The group returned to their school system ready to work in collaborative teams to achieve results for the students, according to the information from Smith.
“In May, the district was able to bring in Regina Owen from Solution Tree, to speak to the certified staff about the PLC framework and the district’s continued commitment to giving all students the best,” she said.
“The Professional Learning Community model focuses on four questions,” she said. “1. What do we want students to know? (Essential Standards); 2. How do we know that they know it? (Common Assessments); 3. What do we do when they don’t know it? (Remediation) and 4. What do we do when they already know it? (Extension).”
“Through this framework, the district is committing to giving teachers time to ensure that there are clear expectations, data driven decisions, and appropriate interventions for all students,” Smith said.
COVID-19 Effects Student Achievement
“Since the Covid-19 Pandemic, we have seen an increase in student achievement gaps,” Smith said. “Although Spring 2020 affected all students, we see the greatest impact in our elementary students who missed out on fundamental skills. Continuing into the 2020-21 academic year, numerous students had their learning interrupted when they were out ill or for quarantine. For many they were able to participate remotely while absent, however, for others they were unable to continue their learning during the time they were offsite.”
“Additionally, we must consider the social emotional effects we’ve seen in the students,” Smith said. “I don’t know that we still truly know the impact. From feelings of isolation and loneliness to students who struggled to learn to identify emotions and facial expressions through masking, it’s hard to say that many were untouched. Thankfully students are resilient and our teachers are rock stars! Together they’re working to overcome the gaps that Covid created, however, it is a process.”
“Through the use of PLCs, the district will provide a structured environment for teachers to make the necessary changes to approaching student learning. USD 234 is excited for the impact to come,” she said.
Early Release on Wednesdays
For parents these PLC days will mean students will be released early nearly every Wednesday through the USD 234 2022-23 school calendar.
“During Early Release, teachers will be meeting in grade levels or departments (depending on their building) to work collaboratively as professionals,” Smith said. “It’s during this time that they will determine their essential standards, build and refine common assessments, review student data, and plan for interventions.”
“Preschool will operate in a different manner, to ensure they are in compliance with their required minutes,” she said. “More details related to preschool will come following the approval of a new preschool principal.”
“This time will allow teachers to participate in their PLCs and ensure the grade levels and departments can give their best to all students,” Smith said. “The district recognizes that not all families have the ability to pick up their students early on Wednesdays and will have age appropriate opportunities for students to stay in a fun, safe, and educational environment until the regular dismissal time.
“At this time, students K-8 will have supervised activities/areas in place during the early release (Wednesday until 3:15),” she said. “Additionally, the elementary schools will both offer a daily After School Program that will run until 5:15 p.m. More information about each of these opportunities will be shared as the district administrative team solidifies the necessary details.”
New Faces at USD 234
“Each school year brings new faces as some retire and others explore new opportunities, and this year is no different,” Smith said.
“Mr. Destry Brown will be joining Fort Scott from Clinton, MO and serving as the USD 234 Superintendent,” she said. “Brown brings numerous years of experience, as he returns home to Fort Scott. Although he doesn’t officially start until July 1st, he has already begun working with staff in a variety of capacities to ensure a smooth transition and clear direction for USD 234. Not only will Brown be seen within the district, but also within the community as he works to encourage the relationship between the school and local organizations.”
“Mrs. Shelly Charter will be serving as the Winfield Scott Principal. Charter comes from Independence, where she has taught gifted, third grade, and Title for over 20 years,” Smith said. “In addition to her years of experience in education, she also has served in a variety of leadership roles and is excited to begin her work with her staff and students.”
“Mrs. Krystle Griem will be coming to Winfield Scott from Junction City, KS,” Smith said. “Griem will be serving as the Assistant Principal, where her licensure as a Registered Behavioral Technician and summer work at children’s camp will serve as valuable experiences. In addition, Griem has taught English Language Arts at the middle and high school level. Griem and Charter have already been collaborating on ideas for next school year.”
“Dr. Zach Johnson will be joining the Tiger Team at Fort Scott Middle School,” she said. “Johnson has been the assistant principal and athletic director for Coffeyville’s Field Kindley High School for the past four years. Previously, Johnson was a physical education teacher. Johnson brings experience with the PLC process, as well as a student-centered approach to education. Johnson began his first day of summer joining the current administration to learn more about becoming a Tiger!”
“The district is still in the process of hiring a preschool principal and will be sharing information once a candidate is board approved,” she said.
Familiar Admin Faces
“Although there are many new faces, there will also be familiar ones returning next year Mina Query (Eugene Ware Principal), Brandon Boyd (Eugene Ware Assistant Principal), Matt Harris (Fort Scott Middle School Assistant Principal), Scott Kimble (FSHS Principal), Alex Specht (FSHS Assistant Principal), and Jeff DeLaTorre (FSHS Athletic/Activities Director),” Smith said. “USD 234 is excited for another great year.”
Kathryn Harrington, 38, was selected to be the new Fort Scott City Commissioner at the June 1 special commission meeting.
Seven people sent letters of interest to the commission: Cheryl Adamson, Chuck Begulia, John Coon, Harrington, Nicolas Philpot, Dean Striler and Robert Uhler, according to the City of Fort Scott Facebook page.
Harrington will be filling the vacancy of Kevin Allen, who resigned last month.
Her hometown is Clarence, MO.
Harrington earned a degree in healthcare administration from the University of Phoenix.
She has had a career in health care for 18 years and is currently the director of Country Place Senior Living, Fort Scott.
She is married to Rob Harrington and they have four children.
Her community involvement is with Community Christian Church and volunteering at Bourbon County Regional Economic Development, Inc.
Harrington is passionate about health care and wants the city to look at the issues that surround it more closely, she said in an interview with fortscott.biz.
She said she wanted to “Step up to make a difference.”
To view the special commission meeting on YouTube:
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The theme of the Good Ol’ Days Festival this year in “Remembering Forty One-Derful Years.”
The kick-off is this Friday, June 3 with the 6 p.m. parade.
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A Chicken Mary’s chicken dinner will be for sale downtown.
“You can purchase tickets for the chicken dinner for $8 at the Chamber of Commerce Office, 231 E. Wall,” Shawn O’Brien, chairman of the Good Ol’Days Stearing Committee, said. “The dinner includes a two-piece chicken, German potato salad, creamy slaw, bread, and water.”
Friday Night Free Music Concert
A live music concert by the Diamond Empire Band will be a 7 p.m. Friday at Heritage Park Pavilion at First and Main Street.
“Bring your lawn chairs and come enjoy live music!” O’Brien said.
Saturday Activities
“Saturday we have lots of free activities for kids and adults,” he said. “Tye die t-shirts have been donated by Key Industries for the first 300 people, starting at 9AM until gone. They will be located at 2nd and Main.”
Free bounce houses are available again this year, located in the parking lot east of Oak Street and National Ave. Face paint is not allowed on the inflatables, so plan accordingly.
“We are always excited to see the large turnout for these,” he said.
There is a car and bike show this year at the Riverfront Park on North National Avenue.
“We are excited that Old 54 Cycle has teamed up to offer this amazing car and bike show,” O’Brien said.
History of the Event
Good Ol’ Days began as a festival when founding member Anne Emerson arrived in the community from the eastern U.S., over four decades ago.
“She had been to a street festival and was excited to bring the same type to Fort Scott,” O’Brien said. “The first year they had activities all over Fort Scott, such as the pool, the stadium, Gunn Park, and many more places. They realized that they were stretched out too far and made it the downtown street festival.”
“We stick to the same ideas with a main event each year, Blane Howard is the main event this year,” he said. “Of course we have crafts, food, family, friends and tons of fun every year!!!”
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The City Commission will meet for a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 1st, 2022 at City Hall in the City Commission meeting room at 123 South Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. The City Commission will meet to review the submitted letters of interest to fill the open City Commission position.
Also being considered is a temporary CMB license for Memorial Hall for Good Ol’ Days for Saturday, June 4th, 2022. Also, an ordinance changing the licensing for a beer garden license and alcoholic liquor license will be considered.
This meeting will be broadcast on the City’s You tube channel. This meeting is open to the public.
Suzanne Griffin had opened her home to feed over 30 high school students on Wednesday evenings before the COVID-19 Pandemic started, which she calls a supper club.
The stay-at-home mom of six children had been told she was a good cook and mentioned the idea of a supper club to friends.
In April 2022 Griffin began her business of making homemade, pre-assembled meals to sell.
The name of her business is Twigs & Berries, and the meals are made in her home at 1211 S. Judson. She makes family-style meals ready to pick up, take home, bake and enjoy.
“We are going into our third month and serve between 80-100 orders each Wednesday night,” she said. “Customers place orders ahead of time online through a form, or message me and then pick up curbside.”
Each meal includes a main dish, two side dishes and a dessert.
“We also offer mason jar salads, frozen entrees, full side desserts and once a month a breakfast pickup,” she said. “We have been so blessed to offer meals that are delicious, affordable and family-friendly. It was an answer to prayer to provide for our family at the same time to be a blessing to others.”
Contact information for Twigs and Berries is 479-263-4059 or Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/groups/508029837448241
During non-performance weeks, choose between in-person story & teen meetings or online ones.
Get Soaked! at the Middle & High School Summer Reading Kickoff Party
This year, the Fort Scott Public Library’s 6th-12th grade summer reading program will begin on June 1 at 4 p.m. with a kickoff party at the Marmaton Riverfront Belltown Walking Trail main pavilion. The party will run from 4 – 5 p.m.
Partygoers will play water games, eat delicious treats provided by donors, drink cold water provided by G & W Cash Saver (with ice donated by 5 Corners Mini Mart), and earn library loot, which may be used to “buy” prizes throughout the summer. Throughout the summer, teens will meet at 4 pm on Wednesdays to play games, do art projects, participate in volunteer efforts, and celebrate through special parties from June 1 to August 10.
Sunscreen, old clothes, and towels are recommended, as attendees will likely get wet. Bathroom facilities are also scarce near the party site, so please plan accordingly.
The library will be collecting summer care items for families in need, with a donation box available at the party. Please bring unused swim diapers, sunscreen, feminine sanitary products, etc. to donate. Clothing and food donations will not be accepted. Donated items will be available for anyone to take as needed in the library’s downstairs computer room throughout the summer (while supplies last). The library will also have a donation box for young adult books available at the party. Donated books will be offered as prizes at future summer reading program events.
Teens may register for summer reading at the party, or receive an extra library loot dollar for each 6th-12th grader who pre-registers by May 30 at this link: Online SR Registration Form. They may also register via a paper form available at the library, Buck Run Community Center, Hedgehog.INK!, Rusty Spur Energy and Nutrition, Kansas Teachers Community Credit Union, and Billiard Hammer Hartman Insurance Agency. Patrons may turn in completed registration forms at any library desk, by mail, or by placing them in the after-hours book return, located on the north side of the library.
This party is made possible by the Riverfront Park Authority, which has approved the reservation for hosting the event. All library programs are free and open to the public.