After spending recent months in Memorial Hall while their building went through renovations, the Fort Scott Public Library is preparing to reopen in its own building.

The project, which began in September, 2016, includes more than $500,000 of renovations, including changes to the floors, ceiling and walls and adding new light fixtures and a second restroom.

When they changed their location to Memorial Hall, only about 10 percent of their circulation went with them, while the other books remained in storage at Landmark Bank. But now the library is preparing to move those books back into their building.

On Friday, students from Christian Heights helped clean areas of the library in order to prepare for that move. Others who are interested in volunteering their time to help with the move can contact the library director Lisa Walther at [email protected].

“We’re looking for volunteers to haul off recycling, help clean, help move, help organize the books on the shelves and help move the books around,” Walther said.

Walther said the library will be closed beginning Thursday, and will not reopen again for about three weeks as the transition back into the building is made. The library will stay open until 6 p.m. Wednesday to accommodate those wanting to visit before that closure.

Submitted by Angie Bin

Theatre in Our Schools Month (TIOS) is a grassroots effort to educate everyone about the benefits of having theatre in the schools, and to draw attention to the need for more access to quality programs for all students. The campaign is jointly sponsored nationally by the American Alliance for Theatre Camp, Education (AATE), the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), and the International Thespian Society (ITS).

Fort Scott High School is promoting the importance of Theatre In Our Schools this month through the following activities: traveling to New York City for Broadway performances and classes, posting photos of our classroom activities to the Fort Scott High School Thespian Facebook page, posting Educational Theatre facts on posters at FSMS and FSHS and through social media posts, and promoting the Tiger Drama Camp in the Buck Run Program Guide.

Fort Scott High School is the home of ITS Troupe 7365, the nationwide high school drama honorary society planning TIOS activities. TIOS is a chance for students, parents, communities, school boards and elected officials to become familiar with the benefits of school theatre participation, which include development of the 21st century skills of communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking.

In fact, according to The College Board, in 2015, students who took four years of arts classes in high school scored an average of 92 points higher on their SATs than students who took only one half year or less. But, according to the U.S. Department of Education, only 28 percent of public high schools in high poverty areas offer theatre instruction.

And according to a 2016 poll:

 9 in 10 American adults agree that the arts are part of a well-rounded K-12 education.

 90 percent believe students should receive an education in the arts in elementary school, middle school and high school.

The poll, “Americans Speak Out about the Arts: An In-Depth Look at Perceptions and Attitudes about the Arts in America,” was conducted by Americans for the Arts.

To see ITS Troupe 7365, and the Fort Scott High School drama program in action, come to the next performance of the Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre, “Wedding Song” on April 7 and 8, at 7 p.m. at the Beaux Arts Centre.

For more information about TIOS visit schooltheatre.org/programs/tios and follow #TIOS17 and #TheatreinOurSchools on social media

Dear Editor,

In many places, like Fort Scott, March is known as much for introducing spring as it is for basketball “madness” or the launch of baseball season. It’s a season when we come together to cheer on students for their efforts outside the classroom. Now there’s another way to recognize another group of students for similar achievements.

March is Theatre in Our Schools Month and, just like basketball and other sports, putting on a play requires collaboration and communication. It teaches teamwork, and builds team spirit. It creates learning experiences that benefit the student for the rest of that person’s life. Putting on a play creates opportunities for students to take initiative, demonstrate leadership and more.

After her first experience at the recent international Junior Thespian Festival for middle-schoolers, a first-year drama teacher was inspired to share about her own experiences and what she was witnessing now with her students. She wrote, “When I was 14, I played Anne Frank. When I performed it, I was noticed for the first time. The confidence I gained made a difference then and it’s still making a difference now for me, and for my students. Through theatre in my school I see ‘invisible kids,’ who can’t do sports, finally being noticed by their peers, by their teachers, and sometimes, by their families.”

A Thespian alum who heads an international business says, when meeting sales and marketing candidates, that he can instantly spot those who have theatre experience—it shows in their strength and self-confidence.

So this March, go to a game and cheer the team, and go to a school play and applaud the actors. Specifically, you can see the FSHS Thespians on stage at the Beaux Arts Centre on Apr. 7 and 8, in the Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre “Wedding Song.” Share your school theatre thoughts online with #TIOS17 and #TheatreInOurSchools and visit the Fort Scott High School Thespians Facebook page and spread the word about Theatre In Our Schools Month.

Sincerely,

FSHS Thespian Troupe #7365

During March’s school board meeting Monday evening, held at the middle school to accommodate the audience, parents and teachers spoke during the public forum, asking the board to reconsider its decision to not renew Principal Dave Elliott’s contract.

Elliott has been principal at Eugene Ware for more than 20 years, but the board decided during the executive session of their February meeting not to renew his hiring for the upcoming school year. Elliott is not eligible for retirement for two more years.

Parents and others involved in the school system spoke positively of Elliott and his kindness to and support for the students.

“Everyone in Fort Scott loves Mr. Elliott,” Sara Mills said. “All of us would like Mr. Elliott to renew his contract.”

Misty Adams said since Friday afternoon, a petition has received almost 350 signatures in support of rehiring him for the 2017-18 school year.

“He is a good asset to the school system,” Adams said, adding he is also a resource to those students without supportive family members. “For someone who’s given 20 years of service to the district, I feel like we can give him two more.”

Retired teacher Tami Lawrence said Elliott truly cares for his students, visiting their classrooms, taking them outside to play and even greeting them when he sees them off-campus. Lawrence added that even though Elliott is not from Fort Scott, as soon as he arrived and took his position, he began to invest in the town and his students.

“The kids know that he cares,” Lawrence said.

Those who spoke during the meeting expressed their desire to know why Elliott would not continue as principal. Some rumors that have been mentioned include school finances, low grades from Eugene Ware students and Elliott being written up for some violation of school policy.

Board Chairman Jordan Witt said the board is not allowed to comment during open session because it is a matter concerning personnel, but did say the board will consider all the comments and continue their discussions on the matter.

“It’s obvious that you love Mr. Elliott, and it’s obvious that he’s made an impact,” Witt said.

Other board members also expressed their appreciation to those that spoke and for their support and loyalty to the district and its staff. Board member Vanessa Poyner said she and the others plan to think on the comments made and will not make a rash decision.