USD 234 schools will be closed Wednesday through Friday, November 23-25, for Thanksgiving vacation. Classes will resume on Monday, November 28, 2022.
Category Archives: Fort Scott
Interactive Technology Added to Gordon Parks Museum
GORDON PARKS MUSEUM RECEIVES FORT SCOTT AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION GRANT FOR INTERACTIVE TECHNOLOGY EXPANSION
Fort Scott, Kan. Nov. 17, 2022 – A grant through the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation has enabled the Gordon Parks Museum to further expand interactive technology in the museum. This includes two tablet kiosks with stands and software. The tablets can be used by visitors of any age.
“We are extremely thankful to receive this grant award from the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation. The interactive technology expansion gives us the ability to not only continue to modernize the museum, but to expand digitally,” said Kirk Sharp, executive director of the Gordon Parks Museum.
Funds from the Dr. Pratt and Pauline Irby Endowment Fund Award – courtesy of the adult children of the benefactors (Janet Braun, Bob Irby and Mary Rio) – were also used to help in the purchase of the tablet kiosks with stands and software.
The Fort Scott Area Community Foundation hosts individual charitable funds created by donors who have a passion for giving back to their community. Grants from these funds assist people throughout Fort Scott and Bourbon County. Call the Foundation at (620) 224-6500 with questions about the Community Foundation or go to https://fsacf.com/.
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City/County Commission Meet on Nov. 22 At Empress Center
There will be a meeting of the City Commission and County Commission on Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at 12:00 PM. It will be held at the Empress Event Center, 7 N. Main Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701. This meeting is open to the public.
Chamber Coffee on November 17 at Bartelsmeyer Jewelry
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Christmas in Gunn Park: December 10
Gunn Park, on Fort Scott’s west side, will be closed the morning of the December 10th in preparation for the annual Christmas in the Park. The event is sponsored by Buck Run Community Center and other donations from the community.
At 5 p.m. the park opens, with parking off site and a shuttle to be provided for park visitors.
At 6 p.m. Santa will arrive at the park to speak with the children who attend. The events will end at 8 p.m.
Included in the park events is a live nativity scene, live music by Bourbon County Revival, the visit with Santa and THE GRINCH, a cookie decorating site for the kids, chili, hot chocolate and popcorn.
The event is free to the public.
The Bourbon County Angels, a local helping organization, will be accepting children’s gifts to distribute to those in need of them.
The purpose of Christmas in the Park is to spread Christmas cheer to the residents of Bourbon County and surrounding areas, according to Josh Jones, one of the organizers.
The planning committee is comprised of: Josh Jones, Suzette Torres, Devin Tally, Craig Campbell, Bailey Lyons, Shannon Johnson.
Notice of Gathering of the USD 234 Board Members On Nov. 16
Submitted by Gina Shelton, Board Clerk, USD 234
Notice of Gathering Wednesday, November 16, 2022
5:30 p.m.
Bourbon County REDI Visioning Session
Liberty Theater
There may be a majority of USD 234 Board Members present at the Bourbon County REDI Visioning Session to be held at the Liberty Theater, 113 S Main, Fort Scott, Kansas, on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. Even though a majority may be present, no school district business will be conducted.
Press Release from U234
Unified School District 234
424 South Main
Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697
620-223-0800 Fax 620-223-2760
DESTRY BROWN Superintendent
BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
NEWS RELEASE
Monday, November 14, 2022
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, November 14, 2022, for their regular monthly meeting at the board office.
President Danny Brown opened the meeting.
The board approved the official agenda, and the consent agenda as follows:
- Minutes from October 10, 2022, Board of Education meeting
- Financials – Cash Flow Report
- Check Register
- Payroll – October 20, 2022 – $1,572,916.54
- Activity Fund accounts
- Parent/Teacher Conference Statistics
- FSPC – 92%, Winfield Scott – 94%, Eugene Ware – 89%, FSMS – 56%, FSHS – 63%
Scott Kimble, Fort Scott High School Principal, introduced Anna Laubenstein, a senior at FSHS, who provided an update on the varsity Cinematography Challenge at the 4-State Academy of Scholastic Broadcasting Film Festival in Springfield, Missouri. Anna, along with FSHS students Lily Brown, Elena Robison, and Zaida Gomez, all competed in the festival with 30 other schools. In total, eleven students from FSHS were able to attend. The students shared information with the board on the competition and the Digital Media program at the high school that they are a part of.
Terry Sercer, CPA, with Diehl, Banwart, Bolton CPAs, P.A., presented the financial audit for 2021-22 year. There were no violations.
Superintendent Destry Brown noted that the final Visioning Session hosted by Bourbon County REDI will be Wednesday, November 16th at 5:30 p.m. at the Liberty Theater. Mr. Brown discussed the district’s preschool expansion project to take place at the old Mercy Hospital and how the current location on Judson will then be utilized for an elementary school specific for behaviors. Mr. Brown updated the board on the delivery and installation of the air purifiers purchased with KDHE grant funds. Superintendent Brown closed with discussing the “40 Developmental Assets” that help young people grow up healthy, caring, and responsible and how these are things our community can take part in to support our students.
Assistant Superintendent Dalaina Smith thanked the board and community for their support of PLC time. Mrs. Smith discussed conversations happening regarding attendance at PLC conferences or whether that training should be held in-house. Mrs. Smith provided an update on the cases purchased to protect student technology devices and the Science adoption that will come to the board for approval in March.
Gina Shelton, Finance Director, reported on the workers compensation renewal, federal funds, open enrollment for employee benefits, and staff retirements.
The board received an update on District Communications from Superintendent Brown.
The board approved the following items:
- ESSER III Budget – information, including the budget can be found on the USD 234 website.
- Contract with Benchmark Inc. for a full-time project management service for the roof replacement project in the amount of $178,000.
- Resolution to join Kansas Municipal Investment Pool and investment of funds into the KMIP for 180-days, with an interest rate of 3.96%.
- Acceptance of quote from City State Bank for a 90-day CD, with an interest rate of 3.13% with revaluation in 90 days.
- RPS Benefits by Design, Inc Consulting Agreement for health insurance broker services.
- Premium Rate Schedule for 2022-23.
- District Benefit Committee Recommendation with no increase to health insurance premiums, increase in Wellness Stipend to $350.00, and change in accident/cancer policy options.
- Personnel Report – following
The board went into an executive session for personnel matters and the superintendent evaluation process.
President Danny Brown adjourned the meeting.
PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED EMPLOYMENT
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
- Amy Lybarger – Early retirement as Eugene Ware third grade teacher, effective at the end of the 2022-23 school year
- Chris Sather – Early retirement as Winfield Scott physical education teacher, effective at the end of the 2022-23 school year
- Rachel Patton – Resignation as Eugene Ware paraprofessional, effective Oct. 19, 2022
- Kaylie Harper – Resignation as Winfield Scott paraprofessional, effective Oct. 26, 2022
- Elizabeth Rose – Resignation as FSHS paraprofessional, effective Nov. 11, 2022
- Amaiya Terry – Resignation as FSHS paraprofessional, effective Nov. 11, 2022
- Bethany Higgins – Eugene Ware teacher, leave of absence
- Andi Heckman – FSPC teacher, leave of absence
- Francis Torres – Winfield Scott paraprofessional, leave of absence
EMPLOYMENT/REASSIGNMENTS – FOR THE 2022-23 SCHOOL YEAR
- Brad Wright – Central Office HVAC Maintenance
- Kathryn Harrington – FSMS paraprofessional
- Robert West – Eugene Ware/FSPC custodian
- Belinda Pitts – FSHS paraprofessional
- Billi Jo Shoemaker – Winfield Scott 7.5-hour paraprofessional
- Amanda Jamison – Winfield Scot 7.5-hour paraprofessional
- FSHS newspaper sponsor change from Brian Pommier to Bethany Anderson for the second semester
- Langdon Giddens – Tech Department paid intern
- Sara Schnichels – FSMS paraprofessional
- John Metcalf – FSHS assistant wrestling coach
- Colin Downey – FSHS assistant freshman boys basketball coach
USD 234 Preschool Screening
Unified School District 234
424 south Main
Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697
www.usd234.org
520-223-0800 Fax 620-223-27 60
DESTRY BROWN, Superintendent
November 15,2022
USD 234 will provide preschool screenings for children up to the age of5 years on December 2,2022. Children may have vision, hearing, speech/communication, motor skills, socialization skills, and general development screened.
The purpose of the screenings is to locate and identify children with
possible developmental delays who may need special education preschool and/or related services.
Appointments may be scheduled by calling Tammy Catron, Fort Scott Preschool Center,223-8965, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The deadline for scheduling an appointment is November 22,
2022
Thompson-Harkey American Legion Post #25 Chili Cook-off Nov. 19
Who: Thompson-Harkey American Legion #25
When: November 19th, 2022. Doors Open at 11:00 a.m. Judging will begin at 1:00 p.m., There will be two categories “Hottest” and “Most flavorful.”
Where: Memorial Hall, 1 East Third Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701.
The General Public is invited to participate and attend.
Entry Fee is $10.00 per Category. There will be prizes for the top three Winners in each Category.
Media Contact: Jessica Allison, Commander, American Legion Post #25. 620-224-4733, [email protected]
Reading With Miss Val: Kansas Reads to Preschoolers Month
Schedule a Reading with Miss Val for
Kansas Reads to Preschoolers Month
In honor of Kansas Reads to Preschoolers Month, Miss Val, Youth Librarian at Fort Scott Public Library, would like to read “Not a Box” by Antoinette Portis to local preschool children. If you run a daycare or teach at a preschool and would like to schedule a reading, email Miss Val at [email protected] or call (620)223-2882.
The story “Not a Box” is a simple tale about a rabbit who uses its imagination to turn a box into many different things, including a rocket ship, racecar, burning building, and a mountain peak.
According to the State Library of Kansas website, “Kansas Reads to Preschoolers is an annual event that promotes reading to all Kansas children from birth through age five.
Through the statewide program, parents, librarians and caregivers are encouraged to read the chosen title during a selected week and month.”
Star Gazing Parties in the Future For the Lowell Milken Center Fort Scott
A telescope will be an added attraction at the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes at the corner of First and Wall Street in downtown Fort Scott.
“The telescope will be used to educate the community on… amazing unsung heroes of the stars,” Ronda Hassig, funding developer for the center, said.
Hassig wrote the $2,500 grant proposal for the telescope and carrying case and the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation awarded the grant last month.
“The telescope is remote and GPS controlled,” Hassig said. ” We had an astronomer from Nebraska stop by the center and we found out he is the director of the Stargazing Project in Nebraska! He is so excited for us, that he has agreed to come back down as soon as the telescope arrives and help us get used to using it. There’s a definite learning curve but he thinks we can handle it!”
“The telescope will be used in the Lowell Milken Park (adjacent to the center) for viewing of the moon and planets,” she said. “For deeper space, we are hoping to be able to use it at the Fort (Fort Scott National Historic Site) along with their telescope!”
“We hope to get both young and old excited about seeing the stars and the heavens so we will be having star parties here at the center in the Lowell Milken Park,” she said. “The parties will contain stargazing along with guest speakers and expert astronomers from all over the country. Everyone will be invited!”
“I think no matter how old you are, if you have ever looked through a telescope and seen the moon up close, or the actual rings of Saturn, you are hooked forever,” she said.
The telescope has been ordered and the center staff hope to have it sometime this week.
“Then I’ll get to start planning our first star party,” she said. ” I’ll be paying special attention to moonless nights and hopefully cloudless nights and we may get lucky and get to have a party in the next several months. It will be cold but if you’re bundled up you won’t care! There will be warm drinks and treats for everyone!”
“Stay tuned for dates and please plan to come enjoy our newest device at the Lowell Milken Center provided with the gracious funds of the Fort Scott Community Foundation,” she said.
“We are really trying to educate the community on all of the different unsung heroes here at the Lowell Milken Center, by having fun and having educational activities around those heroes,” she said.
Two of the astronomy heroes that are featured at the center are:
“Henrietta Swan Leavitt was born right after the Civil War and was educated at Oberlin and Radcliffe,” Hassig said. “She got excited about astronomy after taking a course on it. When she graduated she began volunteering at the Harvard College Observatory and after 14 years she was paid for her work at $.30 an hour. She was essentially 1 of 20 women computers. Through her work, Leavitt earned graduate credit towards her degree but never completed it. She did however make an amazing discovery – she figured out how to measure objects in space. This discovery led to the launching of the Hubble Telescope and more recently the Webb Telescope! As she aged, her health got worse and a bout with cancer caused her to lose her hearing. She died at age 53, but her dedication to astronomy has given us some of our most advanced knowledge about space!”
“Gene Shoemaker was the founder of astrogeology,” Hassig said. “The first person to determine the origin of the famous Barringer Meteor Crater in Arizona, the first director and creator of the Astrogeology Research Program of the U.S. Geological Survey in Flagstaff, Arizona, and along with David Levy discovered the Shoemaker-Levy Comet.
“Shoemaker worked for NASA preparing himself and the other astronauts to walk on the moon. Gene was to be the first geologist on the moon. But after all his hard work he was unable to go to the moon because he had Addison’s Disease. He commentated the moonwalk with CBS News anchorman Walter Cronkite during the live flights. Although he was horribly disappointed not to go, he kept looking for impact craters and space rocks. He searched for craters and rocks all over the world. He was looking for craters in Australia when he was tragically killed in a car accident. NASA wanted to honor this amazing scientist so they called his family and asked for some of his ashes. They put the ashes in a space probe and crashed it on the moon. Gene Shoemaker is the only human buried on the moon and just one of two buried in space.”
Girls Who Code Club Program at the Fort Scott Public Library
The Fort Scott Public Library’s Miss Val wants to help local children and teens gain interest and skills in the high-demand field of computer coding. While, as the name implies, Girls Who Code clubs have a special focus on attracting girls to the male-dominated coding industry, club meetings are open to all genders, and the curriculum is gender-neutral.
The library applied to form local club chapters and received approval in late October. The first meeting for the 3rd-5th graders’ club will take place on November 17 at 4:30 pm in the library’s event room. The 6th-12th grade club will begin on December 1 at 4:30 pm in the same place. The middle and high school club will continue meeting on the first Thursday of the month and the elementary club on the third Thursday, from January through May.
All club meetings are free, and will include an after school snack.
To register a child or teen for Girls Who Code Club, parents can fill out a registration form at Fort Scott Public Library or follow the instructions linked on the library’s website. Forms are also available for students through Bethany Higgins, technology teacher at Eugene Ware Elementary, and through Adam Feagins, technology teacher at Fort Scott Middle School.
Visit fortscott.mykansaslibrary.org to learn more.
According to the Girls Who Code website, “Girls Who Code is on a mission to close the gender gap in technology and to change the image of what a programmer looks like and does.” Girls Who Code clubs are available in the United States, Canada, India, and the United Kingdom, with at least 470,000 students who