USD 234 has a slate of personnel retirements this school year which ended May 13, an unprecedented year in education because of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The following teachers responded to an email request to feature them on fortscott.biz.
Kyle Parks. Submitted photo.
Kyle Parks was the Fort Scott High School Agriculture Instructor
from 1983-2021.
“My entire career was at FSHS,” Parks said. “I truly enjoyed working with youth that had ties or interest in the agriculture field. They are more mature, responsible and just a blast to be with compared to the non-ag students. I also enjoyed the teachers and admins at the high school. They are a great bunch to work with.”
For Parks, the last year with the COVID-19 Pandemic has been a challenge.
“The Covid and Zoom (classes) and other newer technology was a struggle for me,” he said.
RoAnn Eden. Submitted photo.
RoAnn Blake has been a third-grade classroom teacher at both Winfield Scott and Eugene Ware Elementary Schools in Fort Scott from 2008 until 2021.
“The best part of teaching was seeing the students every day and sharing with them in their successes,” she said.
*The most challenging was making sure each student’s needs were met, even with all the bumps in their paths.”
Sondra Ruhl. Submitted photo.
Sondra Ruhl taught Special Education at Eugene Ware Elementary School from 2012-2021.
“In 1987, I worked as a paraeducator at Winfield Scott Elementary School for 12 years,” she said. “Then I moved to the high school where I worked for three years. I then went back to college and earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. I was hired in Missouri and taught Special Education for eight years while getting my Masters Degree in Special Education Teaching. In 2012, I was hired to teach Special Education at Eugene Ware where I have been for the last 9 years.”
“The best part of teaching is seeing my students have that ‘Aha’ moment when they were finally able to understand a concept that used to be hard for them,” Ruhl said.
“The most challenging part of teaching is all of the paperwork that goes with teaching special education,” she said. “This year has been the biggest struggle with Zoom meetings and the challenges that came with COVID teaching.”
Donna Davis. Submitted photo.
Donna Davis has been a special educator at Winfield Scott Elementary School from 1995 to 2021.
“I graduated with my bachelor’s degree from Missouri Southern State University in psychology/special education in 1982,” she said. “I began teaching special education grades K-2 in Missouri from 1982 to 1995. I received my master’s degree in early childhood special education from Pittsburg State University in 1994. I came to Fort Scott in 1995 to teach the special education preschool and finished my teaching career as the first-grade special education teacher at the end of this 2020-21 school year.”
For Wilson, the best part of teaching has always been the children. “Watching them learn and grow has given me great joy throughout the years. I have always loved my job and I will truly miss it!”
A challenge has been teaching during the pandemic, she said.
“Missing out on the end of the 2019-20 school year was very difficult for both the students and teachers.”
Martha Clements. Submitted photo.
Martha Clements was the 7th Grade Social Studies Teacher
from 1989-2021.
“I have taught all 32 years as an FSMS 7th-grade social studies teacher,” she said.
“The best part of teaching for me was being able to share with my students a subject I had been excited about since I was their age,” Clements said.
“Teaching was the challenge I pursued and I have truly enjoyed that challenge.”
Ronda Peterson. Submitted photo.
Ronda Peterson has taught for 36 years.
She taught eighth-grade math for 19 years (2002-2021),
5th grade for three years (1998-2002), and 4th grade for 14 years (1985-1998).
“The best part of teaching was being around kids,” she said. “They are so full of energy! I loved it when I saw student’s eyes light up when they realized they grasped the concept. I also enjoyed watching students helping their friends understand different concepts.”
“Teaching is a profession where students learn but those working with children also learn. I have a greater appreciation for the saying, ‘You learn something new every day.’ I hope I continue to learn something new every day in my retirement. My colleagues also made going to work one of the best parts of teaching!”
This school year has been a challenge for many teachers.
Not only did teachers have to learn to teach distance learners through Zoom meetings and the troubles that go along with loss of internet or connections to students, we were also to continue to have live in-class learning. There was a lot of struggling with this type of learning and we had to adapt sometimes several times a day.”
“There was a lot of new technology we were forced into mastering, whether we wanted to or not. Wearing masks 100% of the time was difficult at best. Many times, we had to remind students to pull their masks up, even though we did not want to wear masks either. Trying to socially distance 14-year-olds is a task many people would find impossible to do.”
“I am sure I will miss teaching….the students, the colleagues, the field trips, the good times. But I am thinking I am going to enjoy retirement….time with family and time to relax.”
Patty Giltner. Submitted photo.
Patty Giltner was the 7th grade English Language Arts teacher 6th-8th grade English as a Second Language teacher at Fort Scott Middle School from 1995 until 2021.
” I have been teaching in Fort Scott for 26 years,” Giltner said. “Prior to that, I was employed by Tri-County Special Education and worked as a para-educator in Fredonia schools for 13 years.”
“One of the best things about teaching was having the opportunity to spend my days teaching and building relationships with all of my students over the years,” she said.
“One challenge of teaching was making sure I provided the best possible learning experiences for all of my students while meeting their individual needs.”
Chamber Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Announced for the Fort Scott Barber Shop
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting to celebrate the opening of Fort Scott Barber Shop in the Downtown Historic District at 118 E. Wall St. The event will take place Tuesday, May 25th at 9 a.m. with remarks starting at 9:15 a.m. followed by the cutting of the ribbon. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served in addition to door prize drawings.
The family-friendly Fort Scott Barber Shop is owned and operated by the Montanez Family who recently relocated to the community from the Kansas City area where they operated Jose’s Barber Shop, winning multiple awards including Best Barber Shop in the Midwest. They are known for their iconic cuts and their motto is “Looking Like a Movie Star”.
Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information.
At the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Dinner on April 29, the City of Fort Scott honored Craig Campbell with the Mayor’s Citizenship Award.
Mayor Josh Jones thanked Campbell for the many volunteer hours he has given the community and his willingness to help others, in presenting the award to Campbell.
“Fort Scott is a better place to live, work and play because of you,” Jones said. “You are the definition of what a public servant is!”
Campbell is a Fort Scott native and has worked for Mercy Health Systems for 21 years, according to a press release from Jones. The first 15 years he served as the director of the hospital pharmacy. The last six years as the Mercy Pharmacy Performance Improvement Director for 35 hospitals and 27 retail pharmacies. He will retire from Mercy on June 30th, 2021.
Campbell has been involved with the Good Neighbor Action Team for about ten years, which has helped improve over 200 local properties, according to the press release.
“During the East Wall Street Blitz, there were close to 300 volunteers who worked on 32 properties painting, repairing porches, install energy-efficient windows and doors, and hauling over 30 loads of yard debris,” Jones said in the press release.
“In 2021 they are focusing on grants for older citizens who meet income guidelines to be used for bigger projects and working with the Codes Department when issues arise where they can assist,” Jones said.
Campbell and his wife, Jane, have four children: Ryan, Brett, Trevor, and Jenna.
Campbell is a graduate of Southwest Oklahoma State University School of Pharmacy.
He is a board member of the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, a board member of Bourbon County C.A.S.A., and a board member of the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation.
He also serves as an Elder on the Session at the First Presbyterian Church.
The 2021 Home, Sport, Farm, and Garden Show has something for everyone’s interest with 45 listed vendors with exhibits, games, and a chance to win prizes! Snacks, drinks, and food will be available for purchase. So bring the family, friends & guests because you don’t want to miss out on this event!
Stop by the Fort Scott Chamber Booth, to enter a chance to win Chamber Bucks!
ALSO ANNOUNCING
NEXT YEAR’S DATE!
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE
2022 HOME, SPORT, FARM & GARDEN SHOW ON
APRIL 8TH & 9TH, 2022!
IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR BUSINESS TO BE PART OF THIS ANNUAL EVENT, DON’T WAIT, SIGN UP NOW BY CALLING 620.223.4500.
Stephen Toal in front of the mural he created at Gunn Park for the public to enjoy. Submitted photo.
Stephen Toal saw some graffiti on the wall of the lower level under the No. 1 Shelter House at Gunn Park and decided to use his artistic abilities and do something about it.
“Someone had written some hate graffiti on the wall and I felt the need to cover it with something positive,” Toal said.
“I had spoken with Josh Jones (Mayor of Fort Scott) about doing the project,” Toal said.
One can have a picnic and feed the ducks while enjoying the new mural under the largest rock shelter house in the park, Shelter House #1.
He used his own art materials and spent about 10 hours on the project, he said.
Stephen Toal described himself as ” a long time resident of Fort Scott, a husband, father of three and three step-children.”
Steven Toal and his wife, Stacy, Submitted photos.
Toal also said he is a “recovering addict/alcoholic, who has been clean and sober three years”
“Art is a way to express myself and helps me stay clean,” he said.
The colorful mural is a depiction of springtime, Toal said.
CHAMBER-AFTER HOURS GRAND OPENING & RIBBON CUTTING TO CELEBRATE LYONS REALTY GROUP
Wednesday, June 2, 2021
5:15 to 6:30 p.m.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members to a Chamber After-hours Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting as we celebrate the Lyons Realty Group establishing an office in the Downtown Historic District at 8 E. Wall St. The event will take place Wednesday, June 2nd from 5:15 to 6:30 pm with the remarks and ribbon-cutting starting at 5:45 pm.
The team of Lyons Realty Group is excited to share their new offices and learn more about how they can help reach the real estate goals of sellers and buyers.
Mark your calendars for an evening of networking, prize giveaways, food, drink and much more. There will be a $2 admission for the Chamber half-and-half drawing.
Contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce for more information at 620-223-3566 or [email protected].
Ralph Carlson introduces the Friday Night Concert musicians May 2019.
This Friday Night Free Concert at 7 p.m. will feature the St. Martin Academy Singers, according to event coordinator Ralph Carlson. “There will be a short open-mike time as well for walk-ons.”
“The St. Martin Academy group will have a mix of folk music, classic country, pop and gospel,” Carlson said. “The school year ending, the St. Martin youth will be returning to their homes in various states so we got them before they leave for the summer. In addition, there may be bagpipe music. They have been a really popular group and it is a pleasure to get these young men back.”
The venue, Heritage Pavilion, is located at Main and First Street in downtown Fort Scott.
“We expect good weather and a good turnout so bring your lawn chairs as seating is limited,” he said.
Selected Fort Scott students will be offered extra learning opportunities this summer. Transportation will be provided free of charge to students and additionally, food service will be provided free of charge to students, according to USD 234 Superintendent Ted Hessong.
“We will have Extended School Year (ESY) for special education students (Pre-K – 11), Extended Learning Opportunities for general education students (Pre-K-11), and JumpStart for preschool students,” Hessong said.
“ESY is a program we have offered in the summer for several years for special education students,” he said. “Special education staff work with students based on their individual learning needs.”
“This summer will be the first time in a few years, we have offered extended learning opportunities for general education students,” Hessong said. “With the use of ESSER II funds provided by the federal government, we will be providing summer learning opportunities to get a jump start to next school year.”
ESSER Funds were established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act,(CARES) the core purpose of the ESSER II Fund is to provide direct money to states and districts to address the areas most impacted by the disruption and closure of schools caused by COVID-19, according to the website https://www.nj.gov/education/ESSER
Students will focus on academic target areas based on academic data collected during the school year, Hessong said.
“This academic data comes from the MAP assessments our district utilizes as well as state assessment data from this current school year,” he said. “The ESSER II funds allow us to provide these learning opportunities to address academic gaps identified for individual students to help them be more prepared for promotion to their next grade level.”
” Each building will have general education staff provide the learning opportunities for identified students,” Hessong said. “This is not mandatory for identified students, but we hope parents and students understand our goal is to strengthen their child’s academic progress going into the next school year.”
“For several years USD 234 has provided a JumpStart summer program for preschool students going into Kindergarten,” he said. “The preschool receives a grant that provides funding for the JumpStart program. Identified preschool students are provided an opportunity to get a head start going into kindergarten, which will help them to be better prepared to be successful in kindergarten.”
Summer offering schedule:
Dates: July 20 – August 6
Location: Middle School (except for JumpStart)
Days: Monday – Friday
Time: 8 a.m. – noon.
Format:
Preschool – 8 – 11 a.m. at the preschool.
Jumpstart – at Winfield Scott Elementary from 8 to 11 a.m.
Primary (K-2) – 8 to 10 a.m.
Intermediate (3-5) – 10 a.m. to noon.
Middle School – 8 a.m. to noon.
High School – 8 a.m. to noon. (credit recovery)
