Category Archives: Schools

Fort Scott, Government, Schools

USD234 News Release

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NEWS RELEASE

 

Monday, April 12, 2021

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at the Fort Scott Middle School Commons on Monday, April 12, 2021, for their regular monthly meeting.

President David Stewart opened the meeting.  The board approved the official agenda.  The board also approved the consent agenda as follows:

 

A.    Minutes

B.    Bills and Claims

C.    Payroll – March 11, 2021 – $1,410,272.92

D.    Financial Report

E.     Activity fund accounts

F.     Parent/Teacher Conference statistics

G.    KASB Membership Renewal with Season Pass and Legal Assistance Fund Contract Renewal for 2021-22

H.    Employee Recognition Reception – May 10 – 5:00 p.m. – Fort Scott Middle School Commons

 

Students from the Fort High School Drama and Thespians Department gave a presentation.

Patrons spoke during the public forum section.

Reports were given by the following:

 

·       Brenda Hill, KNEA President

·       Administrators’ written reports

·       Dalaina Smith, Academic Director

·       Ted Hessong, Superintendent

·       Gina Shelton, Business Manager/Board Clerk

 

The board acknowledged receipt of negotiations lists for 2021-22.  There was a Return-to

School Plan discussion.  Board members received a Roof Inspection Report.  In addition, the board heard a Summer Projects Report from Daniel Koppa, Facilities Director.

Board members approved the following:

 

·       Community in Schools Renewal for 2021-22

·       Southeast Kansas Gear Up Program

·       Technology purchase

·       Concrete bids – RII Concrete Construction

·       Early retirement payout

·       Purchase of two smaller buses

·       Health insurance waivers of $456.96 for the entire 2020-21 school year

·       Federal Fiscal Procedures and Policy

·       Contract for Provision of Educational Services Specialized Learning

·       Summit Truck Group estimate on bus repair

 

Board members shared comments and then went into executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel and returned to open meeting.

The board approved the following employment matters:

 

A.    Retirement of Pam Williams, Winfield Scott teacher aide, effective June 1, 2021

B.    Retirement of Tom Lancaster, bus driver, effective April 1, 2021

C.    Resignation of J. P. “Phil” Hammons as USD 234 Treasurer, effective March 5, 2021

D.    Resignation of Joy McGhee, Winfield Scott Principal, effective at the end of the 2020-21 contract year

E.     Resignation of Tammy Grimes, Eugene Ware speech paraprofessional, effective April 3, 2021

F.     Resignation of Dillon Duffy, middle school four-hour paraprofessional, effective March 29, 2021

G.    Termination of Gary Floyd, middle school paraprofessional, effective March 29, 2021

H.    Transfer of Clint Heffern, high school social studies/physical education teacher, to the additional high school physical education teacher position for the 2021-22 school year

I.      Leave of absence for Carrie Southwell, Eugene Ware third grade teacher, for the 2021-22 school year

J.      Clarification of contract for Stephanie Flanner, elementary behavior specialist

K.    Employment of Scott Kimble as high school principal for the 2021-22 school year

L.     Employment of Sarah Dunivan as the Winfield Scott music teacher for the 2021-22 school year

M.   Employment of Michael Casner as high school industrial technology teacher for the 2021-22 school year

N.    Employment of Ashley Wilcox as Winfield Scott technology teacher for the 2021-22 school year

O.    Employment of Susan Carnes as Eugene Ware speech paraprofessional for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year

P.     Employment of Sabrina Cady as a middle school four-hour paraprofessional for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year

Q.    Employment of Nina Merriman-Reed as a middle school paraprofessional for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year

R.    Employment of Rhonda Dawson as USD 234 Treasurer

S.     Employment of Fort Scott High School licensed personnel for the 2021-22 school year

T.     Employment of Fort Scott Middle School licensed personnel for the 2021-22 school year

U.    Employment of Eugene Ware Elementary licensed personnel for the 2021-22 school year

V.    Employment of Winfield Scott Elementary licensed personnel for the 2021-22 school year

W.  Employment of Fort Scott Preschool Center licensed personnel for the 2021-22 school year

X.    Employment of special services/technology licensed personnel for the 2021-22 school year

Y.    Resignation of Allison Gorman as high school head girls’ tennis coach, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year

Z.     Employment of Terra Kegler as high school head volleyball coach for the 2021-22  school year

AA.   Resignation of Courtenay Slinkard, high school English teacher, effective at end of the 2020-21 school year

AB.  Addition of a full-time high school agriculture education teacher position for the 2021-22 school year

AC.  Employment of Margaret Marino as a Winfield Scott special education teacher for the  2021-22 school year

 

The board adjourned.

 

Bourbon County, Schools

St. Mary’s Kindergarten Roundup April 21

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St. Mary’s Catholic School Kindergarten Roundup will be held Wednesday, April 21 by appointment from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

To enter kindergarten, a child must be 5 years of age on or before August 31.
If you would like for your child to attend kindergarten at St. Mary’s next year, please contact the school office at 620-223-6060 to schedule an appointment to be screened on April 21.
On the day of the screening, please bring your child’s social security card, birth certificate, immunization record/physical form, and if Catholic their baptism certificate.
A Kansas Certification of Immunization and/or a Kansas Child Health assessment must be filled out and submitted to the school before admission in the fall of 2021.
Due to Covid restrictions, we cannot allow parents to wait inside the building this year.
  Upon arrival at your appointment time, a school staff member will come outside and escort your child into the building.  Parents will be asked to wait in their car until the screening is completed.  At that point, a staff member will bring the child back out to the car and discuss the results of the screening.
St. Mary’s Catholic School is fully accredited by the state of Kansas and welcomes students of all faiths.

Fort Scott, Schools, Sports

FSHS Girls Swim Team Competes at Osawatomie

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Fort Scott High School Girls Swim Team Competed at Osawatomie on Wednesday against Topeka Hayden, KC Piper, and Osawatomie-Paola-Louisburg.

It was a very competitive meet with all four teams evenly matched.  FSHS finished the night in 4th place overall as a team.

Hayden 295pts

Piper  262 pts

O-P-L  234 pts

Fort Scott 213 pts

Several individual swimmers had strong finishes and earned personal best times.

The 200 Yard Medley Relay (Dawna Hudiburg, Annelise Hall, Ashley and Alyssa Smith) took 2nd.

In the 50 Free, Ava Steier 1st with a state consideration time, Dawan Hudiburg 3rd with best time and Ashley Smith took 6th with a best time.

In the 100 Butterfly, Annelise Hall took 4th with a best time.

In the 100 Free, Ashley Smith took 2nd and EmilyDavenport was 7th with a best time.

Annalyse Gilmore and Maia Martin both swam the 500 Free and earned best times.

In the 200 Yard Free Relay, FSHS (Ashley Smith, Dawna Hudiburg, Annelise Hall and Alyssa Smith)  took 3rd with a best time.

In the 100 Back, Ava Steier took 3rd with a best time, Kourtney Flynn and Katelyn Dancer both swam best times.

In the 100 Breast Annelise Hall placed 3rd with a best time, Alyssa Smith finished 5th and Dawna Hudiburg was 6th with a best time.

In the 400 Free Relay (Emily Davenport, Kourtney Flynn, Annalyse Gilmore and Ava Steier) finished 5th.

Fort Scott, Schools

USD 234 Preschool Roundup May 7

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There will be a USD 234 Preschool Center Roundup on May 7, 2021, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  If your child will be four years old on or before August 31, 2021, and if you can answer “YES” to any of the following questions, your child may be eligible to attend.

 

  1. Does your child qualify for the free lunch program?
  2. Are you a single parent family?
  3. Have you been referred to us through DCF?
  4. When your child was born, was either parent a teen?
  5. Is either parent lacking a high school diploma or GED?
  6. Is the main language spoken in your home NOT English?

 

We also have very limited three-year old slots available for those who qualify.

 

Contact Tammy Catron at 620-223-8965 or by email at [email protected] by May 1, 2021, to schedule an appointment.

You will need to allow 30 to 45 minutes to complete the application process.  Parents will need to bring the following documents to the appointment:

 

  • State-Issued Birth Certificate
  • Immunization Record
  • Social Security Card
  • Medical Card or Insurance Card
Fort Scott, Schools

$10,000 Cash For Classroom Grant For FSHS FCS Program

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Fort Scott High School’s Family and Consumer Science Program receives $10,000 Cash for Classrooms Grant from Casey’s to help fund new program needs.

 

March 2021

 

Fort Scott High School’s Family and Consumer Science Program is a 2021 Casey’s Cash for Classrooms grant recipient.

The school will receive $10,000.

This project will help fund equipment to engage students in real-life, hands-on experiences.

“I feel honored to have been accepted for this Cash for Classrooms grant that will improve my students’ ability to learn and grow! I really appreciate what Casey’s has done for my program. My students are going to be thrilled about the new enhancements to their classes,” said school representative, Carissa Bowman, Family and Consumer Science educator.

 

“The past year has been unlike any other for schools, and our Cash for Classrooms grants will help schools through this difficult time as well as to improve the learning environment for the future. Casey’s is here for good and that means supporting students, teachers and families in our local communities,” said Katie Petru, Director of Community at Casey’s.

 

Carissa Bowman heads three Career and Technical Education state approved pathways and includes a student-led Career and Technical Organization called “Family Career and Community Leaders of America” (FCCLA).  Classes included within the pathways include; Nutrition and Wellness, Culinary, Teaching as a Career, and  Human Growth and Development to name a few.

 

For more information on Casey’s Cash for Classrooms grant program, visit:

www.caseys.com/community/cash-for-classrooms-grants.  The 2022 grant program will open in the fall.  In addition to the grant program, Casey’s guests can support schools year round by directing their Casey’s Rewards points toward a donation to their school of choice. Sign up for Casey’s Rewards at https://www.caseys.com/login?isAccountRegister=true.

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Fort Scott, Schools

Fort Scott High School FCCLA Officers Medal at Districts

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From left: Carley Horton, Emma Scott. Submitted photo.
 
 

FCCLA (Family Career and Community Leaders of America) officers Emma Scott and Carley Horton competed in the annual District H STAR (Students Taking Action with Recognition) Event competitions on February 24th. Students from across southeast Kansas came together virtually to be recognized for their hard work and accomplishments this school year. 


Emma Scott competed in the Career Investigation Event and received Gold! Her project covered an extensive research project that encouraged her to explore a career in education.  Scott says, “I learned a lot researching elementary education.  I have found that I am also interested in Family and Consumer Science education. I can see myself pursuing either career.”

Carley Horton competed in the Nutrition and Wellness Event and received Silver! She researched healthy lifestyle choices and created a nutrition and wellness plan based on her personal needs.  “I learned communication skills,” Horton says.

About FCCLA
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is a dynamic and effective national student organization that helps young men and women become leaders and address important personal, family, work, and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences education. FCCLA has more than 182,000 members and 5,253 chapters from 48 state associations, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

 
About STAR Events
STAR Events are competitive events in which members are recognized for their proficiency and achievement in chapter and individual projects, leadership skills, and career preparation. STAR Events allow students to compete individually or as a team. There are more than 30 STAR Events students can choose to compete in, all which recognize participants who demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and abilities to actively identify an issue concerning families, careers, or communities, research the topic, and develop and implement a project to advocate for positive change.
Fort Scott, Schools, Sports

FSHS Girls Swim Team Competes For First Time: Brings Home 2nd Place

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The Fort Scott High School Girls Swim Team, 2021. Submitted photo.

The Fort Scott High School Tigers competed in their first-ever swim meet last night at Turner High School.

The team took second place at the meet with 427 points.

1. KC Piper High 445

2. Fort Scott High School 427

3. Topeka West Girls Swim 245

4. Sumner/Washington/Wyandotte 130
5. Turner High School 37
The  A Medley Relay Team of Ava Steier, Ashley Smith, Alyssa Smith, and Dawna Hudibug took 3rd (2:20.39) and  B Medley Relay Team took 4th: Rylan Mason, Emily Davenport, Anna Hall, and Kourtney Flynn (2:36. 23).
50 Free, Ava Steier (PHS) took 1st with a time of 28.16, Alyssa Smith took 5th with a 30.85, and Dawna Hudibug took 6th at 31.48.
100 Fly, Alyssa Smith took 2nd and Maia Martin took 3rd.
100 Free, Ashley Smith took 3rd.
500 Free Kourtney Flynn placed 2nd.
“A” 200 Free Relay took 2nd and the “B” 200 Free Relay took 5th.
100 Back, Ava Steier took 2nd, Rylan Mason took 4th and Kourtney Flynn took 6th.
100 Breast, Anna Hall took 5, Ashley Smith took 6th and Dawna Hudibug took 7th.
The 400 Free Relay Team took 2nd:  Maia Martin, Rylan Mason, Kourtney Flynn, and Ava Steier.
“One of the best things about swimming is that it is both a team sport and an individual sport at the same time,” Coach Angie Kemmerer said. “The focus for all swimmers is on personal growth which is measured by personal best times.  Last night we saw that with 27 out of 29 entries earning personal best times.”
Coach wanted to highlight a few of those swimmers:
200 Free:  Rylan Mason dropped 11.11 seconds and Maia Martin took off 22 seconds.
50 Free: Taylor Wilcox dropped 2.84 seconds and Katelyn Dancer took off 5.33 seconds.
100 Fly: Alyssa Smith took off 3.41 and Maia Martin dropped 7.45 seconds.
100 Free: Ashley Smith took off 2.43, Annelyse Gilmore dropped 2.91, Taylor Wilcox dropped 16.71 seconds, and Katelyn Dancer 21.02 seconds.
200 Free Relay:  A team dropped 6 seconds.
100 Back:  Rylan Mason took off 3.26 seconds.
100 Breast: Anna Hall dropped 4.55, Dawna Hudiburg took off 2.63, and Ashley Smith dropped 2.67 seconds
“The lady swimming tigers are making history one stroke a time.  Their first season is off to a great start.”
Submitted by Coach Angie Kemmerer
Fort Scott, Schools

USD234 Kindergarten Roundup

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Winfield Scott Elementary School, 316 W. 10th Street, Fort Scott.

USD 234 Kindergarten Roundup will be held at Winfield Scott School on April 14, 2021, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Students must be 5 years old before September 1, 2021, to attend kindergarten.  You will need to call the Winfield Scott office at 620-223-0450 to schedule an appointment.

The Kindergarten Round-Up Day will be different this year.

Parents are asked to park on the northeast corner of the building near the Kindergarten Wing doors.

Signs will be posted.

You will need to bring your child’s Social Security card, birth certificate, and immunization record/physical form.

A Winfield Scott staff member will greet you at your vehicle, take your documents to be copied, and escort your child to a kindergarten teacher to begin the screening.

The staff member will return your original documents to you at your vehicle.

When the screening is completed, the teacher will escort your child back to your vehicle and visit with you regarding the results.

 

No shots or physicals will be offered on this day.

You will need to contact your local doctor or the health department for your child’s kindergarten shots and a kindergarten physical.

Both of these items will need to be completed before your child starts school in the fall.

Thank you for your cooperation and flexibility for the Kindergarten Round-Up.

 

When:             April 14, 2021 – 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 

Where:            Winfield Scott School

 

Contact:          Principal:                                                                                                                  Joy McGhee

316 W. Tenth St.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

223-0450

Bourbon County, Schools

West Bourbon Elementary is Looking for Future Eagles!

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West Bourbon Elementary School, Uniontown.

 

The enrollment process is open for the 2021-2022 West Bourbon Elementary School, Uniontown, 4-year-old preschool program.

To be eligible for this program, your child must be 4 years old on or before August 31, 2021. Please contact WBE at 620-756-4335 for an application or for further information.

 

A screening clinic for kindergarten students will be scheduled during District enrollment in August. To be eligible for kindergarten, your child must be 5 years old on or before August 31. Further details will be released closer to enrollment time.

Schools, Sports

UHS BASKETBALL SUB-STATE RESULTS

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Adelay Martin. Submitted photo.

The Uniontown basketball season came to an end on Friday and Saturday for the girls’ and boys’ teams. We are incredibly proud of how hard every player has worked this season, and look forward to the 2021-22 season next winter.

The boys’ Varsity team played Southeast on Thursday for the second Sub-State round. They won 44-20. Clay Sutterby led that game with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Jake Harvey had 12 points and 3 steals; Dawson Dreisbach had 9 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists. Drew Perry also had 3 assists.

The Lady Eagles’ season ended on Friday in their game against Humboldt. The score was 41-50. Karleigh Schoenberger had 15 points and 3 steals. Danielle Howard scored 13 points and had 4 assists and 3 steals. Sammie Hampton had 6 rebounds and 2 steals. Rylee Coulter and Addisyn Hall had 3 rebounds, and Coulter had 2 steals.

“It was a tough loss to end a successful season,” Coach Miller said. “After losing our second game of the season in overtime to Erie, we went on a fourteen-game win streak. Our efforts earned us 1st place in the Kenny Hold Memorial Tournament, a shared Three Rivers League title, and the #1 seat in our Sub-State Tournament. We set out to reach some goals this year and we were able to mark a few off the list. We will keep trying, keep improving, and never give up. If we don’t ever reach all of our goals, we will always have the memories of the wonderful people God has introduced to us along the way. Thank you Rhian Gorman, Aiden Holt, Karleigh Schoenberger, and Sammie Hampton for your four years of commitment to our team. We are all better people for having known you four amazing young women.”

The boys’ season ended after losing to Erie on Saturday, 38-42. Luke Perry led with 11 points this game. Jake Harvey, Cade Goodridge, and Clay Sutterby each scored 7 points. Harvey also had 5 boards and 3 steals, while Goodridge had 5 rebounds and Sutterby had 6. Drew Perry had 3 assists.

“I’m extremely proud of our team,” said Coach Hays. “We had the goal since the season began to make the Sub-State championship game. We accomplished that goal. We were really close to making the state tournament. We competed our tails off against Erie, but just came up a little short. I’m thankful for our seniors. They are great kids that will be missed dearly.”

-Adelay Martin, UHS Sports Media Reporter

Entertainment, Fort Scott, Schools

FS Thespians Will Entertain Young and Old On March 6

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Freshman Cadence Tuck portrays a step-sister in “Cinderella” from “Snow White Gets Her Say.” Submitted photo.

Due to the frigid temperatures in late February, the Fort  Scott High School Thespians will host their Third Annual Royal-Tea Party and Revue on March 6 at the high school auditorium.

“We began offering the Royal-Tea Party as a way for the community and especially children to interact with the princesses and princes they grew up loving from fairy tales,” Angela Bin, director, said. ” It offers an immersive theatre experience where the audience can actually talk with the characters and take pictures. Many audience members also dress in period attire and become part of the fairy tale realm.”

Performances begin at 5 and 7:30 p.m. with an immersive theatre experience to follow where audience members can interact with nearly 20 other characters and take home a goodie bag.

Tickets are $6 for children and $8 for adults.

Tickets must be purchased online in advance at fortscotthighschooltheatre.ludus.com.

Tickets may be available at the door but are not guaranteed.

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, masks and social distancing are required.

All children must stay with and be accompanied by an adult as they enjoy the festivities and attendees are encouraged to join us in dressing as royalty.

Doors will open 15 minutes early.

Sophomore Izzy Carreno portrays King Arthur in a monologue from “Camelot.” Submitted photos.

Some of childhood’s favorite princesses and princes, queens, and kings will sing, dance, and perform for the audience.

Children may have their photos with their favorite characters and take home special crafts and treats as momentos.

 

The Revue includes performances by junior Jenna Stockstill; sophomores Israel Carreno, Jordyn McGhee, and Karen Primeaux; and freshmen Rex Wells, Silvia Moreno, and Cadence Tuck.

 

The musical is directed by FS Theatre Director Angie Bin, FS Music Director Mary Jo Harper, assistant music director Taylor Qualls, and choreographer Delynn Abati.

 

For more information, please see the Fort Scott High School Thespians Facebook page or contact Bin at [email protected] or 620-719-9622.

The cast performs “Knights of the Round Table” from “Spamalot.” Submitted photo.