The Fort Scott High School Dance team is doing a Tiger Strong Fundraiser and have an online store for purchasing merchandise.
On September 4th, the first FSHS Football game that was scheduled, they are asking that the town wears a Tiger Strong shirt or mask to show support to the Tiger Athletes.
Governor Laura Kelly Statement
The following statement is from Governor Laura Kelly regarding the State Board of Education’s vote to reject her executive order delaying the start of school:
“The cases of COVID-19 in Kansas are at an all-time high and continue to rise. Our decisions must be informed by public health experts not politics. This vote puts our students, faculty, their families and our economy at risk.
“I will continue to work with our school districts to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our children and ask every school district to delay the start of school.”
Preparations are being made for the next school year at USD 234, Fort Scott.
Among items on the USD 234 Board of Education on July 13 was a decision to keep the academic calendar the same as last year.
“The academic calendar is the same as it was last school year,” Ted Hessong, the superintendent, said in an email. ” At this time, we have not made any alterations to the academic calendar due to the pandemic.”
An additional nurse was added for duties at Fort Scott High School.
“The need for a fourth nurse has been a concern for the district to cover the high school,” Hessong said. “With the pandemic, the district made the commitment, working with Community Health Center, to add a fourth nurse for the high school.”
There have not been official decisions concerning the opening of school in the district, Hessong said.
“At this time we have not made any official decisions related to the opening of school buildings in August,” he said. “The district is working on alternate plans to possibly implement to ensure the safety of our students and staff.”
Here is the list of new teachers for the 2020-2021 school year in the district.
Linda Minor, Winfield Scott transferred from first-grade teacher to second-grade.
Krista Gorman, high school/middle school instructional coach’s contract was adjusted from 90% to 100% for the 2020-21 school year.
Breann Eden, Winfield Scott art teacher, was granted a leave of absence.
Harleigh Lowry was hired as a Winfield Scott 6.5-hour cook for the 2020-21 school year.
Reemployment for the school year: Beth Alexander as a Winfield Scott Focus Room teacher, Jered McKay as a Eugene Ware Behavior Specialist, and Daniel Long, as a high school paraprofessional.
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met virtually on Monday, July 13, for their regular monthly meeting.
President David Stewart opened the meeting. The board approved the official agenda. The board adjourned Sine Die with reorganization of the new board. David Stewart was elected President of the board, and James Wood was elected Vice-President of the board for the 2020-21 school year. The board also approved the consent agenda as follows:
A. Minutes
B. Bills and Claims
C. Payroll – June 19, 2020 – $1,703,740.89
D. Financial Report
E. Activity Fund Accounts
F. Designation of banks for deposit of school funds
G. Designation of newspaper for official school publications – The Fort Scott Tribune
H. Officers for the 2020-21 school year
I. Recreation Commission board member terms
J. Resolution for waiver of generally accepted accounting principles
K. Resolution for rescinding policy statements found in board minutes
L. Resolution to set dates and times for board meetings
M. Resolution to establish home rule by Board of Education
N. Resolution for destruction of records
O. Resolution for bank account signers
P. Organizational chart
Q. Set fees for copying of records
R. Current state mileage reimbursement rate
Board members heard a report from Brenda Hill, KNEA President.
Superintendent Ted Hessong reported on SPARK funding, Extended School Year and Jumpstart, the newly-installed high school gym bleachers, bus inspections, administrator book study, count day, graduation, and return to school information.
Gina Shelton, Business Manager, discussed closing down the fiscal year, staff/student vehicle travel, roof work, CARES money, budget software, food service, and new employee signup.
The board selected James Wood as a hearing officer for suspensions and expulsions for the 2020-21 school year.
Board members approved the following items:
· 1,116-hour calendar for the 2020-21 school year
· Memorandum of Understanding with CHC for an additional nurse
· Device replacement purchase
· RTS Microsystems purchase using E-Rate funds
· Roof change order
· Purchase of intervention materials using Title IVA funds
The board will hold a budget workshop on July 27 at 5:30 p.m.
Board members shared comments and then went into executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel and returned to open meeting. The board then went into executive session to discuss matters relating to employer-employee negotiations and returned to open meeting. The board then went into executive session to discuss matters relating to security measures and returned to open meeting.
The board approved the following employment matters:
A. Resignation of Kirstie Cox, Winfield Scott second grade teacher, effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year
B. Resignation of Abigail Helt, high school/middle school chorus teacher, effective immediately
C. Resignation of Jeanise Malone, central office accounts payable secretary, effective July 3, 2020
D. Resignation of Michelle Johnson, Eugene Ware paraprofessional, effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year
E. Resignation of Angela Christy, Winfield Scott paraprofessional, effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year
F. Resignation of Stacey Gingrich, gifted paraprofessional, effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year
G. Resignation of Bud Hall, bus driver, effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year
H. Transfer of Linda Minor, Winfield Scott first grade teacher, to Winfield Scott second grade teacher for the 2020-21 school year
I. Contract adjustment for Krista Gorman, high school/middle school instructional coach, from 90% to 100% for the 2020-21 school year
J. Leave of absence request from Breann Eden, Winfield Scott art teacher
K. Employment of Alexandra VanSickle as a Winfield Scott first grade teacher for the 2020-21 school year
L. Employment of Harleigh Lowry as a Winfield Scott 6.5-hour cook for the 2020-21 school year
M. Reemployment of Beth Alexander as a Winfield Scott Focus Room teacher for the 2020-21 school year
N. Reemployment of Jered McKay as a Eugene Ware Behavior Specialist for the 2020-21 school year
O. Reemployment of Daniel Long, high school paraprofessional, for the 2020-21 school year.
The board adjourned.
On July 11, seniors and their families will be having an outdoors ceremony on the football field. The event is usually held in the West Bourbon Elementary School gymnasium.
“The tough spot we are in is that to get it approved we had to agree to only have people sit in our home bleachers,” Howard said. “The (running) track (that surrounds the football field) is being worked on as well so we can’t have people all over the football field or even on the track.”
“We will be having our graduates give us a list of up to nine people to sit in the bleachers together,” he said. “If some graduates don’t have nine people then we will give others the option of bringing more.”
“We are going to have people sit on every other row in the bleachers, Howard said. “We have set up seating in the bleachers. There will not be anyone allowed inside the fence or on the field other than graduates and board members.”
The old Fort Scott High School bleachers were installed over 50 years ago in 1964, and have served the school activities since that time.
Recently USD 234 purchased and installed new ones. The new bleachers are located in the main gymnasium at FSHS.
“They have served their purpose, and in the past several years have needed numerous repairs,” Jeff DeLaTorre, U234 Athletic/Activities Director, said.
They were identified as an area to address for many years by the school leadership.
“The cost and skill to maintain the bleachers to function safely versus replacing them were prohibitive, which is why it was decided to replace them,” Gina Shelton, U234 Business Manager and Board Clerk, said.
“The new bleachers also provide a more modern look to the gym, as well as provide more comfort to our fans and spectators,” DeLaTorre said.
“They were installed over the past two weeks. The backs to the bleachers will be installed later this summer,” he said.
The total cost was $314,020 and was paid out of the school district’s contingency part of the bond funds, according to Shelton.
“We feel the new look in the gym will benefit our students daily, providing a brighter look that will enhance pride in their school,” DeLaTorre said. “They will also benefit our parents, spectators, and fans that attend events in our gym by providing more comfortable seating. The addition of these bleachers is a positive addition to our gym that has been the site of some wonderful memories in the past, and we know will be home to more wonderful moments in the future.”
Fort Scott Junior/Senior Prom, July, 25, 2020
The Fort Scott High School Class of 2020 Parent Group will be hosting PROM 2020, held July 25 at The River Room in Fort Scott, KS. The Walk-in will begin at 6:15 PM, with the dance to begin at 8:00 PM and end at 11:00 PM.
This is a free event and is open to all Fort Scott High School Junior and Senior students along with their dates. Nobody over the age of 21 will be allowed to attend the prom.
Due to COVID-19 concerns, all attendees will be required to turn in a signed waiver form in order to attend. Attendees over the age of 18 can sign the waiver themselves, while attendees under the age of 18 must have a parent/legal guardian signatures. The waiver can be picked up at the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, and Common Ground Coffee Shop. If you would like to print out the waiver yourself, please text or email Vanessa Poyner at (620) 719-6943, [email protected] to receive the link to the waiver. The waiver will not need to be returned before July 25th. The signed waiver will be the students “ticket” to enter the dance.
The Prom walk-in will be from 6:15 PM- 8:00 PM. The walk-in will start on the corner of Judson & Oak Street and will continue East up to the venue entrance. In order to ensure social distancing, we are requesting that only family attend the walk-in viewing, and abide by all State/County/City mandates and safety recommendations. The walk-in will also be streamed online live through www.kombfm.com City Link TV.
This years prom theme is “Hot Havana Nights”, and the Prom 2020 King & Queen candidates, are; Addison Lyons, Emma Martin, Lauren Madison, Caleb Briggs, David Milburn, and Gage Wilson.
If you have any questions or concerns, contact Vanessa Poyner at [email protected] or (620) 719-6943.
“The Senior students have had to miss out on so many important activities due to COVID-19. We are hoping that by allowing them the opportunity to have a prom will grant them a bit of closure to their senior year, and give them one last chance to celebrate with their classmates,” Vanessa Poyner said.
Here is the waiver the parents and students will be required to sign prior to entering the event.
Fort Scott Prom 2020 Student/Parent/Guardian Waiver
Parents or Legal Guardians:
The Fort Scott High School Class of 2020 Parent Group will be hosting PROM 2020, held July 25th at The River Room in Fort Scott, KS. The Walk-in will begin at 6:15 PM, with the dance to begin at 8:00 PM. By signing this form, you are agreeing to attend (students over 18), or giving permission for your child (the student is under the age of 18) to attend this year’s Junior-Senior Prom. Furthermore, you, the student/parent/guardian, are waiving and releasing any liability on the FSHS Class of 2020 Parent Group, including any specific individuals associated with said Parent Group; The River Room (the venue); and any volunteers present, including but not limited to parents serving as chaperones at the event, helping with set-up or take-down, providing transportation, and/or assisting in any other way at or during the Walk-in or the Prom dance.
Any and all liabilities, injuries, illness, and/or damages that may occur to the student at or during the walk-in or Prom, including transportation to and from the event will be your (the parents or legal guardians) responsibility and not that of the named entities above. By signing this release form, the student/parent/guardian agree to abide by the following guidelines, especially with the current COVID-19 situation.
All persons in attendance will NOT be allowed to attend and enter the prom unless this release form is presented to the designated volunteers on the evening of July 25, 2020.(See back signature page for signatures needed)
Prom 2020 Guidelines
Thank you for your understanding and support in this situation. We know these are unusual times. We want to assure that this year’s Prom will be an exciting and memorable time for you and your child.
Fort Scott High School Student Name (please print):
_________________________________________________________________
Grade: __________
________________________________________ _________________
Parent/Legal Guardian Signature (if student is under 18) Date
________________________________________ ___________________
Signature of Fort Scott High School Student Date
Guest Name (If not FSHS Student): _______________________________________
________________________________________ _________________
Parent/Legal Guardian Signature (if student is under 18) Date
________________________________________ ___________________
Signature of Guest (If not FSHS Student) Date
Fort Scott High School Thespians got the opportunity to attend an entire week of theatre performances, workshops, and livestream events at the first-ever Virtual International Thespian Festival.
The annual festival was held June 22-26, 2020. The students from FSHS who qualified to compete nationally in individual events attended this year’s event along with FSHS Thespian Director Angie Bin.
2020 senior Mesa Jones and sophomore Jenna Stockstill competed in Musical Solo and junior Ashanti Green competed in Monologues. Each student received an “Excellent” rating on her performance. They qualified for the Festival by receiving a “Superior” rating at the KS Thespian Festival in January.
Green said, “I loved how so many people were able to come together virtually even if we couldn’t be together in person!”
Although students missed being able to travel across the country and spend a week with fellow thespians, this year’s festival had unique benefits. All workshops were recorded throughout the week and all attendees will have access to all videos, performances, and interviews with theatre professionals for the next three months.
“ITF was great because even though it was online, we still got to do many workshops and listen to many stars talk, which is something that wouldn’t have happened if we didn’t have it online,” Jones said.
The festival included more than 2,400 Thespians from many countries. Guest speakers included Tina Fey, Dolly Parton, Stephen Swartz, Andrew Lloyd Webber and many other Tony, Oscar, and Emmy award winners and Broadway stars.
Governor Laura Kelly Holds Virtual Distance Learning Discussion with Kansas Teachers
Kelly asks for ways to improve partnership between state and educators
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today joined a zoom call with Kansas teachers, Lt. Governor Lynn Rogers, and Representative Cindy Holscher to discuss ways to improve education access and continuous learning during COVID-19.
“Kansas teachers stepped up when schools were closed, and continued to give our kids the education they deserve,” Governor Kelly said. “Today Lt. Gov. Rogers, Rep. Cindy Holscher, and I spoke with teachers about the challenges of distance learning and how this administration can support their work in the fall.”
On March 17 Governor Kelly took aggressive actions to save lives and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 by closing school buildings for the duration of the school year. In just a few days a group of dedicated teachers and administrators from across the state came together to develop the continuous learning plan, which provided robust guidance on how schools can continue education safely.
“Our state’s educators are resilient, passionate, and dedicated to their students,” Lt. Gov. Rogers said. “I enjoyed our conversation this morning, and I look forward to future discussion and collaboration with educators from across the state.”
During the call, Governor Kelly asked educators how their districts met the challenges presented by the pandemic, and how her administration can support their work as the school year nears.
The below photo is available for media use:
https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Governor-Zoom-Screenshot.jpg
