Category Archives: Schools

Fort Scott, Government, Schools

USD 234 BOE Minutes of June 8

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Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met virtually on Monday, June 8, 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 – May 20, 2020 – $1,402,646.19

D.    Financial Report

E.     Activity Fund Accounts

F.     Gift Lists

G.    2020-21 Fundraisers

H.    2020-21 Extended Trips

I.      2020-21 Site Council Members

 

Administrators from each building gave individual school reports in addition to Site Council reports.

Superintendent Ted Hessong reported on the Return-to-School Committee, a book study on Breaking with Tradition, July 10 guidance from KSDE, Extended School Year (ESY), KSHSAA summer conditioning, installation of bleachers, and plans for high school graduation on August 1.

Gina Shelton, Business Manager, discussed property tax receipts, CARES money, remote work, and food service.

Board members reviewed the last day enrollment count.  In addition, the board approved the following items:

·       Roof payment

·       Property/Casualty/Boiler Insurance for the 2020-21 school year

·       Pre-Funding Early Retirement from the 2019-20 budget

·       Purchase of an activity bus

·       Summer Camps

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 approved the following employment matters:

A.    Retirement of Billie Young, high school kitchen manager, effective June 20, 2020

B.    Resignation of Sandra Beth, middle school paraprofessional, effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year

C.    Transfer of Cheryl Marsh, interim high school kitchen manager, to the position of high school kitchen manager for the 2020-21 school year

D.    Transfer of Brenda Hathaway, interim high school 6.5-hour ticket clerk, to the position of high school 6.5-hour ticket clerk for the 2020-21 school year

E.     Transfer of Ginger Hueston, Winfield Scott 6.5-hour cook, to high school 6.5 hour cook for the 2020-21 school year

F.     Employment of central office classified staff for the 2020-21 school year

G.    Employment of a technology classified employee for the 2020-21 school year

H.    Employment of food service classified employees for the 2020-21 school year

I.      Employment of transportation classified employees for the 2020-21 school year

J.      Employment of maintenance/custodial classified employees for the 2020-21 school year

K.    Employment of high school classified employees for the 2020-21 school year

L.     Employment of middle school classified employees for the 2020-21 school year

M.   Employment of Eugene Ware classified employees for the 2020-21 school year

N.    Employment of Winfield Scott classified employees for the 2020-21 school year

O.    Employment of Fort Scott Preschool Center classified employees for the 2020-21 school year

P.     Resignation of Stuart Troutman as high school freshman boys’ assistant basketball coach, effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year

Q.    Resignation of Sara Jackman as a high school assistant girls’ softball coach, effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year

R.    Resignation of Jeff Armstrong as high school boys’ head track coach, effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year

S.     Employment of high school supplemental employees for the 2020-21 school year

T.     Employment of middle school supplemental employees for the 2020-21 school year

U.    Employment of Eugene Ware supplemental employees for the 2020-21 school year

V.    Employment of Winfield Scott supplemental employees for the 2020-21 school year

 

The board adjourned.

Bourbon County, Food, Schools

USD 235 Provides Meal Program in Summer 2020

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USD 235 Driver Bill Marlow loads food to deliver to the district’s children on June 9.

The Uniontown School District is providing a meal program to its’ districts’ children through June 25.

 

The first day for meals was June 2.

 

In addition, summer school children receive activity packets.

 

“We usually have kids in the building for summer school,” Tara Gorman, third-grade teacher at West Bourbon Elementary School, said. “We couldn’t because of the pandemic. This is our alternative plan, if they signed up for activity packets.”

 

“This week is a book, they get a book once a week, a craft kit and a couple of games to work on with siblings,” Gorman said.  “This week they will be building paper airplanes and testing paper airplanes.”

 

Breakfast and lunch are available to children ages 1-18 in this program, with no eligibility or paperwork required to receive the food.

 

Multiple days breakfast and lunch will be provided to each child on Tuesday and Thursday of each week through June 25.

 

USD 235 Food Service Director Michelle DeMott said food is prepared on Mondays and Wednesdays and delivered on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

 

USD 235 Food Service Director Michelle DeMott, left, checks lists of students that will be delivered food. In the back is Courtney Campbell, fifth-grade teacher; Hannah Hayes, social studies teacher and Tara Gorman, third-grade teacher. Teachers go on the route and deliver activity kits for students as well as the food.

 

Parents are asked to call  DeMott at 620-238-4968 to sign up.

 

 

DeMott will ask for some information of either a pickup point or a rural address for delivery.

 

Deliveries will be between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

 

Driver Roxy Gregg, left and Food Service Director Michelle DeMott discuss the routes before leaving West Bourbon Elementary School.

 

Pickup points are the West Bourbon Elementary School on at the front of the building, Marmaton Community Church in Redfield, the city park in Mapleton, in front of the Bronson Meat Locker in Bronson.

 

Pickup points open from 11 to 11:20 a.m.

 

The meal schedule for USD 235 for June 2020.

Bourbon County, Schools

UHS 2020 Graduation: July 11

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Luke George is valedictorian for the class of UHS 2020.
Liberty Franks is salutatorian for the class of UHS 2020.
Uniontown High School personnel are working to provide an in-person graduation ceremony for its’ 2020 seniors.
The UHS Class of 2020 Graduation Ceremony will take place on Saturday, July 11 at 2:00 pm in the WBE gymnasium.
Mike Reith, Principal at Uniontown High School, recently posted a notice to the families of 2020 seniors on social media.

 

“When Governor Kelly modified the Reopen Kansas plan, it caused us to need to move our graduation date scheduled for June 21. The seniors who participated in the graduation ceremony discussion Zoom session with me wanted to set a date in each of the three summer months. The second date was originally set for Sunday, July 12, but I realized that for some families and situations, a Saturday graduation might be preferable. So I gave the seniors and families an option to vote for either July 11 or July 12.  The result of that vote was to have the ceremony on Saturday, July 11.”

 

Reith answered questions in an email interview with fortscott.biz:

 

 

Will there be a limit on how many family members can attend the ceremony?

“Currently, we are not planning to limit attendance. It is a small class, so we feel we can structure the gymnasium for proper social-distancing while still being able to accommodate for all who plan to attend.”

 

 

Will social distancing be maintained?

“We have been advised by Rebecca Johnson, SEK Multi-County Health Departments Administrator, to follow the ‘Phase Out’ recommendations of Governor Kelly’s Reopen Kansas plan, which we were planning to do already. Graduates will be spaced 6 feet apart. We will encourage all those who plan to attend to use proper hygiene and stay home if they feel sick. We will advise those who may be at a higher risk due to their health situation to strongly consider staying home, but we will leave that decision up to them. We will structure the facility so that families can sit together, but different family groups will be social-distanced. We will make hand-sanitizer readily available, and we will encourage attendees to wear masks if they choose.”

 

 

Who will be the speakers?

” Speakers are Valedictorian – Luke George, Salutatorian – Libby Franks, Inspirational Speaker – Mrs. Alicia Jackson (chosen by the Class of 2020).” Jackson is a teacher at UHS.

The Class of  Uniontown High School 2020 has 19 students”
Donavan Beerbower, Kord Bowen, Makenzie Brown, Alissa Button, Cheyanne Carpenter, Morgan Coulter, Ty Davidson, Colt Eck, Libby Franks, Luke George, Dalton.Graham, Jacquie Hampton, Matthew Harclerode, Breleigh Harris, Kolby Martinez, Sivanah McAnulty, Shelby Morillo, Gavin Ross, Lauren Shinn.

The following are photos of the class.

Donovan Beerbower
Kord Bowen
Makenzie Brown
Alissa Button
Cheyanne Carpenter
Morgan Coulter
Ty Davidson
Colt Eck
Liberty Franks
Luke George
Dalton Graham
Jacquelyn Hampton
Matthew Harclerode
Breleigh Harris
Kolby Martinez
Sivanah McAnulty
Shelby Morilla
Gavin Ross
Lauren Shinn

 

Fort Scott, Schools

Fort Scott Preschool Taking Applications for New School Year

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The Fort Scott Preschool Center is now taking applications for the 200-21 School year.
There are some qualifiers  for the program.

They are currently taking students that are 4 years old on or before August 31, 2020.

Preschool Roundup will take place July 17 by appointment only.

Once an app is received the office will contact the parent.

Link for online registration:
If parents or caregivers have questions they are free to call the preschool at 620-223-8965.
Additionally information is also listed on our Facebook page, Fort Scott Preschool Center and school district page.
Additionally, if parents have concerns about their child’s development and would like a screening for potential developmental delays they may also call the preschool.
The child must be between the ages of 3-5 years.
Fort Scott, Schools

Reyna Valenzuela: New Fort Scott High School English Teacher

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Reyna Valenzuela. Submitted photo.

Reyna Valenzuela, 21, was hired as a Fort Scott High School English Teacher for 2020-21.

She graduated from Pittsburg High School in 2016 and from Pittsburg State University with a Bachelor’s  Degree in English Education in May 2020 and will be starting a Master’s in English Literature in the fall.

 

“I worked at St. Mary’s Colgan as a YES Tutor for a year and a half, following that I worked for two years on campus as a writing center consultant,” she said.  “I also did my internship through PSU at Northeast High School as well as completed my student teaching at Northeast.”

 

Valenzuela was born in Fort Hood, Texas and has lived in Arma, KS since she was three-years-old.

 

Her interests include reading, Greek Mythology, British Literature, watching YouTube, and Netflix, her cat,  and hanging out with her family.

 

In addition, she loves softball, baseball, and football.

 

“So I look forward to cheering students on at their games in the future,” she said.

 

Becoming a teacher was a realization for Valenzuela.

 

” I wasn’t always sure what I wanted to do, I switched my dream career a lot when I was younger,” she said. “Eventually though, after watching my mom become a teacher and having an amazing AP Literature teacher during my senior year of high school, I realized that this was the field for me. I wanted to have the chance to make a difference in a student’s life as my mom, Tina Valenzuela, and my AP Literature teacher, Mrs. Johnson, did in mine. Because of this, I’ve worked hard through college to learn as much as I could so I could become a successful educator who makes a difference and helps her students in positive ways.”

 

“Seeing how much they both loved to teach and how they put everything they had into the classroom was incredibly inspiring and I don’t think I would have come this far without them,” she said.

 

The best part of teaching for her are the students, she said.

 

“Getting to know them, watching them grow, and succeed, they are the reason I want to teach so I guess it only makes sense they are the best part of teaching.”

 

Some of the challenges of teaching is continuing to learn and grow as a teacher “so that you are still providing students the most effective methods of learning is what I would consider one of the greatest challenges in teaching; because as humans we like routine, and so making sure that you’re constantly changing and evolving is something that can be a struggle, but it’s worth it, in the end, to watch students grow,” she said.

Bourbon County, Schools

DaVolt Assumes Duties of Principal at Christian Heights School

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Larry Davolt is the new principal of Fort Scott Christian Heights. Submitted photo

Larry Davolt, 53, will be the new principal at Fort Scott Christian Heights School, effective June 1.

“I have been the secondary science teacher at FSCH for 28 years,” Davolt said. ” I have also taught math and Bible classes.”

The principal position is responsible for the day to day operations of the school, he said.

In addition to 28 years of experience is in the classroom, Davolt also pastored a rural church for 15 years, he said.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Pittsburg State University and completed some graduate work through the Institute for Creation Research, and is currently working online for a master’s degree in school leadership.

Davolt’s hometown is Independence, KS.
He has been married for 32 years, has three grown children, and seven grandkids.

His hobbies are working on cars and houses.

In addition, for the last five years, he has worked part-time for Mercy/Bourbon County Emergency Medical Service.

For Davolt, seeing the way God uses former students to make a difference in society, is the greatest part of teaching.

His greatest challenge?

“Following a legend,” he said, referring to Terry Chance, who is retiring. ” I have worked with Mr. Chance for all of my teaching career, I know the excellent job he has done, and the difficulty of the position.”

Fort Scott, Schools

Abby Helt: FSHS and FSMS New Choir Teacher

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Abby Helt. Submitted photo.

Abby Helt, 23, will be the new Fort Scott High and Middle School Choir Teacher for 2020-21.

Helt received a Bachelor’s of Music Education from Kansas State University and student taught in  the Shawnee Mission School District.

Her hometown is Lenexa and her parents and family all live in the K.C. area.
Helt has been involved in her community as a member of the Kansas City Choir, Te Deum.

The following is an email interview with the new teacher:

How did you become an educator?

“I have always wanted to be an educator throughout my whole life. My sisters and I would play ‘school’ all the time growing up, and I’ve always been very musical. I want to be able to instill that passion for music in my students, whether it be just a hobby or a potential career.”

Is there someone who inspired you to teach?

“My high school choir director really inspired me to teach music because he made the choir class such a welcoming environment where everyone was able to be themselves. I want to create that in my classroom.”

What is the best part of teaching for you?

“The best part of teaching is getting to know the kids and watching them grow from the first day of school to the last day of school/when they graduate.”

What are the greatest challenges in teaching?

“As I am still fairly new to my career, I have not experienced any great challenges!”

Fort Scott, Schools

USD234 Summer Food Service Program Continues Through June 30

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USD 234 Summer Food Service Program
MAY 18th through JUNE 30th
Monday – Tuesday – Wednesday

10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M.

ROUTE A* 1. St. Mary’s– 10:00 am 2. 8th & Burke– 10:15 am 3. 4th & Couch– 10:30 am 4. 5th & Judson– 10:45 am 5. Wall & Judson– 11:00 am

ROUTE B* 1. 8th & Wilson – 10:00 am 2. 5th & Wilson – 10:15 am 3. 2nd & Andrick – 10:30 am 4. 1st & Cameron – 10:45 am 5. Pine & Caldwell – 11:00 am

ROUTE C* 1. Emmert & Beach– 10:00 am 2. 1900 Margrave (Church of Christ)– 10:15 am 3. 15th & Ransom– 10:30 am 4. 17th & Crawford– 10:45 am 5. 19th & Huntington (CCC)– 11:00 am

ROUTE D* 1. Devon Fire Station – 10:05 am 2. Fulton Community Center – 10:30 am 3. Hammond Community Center – 10:45 am

ROUTE E* 1. Indian & 187th Terr. (Airport)– 10:00 am 2. 69hwy & Deer (Faith Church)– 10:25 am 3. Jayhawk & 240th– 10:50 am

Buses will stop at each location. Buses will be at each in-town location for 10 minutes and then move to the next location.

Route D and Route E will distribute meals at each stop and keep moving.

*Please maintain social distancing recommendations of 6 feet between individuals.

SCHOOL DRIVE THRU PICK UP 10:00 am – 11:00 am High school- 9th street** Eugene Ware- 4th street** **

Please remain in your vehicle and maintain social distancing recommendations of 6 feet between individuals.

Please register using Google Form: USD 234 COVID-19 Food Service.

Form can be found at www.usd234.org or call 620-223-0800.

Please register for each day you want USD 234 to provide meals so that we can plan.

DROP OFF INCLUDES BREAKFAST AND LUNCH.

CHILD MUST BE PRESENT TO RECEIVE MEALS.

IF YOU HAVE DIETARY RESTICTIONS, PLEASE NOTIFY THE BUS ATTENDANT.

Fort Scott, Schools

New FSHS Family and Consumer Science Teacher: Carissa Bowman

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Carissa Bowman. Submitted photo.
Carissa Bowman, 31, is the new  Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher at Fort Scott High School for 2020-21.
 
Bowman has nine years experience in FACS education 
Her hometowns are Fort Scott and  Uniontown.
She is married to  Alex Bowman and has two children, Gracie and Campbell .
Bowman said she loves to spend quality time with  family.
 
How did you become an educator?
“I wanted to make a difference in the lives of others.”
 
Is there someone who inspired you?
” My dad, Larry Fink, and Mrs. Cook, my FACS teacher at Uniontown High School.”
 
What is the best part of teaching for you?
“I enjoy making connections and gaining meaningful relationships with my students.”
 
What are the greatest challenges in teaching for you?
“Seeing the struggles and challenges that students face.”