Category Archives: Schools

Kansas, Schools

Taiwan Ag Youth Exchange Program Accepting Applications

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Taiwan Agricultural Youth Exchange Accepting Applications

 

MANHATTAN, Kan. —   The 2019 Taiwan Agricultural Youth Exchange Program is currently accepting applications from high school seniors or college freshmen who are passionate about agriculture and are interested in representing Kansas in a week-long exchange program October 26 through November 3, 2019.

 

Each year the National Taichung Agricultural Senior High School in central Taiwan hosts students from the U.S. Midwest for this program. Selected students will tour agricultural facilities and businesses in Taiwan and learn about Taiwanese agriculture.

 

“The entire experience was amazing,” said Sage Collins, 2018 program participant. “Immersing myself in a new culture, experiencing all the aspects of Taiwan and learning about their agricultural practices was an eye-opening experience for me.”

 

Exports play an important role in Kansas agriculture. According to Euromonitor, Kansas exported over $129 million in agriculture products to Taiwan in 2018, including beef, oil seeds, cereal grains and wheat flour. Globally, exports of agriculture products contributed over $3.6 billion to the Kansas economy in 2018.

 

“The Taiwan Agricultural Youth Exchange Program is a tremendous opportunity for students who have an interest in agriculture,” said Suzanne Ryan-Numrich, international trade director for the Kansas Department of Agriculture. “Students are able to return from Taiwan with a broader understanding of international agriculture and the role that exports play in their local communities.”

 

Two students will be selected to represent Kansas. To be eligible to apply, students must meet the following requirements:

  • High school senior or college freshman.
  • At least 18 years of age by the beginning of the trip.
  • Strong Kansas agricultural background.
  • Valid U.S. passport by time of exchange program selection.
  • Able and willing to pay for airfare costs (approximately $1,000).

 

Applications must be submitted by August 30 for the student to be considered. Students interested in applying can find more information at agriculture.ks.gov/AgEd.  The Taiwan Agricultural Youth Exchange Program is sponsored by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, the Kansas FFA Association and Kansas 4-H.

For more information, contact Robin Blume, KDA education and events coordinator, at [email protected] or 785-564-6756.

 
Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Schools

Local Singers Invited to Join Pittsburg Chorale, Directed By FS Music Teacher

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Pittsburg Youth Chorale Fall Enrollment Open

Area singers in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade are invited to join Pittsburg Youth Chorale, directed by MJ Harper.

The purpose of this vocal ensemble is to further grow vocal abilities, musical knowledge, and choral repertoire.

Performers will prepare music for community events and music festivals.

Rehearsals are Tuesdays from 5PM-6PM at First United Methodist Church, 415 N. Pine, Pittsburg, KS and begin September 3rd.

There is a fee of $50 per session (Sept-Dec/Jan-May) to cover the cost of music.

Scholarships are available.

To enroll, contact MJ Harper at 620-719-6633 or email [email protected], deadline September 3rd.

Bourbon County, Schools

New UJHS Social Science Teacher: Gabrielle Studer

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Gabrielle Studer. Submitted photo.
The following is part of a series of new teachers in Bourbon County schools.
Uniontown teachers have In-Service on Monday, August 26. The first day with students is Thursday, August 29.
Name: Gabrielle Studer
Age: 41
Title and where you will teach: Junior high social sciences teacher, Uniontown
Experience: Five years of teaching English at Fort Scott High School, two years as an instructional coach at Fort Scott Middle School.
Education: BS in sociology from MSSU, and earned a teaching license through PSU. “I worked as a social worker for several years before moving to Fort Scott in 2004.”
Family: Husband Brian and two kids, Sadie (age 7) and Callum (age 5).
Hobbies/interests:  “I enjoy traveling, reading, snow skiing and of course being with family and friends.”
How did you become an educator?
“I didn’t initially study to be an educator. For several years, I had been enjoying my work in the field of social work. But after moving to Kansas, I found that the private sector required me to have different qualifications than I had. Rather than attending school to gain a similar degree to what I already had, I decided to switch to education. Since high school, I’d always worked in some capacity with youth. It was my niche. So I thought teaching would be fun. And I was right — I love teaching secondary students.”
What is the best part of teaching for you?
“I enjoy teaching because I love hanging out with teenagers. It’s just a serious bonus that I also get to teach material that I love. I could learn all day about history, archaeology, geography, literature — even grammar. As a teacher, I get to keep learning about the topics that thrill me, and I also get to hang out with teenagers, who are so much fun and always full of surprises. I can’t think of a better job. Besides getting paid to travel the world. I admit that would be better.”
What is the greatest challenge in teaching?
“For me, the greatest challenge to teaching is finding a way to interest every student. But if people are having fun together, they often find interest in whatever they’re doing together — even if it’s learning the Pythagorean theorem or diagramming sentences.”

 

Fort Scott, Government, Schools

U234 BOE Special Meeting Minutes of July 30

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Members of the USD 234 Board of education met on Tuesday, July 30, 2019, for a special noon meeting at the Fort Scott Middle School Community Room.

President David Stewart opened the meeting.

Gina Shelton, Board Clerk, presented 2019-20 budget information.

Board members approved an Early Retirement and 4030) Employer Match Plan

Provisions and Groups for licensed employees and Match Plan

Provisions and Groups for classified employees for the 2019-20 school year.

In addition, the board approved a revised
2019-20 school calendar and ratified the 2019-20 negotiated agreement.

There were no sealed bids received for the sale of the property at 21 3 Scott Avenue.

The board went into executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel, returned to open meeting, and approved the following employment matters:

A. Resignation of Curt Toll, high school teacher aide, effective at the end of the 2018-19 school year

B. Resignation of Debra Baimi, middle school paraprofessional, effective August 16,
2019

C. Resignation of Gary Floyd, high school paraprofessional, effective at the end of the 2018-19 school year

D. Resignation of Alyssa Park, high school cook, effective July 24, 2019

E. Transfer of Brenda Hill, Eugene Ware instructional coach, to elementary instructional coach for the 20 1 9-20 school year

F. Contract extension for Josh Messer, high school counselor, for the 20 I 9-20 school year

G. Appointment of Robyn Kelso as the high school attendance officer for the 2019-20 school year

H. Employment of Emily Elliott for high school vocal presentations and musical music director/middle school vocal presentations for the 2019-20 school year

I. Employment ofDelynn Abati as high school play assistant for the 2019-20 school year

J. Employment of Taylor Qualls as high school play assistant for the 2019-20 school year

K. Resignation of Stewart Guss, Eugene Ware custodian/bus driver, from his bus driver duties only, for the 2019-20 school year

L. Employment of Amy Harper as high school sophomore sponsor for the 201 9-20 school year

M. Resignation of Stacey Dawson, high school custodian, effective at the end of the 2018-19 school year

The board approved a 5% raise for administrative and classified employees for the 2019-20 school year.

The board adjourned.

Church news, Fort Scott, Schools

Bingo To Benefit School Shoe Program for Local Youth

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Come for a night of fun for a great cause!

The public is invited to Shoe Voucher Bingo from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on July 31 at Community Christian Church, 1919 S. Horton.

With  a $10 donation participants will received a 10 game packet with three cards on each game. That’s 30 chances, yes 30, to win some great prizes from local businesses.

Prizes will be listed as they are donated on the event’s Facebook Page. Click here to view:

https://www.facebook.com/events/883633282004426/

All proceeds from this event go directly to the Shoe Voucher Program.

The Shoe Voucher Program is a local program assisting area students/families with shoe purchases for the upcoming school year.

Light Concessions will be available.

This is for anyone in the community.

Please share and invite friends. Kids can play as long as they are old enough to manage their cards.

Fort Scott, Schools

FSHS New Assistant Principal: Dr. Robyn Kelso

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Dr. Robyn Kelso, assistant principal at Fort Scott High School. Submitted photo.
Dr. Robyn Kelso is the new assistant principal of Fort Scott High School as of today, July 22.
She hales from Eudora, KS and has 20 years experience following her education at Kansas State  University where she earned a degree in agriculture, then teacher certification from Ottawa University and both a master’s degree and a doctoral degree from Baker University.

“My contract starts today,” Kelso said. Her duties  are still  being sorted out, “but I will be the career and tech education coordinator and oversee truancy concerns, along with teacher evaluations and discipline issues.”

Following are responses to questions to Kelso:
How did you become an educator?
Education was a second career for me after spending some time in the journalism field.
Did someone inspire you?
I had some awesome teachers in high school, but what inspires me is the students and teachers who come each day willing to contribute and make their school the best it possibly can be.
What is the best part of education for you?
The best part is knowing each day I get a chance to make a difference, whether that is small or large.    Whether for students or adults, having that chance each day is the best part of education for me.
What are the greatest challenges?
A challenge I personally face is learning what it means to be a Fort Scott Tiger – I am anxious to dig in and discover the great things both the schools and the community have!
She is married to Mike Kelso and has two sons – Matthew and Mason.
Fort Scott High School.
Fort Scott, Schools

Preschool/Day Care Opportunity Through USD234/New Generation

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4-Year Old Preschool

USD 234 in partnership with New Generation is offering a preschool/daycare opportunity for qualifying 4-year old students.

Students will attend preschool geared toward kindergarten readiness for half-day sessions and have the opportunity to also get half-day daycare provided.

For qualifying students, meals and transportation to and from New Generation will be available upon request.

This program is being offered through a grant and will come at no cost to the families who participate.

All students must be 4 years old on or before August 31.

If you can answer yes to any of the following questions, then your child may be eligible:

1. Does your child qualify for our free and reduced lunch program?
2. Are you a single parent?
3. Have you been referred 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. In the home, is the main language used not English?
7. Does the family qualify as migrant status?
8. Does the child have lower than expected developmental progress, but is not currently receiving special education services?

Applications are available for pickup at New Generation or the USD 234 Board of Education office. If you have further questions, please contact Andrea Scott at [email protected] or call 620-223-8965 and leave a message.

Fort Scott, Government, Schools

USD234 Minutes of July 8, 2019

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Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met on Monday, July 8, 2019, at the Fort Scott Middle School Community Room for their regular monthly meeting.

            President Jamie Armstrong opened the meeting.  The board approved the official agenda.

The old board adjourned Sine Die with reorganization of the new board.  David Stewart was elected president, and James Wood was elected vice president.  The board also approved the consent agenda as follows:

A.    Minutes

B.    Bills and Claims

C.    Payroll – June 20, 2019 – $1,653,129.83

D.    Financial Report

E.     Bond Proceeds Reconciliation

F.     Activity fund accounts

G.    Designation of banks for deposit of school funds

H.    Designation of newspaper for official school publications – The Fort Scott Tribune

I.      Officers for the 2019-20 school year

J.      Recreation Commission board member terms

K.    Resolution for waiver of generally accepted accounting principles

L.     Resolution for rescinding policy statements found in board minutes

M.   Resolution to set dates and times for board meetings

N.    Resolution to establish home rule by Board of Education

O.    Resolution for destruction of records

P.     Resolution for participation in the Neighborhood Revitalization Program Interlocal Agreement

Q.    State mileage reimbursement rate – 58 cents per mile

R.    Set fees for copying of records

S.     Extended trip request for the International Thespian Festival on June 24-30 in Lincoln, NE

One patron spoke in the public forum section.

Stephanie George, KNEA President, presented a report.

Superintendent Ted Hessong provided information on the following items:

·       Climate Survey

·       ELA Curriculum

·       SPED handbook

·       New teacher orientation

·       Nurse contracted position

·       CrisisGo App testing

·       Legislative update

·       ACT testing for 9th graders

Gina Shelton, Business Manager, reported on a grant that will be used to replace milk coolers, gave a bond update, discussed budget work, and extended thanks to Reta Baker with Mercy Hospital for their large donation of office furniture to the district.

Board members selected James Wood as a hearing officer for suspensions and expulsions.  The board approved board policy changes and 2019-20 handbooks.

The board set a budget workshop for July 30, 2019, at 12:00 p.m.  Board members shared comments and then went into executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel and to discuss matters relating to employer-employee negotiations.

            Board members returned to open meeting and approved the following employment matters:

A.    Resignation of Melina Lawson, effective at the end of the 2018-19 school year

B.    Resignation of Christy Thomas, central office payroll clerk, effective July 26, 2019

C.    Resignation of Jodi Underwood, preschool center paraprofessional, effective at the end of the 2018-19 school year

D.    Resignation of Melinda Collins, Eugene Ware cook, effective June 25, 2019

E.     Employment of Robyn Kelso as high school assistant principal for the 2019-20 school year

F.     Employment of Emily Elliott as a Fort Scott High School/Middle School vocal teacher for the 2019-20 school year

G.    Employment of Rachelle Thomas as a Eugene Ware fourth grade teacher for the 2019-20 school year

H.    Employment of Krista Gorman as a secondary instructional coach at Fort Scott High School and Fort Scott Middle School for the 2019-20 school year

I.      Employment of Kelcy Schnaufer as a preschool teacher for the 2019-20 school year

J.      Employment of Andrea Heckman as a preschool teacher for the 2019-20 school year

K.    Employment of Dane Cummings as a high school assistant football coach for the 2019-20 school year

L.     Employment of Allison Gorman as a high school assistant softball coach for the 2019-20 school year

M.   Employment of Kathi Hall as a middle school assistant wrestling coach for the 2019-20 school year

N.    Transfer of John Metcalf, middle school paraprofessional, to middle school Student Support Center/PE teacher and middle school assistant wrestling coach for the 2019-20 school year

O.    Employment of Bronson Moylan as a middle school assistant football coach for the 2019-20 school year

The board adjourned.

Fort Scott, Health Care, Schools

Drug Testing Policy Set at USD 234

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Fort Scott High School.

A drug testing policy was approved at the recent USD 234 Board of Education meeting  which is to start the 2019-2020 school year. August 22 is the first full day of classes.

August 1 is enrollment for the district, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The drug testing policy is needed, authorities said.

“It is needed because our survey results and in-house discipline demonstrate that we have a higher rate of drug use than the state average in many areas,” Amber Toth, principal at Fort Scott High School said. “We are creating an environment of non-usage and an out for students who are pressured into using. We are also attempting to get help for students who have a problem. The drug use rate has a direct correlation to student depression, anxiety and suicide. It is a small part of creating a culture of safety.”

Superintendent Ted Hessong sent fortscott.biz the following update to the policy, which was put in the story and the other unapproved policy deleted.

There were a few changes made to the policy before final approval by the BOE, he said.

 

“The main change was increasing the number of high school students being tested monthly from 10 to twenty,” Hessong noted. “Also, we have not designated a testing agency. We did not want to have one in place until the policy was approved.”

 

The updated, approved drug testing policy of USD234 is from Hessong:

USD 234 Student Random Drug Testing Policy

Testing Eligibility

Random Drug Testing will be an opt-out process. All students will be eligible for testing unless they opt-out within 10 days of the start of the school year. Transfer students will have 10 days to opt-out after enrollment.

Any student who opts out will not be able to attend any function on school property outside of the regular school hours or belong to any club, sport, activity, or organization. This includes games, dances, plays, or assemblies. They will be allowed on school property during regular school hours only. Students who opt-out will not be able to park a vehicle on school property.

Notification

The school shall provide a drug policy education session for students within one week of the policy implementation. The session will include a detailed explanation of the “USD 234 Student Drug Testing Policy.” In addition, it is recommended that each coach/sponsor conduct a player and parent meeting that will include information about the impact of the drug testing policy on participants. Parental attendance is strongly encouraged at each session.

Self Reporting

A student or parent/guardian may self-report drug usage when chosen for the random pool. The student may avoid eligibility consequences of the first violation by self reporting as specified below. ​Self-reporting may only be used prior to a first violation.​ Once a student has self-reported, he/she will still be tested. A subsequent positive test result will count as a second positive test.

In order to avoid the eligibility consequences when reporting prior to a first violation, students must complete an assessment from a certified addiction counselor at the family’s expense, which may be of their choice, or they may utilize the counseling addiction program assessment provider recommended by USD 234. Students should also enroll in counseling about their drug use, at the parent’s expense. This counseling can be with a provider of the parent’s choosing.

Testing Procedures USD 234 will test 20 random students per month for HS students and 10 random students per month for MS students using a 10 panel urine test.

If a student is selected and refuses to test, it is treated as a positive test, and the policy goes into effect.
If a student tests positive, he/she may be subjected to future tests, at the discretion of the building principal for a period of up to 12 months. They are required to participate in three follow-up drug tests that will be scheduled in 90-100 day increments or upon return to school in the fall if the 90-100 day window expires during the summer break.

If the test is positive, the parent/guardian may request a second test, at their own expense, with an approved drug testing facility. The test must be completed within 24 hours of the original and the original test will stand if the testing window is closed for the particular substance.

Consequences

1st Offense: The student shall be suspended from participation in all extracurricular and/or co-curricular activities including all performances and competitions for a period of three weeks (20 school days and must include 3 competition dates). Students in co-curricular activities will be provided an alternative assignment. Students must still attend practice. During this time it is recommended that the parent/guardian obtains a substance abuse evaluation and education/counseling for the student. If the student and/or parent/guardian can provide proof of a drug and alcohol assessment from a school-approved substance abuse counselor and attends consistent appointments with a mental health professional, the suspension will be reduced to ten (10) school days.

2nd Offense: The student shall be suspended from participation in all extracurricular and/or co-curricular activities, including all performances and competitions, for a period of eighteen school weeks (90 school days). Students in co-curricular activities will be provided an alternative assignment. During this time it is recommended that the parent/guardian obtains a substance abuse evaluation and education/counseling for the student. If the student and/or parent/guardian can provide proof of a drug and alcohol assessment from a school-approved substance abuse counselor and attends consistent appointments with a mental health professional, the suspension will be reduced to ten school weeks (50 school days).

3rd Offense: The student shall be suspended from participation in all extracurricular and/or co-curricular activities, including all performances and competitions, for thirty-six school weeks (180 school days).  Students in cocurricular activities will be provided an alternative assignment.

Bourbon County, Exercise, Schools

Improvements at the USD 235 Fitness Center Are Coming

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USD 235 students use the facility in the daytime during the school year. Pictured are some students chosen to demonstrate the equipment when the fitness center opened in October 2018.

The Uniontown U235 Fitness Center that opened last year, is getting improvements through a grant.

 

A bathroom and shower room will be added to the fitness center from an unused storage area nearby.

“The grant was a Healthy Bourbon County Grant,” Bret Howard, superintendent at USD 235, said.  “It will cover nearly 2/3 of the total cost. The grant was for $12,500 and the total cost once completed will be $17,000. “
“We will be adding this directly to the fitness center so that we can lock the doors that enter the (Uniontown High/Jr. High) Commons Area and not allow access to the building. The shower room will allow those who work out in the morning before work to shower and leave immediately for work.”
The bathroom and shower room will be located in the northeast corner of the fitness center which is on the south side of the Uniontown Junior High School.
 “There is currently a storage room there now behind a locked door,” Howard said. “We will be creating two separate rooms and will be adding another entrance door so there are two entrances, one for the bathroom and one for the shower.”
The fitness center will be closed during  construction of the rooms.
“We do not have an exact date yet as construction projects do not always proceed as expected,” Howard said.  “We will communicate via our district social media accounts and website as soon as we
know more.”
The fitnes center is for patrons on USD 235 only.

Key cards to the fitness center are applied for through West Bourbon Elementary School Principal Vance Eden, the participants can enter the center when school is not in session.

 

 Eden can be reached at [email protected] 
or 620-756-4335. There is a fee for the card of $10.
“We currently have 149 active accounts for the fitness center,” Eden said. “This doesn’t give an exact number of participants, but should be a fair estimate.”

 

Fort Scott, Schools

New Principal For FSHS: Amber Toth

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Amber Toth, 42, was hired as the new principal of Fort Scott High School at the June 2019 USD 234 Board of Education meeting.
She has been assistant principal for one year at FSHS and has 18 years experience in education.
“When the district opened the position for high school principal, I applied in hopes of moving to the principal position,” she said. “After interviews were conducted, I was offered the position. The board of education approved my hiring at the June board meeting. “
The following is from an interview with Toth:
What is your education background?
“I have my Bachelor’s Degree in English Education from Pittsburg State University and my Masters in Educational Administration from Grand Canyon University.”
Hometown: Caney, KS.
Family:
“I have been married for 18 years to my husband, Travis Toth. We have four children. Darby Toth is entering her second year of college at Missouri Western State University. Madison will be a senior this year. Trent is entering 8th grade and Kennedy is a 4th grader.”
What is the best part of the job for you?
“I love our kids. We have the most amazing students I have ever had the pleasure to serve. The best part of my job is being a servant leader. We have a wonderfully giving, hardworking and dedicated staff. I get to walk through the doors of a building I love, help students that I wouldn’t have been able to help staying in my classroom and work with adults who truly love the students in our building. I am blessed to be a part of this district, work with the parents we have, and watch the growth of students based upon that partnership.”
Any new responsibilities?
“As I move into this new position the biggest change will be in instructional leadership. While I had some of these duties as the assistant principal in the form of evaluation, it will be the center of my new role.”
Any challenges?
“The challenges at Fort Scott are the same as most schools. Students must be prepared for some type of schooling beyond high school. Changing the perception that high school graduation is the end goal can be difficult. But we know that students are most successful when they attend a vocational school, community college or a 4-year university. We have to ensure our students are prepared to be successful, regardless of the path they choose.”
Fort Scott, Schools

Thespians Perform at ITF

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FSHS Thespians at the International Thespian Festival: Left to right: Front row: Addy Labbe, Carlee Studyvin, Ashanti Green, Tina Ramirez; 2nd row: Hunter Adamson, Wendy Monahan, Jenna Stockstill, Karina Kantilal; 3rd row: Sage Hill, Mesa Jones, Dominic Cannon; Back row: Angie Bin.

FSHS Thespians Perform at International Thespian Festival

A group of Fort Scott High School Thespians spent last week immersed in theatre performance and education at the International Thespian Festival (ITF) at the University of Nebraska Lincoln.

Eleven students attended the festival June 24 through 30 with Thespian Troupe Director Angie Bin and parent sponsor Amy Labbe.

Recent FSHS graduate Hunter Adamson performed a monologue as an individual event and received a Superior medal for her highly ranked performance. Adamson qualified for ITF by receiving a Superior rating at the KS Thespian Festival in January.

Hunter Adamson, center, prepares to perform her monologue as her peers cheer her on. Submitted photo. L to R: Sage Hill, Ashanti Green, Carlee Studyvin, Dominic Cannon, Hunter Adamson, Addy Labbe, Amy Labbe

Mesa Jones, who will be a senior, performed for an audience of 4,500 in the KS All-State Musical “Bring It On!” Jones auditioned for the show last summer and performed at the KS Thespian Festival in January. The musical then qualified to perform at ITF and Jones traveled to Kansas City on June 21 for brush-up rehearsals and a performance in preparation for the ITF performance last Tuesday. Jones also qualified at state to perform her musical solo as an individual event at ITF last week.

Addy Labbe, also an upcoming senior, and Jones auditioned for theatre programs in colleges all across the United States by performing a 90-second musical solo selection. Jones also participated in a college dance audition. Both students received call-backs from many colleges and spent several days interviewing with theatre program representatives from a variety of schools.

Throughout the week, students attended numerous workshops on a wide variety of subjects. Some favorites included classes on clowning, character development, juggling, playwrighting, costuming and set design, and stage combat.

Many of the workshops were taught by professional Broadway and television actors and designers and professional playwrights.

Three FSHS students participated in a special Leadership workshop including Adamson, a 2018 State Thespian Officer; Jones, a current State Thespian Officer; and upcoming junior Ashanti Green, a State Thespian Representative.

The thespians also watched multiple productions each day including musicals, plays, one-act plays, and individual events. Some highlights included seeing multiple shows from Kansas schools with actors that the FSHS students have become friends with over the years. ​In all, KS Thespians performed three mainstage shows, an opening show number, and had two students who served as International Thespian Officers this year, and two KS Thespians elected as international officers for next year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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