Category Archives: Schools

Bourbon County, Schools

Uniontown FFA Places 5th at Nationals

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 Left to Right: Haydon Schaaf, Clay Brillhart, Makenzee Franklin, Nich Hathaway, Scott Sutton.

 

The Uniontown FFA Livestock Judging team placed 5th at the National FFA Livestock Evaluation contest held on October 30th and 31st in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Uniontown represented  Kansas at the national event after earning the opportunity with their state championship win this past May at the Kansas FFA contest.

 

Haydon Schaaf, Clay Brillhart and Nick Hathaway led the team with their gold division finishes.

Makenzee Franklin was also on the team and landed in the silver division.

On day one of the contest members had to place three keep/cull classes of livestock and complete a written exam on their own.

They were then paired up and had to complete a team breeding and marketing activity.

On day two each member had to place eight livestock classes and talk four sets of reasons.

The team is coached by Uniontown FFA Advisor Scott Sutton.

 

Franklin and Hathaway are freshmen at Fort Scott Community College. Franklin is on the livestock judging team at FSCC and Hathaway is on the meat judging team there.

Schaaf is a freshman at Redlands Community College in Oklahoma and is on their livestock judging team.

Brillhart is a junior at Uniontown High School.

 

Fort Scott, Schools

Talking Tigers Take 2nd

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FSHS Talking Tigers competed at Independence High School Saturday, November 16.
The Talking Tigers placed 2nd overall.
In the open division Mark Adams and Hannah Vann placed 8th with a 3-2 Record, Elizabeth Ngatia and Zoe Self placed 4th a 3-2 record and Jorden Willard and Jessden Kiwan placed 3rd with a 4-1record.
In the JV division Landon Doherty and Thade Yates placed 3rd with a 4-1 record.
In the novice division Gavin Warfield and Isaiah Self placed 3rd with a 5-0 record.
Congratulations on your success Tigers!
Submitted by Angella Curran
Bourbon County, Schools

No Parking on Clay Street For Those Picking Up West Bourbon Elementary Students

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Effective December 1, 2019, as ordered by the City of Uniontown in agreement with USD#235, there will be no parking on Clay Street between Third and Fifth Streets.

This decision was made in light of a near accident and with the safety of all our walking students in mind.

Signage has been ordered and will be posted as soon as it arrives.

We would ask for your compliance with this decision despite the inconvenience it may cause.

 

West Bourbon Elementary students who are being picked up will be required to enter the gym and be picked up along the east side of the building.

Adequate supervision is available to ensure that students are picked up in a safe and timely manner.

Students who are walking home will be escorted to Clay street.

 

Submitted by Uniontown City Clerk Sally Johnson.

Fort Scott, Schools

USD 234 Minutes of Nov. 11

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Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met on Monday November I l, 2019, at
the Board of Education office for their regular monthly me€ting.
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, October I8, 2019: 51,407,823 .37

D. Financial Report

E. Bond Proceeds Reconciliation

F. Activity Fund Accounts

G. Parent/Teacher Conference statistics

H. Extended Trip request

Stephanie George reported on the Tenth Annual VIP Fall Extravaganza that will be held
on Monday, November 25, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Fort Scott Middle School Gymnasium
and Commons Area.

Board members heard the following reports:

o Audit report from Terry Sercer with Diehl, Banwart, Bolton

o KNEA report from Stephanie George, KNEA President

o School report – Mike Trim, SRO Officer

o Administrators’ reports

Superintendent Ted Hessong welcomed the newly-elected board members who were in
attendance and then provided information on the following items:

Bus safety meeting

o Framework for Growth for Southeast Kansas workshop

o Special Education update .

Early Release activities

o Community Foundation awards that were given to USD 234 teachers and students o Kansas Recognition Program o Academic calendar

o District website
Gina Shelton, Business Manager, discussed the audits, gym equipment bids, open
enrollment sign-up, and benefits language.

Board members approved a roof payment, the purchase of high school gym bleachers,
and the 2020 audit contract with Diehl, Banwart, Bolton.
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 items:

A. Early retirement request from Russ Gordon, Winfield Scott art teacher, effective
June l, 2020

B. Leave of absence request from Andi Heckman, preschool teacher

C. Leave of absence request from Glenda Cooper, Winfield Scott cook

D. Leave of absence request from Angela Christy, Winfield Scott paraprofessional

E. Employment of Michelle Johnson as a Eugene Ware paraprofessional for the 2019-20
school year

F. Employment of Mary Chapman as a middle school paraprofessional for the 2019-20
school year

G. Employment of Erica Clark as high school assistant cheer sponsor for the 2019-20
school year

H. Employment of Lane Bohlken as high school assistant softball coach for the 2019-20
school year

I. Adjustment in a work agreement for Moriah Dillow, Winfield Scott paraprofessional,
from a five-hour workday to a six-hour workday for the remainder of the 2019-20
school year

J. Employment of two additional high school team leaders for the 2019-20 school year

The board adjourned.

Fort Scott, Schools

Self/Ngatia Take First in Debate

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This weekend Fort Scott took a small group of six debaters to Shawnee Mission East High School and did quite well.
Zoe Self and Elizabeth Ngatia had an 8-0 record and took first place in the KDC division.
Hannah Vann and Kinsley Davis had a 2-3 record and learned a lot from being up north and debating bigger schools.
Shekhar Gugnani and Neil Gugnani also went 2-3 and gained some great experience.
Submitted by Angella Curran
Entertainment, Fort Scott, Schools

FSHS Presents Elf – The Musical

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Fort Scott High School invites everyone to embrace their inner elf by seeing Elf – The Musical this fall.

Elf – The Musical; with a book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, music by Matthew Sklar, and lyrics by Chad Beguelin; is presented at 7 p.m. on Nov. 12, 14, and 16 and at 2 p.m. on Nov. 16 at the Fort Scott High School Auditorium.

Music Theatre International describes the show this way: “Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Faced with the harsh realities that his father is on the naughty list and his half-brother doesn’t even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.”

Buddy is played by energetic junior Noah Martin. His family includes Walter Hobbs (junior Sage Hill), Emily Hobbs (senior Addy Labbe), and Michael Hobbs (sophomore Brian Stumfoll). Buddy falls for Jovie, played by senior Mesa Jones. Other notable characters include the money-hungry boss Mr. Greenway (senior Dominic Cannon), the Macy’s manager (senior Jo Goodbody), and spirited office secretary Deb (played by senior Madi Toth).

The company is comprised of three separate ensembles of elves, office workers, and NYC citizens bringing the total cast to nearly forty students. Another twenty-some students work backstage to bring the show to life. The show is directed by FSHS Theatre Director Angie Bin and the music directed by FSHS Choral Director Emily Elliott. FSHS Alumni Taylor (Schilling) Qualls and DeLynn (Drake) Abati are Assistant Directors and Choreographers for the production.

Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children and available at the FSHS Office and Common Ground. Seating is limited, so audiences are encouraged to buy tickets in advance. Doors open 30 minutes prior to showtime.

Elf – the Musical is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIshows.com.

Fort Scott, Schools

Eugene Ware Youth Choir to perform Veterans Day Assembly

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Eugene Ware Youth Choir, under the direction of MJ Harper, will perform a Veterans Day Assembly at 8 AM on Monday, November 11, 2019, at Eugene Ware Elementary Gymnasium.

Families and veterans are invited to attend and sing along with the National Anthem, “Military Medley,” “TAPS,” and “Sing America Sing.”

Eugene Ware Youth Choir is made up of 40 performers in 4th and 5th grade that rehearse once a week after school to share the magic of music and prepare to share it with the community.

For more info contact: MJ Harper, 620-719-6633, [email protected]

Fort Scott, Schools

FSHS Talking Tigers Win 2nd

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FSHS Talking Tigers competed at Parsons, placing 2nd as a team overall.
In the novice division Isaiah Self and Emily Degruson placed 6th with a 4-1 record and Anna Laubenstein and Zoe Newman placed 8th with a 3-2 record.
In the JV division Thade Yates and Landon Doherty placed 3rd with a 3-2 record and Sage Hill and Hannah Vann placed 7th with a 2-3 record.
In the open division Shekhar and Neil Gugnani placed 2nd with a 4-1 record, Jonie Antonio and Khris Patel placed 5th with a 3-2 record, Jessden Kiwan and Cody Dean placed 6th with a 2-3 record, and Madi Toth and Kinsley Davis placed 7th with a 2-3 record.
Congratulations Talking Tigers!

 

Submitted by Angella Curran

Fort Scott, Schools

Ella Beth Redesigns FSHS Courtyard

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FSHS Junior Ella Beth and Jennifer Wilson-Loving, Timken Human Resource Manager. Submitted photo.

Fort Scott High School Junior Ella Beth is moving forward with her independent study project of redesigning the Fort Scott High School courtyard with the help of the Timken Community Grant.

This grant will allow her to create an additional Americans with a Disabilities Act sidewalk and to resurface the existing concrete with a stamped overlay.

Additional funds will help purchase sun shades to increase the usability of the space.

The upgrade will take place this spring as soon as weather permits with the help of FSHS alumni, local businesses and student volunteers.

Ella is currently looking at ways to reduce the cost of the project to help stretch existing funds.

She is developing real-world problem solving and communication skills and learning the importance of building professional networks and community partnerships.

Grants, like the one offered by the Timken Company, are helping turn one student’s vision into a reality.

Submitted by Angie Kemmerer

Bourbon County, Schools

USD 235’s Jackie Hall Awarded Gold For Facilitating Model P.E. School

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Kansas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Model School presented Jackie Hall an award on Thursday, October 24, 2019 at Pittsburg State University. Left to right: Chris Rose KAHPERD Model School Committee member; Karla Stenzel KAHPERD president; Jackie Hall, USD 235 Physical Education Teacher; Karl Ely,  member of the Model School Committee. Submitted photo.

The state’s physical education association recently awarded Uniontown teacher Jackie Hall with the highest award for a model school that promotes a quality physical education program.

Jackie Hall, USD 235 Physical Education Teacher. Submitted photo.

The Kansas Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance Model School Program is designed to identify and recognize and award schools that provide and model school physical education programs, according to Hall.

“The award process promotes quality physical education throughout the state of Kansas,” she said.

“The award rubric included 12 areas of criteria for the Gold Level… ALL levels had to be met and documented,” Hall said.

The areas include the amount of time spent by students in physical activity, providing instruction to both boys and girls,  pursuing professional development as a teacher, the school districts facilities for p.e.(including a variety of and sufficient quantities of equipment), maintaining a hazard-free environment,  teacher curriculum instruction practices, assessments of students, administrative support (funding), inclusion of students with disabilities and collaborating with classroom teachers for integrated instruction to students.

“I have been teaching at West Bourbon Elementary School for 38 years,” she said. ” Our school administration and staff realize the importance of physical education, and I try very hard to provide a wide variety of activities to challenge ALL students to be physically active. I am very honored and humbled to receive this award on behalf of our school. I am so blessed to work with a great staff.”

KAHPERD Model School Award 2019 Gold Level was presented last week to Hall during the association’s state conference at Pittsburg State University. Hall also made two presentations during two session of the conference.

Bourbon County, Schools

St. Martin’s Academy October News

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As October draws to a close, we bid farewell to the blue skies and clement temperatures of the finest month here in Kansas – a fitting month indeed to be dedicated to Our Lady.  The poet Helen Hunt Jackson:
O SUNS and skies and clouds of June,
And flowers of June together,
Ye cannot rival for one hour
October’s bright blue weather
Life at St. Martin’s is settling into a rhythm and, while much is still in flux, there is a growing feeling of stability as we head into deep Autumn.  Much of this can be attributed to our faculty, led by returning stalwarts such as our Academic Dean Dr. Ken Klassen, our Latin Magister Mr. Ron Klassen and our redoubtable Chaplain, Fr. Bob McElwee.  And much credit is due to several new faces including our three new House-Fathers: Giorgio Navarini and Roger McCaffrey of Thomas Aquinas College and Joshua Gieger from the wilds of Colorado.  These young men embody a virile and serious Catholic masculinity that is a wonderful example to our boys.  And special mention goes to newlyweds Ryan and Danielle Bauer from St. Louis.  Ryan, as coach, teacher and indefatigable laborer on the farm, and Danielle as our fabulous Secretary, have been a God-send to the Academy.  Their humility, toughness and joy are inspiring to faculty and students alike.

With the home-front more secure, we are able to turn our attention outwards to engaging a broader audience and spreading the word about St. Martin’s unique approach to educating young men.  In the coming months we’ll be more visible with well-coordinated trips to Dallas, Washington D.C., Southern California, Phoenix, New York City, Chicago and South Florida.  If you are connected to one of these (or any other major Metropolitan area) please be in touch and we’ll look forward to seeing you in person soon.

Saint Martin, pray for us!

Duc in Altum,
Daniel Kerr, President
Patrick Whalen, Headmaster

Major Developments on Campus!

With Theotokos Hall complete, we’ve turned our attention to the development and beautification of our campus.  Thanks in large part to Joseph Kerr and his stalwart crew at Kerr Athletics, we have made some incredible, unanticipated strides in the last month!  Chief among them has been the ground-work on an amazing outdoor athletics facility including a regulation size Rugby pitch, parking lot and a ropes-fitness course.  The Kingfisher Athletics Program now has an impressive home and much sooner than we could have ever expected.  Our sincerest thanks to Joe and his team for their wonderful generosity and tireless efforts these past several weeks.

Above: Fall’s first dusting of snow on the future Rugby pitch.  Theotokos Hall in the background.

News from Europe: 200 miles in 2 weeks!

Led by Mr. Ryan Bauer and Mr. Joshua Mincio, the Junior class just completed the latest leg of their European adventure: a 200+ mile walking pilgrimage in northern Spain ending at the Basilica of St. James in Santiago de Compostela.  Described by Mr. Bauer as both profoundly joyous and excruciating, the boys battled blisters and nagging fatigue in keeping up the 15 mile-per-day pace for 15 consecutive days along the Way.

This burst of movement, a true Franciscan dash, contrasted powerfully to the Benedictine stability of a two week retreat at the Abbey of Notre Dame de Fontgombault in central France.  Now, after a brief respite and a short flight from to Rome, the boys conclude their journey in the Eternal City, led by Dr. and Mrs. Ken Klassen and our friends at ProRome Tours.

This trip has required no small sacrifice by the Academy in terms of staffing and support.  But we are more confident than ever that this investment will not simply be unforgettable, but fundamentally life-altering; a permanent touchstone of Faith in the lives of these young men.

Birds and the Art of Noticing

On October 26th we were delighted to host faculty, family and friends as part of our quarterly Faculty Lecture Series.  This Series gives us the opportunity to share more broadly the educational mission of the Academy with the local community.

St. Martin’s President Daniel Kerr delivered this fall’s talk on birding and the relationship between naming things and friendship.

Watch or read Mr. Kerr’s talk here.
St. Martin’s gear is now available!

The Kingfisher Online Shop is open for business.

St. Martin’s on the Road: Dallas & D.C.

We’re taking the show on the road!  In the next 12 months we will be visiting several major metropolitan areas to meet with prospective families and supporters.  We have visits planned in Dallas-Fort Worth, Washington D.C., California, Phoenix, New York, Chicago and South Florida.  If these visits bring us near your neighborhood and you’d like to connect, please be in touch!

Next stops are Dallas-Fort Worth on November 30th and Washington D.C. on December 16th.  We will be hosting an Open House event in both locations and would love to see you!

For details, please email to [email protected] or call our office at 620.644.9870.

Readying for Martinmas

The feast day of our patron, St. Martin of Tours, is on November 11th.  Called “Martinmas” in Europe, this was one of the largest feast days in the Church’s liturgical year and celebrated the end of the agrarian calendar and the harvest.  For nearly a millennium, Martinmas stood as Christendom’s Thanksgiving.

At St. Martin’s, we are busy making preparations and bringing in a harvest of our own.  Between now and November 11th we will process over 100 chickens, 20 rabbits, 3 geese, 2 hogs and one enormous turkey.  With 3 steers and 8 whole lambs already in the freezer, we will be well provisioned for the winter.

Above: A handsome Toulouse goose.  It is traditional to eat goose on Martinmas, a nod to the pious legend that a noisy goose betrayed a hiding St. Martin when the people of Tours came to make him Bishop.

Join the Cause!

St. Martin’s Academy is restoring sense and sanity to boys’ education by getting back to the basics: hard-work, responsibility, friendship, and the pursuit of Truth without compromise.  As 2019 draws to a close, please consider giving generously to our Raise the Rafters Campaign with a one-time gift or pledge.  No gift is too small (or too large!) and will be stewarded carefully as we build a campus for generations to come.

“Our two eldest boys just arrived home from their inaugural year at Saint Martin’s Academy in Fort Scott, Kansas. What we have noticed most is the boys’ newfound appreciation and dedication to something that seems to be lacking in young men in our society: choosing the arduous good. They are interested in pushing themselves physically and mentally, whether it’s felling trees on our property, building projects for our home, or lively debates about current issues late into the night. Their unique personalities have not just blossomed, but their character has been well-formed. Our society is desperate for hard workers, good leaders and fine men. It is obvious to us after this first year that Saint Martin’s Academy will be leading the way in restoring these things for generations to come. We are so very grateful!”

– David and Karen Hickey, Front Royal, VA, parents of Henry & Charlie (both class ’21)
Fort Scott, Fort Scott Police Department, Schools

Police Department Received Report of Criminal Threat to FSHS

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Fort Scott High School.
 USD 234 Superintendent Ted Hessong received a report from the Fort Scott Police Department that a criminal threat was made regarding Fort Scott High School on Oct. 28.
A person was accused of posting a social media threat against the high school on October 28, just about the time Fort Scott High School lets out for the day.
“The Fort Scott Police Department reported to me this afternoon, (Oct. 28) after school was out, that they had received information from a third party website that a criminal threat was made on the high school this afternoon,” Hessong said.  “FSPD investigated the report this afternoon and found that no credible threat was made upon the high school.”
“It was a hotline based out of California,” FSPD Captain Jason Pickert said. “They received an anonymous tip that a video had been posted on a social media site.”
“We learned upon investigation the person does not have an account with that media site, so it was falsely reported,” Pickert said.
“We spoke with the suspect involved and did independent research,” he said. “The person was local, but not a high school student.”
“We notified Ted Hessong shortly after the report came in, about 3:20 p.m.,” Pickert said. “I think it was a false report from the get-go.”

The incident was  communicated to the school district parents through the school messenger mass phone call system that a report of a criminal threat was made, it was investigated, and no credible threat was made upon the high school, Hessong said.

“The safety and security is the number one priority of the school district,” Hessong said. ” I want to thank Chief (Travis) Shelton and his detectives and officers for reporting and investigating the possible threat.  It is nice to know that our local law enforcement agencies, FSPD and the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Department, supports our schools.”