Category Archives: Schools

State Education Commissioner to Speak to USD 234 Staff and Board

See the source image

Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson will be speaking to USD 234 staff starting at 8 a.m. at the Fort Scott Community College Ellis Fine Arts Center, Friday, Jan. 11.

“We have to meet at FSCC because the high school is hosting the 4A-1A State Debate Tournament,” said Ted Hessong, superintendent of USD 234.  “Dr. Watson will be speaking to the staff about the Kansas State Board of Educations Vision for Kansas schools.

“When Dr. Watson is done speaking, I will take him on a tour of the district. At 10:45 we will go to the district office for Dr. Watson to speak to some of our school board members and some members of the Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Watson and I will need to be at the high school by 11:40 a.m. for the General Assembly of the State Debate Tournament.”

Volunteers Needed for State Debate Tournament at FSHS

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting the
Hospitality Lounge for the
State Debate Tournament
to be held here this weekend
January 11-12, 2019!
Diana Mitchell is chairing this
hospitality project on behalf of the
Chamber and Youth Activities Team.
We could use your time in volunteering
to work the lounge or your donations
of items listed below.
Cell: 620-224-3633
THANK YOU to those businesses and individuals who have already committed to volunteering or donating items.
Times Volunteers are Needed:
Friday @ Fort Scott Middle School:
11am to 1pm
1:30pm to 4:00pm
4pm to 7:30pm
Friday @ Fort Scott High School
11am to 1:30pm
1:30pm to 4pm
4pm to 7:30pm
Saturday @ Fort Scott Middle School
7am to 11am
11am to 1:30pm
Saturday @ Fort Scott High School
7am to 11am
11am to 5pm
ITEMS REQUESTED TO BE DONATED:
Dry Coffee Creamer
Coffee Stirrers
10-12 Lg. Bags of Chips
Oranges, Apples, Bananas
Cookies, Brownies, Sweets
Bottled Water
Coffee
Clorox Wipes
Please click here to email Diana with times you can work or items you can donate. Monetary donations also welcome, made payable to the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, and we can purchase items needed.
Physical items or monetary donations may be dropped off at the Chamber through 5pm Thursday.
__________
Contact Lindsay Madison at the Chamber with any questions, 620-223-3566, or [email protected].

Uniontown Hires New Science Teacher

Andrew Ables stands in front of his biology room Tuesday afternoon. He was recently hired as a new science teacher at Uniontown High School.

Andrew Ables, 30, was hired at a December USD 235 Board of Education meeting as the new Uniontown High School science teacher. He will teach biology, 7th-grade science, and advanced biology.

“We were unable to find a licensed teacher first semester,” said Brett Howard, USD 235 superintendent. This, following former science teacher Sarah Sutton’s departure to teach at Fort Scott Community College starting last summer.

The science position was left open.

There is a shortage of teachers in Kansas, Howard said.

The district turned to Southeast Kansas Education Education Service Center, also known as Greenbush, to fill in the gap.

Through Greenbush Blended Learning,  school districts can provide subjects such as foreign languages, advanced mathematics, and sciences they would otherwise be unable to provide, according to its’ website https://www.greenbush.org

Ables hales from Norton, KS with a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education from Fort Hays State University.
“I (taught) my first five years in Stockton, Kansas,” Ables said.
“My family situation changed,” Ables said. “I married a Fort Scott native. We couldn’t find a house in northwest Kansas. She already had a house here. There happened to be a job opening.”
He is married to  Ashlee (Phillips) Ables and has two daughters: Caroline-four years old and Harper- six weeks.
Asked what motivated him to become an educator, he replied “Having an immediate impact on lives at one of their most important stages.”
His top priority for the classes he will teach is to prepare his students for college, he said.
Teacher in-service in USD 235 starts today, Jan. 2, and classes start on Jan. 3.

Constitution Speech Contest for High School Students In February

The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program is “A Constitutional Speech Contest” is to develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution of the United States among high school students.

Your Fort Scott American Legion Post 25 is seeking local oratorical candidates for the upcoming American Legion Oratorical competition.

American Legion Post 25 Oratorical candidates must be a Bourbon County student in grades 9 – 12. All public, private and home school students are eligible to compete in the Oratorical competition.

The American Legion Oratorical competition begins at the Post level, with the local winner competing in a district competition against other district winners. The district winner then competes against other district winners at a state competition. The state winner then competes against other state winners at the National American Legion Oratorical competition. The National 1st Place Winner receives $18,000 with lesser cash prizes for other finalists.

An American Legion oratorical competitor must present a Prepared oration of 8 – 10 minutes in duration and a Assigned topic oration of 3 – 5 minutes in duration. All topics are based upon the Constitution of the United States and are selected by the National American Legion organization. All oratorical competitors throughout the United States will use the same topics through all levels of the competition.

It is expected that the local competition will be in early February 2019 with District and State competitions following shortly thereafter. The National American Legion Oratorical competition is scheduled for April 5-7, 2019 in Indianapolis.

Interested local students should contact American Legion Post 25 Commander Carl Jowers at [email protected]. Commander Jowers will provide you with more information about the Oratorical Competition.

Carl Jowers. Commander

Fort Scott American Legion Post 25

FSHS Prom Fundraiser: Sticky Buns, Order by Dec. 19

It’s a Sticky Buns Fundraiser to support
FSHS Prom!
Place your order today!
Deadline Wed. Dec. 19th.
Sticky Buns, made fresh & local
by the talented Aleta Banwart,
are perfect for the holidays!
Rounds are $8, Pans are $15.
Order with or without pecans.
Make all checks payable to FSHS.
Payment preferred before order deadline.
Deadline to order: Dec. 19th
Pickup: Dec. 22nd, 2pm at FSHS
For more information,
contact Emma Martin: 620-215-4668
or Lauren Madison: 620-215-0802.
To place an order, clickhere.
(Save the date for Prom & Walk-in,
Saturday, April 13, 2019)

Eurgene Ware Students Christmas Carol Downtown

Fifth- graders Kathryn Williams, Ali Simhiser, and Payton Bowling caroling downtown during Mistletoe on Main December 13.
Back Row: Aubrey Yarick & Lanie Jackson Front Row: Madi Davis, Karlee Hereford, and Keri Crisler serenading at the Fort Scott National Historic Site Visitor’s Center during Mistletoe on Main December 13.

Ali Simhiser, Grace Anderson, Delci Tucker, Delaney Tucker, Keith Tucker, and Dana Tucker singing downtown carols during Mistletoe on Main December 13.

Submitted by Mary Jo Harper.

FSHS Select Ensemble Performs

FSHS Select Ensemble Director Meredith Reid welcomes the attendees to the Christmas performance.

In its’ first performance of the Christmas season, the Fort Scott High School Select Ensemble entertained the attendees of Community Christian Church’s open house Monday at lunch.

The ensemble is the direction of Meredith Reid and was accompanied by Pat Harry.

This Thursday, Dec. 13, the FSHS choir, band, and orchestra will perform a Christmas concert at the high school gym, 1005 S. Main, at 7:30 p.m.

On Sunday, Dec. 16 at 3 p.m. the FSHS Select Ensemble will perform during a fundraiser that provides for attire, music, travel expense and guest conductors for the music group.

The concert entitled “Classic Christmas” is $10 for adults, $5 for children and includes homemade cookies and coffee following.

Also featured in the concert is Dan Duling and the Stone Country Band,  a group of local musicians.

 

 

Harper Directs Finale Concert Dec. 11

Pittsburg Youth Chorale
FINALE CONCERT

Tuesday, December 11th
6PM
Pittsburg Memorial Auditorium & Convention Center

 

Pittsburg Youth Chorale is under the direction of MJ Harper, composed of 4th-6th grade musicians from Southeast Kansas. The purpose of this vocal ensemble is to further grow vocal abilities, musical knowledge, and choral repertoire. Participants perform at community events. If you would like us to perform for your event, please contact:

MJ Harper at [email protected] or 620-719-6633.

A Modern Twist on a Familiar Christmas Tale at FSHS

The Fort Scott High School Thespians present their holiday children’s theatre production of “A 21st Century Christmas Carol” by Lori M. Myers.

Performances are at 7 p.m. on Dec. 14 and 15 and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 15 at the Fort Scott High School Auditorium. Doors open 30 minutes prior to show time and seating is limited.

“A 21st Century Christmas Carol” is a new twist on a familiar tale. “Eleanor Scrooge, a greedy old spinster, spends her days barking orders at her gift shop employees.  Though the mall will be closed, she still wants them to work on Christmas Day!  Then she’s visited by the ghost of her old boss, Mr. Marley, and a parade of zany spirits who materialize from cheesy collectible figurines.  … With great humor, contemporary references, and crazy characters, … audiences will fall in love with the classic story all over again,” according to Pioneer Drama Service.

 

Characters in the production are played by area children in 1st-8th grades. Regen Wells, a 7th-grade student at Fort Scott Middle School, plays the lead character of Eleanor. Eighth graders Anna Laubenstein, Kinsley Davis and Kaitlyn Leavell play the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. All are also members of the FSMS Drama Club which meets weekly at the Middle School.

 

The play is directed by FSHS senior Karina Kantilal and sophomore Ashanti Green. Music is led by freshman Christina Ramirez and sophomore Noah Martin with choreography from junior Mesa Jones and sophomore Avery Dorsey. About thirty other high school students are assisting with the direction and design of the show as a fundraiser for the State and International Thespian Festivals under the supervision of Thespian Director Angie Bin.

 

Tickets for “A 21st Century Christmas Carol” are $5 and available at the FSHS Office, 1005 S. Main; Common Ground, 116 S. Main; and at the door.