Category Archives: Schools

Fort Scott, Government, Schools

Agenda for U234 Board Meeting on August 28

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Unified School District 234

424 South Main

Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697

www.usd234.org

620-223-0800   Fax 620-223-2760

DESTRY BROWN                                                                                                                                                        

Superintendent                                                                                                                                              

BOARD OF EDUCATION SPECIAL MEETING

AUGUST 28, 2023 – 5:45 P.M.

AGENDA SUMMARY PUBLIC

 

1.0       Call Meeting to Order                     David Stewart, President

 

2.0       Flag Salute

 

3.0       Budget Hearing – Review Code 99

           

3.1 Open Hearing (Action Item)

3.2 Hear from Patrons

3.3 Close Hearing (Action Item)

 

4.0       Resolution 23-07: Make a Local Option Percentage in an amount of 31.6 percent for the 2023-24 school year (Action Item)

 

5.0       Approval of the 2023-24 Budget with Consideration of the Needs Assessment and State Assessments  (Action Item)

 

6.0       Other Business – Personnel Matters

6.1       Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action Item)

6.2       Exit Executive Session

6.3       Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)

 

7.0       Adjourn Meeting

                        President

 

Fort Scott, Schools, Youth

2023 College Board National Recognition Awardee: Katelyn Dancer

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Congratulations to Fort Scott High School Senior Katelyn Dancer on being named a 2023 College Board National Recognition Program Awardee!

Katelyn earned this academic honor because of her GPA of 3.5 or higher and outstanding performance on the PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, and/or AP Exams.  She is being recognized as part of the National Rural/Small Town Recognition Program.  Award winners are given the opportunity to include this academic honor on their college applications, and many colleges intentionally recruit awardees through College Board’s Student Search Service.

Congratulations Katelyn and keep up the good work!  

— Submitted by

Jeff DeLaTorre
Athletic/Activities Director
Fort Scott High School
Fort Scott, Schools

New FS Educators: Self and Forkner

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This is part of a series featuring the new teachers at Fort Scott’s School District.
There are 20 new teachers this year.
Karen Self. Submitted photo.
Karen Self, 56, is a new English teacher at Fort Scott High School.
“As a child we had a basement that had a chalkboard and desks that we purchased from the three-room grade school that had closed its doors in our rural neighborhood,” she said.  “Mrs. Green…. my 5th grade teacher, let me choose anything I wanted from the pile of going-to-be-thrown-away textbooks.  I took those books home and devoured them.  I played teacher…for hours at a time, reading and exploring these old textbooks and trying to get my siblings to play along.  Today, I am taking that next step into my childhood dream.
Creating an atmosphere of safety and peace when chaos abounds,  like so many incredible educators did for me throughout my school years, is a passion for me.”
“I have substituted in USD 234 in the last few years, but most of my experience comes from raising, nurturing and advocating for my  children,” Self said. “I also volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children in foster care for 6 years.”

For her education she attended Missouri Southern State University, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Butler County Community College, and finished her secondary education degree taking night classes at Newman University, Wichita.

She has 10 children ranging from 16-35 years of age and  6 grandchildren, 6 months to 13 years of age.

In her spare time she loves to read and write, among other interests.
“I am fascinated by British TV, British accents and London,” she said.  “For the last decade I have explored writing and hope to one day write a book about the beautiful life lived by my lovely daughter, P.J., who succumbed to the ravages of muscular dystrophy and left this earth in 2011.  My favorite pastime of all time is spending time with my children and grandchildren.”
“I love that moment when the look of confusion or frustration on a student’s face is replaced with the ‘aha’ delight of catching the inspiration of learning something for the first time,” she said.
Julie Forkner, is a new Fort Scott Preschool Interventionist.
She earned a BS in Elementary Education and Early Childhood and has taught for 38 years.
“I enjoy small children and building relationships with families and helping shape the future and making a positive difference in kid’s life’s!” she said. She also enjoys getting to know  other teachers, too.
A challenge for her will be starting in a new district and a new environment and learning how things work, she said.
She has two children: a daughter, Mandy married to Steven,  is a Kindergarten teacher in Exeter, MO. She has two grandchildren: Kaylor, 5-years-old and  Kruz, 1 1/2. Her son Austin is a professional motocross racer in Murrieta CA. and will get married in October to Rylee.
In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her grandkids, traveling, watching her son race.
Her hometown is Moundville, MO.
Fort Scott, Schools

FSHS Performing Arts: Finalist For Excellence Award

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Congratulations to the Fort Scott High School Performing Arts Program on being named a Finalist for the KSHSAA Performing Arts School of Excellence Award for the 2022-23 school year!

A total of 18 Kansas High Schools will receive recognition by the Kansas State High School Activities Association for outstanding performing arts programs. Schools were selected from a committee formed from the following associations: Kansas Music Educators Association (KMEA), Kansas Speech Communication Association (KSCA), and the Kansas Thespians (Theater).  Schools selected were chosen for scoring exceptionally high in Debate, Speech, Music, and Theater during the 2022-23 school year.
DeSoto High School was selected as the Award winner.  Fort Scott High School was named a finalist along with Lansing, Lawrence-Free State, Pittsburg, Shawnee Mission South, and Sterling.  Schools commended include Emporia, Maize, McPherson, Blue Valley West, Paola, Pretty Prairie, Rock Creek, Bishop Miege, Sylvan-Lucas, Washburn Rural, and Wichita Collegiate.
Special congratulations to our FSHS Performing Arts coaches and sponsors:
Band  –  Justin Robinson
Choir  –  Whitley Chesney
Orchestra  –  Carson Felt
Debate/Forensics  –  Tyler Slinkard
Theater/Drama  –  Angie Bin
Fort Scott High School was named a finalist for this award one previous time, following the 2018-19 school. We were also on the commended list for the 2020-21 school year.
Congratulations again to our sponsors and all of our students involved in these programs!  Outstanding job!

— Submitted by

Jeff DeLaTorre
Athletic/Activities Director
Fort Scott High School
Bourbon County, Schools

New WBE Principal: Tracy Smith

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Tracy Smith. Submitted photo.

After 38 years in the Uniontown School District, Tracy Smith, will serve as part-time West Bourbon Elementary School  principal for this school year.

“I have been in education for 44 years and retired  twice, but now one more year,” he said.

Smith is teaming with Anita Lightcup in principal duty-sharing.

“I’ll be on duty Monday, Tuesday and alternating Wednesdays,” he said. “Anita will be alternating Wednesday, Thursday and, Friday.”

Smith earned a Bachelor of Science from Ottawa University and a
Masters in Administration, from Pittsburg State University.

For him the greatest part of the job “is mentoring, helping and developing kids, teens, children in general to become good, productive members of our communities.”

“In comparison to ‘what it was like’ when I was a kid, or even a beginning teacher…it is a much different society….It is imperative that we create a loving, supportive environment where positive growth can happen. So, being aware of every child’s needs as they come into my building is my #1 priority, and then, I problem solve.”

Vance Eden is the Superintendent of the school district. Robert Onelio is the new principal at Uniontown Jr/Sr High School.

There are 10 new teachers in the district.

Fort Scott, Schools

New U234 Teachers: Woods, Hendricks

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This is part of a series featuring the 20 new teachers in USD 234, Fort Scott.

Distict Events Taken From https://www.usd234.org/ :

August 15 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. is the Fort Scott High School Open House at 1005 S Main St, Fort Scott.

School starts on August 18

 
Nicolas Woods. Submitted photo.
Nicholas Woods, 25, is a new history teacher at Fort Scott High School, teaching world, American, and local history.
He graduated from Pittsburg State University and did his student teaching at Carl Junction. This is his first year teaching.
“My past teachers motivated me to be a teacher,” he said. “I liked school, but at times I struggled with learning. I want to be there for the students that struggled like I did. I believe I bring a different perspective that students can appreciate and learn from.”
“The best thing about teaching for me so far is seeing a student who was struggling succeed,” he said. “That could be as little as a student passing a test or as big as boosting their grade by two letters. You should always celebrate success.”
“I would say one of the biggest challenges in teaching for me is connecting with students,” he said. “I feel I connect with students/people easily, but as a teacher you are not going to reach every student. There will be students that don’t like your class or even you for that matter and no matter how hard you try you won’t change their mind. The best thing I can do is give all students the tools and guidance they need to succeed and hope for the best.”
Woods hometown is Fort Scott,  and he is a 2016 high school  graduate.

His uncle Donald Woods was a custodian for the high school for many years and owned a moving business and late aunt Joyce Woods was a grade school teacher at Winfield Scott for many years, he said.

Woods hobbies include golfing, fishing , and playing basketball.

Caleb Hendricks. Submitted photo.

Caleb Hendricks, 27, is a new Winfield Scott Physical Education Teacher and Fort Scott Middle School Assistant Girls Basketball Coach.

He has six years experience in education, with  three years as a certified teacher.

He earned his  bachelors degree from Fort Hays State University and his hometown is Sterling.

 

“Growing up some of the most rewarding experiences I had were as a camp counselor, coach, and youth group leader,” he said. “Working with kids and seeing their growth and accomplishment in different areas has always given me a sense of purpose.”

“The relationships that I have made with both students and staff over the years is definitely the best part of being in education. That’s really what it’s always been all about for me. Being in a position that allows me to coach and connect with kids in that element has always been a very important thing for me as well.”

A challenge for him is growing and adapting to how kids and the world are changing, he said.

“Finding new ways to connect and relate with kids can be challenging at times for sure,” he said. “Having worked with both elementary and  middle and high school ages, though, I feel like that has helped me better understand where kids are coming from and the different challenges they face. Then I feel like I’m in a better position to support them the best I can.”

He is married to Sarah Hendricks, who is a 4th Grade Teacher at Eugene Ware Elementary School and they have a 4 month-old son, Braxton.

His hobbies include football, Fantasy Football, golf, coaching, basketball, home improvement projects.

 

Fort Scott, Schools

U234 Press Release for August 14 Board Meeting

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Unified School District 234

424 South Main

Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697

www.usd234.org

620-223-0800   Fax 620-223-2760

 

 

DESTRY BROWN                                                                                                                                                        

Superintendent                                                                                                                                            

 

 

 

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING

NEWS RELEASE

Monday, August 14, 2023

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, August 14, 2023, for their regular monthly meeting at the board office.

 

President David Stewart opened the meeting.

 

The board approved the official agenda, and the consent agenda as follows:

  • Board Minutes
    • 07/17/2023 Regular Meeting
    • 08/07/2023 Special Meeting
  • Financials-Cash Flow Report
  • Check Register
  • Payroll – July 20, 2023 – $1,619,878.22
  • Activity Fund accounts
  • USD 234 Gifts

 

The board approved the following items:

  • Addition of two (2) full-time substitute positions
  • Handbooks for the 2023-24 school year
  • KASB Policy Updates
  • SRO Agreement with the City of Fort Scott
  • MOU with Learning Tree Institute
  • Personnel Report following

 

Superintendent Destry Brown provided an update on the first day back for staff and the training on PBIS, which stands for Positive Behavior Intervention Support. There will be a breakfast for staff on Tuesday morning, followed by a welcome back ceremony. Mr. Brown noted the annual FSKNEA scholarship bucket auction.

 

 

Dalaina Smith, Assistant Superintendent, reported on the new teacher orientation that included 22 new teachers. Mrs. Smith reported on the training that took place in the district as teachers came back. She also noted that open houses will be on Tuesday for FSMS and FSHS and Wednesday for the Fort Scott Preschool Center, Winfield Scott Elementary, and Eugene Ware Elementary. Mrs. Smith answered questions from the board on professional development on assessment programs.

 

Tonya Barnes, Special Education Director, recognized her administrative assistant for special education for the excellent work she is doing, and the tech team’s wonderful job. Mrs. Barnes updated the board on a para mentoring program that has been put in place for this year, providing general education teachers access to IEPs through PowerSchool, and updated the board on an Autism Team meeting.

 

Gina Shelton, Finance Director, reported on the roll out of Red Rover, which is a substitute and absence management system, movement of funds from the Friends of USD 234 checking account into fund 64 within the district’s accounts, and provided an update on ESSER III spending. Mrs. Shelton noted that the budget had been published in the paper and posted to the website.

 

The board went into an executive session for personnel matters.

 

President Stewart adjourned the meeting.

 

PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED EMPLOYMENT

August 14, 2023

 

RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:

  • Allen, Joseph – Transportation Director effective September 1, 2023
  • Harrington, Kathryn – Fort Scott Middle School Paraprofessional effective August 14, 2023

 

EMPLOYMENT:

For the 2023-24 school year:

  • Garzone, Christopher – District Emergency Operations Coordinator

 

Certified Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:

  • Kellogg, Jan – District Full-Time Substitute
  • Metcalf, Alvin – District Full-Time Substitute

 

Supplemental Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:

  • Center, Ronette – Fort Scott Middle School PRIDE
  • Jones, Mesa – Fort Scott High School Play Assistant and Play #2 Assistant
  • King, Christina – Fort Scott High School Play Assistant
  • Lyon, Jarrett – Fort Scott High School Assistant Baseball Coach
  • Sprague, Sierra – Fort Scott High School Assistant Cheer Coach
  • Tourtillott, Jennifer – Winfield Scott Guiding Coalition
  • Mentors for the 2023-24 School Year
Bourbon County, Schools

New Uniontown Teachers: Ericson and Martin

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This is a part of a series of new teachers in Uniontown’s School District.
The district’s open house is August 15 from 4 to 6 p.m.
The first day of class for students is August 16.
Tyler Ericson. Submitted photo.

Tyler Ericson will teach 4th grade at West Bourbon Elementary, in Uniontown starting this school year.

“The thing I love about teaching is…relationships with each of my students,” she said. “How they can come to me about anything, and they will not be judged… whether it be in or outside of school. I love seeing children learn, but most importantly having fun and being engaged while doing it.”

“A challenge for me would be change,” she said. “…starting over from a whole new school district, a new grade, and new colleagues can be overwhelming. Teaching primary and now about to teach 4th grade, it will definitely be different, but in a good way. I am excited to see what West Bourbon has in store for me!”

She  said she looks forward to taking part in school community activities that plan to make community members feel welcomed, respected, trusted, heard, and needed, to help promote student success.

Ericson hales from a big family in Kansas City and Oklahoma, she said.  In addition, she and husband, Ethan, have two sons, Julian and Jamison, and one daughter Journee.

Ericson earned her A.A in Elementary Education,  at Labette Community College and a B.S. in Elementary  Education from Pittsburg State University.

She taught second grade at Winfield Scott Elementary last school year; first grade at Winfield Scott from February 2022 to May 2022; and was a special education paraprofessional at Uniontown High School from January 2018 to May 2019.

She was substitute teacher certified by the Kansas Department of Education from August 2019 to May 2020.

Ericson worked in Early Childhood Centers in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area from the age of 15 to 24.

Christal Martin. Submitted photo.
Christal Martin will teach high school science in grades 10-12.
She received a bachelors in science degree with an emphasis in nursing in 2008 from Pittsburg State University, and is currently finishing a master’s degree in secondary education from Western Governor’s University.
She has worked as a Uniontown Junior High At-Risk Aide for the past three years.

For Martin,  the best thing about working with children is “Building connections with students, and watching them academically succeed,” she said.

A challenge this year will be learning to navigate through everything as a new teacher, she said.

She is married to husband, Seth, and  they have two sons, Caden and Casen.

K-State Extension, Schools, Youth

Beating the Back-to-School Blues

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Cassidy Lutz
K-State Research and Extension 
Family and Consumer Science Agent 
Southwind District 
211 W. Butler 
Yates Center, KS 66783
620-625-8620

The smell of freshly sharpened pencils, the sound of bells ringing through the halls, and the gathering of friends that you haven’t seen all summer.

I am sure we can all think back to our childhood and remember how the beginning of a new school year brought on excitement, dread, or anxiety.

 

As a parent, you can help your children get a good start to this school year and ease some of those anxious thoughts and feelings.

For many kids, one of the biggest back-to-school worries is if they will like their teacher. Breaking the ice early is one of the best ways to calm their fears. If personal contact with the teacher is not possible before school starts, try locating the teacher’s picture on a school website or in a yearbook. Helping your child put a face with a name before the first day in the classroom can help them feel more at ease and prepare them for their first interaction.

Familiarizing your child with their environment is another thing you can do to help them avoid nervous tummy aches. If your school offers a walk-through before the first day, this can be a great opportunity for you to meet the teacher, find their desk, or explore the school together. With older children, try asking them to give you a tour of the school and their classroom. Not only will this help refresh their minds, but it will give you an idea of where they will be spending the majority of their time over the next several months.

Go over class supply lists and plan a shopping trip. Having all the needed school supplies can help your child feel prepared. By taking your kids back to school shopping, they will feel supported and encouraged. Allow for a couple of splurges like a cool notebook or a backpack in their favorite color while also keeping basic needs in mind. Even a small fun purchase can make going back to school more enjoyable and give them something to look forward to.

Ease into new routines the week leading up to the first day of school. Switching from a summer schedule to a structured school schedule can be stressful for everyone in a household. Avoid mayhem on the first day of school by getting into the new routine a few days in advance. Set an alarm clock, go through your morning ritual, and make time for a healthy breakfast. Routines help children feel comfortable, and establishing one early will make the first day of school go so much smoother.

After school kicks off, take time to talk as a family about how each day went. Try asking how they like their classes, if they have made any new friends, or what they like most about school thus far. Not only will you learn more about how they are adapting to all the changes, but this will also help strengthen family relationships by bonding over shared conversations.

Don’t let the beginning of a new school year create unnecessary stress for your kids and household. By doing some of these simple things, you can help your children feel prepared and ready to tackle another great school year. For more information, contact Cassidy Lutz at [email protected] or by calling 620-625-8620.

Fort Scott, Government, Schools
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Unified School District 234

424 South Main

Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697

www.usd234.org

620-223-0800   Fax 620-223-2760

 

DESTRY BROWN                                                                                                                                      Superintendent                                                                                                                                             

BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING

AUGUST 14, 2023 – 5:30 P.M.

PUBLIC AGENDA

 

1.0       Call Meeting to Order                     David Stewart, President

 

2.0       Flag Salute

 

3.0       Approval of the Official Agenda (Action Item)

 

4.0       Approval of the Consent Agenda (Action Item)

            4.1       Board Minutes

  1. 07/17/2023 Regular Meeting
  2. 08/07/2023 Special Meeting

            4.2       Financials-Cash Flow Report

            4.3       Check Register

            4.4       Payroll – July 20, 2023 – $1,619,878.22

            4.5       Activity Fund accounts

4.6       USD 234 Gifts

           

5.0       Recognitions (Information/Discussion Item)

5.1 Student Recognition

5.2 Employee Recognition

5.3 Board Member Acknowledgements

 

6.0       Leadership Reports (Information/Discussion Item)

            6.1       Superintendent’s Report

            6.2       Assistant Superintendent’s Report

            6.3       Special Education Director’s Report

            6.4       Finance Director’s Report

                                               

7.0       Old Business

7.1       Addition of two (2) full-time substitute positions (Action Item)

 

 

 

8.0       New Business

8.1       Handbooks for the 2023-24 school year (Action Item)

Emergency Operations Plan

Employee – Classified

Employee Safety Manual

Federal

8.2       KASB Policy Updates (Action Item)

8.3       SRO Agreement with the City of Fort Scott (Action Item)

8.4       MOU with Learning Tree Institute (Action Item)

 

  9.0     Public Forum

 

10.0     Other Business – Personnel Matters

10.1     Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action Item)

10.2     Exit Executive Session

10.3     Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)

 

11.0     Adjourn Meeting

Fort Scott, Schools

New U234 Teachers: Singmaster and Feeback

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This is part of a series featuring the 20 new teachers in USD 234.

Distict Events Taken From https://www.usd234.org/ :

Aug 14 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. is the monthly board of education meeting at 424 S. Main, Fort Scott.
August 15 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. is the Fort Scott High School Open House at 1005 S Main St, Fort Scott.

School starts in the district on August 18.

 

Torrie Singmaster. Submitted photo.

Torrie Singmaster, 27,  is a new 6th grade math teacher at Fort Scott Middle School.

She earned her Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from Ottawa University and will graduate with a Master of Arts in Education with a focus in Curriculum and Instruction in May of 2024 from Ottawa University.

“I taught first grade at Winfield Scott Elementary for two years and one year at Humboldt Elementary School in fifth grade, she said.

“My favorite part of being a teacher is being able to watch students transform not only academically but personally as well,” Singmaster said. “I take pride in knowing that I can make a difference in the lives of my students.”

“After I became a mom, I wanted a career that would allow me to have more time with my kids,” she said. “I started subbing at the elementary school and immediately knew that education is the path I was supposed to take. I always enjoyed school growing up and that was due to the fact I had really amazing teachers along the way. I want to help students see their self-worth and be a safe place for all of my students to grow into the best versions of themselves.”

“The hardest part about being in education has been trying to figure out where I am the most successful as an educator,’ she said. “This will be the third different grade I have taught in my four years as a teacher. I was a para at the middle school for two years before getting my own classroom. I am beyond excited for the opportunity to transition to middle school and start this next journey in my career.”

She grew up in Fort Scott and she and husband Dakota, have two sons: William will be in first grade and Tyson will be starting preschool.

In their free time , they  enjoy golfing, playing cornhole, and driving RC cars and she also enjoys painting and doing projects.

Brennen Feeback. Submitted photo.
Brennen Feeback, 22, is a new special education teacher at Fort Scott High School.
“Growing up, I saw that the influence teachers could have on students’ lives, and I wanted to be someone that invested into these awesome students,” he said. “With my area of teaching, I think it is going to be really awesome to help each individual student find their different ways of success.”
“The biggest challenge that I will be facing is that this is my first year, but the group  (of educators)that I am going to be working with is very experienced and willing to help me,” he said.
Feeback graduated from Baker University this past May.
He grew up in Chanute, Kansas, but went to high school in Spring Hill. He just recently married his wife, Allisyn.
In his spare time he  likes watching “any sort of Missouri Tiger athletic activity, and doing any sort of activity that is outdoors,” he said.