“There has been a Title IX complaint against the school district,” USD 234 Superintendent Ted Hessong, said. “There is an investigation currently and the school district is unable to comment more specifically at this time.”
The investigation pending is regarding Title IX Athletics, according to the website.
In June 2018, City Attorney Bob Farmer was asked by the Fort Scott City Commission to send USD 234 a letter to be sent with the school district’s paperwork on the case to the Office of Civil Rights, according to the city commission minutes of June 19, 2018.
In the letter Farmer sent, the city stated it had no plans to build a clubhouse or dressing room at Fisher Park because there is no funding at this time to do so, according to the minutes.
The city owns Fisher Park and allows the USD 234 to use the facilities there for the FSHS girls softball program, Hessong said.
“The OCR wanted a letter from the city stating that the city has no intention of building at Fisher Park,” City Manager Dave Martin said.
“We have been unable to find out who filed the complaint,” Martin said. “The state will not tell the person who turned them in.”
Hewitt Field at Fisher Park. The FSHS girls softball program uses the facilities in the spring.Don Hewitt Field at Fisher Park. The ballpark is three blocks north of Fort Scott High School.The concession building at Fisher Park.Fort Scott High School, 1005 S. Main.
The dwarfs in their home in Wychwood. From left: Michaela Morrell, Kaiden Clary, Ana Rupprecht, Joanna Wuthrich, Khris Patel, Brayden Wilkerson
Area youth performed a ‘fractured fairy tale’ of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, entitled Snew White on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon at Fort Scott High School.
The play was a culmination of a Tiger Drama Performance Camp over the last two weeks, with FSHS Thespians assisting Drama Teacher Angela Bin in the production.
Twenty-four youth from six local schools pulled together an entertaining performance. In addition, during the camp, the students explored other types of arts and crafts, and created scenery props for the play.
The directors of Snew White were Brooklyn Lyons and Karina Kantilal. Set designer, Levi Bin; scenic artist, Mary Gladbach; choreographer, Mackenzie Peoples; sound designer, Addy Labbe; sound tech, Dominic Cannon; lighting designer, Alyx Brooks; lighting assistant Lexi Bailey; costume designer, Emmalee Bin; acting coaches, Sage Hill, Gabriel Graham, Kathelra Murray, Mesa Jones, and Jakob Slinkard.
The cast was Brayden Wilkerson, Kaiden Clary, Michaela Morrell, Kyla Korinek, Ana Rupprecht, Joanna Wuthrich, Khris Patel, Reagen Wells, Kodi Casper, Kinsley Davis, Lexi Hill, Avery Marsh, Katy Primm, Jada Malveaux, Keri Crisler, Remy Witt, Kaitlyn Leavell, Abby Wuthrich, Bryn Crisler, Caroline Barnes, Xavier Jeffrey, Cora Studyvin and Ben Davenport.
The evil queen, portrayed by Kinsley Davis, works on a plan to rid Wychwood of Snew White. UPS girl, middle, is Keri Crisle.The magic mirror, portrayed by Remy Witt, chats with the evil queen.The governor of Wychwood, Kaitlyn Leavell, and her assistants, Dean, portrayed by Caroline Barnes, and her assistant, portrayed by Xavier Jeffrey and Deluca, Abby Wuthrich and her assistant, portrayed by Bryn Crisler, deal with the politics of having an evil queen.Sigmond Freud, portrayed by Kodi Casper, counsels Rose Red portrayed by Regen Wells.Gerry, the insurance agent portrayed by Ben Davenport, chats with Snew White, portrayed by Cora Studyvin.
The magic mirror talks to Snew White.The queen gets advice. From left: Katy Primm, Jada Malveaux, Kinsley Davis, Lexi Hill, Avery Marsh
The cast sings Heigh Ho Hip Hop Mix.The cast bows following the last scene.Grandmother Cheryl Adamson looks on while Tuesday Glessner hands her cousin Avery Marsh flowers, following her performance.Cast members line up following the performance to greet the audience.From left: Kodi Casper, Bryn Crisler, Kaiden Clary.A wardrobe malfunction in the audience-greet-line brings Joanna Wuthrich to tears.Family members pose with actresses for a photo. From left: Lexi Hill, Mikki Hill, Regen Wells, Katy Primm, Shawn Hill.
Fort Scott High School Drama Teacher Angie Bin smiles for a photo with a cast member. From left: Shannon Hawpe, Bin, Xavier Jeffrey.Family and friends linger following the performance of Snew White at Fort Scott High School Friday evening.
Kassie Fugate-Cate, FSCC Director of Strategic Communications.
Fort Scott Community College’s Annual Business Expo will take place August 22 from 9 am to 11:30 am.
Local businesses, please contact Kassie Cate at 620.223.2700 ext. 5248 or email [email protected] to register.
Spaces fill up fast so don’t hesitate. No registration cost. Take this opportunity to market your business and hire eager college students. The expo will take place in Bailey Hall.
Top left to right: Dominic Cannon, Grant Coffman, Mackenzie Peoples, Kathelra Murray, Audra McFarland, Mark Bergmann. Middle: Levi Bin, Alyx Brooks, Mary Gladbach, Mesa Jones, Kaitlyn Hanks, Ivy Bailey, Angie Bin. Front: Carlee Studyvin, Addy Labbe, Katie Button, Lexi Bailey, Hunter Adamson, Karina Kantilal.
Nineteen Thespians from Fort Scott High School Troupe #7365 attended the International Thespian Festival at the University of Nebraska June 25-July 1.
The students joined 4,500 others from around the world to experience a week of intensive theatre-related workshops and classes and attend top-notch student theatre performances. This year’s festival had over 700 workshops taught by Broadway professionals, university faculty and theatre educators and over 55 performances.
“Going to any sort of Thespian Festival, either state or international, I’ve connected with other people and shared the love of theatre with them. We’ve seen many beautifully done shows and enjoyed being there,” said senior Karina Kantilal.
Seniors Alyx Brooks and Hunter Adamson joined 650 other students in auditioning for college scholarships. Over sixty colleges gave out scholarships at the festival and both seniors were called back by numerous colleges.
Thespians dressed to attend an evening formal dance. L to R: Addy Labbe, Karina Kantilal, Hunter Adamson
In addition, Adamson, the FSHS Thespian President and a KS State Thespian Officer and FSHS Thespian Vice President and KS State Thespian Representative Mesa Jones, a junior, attended special leadership classes throughout the week.
“Getting to go to the leadership workshop helped open my eyes to ways of being a helping hand and all around better leader for my troupe. I met amazing young activists and feel as though I understand the positive influence theater is for young minds more. The trip was outstanding and I loved every second,” Adamson said.
FSHS Thespian Director Angie Bin, FSHS English Teacher Mark Bergmann, and Thespian parent Amy Labbe were sponsors for the event.
“It is truly the most amazing experience. The incredible workshops are taught by successful industry professionals and are invaluable to students seeking careers in the biz. The shows are full of the most talented young people who are the future Broadway stars of our country. It was the best week of my year!” Labbe remarked.
Students worked throughout the school year to fundraise the $790 registration fee for the festival. Many were able to attend last year’s festival for free due to a Send a Troupe grant won by FSHS from the Educational Theatre Association and were determined to experience the festival again.
Junior Kaitlyn Hanks said, “I can’t wait to come back. International Thespian Festival is truly like a second home to me, it’s the happiest place on Earth for a bunch of Thespians, from the great people to the amazing teachers and extraordinary shows.”
In May, Walmart announced a new associate education benefit program designed to help employees to enroll in college and graduate from college in certain fields of study, according to a press release.
Benefits include free college credit for Walmart Academy training and options for employees to earn a college degree without student loan debt.
Walmart employees will be able to access affordable associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in business or supply chain management.
These programs are available to full-time, part-time and salaried Walmart U.S. store, supply chain, home office and Sam’s Club employees.
Degrees will be offered through the University of Florida at Gainesville; Brandman University, Irvine, California; and Bellevue University, Bellevue, Nebraska. These schools were selected for their focus and strong outcomes on serving working adult learners, according to the press release.
Program highlights include:
AFFORDABLE
The associate contribution toward a college degree would be just $1 a day. Walmart will subsidize the cost of tuition, books, and fees, which helps get rid of student loan debt, according to a press release.
Also, associates can start their path by earning college credit for paid training at Walmart Academies. Hundreds of thousands of associates have already undergone skills training equivalent to more than $210 million in college credits. This will save associates both time and money in completing their degree.
RELEVANT
Walmart selected universities with a specialized focus on serving working adult learners and top outcomes for the working adult demographic. Walmart is also collaborating with these universities to tailor the curriculum to relevant skills for jobs and advancement across industries for today and in the future.
ACCESSIBLE
The goal is for all employees who apply for admission to be accepted, and the three selected universities have a dedication to high graduation rates for their students.
SUPPORTED
Employees will receive support from a coach on everything from the application and enrollment process to selecting the appropriate degree. This kind of academic counseling has been shown to help students complete their degree.
Walmart kicked off a scalable approach to creating educational opportunity for America’s workforce, said Rachel Carlson, chief executive officer and co-founder of Guild Education, with whom Walmart is collaborating to provide the program.
Guild Education helps people gain an education through their employer’s tuition benefits which lead to increased employee satisfaction and retention, according to http://www.guildeducation.com
Walmart is also leading innovation in workforce development and higher education to help associates earn college credit for on-the-job training, Carlson said.
The Lumina Foundation has agreed to research and measure the impact and effectiveness of the program and will work with the Walmart team to share findings.
ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING OFFERINGS
Walmart’s new education program underscores the importance of education in helping employees prepare for the future with degrees in supply chain management or business. This is part of a broader approach to preparing the workforce to succeed today and into the future.
Initiatives include:
· Developing a broad suite of offerings across roles from frontline to executive levels develop job-related skills for advancement.
· Covering the complete cost for employees and eligible family members for earning a high school diploma or GED.
· Offering employees and eligible family members access to tuition discounts, financial aid assistance, and education coaching across Guild’s broader network of more than 80 accredited, nonprofit university partners, including schools such as The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), Columbia University and Purdue University. These institutions are made available through EdX.
· Giving access to professional development courses including college prep, leadership training, and ESL.
Walmart associates can learn more by visiting WalmartOne.
The Lowell Milken Center (LMC) for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, Kansas, an international educational non-profit, has awarded its prestigious Fellowship to 12 educators who will come to Fort Scott in the next couple of weeks
The LMC Fellowship is awarded on the basis of merit to educators who have distinguished themselves in teaching respect and understanding through project-based learning or who have the potential for this distinction. The Center selects exemplary teachers from across America and Europe, drawn from a variety of disciplines, to collaborate on projects that discover, develop, and communicate the stories of Unsung Heroes in history.
Week 1 – June 17
Caldarelli, Emily:2016 Rhode Island Milken Educator – Emily teaches fourth-grade in Providence. Her innovative implementation of math and science curriculum has been recognized all over New England
Flynn, James: 2009 Connecticut Milken Educator – James teaches U.S. History and is heavily involved with local history projects. His energy and enthusiasm will translate into projects.
Guerra, Elisa: Global Teacher Finalist and Teacher of the Year in the Caribbean and Latin America – Elisa teaches Middle School Humanities in Aguascalientes, Mexico and is a project maker.
Johnson, Stephanie: 2016 South Carolina Teacher of the Year – Stephanie teaches 2nd grade and enjoys using cross-cultural lessons with her students. She has received many awards along with a Global Learning Fellowship.
McGaughey, Jordan: 2017 Missouri Milken Educator – Jordan teaches Government at the high school level. His innovation and creativity lend itself to project-based learning and our unsung hero projects.
Safari, Argine: 2017 New Jersey Teacher of the Year – She teaches at a performing arts high school and studied at the Moscow State Conservatory. She was the Princeton University Distinguished Teacher. Dynamic is the word from every area of our research.
Week 2 – June 24
Craven, Katie:Award-winning PBL teacher from St. Paul, Minnesota – Katie’s students have received dozens of honors in project-based learning. She comes to the Fellowship as an accomplished educator in many areas.
Dennison, Thomas: 2017 Maryland Milken Educator – Thomas’ work in elementary education is creative and innovative. As a 5th grade teacher, he stands out for his project work.
Franklin, Paula: 2017 Tennessee Milken Educator – Paula teaches American government at West High School in Knoxville and has much project-based learning experience.
Giannopoulos, Nikos: 2017 Rhode Island Teacher of the Year – Nikos is a Special Education teacher at the Beacon Charter High School for the Arts. He is a leader in New England education and excited about his Fellowship.
Heath, Penny: Award-winning PBL teacher from Canton, Oklahoma – Penny teachers US History and local history in an exciting way. Her students have won numerous national awards for projects as has she for PBL.
Jensen, Lauren: 2015 New York Milken Educator – Lauren is currently teaching high school English in Virginia. Lauren has set a high standard for creativity and innovation in the classroom.
The Red Ram Motel on North National Avenue near U.S. Hwy. 54.
Fort Scott Community College closed on the purchase of the Red Ram Motel, 701 N. National Avenue, on May 30, 2018, for $90,000.
“The Patel’s (the former owners of the motel) donated $20,000 to the FSCC Endowment Fund,” FSCC President Alysia Johnston said.
The FSCC plan is to repurpose and clean up the property to be used for student housing for the college, according to Johnston. The property will become a part of the campus and therefore tax exempt.
When complete, the new student housing will be called the Greyhound Lodge.
“We are getting a code footprint on it by Ag Engineering (Uniontown), when that is done we will send it to the state and the city,” Johnston said.
Currently, the college is taking bids for cleaning the property of trees and other unwanted items, she said.
“We had at least three people interested in the Red Ram Motel sign,” Johnston said. “Rhonda Dunn (Fort Scott’s Community Development Director) suggested using it for a fundraiser.
There are 21 units at the lodge, with the possibility of 42 students.
Each room will have a small refrigerator and microwave oven.
Students can still purchase a modified meal plan if they will be eating on campus, which is across town to the south of the lodge property.
A two-bedroom apartment on the property will be remodeled for an assistant coach to live in for security and supervision duties, she said.
The current lobby area will be turned into a computer lab.
Behind the lab will be a student laundry facility and behind that will be a student lounge with adjacent student kitchen.
The old swimming pool area will be converted into an outdoor eating area complete with grills, a gazebo, and picnic tables, Johnston said.
“The cost to students will be $300 per month, which includes everything except food,” Johnston said.
The lodge is expected to be ready for students in mid-August, Johnston said.
“It’s been fun to start the transformation,” Johnston said. “We hope to have a ribbon cutting at some point.”
What happens when “Mean Girls” meets a classic Disney fairy tale? Well, you get something like D.M. Larson’s “Beauty IS a Beast,” an original twist on the age-old story of what constitutes real beauty.
The play, a parable in six scenes, will be presented Aug. 1 and 2 at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center as the culminating event of a four-week children’s summer theater camp, conducted by FSCC theater director Allen Twitchell with assistance from FSCC students and staff.
The camp is free to all area youth ages 6 to 17 and runs from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Thursday beginning with introductions and auditions July 9.
Enrollment is open by attending the first day of camp July 9.
Late enrollees also will be accepted the first week of camp only.
In addition to rehearsing the play, camp participants receive instruction in theater basics and the chance to engage in theater exercises.
Campers are encouraged to bring snacks and indoor activities for a 15- to 20-minute break time each session.
For more information, contact Allen Twitchell by phone at (620) 218-2147 or by email at [email protected].
Fort Scott Community College students Dylan Giager, from left, Alex Garcia and Pittsburg High School students Coltin Oehme and Wil Jameson qualified for the SkillsUSA National competition after sweeping the SkillsUSA state competition in masonry and carpentry.
FSCC Construction Trades and Masonry take on SkillsUSA Nationals
Fort Scott, Ks.—Fort Scott Community College Construction Trades and Masonry students head out to Louisville, Ky. to compete in the 54th annual SkillsUSA National competition held on June 25th-29th. Students who placed first at the state level competition earned the chance to take on nationals. FSCC took 13 carpentry students, 3 HVAC students, and 3 masonry students to state and 4 students came out on top; Alex Garcia and Coltin Oehme for masonry, Dylan Giager and Wil Jameson for carpentry.
FSCC sophomore Siarra Clark, who came in second at state, but only by a couple points, says “I was raised around concrete and construction so the program at FSCC was fitting. The competition was a great experience and I hope to compete in something like this in the future.” Siarra took 1st in the hands-on portion of the state competition and 2nd in the written portion, making it 2nd overall.
Pittsburg High School (PHS) senior and now FSCC certified mason Coltin Oehme came in 1st overall at the state level, so he will go on to compete at nationals. Oehme not only came in 1st but was the first one done even with making multiple corrections. “If the design isn’t correct and perfect, it’s an automatic loss,” says Oehme. FSCC Masonry instructor, Nacoma Oehme, Coltin’s cousin, says “Coltin did great at state and we’re looking forward to seeing what he does at nationals…he takes a lot of pride in his work, especially since it’s in the family. We come from a long line of masons. Coltin inspires others to look into masonry as a career choice.”
FSCC carpentry students Dylan Giager (FSCC) and Wil Jameson (PHS) will compete on the carpentry side of SkillsUSA. This is FSCC carpentry’s 7th year to nationals under the supervision of instructor Kim Coates. “You never know who is going to bring who,” says Coates, “Wil Jameson is the first high school sophomore to win gold and go to nationals…I was surprised and very excited.” Brady Newman, FSCC student barely came in 2nd behind Dylan Giager by only 2%, winning him a silver medal. Right behind him was Thomas Mayfield with a bronze medal.
Darby Toth with some of her winnings as a speech and debate student at Fort Scott High School.
2018 Fort Scott High School graduate Darby Toth is a National Speech and Debate Student of the Year nominee, she was notified last week.
Toth has qualified all four years of high school to attend the National Speech and Debate Tournament in Florida, this year June 15-23.
But this year she is one of five finalists for National Speech and Debate Student of the Year.
While at the national tournament this year, Toth will interview with selected debate coaches to find out her placement.
The honor is a dream come true, she said.
“I want to thank all my coaches,” Toth said. “Amber Toth, Travis Toth and Sarah Bahr for giving me the tools…and an avenue for this to happen, because this truly is a dream becoming reality.”
Two of the speech and debate coaches are her parents, both teachers at the high school.
Amber Toth taught debate, forensic and speech, Travis Toth teaches history.
“It’s a family rule,” Darby said. “You have to try (speech and debate) for one year.”
It has become one of her passions, she said.
Speech and debate have had “amazing” effects on her and has allowed her to follow her other passion: social justice, Darby said.
Through her high school years, Darby has honed her communication and goal-setting skills learned in speech and debate.
She helped organize a formal dress drive at her school as a sophomore.
“We got winter formal (dress) donations for anyone who couldn’t afford it,” she said.
Following Hurricane Harvey’s devastation of south-east Texas, Darby used the skills to help raise almost $5,000 for schools in Texas, she said.
She took it upon herself to start a sexual harassment awareness campaign when she learned that issue was a problem for some students at FSHS.
“It was definitely a challenge to get students, administration, and teachers on board,” she said. “It took a pretty detailed mapping of a plan…..they plan next year to have a sexual harassment awareness speaker come speak to the entire student body. We have several posters up around the school. Our counselors are more aware that it is an issue in our school and are working with the students.
“There were some kids who were not being appropriate in the classroom, physically,…they faced repercussions for what they did.
“I felt I needed to be a voice for people who felt as if they didn’t have one because I knew what happened in the classroom wasn’t even the tip of the iceberg. I heard personal stories of girls, whether in or out of the high school. They are suffering in their personal life.”
An AXA Achievement Scholarship was awarded to Darby’
“It’s a $1,000 grant to the high school… it’s used for teacher professional development,” she said. “I gave Mr. (Shawn)Thomas (FSHS Principal) all my research on the subject, Restorative Justice. Instead of a zero-tolerance program, it’s more restorative, therapeutic based…I asked that (the grant) be used for Restorative Justice.”
This topic includes focusing on the reasoning behind student actions, then mediating and working through it, she said.
The AXA Achievement Scholarship is awarded to students because they have demonstrated ambition and self-drive.
For more information on this scholarship click here:
She had a 4.0 Grade Point Average at FSHS in mostly honors classes and received an Ellis Foundation Grant, Peterson Scholarship, Garvey Scholarship, a Kansas Honor Scholar among others.
Darby is a four-time Speech and Debate National Qualifier, District Top Point Earner for two years, state champion in oration, state runner-up in impromptu speaking, number one debater/forensicator in Kansas, District Student of the Year, ranked in the top ten nationally, and recipient of the Debate and Forensics Scholarship-chosen by a panel of teachers.
Toth will attend Washburn University with a psychology major and leadership minor in the fall.
“I would like to work with children, especially the impoverished,” she said. “Starting my own practice would be cool… Working in a school would be cool. Which would provide an avenue to coach debate/forensics.”
Masonry students Siarra Clark, left, and Coltin Oehme, right, are building the welding booth additions at CTEC.
FSCC is responding to students interested in welding.
Fort Scott Community College (FSCC), Southeast Kansas Career and Technical Education Center of Crawford County (CTEC) and area businesses have banded together to prepare for the fall semester increase of students interested in welding, according to Kassie Fugate-Cate, Director of Strategic Communications and Student Activities at FSCC.
FSCC’s Welding, Construction Trades, Masonry, and HVAC programs are located in Pittsburg.
Enrollment from Crawford County high school students is approximately 43 students, which made the expansion necessary.
CTEC will be adding five new welding booths to the 11 that already exists to accommodate the increase in enrollment.
FSCC masonry students are in the midst of building the cinder block booths, while Nutter Electric, Garland, is providing the necessary electrical upgrades, and the college is supplying the welding equipment.
Potential industry donors have been identified who may be willing to donate equipment for the new booth spaces as well.
Kris Mengarelli, the Director of FSCC CTEC says: “It is exciting to see our enrollment increase, giving our students the opportunity to learn a trade in high need jobs. This spring, we have been approached with more job openings than ever before from industry partners and have had more students take the certification test. CTEC is an incredible partnership between high schools, FSCC, industry partners and generous donors and we are excited to continue to work together to benefit students in Crawford County.”
