Category Archives: Schools

Area News, Schools, Submitted

Governor Signs Executive Order Creating Education Council

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Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. signs Executive Order 18-10 Creating the Governor’s Education Council

TOPEKA, KS – Governor Jeff Colyer issued an Executive Order creating the Governor’s Education Council with the purpose of improving outcomes for Kansas kids. This group will provide a platform for connecting educators from Pre-K through higher education with leaders in the business community and state policymakers. Their mission will be to promote policies and strategies to effectively prepare students to successfully enter and thrive in the rapidly-changing 21st-century workforce.

“The future of Kansas depends largely on how we educate the next generation and prepare them to contribute their ideas and skills back in to our state,” said Governor Jeff Colyer, “It is our duty to help our students achieve their full potential and ensure they have the relevant knowledge, skills, and training that will prepare them for the jobs of the future.”

“An integrated educational system, from early childhood through postsecondary success, is essential in providing a world-class education for all Kansas children,” said Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson. “That means collaboration between all education providers — Pre-K through postsecondary — business and industry leaders and other agencies is key. I support Gov. Colyer’s efforts to establish this council, and I look forward to working with him on these important issues.”

This Council’s mission will be the following:

    1. Explore methods for integrating college and workforce preparedness into K-12 learning programs that align with and complement the work of the Kansans Can initiative of the KSDE.
    2. Consider the application of public-private partnerships in developing industry-specific learning goals.
    3. Inventory and assess existing workforce development initiatives within the state.
    4. Discuss a system for measuring effectiveness and accountability of educational opportunities beyond the common and known metrics.
    5. Inform and advise the Governor on educational initiatives and policies to improve the overall success of education and workforce development in Kansas.

“The jobs created in the new economy require education and skills beyond high school,” said Blake Flanders, president, and CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents. “I’m excited to work with Commissioner Watson as Co-Chairs of the P-20 Council, which will focus on the entire educational continuum.”

The Council will be co-chaired by the President and CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents and the Commissioner of Education of the Kansas State Department of Education.   The Council will include representatives from three Cabinet agencies, 12 education-related organizations, and members chosen by the leadership of both parties in the House and Senate. The Governor will also appoint 3-5 members from the business community to serve on the Council.

The full text of the Executive Order can be found at https://governor.kansas.gov/executive-order-18-10-governors-education-council/

 

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Fort Scott, Schools, Submitted

FSHS Leading Efforts for National Theatre Education Awareness Campaign

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Theatre in Our Schools Month (TIOS) is a grassroots effort to educate everyone about the benefits of having theatre in the schools, and to draw attention to the need for more access to quality programs for all students. The campaign is jointly sponsored nationally by the American Alliance for Theatre & Education (AATE), the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), and the International Thespian Society (ITS).

Fort Scott High School is promoting TIOS through our upcoming FSHS Talent Show on March 15 at 7 p.m. at the FSHS Auditorium, the publication of theatre education research on our social media outlets (Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram), inviting new students to join our theatre endeavors, and participation in the Theatre Education Advocacy Day at the KS State Capital.

Fort Scott High School is the home of ITS Troupe 7365, the nationwide high school drama honorary society planning TIOS activities. TIOS is a chance for students, parents, communities, school boards, and elected officials to become familiar with the benefits of school theatre participation, which include the development of the 21st-century skills of communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking.

In fact, according to The College Board, in 2015, students who took four years of art classes in high school scored an average of 92 points higher on their SATs than students who took only one-half year or less. But, according to the U. S. Department of Education, only 28 percent of public high schools in high poverty areas offer theatre instruction.

And according to a 2016 poll:

  • 9 in 10 American adults agree that the arts are part of a well-rounded K-12 education.
  • 90 percent believe students should receive an education in the arts in elementary school, middle school, and high school.

The poll, “Americans Speak Out about the Arts: An In-Depth Look at Perceptions and Attitudes about the Arts in America,” was conducted by Americans for the Arts.

To see ITS Troupe 736, and the FSHS drama program in action, come to the upcoming performances of the FSHS Talent Show on March 15 at 7 p.m. at the FSHS Auditorium ($5 at the door) and the Thespian Improv Comedy Night, April 27 at 7 p.m. at Common Ground.

For more information about TIOS visit schooltheatre.org/programs/tios and follow
#TIOS18 and #TheatreinOurSchools on social media

Submitted by Angela Bin.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Schools, Submitted

Aggie Day at FSCC April 6

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Arnold Arena

The Fort Scott Community College Agriculture Department will host the 42nd annual Aggie Day on Friday, April 6. Approximately 1,400 students representing more than 100 schools will compete in the contest.

“We look forward to hosting Aggie Day each year,” said Ryan Edgecomb, FSCC Agriculture Instructor. “We are anticipating another large event, which will draw schools and 4-H clubs from across the Four States.”

Students will compete in a variety of areas, including agronomy, entomology, farm management, floriculture, food science, livestock, meat evaluation, milk quality and products, nursery/landscape, poultry, speech, and veterinary science.

Sponsored by Purina and Purina Mills Honor Show Chow, this event is the longest running interscholastic competition in the region. “We are honored to have Purina and Honor Show Chow back as our sponsors for a third straight year, and we’re grateful for their support,” said Edgecomb.

Teams should pre-register online at http://www.fortscott.edu/aggieday/registration before Friday, March 30. Registration for the event will begin at 7:00 am on April 6 at Arnold Arena, 2108 S. Horton St. Fort Scott, Kan. For more information, please call Ryan Edgecomb at 620-223-2700, ext. 3280.

Fort Scott, Schools

Middle School Technology Class Tour

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Fort Scott Middle School Technology Teacher Adam Feagins explains the three-dimensional printer to an attendee of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee Thursday.

Learning is hands-on in Mr. Feagins technology classes.

Attendees of the weekly coffee coordinated by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce took a tour of the career technology education class Thursday.

Adam Feagins is the instructor of the classes: Intro to technology,
Pre-Engineering, 6th Grade Technology, 7th Grade technology, and
8th Grade Technology.

USD 234 Curriculum Director Nicki Traul  told the Chamber attendees that Feagins classes are popular among students.

“The goal is to teach the students basic technology concepts,” Feagins said in a later interview.  “Once they learn the concepts they have to use the knowledge in some type of project.”

The following photos are some of the students working on projects in the classroom.

Eighth-grade students Ashlynn Bagnall and Shawn Barrager press a vinyl pattern piece on a t-shirt in Feagins technology class Thursday.
Eighth-grade students Grant Feagins, left, and Bobby Kemmerer, right explain their rolling robot project to Fort Scott Chamber Member John Hill during the tour of the classroom Thursday morning. They are timing how fast the robot can go.
Eighth-grade students Amanda Emmerson and Kerragan Davis paint a background as part of their Rube Goldberg Project. A marble will start at one point and set in motion a domino effect with the end result watering of a live plant.
Teachers in USD 234 School have a poster of their education process posted near their classroom door. This is Adam Feagins.
Fort Scott, Schools

Middle School Flex Room Has Many Benefits

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Fort Scott Middle School Principal Brian Weilert welcomes guests of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee to the school Thursday morning.

Fort Scott Middle School Principal Brian Weilert spoke to the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Weekly Coffee social Thursday at the school.

An important purpose of the building is safety during tornados.

“We can fit 650 people in this space,” Weilert said. “We can get the student body in here in four minutes.”

The building was constructed of concrete with minimal windows for student safety.

But the school uses what is referred to as “flex space”, for other purposes, Weilert said. “There is a community space, an art gallery, and breakout rooms.”

The brightly painted and colorfully decorated large building can be divided easily for different purposes. It is located on the south side of the school

“This space encourages creativity and it’s good to get out of class once in a while, to change environments,” Weilert said.

The newly constructed space was added to the school in 2017 as part of a district-wide building improvement project.

USD 234 Business Manager Gina Shelton shows the community room that is available for organizations in the community to use. The room is located in the high wind building, completed in 2017 and has innovative technology.

Pictured below are members of the community who congregated in small groups before the announcement segment of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Weekly Coffee.

During the coffee event, members can tell about upcoming community events or organizations for a $1 donation, which goes to fund the town trolley car.

At the conclusion of the weekly coffee, the host organization/business/school/church gets a platform to tell about the events or projects that are currently happening.

This is the dedication plaque that was placed in the community room of the new high wind building, completed in 2017.
Area News, Fort Scott, Schools

Ed2Go at Fort Scott Community College

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Fort Scott Community College offers the Ed2Go Program.

“This program allows anyone to take classes (non-credit, but can receive a certificate) from the comfort of their home,” DeAnn Welch, Student Success Center Director Tutoring and Testing Administrator at FSCC, said. “They are  eight weeks, with two assignments per week.”

According to the FSCC website:

Self-Paced Tutorials are used, with these features:

Build skills or earn continuing education credits
Start Anytime
Most tutorials completed in a few hours
Quick self-study on demand
Supported independent study
Certificate of completion awarded with passing score
Learn More View Catalog
These are instructor-led courses, which feature:
Professional development and personal enrichment
Sessions start monthly
Convenient six-week format
Interactive learning environment
Instructors lead each course
Award of completion with passing score
Learn More View Catalog
To view the flyer about the program, click here, then click to enlarge:

grey brochure

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Schools

Host Families Needed For Students

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DeAnn Welch started the Adopt-A-Greyhound program eight years ago at Fort Scott Coummunity College because of a need she perceived.

In her job as FSCC  Student Success Center Director and Tutoring and Testing Administrator  see saw students coming to college from other distant states.

“They come here not knowing anyone,” Welch said. ” Some even come here on a one way bus ticket in hopes of playing football and getting away from a life that they could have ended up dead.  It is a sad situation.”

She had an idea.

“I thought, why not place these kids with local families who can give them that home away from home,” she said.

“The families can have this student over for dinner, go to their games if they are athletes, and simply be a support system.”

The program has had many success stories, she said.

“Some families still keep in touch with their student and even travel to see their games when they advance to the next level.  It truly has developed many lifelong friendships,” Welch said.

For more information, contact Welch at 620-223-2700, ext. 4300 or [email protected]

 

Fort Scott, Schools, Submitted

FSMS 8th Graders Create Art For Cancer Patients

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Fort Scott Middle School teacher Michelle Brittain and Susan Wood, RN at Mercy, post sentimental messages on the wall at Mercy Cancer Care Unit of Hope.

With the staggering prevalence of cancer in the United States, it’s likely every person personally knows of someone who has been diagnosed with the disease. According to the National Cancer Institute, an estimated 1,685,210 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in the U.S. in 2016.

More importantly, each case represents a life: a mother, father, sister, brother, friend or neighbor.

That’s where eighth-grade students from Mrs. Michelle Brittain‘s English class at Fort Scott Middle School decided to step in and take on a project which spreads a message of hope to patients at the Mercy Cancer Care Unit of Hope.

The students created sentimental hand-crafted notes on either cards, posters, or even in one case inside origami figures. The messages are displayed in the treatment area for patients, family members and caregiver to read.

“It is humbling to be included in this student-driven project that focuses on encouraging our cancer patients,” said Susan Wood, RN, Mercy Cancer Care Unit of Hope. “When I saw what the kids had created, it gave me goosebumps and brought a tear to my eye.”

The idea for the class project came after the class read a short story by Terry Brooks titled “Imaginary Friends” about a young man who was fighting leukemia. Additionally, all eighth graders recently traveled to the Coterie Theater for Project Art.

“On behalf of our patients, I want to extend a huge thank you to Mrs. Brittan and her students for this extremely kind gesture,” Wood added.

Mercy Hospital Fort Scott is an acute care hospital with 46 licensed beds, offering comprehensive medical, surgical, OB/GYN, pediatric, home care and hospice services. Inpatient care is provided with 24/7 physician coverage. In 2017, Mercy Hospital Fort Scott received The Leapfrog Group’s prestigious A rating. Mercy Clinic Fort Scott is located on hospital grounds as well as Mercy rural health clinics in Arma and Pleasanton.

Mercy, named one of the top five large U.S. health systems in 2017 and 2016 by Truven, an IBM Watson Health company, serves millions annually. Mercy includes more than 40 acute care and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, 800 physician practices and outpatient facilities, 44,000 co-workers and 2,100 Mercy Clinic physicians in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Mercy also has clinics, outpatient services and outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In addition, Mercy’s IT division, Mercy Technology Services, supply chain organization, ROI, and Mercy Virtual commercially serve providers and patients in more than 20 states coast to coast.

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Schools, Submitted

FSCC Annual Spring Rodeo March 9-11

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Fort Scott Community College hosts the 37th Annual Spring Rodeo on March 9-11.

This action-packed rodeo will take place in the indoor Arnold Arena. The rodeo will feature 25 Kansas and Oklahoma 2-year and 4-year colleges competing for a variety of titles.

These athletes work hard, not only in the classroom but in the arena!

So get on out to Fort Scott Community College and watch them at work.

Friday, March 9 will kick off at 7:30 p.m., followed by Saturday, March 10 at 1 pm and 7:30 pm, and then finishing on Sunday, March 11 at 1 pm.

Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for FSCC students (with I.D.) $3 for children 6 to 12 and children 5 and under are free.

For more information, please contact Jaice Cross or Chad Cross at 620.223.2700 ext. 7030.

 

Area News, Fort Scott, Schools, Submitted

FSCC Addresses Tobacco Use On Campus

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Fort Scott Community College announced its plan to join a national movement to address smoking and tobacco use on college campuses throughout the U.S.

Fort Scott Community College will ask students, faculty, and administration to support the adoption of a 100 percent smoke-free policy.

“We are truly excited to make Fort Scott Community College a safe, healthy and productive environment,” said Alysia Johnston, Fort Scott Community College President. “The health benefits of reducing secondhand smoke exposure are invaluable and could also help students prepare for the workforce where smoke-free policies are already the norm.”

Fort Scott Community College President Alysia Johnston.

Over the next 17 months, Fort Scott Community College will engage the campus community to address tobacco use. A task force will be formed to oversee the project, assess tobacco use behavior and attitudes, identify a treatment plan for current smokers and develop a policy. Two students will develop and lead educational efforts to build a movement to become a tobacco-free campus. The policy must be approved by Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees.

Fort Scott Community College’s efforts are part of a growing trend to clean the air on campuses. Currently, more than 2,100 higher education institutions in the United States have gone smoke- or tobacco-free.

FSCC was one of 18 minority-serving institutions and community colleges that will receive funds and technical support from Truth Initiative®, the nation’s largest nonprofit public health organization dedicated to making tobacco use a thing of the past. The project will be led by Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society on campus. Over the past three years, Truth Initiative has partnered with 135 colleges, reaching more than 1.2 million students and 275,000 faculty and staff across 35 states.

“With 99 percent of smokers starting before age 26, college campuses are critical platforms for preventing young adults from starting tobacco use, aiding those current tobacco users in quitting and reducing exposure to secondhand smoke for all,” said Robin Koval, CEO, and president of Truth Initiative. “We are looking forward to supporting Fort Scott Community College’s efforts to make smoking and tobacco use a thing of the past.”

Today, 38 million Americans ages 18 and above still smoke — including 17.7 percent in Kansas— and tobacco use remains the number one cause of preventable death in this country. Research also shows that there are dire health consequences for non-smokers too. Secondhand smoke exposure causes cancer and cardiovascular disease among other secondhand smoke diseases, which are responsible for more than 41,000 deaths among nonsmoking adults in the U.S.

Minority-serving institutions and community colleges tend to serve students who are at greater risk for tobacco use, including low-income, racial and ethnic minority and first-generation students.

“The grant from Truth Initiative has set us up for success and I’m positive we can achieve our goals,” said Johnston. “We are going to hit the ground running with our plan so that we can finally take a breath of fresh air on campus.”


Fort Scott, Schools, Submitted

FSCC To Stage ‘Minimum Rage’

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“Things could always get better.”

At least that’s what Harvey Doe and his wife, Edna, tell a group of extraterrestrial educators in defense of the human race in Rich Orloff’s “The Whole Shebang,” the featured play in a night of one-acts, dubbed “Minimum Rage,” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Fort Scott Community College.

The program consists of five short plays to be performed in workshop style by the students in the FSCC theater department. There is no charge for admission, and some of the plays contain strong adult language.

“This is an actors’ showcase,” said Allen Twitchell, FSCC theater instructor. “By design, the sets and costumes are minimal in nature. I just wanted to provide the students an opportunity to perform on stage this semester before our big show in the spring.”

“Minimum Rage” also features guest director Tony Wagner and student directors Jackie Neher and Jared Oshel.

The plays are:

“Roommate Roulette,” by Twitchell, directed by Twitchell, with a cast of Erin Deatsch, Payton Boswell, Katelynn Coe, Ashley Lockwood and Ka’Si Gates.

“In the Meantime,” by Sharon Cooper, directed by Neher, with a cast of Sammy Jamison and Paulette Hays.

“Selling Johnny Depp,” by Alex Broun, directed by Twitchell, with a cast of Savannah Kratzberg, Connor Masters and Jared Oshel.

“Gas Mart Amendment,” by Nick Zagone, directed by Oshel, with a cast of Royce White and Baylee Whitmore.

And, “The Whole Shebang,” directed by Wagner, with a cast of Jesse Cooke, Connor Masters, Ashley Lockwood, Kartis Leal, Sammy Jamison and Jackie Neher.

Abby Cooke is assisting with the production.

Fort Scott, Schools

Fort Scott High School Performs “Alice vs. Wonderland” Feb. 22 and 24

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Alice and  the Caterpillars are: Madi Toth with Noah Martin and Alex Gorman.

The Fort Scott High School Thespians present “Alice vs. Wonderland” adapted by Brendan Shea on Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 24 at 2 and 7 p.m. at the FSHS Auditorium.

“Lewis Carroll meets Lady Gaga in this psychedelic update of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Angst-ridden adolescent Alice unwittingly trades places with Mary Ann, the Wonderland version of herself. Now Alice must travel through a fantastical teenage dreamscape, challenged by Carroll’s canonical characters every step of the way. Transforming every time she eats or drinks, Alice is played by six different actresses, each evoking a different aspect of adolescence. Together, they paint an entrancingly surreal portrait of a teenage identity crisis,” according to publishing company Playscripts.

The show involves an ensemble cast of 16 with most students playing multiple characters. Actresses playing the Alice characters analyzed the playwright’s work to pinpoint the aspects of Alice’s personality that each represents.

“My director pushed me to really analyze the script and delve into the right way to inflect the words to reflect my character,” said junior Daniela Belcuore who plays Alice #3, the Alice who embodies the “childlike” portion of her personality.

Alice and White Knight played by Daniela Belcuore and Jakob Slinkard.

Audiences will enjoy a “mix-up” of pop-culture references and songs with the traditional Wonderland characters we all know. The show includes music and dance numbers including a duet between junior Mary Gladbach (Alice #2) and sophomore Carlee Studyvin (Mary Ann), a solo by sophomore Addy Labbe (Queen of Hearts), and a jazz routine choreographed by Labbe and sophomore Mesa Jones.

Stand out performances include ihigh school senior Alex Gorman as the Mad Hatter, Gladbach also as the March Hare, and high school  junior Hunter Adamson as the White Rabbit. Also noteworthy is the creative lighting design my junior Alyx Brooks.

The production is directed by FSHS Drama and Thespian Director Angie Bin with choreography assistance from FSHS alum Kevin Miller, Jr.

Tickets are $5 and are on sale now at the FSHS office, 1005 S. Main and at Common Ground, 116 S. Main in Fort Scott.

Proceeds will assist students attending the International Thespian Festival at the University of Nebraska in June. Seating is limited, so audience members are encouraged to buy tickets in advance.

Doors open thirty minutes before showtime.

For more information contact:  Angie Bin, 620-719-9622, [email protected]