WPS News features: Employee Inside Information:
School Highlights: Points of Pride:
Parents learn education options at Choices Fair
 |
| A future kindergarten student shakes hands with the Cat in the Hat at Dodge Literacy Magnet’s booth at the Choices Fair. Photo by Susan Arensman |
Thousands of parents and children came to see what education options they have during the 18th annual Choices Fair, held at Century II on Jan. 9. Representatives from the district's magnet schools, neighborhood schools, alternative schools and special programs took the opportunity to showcase what they can offer to students.
The Choices Fair gives parents and students the opportunity to see the different schools and programs in one place. They met with school staff, students and other parents to find what school or program best meets their child's educational needs. The Choices Fair also gives visitors the chance to learn about the Wichita Public Schools overall.
For more information about the different magnet schools, special programs, or for a magnet school application, click here, or call the Magnet Office at 973-4464.
The application deadline for all magnet schools is Thursday, February 15 at 4:45 p.m. Selection letters to all applicants will be mailed to parents in March.
Top
Six teachers National Board Certified
Six teachers have earned the profession's top honor of National Board Certification. They received their certification from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards. The six recipients are:
· Robert Compton, language arts teacher at North High School
· Catherine Hoopes, kindergarten teacher at Franklin Elementary
· Judy Mareda, vocal music teacher at Benton Elementary
· Shane Phillips, social studies teacher at Heights High School
· Lynda Snyder, science teacher at Northwest High School
· Stacie Valdez, language arts teacher at North High School
National Board Certification is achieved through a rigorous performance-based assessment that takes nearly a year to complete. Teachers document their knowledge of the subject matter, show evidence they know how to teach students effectively and show their ability to measure student learning.
More information on National Board Certification can be found at www.nbpts.org.
Top
Five schools are finalists for Best Places to WorkFive district schools have been named finalists for the 2006 Best Places to Work competition, sponsored by the Wichita Business Journal.
This year, there is a special category for education. The five finalists in the category are Anderson, Chisholm Trail, Franklin, Lawrence and Seltzer. The finalists fill out surveys about the school's work environment and employee satisfaction. The winner will be selected based on the survey results.
The winner will be announced at a luncheon banquet March 8 at the Hyatt Regency.
Top
New ways to receive district information via email
The district has expanded its offerings of electronic newsletters and notifications. This is a fast, convenient way to receive district news, lunch menus and weather information via email. One of the new offerings is a district Emergency Weather Notification that will automatically notify you of any inclement weather school changes.
To view the list of available newsletters and to sign up for the newsletters, click here. The Express Online will continue to be sent to employees via Outlook, so there is no need for employees to sign up for that service. For more information, contact Marketing and Communications at 973-4515.
Top
Chisholm Trail sends letters to troops, receives thanks
 |
| Letters written by Chisholm Trail students were posted in hallways between tents at a military hospital in Iraq. Photo courtesy Chisholm Trail |
First-grade students at Chisholm Trail Elementary wrote letters and created artwork in support of the troops who are serving in Iraq. The Park City Pride community group asked for student letters to be included in care packages they were sending for the holidays.
The letters were delivered to a military hospital in Iraq. The students' letters and artwork were posted in the hallways of the hospital. The hospital is made out of tents and the hallways connect the tents together.
"Everyone who walks down the hallways can see and read them. Sometimes people cry because they know how much you care," Air Force Lt. Col. Kathy Van Der Linden, Commander of the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Support Squadron, wrote in an email to the school.
Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld visited the hospital before he left office and commented that he liked seeing the students' letters on display, according to Van Der Linden's email.
Chisholm Trail has received many letters of thanks and photographs from the troops. The school has posted the letters and photographs in the hallway for the entire school to see.
"They are very appreciative of what our students have done," said principal Susan Hussey. "And we are honored that we were able to make a difference."
Top
Mead students exchange books for fun
 |
|
Mead students look at their reading options at the school's book swap. Photo by Lacey Cruse |
Students at Mead Middle School had a make-shift book store in their library on January 5. Mead has sponsored a book swap for several years to encourage students to read. Students were able to bring books from home and exchange for different books. Students were able to pick out two books, one for themselves and one for a family member or friend.
“We’re trying to strengthen our reading culture,” said Mary Hollowell, librarian.
The book swap was made possible by school employees, students, Paperback Emporium and other community partners.
Top
Employee Health Fair begins January 20
The district's Health Fair has been scheduled for four Saturdays, two in January and two in February. Blood tests will be offered for free for benefited employees, spouses and retirees who participate in the district's self-funded health plan. Employees not on the health plan may participate for a $30 fee.
The Health Fair will include a blood draw which checks for HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose. Employees are asked not to eat anything after midnight the day before. There will also be wellness vendors and activities for children.
Employees who wish to attend the health fair will be assigned by their home zip code. To view the designated dates, times and zip codes, click here.
Top
Retirement Seminar and Financial Fair is January 23
Employees are invited to learn about different ways to save for retirement during the district’s Retirement Seminar and Financial Fair, Jan. 23, 5 – 7 p.m., at North High School. The presentation is for all district employees.
Representatives from KPERS and Social Security will be present and information will also be shared about the district's bridge. There will also be representatives present from the 457 Plan and the 403(b) Plans to answer investment questions.
For more information, contact Risk Management at 973-4581 or riskmanagement@usd259.net.
GYOT deadline is January 31
High school students and Wichita Public Schools employees who are interested in pursuing teaching careers are encouraged to apply for the Grow Your Own Teacher (GYOT) scholarship program. The application deadline is Jan. 31, 2007 at 4:45 p.m.
The GYOT program provides financial assistance in the form of forgivable loans to outstanding high school graduates or Wichita district employees who want to become teachers. Students in the GYOT program can work toward a teaching degree at Wichita State University, Friends University, Newman University or Southwestern College. The program also includes mentor support, work experiences and assistance with job placement after becoming certified.
High school teachers, counselors and principals can encourage students, paraeducators and tutors to get involved in the GYOT program.
For more information or for a scholarship application, call 973-4620 or click here.
Top
SchoolNet is coming in February
Starting in February, teachers and principals will have a new and easy way to access student data, test scores and district curriculum resources. SchoolNet is a web-based instructional tool that will allow teachers and principals to access student data and curriculum resources at work or at home. It will allow teachers to see how their students performed on the latest district common assessments within 24 hours. The program will also give teachers an easier way to find curriculum resources that match standards and indicators. Another advantage of SchoolNet is when a student transfers to another school, the students' information will automatically be available to the new school. For example, MAP and KSA scores will follow the student as he/she moves between buildings.
The district plans to have teachers begin training on SchoolNet on February 16 during inservices. For more information about SchoolNet, click here.
Top
Students take part in Sebelius inaugural event
 |
| Governor Sebelius recognizes student athletes at her inaugural event. Some are pictured in the front row. Photo by Diane Gjerstad |
Wichita high school students took part in Governor Kathleen Sebelius' inaugural event at Wichita State University on Jan. 4. The event kicked off the inaugural festivities for Gov. Sebelius, titled "Kansas All Stars." Eight student athletes were nominated to participate by their school. Drew Haden, East; Savannah Ellis, Heights; Tyler Grimes, North; Jessica Stuart, Northeast; Lance Landenberger, Northwest; Sarah Eldridge, South; Mike Atwater, Southeast and Kristin Couch, West, were recognized at the event. Gov. Sebelius said the athletes represented the best of Wichita athletes and demonstrate the diversity and excellence of athletes in Kansas.
Jeremiah Roberts, student at West High School, sang the National Anthem at the beginning of the inaugural event.
Top
North's band plays in Liberty Bowl show
North High School's marching band played a part of the Liberty Bowl festivities in Memphis. North's band was one of 16 bands to play during halftime at the Dec. 29 game. All the bands played together and also accompanied country singer LeAnn Rimes during the halftime show.
The day before the game, North marched in the Liberty Bowl parade in downtown Memphis. The parade was a judged competition and North placed second in their class of bands with fewer than 75 members. North also placed first for the High Marching Award for their class.
"It was a great experience," said Steve Byers, North's band director. "It was exciting for the kids to be in Memphis, a city with so much musical history and influence."
©2007 Wichita Public Schools. All Rights Reserved.