WPS News features: Employee Inside Information:
District celebrates groundbreaking of new K-8 school
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From left, Horace Mann student Juan Lozoya, Superintendent Winston Brooks, Horace Mann student Hillary Harder, Mayor Carl Brewer, Board of Education President Sarah Skelton, Cessna Chairman Emeritus Russ Meyer, Horace Mann student Patty Evans and Board of Education member Shirley Jefferson officially break ground on the district’s newest school on April 16. |
The Wichita Public Schools celebrated the start of construction of its new kindergarten – eighth-grade school in northeast Wichita with a groundbreaking ceremony on April 16. Superintendent Winston Brooks, Board of Education President Sarah Skelton and member Shirley Jefferson, Mayor Carl Brewer and Cessna Chairman Emeritus Russ Meyer participated in the groundbreaking celebration.
“Now is the right time, in the right location, with the right partners, and with the right focus.” Superintendent Brooks said. “We are proud that we will be able to offer a state-of-the-art facility to the neighborhood and for the students of Wichita.”
The Heights High School marching band and flag team welcomed visitors as they came to the new school site. Northeast Magnet High School JROTC cadets presented the Colors at the beginning of the celebration. At the end of the dedication, the guest speakers and three students from Horace Mann Dual Language Magnet officially “broke ground” by turning dirt with golden shovels.
The new K-8 school is scheduled to open in the fall of 2008. It will be a neighborhood magnet with half of the
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| Heights High School’s Marching Band welcomed visitors as they arrived to the new school site. Photos by Susan Arensman |
seats reserved for neighborhood children; the other half will apply through the magnet school program. The district is intending to apply to be a primary years and middle years International Baccalaureate program. The curriculum will be delivered to all students who attend the school. It will be the first program of its kind in Kansas. The name of the school, the principal, colors, mascot and boundaries will be determined during the 2007-2008 school year.
“Today represents a spectacular beginning to what will be a busy 16 months on this piece of land,” Superintendent Brooks said.
The school is being built near the new Boys and Girls Club and The Opportunity Project (TOPS) early childhood facility at 25th St. and Grove. Superintendent Brooks praised Russ Meyer for his vision of revitalizing that area of Wichita and expressed pleasure that the school will be a part of it.
“Just think of how many lives will be changed here,” Meyer said. “I can’t wait for the doors of this school to open in 2008.”
The new school is designed by Schaefer, Johnson, Cox and Frey and Compton Construction Corporation is the contractor. The $10.4 million, 80,000 square foot facility will be built to hold 600 students and will feature 29 general classrooms, an art room, two music rooms, a computer lab, library, parent involvement center and a multipurpose room that will also be a FEMA tornado safe room. The new school is also designed to include a privately-managed clinic to provide medical and dental services to area children with needs. The Board of Education is currently working to finalize details of the clinic construction and management.
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Spring Good Apple recipients recognized
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| Ralph Baehr, business teacher at South High School, was one of the recipients of the Good Apple Award presented on April 16. Photo by Susan Arensman |
More than 400 people, representing 65 schools, support centers and business partners were recognized on April 16 for receiving the Good Apple Award. The Board of Education recognized the recipients during a special ceremony at Northwest High School. The Good Apple Awards program allows schools and administrative support centers to recognize employees, volunteers and school partners who go the extra step in helping the school district and its students to succeed.
This school year, 79 buildings participated in the Good Apple Award program. This is a record number of buildings participating.
A list of the Good Apple recipients and photos of the event can be viewed by clicking here.
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SuperSAC shares views in Topeka
Members of Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (SuperSAC) traveled to Topeka on April 18, to present results of their recent "Dialogue With The Superintendent" to Interim Education Commissioner Dale Dennis and members of the Council of Superintendents. Students shared responses to three questions - what the district does well, what needs improvement and what are the top issues for high school students.
“Our high school students are extraordinary thinkers, focused on the future, and full of great suggestions for improving the educational experience we offer to students in this district,” said Superintendent Winston Brooks. “The influence of students is visible in our high school reform effort as well as numerous other policies and practices, and it is an honor to have our students invited to present their views to the state’s Council of Superintendents.”
Students first presented their report to the Wichita Board of Education on April 9. Shahab Namdar, East High School, and Isaiah Alexander-Arceneaux, Metro-Midtown Alternative High School, gave the presentation.
The students shared five topics of what the district does well – career and college preparation, quality teachers, technology, academics first and a safe school environment. The four issues that need improvement are ACT preparation, the amount of testing, communication of rules and more public speaking training, and AP classes being too expensive.
The top three issues for high school students are communication (speaking, reading, writing and listening), funding (for technology, extra-curricular activities, programs) and career planning.
The issues from the Superintendent’s dialogue session will shape SuperSAC's discussion agenda for next year. Previous dialogue discussions have helped influence outcomes on district issues including high school reform, career counseling and preparation, and vending machine policies.
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Sowers student artwork displayed in Washington, DC
Breshon McCarty, student at Sowers Special Education Center, won first place at the Congressional Art Competition: An Artistic Discovery. The competition allows members of the U.S. House of Representatives the opportunity to showcase the talents of high school students within their districts. Breshon's artwork will be displayed at the U.S. Capitol for a year and he receives a $500 prize for winning the district-wide contest.
Other students who participated in the contest wer Aaron Goings, James Culver and James McCarrell. Their art teacher is Vernell Morgan.
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East students learn the dangers of driving drunk
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| Police and Fire crews gather around a student who has passed away during the school's mock DUI accident. Photo by Susan Arensman |
Students at East High School saw up-close the dangers of drinking and driving during a mock DUI accident held April 19. The school’s drama students helped act out the scene, which begins just after a fatal accident occurs. In the accident, some students are hurt, one is killed and one is taken to jail.
The Wichita Police Department, Wichita Fire Department, EMS and a local mortuary were involved in the demonstration. The organizations show how they give aid to the injured, place the deceased in body bags, give DUI tests and how they arrest drunk drivers.
"I really hope we can influence people not to get in a car, even if a person has just one drink," said Anna Kamerer, sophomore, who participated in the demonstration.
"If we can have an effect on just one person, then it's worth it," said Joe Consiglio, sophomore. "I hope they will watch this and realize the importance of a designated driver, or not drinking at all."
"It's important that they see their peers in that situation," said John Biagini, East's School Resource Officer. "They can identify with them and even though this is just a dramatization, it hits home."
During prom and graduation season, Wichita high school students involved in the Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) clubs are making sure their classmates learn the hard lessons of drinking and driving. This time of year, there are more parties and increased chances of students getting hurt or killed in car accidents involving alcohol. Many schools ask students to sign pledge cards promising to stay drug and alcohol free.
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Health and Safety Fair helps students and families
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| Firefighters from McConnell Air Force Base help a student try on their bunker gear during the Health and Safety Fair. Photo courtesy Tracy Mayfield |
The Multilingual Education Resources Center and Department of Health Services hosted a Health and Safety Fair for students and their families on April 7. Twenty community agencies had informational displays about issues including diabetes, epilepsy and arthritis. There were also games to teach about fire prevention and home safety. The agencies brought translated materials and interpreters to assist families.
The fair was funded by a grant from the Kansas Health Foundation given to Tracy Mayfield, nurse at Franklin Elementary, the Multilingual Education Center and the district’s Health Services. The grant is being used to develop resources for school nurses to better serve ESOL students and their families.
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Meetings will answer new health plan questions
Employees are invited to learn about the changes in the district's health plan, as it transitions administration to Coventry Health Care. On Feb. 12, the Board of Education approved Coventry Health Care of Kansas to act as third-party administrators for the district’s self-funded health plan.
The meetings will answer frequently asked questions about the district's health plan and will explain what employees need to do to ensure there are no gaps in their pharmacy or medical coverage.
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Tuesday, April 24
North High School lecture hall
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
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Wednesday, April 25
School Service Center cafeteria
2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
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Thursday, April 26
North High School lecture hall
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
For more information, call 973-4581 or email riskmanagement@usd259.net.
Principal Academy offered for aspiring teachers
Teachers who are interested in becoming principals are encouraged to apply for the Aspiring Principal Academy, a new program offered by the district. The Aspiring Principal Academy is a two-year leadership program, offered in partnership with Wichita State University. The district will provide funding for all course work, books and materials for those selected for the Academy. Those who successfully complete the program may be offered an opportunity for a future administrative position. Each candidate will commit to serving the Wichita Public Schools for three years.
The deadline for applications is April 27. Applications were emailed via outlook from Human Resources. For more information, contact Ed Raymond, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, eraymond@usd259.net.
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Summer program offerings posted online
Information concerning summer school offerings and school age (Latchkey) programs is available on the district's website. Enrollment for summer school courses and school age programs is going on now. Enrollment for driver's education begins May 5.
For more information, including summer school course offerings and school age program sites, click here.
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Retirement Banquet reservations due April 23
The Wichita Public Schools will honor retiring employees and those who have served the district for 20-, 30- and 40-years during a special banquet on May 7 at the Hyatt Regency Wichita. The employees being honored received invitations and their reservations are due April 23 to Marketing and Communications.
Employees who have questions about the district’s retirement and longevity recognition program should contact Susan Kelley-Linder in Marketing and Communications, SKLinder@usd259.net.
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Northeast chess team is tenth in the nation
Northeast Magnet High School's Chess Team competed April 14 in the National Chess Tournament held in Kansas City. The team placed tenth in the nation.