School Highlights: Points of Pride:
District dedicates Blackbear Bosin Academy
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| Native American dancers perform during the dedication ceremony of Blackbear Bosin Academy. |
The Wichita Public Schools officially dedicated Blackbear Bosin Academy during a special ceremony on Dec. 14. The Board of Education voted to rename Alcott Academy to Blackbear Bosin Academy in June. The name was chosen to honor the local Native American artist whose sculpture, “Keeper of the Plains” stands at the confluence of the Arkansas and Little Arkansas Rivers and is a symbol of the city.
“It is an honor to have this school named after one of Wichita’s finest community members,” said principal Toby Martin.
“It is wonderful that Wichita still honors my father and the work he has done,” said Blackbear Bosin’s son, Niles, during the ceremony. Bosin told the students about the importance of getting an education, and telling them, “Success is not just what you accomplish; success is how you live life and how you feel about yourself.”
Before the dedication, a “cedaring” took place outside the school. This is a traditional Native American ceremony which cleanses and blesses the building. Cy Ahtone, who performed the ceremony, explained the significance of the ceremony to guests and talked about the good wishes that would be brought upon the school.
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| Clockwise top left, Superintendent Winston Brooks, principal Toby Martin, Niles Bosin and student Marina Witt unveil the portrait of Blackbear Bosin that will hang in the school that bears his name. Photos by Susan Arensman |
As part of the dedication, Native American drummers and dancers performed. Student Marina Witt read an essay she had written about the life and legacy of Blackbear Bosin. Sarah Skelton and Shirley Jefferson, Board of Education members, and Truman Ware and Susan Seal, both friends of Bosin, spoke to guests as part of the dedication. Superintendent Winston Brooks, Niles Bosin, Martin and Witt unveiled the portrait of Blackbear Bosin that will hang in the school.
In April, the Board approved a plan to move the Alcott Academy program to the vacant Price Elementary site, located at 6123 E. 11th St. Alcott Academy didn't receive any upgrades with the bond issue and the facility didn't meet the needs of students and staff. Price-Harris Communications Magnet moved into the Harris campus as a result of the school's bond issue project, leaving the Price site vacant. With Alcott moving to the Price site, a committee was formed to consider a new name for the school. Board of Education President Sarah Skelton headed the committee and said the decision to name the school after Bosin was unanimous.
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Twenty-one schools earn Standard of Excellence
Twenty-one schools have received the Standard of Excellence, the state’s highest honor, from the Kansas Department of Education. The honor is based on the percentage of students who score exemplary on the state assessments. The schools have received 56 Standard of Excellence Awards by grade-level or building- wide.
Elementary Schools
| Benton |
Reading – 5th grade |
Bostic
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Reading – 3rd, 4th and 5th grade, building-wide
Math – 3rd and 5th grade, building-wide |
Bryant
|
Reading – 5th grade
Math – 5th grade |
Buckner
|
Reading – 3rd and 5th grade, building-wide
Math – 3rd and 5th grade, building-wide |
| Cleaveland |
Reading – 4th grade |
| College Hill |
Reading – 4th grade |
| Colvin |
Math – 3rd grade |
| Earhart |
Reading – 4th and 5th grade, building-wide |
Emerson
|
Reading – 5th grade, building-wide
Math – 5th grade |
Hyde
|
Reading – 4th and 5th grade, building-wide
Math – 4th grade, building-wide |
| Lewis |
Reading – 5th grade |
McCollom
|
Reading – 4th and 5th grade, building-wide
Math – 5th grade |
| OK |
Reading – 5th grade |
Middle Schools
Allison
|
Reading – 6th and 8th grade, building-wide
Math – 7th and 8th grade, building-wide |
| Horace Mann |
Math – 8th grade |
| Robinson |
Reading – 8th grade, building-wide |
| Stucky |
Reading – 8th grade |
High Schools
| Heights |
Reading – 11th grade, building-wide |
| Metro-Boulevard |
Reading – 11th grade, building-wide |
Northeast
|
Reading – 11th grade, building-wide
Math – 10th grade, building-wide |
| Northwest |
Reading – 11th grade, building-wide |
For schools to receive the Standard of Excellence, a certain number of students must score exemplary on the state assessments and only a small percentage of students must be on academic warning. The number of students who score exemplary ranges from 15 to 25 percent, based on grade level. The maximum percentage of students on academic warning ranges from 5 to 10 percent, depending on grade level.
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East student wins WSU’s McGregor Scholarship
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| Drew Tedlock, right, pictured with Wichita State University President Donald Beggs, received the McGregor Scholarship for outstanding academic merit. Photo by Susan Arensman |
Drew Tedlock, senior at East High School, was awarded the Lenore N. McGregor Scholarship from Wichita State University. The McGregor Scholarship is awarded for outstanding academic merit. Tedlock will receive $42,000 from WSU. Tedlock was also a finalist for WSU’s Gore and Barton scholarships.
Tedlock plans to study international business and economics, with possible minors in French and German. He hopes to study at the Berlin School of Economics, which has an exchange agreement with WSU, while he’s pursuing his undergraduate degree.
Tedlock is a member of the National Honors Society, and wrote a 50,000-word novel as part of National Novel Writer’s Month. He has interests in art and photography and sells greeting cards that feature his photos in many places around Wichita.
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District receives two grants for safe rooms
The Wichita Public Schools received two grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to build safe rooms for the new Earhart Elementary and the new K-8 school that will be located at 2201 E. 25th Street North. FEMA recently approved $140,700 in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding for the design and construction of a tornado shelter for Earhart and $178,000 for the new K-8 school building.
Both the new Earhart and the new K-8 facility in northeast Wichita will begin construction Spring ‘07 and will welcome students in the fall of 2008.
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Gift helps twelve schools get playgrounds
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A Colvin prekindergarten student rides a slide on the new early childhood playground equipment. Photo by Susan Arensman |
Twelve schools have received or will receive playgrounds for prekindergarten students because of a $100,000 gift from Lowe’s. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held at Colvin Elementary on Dec. 12 to thank Lowe’s for their generous gift, to recognize the volunteers who helped build the playgrounds and to allow students to play on the new equipment for the first time.
“All you have to do is look at these beautiful children to know that your work is appreciated,” Superintendent Winston Brooks said. “We appreciate those who devoted dollars and volunteer hours for this project.”
Lowe’s employees, AmeriCorps volunteers, QuickCrete representatives, School Service Center workers and school volunteers put together age-appropriate playground equipment for prekindergarten students at Colvin, Caldwell, Clark, Cessna, Lincoln and Spaght. Playgrounds at Chisholm Trail, Cloud, Payne, Stanley, Woodman and White will be built next semester.
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Earhart and Colvin learn about clean water
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| Colvin students test the water filter they created. Photo by Susan Arensman |
Students at Earhart Environmental Magnet and Colvin Elementary participated in a special hands-on experiment sponsored by DuPont.
The students were asked to make a water filter with cotton balls, sand, coffee filters and other materials. Student teams were allowed to put the items into a plastic bottle in whatever order they chose. They then poured a mixture of water, oil, dirt and food coloring into their filters to see how well they worked.
The students were excited to see the water flow through their filters. Most teams were able to catch the dirt and the oil in their filters, but the food coloring came through. The lesson the students learned is that there are items in water that may be difficult or impossible to see. With current water purification techniques, those items can be removed before the water reaches their home.
The visit was part of Science in the School Day, an initiative which teams up DuPont field engineers to visit schools and help students explore the science. The goal is to encourage students to consider careers in science and engineering.
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Kelly helps students do holiday shopping
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| Photo by Lacey Cruse |
Students at Kelly Liberal Arts Academy shopped around for friends and loved ones at the school’s Reindeer Lane the week of Dec. 4. The store had items ranging from $.25 - $15 and allowed students and families to do their holiday shopping early.
This event was made possible through JT Enterprises. The school receives 25% of all sales and profits will help the PTA sponsor field trips. Reindeer Lane brought in $2,100 for the school.
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Choices Fair is January 9
The 18th annual Wichita Public Schools' Choices Fair will be held January 9, 2007, 5 – 8 p.m. at Century II Exhibition Hall. Representatives from magnet schools, elementary, middle and high schools, special programs and a variety of district offices will be available to visit with parents about the educational options they have for their children. The Choices Fair gives parents and students the opportunity for “one-stop shopping” to see which school or program best meets their child’s education needs.
More information about the Choices Fair and the magnet schools can be found here.
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DCTA nominations due January 12
Principals, staff and parents are encouraged to turn in their nominations for the 2007 Distinguished Classroom Teacher Awards. The Distinguished Classroom Teacher Awards program honors outstanding teachers who affect the quality of education in the Wichita Public Schools. The deadline for hand-delivered nominations is January 12 at 4:45 p.m. Mailed nominations must be postmarked by January 10 to the Assistant Superintendents' offices.
The Distinguished Classroom teacher Awards is given in seven categories: New Teacher Elementary, New Teacher Secondary, Primary (K-2), Intermediate (3-5), Middle School, High School and Support teacher. A committee consisting of principals, teachers, the assistant superintendents of elementary, middle and high schools and a member of the United Teachers of Wichita selects the final recipients. Two of the Distinguished Classroom Teacher recipients will represent the Wichita Public Schools for the prestigious Kansas Teacher of the Year Award.
The DCTA nomination form can be found by clicking here.
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GYOT helps others become teachers
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 either at Wichita State University, Friends University, or 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.
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Retirement Seminar is January 23
Employees are invited to learn about different ways to save for their 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.
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Nominate others as Friends of Education
School and district staff are encouraged to nominate individuals or groups for the Friends of Education Awards. A special 25th Anniversary Banquet to honor nominees will be held in Wichita on Saturday, April 21, 2007. The Friends of Education Awards, sponsored by the Confidence in Kansas Public Education Task Force, honor people or organizations who have made outstanding contributions to public education in the following categories:
• School Volunteer – an individual or couple who provides volunteer services in public schools.
• Community Leader – an individual who has made a significant contribution to public education while serving in a leadership capacity.
• Partner Activity – a business, company or agency that has provided an on-going partner activity for three years or more that exceeds typical collaboration from a private or public institution.
• Private or Public Institution – a company, business or agency that has made a significant contribution to public education.
• Community/Civic Organization – a club, organization, committee or task force that has made a significant contribution to public education.
Nomination forms and information about the awards can be found at www.ksconfidencetaskforce.org. The deadline for submitting nominations is January 27, 2007. One Award of Excellence and up to four Certificates of Award will be presented in each of the five categories. All other nominees will receive Certificates of Merit.
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Schools participate in Operation Holiday
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| Levy Special Education Center students collected more than 2,500 food items for Operation Holiday. Photo courtesy Levy |
Several schools showed their holiday spirit by donating items to Operation Holiday. Operation Holiday provides a week’s supply of non-perishable food items as well as a voucher good for perishable food from area grocery stores for families in need. School district delivery trucks picked up food and other items from 38 district sites.
At Levy Special Education Center, students collected more than 2,500 food items. The students helped sort and box 78 packages of food. The school had a contest and the winning team collected 1,077 items and won a field trip to Exploration Place.
At Robinson Middle School, students had a contest to see which homeroom could donate the most food items. David MacAdam’s room won the contest with 356 cans of food. The class celebrated with a pizza party provided by the student council.
Wilbur Middle School students took at trip to the Alvin Morris Administrative Center to drop off their Operation Holiday items on Dec. 7. The students sang carols for workers in the lobby of AMAC. A representative from Operation Holiday was also there to pick up the collected items.
Enterprise Elementary collected 2,222 items during their "Eagle Aid" drive. The school collected more items than the school expected. The school gave half of the collected items to Operation Holiday and the other half was given directly to Enterprise families who need assistance.
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Wilbur students give games to Adams students
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| A Wilbur Middle School student gives the game she created to an Adams Elementary student. Photo by Susan Arensman |
Sixth-grade students from Wilbur Middle School had a special delivery for Adams second-grade students on Dec. 13. Wilbur students designed reading and math board games to give to the Adam students. Each of the students designed their own game and personally delivered it. The Adams students received a sack with a gameboard, movers and cards.
The Wilbur students said they had fun using their imaginations to create the games. The Adams students were thrilled with their gifts.
“She’s going to be one happy little girl,” Wilbur student Aubree Howerton said after giving her game away.
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Buckner students show Classrooms Care
Students in Buckner’s prekindergarten classes read 100 books to make sure others have books of their own. They took part in the “Classrooms Care” campaign sponsored by Scholastic Book Clubs.
Classrooms that participated received a poster with 100 squares to color, with each square representing a book that has been read. If all the squares were colored by December 1, Scholastic’s literacy partners would donate 100 books to children in need. The prekindergarten students met their goal.
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Brooks students help with Bread of Life
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| Photo courtesy Brooks |
Brooks Technology and Arts Middle Magnet students gave back to the community by helping with the Bread of Life community service project. More than 30 cadets volunteered their time to help families in need by loading their cars up with food for the holidays. Teachers Justin Moody and Crystal Abasolo helped coordinate the all-day event. The Bread of Life program is offered annually. This year, more than 1,400 people were given a shopping cart full of food.
“Brooks’ cadets are learning the value of helping others in need, making them better citizens, better students—and better people,” Moody said.
The community service project was so well received that students will help with the Bread of Life Christmas giveaway on December 19.
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