School Highlights: Points of Pride:
BOE approves ending busing for desegregation
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| Connie Dietz, Board of Education President, right, and other members talk with the media after their vote to end busing for desegregation. Photo by Susan Arensman |
In a history-making decision, the Board of Education unanimously approved Superintendent Winston Brooks' plan to eliminate busing for desegregation purposes. The decades-old practice of busing students based on race for the purpose of desegregation will end beginning with the 2008-2009 school year. Superintendent Brooks' final report to the Board, including a summary of community feedback, can be found on the district's website.
Board members said their vote was a difficult decision, but one they took very seriously. Before the vote, each board member had a chance to share their thoughts. Board of Education President Connie Dietz and Barb Fuller talked about being teachers during the first year the plan was implemented and how it affected them and their students. Kevass Harding and Lanora Nolan shared their own experiences with being bused for desegregation when they were in school; Harding's experiences were in Wichita and Nolan's experiences were in Dallas. All board members said that student achievement is first and foremost of their priorities with approving this plan.
"We are committed to diversity in our district," said Dietz. "It doesn't matter which school it is in our district, we will have a highly qualified teacher who will welcome students with open arms and will teach them. And they will learn. That is our guarantee."
"I want all parents to have the same choices for their children, no matter where they live," said Board of Education Vice President Lynn Rogers.
"I believe that what we're doing is historic and monumental," said Harding. "None of us are free until all of us are free. Taking these steps is not easy, but I have the heart and the passion to take them."
More information on the parents’ options, parent contact timeline, feedback from community meetings, and other information can be found by clicking here.
Five community meetings were held in January to inform parents about the plan and to gather feedback. One item that was added to the proposal based on community feedback is the appointment of a Busing Oversight Transition Committee to monitor the implementation of the plan. A policy on the new committee will be discussed during the February 11 meeting.
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BOE looks at each school's improvement projects
The Board of Education got a detailed look at each school's improvement project during its January 28 meeting. The report showed projects that could be funded if the Board proposes a $350 million bond issue. Click here to see a copy of the report.
Many schools would receive new classrooms, storm shelters, upgraded fine arts and athletic facilities. There is also a proposal to build two new high schools, two new K-8 schools and build four new or replacement elementary schools.
"Some schools on the list show no bond projects, but that doesn't mean there are no needs," said Kenton Cox of Schaefer, Johnson, Cox, Frey Architecture. "We would look to fund some of those smaller projects through the capital fund."
The Community Steering Team identified district-wide needs ranging between $468 to $532 million. The Board of Education trimmed that project list to not exceed $350 million during its January 14 meeting.
Chief Operations Officer Martin Libhart also presented a report titled "Time is Money," which showed how delaying a bond vote from May until August or November could add $180,000 to $360,000 to the cost of a new high school and delay the opening of the new school by a year.
The Board will take final action during its February 11 meeting. More information on the Facilities Master Plan update process can be found on the district’s website.
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ParentLink used for first time district-wide
The ParentLink notification system was used for the first time with the cancellation of school on January 31 because of snow. ParentLink is a new service that reaches parents and employees by phone calls and email automatically. The district sent more than 65,000 calls or emails in less than 30 minutes. There were a few glitches that are being worked out. For example, parents with more than one student should only receive one call about school closing.
"For as many calls as we had going out, I am very pleased with how well it went," said Wendy Johnson, Director of Marketing and Communications.
Starting February 4, middle and high schools will begin using ParentLink, Parents will receive attendance notification of unexcused absences, building-wide announcements and event reminders, and emergency announcements. ParentLink began for elementary schools on January 22.
ParentLink is automatic, so parents don’t need to sign up for the service. The only requirement is for parents to keep their phone numbers and contact information up-to-date with the school office. ParentLink is driven by eSIS, the district’s student information database.
Parents who did not receive a notification call or who need to update their contact information, should contact their school office.
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Applications accepted for Education EDGE mini-grants
Applications are now being accepted for the Spring Education EDGE Mini-Grant competition. Teachers can be awarded up to $1,500 for a classroom mini-grant or up to $5,000 for a team effort for their school. The 2008-09 application is posted on-line on the Education Edge website.
The closing date for submitting grants is March 28.
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Schools receive grants from Lowe’s
Washington Elementary and Hadley Middle School both received grants to beautify their school grounds. Both received a $5,000 Lowe’s Toolbox for Education Grant.
At Washington, Leslie Harvey, Parent Volunteer Coordinator, wrote the grant. The money will be used to purchase items for their outdoor garden, including picnic tables, benches, flower plantings and locking trash cans.
Hadley teachers Janet Richardson, Lori Schock, Kim Brocks and Betsy Terriere wrote the grant to support the school’s Outdoor Learning Center. It will be used to purchase picnic tables, benches, trash cans and ground cover for the outdoor classroom.
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Hamilton students get a glimpse into their future
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| Christian Ziliar and Rocio Portillo, eighth-grade students at Hamilton, try to decide what car to buy during the school's Reality Store. Photo by Susan Arensman |
Students at Hamilton Middle School learned how far their paycheck would go. The students participated in the Reality Store, sponsored by Communities in Schools, which helps students understand how much things cost to prepare them for adulthood.
Students complete a lifestyle assessment and are assigned an occupation based on their grade point average and educational plans after high school. They receive a salary based on that information. Students visit different booths like transportation, utilities, housing, entertainment and groceries and make payments. Students then see how much of their paycheck is left at the end of the month.
Some students were paired together as a married couple and had to make their purchases jointly. They learned that they may have more money to spend on items compared to the "single" students, but they also had to make compromises.
Students Christian Ziliar and Rocio Portillo were making purchases as a married couple. They both liked the experience, but were shocked to find out how much items cost.
"It was cool that we could experience these things earlier so we know what to expect after high school," said Portillo.
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How to read your W-2's
The 2007 W-2 forms have been mailed out to district employees. Hints on how to read the W-2's are posted on the Payroll Portal Site.
If you need further assistance, contact Payroll at 973-4574.
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Smoking cessation classes offered
The district is offering free smoking cessation classes for employees and their spouses. The classes are 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Thursday evenings, February 12, 19 and 26 and March 4, 11 and 25. The class will meet in the Wilbur Middle School Library, 340 N. Tyler.
The seven-week program focuses on positive behavior changes to help employees quit smoking. Click here for more information.
To register, contact Risk Management at 973-4581 or riskmanagement@usd259.net.
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Nominate others for Excellence in Public Service
If you know of a district employee who goes beyond the call of duty, nominate him or her for the Excellence in Public Service Award to give them a chance to win $2,500. The Wichita Public Schools, the City of Wichita and Sedgwick County participate in the award program. An employee from each of these sectors will win.
The award recognizes those who demonstrate the following attributes:
• Exemplary performance that has contributed to the public interest
• Innovative problem solving skills that improved work situations
• Adherence to high ethical standards in carrying out their job responsibilities
• Community involvement through participation in civic organizations.
The nomination form is available in the Marketing and Communications office at 201 N. Water, Room 525. To receive a copy, call 973-4515. The form is also available on the district's website or the Marketing and Communications' portal site. Nominations need to be delivered to the Marketing and Communications office by February 22.
The Excellence in Public Service Award is underwritten by the DeVore Foundation.
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Labor Management studies health insurance
The Labor Management Study Committee continues to study the topic of health insurance in an effort to find the best possible plan for all district employees. During a recent meeting, members reviewed data and discussed specific chronic diseases that are caused by poor lifestyles. The committee discussed whether offering monetary incentives to employees who choose positive lifestyle options would encourage them to have healthier lifestyles. For example, some plans have incentives that lower the employee’s deductible if they maintain an appropriate cholesterol level.
The Labor Management Study Committee continues to investigate improvements to our health care plan and ways to hold costs steady. More updates on the Committee’s discussions will be printed in future editions in the Express.
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Translator helps Museum of World Treasures
Rommy Vargas, translator for the Multilingual Education Services, was honored at the Museum of World Treasures on January 26. Vargas translated all of the museum's fact sheets into Spanish. She donated her time to translate the materials.
The fact sheets share more detailed information about the artifacts found in the exhibits to give visitors an opportunity to learn more about them. The Spanish version will be printed on the reverse side of the English fact sheet.
Staff at the museum said without her diligent work, this service wouldn't have been possible.
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Students participate in Circle of Friends variety show
Students from nine district schools and surrounding school districts will present the Circle of Friends variety show on Feb. 9 - 10. The Circle of Friends program pairs regular education students to act as mentors and friends with special education students. During the variety show, the students will perform dances, songs, raps and skits. This is the second year for the variety show. The event sold out last year, so another show was added this year.
"For some students, this is the only opportunity for them to shine in the spotlight and they love it," said Valerie Wall, Circle of Friends founder and coordinator.
The Circle of Friends, "Building the Circle 2" show will be at North High School, 1437 N. Rochester.
Saturday, February 9 – 7 p.m.
Sunday, February 10 – 2 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased at www.wichitatix.com.
The schools who will participate in the Circle of Friends program are Chisholm Life Skills Center, Buc