School Highlights: Points of Pride:
BOE votes to delay bond issue election
The Wichita Board of Education voted to delay the 2008 Bond Issue election to no later than November 4. The BOE will adopt a resolution announcing the new election date at a later meeting.
Sarah Olson and Randy Thon, members of the Citizens Alliance for Responsible Education (CARE), the citizen advocacy group dedicated to passage of the 2008 Bond Issue, requested the meeting with BOE members to discuss CARE's efforts to educate citizens on the bond.
"We believe deeply in the importance of the 2008 Bond Issue to the future of the Wichita school district, and the entire Wichita community," said Olson, CARE Committee Co-Coordinator. "Our mission is to share the merits of this effort, our message is received positively when we have the opportunity to share facts, and we are at a critical stage of the timeline identified for the spring bond election. We don't think there is sufficient time available to adequately inform Wichita voters on the merits of the bond issue."
CARE shared with the Board that they have spoken to many groups about the bond issue and would like more time to educate the public on how the bond issue will impact the schools and the community.
"When we go out to the community and share the facts about the bond issue, people are very supportive when they get the correct information," said Board of Education President Connie Dietz.
"The facilities needs for the district are still there. The needs haven't changed," Dietz said.
The $350 million bond issue would address many critical needs for Wichita and its students:
- Additional classrooms to accommodate growth in key areas of our community and to reduce class sizes
- Build 60 safe room storm shelters
- Support the end of busing for desegregation with renovations to schools in the AAA area to provide equitable facilities
- Renovates or rebuilds aging and unsafe physical education, athletic and fine arts facilities
More information about the bond issue can be found on the district's website.
It’s about Our Kids, Our Needs, and Our Future!
Top
First steps taken to look for new superintendent
 |
| Dr. Michael Casserly from the Council of Great City Schools talks with Board of Education members about what to expect when searching for a new superintendent. Photo by Susan Arensman |
The Board of Education took its first major step toward looking for a superintendent during a workshop on April 11. Dr. Michael Casserly, Executive Director of the Council of Great City Schools, spoke with BOE members to share what other large districts have done when looking for a superintendent. The Wichita Public Schools is a member of the Council of Great City Schools and Casserly conducted the workshop free of charge.
He told members that the board should look at the direction the district is going and they should choose a candidate who shares their vision. Casserly strongly suggested that the entire BOE be involved in the search, instead of a few members in a search committee.
“This will be the most important job you will do as a school board,” Casserly said.
He said integrity, transparency, honesty, leadership and motivational skills, being able to communicate, and being willing to be held accountable are qualities that they should look for in a candidate.
Dr. Casserly shared the pros and cons of using a search firm to look for a new superintendent. He said a search firm will provide an objective search, but it can be expensive. He said if the board decides to use a search firm, they need to look at firms where the candidates have stayed in districts for more than three years.
He said there are currently other urban districts that are looking for superintendents, including Kansas City, MO, Oklahoma City and St. Louis. With so many districts with vacancies, that could mean more competition, not just for candidates but for search firms.
“Wichita is an attractive place where I think many people will want to come to,” he said. “The previous superintendent stayed for ten years and that is a very attractive recruiting tool for candidates to see that kind of job security.”
“The progress you have made over the last several years will also be a selling point,” he said.
The BOE will take the feedback it received, identify pertinent questions and develop responses to these key issues. The board will identify the basic parameters of the search and establish a timeline. The date and time of the retreat has yet to be set.
Those interested can sign up to receive email updates and additional information on the superintendent search. To subscribe to the email list, click here. The meeting will soon be available online via streaming video on the Wichita Public Schools’ website.
Top
Interim Superintendent will be named on April 14
The Board of Education will name an interim superintendent during its April 14 meeting. Board members will discuss the importance of the position and the appointment during the meeting that begins at 6 p.m. at North High School.
The interim will work alongside Superintendent Winston Brooks to ease the transition until Superintendent Brooks leaves in June. Superintendent Brooks accepted a position with the Albuquerque Public Schools.
Top
David Dennis receives Excellence in Public Service Award
 |
| David Dennis, Sr., second from left, is the 2008 recipient of the Excellence in Public Service Award. Also pictured from left, Denise Wren, Assistant Superintendent of High Schools; Lynn Rogers, Board of Education Vice President and Martin Libhart, Chief Operations Officer. Photo by Susan Arensman |
David Dennis, Sr., Data Leader at North High School, is the recipient of the 2008 Excellence in Public Service Award. The award is given to an employee of the district, the City of Wichita and Sedgwick County who shows excellence in their job responsibilities and who is actively involved with the community.
He was surprised with the Award on April 11 in North’s library front of his colleagues, students and family. Bill DeVore was also in attendance. The DeVore Foundation underwrites the Excellence in Public Service Award, which comes with a $2,500 monetary gift.
Sarah Kuter, business teacher at North, nominated Dennis for the award. North principal Sherman Padgett said that besides working as a Data Leader at North, he is the voice of North High football, basketball, swimming and wrestling. He coordinates and counts every ballot for homecoming and prom candidates; he helps select North’s Hall of Fame inductees, and supervises tower visits for seniors.
“I do it all for the kids at North,” Dennis said. “They are our future and they deserve our focus and dedication.”
To read more about Dennis’ accomplishments, click here.
Dennis, along with the other district nominees for the Excellence in Public Service Award, will be recognized by the Board of Education on April 28, 6 p.m. at North High School.
Top
Friends of Education recognized
 |
| BOE Vice President Lynn Rogers, center, with BOE President Connie Dietz and Superintendent Winston Brooks received a 2008 Friends of Education Award. |
The 2008 Friends of Education Awards were presented on April 5 during a banquet at Stucky Middle School. The Friends of Education Awards, presented by the Confidence in Kansas Public Education Task Force, recognize the outstanding work of dedicated school volunteers across the state. Districts submit nominations for school volunteer, community leader, community/civic organization, partner activity, and private/public institution awards. Superintendent Winston Brooks and Board of Education President Connie Dietz presented the awards to the recipients from across south-central Kansas. There were three 2008 recipients nominated by the Wichita Public Schools.
Board of Education Vice President Lynn Rogers – received the 2008 Friends of Education Community Leader Certificate of Award for his service on the Board of Education and on the Kansas Association of School Boards Legislative Committee. For more than a decade, he has served on school site councils and
 |
| Bob Thurman, President of Credit Union of America, accepts the Friends of Education Award of Excellence for Partner Activity. |
parent teacher organizations, raised thousands of dollars for school improvements and provided leadership for non-profit groups such as Wichita ACTS on Truancy and the Citizens Alliance for Responsible Education. He is an advocate for equity in our schools and a strong voice for public education.
Credit Union of America – received the 2008 Friends of Education Partner Activity Award of Excellence for its financial support for, and sponsorship of, numerous educational programs and activities. Their bi-annual TGIF teacher grants have allowed innovative educators to add activities to their lesson plans which are not funded as part of the standard curriculum. With all of their offices serving as drop-off locations for school supply drives, the Credit Union has been a key partner in providing low-income families with back-to-school supplies.
 |
| Cargill Representative Michelle Boston, center, along with North High School staff Megan Pipkin, Stacie Valdez, Sherman Padgett, Raegan McGinnis and BOE President Connie Dietz and Superintendent Winston Brooks. Photos by Susan Arensman |
Cargill – received the 2008 Friends of Education Private/Public Institution Certificate of Award for its public service. Cargill’s support of North High School’s AVID program has resulted in dramatic increases in academic achievement and graduation rates. Cargill was the largest single contributor to the district’s Education EDGE foundation last year. The employee-led Cargill Cares program contributes millions of charitable dollars and thousands of volunteer hours.
The Friends of Education Awards Banquet is sponsored by the South Central Kansas School Public Relations Association (KanSPRA).
Top
Students recognized during 99% Award presentation
 |
| Photo by Susan Arensman |
Twenty-nine middle and high school students were recognized by the Board of Education during the final 99% Awards ceremony for the school year on April 7. The 99% Awards recognize students who are making a contribution to their school by receiving good grades and having at least 90% attendance, but who may not get the recognition they deserve for doing the right thing.
During the ceremony, teachers, counselors and principals shared stories about each recipient and why he or she deserves the recognition.
Front row from left: Dalton Thompson, Wells; Melissa Buchana, West; Samantha Stinson, Wilbur; Mia Fonesca, Hadley; Sunny Olsen, Hamilton; Bertha Cabrales, Horace Mann; Chelsea Cherry, Blackbear Bosin; Jermane Tomlinson, Metro-Boulevard
Middle row: Amanda Dilley, Truesdell; Victoria Simon, Mayberry; Callie White, Brooks; Giancarlo Molina, Pleasant Valley; Lilia Treto, Marshall; Luis Vasquez, Curits; James Huynh, Stucky; Alyssa McGill, Jardine; Stephanie Bullard, North; Cayli Phillips, Metro-Midtown
Back row: Kayla Coleman, Heights; Deandre Rayford, Robinson; Ashleigh Patterson, Allison; Kendra Bohannon, Metro-Boulevard; Eric Talley, South; Nathan Thammavongsa, Northeast Magnet; Kaitlin Lawless, Southeast; Alicia Fullilove, Northwest
Not pictured: Lonja Burgess, Coleman; Zechariah Kennedy, Mead; Sara Uselton, East
Top
Dodge students create living museum
 |
| A Dodge student dresses as Paul Revere for his living museum project. Photo by Josh Bolen |
Third-grade students at Dodge Literacy Magnet were treated to a blast from the past with a panorama of historical figures on March 28. The students were part of a “living museum,” where they taught their fellow students about history.
Each student was assigned to research and represent a particular figure in history, such as Paul Revere, Harriet Tubman, or Walter Cronkite. Each third-grade class represented a different era of history; one class represented the 1700’s, one the 1800’s, and one the 1900’s.
The students stood motionless until someone pushed a “button” on their hand, at which point the student would “come to life” and talk about the life of the historical figure, and what that person did for history. The live museum was the end result of two months of research.
Top
Workshop for pre-k and kindergarten parents
Parents of students entering prekindergarten, kindergarten and first-grade are invited to attend an informational meeting on how to prepare their child for school. The workshop is Thursday, April 17 at the Focht Instructional Support Center, 412 S. Main. Parents can sign up for sessions that run 9:30 - 11 a.m., 1:30 - 3 p.m., or 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Participants will receive a book to share with their child. Free child care will be provided. For more information and to sign up for a session, call 973-5144.
Top
Summer school and latchkey information online
Information about summer school offerings and school age (Latchkey) programs is available on the district's website. Enrollment for summer school courses begins April 21. Enrollment for school age programs will begin May 1. Enrollment for driver's education begins May 3. Enrollment for summer enrichment programs at Gammon and McCollom are underway.
For more information, including summer school course offerings and school age program sites, click here.
Top
Retirement and Longevity Banquet invitations mailed
The district’s annual banquet to honor longtime employees will be on May 5th at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Wichita. Invitations have been mailed to all retiring employees and those who will reach their 20- or 30-year benchmarks of service this school year. Employees who wish to attend the banquet must return their reservation cards to Marketing and Communications by April 18.
For questions about this year’s banquet, contact Susan Kelley-Linder in Marketing and Communications, at 973-4515.
Top
Deadline to apply for PDC representatives is April 17
The Professional Development Council (PDC) is looking for employees to serve as representatives. Applications are due by April 17. The PDC is a group of certified and classified personnel in the Wichita Public Schools involved in planning, developing, implementing and operating the district's staff development plan. The PDC establishes the standards for evidence or documentation to be accepted for the awarding of professional development points that can be used for renewing an educator's license. Much of the information used by the PDC in awarding points is from MyLearningPlan.
Meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month from September to May. Council membership requires a commitment to attend and is compensated at the district's current in-service hourly rate. Members are selected or elected from the group they represent.
The following vacancies need to be filled:
• Teachers
3-year elementary term
3-year secondary term
For more information, contact Paul Babich, United Teachers of Wichita, at 262-5171. The application form is posted on UTW’s website, www.utw-ks.org.
Top
Anderson teacher receives Pike Award
Gretchen Zuperku, second-grade teacher at Anderson Elementary, received the 2008 Albert Pike Masonic Lodge Teacher of the Year award. Zuperku was honored during a reception at the Masonic Lodge on April 4. The Albert Pike Award is given to teachers whose lessons go beyond the classroom and into the community.
Sheryl Erickson, instructional coach at Anderson, nominated Zuperku for the award. She said that Zuperku is always positive, focused and calm, and those qualities transfer to her students.
Allen teacher top 20 American Idol songwriters
Aaron Sidwell, first-grade teacher at Allen Elementary, is one of the 20 finalists for the American Idol Songwriter Contest. Fans can go online and vote for their favorite song. The selected song will be performed by the American Idol during the final episode and recorded and released as the American Idol's first single.
Sidwell's song is titled "Something Like Heaven." The song is on American Idol's website, http://songwriter.americanidol.com, where fans can listen to the song and vote for it. The contest ends April 23.
Top
Music students perform well at KMEA
Wichita Public Schools students participated in the Kansas Music Educators Association festival held at Century II. More than 40 students were selected to perform with hundreds of other students from across the state in choir and instrumental ensembles.
Students selected for the All-State Choir include:
- Heights: Ben Balleau, Megan Boldea, Dalton Smith, Austin Tedder
- North: Brian Yeakley
- Southeast: Betty Ha
The students selected for the All-State Band include:
- East: Kacy Chau, Sam Shelley, Alez Maycher
- Northwest: Kaitlyn Benoit, Emily Gill, Jessica High, Kaitlin Kliewer, Kyle Stanberry
The students selected for the All-State Orchestra include:
- East: Orchestra Winds: Steve Coffey, Lindsay Dickmeyer, Katie Helmer, Cloe Mais, Caleb Mitchell, Alex Pepoon, Katherine Rice, Daniel Reader, Chelesa Stemet, Calvin Wang, Margaret Wilkes
Orchestra Strings: Qiao Yi Chen, Seth Girton, Tiffany Ho, Tiffany Hwang, Mahwish Khan, Serena Liu, Sarah Mathews, Daniel Overholt, Grace Parker
- Southeast: Orchestra Strings: Katherine Holmgren, Katherine Powell
The Kansas Choral Directors Association All-State Treble Chorus selected the following students for their ensemble:
- Robinson: Jessika Nebrat, Miranda Rose, Zach Calhoun, Ben Lowe, Haris Vrahliotis, Allison Mavis, George Depew, Travis Yang
- Stucky; Bailey Hartzog and Kristen Doberer
- Wilbur Michelle Quiñones
The students selected for the KMEA Middle Level Choir:
- Wilbur: Katharine Beale, Saajan Bhakta, Marie Gurny, Andrew Higgins
Top
©2008 Wichita Public Schools. All Rights Reserved.