School Highlights: Points of Pride:
Spring Good Apple Award recipients recognized
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| Marianne Olson, second-grade teacher at Seltzer Elementary, was the recipient of a Good Apple Award. Photo by Susan Arensman |
Nearly 200 people, representing 51 schools, support centers and partners, were recognized for providing exemplary service during the Spring Good Apple Award ceremony on April 21. The Board of Education recognized the recipients during a special ceremony at Stucky Middle School.
The Good Apple Award 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.
To view a list of those who were recognized and to view photos from the April 21 event, click here.
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Allen Elementary receives Red Carpet Award for service
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| From left: Janet Tilton, Allen assistant principal; Molly Nespor, principal; Greg Rasmussen, Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools; Barb Fuller, Board of Education; Winston Brooks, Superintendent; Mike Pappas and Kevin Ulwelling, Single Source. The banner is being held by Allen prekindergarten students Davion Ware and Alonso Campos. Photo by Susan Arensman |
Allen Elementary received the Spring 2008 Red Carpet Award for Excellent Customer Service, presented by the Parent and Community Support Office. The school staff and students were surprised with the award during a special assembly on April 22.
Allen was recognized for their friendly staff, who don’t let visitors feel invisible, for personally showing visitors where to go instead of just telling them, for having a core group of staff and parents who look for opportunities to involve parents and for asking for feedback on how they can improve.
Molly Nespor, principal at Allen, said that the school staff always has a positive attitude.
“When you’re happy, you make others happy. We love being here. We love coming to work, we loving working together and sharing ideas,” she said.
Allen was presented a check for $1,000 from Single Source, who partnered with the district on the award. Allen also received a banner so visitors can see the school’s commitment to excellent customer service.
As a special treat during the assembly, first-grade teacher Aaron Sidwell, sang a song he had written called “Something like Heaven.” Tidwell’s song is one of the 20 finalists for the American Idol Songwriter Contest.
The Red Carpet Award is presented to a school each semester. All schools that were nominated for the award will be recognized by the Board of Education at the April 28 meeting.
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Summer school course enrollment underway
Enrollment for summer school courses is underway, as are summer enrichment programs at Gammon and McCollom. Enrollment for school age programs (Latchkey) will begin May 1. Enrollment for driver's education begins May 3.
Information about summer school course offerings, summer enrichment and school age program sites is available on the district's website.
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Kindergarten Orientation is May 8
Parents of children who will enter kindergarten in the fall are invited to participate in Kindergarten Orientation on May 8, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. All elementary schools will be open to allow parents and students to meet teachers, administrators and support staff. Parents will receive information about enrollment requirements, what their child will learn and learn how they can be actively involved in their child's school.
For more information, contact your neighborhood school or call 973-4498 to get your school assignment.
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Students learn about careers in science and engineering
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| A student from the KU School of Medicine has a student listen to his own heartbeat. Photo by Josh Bolen. |
Students from Bostic, Hadley and Horace Mann had the opportunity to learn about science and engineering with fun, hands-on activities. On April 18, the Future Scientists and Engineers Conference had representatives from several organizations that use science and engineering in their jobs. There were exhibits where students could see first-hand how science is used, including making paper airplanes to doing CSI work and handling animals.
East High School’s East Conservation Organization, or E.C.O., had a booth presenting the benefits of recycling, environmental awareness, and watching one’s carbon footprint. A student from North High demonstrated how to re-light a candle without ever touching a match to it.
One of the most popular exhibits was the Great Plains Nature Center. Students pet a snake while its handler shared information about reptiles.
Wichita State University’s biology department showed students the life stages of a frog, and had an exhibit featuring edible mealworms.
“It tastes just like chicken,” one student said after eating the fried worm.
The conference also had students taking trips to Hawker-Beech, the Kansas Heart Hospital and the Wichita Water Center.
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Students celebrate Earth Day
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| An Earhart student shows off the picture she drew to mark Earth Day. Photo by Josh Bolen |
On Tuesday, April 22, schools across the district celebrated Earth Day and learned how to take care of the planet.
At Earhart Environmental Magnet, the school held its annual Earth-stravaganza. Students participated in many activities outside. Some students drew nature pictures while others drew Earth-related pictures on the sidewalk.
Students planted seeds in small pots to take home. They learned about recycling through a scavenger hunt and a game where they had to throw water bottles into recycling bins.
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| Allen students pick up trash outside their school. Photo by Susan Arensman |
Students at Allen Elementary helped beautify their school. Students collected pieces of trash, leaves and yard debris in front of their school. The students knew that doing something small can make a big difference for the environement.
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Kelly artwork showcased in national exhibit
Students from Kelly Elementary learned how to be creative with a Big Easy flair. The students’ artwork was part of an exhibit unveiled in New Orleans at the National Art Education Association Convention. The title of the exhibit was called, "New Orleans: Feast for the Eyes.”
"We had a lot of fun coming up with unique ideas for the exhibit after learning about a city so rich in culture, history and the arts," said Micah Snider, art teacher at Kelly.
Artsonia, the online art museum, asked art teachers to give a lesson about the city of New Orleans and then have students create art based on what they learned. The exhibit was the largest collection of student artwork dedicated to the City of New Orleans, with more than 10,000 pieces on display.
Click here to view Kelly’s artwork that was part of the exhibit. Click here to see other Kelly student artwork on Artsonia’s site.
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In-service provides first look of new Online Directory
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| Holly Schnedler shows clerical staff how to use the new Online Directory during the April 24 inservice. Photo by Josh Bolen |
The new online employee directory will be available district-wide in May. On April 24, key staff from most buildings received training on how to edit information and run reports during an in-service at Stucky Middle School.
One benefit of the new Online Directory is that information can be quickly updated. Each building will have a designated staff member trained in updating the work contact information and the published home phone numbers for their employees. Employees who have a change in their home address must still report the change, in writing, to Human Resources.
Maintaining the Online Directory information is a critical key to ensuring effective communication in the district. Phone number changes made to the Online Directory are automatically updated on Outlook and changes to voice mail numbers are updated within 24 hours.
Changes made to the Online Directory are also fed to ParentLink, the district’s new automated phone system used in times of emergency. More information about the relationship between ParentLink and the Online Directory will appear in the next edition of Express Online.
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Phone number change for SubFinder
The phone number for SubFinder has been changed. The new number, 973-4774, is now in use. The old SubFinder number will be disabled on July 1.
Employees who use SubFinder are encouraged to start using the new phone number now.
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Brooks to celebrate 50th anniversary on May 1
Brooks Technology and Arts Magnet will celebrate its 50th anniversary on May 1. Current and former students, teachers, staff and community are invited for dinner and activities from 5 – 9 p.m.
Activities include a basketball game with alumni players, a special program and an opportunity for people to get reacquainted.
Click here for a complete schedule of events and more information, or call Brooks at 973-6450.
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Earhart hosts open house to say good-bye to old school
Earhart Environmental Magnet is hosting an open house to allow former staff, students, parents and community members to say good-bye to the old school. The open house will be Sunday, May 4, 2 - 4 p.m. at 4401 N. Arkansas. Guests are invited to tour the old building, socialize and reminisce. The old school is being replaced by a state-of-the-art environmentally conscious building. The new Earhart will open its doors to students in the fall.
The new Earhart is being built on the same property. After the school is complete, the original school will be demolished to make room for parking and more outdoor learning opportunities.
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JROTC cadets receive scholarships
Seven JROTC cadets were offered scholarships from the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) and one cadet received a scholarship from the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Each scholarship is worth $500.
The students who were awarded scholarships from the Military Officers Association of America are Eva Arevalo and Sharayah Hernandez, North; Sergio Escalera and Nathan Thammavongsa, Northeast; Brittny Blick, Northwest; Victoria Lowry, South; Ciara Travis, West. Ryan Unrein, South, received the scholarship from the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
East students receive national marketing awards
Chenla Dien, Derek Meyer, and Thien Tang, students at East High School, have received the 2008 National Marketing Honor Award from DECA. The award recognizes achievement and academic excellence, leadership skills, involvement in DECA and school and community service.
DECA is a career and technical student organization for those interested in entrepreneurial, marketing, and/or management careers.
East’s DECA chapter advisors are Shanna Zimmerman and Brandon Reith.
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Students named Unsung Heroes by Optimists
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| Photo courtesy West Wichita Optimist Club |
Several students were named Unsung Heroes by the West Wichita Optimist Club. The students were nominated by each of their high school counselors. The Unsung Hero Awards recognize students who have overcome obstacles in their lives, but continue to work towards their high school diploma and set their sites on post-secondary education. The students received a certificate and a cash award.
Pictured back row, left to right: Rafael Rodriguez, South High School; Jasmine Brooks, West High School; Nathan Richardson, Metro-Meridian and Gabriel Mendoza, KANSEL
Front row: Charity Bush, North High School; Ashlee Nicole Duivenvoorden, Northwest High School and Taylor Fetrow, Bishop Carroll.
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