School Highlights: Points of Pride:
Northeast will help create future firefighters
 |
| Wichita firefighter Ryan Armstrong shows his equipment to Northeast Magnet students Jacob Valdez, Alize Presley and Isabella Nichols. Photo by Susan Arensman |
Students attending Northeast Magnet will have the option to learn about a variety of careers in firefighting beginning next school year. Northeast Magnet has partnered with the Wichita Fire Department and Hutchinson Community College to offer students Fire Science classes. An announcement of the partnership was made on April 8 at the Charles Shoots Fire Station.
“We are excited to widen the career options we offer in our Law and Public Service Magnet program,” said Joel Hudson, principal at Northeast.
The Fire Science curriculum is a four-year program that will begin for incoming freshmen in the fall of 2009. The first year, students will learn about different fire science, law, and public service careers. During their sophomore and junior years, students will take Firefighter I and Firefighter II classes. During the senior year, students will take classes to be certified as an Emergency Medical Technician. Upon graduation, students will be eligible to be in the pool of recruits for the Wichita Fire Department.
“We are excited about the opportunity to partner with Northeast Magnet and to have applicants who have had previous experience,” said Wichita Fire Chief Ronald D. Blackwell.
“One of the requirements for employment with the Wichita Fire Department is to be certified as an EMT. Northeast’s students will already have that certification before they come to us,” Chief Blackwell added.
“We’re always looking for different ways to show that what students are learning in school has relevance to what they will do once they graduate,” said Denise Wren, Assistant Superintendent of High Schools. “This program will provide our students the 21st century skills to be successful in the community.”
“A big benefit of this program is having firefighters as mentors for our students,” Hudson said. “The students will be able to work with caring adults who will be guiding them all along the way.”
“Being a part of this program will help students give something back to the community,” said Jacob Valdez, junior at Northeast.
“I would like to look into this as an option for my future,” said Alize Presley, freshman at Northeast.
The classes will be taught by instructors from the Wichita Fire Department and Hutchinson Community College’s Fire Science Department. Some of the curriculum will be the same that is offered to students at Hutchinson Community College.
Top
Students recognized during 99% Awards
 |
| Photo by Susan Arensman |
Thirty middle and high school students were recognized for the contributions they make to their schools during the 99% Awards for the third quarter. A student from each middle and high school was selected for doing well academically and behaviorally, but who may not be getting the recognition they deserve for doing the right thing. The 99% Awards symbolize the more than 99 percent of all students who are doing well in school.
During the April 6 ceremony, school staff members shared stories about each student and why they were nominated and deserved to be recognized.
Front row from left: Shane Mewes, Stucky; Jessie White, Wells; Sean Kirsch, Gordon Parks Academy; Thuy Phan, East; Perla Gammon, Hamilton; Destinee Harter, Curtis; Efrain Jiminez, Jardine
Second row: Viet Nguyen, Southeast; Sheldon Littlejohn, Truesdell; Alexander Garcia, Northeast Magnet; Corbin Minor, Wilbur; Bethany Livengood, West; Eva Nolasco, Horace Mann; Kiala Arango, Pleasant Valley; Shanice Coleman, Hadley; Chelsea Behr, Heights
Back row: Dehmere Cotton, Blackbear Bosin; Michael Angel, Metro-Meridian; Andrew Montano, South; Gabbrielle Haydon-Robinson, Mead; Krystin Lowe, North; Taylor VonCleave, Allison; Edward Johnson, Northwest; Cambria Bonds, Coleman
Not pictured: Tony Bernal, Robinson; Shyra Bradley, Metro-Midtown; Itssel Berumen, Marshall; Rebekah Love, Mayberry; Alberto Morales, Metro-Boulevard
Top
Earhart students participate in city proclamation
 |
| Earhart students and staff participated in a city proclamation for Environmental Education Week. Photo by Susan Arensman |
Students and staff from Earhart Environmental Magnet participated in a proclamation proclaiming April 12 - 18 as Environmental Education Week. Earhart's Earth Ambassadors attended the April 7 City Council Meeting and heard Mayor Carl Brewer read the proclamation. Students Haley Knapp, Erin Mittman and DeJanae Arnold read a speech and poems about nature and the importance of being kind to the earth.
On Earth Day, April 22, Earhart will dedicate their new environmentally conscious school, which opened to students in November. The public is invited to the dedication, which will be followed by building tours. The ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Top
Kindergarten orientation is April 30
Parents of children who will enter kindergarten in the fall are invited to participate in Kindergarten Roundup on Thursday, April 30, 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 how parents 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.
Top
Allison receives state recognition
 |
| Allison principal Debbie Laudermilk shows off the certificate the school received from KAMSA. Photo courtesy Allison |
Allison Traditional Magnet was recently recognized by the Kansas Association of Middle School Administrators for their performance on the 2008 state assessments. KAMSA recognized high performing middle schools during a luncheon on April 3 in Junction City. Schools could earn recognition at one of three levels: gold, silver or bronze. KAMSA gave Allison Gold Level Recognition.
Top
Levy families enjoy day time visit
 |
| Levy students perform during the school's open house. Photo courtesy Levy |
Levy Special Education Center held its first day time Open House on March 27. During the two-hour event, parents were invited to eat lunch with their child, visit their child’s classroom and watch a performance by the students. The school also had a Resource Fair representing thirteen agencies that provide services to persons with developmental disabilities.
Even though there was bad winter weather on that day, 23 families attended the event.
Top
Riverside students spend day with author
 |
| Author John Hall reads to kindergarten students at Riverside. Photo courtesy Riverside |
John Hall, author of the children’s book, How to Get a Gorilla Out of the Bathtub, spent a day meeting with students and teachers at Riverside Leadership Magnet on March 27. He began the day having breakfast with teachers and sharing ways to get children interested in writing.
During the day, he spent time in each classroom. He read from his book, talked about the writing process and engaged the students in fun stories.
“He was wonderful and full of energy,” said Susan Rosell, principal at Riverside. “He inspired our students to be authors and to read as many books as they can.”
Top
PDC looking for employee representatives
The Professional Development Council (PDC) is looking for employees to serve as representatives. 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. Applications are due by 4:45 p.m. on April 16.
Top
Reminder for teachers who want to discontinue contract
Teachers who do not want to continue their contract need to give written notice by May 15. Under the Continuing Contract Law, teachers continue in the school district’s employ for another school year unless written notice is given.
Teachers who resign after May 15 are considered to be in breach of contract and could be subject to consequences, including the revocation of their Kansas teaching license.
Please contact Human Resources, 973-4610, if there are any questions.
Top
Sign up for district’s third-annual golf tournament
Employees can sign up for the third-annual USD 259 Masters Golf Tournament, which is on June 3 at 2 p.m. at WSU’s Braeburn Golf Course. The golf tournament allows employees to socialize and to celebrate the end of the school year.
The entry fee is $37 per person or $148 per four-person team. Each school and support center is invited to enter. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams and skill contests, along with other prize drawings. An entry form is available on the high school portal under announcements at the bottom of the page. Email completed entries to Vera Lang or fax entry to Vera at 973-6070. The tournament is open to the first 36 teams entered.
For more information, contact Jim McNiece or Vera Lang at Northwest High School, 973-6003.
Top
Garage sale at McCormick Museum - buy or donate items
The Wichita Association of Retired School Personnel is having a garage sale April 23 - 24, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., and April 25, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the McCormick School Museum, 855 S. Martinson. The money raised will be used for scholarships to Wichita State University and Friends University for students majoring in education.
Items can be donated for the garage sale at McCormick on April 15, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
For more information, email Donovan Moore or call 721-2206.
Top
Friends of Education recognized
 |
| BOE member Connie Dietz, George Fahnestock and Superintendent Martin Libhart |
The 2009 Friends of Education Awards were presented on April 4 during a banquet at Mulvane High 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. There were three 2009 recipients nominated by the Wichita Public Schools.
George Fahnestock – received the 2009 Friends of Education Community Leader Certificate of Award for his support of the Wichita Bond Issue. He was the leading spokesperson for the Wichita Public Schools’ $370 million bond proposal. He went to businesses and community events to share how important education is to the vitality of a community. He was instrumental in
 |
| BOE member Connie Dietz, CARE co-chairs Randy Thon and Sarah Olson and Superintendent Martin Libhart |
passing the state’s largest bond issue for public schools.
Citizens Alliance for Responsible Education – received the 2009 Friends of Education Community/Civic Organization Certificate of Merit for their support to educate the public about the $370 million bond issue. Fifty core volunteers banded together to convince voters that Wichita students deserve world-class facilities. Their “Yes for Kids” message inspired many other parents, staff and students to join the campaign. Their combined efforts resulted in the record-setting bond issue. Co-chairs Sarah Olson and Randy Thon accepted the award on behalf of CARE.
Exploration Place– received the 2009 Friends of Education Partner Activity Award of Excellence. Exploration Place supports projects that are focused on strengthening early childhood development in conjunction with Parents as Teachers and the Wichita Public Schools. Exploration Place projects include: Project Dad, First Things First classes, Science Times Playgroup, Messy Art, Art from the Heart, and Summer Fun with
 |
| BOE member Connie Dietz, Exploration Place President Alberto C. Meloni, and Superintendent Martin Libhart. Photos by Susan Arensman |
Science.
The Friends of Education Awards Banquet is sponsored by the South Central Kansas School Public Relations Association (KanSPRA).
Top
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 awarded scholarships from the Military Officers Association of America are Shikara Viseth, East; Shelby Martin, Northwest, Cassie Raatz and Devin Straight, North; Katherine Rodriguez, South; Terry Anderson and Clinton France, Northeast.
Patty Riddle, Southeast, received the scholarship from the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
Top
AmeriCorps members meet ABC reporter
 |
| AmeriCorps members met ABC reporter John Quinones. Photo courtesy AmeriCorps |
Members of AmeriCorps GRASP had the opportunity to hear ABC reporter John Quinones at Wichita State University on April 3. Quinones was in Wichita to speak at the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner. AmeriCorps GRASP has formed a partnership with Wichita State University’s Office of Multicultural Affairs and members have the opportunity to hear guest speakers.
AmeriCorps GRASP members tutor and mentor students at twelve Title 1 schools. The program gives members the opportunity to become paraprofessionals and encourages them to continue their education to become teachers.
Top
©2009 Wichita Public Schools. All Rights Reserved.