Spring Good Apple recipients recognized
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| Leslie Perez, social worker at Irving Elementary, is one of the spring Good Apple recipients. |
More than 253 people, representing 60 schools, support centers and business partners were recognized on April 20 for receiving the Good Apple Award. The Board of Education recognized the recipients during a special ceremony at Stucky Middle School.
The Good Apple Awards program allows schools and administrative support centers to recognize employees, parents, volunteers and school partners who go the extra mile to provide exemplary service to the district and its students.
To view a list of those who were recognized, click here.
To view photos taken during the April 20 ceremony and reception, click here.
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Elizabeth McDonald receives Public Service Award
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| Elizabeth McDonald, right, is the recipient of the 2009 Excellence in Public Service Award. She is pictured with Superintendent Martin Libhart. Photo by Susan Arensman |
Elizabeth McDonald, science teacher at Colvin Elementary, is the recipient of the 2009 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 in the community.
McDonald was surprised on April 21 in her classroom. She started to cry when she learned of the award. Amy Lawson, art teacher at Colvin, nominated her for the award. Lawson noted that McDonald singlehandedly put into place a school-wide recycling campaign, using the money generated to support the school's science program.
“I care about the environment and the impact we have on our children,” McDonald said. “To have recognition for all my work leaves me speechless.”
To read more about McDonald’s accomplishments, click here.
McDonald, along with the other district nominees for the Excellence in Public Service Award, will be recognized by the Board of Education on May 11, 6 p.m. at North High School.
Mark Manning received the award for the City of Wichita and Thomas D. Pletcher received the award for Sedgwick County.
Each award recipient receives $2,500, which is underwritten by the DeVore Foundation. KSN-TV is the media sponsor for the event.
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Adams receives Red Carpet Award for service
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Back row from left, Alicia Thompson, Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools; Kevin Ulwelling and Mike Pappas, Single Source, Kimberly Jackson, principal, Betty Arnold
Front row from left: students Elisa Andrade and Jaden Powell. Photo by Phyllis Rowley |
Adams Elementary received the Spring 2009 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 on during a special assembly on April 22.
Adams was recognized for different programs the school has in place to make guests feel welcome. The school started the Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) program, which consists of dads and other positive male role models volunteering in the school. Adams created a monthly “Coffee at the Curb” initiative to greet parents and let families know how much they are appreciated. The school also surveyed the families, allowing another opportunity to provide feedback about the school.
Adams was presented a check for $1,000 from Single Source, who partnered with the district on the award. The school also received a banner so visitors can see the school’s commitment to excellent customer service.
The Red Carpet Award is presented to a school each semester.
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Earhart dedicates its new school
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| Earhart students read haikus during the school's dedication. |
Earhart Environmental Magnet officially dedicated its new environmentally conscious school building on Earth Day, April 22. Students, family and community members came to tour the new school building, which opened to students in November. During a brief presentation, principal Chris Waterbury thanked the community for supporting the school. Students read haikus they had written about the earth and the school's musical Bucket Brigade performed a couple of songs to celebrate the new Earhart.
Waterbury said the new building supports the school's mission of preserving the environment. The new building has large windows for natural lighting, automatic lights and temperature gauges that turn off lights and adjust room temperatures when sensors show the rooms are empty. The school also has an environmental learning lab, recycling alcoves in the school, a neighborhood recycling center and many places outdoors for learning opportunities.
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| Earhart's Bucket Brigade performs during the school's dedication. Photos by Susan Arensman |
Board of Education President Lynn Rogers told parents that with there will be brand-new elementary schools built with the $370 million bond issue and many of the same environmental features that were constructed with Earhart will be duplicated at those schools.
Students moved into the new Earhart school on November 12. The old building was torn down to make way for more outdoor learning opportunities.
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Bust of Gordon Parks given to school
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| From left, Wichita State University President Dr. Donald Beggs, Board of Education member Betty Arnold, WSU Vice President and General Counsel Ted Ayres, assistant principal Jamie Hutchinson, principal Stephanie Stovall and David Parks. Photo by Phyllis Rowley |
Gordon Parks Academy received a bronze bust of Gordon Parks to display at the school. David Parks, son of Gordon Parks, presented the bust to principal Stephanie Stovall on April 22. Parks donated the bust on behalf of himself and his sister, Toni. The sculpture was created from a photo David Parks took of him while he was making "The Learning Tree."
Student representatives were at the presentation and listened to Parks tell stories about his father.
The Parks' family also gave a bust to Ted Ayres, Vice President and General Counsel for Wichita State University for their collection of Gordon Parks artifacts.
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Griffith student is Firefighter for a Day
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| Braden Gilbert, center, walks with firefighters from Griffith to the fire truck that will take him to Sedgwick County Fire Station 32. |
Braden Gilbert, first-grade student at Griffith Elementary, received an unexpected surprise for his seventh birthday. Gilbert, who has leukemia, was selected to be Firefighter for a Day with the Sedgwick County Fire Department. Fire Marshall Tim Millspaugh conducted an all-school assembly about fire safety before surprising Gilbert with his title. He received an official Sedgwick County Fire Department shirt with his name on it, a badge, a hat and pants.
Gilbert was driven to Fire Station 32 aboard a fire truck, which left the school with its lights and sirens on and the entire school waving goodbye. He didn't say much after receiving the surprise, but he did smile as he was seated on the ladder truck.
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| Gilbert waves to his friends from the fire truck. Photos by Susan Arensman |
He was able to spend the entire day at the fire station and helped hold a hose to douse a fire at their training site.
Gilbert's mother, Brandie Lassiter, said it was hard for her to keep a secret about his big day. She said her son wants to be a firefighter and the opportunity to be one will lift his spirits.
Gilbert is the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Little Boy of the Year.
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East’s Latino Club awards Multicultural Scholarships
Seven students at East High School were presented Multicultural Education Scholarships from the school’s Latino Club. Aishwarya Abbareddy, Derly Apaza, Carmen Hernandez, Ngoc-Mai Hoang, Atieh Jibbe, Jackson Shaad, and Steven Vu each received a scholarship.
Money for the scholarships was raised through ticket sales to the annual Multicultural Assembly, produced by the Latino Club. The Multicultural Assembly has been produced for the past nine years and showcases traditional performances representing East’s diverse cultures. This year’s performances included dances from Vietnam, India, the Middle East, and Latin America and a choral reading of a poem about honoring diversity. Any senior who participated in producing or performing in the assembly was eligible to apply for a scholarship. This year, $3,100 is being awarded in scholarships.
Co-sponsors of Latino Club are Peggy Toledo and Sara Farley.
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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, 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.
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Screening for prekindergarten going on now
Screening for the district’s free prekindergarten programs is currently taking place across the district. Children must turn 4 years old by August 31, 2009 and be screened to meet the criteria for the program. Call 973-4708 or 973-5338 for appointment information.
Enrollment for free prekindergarten classes is going on now. Early childhood education is important for establishing the foundation for academic achievement and encouraging children to be life-long learners.
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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.
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PDC representatives selected
The Professional Development Council selected two people to fill two representative vacancies. Glenda VanSant, peer consultant, and Tiffany Allen, science teacher at Allison, were chosen for the PDC.
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.
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Crisis team receives award from DUI Victims Center
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| From left: Liz McGinness, Crisis Team Coordinator; Debbie McKenna, Executive Director of Safety Services, Mary Ann Khoury, President/CEO, DUI Victim Center of Kansas; Wendy Johnson, Director of Marketing and Communications; Kathy Hubka, Health Services Coordinator; Stephanie Kertz, Safe and Drug Free Schools Supervisor. Photo by Susan Arensman |
The Wichita Public Schools' Crisis Response Team received the Kevin Easter Community Service Award from the DUI Victim Center. The Crisis Response Team was recognized for their efforts in assisting Gardiner Elementary staff and the Mijares family after a drunk driver killed Claudia and Gisele Mijares as they were walking to Gardiner Elementary.
Liz McGinness accepted the award on behalf of the crisis team. She praised the team and Gardiner staff for supporting each other and the Mijares family.
The award was giving during the DUI Victim Center Red Ribbon Awards program at Botanica on April 23.
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Fowler receives library service award
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| Janet Fowler, center, pictured with Vicki Holland Tiahrt, who received the Library Advocate Award and Jean Hatfield, Library Personnel Award. Photo courtesy Wichita Public Library |
Janet Fowler, Library Media Services Supervisor, received the Kansas Library Association’s Presidential Meritorious Service Award during a special banquet on April 2. The Award is given in recognition of exemplary and sustained service to the benefit of Kansas libraries and library users. Fowler was honored for her involvement in many initiatives including the Big Read, the Reading Rocks grant, scheduling special performers in schools and providing oversight of all the libraries in the Wichita Public Schools.
Fowler was nominated by Cynthia Berner-Harris, Director of the Wichita Public Library.
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Heights basketball player receives Gatorade honor
Perry Ellis, freshman at Heights High School, was named 2009 Gatorade Kansas Boys Basketball Player of the Year. The award recognizes outstanding athletic excellence, high academic standards and good character shown on and off the court.
Besides playing on the Class 6A State Championship basketball team, Ellis has maintained a 4.0 and is ranked first in his class. He has volunteered as part of several community-cleanup service initiatives and as a motivational speaker to area youth athletes, addressing the importance of education and positive thinking.
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