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School Highlights: Points of Pride:
New year brings excitement and opportunities
Welcome back to another exciting school year. I, like so many of you, am starting a new role: as superintendent during this school year. But I am looking forward to leading this great district which has so many things to look forwarded to this year.
First, we can celebrate another year of increased student achievement. The hard work of our teachers and our students is remarkable. Not many urban school districts across the country are making the academic gains that we are. We will continue that focus on student achievement into this year.
We are excited about the opening of our newest school in the district, Gordon Parks Academy. The curriculum being offered and the partnership the school has developed with the Parks family will give our students many unique learning opportunities. Also this fall, a new Earhart Environmental Magnet will open. The school is being built with many environmentally-friendly features to go along with their magnet theme. It will be exciting to see how the students will learn in their new “green” school.
We are focused on the upcoming bond issue, which the BOE will vote to put on the November 4 ballot during its August 11 meeting. There will be many opportunities to learn about what’s included in the bond issue, so you can share that information with others in the community. It is important to note that if the bond issue doesn’t pass, many of the improvements in the bond issue plan may never be funded.
Our Board of Education will be involved with hiring a new superintendent this year. The BOE plans to have a new superintendent hired by the end of February. There will be chances for you to provide your input and feedback on the new superintendent, so read the Express for updates.
No matter what your job in the Wichita Public Schools, your role here is important. We have a tremendous impact on the lives of kids and the future of our community. Whether you’re a teacher, a para, a nurse, a food-service worker, a secretary, a custodian or an administrator, our young people need us and rely on us. I can’t think of anything more honorable.
Here’s to another very successful school year. We are all up to the challenge.
--Martin Libhart, Superintendent
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BOE looks forward to another great year
On behalf of the Board of Education, welcome back! We're excited about the coming school year and we are glad you are part of it with us.
Student achievement for all students remains our number one goal. As our kids arrive in our buildings, we know every encounter an adult has with them can make a difference in their lives. Each USD 259 teacher and staff member plays a part in that.
Besides helping all kids learn, there are a number of other important tasks before us – the end of forced busing, the passage of a $350 million bond, and the search for a new superintendent. (Make sure you sign up on the district's website to get updates on the Superintendent search. We welcome your input.)
We know you have other options for employment so we appreciate your commitment to USD 259 and more importantly the commitment to our community’s children. They are why we are all here – doing what we are doing. Best wishes for a successful 2008-09 school year.
--Lynn Rogers, Board of Education President
CARE recommends changes in the bond issue plan
Members of CARE (Citizens Alliance for Responsible Education), the citizen advocacy group dedicated to passage of the 2008 Bond Issue, recommended to the Board of Education that the district should proceed with the upcoming bond election on November 4, but suggested some changes to the overall plan. The Board will discuss CARE’s recommendations and vote on a new bond issue resolution during its August 11 meeting.
During June and July, members of CARE met with business leaders and held four community meetings to gather feedback about the bond issue.
"What we heard from the community was that smaller class sizes and relieving the overcrowding and growth are most important for our kids and that's what it's about," said Sarah Olson, CARE representative.
Based on feedback CARE received, it recommended changes to the bond plan:
- Provide technical education upgrades at all 7 high schools
- Provide a magnet high school technical education program
- Provide for additional construction inflation
The total amount for the additions to the bond plan is $27 million. In order to keep the bond issue plan at $350 million, items from the original bond plan would be cut from the bond issue. The items removed include $20 million in athletic improvements:
- 4 high school swimming pools
- 56 high school tennis courts
- 7 high school baseball/softball field upgrades
- 6 middle school tracks
The changes would also include $7 million in adjustments to accommodate the proposed changes in the schools.
The projects cut from the bond issue would be paid for with capital outlay funds over the next several years.
The Board of Education was supportive of the changes.
“I think this is a great plan and I think the public will support the changes,” said Board of Education Vice President Barb Fuller.
“It’s important that we do this now,” said Board of Education President Lynn Rogers. “If we delay this any longer, construction costs will significantly increase.”
Athletic Director Bill Faflick said while disappointed at some of the changes, he was still supportive of the bond issue, because there are still several athletic upgrades included in the bond issue. He also said that he knows if the bond issue doesn’t pass, it will be harder to get any athletic facility upgrades.
To watch CARE’s presentation to the BOE, click here.
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Education EDGE makes a difference
Employees and community members can show their support of teachers and students by contributing to the Education EDGE. The Education EDGE allows employees to voluntarily give contributions to the Classroom Mini-Grant, Fine Arts and/or Athletics Gift Funds. To learn more, go to Education EDGE's website. Employee donation forms are in the process of being delivered to all employees by Education EDGE representatives. Employees who pledged last year will not need to fill out a form to continue their support, unless they wish to change the donation amount.
Since 2004, employees, community members and businesses have pledged nearly $1.5 million to the Education EDGE.
This year, the Education EDGE will provide $76,746 in total gifts to the Wichita Public Schools. For 2008-09, teachers and teacher teams will receive nine mini-grants totaling $37,570 from the Education EDGE.
Athletics received $14,000 to support its programs for the 2008-2009 school year. Each comprehensive high school will receive $2,000. The money will be used to buy one set of uniforms for one sport at East, Heights and West and two sets of uniforms at North, Southeast and South. North will also buy golf bags. Some existing funds along with the new funds will be combined to purchase a competition wrestling mat for Northwest, valued at $9,000. Replacing uniforms is the top priority for the Athletics Gift Fund Team.
Fine Arts received $25,176 to support programs for the 2008-2009 school year. Some of the money will be used to purchase 40 beginning instruments. The auditoriums at East, Heights, North, Northeast, Northwest South, Southeast and West will receive four stage lights apiece. Upgrading stage lighting in district high school auditoriums and supplying beginning-level band/orchestra instruments are two of the Fine Arts Gift Fund Team established priorities.
This year, the Education EDGE will provide $76,746 in total gifts to the Wichita Public Schools in those three areas. For 2008-09, teachers will receive nine mini-grants totaling $37,570 from the Education EDGE.
The Wichita Public Schools would like to thank all who have contributed to the Education EDGE. The gifts are making a big difference for our teachers and our students.
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School Supply Landslide taking donations
The 13th Annual KAKE-TV School Supply Landslide will collect supplies from now until August 24. The goal of the Landslide is to offer qualified families and students with necessary school supplies to begin the school year. The Landslide is co-sponsored by Credit Union of America, The Wichita Eagle, Radio Disney, Wichita Public Schools, The Salvation Army, and Arby’s. The Salvation Army will distribute donated items to locations throughout the Wichita area.
School supplies may be delivered to KAKE-TV or Wichita-area Credit Union of America locations. Monetary donations are also accepted. All checks should be made out to “The Salvation Army” with “School Supply Landslide” noted on the memo line at the bottom of your check.
The Landslide began in 1996 in response to concerns expressed by area educators and parents about children coming to school without the supplies they need. Last year, the School Supply Landslide distributed school supplies to more than 6,000 Wichita-area students.
For more information and for distribution locations, click here.
For the 2008-2009 Wichita Public Schools school supply list, click here.
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Buses ready for school
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| A Highway Patrol officer approves a bus to be safe for students. Photo by Susan Arensman |
The school buses are ready to transport students to their first day of school. The Kansas Highway Patrol inspected all of Durham School Services’ buses on Aug. 7. Every bus must pass inspection before the company can use them. The Highway Patrol inspected the lights, wipers, stop arm, horn, emergency exits and other parts of the buses.
Last school year, the Wichita Public Schools provided transportation for 19,841 students.
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Middle school principals support colleague in Iraq
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| From left, Toby Martin, Mead; Debbie Laudermilk, Allison; Gil Alvarez, Coleman; Kathy Busch, Assistant Superintendent of Middle Schools; Ron Vansickle, Pleasant Valley; Charles Wakefield, Hadley; Mark Jolliffe, Marshall and Karen Pickert, Wilbur, helped collect supplies. Photo by Susan Arensman |
The district’s middle school principals collected items to send to fellow principal, Michael Archibeque, who is deployed in Iraq. Archibeque, principal at Pleasant Valley Middle School, was deployed to Iraq in March. His fellow principals donated supplies, treats and items from their schools to send to him in a care package. One item was Pleasant Valley’s 2007-08 yearbook, because Archibeque was deployed before he could see it.
After hearing about the principals’ care package, staff members on the ninth floor of the Alvin Morris Administrative Center also gathered items to send to Archibeque.
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Northwest starts off year with birthday bash
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| From left, principal Jim McNiece, Northwest’s first principal John Gasper, Kristin Caradine, Instructional Support teacher and Art Louvar, counselor. Karadine and Louvar have been at Northwest since it opened its doors in 1978. Photo by Susan Arensman |
Staff at Northwest High School kicked off the school’s 30th year with a birthday party. The staff enjoyed a special lunch on Aug. 7 with balloons, birthday cake and ‘70’s music. John Gasper, the first principal at Northwest, was the special guest. Staff members Art Louvar and Kristin Caradine, who have been at Northwest since it opened, shared memories of the first year at Northwest.
Each staff member received a ring and happy birthday necklace that blinked. Principal Jim McNiece encouraged his staff to wear them the first day of school to show unity and to get students to ask questions about their school.
Northwest will have events throughout the year to celebrate its 30 years of traditions and successes.
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Open enrollment for employee benefits ends August 15
Online open enrollment for employee benefits goes until August 15. Every benefited employee must enroll online or will not receive coverage for the 2008-2009 school year. Employees can enroll in the health plan or cash option, add or remove dependants, change beneficiaries, print KPERS change of beneficiary form for life insurance, and enroll in Flex Spending. Employees who choose the cash option must also enroll to continue receiving cash option payments.
To make online enrollment easier, employees will use their network user name and password to log in. Employees can enroll from work or at home by going to Risk Management's portal site or website.
Those who need help enrolling online can come to room 709 in the Alvin Morris Administrative Center, 201 N. Water, during the enrollment period.
Some highlights of the health plan include:
- One health plan - there will no longer be a "buy up" plan
- $850 individual deductible and $1,700 family deductible will remain the same for in network services
- The 70/30 coinsurance for in network services will remain the same
- The office visit, pharmacy, ER, and high tech radiology co-pays will remain the same
- The $600 annual premium for employees that are less than 1.0 FTE and the annual working spouse premium of $1,200 will remain the same
NEW THIS YEAR: $600 annual premium for tobacco users. For the first year only, the tobacco premium will be waived if current tobacco users:
- Sign an online pledge during open enrollment and submit it to Risk Management pledging that they will quit using tobacco products prior to September 1, 2008
- Enroll and successfully complete a fall district sponsored tobacco cessation class and sign and submit a 2nd pledge card in December 2008 pledging to remain tobacco free.
- If the tobacco user does not sign and submit the second pledge card; does not enroll and successfully complete the tobacco cessation class or does not remain tobacco free, they will be required to pay the full annual tobacco premium out of the remaining paychecks for the plan year.
For more information, contact Risk Management at riskmanagement@usd259.net.
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Employees asked to keep old directories
Printed Employee Directories for the 2008-09 school year will not be available until late fall. Employees are asked to keep their copies of the 2007-08 directory until that time.
Employees who have home address changes, or who wish to have their phone numbers and/or addresses "unlisted" in the directory, should send a written request to Human Resources - Attn: Peggy Warrender by Sept. 12. A change of address/do not share form is available from the Human Resources portal site. Requests will not be accepted over the phone.
Employees who need to update their phone numbers should contact their building's Online Directory administrator.
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Employees can access Online Directory
Employees have access to the new Online Directory, which can be accessed through the district’s internal portal site and a link under the “I want to” heading. The Online Directory is accessed is only available to District Employees; those outside the USD 259 network will NOT have access to this information.
One benefit of the Online Directory is that information can be quickly updated. Each building has 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.
Employees have several options as to how their personal information is shared. For many years, employees could elect to have their personal information unlisted in the printed directory. With the advent of this new system, employees can chose from the following options:
- Publish personal information – this allows your personal information to be listed in the district’s printed directory and the on-line directory. You will continue to receive calls from Parent Link. No action on your part is required.
- Unlisted personal information – this allows only Human Resources and your building’s administrator to view your personal information. It will not be listed in the printed directory. You will receive calls from Parent Link. If you wish to select this option, notify your building’s administrator.
- Do Not Share personal phone numbers – this allows only Human Resources to view your personal phone numbers, home and cell. You will not receive calls from Parent Link. If you wish to select this option, contact Human Resources.
Employees who have questions about the district’s Online Directory should contact their building’s administrator or MIS Customer Service at 973-4357.
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Teachers: Transcript deadline is Sept. 10
Any certified teacher that has acquired college credit to move up for a Track increase in pay, needs to turn in his/her transcripts to Human Resources, attention Linda Wagner, by September 10. Once the transcript has been received in Human Resources, a confirmation letter will be forwarded to the employee for verification.
The agreement with the United Teachers of Wichita states "All salary placements are subject to verification of experience and training and shall be adjusted in any direction for each school year to the level for which the teacher proves his/her entitlement on or before September 10 of each year."
If you have any questions, please call Linda Wagner, Certification Technician, 973-4619 or email lwagner@usd259.net.
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Reception for fall student teachers
Student teachers for the fall semester are invited to a reception on August 28, 3:45 – 5 p.m. in room 307 in the Alvin Morris Administrative Center, 201 N. Water. Principals and cooperating teachers are encouraged to attend the “come and go” reception as well.
The reception will allow student teachers to meet each other and to learn about employment opportunities that are available to them once they complete their student teaching.
For more information, contact Shelly Martin, Director of Licensed Personnel, at 973-4615.
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New phone number for SubFinder
The phone number for SubFinder is new this year. The phone number has changed to 973-4774.
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Griffith student wins WPD poster contest
Daejah Tucker, fifth-grade student at Griffith Elementary, was the winner of the National Night Out poster contest, sponsored by the Wichita Police Department. Tucker was honored during a banquet on August 1, where she received a $500 savings bond from Wichita Federal Credit Union.
The Wichita Police Department sponsored the poster contest for students in fourth and fifth grades. The students were asked to draw a picture that depicted a safe and secure community. Tucker’s poster was selected out of 97 entries.
Tucker was a student at Enterprise when she entered the contest last spring. Her teacher, fourth-grade teacher, Patsy Dickerson, also received a $500 gift card from Target to purchase school supplies for her class.
National Night Out is an event for people to meet their neighbors to better help prevent crime.
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