School Highlights: Points of Pride:
H1N1 vaccine clinics begin
 |
| Joseph Beyrle, nurse at Earhart, volunteered to help give H1N1 vaccines to students at Peterson. Photo by Susan Arensman |
The Sedgwick County Health Department held four H1N1 vaccine clinics for students at Benton, Kensler, McCollom and Peterson on November 13. More than 700 students received the vaccine.
"It went very well," said Kathy Gilmore, nurse at Peterson Elementary. "It's wonderful that there are so many volunteers to help out. It made the day go smoothly."
Gilmore's advice for schools that haven't had the clinic yet is to make sure parents turn in the permission slips ahead of time. The number of vaccines that are delivered to the schools is based on the number of permission slips.
"We want to make sure we have enough vaccine for everyone," she said.
More H1N1 vaccine clinics will be held on Thursday, November 19 and Friday, November 20. Schools that will host the clinics on November 19 are Gardiner, Linwood, Payne, Buckner and Chisholm Trail. Schools that will host the clinics on November 20 are Franklin, Lawrence, Stanley, Lincoln, Harry Street, Mueller. Earhart will host its clinic on November 24. The vaccine will be available to students and to staff who are pregnant at those schools only.
It will not be mandatory for any student to receive the H1N1 vaccine; the school clinics merely offer the vaccine in the most convenient place possible for one of the priority vaccine groups.
Future dates for vaccination clinics at other schools have not been determined. Much will depend on when vaccines will be delivered to the Sedgwick County Health Department and the amount of vaccine that is received. Dates for the clinics will be provided to the schools as soon as the district receives notification.
Top
BOE renews membership in Schools For Fair Funding
The Board of Education approved renewing its membership in the Schools for Fair Funding advocacy coalition. The vote on November 9 moved the district into full membership status, which gives the district a more active voice in discussions about all options for funding public education. The district has been an associate member since 2005.
“Moving to full membership will allow us to have a voice at the table and to make decisions that will benefit Kansas’ students,” said Superintendent John Allison.
Fifty-three school districts in Kansas are members of Schools for Fair Funding, representing nearly 150,000 students. The number of districts that are members continues to increase.
“With appropriate school funding, we’ve focused on targeted assistance and we’ve seen a 20% improvement in reading, a 25% improvement in math and 14% increase in graduation rates,” Superintendent Allison said.
Superintendent Allison said Wichita has more students coming to the district with greater needs. By law, the district is expected to give all students a high-quality education, but it costs more to educate students with higher needs.
Top
Students honor Veterans
 |
| JROTC and Leadership cadets honor veterans during their annual Veterans Day ceremony |
Students across the district honored those who served and are currently serving our country with Veterans Day celebrations.
More than 2,500 JROTC and Leadership cadets honored those who served during their annual Veterans Day Ceremony at Century II. Cadets from eight high schools and twelve middle schools were in formation for the veterans and community members in the audience.
“This is a great way for our cadets to thank the veterans for their service to our country,” said Colonel Robert Hester, JROTC and Leadership Coordinator.
The JROTC instructors and cadets also helped coordinate the Veterans Day parade on Nov. 7.
 |
| Isely students perform patriotic songs. Photos by Susan Arensman |
At Cloud Elementary, students showed their pride during their Veterans Day celebration. Veterans were in the audience as students talked about the meaning of Veteran’s Day.
Students at Isely Traditional Magnet sang patriotic songs and shared facts about the history of the United States and what makes our country unique.
Top
High School students view options at Futures Fair
 |
| Juniors from Heights and South High Schools receive information from a representative from Kansas State University. Photo by Susan Arensman |
High school juniors had the chance to think about opportunities after graduation during the Futures Fair at Century II on Nov. 3. Representatives from 117 universities, colleges, technical schools and branches of the Military were on hand to answer students' questions and to provide students with scholarship information. The students asked questions about program offerings, financial aid, dorm life and other issues related to their future.
Students had to fill out questionnaires with information about each school they visited. New this year, the students submitted the completed questionnaires to be entered into a drawing to receive a $500 scholarship to the school of their choice. In addition, there was a drawing held to identify four institutions who would receive $500 each to award to students who attended the Future’s Fair as well.
The Futures Fair is aimed at juniors because by the time students are seniors, many have already decided what they are doing after they graduate from high school.
Top
Mueller students were flying high for Aviation Day
 |
| Fifth-grade student Tamer El-jah gives a thumbs up before take-off. Photo courtesy Mueller |
Students at Mueller Aerospace and Engineering Discovery Magnet got a birds-eye view of Wichita on November 7. More than 80 third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade students had an opportunity to take a flight in a small airplane from Jabara Airport. Mueller teamed up with the aviation group EAA Chapter 88 Young Eagles and with Midwest Corporate Aviation for students to learn about flying.
Students created parachutes, paper gliders, wing ribs, and learned about the importance of weather and navigation maps. All students attended Ground School in order to prepare for their flight. The day was capped off with the airplane ride. The students received a certificate and a flight log book when they returned to the ground.
Top
American Idol finalist performs at Heights
 |
| Photo by Susan Arensman |
Jason Castro, a finalist from the TV show American Idol, performed for students at Heights High School on November 10. He performed songs from his new album, much to the excitement of the students. Radio station 963 held a school spirit contest to see which school would win the school concert. The radio station asked students to send text messages telling why their school is cool. Heights students submitted more than 7,000 entries to win the performance.
After his performance, Castro stayed to pose for pictures and talk with students.
Top
District taking donations for Turkey Drive on November 20
There’s a call for turkeys, at least the frozen ones. The Wichita Public Schools will again participate in the annual United Methodist Open Door and B98 FM Turkey Drive on Friday, November 20. The Alvin Morris Administrative Center, 201 N. Water, will be the drop off site for 6 – 9:30 a.m. District volunteers and JROTC cadets will be stationed along Water Street to take the donations of frozen turkeys or money.
The assistant superintendents have issued a friendly challenge among grade levels to see which schools can collect the most turkeys. High schools won the competition last year.
This is the fourth year the district will participate in the Turkey Drive. Last year, the district collected 1,169 turkeys and $9,012 in cash contributions, along with hundreds of canned goods.
Top
Gingerbread Village supports Operation School Bell
The Assistance League of Wichita is holding its 15th annual Gingerbread Village on November 20 – 22 at the Church of the Magdalen, 12626 E. 21st St. North, to benefit Operation School Bell. Visitors can bid on original gingerbread houses and have an opportunity to create one of their own.
The times for the Gingerbread Village are:
Friday, Nov. 20, 2 – 8 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 21, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 22, 12:30 – 5 p.m.
Operation School Bell provides new clothing and uniforms, coats, book bags and grooming kits for prekindergarten – high school students.
Tickets are $7, children 2 and younger are free. Tickets can be purchased at the door, or in advance for a discounted price at the ALW Thrift Shop, 2611 E. Douglas; Cambridge Market, 21st and Webb Rd.; Watermark Books, 4701 E. Douglas; The First Place, 2929 N. Rock Road and Capitol Federal branches.
For more information, contact the Assistance League of Wichita at 636-1277 or visit www.assistanceleaguewichita.org.
Top
Red Carpet Award deadline is November 24
Schools who provide warm, friendly environments and provide excellent customer service have the opportunity to receive $1,000. Schools have an opportunity to receive the "Red Carpet" award by making visitors feel welcome and part of the school family. Providing outstanding customer service to families, students, and community is extremely important to advance education and build partnerships with families and communities.
Schools interested in applying for the "Red Carpet" award need to complete the application. All information and forms are located on the Parent and Community Support portal site. The deadline for fall applications is November 24. The completed applications are due to the Parent and Community Support Office, room 503 in the Alvin Morris Administrative Center.
For more information, please contact Parent and Community Support Network at 973-4668 or click here to watch a video on the Red Carpet Award.
Top
Grow Your Own Teacher applications online
High school students and Wichita Public Schools employees who are interested in pursuing teaching careers are encouraged to apply for the Grow Your Own Teacher (GYOT) scholarship program. The application deadline is Jan. 29 at 4:45 p.m.
The GYOT program provides financial assistance in the form of forgivable loans to outstanding high school graduates or Wichita district employees who want to become teachers. Students in the GYOT program can work toward a teaching degree either at Wichita State University, Friends University, Newman University or Southwestern College. The program also includes mentor support, work experiences and assistance with job placement after becoming certified.
High school teachers, counselors and principals can encourage students, paraeducators and tutors to get involved in the GYOT program.
Applications will be available on the Human Resources website. For more information, call 973-4420.
Top
Students participate in 99 Drums
 |
| Photo courtesy Cynthia Martinez |
More than 70 students participated in a day-long music activity, 99 Drums, on Oct. 24 at Horace Mann. 99 Drums is a cultural, music and art camp for kids ages 9 to 15 with and without disabilities. After spending the day learning about the different instruments and musical styles, the children performed for their parents.
The project was a partnership with Accessible Arts, Arts Partners and AmeriCorps GRASP. Americorps GRASP members volunteered as part of their Make A Difference Day activities.
Top
Northwest custodians first in Housekeeping Olympics
Northwest High School's custodial department captured first place at the 2009 Massco Housekeeping Olympics during the summer. Danny Morfin, Nick Proffitt, Carol Slocum, Jimmie Belden, Robert Grimmett, Billy Glander, Alan Froff and Saundra Tilson attended a Massco training that included the Housekeeping Olympics.
A couple of the events included a three-person relay with each member wearing a backpack vacuum traveling across an obstacle course vacuuming debris in the fastest time, and a buffing pad competition. The Northwest team received enough points in all the events to finish in first place. They competed against teams from the regional area high schools and colleges.
For achieving first place, the team received a trophy and individual medals.
Top
©2009 Wichita Public Schools. All Rights Reserved.