Relay for Life luminaries line the hallway at Walnut (left); Logan Lions team members pose for a photo.
Staff Bulletin | September 25, 2014

District News
Call for Proposals
October 15 is the deadline for teachers to submit proposals for breakout sessions on the Jan. 5 PLT day. We believe our teachers can provide our teachers with excellent professional learning in so many areas!  Follow this link to submit your proposal.

Important Deadlines
October 1 is the deadline to join the Personal Illness Pool for the first time. The pool provides additional temporary leave to employees who have used all chargeable leave and have "extraordinary circumstances" which require additional leave.

Emporia Community Foundation Grants
The Emporia Community Foundation is accepting grant applications for innovative and creative projects and programs that are responsive to changing community needs in the areas of health, social service, education, recreation, and cultural affairs. Deadline for applications is 5 pm Sept. 30. Here is the link to the application and instructions.
Emporia Board of Education


Personnel Report

Appointments

Marvin Nance
paraeducator, Chase County

Kelsie Olson
paraeducator, Hamilton

Jessica Roby
paraeducator, EMS

Jacqueline Worley
paraeducator, Americus

Kiana Grim
AVID tutor, EHS

Rescinded Resignation

Elizabeth Reyes

office/teacher aide, Village

 

Resignations

 

Melissa Buckley

custodian, EMS

 

Lori Tubach

paraeducator, Chase County

 

Karen Kernes

paraeducator, Logan Avenue

 

Retirements

 

Diane McCarty

music, Logan Avenue

 

Erin Kauffman

instructional coach, WA White

Consent Agenda

The board approved:
  • Assurances for spending federal special education funds 
  • A Rural and Low-Income Schools grant from KSDE for $54,519
  • Request to take bids for paper supplies
  • 2014-15 site council memberships
  • Use of flexibility clause to schedule PLT time at Timmerman, Village, Turning Point and EHS
  • A donation of $4,925 from the Walnut PTO to purchase a school sign

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Emporia Public Schools
1700 W 7th Ave
Emporia, Kansas 66801
 
In this issue...
The Power of One!
Relay for Life Success
Three schools were represented on teams at the Relay for Life event this past weekend at the Flinthills Mall. The event raised more than $35,000 for the American Cancer Society and cancer research. 
  • The Walnut Warriors Team placed second with donations totaling $2,334.
  • The Logan Lions Team raised $1,002.
  • The Riverside Tigers Team raised $295.
We are proud of all of these teams!

Good Things!
Watch for more good things happening in USD 253 on the Teaching & Learning Facebook page. Regular reports and photos from the classrooms will brighten your day. Here's a photo album from AVID Family Night at EMS Monday.
Community Service Award

Riverside head custodian Johnny Drake received a special award this week from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism for his contributions to hunter safety education. See story published in The Emporia Gazette.
Health & Wellness

People whose diets are rich in potassium may be less prone to high blood pressure. Besides reducing sodium and taking other heart-healthy steps, eat potassium-packed picks such as bananas, cantaloupe, and oranges.
Are You Registered to Vote?

Voter registration is open through October 14 for the General Election in November. Many important national, state and local races will be on the ballot.

Voter registration forms are available: online, at the Driver's License Office in the Flinthills Mall and at the Lyon County Clerk's Office in the Courthouse. Remember to take a photo ID to the polls.

Advance voting at the Lyon County Courthouse opens October 15. Registered voters also can request to have an advance ballot mailed to your home starting October 15. Advance voting closes at noon November 3.

For information, call the Lyon County Clerk, 620-341-3245.
Emporia Public Schools
Clipboard
Board Vacancy

 

The board accepted a letter of resignation from board member Angie Schreiber. The board also approved publication of a legal notice announcing the vacancy. The consensus of the board was to leave the seat open until the spring 2015 election. The newly elected member will be asked to begin serving immediately, rather than waiting until July 1. This is one of four seats up for election in the spring.
Study Session: Goals Review
The board identified a list of topics members want to discuss in more detail in the spring during a series of goals-review sessions. Members want the administrative team to gather information and current research on these topics during the fall and winter. The board also requested input from district staff, parents and community members.

Among the topics discussed:
  • Length of the school year and start/end times for different age groups
  • Facilities study to include safety and security, and a rotation schedule for equipment and maintenance
  • Enrollment projections
  • Budget formulas for schools
  • Needs of teachers to accomplish heightened expectations
  • Effectiveness of instructional programs such as Literacy First
  • Measurement of student progress
  • Expectations for graduation rate and ACT scores
  • Staffing projections and recruitment and retention needs
  • Legislative Post Audit recommendations
  • District advocacy efforts
  • Culture of learning within the district and community