Staff Bulletin | January 15, 2015

District News

EHS Fitness Room News
Beginning this month, the EHS Fitness Room will be available to employees plus one guest. The guest must be:
  • a high school freshman or older
  • accompanied by district employee at all times
The employee must complete a short training on proper equipment use to receive an access card. A training will be offered at 6 pm Jan 21 at the fitness center. For more information, contact Kyle Redo, district wellness coordinator.

25-Year Service Awards
Each year the University of Kansas awards Certificates of Service to teachers and administrators who have completed 25 years of service in education, regardless of the state in which the service was provided. If you have completed 25 years in education and have not received a request for information, please notify Ann Fullen as soon as possible

KPERS Rate Increases
KPERS withholding is increasing this month from 5% to 6% for all employee groups. The new rate goes into effect with the January 15 and February 1 checks.

EMPAC News
Read this month's newsletter from EMPAC
Emporia Board of Education


Personnel Report

Appointments

Sarah Coffey
paraeducator, Maynard

Natalia Martinez
paraeducator, Maynard

Rigoberto Aguirre
custodian, Village

Karla Guereca-Lugo
paraeducator, Maynard

Jamie Nurnberg
teacher aide, Village

Tom Andrews
custodian, Riverside

Anna Baum
assistant cook, EMS

Amber Williams
paraeducator, Chase County

Meghan Robison
paraeducator, Chase County

Kelsey Parks
paraeducator, EHS

Kathleen Eylar
paraeducator, EHS

 

Resignations

 

Lindsay Smith

teacher aide, Logan Avenue

 

Martha Rueda

paraeducator, Walnut

 

Amanda Graves

paraeducator, EHS

 

Sarah Barnett

paraeducator, Neosho Rapids

 

Robin Crismas

special education, USD 386

 

Melanie Griffin

paraeducator, WA White

 

Chelsea Widen

4th grade, Walnut

 

Retirement

 

Rita Solorio

paraeducator, WA White


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The Power of One!
Celebrating 
Good Things!

 

Kansas Horizon Award Winner

Logan Avenue teacher Madeline Dierking received one of 32 Kansas Horizon Awards for 2015 from the Kansas State Department of Education last week. She is a fourth grade teacher, now in her second year of teaching. Horizon Awards are given for to exemplary teachers after finishing their first year in the profession.

See full story


Debate Coaches Hall of Fame
EHS debate and forensics coach Scott Bonnet was inducted this month in to the Kansas Debate Coaches Hall of Fame. He has been the debate coach since 2006.


Mechanics Keep Buses Running
"I want to give kudos to our mechanics. I know that our shop folks are doing something right when they keep our fleet going well on the second day of temperatures around -15! Thank you Ron, Mihai and Lloyd! We all appreciate what you do, and we know these last few days have not been easy!"
 - Shelby Harvel,Transportation Director
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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.

Health & Wellness
District Wellness Committee
Are you interested in finding some new, healthy menu options for your family meals this winter, you will want to check out these recipes.

2015 Legislative Breakfasts

The Emporia Area Chamber and Visitors Bureau and League of Women Voters will host the 2015 Legislative Dialogues with Sen. Jeff Longbine and Rep. Ron Highland, Don Hill and Peggy Mast. The dates have been set for Feb. 21, March 28 and May 16. Coffee and pastries will be available at 8 am with the discussion beginning at 8:30. Locations will be announced later.

Emporia Public Schools
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School Board Appreciation
Superintendent Theresa Davidson read a proclamation in honor of School Board Appreciation Month, an opportunity to thank board members for their service.

Climate Survey Results
Rick Nobels, president of Patron Insight, summarized the key findings of the climate survey the company administered for the district in October. More than 2,900 responses were received from parents; staff; students in grades 5, 7, 9 & 11; and community members. The survey included questions to determine how the four groups perceive the quality and climate at the schools and overall quality of the district. The survey was first given in 2012 and this is the first time that comparison results are available. The district intends to give the survey every two years.
Overall ratings were generally similar to the survey given two years ago. The attached report shows the overall district results from each of the four subgroups. The data will be used to help with improvement plans and goal-setting.

Engineering by Design
The board approved a request to pilot Engineering by Design at Village and WA White this spring. One third grade and one fifth grade at each school have been selected for the pilot. Engineering by Design is an integrated science, math and technology approach to hands-on science instruction aligned to help students become college and career ready. Non-participating teachers will have the opportunity to observe lessons this spring. Feedback from the four participating teachers, teachers who observe and the principals will be used to evaluate the pilot. After evaluating the program, the district may consider using it at other schools and grade levels.

Board Policy Review
The board adopted updated policies in Section J, relating to students. The board also discussed proposed changes to worker's compensation policies.

Consent Agenda

The board approved

  • Emporia Community Foundation grants to Walnut, Timmerman, EMS Music Department & EHS Library
 
Emporia Public Schools
1700 W 7th Ave
Emporia, Kansas 66801