First-year teachers talk with their mentors after a day of classroom observations.
Staff Bulletin | January 29, 2015

District News

Change in BCBS Benefit
For Prescription Drugs
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas has made some changes to the prescription drug benefit, effective Jan. 1, 2015. All employees enrolled in the district health insurance will receive a fact sheet on the changes. The information also is available on the district website.

Parent-Teacher Conference Schedule
The February conference schedules for all district schools can be found on the district website.
Emporia Board of Education

Personnel Report

Appointments

Anneliesa Narcisi
paraeducator, Maynard

Andrew Birchmeier
paraeducator, Madison

Lydia Smith
teacher aide, Village

Keli Escotto
paraeducator, Riverside

Madeline Rodriguez
paraeducator, Walnut

Adriana Rodriguez
bus aide, Transportation

Kathleen Sonesen
teacher aide, Logan Avenue

Jacob Baker
physics, EHS (Aug 2015)

Mia Jacobson-Miller
German, EHS (Aug 2015)

 

Resignations

 

Amy Wilson

paraeducator, Timmerman

 

Jacinda Vinduska

special education, Reading

 

Stacie Masters

paraeducator, EMS

 

Retirement

 

Gary Brooks

maintenance, District

 

Consent Agenda

The board approved

  • A $1,200 donation from Emporia High School graduating classes of 1948 through 1950, designated for landscaping costs

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1700 W 7th Ave
Emporia, Kansas 66801
 
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Ks Education Commissioner

To Visit Emporia February 17

Incoming Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson will host a community conversation, "Kansas Children, Kansas' Future," in Emporia Tuesday, Feb 17, 9 - 11 am, at Mary Herbert Education Center.

 

The purpose of these conversations is to bring together parents, educators, local school board members, higher education representatives, legislators, members of the business community and all other interested parties to discuss the future they want for Kansas children and the role they believe Kansas education should play in supporting that envisioned future. Attendees will work in small groups to discuss questions such as:

  • What are the characteristics, qualities, abilities and skills of a successful 24-year-old Kansan?
  • What is the role of K-12 education in achieving this future and how should K-12 measure indicators toward that success?
  • What is the role of higher education in achieving this future and how should higher education measure indicators toward that success?

The outcomes of these conversations will be collected and used to begin building the state's strategic plan for education.

 

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Watch for 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

The Super Bowl is one of the biggest calorie fests of the year for many Americans. Enjoy the game with these delicious and healthy game day recipes.
Emporia Public Schools
Clipboard
Board Recognition
The board of education gave special recognition of Madeline Dierking, a 2015 Kansas Horizon Award winner. She is a fourth grade teacher at Logan Avenue, now in her second year of teaching.

School finance presentation was well attended.
Kansas School Finance
The board heard a report on the state school finance formula and how the governor's proposal might affect the formula. The presenter was Mark Tallman, associate executive director for advocacy at the Kansas Association of School Boards. He explained how the formula works, showed the history of education spending in Kansas, and shared achievement data. 

While total spending for education has increased in the state, he said the increases have not been in areas of the budget that can be used for day-to-day operations. 

Read his handouts at the links here:
Counting All the Money
School Finance History
Kansas Achievement Report

Board Reports
FHTC Board of Trustees - Grant Riles updated the board on changes being made to the dental program and scholarships now available for high school juniors and seniors.
Emporia Recreation Commission - Mike Helbert reported the fitness center improvements are complete and it is now open at the Rec Center.
Legislative Update - Susan Brinkman reported on the Governmental Relations Workshop she attended with district representatives last week.
Superintendent Theresa Davidson provided information on proposed legislation to move local elections (city and school board) to the fall with all other elections. 
See KASB issue paper on the proposal.