Staff Bulletin | May 12, 2016

 
Emporia students representing the Class of 2028 and the Class of 2016 participated in A Kansas Conversation: Exploring New Forms of Education to Meet 21st Century Learning Needs conference Saturday at Emporia State University. Elementary students talked about their career dreams and seniors talked about their journey through school and how prepared they are for post-secondary education and the workplace. They joined the stage with Randy Watson, Kansas Education Commissioner, John Morton, ESU associate professor of Teacher Education and Kevin Case, Inman superintendent.
District News

Hope to see you at the Staff Recognition Reception May 18!

Tour de Village Run/Walk 
& Bike Ride Registration
Friday is the early registration deadline for the third annual Tour de Village on Saturday, May 21.  This includes a 5K run/walk and a 30-mile gravel bike ride. See more details and registration information here. 

Retirement Celebrations
Emporia Middle School
Today, May 12, 3:45-5 pm
Honoring  Kay Carl, Karen Hudson, Mary Beth Janssen, Christina Pletcher & Diana Wilhite
Timmerman
May 16, 3:45-5:30 pm
Honoring Jackie Medina & Carol Mitchell
Mary Herbert/FHSEC
May 26, 1-2 pm, MH 114
Honoring Linda Baumann

June 1, 3-4:30 pm
Honoring Geralyn Arndt, Pam Brunner, Brenda Kahle, Jane King, Ann Fullen & Theresa Davidson
Emporia Board of Education

Personnel Report

Appointments

Tracy Ensminger
grades K-4, WA White/TPA
 
Melissa Hoyle
grade 8 science, EMS

Crystal Karmann
paraeducator, Village

Jenna Erwin
teacher aide, Logan Avenue

Helen Williams
FACS/Teaching & Training Pathway, EHS

Cristy Flippin
adaptive special education, FHSEC

Crystal Sanders
MIS data clerk, Mary Herbert

Craig Anderson
maintenance, Operational Services
 
Resignations

Deana Bittinger
adaptive special education, Madison

Natalie Martin
science, EHS

Retirement

Stephen Ziegler
delivery/maintenance, Food Service
Consent Agenda
The board approved the following:
  • A donation of 50 Chromebooks valued at $8,500 from CableOne to be used in a Title I elementary school
  • An EHS Marching Band trip to St. Louis May 31-June 2

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1700 W 7th Ave
Emporia, Kansas 66801
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Celebrating 
Good Things!

Spring Hopkins Awards
  
Five district staff members received Hopkins Awards April 29 and May 5. Congratulations to David Delgado, Mary Herbert, Jane Pientka, Walnut, Erica Huggard & Randy Wells, EHS, & Liesa Wecker, Logan Avenue.

School of Character
Logan Avenue Elementary was among the schools honored last Friday as one of 25 Kansas schools and school districts offering excellent character education that focuses on students' social, emotional and character development. Logan Avenue was in the category of Enhanced Spotlight Recognition. In 2015, Logan Avenue and Village schools received Spotlight Awards for Social, Emotional and Character Development.

Teacher Awards
Congratulations to Emporia High English teacher Phil Thornton, who received an Exemplary Teacher Award this week from the Masonic Lodge.

Congratulations to Jeremy James Bernhardt-Purdy, who was honored as the Wingnuts Teacher of the Month by team mascot, Spinner the Squirrel. He was nominated by band student Sidney Baldwin.

Village Donation
Village Elementary collected $1,596.32 for Children's Mercy Hospital during a recent penny drive in conjunction with Pizza Hut.
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Emporia Public Schools
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Board Considers Changes
In Graduation Requirements
The board reviewed proposed changes to district graduation requirements. A committee of administrators, teachers, students, parents, and local business representatives have been reviewing state and district requirements the past year. The proposed requirements would remain at 24 units of credit, with one credit of PE instead of two and removing one credit of practical arts. Students would have eight elective options instead of six. In addition to the academic requirements, the committee proposes life skill requirements in these four areas:
  • Lifetime Health Awareness
  • Adapt to Current & Future Technology
  • Civic Engagement
  • Employability
Students would have multiple ways to demonstrate those skills during their four years in high school. The board will consider taking final action on the proposal at the May 25 meeting.

Weighted Grades
The board also approved a recommendation from the Graduation Committee to adjust the current weighting factor to a 5.0 scale effective in 2016-17.  The committee recommendation is to limit weighted courses to honors and AP courses at the sophomore level and above and establish criteria for placing other courses on the list. The board supported the recommendation to review the courses, but asked that any changes in course offerings be effective when students enroll for 2017-18.
See full recommendation

2016-17 Athletic Handbook
The board approved updates to the student athletic handbook for 2016-17.