December, 2006 News
 

Morton named President Elect of KASA

 Dr. John Morton, Superintendent of USD 373, has been named president-elect of the Kansas Association of School Administrators (KASA).  Morton will serve as KASA president-elect in 2007-2008, and will then serve as president of the organization in 2008-2009, and as Past-President in 2009-2010.

KASA is comprised of superintendents, assistant superintendents, chief administrators working directly with a governing board, and chief administrative officers and staff members of colleges and universities. KASA’s mission is to serve the growth, development and general encouragement of the Kansas system of education.

 Slate Creek Elementary School celebrated Children’s Book Week, November 12 – 18, with a library open house. Students and their families were invited to visit the school library on the evening of November 16 for some special activities.

Students were allowed to select a free book to keep, and along with the book received a free bookmark. The theme of the week was “More Books, Please.”  In addition to the free books, children were allowed to check out books during the event and were treated to a book reading of “The Things a String Can Be,” read by Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Morton.

Walton Elementary School showcased their Technology Rich Classrooms (TRC) during an open house on November 29. Although the weather was cold and snowy, the open house drew visitors from five other Kansas schools districts, some as far away as Hiawatha, to view the technology enhancements implemented at Walton through the Enhancing Education Through Technology grant program (EETT), a state grant program funded through the competitive portion of Title IID as a requirement of No Child Left Behind.

The TRC Open House was coordinated by USD 373 technology teacher Rita Betts, in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Education’s TRC office. Schools receive the Technology Rich Classroom designation by participating in the EETT grant program which funds technology to establish minimum requirements for classroom equipment: a 2:1 student to computer ratio (laptops or desktops), interactive white board, media projector, digital camera, printer, scanner, Internet access, and supporting software.  

Walton was one of 70 Kansas schools featured during TRC Days in November. The school’s 4th and 5th grade TRC's are in their second year with the EETT grant, and Walton shares the grant with two 5th grade classrooms at Slate Creek. All five USD 373 elementary schools have received, and are in various phases of implementation of, EETT grants to establish Technology Rich Classrooms.

During the open house, students shared projects they have created representing a variety of technology uses. Teachers used their sound systems to demonstrate their effectiveness. Smart Boards were also being demonstrated. Fourth grade teacher Derrick Richling's classroom featured a robot made from Lego's® that was motion activated and took pictures of the guests as they walked by. 

The primary goal of the Ed Tech program (Title IID) is to improve student academic achievement through the use of technology in elementary and secondary schools. The purpose of the Technology Rich Classroom program is to provide evidence that technology integrated into a Technology-Rich learning environment and supported by strong, ongoing professional development can produce positive changes in the classroom environment that result in improved student learning in the areas of reading, math and science.

Two Newton students are putting their talents to good work this holiday season, to benefit a family who might not otherwise have a very Merry Christmas. Nathan Thompson and Donnie Thomas, both students at Cooper Learning Center, along with band-mates Brice Wilson and Jeremy Huebert, will present a Heavy Metal Christian Christmas concert on Thursday, December 14, in the Cooper Auditorium, at 2:30 and 6:00 p.m., with the proceeds to benefit a family in need referred by the Salvation Army.  

Cooper staff and students adopt a family for Christmas each year and then chip in to provide gifts, food and other items to ensure a Merry Christmas for the family. This year, encouraged by Cooper teacher Angie Reid, Thompson and Thomas came up with a way to raise some extra funds by holding the concert. The band, named Antemortem, will give two performances on Thursday, one at 2:30 p.m. and the other at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are one dollar at the door and donations are also welcome.

Wilson and Huebert have been playing together for the past five years, with Thomas and Thompson joining the band a couple of months ago. The Cooper performance will be the group’s debut, but more shows are already lined up for January, in Omaha, NE, Manhattan, KS and Peabody.

The name Antemortem was already in place when the two latecomers joined the band. Wilson and Huebert had used it previously for a band they had with some other members who have since moved on to pursue other interests. According to Wilson, Antemortem is Latin for “before death” and it is significant for the fact that everyone has to make the critical decision before they die whether or not to follow Christ.

For more information about Thursday’s concerts contact Cooper Learning Center at 284-6230. For information about additional upcoming Antemortem performances call 316-210-9396.

Santa Fe Middle School teacher Mollie Sultenfuss has been named the recipient of the Chisholm Trail Federal Credit Union Teacher Grant for 2006. Sultenfuss, a language arts teacher at Santa Fe, received $500 from CTFCU, which will be used for printing the Santa Fe literary magazine REFOCUS.

Students in Sharon Landrum and Belinda McDonald’s classes at Santa Fe Middle School, presented the play "Marley's Ghost," based on the story of Ebenezer Scrooge by Charles Dickens, on December 21. Parents and other visitors enjoyed the heartwarming performance of the Christmas classic which tells the tale of a grouchy old curmudgeon who discovers the true spirit of Christmas just in time, thanks to visits by several enlightening specters. Following the performance the cast and audience enjoyed Christmas refreshments together.

Chisholm Middle School student Tyler Prochazka was announced as a winner in the Wichita Eagle's annual Christmas Story Writing Contest. Prochazka, who was encouraged to submit an entry by Chisholm language arts teacher, Beverly Hunter, was notified that his ending to the story “Missing Myrtle” was selected as the winner in the age 13 to 19 category. Tyler is the son of Doug Prochazka. His complete story appeared in the 2006 Christmas Eve issue of the Wichita Eagle, along with those of the other two winners.