May 21, 2008

Chess Club Tournament Results

Following are the results of the Newton High School Chess Club Student Tournament, which concluded in May. The Chess Club sponsors are Scott McCloud and Jerry Epp.

Senior Class: Greg Schuck, 1st; Gannon Benson, 2nd; Taylor Martin, 3rd. Junior Class: Alex Navarro, 1st; Justin Beth, 2nd; Frank Boniface, 3rd. Sophomore Class: William Markus, 1st; Jacob Skala, 2nd; Spencer Childs, 3rd. Freshmen Class: Garrett Schuck, 1st; Tim Regier, 2nd; Tim Stucky, 3rd.

May 21, 2008

Newton Auto Tech Students Demonstrate Skills at State Competition

Newton High School Auto Tech students did well at the recent Ford AAA State Auto Skills competition held May 15, at the Kansas Speedway. Newton students Kevin Tidwell and Ryan Wiebe placed second in the team trouble-shooting competition; and students Matt Baumgartner and Stephan Clark placed sixth. Baumgartner and Clark also earned a first place team trophy in the written competition and the Newton team won the Power Train Award for having the top six written test scores: Baumgartner and Clark were joined by Herbert Hagman, Scott Banman, Dustin Peterson, and William Young as the top six Power Train recipients. To prepare for the competition, which involved trouble shooting technical problems on a new car, the Newton team was able to practice their mechanic skills on a 2008 Ford Escape loaned to the Auto Tech class by Conklin Cars for three weeks. Auto Skills photo: Newton Auto Tech students who placed at the Ford AAA State Auto Skills Competition are (left to right) Kevin Tidwell and Ryan Wiebe, 2nd place trouble shooting; and Matt Baumgartner and Stephan Clark, 6th place trouble shooting and 1st place written test.

May 21, 2008

Kaufman Wins Youth Entrepreneurs of Kansas Competition

Newton High School student Evan Kaufman beat out enterprising young hopefuls from across the state to place first in the Youth Entrepreneurs of Kansas (YEK) 2008 Business Plan Competition.

Kaufman was recognized during the YEK annual Dreams to Dividends awards ceremony on May 15, at the 20th Century Center in Wichita. During the ceremony, YEK awarded a total of $9,100 in venture capital grants to students for their business ideas, the largest prize being the $1,000 received by Kaufman.

YEK also rewarded its graduates’ hard work and creativity with $43,000 in scholarships. Newton alumnus Chanda Couch, a 2006 graduate, received a $1000 scholarship.

To graduate from YEK, each student must complete a viable business plan, in addition to many other classroom requirements. Students presented their business ideas in their classrooms, with the top student from each class advancing to the regional competition. Kaufman and the other winners, who were announced during the ceremony, received venture capital grants which can be used to start or continue their business or applied to post-secondary education expenses.

Youth Entrepreneurs of Kansas (YEK) is a non-profit organization which teaches business and entrepreneurial skills in high school classrooms. YEK is in all public high schools in Wichita, Augusta High School, Newton High School, Clearwater High School, Campus High School in Haysville, Kapaun Mt. Carmel, Topeka High School, Highland Park High School in Topeka, Lawrence High School, and four Kansas City, Kansas high schools. Since its establishment in 1991 by the Charles G. Koch Foundation, more than 8,000 students have graduated from the program. YEK is a licensed program of the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship, based in New York.

photo (left to right): Evan Kaufman, 1st place, Newton High School; Ariel Nixon, 3rd place, Campus High School; Spencer Stelljes, YEK Representative; James Riter, 2nd place, Kapaun Mt. Carmel..

May 21, 2008

Newton Drama Department Honored

The Newton High School drama department received word recently that they have been nominated for several Jester Awards. The Jester Awards are presented by Music Theatre of Wichita.

Members of the organization attended a Newton performance of “High School Musical” last fall and were impressed with what they saw, nominating several cast and crew members for the awards, along with drama teacher Cassandra Conley for direction of the production.

The Jester Awards ceremony will be held May 23. Because Newton High School is nominated in several specific categories, the students have been asked to perform at the awards. The Newton nominations are in the following categories:

• Outstanding Cameo Performer: Robert Howell
• Outstanding Supporting Actress: Aubrie Denney
• Outstanding Lead Male: Joe Wolfenberger
• Outstanding Lead Female: April Webb
• Outstanding Instrumentalists: Drum Line
• Outstanding Choreography: Amber Lock
• Outstanding Technical Design: Alberto Martinez
• Outstanding Direction: Cassandra Conley
• Outstanding Overall Production HS Musical

Photo: The NHS cast of “High School Musical”

May 20, 2008

Elliott Named to Assistant Principal Post at Chisholm

Shelli Elliott has been selected to fill the position of assistant principal at Chisholm Middle School beginning in the fall of 2008. Elliott currently serves as the executive director of Interlocal 632, Technology Excellence in Education Network, a five-district consortium composed of rural school districts that collaborate on the use of technology to best meet the diverse needs of students and staff.

Prior to working for the consortium, Elliott taught in the Wichita and Maize school districts and was the staff development and technology integration coordinator for Maize. She has also taught in a bi-lingual school in Costa Rica, tutoring children and adults in English.

Elliott holds a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education from Kansas State University, a Master of Arts in School Leadership and a license in K-12 Building Leadership from Baker University, and is a candidate for a Superintendent/District Level Leadership license from Fort Hays State University.

Elliott and her husband Heath, who is a physical education teacher at Newton High School, reside in Newton with their two-year-old daughter, Alexis.

May 20, 2008

Peña to Step Down From Chisholm Principalship

Chisholm Middle School Principal Cesar Peña has announced his decision to step down from the position at the end of the 2007-08 school year. Peña has accepted a position as principal of the Junior Senior High School at Sublette, beginning in 2008-09.

Prior to becoming the Chisholm principal, Peña had served as the assistant principal at Santa Fe Middle School since 2003. Peña and wife Sonya, who is a teacher at Santa Fe, are from the southwest Kansas area, which was a factor in the decision to accept the Sublette position.

Peña indicated that accepting the Sublette post was not an easy decision to make. “We really thought about it long and hard. We have thoroughly enjoyed every year here,” he said. “Newton is an active and progressive community and I feel fortunate to have worked with such wonderful teachers and staff.”

May 15, 2008

NHS Alumni to be inducted to Lifetime Achievement Hall of Fame

Newton USD 373 will hold an induction ceremony and brunch for the 2008 inductees into the Newton High School Alumni Lifetime Achievement Hall of Fame on Saturday, May 17, at 10:00 a.m. at Santa Fe Middle School. The public is welcome.

This year’s Alumni Award recipients are Vice Admiral Michael K. Loose, class of 1971; Randall E. Mathews, class of 1965; and Stephen J. Shields, class of 1974.

The award recipients will also be recognized during commencement activities on Saturday evening at 7:00 p.m. at Athletic Park.

more information...

May 13, 2008

Slate Creek students jump for joy, thanks to grant

Slate Creek Physical Education teacher James Brown’s students are “jumping for joy,” thanks to a grant Brown recently received from the Jump Rope for Heart program. The $2500 grant brought the school $1200 in new PE equipment, along with a free trip to the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) Annual Conference in Fort Worth, Texas, for Brown.

The grant application was open to all Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart coordinators who held an event the previous year. Brown took advantage of the opportunity to request funds to add much needed play equipment to the Slate Creek PE program.

In addition to enjoying some equipment that the school has never had before, Brown is pleased to now have enough equipment to supply an entire class, so students do not have to take turns on the equipment and everyone can participate simultaneously.

The Jump Rope for Heart Grant program is supported by the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD) and the American Heart Association (AHA).

Photo: students in Rhonda Roux’s Kindergarten class at Slate Creek Elementary are shown with the new equipment PE teacher James Brown recently secured for the school through a Jump Rope for Heart grant.

May 13, 2008

NHS students excel on National Spanish Exam

Newton High School Spanish students earned national recognition on the National Spanish Exam given this past spring. The National Spanish Examination is the most widely used test of Spanish in the United States. The exam is an online, standardized assessment tool given voluntarily by over 3000 teachers throughout the United States to measure proficiency and achievement of students who are studying Spanish as a second language. National awards are determined by the total percentile scored on the exam.

Gold medal placement certificates are given to students scoring at or above the 95th percentile. Kevin Leary, Level 4, was a gold medal winner. Leary also tied for first place in the state of Kansas on the exam.

Silver medal placement certificates are given to students scoring from the 85th through the 94th percentiles. Lydia Seger, Level 3, was a silver medal winner. Lydia placed third in the state of Kansas on the exam.

Bronze medal placement certificates are given to students scoring from the 75th through the 84th percentiles. Leah Bartel, Level 4, and Megan Leary Level 2, were bronze level recipients.

Students scoring at or above the 50th percentile through the 74th percentile are awarded a Premio de Excelencia. Students receiving the Premio de Excelencia included Phillip Bradshaw, Level 4; Jalayn Zehr, Level 4; Sheralyn Neff, Level 4; John Bergen, Level 2; and Tim Stucky, Level 1.

In addition to the outstanding test scores posted by Newton students, senior Scott Rempel was awarded of one of 12 National scholarships given by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese in the amount of $2,000.00.

Photo: Newton High School Spanish students are shown with their certificates of award earned on the National Spanish Examination. Left to right are Megan Leary, bronze level; Kevin Leary, 1st in the state of Kansas and gold level winner; Lydia Seger, 3rd in the state of Kansas and silver level winner; and Leah Bartel, Bronze level recognition.

May 13, 2008

Author shares book of war letters with students

The students in teacher Brian Kennell’s 11th grade US History class weren’t even born when the country was engaged in the war in Vietnam, but thanks to a special visitor last week, the war was made a bit more real to them.

Karen Ross Epp, author of “With Love, Stan: A Soldier's Letters From Vietnam to the World,” shared with students about her book, which is a compilation of letters that her brother sent to various family members during his tour in Vietnam.

Ross Epp related to students how her brother Stan was killed in action in Vietnam in October of 1969, prompting her wish to assemble all of his letters home into a compilation for family members.

In the process of gathering the letters, she began locating and contacting other soldiers who had served with her brother and asked them to share memories and other information about their time together during the war. After the book was completed, Ross Epp’s family hosted a reunion at their family farm in Iowa with many of the book’s contributors in attendance and she gave them each a copy of the book.

Photo: Karen Ross Epp, author of “With Love Stan: A Soldier's Letters From Vietnam to the World” addresses students in Brian Kennell’s 11th grade US history class.

May 13, 2008

Newton students receive Governor’s Award

Three Newton students were honored by Governor Kathleen Sebelius, during the 25th Annual Governor's Scholars Award Program on May 4, 2008, in Topeka. Seniors Anna Unruh, Kevin Leary, and Sheralynn Neff were selected for the honor, which recognizes the top academic one percent of Kansas high school seniors. Unruh received her award from the governor during the ceremony. Leary and Neff were unable to attend and their awards were sent to them.

During the presentation, the governor commended the recipients: "These high school seniors have shown dedication in their studies and a commitment to learning. They've earned this honor, and I want to congratulate all of them on this achievement," she said. “We should also recognize their families, teachers, and mentors for helping these outstanding students achieve their academic goals.”

The Governor’s Scholars Award program is coordinated for the Governor by the Confidence in Kansas Public Education Task Force. It is funded by donations from the Kansas Bankers Association and other private sector businesses in Kansas.

The Confidence in Kansas Public Education Task Force was formed 25 years ago to strengthen public confidence in education. The following organizations are members of the Task Force: American Association of University Women, Kansas Association of School Boards, Kansas Congress of Parents and Teachers, Kansas Association of School Boards, Kansas Congress of Parents and Teachers, Kansas State Department of Education, Kansas-National Education Association, Kansas School Public Relations Association, Kansas State High School Activities Association, and United School Administrators of Kansas.

Photos: (Top to Bottom) Anna Unruh, Kevin Leary and Sheralynn Neff

May 13, 2008

South Breeze team “breezes” through Emma Creek Classic

South Breeze Elementary School staff proved there was strength in numbers by winning the title of Largest Team during the recent Emma Creek Classic Run/Walk. The South Breeze Striders, as the team was called, numbered 23 members to win the Largest Team title.

May 7, 2008

Students Visit Local Farms

Students at South Breeze Elementary and Walton Rural Life Center were able to get out of the classroom for a day of hands on learning, during recent field trips.

Kindergarteners at South Breeze visited the horse farm of Bruce and Lori Jolliff, located just south of Newton, on April 17. The Jolliffs set up centers in their barn and students rotated from center to center to learn about the feeding, care and maintenance of the horses.

On April 22, Bonnie Epp's first grade and Derrick Richling's 4th grade classes at Walton Rural Life Center visited the Voth Dairy Farm. Hosts Myron Voth and his wife, Phyllis Regier, showed the children around the farm and talked about the feeding and care of the cows, and demonstrated the process of collecting the milk. At the end of the field trip the students were treated to milk and cookies at the Voth farm house.

photo 1: Lori Jolliff allows south Breeze kindergarteners Annika Senn and Kelsi Harris to brush one of Jolliff’s ponies during a school field trip to the Jolliff farm.

photo 2: South Breeze kindergartener Emilio Eason (left) and a sibling of a student approach a horse’s stall during a visit to the Jolliff farm.

photo 3: Myron Voth allows Walton student Baylor Stahly to feel the suction pressure of the milking machine.

photo 4:  Walton students (left to right) Aundré Regier, Adonis Taylor and Jillian Kelly pet a calf at the Voth Dairy Farm.

May 7, 2008

Author Visits Newton Middle Schools

Author Mary Downing Hahn recently visited students at Chisholm Middle School and Santa Fe Middle School. Downing Hahn signed copies of her books and spoke to groups of students. The author told the students that she started writing books after working as a librarian and realizing that she could write books at least as good as those she saw being published. Since then Downing Hahn has written over 20 books, including several award winning stories. She was recently a nominee for the 2008 Edgar awards, given for mystery books.

Photo: Author Mary Downing Hahn takes a break from signing books at Chisholm Middle School to visit with 7th grade student Carl Folkerts.

May 7, 2008

Third Graders Get Fit

The temperature was a chilly 43 degrees and the Kansas wind was in high form last Friday as 400 USD 373 3rd graders participated in Kansas Kids Fitness and Safety Day. But the kids didn’t let a little bit of wind and chilly air deter them in their quest to have fun getting fit.

Kansas Kids Fitness and Safety Day is a statewide event sponsored by the Governor’s Council on Fitness and held every year on the first Friday in May. The event focuses on increasing physical activity and safety awareness among 3rd grade students in Kansas. Nearly 18,000 students participate each year at more than 40 sites across the state.

The Bethel College football field served as the site for USD 373’s KKFSD and Bethel College students assisted in setting up and coordinating the fitness games and activities for the students.

KKFSD is an opportunity to impress upon youth the importance of being safe and physically active. Numerous studies have shown the long term health risks associated with the rising incidence of childhood obesity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that children and adolescents participate in 60 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week, preferably daily. The benefits associated with regular physical activity include: weight control, increased muscular strength, improved bone mass, improved cardiovascular fitness, decreased blood pressure, improved self-esteem, reduced anxiety and stress.

Safe Kids Kansas is pleased to be able to participate in this statewide event that reinforces to children the fun and health benefits of noncompetitive physical activities and injury prevention. Unintentional injuries are still the leading cause of death for Kansas kids. Preventable injuries to children peak during the summer when children are less supervised, have more free time and engage in more outdoor activities. Through public awareness activities such as these, Safe Kids seeks to educate children and parents and about preventing accidental injuries.

Photo: Karina Brandt, a 3rd grader at Slate Creek Elementary School, crosses the finish line after donning her “work clothes” as quickly as possible. The activity was one of many promoting health and safety during the Kansas Kids Fitness and Safety Day on May 2.

May 7, 2008

Sunset Students’ Works Published in Poetry Anthology

Several members of the Sunset Writers Club have had their poems selected for inclusion in the 2008 Anthology of Poetry by Young Americans.

The Anthology of Poetry by Young Americans provides a forum through which selected young authors from across the United States can have their work published in an actual book. Students in grades K – 12 may submit poems to be selected for publication. Works are selected for the anthology based upon their originality, rhythmic sounds, rhymes and audience appeal.

The Anthology of Poetry, Inc. dedicates itself to nurturing the beauty, self-expression and fun of poetry. Working with educators in all fifty states, The Anthology of Poetry, Inc. fosters the creativity expressed through writing and honors some of the country’s finest young writers by publishing their works.

The Sunset students were encouraged to submit their works by teacher, Pamela Trussell.

Photo: Sunset students who had their poetry published in the Anthology of Poetry by Young Americans are, front row left to right: Elizabeth Groote, Kathryn Lindgren, Andrew Adamson, Maria McGonigal, LeeAnna Moore, Maycee Jones. Back row: Katelyn Zinn, Mikaleigh Wilson, Tamra Wilson, Afton Moore, Lauren Regier, Jillian Jantz and Austin Prouty.

May 7, 2008

Baumgartner, Hagman Receive Pizza Hut Scholarships

Matthew Baumgartner and Paul Hagman, both students in the Automotive Technology program at Newton High School, have been named recipients of $500 Pizza Hut Scholarships. Pizza Hut Owner Vince Collier presented the scholarships to the two last week.

Baumgartner plans to attend Pratt Community College next year to pursue a degree in Automotive Technology. Hagman plans to attend UTI (Universal Technical Institute) of Texas where he will study automotive and diesel mechanics.

Photo, left to right: Paul Hagman, Vince Collier, Matthew Baumgartner.

May 1, 2008

Buller book named to Kansas Reading Circle List

Chisholm librarian Beverley Buller's much lauded book From Emporia: The Story of William Allen White has been named to the list for the 2008 Kansas Reading Circle catalog, a commission of KNEA (Kansas National Education Association). The catalog of suggested readings is sent to all Kansas libraries each year.

The Reading Circle is a group of Kansas educational reading professionals who meet annually to select the best books of that year to recommend to Kansas teachers and librarians. Buller’s book was selected by the middle through jr. high level group, composed of five representatives, who then recommended it to the larger group. It is an honor to have a book named to the list. Because Buller is a Kansas resident, her book will also be listed in the catalog’s section on Kansas books and, as such, will be included in the catalog every year after this.