December 29, 2009

Early Childhood Intervention Makes a Difference

Evan is a lively toddler. Constantly on the move, he keeps his mom and dad busy chasing after him. As he sweeps through the living room, a small, red-headed dervish, no item is safe and no crook or cranny is left unexplored. He picks up toys and household items along the way, holding them up to show his dad and a visiting home-based teacher what he has found. He then bangs them against a table, sticks them inside his shirt in a self-devised game of hide-and-seek, or puts them in his mouth to see if they are edible.

His father talks to him as he plays, describing what he has picked up, "Hat, did you find my hat? What do you do with a hat? A ball? Is that a green ball or a yellow ball?" Evan puts the hat on his head and grins. He then holds up his fist, thumb and pinky finger extended, and wobbles his hand back and forth. Sign language for 'Yellow'. "That's right, Yellow!" the teacher exclaims. Evan drops the ball, claps his hands and squeals with glee at his accomplishment. Dad and the teacher enthusiastically join in. "Yeah!"

Another word mastered, another step forward.

This is fairly typical play and exploration for a two year old, but Evan is not typical, and if not for early intervention services, he might not be as lively, curious, engaged and cognitively advanced as he is. Home based services have been provided to Evan and his parents since his diagnosis of a disability at birth. Evan's parents are pleased with his progress and grateful to his home-based teachers for providing them with training and support to help maximize his learning potential. Thanks to these services, Evan will start school prepared to learn and will require fewer special education services down the road.

The infant and toddler stages of development are a critical time in the life of a child. From birth, children begin learning and absorbing everything around them. During these first few years, children develop the skills they will need to learn and succeed in life. The earlier a delay is caught and addressed, the better a child's chances at academic and social success.

Families in Harvey County are lucky to have an exceptional Infant and Toddler program which, thanks to its highly skilled staff, is able to help parents like Evan's identify and address potential developmental delays and learning disabilities. The Birth to Three program, which is based in the Cooper Early Education Center, offers free developmental screenings and appropriate services for children with suspected developmental delays.

These services are individually tailored to each child's specific needs. For Evan, this means bi-weekly visits from his primary provider, Shelly Crisler, an occupational therapist. She may periodically be accompanied by a speech language pathologist, physical therapist, or vision consultant. This team of specialists help Evan's parents by conducting assessments with each visit, measuring Evan's physical and cognitive progress, and suggesting effective exercises, games and activities that will help him reach his maximum learning and developmental potential.

Evan's future looks as bright as his wide, perpetual smile.

Anyone may refer a child for a free developmental screening. Parents may contact the Early Education Center to set up an appointment or can bring their child to one of the monthly free Child Find developmental screening days. For more information call 316-284-6510.

Photo: Shelly Crisler (right), an occupational therapist with the Cooper Early Education Center, reinforces Evan’s comprehension of “up” as Dawn Franz, speech language pathologist, observes.

December 22, 2009

Walton Student Raises Funds for Animal Shelter

After the annual celebration of decorating the Walton Christmas Tree, students, staff and parents returned to the Walton school to enjoy hot cocoa. When they arrived, they found more than just hot cocoa waiting for them. Thanks to Addie Regier and a group of 5th grade girls, there was a bake sale full of cookies and brownies to enjoy along with the delicious hot chocolate.

Addie, a 5th grade student at Walton Rural Life Center, wanted to make a difference in her community. She had been volunteering at the local Humane Society this fall and wanted to do something more for the animals who are sheltered there. With the help of donors for the initial start up cost, as well as an enrichment planning session guided by Stephanie Thompson, Addie decided to have a bake sale to benefit the animal shelter. Several of Addie’s friends quickly agreed to help bake and sell items in order to raise money for her cute and cuddly friends. Jacey Wedel, Abigail Harder, and Haley Southern all helped Addie raise money for the Humane Society.

Addie wanted to earn money for toys for the animals to play with at the shelter. Initially, her goal was to earn $50, but with the help of the students and the Walton Rural Life Center Community, Addie and her staff of friends earned $130.66. Addie was excited about exceeding her goal. All proceeds were given to the Caring Hands Humane Society to help make the life of the animals at the shelter more enjoyable.

Write-up and photos provided by Carol Budde, Walton 5th grade teacher.

Photo: Walton fifth graders (left to right) Addie Regier, Abbigail Harder, Jacey Wedel and Haley Southern collect money during a bake sale to benefit the Caring Hands Humane Society.

December 22, 2009

Newton Students attend BPA Conference

The Newton High School Business Professionals of America Club competed in the Regional Leadership Conference in Wichita December 10-11, 2009. The club competed December 10 at North High School in computer-related events, followed by judged, objective and open tests on December 11, at Central Community Church. The regional conference included all Wichita Public Schools as well as Maize High School and Maize South High School.

Newton students who placed in the top three in their events were:
Jacob Bartel and Jared Fromm, 1st in Administrative Support Team; Jacob Bartel, 2nd in Extemporaneous Speech; Reagan Bender, 2nd in Advanced Spreadsheet Applications; Levi Blaylock and Jenna Rangel, 3rd in Small Business Management Team; Megan Bradley, 1st in Fundamental Spreadsheet Applications; Sara Bradley, 3rd in Medical Office Procedures; Addie Bruyr, 1st in Administrative Support Research Project Individual; Austin Burch, 1st in Interview Skills; Austin Burch, Brittany Jaso, Jennifer Lowe and Lindsay Rhoades, 3rd in Global Marketing Team; Lexi Coffey, 2nd in Interview Skills; Lexi Coffey and Carly Willis, 2nd in Presentation Management Team; Andy Davis, 1st in Presentation Management Individual; Chelsea Grosch and Jennifer Scott, 1st in Economic Research Project Team; Wendy Gong, 2nd in Prepared Speech and 1st in Human Resource Management; Philip Harms, 1st in Payroll Accounting and 1st in Banking and Finance; Dakotah Kiehl, 1st in Legal Office Procedures; Katelyn League, 1st in Prepared Speech and 3rd in Keyboarding Production; Jenna Rangel , 1st in Entrepreneurship; Beth Rinehart and Annelyse Whitney, 2nd in Economic Research Project Team; Erica Roach, 2nd in Database Applications; Yeni Romero, 2nd in Fundamental Spreadsheet Applications; Johnathan Shook, 1st in Fundamental Accounting and 3rd in Advanced Spreadsheet Applications; Monique Smith, 1st in Database Applications; Katie Turk, 1st in Advanced Word Processing; Carly Willis, 1st in Medical Office Procedures.

Several Newton students also placed in the top ten in their categories. Other students who competed in the conference were Larrah Bills, Shannon Cooper, Laken Maughan, Jamie Miller, Dane Moore, Maria Smith, Justin Webb, and Dominique Woods.

In addition to the competitions, nine students receive the Diplomat Award. This award is given to students who participated in the Torch Program and have earned 30 points of service in seven different categories. These students were Austin Burch, Lexi Coffey, Brittany Jaso, Jamie Miller, Jenna Rangel, Lindsay Rhoades, Erica Roach, Monique Smith and Carly Willis. The Newton Chapter is off to a great start with 52 members this year. The club will compete at the State Leadership Conference in February. Those who qualify at the state level will compete in the National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, CA, in May, 2010.

-submitted by Melinda Rangel, NHS BPA Sponsor

Photo (by Melinda Rangel): Members of the Newton BPA Club are shown at the Regional Leadership Conference in Wichita.

December 22, 2009

Newton Robotics Teams Compete at Oklahoma Regional

Over 200 high school students, representing 26 teams from Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas competed Saturday December 5, 2009 on the campus of Southwestern Oklahoma State University in the Oklahoma Regional FTC Robotics Championship. The competition was one of 48 being held across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Holland, whose winners will compete in Atlanta in the spring of 2010.

First Tech Challenge (FTC) is a robotics competition that incorporates the design, build, and programming of robots to compete in an alliance format against other teams. Each team also created an engineering notebook that documented their design process. The notebooks, along with interviews, were judged in several categories.

The competition also presents team awards in several categories: the Inspire award goes to the team that takes on challenges well beyond the program. The Rockwell Collins Innovate award goes to the team with the most ingenuity and inventiveness. The PTC Design award is presented to the team with the most compelling industrial design elements. The Connect award is presented to the team who is the most connected to the local and engineering community. The Motivate award goes to the team with outstanding team spirit and enthusiasm. And the Think Award is presented to the team that best manages the design engineering process.

Newton team #3703 received honorable mention in the PTC Design Award and Newton team #935 received honorable mention in the Motivate Award.

The competition was exciting, with 12 teams competing for the semi-finals and finals. Newton RaileRobotics team #3073 participated on the semi-finalist Alliance Team 4, but did not make it to the finals. The alliance that defeated them won the finals to take first place in the competition.

The winning alliance included Mount St. Mary Atomic Shock II, Kingfisher RobostingerZ, and Bristow Bot-Pirates. The Captain of the alliance, Mount St. Mary of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, will be invited to compete in Atlanta. The Kingfisher team won the Inspire Award, which qualifies them to attend the World competition in Atlanta as well.

The RailerRobotics program will now concentrate on the upcoming varsity team competition. The varsity kickoff will happen January 9, 2010.

Photo: Newton RaileRobotics team #935 competes at the Oklahoma Regional Robotics Championship tournament.

December 22, 2009

Walton Rural Life Center featured in Kansas Wheat Column

The Walton 21st Century Rural Life Center charter school was featured recently in the Kansas Wheat Column, a news column that is part of the Kansas Wheat Association and Kansas Wheat Growers website.

The article discussed the school’s unique ag-based, hands-on approach to learning and cited Walton students’ exceptional assessment scores. The article also lauded the school’s exceptional staff, including Kathy Murphy, 2009 Kansas Ag Teacher of the Year.

The column, titled “Wheat Scoop: Walton School Uses Wheat to Teach” can be viewed on the Kansas Wheat Association and Kansas Wheat Growers website.

December 16, 2009

Newton Student Leadership Program

The Newton Student Leadership Program is open to 36 sophomores annually. Students may self-nominate or be referred to the program by a counselor, teacher or parent. Deadline for the Student Leadership Class of 2012 program is January 15, 2010. The program begins the end of February.

More information and application forms available here.

December 15, 2009

HOSA Club Raises Funds for Cancer Research

The Newton High School Health Occupations Students of America held their annual Pennies for Patients drive last week, raising $465 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

The club increased donations by issuing a class challenge to fellow students and teachers. Each of the four student classes, along with the teachers' group, had a collection can for donations. Coins counted for the group, but members of rival classes could lower any group's total score by placing paper money in that group's can. So a donation of 100 pennies for the freshman class might be canceled out by a junior placing a dollar bill in the freshman can.

At the end of the collection period, the senior class won the challenge with a net score of -$3.11.

HOSA officers are Ramona Yoder, President; Shelby Harris, Secretary; Logan Duerksen, Vice President; and Elizabeth Casanova, Treasurer. HOSA club sponsor is Richard Mick.

Photo: Newton High School Health Occupations Students of America raised $465 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society during their Pennies for Patients fund drive.

December 15, 2009

Storyteller visits South Breeze

Students at South Breeze enjoyed a visit from professional storyteller, Rosie Cutrer, at their school recently. Cutrer addressed students November 16 at an all-school assembly during National Education Week. During the presentation, she entertained them with lively folk music and fun “Tales From the Trail” stories.

While conducting the storytelling session, Cutrer involved several children by bringing them forward to help act out the stories. In between stories, she played the banjo and roller organ and sang several folk songs. A pioneer costume helped lend realism to her presentation. Cutrer was an elementary classroom teacher for 23 years before becoming a professional storyteller. She also holds a degree in Theater, and has recorded two story-telling CDs: Mr. Bun and Other Stories and The Blackthorn Walking Stick and Other Tales. Both CDs won Best Spoken Word awards from The Children's Music Web.

Cutrer has been telling stories professionally for the past 14 years, presenting at schools, libraries, museums and festivals. She is a lifelong resident of Topeka, Kansas, and she enjoys practicing her stories on her eight grandchildren, whom she indicates are her most honest critics.

Photo: Rosie Cutrer, a professional storyteller, entertains South Breeze Elementary students with a lively folk tale.

December 1, 2009

Adamé named Exemplary Middle School Principal

Victoria Adamé, principal at Santa Fe Middle School, has been named one of five Exemplary Middle School Principals in the state by the Kansas Association of Middle School Administrators. Adamé and the other four Exemplary principals were honored along with the Kansas Middle School Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year.

The 2009-2010 Middle School Principal of the Year is Jerry Meier of Washburn Rural Middle School and the Assistant Principal of the year is Deb Regier, of Andover Central Middle School.

The other four principals named as Exemplary, are Joe Handlos, Fort Riley Middle School, Geary County; Tim Hallacy, Shawnee Heights Middle School, Topeka; Deborah Pfortmiller, Hawker Grove Middle School, Shawnee Mission; and Dr. Bill Weber, Chisholm Trail Junior High School, Olathe.

The KAMSA Principal of the Year Awards will be presented at the organization's Spring Conference in May, 2010.

December 1, 2009

South Breeze students learn about Community Helpers

South Breeze Kindergarten students learned about community helpers on a recent outing. The students visited and learned about many of the people who help and protect others in the community. During the field trip the students visited with Police officer and Elementary School Resource Officer, Jeff Davis.

They also heard from Officer Hawpe, who talked to them about the K-9 unit, and from firefighter Kirtley, who works to protect the community from fires. Lastly, they visited with Tim Porter from BNSF, who talked bout his work with trains and train safety.

Photo: Newton Police Officer Hawpe talks to South Breeze Kindergarten students about his job working with the Community K-9 unit.

December 1, 2009

Newton High School musicians to perform in KMEA honor groups

Several Newton High School music students recently participated in auditions for the Kansas Music Educators Association South Central District Honor Ensembles. These students traveled to Andover Central High School on November 7, where they auditioned for panels of judges. The KMEA South Central District includes schools in Butler, Cowley, Harper, Harvey, Kingman, Marion, McPherson, Reno, Rice, Sedgwick, and Sumner counties. Students who auditioned successfully will participate in rehearsals and concerts at Wichita State University on December 5. The following students will be representing NHS in this year's honor ensembles:

top photo: Band students who will participate in the KMEA Honor Band are (front row, left to right): Kendall Friesen, Rebecca Trumble, Liz Schrag, Celeste Thompson, Megan Leary. Back row: Tim Regier, Jacob Skala, Daniel Barrera, Ardy Woodward, Montana Garrison

middle photo: Students who will participate in KMEA Women's Honor Choir and Mixed Honor Choir Saturday are (front row, left to right): Marissa Bontrager, Caitlin Bowyer, Chandler Williams. Middle row: Mycah Westhoff, Abby Schrag, Monika Markus. Back row: Matt Malo, Robert Howell, Adam Chamberlain.

bottom photo: KMEA Orchestra participants (not in order of appearance in photo) are: Alexis Nachtigal, Jesse Kehler, Sam Smucker, Sarah Harrington, Erin Regier, Joanna Epp, Liann Meyer, Chris Wagoner (alternate), Sharon Long (alternate).