Kansas.com: Education

SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:39 CST

Schools receive grants in Blue Cross program

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation has given Healthy Habits for Life grants to four area health educators.

The purpose of the money is to help Kansas students reduce their cardiovascular risk, increase physical activity or learn healthy eating habits.

Recipients are Peggy Lewis, Wells Special Education Center nurse, $1,000; Kathleen O'Keefe, Pleasant Valley Middle School teacher, $612; Michelle Palmquist, Maize Middle School nurse, $1,000; and Amber Sellers, Child Start/Head Start, $990.

Collegiate teacher wins state award

Hamilton Middle School gets a move on

LORI YOUNT — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:30 CST

Middle school's teachersprepare their new rooms

The overhead projector screen is made out of paper, and there are chalkboards, not whiteboards. But, overall, Hamilton Middle School teacher Barbie Burdick said she is ready for students in her temporary classroom today.

About 300 seventh- and eighth-grade students at Hamilton were set to start the semester this morning at the former Longfellow Elementary School building, 2116 S. Main, about a mile south of Hamilton.

During winter break, construction workers found renovations to the 1918 part of the Hamilton building would be more extensive than the three rooms originally planned, Wichita school officials said.

Unevenness in the concrete frame of the building will have to be repaired.

Wichita schools weigh where to make cuts

LORI YOUNT — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 06:15 CST

Usually this time of year, Wichita school officials are finalizing lists of programs they can add next school year, depending on how much of an increase in state money the district receives.

But with a projected state budget shortfall of $1 billion making the future of K-12 funding uncertain, chief financial officer Linda Jones is anticipating a list of programs to eliminate.

"I expect we'll have to do a cut list," she said. "I just don't know to what degree."

At a special school board meetingtoday, Jones will present school board members not with budget recommendations, but with an overview of the process to better prepare them for the tough decisions ahead.

"With all the discussion at the state level about budget issues, there are a lot of questions this year," she said.

School leader's cancer a 'bump in the road'

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 01:38 CST

The last place someone with an embattled immune system needs to be is among hundreds of children.

Randy Freeman knows this. He knows the chemotherapy treatments for chronic lymphocytic leukemia leave him wiped out and more susceptible to illness. The women in the offices at Silver Lake Unified School District 372 remind him of this.

And yet he still sneaks out of his office where he works as superintendent to spend at least a little time with students each day. After all, he says, students are the reason he went into education more than 30 years ago.

"That's why we've been after him," said Phyllis Dolechek, a secretary and treasurer for the district. "Even though he wants to do that stuff, he should really not be around people because his immune system is down."

And don't get her started on his diet.

State cuts won't exempt schools

JEANNINE KORANDA AND LORI YOUNT — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 01:38 CST

With the state facing a potential $1 billion shortfall in the next budget, state officials are starting to say that all areas -- including kindergarten through 12th-grade education -- are facing cuts.

"I believe we will try to not impact education as much as the other areas, but it is still 50 percent of the budget," said Sen. Jean Schodorf, R-Wichita, who chairs the Senate Education Committee.

Lawmakers aren't the only ones watching what happens.

School funding in the past several years has been a "roller-coaster ride" for school districts, said Diane Gjerstad, director of governmental relations for Wichita public schools.

She said she plans to work with legislators if the district has to make cuts, but she would also make lawmakers aware of the ramifications of such action.

A legislator's proposal would mandate financial education from kindergarten through 12th grade

JEANNINE KORANDA — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 01:40 CST

It's easier for many adults to talk to children about sex than about money.

"The only greater taboo for conversation than sex is money," noted Philip Heckman, Youth Programs director for the Center for Personal Finance, which is affiliated with Credit Union National Association Inc.

Given Americans' increasing debt load and the subprime mortgage problems, maybe it's just as well parents aren't teaching their children about money, he said.

While working on consumer protection issues, state Rep. Melody McCray-Miller, D-Park City, said she frequently heard, "We need to be educating our young people about this so they won't get into this situation."

That situation could be anything from mounting credit card debt or payday loans that spiral out of control to people getting unaffordable mortgages or just not saving money.

Anti-bond groups disclose donors

LORI YOUNT — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 01:35 CST

Two groups that opposed the successful $370 million bond issue for Wichita schools raised more money combined than bond supporters, according to donor lists released Wednesday.

Citizens for Better Education raised about $172,000, with the biggest donations coming from local developers and businesspeople, according to records filed at the Sedgwick County Elections Office.

The other bond opponent group, Wichitans for Effective Education, reported raising about $37,000 -- $10,000 of which came from Citizens for Better Education. Its next-largest donation was from the Kansas Taxpayers Network, which gave $8,000.

Some of the donors have contributed before to campaigns against tax increases. The taxpayers network, for example, led an anti-bond campaign in 2000.

Pro-bond group Citizens Alliance for Responsible Education reported Tuesday that it raised about $187,000 to support the bond issue, which passed with 51 percent of the vote.

Preschool owner treated kids with respect

SUZANNE PEREZ TOBIAS — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 01:37 CST

Generations of Wichita youngsters began their days by shaking Margaret Sandlin's hand, looking into her bright blue eyes and saying, "Good morning, Mrs. Sandlin."

They'd leave preschool the same way, at lunchtime or midafternoon, with a polite handshake and, "Goodbye, Mrs. Sandlin."

The handshakes were a lesson in social graces and a symbol of Mrs. Sandlin's teaching philosophy: Nurture children. Love them. And always, always treat them with respect.

Mrs. Sandlin, longtime owner and matriarch of Celebration Montessori Center in Wichita, died Tuesday. She was 81.

"She'd say to the teachers, 'You know, we are the privileged ones, to be able to teach these wonderful children,' " said Kathy Matchette, who taught at Celebration for 18 years.

Wichita school bond issue backers reveal donors

LORI YOUNT — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 06:23 CST

The group that supported the successful $370 million bond issue for Wichita schools raised $187,000 for its campaign, with the largest donations coming from leaders of construction and architecture firms, according to documents filed Tuesday with the Sedgwick County Elections Office.

Leaders of the two anti-bond groups said they combined to raise a comparable amount.

The donor lists are due today, and bond opponents said they plan to file theirs before 5 p.m.

Unlike candidates for public office and political action committees, groups raising money to

influence voters on a ballot issue don't have to register with the state's Governmental Ethics Commission. There are no limits on how much money a single donor can give. The groups are only required to turn in a list of donors and expenses by Dec. 31 the year of the election.

SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 01:39 CST

Haysville school board changes its schedule

Beginning in January the Haysville board of education will have only one regular board meeting each month.

The meetings usually will be on the third Monday of the month.

A special meeting will be from 6:30 to 7 p.m. prior to the January, February and March meetings to hear district patrons' comments regarding drug testing.

Help available for college money forms

College endowments plunge

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 11:55 CST

Three college endowments in Kansas have lost tens of millions of dollars because of the stock market's plunge, and it could cause a drop in the number of student scholarships.

The fundraising arms of the University of Kansas, Kansas State University and Washburn University have all taken hits.

KU Endowment, the official fundraising foundation for the University of Kansas, is cutting its distributions for scholarships, lectures and academic programs by 10 percent next school year. The foundation saw its investment portfolio decline by 30 percent -- from $1.08 billion on June 30 to $747 million on Nov. 30.**

"Usually we have an annual increase, but that would not be responsible," KU Endowment president Dale Seuferling said. "Our goal is to be prudent with the funds.

"We want to have them into perpetuity, to benefit the next generation."

Programs get dads to volunteer in schools

LORI YOUNT — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 06:24 CST

Programs get dads to volunteer in schools

When third-grader Jennifer Ocon heard this fall about Watch Dogs -- Watch Dads of Great Students -- at Caldwell Elementary School, she knew her dad would want to come spend time with her.

"It's, like, real cool. I don't get to see him every day because he works," Jennifer said as her father, Pedro Ocon, helped mop up spilled chocolate milk in the lunchroom before the holiday break began.

Her father, who works nights, also helps her in the classroom.

"He helped me work multiplication problems, and then I would get it," Jennifer said.

Wichita at-risk programs OK

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 01:39 CST

A legislative audit has raised questions about how some Kansas school districts are spending money for programs for at-risk students and whether those programs are well-administered.

The auditors examined only 10 out of 296 districts statewide. But in their report this month, they said half of those 10 were struggling with their at-risk programs.

The Wichita school district was one of the 10 studied for the audit, but the report took no issue with Wichita's programs or practices for at-risk students.

In general, the report said the 10 districts' at-risk services are research-based, and eight of the 10 had a good process for addressing at-risk students' needs.

Such programs are designed to help students who are considered at risk of failing. The state expects to spend $368 million during the current school year on such programs, for which funding has increased dramatically in recent years.

Repairs at Hamilton force kids to relocate

RON SYLVESTER — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 01:38 CST

About 300 seventh- and eight-graders from Hamilton Middle School will get an extra day of holiday vacation and go to a different school when they return from break while repairs are completed in their 90-year-old building.

While other Wichita public school students return Jan. 5, those at Hamilton will return Jan. 6. The seventh- and eight-graders will attend classes for the near future at Longfellow school, a mile to the south, officials said at a news conference Tuesday.

Interim superintendent Martin Libhart said construction crews uncovered problems in the floor and windows of the portion of Hamilton built in 1918. The extent of the problem with the concrete frame isn't known but won't be fixed until well after the Christmas holidays.

Longfellow is at 2116 S. Main. For the first week, through Jan. 9, students may arrive at that building or go to Hamilton, where shuttles will take them to Longfellow.

The extra day off gives staff at both buildings more time to prepare, Libhart said.

Opening up the universe

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 01:38 CST

School is one of few with own observatory

In order to see Venus up close recently, 7-year-old Grant Kelly had to first step into Pattonville Heights Middle School.

From there, he, his mom, Fleda, and brother Parker, 8, walked down a couple of halls, up a back staircase and into a stairwell that's bathed in red light. They climbed an incredibly narrow set of metal stairs and finally, they reached the universe.

About 2,000 students and members of the public made that journey last year. Few schools anywhere can offer it.

Pattonville Heights has its own observatory, with a 10-inch Meade telescope and a domed roof that retracts and rotates at a slow grind for optimum celestial views.

Entrants sought for county spelling bee

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 01:38 CST

Entries are being sought for the 2009 Sedgwick County Spelling Bee on Feb. 28 at East High School.

Entrants are accepted from schools in Sedgwick County that include any combination of kindergarten through eighth grade, including parochial, private, home or public schools.

Contestants must be younger than 16 and in eighth grade or below.

The Knights of Columbus Council 691 is sponsoring the contest. For details, school officials can contact John Hammans, 316-209-7588 or johnhammans@sbcglobal.net.

Nelson Elementary Star Students listed

Kidspiration center to foster nature, family

SUZANNE PEREZ TOBIAS — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 06:06 CST

Wichita's newest early childhood center -- the $5 million Rainbows United facility set to open in January -- began with visions of crawdads.

It was born, says Rainbows president Lorraine Dold, from lots of other childhood memories, too:

Treehouses, hay bales, tractors, fishing poles. Flowers and clouds. Fireplaces. Leaves and sun and water and sky.

"We wanted to build a place that really captured childhood -- that magic," Dold said. "I think we did it."

The result is Kidspiration, Rainbows' largest early care and education center, which will serve about 100 children when it opens at 3223 N. Oliver.

'Peculiar' series take ominous turn

ANNE STEPHENSON — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 01:38 CST

"The Victoria Vanishes" by Christopher Fowler (Bantam, 336 pages, $24) --It's so refreshing to find a pair of smart (and aged) crime-solvers who put technology to shame. Arthur Bryant and John May are the elderly members of London's Peculiar Crime Unit, which investigates matters "too abstract or bizarre" for regular detectives.

"No computer could replicate the sheer peculiarity" of their methods, writes Fowler, which accounts for their charm. They are not sappy or cute (the foolish bloke who dares to patronize them will soon regret it), but now there's talk of retirement and illness, even as women are being murdered in London's crowded pubs by a serial killer who injects them with something deadly without anyone noticing.

There's lots of pub atmosphere and lots of worry about the unit, which has never been on firm footing and is more endangered than ever. This is the sixth book in the PCU series, and its ending is ominous. Like its predecessors, it's clever, very British and devoted to its stars, two old men who know each other better than anyone else in the world.

• •

"The Appeal" by John Grisham (Delta, 496 pages, $14) --New in paperback is Grisham's story about the ugly effect of dirty politics on justice.

Science, the hands-on way

SUZANNE PEREZ TOBIAS — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 14:31 CST

Give a kid a bunch of plastic cups, tell her to stack them as high as she can, and she'll learn science. Gravity, for instance. Weight distribution. Basic design principles. That's the idea behind Exploration Place's new "Fetch" Lab, a partnership between the museum and KPTS, Channel 8, which broadcasts the kids' problem-solving show each weekday.

The lab opens today in a former catering room next to the flight pavilion.

"Now kids can watch the show, but instead of just staring at the TV, they can come here and experience some of the challenges and learn from that," said Al Meloni, president of Exploration Place.

In the Wichita area, "Fetch" airs at 4 p.m. weekdays. Part game show, part reality TV, the Boston-based program features real kids, science and an unreal host -- an animated dog -- named Ruff Ruffman.

In each episode, six tween contestants test their problem-solving skills with assignments such as building air-powered vehicles, tracking down bacteria or designing a roller coaster. They earn points over the course of the 20-episode season, working toward being crowned grand champion.

Chapman eyes school bond

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 01:39 CST

Despite receiving millions in insurance, government help and donations, Chapman school officials say they will need a bond issue to repair school buildings damaged by a June 11 tornado.

The tornado destroyed or damaged the district's elementary and middle schools, the district office, art building and three-fourths of its high school.

The district always expected to ask voters to approve a bond issue to cover remaining costs, said Tony Frieze, Chapman superintendent.

"I think, realistically, to get all new facilities, you can't expect everything to be paid for," Frieze said.

The district won't know exactly how much of a bond issue it will need until January or February, but Frieze estimated it will be $10 million or less when it goes up for a vote in April.