Superintendent's Ramblings
Lots of Good Stuff Happening!
Star Recognitions are the Result of a lot of Work
Lyons High School was recognized this year with "Star Recognition" by the Kansas State Department of Education for meritorious work in four areas: Kindergarten Readiness, Social-Emotional Growth, Individual Plans of Study, and Graduation Rate.
Graduation rate is based on solely on the objective measure of the prior year's graduation rate.
The other three areas that were recognized are based on a subjective rubric submitted by the district. Each of these applications requires hours of collecting and reviewing data, completing and submitting the application, and documenting the rubric ratings with artifacts supporting the ratings. Kudos to the following for their work in preparing the Star Recognition applications:
The four school counselors--Courtney Farmer (LHS), Christi Reid (LMS), Kami Oelke (Central), and Anna McLain (Park) for the Social-Emotional Growth Star Recognition.
The Individual Plans of Study application was put together by Julie Tommer.
Park Elementary staff who put together the Kindergarten Readiness application include: Beth Nusser, Leanne Hollinger, Lora Fuss, Sarah Smith, Deana Westenfeld, Anna McLain, and Kristin Borrowman. (photo not available - yet!)
Thank you to all those who went the extra mile to put these applications together!
Counselors - Social Emotional Growth
Julie Tommer - Individual Plans of Study
Job Olympics a Huge Success -- Again!
Approximately 110 students from 18 different area special education programs and schools competed in 47 different events at this year's Job Olympics held last week in Lyons at the Celebration Centre. The event is sponsored by the Rice County Special Services Cooperative and the Mid-Kansas Transition Council. Approximately 150 volunteers including judges, timers, and Lyons High School pages kept the events running smoothly, and the LHS Air Force Jr. ROTC helped set up and tear down the furnishings, supplies, and equipment. Linda Keller and Gaye Callich from the RCSSC both put in numerous hours over the course of an entire year preceding the annual event to ensure its success. The Lyons team earned third place as a team and many 1st-3rd place medals in the individual events!
Strategic Planning
Over 40 supporters of USD 405 met together this week to begin the process of updating the district's Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan is the roadmap towards school improvement in areas ranging from facilities to staffing and from curriculum to achievement and community involvement. Included in the planning process led by the Kansas Association of School Boards Leadership Consultant Gary Sechrist, were community members, business leaders, licensed and non-licensed school employees, administrators, and USD 405 board members. The group will continue their work with a second meeting in a couple of weeks.
Lions in Lyons Day
This is the 9th year for Lions in Lyons Day. It is a day during which our staff and students are out of the buildings doing work in the community. Lyons High School held their Lions in Lyons Day last month and completed many projects for local non-profit, governmental, and religious organizations. Lyons Middle School held their Lions in Lyons Day last week by dividing into work groups that raked, bagged, and hauled off leaves for those in the community unable to do so themselves. Next spring, Park Elementary and Central Elementary schools will both have their Lions in Lyons Day activities as well. Lions in Lyons Day is all about helping students to recognize needs in their own community and learn how to be proactive citizens who can make a positive impact.
LMS Students of the Month
Lyons Middle School announced the students of the month for October. They are
6th Grader Angie Pena
7th Grader Derian Martinez
8th Grader Kingston Medrud
Late Night in the Den
The Lyons High School girls' and boys' basketball teams gave a preview to the community of what's in store for the 23-24 season during their first annual "Late Night in the Den". The pep band and cheerleaders got to use the occasion as a tune-up as well. The middle school teams scrimmaged as well even though they are midway through their season which will end before the Christmas break.