FRONTIER NEWS
MAR 2017
1st Annual KC STEM Fest
On March 31st, Frontier Schools hosted their 1st Annual KC STEM Fest - a day filled with innovation, science, and creativity! It was an exciting one-day, admission free event that welcomed everyone from all ages to come and celebrate science, technology, engineering, and math with fun activities, demonstrations, and exhibits. This first annual event took place from 12:15 pm to 2:45 pm at Union Station in the Sprint Festival Plaza. Wayne Carter, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute served as keynote speaker during the opening ceremony. The ceremony concluded with the presentation of the 2017 KC STEM Leader Awards, recognizing outstanding leaders for their contribution to STEM in Kansas City. The recipients included LeAnn Smith, Director STEM Programming & Outreach with Union Station/Science City and Martha McCabe, Executive Director with the KC STEM Alliance.
More than 150 elementary through high school student exhibitors from Frontier Schools, along with our partners and sponsors, shared their interactive and educational presentations. It was truly a family-friendly KC STEM celebration that aimed and succeeded in getting kids and the community excited about STEM careers and the future.
Thank you to all of our sponsors and event partners: BioKansas, Science City, Union Station, Rockhurst University, KC STEM Alliance, Kansas City Zoo, KC Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, UMKC, Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute, Inc., New Frontier Educational Foundation, Frontier Schools.
KC STEM Fest Advisory Committee
Meet our KC STEM FEST Advisory Committee!
LeAnn Smith, Director STEM Programming & Outreach, Science City/Union Station
Dennis Ridenour, President & CEO, Biokansas
Sara Hall, Chief Executive Officer, Orion Bioscience, Inc. and serves on theBoard of Directors for Biokansas
Laura Bauer, KC EZ Director/KC FIRST Specialist, KC STEM Alliance
Dr. Laura Salem, Associate Professor of Biology, Department Chair of Biology, Co-director of Biochemistry Program, Rockhurst University
Dr. Riaz Rabbani, MD Cardiology, St. Luke’s Health System
Teresa Randall, Community Outreach Manager, Kansas City ZOO
Greg Rieke, President, New Frontier Educational Foundation
Ugur Demircan, Superintendent, Frontier Schools
Azat Ovezov, STEM Coordinator, Frontier Schools
Jennifer Watson, District Outreach Coordinator, Frontier Schools
Thank you to all of our committee members for their invaluable experience, knowledge, and support!
Lottery Results 2017-2018
The lottery for the 2017-2018 school year was held on Thursday, March 23rd. The lottery took place at each school campus. Many parents attended in anticipation of winning the lottery and giving their child/ren a good education. The crowd represented just a portion of the 685 applications that were submitted by the lottery date. Letters will be sent out on March 24th, 2017 to parents of children who received an open seat. Parents interested in knowing their position on the waiting list, please contact the schools front office.
DESE Guests
Student Fundraiser for Endangered Rhinos
​​After studying endangered rhinoceroses in their science class, 2nd grade students became deeply concerned and expressed interest in finding a way to help these animals. ELL teachers, Ms. Thimesch and Ms. Goldman, brainstormed with students and came to the conclusion that a school fundraiser would be the best way to make an impact.
Frontier elementary students created their own posters and displayed them around the school to raise awareness. Students worked with their teachers to write a presentation in order to explain the fundraiser to each grade level. Students and teachers then hand crafted adorable rhino bracelets to sell throughout the week of March 20th to March 24th -- but the bracelets sold out the first morning! Students doubled their goal of $100 and raised over $200 in under 20 minutes.
We are so proud to foster the passion within these students to organize and advocate on behalf of the environment and our wildlife.
If you’re interested in donating to this cause - visit, http://rhinos.org/.
Outreach Talk Series with Community Leaders – Cynthia Newsome
On March 22nd, Cynthia Newsome, Midday Anchor for 41 Action News, was our guest speaker for our March Outreach Talk Series with Community Leaders. Each talk series begins with a luncheon at our Student Engagement Center, followed by a guest speaker presentation on an engaging, relevant and current topic that impacts our students, families and community.
Cynthia spoke about her journey into broadcasting while sharing some of her most memorable experiences in front of the camera. Cynthia also spoke about her passionate work with the nonprofit she founded and fostered, Awesome Ambitions. Students were encouraged to follow their dreams, persevere through adversity and obstacles, and to continue to seek knowledge and personal growth after high school. The audience included Frontier School of Excellence seniors, parent champions, staff, and local community leaders.
FSE Spring Cooking Class
Elementary School Garden
On Thursday, March 30th, FSI Elementary welcomed Kansas City Community Gardens to advise on the school garden’s spring harvest. Elementary classes stepped outside to exercise their green thumbs by planting snap peas, radishes, broccoli, carrots, potatoes, turnips and onions.
Frontier’s garden was established by Amber Patton and Jenifer Ortiz in collaboration with Kansas City Community Gardens almost two years ago. Since then, first grade teacher, Mrs. Patton, has grown the garden into a school wide project. School gardens are a wonderful way to connect students with the true source of their food while teaching them valuable gardening concepts that integrate educational goals - including personal and social responsibility.
Once the seeds are planted each Spring, the elementary building develops a watering schedule in order to reap what they have sown. Students and staff will soon be able to enjoy the fruits (or vegetables) of their own labor.
Project Central at Frontier School of Innovation
Gifted and Talented Program at Science City
March College Visits
FSHS Juniors and Seniors at University of Central Missouri
FSHS 9th Graders Visited Rockhurst University
On March 8th, sophomore STEM students visited Avila University. Students were given a tour of the campus and had the opportunity to ask questions of current Avila students.
Frontier Schools
Email: newsletter@frontierschools.org
Website: frontierschools.org
Location: 30 West Pershing Road, KCMO, MO, United States
Phone: 816-241-6200
Facebook: facebook.com/frontierschools
Twitter: @frontierschools
Frontier School of Innovation [K-3]
Website: kcfsi.org
Location: 6700 Corporate Drive, KCMO, MO, United States
Phone: 816-363-1907
Facebook: facebook.com/frontierschoolofinnovation
Frontier School of Innovation [4-8]
Website: kcfsi.org
Location: 1575 Universal Avenue, KCMO, MO, United States
Phone: 816-241-6202
Facebook: facebook.com/frontierschoolofinnovation/
Frontier STEM High School [9-12]
Website: frontierstem.org
Location: 6455 E Commerce Ave, KCMO, MO, United States
Phone: 816-541-8200
Facebook: facebook.com/frontierstemhighschool
Frontier School of Excellence
Website: kcfse.org
Location: 5606 Troost Avenue, KCMO, MO, United States
Phone: 816-822-1331
Facebook: facebook.com/frontierschoolofexcellence