District Update
Summer Edition: July 14, 2021
Board of Education Recap Article
This is not a full recap of all issues discussed at the Board of Education meeting. These are not official minutes. For more information on the Board of Education meeting, click here.
Monday’s meeting was an organizational meeting. The agenda has more detail on what all that entails. However, the board did further discuss the honors recognition program at Newton High School. In the end, the board decided not to move forward with any changes and opted to put together an oversight committee that would report back to them so the board could make a decision for next year. The oversight committee would also work on creating a process for adding new AP classes. One topic the board seemed to have some agreement on was that if changes are made, they’d like to have the changes on a roll-out schedule so expectations and goals don’t change for students partway through their high school career.
Board Meeting:
Facebook Live Q&A
Superintendent's Update
Dr. Watson, Kansas Education Commissioner, is planning on another tour of the state to
follow up on the original tour through which they gathered qualitative information about what
Kansans want from their schools. As a part of that tour, they want to come to Newton at the end of August to talk to administrators, BOE members, teachers, students, and community members. We will look to host this meeting as it will be a great opportunity to share with the KSDE the great things happening in USD 373 schools! Stay tuned for more information.
Important Updates
Next Year Expectations
We’ve received some questions from families and we just wanted to be clear--masks will not be a requirement when returning to school in August. They will be optional. Parents are free to send their students to school in masks but it is not required.
COVID-19 vaccinations will not be required. However, we do encourage those who can get the vaccine to do so, but it will not be required.
We will be lifting all other COVID 19 protocols for the 21-22 school year. We will continue our typical hygiene and cleaning practices that were in place before the pandemic.
However, the district will continue to monitor the numbers. If there is an increase in COVID-19 cases that warrant changes in practice, the board may decide to put any of the COVID-19 protocols back in place including masks.
If you have any questions or feedback, remember the district does have its questions and feedback form you can use to reach different departments as well as the board of education.
Work Going On At Lindley Hall
You might have noticed the area around Lindley Hall has been blocked off. This is for your safety and the safety of others in the area. The windstorm a few weeks ago revealed some problems due to the aging infrastructure in the building. We are working to find a solution as quickly as possible but want to keep everyone safe in the meantime. We will keep you updated as we learn more. Thank you to our maintenance team for working so hard to find a solution.
Important Reminders
Economic Household Surveys and Consent Forms
Economic Surveys and consent forms are now online. You can find them on our website by following this link: https://usd373-ks.schoolloop.com/enroll/applications
You will need to submit the forms on a computer. It is very important you fill these out. You will receive a deduction of $10 for textbook fees and $10 for technology fees (if applicable) per student in your household.
This form will replace the free-and-reduced forms used in previous years. It also could mean further discounts on fees for your family.
Additionally, this is how the state will judge our district’s at-risk funding since free-and-reduced forms are not being used this year nationwide. Last year, the district lost about $200,000 due to families not filling out the forms. This is money the district could use in its classrooms to promote better learning for all.
Please take five minutes to fill out the short survey. If you need any assistance, join us at the district help hours. We will have the forms available then as well:
• Tuesday, July 13: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
• Wednesday, July 14: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
• Thursday, July 15: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
We also will have Spanish translators to help with the consent form, if needed
One-Stop Enrollment
Help us spread the word about one stop enrollment to new families in our district
Who: All NEW to USD 373 Students Only:
- If none of your children attended any Newton USD 373 schools during the previous school year, you are considered new to the district.
- You are also considered new to the district if your child attended years prior to the previous school year, or did not complete the previous school year at Newton USD 373.
- Kindergarten students who did not attend Kindergarten Roundup or pre-enroll are considered new to the district and should attend One-Stop Enrollment.
When: Tuesday, July 27, 2021
- 7:30am to 1:00pm
- 4:00pm to 7:00pm
Where: Chisholm Middle School, 900 E. First St., Railer West Gym (Northeast Entrance)
What to Bring (if available):
- Birth Certificate (or copy)
- Immunization Records
- Kansas Health Assessment
- Copy of Online Registration Application or Application Confirmation Number (if completed prior to visiting One-Stop)
Please come even if none of the above information is available to you!
To help speed the process along, we ask that visitors to One Stop be limited to no more than two individuals per party (including children). While it is understood that this request may not always be possible, we hope families use this information as a guide in planning their visit. Thank you!
School Supply Lists
Can't wait for next year? Start your school shopping early. Our supply lists are online!
Job Fair Next Week
Looking for a new job?
Get started on your new career in education at the “All Aboard 373 Job Fair.”It will be on July 21 from 3 p.m.-5 p.m. at Newton High School. Help us make a difference in the lives of children. USD 373 is hiring bus drivers, paraeducators, substitutes, food service workers, aides, latchkey workers and more.
Find the right job for you! Each school or department will have its own table where you can learn more about job opportunities and ask questions.
This year we have two tracks:
1)Interviews will be held for those who applied online before the job fair on our jobs website: (https://www.applitrack.com/newtonk12/onlineapp/)
2)You can also just show up, ask questions to find the right fit for you and apply at the job fair. We'll schedule an interview later if you choose this option.
Resumes are welcome, but not required.
Railer Recognition
KCDA All-State Choir
The KCDA All-State choirs were held at Topeka High School on July 8th and 9th. NHS had 3 students in the Soprano/Alto All-State Choir, Madyson Groves, Sarah Georgiou, and Evelyn Gaertner. We also had 2 students in the Tenor/Bass All-State Choir, Jonah Schloneger and Lynn Morford. The students spent 10 hours of rehearsal and performed a concert as the culminating event of the Kansas Choral Directors Association conference.
Any Questions?
Email: info@usd373.org
Website: https://usd373-ks.schoolloop.com/
Location: 308 East 1st Street, Newton, KS, USA
Phone: 316-284-6222
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NewtonSchoolsKS
Twitter: @NewtonSchoolsKS