Staff Bulletin | April 27, 2023

Last week over 60 seniors were recognized at the Senior Honor Group Ceremony. This group of students earned a 3.75 GPA during their high school career. Congratulations to this group of high school seniors who have worked hard throughout high school to earn this achievement!

District News:

Kindergarten and Preschool Pre-Registration:

Pre-registration for kindergarten and preschool continues through Google form links on the district website https://www.usd253.org/services/enroll. Kindergarten students must be 5 years old on or before August 31, 2023, and 3 and 4-year-old preschool students must meet eligibility requirements. All pre-registered students will enroll online beginning July 17. For more information contact the Jones Early Childhood Development Center, the elementary school nearest you, or the Student and Family Resource Office at 620-341-2396.


District Podcast:

Check out the district's Podcast! Listen to each episode as host, Superintendent Dr. Allison Anderson-Harder, and guests discuss a variety of behind-the-scenes topics related to Emporia Public Schools. The podcast can be found on the district website.



First-Year Teachers and First-Year Teacher Surveys:

The Kansas Council of Deans of Education for the seven regent institutions coordinated their efforts to collect feedback from first-year educators and their employers on their educator preparation programs and their graduates’ preparedness in their first year of employment. The combination of direct feedback from educators about their preparation programs coupled with input from employers on educator performance helps provide a comprehensive assessment of training programs and their subsequent impact on educator preparedness to perform in professional settings.  

 

During the week of April 24, first-year teachers and administrators supervising first-year teachers will receive an email invitation to complete a survey. The survey will come from “The Office of Educational Innovation and Evaluation” which is facilitating the process for this critical endeavor. If you receive this email, the district encourages you to complete the survey. The feedback provided will improve educator preparation programs across the state.



District Events

Staff Recognition Ceremony:

Emporia Public Schools will host the annual Staff Recognition and Retirement Ceremony on May 17th at the White Auditorium at 111 E. 6th Ave. A light meal will be served beginning at 5:00 PM with a short program to follow at 5:30 PM. So that we may plan for enough food, please complete the Google Form by Monday, May 8th so that we have an accurate count of how many staff members and guests are planning to attend. RSVP Form, complete by May 8th

Appointment, Resignations, and Retirements:

Use the link to review the employment recommendations. 


Emma Jung, EHS Senior, was recognized by the Board of Education for being named a National Merit Scholarship Finalist.

Xerach Tungjaroenkul was recorganized by the Board of Education for winning a 5A state wrestling championship. Xerach has won two consecutive state wrestling championships!

Students in the Emporia Middle School AVID program shared highlights from this year and how AVID has helped them be successful.

Board Approvals:




Board Updates and Information:


Sale of Maynard:

Dr. David McGehee, Interim Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations, shared with the Board the district’s real estate agents had received an offer of $265,000 for the Maynard property from the Emporia Area Chamber Foundation. Jeanine McKenna, President of the Emporia Chamber Foundation, was available to answer questions and provide details of the Foundation’s plans to provide 24/7 childcare to the Emporia Community. Additionally, agents from Caldwell Banker, the district’s realtor company shared information regarding the property’s value and suggested the district continue to have them market the property pending the Foundation's grant approval. The board voted unanimously to accept the bid as presented contingent upon approval of the grants. Calwell Banker will continue to market the property in the event that the grants are not approved. 

 

Village Elementary School Improvement Update:

Mrs. Brandi Mitchell, Village Elementary Principal, and members of the Village staff provided the Board with accreditation and design updates for the 2022-2023 school year. The group reviewed their school’s goals and strategies for math, reading, and social emotional learning. Students have begun their FastBridge assessments and will continue completing those assessments over the next few weeks. Staff is looking forward to comparing the results to determine if the strategies that were implemented have been successful in achieving the school's improvement goals. Learn more here by reviewing the Village Elementary presentation.


English Language Arts Core Resource Adoption:

Mrs. Judy Stanley, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching, Learning and Student Services, Michelle Young, Jones Instructional Coach, and Amber Clay, Jones Early Childhood Teacher, presented information to the Board regarding proposed ELA resources for PreK students. In previous resources that the district has purchased, PreK had not been included. The proposed resource, World of Wonder, addresses many of the concepts desired to help improve academic achievement. The Board voted to purchase the PreK resource at a cost of just over $42,500. The majority of the cost will be paid for through ESSER III funds. To learn more about the preschool resource adoption, you can review the presentation available here.


Future Board Calendar Dates:

  • Wednesday, May 10, 2023, 6:30 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center
  • Wednesday, June 14, 2023, 6:30 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center
  • Wednesday, June 28, 2023, 6:30 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center