Staff Bulletin | June 22, 2022

On Wednesday afternoon the district hosted the Jones Early Childhood Development Center (JECDC) Ribbon Cutting. Hundreds of district staff and community members attended the event to get their first look at the new preschool.

District News:

Open Enrollment Assistants:

The Community Relations Office is looking for additional staff to help with open enrollment this summer. Staff are needed on July 14 for training and then Monday through Friday from July 18 until August 5. If you are interested please email community.relations@usd253.net or call 620-341-2200.


Summer Meals:

The district’s summer grab-and-go meal program will run thru July 29. Free breakfast and lunch will be available Monday - Friday for all kids aged 1-18. Meals can be picked up at Riverside and William Allen White from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM. If you have any questions regarding the summer meal program please contact Food Service at 620-341-2382.



Late Resignation Reminders from Human Resources for certified staff:

June 1

  • beginning penalty period for late resignations
  • certified staff members resigning on the last statutory day to resign shall pay the district $500
  • any certified staff member resigning after the last statutory day to resign shall pay an additional $25 per day until the written resignation is received in the central office


July 1

  • certified staff members resigning on July 1st shall pay the district $2000
  • any certified staff member resigning after July 1st shall pay an additional $50 per day until the written resignation is received in the central office

August 1

  • certified staff members resigning on or after August 1st and thereafter shall pay the district $5000


Free and Reduced Lunches for 2022-2023:

The National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program are funded by the United States Department of Agriculture. Our district receives reimbursement from USDA for each meal served to eligible students. During the Pandemic, the USDA issued waivers that allowed schools to provide free meals to all students, regardless of their household income levels. This waiver expires on June 30, 2022. As of right now, meals will not be free for all students next school year.


Families will be able to apply for Free or Reduced price meals by completing a Child Nutrition Application. Applications will be available online beginning July 18, 2022, at enrollment and anytime throughout the 2022-2023 school year. We encourage all families to fill out this free application. If you have any questions please contact our Food Service Department at 620-341-2382.


District Events:

2022-2023 Enrollment:

Online enrollment for the 2022-2023 school year will begin on July 18 and run through August 1. Parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to enroll their students online. Enrollment information will be mailed to all returning and pre-registered students. For those families who may need assistance, a limited number of appointments will be available at the Flint Hills Learning Center, 1624 Industrial Rd, located at the Flinthills Mall.


Back to School Convocation and Breakfast:

Mark your calendars for August 8th. The Back to School Convocation and Breakfast will be held at White Auditorium. Details for the event will be sent during the summer months by email.  

After the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, all guests were able to take a tour of the school and enjoy refreshments sponsored by McCownGordon Construction and Emporia Public Schools.

Board Approvals:


Board Information/Updates:

Board Study Session:

Ms. Sue Givens, Kansas Association of School Boards, Leadership Services Team Member facilitated the second of three anticipated enrollment study sessions during last night's board meeting. Members of the Enrollment Study Committee first heard updates on enrollment trends, school capacities, and costs associated with each building. Additionally, committee member and local realtor Jeff Williams shared information on the current housing marketing and child care shortages in the Emporia Community. Committee members were assigned to small groups to reflect this information and develop recommendations to be considered by the Board of Education for the 2023-2024 school year. Givens will compile the suggestions gathered from each group which will then be discussed in October.The recommendations will be presented to the Board of Education at at a future BOE meeting, which could potentially be in October.


Future Board Calendar Dates:

  • Wednesday, July 13, 2022, 6:30 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center
  • Wednesday, July 27, 2022, 6:30 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center

Appointments:

Melissa Alley

custodian, EHS


Madison Gooszen

paraeducator, Walnut Elementary


Tiffany Hall,

paraeducator/Aide, Riverside Elementary


Vicke Palencia

paraeducator, Riverside Elementary


Harmonie Beyer

paraeducator, Timmerman Elementary


Alicia Ryan-Lies

paraeducator, Timmerman Elementary


Brianna Humphrey

paraeducator, Council Grove Elementary


Tanya Blount

paraeducator, Council Grove Elementary


Scott Hulshoff

grade 7 science, Emporia Middle School


Sabrina Hall

SPED-Elementary Connections, FHSEC


Resignations:

Scott Starr

SPED, USD 390 Chase County


June Ary

physical therapist, FHSEC


Joseph Reed

assistant basketball and assistant baseball coach, Emporia Middle School


Christopher Stevens

SPED Coordinator, USD 417 Council Grove


Amber Ovsak

library media specialist, Emporia Middle School


                            A highlight of the JECDC is the playground.