District Events:
Vaccination Clinic:
In partnership with Lyon County Public Health, students ages 12 to 18 are now eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine! USD 253 will host a vaccine clinic on Friday, May 21, 2021, at Emporia Middle School. Both EHS and EMS students are their family members are eligible to attend this vaccine clinic at EMS. To schedule a vaccine, parents can use the LCPH website to register their student and any household member who would like to receive the vaccination. Click here to schedule an appointment
Payroll Direct Deposit:
If you are needing to update your direct deposit account, those changes need to be made in person with Payroll at Mary Herbert Education Center. For security reasons, these changes cannot be made by phone or email. Please contact Erica Markley at 341-2428 or Stephanie Morgan at 341-2228 if you have any questions.
Staff Recognition Ceremony:
On May 19th, Emporia Public Schools is excited to host the Staff Recognition and Retirement Ceremony at White Auditorium located at 111 E. 6th Ave. A light meal will be served beginning at 5:00 PM with a short program at 5:30 PM. A reservation is required to attend.
EHS Art Show:
EHS art students are being highlighted at the Trox Art Gallery, 729 Commercial, with an Artist’s Reception.
“UNMASKING ART” the EHS Art Show is on display from May 5-29. The public is invited to attend.
May Events:
District News:
COVID Leave:
The memorandum of understanding regarding COVID-19 leave will end on May 30, 2021. If you have questions regarding COVID leave please contact Human Resources at 341-2330.
Kindergarten Pre-registration:
Parents of children who will be in kindergarten for the 2021-22 school year are invited to pre-register your student online. Emporia Public Schools offers kindergarten at our six neighborhood elementary schools. Pre-registering your student by May 14th will streamline the enrollment process that will take place online in July. Click here to pre-register your kindergarten student
Preschool Enrollment:
Maynard Early Childhood Center is pre-registering students for the 2021-22 school year. Maynard offers free half-day preschool classes for 3 and 4-year old students who meet eligibility requirements. Parents who are interested in having their student attend should fill out the pre-registration form. The school will contact you once your child’s eligibility has been determined regarding enrollment which will take place online beginning July 19th.
Late Resignation Reminders from Human Resources:
June 1
- beginning penalty period for late resignations
- staff members resigning on the last statutory day to resign shall pay the district $500
- any 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
- staff members resigning on July 1st shall pay the district $2000
- any 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
- staff members resigning on or after August 1st and thereafter shall pay the district $5000
District “Shout Out”:
We are looking for staff members who have done great things while navigating the challenges of the 2020-2021 school year. We want to hear from you! If you encounter a situation or a co-worker who you would like to recognize for a job well done, please share what they have done to deserve your appreciation and "shout out". All nominees will be included in a drawing for a weekly prize. Click here to submit your nomination
- Hector Aranda Mendoza - Maynard Eary Childhood Center, custodian
- All Food Service staff
- Donna Hanson - Walnut - Paraeducator
- Forrest Peterson - Transportation - Mechanic
- Jeniffer Carmichael - Riverside - grade 3 teacher
- Jandee Kruse - William Allen White - grade 2 teacher
- Christy Dragonas - Emporia Middle School - counselor
- Nathan Rytting - FHSEC - speech-language pathologist
- Skyler King - Timmerman - long-term substitute
Earn $250 by referring a new bus driver:
Emporia Public Schools needs bus drivers. This is a perfect opportunity for someone who may be retired, want flexibility in their schedule, or who has school days off. USD 253 employees can earn a $250 referral bonus when new bus drivers include the district employee's name on their employment application. The $250 referral bonus will arrive after the driver has been on the job for six months. Additionally, new drivers will receive a $250 bonus on their first paycheck and another $250 bonus once training and CDL endorsement are complete. For more information contact Amy Larson at 620-341- 2330. Click here to apply!
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Representatives from Village Elementary were recognized by the Board for being a 2020-2021 Capturing Kids' Hearts National Showcase School. This is the fourth year in a row. for Village to be selected as a showcase school. |
Board Approvals:
- minutes of April 28, 2021
- fiscal payments
- donation of $1,000 to the EHS Drama Club from Melissa and Eddie Hosch
- donation of $500 to the EHS Future Farmer’s of America from Mark Mackey
- let bids for a Laser Engraving Machine for the EHS Technology Education Department
- cooperative purchasing proposal from ATG to replace the turf at EHS
- recommendations as outlined in the Administrative Organizational Plan presentation, 2021-2022 Administrative Salary Guidelines and removing the Administrative Organizational Structure from the district’s policies
Board Updates:
Construction Projects:
Eric Woltje, McCownGordon Senior Project Manager provided updates on the current construction projects which include Walnut Elementary, Emporia High School, and the Jones Early Childhood Development Center. Woltje reported that all three projects are going well; however, spring weather has impacted the schedule causing a loss of several workdays. Woltje is optimistic that those days can be made up over the summer months allowing projects to be completed on time. Additionally, Woltje provided an overview of the construction status for current projects and a construction timeline for all remaining projects.
- Walnut - 55% complete, Sept. 2021 anticipated completion date
- Emporia High School - 16% complete, Sept/Oct. 2022 anticipated completion date
- Jones Early Childhood Development Center - 35% complete, Dec. 2021/Jan. 2022 anticipated completion date
- Logan Avenue start date, Fall 2021
- Emporia Middle School start date, Fall 2022
- William Allen White start date, Winter 2022
- Village start date, Fall 2022
- Riverside and Timmerman start date, Spring 2023
COVID:
Dr. Allison Anderson-Harder, Superintendent, provided updates and continued positive news regarding COVID-19 cases over the past two weeks. Overall trends continue to remain low. The recommendation is to continue in the current learning environment and keep all mitigating strategies in place throughout the end of the school year. Kelly Bolin, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources provided statistics from the recent vaccination clinic at Emporia High School. Bolin also announced that another district-sponsored vaccination clinic will be held at Emporia Middle School on May 21, for students ages 12-18 and anyone in their household. Click here to review the COVID updates
2020-2021 Administrative Organizational Structure:
Dr. Allison Anderson-Harder, Superintendent, shared the administrative organizational structure plan for the 2021-2022 school year. A change in structure was recommended after reviewing the results of multiple budget study sessions and a KASB administrative efficiency study. The changes will be addressed through resignations and retirements. Recommended structure changes for the 2021-2022 school year that were approved by the board include.
- Teaching and Learning will reduce one administrative position
- Three interim positions:
- Executive Director of Teaching and Learning
- Associate Executive Director of Teaching and Learning
- Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources
Future Board Calendar Dates:
- EHS Graduation, May 23, 2021, 3:00 p.m. White Auditorium
- Wednesday, May 26, 2021, 7:00 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center
- Wednesday, June 9, 2021, 7:00 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center
- Wednesday, June 23, 2021, 7:00 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center
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Appointments:
Annelise Rockley
special education teacher, Emporia High School
Jack Heinrichs
teacher, Flint Hills Learning Center
Angelique Urton
special education teacher, Timmerman Elementary
Joann McRell
special education instructional coach, Flint Hills Special Education Cooperative
Abigail Holmbren
paraeducator, Emporia High School
Alanis Balza Medina
teacher aide, Emporia Middle School
Jade Longfellow
paraeducator, Timmerman Elementary
Kaitlyn Karjala
support technician level 1, Mary Hebert Education Center
Cameron Crouch
paraeducator, Emporia Middle School
Maite Garcia
teacher TBD, Emporia Middle School
Nichole Hensley
special education teacher, TBD, Flint Hills Special Education Cooperative
Resignations:
Dustin Malone
special education teacher, Emporia High School
Ellie Heit
grade 8 social studies, Emporia Middle School
Erin Morse
special education teacher, USD 417, Council Grove Elementary
Sarah Harrington
paraeducator, Emporia High School
Carmen Coughlin
grade 4/5 remote teacher, Logan Avenue
Eric Rinehart
paraeducator, William Allen White Elementary
Retirements:
Becky Douglas
director of transportation, Transportation Service Center
Melinda Riles
teacher aide, Timmerman Elementary
Jean Decker
lead cook, Walnut Elementary
William Simpson
custodian, Riverside Elementary and Emporia High School
Termination:
Sydney Stone
paraeducator, Emporia High School
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