KDWPT

TOPEKA – What could be better than watching a gorgeous fireworks display, every ember trail and brilliant explosion mirrored in a lake that’s coating you in a cool breeze? Getting to enjoy it two or three times over at Kansas state parks!

Consider making a day of your visit since some parks will have special events throughout the holiday. Nearly all offer easy access to water and good opportunities for picnicking, fishing, disc golf, great hiking trails and more. You’ll just need a daily vehicle permit, $5, that can be purchased at the park’s entrance. Remember to park in designated areas, and that it’s illegal to ignite personal fireworks unless the state park manager has designated a special area.

Below is a list of Kansas state parks offering fantastic views of brilliant displays across the upcoming week celebrating America’s Independence. For additional information on Kansas state parks, visit travelks.com or ksoutdoors.com.

Cross Timbers State Park – June 30 (rain date to be announced)

The fireworks display from the park’s Toronto Point camping area has become one of the region’s biggest attractions. Guests will be directed to specified parking and viewing areas as soon as they enter the campground.

Glen Elder State Park – June 30 (rain date July 3)

Fireworks will be launched from the park’s Osage Area. Best viewing will be in the Cheyenne, Kanza, Osage and Sioux campgrounds.

At 9 a.m. that morning, a day-long celebration will begin for the opening of the park’s Waconda Visitor and Education Center. A variety of activities for kids and refreshments are planned.

Lovewell State Park – June 30 (rain date July 1)

Fireworks will be launched from the Walleye Point Area, where there is plenty of parking and space for viewing. Watching the fireworks display from boats has become a tradition here, too.

Pomona State Park – June 30 (rain date July 7)

Any place on the east side of the park can offer good views of this fireworks display, particularly the Kansa, Red Oak, Osage, and Bunkers Cove campgrounds.

Webster State Park – June 30 (no rain date)

Lakeview and Hilltop campgrounds and the Townsite Area are great places to watch the display put on by the Friends of Webster State Park.

The celebration begins at 8 a.m. with a flag ceremony at the park office, then there’s a poker run for cars, bikes and boats beginning at noon. The group will hold a cookout at the Townsite Area at 6 p.m.Guests are asked to make a free-will donation.

Crawford State Park – July 2 (no rain date)

The park’s swimming area may offer the best view of the fireworks, but there’s really not a bad place to pitch a lawn chair and enjoy the park’s biggest event of the year.

Beginning at 5 p.m., grilled burgers and other food will be sold by Friends of Crawford State Park.

Kanopolis State Park – July 7 (rain date July 14)

The lake’s marina annually provides a great fireworks display near the south end of the dam. That means about any place in the Langley Point Area of Kanopolis State Park can offer fantastic viewing.

Historic Lake Scott State Park – July 7 (no rain date)

The El Cuartelejo parking area is the prime location for watching a legendary fireworks display over nearby private property. Viewers are reminded that parking in the cabin area is restricted to those renting the cabins. It is also illegal, and dangerous, to park along Highway 95, just outside the park.

Wilson State Park – July 7 (rain date to be announced)

The fireworks display at one of America’s most scenic state parks can best be seen from around the Hell Creek boat ramp, New Otoe Beach, as well as Dakota and Sunflower campgrounds.

Call your favorite state park office for more information about other July 4 events, or go online, ksoutdoors.com, and view the “State Parks Calendar of Events.”

FHSU University Relations

Fort Hays State University signed two memoranda of understanding this week to ensure smooth transfers from Barton Community College and Colby Community College in a variety of majors.

The articulation agreements are a roadmap for course work that helps to ensure a seamless transition of course credits from the community college to the university. 

FHSU President Tisa Mason and Barton President Carl Heilman signed an MOU Thursday in a ceremony at Barton Community College. The agreement with Barton establishes criteria for transfer in 19 majors, from accounting to technology leadership.

Two days before, in Colby, President Mason and Colby President Seth Carter signed an agreement that also covered 19 majors.

The Barton agreement covers:
•        Accounting (BBA)
•        Agricultural business (BS)
•        Biology and secondary education (BS)
•        Computer science (BS)
•        Criminal justice (BS)
•        Early childhood unified (BS)
•        Elementary education (BS)
•        Elementary education (“degree-in-three” path) (BS)
•        Finance (BBA)
•        Finance with banking concentration (BBA)
•        Health studies (BS)
•        International business and economics (BBA)
•        Management (BBA)
•        Marketing (BBA)
•        Mathematics and secondary education (BS)
•        Nursing (RN to BSN)
•        Psychology (BS)
•        Social work (BSW)
•        Technology leadership (BS)  

Barton Community College is on the Web at www.bartonccc.edu.

The agreement with Colby covers:
•        Accounting (BBA)
•        Agriculture (BS)
•        Agricultural business (BS)
•        Biology and secondary education (BS)
•        Criminal justice (BS)
•        Early childhood unified (BS)
•        Elementary education (BS)
•        Finance (BBA)
•        Graphic design (BFA)
•        Health and human performance (BS)
•        Health studies (BS)
•        International business and economics (BBA)
•        Management information systems (BBA)
•        Management (BBA)
•        Marketing (BBA)
•        Mathematics and secondary education (BS)
•        Nursing (RN to BSN)
•        Psychology (BS)
•        Social work (BSW)

Colby Community College is on the Web at www.colbycc.edu.

USD 489

About 150 local and educators across the state attended the EdCampKS hosted by USD 489 on June 11 at Hays High School.

The goal of EdCampKS is to provide teachers with the ability to learn best practices from one another.

Marie Henderson, instructional technology specialist, brought the idea to the district after attending a camp last year.

Extensive planning took place to prepare for the event. Alicia Brungardt, Larissa Whitney, Alyssa Dees, Lisa Renz, Aubrey Brooks, Mandy Meagher, Denise Danielson, Melanie Folkerts, Gina Johnson, Shaina Prough, Jessica Groff, Shauna Zweifel, Joan Steinkuhler, Shanna Dinkel and Kelly Ackerman comprised the planning committee.

Jeff Arnhold and HHS custodians, as well as Scott Summers, IT Director, were on hand to ensure the camp went smoothly. Educators were given the ability to sign up for various topics such as STEM, technology utilization in classrooms and targeted grade level objectives.

The district thanked Kansas Education Commissioner Randy Watson for taking time out of his busy schedule for speaking to the educators at the Hays EdCampKS.

The Hays Area Children’s Center , a premier child-serving agency in Northwest Kansas, will say goodbye to Executive Director G. Susan Bowles in June and welcome incoming director Michelle Williams in July. 

Current Executive Director, G. Susan Bowles, announced that she will retire on June 30, 2018, after more than 30 years of dedicated service to children and families in the region.

 “Susan has been an instrumental part of the Hays Area Children’s Center (HACC) for three decades, serving first as a speech therapist and in 2013 she took over as the executive director. In her tenure, Susan has touched the lives of thousands of children and helped them get a positive start in life. We thank her for her service and wish her all the best,” said Kristin Herl, HACC Board President.

Michelle Williams will replace Ms. Bowles, commencing July 1, 2018. “Ms. Williams comes to us from West Elementary School in Goodland, Kansas, where she has served as the principal for the last two years. Ms. Williams’ experience with special education, leadership and educational curriculum will be a great asset for HACC,” Herl said.

“I’ve been privileged to work with so many children and their families through the Hays Area Children’s Center,” Executive Director Susan Bowles said. “My time here has given me the opportunity to gain lifelong friendships and wonderful memories. I send my best wishes to the staff at the Center and continued success in their work to help babies and young children thrive.”
 

About the Hays Area Children’s Center
Founded in 1966, the Hays Area Children’s Center (HACC) is a nonprofit organization that provides and promotes quality care and educational experiences for young children and families. Because the first years of life are the most crucial stages of development, HACC services help ensure a healthy, positive start for children and their families, primarily in Ellis and Rush counties.

In 2017, HACC served more than 725 children and their families with a range of programs that include free Early Intervention services, developmental screenings, Maternal and Child Health Home Visitor Services for prenatal mothers and post-natal infants and their new parents, and care coordination for children and youth with special health care needs. In addition, HACC provides high-quality daycare for infants through preschoolers and enriched summer camp for K – 5th grade children. Learn more at www.hacc.info.

USD 489

The Dane G. Hansen Foundation awarded a $5,000 grant to Wilson Elementary School to purchase playground equipment that will benefit its students and the children living in the neighborhood.

The grant was writing by Principal Anita Scheve and parent Amanda Bickle.

The Wilson Home and School Association has also been saving money from its fundraisers during the past several years to help purchase additional playground equipment for the school.

New equipment for the playground will be installed during the course of this summer and be ready for students to enjoy at the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year.

“USD 489 wishes to extend its heart-felt appreciation to the Dane G. Hansen Foundation for its continued support of education,” a the district said in a news release.

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