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USD 489 releases monthly newsletter

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USD 489

It has been a busy and productive first nine weeks in USD 489. Between implementing new technology in all grade levels and the recognition of many of our staff and students, it looks to be a gold banner year.

Academically Speaking

The Kansas State Board of Education voted to adopt the Kansas College and Career Ready Standards in 2010 because it recognized that the rigor of college and the needs of the workforce have changed and Kansas’ previous academic standards were not rigorous enough to prepare students for success after high school.

The Kansas College and Career Ready standards have raised the bar on what students should know and be able to demonstrate in order to be successful after high school. These new standards better address the rigor and skills needed to prepare our students for success in college and careers.

For the past five years, our educators have been working hard to help all of our students rise to the challenge set by our new academic goals. We applaud their efforts and will continue to find ways to support them. For instance, English Language Arts (ELA), Science, Social Studies, and other curricular areas have been trained in the literacy standards for reading and writing. Math intervention is in its third year and a reading intervention programs is being piloted this year.

There interventions are done in addition to core instruction and designed at the level in which it is needed. Materials and resources for math and social studies were purchased in recent years and are aligned with the standards for those content areas.

This is the first time that Kansas schools have received scores assessed on the Kansas College and Career Ready standards. In setting cut scores, Kansas teachers did not think in terms of a pass/no pass line, but rather in terms of a four-level scale capturing a range of student achievement characteristics that could be used to inform instruction.

Individual student scores will be sent home in November with an explanation of the score report. Additional information will also be available on the district website. The assessment scores this year cannot be compared to previous scores. The results will not match up.

The greatest challenge with the assessment results will be to teach parents, students and the public that student performance has NOT declined! We’re asking them to perform at higher levels.

As with any change, there is a period of adjustment as teachers and students get used to the new standards and tests. The results will set a new baseline, and it is expected that scores will increase over time. The days of “sit and get” in the classroom are gone. Students should be introduced to real-world challenges and concepts and reason and think critically. College and Career Ready means an individual has the academic preparation, cognitive preparation, technical skills, and employability skills to be successful in postsecondary education. Across the district, our students are performing above state averages in nearly all grade levels and subject areas, confirming that we’re on the right track to setting all students up for success.

Sharing the Spotlight

USD 489 would like to recognize the following individuals for their recent accomplishments.

The district is incredibly proud of these students and professionals.

  • Hays High School teacher Jessica Butte was named the Master Teacher for the 2015-2016 school year.
  • Hays High School Seniors Trenton Potter and Fernando Guzman were named National Merit Scholars.
  • Julie Zollinger was distinguished as the Kansas Psychologist of the Year.
  • Marty Straub was named the Kansas Association of Secondary School Principals Area 5 High School Principal honoree.

The Board of Education has distinguished the following individuals with the Best of the Best award:

  • Abbie Norris, Wilson Elementary 4th grader, September 2015
  • Rusty Lindsay, Director of Buildings and Grounds, September 2015
  • Isabel Robben, Hays Middle School 8th grader, October 2015
  • Dan Balman, Hays High School teacher, October 2015

Upcoming Events/Reminders

  • The Hays High School musical “Once On This Island” will be held on the following dates:
  • November 12th, 13th, and 14th at 7:30 pm at the 12th Street Auditorium
  • November 15th at 2:30 pm at the 12th Street Auditorium

The cost is $8.00 in advance or $10.00 at the door.

  • The annual Toys for Tots and Holiday Meal Food Basket registration will take place at the Community Assistance Center from November 2nd through November 13th. Families that want to sign up for these items can visit the center at 208 E. 12th Street Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Announcements for school closings will be made on these radio and TV stations: KAYS, KHAZ, KJLS, KFIX, KQQY, KWCH-TV, KBSH-TV, KAKE-TV, KHCT, AND KSN-KSNC, as well as the USD 489 Facebook and Twitter pages. USD 489 will also send out an email to all parents and guardians that are registered with the schools. Hays 489 will be the sender of that email.

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