Kansas Department of Labor

Preliminary estimates reported by the Kansas Department of Labor and Bureau of Labor Statistics show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.4 percent in February. This was down from 3.5 percent in January and down from 3.8 percent in February 2017.

“The state continues to maintain job growth in spite of a short supply of workers,” said Secretary Lana Gordon.

In Ellis County, the jobless rate rose from 2.4 percent in January to 2.6 percent in February. All counties in northwest Kansas posted unemployment rates below 4 percent, ranging from 3.7 percent in Trego County to 2 percent in Lane and Greeley counties. Click the map above for a county-by-county breakdown.

Statewide, seasonally adjusted job estimates indicate total Kansas nonfarm jobs increased by 500 from January. Private sector jobs, a subset of total nonfarm jobs, increased by 200 from the previous month.

“Kansas is experiencing a tight labor market with low unemployment and increased demand for labor as reflected in recent gains in jobs, hours, and real earnings,” said Labor Market Information Director, Justin McFarland.

Since February 2017, Kansas gained 7,700 seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs and 6,000 private sector jobs.

TMP-M

Led by Sophomore Sheena Zeng, a young Thomas More Prep-Marian Monarch team posted 17 points to claim the 3A State Chess Championship. The tournament took place at the University of Kansas Memorial Union. Zeng was aided by 4 point performances by junior Sheldon Weber and freshmen Japheth Briney and Seth Perrett. Freshman Hunter Flax provided 3 points in a back-up capacity.

The Monarchs led the 3A Division through most of the tournament’s 6 rounds, but trailed Erie at the end of Round 5. A strong 3 point final round by the Monarchs and a slim 1 point showing by the Erie team in the last round resulted in the 17.0 to 15.5 point final result.

Not only did the Monarchs outplay all other 3A schools in the state, they also finished ahead of all 1A, 2A, 4A and 5A schools. Only Lawrence Free State High School (18.5 points) and Manhattan High School, (17.5 points) both 6A schools, were able to outscore the TMP-Marian students.

The Monarch Junior High also fared well in the state event, finishing seventh in a field of 26 school teams with 15 points of a possible 24. Leading the team were Jensen Brull (Grade 7), Nicklas Helget (Grade 8), and Tate Dinkel (Grade 7), each with 4 points. Braydon Binder (Grade 7) added 3 points to fill out the team score. Also competing were Logan Hess (Grade 8, 3.0 points), Connor Hilger (Grade 7, 3.0 points) and Treighton Dunn (Grade 7, 2.0 points). The champion Junior High team was Lawrence Southwest Middle School with 18 points.

Dr. Janet Stramel, associate professor of teacher education at Fort Hays State University, was recently accepted to participate in the 2018 Global Education in Teacher Education Preparation program. Only 10 education faculty in Kansas were selected.

The program, funded by the Longview Foundation, is a three-phase faculty development project designed to support teacher education faculty in revising a course to incorporate global perspectives and to promote development of a global “self” among students.

Phase 1 is a two-day workshop in Kansas City. The second phase is virtual meetings in follow-up and extension of phase 1. Phase 3 is the application and reflection of learning. The project begins this month and ends in early 2019.

The program is a project used to lay the groundwork for department-level and program-level change to promote the need for internationalizing teacher education and to develop a community of practice among teacher preparation faculty in the Midwest.

By C.D. DESALVO
Hays Post

The Hays Recreation Commission is looking for people to fill summer job positions. The Hays Aquatic Park is taking applications for lifeguards, admissions staff, concession and maintenance workers.

Grant Lacy, aquatics director for the HRC, said he usually hires about 50 lifeguards and provides training prior to the aquatic park opening.

“We do provide training so if somebody is interested in doing it but does not have the certification, that’s OK,” he said. “It’s American Red Cross lifeguard training. With me, it’s five days of in-water and classroom work. After that, they come away with a two-year American Red Cross lifeguard, CPR and first aid certification.”

Interviews for lifeguarding will be held on April 4 and 5. The Hays Aquatic Park opens on May 25 and will be open noon to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. Sundays.

The HRC is also looking for concession workers (age 15 and older) to work this summer at the Bickle/Schmidt Sports Complex. Work hours are Monday to Thursday evenings and most weekends starting in May. Hours can be flexible but there is an emphasis on finding people who can work weekends.

Applications for all positions can be found online on the HRC website (LINK), or in person at the Hays Recreation Commission on 1105 Canterbury in Hays. You can also call 785-623-2650 for more information.