The Emporia Gazette

Bullying on board agenda Wednesday

And here goes another article that our community wants to judge before they know the facts. The state has recently required every district to adopt a bullying policy, so as a result USD253 has written and adopted a policy and put it into place. Yes, bullying has always occurred, but school districts are trying to be more proactive instead of responsive. Teachers and administrators can only take care of bullying if it is reported. If the school doesn't know about it, how is it supposed to be handled? Even if parents report it, something can be done. The other side of this, is that there has to be proof-punishments can't be handed out simply by one report. As sad as that seems, its the same way about a crime committed. I can say in every school I have worked in, bullying is taken very seriously and usually handled immediately upon reporting. The problem arises when people are scared to report it or don't want to be a snitch and allow it to go on.

May 11, 2010 at 9:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Heim resigns

Before we start saying let's just move up one of the asst supt and cut a position, let's make sure they are capable of the position. Over the years, we have added positions such as directors and asst. to possibly cover the duties that couldn't be completed by the current admin. I don't argue with trying to tighten our belts, but we need a supt with good leadership skills, who isn't afraid of ruffling feathers if needed, and who will put our district in the best position possibly with the current situation. I'm not sure moving up one of our current admin would necessarily be the best option. Sometimes its best to bring in a fresh set of eyes, ears, and hands to change things up! I have seen over the past 13 years, many usd 253 employees not caring out their duties, but being able to keep their positions. I think it's time that people are held responsible for their position and if they can't seem to do what's expected, then it's time for a change-even if that does mean fighting through the red tape because they are tenure!

I agree school board and other district employees truly knows what this district needs-I just hope that's what they hire!

April 6, 2010 at 9:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Swallowing camels

We may need all supt and asst supt, but why have we added two directors over the years in the area of teaching and learning. These are administratively paid positions as weel. Does that mean the essential person can't handle the position?

March 26, 2010 at 10:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Barnett retiring from medicine

I have gone to IMA for years and have to say all the other doctors esp Dr. Rachel have been nothing but wonderful fabulous doctors. She has gone overboard to help me and has even advised me after hours when I had questions about my kids. I wish Dr. Barnett the best of luck, but believe IMA will do just fine without him.

March 4, 2010 at 1:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Salaries revealed

Im not in complete agreement with building the new field, but i would like to get one thing straight. The money that is being used to build the field and make other improvements around the district CANNOT BE USED TO PAY FOR SALARIES!!!! So no matter if we get the new field or not, it wouldn't change my salary. I would hope before we see a school district's budget as one big bucket- many JUDGERS get informed about how school funding monies can and cannot be used. They have so many regulations on things, how certain money can be spent, and even down to which kids can use the materials and supplies that are purchased.

December 14, 2009 at 9:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Salaries revealed

WOW- sounds like some of you need to go back to school and see how things have changed since you were there. I always get a kick out of the public thinking they know what is best for school because they were once there. I do not go into a CPA, DR, dentist, hair salon, insurance, or lawyer's offices and think I know what is best for them because I may have been there once.

I work in the school system and I can guarantee our teachers and administrators deserve what they are getting. Yes it may be more than the average joe, but that doesn't mean they don't work hard and deserve it. With all the state and federal regs these days our educators are working harder than ever to provide a great education for all your children. We now more than ever have students who do not do any academic learning outside the 8-4 day and our kindergarteners are now being expected to know what the 2nd graders used to learn. Our teachers are there from sunrise to sunset and then go home and work for 3-4 more hours grading, planning, and preparing for the next day. On top of that we are required to take classes for inservice outside the day so we can keep up to date on our certification, and yes we have to pay for that ourselves. We are losing our classroom budgets so we spend somewhere between 500-2000 a year on classroom supplies because our students can't afford them and our district doesn't have the funds to pay for them. And yes we are only allowed 250 to be filed on our taxes.

Our administrators are all on 12 month contracts, so no they don't get all the vacation we have as teachers nor do they get summers off. They work long days as well dealing with the issues to support our teachers and students. They may do much of the background work and discipline, but without them our jobs as teachers couldn't be done successfully. I truly believe they are much different than a CEO. Our principals are in the classrooms, know what's going on, and support us 100%. Once the teaching day is over, they continue to work at activities, athletics, meetings, committees, etc. Yes, many days it seems like they are out of the building, but that doesn't mean they aren't working. As our state req. continue to increase, our administrators are trying to handle much of that so our teachers don't get bogged down and overwhelmed- they need to be able to continue to do a good job at teaching our children.

I invite anyone to come visit our schools and see what a day in the life of a teacher or administrator is really like. I encourage you not to judge as things have changed drastically over the past several years. I hope you are happy with the education our children are receiving as that is because of the quality of work our teachers and administrators are doing. I understand we can't please them all, but as many of you like to say don't throw out the basket just because one bad apple.

December 10, 2009 at 9:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Project will move ahead

Captial outlay monies can be carried over from year to year. They don't need to be spent by the end of each fiscal year. We have teachers who don't have classrooms, buildings in need of repair, etc. This is a lot of money to spend, even if a couple hundred students are going to use it. I truly wish we would have opened back up the bidding process or set priorities a little different. In a perfect world, artificial turf would be nice, but I think we have other items that could be fixed or built first. I truly hope this doesn't come back to bite us later, but I've learned to follow my gut and my gut feeling isn't good!

November 12, 2009 at 12:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Blankets prove popular

I would like to thank all the people who helped with this donation. I know the ladies at the quilt shop as my mom is one of them and they are simply wonderful, helpful, caring people. Even if you don't know how to sew or quilt, please stop in and ask questions. They have classes and projects going all the time. This is a great business to have in Emporia and hope to see other businesses try to help in this manner as well. I realize the economy is tough, and want to say a special thank you for helping ECKAN! The kids and staff will remember this for years to come!

November 6, 2009 at 11:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

ESU closed due to weather

I think we take precautionary measures to keep our children safe. So many of our school districts have rural routes and we feel that the safety of our students is extremely important. So i don't feel that we are acting like its the end of the world, but we are trying to keep our children and citizens safe. Just think if it was your child, would you want the busses to get them home safely or for them to be our traveling on the roads as the weather worsens?????????

March 27, 2009 at 2:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Turnout small for candidate forum

Thank you create! I am a teacher who is still in the classroom and I don't think NCLB is necessarily a negative issue as a whole. We as teachers are being held more accountable for what we teach (the standards and skills-not teaching to pass the test). Just because we are teaching the standards and skills doesn't mean we are teaching to the test. It means we are teaching the skills our nation and state have determined to be important skills for the students to have to become strong citizens. I know the dinosaur and fall pumpkin units were fun, but how are those units going to help our students in the future? And yes we practice at taking the test, but why shouldn't we practice something before doing the real thing?
We are now required to follow data to measure student success and how our teaching should be modified to best help our students reach their highest potential. Many teachers who want to be left alone are those who don't want to look at their teaching and self assess their own skills. In Emporia, our student success has increase over the past several years when NCLB has been in place. How is that a negative? I'm proud of where we have been, but more excited about where NCLB is taking us-higher rates of success and achievement.
I realize NCLB has its negatives, what gov't initiative doesn't? BUT- lets look at how this has improved the opportunities for our students-your children. NCLB has also made us more accountable for all levels of students. Yes, we spend a great amount of time with struggling students, but I have also seen teachers differentiate their instruction to meet the needs of all students. With NCLB and our district's strategic plan, we are looking at gains for all students, not just the ones who are not making it.
The thing with education is it critical to have community and parental support throughout the system. Since everyone has spent time in schools and classrooms (at some point in their life) many feel they have the knowledge and right to tell educated professional how it is best to do their job. I would recommend those who haven't been in a school for a while to go visit. Take a look at the wonderful things teachers and staff are doing to continuously help our students reach their highest potential. It's amazing how kindergarteners are learning skills I learned in the fourth grade and having a blast while doing it.
Ya there's always a bad apple, but don't loose faith on educators and let it ruin your sight of the orchard! Here in Emporia and surrounding districts, teachers and staff do a fabulous job with your children. Tell them thank you-those words go a long way for a teacher.

March 24, 2009 at 9:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )