Communication

Good communication is sometimes a difficult task for all of us, yet it is the strength of an organization. Osage City Schools views communication with parents as a number one priority. The reality is that quality communications between the school and parents is crucial for the success of our students. Once we are able to communicate all aspects of a child’s educational needs we then become a team with parents to help guide him/her toward a successful experience. Learning is the goal and, with a solid team in place, becomes the focus of the student.
Osage City Schools uses PowerSchool as one tool of communication. This program enables parents to view grade status, attendance records and even some discipline comments pertaining to their child. If you have a computer and internet connection you are able to keep up with up to date information. The grades are kept up by the teachers on a weekly basis.
Another tool for communication teachers’ use is a periodic note or classroom newsletter to inform parents of activities in the classrooms. These notes are usually generic in form to cover whole class information and not just individual student information. The office periodically also uses notes, sent home with students, to convey information. These notes are very important and students should learn to understand this importance. Even though this form of communication is fast, it is not always effective due to students not getting the notes all the way home, or leaving them in their backpacks and not sharing them with their parents.
We also use our website for information. For example, any time the Superintendent’s office sends a note home or has information to share we place this same information on the Superintendents Update. This can be found on the schools website at www.usd420.org. Just find the Superintendent picture and follow the link below. There are periodic updates on this site to keep you informed.
It is very important that you, as a parent, feel comfortable in contacting your child’s teacher, principal or Superintendent when you have questions or concerns. A phone call, e-mail or note can make a difference in keeping the two-way communication going. Many times this quality communication can solve miscommunications before they begin. Too many times we, as a team, have miscommunication or no communication that causes frustration and a lack of trust. By communicating with each other on a regular basis these issues are less likely to occur.
We are proud of our students, staff, administrators and parents. This team of four working together for student learning is the key to success. Again, please do not hesitate to contact and communicate with your child’s teacher. If you have questions this is the best venue for information you have.

Budget Issues

There are many comments being made pertaining to the decrease in school funding. With these hard economic times we are now in the State of Kansas is running short of revenue. This was obvious in November when school districts were only allotted half of their state aid. We are now hoping that December brings a full month of revenue. The Governor is also getting ready to make public his thoughts on budget savings and cuts to governmental agencies. It is forecasted that we will see a decrease in funding of $210 per pupil. This will lower our General fund per pupil cost from $4,128 to $4,008. Through the weighted factor per pupil state aid our General Budget will lose $250,000.
We need to look at what we do and how we can continue the positive educational process we have. We are told to save money by eliminating staff. We have remedial reading and math assistance that is really helping all students. This is proven by our assessment scores. With reaching 14 areas of standard of excellence including reading, math, and science, we cannot just stop what we are doing. We are benefiting our students in positive ways and finding success in with all subgroups of learners. We are under strict state and federal mandates such as No Child Left Behind and Kansas’ Adequate Yearly Process. I agree that these mandates have helped to guide schools to better quality. We have improved our educational strategies, technology to assist student learning and continue to improve teacher quality through teacher training. We are now seeing funds being stripped away from teacher quality training and funds to continue our improvement. Does this tell us that what we have accomplished is good, but not important? Is student success and learning not important?
The post audit committee established by the state of Kansas legislators noted in their report (January 2006) that they found a strong association between the amounts districts spend and the outcomes they achieve. In the cost function results, a 1.0% increase in district performance outcomes was associated with a 0.83% increase in spending – almost a one-to-one relationship. This means that, all other things being equal, districts that spent more had better student performance. The results were statistically significant beyond the 0.01 level, which means we can be more than 99% confident there is a relationship between spending and outcomes.
Even though we are in tough economical times, we must continue our positive educational strategies to assist all students in becoming life-long learners in the 21st Century. I believe that a strong state is established through a continued strong education. Let us work together, in a by-partisan way, to continue the focus of educational excellence. Contact your legislators to back educational funding. Adequate school funding is a State Constitutional mandate.

Meeting

Building for the future

This evening (Wednesday, November 4, 2009) we will be hosting a meeting with the Building Committee. The committee is made up of community partners, students, staff and administration. Mr. Kenton Cox, our architect, will be here to explain the needs of the district along with plans and strategies to move forward with these important projects.

The first project on the order is updating and renovating the Elementary Building. This building is in need of replacing the heating and air conditioning system, upgrading the plumbing, electrical updates, and replace the old windows for energy efficiency.

The second possible project is to build a new eight lane track facility with the football stadium.

This committee was established during the 2008-2009 school year. With the change in district leadership the committee was put on hold. We are now ready to start the process of building projects in our district. USD 420 is looking forward to working with the community in developing a project we are all comfortable with.

If, at any time, you have questions or concerns pertaining to this project please contact Superintendent Bill Orth at the district office.

Standard of Excellence

With the success of the volleyball teams, girls’ golf, football, band, choir and cross country, USD 420 has also reached Standard of Excellence in many areas. Standard of Excellence goes to grades and buildings who reached a high level of state assessment scores. We are proud to announce the following Standard of Excellence awards for the 2008-2009 school year:
Math Writing
5th grade 4th grade Elementary Building Wide
Elementary Building Wide 5th grade
7th grade Elementary Building Wide Science
8th grade 7thth grade High School Building Wide
Middle School Building Wide 8th grade
High School Building Wide High School Building Wide

We are proud of our students, staff and parents for all of the USD 420 successes in and out of the classroom. This success is sure to continue in all other areas of school activities. We must continue to support our students toward their success.

H1N1 update for October

Illnesses are here
In the September newsletter we informed everyone that the school would be giving the regular flu vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine. We are still waiting for another update to see if or when these vaccines will be available to us. As you witness on the news, information changes on a daily basis. At one point there were plenty of the seasonal flu vaccines available. The next day there is a shortage of vaccines. At this time we have not been able to give out any vaccines at school.
USD 420 has also had at least two verified cases of H1N1 virus. One of the challenges we face is in notifying parents of these verified cases. By the time we were notified by the Center of Disease Control (CDC) the students were over the virus and back to school. This delay in information does not allow us to notify parents of the verified virus until it is too late. We all must continue to practice the healthy life style procedures of washing hands, eating healthy and staying home if we are ill.

H1N1 Update

This is a note to keep you informed of the flu situation in our school and county.

The Osage County Health Department has received reports of several hospitalizations due to influenza in people from Osage County. Several schools in the area are reporting sending a number of children home with high fevers. Flu season has started early this year, and whether it is seasonal influenza or the H1N1 influenza, the precautions are the same:
• Cover your mouth and nose with your sleeve or a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue away and wash your hands.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer if water is not available
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth (germs can enter your body there)
• STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK. You should not return to work or school until you have been fever-free for 24 hours (without using medication).
• Get your flu shot. This is the best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu.

Please note that if your child is at school and is running a temperature he/she will be isolated (with supervision) until someone can pick him/her up. We must do our best to keep this germ confined as much as possible.

The Osage County Health Department now has the seasonal flu vaccine available and will have extended hours to allow more people the opportunity to get vaccinated. They will give flu shots on Mondays from 8:00 am to 6:30 pm, Wednesdays from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm and Fridays from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
General advice if you think you have the flu:
• Follow all the instructions above
• Drink plenty of fluids and get lots of rest
• If you leave the house to seek medical care wear a face mask
• Avoid contact with other people as much as possible
• Use over-the-counter medications for fever, sore throat and cough
• Know that the flu can last up to one week

Please contact the office if you have any questions or concerns.

on-line safety

90% of use of technology is positive. We use technology to better our communications with others, gain a wide variety of knowledge through searches, take care of business and many other job related uses. Though the positive is what we strive for in education there are some negatives we all must be aware of. An article written by Bob Tedeschi for Good Housekeeping magazine, August 2009, described the "Five Mistakes Smart Kids Make Online".

1. Broadcasting personal information to the entire Internet
2. Sharing passwords
3. Befriend strangers
a. Social networkers they do not know
b. Parents should review contacts regularly
c. Sometimes last semesters "BFF" becomes this semesters enemy
4. Baring their soles
a. Broadcasting highly personal information on social networking site
can magnify the usual teen and tween social dramas a hundred fold
b. Over sharing on line can leave teen open to bullying, ridicule and social
ostracism
5. Forgetting their futures
a. The web never forgets
b. 54 percent of 18-year-olds on MySpace post about sexual activity
or substance use
Many companies are starting to use web searches before and after they interview candidates. What the employers find on the web is a determining factor for job placement.

Everyone needs to know that what is on the web stays on the web. Negative comments, inappropriate materials, bullying remarks or practices, and any other non-professional information can destroy the chance of getting a job or even being accepted into some colleges.

Everyone needs to help our youth understand the ramifications of what they put on the web. It can make life very difficult and hurt the changes of a great future.

Contact the school for more information on web safety and tips on keeping our children safe.

AYP report

In the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB), Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) is based on the premise that every child will be at a minimum proficiency on the state reading and mathematics assessments. The NO Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) requires that every student be tested. By testing all children, parents and teachers will know the academic achievement of every child, every group of students, and all students. This enables parents and teachers to work together to ensure that no child will be left behind and to ensure not only school-wide and individual progress, but student group progress as well.
Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) is the process for making judgment as to whether or not all public elementary and secondary schools, districts, and states are reaching the annual targets to ensure that all students achieve the state’s definition of proficiency by 2013-2014.
The 2009 annual targets for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) are: K-8 reading 79.7% and math 77.8%, grades 9-12 reading 76.7% and math 70.5%, and District reading 76.7% and math 70.5%.
Osage City Schools fared very well with: grades 3-5 reading 93.9% and math 94.1%, grades 6-8 reading 94.1% and math 82.2%, grades 9-12 reading 94.1% and math 92.7%, with the district at 91.6% reading and 88.1% in math.
“As you can see USD 420 is doing a great job moving toward our final goal of 100% of our students scoring at or above standard” , said Superintendent Orth.
Orth continued, “Looking back to the year 2003 Osage City Schools has shown gradual increase in assessment scores. In the year 2003 our scores were averaging around 50% in math and 61% in reading. Through the past few years the district has had major successes with new teaching strategies and continue to work with the assessment data to continue these improvements in student learning.”
Results of Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and AYP reports can be found on the Kansas State Department of Education website at www.ksde.org under the State and District Report Cards drop down tab or contact your local school district.

Reading, Writing and a Worthwhile Education for Kansas Kids

The Kansas Learning First Alliance (KLFA) & KTWU TV11 Team Up to Present “Reading, Writing and a Worthwhile Education for Kansas Kids”

KEY FACTS:

What: “Reading, Writing & a Worthwhile Education for Kansas Kids” Watch & Talk Parties

When: September 23, 2009

Where: Watch & Talk parties are being hosted around Kansas. For a party near you or to host a party, go to www.klfa.org.

Our world is changing and Kansas students need to be prepared to meet that change. The conversation about how that should be accomplished within our public school system is a very large and multifaceted topic. It will require a great deal of discussion among educational leaders, policymakers, business representatives, parents, educators and taxpayers. “Reading, Writing and a Worthwhile Education for Kansas Kids” is the beginning of that conversation in a statewide project with two parts:

Part One/The Program: This one-hour televised program, airing September 23 on KTWU TV11 at 7:00 p.m., will be divided into three panels (educators, parents, and business representatives) all of whom will be discussing what they believe should be the educational priorities in Kansas in order for students to be prepared for the 21st century. For a listing of public broadcasting stations airing the program and times, go to www.ktwu.org

Part Two/The Discussion at local Watch & Talk Parties: To initiate conversations about educational priorities, “Watch and Talk” parties will be held immediately after the program is viewed or at a later date of the host’s choosing.

Who can participate in a “Watch and Talk Party?” – Anyone! Click www.klfa.org to find a public Watch and Talk Party to attend. Please let the host know that you will be attending. KSDE is a member of KLFA and is encouraging anyone with a listserv to invite groups to attend or sponsor a “Watch and Talk” party. Also, state board members have been invited by KLFA to attend a party. Please encourage non educators to attend the parties.

After September 23rd

If you cannot attend or host a “Watch and Talk” party on September 23rd, you have permission to record the program, request a DVD or download a copy from iTunes University. You are encouraged to have party with interested stakeholders. One example is site council meetings. The program will be available through February 2010.

This broadcast is being sponsored by:

KLFA

The Kansas Learning First Alliance (KLFA) is a coalition of organizations in Kansas representing school boards, administrators, teachers and teacher educators, parents and the Kansas State Department of Education. Kansas became the first state to have a partnership affiliated with the national Learning First Alliance when KLFA was founded in 1999. The organization’s purpose is to unite the education community to improve our outstanding public education system, pre-K through higher education, to empower each Kansan to succeed in the diverse, interdependent world of the 21st century.

KTWU-TV

KTWU has been broadcasting local public television in eastern Kansas and portions of Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma since 1965 with the distinction of being the first public television station in Kansas. Viewers are served with Channel 11 offering three distinct and different broadcast options: KTWU in high definition; KTWU/MHz Worldview; and KTWU ENHANCE. KTWU is also broadcast on K30AL-LD translator channel in southeast Kansas. The station license is held by Washburn University with studios located on the Washburn campus in Topeka, Kansas. More information and programming details can be found at the station website at ktwu.org.

Kansas Learning First Alliance Educational Foundation Inc – Is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organized to support, financially or otherwise, the concept of building an educational coalition dedicated to pursuing a common agenda to improve Kansas public education.

President's Speech

Due to the time of the President's speech, setting up video and moving students to locations for viewing, USD 420 will be video taping the President's speech and have a designated time for students to view it. No student will be required to watch the video, but it is important that we give opportunity for those students who want to listen to the speech.

The basis for the speech is to give a response to the importance of education. Education to a child is extremely important. In the early 1900's many youth graduated from the 8th grade or dropped out before that age. Many of these 8th grade graduates went on in their life with great success. As times change the necessity of a well rounded education becomes more important. We must all work together to keep our students focused on a solid education for their future and the future of the world. We must educate students to be able to work and survive in the 21st century.

I often think about the farming industry. I once asked a farmer to think about going back and using the equipment and technology he used to farm in the 1940's. He told me that he would not be able to survive using that age of equipment. He now uses technology to figure soil needs and keep records of all the crop information. The technology in the equipment is much better today and helps to get the work completed in a much more efficient way. He now can do a full days work in almost any temperature because of the air-conditioned cab in all of his equipment. Times have changed!

Another example was given to me by a carpenter. He said that when he was young he did not think that math was all that important. He always asked the old question, "when will I really use algebra?". Now in his work as a carpenter he finds that he uses algebra every day. Carpenters, welders, plumbers, tile and flooring layers, mechanics and many other labor type occupations use math to find angles, length, materials needed, and figuring air-space for heating and cooling just to mention a few items.

As we visit with our youth about the need for an education we must remember that only through setting goals for their own future will they develop the need for a quality education. Now is the time for them to dream and get the focus of the best education they can receive. K-12 education is the foundation of their life. Please help them find the inner focus to study hard to make their future the best.

HiN1 Update

Many of you have contacted the school with questions regarding the H1N1 "Swine" Flu. USD 420, Osage City Schools wants to assure you that your child's health and well-being is a top priority of your administrators, faculty, staff and Board of Education. We have been in contact with community health partners and have developed an Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan. This plan can be viewed on the schools website under the Superintendents update at www.usd420.0rg.

The plan includes a lot of detail, so below are some key points I wanted to bring to your attention:

1. The Centers for Disease Control and Kansas Department of Health and Environment guidelines require children be fever free without the use of fever-reducing medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Motrin), for 24 hours before returning to school.
2. If your child exhibits flu-like symptoms, please keep your child home. We will have to send any child home that comes to school and is exhibiting flu-like symptoms.
3. School will remain open unless enough teachers, staff or students are absent that keeping school open is not feasible.

We have also been working with students on some simple yet effective ways to protect themselves and other in a situation such as this:

1. Covering their mouth with a tissue or sleeve when they cough and sneeze.
2. Frequent hand-washing with soap. Hand sanitizers are not a replacement for good hand washing. The school is using a non-alcohol based hand sanitizer. Alcohol based sanitizers are flammable. This could be a cause of disaster in a school building.
3. Avoiding touching their eyes, nose or mouth to minimize the risk of exposure to germs.

At this time there have been no confirmed cases of H1N1 in Osage County, which a good news. The plan details the steps we will take if USD 420 sees a sever outbreak of the H1N1 virus. Our goal here is to plan for the worst and hope for the best. We will keep you updated and informed of any new developments that impact USD 420. As always, please feel free to contact me,a building administrator, school nurse your doctor or local community health clinic with any questions or concerns.

Information pertaining to the Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan Click the following site:

http://docs.google.com/View?id=dfkgwfds_233fcqbr3hk

Great beginning of School

School is now in session and I am happy to say that things are running smoothly. The smooth beginning is because of the work of a super staff and strong parents. Parent support of the educational process is vital for student success. When students have positive influence at home as well as school they understand the importance of getting home work completed, reading for enjoyment and planning for their future.

When students begin to plan for their future they see the importance of a quality education. I like the old saying, "it takes a village to raise a child". Children will begin thinking about their life's goals only when adults have open communications focusing on the future. Once a child has the understanding of how an education can form their future the educational process takes on a whole new importance in their life. This focus must continue throughout their lives.

I must take this time to thank all of the adults in the Osage City area who continue to support a quality education. Data shows us that a community focused on the future of the children through a solid education thrives. If this support is below standard we are not able to support a workforce and companies move to new locations. I see Osage City as a community with a solid future.

Lets all work together to continue the move toward a model school and community.