And this summer she received a $2,000 grant from ING Unsung Heroes Award for her innovative idea Organism Mania. Leggett was one of 100 teachers in the nation to be honored as an Unsung Hero for her ideas in the classroom. >> Read more in The Shawnee Dispatch.

(De Soto, KS) Students in Unified School District No. 232 of Johnson County, Kansas, continue to score above state and national peers on the ACT assessment.  The school district recorded a composite average (all students) of 22.3 on the 2010 college entrance exam. The score is five tenths of a point lower than last year's composite of 22.8.

One reason for the slight dip in the composite score is the increase in the number of students taking the exam. The district saw a 12-percent jump in test-takers over this time last year.

Individual High School Results

De Soto High School is celebrating success after students increased the school's overall composite score by nearly a full point to 22.1, up from 21.5 a year ago.

"De Soto High School is very pleased with the recent results of our ACT scores," Principal David Morford said. "Increasing our scores was a goal set last year by our faculty. While increasing by 18 percent the number of students who took the test, we were able to raise our composite.  Overall Mathematics and Reading scores  each rose by seven tenths of a point."

Morford said his staff's dedication and the hard work of the students is the reason for a successful year.  "We are very pleased with this outcome and will continue to improve our efforts to prepare our students for the future."

Mill Valley High School's composite ACT score dipped a full point to 22.4, down from 23.4 from a year ago. The school increased the number of test-takers by ten percent.

According to Earl Martin, director of teaching and learning, administrators are focused on more ways to prepare students for their future. "The district is in the process of developing a long-term strategic plan for increasing academic rigor for students," Martin said. "One way we will accomplish this goal is to provide additional Advanced Placement (AP) and College Now course offerings, as well as planning for pre-AP for students in middle school and in grades nine and ten." The goal to increase academic rigor is part of the district's overall plan for continuous improvement.

ACT Scores Composite Average All Students	2010	2009	2008	2007
USD #232	22.3	22.8	22.9	22.7
Mill Valley High School	22.4	23.4	23.0	22.8
De Soto High School	22.1	21.5	22.6	22.5
State of Kansas	22.0	21.9	22.0	21.9
National	21.0	21.1	21.1	21.2

Questions about ACT results and student preparation for the assessment may be directed to each high school. The ACT is a national college admissions examination that consists of subject area tests in English, Math, Reading, and Science. It is an indication of the extent to which students are prepared for college-level work. For more information, please visit http://www.act.org/ .

Highlight of New Policy
The change applies to employees, students, and visitors. It disallows tobacco use on school property with no variance for visitors. The school district requests and encourages staff, students, and visitors to support a tobacco-free environment on all district property and at school district events and activities. Parents and others visiting or attending school events and activities are requested to cooperate and assist in providing our students a tobacco-free setting in which to learn and participate in activities. 

Key Components of the Policy

· Prohibits tobacco use on all school grounds and school-owned property 24 hours a day by any student, staff or visitor and includes an enforcement component.

· Prohibits tobacco industry advertising, marketing and sponsorship on school property, at school functions and in school publications.

· Uses signage to advertise policy.

· Offers a cessation program for anyone in violation of the policy.

· Prohibits exhibition of tobacco-related gear or paraphernalia.

· Prohibits school acceptance of gifts or funds from the tobacco industry.

Policy Text: Tobacco Use
Tobacco use of any kind is not permitted by any person (employee, student, or visitor) at any time in or on USD 232 property, whether owned, leased, or rented. Staff and students who violate this policy will be subject to disciplinary measures in accordance with applicable school and district policies. Visitors who violate this policy will be asked to cease use of tobacco products in all areas regularly accessible to others and near any facility entry, doorway, open window or air intake where smoking is prohibited. Visitors who refuse to comply with this request may be referred to school security or local law enforcement for violation of district policy and state law related to the Clean Air Act or unwanted presence on school district property.

The policy further prohibits tobacco advertising, marketing, and sponsorship on district property, at school functions, and in school publications.

USD 232 will use signage and, when possible, provide written and verbal notices in district communications and announcements at events to provide awareness of this policy. The district will make available current information regarding smoking and tobacco use cessation programs and provide information to employees who wish to participate in a tobacco cessation program.

List of Kansas School Districts with Tobacco-Free School Grounds Policies

The following list is from The Kansas Department of Health and Environment: http://www.kdheks.gov/tobacco/school_policy.html

Below is a list of school districts that have adopted comprehensive tobacco-free school grounds policies that prohibit tobacco use by students, staff and visitors in all school buildings and on all school property (grounds and school vehicles) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

REPUBLIC COUNTY USD 109

THUNDER RIDGE USD 110

TURNER-KANSAS CITY USD 202

PIPER-KANSAS CITY USD 203

BONNER SPRINGS USD 204

BLUESTEM USD 205

REMINGTON-WHITEWATER USD 206

NORTON USD 211

NORTHERN VALLEY USD 212

ULYSSES USD 214

LAKIN USD 215

DEERFIELD USD 216

ELKHART USD 218

MINNEOLA USD 219

BARNES USD 223

CLIFTON-CLYDE USD 224

FOWLER USD 225

MEADE USD 226

JETMORE USD 227

HANSTON USD 228

GARDNER-EDGERTON USD 231

OLATHE USD 233

FORT SCOTT USD 234

SMITH CENTER USD 237

NORTH OTTAWA COUNTY USD 239

TWIN VALLEY USD 240

WALLACE COUNTY USD 241

WESKAN USD 242

LEBO-WAVERLY USD 243

LEROY-GRIDLEY USD 245

NORTHEAST USD 246

CHEROKEE USD 247

GIRARD USD 248

FRONTENAC USD 249

PITTSBURG USD 250

SOUTHERN LYON COUNTY USD 252

EMPORIA USD 253

BARBER CO NORTH USD 254

SOUTH BARBER USD 255

MARMATON VALLEY USD 256

HUMBOLDT USD 258

WICHITA USD 259

HAYSVILLE USD 261

VALLEY CENTER USD 262

MULVANE USD 263

CLEARWATER USD 264

GODDARD USD 265

RENWICK USD 267

CHENEY USD 268

STOCKTON USD 271

WACONDA USD 272

BELOIT USD 273

OAKLEY USD 274

JEWELL USD 279

CEDAR VALE USD 285

CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY USD 286

CENTRAL HEIGHTS USD 288

OTTAWA USD 290

LINCOLN USD 298

COMANCHE COUNTY USD 300

NESS CITY USD 303

SOUTHEAST OF SALINE USD 306

ELL-SALINE USD 307

SOUTHERN CLOUD USD 334

SEAMAN USD 345

BALDWIN CITY USD 348

WINFIELD USD 465

FREDONIA USD 484

HERINGTON USD 487

LAWRENCE USD 497

KANSAS CITY USD 500

SHAWNEE MISSION USD 512

>> Click here to download the PDF.

Contact: Shannon Cates 913-789-5565, pager 816-771-3920

Bike Safety Rodeo Scheduled for August 21 at Mill Valley H.S.

SHAWNEE, Kan. - The Shawnee Rotary Club will sponsor the sixth annual Bike Safety Rodeo for elementary school children who plan to ride their bicycles to school during the 2010-2011 school year. The Rodeo will be 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, August 21, in the parking lot of Mill Valley High School, 5900 Monticello Road (one mile north of the intersection of Shawnee Mission Parkway and Monticello Road). The Rodeo will serve young bike riders from all area elementary schools in Shawnee, both public and private.

Families are encouraged to bring both their bikes and helmets for safety inspections. Admission is free and includes a new helmet (if necessary), T-shirt, goodie bag and a bike safety skill completion certificate for the first 400 children in attendance.

The Rodeo will consist of bicycle riding skill stations, a helmet fitting station and a bicycle inspection station. Once the bicycle rider completes the skill stations and bike inspection, they will receive a bicycle riding safety certificate that can be presented to their school. The De Soto and Shawnee Mission School Districts, as well as other nearby public and private schools, strongly encourage children wanting to ride their bikes to school to be bicycle-safety certified.

Numerous drawings for prizes will take place throughout the event and the grand prize drawing for a new TREK bicycle, donated by the Shawnee Mission Outpatient Pavilion, will take place at the end of the Rodeo. Participants are not required to be present to win.

In addition to the Shawnee Rotary Club, other organizations co-sponsoring the Bike Safety Rodeo include presenting sponsor Shawnee Mission Outpatient Pavilion, USD 232 De Soto, City of Shawnee, TREK, Community America Credit Union, Country Club Bank, McDonald's, Wonderscope, Whalespout Carwash, Shawnee Dispatch, Weaver's Automotive, Sign-A-Rama, State Farm Insurance - Jim Allen, Accu-Screen, American Family Insurance - Paul Ridgway, Jim Blaufuss - Remax Realty Suburban, Chapin Law Firm, Custom Foods, EdwardJones - Warren Pray, Hammond Chiropractic, Johnson Controls, The Land Source, Lake Quivira Country Club, Lathrop and Gage, Len Logan CPA, Mission Animal Clinic, Specialty Insurance Solutions, SportsClips and We Do Windows.

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The Mill Valley High School social worker can't get enough of helping kids. The reason?

"Knowing that I can make a difference in kids' lives and their families' lives," she said.

With a new school year on the horizon, Gudenkauf is looking back on an eventful summer. It began the week after school let out this spring. She was sitting at her desk finishing reports for the school year when she got the call.

"I was working late on budget stuff for a grant," she said. "I got a call that I had been nominated and selected as Social Worker of the Year by the Kansas Association of School Social Workers."

The call came as quite a surprise to Gudenkauf, who had no idea she had even been nominated. >> Read the entire story in the Shawnee Dispatch.

Why is there a new fee?
The reason for the new fee is due to reductions in funding from the state of Kansas and limited funds at the local level. The fee will help the school district sustain current student activities and athletic programs.

How will the money be spent?
The fee will help offset the cost of supplemental contracts for teachers who provide direction or supervision of extracurricular activities. Examples include club/activity sponsors and coaches. The district estimates the fee will generate $100,000.  The fee will not replace other charges for programs or activities required for participation in the activity or program.

Do other districts in the area have activity participation fees?
Yes. This particular fee is based on a model adopted by the Blue Valley School District in 2007.

Purpose of the Fee: To help support the costs of extracurricular activities and programs in the district. When Collected: At time of registration. Amount of Fee: $50 for grades 9-12; $30 for grade 8; $25 for grade 7; $10 for grade 6. Payment Plans: Yes, payment plans may be arranged with the school for student fees.   Waiver of Fee: Yes. The fee is waived for students qualifying for Free/Reduced lunch. Refunds: Yes. The district will refund the fee for any students who did not participate in any extracurricular activity, school club, or any other non-required activity offered by the school. Parents must complete a Fee Refund Form and submit it by June 1 of the current school year. Maximum per Household: For families with multiple children from one household in the same school, the fee will be collected for no more than two students in the highest grade level at that school. The maximum per household fee will be $100 for grades 9-12 and $60 for grades 6-8.

Partial listing of extracurricular activities: National Honor Society, student council, publications, pep club, Scholars Bowl, Science Olympiad, robotics, musicals, FHA, Knowledge Bowl, football, basketball, track, wrestling, cheerleading, baseball, softball, volleyball, soccer, cross country, tennis, golf, drama, instrumental music, vocal music, forensics, debate, drill team, dance, weight training, yearbook, newspaper, LITE Leadership, flag team, color guard, etc.

By Ashlee Kieler, The Shawnee Dispatch

Hannah Darling knows what it's like to have kind people in her life.

"Kelsie Schuman signed up with the Youth Friends program this year," Hannah wrote in her essay for the Kindest Kansas Citian contest, in which Kelsie was a finalist. "But there is no way she could have known how much she would influence my life."

Kelsie wasn't the only one from De Soto USD 232 to be a Kindest Kansas Citian finalist. Elizabeth Joseph from Horizon Elementary nominated counselor Kim Gasiorowski for the honor.  Elizabeth, a third-grader, wrote about Gasiorowski's ability to put students at ease and listen to their concerns.

>> Read the entire story from The Shawnee Dispatch.

"We are excited to have Mr. Schwanz join our team and lead our largest middle school," said Superintendent Ron Wimmer. "I am sure he will do an excellent job of continuing the commitment to excellence we have come to expect at Monticello Trails."  Mr. Schwanz will begin his duties in July.

Schwanz will replace Tobie Waldeck who will be the principal next school year at Mill Valley High School. "I am delighted to have this opportunity to work in a school district committed to the best interests of its children," Schwanz said. "I will bring to Monticello Trails my enthusiasm, my love of working with people, and my desire to do the best job I can.  My goal is to forge strong partnerships with our parents, community members and businesses to reach higher levels of success for our children."

Since 2006 Schwanz served as principal of Bradley Elementary School on Fort Leavenworth. Previous to his current leadership role, he taught 7th grade math for two years at General George Patton, Jr., Junior High School, also on Fort Leavenworth. In 2003 he taught math at Basehor-Linwood Middle School and High School in Basehor, Kansas.

His professional career in education took him to two other states before residing in Kansas. Schwanz served five years at Ralston Middle School in Ralston, Nebraska and three years as a high school math instructor at Ruthvan-Ayrshire Community Schools in Ruthven, Iowa. Throughout his time in education he has coached student athletes in football, basketball, softball, golf, and volleyball.

Schwanz is a 1995 graduate of Morningside College, Sioux City, Iowa, where he earned his bachelor's degree in mathematics education with a minor in physical education. In 2002 he earned his master's degree in educational administration and supervision from the University of Nebraska. Schwanz received the Ft. Leavenworth Commander's Coin in 2007 and 2009 for outstanding performance and appreciation for a job well done.

De Soto Unified School District No. 232 educates more than 6,500 students in northwest Johnson County, Kansas. The boundaries of the school system cover 100+ square miles encompassing the City of De Soto, sixty percent of the City of Shawnee, approximately forty percent of the City of Lenexa, a portion of the City of Olathe, and unincorporated areas of the county. The district currently operates two high schools, three middle schools, and six elementary schools.

# # # # #

Every penny counts. That was the message delivered to employees in October 2009 when the district launched its energy savings campaign. Finding ways to operate more efficiently is making a difference during a time of reduced funding for public schools.

Six Month Challenge
Electricity comprises 80 percent of the district's total utility expenses. For a six month period from October 2009 through March 2010 staff members were encouraged to turn off anything powered by electricity when not being used; lights, computers and computer monitors, power strips, coffee pots, etc.

Now for the good news.  Each school and building saved a combined 768,251 kWh during the energy challenge period, compared to the same time one year ago.  At today's Westar rates, the kWh savings amount to approximately $69,000. That isn't chump change considering the district averages about $1.4 million in electricity costs each calendar year.

In case you are wondering, a single kWh will power a 100-Watt light bulb for ten hours. The kilowatt hour is a unit of energy equal to 1000 watt hours. Energy in watt hours is the multiplication of power in watts and time in hours. The kilowatt hour is most commonly known as a billing unit for energy delivered to consumers by electric utilities.

Congratulations to the employees of USD 232! Keep up the good work.