Vol. 89, Iss. 1 • Salina Central High School www.chspylon.com • August 23, 2012
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Glad to be back in pads
a star in the making
Central makes AYP for first time in two years By Sarah Gage Co-Editor in Chief After being put on improvement when Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) on state assessments wasn’t made two years in a row, the 2011-2012 school year proved to be a success when AYP was made. “(Making AYP) Rector shows that students have met state proficiency standards, and it judges how (the school) is doing,” principal Shanna Rector said. After not making AYP during the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011
school years, changes were made in order to ensure that it was made this past year. If the case were that it was not met yet again, more severe measures and actions would have been taken. Thankfully, that was not the case because of the effort the teachers put into preparing for state assessments. They recognized the importance of it and took action. Their effort paid off and the school was successful. But just because AYP was met last year, it does not ensure that it will be met in the 2012-2013 school year. Because of this, plans have been made across the district. “Teachers will be working more strategically in professional
learning communities. They will learn more about common core curriculum and changes to state requirements,” Rector said.
“One measure of our success is the number of students walking across the stage and receiving a diploma.” Mrs. Rector Principal
At our school specifically, the teachers will be involved in staff development for Literacy First, a process focused on
is the number of students walking across the stage and receiving a diploma,” Rector said. To help raise that rate, they want to develop a support structure to help struggling students be more successful, therefore increasing the graduation rate. “Our efforts must be on increasing student daily success through effective instruction and taking action when students are not meeting expectations. With this as our focus, we can increase the number of credits earned by students, which will have a positive effect on our graduation rate,” Rector said.
effective instruction, and the math, science, social studies and English departments will have a common plan. The AYP calculations have changed this year, so if we fail to meet AYP this year, the consequences are not yet known. “The state of Kansas is given a waver to revamp how schools document and measure academic success, therefore we do not know what it means not to (make AYP). Decisions are still being made at the state level,” Rector said. In order to avoid not making AYP again, goals have been set for this year. One of the goals is to increase the graduation rate. “One measure of our success
Making connections 15 new staff members round out 2012 faculty By Hayley Hager
finding a medium between new and old ways,” Ewing said. As the administration set out to hire these new staff members they knew exactly what they were looking for. “When hiring, we look for someone who knows the curriculum and advocates for students,” assistant principal Mr. Montoy said. “We see the new teachers building strong relationships with the students. Along with Montoy, Ewing sees this new crop of teachers as a blessing, regardless of the learning curve we all might experience. “New teachers bring new ideas and more energy,” Ewing said. “We have some great staff.”
Arts Editor For science teacher Steve Ewing this school year will begin as it has for the last thirty-three years. For the 15 new faculty members it’s a different story. Luckily for them they, maybe unknowingly, have already made connections with the members of their “recruiting class.” Either way, this large group of newcomers will surely give the students a different experience when walking through the halls and attending classes. “It’s always good to have change. It’s about
Oldenettel
Pahls
Kilgore
Nelson
Lund
Kleiber
No info. for: Kleiber
Mrs. Bruner’s kids played basketball at McPherson High School.
Maresch
Jett
Bruner
Dechant
Mr. Nelson has been to 26/28 major league stadiums.
Mrs. Akers used to teach at South
Mrs. Delay’s son played baseball in Olathe (Kansas City).
Voth Not Pictured: Mrs. Akers Mrs. Walker
Nanney
Mr. Nelson used to teach at South.
Kansas City is in both KS and MO.
Delay
Ms. Voth loves men’s college basketball. Mr. Oldenettel graduated from KSU.
Mr. Oldenettel graduated from MO State .
Mrs.
Mr.
Maresch has
Pahls is
four kids.
expecting his first child.
Mr.
Mr.
MHS has played ial at the Bicentenn Center.
Mr. Lund has wrestled at the Bi-Center.
Lund used to
Kilgore is
do construction.
from Salina.
Mr. Kilgore worked at Harbin Construction.
Mrs. Walker went to Fort Hays State.
Mrs.
Mrs.
Shaffer coaches the VETS.
Ms. Nanney used to cheer.
Mrs. Maresch has lived in Salina for 26 years.
Mrs. Jett had science teacher Mrs. Shaffer as a student her first year of teaching.
Jett used to lifeguard.
Mrs. Walker used to be a lifeguard.
Mr. Pahls graduated from Fort Hays State.
Maggie Vernon / The Pylon