2 – THE PRIDE, September 2019
Dr. Mike Roth, Superintendent of Schools mike.roth@lvpioneers.org
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2019-2020 BoaRD of EDucation Mike Carney, President carnac1027@gmail.com
Alisa Murphy, Vice President alisamurphy.usd453@gmail.com Doug Darling douglas.a.darling3@gmail.com John Goodman john.goodman.usd453@gmail.com Nancy Klemp nklemp@nklemp.com
Loyal G. Torkelson Dannielle Wells danniellewells.usd453@gmail.com 200 N. 4th Street, Leavenworth, KS 66048 (913) 684-1400 | www.usd453.org The PRIDE is a quarterly publication distributed throughout the Leavenworth community.
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Issue
IN THIS 3 4 8 5 6 7 8 9 10 11-13 14 11
Message from the Superintendent First Day of School
Homecoming on the Range Fall Sports Book Mobile Harlem Wizards LHS Theatre Grandparents Day Bond Updates District Hires Head of Security
CONTACT US: PeteTweets453 LeavenworthUSD453
contactus@usd453.org
THE PRIDE, September 2019 – 3
Message f rom the Superintendent
it's a Great time to be a Pioneer! This August, nearly 4,000 learners entered Leavenworth Public Schools ranging from those just beginning their educational careers, as preschool or Kindergarten students, to more than 300 high school seniors striving towards graduation this May. No matter the grade level, back to school is an exciting time for our students as they strengthen their relationships with their teachers and classmates and settle in to the rhythm of the school year. across the district, and provided salary increases for This year is especially ex- our teaching staff and clasciting for me. After a frustrat- sified personnel. Schools ingly slow start due to less today are expected to meet than ideal winter and spring and overcome more chalweather conditions for conlenges than ever before, struction, we can now see and we are extremely gratedaily progress towards the ful to have so many dedifirst projects to be delivered cated professionals giving from the passage of our 2018 their all to prepare our stubond issue. The collaboradents for success in every tive spaces designated for classroom, every day. Leavenworth High School were the first enhancement Equally as exciting, was to our school system to arthe opportunity to thank rive, and I am proud to report the Leavenworth voters for they are being fully utilized their continued support of on a daily basis. The most public education by actusignificant work to occur dur- ally reducing our mill levy ing bond construction is with this year’s approved well-under way with the budget. Due to the fiscal 5th/6th grade addition that stewardship of our business will connect directly to office and the guidance Richard Warren Middle provided by our LeavenSchool. This project is antici- worth Board of Education, pated to be completed in we have been able to pass March 2020, allowing our 6th along a tax reduction by grade students to finish the cutting 11 mill levies over current school year in our the course of the last six newest educational space. years. It is extremely difficult to reduce the mill levy This year Leavenworth at the same time as a multiUSD 453 has also increased million dollar construction our investment in socialphase is occurring, but we emotional supports for stu- know how important it is dents, strengthened safety for our school community and security measures to be livable and affordable
for residents, with or without school-aged children at home. Through conservative management of our school budget, and successful solicitation of a number of state and federal grants, we have been able to live within our fiscal means while continuing to increase opportunities for students. It’s hard to believe that I am entering my sixth school years as the Superintendent of Leavenworth USD 453. In that timeframe, it has been so rewarding to see all that is possible when a community is willing and able to partner with schools to do what is best for kids. On behalf of the Leavenworth Board of Education and school district staff, thank you to all of those who helped us kick off the 2019-20 school year, especially all of the uniformed soldiers that so graciously welcomed our students back on the first day of school with fist bumps and high fives. We look forward to strengthening our partnerships in the years to come and working collaboratively on behalf of Leavenworth students and families.
--Proud to be a Pioneer, Mike Roth
2016-2019
STRATEGIC PLAN Preparing students today for their success tomorrow
DISTRICT MISSION:
Preparing every student for success in every classroom, every day.
DISTRICT VISION:
Leavenworth Public Schools is a community dedicated to partnerships in support of student well-being and success.
TEACHING & LEARNING Goal Statement: Provide a comprehensive curriculum at all levels that aligns with state and national standards.
SUPPORT SERVICES Goal Statement: Provide a secure and supportive environment in every school that ensures high levels of learning for all students.
PARENT/COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Goal Statement: Encourage meaningful family involvement throughout the school district, and offer opportunities for parents and the community to partner to support student achievement.
FACILITIES Goal Statement: Provide safe and modern facilities that meet the needs of our students’ educational environment.
HUMAN RESOURCES Goal Statement: Develop and implement strategies to recruit, retain, and support highly qualified and diverse staff who will positively.
TECHNOLOGY Goal Statement: Utilize viable technology resources to provide and sustain a modern learning environment.
l o o h c S f o y a D t s Fir
4 – THE PRIDE, September 2019
The first day of school on August 15th was an exciting start to the 2019-2020 school year. Elementary students were greeted by servicemen and women from Ft. Leavenworth. 41 Action News even stopped by Anthony Elementary to interview Mayor Wilson and film the morning pep assembly. Parents, students, and staff were all in great spirits to kick off the school year.
THE PRIDE, September 2019 – 5
LEAVENWORTH
HOMECOMING ON THE RANGE Powderpuff and Bonfire WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
6:00 P.M. - HOT DOGS | 7:00 P.M. - POWDER PUFF GAME | 8:00 P.M. - BONFIRE (NW CORNER OF LHS CAMPUS)
Parade
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 - 2:00 P.M
PARADE ROUTE BEGINS AT 7TH & CHEROKEE STREETS, PROCEEDING NORTH ON 7TH TO DELAWARE STREET, AND CONTINUING EAST ON DELAWARE TO ESPLANADE STREET. NORTH/SOUTH TRAFFIC ON 4TH STREET WILL BE BLOCKED FROM 2:00-2:45 P.M.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 - HIGH SCHOOL & MIDDLE SCHOOL DISMISSAL AT 11:30 A.M.; ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS DISMISSAL AT 12:00 P.M.
FOOTBALL GAME and Tailgate FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
3RD ANNUAL ALL-YEAR TAILGATE REUNION AT 5:00 P.M. (IN THE LHS SOUTH LOT) LEAVENWORTH HIGH SCHOOL VS. TURNER HIGH SCHOOL KICKOFF AT 7:00 P.M.
6 – THE PRIDE, September 2019
FALL SPORTS: ON THE TURF, COURT, & COURSE Leavenworth High School’s Leadership Class hosted the first assembly/pep rally of the year this month featuring an all around celebration of several fall sports and activities. cheerleading: At the heart of everything, LHS Cheer travels the eastern part of the state in support of our Pioneer student athletes. They attend many events each week sharing their spirit and bolstering crowd participation. football: This year Kansas football teams participated in a pre-season jamboree in order to provide controlled scrimmages and ensure a safe start to the season. Jamborees across the state consisted of three or four school teams at a host site (all Kansas State High School Activities Association members). Leavenworth Pioneers played at Spring Hill, with Turner as the third team participating in the jamboree. The varsity football team has worked hard this off-season and are looking forward to great things. Boys Soccer: Boys soccer is off to a good start to the season with early wins over Lans-
ing and Saint Mary Academy, and only one loss to Turner. They are working hard on culture and team-building for a positive season filled with leadership and productivity. Girls Volleyball: Pioneer Girls Volleyball picked up its first win against Paola and is looking for more throughout the season. Girls tennis & Golf: Both Pioneer Tennis and Golf are working hard to mature and get more competitive.
Leavenworth High School is a busy place, and our student athletes are going in many directions. A tool to keep up with it all is the LHS Athletic/Activities Website (from the main LHS website, scroll to Athletics/Activities, see LHS Athletics Website - click there). You can learn more about the teams and their season, see the schedule for each, and sign up for alerts/updates of schedule changes/more. Stay connected!
Boys and Girls cross country: Cross Country participated in its first meet in Manhattan on Saturday, September 7. They are looking to a solid season with a nice number of experienced returners. Your online Resource for athletics/activities: www.leavenworthathletics.com
HEART SCREENINGS FOR STUDENT ATHLETES Leavenworth High School is in partnership with the Leavenworth Education Foundation and the Saint Luke’s Cushing Hospital Foundation to offer Heart Screenings to LHS student athletes. The screenings are provided by board-certified cardiologists from the Saint Luke’s Athletic Heart Clinic and last approximately one hour each. Screenings include a comprehensive cardiovascular history, blood pressure, electrocardiogram, and athletic heart echocardiogram. Scan Date: Saturday, October 19, 2019, 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.
Location: Cushing Memorial Hospital cost to family: $30 (cash only) - each heart screening costs $150 - this partnership allows Saint Luke’s Cushing Hospital Foundation to cover $90 of the cost, and the Leavenworth Education Foundation covering $30, leaving the remaining $30 to the family PaREntS MuSt BE in attEnDancE during the heart screening. Registration for the Heart Screenings is on a first-come, first-served basis! Please visit Tanya White in the LHS Athletics Depart-
ment to register. Your student can sign him/herself up - payment of $30 cash MUST be paid at the time of registration, and commitment that a parent will be at the Heart Screening is implied. “Student-athletes put their souls into sports...Saint Luke’s Athletic Heart Clinic makes sure their hearts can take it!” Questions? Call Catey Edwards, Coordinator of Secondary Public Relations and Director of the Leavenworth Education Foundation, (913) 684-1550.
THE PRIDE, September 2019 – 7
LAWSON AND HENRY LEAVENWORTH HOST BACK TO SCHOOL BOOK MOBILE EVENTS Earl Lawson and Henry Leavenworth Elementary both hosted a Book Mobile to help kick-off the 2019-20 school year. Students and families visited different locations and neighborhoods to meet their teachers, principals, and receive a free book. It got everyone in backto-school mode and helped to strengthen connections between school families and staff.
8 – THE PRIDE, September 2019
LV BLUE CREW TAKES ON THE HARLEM WIZARDS The Leavenworth Public Schools Education Foundation is excited to bring an evening of fun and excitement to the community on October 3. Join us for lots of laughs as the "town-famous" LV Blue Crew (our most favorite teachers and principals) takes on the "world-famous" Harlem Wizards in a game of tricks, hoops, & alley oops!
When: Thursday, October 3 at 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.) Where: Leavenworth High School Gym tickets: Students - $10 advance/$12 at the door; Adults - $12 advance/$15 at the door Website: https://harlemwizards.thundertix.com /events/154043 to purchase your tickets, or purchase in the school office.
Check out the ROSTER for the AH-MAAAZING LV Blue Crew! You know these teachers and principals - you won't want to miss them in action showing their basketball skills!
the LV“Blue crew” David Brewer Elementary School: Craig Idacavage Angie Schwalm Nikki Lindner April Lutz anthony Elementary School: Scott Kessler Shannon Giamalva Sara Guetterman Lora Crawford David Day Tony Waldron Tenee Clark
Lawson Elementary School: Stephanie Bourne Deanna Adams Jimmy Hunter Alana Renshaw Amber Lovejoy
Warren Middle School: Kevin Warner Terrance Jordan Dominic Martinez Ben Hutchcraft
Henry Leavenworth Elementary School: Kevin Lunsford Kevin Miller Ann Broeker Staci Vardiman Courtney McFarland Toby Shafer
This family-friendly event is sponsored by the Leavenworth Public Schools Education Foundation.
THE PRIDE, September 2019 – 9
LHS THEATRE PREPARES FOR A BUSY YEAR In addition to the extremely busy schedule already set by the LHS Theatre program, it was announced late summer that Leavenworth High School is one of only a handful of schools asked to pilot Disney’s The Descendants! This is a huge opportunity and the LHS theatre students will take this special production with gusto. Auditions have been conducted and rehearsal will begin before we know it. Because of this amazing opportunity, the musical date has changed. Descendants performances will be February 20-22 with a matinee performance on February 23.
“CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF GIVING” We partner with the community in order to provide extraordinary educational opportunities for Leavenworth students. • We are proud supporters of public education. • We turn ideas into action. • We give gifts today that build better tomorrows.
SaVE tHE DatE! 2nd Annual“Feasting with the Foundation” Dinner Theatre Series Feasting with the Foundation is a partnership between the Leavenworth Education Foundation (host) and the LHS Repertory Theatre Class. What: A two-show dinner theatre series Show One is called "Murder for Dinner Revenge at the Reunion (80’s Style)" When: Saturday, October 19, 2019, at 6:00 p.m. Where: June’s Northland, 614 Pottawatomie Street, Downtown Leavenworth
Menu: Chicken Parmesan, Lasagna, Salad, Bread, Dessert, Tea/Water cost: $30 per person Tickets: visit lpsef.usd453.org The Leavenworth Education Foundation supports programs and activities across Leavenworth USD 453. As we work to gain exposure and visibility in the community, we are hosting a "dinner theatre experience," in partnership with the LHS Rep Theatre Company. Please join us for this (mildly) interactive opportunity for fun, education, and insight into the impact of the Leavenworth Education Foundation. Guests at the dinner theatre will be invited to engage in simple support roles throughout the evening, at their own comfort level. Prompts and scripts will be provided. Show Two will be themed around the “Madrigal/Renaissance Feast,” and held
Saturday, February 29, 2020 at the Riverfront Community Center. More details to come on... Proceeds from the dinner theatre will go toward educational programs in the Leavenworth Schools.
10 – THE PRIDE, September 2019
GRANDPARENTS DAY Grandparents Day at Henry Leavenworth and Anthony Elementary was a special day for students to spend quality time with family members for a school meal. Grandparents stopped by to have lunch, meet teachers and spend time with their grandchildren. The students were so excited to have their grandparents as their special guests for the day.
SPOTLIGHT ON RICHARD WARREN MIDDLE SCHOOL first Day at Warren Middle School Students began their year with many "get to know you" activities. Returning students spent time in their classrooms, while on the first day new students had the opportunity to learn about Warren Middle School and each other. There was a mean game of “Rock, Paper, Scissors” going on that pitted the Pioneer Ambassadors against the new students. It was awesome, and a new student won! Warren Science fair Every year, the science team (7th and 8th) comes up with a theme to engage the other Warren Middle School students. This year, the theme was rubber bands. Students exploded fruit with rubber bands, built "bat
bombs" that released water balloons after being launched, and built rockets powered by rubber bands. They also did a cooperative activity using a rubber band and some string to stack cups. The science team planned a fun and successful science fair. More Students Running cross-country This year WMS has more participants in cross country, over all age groups than the program has had in the previous two years of existence. They began their year at Wyandotte County Park for the first meet of the season. This is a hard-working group of kids. Coach Zinn and Coach Martinez are looking forward to the rest of the 2019 season to watch their student-athletes grow and compete.
THE PRIDE, September 2019 – 11
BOND UPDATE: WARREN INTERMEDIATE CENTER PREPARES TO SERVE 5TH AND 6TH GRADES One of the most significant reasons the Leavenworth Unified School District proposed a no-tax increase bond issue for voters in 2018, was the safety and security of students and staff on the Richard Warren campus. Hallways and the cafeteria operate at over 100% of educational design standards as three grade levels of 6th to 8th grades share a traditional middle school footprint. Furthermore, the facility was not equipped with storm shelters to serve as protection during significant Kansas weather events. The addition of a 5th/6th grade intermediate center not only provides a modern and secure learning environment for students, it also helps to reduce congestion within the middle school by moving the sixth grade classes over to the new space. After a slow start due to a cold winter weather season and extremely wet spring, progress on the Warren Intermedi-
ate Center can now be seen on a daily basis led by our Construction Manager AtRisk, Nabholz. 6th grade students are tentatively scheduled to begin reporting to the intermediate center March 2020. Both 5th and 6th grades will occupy the building for the start of the 2020-21 school year. The new school structure will feature a num-
ber of flexible seating options for increased student engagement and a variety of group learning spaces. Designs are underway to deliver new collaborative learning spaces to the middle school side for next year. Both the intermediate and middle school buildings will be equipped with storm shelters for increased safety and security measures.
12 – THE PRIDE, September 2019
2018 BOND UPDATE: TRANSFORMING LAWSON ELEMENTARY INTO AN EARLY EDUCATION CENTER One of the key components of USD 453’s 2018 Bond Issue was the opportunity to strengthen Kindergarten Readiness. The earliest learners in the school system often arrive at Kindergarten with a wide range of experiences and overall school readiness. The concept of a single facility, staffed entirely by early education experts, was explored to best meet the needs of all preschool and Kindergarten students, preparing them for success once they move on to 1st grade. Teaching staff of these grade levels have already begun piloting the philosophy of a dynamic early learning environment that will produce significant learning outcomes for Leavenworth’s youngest students. The design team from the DLR Group have met with teaching staff and administrators from each of Leavenworth’s elementary schools for the last several months, and been tasked with transforming Earl Lawson Elementary to an age-appropriate and modern learning facility. Staff feedback and preferences have heavily influenced the design of everything from outdoor play equipment to centralized shared classroom spaces to minimize transitions to planned instructional activities. A series of final design meetings will be scheduled and facilitated in the coming months, and the school district will work to develop a transportation plan to assist families sending their Pre-K and Kindergarten students to this facility located at 820 N. 5th Street in Leavenworth. Prior to the construction phase, a new elementary boundary map was approved by the Leavenworth Board of Education, as Henry Leavenworth, Anthony, and David Brewer will host grades Pre-K through 4th for the 2020-21 school year, while Lawson is under construction. The Lawson Early Education Center is tentatively planned to open in August 2021 in advance of the 2021-22 school year.
Pre-design rendering concept for the new Lawson Early Education Center.
Approved Leavenworth School District boundary map for the 2020-21 school year.
Leavenworth Pre-K and Kindergarten teaching staff work to identify their likes and dislikes of proposed design elements in a group facilitated preferences exercise with DLR.
District officials receive a design update briefing with focus on site circulation and arrival and dismissal patterns.
THE PRIDE, September 2019 – 13
BOND UPDATE: HIGH SCHOOL COLLABORATIVE SPACES This year, Leavenworth High School officially ‘launched’ as a Kansas State Department of Education - Gemini Redesign School. In simple terms, this means that the school has worked collaboratively with staff and students to enhance teaching and learning throughout the school day by making adjustments to the bell schedule, increasing course choices, and designing lessons around project-based learning philosophies. To better serve the updated approach to education beyond the traditional classroom, one of the first projects to be delivered from the passage of the 2018 bond issue was dedicated collaborative learning spaces throughout the school. In three separate areas, students now have spaces where they can go to socialize with classmates, and work together in small groups toward completion of assigned work. Two of the three spaces were created by removing unused locker bays, and installing smart TV screens that connect to display work from student Chromebooks. It took little to no introduction before these new spaces became some of the most popular places in the entire school.
INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION AFFORDABLE EDUCATION Saint Mary has helped students find their purpose for over 95 years. At USM, Leavenworth grads will benefit from: • A Princeton Review Best Midwestern College* • Over 30 majors, including top-notch health care programs, business, accounting, pre-engineering, education, and more • Generous financial aid — up to $60,000 in scholarships over four years for qualified students • The college sports experience, with 21 varsity sports, including esports *From The Princeton Review. © 2019 TPR Education. All rights reserved. Used under license.
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14 – THE PRIDE, September 2019
DISTRICT HIRES HEAD OF SECURITY The safety of security staff and students is a top priority for the Leavenworth School District. In addition to planned facility upgrades throughout the district, armed security staff with law enforcement experience are present at both the middle and high school buildings during the school day, and provide support to the elementary schools upon request. To assist the district’s ongoing focus on safety and security efforts, Derek Burelson was hired as Head of Security. Mr. Burelson will coordinate safety and security measures throughout the school district. The Head of Security works in collaboration with district and school leaders to establish appropriate procedures and plans to ensure safe and secure school facilities. Mr. Burelson is a lifelong resident of Leavenworth County and has 28 years experience in law enforcement. He began his career as a patrolman in Bonner Springs and Edwardsville before coming to Leavenworth in 1990. He retired in 2016 as a police sergeant. His career was spent serving the community and since retirement, he has continued to serve the community. ongoing Efforts to Maintain Safe Schools Schools know that if students do not feel safe, then learning cannot take place for our students. Leavenworth Schools continues to update and provide protective procedures for our students and staff if something were to happen, but also to provide safeguards to prevent something from happening at all. Over the past five years, the Leavenworth Unified School District has: • Developed district and building emergency operations plans • Expanded school security staff to include armed and unarmed personnel • Developed school-specific and job-specific emergency response plans • Enhanced emergency response training and drills • Invested more than $10 million in campus security systems, including
additional video monitoring systems in schools, controlled access to all school entrances, digital radio, signage, and electronic parent/community notification systems • Implemented a staff/student identification system, with visitor, vendor and volunteer check-in and screening procedures • Provided crisis bags for all classroom and schools • Established standing school safety committees and a district-wide incident command structure, meeting regularly, and • Established partnerships with local first responder agencies. Detailed safety plans for all kinds of emergencies have been carefully planned, written, and put in place, and will be practiced frequently with our staff and students throughout the school year. Leavenworth Schools will continue to practice these drills in an organized way, and as if they were the real thing, throughout the school year. Attentive supervision of our students by our entire staff, from the moment they step foot on campus until they leave, is a daily practice. Talking to students about safety being a top priority, and letting them know that they have a responsibility also to let an adult know immediately if
they see or hear something that could jeopardize our safety of any or all of our students and staff. Families are encouraged to spend some time at the beginning of this school year discussing the importance of all these safety procedures, and let students know that it is also an expectation that he/she takes personal responsibility in directly reporting to an adult anything he/she sees or hears that could jeopardize the safety. The Leavenworth Unified School District thanks our students, families, staff, community-at-large, and visitors in advance for their understanding and patience that might result in temporary inconvenience in conducting business during the school day and/or seeking visitor access to buildings. This also applies to operations during a safety event or drill, as staff is assigned to specific duties, including the uninterrupted supervision of students. Please assist the district’s focus in this area by communicating the important role students have in keeping schools safe, and to:
SEE SoMEtHinG, SaY SoMEtHinG.
THE PRIDE, September 2019 – 15