November 2011
Hands-On Education Interactive technology changing classroom experience
PHS Theatre revisits Vietnam War INSIDE: Ornaments for Joplin - MTSS - Project Gratitude PHS Debate - Veterans Day honored
PICTURE THIS: Lakeside Elementary School 3rd-grade teacher Bridget Johnson, despite cool temperatures, had a blast while volunteering for the dunk tank at the school’s PTO Carnival on Nov. 4.
A Look Inside FROM THE COVER A multi-year technology plan has placed interactive, educational technology at the fingertips of more students
• Lakeside crafts ornaments for Joplin students
• Military nurses focus of PHS drama
• PCMS hosts Project Gratitude
• Focus On Learning: MTSS Also Inside
• PCMS math project turns out “delicious” • Activities promote, encourage reading • Student newspaper named one of nation’s best • PHS Debate enjoys record numbers • USD 250 honors Veterans Day and more...
HOLIDAY CHEER Lakeside crafts ornaments for Joplin students
Among the many residents of Joplin who lost most, if not all of their possessions in the May 22 tornado were school students. For most, the upcoming holiday season will be unlike any other they’ve yet experienced. On Nov. 21, Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250 students reached out to help spread holiday cheer to young children in Joplin. Beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 21, students at Lakeside Elementary School crafted 940 ornaments to donate to students at Joplin’s Irving and Duenweg/Dusquesne elementary schools. Each student in those schools will receive two ornaments, which were packaged in gift bags created by Lakeside’s students and staff. Funding for the supplies was provided by the Lakeside Elementary School PTO and private
donations. A school-wide holiday activity is an annual tradition at Lakeside, and Title 1 Math Coordinator Cara Oliver said helping Joplin seemed like the ideal project this year. “So many people lost everything in the tornado,” Oliver said. “We saw on the news one evening that one of the items discussed was ornaments. Once we saw that, we knew we wanted to do something to make sure the kids and families had ornaments this holiday season.” Lakeside Principal Courtney McCartney said the school’s students were excited to help their fellow schoolmates from across the state line. “Everyone at Lakeside, students and staff, take pride in helping out other people,” she said. “Yet, to be able to come together and help those who are
still trying to put everything back together is an even greater thrill for all of us. “We hope it serves,” McCartney said, “as just one more reminder to the people of Joplin that even though we’re 30 minutes away, our thoughts are still with them as they recover and rebuild.”
Student-led Project Gratitude raises $1,100 for SEK Humane Society Event began with $400 donation Through a variety of activities developed by 8th grade students, Pittsburg Community Middle School’s Project Gratitude raised more than $1,100 for the SEK Humane Society on Monday, Nov. 21. The event, a project of the 8th-grade Language Arts classes, began with a $400 donation from a local supporter of Pittsburg schools. The eight Language Arts classes were tasked with taking their $50 allotments and developing ways to earn more money. “With eight classes, we had eight different ideas,” Language Arts teacher Angela Lewis said. “So, we put them all together into one big event.” Money was raised through the purchase of tickets for activities such as face painting, cookie decorating, hula-hoop, operation of Pitsco’s Mr. Robot and a human maze. “This is the first year we tried something like this, and we could not be more thrilled with the result,” Lewis said. “The students really put their
hearts into this, and we were able to raise a significant amount of money for the Humane Society.” While Lewis and fellow Language Arts teacher Kristy Uttley oversaw the operation, the planning and execution of the event were the students’ responsibility. “Our teachers really wanted us to take control and make this our event,” PCMS 8th-grader Violet Biggs said. “It was a fun project because we not only got to experience organizing a community event, but we also learned a lot about how to turn an investment into profit. That it was for a good cause made it that much better.” Uttley said she hopes Project Gratitude will become an annual event. “For this being the first year to do this, I think our students showed that they are capable of great things,” Uttley said. “I hope we continue to grow the event and that each November features Project Gratitude at PCMS.”
PICTURE THIS: As part of their lesson on historical monuments, George Nettels Elementary School fourth-grade students visited the PSU Veterans Memorial Amphitheater on Nov. 1.
Elm Acres, Carrington Place form bond For the Service Learning projects at Elm Acres to be meaningful and effective, Facilitator Jessi Brown believes the ideas must come from the students. So, when she approached her students about this year’s projects, one theme emerged immediately. “I was pleasantly surprised to learn that many students had an interest in helping residents in nursing homes,” Brown said. Before long, a strong bond was formed between Elm Acres students and residents at Pittsburg’s Carrington Place, which hosted an Elm Acres mural this
summer. Brown and her students have made several visits to Carrington
ing one visit),” Brown said. “She said she had never seen her residents so happy and asked if
Place this year, occasions that have had a significant impact on both the students and the residents. “I spoke to the CP activities director (follow-
we could come again soon. The next day, as the boys came to class in the morning, it was apparent that the visit was all they had talked about most of the eve-
ning.” Brown said it “melted her heart” to see her students actively engaged with the older generation. As part of the Service Learning project, the students crafted lap blankets and walker caddies for “their new friends.” They also donated a quilt that was created from squares sewn by the students. “It was our way of saying ‘thank you’ to them for letting us visit and teaching us so much,” Brown said. The students have also worked to create hats, scarves and blankets for the Wesley House.
DECA students developing online Dragon store
Products would include shirts, iPad covers, license plates and more If a high school class project goes as planned, the city of Pittsburg could become a bit more purple. The Pittsburg High School chapter of DECA, an international marketing organization, is working to develop an online Dragon Store, which would sell everything from Dragons shirts and sweats to keychains and iPad covers. Other items slated
to be sold include coffee mugs, license plates and pennant flags. When launched, the web address will be www.dragongear.com. “We’re hoping to be able to sell mugs in time for Christmas,” Alex Baker, PHS DECA vice president, said. The goal of the project is to get more Pittsburg Purple Dragons gear onto the backs and into the hands of those who
want them most. “There are a lot of current students, as well as families and alumni, who want more options when it comes to Dragons clothing or office items,” Baker said. “The idea with the online store is to make those items available and to put a little more purple out into the community.” DECA adviser Linda Garrow said the proj-
ect is teaching students many valuable lessons. “They’re learning about research, how to run an online store, how to set up payment options,” she said. “There are so many different skills that go into something like this, and I am very proud of how hard they’re working to make this a reality. I think it will turn out great.”
‘An emotionally draining show’ Women at war focus of PHS fall play
With a fearless cast and tireless technical crew at his disposal, Pittsburg High School theatre director Greg Shaw need not shy away from a challenge when choosing which shows to perform each year. To kick off this year’s slate, Shaw chose one of the most challenging of topics: war. “I wanted the students to be pushed a bit with this one, to be challenged,” he said. “I also wanted it to be meaningful.” The story told in “A Piece of My Heart” accomplished all of Shaw’s goals, and then some. Written by Shirley Lauro and based on a book by Keith Walker, the play told the story of six courageous women sent to Vietnam during the Vietnam War
and their “struggle to make sense of a war that irrevocably changed them and a nation that shunned them.” Endorsed by the Vietnam Veterans Association and told in two acts, the play shows the women during their time in Vietnam and as they adjust to life at home after returning from the war. “It’s real-life stuff,” Shaw said. “This isn’t one of those stories in which everyone is a hero and everyone smiles and laughs the whole time. It’s a serious story about a very serious time in our history.” The students understood its significance and were determined to give it the performance it deserved. Three male performers -- Mason Bayliss, Kevin McNay
and Derek Scholes -had most of their hair shaved off in order to look the part of military men. “If you’re going to do a part,” Bayliss said, “you have to feel the part and you have to look the part.” For the female actors, “feeling the part” was what made the play a challenge, as many of the emotions they were tasked with portraying involved heartache and unbridled fear. “The most challenging part was getting all of the emotion we needed,” Mariah Laman, a senior who portrayed “Sissy,” said. “It’s an emotionally draining show, and we had to put all we had into it.” Gabby Murnan, who portrayed Martha, said the show tested her in
many ways. “We actors felt a lot of pressure to portray all the events and feelings as best we could,” Murnan said. “If we didn’t, it would have been a disservice to all the brave men and women who gave so much by serving their country.” Scholes said he enjoyed the challenge. “Hearing all the people who attended, especially veterans, complimenting what we worked so hard on was really special,” Scholes said. As the show was performed on and around Veterans Day, local veterans in attendance were recognized after each performance.
‘A Piece of My Heart’ Photos by PHS senior Brandon Smith
iLearn
Tech investments put school at students’ fingertips When it comes to learning math, it turns out there’s an app for that. And one for reading and science and geography, as well. Thanks to a multi-year effort to enhance the district’s technology portfolio, those educational resources are now at the fingertips -- literally -- of USD 250 students. This year marks the third in the Technology Department’s three-year plan to boost interactive technology in the classrooms, and the Apple iPad has been among the most popular of additions. “Teachers can use the iPad to control their computers, Smartboards and overhead projectors while walking around the classroom,” Technology Director Noah Grotheer said. “Students benefit because they can sit at their desks and have a wide variety educational software and activities available to them.” It didn’t take long for the tablet computer to become popular among teachers and students. “It’s really proven to be a great asset in the classroom,” said Lakeside 2nd-grade teacher Janice Stahl, who recently used the iPad for a Math Exploration activity. “The kids love using them, and they truly become more engaged in the lesson through the use of that technology.” For many students, the chance to explore the various iPad apps “makes school fun.” “It’s really cool that we get to use iPads at school,” 2nd-grader Jilian Elsey said. “It sort of feels like you’re just playing around, but we’re actually learning while we do it. It makes school fun.” Along with iPads, the technology plan also installed new desktop and laptop computers throughout the district. Smart Tech Smart-Responders and Elmo Document Cams were also included. “We believe that our students, in order to compete in this global economy, need to have access to this type of technology in the classroom,” Joan Fields, Board of Education president, said. Pittsburg High School technology teacher Larry Dunekack said classroom technology enhances the “exchange of knowledge” between teachers and students. “It extends human potential of both the teacher and the student,” he said.
Cookies, muffins featured in math lesson It’s not often that math lessons can be described as “absolutely delicious,” but that was precisely the case recently in Ms. Dees’ 7th-grade math class at Pittsburg Community Middle School. As part of their lessons on adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing fractions, the students were tasked with presenting to the class three of their favorite recipes, identifying each measurement as a fraction, mixed number or integer. Using the skills they learned in class, the
students were asked to determine the proper measurements for each ingredient based on
number of students in the class. For extra credit, the students prepared one
the number of people served. For one recipe, the serving size was one. For another, it was the
of the dishes and took it to class to share with his or her classmates. Tasty treats such as peanut
butter-covered chocolate muffins, Rice Krispie Treats and Puppy Chow were among the classroom favorites. “This was a fun and creative way to challenge the students to put what they’re learning in class to use in a realworld way,” Dees said. “They had a blast with it, learned something in the process and were able to eat delicious sweets during class. It was a very successful project.”
PHS hosts Mock Interview Day Pittsburg High School juniors got a sneak peek at the “real world” on Nov. 9, as they participated in Mock Interview Day, an annual event sponsored by the Business Education Alliance. Students were placed in real-life job interview settings with representatives from local companies and agencies. The purpose of the event is to prepare the students for the professional world. “We just want them to have a taste of what a job
interview is really like and teach them what they need to know to be successful,” BEA Chair Carol Puckett said. Junior Paige Murphy said she enjoyed the experience. “It’s a little nervewracking, much like a real interview would be,” she said, “but everyone was very nice and we learned a lot. It really does help prepare us for what a real interview would be like. I’m glad we have this opportunity in high school.”
Students were critiqued by their interviewers, who offered constructive advice on everything from proper body language to appropriate attire. “The people across from the students have been through this for real,” Puckett said. “We can draw from our own
experiences and use that to help the students be best prepared for their moment when it comes.” The event has been conducted since the BEA was founded in 1999. Students from St. Mary’s Colgan and Northeast high schools also participated in Mock Interview Day.
BINGO to Book Buddies Reading promoted in variety of ways On a chilly midNovember evening, Westside Elementary School students and their families gathered in the school’s gymnasium for a night of the popular game BINGO. While the rules to the game were similar to those in a typical BINGO hall, the prizes were not. “Everyone who hit BINGO gets to pick a book,” Westside Principal Ann Lee said, “and no one is leaving the school without a book.” It was the school’s first BINGO For Books event, and with nearly 150 in attendance, it was a successful launch of what Lee hopes will become a regular event at Westside. Along with being a fun family activity, it also stresses the importance of reading to a child’s education. “Reading is essential
to almost everything in life,” Lee said. “We not only want our students to be able to read at high levels, we want them to enjoy it. So, activities such as BINGO night fit perfectly into that mission.” A few days later, at Meadowlark Elementary School, Sharon Sisk’s 5th-grade students read to kindergarten students books the 5th-graders had written themselves. Sisk said the exercise, which occurs regularly, benefits both grade levels. “For the 5th-grade students, having the chance to read aloud what they had written helps them greatly with their vocabulary and language,” Sisk said. “Being able to speak properly is just as important as being able to write properly, and an activity like this helps them with both.”
Sisk’s activity was one of a variety of Book Buddy programs throughout USD 250 in which older students meet and read with their younger schoolmates. Reading has also been the focal point of a world-record attempt at schools nationwide, including Lakeside Elementary School. Last month, Principal Courtney McCartney read aloud to students the book “Llama, Llama Red Pajama” as part of Jumpstart’s Read for the Record campaign. George Nettels Elementary School recently welcomed PSU Honors College students, who read to the school’s 1st-grade students. That
same day, local children’s author John Hall visited the school to present one of his many stories. Throughout USD 250 schools, a high emphasis is put on reading and teachers continue to find creative and innovative ways to encourage the art. “Our PTO donated Amazon Kindles this summer,” PCMS teacher Lynette Wescott said. “They keep our kids engaged and interested in the stories they read. We are able to use the enlarged print and notetaking functions, as well. Many of the features meet perfectly the needs of our students.”
USD 250 honors Veterans Day
Thank you, veterans.
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Student newspaper among best in nation
Pittsburg High School’s The Booster Redux was recently named one of the best student newspapers in the nation. During the National Scholastic Press Association National High School Journalism Convention in Minneapolis, Minn., The Booster Redux earned one of 10 Best of Show awards for student newspapers of 8 or fewer pages. The Booster Redux is under the advisement of Emily Smith. Its chief editors are seniors Zach Baden and Taylor Quick. “This is a great accomplishment for our entire staff,” Baden said. “This is a team effort, and it’s remarkable to see how much progress we’ve made in the past year and a
half.” Quick said the success of The Booster Redux comes as a result of hard work of its staff. “This is something in which we take great pride,” she said. “We want every issue to be the best it can be, and everyone involved should be very proud of what we’ve accomplished together.” Smith, in her second year as student publications adviser, said the students deserve full credit for the recognition. “This is as new to them as it is to me,” Smith said. “For them to dive in and take ownership of it as they have has been incredible to watch. As a teacher and as their adviser, I could not be more proud of what they have achieved.”
Along with The Booster Redux’s overall success, seven of the 15 staff members who attended the convention earned honorable mention honors in the Write-Off competition. Honored were Infinity Butcher, Emily Commons, Mariah Laman, Hayden Parks, Logan Rink, Brandon Smith and Michaela Wagner. “Our success at the convention, both as a whole and on an individual basis, serves only as a reminder of the level of talent among the members of our staff,” Quick said. “We still have a lot to learn and the Booster Redux will only get better as the years go on, but right now, it’s pretty cool to be thought of as one of the best in the country.”
dragons for a cure USD 250 and Pittsburg High School recently presented Angels Among Us with a check for $1,200, money raised during this fall’s PHS Volleyball “Dragons For A Cure” event. LEFT TO RIGHT: Shay Sievert (event coordinator), Head Volleyball Coach Mary Packard, Diana Polston, Mary Bow, Morgan Rhue (CoCaptain), Skyler Muff (Co-Captain)
Focus On Learning: MTSS For all students to achieve at high levels, the educational experience they receive must cater to their individual learning styles and needs. Through the implementation of the MultiTier System of Supports (MTSS), Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250 is ensuring that all 2,900 students receive the instruction and support they need to excel to the best of their ability. Utilized at each of the district’s six schools, MTSS is evidence-based, data-driven programming that helps USD 250 develop and implement educational plans for all students based on their individual needs. While MTSS was first utilized at USD 250 during the 2008-2009 school year, this year marks the first in which the math, reading and behavioral supports are fully implemented in each of the six schools. “The main benefit of MTSS,” Dr. Brian Biermann, USD 250 Assistant Superintendent said, “is that we are now able to provide the appropriate resources and services for individual students. We are much more data-driven in our decision-making as we move students from the different tiers of sup-
port.” Whether it’s interventions in a small-group setting or on an individual basis, MTSS provides the basis for educational support in the areas of reading, math and student behavior. “The benefit of MTSS is that it has allowed us to look at every student as a whole,” Shay Sievert, Reading Coordinator at
the classroom teacher and hands-on, technologybased activities. Tier Three is in place for students who need additional individual support. For these students, one-on-one time is scheduled so their teachers can focus solely on the needs of that individual student. “With this process,” Andy Gottlob, George Nettels Elementary
Pittsburg Community Middle School, said. There are three tiers to the MTSS system at USD 250. The first tier of instruction includes educational programming provided to all students. Tier Two includes targeted group interventions for students who show signs of needing additional instruction. Interventions in Tier Two may include extra time working on “missing skills.” Programming includes direct instruction from
School principal, said, “no student is slipping through the cracks. The students are getting intensive instruction on the skills they may lack or with which they struggle.” MTSS has also led to a new level of accountability among educators. “I think MTSS is holding our teachers more accountable for the needs of each student, which is a good thing,” Jon Bishop, Pittsburg High School principal, said. “It has
provided more consistency and has helped us put more interventions in place that directly benefit each student.” Bishop said interventions at PHS could include making sure the students are enrolled in the classes they need to meet their individual needs. “If they are not performing well in a certain area,” he said, “we need to make sure we’re intervening on behalf of the students and getting them in classes that will best serve them now and in the future after they graduate.” Darlene Montgomery, Math Coordinator at PCMS, said great gains have been made since MTSS was implemented. “We are more effectively teaching our students,” she said. “This is being achieved by consistent vocabulary across grade levels and consistent teaching of concepts and skills across grade and ability levels. Classes are changed based on the needs of the individual student. For more information about MTSS, visit www. kansasmtss.org.
PICTURE THIS: Superintendent Destry Brown and Asst. Superintendent Dr. Brian Biermann prepare meals at the United Way staff lunch. USD 250 raised $10,575 this year for the United Way.
PHS debate team hits major growth spurt Number of debaters triple last year’s count As he prepared to embark on his freshman year at Pittsburg High School, Joseph Mathew received a few pieces of sound advice from his father. “My dad told me to talk more, be more social,” Mathew said. “So, to help do that, I joined debate. It was a great decision.” Turns out, he wasn’t alone in his decision to give debate a chance. Of the 33 members on this year’s team, 25 are participating for the first time. “At 33 debaters, we’ve almost tripled how many we had last year,” Debate Coach Julie Laflen said. “Of those 33, only eight have experience.” So, what led to the dramatic increase in numbers? “I have no idea,” Laflen said, “but we’ll take it. We are all very excited to have this many students competing this year.” Laflen acknowledged that there are challenges in having a
team of that size, but she added that there are also many benefits. “It has made me a better coach,” she said. “Instead of dealing with just five kids in a room, I’ll
up in front of strangers and not only talk, but debate someone else on a particular topic, it really can do wonders for your selfesteem. You really start to notice that, perhaps more than
have 25. It makes me and everyone else be on their game every day.” The benefits of debate itself are also vast, according to junior Shannon Dial, one of the eight experienced debaters on the team. “Maybe above all else, it gives you confidence,” Dial said. “When you can get
anything, as the year goes on.” Mathew said joining debate has made many other aspects of high school a bit easier. “I notice that I talk more, in general,” he said, “and I’m better at holding conversations. Plus, when we have to give a report or read an essay in front of the class, we
feel like we have a leg up because we do that all of the time in debate.” The resolution for the 2011 season is, “Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its exploration and/or development of space beyond the Earth’s mesosphere.” “It’s not exactly light stuff we’re talking about,” Laflen said. “These topics are serious, and the students really dive into the research so they are well prepared come debate time.” The 2011 season has been a successful one for the PHS debate team, as it has earned 1st-Place Sweepstakes honors on multiple occasions. “This year has probably been the best we’ve ever done,” Laflen said. “We’ve placed at every tournament, and the level of interest and dedication to debate rises with each competition.”
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