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The Weekender Saturday, March 15, 2014
By KAYLA BANZET The Iola Register
Students take a break from classes to play on the playground at McKinley Elementary. REGISTER/STEVEN
Editor’s note: This is the second in a series of stories on USD 257 schools. The series takes an inside look into USD 257’s facilities and sheds light on the problems the district faces.
SCHWARTZ
‘We make good use of what we have’ Space, amenities an issue for schools
A SEASON TO REMEMBER
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lthough population within USD 257 district has dropped over the past decade, elementary schools still are short of space. Rooms that once stored mops and brooms now are resource rooms. So what’s the problem? “We now have to provide space for special education and computer labs,” McKinley Elementary Principal Lori Maxwell said. The education styles in school are constantly evolving. Technology has made its way into classrooms and group learning is encouraged. Elementary staffs at each school utilize every nook and cranny. At Jefferson Elementary, its stage was converted to space for paraprofessionals and a hallway was blocked off to create a physical education office. Kelli Francis, a teacher who works in a resource room, must share her classroom with another class. Bookcases and shelving act as a divider in her classroom. At times in the day there could be three adults working on her side of the classroom with six to eight students, with the same ratio on the other side. “We have our own system in here and we get along really well,” Francis said. Though, “at times it is pretty cramped.” Francis said the environment does affect students learning because of the distraction of different lessons being taught. See SCHOOLS | Page A4
Competition drives city employees Water plant employees will compete at national level By STEVEN SCHWARTZ The Iola Register
Iola has a team traveling to compete at the national level, and no, not the Mustangs. Three employees at the water plant will go to Boston in June to represent Kansas in the Top Ops competition. They have won seven consecutive state titles; a dominant reign for a team that gets little-to-no recognition. The competition sets teams from across the nation in a “college bowl” format that
examines water treatment, distribution and analysis. The questions are answered through math and chemistry equations, as well as general knowledge. “I just want a little town in southeast Kansas to win nationals,” Lyndon Kern said. He is a member of the three-person team, along with Brandon Thomas and Eric Keagle. Keagle said they began the competition in 2007, and have been dominant in Kansas ever since, something he attributes to
good study habits and strategy. “It has worked out pretty well for us,” he said. “We start studying pretty hard around January.” The three competed in August for their seventh state title, and said the wait between competitions can be a little rough. But, they hit the books and practice different rounds together. Keagle even built his own buzzer so they could work on speed. The national level only has teams of two, so Keagle and Kern will be competing — they alternate who goes each year. Each member has his own See TOP OPS | Page A4
MOMs, Kiwanis seeking volunteers
Iola High’s Tyler McIntosh, left, goes up for a shot in front of Andale defender Clint Walstad Thursday in the Class 4A-II State Tournament. The Mustangs came up short in their first state playoff game in 31 years, falling to the top-ranked Indians, 56-47. Details of the game are on B1. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
Quote of the day Vol. 116, No. 97
All hands on deck! The Iola Kiwanis Club and the MOMs group are seeking volunteers April 5-6 to help assemble equipment for their special needs-access playground at Riverside Park. The groups have spent the past year generating revenue for the project, and surpassed their goal of $155,000 — though there are always funds needed for up-
keep and additional work. The Iola Parks Department has broken ground for the project, Kiwanis member Mike Ford said. Equipment is on the way, and, weather pending, they will be ready to build. Ford said the volunteer times are split into four slots over two days — 8 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Organizers estimate they need about 20
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” — Nelson Mandela 75 Cents
volunteers per time slot, if not more. The groups will provide a free lunch to volunteers. Ford said for those not able to do heavy lifting, they are asking for donations of snacks and people to help serve lunch. To volunteer for the works days, or for more information, contact Ford at Iola Police Department, 365-4960.
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