M theMENTOR
Aug. 21, 2012
Manhattan High School, Manhattan, Kan.
News volume 100 issue 1
C o n s t r u c t i o n n e a rin g e n d Maddie Ross trending c0-editor Construction at Manhattan High West Campus is coming to a close after two years. A project still left on the to do list includes the completion of the south parking lot. During the teachers’ back-to-school convocation on Thursday, superintendent Bob Shannon said the west campus project was completed a year sooner than originally planned, and the
entire district’s construction expense was kept within budget. Over the summer, crews completed the renovations of both the North and South gyms and locker rooms and finished F Hall. At East Campus improvements in security, addition of air and heating units, window replacement, asbestos removal and many minor improvements have been started. Both campuses include new fire alarm systems and emergency
notification systems. “These things may be behind the scenes but they’re things we’ve never had before,” Shannon said. Many think the improvements will accommodate the growing needs of MHS. “We added many classrooms, so teachers can now have their own rooms. We took an old structure and made it new. We did the best with what we had to work with,” assistant principal
Exchange students: behind the scenes Sarah Shi news editor Eight foreign exchange students, who have come from places such as Germany, Sweden and Iceland, will be joining the Manhattan High School Indians for the new school year. The eight are Katarina Zdolsek, Sweden; Louisa Friedrich, Germany; Florian Wirsen, Germany; Stefanie Wimmer, Austria; Jakob Borgen, Norway; Thora Omarsddottir, Iceland; Anthony Lefourt, Belgium; and Helene Dewilde, Belgium. With most of them arriving just two weeks ago, the students are currently adjusting to their new host families and creating new experiences in Manhattan. “The process of becoming a host family is long,” host parent to Wirsen, Julie Kiracofe said. “They put names and the profiles for the eligible students that want to come to the U.S. They usually give us the ones
who match what we prefer, like whether they’re a girl or a boy, or what country they’re from. From then, we receive a letter that they have written about themselves and we chose two or three from that.” Afterwards, they were given photos and more information about these students and later contact American Field Service for finalization and a selection. “He’s really funny and makes us laugh a lot,” Kiracofe said of Wirsen. “He tried out for soccer and made the team so he’ll be playing for the Indians this year.” Elaine Dhuyvetter and her family went through a similar process before hosting Dewilde at their home. “We had to get approved as host family first and then we received bios of the students we could choose from. But before that we went through an orientation and guidelines of the specifics.” “Our house was getting quiet after two of our
kids moved to college and I thought it would be a great experience for our family to be introduced to another culture. Plus, we have plenty of room,” Dhuyvetter said. Dewilde admitted that she enjoyed the sincerity of people in the U.S. including strangers. While at school she hopes to further her love in photography, ceramics, and cooking. Lefourt, an avid musician, left his own DJ business back at Belgium. “He would play for weddings and parties,” host parent Bonnie Messmer said. “Our family is very music oriented and we are very happy that he plays the drums.” Lefourt will pursue his interest in the marching band and possibly the musical from the Messmers’ encouragement. When asked what he was most looking forward to during his year abroad, Lefourt said, “All of it.”
David Holloway said. With this new building comes new responsibility regarding the care and treatment of the schools. "A footnote here is to take care of our facilities as we have never done before,” Shannon said. To help take care of the new buildings, at Wednesday’s Board of Education meeting they approved a maintenance person at MHS West and the addition of five more custo- Renovated North Gym shows significant improvement after summer dial positions throughout construction. Naomi McClendon, photographer the district.
Faculty member leaves impact after death John Rockey staff writer Over the summer, Manhattan High School lost a member of its staff. Steve Barnes passed away July 10 at Geary County Hospital due to complications from surgery. Barnes was the Automotive Technology teacher at MHS. Barnes married Jo Schiffelbein Aug. 14, 1974, and had two sons, Aaron and Matthew. He graduated with a bachelor’s in education from Emporia State University in 1977 and became the automotive instructor at Highland Park. He later went on to get his mas-
as a teacher, as an educator, and as a mentor.” McCarty knew Barnes for 16 years and said he was honored to have him teaching. Barnes had made a great impact on his students and they loved him just as much. “Mr. Barnes was pretty amazing,” Ty Stewart, a former MHS student. “He was the reason I chose to further my education in automotive.” Barnes was always thrilled by what his students had to offer. “He would always reassure me that I could do anything I put my mind to,” senior Fahim Anwar said.
Tribe Time on back burner Sarah Shi news editor
Last Wednesday, the USD 383 Board of Education declined to approve the Manhattan High School schedule plan that included a continuation of the Tribe Time advisory period for 20122013. The schedule was presented to the Board by Terry McCarty, MHS the back lot and Egypt. try and find the most sufKayla Dieker principal, for formal apInstead, entrance to these ficient and effective way copy editor proval but a motion failed lots is through the south of meeting the needs of to get a second, and folParking will be chang- faculty entrance on Poyn- all associated with Manlowing discussion Tribe ing yet again for stu- tz and around the back hattan High School.” Time was dropped, leavThose who plan to dents at Manhattan High of the school. Students also need to drive to school will still School West Campus. Due to completion of be aware that between have access to the big lot, New parking plan prohibits construction projects over 2:45 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. the back lot and Egypt. right turns onto the summer, alterations they cannot turn right In addition, the triangle Sunset Avenue to the parking plan are onto Sunset from the lot across the street is now from 2:45 to 3:30 p.m. Students and necessary for the 2012- cemetery wall spots and open for student use. can only turn left towards “We are hoping that in teachers will also 2013 school year. notice several new Students should be ad- Anderson. Traffic signs the near future there will one-way roads vised that the traffic flow are placed throughout be additional parking to within the parking will be changing for those campus to help avoid the south of MHS,” Mc- lot, as well as the loss of some area entering and exiting the confusion and direct driv- Carty said. Administration expects of parking that were campus. The road along ers. available last year. “Parking has always that traffic will now flow Accommodating fire the cemetery wall is now one-way heading east been an issue at MHS more smoothly for stu- lanes and keeping towards Sunset and can West because we are dents and staff as well as traffic flowing after only be accessed through limited on space,” princi- provide adequate park- school are some of the reasons for the the big lot. Cars are also pal Terry McCarty said. ing. changes. not allowed to turn left “With the construction Kayla Dieker, from the big lot towards going on we continue to photographer
Construction affects parking situation again
ter’s in education administration and taught at MHS as the Auto Tech instructor from the fall of 1990 until his death. Barnes’ colleagues and students said he did a great deal of work during his time here to get the department where it is today. He was a very involved and very beloved teacher and man. As a teacher, he made absolutely sure that the automotive department was current, up to date and had whatever students needed if they wanted to go into an automotive career. “He was solid in every aspect,” principal Terry McCarty said. “As a man,
ing the allotted time for teachers to discuss postsecondary careers and bullying in the dust. “I’ve always personally believed for a long time that because we have such a diverse and transient school where many students come and go, that we need a system that can help them achieve in school,” McCarty said about the effort he and MHS faculty have put into developing Tribe Time. “Advisory is a time where we can treat the students like individu-
als and personalize their learning as well as acknowledge their needs.” MHS was given grants to raise and promote bullying awareness and now that Tribe Time may not be used as an outlet, McCarty said he was undecided as to what the alternative would be. “Right now, the main goal for our school is to make sure the students feel safe and secure,” McCarty said. “I really think Advisory Period can help students feel comfortable at school.”