The USD 450 Scoop

Quarter 4 Newsletter

2023-24 School Year

At Shawnee Heights, our priority has always been our students' educational success and well-being for students within our boundaries and those we have committed to who live outside our boundaries. Following the Kansas Legislature's 2022 mandate, districts are required to accept out-of-district students where capacity allows. Our commitment to quality education drives every decision we make.

Over the past year, we've carefully reviewed our capacity and growth forecasts. After a detailed analysis on April 15, 2024, we recommended to our Board of Education that we will not have the capacity to accept new non-resident students for the 2024-2025 academic year. This decision, rooted in our commitment to maintaining the high standards of education and support that all our students deserve, was approved by the Board. Our projections indicate an anticipated in-district growth of 1-2% annually, stressing the importance of focusing our resources on those students we currently serve.

For more information on our capacity and detailed projections, please visit our In or Out of District Transfer page on or district's website.

While we are nearing or at capacity in several schools, our dedication to our in-district families remains unwavering. The rising student population necessitates strategic planning for the future, including the discussion of a bond project to support our expanding infrastructure needs. As outlined in our Quarter 2 Newsletter, our ongoing research into this growth will inform the bond options we provide to our community.

Our next steps involve a thorough evaluation of the research pertaining to a bond, discussing our priorities, and reviewing scenario concepts. In the fall, we plan to form a facilities committee that includes members of our community who will explore these options and potential solutions. We are committed to transparency and collaboration, ensuring that our community is involved in shaping the future of Shawnee Heights USD 450.

Together, we will continue to foster an environment where every student thrives, supported by robust educational programs and a community that values excellence in education.

This fall, a Calendar Committee worked on updating the calendar and capturing minutes during the day that currently do not count toward instructional hours. The committee found a way to be more efficient at each school that would allow us to reduce the number of attendance days for students and staff by three days. Those additional days off have been updated on the calendar and include one day at the start of the year, one day to extend Winter Break, and one day around the Easter weekend in April to break up the month.

• Open Enrollment Starts: July 8, 2024
• First Day of School for PreK-9th Grade: August 13, 2024
• First Day of School for 10th-12th Grade: August 14, 2024
• First Day of School for ECSE: August 15, 2024

In order to create these three days on the calendar, we needed to increase the number of instructional minutes and hours for students by slightly adjusting the start and end times of the buildings by about 5 minutes a day. This will also equalize the instructional times between elementary schools.

School Start and End Times:

High School - 7:40am - 2:41pm (Wed School Start Time is 8:05am)

Middle School - 7:50am - 2:53pm

Shawnee Heights Elementary - 9:00am - 4:05pm

Berryton Elementary - 9:00am - 4:05pm

Tecumseh North Elementary - 8:30am - 3:35pm

Tecumseh South Elementary- 8:30am - 3:35pm

As we work through the new calendar this next year, there may need to be some updates for the coming years. However, this is a significant first step in modernizing the calendar, equalizing the instruction time between the schools, and moving the instructional hours above the state minimum, giving the district more flexibility for snow days.

Our Spotlight Awards for the 2023-2024 school year were Dee Dorsey, David Hubert, and David Myers!

Dee Dorsey and David Hubert were instrumental in providing essential transportation services to students experiencing homelessness, ensuring these students have safe, reliable transportation to and from school. Their unwavering commitment during times of transition helps these students maintain a consistent environment, which is crucial for their academic and personal growth.

Both Dee and David showed extraordinary dedication and flexibility, adapting quickly to needs and schedule changes without compromising this extra service they provided. Their ability to work under challenging conditions, including adverse weather, while maintaining open and proactive communication has been inspiring.

Their teamwork exemplifies what it means to be a part of our district - dedicated, hardworking, and deeply caring. They have not only made our T-Bird family stronger but have also uplifted our community, making a significant impact on the lives of our students and families.

David Myers has faithfully served our district for over a decade, showcasing his dedication in numerous roles. His commitment to Berryton and the hard work during long, hot summers running the mowing crew has been exceptional. Beyond his daily responsibilities, David has consistently volunteered his free time to announce and run scoreboards and support many after-school programs in any way he can.

David's drive for hard work is unmatched. His willingness to learn and grow with any project is evident every day. After 15 years of working directly with students, David challenged himself further. Over the past year, he has worked with grounds and maintenance, continuously growing and furthering his education whenever needed.

David's readiness to step up and ask, "What can I do to help?" demonstrates his natural leadership and team spirit. He is a shining example of what it means to be a T-Bird.

Spotlight Awards focus on staff members throughout the district who are nominated by peers, students, administration, and community members. Would you like to nominate a USD 450 employee for a Spotlight Award? Fill out our USD 450 Spotlight Award Nomination Form to nominate a staff member for next year's Staff Spotlight Awards!

In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity." – Albert Einstein

Last January, we faced a significant challenge when a water main broke in the North Wing of our High School, flooding the aerobics room, weight room, and several hallways. Our dedicated maintenance and custodial staff and specialized clean-up and restoration companies worked tirelessly to mitigate the water damage and clean the affected areas.

During the clean-up, the restoration company discovered asbestos in some of our flooring and walls. This added another layer of complexity, but we promptly hired an abatement company to remove the asbestos-containing materials safely.

As you can imagine, addressing the aftermath of a major flood inside the building came with numerous challenges. However, these challenges also brought an opportunity.

The North Wing of the High School, built in 1970, had not seen significant updates in the aerobics and weight rooms for years. The flood not only damaged these rooms but also destroyed most of the equipment. Advances in weight room equipment and safety and increased student interest in health and fitness made it clear that we could use a modern, updated facility.

The school board has approved the complete renovation of these spaces to better serve our students' needs. The new weight room will feature more platforms, racks, turf, mirrors, monitors, and marker boards. The cardio room will include additional treadmills and ellipticals, and a new aerobics room will be placed in the newly imaged space.

The project will cost about $400,000, which will be covered by insurance and the district's Capitol Outlay budget. It is expected to be completed before the first day of school on August 13th, ensuring our students can start the year strong.

This transformation is a testament to our commitment to turning challenges into opportunities for growth and improvement.

Ben Eckelberry, a 1st-grade teacher at Tecumseh North Elementary, has been named the Kansas Teacher of the Year Region 2 Finalist! Ben's passion for teaching, loving demeanor, and dedication to the growth of his students have left an undeniable mark on our school community. We are excited to have Ben recognized for his ability to foster a love for learning in his students.

The Kansas Teacher of the Year Award recognizes and utilizes representatives of excellent teaching in the elementary and secondary classrooms of the state. Its mission is to build and utilize a network of exemplary teachers who are leaders in the improvement of schools, student performance, and the teaching profession. Ben is one of eight remarkable educators now in the running for the Kansas Teacher of the Year. The Kansas State Department of Education will announce the winner in September.

During the 2023-2024 school year 60+ educators worked together to conduct a curriculum review of our English Language Arts (ELA), Choir, Band, Orchestra, Family and Consumer Science (FACs), Visual Arts and Performing Arts classes. The USD 450 Board of Education approved 137 curriculum maps over the last 12 months. We want to thank the many teachers and administers that worked on these curriculum maps.

What does the Curriculum Process look like?

Each year, we focus on a core content area as well as elective department areas. The order of our reviews follows the order the State Board of Education approves standards in the different contents so that our staff will be working to design curriculum to meet the most current state standards expectations.

Teachers and administrators across all grade levels and buildings volunteer to serve on the curriculum review committee for each content area being reviewed. The work begins by analyzing our data on local and state assessments along with reviewing current research in those content areas. We look for gaps and areas that need to be addressed during the current review. The committee also looks at what is going well. In addition, we meet with the District Advisory Council (DAC), made up of parents from all six buildings, to go over the process and ask if there are any areas they feel that we should address as we get started.

Before teachers look at resources, the current State Standards are broken down so that they know exactly what is expected for each student to know and be able to do during each grade level. Protentional resources are then reviewed, analyzed, and selected if it is determined those resources fit our need to address specific areas. During that process, teachers begin writing curriculum maps to identify concepts to be taught and the order in which to teach those concepts. The complete process takes approximately one year to complete.

Can parents and patrons view the curriculum maps?

Starting in the 2023-2024 school year, we started posting the USD 450 Board approved curriculum maps to our district website. These maps can be found on our USD 450 Curriculum website page. On that page, parents and patrons will find a detailed graphic to explain the curriculum review process along with courses taught at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. If a course is hyperlinked, then a new map, that has been through our new curriculum review process, is posted for viewing. No maps will be posted until they have been reviewed with our new process.

What curriculums will be reviewed next?

During the 2024-2025 school year, we plan to review:

• Math
• Library
• Counseling
• Agriculture Pathways courses
• AVID Elective Classes (HS)
• Business Pathway courses

As always, if you have questions about the curriculum for your child, please contact your child’s teacher to get more information.

On May 1, 2024, Shawnee Heights celebrated the grand opening of the Thunderbird Greenhouse at Shawnee Heights High School. We were thrilled to share this momentous occasion with our community, who joined us in unveiling this remarkable new facility dedicated to sustainability and hands-on learning.

The Thunderbird Greenhouse, located behind Shawnee Heights High School, is more than just a building; it's a dynamic educational tool designed to deepen our students' engagement with botany, environmental science, and sustainable agricultural practices. This initiative is a testament to our district's commitment to innovative and future-focused education.

During the event, attendees enjoyed a guided tour of the greenhouse, indulged in light refreshments, and some even took home a small plant gift as a token of our appreciation. It was a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate how the greenhouse will serve as a resource to enrich our student's educational experiences and foster a greater understanding of environmental stewardship.

Your support makes all the difference, and we are grateful for the enthusiasm and engagement of our Shawnee Heights family and community. Here's to many years of growth and discovery at the Thunderbird Greenhouse!

During the 2023-2024 school year, the State Board of Education approved a recommendation to change the current graduation requirements for all Kansas Public Education High Schools starting with the class of 2028. Once the State Board of Education passed those requirements, local school boards were required to incorporate the changes into their graduation requirements. (Students in the class of 2025, 2026, and 2027 will continue with their previously published graduation requirements.)

In December 2023, the USD 450 Board of Education approved all the following changes to our current requirements:

• 4 English credits were changed to 3.5 English credits plus 0.5 credits of Communications. – This will be done during the sophomore year of English Language Arts (ELA).
• Add 0.5 credits of Financial Literacy. – This will be a new class for us and will be developed during the 2024-2025 school year.
• At least 1.0 credit of the elective credits must come from one or more of the following areas:
• Computer Science
• Advanced Math (past Integrated Math III)
• Advanced Science
• Advanced CTE (Career and Tech Ed technical-level or application-level classes)

• 2 Post Secondary Asset Skills – This is also new for us. Each student must have 2 or more of the following prior to graduating:
• Youth Apprenticeships
• 40 or more community service hours
• Client-centered projects
• Workplace learning experience directly related to a student’s IPS (Individual Plan of Study)
• Industry-Recognized Certification
• Seal of Biliteracy
• ACT Composite (score of 21 or higher)
• WorkKeys Level (Silver or Higher)
• 9 + College hours
• State Assessment scores of 3 or 4 for Math, ELA and/or Science
• ASVAB per requirements of military branch selected
• SAT score (1200 or higher)
• Completing Board of Regents Curriculum
• Advanced Placement Exam (3+)
• CTE Scholar
• Eagle Scout or Gold Scout
• 4-H Kansas Key Award
• Two or more high school athletics/activities
• 95% attendance in high school

What other requirements are required to graduate from Shawnee Heights High School?

Students are required to earn 24.5 credits to graduate. Each district is required to include all the state required requirements as well as any others they feel important. Our complete list of the new graduation requirements will be posted on the Shawnee Heights High School website in August.

Currently, there is one new state requirement that isn’t on the Shawnee Heights Graduation list for the class of 2028 and beyond. The State Board of Education approved the requirement of all high school graduates to have completed the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), or a parent signed waiver stating that the family is aware of the opportunities that might be available for students but are declining completing the FAFSA. If the student is 18 in the fall of their senior year, they can sign the waiver themselves.

Did the USD 450 Board of Education (BOE) approve the FAFSA requirement for Shawnee Heights students?

In December, the USD 450 BOE decided to not approve this specific requirement until the State Board of Education had a final vote on the matter. At that time, the USD 450 BOE said they would revisit the requirement. They didn’t want to approve it if it didn’t stay as a state requirement. In May of 2024, the State Board of Education conducted a final vote, and this requirement did stay. However, the State Board of Education asked to revisit this specific requirement in their June meeting. Mrs. Bell, our Secondary Curriculum Director, gave that update to the USD 450 Board. It is currently scheduled as a receive item to remove the requirement. In July 2024, the option to remove the FAFSA completion requirement will come up for a vote. After the SBOE July meeting, Mrs. Bell will update the USD 450 BOE again to determine if we will be required to add the requirement to our local requirements or it is no longer a state requirement and we can leave our requirements as is. Once this occurs, we will post the final graduation requirement list on the High School’s webpage.

Why might a family want to fill out the FAFSA if they don’t think they will qualify for financial aid?

• Universities are requiring students have a completed FAFSA on file if they are receiving any scholarship money for academics or athletics or are applying for Work Study jobs on campus.
• Students might qualify for money to be used at a College, Community College, or Technical School.
• If a student qualifies for a Pell Grant, then some universities, such as Washburn University, will pick up a portion or even the remainder of the tuition.
• Some families shy away from even thinking about continuing education after high school because they don’t believe they could afford it. Filling out the free FAFSA might identify loans that might make continuing education after high school possible.

Do you have to accept the loans you qualify for?

Families do not have to take the loans offered from completing the FAFSA. They also don’t have to take the full amount if they do decide to utilize the loan options.

You can learn more about Federal Financial Aid at https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types . If you have immediate concerns, the State Board of Education President has suggested that families contact the State Board of Education representatives to let them know what concerns you have. Ann Mah is our State Board of Education (SBOE) representative. You can find all of their contact information at: https://www.ksde.org/Board/Contact-Information .

We are excited to share the wonderful news of our recent planting of a Moon Tree at Tecumseh South Elementary! On May 28th, our school community gathered to witness the planting of an extraordinary tree—a Moon Tree seedling from NASA's Artemis I mission.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended and made this event truly memorable. An extra special thank you to Mrs. Stevenson for reaching for the stars and securing this incredible Moon Tree. Without her determination and vision, we wouldn't have this remarkable piece of history here at Shawnee Heights.

What is a Moon Tree?

A Moon Tree is no ordinary tree. Its seeds have traveled thousands of miles beyond the Moon and back to Earth, making it a living symbol of space exploration and scientific discovery. The tradition of Moon Trees began with the Apollo 14 mission in 1971, when astronaut Stuart Roosa, a former U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Services smokejumper, carried tree seeds into lunar orbit. These seeds were later planted around the world to commemorate the nation's bicentennial.

Our new Moon Tree seedling is part of a "new generation" flown on NASA's Artemis I mission. This initiative, a collaboration between NASA's Office of STEM Engagement and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Services, aims to promote STEM education and environmental conservation.

Significance of the Moon Tree

The Moon Tree at Tecumseh South Elementary will serve as a unique educational tool, helping our students connect their space, ecology, and biology lessons. It will be a focal point for various STEM activities, including data collection and analysis, environmental studies, and citizen science projects. Students can monitor the tree's growth, study its ecosystem, and engage in hands-on learning experiences.

The Moon Tree will also symbolize our commitment to fostering curiosity, exploration, and a love for learning. It will inspire our students to dream big and reach for the stars, just as the Artemis mission aims to return humanity to the Moon and beyond.

Looking Ahead

We have exciting plans to integrate the Moon Tree into our educational programs. Our Garden Club will lead the care of the tree, with students collecting data on its growth and health. Permanent signage will be installed to tell the story of the Moon Tree and its connection to NASA's Artemis I missions. Together, our school family and community are nurturing not only a tree but also the seeds of knowledge, curiosity, and inspiration in our students.

The Shawnee Heights Public Schools Foundation is excited to announce that their Annual Golf Tournament will take place on August 9, 2024! The Shawnee Heights Public Schools Foundation's mission is to enhance, enrich, and expand educational opportunities for the students of Shawnee Heights USD 450. This charitable non-profit Foundation is organized exclusively for educational purposes.

Last school year, they awarded over $13,000 in grants to our exceptional teachers, supporting various innovative programs. These grants have allowed them to explore new educational frontiers in their classrooms, providing our students with extraordinary learning experiences. Handing out teacher grants during their Prize Parade is an annual highlight for our teachers and would not be possible without the generosity of donors.

You are invited to join the Foundation at their annual golf tournament on Friday, August 9, 2024, at Shawnee Country Club - Great Life Golf & Fitness. Registration and lunch will begin at 11:30 am, and golf will start at 12:30 pm. An awards reception will follow.

This tournament is a key fundraiser the Foundation organizes yearly to support our teachers and students at Shawnee Heights. Last year, they had over 30 teams and sponsors from many local businesses. So sign up now to secure your spot in the tournament! Registration and payments must be received by July 22, 2024.

From June 3 to July 26, any Shawnee Heights Family can visit Tecumseh North Elementary for a FREE meal for children ages 1-18. The meals will be served Monday - Friday from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm. Meals must be consumed on-site due to funding requirements. No meals will be served on June 19, July 4, or July 5. Check out our website or download our app for meal menus!

Past 2023-2024 Newsletters:

Quarter 1

Quarter 2

Quarter 3

Tim Hallacy, Superintendent

Matt Hirsch, Associate Superintendent

Board of Education

Rosa Cavazos - President

Erica Price - Vice President

Rocky Busenitz

Christina Flaming

Sarah Sanders

Lauren Tice Miller

Kristy VanMetre