The USD 253 Board of Education had a number of reasons to be proud during their regular board meeting Wednesday evening.
Among these reasons was the board’s unanimous approval for Emporia Middle School to become the fourth Emporia school to undergo education redesign. EMS follows Logan Avenue and William Allen White Elementary schools who have been in the redesign process for over the past year and a half and Walnut Elementary which gained approval for redesign back in February.
The redesign effort is based on four core principals including personalized learning, student success, family, business and community partnerships and real-world application. From these principals, EMS has developed five key reasons for redesign which, according to EMS Principal Steven Bazan, personalizes those principals for the middle school.
Those reasons include unity, educating the whole child, academics, systems and possibilities. Bazan says the redesign will not only open the door to more possibilities for expanding their student’s education but he believes it will also provide students and their families with “hope” as students prepare to enter a brand new environment.
Now with the board’s approval, EMS will continue the development of a prototype redesign plan for implementation in the 2020-21 academic year. The current timeline will see EMS staff return to the board for a presentation of a final redesign plan between March and May of 2021.
In other business Wednesday, the board took time to recognize three Emporia schools who have recently been recognized for going above and beyond in serving their students. KVOE recently reported that both Logan Avenue and Riverside Elementary were named as 2019 Challenge Award Recipients.
The award recognizes Kansas schools which have managed to make a noticeable difference in student achievement despite facing significant challenges in their school population. This was the third consecutive year that Riverside received the award and the sixth overall in the past nine years.
In the past, 200 Kansas Schools received the award, however, this year only 100 schools across the state were honored with the distinction. Additionally, Village Elementary School was recognized as one of only 32 Kansas schools to receive a 2019-2020 Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase School award.
The award is based on multiple criteria such as the implementation of Capturing Kids’ Hearts processes, the perceived climate and culture of the campus and a student survey that measures student attitude and connectedness to school. This marks the third consecutive year Village has been named a Capturing Kids Heart National Showcase School.
USD 253 Superintendent Kevin Case called referred to the awards and the redesign approval as “Emporia proud moments” and says each of the accomplishments is yet another testament to how district staff continues to go above and beyond in serving their students despite any challenges which may arise such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic.
Separately, following a brief action session, the board approved the purchase of property at 210 South Lawrence in the amount of $45,000 plus closing cost. Superintendent Case says more details on this purchase and its purpose will be made available in the coming days.
The USD 253 Board of Education will next meet on Wednesday, May 27 at 7 pm.
