MANHATTAN — A center offered by the Kansas State University College of Education to address the needs of rural schools in Kansas has a new name and new leadership.

The Center for Rural Education and Small Schools has been renamed the Rural Education Center and will be led by J. Spencer Clark, director, and Lori Goodson, assistant director.

Clark and Goodson will emphasize advocacy for rural schools and their communities by pursuing grant opportunities and other sources of funding to support various rural educational projects. They will also conduct research and coordinate other educational activities to support the learning opportunities for rural students and teachers. Clark and Goodson look forward to supporting current curriculum initiatives and goals associated with the Kansas State Department of Education school redesign, STEAM— science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics — education, place-based education and civic engagement in rural schools.

The center was approved by the Kansas Board of Regents in 1978.

“In the four decades since the center was created, many changes have occurred in rural communities and rural schools and we are proud, as a land-grant institution, to usher in this newest iteration of impactful and responsive programming,” said Debbie Mercer, dean of the College of Education. “Dr. Clark and Dr. Goodson are outstanding faculty members and talented grant writers who will bring innovation and imagination — rooted in their own experiences with rural schools — to the communities they’ll serve. We look forward to strengthening our relationship with the small and rural schools that we serve.”

The College of Education continues to produce many of the teachers and administrators in the state’s rural schools. Embracing its leadership role in the state’s educational field, the Rural Education Center plans to continue to fulfill its responsibility in helping rural schools be successful.

“We believe rural schools represent the heartbeat of their communities, and Kansas schools provide outstanding educational opportunities,” Clark said. “Our goal is to help build upon that foundation and help our schools receive recognition for pursuing their potential.”

Clark, associate professor, has worked with rural schools and rural initiatives in Indiana, Utah and Kansas for the past 12 years, and has taught elementary, middle and high school students in the Kansas City area. Goodson, assistant professor, had a 20-year career in journalism before teaching in Wamego’s USD 320 for 14 years, first teaching language arts at Wamego Middle School and then English and journalism at Wamego High School. She is national board certified in English language arts/early adolescence.

Both Clark and Goodson are products of rural communities and appreciate the level of education and encouragement they received in those districts.

“As individuals who have benefited from the comfortable, yet encouraging environment of a rural school, Dr. Clark and I want the center to be a strong voice for rural schools of Kansas at the state, regional and national level,” Goodson said. “We know from experience that quality educators are providing outstanding learning opportunities for their students, and we want to do everything possible to help that continue.”

The Rural Education Center will be headquartered in 202 Bluemont Hall.

High

55°

Cloudy. Chance of rain in the morning, then rain likely in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 50s. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph shifting to the northwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. chance of rain 70 percent.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A federal appeals court is refusing to toss out a lawsuit filed by two female students alleging Kansas State University refused to investigate their rapes and other sex assaults at off-campus fraternity houses.

The U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday that the women had sufficiently alleged that Kansas State’s deliberate indifference made them vulnerable to sexual harassment by allowing the students who they say attacked them to continue attending the university. The university purportedly did not investigate the rape allegations.

The two women contend in their civil rights lawsuit that this caused them to withdraw from participating in educational opportunities at the university.

While the appellate panel affirmed a lower court’s refusal to dismiss the students’ claims, its narrow ruling does not address the merits of the case.

Flooding has reached record levels at 17 locations in Nebraska. Hundreds of homes have been damaged and hundreds are staying in shelters. Nearly 300 people have been rescued from high water across the state. In one county alone, Sarpy County, up to 500 homes have been damaged.

You can get information on how you can send donations to help at . https://www.unitedwaymidlands.org/ At that link you will find a way to text donations or send donations to Nebraska Flood Relief.

( Photos courtesy of Nebraska State Patrol )

 

You can pre-register for the Eagle Communications Bridal Show on April 7th from noon to four p.m. at the Courtyard By Marriott in Junction City.

Brides that pre-register are admitted free, and are eligible to win prizes like a free trip, diamond ring set, a $500 gift registry, bridal gift baskets, a party bus ride for your wedding day and salon services. Admission for others attending is $5 at the door.

Some of the highlights will include a fashion show featuring the latest bridal trends from Princess & Penguin by Abilene Bridal, complementary services from Bellus Academy including mini-manicures and hair styling demos, Chair massages and vampire facials from Quantum Health and Wellness Center, Cryoskin demos from Salon Essentials Salon + Day Spa, show deals from some of the area’s best wedding professionals, and food sampling and bridal shopping.

The Eagle Communications Bridal Show will be presented by Glavan Ford of Clay Center. DJ Dan Michaels.com, Country Floral and Gift, Riddle’s Jewelry and DJ Hicks Productions are also thanked for their help.

Click to pre-register:  https://www.eaglebridalshow.com/

Coordinator Jolene Stackhouse has announced that there will be a Red Cross blood drive at the Junction City Municipal Building Tuesday and Wednesday.

The hours on Tuesday will be from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Call 1-800-RED CROSS to make an appointment.

Salina Arts & Humanities has announced headliner acts and other updates for the Smoky Hill River Festival Thursday through Sunday, June 13th through the 16th.

One of the acts will be “Lost Wax,” a Kansas City dance and party band with strong vocal and instrumental talent, known for its musical mash-up that keep audiences moving to six decades of pop, rock, hip hop and R&B. Supported by KJCK FM, Power Hits 97.5, the band will perform Friday, June 14th at 8:30 p.m.

Other headliner acts will included “Larkin Poe,” Nashville-based singer / songwriter, multi-instrumentalist sisters, and “Joe’s Pet Project,” hometown favorites known for their live shows featuring diverse originals and eclectic covers.

Another featured festival bands will be Dustin Arbuckle & the Damnations, a Wichita based act with a strong American Roots repertoire.

Other activities at the festival will be an art show and outdoor Art Installations, Food Row, and Artyopolis.