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BOE updated on ACT and assessment results

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The numbers for ACT scores in Geary USD 475 during the past year were reviewed for the Board of Education this week.

A total of 195 students took the ACT test which is a bit low in the district. But that number is increasing some this year. The average ACT score for USD 475 was 20.3 compared to the state average of 21.6.

The Board also received a report on annual assessment tests taken by students. Math scores at the secondary level were a concern in some areas, but strong at the elementary school level.

 

Agency announces closing applications for assistance for security, utility deposits

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The North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging was one of the recipients of the Tenant Based Rental Assistance grant from the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation. The Agency announced that they will no longer accept applications for the TBRA program, effective at 5 p.m. Friday, December 14th.

Officials with the Area Agency on Aging said their organization has utilized all available TBRA funding to assist low income Kansans with security and utility deposits. Applications submitted to the Agency before December 14th will be processed in the order in which they are received. After the Area on Agency cannot guarantee that any funds will be available to TBRA applicants.

“Our organization plans to apply for more funds from the Kansas Housing Resource Corporation for Tenant Based Rental Assistance as soon as a grant announcement of fund availability is made,” Julie Govert-Walter, North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging Executive Director said.

Superintendent candidate to meet the public Wednesday evening

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Image of Dr. Gordon standing outside.

Dr. Paul Gordon, Superintendent Candidate Meets Public Wednesday evening

Posted By: USD 475

Geary County Schools’ second Superintendent candidate, Dr. Paul Gordon, will be available at the Junction City Middle School, 700 Wildcat Lane, Junction City, Kansas 66441, tomorrow, Wednesday, December 5, 2018, from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM for a meet and greet.

Dr. Paul Gordon has served as the Superintendent of Glen Ellyn School District 41 in Glen Ellyn, Illinois since 2013. Working in collaboration with the Board of Education, staff, parents, and the community, the district is dedicated to providing a rigorous learning environment to ensure students are academically prepared, globally conscious and bi-literate. District 41 is on a journey to be a leader in inclusionary practices and equity for all students. Financially, the district is an excellent steward of the communities’ taxes. In his five years as superintendent, he has collaboratively led the charge to pass a referendum, replaced 28 portables with brick and mortar classrooms, implemented problem-based learning, extended the elementary school day, and developed a strategic long-range plan.

Prior to his service in Glen Ellyn School District 41, Dr. Gordon was the Chief Academic Officer for the 42,000 student Adams 12 Five Star School District outside of Denver, Colorado. As the Chief Academic Officer, he oversaw K-12 curriculum and instruction, innovation, grants, professional development, student services, assessment, and strategic planning. He also served as an executive director of K-12 professional development and was a principal and assistant principal. Before being a school and district leader, Dr. Gordon was an English and reading teacher.

Dr. Gordon earned his bachelor’s degree in English and secondary education from Metropolitan State University, a master’s degree in administration and supervision from the University of Phoenix and a doctorate from Fielding Graduate University in educational leadership and change.

He is married to Marianne and is a father to a son who just graduated from college and a daughter who is a senior in college. He gives his time to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and other causes close to his family. He also enjoys outdoor activities and sports.

Senior Center to be closed on Wednesday

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The Geary County Senior Center will be closed on Wednesday.

According to Center officials it is due to the National Day of Mourning for the death of former President George H.W. Bush and the action by Governor Jeff Colyer to order state government offices closed on Wednesday in honor of the former president.

The Center will reopen for normal business on Thursday.

 

Tribute to the Big Red One

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The Army vs Navy Football Game on Saturday will have special significance for Fort Riley and the region.

The Army Team will be wearing uniforms highlighting the 1st Infantry Division.  They will be honoring the 100th Anniversary of America’s 1st Infantry Division this year. The division is headquartered at Fort Riley.

The game is on Saturday from 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM on CBS.

( Photo Army West Point Athletics )

New documentary from KSU features Kan. refugee students

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WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Two Wichita students whose families fled violence and civil war in their home countries are featured in a new documentary about refugee resettlement and its impact on the city’s schools.

Image courtesy KSU college of education

The film produced by the Kansas State University’s College of Education called “Refuge in the Heartland” will premiere during a free screening Tuesday at the Wichita district’s headquarters.

The film follows students Alain and Dorcas, who are among more than 130 refugees enrolled in Wichita schools. Their last names weren’t included in the documentary. Alain’s family lived in a refugee camp for 17 years and Dorcas resettled in Wichita after fleeing the civil war in Congo.

District officials say the university focused on Wichita schools because of initiatives such as the Newcomers program, which helps new immigrants and refugees transition.

Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony set for Fort Riley

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Fort Riley’s annual holiday tree lighting ceremony takes place Thursday, Dec. 6 at 5:30 p.m. at Ware Parade Field, 500 Huebner Road.

Highlights of the event include holiday caroling, entertainment by the 1st Infantry Division Band, refreshments and a visit from Santa Claus. Colonel Stephen Shrader, Fort Riley garrison commander, is scheduled to speak before the flip is switched to light the tree, which stands in front of the Fort Riley garrison headquarters. Children will have the opportunity to visit with Santa Claus indoors following the tree lighting. Refreshments are provided by USO Fort Riley.

At the event, Operation Santa Claus is accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys in the $15 – $20 price range for children ages birth to 18 years, cash or checks.

November 2018 weather summary

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Chuck Otte

Geary County Extension Agent Chuck Otte says In a nutshell, November was cold and snowy.  While the snow wasn’t enough to put the month above normal for precipitation, the first time in four months, it was significant in other ways.

The average daily high during November was 46.1, 7.7 degrees below normal. The average overnight low was 28.4, 3.6 degrees below normal. This resulted in a monthly mean temperature of 37.3, 5.6 degrees below normal. That monthly mean temperature fell just short of placing November 2018 in the top 5 coldest Novembers on record. November 2014 was 37.2 degrees and just barely held on to the #5 slot on the list. The coldest November on record was in 1985 with a monthly mean temperature of 35.2. On the flip side, the warmest November was in 1999 when we had a monthly mean temperature of 51.8. The highest temperature for the month was 64 on Thanksgiving Day, November 22nd. The lowest temperature was 13 on the mornings of November 9, 11 and 12. There were several temperature records set during the month. The low of 13 on the 9th broke the old record low for that date of 20 set in 1957. The high of 31 on the 8th and 9th broke the record low high for those dates. The old record for both days was 35, set in 2000 for the 8th and 1950 for the 9th. Lastly, the low of 49 on the 22nd set a new record high low temperature for that date. The old record was 46 set in 1955.
Total precipitation for November was 1.18 inches at Milford Lake and 0.88 inches in Junction City. Normal for November is 1.55 inches. This broke a string of three straight months of well above average precipitation. However the area is rapidly catching up to average annual precipitation. Normal January through November precipitation is 32.12 inches. Milford Lake has received 29.72 inches in 2018 and Junction City 32.05 inches. From January through July Milford Lake received 10.16 inches or 51% of normal. From August through November Milford Lake recorded 19.12 inches of precipitation or 168% of normal for those four months. The wettest November on record was in 1931 when 5.88 inches of precipitation fell. The driest November on record was in 1966 and 1989 when no precipitation fell during November.
Annual seasonal snowfall for our area (October through May) is 18 inches. The last time we were at or above average was the winter of 2013-14 when 32.5 inches of snow fell. That past four winters haven’t even had enough snow to push into double digits. A rare October snow jump started the snowfall season. November brought us three measurable snowfall events for a total of 8.2 inches of snow for a season to date total of 10.2 inches or more snow than we saw in any of the past four winters! Normal for November is only 1 inch of snow and season to date snowfall is also normally just 1 inch.
December brings us the start of meteorological winter (December 1) and astronomical winter (December 21). Temperatures continue to drop during the month (bottoming out in early-mid January) and snowfall normally increases. Average daily highs during December start the month at 46 and by New Year’s Eve day are down to 38. Overnight lows drop from 25 on the 1st to 18 on the 31st. Average precipitation during December is 1.02 inches with average December snowfall of 3.7 inches. At the rate we are going, this might just be the year for a white Christmas!

 

Geary County District Court Clerk’s Office to be closed on Wednesday

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JC Post has been informed by county officials that Geary the County District Court Clerk’s Office will be closed on Wednesday.

But at this time Judges Hornbaker, Rosauer and Segarra will hold court and hearings will proceed as scheduled. Judge Collet’s court docket will be continued to a later date.

Some state courts are closing on Wednesday to observe a national day of mourning for former President George H.W. Bush in concurrence with actions taken by the federal government and Governor Jeff Colyer.

 

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