usd 475 fills student support services director need · pdf filecampus from 8 a.m.—4...
TRANSCRIPT
USD 475 hosted the ALICE Training Institute at the Dixon Center
campus from 8 a.m.—4 p.m. for the past two days. USD 475 invited
Chad Cunningham from ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter,
Evacuate) to provide option based strategies to attendees that can
be used to enhance their emergency preparedness plans. This
training not only benefits USD 475 staff but local law enforcement,
Fort Riley representatives, St. X, Apostolic Academy, Geary
Community Hospital, Geary County Emergency Management, and
GCA, who also had representatives in attendance.
Safety is a community effort and we are working together to
continue to enhance the safety and security of the students and
staff in Geary County and Fort Riley.
For more information view WIBW news coverage here.
USD 475 Fills Student Support Services Director Need
USD 475 has selected Luan Sparks as the Director of Student Support Services. This position will
replace the Instructional Coach Coordinator position within the Teaching and
Learning department.
Luan comes to Geary County Schools from USD 473 Chapman. Her expertise in Title I was
recognized when two schools within her district were named as 2012-2013 Title I
Reward Schools.
Luan Sparks received her BS in Special Education from Oklahoma State University and a M. Ed.
in Building Administration from Wichita State University. She holds a certificate in Special
Education Coordination and Supervision from Emporia State University.
“We are so pleased to have Mrs. Luan Sparks join the Teaching and Learning Team as the Director of Student Support
Services,” states Dr. Beth Hudson, Associate Superintendent of Schools. “In addition to responsibilities for Title I
programs, she will also assume leadership for At Risk programs; this assignment was in response to the need indicated
by the district SWOT (Strengths Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) Team’s review.”
“I have hit the ground running with the USD 475 Teaching and Learning Team,” says Luan. “I am excited to be a part of
this district, as it is responsive to diverse student needs based upon the many resources, supports, and programs that are
currently in place. I look forward to growing and assisting all students, staff and our community, as we continue to help
all of our students on their journey to success.”
The United Way has started its Stuff the Bus campaign
in front of Walmart in Junction City., collecting supplies for
students in need in USD 475. Volunteers were on site from
district elementary schools.
New Teacher training began this week. With the
school year fast approaching, 125 teachers will
engage in training on social media in the
classroom, ELL, OLWEUS, ESS, A Day in the Life, and
more. All teachers report to buildings on
August 8, 2016.
Boys and Girls Club
was having summer fun
with Legos. They created
many buildings from
around the Junction
City area.
The Kansas Shrine Bowl is on July 30, 2016 at Emporia
State University. Coach Zimmerman and Ray Wilson will
participate in this annual charity event to raise funds for
Shriners Hospitals for Children. For more information
click here.
Summer is winding down and it is time to
think about heading back to school in Geary
County. Here are ten tips for USD 475
families to consider as we start the new year.
Enroll Online. This will help ensure that your child has an
accurate schedule when school starts and that your status
information is updated.
Attend your school’s parent orientation/open house
event. This helps parents, students and teachers. Teachers
love to meet their new students, and parents and
students get to put a face with a name. If your student
has multiple teachers, please try to meet them all.
Determine the best way to make contact with your student’s teachers. Do they prefer email? Do they prefer
phone calls? Is there a class website that you could follow for updates? Is there any help that they need in the
classroom? Make contact early to start off a great year.
There’s an App for that! Download the Skyward app if you haven’t yet. With your parent Skyward account you can
monitor grades, attendance, fees, etc. This will allow you to be proactive when discussing the school day with
your student. Also, download the USD 475 app. his gives you access to calendars and announcements
by school.
Set your student up for success with the items they will need. If you are unable to find the necessary school
supplies for your student, contact your school office for help. In addition to back packs and binders, do little
ones need a spare set of emergency clothes? Do older ones need PE clothes?
Start the bedtime/morning routine for your student in advance! If you know the lunch time your student will
have during school, try to incorporate it into your summer routine if you can.
Go over before and after school routines. Make sure your student understands the pick-up/drop off expectations,
bus routes, and after school care. Also make sure you know start and end times for your school and what time
students can be dropped off and picked up if they are not bus riders.
Go over a copy of the school calendar together. Know important dates like sports, band, and orchestra parent
meetings, picture days, etc.
Establish a study routine for your student. Where will they study? Where will they charge their tablet (grades 3-
12 are 1:1) at night? Will they study right after school, after practice, after dinner?
Finally, get involved in USD 475! Join your school’s PTO, Booster Club, or Site Council! Contact your school for
more information about these groups at all grade levels.
Ten Tips submitted by Lyn Green.
Mrs. Green has accepted an assistant principal position at Junction City Middle School
and will be mainly working with 6th grade students. Mrs. Green started working in USD
475 in August of 1997 as a science teacher at Junction City High School and has taught
6th grade science at Junction City Middle School for the last 5 years. Throughout this
time Mrs. Green has served on many building and district level committees and task
forces. Mrs. Green has two children who attend Junction City Middle School and Spring
Valley Elementary. Her husband is also an administrator in the district at Junction City
High School. When not at school, Mrs. Green is active in her church and has just joined
the Board of Directors for Junction City Little Theater. She also enjoys camping with her
family, cheering for Junction City teams of all ages, and attending community and
school fine arts and theatre events.
Community News
July 8, 2016 edition of the 1st Infantry Division Post
July 22 Newsletter
Click here for the 2016/2017
School Supply List
The fall sports season is fast approaching and
the Junction City High School Athletic
Department would like to remind you of a
few important dates and items before we
begin the 2016/2017 school year. Click here
for more information.
The 2016/2017 School Calendar has
changed after the Board approved
an Elementary Plan Day on
September 2, 2016. To view the full
calendar and the detail calendar,
please follow the link here.
The International Literacy Association (ILA), formerly the International Reading Association (IRA), is a global advocacy and
membership organization dedicated to advancing literacy for all. ILA is home to 46,000 members and a global network of more
than 300,000 literacy educators, researchers, and experts across 75 countries. The mission of ILA is to empower educators, inspire
students, and encourage leaders with the resources they need to make literacy accessible for all.
Orchestra Parent’s Night
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Junction City Middle School Auditorium and
Commons Area
All incoming 6th grade parents from Fort Riley
Middle School and Junction City Middle School
are welcome to learn about opportunities for
students who are interested in Orchestra.
6:00pm - performance by the Flint Hills
Community Orchestra
6:30pm - information about the program by the
instructors, instrument rental presentation by
Glenn's Music
7:00-8:00pm - Q and A with orchestra
instructors, meet and greet