Pawnee Rock
Education
Still accepting applications for Great Bend’s new childcare center
Construction on the $1.6 million childcare center in Great Bend, facilitated by Great Bend Economic Development, is expected to be finished in April. A public open house will be held in mid-April for the 6,500-square-foot daycare. Economic Development Director Sara Arnberger said following a job fair in February, the Advancing...
Writer and lyricist to present clinic at Barton Community College
Acclaimed poet, author, and composer Charles Anthony Silvestri will present sessions focusing on the lyrics in choral settings as well as the business of poetic writing for the choral arts at a pair of a two-day clinic at Barton Community College March 21-22, and the public is invited to attend these free sessions.
USD 428 looking at changing pay dates from month to bi-weekly
The math may work itself out in the end, but sometimes it can be difficult to stretch one paycheck over an entire month. USD 428 recently conducted a survey regarding the frequency of paychecks to staff members in Great Bend Schools. Assistant Superintendent John Popp presented the results during Monday's board of education meeting.
Staff recognized for milestones reached in Great Bend schools
Before the USD 428 Board of Education got down to business Monday night, the body celebrated the milestones of more than 100 staff members from the Great Bend schools. Milestones are recognized for every five years of service with the district. Superintendent Khris Thexton called up each of the staff members present at the meeting.
New funding could mean more dollars for special education in Barton Co.
Approval of the K-6 English Language Arts curriculum was on the agenda for Monday's USD 428 Board of Education meeting. But things got started with a little math. Barton County Special Services Director Ashley Riley presented information about her division and how proposed legislation could impact budgets around the state.
Renowned Poet and Composer Charles Anthony Silvestri to Host Free Lyric Writing Clinic at Barton Community College
Charles Anthony Silvestri, a well-known poet, author, and composer, will host a two-day clinic at Barton Community College on March 21-22. The clinic will focus on lyric writing in choral settings and the business side of writing poetry for choral music. The public can attend these free sessions, which will take place at various locations in the college.
Barton CC following statewide push to make transferring easier
The Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) wanted to create a common general education package that makes transferring from one college to another simple. Approving the Kansas System-wide General Education program in 2022, many general education degrees obtained at a community college will automatically transfer to a four-year university. Barton Community...
Local Barton Community College and Schools Collaborate to Boost STEM Education
Barton Community College has teamed up with local schools to boost STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education. This partnership is part of USD 428’s district-wide reading of the book “Wild Robot,” a book that delves into the workings of robots and their role in STEM fields. Dr. Jenn Bernatis, Barton’s Executive Director of Health, Humanities, and Science, expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stressing the need to give children positive STEM experiences.
Barton hosting Enrollment Days to prepare students for next school year
Potential students will have an opportunity to gear up for the fall semester during Barton’s popular “Enrollment Day” sessions, which start on April 16 and will continue throughout the summer. Students can call (620) 792-9286 or visit enroll.bartonccc.edu to sign up or find more information. Students can apply for admission before coming to campus by visiting apply.bartonccc.edu.
Four state trophies in four years for pair of GBHS bowlers
Four state trophies in four years. Great Bend High School seniors Kaylin Wahlmeier and Emilee Nelson set a standard for success on the Lady Panther bowling team that placed second at state four years ago. The girls helped the team to a third-place finish as sophomores, then closed out their careers with back-to-back Class 5A state championships. This year, Wahlmeier and Nelson were joined by seniors Paige Heine and Rionna Rodriguez.
Barton CC trustees directing college not to raise taxes again
Last August, the Barton Community College Board of Trustees approved a budget that anticipated collecting $506,365 in additional tax dollars in the 2024 fiscal year compared to the year prior. To collect the same amount of tax dollars as last year, the college was presented a Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR) of 27.959. The Trustees approved a budget exceeding the RNR by setting their mill levy at 29.38.
USD 428 BOE approves purchase of furniture for Little Panthers Preschool
Last December, USD 428 Director of Teaching and Learning Joann Blevins presented renderings of how each classroom at the new Little Panthers Preschool might look to the board of education. An original estimate of $165,000 was given for the furniture and learning materials. Monday night, the board moved forward with the purchase from Lakeshore Learning Materials for $157,309.07. Blevins said the furniture will be delivered with Lakeshore's "white-glove service."
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