January 2015 EDITION

Check us out at www.ellsaline.org

THE

ECHO

FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT’S DESK What a difference the start of December this year was as compared to last year. It’s been considera-bly more enjoyable getting out doing our Christmas shopping, hanging decorations and attending Christmas programs without dealing with the bitter cold temperatures. This week we will be starting our Winter Vacation—a time to enjoy family and friends, to look back on all the memories (good and bad) of the current year, and to look forward with anticipation to the ex-citement and promise that a new year brings. As a district we enjoyed many successes and experi-enced a few disappointments. Through it all, we have continued to work to improve and not be satis-fied with where we are. Again this year our seniors are enjoying great academic success and have been recognized for their leadership potential. Academic successes include two of our seniors scoring in the top 10% of all seniors nationally who have taken the ACT test and four of our seniors were selected for the final in-terview process for the Dane Hanson Scholarship that is worth up to $40,000. In regard to being rec-ognized for their leadership potential, four seniors have been selected to participate in the Sunflower Bank Community Ambassador Program for Saline County. These examples are quite a tribute not on-ly to the hard work of these students but also to all of their teachers over the years and to their par-ents for the support and encouragement that they have given. Our students also have had success in the activities arena. Some of the recent successes include the following. For the first time since 1989 our Football Team qualified for the State Championship game. Our MS/HS students presented the play One Hundred Elves” and the Elementary School Super Sing-ers provided entertainment by singing Christmas carols during the meal prior to the play. The MS/HS students and the 1st and 2nd Grade classes performed in their concerts. It was apparent that these groups of students have been working hard at improving their skills and are gaining a great deal of self-confidence. Thank you for your continued trust and confidence in the Ell-Saline USD 307 school district. You can be assured that we will do all that we can with the resources that we have available to continue to pro-vide a quality education for our students. As always, please feel free to stop in or to contact me at jminneman@ellsaline.org or 785-225-6813 if you have any questions. I wish each of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Building a Learning

Community

Reading Make & Take Parent Enrichment Night

Thursday, February 26th, 2015

6:00 Chili Feed (Free with Enrichment Night attendance!)

6:30-8:00 Enrichment Night

Come enjoy some hands-on reading experiences with your grade school student.

Topics that will be covered are phonics, AR, letter naming, fluency, writing, comprehension, and MAP sub-skills.

Childcare available for children ages birth-preschool.

RSVP to the office at 785-827-8891 or email ESEparentnight@gmail.com

Mark your calendar and plan to be there. We’re partners in this building process.

E.S.E. students help set a GUINESS WORLD RECORD!E.S.E. students help set a GUINESS WORLD RECORD!E.S.E. students help set a GUINESS WORLD RECORD!E.S.E. students help set a GUINESS WORLD RECORD! On Thursday, November 13th, the elementary students were a part of the Stack Up 2014 Guinness world record day! The record is for the most people sport stacking at multiple locations in one day. Our students were a part of the efforts and helped break the old record of 555,932, and set a new record of 592,292. This is the 4th straight year the elementary students have participated in this world record event. Here are some pictures of the record breaking fun!

December HS Student of the Month:

Chase Finch

December’s high school student of the month is senior Chase Finch. Chase is the

son of Angie Finch, and has two brothers Chance and Derrell. In school he partici-

pates in pep band, cross country, and track. Chase is also a Big Brother and in the

Law Enforcement Explorer Program in Salina. Outside of school he enjoys singing

and hanging out with friends and family. Next year he plans to attend Fort Hays State

University and major in Criminal Justice. Great job Chase!

December MS Student of the Month:

Wyatt Hayes

December’s middle school student of the month is seventh grader Wyatt Hayes. Wy-

att is the son of John and Courtney Hayes, and has five siblings Hunter, Madelyn,

Gwen, Lillyan, and Payton. In school he is involved in band, Science Olympiad, and

basketball. Outside of school Wyatt likes sitting outside, eating, playing football, bas-

ketball, and video games, and thrift shopping. His future plans are to get into college

and have great job opportunities for life ahead of him. Good job Wyatt!

December Staff Member of the Month:

Ashley Hanson

Mrs. Hanson has been the Business teacher here at Ell-Saline for 5 years. She is also

the sponsor of STUCO, Scholars’ Bowl, BPA, and the sophomore class. Mrs. Han-

son has two sons, Drew and Austin, who are 12 and 8 and attend Southeast of Saline.

Her husband Andy also works at Southeast of Saline as the Technology Director. In

her free time Mrs. Hanson enjoys reading, binge watching TV series on Netflix, and

watching her sons play sports. Way to go Mrs. Hanson!

December 8 Board Meeting Report Jamie Bradley, Mitch Drees and John Fouard were absent. Action taken was on a 4-0 vote unless noted otherwise. 7:00 P.M. REGULAR MEETING II. AUDIENCE WITH THE BOARD

None V. REPORTS

BOE – Jeff Parker reported on the Kansas Association of School Boards state convention that he attended last weekend. Mrs. Sprinkle – Her report included: K-2 MAP and reading DIBELS Assessment results; professional development activities

and CPTA contributing $1,000 to help with technology profes-sional development; an Earl Bane Foundation grant application

submitted for the purchase of additional reading resources; posi-

tive student feedback on Families; and various staff activities.

Mrs. Wildeman – Her report included: SAFE (Seatbelts Are For Everyone) assembly; Career Day on December 10th; semester fi-

nals schedule; and arrangements being made for staff and stu-

dents to attend Pat Weems’ funeral.

Mr. Minneman – His report included: final assessed valuation being higher than estimated so the mill levy was reduced from 50.866 to 50.807; three elementary staff members submitting an

application to present at the MACE (Mid-America Association for Computers in Education) Conference in March; track resur-

facing not starting until spring; a bus accident when there were

no students on board; and dates that he will be attending meetings

out of the district before the next meeting. VII. BUSINESS

Hawaii Band Trip—Tabled until the January meeting.

Accept Resignations—Stephanie Svaty’s resignation as 2nd grade teacher at the end of this contract year, Bonnie Griggs’ at the end of this semester, and Spencer Clark’s on December 17 were all accepted. Approve New Hire—Kim Klucas was approved to fill the posi-tion of lunchroom aide at the elementary school. Student Out-of-State Travel—The Senior Trip to Minnesota and an FFA trip to Denver were approved. Select Board Negotiations Team—Tabled until the January meet-ing. Board Goals—Discussion took place on these. This item will be on the January agenda for action.

There were no Executive Sessions. The meeting adjourned at 7:29 p.m. The next regular meeting will be Monday, January 12, at 7:00 p.m. in the District Office in Brookville. If anyone wishes to have an item added to the agenda, please contact President Marty Kramer, Vice-President Mitch Drees or the District Office two weeks prior to the meeting.

Helping Reluctant Readers

For many kids, reading just doesn't come easily. Some kids

have difficulty connecting letters and their corresponding

sounds. Others have yet to discover a special story that

sparks their imagination and shows just how fun reading

can be. Read to and with your kids as often as possible, and

try these other simple ways to help them become eager

readers:

Start with your child's picks. Comics or joke books may

not be your first choice to boost literacy, but the reality is

they can be very motivating. Kids will often amaze you with

their ability to read something that they really want to read.

Don't worry that these texts may not be substantial enough.

They can help kids understand some fundamentals, like how

events take place in a sequence and how stories are laid

out. They also help build vocabulary and show that books

can be visually appealing. Once your child is comfortable

with the experience of reading, you can encourage other lit-

erature selections with a variety of challenging content.

Sometimes electronic books (e-books) can help get reluc-

tant readers reading. When your son or daughter becomes

interested in a book, regardless of the format, help make

connections between the story and your child's own life.

Start conversations that will build a love of reading and

learning.

Read and reread. Many kids reach for the same books

over and over again. That's not only OK, it's a good thing!

Through repetition, kids learn the text and eventually read it

with ease and confidence. Each new reading of the book al-

so may help them notice something new and understand

the story a little better. And that positive experience can in-

spire kids to give new books a try.

Read aloud. Reading aloud to your kids helps them build

their vocabularies and introduces new concepts, facts, and

ideas. You also show that you enjoy reading for fun, and

help them connect sounds with letters on the page. Reading

aloud provides together time that you'll all enjoy. And it

doesn't have to end once kids get older — the comfort of a

parent's voice and undivided attention is something kids

never outgrow.

Create opportunities to read and write beyond the

pages. Provide kids with many chances to read every day.

Write notes and leave them on your child's pillow, in a

lunchbox, or in a pocket. Ask friends and relatives to send

postcards, letters, e-mails, or text messages. Leave mag-

netic letters and words on the refrigerator, and you may

find your child spontaneously creating words, sentences,

and stories.

On road trips or errands, play word games that strengthen

language skills. You might try "I Spy" ("I spy something

that starts with an 'a' ...") or games where you pick a cate-

gory (like "food") and everyone has to name foods that

begin with a certain letter. Kids often enjoy reading the

signs they see while on the road (like those on restaurants

and stores, plus road signs and billboards).

Reviewed by: Carol A. Quick, EdD

An Equal Employment/Educational Opportunity Agency The Ell-Saline U.S.D. 307 Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, handicap or age in admission or access to, or treatment in, its programs or activities. Any questions regarding in the board’s compliance with Title VI, Title IX, or Section 504 may be directed to the Title IX coordinator, who can be reached at (785) 225-6813, 412 E. Anderson, P.O. Box 157, Brookville, KS 67425, or to the Assistant

Secretary for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education.

District Office 412 E. Anderson P.O. Box 157 Brookville, KS 67425-0157 (785) 225-6813 Return Service Requested

Middle/High School 414 E. Anderson P.O. Box 97 Brookville, KS 67425-0097 (785) 225-6633

Elementary School 1757 N. Halstead Rd. Salina, KS 67401 (785) 827-8891

Ell-Saline USD 307

CALENDAR OF EVENTS Check for changes at www.ellsaline.org

Jan. 1 New Year’s Day—Winter Break Jan. 2 Winter Break Jan. 5 Classes Resume Jan. 6 4:30 HS BB Trinity Catholic @ ES Jan. 7 6:30 Booster Club Mtg. Jan. 8 4:00 MS BB Bennington @ ES Jan. 9 NO ESE After School Jan. 9 ACT Test Registration Deadline Jan. 9 4:30 HS BB Remington @ ES Jan. 9 2013/2014 Spring State Team Recognition Jan. 10 State HS KMEA Auditions @ Salina Central Jan. 10 9:00 MS “C” BB @ Southeast of Saline Jan. 12 6:00 MS/HS Site Council Mtg. Jan. 12 7:00 BOE Mtg. @ DO Jan. 13 4:30 HS BB @ Bennington Jan. 15 4:00 MS BB @ Trinity Catholic Jan. 16 NO ESE After School Jan. 17 8:00 JH KMEA Band/Choir @ Junction City MS Jan. 17 Booster Club EL BB Tournament Jan. 18 Booster Club EL BB Tournament Jan. 19 NO SCHOOL—Teacher In-Service Jan. 19 TBA HS BB V Mid-Season Boys Tournament @ Canton/Galva Jan. 20 TBA HS BB V Mid-Season Boys Tournament @ Canton/Galva Jan. 21 1:00 HS HOA Scholars’ Bowl @ Sedgwick Jan. 22 4:00 MS BB @ Marion Jan. 22 TBA HS BB V Mid-Season Boys Tournament @ Canton/Galva

Jan. 23 NO ESE After School Jan. 23 K-State Band Clinic @ Manhattan Jan. 23 TBA HS BB V Mid-Season Boys Tournament @ Canton/Galva Jan. 24 K-State Band Clinic @ Manhattan Jan. 24 9:00 MS BB B-Team Tournament @ ES Jan. 24 TBA HS BB Freshman Tournament @ Marquette Jan. 25 K-State Band Clinic @ Manhattan Jan. 26 TBA HS BB V Mid–Season Girls Tournament @ BCCC Jan. 26 TBA HS BB Freshman Tournament @ Marquette Jan. 26 6:30 CPTA Mtg. @ EL Jan. 27 TBA HS BB V Mid-Season Girls Tournament @ BCCC Jan. 28 9:00 FFA @ Clay Center Jan. 29 FFA Mid-Winter Symposium Jan. 29 4:00 MS BB Inman @ ES Jan. 29 TBA HS BB V Mid-Season Girls Tournament @ BCCC Jan. 30 NO ESE After School Jan. 30 FFA Mid–Winter Symposium Jan. 30 TBA HS BB V Mid-Season Girls Tournament @ BCCC Jan. 31 FFA Mid-Winter Symposium Jan. 31 FFA @ Manhattan Jan. 31 X-Treme Gymnastics @ MS/HS