News: Spring Hill District News http://www.usd230.org/inc/news/category.1.rss 2011-02-10T11:38:40-06:00 The last 10 news items for the category: Spring Hill District News News: Spring Hill District News http://www.usd230.org Intermediate School Students Become Published Authors http://www.usd230.org/news/article/867/ At Spring Hill Intermediate School, 189 students have now experienced the exhilaration of being a published author. Not only did individual students take on the challenge of writing a book but several teachers also used writing and artwork from all of their students to create a class book. The enrichment program, which is designed to encourage students to write, allows students to publish full-color, hardbound books at no cost.

The process started in October when students began creating their story. They were responsible for not only writing the story but also editing and illustrating it. When asked, students reported that the most fun parts of the process was coming up with a story idea and drawing the pictures. However, the biggest challenge for some students was editing the story to fit within the page limits.

Once the stories and illustrations were finalized, they were submitted to a company that published one book per child for free, which would have normally cost $2,456.  Additional copies were available to families at a cost. Ultimately, more than 300 hardbound books arrived at SHIS for students and families to take home and enjoy.

To see images of book distribution day, visit the Media Gallery. Congratulations to all of the aspiring authors and illustrators!



]]> 2011-02-08T15:18:39-06:00 2011-02-10T11:38:39-06:00 - SHHS Celebrates Winter Homecoming http://www.usd230.org/news/article/862/ Spring Hill High School will be celebrating its Winter Homecoming on Friday, Feb. 18th. To gear up for the big event, students will be participating in Spirit Week, which is Monday, Feb 14th through Wednesday, Feb 16th. 

This year’s candidates for winter royalty not only epitomize Bronco spirit but also the importance of being active and making the most of their high school experience.  The candidates are: (Front row, L to R) Marin Willis, Ellen Wieberg, Heather Wayne and Lenzi Sudduth; and (Back row, L to R) Charlie Briggs, Zach Pickett, Dylan Schafer and Nate Keegan. To see more pictures, visit the Media Gallery.

The crowning ceremony will between the girls’ and boys’ basketball games on Feb. 18th when the SHHS Broncos take on the Louisburg Wildcats. The girls’ game will tip off at 6 p.m. and the boys’ game will begin at approximately 7:30 p.m.

Homecoming Spirit Week is Monday, February 14th through Wednesday, February 16th.  View the attached flyer for more details. 

In addition, Tuesday, Feb. 15th is a really special day for the Lady Broncos...they are hosting a pink zone game and asking that all fans wear pink to the game.

]]> 2011-02-08T11:49:46-06:00 2011-02-10T11:38:39-06:00 - Board Initiates Survey About Proposed Bond Issue http://www.usd230.org/news/article/845/ planning web page. ]]> 2011-02-03T14:32:54-06:00 2011-02-10T11:38:38-06:00 - Board Expresses Support of Efforts to Ensure a Drug-Free Community http://www.usd230.org/news/article/820/ In support of the City of Spring Hill and area law enforcement, the Spring Hill Board of Education expressed its appreciation of their efforts to keep the community drug-free and safe for children and residents. At the board’s Jan. 24th meeting, members unanimously voted to pass a resolution stating their endorsement of the work being done to stop drug-related activities. The resolution reads:

“Whereas, the Spring Hill Unified School District No. 230 Board of Education expresses support to the City of Spring Hill, and Whereas, the Spring Hill Unified School District No. 230 Board of Education hereby supports our law enforcement agencies. Therefore, the Spring Hill Unified School District No. 230 Board of Education joins the City of Spring Hill and law enforcement agencies in their fight to keep our community drug free.”

The importance of keeping illicit drug use and manufacturing stifled in the community has recently become more apparent following multiple drug busts, including two within 1,000 feet of schools.

“We will absolutely not tolerate drugs in or around our schools,” said Superintendent Bart Goering. “It is imperative that we stay diligent and work together in order to keep our kids and community safe.”

In a press conference on Jan. 13, Spring Hill Mayor Mark Squire stated that illegal drug activity would not be allowed to occur in the city. The Spring Hill Police in conjunction with multiple area law enforcement organizations are working together to reach this goal. The mayor encouraged citizens to be aware of any suspicious activity and report it to authorities.

In addition to the community’s efforts, the Spring Hill School District is committed to educating students about the importance of staying drug free. Many students in the district have participated in the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program, which includes age-appropriate activities and information reinforcing the risks of drugs.  D.A.R.E. is a police officer-led series of classroom lessons that teaches children how to resist peer pressure and live productive drug and violence-free lives. District administrators also are encouraging parents and caregivers to visit the D.A.R.E. web site, which provides helpful information about talking to children about drugs, warning signs of drug use, and other resources.

The school district takes other preventative actions to keep schools drug free and secure. Officer Ken Oziah, a member of the Spring Hill Police Department, is the district’s School Resource Officer and part of his duties entail encouraging students to report inappropriate activity. Oziah, who spends time in all district schools, says, “Besides educating students about the risks of drugs, we try to establish lines of communication with students so that they feel comfortable coming to school administrators or me when they have concerns or reports of illegal activities.” 

The SADD organization also provides students at Spring Hill High School (SHHS) with information and encouragement to help them avoid destructive behaviors. In addition, school counselors are well trained in identifying and assisting students who are dealing with substance abuse issues. A licensed therapist is another support mechanism that SHHS administrators make available to students who are dealing with addiction.

Besides the preemptive measures, drug detection dogs are randomly brought into SHHS to search the building and, specifically, lockers for drugs. Officer Oziah also does random spot checks of vehicles in the school’s parking lot, looking for drug paraphernalia or evidence of drug use. Any high school student found in possession or selling illegal drugs faces suspension or possibly expulsion as well as prosecution by law enforcement. If a student comes to school under the influence of an illicit drug, they are suspended from school. While the goal is always to prevent issues with drug use in or around schools, its presence will not be tolerated and consequences will occur as warranted.

]]> 2011-01-27T08:44:06-06:00 2011-02-10T11:38:37-06:00 - Broncos Post Second Place Finish at SHIBT http://www.usd230.org/news/article/788/ 2011-01-23T11:47:58-06:00 2011-02-10T11:38:36-06:00 - SHHS Elite Dancers Show Off Their Moves in Competition http://www.usd230.org/news/article/802/ Spring Hill High School’s Elite Dancers have recently taken on some of the best high school dance teams in the region and come away with a long list of honors. Two weeks ago at the Miss Kansas Dance Competition at Olathe South High School, the team spent two days competing with more than 60 teams. They came away with a Judges’ Choice Showcase Performance for their military routine, a Sweepstakes Trophy, a Shining Star of Excellence Trophy for averaging scores of 90 percent and above on all routines, a Judges’ Award for Technique for both their military and pom routines, and a Judges’ Award for Showmanship and Energy for their jazz routine.

 Last weekend, the team traveled to Olathe East High School to compete in the Kansas Spectacular Dance Competition.  They competed with more than 90 teams throughout the Midwest in the genres of Jazz, Military, Pom, and Open.  The team walked away with seven Division I soloists, and two solo finalists.  They also received a Sweepstakes trophy, and a trophy award for a top Military performance.

]]> 2011-01-18T12:03:12-06:00 2011-02-10T11:38:36-06:00 - District Names Horizon Award Winners http://www.usd230.org/news/article/769/ The Spring Hill Board of Education recently recognized teachers Travis Brown and Sara Rusnak, as the district’s Kansas Horizon Award Winners. Board president Nels Anderson, as he congratulated them for their efforts in the classroom.

The district winners now have the opportunity to compete for state-level honors. The mission of the Kansas Horizon Award program is to recognize exemplary first-year teachers who perform in a way that distinguishes them as outstanding.

Sara Rusnak, a first grade teacher at Spring Hill Elementary, was chosen as the district’s elementary Horizon Award winner. Her determination to help each student reach his/her full potential, ability to adapt and modify lessons, and willingness to put the time and effort into her teaching are at the core of her success. 

Travis Brown, a social studies and science teacher at Spring Hill Middle School, was picked as the district’s secondary Horizon Award winner. As a young, second year teacher, he understands the crucial importance of effective lesson design and implementation. He routinely uses educational technology in his classroom to motivate and to educate his students. Travis also understands that it is crucial to build appropriate, positive and effective relationships with students.

Congratulations to both district award winners!

]]> 2011-01-10T13:26:17-06:00 2011-02-10T11:38:35-06:00 - Toys for Tots Drive Means Happy Holidays http://www.usd230.org/news/article/688/
Every school is the district participated by having a collection box.  Between SHIS, SHES, PCES, and SHMS, 333 toys were collected. Toys also were gathered at SHHS, which will make the total even higher. Thank you to everyone who participated in this effort! To see pictures, click here.
 
On Dec. 16th, members of the U.S. Marine Corps visited SHIS to pick up the toys as well as spend time answering students' questions. The Marines who spoke to students were Corporal Beals and Lance Corporal Manary.  Cpl. Beals is from Paola, and LCpl Manary is a graduate of Spring Hill High School.  In addition, Rob Chancellor, a former Marine and father of SHMS student Sean Chancellor, also came to help with the toy pick-up.  
 
Our Community Service Club representatives were very excited to be a part of Toys for Tots, and we look forward to doing it again next year! The mission of this program is to collect new, unwrapped toys and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted. ]]> 2010-12-16T15:04:24-06:00 2011-02-10T11:38:32-06:00 - Spring Hill Elementary Honored as Red Friday Spirit School http://www.usd230.org/news/article/694/ The Kansas City Chiefs honored Spring Hill Elementary School, as its latest Red Friday Spirit School. The school was given this award for exhibiting its amazing Chiefs spirit and also exemplifying the Chiefs “Play 60” ideals of staying fit and eating right.

The all-school assembly began with Chiefs Insider Josh Looney congratulating the students on their efforts to stay active and for being super fans. Mascot K.C. Wolf joined the fun and showed off his moves for the excited students. Linebacker Andy Studebaker, #96, joined the group and answered questions from students. He shared with the group that he didn’t even play football until high school but was always active in other sports. Studebaker, who stressed the importance of eating right to the students, joined in a push-up competition against students and K.C. Wolf.

To see pictures from the assembly, visit the school’s Media Gallery!

]]> 2010-11-30T13:52:20-06:00 2011-02-10T11:38:33-06:00 - Bronco Symbolizes School and Community Pride http://www.usd230.org/news/article/655/ The final and most important addition was made to Spring Hill High School’s Bronco Plaza on Wednesday, Nov. 17th. An 11-foot bronze statue of a Bronco was carefully installed in the high school’s front courtyard and became a true symbol of school and community pride. The SHHS Booster Club and a host of families, community members and business partners graciously supported the statue and benches.

The formal dedication of the Bronco was held on Thursday, Dec. 2nd at 10 a.m. with more than 800 students, staff and supporters in attendance.

To see photos of the Bronco and the dedication ceremony, visit the Media Gallery.

In addition, please see the file below for more information about ordering a brick for your family or loved one! All orders must be in by Dec. 30, 2010.

]]> 2010-11-18T11:51:51-06:00 2011-02-10T11:38:32-06:00 -