April 2016 – Page 61 – Welcome to Wyandotte Daily!

Delaware Ridge teacher receives state ‘elementary teacher of year’ honor from VFW

by Kaela Williams

Dennis Stanton, an art teacher at Delaware Ridge Elementary School, has been named the VFW Elementary Teacher of the Year for the state of Kansas.

Staff members at Delaware Ridge, 1601 N. 130th St. Kansas City, Kan., in the Bonner Springs-Edwardsville School District, nominated Stanton for the local award. After winning that award he went on to win both the regional and state levels. He is now in the running for the VFW National Citizen Education Teacher Award.

Last school year, Stanton helped students create a mural dedicated to veterans. The mural has become a focal point for visitors to the building.

He is also a leader of the school’s Flag Crew, guiding students as they learn about the importance of the American flag. Each day, he helps groups of kids raise and lower the flag, teaching them how to properly fold and take care of it.

Stanton’s colleagues say he is a role model for both students and teachers.

“Dennis collaborates with teachers to integrate their classroom content into his art lessons, including history and government standards,” one colleague said. “He teaches students about historical events and symbols as they create incredible works of art. His passion for teaching radiates through the halls of Delaware Ridge.”

The VFW Teacher of the Year award contest recognizes three teachers for their outstanding commitment to teaching Americanism and patriotism to their students. Each year, a classroom elementary, junior high and high school teacher whose curriculum focuses on citizenship education topics is awarded the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award.

Winners receive a $1,000 award for professional development expenses, a $1,000 award for his or her school and an all-expenses-paid trip to attend a VFW conference to receive their award.

Kaela Williams is the communications coordinator for the Bonner Springs-Edwardsville school district.

Beall to serve as acting U.S. attorney for Kansas

Tom Beall will serve as acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Kansas.

Beall takes over after U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom steps down on April 15 to re-enter private practice.

As acting U.S. Attorney, Beall will be in charge of the U.S. Attorney’s office for the District of Kansas, which includes approximately 50 assistant U.S. attorneys and 50 support staff members working in offices in Topeka, Kansas City, Kan., and Wichita. Beall will work mainly out of the office in Topeka.

“It makes it easier for me to go knowing the U.S. Attorney’s Office is in Tom’s capable hands,” Grissom said. “It has been a pleasure working with him.”

Since November 2013, Beall served as first assistant U.S. attorney, making him the second in command of the U.S. Attorney’s office. He joined the office as an assistant U.S. attorney in April 2011.

Beall is a native of Leavenworth, Kan. He served as chief deputy in the office of Kansas Attorney General Steve Six from March 2008 to January 2011. He was an adjunct instructor at Washburn University School of Law from August 2013 to January 2015. He was in private practice from 2000 to 2008.

Beall graduated in 2000 from the Washburn University School of Law after earning a master’s degree in public administration from Kansas State University and a bachelor’s degree from Baker University.

Weather: Today’s high to reach 72 degrees

Today’s high will be near 72, with sunny skies and a calm wind becoming south southeast from 5 to 9 mph in the morning, according to the National Weather Service.

Tonight’s low will be around 52.

Friday, expect sunny skies with a high near 74, and a south southeast wind of 7 to 11 mph, the weather service said. Friday night’s low will be around 56.

Saturday, there will be partly sunny skies and a high near 72, according to the weather service. A southeast wind will be 9 to 11 mph. Saturday night’s low will be around 55.

During the daytime Sunday, it will be partly sunny with a high near 73, according to the weather service. Sunday night’s low will be 56.

Showers and thunderstorms will affect the area Sunday night through the middle of next week however, severe weather or flooding is not anticipated, the weather service said.

There is a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms on Monday, with a high near 71, according to the weather service.

On Monday night, there is a 50 percent chance of rain and storms, with a low of 54, the weather service said.

Rain also is in the forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the weather service.