Month: December 2022

Saturday events

KCK schools to hold forums Saturday on cameras in the classroom


Should cameras be placed in Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools classrooms? That will be the topic of forums to be held on Saturday, Dec. 17. The public is invited to weigh in on the topic during the forums.


Superintendent Anna Stubblefield said during the Dec. 13 school board meeting that two public forums are planned. Those interested in participating in the forums must register for a forum at a link at kckschools.org.


The time of the in-person forum Saturday, Dec. 17, is 10 a.m. to noon at the school district office, 2010 N. 59th St., Kansas City, Kansas. Then there also will be a virtual forum from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17. Registration also is necessary for this forum.


The district has already held a forum for staff members on Dec. 7. The school board is not expected to make a decision on cameras in the classroom on Saturday.

Holiday Light and Magic show tonight

The Holiday Light and Magic show is running through the holidays at the Wyandotte County Parks, 126th and State Avenue, Bonner Springs. Hours are 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. It also is on Sunday at the same hours, continuing through the season. A drive-through event with holiday lighting, there are more than 60 character scenes including Santa Claus, Nutcrackers and Snowglobes. Recently, cars were charged $35 per regular car or vehicle. It is $40 for commercial limousine or van, and $55 for commercial bus. For more information, see https://www.wycokck.org/Engage-With-Us/Calendar-of-Events/Holiday-Light-and-Magic-2022


Knights of Light holiday lighting event continues at Renaissance Festival grounds


Knights of Light, the third annual holiday lighting event at the Renaissance Festival, will continue Saturday, Dec. 10, at 130th and State Avenue, Bonner Springs. Christmas lights and decorations will be placed at the festival’s buildings, celebrating with food entertainment, crafts and visits to Santa Claus. The event will run from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays through Sundays until Dec. 18, then will be open from Dec. 21 through Christmas Eve, as well as Dec. 30 and 31. Tickets are $20 per adult and $12 for children ages 5 to 12, with free admission for children under 5. Children will receive free hot chocolate and every attendee will get a gift bag and a chance to win a prize. Those who bring five or more nonperishable food items to the box office for a food drive will get $5 off one adult ticket. Tickets and information are available at www.kcrenfest.com.


Olde World Christmas tours at Strawberry Hill Museum


Strawberry Hill Museum continues its Olde World Christmas tours today at the Strawberry Hill Museum and Cultural Center, 720 N. 4th St., Kansas City, Kansas. Tours are held Saturdays and Sundays at the historic Cruise-Scroggs building that is now a museum, and tickets are not available online on the day of the tour to guarantee a spot. But walk-ins are being welcomed at noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $10 per adult and $5 for children ages 6 to 12. Tickets are nonrefundable. For more information, see strawberryhillmuseum.org/plan-a-visit.

KCK schools to hold forums Saturday on cameras in the classroom

Should cameras be placed in Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools classrooms?

That will be the topic of forums to be held on Saturday, Dec. 17.

The public is invited to weigh in on the topic during the forums.

Superintendent Anna Stubblefield said during the Dec. 13 school board meeting that two public forums are planned.

Those interested in participating in the forums must register for a forum at a link at kckschools.org.

The time of the in-person forum Saturday, Dec. 17, is 10 a.m. to noon at the school district office, 2010 N. 59th St., Kansas City, Kansas.

Then there will be a virtual forum from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17. Registration also is necessary for this forum.

The district has already held a forum for staff members on Dec. 7.

The school board is not expected to make a decision on cameras in the classroom on Saturday.

The topic has generated interest among faculty, parents and students in the school district.

At the Dec. 13 school board meeting, a community comment was received from Craig Krueger on the topic.

An educator and parent, Krueger said $8 million would be required to fund classroom cameras, and he thought it might be better spent on other approaches. As an alternate approach he suggested still designs for classroom cameras, from $200 to $300 each, that faculty could use in partnership with the instructional coaching staff. There would still be an opportunity to be reflective practitioners by using a video of themselves in the classroom.

He suggested using a portion of the funds for student safety needs, after using grant funds and instructional materials for 1,600 classrooms. He felt an alarm system or mobile panic button might better meet the needs of staff members for safety.

According to information posted on the school district’s website, the focus of the discussion on cameras in the classroom shifted from surveillance to leveraging the use of cameras for instruction to address the teacher shortage. In 2021, the district bought 388 cameras for $69,452 for distance learning.

Already, the school district has 2,777 cameras in the schools and district offices, according to the district’s website. They are in various places, including gymnasiums, auditoriums and multipurpose areas.

Cameras are being used for unfilled teaching positions, and long-term substitutions.

The district stated on its website that the cost of the camera project is $6.7 million to buy and install them. Federal ESSER funds are available for the project.

According to the district’s website, the district reviews camera footage when an incident is reported. However, there is no plan for a command center to monitor cameras, according to information on the website.

AARP awards donation to Community Boxing and Fitness Center

AARP Kansas donated a check for $2,500 to Community Boxing and Fitness Center in honor of Carolyn Wyatt and her selection as the 2022 winner of the Andrus Award for Community Service. Left to right were Glenda DuBoise, AARP Kansas State Director; Tarence Maddox and Sandra Maddox, family of Carolyn Wyatt; Carolyn Wyatt, AARP Andrus Award Winner; Marlyn Nevels, co-founder of Community Boxing and Fitness; Rochelle Donald, Neighborhood Equity Liaison for the Mayor’s Office; and Mildred Edwards, chief of staff for Mayor Garner. (Photo from AARP)

AARP Kansas State Director Glenda DuBoise presented a donation from AARP to the Community Boxing and Fitness Center on Thursday, Dec. 15.

The donation was in honor of Carolyn Wyatt, Kansas City, Kansas, who is this year’s recipient of the AARP Kansas Andrus Award for Community Service.

AARP is a nonprofit organization for people 50 and older. The award is the association’s most prestigious and visible state volunteer award for community service.

AARP Kansas selected Wyatt for her service which has greatly benefited her community, reflected AARP’s vision and mission, and inspired other volunteers. Wyatt exemplifies the meaning of community volunteer by recognizing the needs in her community and bringing them to the forefront with her ideas, thoughtful solutions and actions that bring the community together to complete projects, an AARP spokesman stated.

As the winner of the Andrus Award, Wyatt has selected Community Boxing and Fitness Center, Inc., in Kansas City, Kansas, to receive a $2,500 donation from AARP. The donation was presented to Marlyn Nevels, co-founder and treasurer of the center, which is located at 2055 N. 17th St. in KCK.

  • Information and photo from AARP