Category: Education

Turner school district adopts mask mandate

After around a week of not having a mask mandate, the Turner school district changed to a mask mandate effective today.

The main issue with masking, according to spokeswoman Lauren Aiello, is that they have to quarantine unvaccinated, unmasked students who were close contacts of positive cases.

“We want students in school and quarantines keep that from happening,” she stated.

The school district reported 23 active student positive cases and four active staff positive cases on Wednesday morning, she stated.

Unvaccinated, unmasked persons who came into close contact with the positive cases were given three quarantine options, she stated. The three options were that unvaccinated, unmasked close contacts could quarantine for 10 days; unvaccinated, unmasked close contacts could quarantine for seven days and return to school with a negative COVID-19 test after seven days; or in lieu of a quarantine, unvaccinated, unmasked close contacts could remain in school by wearing a mask and taking a daily rapid COVID-19 test for seven days, she stated. All tests would be administered in school buildings without cost to those who are tested.

“Our stance is that we want all students in school and so we want to prevent any and all quarantines – even one student quarantine is too many,” Aiello stated. “By having all individuals masked inside our buildings, we will be able to significantly reduce the need to implement quarantines, which will result in fewer interruptions to academics, activities, athletics, and other services.”

Most Turner students chose to wear masks, and at the secondary levels, there are students who have been vaccinated, so not all the students who were in close contacted needed to be quarantined, just those who were unmasked or unvaccinated, she said.

Many students who were close contacts chose the option to remain in school and take a daily rapid test, she stated.

“While we are glad that those students chose to continue coming to school with additional mitigation procedures in place, the need to do rapid testing on those students each day is taxing on our nurses, who have other non-COVID medical needs to attend to, and so by all students being masked, we will be able to limit the need to do the quarantines and rapid testing,” Aiello stated.

In the future, the requirement of all persons wearing masks will significantly reduce the need to quarantine, Aiello stated. If a student is wearing a mask and was a close contact, the student will not have to quarantine, she added.

“That being said, our nurses will be diligent about contact tracing and we may need to give those three quarantine options to families if we find, for example, that students were sitting next to a positive case while unmasked at lunch,” she stated. “The safety of our students and staff is our top priority.”

The Turner school district sent a message to parents about the COVID-19 mitigation update. The message:

“As we have previously stated, our priority for this school year is to keep our schools open and provide a safe, in-person learning environment for our students and staff. We are grateful to our many families who chose to send their students to school wearing a mask; however, being just six days into the school year, we are experiencing positive cases in our buildings, and as a result, there is already a significant amount of quarantines of unvaccinated, unmasked individuals.

“We believe that in-person learning in our schools is what is best for our students. The need to quarantine unvaccinated, unmasked individuals is not sustainable for our staff and is taking too many students out of our classrooms. Because of this, we will be requiring masks in indoor spaces starting this Thursday, August 19th. This change will significantly reduce the need to implement quarantines, which will result in fewer interruptions in academics, activities, athletics, and other services. Masks will continue to be required on school buses due to the federal order.

“Regardless of individual views on masking, we believe our families want their children to be in school, and this change will better our ability to keep classrooms and schools open.

“Thank you for your understanding.

“Turner Unified School District”

KCKCC to hold ribbon-cutting for new mural

by Kelly Rogge, KCKCC

Kansas City Kansas Community College will unveil its new digital historical mural, honoring both KCKCC and Wyandotte County history on Aug. 19.

The ribbon cutting ceremony will be at 11 a.m. Aug. 19 in the Jewell Building on the KCKCC Main Campus, 7250 State Ave.

The event will include speakers, live entertainment, live art demonstrations and free Italian ice. All students, staff, faculty and community members are welcome to attend. Masks are required to be worn at all KCKCC locations.

The mission of the project is to create a dynamic digital mural featuring a visual timeline of KCKCC’s centennial history, alongside the regional and cultural histories of Wyandotte County.

The 100×8 foot mural, which is in the hallway with the business office, human resources and the office of the president, will feature more than 1,000 images as well as two touch screen kiosks that capture the past, present and future of KCKCC and the surrounding community.

The mural is also part of KCKCC’s “Ambient Spaces” project, meant to modernize and beautify select high-trafficked areas on campus.

To give community members an opportunity to participate in the development of the mural, a Historical Advisor Committee was formed. Co-chairs of the mural project are Shai Perry, coordinator of the KCKCC Art Gallery; Lydia Knopp, creative director of Tico Productions and Dr. Curtis Smith, retired KCKCC faculty member.

KU announces graduates

More than 125 Wyandotte County residents graduated in the fall 2020 and spring 2021 semester at the University of Kansas, Lawrence.

In all, there were more than 5,700 graduates.

Graduates from Wyandotte County are listed below. Not all graduates choose to release their names.

From Wyandotte County:

Joey Lee Bourdow, Bonner Springs, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Art
Jacqueline Calderon, Bonner Springs, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Tyler J. Campbell, Bonner Springs, Master of Architecture
Angela Marie Jones, Bonner Springs, Master of Science in Project Management
Steffan Lynn Mefferd, Bonner Springs, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
Alyissa Marie Mendoza, Bonner Springs, Bachelor of Social Work
Chellcy Miller, Bonner Springs, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Julianne Josephine Jackson Ruwe, Bonner Springs, Master of Social Work
Emily Louise Vitt, Bonner Springs, Doctor of Pharmacy
Jensen A Walcott, Bonner Springs, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Sabria Moheddin Zlitni, Bonner Springs, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Suhaib A Bajwa, Edwardsville, Doctor of Medicine
Robert Daniel Crowley, Edwardsville, Bachelor of General Studies in Political Science
Jacob Warner Shriver, Edwardsville, Bachelor of Science in Sport Management
Elijah VanWinkle, Edwardsville, Bachelor of Arts in Biology

Lucas Caleb Adam, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Studies
Alix Adauto, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Social Work
Alejandra Juarez Aguirre, Kansas, Kansas City, Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care
Geovanni Rafael Alvarado, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Bachelor of Science in Business in Finance
Max A. Avila-Franco, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies
Jordan Baker, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Science in Biostatistics
Arizona Levi Baldwin, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Social Work
Rylee Basler, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Social Work
Kathryn Marie Beltran, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Science in Supply Chain Management
Francis Patrick Bentler, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Science in Supply Chain Management
Linda Gayle Bergman, Kansas City, Kansas, Professional Science Master’s in Applied Science
Madonna Ruturaj Bhakta, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science
Shelley Lynn Blackwell, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology
Anissa Elise Brantley, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Education
Jennifer Sabra Brooks, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Medicine
Ladarius Brooks, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of General Studies in Liberal Arts and Sciences
Ruben Adrian Bueno, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Medicine
Darrian Rae Burgess, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of General Studies in Sociology
Jesus Aldair Cazares Arzola, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering
Samuel R. Chaney, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Business in Finance
Adrian J. Cisneros, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Bachelor of Arts in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Geidy G. Contreras-Kelly, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Endurance Edward Crosby, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Science in Education in Health, Sport Management
Josselyn Anabella Cruz-Lopez, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Karla De La Pena, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies
Colby Dressler, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of General Studies in American Studies
Samuel Harrison Duncan, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of General Studies in Political Science
Kayla Anne Dye, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biosciences
Sandra Erica Elizondo, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Social Work
Alexander R. Falk, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Business in Accounting
Cameron Conrad Fox, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Medicine
Lisandra Garcia, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Law and Society
Kellen Brody Gil, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Medicine
Hanah E. Glimpse, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Design
Katherine E. Goble, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology
Emily Gudino, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Seungyeob S. Han, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
Andrew Ryan Henry Harsh, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Pharmacy and Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Studies
Gharett Matthew Heenan, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Medicine
Brian Daniel Heinen, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of General Studies in Literature, Language and Writing
Brenden Hensley, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design
Pafoua Angela Her, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Arts in Communication Studies
Tony Vichai Her, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering
Alexandria Hood, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
McKayla Ann Horton, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Occupational Therapy
Damon Ray Jackson Jr., Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of General Studies in Applied Behavioral Science
Makale’a D. Jackson, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of General Studies in Communication Studies
R-Reonnia James, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice
Jarius O’Neil Jones II, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Danielle Denice Jones, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Philosophy in Health Policy and Management
Josie Irene Jones, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Music in Tuba
Jeffrey Ryan Kelly, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Accounting
Peyton K. Kelly, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Education
Tykeisha Dai’Von Kelly, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Social Work
Melissa M. Koch, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Business Administration
Elliot Nash Konrade, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Medicine
Mleh Landford, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Shannon Larsen, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Sang Lau, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Pharmacy
Nicholas Alexander Leahy, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science
Jasmyn L. Leapheart, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of General Studies in Psychology
Andrew J. Lentell, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Noses Lor, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
Cristina Luna, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Accounting
Ryan Carl Macan, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science
Adrian Alejandro Martinez, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Education
Gabrielle Grace Matt, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Steven M. Mccord, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of General Studies in Anthropology
Kathryn Lynn McCullough, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of General Studies in Law and Society
Kimberly Thalia Merritt, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Science in Bioengineering
Richard F. Mikesic, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Accounting
Dustin Alfred Miller, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Business in Supply Chain Management
Prompan Mingbunjerdsuk, Kansas City, Kansas, Certificate in Neurology
Marissa Alia Moreno, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
Abigail P. Neal, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of General Studies in Political Science and Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies
Derek Nold, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Medicine
Cailin C. O’Mara, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in American Studies and Bachelor of Arts in English
Sakher Mahmoud Obaidat, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Science
Chidera Crystal Okoye, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry
Sarah Felisa Oropeza, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of General Studies in Psychology
Enrique Manuel Ortiz, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Education
Kayla Noehmi Palacios, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Business Administration
Amittia Lonette Parker, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work
Fabian Eduardo Requenes, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of General Studies in History of Art and Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
Diana Nataly Reyes, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Nursing Practice
Michael A Rhodes, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Business Administration
Claudia Karina Rivera-Sanchez, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Lure’a Danielle Robertson, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Lasharica Ross, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Social Work
Merllan Alejandra Sabillon-Artiaga, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of General Studies in Public Administration
Eric Salazar, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Business in Information Systems
Elizabeth Santillan, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Speech-Language-Hearing
Amara Seng, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Medicine
Melanie Elizabeth Sharpnack, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Pharmacy and Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Studies
John Peter Shaughnessy, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Science in Engineering Management
Joshua Jordan Shepherd, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies
Conner Swanton, Kansas City, Kansas, Juris Doctor
Branden M. Taylor, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Jennifer Thluai, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Biology
Michell Tinoco-Morales, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Atmospheric Science
Sarah James Turner, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Juan A. Velasquez, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Human Biology
Jamie Rebecca Visser, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Social Work
Joshua Anthony Wakes, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of General Studies in Communication Studies
Alana A. Washington, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Journalism in News & Information
Hanna Mae Wertz, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Social Work
LeFonzo Wesley, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Bachelor of Arts in Spanish
Trey Whetstone, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science
Kassidy Rhiann Wieduwilt, Kansas City, Bachelor of Social Work
Belicia MariAnna Wilcoxen, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Applied Behavioral Science and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Kayla Marie Willis, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Education in Community Health
Alexander Wittman, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Cheeng Dannie Yang, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of General Studies in Liberal Arts and Sciences
Jordan Brian Young, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies.