Category: Education

KCK school board votes to require masks in fall

The Kansas City, Kansas, Board of Education voted Tuesday night to approve masks for all students, staff, parents and visitors when school resumes in the fall.

The board voted unanimously to approve the recommendation, which was presented by Stephen Linkous, district chief of staff, and recommended by the superintendent.

According to Linkous, masks also will be required on school buses.

The new rules also call for students and others who have any symptoms to stay home, he said.

The district will try to have social distancing wherever possible, but they will not guarantee everyone is three to six feet apart, according to Linkous. Social distancing is no longer required by health guidelines, he said.

Daily continuous cleaning of the district’s buildings will be maintained, with disinfection at night, he said.

Linkous said the district has a re-entry team that meets monthly and can bring back any changes to the board for the policy in case COVID rates change.

This fall, teachers here will teach only in-person students, Linkous said.

Virtual learning will be offered to 50 elementary, 50 middle school and 200 high school students through Greenbush, a Kansas education service center based near Pittsburg, Kansas.

Dr. Anna Stubblefield, superintendent, said the numbers are the district’s guarantees for the number of students, but if there are more students than 50, they will work with them.

Students who participate in virtual learning would enroll through the district’s student services, Linkous said, but there would not be a district teacher checking in with them every day and making sure they are on task.

Also, he said teachers this year will not try to be teaching children in person at the same time as teaching students remotely on computers.

He said students would be expected to complete a semester before they have a chance to change the learning mode. They wanted students to stay on track, he said.

There is also a quarantine policy. If students are absent because of quarantine or a long-term illness, the students will be able to check with the district’s Canvas website to check for their assignments and other information.

This fall, campuses will be able to have outdoor activities and athletics, he said.

They would like smaller numbers at events such as open houses and back-to-school events, he said, to reduce the risk. For example, a school might hold an event for sophomores, another event for juniors.

The state athletic guidelines do not have requirements for masking outdoors, he said. Spectators would be permitted to attend athletic and school activities, he said. Spectators who are outdoors would not have to wear masks, but if they are indoors, masks would be required. Linkous said these are his recommendations, but board decisions.

Fine arts and physical education classes would have mitigations and adaptations in place according to local health department guidelines, he said.

Linkous said more information is expected to come out from the Kansas State High School Athletic Association next week on guidance for sports and activities.

Linkous said the district will be giving students an internet device to use for virtual learning, and there is a plan to provide internet service.

Wanda Brownlee Paige, board member, asked if there was a backup plan, and Linkous said if they were told to go back into remote learning, it might not be as bad this time because of the Canvas system the district is now using. It would be easier to keep track of student progress, he said.

After a question from Dr. Valdenia Winn, board member, Dr. Stubblefield said remote learning is not being considered at this time, as it isn’t allowed for any district in Kansas. The state allows virtual learning from Greeenbush. In the case the entire class has to quarantine, however, teachers would be prepared, Dr. Stubblefield said.

Linkous said the district plans for 100 percent in-person attendance, minus the students who choose to go virtually to Greenbush.

When asked about the district’s desk shields for students, Linkous said the district now is working on a plan, getting input from principals for district practices on how they are implemented.

Dr. Stacey Yeager, a board member, asked if there was a way to pool resources for the students at seven district schools who wear uniforms. She said she applauded the district for purchasing school supplies for every student and having them available in class from day one.

In other action, the school board reorganized on Tuesday, and Randy Lopez was re-elected board president.

Dr. Winn nominated the vice president, Paige, for re-election. Janey Humphries nominated Yolanda Clark for vice president. Another nomination was made for Maxine Drew for vice president.

The board voted three in favor of Paige, and four against, with those in favor including Lopez, Dr. Winn and Paige.

The board then voted 5-2 in favor of Clark as vice president, with Paige and Dr. Winn voting no.

Lopez thanked Paige for her service as vice president this past year, and said he learned a lot from her guiding and co-leading the board and district.

More than 100 Wyandotte County students named to KU honor roll

More than 100 students at the University of Kansas from Wyandotte County were named to the honor roll for the spring 2021 semester.

The honor roll includes undergraduates who meet requirements in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and in the schools of Architecture and Design, Business, Education and Human Sciences, Engineering , Health Professions, Journalism and Mass Communications, Music, Nursing, Pharmacy, Professional Studies and Social Welfare.

In all, there were 6,500 KU undergraduate students on the honor roll.

Wyandotte County

Tanya Landeros De Leon, Bonner Springs, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Gracijela Lucic, Bonner Springs, School of Business
Alyissa Mendoza, Bonner Springs, School of Social Welfare
Isabella Nusbaum, Bonner Springs, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Spring Patterson, Bonner Springs, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Travis Slankard, Bonner Springs, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Jacob Smith, Bonner Springs, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Kylie Smith, Bonner Springs, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Abby Vaughn, Bonner Springs, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Jensen Walcott, Bonner Springs, School of Nursing

Blake Best, Edwardsville, School of Engineering
Josiah Crowley, Edwardsville, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Jake Shriver, Edwardsville, School of Education and Human Sciences

Vance Reed, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Engineering
Maria Accardi, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Pharmacy
Lucas Adam, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Pharmacy
Alejandra Aguirre, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Health Professions
Geovanni Alvarado, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and School of Business
Vilmer Alvarado, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Leanne Bautista, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Javen Betts, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Education and Human Sciences
McKenzie Blevins, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Anissa Brantley, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Education and Human Sciences
Jose Cabrera, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Pharmacy
Joel Campbell, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Engineering
Anabel Cardoza, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Samuel Chaney, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Business
Doany Chaparro, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Courtney Chatmon, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Aylea Cole, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Dillon Crosby, Kansas City, Kansas, School of the Arts
Josie Cruz-Lopez, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Nursing
Anh-Dao Do, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Colby Dressler, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Yamilecs Estupinan, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Alexander Falk, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Business
Andrew Ford, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Engineering
Kaya Frantz, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Lisandra Garcia, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Diego Garcia, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Engineering
Michael Gentry, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Hanah Glimpse, Kansas City, Kansas, School of the Arts
Bree Goodge, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Tyon Grant-Foster, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Emily Gudino, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Kristine Guthrie, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Health Professions
Kamiyah Hicks, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Julie Hinze, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Mallory Holt, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Pyo Htat, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Makale’a Jackson, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Zach Johnson, Kansas City, Kansas, School of the Arts
Olivia Jones, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Alexandria Jones, Kansas City, Kansas, School of the Arts
Jarius Jones, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Nursing
Jackson Jones, Kansas City, Kansas, School of the Arts
Josie Jones, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Music
Peyton Kelly, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Education and Human Sciences
Sierra Leiker, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Business
Jonathan Limas, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Business
Andrew Loaiza, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Engineering
Brianna Long, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Business
PaChee Lor, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Harrison Mages, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Health Professions
Gabriel Maldonado, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Education and Human Sciences
Gael Martinez, Kansas City, Kansas, School of the Arts
Amariah Mazurek, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Nursing
Steven Mccord, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Mia Meyer, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Ellie Meyers, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Shelbie Miller, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Jessica Monroe, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Education and Human Sciences
Shae Montgomery-Stamps, Kansas, Kansas City, School of Business
Tong Moua, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Soua Moua, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Thomas Murguia, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Business
Heather Nguyen, Kansas City, Kansas, School of the Arts
Andrew Novak, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Journalism and Mass Communications
Okwudili Okekearu, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Pharmacy
Enrique Ortiz, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Education and Human Sciences
Panhia Penney, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Business
Penelope Pennington, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Nursing
Rebecca Pray, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Health Professions
Diego Ramos Solis, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Business
Marcella Reeder, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Journalism and Mass Communications
Fabian Requenes, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Victoria Requenes, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Education and Human Sciences
Zackary Rodina, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Business
Jessica Ruiz, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Social Welfare
Joe Russell, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Business
Emma Sanders, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Elizabeth Santillan, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Brenda Sarmiento, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Health Professions
Sydney Sheldon, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Journalism and Mass Communications
Joshua Shepherd, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Zoe Surprise, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and School of the Arts
Luke Thepthepha, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Business
Candice Townsend, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Sarah Turner, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Nursing
Paci Vang, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Jamie Visser, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Social Welfare
Trey Whetstone, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Education and Human Sciences
Kassidy Wieduwilt, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Social Welfare
Deniz Yeter, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Nursing
Eric Zimmer, Kansas City, Kansas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City, Kansas, School of Journalism and Mass Communications.