Tag: Education

100 Wyandotte County students receive degrees from KU

The University of Kansas has announced the names of 100 Wyandotte County graduates for spring and summer 2020.

Several Wyandotte County students are on the list of graduates.

The graduates include:

• Justin Gregory Carroll, Bonner Springs, Bachelor of Applied Science in Biotechnology
• Jared Clements, Bonner Springs, Master of Urban Planning
• Meghan R. Dowell, Bonner Springs, Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice
• Ashlyn Nicole Duwe, Bonner Springs, Bachelor of General Studies in Speech-Language-Hearing
• Blaine Edmondson, Bonner Springs, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
• Mason K. Hurla, Bonner Springs, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Theodore J. Martell, Bonner Springs, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
• Jennifer Lynnette McConico, Bonner Springs, Master of Social Work
• Randa M. Mortensen, Bonner Springs, Bachelor of General Studies in Liberal Arts & Sciences
• Sara Elizabeth Rehm, Bonner Springs, Doctor of Pharmacy
• Abigail Marie Schif, Bonner Springs, Bachelor of Science in Business in Marketing
• Megan Lea Storms, Bonner Springs, Master of Science in Education
• Kyle William Turner, Bonner Springs, Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
• Quinnlyn Alyssa Walcott, Bonner Springs, Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Studies

• Megan Adams, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Rolando Alfaro, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Business in Marketing
• Giselle Almodovar, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Journalism in Strategic Communications
• Karen Melissa Amaya Varela, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Business Administration
• Ana Jennifer Bautista, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies
• Bret Anthony Beavers, Kansas City, Kansas, Juris Doctor
• Santino L. Bernal, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Sport Management
• Shelby Ann Brier, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Journalism in News & Information
• Allison N. Burris-Facio, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of General Studies in Literature, Language and Writing
• Jose Maria Cabrera, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Studies
• Crosby Lane Calvillo, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Occupational Therapy
• Keyera Monae Collins, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of General Studies in Communication Studies
• Aimee Y. Custer, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Business Administration
• Sarah Elizabeth Daniels, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Science in Education
• K’Brece Ashley Dean, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Social Work
• Macey Ann DeGraw, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design
• Mckenzie R. Dick, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Social Work
• Shawna Lynn Drake, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Science in Education
• Kimberly Dyer, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Health Services Administration
• Leon Edwards Jr, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Science in Journalism
• Tyler Dale Elmore, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Medicine
• Conner Thomas Emberlin, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Arts in Mathematics
• Corinne Noelle Erickson, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Business Administration
• Kristen Leigh Farnet, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Pharmacy
• Rebecca Ferguson, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Medicine
• Christopher Michael Ford, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of General Studies in Communication Studies
• Jacob Michael Fustos, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Science in Computer Engineering
• Jessie Garcia, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Kristina Renee Hamilton, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biosciences
• Lena Hartmayer, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Global and International Studies
• Tayla Hawkins, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Sharita Monique Hayward, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Social Work
• Michael J. Heinzman, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
• Chon Jacinda Her, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Architecture
• Gloria Nkauj-Yiv Her, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Health Info Management
• Madison Brooke Heydinger, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Science in Dietetics and Nutrition
• Cierra Christine Hiatt, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
• Alexander W. Hobelmann, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Journalism in Strategic Communications
• Pamela Marie Howze, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Science in Education
• Erika Ibarra, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
• Jeffrey Ryan Kelly, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Business in Accounting
• Sameia Rochelle Kendall, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Physical Therapy
• Lauren Renee Klapper, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Human Biology
• Janice Levina, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Carlotta Noreen Lewis, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Social Work
• Van L. Lian, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Architecture
• Tara Marie Lindahl, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Education
• Ashlyn J. Lipnicky, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Public Health
• Melissa Lopez, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Science in Nursing
• Alexander ZonMong Lor, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design
• Jesse David Lyle, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Health Services Administration
• Luis E, Matos, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Physics
• Hope Desirée McAlexander, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology
• Madison G. McCall, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Biology
• Tara Michelle McCoy, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Pharmacy
• Yamileth Janette Mendez, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Victor M. Meraz, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies
• Natalie Kay Moon, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Accounting
• Joshua Moore, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Melanie Elizabeth Moore, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science
• Nickolas Shawn Newell, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice
• Truc T. Nguyen, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Architecture
• Tyler Minh-Hung Nguyen, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
• Raymond Piedra Nunez Jr., Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Public Administration
• Crystal O Obiefuna, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Sarah Jo Okun, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Social Work
• Nathaniel M. Orel, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering
• Marlen Ortiz, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Secondary Level Education
• Halie Fallon Owen, Kansas City, Kansas, Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice
• Nicole R. Papageorgiou, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Science in Journalism
• Peyton Renee Peaches, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Occupational Therapy
• Ivan Pinedo, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Microbiology
• Natasha D. Ruiz-Flores, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
• Diana Sarmiento, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies
• Andrea Silva, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Law and Society
• Simona Kiiyin Simmons, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Human Biology
• Colby Dewayne Spiess, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Biology
• Katherine Kohlee Vang, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and Bachelor of Arts in Spanish
• Alexandra Rose Vega, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of General Studies in Psychology
• Benjamin Ray Vinson, Kansas City, Kansas, Master of Science in Engineering Management
• Magdalena Gabriela Wagner, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Social Work
• Logan K. Wilson, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
• Frances Marie Wooldridge, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Ira Elizabeth Wright, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration
• Daniel Elliott Zolotor, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
• Joel Zuniga, Kansas City, Kansas, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.

School board hears pleas to reinstate fall sports

The Kansas City, Kansas, Board of Education at its Aug. 25 meeting received two letters asking for the reinstatement of fall sports.

The Aug. 25 meeting also was notable as being the last one for Dr. Charles Foust, superintendent, who has accepted a superintendent position in another district.

Superintendent Foust said he gave out batons, and described education as a relay race from one school level to the next.

“The goal for running the race is never to look back,” he said. “We continue to press forward, we reach and we go. We tell the person to take off. You can’t afford to slow down the educational progress for students because others are gaining on you.”

Anderson Jones, a senior at Washington High School, asked the board in a letter if it could reinstate sports. He mentioned he had a cousin at another district school, and they were hoping to get athletic scholarships.

“Washington has been following all your guidelines in place during this pandemic,” Anderson wrote in his letter to the board. “We did all this work just for you guys to say we can’t have a season? But y’all expect us to be encouraged and stay in school. Why should we do what y’all want if you guys won’t do what we want. It’s already bad enough that we can’t start school in the classroom. So please don’t suspend our season. Please give me and other students around the district to have our last chance of playing high school football. I want to go to college for this and potentially go to the league.”

Hattie Smith, who recently ran for office, also sent a letter to the board about resumption of fall sports.

“I believe the KCKPS BOE had a premature discussion on the condition of continuing sports this fall and jumped the gun without key information in the discussion, information being can it be done; can there be a safe season of sports?” Smith wrote.

“I’m not saying whether it’s right to play or not, I am saying it’s right to continue the preparation of playing, it’s the right thing to do to restore a level of hope to our current environment in our community,” Smith continued.

Board member Dr. Stacey Yeager asked if the board was going to align its policies with the Unified Government Health Department policies on fall sports. She asked for the item to be put on a future agenda.

The Kansas City, Kansas, school board voted Aug. 11 to suspend fall KSHSAA sports in the district. The Wyandotte County health order came out Aug. 13 that prohibited some fall contact sports, while allowing conditioning and training if in accordance with guidelines.

Board President Randy Lopez said it was his understanding that updated information will come out this week from the UG Health Department, and they are waiting for that update.

Other districts have made similar actions as the Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools, he said, and they will continue to look at the science, data, health implications and follow the guidelines of the health department.

The KCK district will spend the first nine weeks of the fall semester in remote education, with school starting Sept. 8. The district has developed plans for remote education.

The school board approved a remote learning plan Aug. 25 to send to the state Department of Education; the plan is at https://go.boarddocs.com/ks/kckps/Board.nsf/files/BSPRM3633235/$file/Remote%20Learning%20Plan%20082520.pdf.

The school board also approved a presentation on the district’s plan to redraw school boundaries. This item is expected to come up again at later school board meetings. Before completion in January 2021, there will be some public forums held on it, according to staff.

During the public library segment of the meeting, the board approved the public library locations staying open until 7 p.m. during the weekdays.

Currently, because of COVID-19 the library buildings are not open to patrons, but patrons may drop off and pick up books and materials at the libraries. The drop-off time previously ended at 5 p.m. This will help people who work, according to Wendy Levers, library director. The staff will adjust schedules and it will not affect the budget, she said.

The school board also approved the budget during the Aug. 25 meeting. The board held a budget hearing, but received no comments from the public. Dr. Valdenia Winn voted no on the budget approval.

There was little discussion of the budget at the Aug. 25 meeting. At previous meetings, the board had worked through parts of the budget.

The budget document states that the mill levy for the 2020-2021 budget will have an estimated tax rate of 49.605 mills. That is the same number as 2019-2020, according to the budget document, and it was 49.489 mills in 2018-2019.

While there is a flat mill rate, total expenditures were expected to go from $409.3 million in 2019-2020 to $471.05 million in 2020-2021, according to the budget document.

With a flat mill levy rate, homeowners whose assessed valuations stayed the same during the past year may not see any change in their property tax bill from the school district. Those who have seen an increase in the past year in their valuations could see a slight increase in the tax bill.

Health officials put several KU fraternity and sorority houses under 14-day quarantine

Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health called it an “evolving situation,” and has been doing contact tracing as the university began a new semester this week.

by Erica Hunzinger, Kansas News Service

Students who live at five fraternities and five sororities at the University of Kansas must quarantine for 14 days, health officials said Wednesday night.

Using contact tracing, the Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health agency said people in the Greek homes were most likely to have come in close contact with some of the 200-plus students who have tested positive for the coronavirus. Chapter members who live elsewhere are not part of the order.

“This is an evolving situation,” the health agency said in a news release, noting that it had issued quarantine orders for nine Greek organizations and was working on a 10th.

The University of Kansas started its fall semester on Monday with in-person instruction, and offered free testing for students, faculty and staff. As of Tuesday, the overall positive test rate was about 1%, but 133 people in fraternities or sororities had tested positive for a rate of more than 5%.

KU Chancellor Doug Girod said in an emailed statement that health officials met with Greek organizations to talk about “health and safety strategies.” He also said the next update on the number of COVID-19 cases at KU would come Friday.

“As you’ve heard me say many times, our situation is fluid and can change rapidly,” Girod said. “We anticipate additional county-issued quarantine orders will continue to impact the KU community in the days ahead.”

Earlier in the day, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment said Kansas saw an increase of more than 1,500 cases between Monday and Wednesday for a total statewide of almost 40,000.

KDHE tracks clusters of cases, with current data showing seven active outbreaks at universities or colleges; it does not provide anything specific beyond that. But Gov. Laura Kelly said Tuesday that one college student has been hospitalized with coronavirus complications.

Earlier this month, a fraternity at Kansas State University saw 13 members test positive for the coronavirus.

More than 4,000 KU students are part of Greek life, according to the school’s official Sorority and Fraternity Life webpage, with 47 organizations and about 20% of the student population.

Erica Hunzinger is the news editor for the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter @ehunzinger. The Kansas News Service is a collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW and High Plains Public Radio focused on health, the social determinants of health and their connection to public policy. Kansas News Service stories and photos may be republished by news media at no cost with proper attribution and a link to ksnewsservice.org.

See more at https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-08-26/health-officials-put-several-ku-fraternity-and-sorority-houses-under-14-day-quarantine.