Category: Local News

Nelson Elementary School Principal Mike Mitchener, Haysville Public Schools Superintendent Dr. John Burke and Assistant Superintendent for Learning Services Teresa Tosh reviewed the announcement naming Nelson Elementary as a Title I Distinguished School. (USD 261 Photo)

Haysville USD 261’s Nelson Elementary School has been selected as a Title I Distinguished School. The National Title I Association sponsors the Title I Distinguished Schools Program. “We are honored and humbled at the recent recognition of being one of two schools in the state named as a “National Title 1 Distinguished School.” We realize that it is a “Team Effort” at all levels which
has brought about the substantial gains,” said Nelson Elementary School Principal Mike Mitchener. “From district “Best Practice” implementations to building initiatives, it is the result of the Collective Efforts of multiple people. Truly it is a (T.E.A.M.-Together Everyone Accomplishes More) effort.”
Assistant Superintendent of Learning Services Teresa Tosh noted it is such an honor to celebrate the hard work of the Nelson staff and student. “They have implemented strategies that have had such a positive impact on their school’s culture and on the academic achievement of their students. I know first hand how the efforts they will go to be sure a child is successful. We are thrilled they are being honored for those accomplishments.”
Each participating state selects one school for each category: Category 1: A Title I school that has exceeded its adequate yearly progress for two or more years by demonstrating high academic achievement.
Category 2: A Title I school that has significantly closed the achievement gap between student groups.
Nelson Elementary School is being recognized as a Category 1 school. The recognition and celebration of the Distinguished Schools will take place at the National Title I Conference in Nashville, Tennessee in January.

300 block of N Main.

If anyone goes or has gone please tell us about your experience.

From the Derby Informer…

Deputy Administrative Officer Will Black has added economic development responsibilities to his current duties, until a replacement can be found for David New, who has resigned.
“I’ll be working with Planning and Community Relations Coordinator Jeana Morgan,” he said. “I’ll be getting out in the community.”

Full story here.

According to the City of Haysvilles website Haysville will be getting a new disc golf course soon. Whenever “soon” is.

Click here to view a map of the course.

From the Derby Informer…

Upgrading water meters to radio-read devices for many customers is in the public works budget this coming year.

“The radio-read meters store history, so we can look at the past four to five months’ history and determine if there are leaks,” said Will Black, Haysville deputy administrative officer.

Full story here.

More info on radio-read meters here.

From KFDI.com

A 12-year-old Haysville-area boy escaped with minor injuries after the bicycle he was riding was struck by a car.

The crash happened just after 6:30 a.m.Tuesday on Seneca north of 79th Street South. The Sedgwick County Sheriffs Department investigated the crash. A spokeswoman said it was dark at the time of the accident.

Full story here.

The Haysville USD 261 Board of Education recently approved the name change of the Haysville Alternative High School (HAHS) to Haysville High School (HHS). The requested name change stemmed from the very purpose of the school which is to give district high school students an opportunity.
“Many people confuse the semantics of the word alternative,” said Mark Foster, Haysville High School Assistant Principal. “Our diploma is not an alternative diploma, but a fully accredited diploma which actually exceeds the requirements imposed by the Kansas State Board of Education.”
Foster noted that many people think that an alternative school awards an alternative diploma (meaning something less than what is required by the state).
“Our diploma has always read Haysville High School for this very reason,” Foster explained. “However, whenour students apply for jobs, the military, and post-secondary opportunities there is much ambiguity on the part of prospective employers, the military, and institutions of higher learning. “
Foster believes in the past, the confusion over the school name and diploma awarded has cost his students opportunities they have worked very hard to be equally entitled to compete for without prejudice.
“Our students earned the right to be considered for these opportunities on an equal level with students from other schools. Our teachers are part of Professional Learning Communities, by department, at Campus High School and we have a common curriculum and common assessments,” Foster affirmed.
Haysville High School graduation rate and state assessment scores are included with those of Campus High School, but disaggregated are on par with those of CHS and surrounding schools in this area.
Foster is passionate about the name change and the positive impact on our students who deserve equal opportunity.
“I am very grateful to this community, Campus High School, the Haysville Public School Central Office, and our Board of Education for the tremendous support we had for our request. Many of our students have gone on to achieve success in technical
programs, junior colleges, four-year state universities, and the United States military. We will continue to advocate for our district students to have equal opportunity in all of their endeavors.”

In this article from the Derby informer Heat team owner Rick Twyman is quoted saying…
“It was difficult in Haysville after Dad died and city officials in Haysville were great, but we just didn’t have the fan support in Haysville,” .