Popular school event aims to make reading fun

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 19 March 2013 13:12

Holly Nickel and Malik enjoy a book together during Hillsboro Elementary School’s Family Reading Night March 12. With students and family members, some 417 people turned out for the event. The family that reads together has fun together.

At least that’s the premise behind Family Reading Night, the annual event that drew about 217 students and nearly 200 of their family members to Hills­boro Elementary School Tues­day evening, March 12.

“We just want the kids to see that reading can be fun, and that its important for whatever career they’re going to go into,” said Sandy Arnold, who coordinates the event as the district’s lead librarian.

With “Spring Fever” an appropriate theme the week before spring break, students and family members rotated through six 15-minute stations.

One featured a skit on “Spring Cleaning” featuring three HES teachers and the school counselor as the actors. It was based on...

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Business earns state award

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 19 March 2013 13:10

Marie Kessler holds the plaque she received last week when her business, Kessler Kreations in Hillsboro, was named Existing Business of the Year by the Kansas Small Business Development Center. Most small-business owners favor customer loyalty over public recognition. But a little a recognition doesn’t hurt, either.

Marie Kessler, owner of Kessler Kreations in Hillsboro, recently received the 2013 “Exist­ing Business of the Year” award from Kansas Small Busi­ness Develop­ment Services, a program of the Kan­sas Depart­ment of Commerce.

Kessler received the award March 12 in Topeka.

“It’s nice to be recognized because I do put in a lot of hard work here to get this going,” she said.

In 2005, Kessler started her business retailing quilting and fabric goods and services at 114 S. Main. She soon realized she needed additional space to offer the variety of fabrics and services she envisioned.

When the former...

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Making the case

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 19 March 2013 13:02

Reviewing an educational flyer about the bond issue project are (from left) Scott Boden, junior/senior high principal, John Fast, superintendent, Gina Bergin, family and consumer science teacher, and Zana Manche, agriculture education teacher. With less than two weeks to go before USD 411 patrons will vote on a $3.3 million bond issue for school improvements, district leaders at Goessel are focused on educating the public about the project’s benefits.

Over the past few months, the district has hosted several public meetings and tours; another meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. next Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the people most in touch with the current educational challenges may be the teachers who lead the three departments that form the cornerstone of the project: a 13,000-square foot addition to the junior-senior high school.

The new facility will serve students in vocational agriculture, science and family and consumer science. The project is innovative in that it serves the...

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HES fifth-grader wins state Arbor Day poster contest

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 12 March 2013 13:41

 

Hillsboro Elementary School fifth-grader Callie Arnold, shown here with principal Evan Yoder (left) and teacher Rod Just, won first place in the Kansas Arbor Day Poster Contest. She is the first HES student to win the state contest, according to Just.Each school year, Just has students create a tree poster as part of Earth Science class. Callie will be recognized for her accomplishment at a statewide Tree City USA event in Derby March 28. Just said the Kansas Forestry Department hopes to have Callie meet with Gov. Sam Brownback as part of her recognition. At a later time, a tree will be planted in Hillsboro, either at the school or somewhere on public ground, by the South Central District forester. “It’s a big honor, and...

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