Centre ‘iTeam’ earns high marks KU conference

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 19 June 2012 13:11

Shown here with Superintendent Jerri Kemble are iPad Chefs (from left) Jensen Riffel, Jennea Remmers, Lane Methvin, Kara Riffel, Emily Silhan, Elias Jirak, Emily David and Braxton Smith. The Centre Elementary School “iTeam,” composed of third- and fourth-graders, were key presenters June 8 at a conference at the University of Kansas that drew more than 400 educators.

Called the “Strategies for Educational Improvement: Preparing for the Future,” the conference was a collaboration between the Kansas State Department of Education and the KU School of Education.

Members of the audience included Kansas Commissioner of Education Diane DeBacker, state school board members Diane Bunting and Walt Chappel, representatives from two legislators’ offices, plus university professors, teachers and administrators.

The students, calling themselves the iPad Chefs, based on the “Iron Chef” TV show, illustrated...

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Centre’s ‘Buddy’ program wins national CEP award

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 19 June 2012 13:03

The Centre school district recently won the prestigious National Promising Practice Award from the Character Education Partnership.

The award recognized the district’s Character Buddy program to teach essential attributes and social skills necessary for success of their students.

The school district is invited to attend the CEP Forum in Washington, D.C., to be honored for its pioneering effort.

Previously, Centre won the Kansas Schools of Character award for the practice of Character Buddies. On May 3, Superintendent Jerri Kemble, sixth-grade teacher Marci Cain and Character Assembly coordinator Angela Basore attended the awards program at the Brown vs. Board National Historic Site in Topeka.

Winning at the state level qualified...

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410 board OKs pay raises for staff

Written by Aleen Ratzlaff Tuesday, 19 June 2012 13:01

Unified School District 410 Board of Education took action June 11 at its regular meeting to approve the master contract and pay increases for classified employees and administrators for the 2012-13 school year.

Superintendent Steve Noble, on behalf of district employees, expressed appreciation to the board for its ongoing commitment to “putting people first.”

Action on salaries included:

• an average increase of 3.3 percent for teachers. Noble said the range varies from beginning teachers at about 2.5 percent to one teacher at 12.1 percent, adding that most teachers’ increase is in the 3.5 to 4 percent range.

Percentages vary because they are determined by length of contract and education level, Noble said.

• a classified...

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Tabor releases Dean’s List for spring semester

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 19 June 2012 13:00

Tabor College has announced that 179 students have been named to the Dean’s List for their scholastic accomplishments for the spring semester.

To qualify for the Dean’s List, a student must achieve a grade-point average according to the following categories: Highest honors, 4.00 to 3.85; high honors, 3.849 to 3.70; and honors, 3.699 to 3.50.

Hometowns are in Kansas unless otherwise indicated.TABOR COLLEGE DEAN’S LIST

Highest honors

Seniors: Kady Albrecht, Herington; Tiffany Arnold, Hillsboro; Corissa Bartel, Hillsboro; Amanda Brown, Hillsboro; Spencer Brown, Hillsboro; Elisabeth Cartney, Hillsboro; Leigh Costello, Lewisville, Texas; Alexandre Dablemont, Whitewater; MacKenzie Dick, Henderson, Neb; Melanie Dick, Wichita; Talia...

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