Lee Summit R-7 Schools New Stories

R-7 Class of 2012 receives $24.9 million in scholarship potential

Fri, 18 May 2012 12:56:09 GMT

Graduating seniors in the Lee's Summit R-7 Class of 2012 earned approximately $24.9 million in scholarship potential this spring. This year's R-7 graduating class consisted of 1,271 seniors, including 404 at Lee's Summit High School, 447 at Lee's Summit North High School and 420 at Lee's Summit West High School.

According to information gathered from students, a total of 88 percent of the 2012 graduates have indicated they plan to attend college or enter the military.

Lee's Summit R-7 assistant principals honored by Greater Kansas City organization

Thu, 17 May 2012 18:48:41 GMT

Chad Hertzog, assistant principal at Lee's Summit High School, and Whitney Morehead, assistant principal at Summit Lakes Middle School, were recognized by the Greater Kansas City Principals Association this spring.

Mr. Hertzog was named the 2012-13 Assistant Principal of the Year by the association. He is also one of eight candidates for the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals Assistant Principal of the Year.

Mrs. Morehead was named 2012-13 Exemplary New Assistant Principal of the Year by the Greater Kansas City association.

A Lee's Summit High School educator for 10 years, Mr. Hertzog has worked as assistant principal for the last four years and also as a math teacher. In July, he will begin serving as the school's director of activities and athletics.

"Mr. Hertzog leads a number of key programs at LSHS," said John Faulkenberry, LSHS principal who also nominated Mr. Hertzog for the honor, "including our ACT prep program, annual Hall of Fame and Partners In Education. He is a tremendous communicator with students, parents and staff and is also extremely talented in using technology."

Mr. Hertzog earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia in secondary math education, his master's degree from the University of Central Missouri in secondary school administration and is working toward a doctorate in educational leadership through Saint Louis University.

Mrs. Morehead has worked at Summit Lakes Middle School for eight years. Before becoming the school's assistant principal last year, she taught speech and theatre, language arts and supervised the school's in-school suspension program.

She earned her bachelor's degree in communication arts from Truman State University, her master's degree in middle-school education from the University of Central Missouri and her specialist degree in secondary administration, also from UCM.

"Mrs. Morehead is student focused and works diligently with staff to take programs to the next level," said Dr. David Carlson, Summit Lakes Middle School principal who nominated Mrs. Morehead for the recognition. "Her rapport with students and dedication makes a difference each day at Summit Lakes. In her first year as an administrator she has performed like a true professional."

Mason Elementary Tiger Choir tours area schools, businesses

Thu, 17 May 2012 18:44:25 GMT

The Mason Elementary School Tiger Choir toured several local schools and businesses on May 16. The tour showcased the choir members' talents while providing entertainment at the various locations. The choir, directed by music teacher Nikki Pace, visited Mid-Continent Public Library, Wilshire at Lakewood, Lee's Summit North High School, the Stansberry Leadership Center, Bernard Campbell Middle School and Richardson Elementary and ended the day with a performance at Mason Elementary.

R-7 School District receives national ‘What Parents Want’ Award

Thu, 17 May 2012 18:42:26 GMT

For the 21st year in a row, the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District received the “What Parents Want” Award from SchoolMatch, an independent nationwide school selection service. Approximately 16 percent of the nation’s 15,571 public school districts received this award for meeting the needs of families choosing schools.

SchoolMatch, an independent, nationwide service, helps corporate employee families find schools that match the needs of their children. SchoolMatch has conducted more than 1,000 educational effectiveness audits of school systems and assists corporations with site selection studies.

SchoolMatch maintains information on every public school system throughout the nation and accredited private schools throughout the world. More than 7 million parents have accessed SchoolMatch.

Criteria used for award selection include a close match to what SchoolMatch users most often request, including competitive academic test scores, accreditation, recognition of excellence by a national foundation or by the U.S. Department of Education, competitive teacher salaries, a higher percent of budget spent on instruction services, a focus on library/media services and reasonable class sizes. The award also includes graduation rates and availability of comprehensive programs and services.

Within the Kansas City metropolitan area, eight Missouri school districts earned the "What Parents Want" Award this year.

LSWHS robotics team visits NASA

Thu, 17 May 2012 18:42:16 GMT

Lee’s Summit West High School’s robotics team, Team Titanium, was honored by NASA at the NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center’s Robotics Recognition Day in Huntsville, Ala., on May 14. Team Titanium was selected as a “house team” for the 2012 FIRST Robotics Competition by this facility, along with five other teams from a five-state region. Representatives from the six teams traveled to Huntsville for the celebration and recognition.

NASA is a primary sponsor of the FIRST Robotics Competition. Each NASA facility selects house teams based on a grant application process each fall. Team Titanium was selected based on its past performance and demonstrated success at promoting engineering to students through robot competitions and summer programs. This designation provided grant money for a tournament entry fee and access to contacts at NASA for questions and support during build and competition. The National Space Club Huntsville provided funding for select members of the team to travel to Huntsville for the Recognition Day.

During the Robotics Recognition Day, NASA scientists, engineers, and educators gave a program outlining current NASA projects including Space Launch Systems and Robonaut 2. They provided an overview of summer programs available to students and showcased future career opportunities with NASA in robotics. The team toured NASA labs including the Flight Robotics Flat Floor Lab, Friction Stir Welding Lab and Advanced Manufacturing Lab. The students spent time at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, where they explored over 1,500 artifacts from America’s space exploration including replicas of a space shuttle, lunar excursion module, Apollo 16 capsule and the Saturn V rocket. They also experienced a ride on a G-force simulator.

R-7 Nutrition Services provides information about new school meal requirements

Thu, 17 May 2012 18:41:53 GMT

The Lee's Summit R-7 School District Nutrition Services is continuing to transition its breakfast and lunch offerings for students to meet new federal school meal requirements being implemented in 2012-13. The Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act takes effect on July 1, 2012, and mandates increased portion sizes of fruits and vegetables, increased offerings of whole-grain foods, low-fat and non-fat milk, a reduction in sodium levels, a reduction in saturated fat and an elimination of trans fat. It is also mandated that students take a fruit or vegetable with their lunch.

For students, one of the more significant changes is that each student will be required to have a one-half cup serving of fruits or vegetables on their tray for it to count as a federally reimbursable meal. R-7 Nutrition Services will continue to offer a variety of fruits and vegetables daily for students to select during lunch. In addition, the new regulations limit how much meat or meat alternative (such as cheese or yogurt) and grains can be offered.

Fortunately, the R-7 Nutrition Services Department has been preparing for this new law for some time and has been transitioning to more healthy meal options for several years. For example, the R-7 cafeterias already meet the 2012-13 requirement that half of all grains offered must be whole-grain rich.

Lee's Summit R-7 cafeterias have also been working toward the mandates regarding vegetables. The law states that vegetables from the following groups must be offered each week: dark green, orange/red and legumes. Nutrition Services has already been offering sweet potatoes and steamed broccoli, spinach, legumes and other qualifying vegetables to students this school year.

To transition to the reduced-sodium mandates, R-7 cafeterias have been using Mrs. Dash for seasoning in place of salt, and salt shakers and salt packets are no longer available to students.

To read a letter from Nutrition Services with additional information about the meal requirements, visit www.leesummit.k12.mo.us/nutrition and select "New Regulation Letter."

LSHS student designs R-7 wellness logo

Tue, 15 May 2012 19:20:13 GMT

Casey Hudson, a student at Lee's Summit High School, was the winner of the Lee's Summit R-7 School District's wellness logo contest. Casey, who is in Angie Prindle's art class, receives a $20 gift certificate.

The logo will be used in conjunction with all programs through Wellness for Life to indicate that it is offered by the school district's wellness program.

Lee's Summit Educational Foundation awards $50,000 in PEAK Grants for classroom enhancements

Mon, 14 May 2012 16:39:52 GMT

The Lee's Summit Educational Foundation recently awarded $50,000 in PEAK (Promoting Excellence and Knowledge) Grants to fund innovative classroom projects throughout the R-7 School District.

Grants are awarded to Lee's Summit R-7 staff members for projects that demonstrate creative, innovative and effective ways to meet student needs and increase motivation to learn with measurable results. Applications from educators are anonymously reviewed by a committee of school district teachers, administrators, parents and community members.

PEAK Grants awarded this spring will assist more than 10,000 students during the 2012-13 school year. Funding for PEAK Grants is provided as part of the Lee's Summit Educational Foundation's $275,000 Annual Fund Drive, which included individual and corporate donations, Foundation sponsorships, the Foundation's Race for the Future 5K Run/Walk, Major Saver Card sales and the Taste of Lee's Summit annual fundraising dinner.

R-7 educators learned they were receiving a 2012-13 PEAK Grant on May 3 and 4 when Lee's Summit Educational Foundation Board members made surprise visits to local schools to announce the recipients of the 42 grants. In all, the grants went to classroom projects at three high schools, two middle schools, 15 elementary schools and Great Beginnings Early Education Center.

The individual grants fund projects such as instructional technology, reading programs, science projects and motivational programs – to name just a few examples.

PEAK Grant recipients for this year included Cathy Ledbetter, Great Beginnings Early Education Center; Andrea Allen, Bernard Campbell Middle School; Cheryl McLaughlin, Hazel Grove and Lee's Summit Elementary Schools; Heather Crain, Summit Lakes Middle School; Laura Tacke, Summit Pointe Elementary; Rick Saunders, Longview Farm Elementary; Rachel Reed, Lee's Summit High School; Kelli Wilson, LSHS; Linda Beebe-Boring, Hawthorn Hill Elementary; Missy Michaelson-Gard, SLMS; Susan Dunham and Michelle Lisle, Hazel Grove Elementary (receiving two grants); Tammy Harris, Meadow Lane Elementary; Sara Benke, Sarah Eckert, Julie Kirkpatrick and Kerri Draper, Cedar Creek, Lee's Summit, Richardson and Westview Elementary Schools; Denise Morris, Sunset Valley Elementary; Enjoli Avila, Summit Pointe Elementary; Melissa Searls, Lee's Summit West High School (receiving two grants); April Paul, Sunset Valley Elementary; Ronda Brown and Aimee Gorrow, Prairie View Elementary; Kristin Shrout, Sunset Valley Elementary; Kerrie Creemer, Meadow Lane Elementary; Krista Tucker, Highland Park Elementary; Michelle Butler, Hawthorn Hill Elementary; Nicole Dawson, Lee's Summit Elementary; Rebecca Carr, Stacy James and Rita Rogers, Woodland Elementary; Diane Weeda, Lee's Summit North High School; Sherri McCallum, SLMS; Laurie Paige and Jennifer Stevenson, Great Beginnings; Jackie Harvey, Pleasant Lea Elementary; Breana Kavanaugh, Meadow Lane Elementary; Kyle S. Anderson, LSNHS; Kathy Nash, LSNHS; Mary Beth Hawk, Summit Pointe Elementary; Rosanna Georgetti, Summit Pointe Elementary; Laura Heath, Longview Farm Elementary; Lori Graham, Hazel Grove Elementary; Gary Hart, R-7 high schools; Janet Little, Great Beginnings; Allison Black, LSHS; Dr. Susan Guental, R-7 School District; and Andrea Foote, Greenwood Elementary.

SLMS student receives Vincent Legacy Scholarship

Mon, 14 May 2012 15:49:04 GMT

Nakia Hanley, a student at Summit Lakes Middle School, recently received the Vincent Legacy Scholarship from Starlight Theatre this spring. Nakia was presented with the $2,500 award during a surprise announcement at Summit Lakes on May 11.

Since 2006, Starlight Theatre and community leaders Greg and Rebecca Reid have awarded 13 Vincent Legacy Scholarships through a $50,000 endowment fund designed to "provide youth who show performing arts promise the opportunity to further refine and improve their skills through professional instruction."

The scholarship is available to ethnically diverse youth in sixth, seventh or eighth grade and pays for up to $2,500 of performing arts instruction for the selected recipient.

Scholarship recipients participated in an application process based on grades, school attendance and community service as well as an audition.

Meadow Lane Elementary students capture awards in Soil to Spoon poster contest

Mon, 14 May 2012 15:39:45 GMT

Meadow Lane Elementary students recently captured top awards in the Soil Stewardship Poster Contest, sponsored by the Jackson County Soil Conservation Department. Winners were Taralynn Bailey (right), first place, and Cherokee Johnson (left), another contest finalist. Both are pictured with Meadow Lane teacher Kerrie Creemer. Theme for the poster contest was "Soil to Spoon." Posters were judged on message, visual effectiveness, originality and universal appeal.

Lee's Summit R-7 high schools capture nominations in Cappies Theatre Awards program

Thu, 10 May 2012 20:35:22 GMT

Several Lee's Summit R-7 School District students and theatre productions were recently nominated for honors in the Cappies Theatre Awards program, which includes recognition for high school theatre productions and critics. Both Lee's Summit High School and Lee's Summit West High School participated in the program this school year.

Through Cappies, high school theatre and journalism students are trained in theatre criticism, organized into teams and assigned to attend plays and musicals at other schools. The students write reviews for local newspapers. At the end of the show season, the critics vote for the Cappies awards. A metro-wide gala will be held May 26 at Blue Springs South High School to present the Cappies awards.

Lee's Summit High School nominations included props, Randi Matney for "Guys and Dolls"; stage crew, Doug Spencer, "Guys and Dolls"; orchestra, "Guys and Dolls" Orchestra; ensemble in a musical, "The Crapshooters," "Guys and Dolls"; featured actor, AJ Cott in "Guys and Dolls"; male dancer, Evan Dir in "Guys and Dolls"; male vocalist, Daniel Verschelden in "Guys and Dolls"; supporting actor in a play, Dakota Briner in "Sherlock Holmes"; supporting actress in a musical, Alison Gray in "Guys and Dolls"; lead actress in a play, Brooke Myers in "Sherlock Holmes"; lead actress in a musical, Brooke Myers, "Guys and Dolls"; lead actor in a musical, Vince Woods in "Guys and Dolls"; best song, "Luck Be A Lady" in "Guys and Dolls"; best musical, "Guys and Dolls"; and best male critic, Daniel Verschelden.

Lee's Summit West High School nominations included sound design, Tyler Malcolm for "A Christmas Carol"; sound design, Tyler Malcolm and Emily Zitzman for "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"; lighting design, Sam Hill and Kristin Luttrell for "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"; lighting design, Kristin Luttrell for "A Christmas Carol"; set design, Sam Ales and Ingrid Roettgen for "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"; set design, Ingrid Roettgen for "A Christmas Carol"; costume design, Shelby Hulsey, Sarah Muir and Kayla Redd for "A Christmas Carol"; costume design, Shelby Hulsey and Kayla Redd for "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"; make-up design, Paige Matheny for "A Christmas Carol"; special effects and technology, Jacob Bogart for "A Christmas Carol"; stage crew, Sam Hill for "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"; orchestra, "Jospeh and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" Orchestra; ensemble in a play, "The Carollers" in "A Christmas Carol"; ensemble in a musical, "The Brothers" in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"; featured actor, Jon Gibson as Charles Dickens in "A Christmas Carol"; male dancer, Zach Curtis in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"; comic actor in a musical, Jacob Bogart as Pharaoh in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"; supporting actor in a play, Jacob Bogart as Bob Cratchit in "A Christmas Carol"; supporting actor in a musical, Dan Ratigan as Benjamin in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"; lead actress in a musical, Jenna Klausing as Narrator in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"; lead actor in a musical, Jon Gibson as Joseph in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"; best play, "A Christmas Carol"; best musical, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"; female critic, Ingrid Roettgen; and male critic, Preston Hereford.

R-7 occupational and physical therapy staff focus on helping students perform better in school

Thu, 10 May 2012 18:15:23 GMT

Gary Groening has accumulated a lot of success stories during his 21 years as a Lee's Summit R-7 occupational therapist.

"I remember a fourth-grader who needed help as a result of a chromosomal disorder that impacted both gross and fine motor skills," said Mr. Groening, who also serves as the district's coordinator of occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT). "He came to us and was having difficulty in physical education, recess, handwriting and completing classroom projects. We worked with the student and his teachers, and he soon 'graduated' from OT and PT without needing any additional interventions."

For the approximately 450 students served by the district's occupational and physical therapists and OT and PT assistants, the goal is always to help students improve their level of function, enhance access to the educational environment and perform better in school.

When Mr. Groening came to Lee's Summit R-7 in 1991, the district had two occupational therapists and one physical therapist. As enrollment and the need for services grew, the OT and PT departments have increased to include four physical therapists, one physical therapy assistant, seven occupational therapists and seven occupational therapy assistants.

The OT and PT staff members work with students from early childhood through high school on disabilities ranging from mild to severe. For example, a mild physical disability might impact a student's ability to master legible handwriting. More severe examples are students who have difficulty with even limited movements including those who receive services through the district's homebound program.

Each occupational therapist is responsible for providing services to four to six schools with each physical therapist working with students in eight to 10 schools. They work with students one-on-one, in small groups and also consult with individual teachers and other school staff members to provide strategies and ideas to help students succeed.

"We serve on the Individualized Education Plan teams for our students as well as part of the evaluation process to determine eligibility for services," added Mr. Groening, "and we always work to align our therapy with the educational goals for each student."

Mr. Groening added, "This is different from the medical model that therapists in the community often work under. The therapy interventions in the public schools are focused on the students’ successful participation in school-related activities. It is possible that a student can benefit from therapy, but not qualify for services in the district because they are functioning as expected in the school setting."

"We consult and collaborate with the educational team as well as outside agencies to determine optimal equipment, interventions and assistive technology devices needed for students to access and participate in the educational program," said Dr. Mildred Oligbo, physical therapist.

OT and PT staff work with students and school staff to improve the student's skills in areas such as handwriting, feeding, mobility, transfers between different equipment and chairs, leisure and social, communication, posture and positioning.

Dr. Oligbo added that success for students receiving OT and PT results in progress toward their educational goals and an increased ability to access the school environment and participate in educational activities with or without adaptations and accommodations.

"We focus on the student's strengths and desires to build on the skills they need to learn to benefit from their educational program," Mrs. Thorne added.

One of the many students Mrs. Thorne remembers with pride is a fourth-grader who has made great strides during his therapy sessions. "He came to us as a kindergartener and was unable to eat by himself or even be fed by mouth, getting all his nutrition through a feeding tube," she said.

R-7 therapists worked closely with the student's teachers, and together they helped the student advance step by step – gradually accepting items in his hands, holding a cup, moving utensils to his mouth and working his way to self feeding and drinking.

"Today, he eats in the cafeteria with the other students," Mrs. Thorne added, "and is able to be with his peers and further participate in school."

Greenwood Elementary students collect 1,577 books for charity

Thu, 10 May 2012 16:37:08 GMT

Greenwood Elementary students recently collected 1,577 gently used books for the Makena Children's Foundation, a program that helps educate children in a village in Kenya.

The books will be shipped to Kenya with donations from PTA, students and staff funding the cost of postage. Greenwood Elementary called the school's book drive, "Books for Hungry Readers," and students from kindergarten through sixth grade participated in the book drive.

The Makena Children's Foundation was initiated by Sherri Mills, who is the sister of Greenwood first-grade teacher Jean Garland. Ms. Mills visits Kenya twice each year to assist residents from the impoverished village with educational needs.

The books collected by the Greenwood Elementary students will be used in the village's schools with some books also presented to students, providing each child with a book to keep.

Wendy Brown named R-7 School District Learning for Life Award winner for May

Wed, 09 May 2012 20:59:29 GMT

Wendy Brown was named the Lee's Summit R-7 School District Learning for Life Award winner for May. She is a health-room clerk at Bernard Campbell Middle School.

The award is presented to one employee each month who is nominated by co-workers and selected by a staff committee.

"Wendy treats each person she comes into contact like they are the most important part of her day," said a co-worker. "She is truly inspiring."

Jerry Keimig selected for Outstanding Special Education Administrator Award

Wed, 09 May 2012 18:44:18 GMT

Jerry Keimig, Lee’s Summit R-7 School District executive director of Special Services, was awarded the 2012 Missouri Speech and Hearing Association’s Outstanding Special Education Administrator Award while attending the association's President’s Luncheon on April 12.

Mr. Keimig was nominated by the R-7 speech-language pathologists.

Tonya Hall, district speech-language coordinator, stated, “Mr. Keimig has been more than supportive of the speech-language therapists and the services they have provided throughout his 12 years with the Lee’s Summit School District. He has developed many programs that have established specialized areas for speech-language pathologists to focus on in their buildings, supported new service delivery models and early intervening services, as well as earmarked funds to be able to effectively and efficiently maintain these programs. The R-7 speech-language pathologists can’t thank Mr. Keimig enough for all his support. He is very deserving.”

Cedar Creek Elementary hosts fifth annual Cultural Walk

Wed, 09 May 2012 16:06:47 GMT

Cedar Creek Elementary School hosted its fifth annual Cultural Walk on May 4. Students from throughout the school participated in the event, visiting various stations located in classrooms, the gymnasium and hallways.

Presenters from a total of 17 cultures or nationalities made presentations to small groups of students throughout the day. The event includes presenters who are foreign-exchange students from Lee's Summit High School and Lee's Summit West High School as well as students enrolled in Summit Technology Academy's international studies program. Other presenters included parents of Cedar Creek children and students from other metropolitan-area schools.

Dr. David McGehee re-elected to leadership position in the American Association of School Administrators

Wed, 09 May 2012 14:14:05 GMT

Dr. David McGehee, Lee's Summit R-7 School District superintendent, was recently re-elected to serve a second three-year term on the Governing Board of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), the professional organization for school superintendents and other school system leaders nationwide.

As a member of the AASA Governing Board, Dr. McGehee helps set the policy agenda for the association. He will also serve as the AASA liaison on the Missouri Association of School Administrators Executive Committee.

AASA's Governing Board is comprised almost entirely of active school superintendents drawn from seven U.S. geographic regions. The Board meets twice each year and works closely with AASA’s Executive Committee, which approves the association’s strategic plan and budget and conducts the ongoing business of the organization.

Dr. McGehee has served as R-7 superintendent since 2006, previously serving as superintendent for the Raymore-Peculiar and Sparta R-III School Districts. He has a total of 25 years of experience as an educator, including 16 in administration.

In 2000, Dr. McGehee was named New Superintendent of the Year by the Missouri Association of School Administrators. He was recognized by eSchool News in 2011, receiving the publication's Tech-Savvy Superintendent Award.

A Lee's Summit resident, Dr. McGehee has held leadership positions in Greater Kansas City and Missouri Administrators' Associations. Dr. McGehee served as the first president of Cooperating School Districts of Greater Kansas City and continues to serve on the Board for this organization. He also chaired the Missouri Association of School Administrators Ethics Committee. Within the community, he is the co-facilitator for the City of Lee's Summit's Strategic Planning Committee as well as serving on a number of volunteer civic organizations.

Special-education students participate in annual Job Olympics

Tue, 08 May 2012 18:21:47 GMT

Lee's Summit R-7 School District special-education students participated in the annual Lee's Summit Job Olympics, held May 4 at Unity Village. During the event, the students competed in job-related activities, such as child care, computer skills or food preparation.

The event included approximately 100 students with special needs from Lee's Summit R-7, Blue Springs and Belton school districts.

The students were able to practice job-related skills and also demonstrate their own abilities to prospective employers. Kelly Twenter, Lee's Summit High School life skills teacher, developed the local Job Olympics, which has expanded over the years.

Job Olympics also included opening ceremonies, a luncheon and awards and closing ceremonies with awards.

Lee's Summit R-7 students participate in Youth Reward Summit through Midwest Dairy Council

Tue, 08 May 2012 13:58:53 GMT

Approximately 40 students from Meadow Lane Elementary and Pleasant Lea Elementary participated in the Youth Reward Summit – Ready, Set, Get Active, sponsored by the Midwest Dairy Council, Kansas City Chiefs and Dairy Farmers.

The event is for schools participating in the Fuel Up to Play 60 and is based on accomplishments at each school. The program is designed to help schools jumpstart and sustain healthy nutrition and physical activity improvements. Grant money is available to participating schools, and both Meadow Lane and Pleasant Lea Elementary received grants to help fund nutrition-centered programs for breakfast at their schools.

At the Youth Reward Summit, held May 1, students participated in rotating stations that included fitness and nutrition activities. The students also met Kansas City Chiefs football players, Chiefs cheerleaders and several dairy farmers. The summit also included an awards ceremony, where each school was awarded an autographed mini helmet.

R-7 high schools capture 13 nominations for Starlight Theatre's Blue Star Awards

Tue, 08 May 2012 13:11:05 GMT

Lee's Summit R-7 high schools captured 13 nominations for Starlight Theatre's Blue Star Awards. On May 3, Starlight employees traveled throughout the metropolitan area to hand deliver 120 Blue Star nominations to 36 high schools. Blue Star winners will receive their awards in a public ceremony May 24 on Starlight Theatre's Cohen Community Stage.

R-7 high school nominations include Brooke Myers of Lee's Summit High School for her role as Miss Adelaide in "Guys and Dolls" for Outstanding Actress in a Lead Role; Zack Hutchins as J. Pierrepont Finch in Lee's Summit North High School's "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" for Outstanding Actor in a Lead Role; Patrick Graham as Bud Frump in LSNHS's "How to Succeed.." for Outstanding Actor in a Featured Role; Ryan Gilliam as J.B. Biggley in LSNHS's "How to Succeed…" for Outstanding Actor in a Featured Role; Kelly Phelan as Ms. Krumholtz in LSNHS's "How to Succeed" for Outstanding Female Ensemble Member; Lauren Feekin as Dancer/Egyptian in Lee's Summit West High School's "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" for Outstanding Female Ensemble Member; LSNHS's "How to Succeed…" for Outstanding Ensemble; LSWHS's "Joseph and the Amazing…" for Outstanding Ensemble; LSWHS's "Joseph and the Amazing…" for Outstanding Scenic Design, Tier II; LSNHS's "How to Succeed…" for Outstanding Lighting Design; LSWHS's "Joseph and the Amazing…" for Outstanding Technical Crew; LSWHS's "Joseph and the Amazing…" for Outstanding Custume Design, Tier II; and Shelby Hulsey and Kayla Redd for LSWHS's "Joseph and the Amazing…" for Technical Achievement Award (Costume Design and Creation).

Starlight’s Blue Star Awards, modeled after Broadway’s Tony® Awards, marks its 10th anniversary with the 2011-12 school year. Sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, the educational program recognizes achievement and excellence in high school musical theatre. This year, 46 area high schools producing 48 musicals participated. While the majority of schools are in metropolitan Kansas City, some nominated schools are in surrounding communities such as Kearney, Mo., and Gardner and Paola, Kan.

The culmination of the program each year is the annual Blue Star Awards Ceremony at Starlight Theatre. This year’s 10th anniversary awards ceremony will begin at 7:30 p.m. May 24. The ceremony is free and open to the public. Parking is $5 per vehicle.

At the Blue Star ceremony, Kansas City’s arts community leaders will hand out awards in 20 categories, including Outstanding Overall Production, Outstanding Performance by an Actor and Actress in a Lead Role and Outstanding Orchestra and Outstanding Ensemble. In addition, several categories target artistic and technical excellence in staging a high school musical, including Outstanding Scenic Design, Outstanding Costume Design, Outstanding Lighting Design and Outstanding Hair and Makeup Design.

“For 10 years, the talent and commitment of our local high school theatre programs has truly dazzled us, and we feel great pride when we hear of past winners who continue to study musical theatre or make it their profession,” says Denton Yockey, Starlight’s president and executive producer. “For instance, Kaitlin Mesh, our 2007 Outstanding Actress in a Leading Role, has performed on Broadway, most recently in the revival of 'West Side Story.' We hope the Blue Star program plays a role in participants’ ongoing success.”

A panel of three adjudicators (anonymous judges) attended the musical productions of each participating school during the fall 2011 and/or spring 2012 semesters. These judges provided performance and production critiques to Starlight’s Education Department. Additionally, their comments were compiled and shared with each school’s theatre teacher and students.

Several nominated schools and students will perform on Starlight’s stage at the May 24 awards ceremony. Performances will include a number from each of the six schools and musicals nominated for Outstanding Overall Production, as well as musical medleys performed by the 12 nominees for Outstanding Actor and Actress in a Lead Role.

A final highlight of the annual Blue Star ceremony is the awarding of Rising Star Scholarships to two high school seniors. The $2,500 college scholarships are presented to one male and one female senior who have contributed the most to his or her high school theatre department and demonstrated exceptional theatrical achievement.

Lee's Summit R-7 School District honors 55 retiring staff members at annual reception

Mon, 07 May 2012 20:34:48 GMT

The Lee's Summit R-7 School District held its annual Retirement Reception May 3 at Stansberry Leadership Center. The event honored approximately 55 employees who are retiring at the end of this school year as well as staff members who retired after the May 2011 annual event.

Retiring employees recognized were Mary Arbuckle, Hawthorn Hill Elementary principal’s secretary; Tina Arney, Richardson Elementary special education coordinator; Tam Asplund, Prairie View Elementary principal; Lavenia Bedsaul, R-7 bus driver; Becky Bell, R-7 diagnostician technician; Gene Bock, Transportation mechanic department; Louise Boone, Pleasant Lea Elementary teacher; Dave Buatte, Lee’s Summit North High School assistant principal; Brian Bubalo, Lee’s Summit High School teacher; Nettie Carpenter, Hawthorn Hill Elementary paraprofessional; Janice Dickmann, Great Beginnings Early Education Center paraprofessional; Skipper Dodd, Bernard Campbell Middle School secretary; Rose Durbin, Richardson Elementary teacher; Debbie Eads, Hawthorn Hill Elementary Nutrition Services; Shirley Eickholt, Prairie View Elementary paraprofessional; Stan Elliott, R-7 assistant superintendent of secondary instruction; Jackie Frinsthal, Nutrition Services secretary; Glen Ganson, Underwood Elementary teacher; Gayle Haines, Mason Elementary custodian; Annette Hammer, Woodland Elementary teacher; Wanda Hartter, Sunset Valley and Woodland Elementary teacher; Kathy Harvkey, Great Beginnings Early Education Center paraprofessional; Ethan Hauck, Lee’s Summit West High School teacher; Thomas Hawkins, R-7 bus driver; Valerie Jones, Lee’s Summit North High School nurse; Alice Justice, Lee’s Summit North High School Nutrition Services; Jerry Keimig, R-7 executive director of special services; Debbie Knapp, Richardson Elementary secretary; Martha Koehn, Pleasant Lea Elementary playground aide; Kathy Koonce, Lee’s Summit High School teacher; Kathy Leslie, Lee’s Summit High School teacher; Jenny Malotte, Lee’s Summit North High School teacher; Dolly Melton, Lee’s Summit West High School Nutrition Services; Candis Mitchell, Lee’s Summit West High School Nutrition Services; Phil Nelson, Bernard Campbell Middle School teacher; Jan Olson, Sunset Valley Elementary Nutrition Services; Shawna Peacock, Lee’s Summit Elementary teacher; Gayla Pruett, Hazel Grove Elementary teacher; Donna Ramel, Woodland Elementary teacher; Sandy Reichert, Pleasant Lea Middle School teacher; Teera Rogers, Greenwood Elementary principal; Mary Sartain, Mason Elementary resource aide; Dan Schnell, Lee’s Summit High School assistant principal; Brenda Smith, R-7 Transportation secretary; Ed Smith, R-7 bus driver; Kris Solsberg, Lee’s Summit North High School teacher; Cheryl Steffens, Pleasant Lea Elementary speech pathologist; Carole Summers, Cedar Creek Elementary Nutrition Services; Virginia Taylor, R-7 bus driver; Greg Thiel, Lee’s Summit High School teacher; John Thompson, R-7 warehouse inventory specialist; Carol Wagner, Greenwood Elementary resource aide; Linda Wambsgans, Mason Elementary teacher; and Mary Williams, Greenwood Elementary teacher.

The retired employees are also being recognized as part of a special section honoring Lee's Summit R-7 retiring staff members. This publication will be distributed June 1 by the Lee's Summit Journal.

R-7 educators honored at Chamber of Commerce Excellence In Teaching Awards reception

Thu, 03 May 2012 18:56:15 GMT

Outstanding Lee's Summit R-7 School District educators were honored at the annual Chamber of Commerce Excellence In Teaching Awards reception, held May 2 at Longview Mansion. The reception recognized 12 R-7 teachers who were named Lee's Summit Chamber of Commerce Excellence In Teaching Award winners earlier this spring. Excellence In Teaching winners are Cheryl Anderson, Summit Ridge Academy; Jeanie Cook, Pleasant Lea Elementary; Rebecca Earley, Highland Park Elementary; Kelly Gillespie, Prairie View Elementary and Meadow Lane Elementary; Susie Johnson, Prairie View Elementary; Cathy Nalivaiko, Bernard Campbell Middle School; Kathe Redel, Woodland Elementary; Laura Tacke, Summit Pointe Elementary; Janie Taylor, Highland Park Elementary; Sara Taylor, Summit Lakes Middle School; Suzanne Wiley, Pleasant Lea Middle School; and Pam Wining, Trailridge Elementary.

Also announced at the reception was the district's 2012-13 Teacher of the Year, Jeanie Cook of Pleasant Lea Elementary.

The Teacher of the Year is selected from R-7 educators who are either current or past winners of the Excellence In Teaching Award. In addition to the 2012 Excellence In Teaching winners, other finalists for Teacher of the Year included six former Excellence In Teaching winners, also known as Teachers of Distinction, who were nominated for the award again this year. These former winners had the opportunity to interview along with this year's award recipients for Teacher of the Year and were also recognized May 2. They are Kelly Honn, Hawthorn Hill Elementary; Stacy James, Woodland Elementary; Tricia Lillygren, Lee’s Summit North High School; Paul Morales, Pleasant Lea Middle School; Jim Nazworthy, Lee’s Summit High School; and Kristen Wimberly, Longview Farm Elementary.

All 2012 Excellence In Teaching winners were also honored with the Hertzog Leadership Award, established through the Lee's Summit Economic Development Council to honor Dr. Robert ("Bud") Hertzog, businessman and community leader.
In addition, the Teacher of the Year receives a $100 Cathy Paulson Heart to Heart Award. This award is funded by the Loren Paulson family in honor of Cathy Paulson, who passed away in 2010.

The Excellence In Teaching program and reception are sponsored by the Lee's Summit Chamber of Commerce and the R-7 School District, and all students, parents, R-7 employees and community members are invited to nominate outstanding teachers. The recognized teachers were selected by a committee composed of R-7 staff and representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and the community.

Sociology, video students work together to create LSHS lip dub video

Thu, 03 May 2012 18:47:15 GMT

Working together as a team under a tight deadline while involving close to 1,700 students and staff members were a couple of the challenges Lee's Summit High School sociology and broadcast students faced this spring when creating the school's first-ever lip dub video.

A lip dub video combines lip synching and audio dubbing to make a music video using one continuous camera shot. The LSHS video is designed to showcase the school and involve all school groups and students.

Sociology and broadcast students began working together earlier this spring with a goal of involving each and every student organization and as many students as possible. Preparation was massive as students worked together to recruit the students, select a route that took the camera on one continuous shot throughout the school, plan for each and every camera shot and select the music.

The video, which was videotaped on April 20, is available at http://www.tigerbroadcast.com/Tiger_Broadcast/Home.html on the Tiger Broadcast website and also at YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxc_y-IykKE.

The goal was to involve as many students as possible, and the students and sponsors – Stacey Moore, sociology teacher, and Elaine McDonald, broadcast teacher – worked diligently to reach out to everyone.

"We had 95-percent participation," said Sarah Laemmli, broadcasting student, "and the entire school came together with a great amount of school spirit."

One challenge the students and their teachers had to overcome was deadline pressure with just two weeks to finalize their plans, recruit students and involve over 1,600 students in practices. The students developed detailed plans for placement of all student groups and students as well as planning each camera angle.

"It helped that everyone involved kept a positive attitude about it," said Sarah Wienke, sociology student, "which made other students want to be involved. This project was a perfect way to show our Tiger pride and to bring our school together!"

Song selection proved to be another challenge as students had varying ideas about the "perfect" songs to be used in the high-energy video. "Everyone had a different idea for a song, and everyone had awesome choices," added Sarah Wienke.

In the end, the video featured three songs – "You Make My Dreams Come True" by Hall and Oates, "Walking On Sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves and "Hey Baby" by DJ Otzi.

The approximately eight-minute video begins at the school's west "Tiger-head" entrance, takes viewers throughout the large campus and ends on the football field. It features students participating in numerous activities as the camera makes its way through halls, classrooms and gymnasiums and even includes students going down a water slide.

"The video will be used to showcase our school and will be shown at freshman transition day to help students transition into our school and feel more confident walking through the halls," said Alexis Sessler, broadcasting student. In addition, it is scheduled to be shown at eighth-grade orientation and available on websites.

Within a few weeks of the video's creation, officials from the Missouri Principals Association requested permission to post the video and information about its production on the association's state website.

The final project went beyond the planning team's expectations, said several students.

"Our whole school worked together to create memories that will last a lifetime," said Chelsea Clipperton, sociology student. "It brought our school closer together and showed the student body that when we work together we can accomplish anything!"

Alex Cusimano, broadcasting student, agreed. "It might have been a lot of work and the week consisted of countless sleepless nights, but it was all worth it."

Kendal Mercurio, sociology student, added that the students' teamwork and planning paid off. "I saw many students who truly enjoyed themselves at school and felt like it was a well-thought-out project for all of us," she added.

Jeanie Cook named R-7 Teacher of the Year

Thu, 03 May 2012 18:31:49 GMT

Jeanie Cook, a kindergarten teacher at Pleasant Lea Elementary, was named Lee's Summit R-7 School District 2012-13 Teacher of the Year during a surprise announcement at a May 2 community reception. The reception also recognized 12 R-7 teachers who were named Lee's Summit Chamber of Commerce Excellence In Teaching Award winners earlier this spring. Excellence In Teaching winners are Cheryl Anderson, Summit Ridge Academy; Jeanie Cook, Pleasant Lea Elementary; Rebecca Earley, Highland Park Elementary; Kelly Gillespie, Prairie View Elementary and Meadow Lane Elementary; Susie Johnson, Prairie View Elementary; Cathy Nalivaiko, Bernard Campbell Middle School; Kathe Redel, Woodland Elementary; Laura Tacke, Summit Pointe Elementary; Janie Taylor, Highland Park Elementary; Sara Taylor, Summit Lakes Middle School; Suzanne Wiley, Pleasant Lea Middle School; and Pam Wining, Trailridge Elementary.

The Teacher of the Year is selected from R-7 educators who are either current or past winners of the Excellence In Teaching Award. In addition to the 2012 Excellence In Teaching winners, other finalists for Teacher of the Year included six former Excellence In Teaching winners, also known as Teachers of Distinction, who were nominated for the award again this year. These former winners had the opportunity to interview along with this year's award recipients for Teacher of the Year and were also recognized May 2. They are Kelly Honn, Hawthorn Hill Elementary; Stacy James, Woodland Elementary; Tricia Lillygren, Lee’s Summit North High School; Paul Morales, Pleasant Lea Middle School; Jim Nazworthy, Lee’s Summit High School; and Kristen Wimberly, Longview Farm Elementary.

All 2012 Excellence In Teaching winners were also honored with the Hertzog Leadership Award, established through the Lee's Summit Economic Development Council to honor Dr. Robert ("Bud") Hertzog, businessman and community leader. In addition, the Teacher of the Year receives a $100 Cathy Paulson Heart to Heart Award. This award is funded by the Loren Paulson family in honor of Cathy Paulson, who passed away in 2010.

The Excellence In Teaching program and reception are sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and the R-7 School District, and all students, parents, R-7 employees and community members are invited to nominate outstanding teachers. The recognized teachers were selected by a committee composed of R-7 staff and representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and the community.

As Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Cook will go on to participate in the Missouri Teacher of the Year program.

Before she began teaching at Pleasant Lea Elementary, Mrs. Cook taught first grade at Westview Elementary and kindergarten, first and second grade at Underwood Elementary. She also taught in a Kansas City Public Schools early childhood center. In addition, she operated her own Lee's Summit area preschool for several years. In all, she has worked for the R-7 School District for 18 years and has a total of 22 years of experience in education.

"I feel very strongly that teaching children, now more than ever, involves educating the whole child," Mrs. Cook said. "I believe that teaching involves building relationships with children and their families, getting to know what is important in their lives, considering their emotional needs and a thorough understanding of current best practices and research in education."

In nomination forms, Mrs. Cook was praised for her positive attitude, ability to make learning fun and her focus on meeting the individual needs of each child.

"She goes above and beyond in her partnership and communication with parents," added a Pleasant Lea Elementary parent. "She also uses technology in unique and exciting ways that keep the kids interested and entertained while they learn. Whether its music, a video or a game, she always has something fun for every student."

Mrs. Cook has received several Lee's Summit Educational Foundation PEAK (Promoting Excellence and Knowledge) Grants, including a grant that helped her initiate a school-wide postal system at Underwood Elementary. Throughout her career within Lee's Summit R-7, she has been involved in numerous school and district teams, including holding several leadership positions.

She has helped facilitate the Partners In Education program at several elementary schools, has served as a member and officer in the Lee's Summit Reading Council, served as her school's Reading Week chairperson and served on her school's Positive Behavior Support Team.

Mrs. Cook has shared her knowledge through presentations at Pleasant Lea Elementary, at the district level and at regional conferences on topics such as reading, writing and positive behavior.

Within the community, Mrs. Cook has taught youth at her church, served as a Girl Scout leader and as a school PTA officer. She has also tutored students in the areas of reading, writing and math.

A long-time Lee's Summit resident, Mrs. Cook earned her bachelor's degree in early childhood education from the University of Central Missouri and her master's degree in elementary administration from UCM.

Meadow Lane Elementary hosts Pet Parade to reward students for reading success

Wed, 02 May 2012 18:29:15 GMT

Meadow Lane Elementary hosted a Pet Parade April 20 to reward students for successfully completing a reading challenge. Students who read 1,600 minutes during the PTA's Read-A-Thon had the opportunity to bring a pet to school (or borrow a pet to bring).

During the morning event, students and pets paraded around the school's south playground with all Meadow Lane students and parents invited to watch the parade. Pets participating in the parade included dogs, cats, rabbits, gerbils, turtles, lizards, fish and a bird.

Theme for this year's Read-A-Thon was Paws to Read. Students set weekly goals and logged their minutes of reading. Each week, the students turned in their logs, and PTA members moved the students' "pets" from Pet Store to Pet Store (as displayed on posters throughout the hallways) based on the number of minutes read. Once a student reached 1,600 minutes, his or her pet reached "home" on the display.

The Read-A-Thon is a fundraiser for the school's PTA and is held during February and March in conjunction with National Read Across America Day/Dr. Seuss' birthday).

R-7 School District requires annual proof of residency as part of effort to save money, stop educating students living in other school districts

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 21:21:22 GMT

As part of an ongoing effort to tighten R-7 School District residency requirements, all families will be asked to again provide proof of residency for the 2012-13 school year. This annual requirement will help ensure that students who are not residents of the school district are not attending R-7 schools. New proof-of-residency procedures were initiated during summer 2004 at the suggestion of numerous parents and staff members as a way to save district funds by eliminating the costs of educating non-resident students.

All parents or guardians of elementary and early childhood students are required to provide proof of residency during enrollment/registration, scheduled for July 25 and 26 at all elementary schools and at Great Beginnings Early Education Center. Residency verification will be required before students will be assigned to a classroom for the 2012-13 school year. Providing residency verification during enrollment/registration will help R-7 staff prepare for school and will streamline the elementary Meet Your Teacher Night, scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. Aug. 13.

All secondary students’ parents or guardians will be required to provide proof of R-7 School District residency during middle school and high school enrollments, scheduled for early August at all middle schools and high schools.
Families will be receiving additional information in the mail from their schools this summer about the annual residency requirements along with specific dates for enrollment sessions. For a detailed enrollment schedule, visit http://www.leesummit.k12.mo.us/parents&students/enrollmentdates.htm.

Residency can be verified by providing your school’s office with one of the following:
• A current, original utility bill (electricity, gas-not propane, water or water statement of account required). For enrollment prior to the beginning of school a billing/statement date of either July 2012 or August 2012 will be required, during the school year the billing/statement date needs to be within 30 days of the date the student is attempting to enroll. The bill must be in the resident’s name with no final or disconnect notices accepted.
• On-line payment information will be accepted only from the utility company (not a third-party pay service) and include all the information listed above.
• A rental/lease agreement including dates of agreement and the name, address, phone number and signature of the landlord.
• A contract to build a home within the R-7 School District reflecting a possession and closing date within 90 calendar days of the first day of school attendance.
• For more detailed information regarding proof of residency please see Board Administrative Procedure JECA-AP.

Parents or guardians of students new to the R-7 School District are asked to provide proof of residency, immunization records and proof of age when they enroll their child for the first time. For students who are not domiciled with a parent residing in the school district, a court document must show proof of guardianship. Exceptions, such as homelessness, are processed under different procedures.

Thanks to the district procedures and parent cooperation, the residency requirements have helped R-7 School District officials investigate and appropriately address non-resident students.

For additional information about the R-7 School District’s residency requirements, http://www.leesummit.k12.mo.us/parents&students/residency.htm or call your child's school.

Enrollment opens for new R-7 elementary supervision program for late-start Wednesdays

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:23:14 GMT

Lee's Summit R-7 families have the opportunity to enroll in SummitRise, a new no-cost structured student supervision program to be offered at all elementary schools on late-start Wednesdays. During November 2011, the Board of Education approved a two-year calendar covering 2012-13 and 2013-14. The calendar includes weekly time for structured teacher collaboration with each Wednesday beginning one hour late.

On the late-start Wednesdays, buses will run one hour later than normal with all classes beginning one hour later. Teachers will report to work at their regular time and will work together to evaluate students' learning needs and develop strategies to meet these needs.

Also beginning with the 2012-13 school year, Lee's Summit R-7 will offer free structured supervision of students at all elementary schools. This new program, known as SummitRise, will be managed through the district's Before and After School Services Department or Kids Country program, which has been providing quality before- and after-school care at elementary schools for many years.

SummitRise will provide the free care on Wednesday mornings, beginning 30 minutes before the school's regular start time. For example, a school that normally begins classes at 9 a.m. will begin classes at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays. This same school will provide a no-cost before-school program for students beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesdays for up to 90 minutes. Lee's Summit R-7 will offer the student supervision 30 minutes before the normal start of school in an effort to better accommodate family schedules.

Child care through SummitRise will be offered on all Wednesdays throughout the school year with the exception of the first day of school (Aug. 15 for 2012-13) and this year's Oct. 17 parent conferences day. These two days – Aug. 15 and Oct. 17 – are the only Wednesdays during the school year when school will begin on the regular schedule, so the late-start care will not be necessary.

Families already enrolled in Kids Country for child care throughout the week will see no increase in fees as a result of the late-start Wednesdays.

To participate in the no-cost structured student supervision before-school program, families will be required to enroll their children in SummitRise in advance and also provide transportation to school on these days. On the late-start Wednesdays, school buses will run one hour late.

For more information about enrolling in SummitRise, visit http://kidscountry.leesummit.k12.mo.us/.

The R-7 Collaboration-Calendar Team made the recommendation for the new calendar, emphasizing the value of weekly time for teachers to work on improving instruction and ultimately student success. During the weekly collaboration sessions, teachers will work together to review student data, evaluate student work, assess where students are in the learning process and design targeted instruction to address the needs of each student. Team members added that the time would be different from teachers' planning periods, and they would not be completing other work-day tasks such as returning parent phone calls, attending staff meetings, grading papers or answering e-mails.

In addition, team members stated that this time would be dedicated to strengthening targeted instruction for students, a foundation of the district's Professional Learning Communities initiative. Research has shown that regular collaboration among teachers improves instructional practices and academic performance by students.

Collaboration time is designed to ensure that teachers have the tools they need to help each student be successful – whether they are struggling with a specific concept and need additional assistance or have already mastered the lesson and need an extra challenge.

LS CARES to present Becoming a Love and Logic Parent course

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 21:11:18 GMT

Lee's Summit CARES will present its popular Becoming a Love and Logic Parent course from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays May 29 through June 26 at Lee's Summit Community Church, 1140 W. Jefferson St. Included in the course are practical and proven strategies for raising children who are respectful, fun to be around and responsible.

Cost is $42 per participant, and scholarships are available. There is no cost for previous participants in the program. For more information, visit www.lscares.org or contact Bev Hatley at (816) 347-3259.

Kids Country before- and after-school care program announces end-of-the-year awards

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:17:08 GMT

Lee's Summit R-7 School District Kids Country before- and after-school care program announced its annual end-of-the-year awards at an April ceremony.

Winners included Patti Ray, Summit Pointe Elementary for Site Coordinator of the Year; Bobbie Lee Scroggs, Prairie View Elementary, Assistant Site Coordinator of the Year; Katie Holtcamp, Highland Park Elementary, Associate of the Year; Ian Krause, Meadow Lane Elementary, Over-Achiever of the Year; Richard Beebe, Cedar Creek Elementary, Rookie of the Year; Austin Yotter, Hazel Grove, Mason, Richardson, Underwood, Energizer Award; Brittney Ramsey, Westview, Ms. Kids Country; Gaige Monahan, Greenwood, Mr. Kids Country; KC Cubbies, Site of the Year; and Sunset Valley (Greenwood/Sunset Valley/Woodland), Combo Site of the Year.

R-7 student receives Missouri Center for Career Education Breaking Traditions Award

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:09:11 GMT

Dallas Woods, a student at Summit Technology Academy, recently received the Breaking Traditions Award from the Missouri Center for Career Education. The award is given to students who are studying in careers that are non-traditional for their gender. For example, a non-traditional female student who is enrolled in a career-technical program that has a male population of 75 percent or more would be eligible for nomination.

Dallas, who is a senior at Lee's Summit North High School, is enrolled in the pre-professional nursing program at Summit Technology Academy. He plans to attend Missouri State University and pursue a career in nursing after graduation from LSNHS this spring.

In the photo, Dallas is pictured with Lori Mann (left) of the Missouri Center for Career Education and Peggy Chandler (right), pre-professional nursing instructor at Summit Technology Academy.

Lee’s Summit R-7 students selected to attend Missouri Fine Arts Academy

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 13:17:38 GMT

Lee’s Summit R-7 School District students recently selected to attend the Missouri Fine Arts Academy are Alison Gray, Lee's Summit High School; Kiera Griffin and Julie Iseman, Lee's Summit North High School; and Kayla West, Lee's Summit West High School.

The Missouri Fine Arts Academy is a unique three-week, residential summer program for exceptional Missouri artists who have completed their sophomore or junior year of high school. Initiated in 1996, the program offers students the opportunity to enhance their skills in such fields as dance, visual arts, theatre and music while participating in a stimulating series of interdisciplinary and co-curricular activities. Students are nominated by their high schools to attend the Academy.

This year’s Missouri Fine Arts Academy will be held this summer on the campus of Missouri State University in Springfield.

R-7 high school sophomores selected to attend Missouri Scholars Academy

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:39:58 GMT

Several Lee’s Summit R-7 School District sophomores were recently selected to attend the Missouri Scholars Academy, a three-week academic program for approximately 330 of Missouri’s gifted students.

Students selected to attend this Academy are Andy Jarnevic, Ama Idun and Libby Wilson, Lee's Summit High School; Lindsey Graham, Sam Dowd and Kyle Dean, Lee's Summit North High School; and Olivia Chapman, Riley Manning and Anusha Kodidhi, Lee's Summit West High School.

Close to 330 sophomores statewide are selected from among approximately 65,000 students.

The Scholars Academy is held annually on the campus of the University of Missouri-Columbia during the summer. Funding for the program comes from the University of Missouri, the Gifted Association of Missouri and the Missouri Scholars Academy Alumni Association. It is administered by the University of Missouri.

The Academy features carefully selected faculty and staff, a specially designed curriculum that focuses on the liberal arts and a variety of stimulating extracurricular activities. Academy students are able to become part of a unique learning community.

LSHS student wins second place at JEA/NSPA spring journalism write-off

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:39:29 GMT

Haley Gillilan, a student at Lee's Summit High School, recently captured second place in the Journalism Education Association/National Scholastic Press Association's spring journalism write-off contest.

During the competition, students watched a 15-minute live vocal and piano performance with 15 additional minutes to interview the performer. The student journalists then wrote a feature article about the event. A total of 1,434 students competed in the national event.

Haley, a junior at LSHS, is a member of the LSHS Hi-Life magazine.

Phyllis Balagna appointed to R-7 Board of Education to fill one-year vacated position

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 20:54:55 GMT

Phyllis Balagna was appointed to a one-year term on the Lee's Summit R-7 School District Board of Education at the Board's April 12 regular monthly meeting. Ms. Balagna, along with returning Board members Ron Baker and Patti Buie, were also sworn in at the meeting.

Ms. Balagna is filling a one-year term resulting from the February resignation of Annette Braam. Mrs. Braam, who served on the Board of Education from 2002 through 2005 and from 2010 through 2012, resigned due to her relocation out of the school district.

A Lake Winnebago resident, Ms. Balagna has lived in the Lee's Summit community her entire life, is a Lee's Summit business owner and an active community volunteer. For the past 23 years, she has owned Steppin' Out-The Studio, which received the 2011 Chamber of Commerce Res in Motus Business of the Year Award in the small-business category.

Within the community, Ms. Balagna is involved with the Lee's Summit Chamber of Commerce, Lee's Summit Educational Foundation, Lee's Summit R-7 Business Roundtable, R-7 Citizens' Advisory Committee and Lee's Summit Character Council. She has received the Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year Award and the Whatever It Takes Award from Lee's Summit CARES.

Following Mrs. Braam's resignation in February, the Board of Education accepted letters of interest from individuals who wanted to be considered for the one-year term on the Board. A committee of Board of Education members reviewed letters from nine district residents during March with candidates for the position participating in interviews.

Mrs. Buie and Mr. Baker were both sworn in for three-year terms on the Board of Education at the April 12 meeting. Mrs. Buie has served on the Board since 2000, and Mr. Baker was elected in 2009.

A total of seven community members serve on the Board of Education. All R-7 Board of Education members are unpaid volunteers.

Melissa Hunter named assistant principal for Cedar Creek and Summit Pointe Elementary

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 20:51:29 GMT

Melissa Hunter, currently a sixth-grade teacher at Trailridge Elementary, was named 2012-13 assistant principal for Cedar Creek and Summit Pointe Elementary Schools at the April 12 Lee's Summit R-7 Board of Education meeting.

Ms. Hunter has worked as a teacher for the R-7 School District since 2000. At Cedar Creek, she will replace Amy Fennewald, who was recently named principal at Prairie View Elementary for next year. At Summit Pointe, she will replace Dr. Marcia Sutton, who was recently named principal for Trailridge Elementary.

A Lee's Summit resident, Ms. Hunter earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of Missouri-Columbia, her master's degree in curriculum and instruction from MU and her specialist degree in educational administration from the University of Central Missouri.

Andrew Gibb named assistant principal at Meadow Lane Elementary

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 20:49:31 GMT

Andrew Gibb, currently an assistant principal in the Knob Noster School District, was named 2012-13 assistant principal for Meadow Lane Elementary at the April 12 Lee's Summit R-7 Board of Education meeting. Mr. Gibb replaces David Vaughan who has resigned to accept a position in another school district.

A Lee's Summit resident, Mr. Gibb previously worked as a fifth-grade teacher within the Lee's Summit R-7 School District, at the Raymore-Peculiar School District, at a local private school and a middle school in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands. He has also worked for American Medical Response as a part-time emergency medical technician since 2002.

Mr. Gibb earned his bachelor's degree in elementary education from Nebraska Wesleyan University and his master's degree in school leadership from Baker University.

Dr. Marcia Sutton named principal at Trailridge Elementary

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 20:47:18 GMT

Dr. Marcia Sutton, currently assistant principal at Richardson Elementary and Summit Pointe Elementary, was named 2012-13 principal for Trailridge Elementary School at the April 12 Lee's Summit R-7 Board of Education meeting. She will replace Dr. Matt Miller, who will serve as R-7 director of student services next year.

Before becoming assistant principal at Richardson and Summit Pointe, Dr. Sutton served as Richardson's counselor for five years. She has also worked as a teacher for a middle school in Independence.

Dr. Sutton earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education from St. Mary University, her master's degree in counseling from the University of Central Missouri and her doctorate in educational leadership from St. Louis University.

Carrie Freeman named new principal for Greenwood Elementary

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 20:44:22 GMT

Carrie Freeman, currently assistant principal of a Columbia elementary school, was named new principal for Greenwood Elementary at the Lee's Summit R-7 Board of Education's April 12 meeting. Ms. Freeman will begin her new job next July and will replace Teera Rogers, who is retiring this summer.

Ms. Freeman has worked as assistant principal at Parkade Elementary in Columbia since 2008 and previously worked as principal of an elementary school in Mexico, Mo. In addition, she has experience teaching third, fourth and fifth grades in several Missouri school districts. Ms. Freeman has worked in education for 15 years.

She earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Missouri State University and a master's degree in elementary administration from Southeast Missouri State University.

Katie Collier named R-7 assistant superintendent of elementary instruction

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 12:49:16 GMT

Katie Collier, currently principal at Underwood Elementary, was named Lee's Summit R-7 School District 2012-13 assistant superintendent of elementary instruction at the April 12 Board of Education meeting. Mrs. Collier will replace Dr. Jill Hackett, who has resigned to accept a position with another school district.

Mrs. Collier has served as Underwood Elementary principal since July 2011 and served as principal at Lee's Summit Elementary from 2007 through 2011. In addition, she worked as assistant principal at Pleasant Lea and Cedar Creek Elementary Schools. She has coordinated the R-7 elementary gifted program for the past five years.

Before becoming a Lee's Summit R-7 administrator, Mrs. Collier worked as a fourth-grade teacher at Underwood Elementary and as a fourth-grade teacher and special-education teacher for the St. Joseph school district. In all, she has worked in education for 17 years.

Within the R-7 School District, Mrs. Collier has served on the Professional Development Committee, the R-7 Emergency Operations Team and the Elementary Boundary Study Team. She is also a member of the National and Missouri Associations of Elementary School Principals, the International Reading Association and the Council for Exceptional Children.

A Lee's Summit resident, Mrs. Collier earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education from Northwest Missouri State University, her master's degree in elementary administration from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and should receive her doctorate in educational leadership from Baker University in 2012-13.

Twelve R-7 teachers receive Chamber of Commerce Excellence In Teaching Awards

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:19:40 GMT

Twelve Lee’s Summit R-7 School District educators were recently named Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce Excellence In Teaching award winners. Recognized teachers are Cheryl Anderson, Summit Ridge Academy; Jeanie Cook, Pleasant Lea Elementary; Rebecca Earley, Highland Park Elementary; Kelly Gillespie, Prairie View Elementary and Meadow Lane Elementary; Susie Johnson, Prairie View Elementary; Cathy Nalivaiko, Bernard Campbell Middle School; Kathe Redel, Woodland Elementary; Laura Tacke, Summit Pointe Elementary; Janie Taylor, Highland Park Elementary; Sara Taylor, Summit Lakes Middle School; Suzanne Wiley, Pleasant Lea Middle School; and Pam Wining, Trailridge Elementary.

All 12 recipients will be honored at a reception and program scheduled from 4:30 to 6 p.m. May 2 at the Longview Mansion, 3361 SW Longview Road. The reception is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and the R-7 School District, and all students, parents and community members are invited to attend. At approximately 5:15 p.m., a brief program highlighting each of the 12 Excellence In Teaching Award winners will begin.

The recognized teachers were selected by a committee composed of R-7 staff and representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and the community. Excellence In Teaching winners are also finalists for the R-7 Teacher of the Year program and will participate in an interview with the selection team.

In addition to the Excellence In Teaching Award winners, other finalists for 2012 Teacher of the Year include former Excellence In Teaching recipients who were nominated for the award again this year. These former winners interviewing for Teacher of the Year are Kelly Honn, Hawthorn Hill Elementary; Stacy James, Woodland Elementary; Tricia Lillygren, Lee’s Summit North High School; Paul Morales, Pleasant Lea Middle School; Jim Nazworthy, Lee’s Summit High School; and Kristen Wimberly, Longview Farm Elementary. The announcement of the 2012 Teacher of the Year will be made at the May 2 reception.

Mrs. Anderson is a Social Studies teacher at Summit Ridge Academy. She has been a teacher in the district for eight years. She is passionate about working with at-risk students, blending her classroom to facilitate the learning of each student. Outside the classroom she actively supports Missouri Special Olympics, March of Dimes, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and is a member of Kiwanis.

Ms. Cook teaches kindergarten at Pleasant Lea Elementary School and has been a teacher in the district for 18 years. A recipient of three Lee's Summit Educational Foundation PEAK grants, she helps her students learn to read using nursery rhymes, songs and leveled readers. She has also facilitated peer coaching among colleagues at Pleasant Lea Elementary.

Mrs. Earley is a first-grade teacher at Highland Park Elementary and has been an educator for 14 years. Among her activities, she serves on the R-7 Math Curriculum Writing Team and is the building representative and writing judge for the Lee’s Summit Reading Council Young Authors’ Conference. She also co-facilitates Partners In Education at Highland Park.

Ms. Gillespie is the gifted education teacher at Prairie View Elementary and Meadow Lane Elementary Schools. She has been in the district for 17 years. She is the recipient of several National Fellowship awards, including a Fulbright to Japan used to study school systems, cultures and science investigations. She also founded Avian Conservation Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting habitat for songbirds overwintering in Latin America.

Mrs. Johnson is a fourth-grade teacher at Prairie View Elementary School and has been an educator for 28 years. She is actively involved in Teacher Support Team, Literacy Cadre and Celebration Committee as a way to support the school environment for students and staff. Outside of school, she mentors women in the community helping them with job and parenting skills and also works with Harvesters to distribute food to those in need.

Ms. Nalivaiko is a teacher of French, Spanish and exploring languages at Bernard Campbell Middle School and has been teaching for 11 years in the district. She has traveled with students to Germany, France and Costa Rica through exchange programs. She also created and implemented “China Week,” a school-wide interdisciplinary unit on China.

Mrs. Redel is a fifth- and sixth-grade teacher at Woodland Elementary School and has been a teacher in the district for 28 years. She has served in many functions including A+ Program mentor teacher, Literacy Coach, Reading Week co-chair, BIST, CARE team and Peer Coaching Cadre. She is also a PTA Honorary Lifetime Member Award recipient.

Mrs. Tacke teaches fourth-grade at Summit Pointe Elementary School and has taught in the R-7 School District for five years. A strong supporter of literacy, she helped establish the Missouri Reader’s Club at Summit Pointe. She is also currently serving as vice president of the Lee’s Summit National Education Association.

Mrs. Janie Taylor is a fourth-grade teacher at Highland Park Elementary School and has taught in the district for 18 years. She sponsors an after school writing club for students and has served on the student assistance program at Highland Park. Outside of school, she serves as the parent coordinator for the LSWHS cheer program.

Mrs. Sara Taylor teaches mathematics at Summit Lakes Middle School and has been teaching in the district for six years. She has served on several committees including School Improvement, Balanced Assessment, and R-7 District Diversity. She is also coaches cheerleading for Summit Lakes.

Mrs. Wiley teaches life skills at Pleasant Lea Middle School and has taught in R-7 schools for 10 years. She implemented the PLMS Backpack Program, teaching her students skills and providing weekend food assistance to families. She also uses assistive technologies with students to help them communicate effectively.

Mrs. Wining teaches fifth-grade at Trailridge Elementary and has been an educator for 25 years. She is a recipient of four PEAK grants through the Lee’s Summit Educational Foundation. She also founded Joseph’s Storehouse, a nationwide not-for-profit organization focusing on adults with autism.

R-7 School District provides marketing opportunities for businesses, organizations

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 14:18:28 GMT

The Lee's Summit R-7 School District offers local businesses and organizations a variety of ways to reach customers through a district-wide program focusing on advertising opportunities at athletic playing fields, gymnasiums and the R-7 Aquatic Center.

Close to 95 percent of the secondary athletics program is funded by sources outside of the regular district budget thanks to gate receipts, the beverage contract (which includes soft drink machines at schools), athletic marketing and student activity/athletic participation fees. These alternative resources, along with outstanding support from booster organizations, pay for more than 6,000 students to participate in 15 athletic programs at the district's three high schools and three middle schools.

Advertising space is currently available at the R-7 Aquatic Center and at several gymnasiums and athletic fields for the 2012-13 school year. Advertising at these locations reaches thousands of people on a regular basis and can be purchased at reasonable rates.

For more information about the athletic venue opportunities, contact Darwin Rold, R-7 athletic director, at darwin.rold@leesummit.k12.mo.us or (816) 986-1037. For information about marketing opportunities at the Aquatic Center, contact Kwasi Pryor, director, (816) 986-1472 or kwasi.pryor@leesummit.k12.mo.us.

Businesses and individuals may also reach district audiences by supporting local PTAs, high-school booster organizations and other parent groups that offer a variety of advertising ranging from athletic and theatre programs to various sponsorships. Money raised by these parent groups also directly benefits students.

In addition, the Lee's Summit Educational Foundation, the district's philanthropic arm, provides learning opportunities for thousands of students each year as a result of community support through the Friends of the Foundation sponsorship program. For more information about the Foundation, contact Sheryl Franke, director, at sheryl.franke@leesummit.k12.mo.us or (816) 986-1015.

R-7 officials also offered words of caution about non-district organizations that approach businesses and claim to be representing a specific school or student program. Any phone or other type of solicitation that does not come directly from school district staff or parent organizations may not be authorized by the school district or school organization.

If you are contacted by a business claiming to be working on behalf of a specific school group, please contact the school or school district offices to verify this relationship.

Pleasant Lea Middle School eighth-grader qualifies for National Spelling Bee for third year in a row

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 21:20:09 GMT

Jordan Hoffman, an eighth-grader at Pleasant Lea Middle School, qualified for the Scripps National Spelling Bee March 24 by winning the Jackson County Spelling Bee. Jordan qualified for the county bee by winning the spelling competition at her middle school earlier this semester.

This is Jordan's third consecutive year to qualify for the national spelling bee by winning the Jackson County competition. She won two years ago as a sixth-grader at Highland Park Elementary and last spring as a seventh-grader at PLMS.

Jordan began competing in spelling bees as a fourth-grader at Highland Park Elementary School, winning the top award in her very first contest. She went on to win the Highland Park Elementary bee again as a fifth- and sixth-grader. Jordan is a two-time winner at PLMS, capturing the top award as a seventh- and eighth-grader.

At PLMS, Jordan is a member of the eighth-grade Black and Gold Honors Choir and has an acting role in the school's awards assembly theater production, “Hard Candy.” Jordan also sings in the Lee’s Summit Youth Chorale and composes her own music and lyrics. The Lee’s Summit Youth Chorale will be performing one of her compositions in concert this spring. In addition, Jordan is an active member of Lee’s Summit Christian Church and the Chi Rho Youth Group.

At this year's Jackson County Spelling Bee, held at the Kansas City Public Library's Plaza location, Jordan spelled for nine rounds before winning a spot at the national bee. Her winning word this year was syllabus. A few of the words Jordan spelled correctly were mnemonic, epiphany, misanthropy, forage and phosphorus.

The R-7 School District was well represented in the Jackson County Spelling Bee. Lee’s Summit R-7 spellers making it into the last few rounds included Meah Wilburn from Highland Park Elementary School, Kaylea Bryan from Greenwood Elementary and Sydney Poppe from Hawthorne Hill Elementary.

The National Spelling Bee will begin May 27 through June 1 and is held in Washington, D.C. Jordan is the first R-7 School District student to qualify for the national bee in many years, according to district officials.

R-7 School District reminds parents about procedures during tornado warnings

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 20:24:21 GMT

During summer 2011, Lee's Summit R-7 School District administration completed a review of safety and communications procedures related to tornado warnings. R-7 staff members communicated with school officials at Joplin, site of a severe tornado on May 22, 2011, while also reviewing Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) current recommendations.
Both the Joplin tornado and a school-day tornado warning for Lee's Summit R-7 during late May provided the district with relevant and timely information to help improve the district's emergency-response procedures in this area. Until May 2011, it had been many years since the Lee's Summit area has experienced a tornado warning during the school day.

R-7 schools and facilities routinely practice tornado and other emergency drills, and all district buildings have tornado shelter areas designated. As part of the recent review, all shelter areas were evaluated to ensure that they are the safest locations for students, employees and guests during an emergency. District staff and students will continue to take shelter anytime a tornado warning is activated for the Lee's Summit R-7 area.

During a tornado warning, all R-7 schools and other facilities will be locked down. No students or staff members will be allowed to leave the shelter area until the warning has expired. District officials emphasized that school tornado shelters are among the safest locations for students. For this reason, parents will not be allowed to pick up their children from school while a warning is underway. In addition, if students are released to parents during tornado warnings, staff members would be required to leave the shelter to release the students, putting both the students and school employees at risk.

When students and staff members take cover in shelter areas during tornado warnings, all parents will receive a phone call through the district's automated calling system (known as SchoolMessenger). This call will notify parents that their children have been moved to the shelter. A second call will go to parents to notify them that the warning has expired and that students and school staff are returning to classrooms.

The recorded phone calls will also inform parents that students will not be released from school during the warning. In addition, school staff members will not be answering the office telephones since they are all required to report to the shelter areas.

Andy Morris named LSNHS assistant principal

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 19:13:32 GMT

Andy Morris, currently lead social studies teacher at Lee's Summit North High School, was named LSNHS assistant principal at the Feb. 23 Lee's Summit R-7 Board of Education meeting. Mr. Morris will replace Dave Buatte, who retiring this summer.

Mr. Morris has worked as a social studies teacher at LSNHS since 2004 and has also coached track and cross country. Before moving to LSN, he taught social studies at Bernard Campbell Middle School. In addition, he has served as assistant director of R-7 secondary summer school program since 2007. In all, Mr. Morris has worked in education for 12 years.

Mr. Morris earned his bachelor's degree in history from the University of Iowa and his master's degree in school administration from the University of Kansas.

Jereme Hubbard named assistant principal at LSWHS

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:16:24 GMT

Jereme Hubbard, currently a special-education teacher, was named Lee's Summit West High School assistant principal at the Feb. 23 Lee's Summit R-7 Board of Education meeting. He will replace Patrick Martin, who has resigned to accept a position with another school district.

Mr. Hubbard has taught students with special needs at LSWHS since 2004 and also worked as the school's assistant principal intern from November 2009 through May 2011. At LSW, he sponsors Titan Smart, a student group that focuses on prevention of alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse. He has also served as assistant football coach and assistant track coach at the school.

Before moving to LSWHS, Mr. Hubbard taught special education at Pleasant Lea Middle School and coached football, wrestling and track. In all, he has worked for the R-7 School District for 11 years.

A Lee's Summit resident, Mr. Hubbard earned his bachelor's degree in special education from the University of Central Missouri, his master's degree in teaching from Webster University and his specialist's degree in secondary administration from the University of Central Missouri.

He will begin his new job at LSWHS in July 2012.

Kari Twillegar named LSHS assistant principal

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:04:35 GMT

Kari Twillegar, currently a teacher at Adrian High School, was named assistant principal for Lee's Summit High School at the Feb. 23 R-7 School District Board of Education meeting. Ms. Twillegar will begin her new job in summer 2012 and will replace Dan Schnell, who is retiring in June 2012.

She has taught science at Adrian High School since 2008 and previously served as a science teacher at Harrisonville Middle School and Adrian Junior High School. In all, she has 10 years of experience in education, including working as a volleyball and soccer coach as well as cheerleading and student council sponsor.

Ms. Twillegar earned her bachelor's degree in education from the University of Missouri and her master's degree in special education with a gifted endorsement from the University of Missouri. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in educational administration from St. Louis University.

Amy Fennewald named new principal for Prairie View Elementary

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:01:21 GMT

Amy Fennewald was named 2012-13 principal for Prairie View Elementary at the Feb. 23 Lee's Summit R-7 Board of Education meeting. Ms. Fennewald currently works as assistant principal at Cedar Creek and Prairie View Elementary Schools. She will replace Tam Asplund, who is retiring this summer.

Ms. Fennewald has worked for five years as an elementary assistant principal within the R-7 School District, serving Cedar Creek, Prairie View, Summit Pointe and Hawthorn Hill during this time. She previously served as an administrative intern at Brittany Hill Middle School and as a math teacher at Moreland Ridge Middle School, both in the Blue Springs School District.

An R-7 School District resident, Ms. Fennewald earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Missouri, her elementary education certification from Avila University and her master's degree in school leadership from Baker University. She is currently working on her doctorate in educational leadership through Baker University.

Dr. Emily Miller named R-7 executive director of special services

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:54:08 GMT

Dr. Emily Miller was named Lee's Summit R-7 School District executive director of special services at the Feb. 23 Board of Education meeting. She will replace Jerry Keimig, who is retiring in June.

Dr. Miller currently works as director of special education for the Santa Ynez Valley Special Education Consortium in Buellton, Calif. She previously worked for 10 years for the Lee's Summit R-7 School District, serving as a special-education process coordinator at Pleasant Lea Middle School and Lee's Summit High School and as a special-education teacher at Bernard Campbell Middle School.

In addition, Dr. Miller worked as director of special services in the Harrisonville School District and as an elementary special-education teacher in Fairfax, Va. In all, she has worked in education for 18 years.

She earned her bachelor's degree in history from George Mason University, her master's degree in special education from George Washington University and her doctorate in educational leadership from Saint Louis University.

Ten R-7 School District students named National Merit Scholarship Corporation finalists

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 22:02:29 GMT

Ten Lee’s Summit R-7 School District seniors were recently named National Merit Scholarship Corporation finalists through the national program. Students recognized are Cullen Duke, Lee's Summit High School; James Pedersen, Brendan Smith, Tasha Tuong, Alex Weidner, Jenna Wengler and Rachel Wheelock, Lee's Summit North High School; and Aaron Ratigan, Charlie Strong and Katie Zhang, Lee's Summit West High School.

The students were named National Merit Scholarship Corporation semifinalists last fall.

Recognized students have the opportunity to continue in the competition for approximately 8,200 National Merit Scholarship Awards, worth close to $33 million, to be offered this spring.

Cullen Duke is the son of Janis and James Duke. At LSHS, Cullen participates in National Honor Society, Tiger Mentoring, A+ Program, baseball, football and wrestling and was a delegate to Missouri Boys State. He was named Class 5 Third Team All-State defensive end, Suburban Big 6 Second Team All-Conference defensive end and is a state qualifier in wrestling.

James Pedersen is the son of Angie and David Pedersen. At Lee’s Summit North High School, James participates in National Honor Society and debate team. He is also involved in Boy Scouts.

Brendan Smith is the son of Debbie Smith and Lamar Smith. At Lee’s Summit North, Brendan participates in robotics team, National Honor Society, Missouri Scholars Academy and SkillsUSA. He is also a Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout.

Tasha Tuong is the daughter of Christine Bui and Paul Tuong. At Lee’s Summit North, Tasha participates in National Honor Society, French National Honor Society and is an International Baccalaureate Diploma candidate. She also serves on the Truman Medical Explorers Student Advisory Council.

Alex Weidner is the son of Damita and Gerald Weidner. At Lee’s Summit North, Alex participates in wrestling, trapmasters, robotics team and National Honor Society.

Jenna Wengler is the daughter of Julie and Brent Kirkpatrick and Angie and Don Wengler. At Lee’s Summit North, Jenna participates in student senate, Youth in Government, orchestra, newspaper staff, A+ Program, Spanish National Honor Society and National Honor Society.

Rachel Wheelock is the daughter of Kathryn and John Wheelock. At Lee’s Summit North, Rachel participates in scholar team, French club, math team, National Art Honor Society, French National Honor Society, symphony orchestra, Science Knowledge Bowl and National Honor Society.

Aaron Ratigan is the son of Susan and Brian Ratigan. At Lee’s Summit West High School, Aaron participates in Scholar Bowl, concert choir, chamber choir, symphony orchestra, symphony band, marching band, jazz band and National Honor Society. He is also involved in Youth Symphony of Kansas City and Boy Scouts.

Charlie Strong is the son of Lori and Chaz Strong. At Lee’s Summit West, Charlie participates in Science Knowledge Bowl, chess club, Scholar Bowl, chamber choir, Kansas City All District Choir and concert choir.

Katie Zhang is the daughter of Jean Tao and Feng Zhang. At Lee’s Summit West, Katie participates in National Honor Society, student senate, symphony orchestra, math club and science club. She also serves as a member of the Truman Heartland Community Foundation’s youth advisory council.

Founded in 1955 to conduct the annual Merit Scholarship competition, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation is a privately financed, not-for-profit corporation that operates without government assistance. Scholarships awarded through the program are underwritten by nearly 500 independent sponsor organizations and institutions as well as with the corporation’s own funds.

Nearly 1.5 million students throughout the United States entered the 2012 Merit Program as juniors by taking the preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which serves as an initial screen of program entrants.

Gov. Nixon, UCM, R-7 launch new Innovation Campus to create pathway for students seeking careers in high-demand fields

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:43:13 GMT

Missouri Gov. Jeremiah "Jay" Nixon visited Summit Technology Academy on Feb. 16 to launch the University of Central Missouri's Innovation Campus, a new partnership that will train students for career opportunities in high-demand fields, cut the time it takes to earn a college degree, and reduce student debt. Gov. Nixon was joined by UCM President Chuck Ambrose during a classroom visit and conference at the Lee's Summit R-7 school.

Gov. Nixon’s administration is supporting the UCM Innovation Campus through a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant to underwrite real-world apprenticeships and training opportunities for students at businesses like Cerner, Exergonix Inc., Sprint and DST.

“The Innovation Campus will create a direct pathway for Missouri students from the classroom to training for career opportunities in high-demand fields,” Gov. Nixon said. “This program will train students for solid careers in growing industries, while also cutting the time it takes for students to earn a degree and reducing student debt. I commend the University of Central Missouri and all the project’s partners for pioneering this outstanding concept, and I look forward to working with our other colleges and universities to adapt the Innovation Campus model across our state.”

Beginning this fall, the UCM Innovation Campus will start Phase I of implementation by focusing on 30 junior students enrolled in the Information Technology (IT) Essentials program at Summit Technology Academy, a pre-professional learning environment operated by the R-7 School District. Summit Technology serves students from an area-wide consortium of 16 area high schools. UCM officials expect to expand the program to 50 or 60 more students in year two and up to 100 students in year three.

These students will receive intensive guidance during high school to prepare to earn degrees in information technology and applied science at the University of Central Missouri. As the Innovation Campus grows, additional areas of study will be added based on the Missouri Strategic Initiative for Economic Growth and employer demand.

During high school, Innovation Campus students will be directed toward courses and programs specifically designed to train them to study science and technology and to cut the time needed to earn their degree. Through increased opportunities for dual-credit courses at Metropolitan Community College, and through other programs such as Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate, Innovation Campus students will have the opportunity to earn close to 60 college credit hours while still in high school.

Beginning in high school and continuing once in college, Innovation Campus students also will participate in apprenticeship training with local business partners, such as Cerner, Exergonix Inc., Sprint and DST. These apprenticeships will reinforce the concepts students are learning in the classroom and provide on-the-job training. The grant funding provided by Gov. Nixon’s administration will underwrite these apprenticeships and cover costs associated with on-the-job training for the students.

“The Innovation Campus is the result of outstanding collaboration between public education and the private sector to prepare students for the careers of tomorrow,” Dr. Ambrose said. “Through the Innovation Campus, we are shaping a new model for higher education, reducing the burden of debt and training students for jobs today and careers of the future. We are committed to growing the Innovation Campus to help move Missouri’s economy forward, and we appreciate Gov. Nixon’s strong support.”

To participate in the program, the corporate partners will commit to creating or retraining a specified number of jobs. Innovation Campus students would be highly trained candidates for these new positions once they have completed their degrees and the apprenticeship training.

Earlier in February, Nixon announced that his administration will provide $10 million in competitive grants to adapt the Innovation Campus to serve more Missouri employers who need more workers with specific training and skills. Nixon’s administration will be ready to solicit applications for those competitive grants on March 1, with funding to be available by July 1. More information on that competitive grant process will be released in the coming weeks.

“From day one, I have been committed to building training pathways for Missouri students to the jobs and careers of tomorrow,” Gov. Nixon said. “I encourage all of Missouri’s public colleges and universities to look for ways to adapt the Innovation Campus model in every corner of our state.”

Area School Districts Seek Continuance and Respond to ACLU Letter

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:36:26 GMT

Attorneys representing five area school districts that recently questioned the Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS) student transfer policy have requested a continuance of a hearing scheduled for Jan. 12 in Jackson County Court. The five districts are Blue Springs, Independence, Lee’s Summit R-7, North Kansas City and Raytown.

In the preliminary hearing Dec. 30, attorneys for KCPS admitted that KCPS Board of Education student transfer policy did not align with state statute (RSMO 167.131). If the continuance is granted, KCPS Board of Education would have time to consider revising its policy. Attorney Duane Martin requested the continuance on Jan. 9.

In addition, Mr. Martin responded to a letter sent Jan. 6 by the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri and Kansas (ACLU).

In his reply, Mr. Martin explained the parameters of the state law that guide transfers of students from an unaccredited school district to an accredited one in an adjoining county:
There are two primary limitations in this section: (1) the payment of tuition by the unaccredited district in the amount set by the accredited district’s board of education; and (2) the provision of transportation by the unaccredited district. If KCPS fails to meet the conditions of Section 167.131 regarding tuition and transportation, KCPS students do not have a statutory right to attend a neighboring public school.

The five area districts have board policies that require tuition in full and in advance before a transfer student can be enrolled. KCPS board policy offers only a small portion of the actual tuition and in monthly installments. In addition, the policy shifts the responsibility of providing transportation of KCPS transfer students to the receiving school districts.

In the ACLU reply, Mr. Martin provided additional perspective on the overarching issues related to potential KCPS student transfers. “It is critical to remember that all students will suffer if KCPS fails to meet the statutory requirements. As you know, the receiving public school districts are underfunded and cannot advance funds for the unanticipated expenditures associated with significant numbers of new students,” he said.

“Furthermore, if the receiving districts accept KCPS students without payment of tuition up front, then they will be assuming additional obligations without a specific appropriation by the state, and the individual taxpayers will have their constitutional rights violated under the Hancock Amendment,” he added.

At this time, the five area school districts are taking information from prospective KCPS student transfers, but are not enrolling transfers until board policy requirements are met. The five districts also are waiting for the outcome of another legal challenge to the statute in the Missouri Supreme Court.

R-7 School District earns state’s Distinction in Performance Award for 11th year in a row

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:18:59 GMT

The Lee’s Summit R-7 School District has again earned Missouri’s coveted Distinction in Performance Award this year, according to state education officials. The award honors districts for academic achievement and progress during the 2010-11 school year.

This is the 11th year in a row that the R-7 School District has received the Distinction in Performance Award, which has been offered by the state for 11 years. In the Kansas City metropolitan area, just four districts – Lee's Summit, Blue Springs, Liberty and Park Hill – have won the award all 11 years it has been offered. To qualify for this state award, districts must meet at least 13 out of 14 performance standards.

More remarkably, the Lee's Summit School district is one of less than eight Missouri public school districts to have earned the Distinction in Performance Award with a perfect score (14 out of 14) for all 11 years it has been offered.

"We are grateful to our staff members, our parents and our citizens – and our terrific students – for the fundamental role they play in our schools' success," said Dr. David McGehee, Lee's Summit R-7 superintendent. "Not everyone is aware of this, but Missouri is recognized across the nation for having especially high standards for academic performance on state assessments when compared to other states. Earning our state's highest recognition with a perfect score yet again is a remarkable accomplishment for both our schools and our community."

A total of 329 of Missouri's 531 school districts are receiving the Distinction in Performance award this year, based on criteria set by the State Board of Education. The annual recognition is based on school districts’ performance on Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) test scores, ACT college-entrance test scores, attendance and dropout rates, college-placement indicators and other measures of academic performance during the 2010-11 school year.

Under the state’s accreditation process, school districts are formally evaluated once every five years, according to State Board of Education standards. The Distinction in Performance award is based on the same performance criteria that are included in the accreditation review process, but the award provides an annual confirmation and recognition of a district's consistent performance.

The Distinction in Performance Award is intended to provide an incentive for districts to focus on continuously improving academic achievement in all of the areas covered by the accreditation standards.

State education officials will formally recognize each of the award-winning school districts later this school year.

State-sponsored program provides qualifying families with access to low-cost health insurance for children

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 19:34:32 GMT

Families interested in gaining access to low-cost health insurance for children through Missouri Healthnet for Kids may visithttp://www.dss.mo.gov/fsd/maf.htm. The program, operated through the Missouri Department of Social Services, provides healthcare coverage for children under 19 years of age whose family income falls within certain guidelines.

R-7 School District receives national ‘What Parents Want’ Award

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:58:03 GMT

For the 20th year in a row, the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District received the “What Parents Want” Award from SchoolMatch, an independent nationwide school selection service. Approximately 16 percent of the nation’s 15,571 public school districts received this award for meeting the needs of families choosing schools.

SchoolMatch, an independent, nationwide service, helps corporate employee families find schools that match the needs of their children. SchoolMatch has conducted more than 1,000 educational effectiveness audits of school systems and assists corporations with site selection studies.

SchoolMatch maintains information on every public school system throughout the nation and accredited private schools throughout the world. More than 7 million parents have accessed SchoolMatch.

Criteria used for award selection include a close match to what SchoolMatch users most often request, including competitive academic test scores, accreditation, recognition of excellence by a national foundation or by the U.S. Department of Education, competitive teacher salaries, a higher percent of budget spent on instruction services, a focus on library/media services and reasonable class sizes. The award also includes graduation rates and availability of comprehensive programs and services.

Within the Kansas City metropolitan area, eight Missouri school districts earned the "What Parents Want" Award this year.

R-7 School District Board of Education approves five-year strategic plan Comprehensive School Improvement Plan developed by community team

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 19:53:51 GMT

The Lee's Summit R-7 School District Board of Education approved the district's five-year Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) at a July 21 meeting.

The plan was developed by an approximately 40-person community team working throughout spring 2011. Team members included parents, district staff members, Board of Education representatives and local citizens.

The plan focuses on five areas – governance; student performance; highly qualified staff; facilities, support and instructional resources; and parent and community involvement. The complete plan is posted at the district's Board of Education website, located at http://www.boarddocs.com/mo/lsr7sd/Board.nsf/Public within the decision items for the July 21 regular meeting.

The new plan will cover 2011 through 2016 with the major emphasis on student achievement. Members of the community team met several times during the spring to determine the five focus areas. In addition, the group broke into five smaller teams to develop goals and strategies for each area.

The Board of Education reviewed the team's recommendations at its June workshop. Following the July 21 approval of the plan by the Board of Education, R-7 staff members are writing action steps for each strategy. To ensure accountability, the action steps will be placed on a timeline and reviewed annually by the CSIP Team, the Superintendent's Leadership Team and the Board of Education.

In addition, the CSIP Team will meet again in November to review the action steps before the Board of Education makes a decision on these steps later in the fall.

The community team also developed a new mission, vision and commitments for the R-7 School District. The new mission approved by the Board of Education reads: "We prepare each student for success in life." The vision consists of several statements: "Lee's Summit is an exemplary school district, graduating students who are college and career ready with the competitive advantage necessary to be successful. Lee's Summit R-7 reflects a culture of respect and acceptance. Collaboration is an expectation that fosters mutual understanding and a focus on student achievement and staff development. Lee's Summit R-7 encourages innovation and creativity, recognizing student learning as our fundamental purpose. "

The CSIP Team also recommended seven commitments, including:

"Engaging students in research-based programs in a technology-rich environment.
"Embracing open, honest two-way communication.
"Promoting continuous improvement through data-driven decision-making.
"Sustaining positive relationships among students, staff, families and community members.
"Ensuring a rigorous and relevant learning experience that leads to success for each student.
"Partnering with students in identifying and achieving their learning goals.
"Continuing a safe and caring environment."
An important part of the district’s Comprehensive School Improvement Plan is its role in the district’s state evaluation process. Every five years, Missouri public school districts go through a thorough evaluation conducted by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Following the state's most recent review of the local district, the Lee’s Summit R-7 received full accreditation, the highest Missouri classification.

In addition, the district was among a handful of districts in the state to earn a perfect score on criteria for the state's Distinction In Performance Award each year for the last 10 years. This award recognizes consistent gains in academic performance and has been presented for just the past 10 years.

The current R-7 Comprehensive School Improvement Plan is actually the R-7 School District’s fifth five-year strategic plan. Previous strategic plans were also developed by community and staff members in 1990, 1995, 2001 and 2006.