Five Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools will be recognized with the Challenge Award for making a difference in student achievement.
The schools include Argentine Middle School, Arrowhead Middle School, Bethel Elementary School, Emerson Elementary School and Frank Rushton Elementary School, according to a school district spokesman.
They are recognized for outstanding achievement on the 2019 math and reading assessment results, according to the spokesman.
The award is presented by the Kansas State Board of Education.
It highlights the academic achievement of students in schools despite the significant socioeconomic challenges they may face in their lives, the spokesman stated.
“I wholeheartedly believe that all children can learn, and it doesn’t matter the socioeconomic background,” Dr. Charles Foust, KCKPS superintendent, said. “Teachers are making a significant impact on our students, and they are showing us that they can learn.”
He praised talented students, teachers and paras.
“What we see now is the rewards coming through our students. I believe, and I know through the development of our teachers and students, we are on track,” he said.
In addition to specifically the sample size, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, there were several other qualifying factors used to identify Challenge Award honorees.
• A statistical model is used that includes 2019 math and reading state assessment scores, percent of the sample that received free or reduced-price lunch, and the percent that was a member of an ethnic minority. Graduation rates and chronic absenteeism are factors, too. The top 100 Kansas schools are then selected.
• Only schools that have a total percentage of free and reduced-price lunch students above the state average of 45.7 percent are eligible for recognition.
• The schools are then sorted into the State Board of Education districts.
“Congratulations!! I am so proud of each school for receiving this recognition,” Janet Waugh, vice chair of the Kansas State Board of Education, said. “I have always said KCK USD 500 is a wonderful district offering students amazing educational opportunities. These awards confirm my belief.”
- Story from KCKPS
At the Board of Public Utilities’ 6 p.m. telephone and Zoom internet meeting April 1, General Manager Bill Johnson said in answer to a question that the BPU had no employees who tested positive for COVID-19.
However, there were six to eight BPU employees in self-quarantine, he said, due to people having possible risk with travel.
Currently, about 24 percent of the work force is on administrative leave during the “stay-home” order, he said. Some are working at home. Water and electric services are considered to be essential operations.
Board member Jeff Bryant said BPU front-line workers working with the public are “unsung heroes.”
“My heart goes out to all the hard-working staff,” board member Bob Milan Sr. said.
According to BPU officials, it was too early to tell the effects of COVID-19 on the BPU. The February financial report included figures from before March.
Lori Austin, BPU chief financial officer, said they are starting to see a little bit in reduction in cash since the COVID-19 crisis started. They have noticed some change in the past three to four days, she said.
The BPU’s customer service lobby has been closed since March 23 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, utility cutoffs for nonpayment were discontinued temporarily on March 16 as a result of the pandemic.
The BPU staff will know more later, and they will be looking at the figures more often, according to Austin.
Operating revenues in February were down about 7 percent, according to the report. February electric revenues were down about 5.3 percent, and February water revenues were down about 1.1 percent.
Milder winter weather may have been the cause of the slight decline in February, according to Austin.
Child endangerment reported
Officers were sent to a residence about 2:15 p.m. April 1 where a young juvenile was left without any adult present, according to a social media post by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department.
When they arrived, the officers found the victim left at home alone.
Shooting reported, with no injuries
A victim got into an argument with a suspect about 6:45 p.m. April 1 in the 900 block of Everett Avenue, according to a social media post by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department.
The suspect shot a gun toward the victim, who was not struck, according to the report.
Kidnapping, robbery reported
A victim gave a suspect a ride at 4:30 p.m. March 31 in the 2600 block of North 53rd Street, according to a social media post by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department.
Later the suspect pointed a gun at the victim and took the victim’s property, the report stated.
Then the suspect forced the victim to drive the suspect to a different location, the report stated. The victim was released with no injuries, according to the report.
