Ann Mah eNewsletter, April 19, 2021

 

State Board News from Ann Mah Dear Michael Caddell, Wanted to share the latest from the state board of education and legislature. Visit Our Website Opportunites for organizations The state board received funds from the most recent federal CARES bill to provide after school and summer programs statewide. Some of it is to be used to help students with learning loss. We are also looking at offering free experiences for families to help with social/emotional recovery and give families a chance to "get out of the house" and reconnect. So...if you are part of an organization that provides quality after school or summer programs for students, or you are an organization that provides experiences for families and want to be considered, be on the lookout for the upcoming RFP process. The money we have is to take us through 2024, but we believe that COVID recovery will take years for some students and families. Let me know if you have any questions. Civic engagement award Congratulations to the students and staff at North Fairview Elementary School for being a 2020 Civic Advocacy Network award winner. The Seaman School District has been a leader in civic engagement, as Seaman High School was an award winner in 2019. Well done! Area districts recognized Last week school districts across the state were recognized for achieving goals set by the state board for student success. The seven areas recognized were: Academic Preparation; High School Graduation; Postsecondary Success (how many students went on to study beyond high school); Social-emotional growth; Kindergarten Readiness; Individual Plans of Study for all students; and Civic Engagement. Here are our area schools recognized for accomplishments: Auburn-Washburn: Postsecondary Success; Graduation; and Academic Preparation Atchison County Community Schools: Postsecondary Success; Civic Engagement; and Commissioner's Award Baldwin City: Academic Preparation Burlingame: Graduation and Academic Preparation Easton: Graduation and Academic Preparation Holton: Postsecondary Success and Academic Preparation Jefferson County North: Academic Preparation Jefferson West: Postsecondary success; Graduation; and Academic Preparation Kansas City Catholic Diocese (includes Topeka schools): Postsecondary Success; Graduation; Academic Preparation; and Commissioner's Award Kaw Valley: Postsecondary Success and Graduation Lawrence: Academic Preparation Lyndon: Postsecondary Success; Graduation; and Academic Preparation McLouth: Postsecondary Success; Graduation North Lyon County: Postsecondary Success; Graduation; Academic Preparation; Civic Engagement; and Commissioner's Award. Osage City: Academic Preparation Oskaloosa: Academic Preparation Perry-Lecompton: Social-Emotional Growth and Kindergarten Readiness Rock Creek: Postsecondary Success; Graduation; Academic Preparation; and Kindergarten Readiness Seaman: Academic Preparation; Civic Engagement; Social-Emotional Growth; and Individual Plans of Study Shawnee Heights: Postsecondary Success; Graduation; and Academic Preparation Silver Lake: Postsecondary Success; Graduation; and Academic Preparation Valley Falls: Postsecondary Success; Graduation; Social-Emotional Growth; Individual Plans of Study; and Commissioner's Award Wabaunsee: Postsecondary Success; Graduation; and Academic Preparation Wamego: Postsecondary Success; Graduation; and Academic Preparation West Franklin: Academic Preparation Congratulations to these schools, students, and staff for their accomplishments! This is just the first year for the awards. Looking forward to their continued progress. For more information and a list of awards statewide, go to: Kansans Can Star Awards 2020 Legislative action The Legislature sent several education-related bills to the Governor's desk, including new curriculum and graduation requirements, the education budget, and rules about transgender athletes. The Governor has 10 days after receipt of the bills to sign the bills, veto them, or allow them to become law without her signature. She has not acted on any of these bills yet. When she does, I will send out a notice to let you know what's going on. CCommunity Events If you have community events coming up, let me know. This email goes to nearly 3000 homes in Shawnee, Osage, Jefferson, Wabaunsee, Pottawatomie, and Douglas counties. I'd love to help you get the word out!  Just remember to send your activities well ahead of time.   For things to do in Topeka and surrounding area, check out the Visit Topeka calendar, Topeka 365 at: Topeka 365 (topekapartnership.com) Sincerely, Ann Mah www.annmah.org Paid for by Ann Mah for Kansas, Nancy Griffin, Treasurer