Common Core

This is a topic that is getting much press, positive and negative. While several groups are opposed to the stan-dards for academic achievement, many have an opposite view and believe that the new method for assessing student success is more practical and meaning-ful for a quality educa-tion. Caught in the mid-dle, school districts are working every day to provide quality educa-tion and follow the state mandates for testing, achievement standards and other quality per-formance measures.

Kansas officially adopted the standards initiative in October of 2010 by the State Board of Education. This came about after more than a year of study and re-search including input from the public and hearings. Before that though, state law had required academic stan-dards in core subjects to

be adopted since 1992. While 44 other states have also adopted the same standards, there is still an opposing theory that this is being forced by the federal govern-ment. Far from the truth, many supporters of the Common Core that may not be ex-pected include Mike Huckabee, Jeb Bush, Terry Branstad and Jan Brewer, to name a few, each former or current Governors of their re-spective states where the same process took place that Kansas went through to end up in this position.

Currently, steps have been taken locally to prepare our district for the new standards that have been approved and will soon be imple-mented. We have to as it is imperative that we give the best prepara-tions to our students for the direction the state is going. At the same time, we are waiting to make sure the initiative is not

derailed by legislative action before purchas-ing text books, materi-als, etc. We have also sent most of our teach-ers to training and feel good about the new measures as they give students the responsi-bility to work through problems more than just knowing an an-swer.

However, it is not im-

possible that things

will change. They often

do. In that case, we

will still use our local

assessments and indi-

vidual measurements

to provide a quality

education. Common

Core is not being man-

dated from the federal

government as it was

originated by individ-

ual states. It also is not

going to make or break

the “core” of the qual-

ity education we are

continuing to provide

at Sterling, USD 376.

From the Superintendent: By: Dr. Fred Dierksen

USD 376 Parent-Student Direc-

tories

Directories are available at the District Office, Grade and High School Offices. Purchase

price is $3.00 each.

Also, patrons wishing to receive a paper copy of the newsletter and menus may contact the

District Office with your request.

Book Fair & We Care 2

Band News & Counselor’s Corner 3

FCCLA & Reading Grant 4

SCKMEA & Red Ribbon Week 5

Athletic Director’s Corner 6

Nurse’s Notes 7

RCHD Flu Shot Clinic 8

Inside this issue:

In Black & White

A PUBLICATION OF USD 376

Volume 33, Issue 1

October 2013

In Black & White

October 2013

A successful fall Book Fair was held September 23-26, 2013 on the checkerboard carpet between the library and music rooms! .

· Parents and students purchased 17+ books through the “Teacher’s Wish List” program.

· The loose change donations in the “All for Books” box totaled $27.69. This was used to purchase 5 new books for our library. The All for Books money we collect also helps readers beyond our school and community. Scholastic Book Fairs matches every dollar that is collected with ONE BOOK. Those books are given to Kids in Distressed Situations or the Kids in Need Foundation on our school's behalf!

· Total number of books sold this Fair: 640!

· Total sales volume for this Fair was over $3213.00. USD376 Libraries earned a net profit of $1801. Our district libraries chose to spend $672 of that voucher for books from the Book Fair cases. The re-maining $1129 will be used to support our libraries including purchasing new books and instructional materials.

A HUGE thank you is extended to our school and community volunteers who helped make out book fair successful: Kaye Boor, Mark Britton, Melissa Crank, Melissa Feil, Balie Gillespie, Samantha Kennedy, An-drea Kilgore, Diana Krone, Dean Mantz, Jennifer Mantz and her students, Tracy McGlynn, Scott McPher-son, Tracy Mims, Carol Prather, Kristin Robson, Tammy Schroeder, Greggretta Voth, Robin Webb, Angi Whittiker, Rene Wilson and the Sterling Bulletin.

Mark your calendars for next spring’s Book Fair Fiesta! It will be held Monday, April 14 and Tuesday, April 15 from 3:30 - 7:30 p.m during Parent/Teacher Conferences and on Wednesday, April 24 from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. Shoppers will again have the opportunity to support USD376 and classroom libraries by pur-chasing books through “All for Books” and “Teacher’s Wish List” programs.

Thank you for supporting literacy in our school and our community!

Amy Brownlee Sherilyn McPherson

District Librarian Book Fair Chairperson

WE CARE INFO

A WE CARE meeting will be held Monday, November 11 in the commons area at the High School. This is an infor-mational/organizational meeting for parents of Juniors

and Seniors. Please try to attend.

*************

Thank you to all that helped with the Taco Tailgate night. $845 dollars was raised for the WE CARE cause.

Page 2

READING OASIS: A COOL PLACE TO DISCOVER HOT BOOKS

In Black & White

October 2013

The High School Band per-formed at the Kansas State Fair on September 11 and received a I+, I, I rating from the three judges. Over 50 bands per-formed at the fairgrounds dur-ing the three-day event. Only Buhler and Andover high school band received a higher rat-ing. Both of those bands have over 160 students in their bands. The band performed a bluesy arrangement of "House of the Rising Sun" and Metal-lica's "Master of Puppets."

The High School Band has been selected once again to perform at the Kansas Music Educator's state convention in Wichita in February. The band is one of only three high school bands in Kansas selected for this honor. The Sterling band was selected to perform last year, but was unable to attend be-cause of blizzard conditions on

the day of their perform-ance. Normally, groups may not be selected two years in a row, but the KMEA Board made a decision to allow groups who were not able to perform due to sever weather to audition again this year. Any music group in Kansas that wants to have the opportunity to perform at the KMEA convention can send in an audition recording in the spring of the year. A group of judges listen to all of the recordings over the summer and select the top groups for the opportunity to perform. This marks the 12th time that a band from Sterling has been chosen to perform.

Two High School Band members were selected for the KMEA District Honor Jazz Band. Zack Brashear, trumpet, and Coby Comley, trombone, were chosen following auditions at Clearwa-ter High School. They will re-

hearse at Andover Central High School with the rest of the Dis-trict Jazz Band on Saturday, November 2 and perform a con-cert that afternoon.

Seven Jr. High Band members were selected to perform at the KMEA District Middle School Honor Band. The students will rehearse and perform at Ando-ver Central High School with the other students selected from south central Kansas on Saturday, Nov. 2. Sterling stu-dents participating in the honor band are: Codi Custer, flute; Taylor Petz, clarinet; Isaac Hayden, bass clarinet; Taya Wil-son, alto saxophone; Katie Com-ley, tenor saxophone; Ally Row-land, French horn; and Jacob Stout, trumpet.

Juniors: Several college-bound juniors took the PSAT on October 16, 2013. Scores should be in during the first week in December. If you are planning to at-tend a four year college or university, you need to take and ACT test this year. You can always repeat if you are not happy with the scores. Go to www.actstudent.org for dates and regis-

tration deadlines.

Seniors: It is time to make visits to schools you are interesting in and make application to the school. Watch dead-lines for scholarships and housing appli-cations. If you need to repeat the ACT, there is one on December 14, 2013. The deadline for registration is November 8, 2013. Don’t forget to upload your picture and print out your ticket.

(www.actstudent.org).

Sophomores: All sophomores will be taking the PLAN test November 6, 2013. The PLAN is a preACT and helpful for students when making decisions about what they want to do in the future. There is no fee for this test. There is also an interest inventory and a needs assessment

for help for college as part of the test.

Page 3

Band News by: Larry Brownlee

Counselor’s Corner by: Cheryl DeWerff

In Black & White

October 2013

According to a study from the Institute of Education, children who read for pleasure perform significantly better in the classroom. The long-term study focused on young people age 10-16 and found those who read for pleasure received higher scores in vocabulary, spelling and math. More details on the study are available at http://www.ioe.ac.uk/newsEvents/89938.html.

Sterling High School Library received a $300 grant from Midwest Energy to purchase high-interest books for jr. high and high school stu-dents.

"All of our grades 7-12 students have 45 minutes of silent sustained reading (SSR) per week in their seminar classes," explained Amy Brownlee, district librarian. "Our principal, Mr. Anderson, recognizes the value of giving students time to read for pleasure." Students can read books, magazines, or newspapers during SSR time.

Grant funds will be used to purchase extra copies of the most popular books and to purchase newly released books that students request. "This money will allow us to better meet our students' recreational reading needs and boost their scho-lastic achievement across the board," Brownlee said. She explained that because of tight school budgets, money would not normally be available for these purchases.

Big buddy is getting ready o kick off with our first gath-ering on October 24th. Ac-tivities related to Halloween will be planned. There is a change in the location for dropping off and picking up your child. We ask that you drop them off at the junior high doors on the West side of the building. Time for Big Buddy activities on the 24th

is 6:30-7:30.

FCCLA members are selling SUBWAY discount cards. The cards contain 30 stamps for dis-counts such as 2 reg. foot longs for $9.99, free 6"sub with a drink, free cookie, chips, drink or apple with sub purchase. The cards can be used in over 100 SUBWAYs, some in OK and TX as well. These cards are good until 8-14. FFCLA is selling

them for $5.00 email Mrs. Prather if interested at: pratherc@usd376.com FFCLA is continuing sales of the nice stadium chairs. $30 for plain black and $35 with a Ster-ling logo on the back rest. No-tify Mrs. Prather if in need of one.

Page 4

Grant Boosts Teen Reading

FCCLA NEWS by: Carol Prather

In Black & White

October 2013

Monday

TEAM UP AGAINST DRUGS!

Wear Favorite Sports Gear.

Tuesday

USE YOUR HEAD! DON’T DO DRUGS!

Show Off Crazy Hair or Favorite Hat.

Sterling Police Officers will visit classrooms.

Wednesday

TOO BRIGHT FOR DRUGS!

Wear Your Brightest Colors.

Thursday

NOTHING SCARES BLACK BEARS!

Wear Your Spirit Shirt.

EMS will join us for lunch.

Six Sterling Grade School students were selected to attend the annual South Central Kansas Music Educa-tor’s District Honor Choir. It was hosted by Derby High School on Satur-day, October 19. All elementary schools in the South Central District can send up to six students from grades 4-6 for this honor choir. The South Central District includes the counties of Butler, Cowley, Kingman, Harper, Har-vey, Marion, McPherson, Reno, Rice,

Sedgwick, and Sumner.

The students rehearsed five songs they have memorized and gave a free con-

cert open to the public at noon in the Derby High School auditorium. The guest conductor for the honor choir was be Jennifer Johnson, conductor of the

Wichita Children’s Choir.

The SGS students chosen were Aubrey Hayden, Luke Harding, Keandra Dar-ling, Noah Svaty, Ireland Sutton, and

Aubrey Anderson.

While the students rehearsed, their teachers, Cindy Anthony and Clark Comley, attended a choral workshop given by Janeal Krehbiel, founder and director of the Lawrence Children’s

Choir.

Page 5

Red Ribbon Week Activities Planned at SGS

SCKMEA Honor Choir by: Cindy Anthony

In Black & White

October 2013

KSHAA Classification:

This year’s 9-12 enrollment is 147 students. Based on that enrollment, we will be competing in class 2A in all KSHSAA activities. Class 2A schools range in size from 154 to 100 students.

Classification for the 2015015 and 2015-16 foot-ball seasons was also determined this fall. This classification is based on the number of students enrolled in grades 9-11 in which we had 120 stu-dents. This means we will compete in 3A the next two seasons. Class 3A schools range in size from 192-117. Our football district, which is determined by the KHSAA, will be Lyons, Ellsworth, and Hois-ington.

Sports Parenting 101

We are entering the home stretch of the fall ath-letic seasons. It’s hard to believe that post-season competition is just around the corner. As we enter the most competitive and important games of the fall season, it’s important that as parents, you con-tinue to be diligent in your support of your child’s athletic experience. We also will be beginning bas-ketball season soon and with only 5 players on the floor at any given time, there tends to be more is-sues. The following Top Ten is based on an article by Rick Wolff, a renouned author and authority on sports parenting. Wolff frequently writes articles for Sports Illustrated on sports parenting and con-tributes to a great website for parents at www.sportsparentg.org. As the district’s activities director, I see these issues on a regular basis. It’s my hope that by educating parents, we can make the sports experience for our kids a great one.

Top Ten Issues for Sports Parents

10. Parental Behavior at Contests

A key issue because your actions set the tone for your child’s actions. If you say or do inappropriate things, this gives your child license to do or say in-appropriate things.

9. Sportsmanship

Win or lose, demonstrate to your kids that you enjoy the game. Give kudos to the opponent and the officials.

8. Travel Teams

Bring your checkbook—they are called travel teams for a reason. Playing on these teams requires lots of money. The cost of meals, gas, and hotels can easily add up to thousands of dollars. Remember what these teams are for—fun! They don’t make better players. If a player wants to improve their skills, there is no substitute for practice and practice is free!

7. Support and Praise

Children don’t need your post-game analysis—especially after a tough loss. They hate post-game analysis. If you do it enough times, your child will quit rather than have to go through post-game grilling. Let them come to you for ideas to improve, not the other way around. They have a coach—and you’re not it! Sim-ply tell them how much fun you had watching them and talk about the good stuff you saw.

6. Specialization

Ask any experience high school, collegiate, or profes-sional coach and they will tell you that no child should just play one sport while growing up. Why? Because it leads to burn-out. Let your child play a variety of sports. Just because they are successful at one at an early age doesn't’ mean they will be as they get older.

5. “This is how I used to Do It” Syndrome

Your children want to do it their own way. They want to develop their own signature style. No child want to have dad show them, “this is how I used to do it”.

4. Involvement

Volunteer your time. Rather than just criticize, get involved. You don’t have to coach your own child to get involved. Volunteer to coach another age group or vol-unteer to film, scout, keep stats, or be the team’s me-dia specialist. (Continued on Page 7)

Page 6

Athletic Director’s Corner by: Monte Ball

In Black & White

October 2013

10 reasons to get your child a flu shot or the flu mist

1. To keep kids in school and parents at work. The flu can keep you out of work or school for a week or more.

2. Influenza can be serious. Influenza is the 8th leading cause of death among all ages.

3. To protect the young. Infants under six months can’t be immunized. They count on everyone around them being immu-

nized.

4. Children love to share! Children are the number one spreaders of the flu. More children get influenza each year than any

other age group.

5. It’s a barging. Your insurance may cover the flu vaccination. What is the better deal a $30 flu shot or a week off of work

sick.

6. It’s easy. You can get a flu shot or flu mist at the upcoming flu shot clinics at Sterling Grade School and Sterling High

School. See the attached flier.

7. Don’t wait until later. It takes two weeks after getting the flu shot for your body to have built up a high immunity.

8. Help protect grandma and grandpa. People over 65 are more likely to have serious complications and to die from the flu.

9. Complementary sugar free sucker with every immunization!

10. You can avoid the needle. A nasal mist called flu mist is also available. This works well for children and adults afraid of

shots. Flu mist can be used on people 2-49 years old that do not have asthma.

(Athletic Director’s Corner Continued)

3. Attitude

Put a smile on! Let your kids know that you are having fun watching them. You’d be amazed at how much better their attitude is when you have a great attitude. Whether you realize it or not, they are constantly sneaking a peek to see if you approve.

2. Being Realistic

The stats don’t lie...very few athletes go on to play a collegiate sport. Do you think the stats don’t apply to your child? If the odds are that less than 5% of all high school athletes go on to play a colle-giate sport, why do so many parents think that their child is going to be that special one? EVERY parent thinks their children are better than they really are. If you really want to know how good they are, ask a coach at the next level for an hones, unbiased, no-strings-attached opinion.

1. Playing Time

Easily the number one concern for parents

(coaches too). Mom and Dad, please understand that if your child goes out for a team—unless the league or school stipulates that every child has to play equal time—there’s no guarantee your child is going to play a lot. That’s a harsh reality for kids, but even harsher for parents, especially if you have high expectations for them. One of the life lessons your children will learn is that if you don’t have the talent, skills, or desire needed to play, you won’t. Parents have to understand that there are so many factors that determine playing time—and it goes way beyond what you see in a game. If you have an issue regarding playing time—remember it’s not your playing time! If your child has an issue with playing time, let them discuss it with their coach. Remember, it’s not your playing time. A basketball coach once told me that the only way parents would be happy is if the starting five were the best four players on the team AND their kid. The point is that the only parents that are happy about playing time are the ones whose kids are getting that playing time. Every parent wants their child to shine, but remember #2—be realistic!

Page 7

Nurse’s Notes by: Kristi Wilson

Flu Shots are Coming to Sterling Schools

Monday, October 28 from 3:15-5:00PM at the Grade School

(All ages are welcome.)

Page 8

Rice County Health Department Offering Flu Shots in Sterling!

In Black & White

Type of Insurance Vaccine, your choice Cost

KanCare Injection (all ages) No out-of-pocket

Nasal Mist (2-18 years) No out-of-pocket

Insurance Injection (all ages) $25.00**

Intradermal

(18-64 years)*

$35.00**

Nasal Mist (2-29 years) $40.00**

*This is a very tiny needle; vaccine is injected into the skin.

**All private insurance will be billed for the amount of the immunization. No cost at time of flu clinic. Remaining balance will be billed to you and you will be expected to

pay.

October 2013