School board agrees to give up trophies, with a catch

USD 257 board members Monday night moved past some lingering issues, one being the ongoing trophy dilemma.
In September the Alumni Endowment Association asked the board if it would donate past, unused trophies kept in the Iola High School basement. For sentimental reasons, board members had mixed emotions on whether give up the trophies.
Monday night, the board members decided to give the trophies to the association with the stipulation that everything should be done to first make the trophies available to the Iola High graduates or direct relative.
Tori Snavely, Student Council secretary, updated the board on student and school happenings.
She thanked businesses, organizations and people involved in the community for help with Iola High School’s Fall Homecoming.
Angie Linn, USD 257 curriculum director, said she had been busy meeting with teachers and trainers to get Iola schools ready for the upcoming implementation of Common Core.
“We are ahead of the game,” Linn said.
Teachers are getting more familiar with the new curriculum that will be fully implemented by 2014 and some teachers have begun integrating it.
In addition to getting a handle on the new curriculum, Linn has been laying groundwork on career and technology education (CTE), by meeting with Allen Community College dean, Tosca Harris, and “talking about CTE pathways,” she said.
She has found ways to get students more exposed to career options that will include an immediate source of income such as nursing and media design production, Linn said.
USD 257 Technology-Internet Acceptable Use Policy was approved, which provides access for students and staff to technology resources.
E-Funds for schools as an online payment system was also approved. The payment system will allow parents to pay fees online, such as those for activities, yearbooks or lunch balances.
Parents still may write checks to the school but the system is designed to be more a more convenient method of payment.
The board accepted a $910 grant for SAFE BASE, given by Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Board members took a walk to the gym to view the new Pioneer League pennants. School achievements now may be seen during games, pep rallies or general assemblies.