The high school debate squad places near top out of 70 schools

Dragon Tales

Head of the ClassBiology teacher receives top award in the state

Fieldtrip of a LifetimePHS students witness the inauguration of President Obama

Young Debaters

Teachers Receive Mini-GrantsUSD 250 Foundation awards teachers with mini-grants for classroom needs

February 2013

Stay Connected

@PittsburgUSD250

facebook.com/USD250

Or

www.usd250.org

510 Deill Pittsburg, KS

66762

Contents4...Head of the ClassBiology teacher Jim Foresman has taught for more than 25 years; recently receiving the Kan-sas Biology Teacher of the Year Award.

10...Celebrating LearningStudents at Westside Elementary celebrate math and reading grades.

12...The Great DebatersThe Pittsburg High School debate team competes at state after already qualifying for Nationals in Alabama.

8...PHS Goes to Washington (Cover Story)More than a dozen high school students witness the inauguration of President Barack Obama.

14 & 15...Elementary School Science FairsLakeside and George Nettels PTOs host a science fair for students to show off to their parents.

6...Teachers Receive Mini-grantsUSD 250 Foundation awards more than a dozen mini-grants to teachers.

Head of the ClassBiology teacher Jim Foresman has taught for more than 25 years; recently receiving the Kansas Biology Teacher of the Year Award.

4 • Dragon Tales

After more than 25 years of teach-ing, biology teacher Jim Foresman says it’s nice to be identified by other teach-ers across the state as the Kansas Biol-ogy Teacher of the Year. He’s a humble man; not taking too much credit for his accomplish-ment. “I think anyone in this depart-ment could have received the award,” Foresman said. “We have a strong de-partment.”

Foresman is part of a special club. “I’m only the third former stu-dent teacher of Craig Kasjaka’s to re-ceive this award,” he said. Kasjaka was a biology teacher at Pittsburg High School until his death in 1987. For Foresman, some of the lessons he learned from Kasjaka have stuck with him while expanding on those skills.

“I began changing some of my techniques after going to a workshop at Greenbush,” Foresman said. “I began to realize students needed to feel they can contribute to science at an early age.” He and his students recently com-pleted a “phage hunters” lab, looking for viruses, which contributed to a na-tional research project funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. “These experiments are not that common in our area,” he said. “Most of these labs are on the East and West Coasts.” Foresman’s passion to find an-swers keeps his drive for teaching the subject going. He spreads his enthusi-asm for science by making it reflect in the classroom. “Science is a verb not a noun,” says Foresman. “It’s a process they learn that does not always have a de-finitive answer.” Not having a definitive answer is what he likes most about the projects. Foresman says in those instances, it’s a learning experience for him and the students. “We may do projects that may totally fail, but that’s okay on experi-ments,” he said. “Sometimes that fail-ure spurs more questions.” It’s that teaching style and his personality that has junior Megan Da-vis excited about going to his classes. “He provides one-on-one help when needed, but his classes are a team effort,” Davis said. “He is also concerned with every student’s life. He actually cares.”

Dragon Tales • 5

“Science is a verb not a noun.” -- Jim Foresman Biology teacher

Jim Foresman, biology teacher, watches students participate in a team building exercise. Foresman was selected as the Kansas Biology Teacher of the Year.

6 • Dragon Tales

Foundation Awards Mini-Grants More than $8,500 dollars in teacher mini-grants have been awarded across the district. These have opened up avenues that help USD 250 students. Some of the things the grants have funded include science trips, books, musical equipment, Social Issues Plays and the school’s inaugural Holiday Vespers. The total amount the foundation award-ed was $8,669; going to 18 teachers. Money is raised through fundraisers like Feast and Fol-lies and generous donations from alumni and business owners. Last school year, Feast and Follies, our main fundraising event for student scholar-ships and teacher mini-grants, raised $14,000. One-hundred and sixty guests attended the dinner held at Memorial Auditorium and were entertained by the talented PHS Performing

Arts students. Featured performances included songs from the musicals “Working” and “Le-gally Blonde.” The silent auction this year was tremen-dous. Donations received from PHS Alumni included original photographs by professional photographers Dimitre Barde and Alan Hag-man. Kerry Meier donated an autographed football from the Atlanta Falcons. Many other items were popular: gift baskets, football jerseys, handcrafted bags and etched dragon glasses amongst others. Most importantly, twenty PHS students received USD 250 Foundation scholarships totaling $10,500. Additionally, sixteen named scholarships totaling $8, 450 were awarded by the supporters of the Foundation.

Save The Date

Name

Address

Email Phone

May 10th, 2013 • Memorial Auditorium • $10 per ticket - Performance Only

• $75 per ticket - Reception, Feast, Performance• $250 - Friend of 250 - Special Recognition in Dragon Tales, Event Program & Admittance for

Two (2) at Reception, Feast & Performance

Make checks payable and mailed to: USD 250 Foundation

510 Deill StreetPittsburg, KS 66762

Amount EnclosedNumber of Guests

OR

Tickets can be purchased at:usd250foundation.org

For more sponsorship information, please contact:Kristina Taylor620-704-9158

Like Us:facebook.com/usd250foundation$

( )

Deadline to purchase is May 7th. $10 tickets available at the door.

Dragon Geardragongear.co

Pittsburg Schools’ only official online merchandise store

Site operated & merchandiSe Sold by phS deca teamDragon Tales • 7

8 • Dragon Tales

Fourteen students and Mr. Gary Wolgamott, social science teacher, flew to Washington,

D.C. to get a historic glimpse at our nation’s capital. They joined thousands in front of the Capitol Building to watch the inauguration. Pittsburg High School was invited by World-Strides, a student travel organization, to go to Washington. “For many, it will be a once in a lifetime event,” Wolgamott said. “Of course we are go-ing to talk about government, but this will add relevance to what I’ve been teaching.” Students’ families had to come up with the money to go on this trip, which costs $1,700 per student; a discounted trip. Students like Chris Huyett, senior, are excited to attend the many events leading up to the inauguration of President Barack Obama. “It would not have mattered who won the election, it is just nice to have this opportu-nity to experience history,” Huyett said.

Some of the sights besides the Inau-guration will include: Arlington National Cemetery, the White House, the Smithsonian, Alexandria, Ford’s Theatre and the World War Two Memorial. “Having this experience is great,” Jo-seph Mathew, sophomore, said. “I’m glad to see this many people interested in going.” Mr. Wolgamott says this trip was monu-mental, even for him, as he’s never stayed more than one day in Washington. “I will definitely be sharing our expe-rience with my classes,” he said. “This will help me teach about the inter-workings of our national government at a better level.” The students and Wolgamott visited our nation’s capital for four days and plan to speak to classes about their experience. Students say the long hours walking and little rest was all worth it in the end.

PHS Goes to WashingtonStudents experience history and politics on the road

PHS students pose for a picture before departing for Washington, D.C. The students were invited to take the trip by World Strides, an educational travel program.

Dragon Tales • 9

PHS students witness history as President Obama is sworn into office for a second term.

Making the Grade

10 • Dragon Tales

Westside Elementary students celebrate good grades for math and reading by going to “Westside Cafe’.” Students also had a little fun with a dance party.

Dragon Tales • 11

The Great DebatersHigh School Debaters Go to State

Mrs. Julie Laflen’s high school debate team polished its skills and succeeded very high in the state tournament. With 70 teams represented at state in Tonganoxie, Kansas, debaters had some outstanding competition. Sophomore Ethan Hawn says there was a little anxiety going into the tournament. “Out of nine rounds, we lost three; two to the state champs,” Hawn said. “There was a little bit of a rivalry.” His teammate, Joseph Mathew, sophomore, agrees. “We did the best we could,” he said. “You can never research enough. You have to leave the losses behind and move on.” Even after those three losses, Hawn and Mathew came away from the competition with a 3rd place trophy in the two-speaker debate category. “Just winning that trophy, as sophomores, is exciting,” Mathew said. “We don’t feel bad for losing, because the competition was still a success,” Hawn said. In the four-speaker series, Seniors Shannon

Dial, Taylor Cronister, Bryan Stebbins and Garrett Brummitt came out in 5th place. “It was definitely a learning experience, which will help further us in debate,” Cronister said. According to the team, this is the best the de-bate squad has done in the four-speak category under Mrs. Laflen. “Before, we only had 12 people and we have become a powerhouse,” Stebbins said. “We went from a school to the school.” “There were debaters saying that they would rather call in sick to their coach instead of debating us,” said Dial. The students say it has a lot to do with Laflen and her drive to make the students better at each tour-nament. “She has helped us promote leadership within our squad since there are mostly sophomores,” Cronis-ter said. “They are well prepared to help the novices and Mrs. Laflen with things that need to be done.” After one more out-of-state competition, the squad will be going to Birmingham, Alabama to com-pete in nationals.

12 • Dragon Tales

Debate students pose with their trophy and medals. Students attending the state tournament included: Josh Lee, Chad Baker, Jason McDonald, Taylor Cronister, Garrett Brummitt, Bryan Stebbins, Shannon Dial, Miranda Moore, Haley Uttley; front: Joseph Mathew, Ethan Hawn, Reagan Rink.

Are You an Alumnus?Stay connected with former classmates!

Log on at USD250.org & click Alumni ConnectionSigning up is quick and easy!

• Receive Dragon Tales by e-mail

• Stay up-to-date with classmates

• Get more information about class reunions

Joseph Mathew and Ethan Hawn hold their third place trophy along-side coach Julie Laflen. This is Laflen’s fourth year and Mathew and Hawn’s second year with the squad.

Dragon Tales • 13

14 • Dragon Tales

Science ExtravaganzaStudents from George Nettels and Lakeside (pg 15) perform scientific laws and experiments for visitors.

Dragon Tales • 15

Pittsburg Community Schoolswww.usd250.org

510 Deill • Pittsburg, KS • 66762