USD 475 hosted the ALICE Training Institute at the Dixon Center

campus from 8 a.m.—4 p.m. for the past two days. USD 475 invited

Chad Cunningham from ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter,

Evacuate) to provide option based strategies to attendees that can

be used to enhance their emergency preparedness plans. This

training not only benefits USD 475 staff but local law enforcement,

Fort Riley representatives, St. X, Apostolic Academy, Geary

Community Hospital, Geary County Emergency Management, and

GCA, who also had representatives in attendance.

Safety is a community effort and we are working together to

continue to enhance the safety and security of the students and

staff in Geary County and Fort Riley.

For more information view WIBW news coverage here.

USD 475 Fills Student Support Services Director Need

USD 475 has selected Luan Sparks as the Director of Student Support Services. This position will

replace the Instructional Coach Coordinator position within the Teaching and

Learning department.

Luan comes to Geary County Schools from USD 473 Chapman. Her expertise in Title I was

recognized when two schools within her district were named as 2012-2013 Title I

Reward Schools.

Luan Sparks received her BS in Special Education from Oklahoma State University and a M. Ed.

in Building Administration from Wichita State University. She holds a certificate in Special

Education Coordination and Supervision from Emporia State University.

“We are so pleased to have Mrs. Luan Sparks join the Teaching and Learning Team as the Director of Student Support

Services,” states Dr. Beth Hudson, Associate Superintendent of Schools. “In addition to responsibilities for Title I

programs, she will also assume leadership for At Risk programs; this assignment was in response to the need indicated

by the district SWOT (Strengths Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) Team’s review.”

“I have hit the ground running with the USD 475 Teaching and Learning Team,” says Luan. “I am excited to be a part of

this district, as it is responsive to diverse student needs based upon the many resources, supports, and programs that are

currently in place. I look forward to growing and assisting all students, staff and our community, as we continue to help

all of our students on their journey to success.”

The United Way has started its Stuff the Bus campaign

in front of Walmart in Junction City., collecting supplies for

students in need in USD 475. Volunteers were on site from

district elementary schools.

New Teacher training began this week. With the

school year fast approaching, 125 teachers will

engage in training on social media in the

classroom, ELL, OLWEUS, ESS, A Day in the Life, and

more. All teachers report to buildings on

August 8, 2016.

Boys and Girls Club

was having summer fun

with Legos. They created

many buildings from

around the Junction

City area.

The Kansas Shrine Bowl is on July 30, 2016 at Emporia

State University. Coach Zimmerman and Ray Wilson will

participate in this annual charity event to raise funds for

Shriners Hospitals for Children. For more information

click here.

Summer is winding down and it is time to

think about heading back to school in Geary

County. Here are ten tips for USD 475

families to consider as we start the new year.

Enroll Online. This will help ensure that your child has an

accurate schedule when school starts and that your status

information is updated.

Attend your school’s parent orientation/open house

event. This helps parents, students and teachers. Teachers

love to meet their new students, and parents and

students get to put a face with a name. If your student

has multiple teachers, please try to meet them all.

Determine the best way to make contact with your student’s teachers. Do they prefer email? Do they prefer

phone calls? Is there a class website that you could follow for updates? Is there any help that they need in the

classroom? Make contact early to start off a great year.

There’s an App for that! Download the Skyward app if you haven’t yet. With your parent Skyward account you can

monitor grades, attendance, fees, etc. This will allow you to be proactive when discussing the school day with

your student. Also, download the USD 475 app. his gives you access to calendars and announcements

by school.

Set your student up for success with the items they will need. If you are unable to find the necessary school

supplies for your student, contact your school office for help. In addition to back packs and binders, do little

ones need a spare set of emergency clothes? Do older ones need PE clothes?

Start the bedtime/morning routine for your student in advance! If you know the lunch time your student will

have during school, try to incorporate it into your summer routine if you can.

Go over before and after school routines. Make sure your student understands the pick-up/drop off expectations,

bus routes, and after school care. Also make sure you know start and end times for your school and what time

students can be dropped off and picked up if they are not bus riders.

Go over a copy of the school calendar together. Know important dates like sports, band, and orchestra parent

meetings, picture days, etc.

Establish a study routine for your student. Where will they study? Where will they charge their tablet (grades 3-

12 are 1:1) at night? Will they study right after school, after practice, after dinner?

Finally, get involved in USD 475! Join your school’s PTO, Booster Club, or Site Council! Contact your school for

more information about these groups at all grade levels.

Ten Tips submitted by Lyn Green.

Mrs. Green has accepted an assistant principal position at Junction City Middle School

and will be mainly working with 6th grade students. Mrs. Green started working in USD

475 in August of 1997 as a science teacher at Junction City High School and has taught

6th grade science at Junction City Middle School for the last 5 years. Throughout this

time Mrs. Green has served on many building and district level committees and task

forces. Mrs. Green has two children who attend Junction City Middle School and Spring

Valley Elementary. Her husband is also an administrator in the district at Junction City

High School. When not at school, Mrs. Green is active in her church and has just joined

the Board of Directors for Junction City Little Theater. She also enjoys camping with her

family, cheering for Junction City teams of all ages, and attending community and

school fine arts and theatre events.

Community News

July 8, 2016 edition of the 1st Infantry Division Post

July 22 Newsletter

Click here for the 2016/2017

School Supply List

The fall sports season is fast approaching and

the Junction City High School Athletic

Department would like to remind you of a

few important dates and items before we

begin the 2016/2017 school year. Click here

for more information.

The 2016/2017 School Calendar has

changed after the Board approved

an Elementary Plan Day on

September 2, 2016. To view the full

calendar and the detail calendar,

please follow the link here.

The International Literacy Association (ILA), formerly the International Reading Association (IRA), is a global advocacy and

membership organization dedicated to advancing literacy for all. ILA is home to 46,000 members and a global network of more

than 300,000 literacy educators, researchers, and experts across 75 countries. The mission of ILA is to empower educators, inspire

students, and encourage leaders with the resources they need to make literacy accessible for all.

Orchestra Parent’s Night

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Junction City Middle School Auditorium and

Commons Area

All incoming 6th grade parents from Fort Riley

Middle School and Junction City Middle School

are welcome to learn about opportunities for

students who are interested in Orchestra.

6:00pm - performance by the Flint Hills

Community Orchestra

6:30pm - information about the program by the

instructors, instrument rental presentation by

Glenn's Music

7:00-8:00pm - Q and A with orchestra

instructors, meet and greet