District celebrates Black History Month, honors teams for IPS and social-emotional work and names teacher of the quarter

Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools used its Feb. 11 board meeting to mark Black History Month with a student choir performance and to recognize several district teams and educators for recent honors.

The F.L. Schlegel High School Chamber Singers, directed by William Brewer, opened the meeting with two selections including "Lift Every Voice and Sing" and a selection by Richard Smallwood. Board President Randy Lopez and Superintendent Dr. Anis Stubblefield thanked the students and staff for the performance.

The board recognized the district—s Diploma Plus college-and-career team after the Kansas Department of Education awarded the district a copper distinction for Individual Plans of Study (IPS). Dr. Danita Fernandez Flores, executive director of Diploma Plus college and career instructional programs, described IPS as "a continuous student-centered process that begins in early childhood and extends through twelfth grade," noting the district uses the Xello platform and building-level teams to personalize student plans.

The district's social-emotional learning work also received statewide recognition: Dr. Sarah Lucero announced the district is the first and only district in Kansas to earn the gold-star award for social-emotional growth. Dr. Lucero named staff members who led the effort, including Tracy Shovan (director of student support programs) and others on the student services and prevention teams; the board accepted a legislative tribute read in Topeka.

Separately, the board and district recognized Rosie Scott, a third-grade teacher at T.A. Edison, as the Toyota Teacher of the Quarter. Doctor Jones presented the award and noted the honoree would receive community-sponsored prizes, including a loan of a vehicle for a weekend and a dinner.