News & Highlights of USD 340 ■ Vol. 12, No. 8 April 2010

Jeff West Elementary and Intermediate schools held a ‘Read Night’ in each of their libraries on March 2 to celebrate reading on the anniversary of Dr. Seuss’ birthday. Students attending re-ceived a special ‘Cat in the Hat’ bookmark and a rhyming treat called Laffy Taffy. Some took advantage of the chance to get in some extra reading time then took Accelerated Reader quizzes after finishing their books. Special guests, Cat-in-the-Hat and Thing One and Thing Two, dropped in at the elementary to celebrate with the younger read-ers and read to the kids, courtesy of Stephanie Kaniper, her sister, and both of their youngest sons. They also dropped in to both the elementary and intermediate schools during the school day to promote the celebration.

Read Night

Dr. Seuss was born March 2, 1904.

The Cat in the Hat was first published March 1, 1957.

Did You Know?

News & Highlights of USD 340

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by Shawn Beuchat Laughter ran rampant as did crazy characters “in a state of um. . . undress” in Friday and Saturday night’s Jefferson West High School production of, Phillip King’s British comedy farce “See How They Run.” It is a story about what hap-pens when one little seemingly, harmless, white lie, snowballs out of control and creates a bigger and bigger outlandish story with every minute. Oh and don’t forget to throw in one escaped Russian spy with a gun who knocks out the Vicar and takes his clothes so he can change out of his prison work uniform. Another visiting vicar and bishop and the nosey busy-body see only half the story through a blackened eye while “squiffy” on bad cooking sherry. To finish it all off, a U.S. Serviceman lost his uniform and got stuck dressed as yet another vicar. Not to mention the Cockney maid and British bobby that try to keep it all straight. Sound confusing? Then you bet it made for a night full of laughs. The two nights started with a dinner to raise money for Troupe No. 7245’s return to the Kansas Thespian’s State Conference again next January in Wichita. Dinner was a serving of “Fish &

Chips” with scones with tea at intermission to keep with the British theme. The dinner raised just over $200 dollars and will definitely help towards sending troupe members to state. Saturday night was Senior Parent Night for those in the cast and crew making this their final stage performance on the Jeff West stage. Stories were told of the seniors most memorable moment while in a show at Jeff

West. Even more memorable mo-ments were made when Britany Morgan, troupe president, was told that she had been accepted into the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. A special thanks to all the administration, faculty, staff, parents, and community members that attended and support the students involved in the perform-ing arts at Jeff West.

British Farce Fares Well at JW

Parents wanting to get their 10-14 year old student a second Varicella (chicken pox) vaccina-tion may do so at the Jefferson County Health Department in Oskaloosa at no cost starting Tuesday, May 4, 2010. The vaccine will continue to be available during all regular clinic hours on Tuesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m to 4 p.m. as long as supplies last. Although a second dose is not currently required for school attendance, often times one dose does not offer all chil-dren complete immunity from the chicken pox virus. Having your student receive this second dose will offer the best protection from varicella illness. Helping your child to avoid this illness reduces the likelihood that as an adult your child will suffer from shingles, an illness that can be very painful and can have repeated outbreaks. It is likely that at some future date a second dose of the vaccine will be required for school attendance. We encourage parents to take advantage of this opportunity while the vaccine is available to your child at no cost.

Are you in the process of plan-ning your April schedule of events and activities for your family. . . STOP and ask yourself, what are our family plans for Saturday, April 17, 2010, from 4 to 8 p.m.? Your answer. . . participating in the annual Jeff West School Carnival! The seven reasons why you should attend are: 1) There are fun games, events,

and rides that the kids love and look forward to each year

2) It’s a great school fundrais-er

3) Builds Camaraderie with both Kids and Adults

4) A wonderful community event; social opportunity

5) A safe environment for the kids

6) Opportunity to make great memories; and

7) The awesome food & prizes! Mark your calendar for Sat-urday, April 17, 2010, from 4 to 8 p.m. and spread the word to your family, friends, and neighbors.

Vaccine Ready for Students

Reasons to go to CARNIVAL!!

Kansas School Safety Hotline

1-877-626-8203

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Tiger Talk Tiger Talk is brought to you by Unified School District #340. If you have suggestions or questions, please contact the central office staff at 601 Wyandotte, Meriden, Kansas 66512 or call (785) 484-3444.

The people listed below will serve you in any way they can.

Scott Myers SuperintendentMary Getto Director of Curriculum

& InstructionAmy Adams-Mitchell Board Clerk/Secretary

to show the expression of fear with the open mouth scream of Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz trapped inside the crystal ball of the wicked witch of the west. Melanie is the daughter of Doug and Donna Beeghly of Meri-den. Because of construction at the capital, the youth art month entries were only on display on Saturday, February 27.

Beeghly’s Artwork ChosenMelanie Beeghly with her oil pastel drawing titled “Crystal Ball”

The Jefferson County Relay for Life will be in Oskaloosa June 18-19 from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. We are looking for teams of no more that 15 with a registration of $75. We are selling luminaria bags for $10 each in honor of someone who has cancer and still battling it, or in memory of for those who have passed away from cancer. The American Cancer Society is the of-ficial sponsor of birthdays.

Relay for Life Jeff CountyIs Looking for Teams

Pictured above is (l to r): Neva Roenne, Riley Buss, Camryn Clayton, and Kara Davis.

Second graders recently took the ‘Caldecott Challenge’ to read at least 6 books that had won the Caldecott Medal during a six-week period. The students pictured each read more than 30 picture books which had won the Calde-cott Medal and were awarded a book of their choice from the library ‘treasure chest.’ All sec-ond graders who took the challenge attended a celebration party in the library where we watched videos of Cal-decott stories while en-joying brownies and lemonade. The Calde-cott medal is given to

the illustrator, whose book has been chosen as the most distin-guished American picture book published in the United States in the preceding year.

Winners of ‘Caldecott Challenge’

Marcia Ricklefs Accounts/TreasurerDayna Heineken Central Office Secretary/

Student Data Collections

by Mark Ralston An oil pastel drawing by senior Melanie Beeghly has been chosen to represent Jefferson West in an art exhibit at the State Capitol in Topeka, Kansas. This art exhibit celebrates March as Youth Art Month and features artwork from students from across the state of Kansas. The purpose of Youth Art Month is to show that Art educa-tion develops students’ creative problem-solving and critical thinking abilities. Art helps de-velop sensitivities to beauty, order and other expressive quali-ties and gives the students a deeper understanding of multi-cultural values and beliefs that form the world we live in. Melanie’s oil pastel drawing is influenced by the artwork of Edvard Munch. Munch was a popular 20th century artist whose most popular painting is the “Scream.” Miss Beeghly’s artwork tried

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Nine journalism students quali-fied for state after competing at the regional Kansas Scholastic Press Association contest Feb. 26 at KU. Sophomore Kevin Moluf placed in both Academics Photography and Photo Illustration. Senior Morgan Scott placed in Advertising. Freshman Kiersten Penry placed in Cutline Writing. Freshman Erika Essman placed in Editorial Car-toon. Sophomore Kati Richomond placed in Editorial Writing. Senior Mariah Stortzum placed in Fea-

ture Writing. Sophomore Nicci Feyh placed in Headline Writing. Sophomore Jessica Pearson placed in News Writing. Sophomore Jared Burton placed in Yearbook Sports Writing. These nine students will repre-sent Jeff West May 1 at the Kansas Scholastic Press Association’s state contest. While most of the contests were on-site at Kansas University, a few of the contests were carry-in.

Students Perform Well at Contest

In the photo above Jeff West HS physics teacher Rod Smith looks over the shoulder of seniors Stephen Goodrick, Chris Wilke and an unidentified Lawrence Free State student as they try to identify sub-atomic particles produced in collisions at Fermilab. A group of Jeff West physics students that also included Sam Real, Matt Ander-son and Paul Brink recently attended a Masterclass Institute at The University of Kansas to learn about physics research. Students divided into teams with students from another high school to view actual data pro-duced at Fermilab and predict

what sub-atomic particles were created in several hundred colli-sions. Then the groups compared their combined results via video-conferencing with other students

doing the same activity at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and Mayaguez University in Puerto Rico.

Students from Mr. Dolezilek’s Advanced Placement Govern-ment, Mr. Kennedy’s College English, and Mrs. Wulfekoetter’s Advanced Placement United States History class took part in an experiential learning experi-ence at President Eisenhower’s Library on Tuesday, March 24. Five Star Leaders is a pro-gram that introduces students to leadership and decision-making. Using a historical scenario, au-thentic documents, role-playing, and dramatic re-creations, stu-dents worked through the difficult decisions the Eisenhower Admin-

istration had to make to during at-tempts to integrate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas in the turbulent 1950s.

Five Star Leaders

More Five Star LeadersStudents learn decision-making by using various techniques.

Physics Students at KU

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by Matt TinsleyHigh School Basketball Coach

Jefferson West High School To some people the game of basketball is simply a sport played dur-ing the months that separate football and baseball seasons; to others a recreational activity played during open gyms, family gatherings, and Saturday mornings at the local YMCA. To people living in or having being associated with Milan, Indiana; myself and other basketball fanatics, and members of the 1954 Milan Indians, basketball is life. Just a few weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit Milan, Indiana, and experience first hand one of basketball’s most sacred and inspira-tional stories of all time. In 1954 the Milan Indians (school population of around 170) beat Muncie Central (school population around 2,000) in the Indiana State High School basketball tournament 32-30 which not only is one of the top five most inspirational moments in basketball history, but this win will forever be passed on in stories for generations to come. As a kid I fell in love with the fictional movie “Hoosiers.” Similar to the 1954 Milan Indians, the small town Hickory Huskers defeated the mighty South Bend Central in the Indiana State High School basketball tournament. Having seen this movie over one hundred times I could tell you every spoken line, point out when every shot would be missed, and even point out movie discrepancies. However, the movie is not about the final game, it was about a team who had a passion for basketball and for life. Having met the real life “Hoosiers” in the Milan In-dians, I came away knowing that they are something greater. In the little town of Milan volunteers operate a museum commemorating this special event that happened over 55 years ago. Besides the pic-tures, autographs, letter jackets, signed basketballs, and photo albums collected over the years, this tiny museum highlighted even more – a story of blue-collar kids putting in the hard work to become champions. This win was by no means a fluke event. Milan was good! And having watched the championship game on DVD I’m certain if playing today Milan would run circles around teams with their Hinkle system offense, and cat and mouse tactics of basketball which utilized precision passing and intricate movement of players. I was fortunate enough to coach in a State High School basketball tournament in Kansas a few years ago, but missed out on the opportunity as a high school player. Playing in the state tournament is a goal to any high school basketball player; winning the championship would be a dream; and making the last shot to win the game would be a fantasy. It just so happened that the weekend I was in Milan to visit the museum

the 1954 team members, assistant coach, cheerleaders, family and friends gathered for a reunion. After driving roundtrip 1,500 miles from

Kansas, visiting the museum would have been enough to satisfy me, but meeting those people who were actu-ally apart of the game made me feel as if I was apart of basketball history and the miracle that happened in Milan. The townspeople did not look at me as an outsider and treat me any different. Upon entering town a museum volunteer told me that, “A handshake in Milan is as good as a

written contract.” She was right. They accepted me as someone who loved the same thing that they did – basketball. I was astonished that in every business in town a picture of that 1954 team was visible for everyone to see. A great sense of pride fuels this town, and with that people told me stories of their basketball days and what they remembered of the game. After 55 years I’m sure those who played in the game are tired of answering the same questions, but I did not get that vibe. Those involved knew that they were apart of something special and are willing to share with those who would like to get a glimpse of what that experience was like. In today’s game it seems that players are more concerned about individual glory rather than team success. The 1954 Milan Indians were the exact opposite. Basketball players today can learn a lesson from this team – wanting to win is simply not enough; hard work, teamwork, and sacrifice will help you succeed. When asked why I was there for the weekend I told them because I shared the same passion as they did and that every kid grows up wanting to make a state championship winning shot and be apart of a championship team. On my drive back home I wondered what would have happened had Milan not made the final shot to win the game. Would the players be where they are at today? Would the town still have the same sense of pride? After my experience I’m certain that a “handshake would still be as good as a written contract,” the players would have become successful because succeeding is in their make-up, and as a stranger from Kansas I still would have been invited to a reunion in which I had nothing to do with except love the game of basketball. Lastly, Milan would still have the same sense of pride because basketball is life to people associated with Milan and the state of Indiana. If you ever have a free weekend or happen to drive through Milan, Indiana I recommend stopping by to experience basketball greatness.

This article was published in the Indiana Basketball History Magazine, in Winter 2010 Volume XVIII, No. 1, a Publication of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame and reprinted by permission here.

JEFFERSON WEST HIGH SCHOOL GREENHOUSE SALES

If You Have Any Questions Call Steve Buss at the Middle School • 785-484-2900Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday–8 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Wednesday–8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Join us April 17 for special Carnival hours: 3 to 8 p.m

4-packs --------$2.50 ea.Tomatoes • Peppers

Annual Flowers

5-inch Marigold Pots

$5 ea.

4-inch pots --------$2.50 ea.Pansies • Marigolds • Petunia • Vincas

Moss Rose • Dianthus • Impatiens New Guinea Impatiens • Trailing

Petunias • Geraniums • Ivy Geraniums

10" Hanging Baskets$13 ea.

Wandering JewsSwedish Ivy • Ivy Geranium

12" Clay Planters .............$16 ea.15" Clay Planters .............$20 ea.15" Sandstone Planters ...$22 ea.

Refill Prices (May vary with Container)15" Sandstone Planters ...$14 ea.15" Clay Planters .............$12 ea.12" Clay Planters .............$10 ea.

Various Mixed Baskets

Coach Takes Pilgrimage to His Basketball “Mecca”

News & Highlights of USD 340

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11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Jefferson West USD 340

18 19 20 21 22 23 24FFA Livestock Judging at

Tonganoxie 9 amV BSB ACCHS at Effingham

4:30 pm

Community Service Hours due Last Day to Turn in

Skills USA State Contest

V Boys’ Golf Santa Fe Inv. at Hidden Springs 1 pm

V Track Jeff West Inv. 2:30 pm (H)

V BSB at Rossville–4:30 pm

Regional Forensics Festival

School Carnival

MS TR at 7&8 Perry Inv. 3:30 pm

JV BSB at Washburn Rural 4 pm

V SB at McLouth 4:30 pm

State Music Festival Solo/Sm Ensemble

JV BSB at Wamego

25 26 27 28 29 30V Boys’ Golf Silver Lake Inv. at

Lake Shawnee 10 am

FR/SO Track at Perry 4 pm

V SB ACCHS 4:30 pm (H)

JV BSB Silver Lake 4:30 pm (H)

FFA District Banquet TBA

State Music Festival Large Ensemble

V Boys’ Golf Northern Heights at Emporia 3 pm

V Track at ACCHS Inv. at Effingham 3:30 pm

V BSB Holton 4:30 pm (H)

V SB Rossville 4:30 pm (H)

BOE Meeting–7 pm V Boys’ Golf at Osage City Inv. 3 pm

MS Track 7 & 8 Jeff West Inv. 4 pm (H)

JV/V Boys’ Golf League Quad at Royal Valley 4:30 pm

JV/V SB at Atchison 4:30 pm

JV BSB at Wamego

MS Track 7 & 8 at Royal Valley Inv. 4 pm

MS Track 7 & 8 Rossville Inv. at Rossville 12:30 pm

JV Boys’ Golf Horton Inv. at Horton Lake CC 3 pm

V Track at Wamego Inv. 3:30 pm

5th Grade Music Program at IS 7 pm

Registration Deadline June SAT

AP Calculus Practice Exam 2 pm

FCCLA STAR Events

V Track KU Relays Lawrence

JV/V SB at Hiawatha 4:30 pm

JV BSB at Holton 4:30 pm

V Boys’ Golf St. Marys Inv. at Rolling Meadows 9 am

V Track League Quad at Nemaha Valley 4:30 pm

JV SB at Royal Valley 4:30 pm

ES Country Store V Track Seaman Relays at Seaman 3 pm

V Baseball Marysville 4:30 pm (H)

April 2010

ES = Elementary SchoolIS = Intermediate SchoolMS = Middle SchoolHS = High School

MAY 2010 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

MARCH 2010 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

4 5 6 7 8 9 10NO KATS

JV BSB at Tonganoxie 4:30 pm

Family Fitness Night at ES 6:30 pm

KATS RESUMES

JV Golf JW Inv. at Lake Perry CC 3 pm (H)

JV Golf JW Inv. at Village Greens 3 pm (H)

V BSB Tonganoxie 4:30 pm (H)

JV/V SB at St. Marys–4:30 pm

V Track League Quad at Effingham 4:30 pm

1 2 3 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

FFA Spring Super CDE Day at Rock Creek 8:30 am

Booster Club at ES 7 pm

FCCLA Luncheon Meeting

V Track at Baldwin Inv. 3:30 pm

JV BSB Santa Fe Trail 4:30 pm (H)

JV/V SB at Tonganoxie 4:30 pm

NO SCHOOL - Good Friday

Regional Solo/Small Ensemble

Forensics Inv. at Troy

ACT Test

FR/SO Track 4 pm (H)

JV/V SB at Oskaloosa 4:30 pm

V BSB Royal Valley 4:30 pm (H)

MS Track 7 & 8 at Santa Fe Trail 2 pm

MS Dance 7-10 pm

MS FCCLA Banquet Instal-lation