Lisa Starr is halfway through her first year as principal at Riley Elementary School but was also a familiar face as the learning center hosted Great Bend USD 428’s January luncheon meeting of the school board. Before being named principal, Starr taught there for more than 20 years.
In addition to hearing Starr’s report on academic programs and school improvement efforts, the board was treated to three songs by Riley second-graders. Their first performance before an audience served as a rehearsal for the K-3 vocal concert that will take place Tuesday evening at Great Bend High School. Riley kindergartners will sing at 6 p.m., then first- and second-graders will sing at 7:30. The show has a February theme, so the school board was treated to a song about Valentine’s Day and a song called “Blame it on the Groundhog,” inspired by “Blame It on the Boogie,” a hit 1978 disco song by The Jacksons.
Riley Music Teacher Katie Knoles included one song with English and Spanish lyrics. Spanish is the first language for many Riley students and the English-speaking students enjoy learning a little Spanish, she said. For Wednesday’s performance, Knoles sang the parts that first-graders will sing in the upcoming program, as young students are learning some musical basics, such as harmony.
School culture
Students at Riley had indoor recess this week due to the cold weather, Starr noted.
She said teachers had a work day on Jan. 19 where they looked at the proficiency screeners and other assessments students have taken so they could see where they need to focus their efforts for student improvement. Soon students identified as English Learners will take the Kansas English Language Proficiency Assessment (KELPA). Students are assessed across four areas: reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Great Bend schools, including Riley, work to create a positive climate and culture with the programs Capture Kids’ Hearts and Character Strong.
“This month we are focusing on (the character trait) respect,” Starr said.
Third graders wrote thank-you notes to school board members, which were delivered at the meeting.
To learn about giving back to the community, students made placemats during last October’s parent-teacher conferences and the placemats were delivered to area nursing homes. A few students were chosen to accompany staff and visit with nursing home residents when the mats were delivered.
“The experience is as rich for the kids as for the people receiving the placemats,” Starr said.
Students also helped the Golden Belt Humane Society last year, she said. During the next round of parent-teacher conferences in February the students will show appreciation for community helpers.
The school also conducts a “kindness coffee” twice a year, handing cups of coffee to parents in the morning as they drop their kids off for school. While teachers brew the coffee, students get to help hand them out.
Riley staff and students were looking forward to Kansas Day on Jan. 29. A school engagement night was planned that would include participation from the Kansas Wetlands Education Center and the Barton County Historical Society.
