Enrollment dates set for local schools

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Tribune Staff Report

Enrollment dates have been set for all grade levels in the USD 234 school district. 

 

On Aug. 1 and 2, students in all grade levels including those for the Fort Scott Preschool Center, will be able to enroll at Fort Scott Middle School in the commons area. Anyone unable to attend either of those days will need to go to their respective school office at a later date to enroll, according to information provided by the district office.

Times for enrollment will be:

* 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Aug. 1.

* 7 a.m.-3 p.m., Aug. 2.

In order to enroll children into kindergarten at Winfield Scott Elementary School, the child must be 5 years old on or before Aug. 31. Parents must bring a state-certified birth certificate, immunization record, health assessment and Social Security card. Children who attended kindergarten roundup will still need to enroll at FSMS.

All fees will need to be paid at the time of enrollment. Textbook fees will be $30 for all schools, plus a $15 activity fee for Fort Scott High School students. Books will be issued on the first day of school.

Certain courses at both FSMS and FSHS will require additional fees or the purchase of project materials. All FSMS students will attend a theatrical performance during the school year and the art fee for this activity is $10 and can be paid at enrollment.

FSMS technology students will also be assessed a $4 fee. New middle school students will need to purchase a gym uniform for $12.50 at J&W Sports Shop, 20 N. Main.

FSHS students interested in enrolling in photography courses will need to pay an additional $30 fee. Parking permits for students driving to school are $5. Students with previous permits can reuse them but must present them at enrollment. Students wishing to purchase a parking permit must have their restricted or driver’s license and license tag number with them. Freshman orientation for incoming freshman will be Monday, Aug. 6 at 10 a.m. in the FSHS auditorium.

The first day of school for the district is Tuesday, Aug. 21. The various schools will be open on Aug. 20 for students and parents to locate classrooms at the following times: Winfield Scott, 5- 6 p.m.; Eugene Ware, 5:30-7 p.m.; FSMS 6-7:30 p.m.; and FSHS, 6:30-8 p.m.

Representatives from each school will be available to process enrollment forms and information on both days.

Students who wish to participate in the district’s food service program should put money into their account at enrollment to be served on the first day of school.

Rates are as follows, but may be increased if federal support is reduced, according to information provided by the district office.

Kindergarten-fifth grade: Full price lunch $2.10; full price breakfast $1.45; reduced lunch 40 cents; reduced breakfast 30 cents.

Sixth-12th grade: Full price lunch, $2.25; full priced breakfast, $1.45; reduced lunch, 40 cents; reduced breakfast, 30 cents.

Adult: Full price lunch, $3.15; full price breakfast, $1.95.

Student and adult milk is 35 cents.

Student and adults main dish only: $1.85; and pastry $1.

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CLAS hold pauses enrollment for seniors

Monday, October 25, 2010

When Zach Zastrow went to enroll in classes for the spring semester, he had a hold on his account from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He tried to find information about it, but anything he found was too vague.

Zastrow is one of 2700 seniors who had a hold placed on their accounts on Sept. 28. Students who were given the hold have completed 90 hours or more, excluding the hours they are currently taking. Students who are graduating this semester and have applied for graduation did not receive a hold. This is the first year the college is placing this particular hold.

“So far it hasn’t been a great experience and I’ve missed my enrollment by a few days,” said Zastrow, a senior from Overland Park. “A lot of classes I’m trying to get into, you have to get permission codes for them and they’re small classes and competitive.”

Kim McNeley, assistant dean for student academic services for the college, said she felt the hold was the best way to catch students’ attention if their graduation plans were not on track.

“We just want to make sure you are making those last, final decisions,” McNeley said.

The holds are the college’s attempt to assess and communicate students’ progress and status to ensure a timely graduation. The effort is part of the University’s overall goal to increase graduation rates. It’s also the college’s response to the overwhelmingly high percent of students being denied graduation over the last several years.

“We’ve had really disappointing graduation numbers,” McNeley said.

McNeley said that in the past, up to 24 percent of students were denied graduation because they didn’t meet the degree requirements. McNeley said the number is still at about 18 percent despite increased communication efforts through e-mail to encourage students to do an early audit the semester before graduation.

Administrators have said they hope the status check with graduation advisers will lower those numbers.

“If we’re sharing in this responsibility, we can’t keep doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome,” McNeley said.

Students who received the hold were sent an e-mail notifying them of an academic notice available at the kyou portal. Students then are required to complete a survey as the first step in getting the hold removed. The survey walks students through a review of their ARTS form.

If there are any hours that didn’t transfer or numbers that don’t match up, students will be alerted that they they may not graduate as expected.

Out of about 2700 holds, 1300 students have responded. McNeley said 400 of those students have needed appointments with graduation advisors.

A few weeks ago, Josh Finnicum received the notification for the hold and said it hasn’t really affected his enrollment.

“Overall, it’s not bad,” Finnicum said. “It’s just kind of a pain in the ass and more to deal with.”

Finnicum, a senior from Omaha, Neb., did have to make an appointment to get the hold removed.

Lauren McEnaney, a graduate advisor, said she hasn’t heard of any problems and most of the students she has met with have been appreciative.

For the 700 students who did not need appointments, the hold was removed within 48 hours.

“Maybe as enrollment dates open they may be more upset that they can’t meet their enrollment date,” McEnaney said. “But most of the time they’re like ‘Wow, I didn’t know those hours didn’t transfer.’”

Kevin Neslage, a senior from Wichita, said he took the survey and got the hold removed before his enrollment times.

Neslage said it’s a little extra hassle for students who are on track, but he personally experienced no problems. Neslage said he does believe it is more of the students’ responsibility to figure these kinds of things out for themselves.

1400 students still need to take the survey.

“We don’t want to postpone their enrollment,” McNeley said. “All of the effort is to get students moving and making sure that everyone is making the best, timely decisions.”CLAS hold pauses enrollment for seniors