Staff writer
The saying “speak softly and carry a big stick” was changed at Monday’s Peabody-Burns school board meeting to “speak softly and carry a baseball bat.”
Around 35 people were in attendance at the board meeting to continue the fight for a high school baseball team, with half of the crowd being students.
Students presented their arguments to the board, including that they knew of classmates whose grades improved during sports seasons because of fear of being ineligible.
While superintendent Ron Traxon agreed that he had seen some improvement with grades during seasons, he still wasn’t 100 percent positive, and remained concerned with participation numbers and funding.
“It’s kind of like a two-sided coin,” Traxson said. “On one side you have the funds, and on the other side you have the numbers.”
Traxson said that a new survey was issued to middle and high schools, this time showing a greater number of interested students.
However, the numbers were still questioned by Traxson.
“It is difficult for a school of our size for numbers and costs,” Traxson said.
Traxson estimated that the costs for the start-up program would be $12,620, and it would cost an estimated $7,460 annually, transportation not included.
Those who attended the meeting were told to attend the REC meeting Nov. 18 to solicit help in getting a Peabody-Burns baseball program off of the ground.
Micki Fryhover and Sarah McQuery discussed with the school board their attendance at the Kansas Association of Teachers of English conference, which was Oct. 22 and 23.
At the conference, Fryhover did a round table discussion on 21st century teaching and learning,
“We’re trying to prep kids for jobs that don’t even exist yet,” Fryhover said. “It’s time to break out of that mold and be pioneers and get our kids ready for the future.”
McQuery worked with a previous classmate at the conference to discuss how they intertwine music with English in order to create a better learning environment.
“Learning grammar for kids is abstract,” McQuery said. “It doesn’t sink in, and I’ve found that music helps them connect because it’s something that they can hear.”
McQuery shared examples, including using the “Jaws” theme song, along with “The Telltale Heart” by Edgar Allen Poe, and studying the Harlem Renaissance along with music from that time period.
Both teachers found it helpful and exciting to discuss their ideas with other English educators.
“It’s extremely empowering and motivating,” McQuery said. “I appreciated the opportunity to go again.”
In other business:
- Traxson purchased the school’s old mower for $2,400. “It was a little more than I thought I was going to have to spend,” Traxson said, “but it’s a beast of a mower. I did splurge.”
- The board approved 2015-2016 district goals and priorities.