Gazette - PAID Subscriptions

TEG FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016 V V V PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1895 V V V Good Evening VVV Let the home buying season begin! WWW.EMPORIAGAZETTE.COM 4 EMPORIA SCHOOLS WIN CHALLENGE AWARD By Cathryne Scharton [email protected] Four schools in the Emporia School District received Challenge Awards for 2015.  The schools include Logan Avenue Elementary for third grade math and fourth grade reading, Riverside Elementary for fourth grade math, William Allen White Elementary for fifth grade reading, and Emporia Middle School for eighth grade reading. The Challenge Awards are given to schools for their outstanding achievement and uncommon accomplishments based on Kansas Assessment results, sample size and the socio-economic status of those taking the test. To be considered for this award, there must be at least 30 students who have taken the assessment. The Confidence in Kansas Public Education Task Force awarded 99 schools in 34 Kansas public school districts with the Challenge Award.  The awards were presented to the schools by Kenneth Willard, Kansas Board of Education representative from district seven and Theresa Davidson, Emporia School District superintendent.  “It’s an honor to be here to recognize and celebrate, not only here but around the state, success stories and Emporia Middle School is one of those success stories,” said Willard. “In the decade since this award was created we have significantly improved the performance of students in reading and math and have narrowed the gap between disadvantaged groups.” The students clapped and cheered thunderously as the award was presented to Emporia Middle School. Teachers and administration at EMS have been working for five years to make difference and improve standardized test scores, but students were also recognized for their hard work and effort.  After the presentation of the Challenge Award at Emporia Middle School, Amanda Schaefer received a $2,000 Hopkins award. Schaefer was recognized for her THIRD CANDIDATE FOR ESU FOUNDATION PRESIDENT INTERVIEWED By Jessie Wagoner [email protected] The third and final candidate for president of the Emporia State Foundation participated in a community meeting Thurs- Shivley day. Shane Shivley, visited with Emporia State University staff, faculty, students and community members during a community forum. Shivley currently serves as the vice president for development at the Emporia State University Foundation. He has been employed at Emporia State University since 2001 and has held a variety of positions including director of athletic marketing, associate athletic director. He helped to secure the largest single gift for athletic scholarships in Division II history at $1.25 million. He leads the foundation develPlease see Shivley, Page 3 VOL. 124, NO. 186 JESSIE WAGONER/GAZETTE Emporia State University administrators answer questions about concealed carry of firearms on campus at a forum Thursday evening. The forum was organized by the Associated Student Government and the Black Student Union. KENDRA JOHNSON/GAZETTE Emporia Middle School was awarded the Challenge Award for eighth grade reading on Thursday. Logan Avenue Elementary, Riverside Elementary and W.A. White Elementary also won Challenge Awards. ESU ADMINISTRATORS ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT CONCEALED CARRY ON CAMPUS By Jessie Wagoner [email protected] KENDRA JOHNSON/GAZETTE Amanda Schaefer stands with Carol Hopkins and Justin Hopkins after receiving the Hopkins Award on Thursday. bright and colorful, well-organized classroom, which she spends personal time and resources preparing.  Schaefer teaches sixth grade social studies and an elective, Digging Up the Past, and is one of five Hopkins Award recipients for the 2015-2016 school year.  “I’m extremely grateful and super-surprised,” said Schaefer. “I love my students and so it’s just an honor they recognize that.”  Schaefer said she would use the award money to buy more school supplies.  “They (students) inspire me because ... everyday is different, they love to learn and I like to make it fun and exciting for them so I put a lot of effort into making it hands on and something that they really enjoy doing,” said Schaefer. The presentation was made by Carol and Justin Hopkins of the E.L. and Z. Irene Hopkins Foundation.  In addition to the $2,000 Schaefer received for herself, she will get an additional $1,000 to spend on something to benefit a specific school or district program.  Since 2002 the Hopkins Foundation has donated approximately $374,000 to 190 teachers and support staff in the Emporia School District.  Beginning July 1, 2017 individuals will be allowed to legally carry concealed weapons at state universities, including Emporia State University. Thursday evening, ESU administrators answered questions regarding the law and implementation at a forum hosted by Associated Student Government and the Black Student Union. Lynn Hobson, dean of students, Sally Crawford-Fowler, dean of counseling services, Kevin Johnson, general counsel and Chris Hoover, director of police and safety, fielded questions from the students and faculty in the audience. Who is allowed to carry a concealed weapon? “Under Kansas law anyone who is 21 years old or older, who does not have a felony conviction, who does not have a domestic violence conviction and who does not have a mental illness and is not intoxicated can legally carry a concealed firearm with or without a concealed carry permit,” Johnson said. Crawford-Fowler provided some clarification regarding the mental illness portion of the law. Individuals with mental illness can carry a concealed weapon legally unless they have been involuntarily hospitalized for treatment in F