Congratulations to Hannah Whittaker. Your design was selected from over 450 entries submitted from all grade levels K-12. Hannah's entry will be used in conference materials and will be displayed at the annual conference on Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at the Hyatt Regency/Century II in Wichita, Kansas. We are so proud of Hannah and her sponsoring teacher, Connie Herbster.
An emphasis of the vision for Kansas’ schools and USD 113 schools will continue to be Individual Plans of Study (IPS) for the next school year. Students begin building these plans in middle school as they learn about their own interests and strengths. Work on the IPS also involves exploration of careers and post-secondary education requirements. USD 113’s teachers will continue to work with students to learn about careers and develop an action plan to accomplish individual career goals.
When considering potential careers, it is important for students to explore the employability and educational demand of future jobs. Education cost, earnings potential and geographical employment opportunities are all important considerations.
Having a plan for how students will finance their post-secondary education goals is also important. Many students borrow to pay for schooling. Experian.com reports that the average student loan debt in Kansas increased 6.2%, from $29,409 to $31,239 in the past year.
US News and World Report noted that in 2017, 2/3 of college students graduated with debt. For these students, the average debt is $29,938.
Earnings potential for various levels of education must be considered when evaluating the feasibility of incurring debt:
Information from the National Center for Educational Statistics (for 25 – 34 year olds in 2017):
Average earning for an individual with a Bachelor’s Degree $50,000
Average earning for an individual with an Associate’s Degree $38,900
Average earning for an individual with a High School Diploma $31,800
Average earning for an individual without a High School Diploma $25,400
The gap between earnings of those with a high school diploma and post-secondary education is expected to grow.
A highly regarded Georgetown University study asserts that the education demand for jobs in Kansas in 2020 will require the following education:
11% Master’s Degree
25% Bachelor’s Degree
35% Associate’s Degree
29% High School Diploma or less
The data is conclusive that post-secondary education is very important for most students to earn a middle-class wage. Within the options available an Associate’s Degree is very appealing. Low student debt, high earnings potential and employment opportunities in Northeast Kansas are all desirable. It is important for our parents, teachers and community members to provide support to students seeking an Associate’s Degree or trade certificate, as much as we do those pursuing a traditional Bachelor’s Degree.
Another opportunity that should be supported is for students to enlist in the military. Not only do students have an opportunity for service to the United States, they learn important career skills. There is also financial assistance with furthering an education through the GI Bill. This increases the appeal of the military as a vocation or as an important career step.
Student debt is a reality for our young people as they begin their careers. Hopefully, through Individual Plans of Study, we can help students research and plan for the financial demands of post-secondary education. We also can help students explore technical careers or the military as options that can provide for low student debt, high earnings potential and careers within our own communities.
USD 113 is excited to announce an online student enrollment process for the 2019-2020 school year, powered by PowerSchool Registration. The system is a secure, green process which allows each school to verify all student demographics, emergency, and medical information for every student in a more efficient manner prior to the start of school. The system will also allow you to electronically sign the annual permission forms. In short, this online process will replace all the hard copy student enrollment and Google permission forms that we have utilized in the past.
When it is time to fill out the online forms, each family will receive an email and/or a letter from your school with the instructions on how to access the system for your student. This communication will contain a link and instructions to create a PowerSchool parent account that will link directly to your student. If you already have a PowerSchool parent account to check student grades then you will use that account to access this online enrollment system. To make the process easier for families with multiple students, you will have the option to copy all generic family information to all other students in your family. Our goal is to have our online enrollment portal ready by August 1st.
Additionally, we are planning to utilize an online payment option for parents that would prefer to pay using a debit or credit card. Utilizing the online payment option and online enrollment forms will eliminate the need for parents to visit the building during the scheduled enrollment times. If a parent prefers to pay by check at the building, needs assistance logging in and completing the online enrollment forms, or does not have internet access, we will have regularly scheduled enrollment times on August 6th and 7th. Sabetha Elementary School, Sabetha High School, and Sabetha Middle School will all be set up at Sabetha Middle School for parents to complete enrollment if your child attends any of those three schools. Parents at Axtell and Wetmore will also be able to complete enrollment and receive assistance in their respective buildings. If you have any questions, please contact the school office or Jennifer Gatz at the district office gatzj@usd113.org.
Please click on your school below for the supply list for the 2019/20 school year.
Click below to view Mr. Evans’ video summary of the July 8, 2019 Board of Education meeting
