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News and Notes: News
Release
August 28, 2009
Topeka:
“Watch and Talk” parties to follow KLFA/KTWU production
The Kansas Learning First Alliance kicked off its tenth school
year when it met August 28 at the Topeka and Shawnee County
Library. Although all three work groups that KLFA uses worked to
address their goals for the upcoming year, the meeting focused on
preparing for the “Watch and Talk” parties that will coincide with
the state-wide presentation of Reading, Writing and a
Worthwhile Education for Kansas Kids. The program will air
Wednesday, Sept. 23, at 7:00 p.m. The show is a joint production
of KTWU, KLFA and the Kansas Learning First Alliance Educational
Foundation. KTWU and the Foundation provided the considerable
resources necessary to produce the show. It will also been seen on
KPTS in Wichita and Smokey Hills Public Television.
The show, taped Sept. 2 in Topeka, will feature three panels of
Kansans ─ parents and students, business leaders and educators ─
discussing what schools in Kansas might do to address the rapidly
changing world and its shifting demographics, accelerating
technological capacity and increased global interdependence.
Brad and Judy Stauffer of Topeka will host the show and serve as
the discussion facilitators. The show has been designed to help
initiate conversation among all Kansans, not just educators, about
the challenges schools face in preparing students for a world very
different than the one Kansans enjoyed just 5-10 years ago.
KLFA has posted a number of documents on its Web site,
www.klfa.org, which can be used to organize and facilitate a
“Watch and Talk” party. It also lists events already organized
for those who would prefer to simply attend an event.
In other KLFA business, KTWU was approved as a new member of
KLFA. It brings to almost 30 the number of educational
organizations and agencies that comprise the organization, which
was originally formed in 1999. It was the first state affiliate
of the national Learning First Alliance, whose Web site is
http://www.learningfirst.org/. Also, Dr. Nancy Bolz, Kansas
North Central Accreditation Director, was elected chair-elect.
She and chair Sue Givens, El Dorado USD 490 superintendent, will
serve two-year terms.
Dr. Blake West, KNEA president, was presented a plaque for his
service as KLFA’s fifth and most recent chair; Dr. Jerry Hamm,
Coffeyville USD 445 board member, was recognized for the Early
Learning Center named in his honor; and Sherri Yourdon, KNEA vice
president who passed away recently after a year-long battle with
cancer, was also honored.
The next KLFA meeting is Thursday, Oct. 29. |
