Back to School!

Holidays are enticing only for the first week or so. After that, it is no longer such a novelty to rise late and have little to do.
- Margaret Laurence

Yes, it's that time of year when parents are shuffling through school supply lists and checking to see whether back packs are still intact. Preschoolers are psyching themselves up for their first year at Kindergarten. Big kids are making their last few visits to the pool and getting excited to see old friends. High schoolers are squeezing as much sleep as they can out of their last few days of summer. College students are comparing prices on mini-fridges and asking mom to do their laundry one last time. It's also the time of year when your Kansas and local governments are ramping up to tackle another school year.

See Commissioner of Education Dr. Diane DeBacker's welcome back to school message at:
http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2601

Can't remember which vaccinations your child needs before heading back? Learn more at:
http://www.kdheks.gov/immunize/index.html

Need assistance with preschool tuition?
http://www.srs.ks.gov/agency/ees/Pages/Child_Care/Child%20Care%20and%20Early%20Education.aspx

Learn more about your school or district by reading its "report card":
http://online.ksde.org/rcard/

Read about the Kansas curricular standards at:
http://www.kerc-ks.org/index.aspx

Want to learn online this year? Find a list of Kansas virtual schools at:
http://www.ksde.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=r6o84oLXhio%3d&tabid=455&mid=6785&forcedownload=true

Learn more about the charter school option at:
http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=449

Full list of Kansas education associations and organizations:
http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1968

Article contact: Kim Harp

The State Library of Kansas

Of all the state and federal agencies that we've covered on this blog, we've neglected to familiarize you with our own, the State Library of Kansas.

What is the State Library of Kansas (SLK)?
The State Library was founded on the basis of the Kansas Territorial Library first funded in 1855. In 1863 the Kansas Legislature made the first appropriations of $2,000 to establish the Kansas State Library. The initial annual salary of the State Librarian was $500. At this time, the State Library was housed in a room in the East wing of the Capitol. In 1900 the State Library was moved to its current site in the North Wing on the third floor of the Capitol.

The State Library’s services have changed and adapted as Kansans' needs have changed. In 1889, the State Library began a traveling library service to serve rural Kansans. In 1964, a system of grants was developed to assist rural libraries. The needs of individuals with low vision are met through the Kansas Talking Books service, begun in the early 1970s. A service to help Kansans obtain important U.S. and Kansas census information began in 1980. The State Library continues to serve the needs of state agencies, legislators, and the general public and will continue to evolve.

Our Mission
In service to Kansas libraries, residents, and government, the State Library of Kansas:

Collects and shares resources and government information;
Delivers information and solutions;
Educates librarians and trustees:
Promotes literacy and reading for everyone; and
Advocates for open and equitable access, intellectual freedom and excellence in library services and support.

Learn more about us and our programs at www.kslib.info

Briefly: what does SLK have and what do they do?

Search SLK's holdings:
http://topekalibraries.info/search~S4

Services and Programs of the State Library:
-Audiobooks, Music and More- website which allows Kansas residents to download audiobooks, ebooks and music to their computers or mobile devices
-online statewide databases- available to all Kansas residents
-In-house research databases- available to visiting patrons
-Talking books services- audio books and devices available to those with low vision or reading disabilities, braille services
-Reference Services
-Kansas Reads to Preschoolers
-Homework Kansas- free online tutoring for Kansas residents K-college
-Grants and funding to local public libraries
-Continuing education for public librarians and library trustees
-Interlibrary Loan
-Library and Trustee Certification
-Letters about Literature
-Kansas Notable Books
-Marketing assistance for libraries

Who does SLK serve?
Namely: YOU! Our patrons also consist of legislators and state government agencies.

Article contact: Kim Harp

Drop INs

Each school year there are a number of children who are at risk of dropping out of school. Due to circumstances such as needing to work to support the family, disinterest, academic difficulty, absenteeism, or homelessness, students must make difficult decisions regarding whether finishing high school is right for them. The Kansas Drop Ins program from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment is looking to address this issue on a multi-level front. This program involves the students, the parents, the community, and businesses in ensuring that students make it through school. Your Kansas and U.S. Governments are offering many choices to help students prepare for the next step in their lives.

Home page of the Kansas Drop-Ins program
http://www.kansasdropins.org/summit_info.htm

Resources offered by the Drop-Ins program
http://www.kansasdropins.org/resources.htm

Kansas Statistics relating to drop outs:

You can search for your school district's drop-out rate and many other useful statistics at:
http://online.ksde.org/rcard/index.aspx

Kansas Kids Count data regarding the drop-out rate
http://datacenter.kidscount.org/Databook/2009/OnlineBooks/StateProfiles/AEC189%20profile_Kansas.pdf

Title I and II and at-risk student program fact sheets
http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=3784

Resources for students struggling with the decision whether to drop out:

Flint Hills Job Corps
http://flinthills.jobcorps.gov/home.aspx

YouthBuild- Alternative education that helps youth obtain GED's
http://www.doleta.gov/youth_services/youthbuild.cfm

Kansas Board of Regents GED site including the testing schedule
http://www.kansasregents.org/adult_ed/ged.html

Article contact: Kim Harp
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