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As we approach the end of this school year, our family is preparing for the graduation of our youngest child — a member of the first graduating class from West Franklin High School.
We can’t help but think back almost 19 years when we sent our oldest child off on the school bus for her first day in kindergarten at Appanoose Elementary School. First Lydia then Matthew, followed by Ryan and finally Brianne.
Over these past 19 years, there have been so many parent-teacher conferences, Christmas programs, field trips, band concerts, homework assignments, Quiz/Scholar Bowls, volleyball/basketball/football games and track/cross country/golf meets, FBLA contests and conferences, FFA contests and award programs, athletic and academic awards dinners and desserts. At times it all seemed to be a blur of activity. But we realize that all that activity was education and preparation for what lay ahead for our children.
There were also a few challenges for the school district during those 19 years.
From the first year’s debate over kindergarten class size to the proposal to redraw the lines defining attendance areas a few years later, then to the campaign for the first Local Option Budget to raise funds for the controversial lease/purchase of new facilities districtwide and most recently the reconfiguration of the district attendance centers from K-12.
Sometimes, there were heated disagreements. But all those subjects were resolved with the best interest of the students first.
The school district chose to split the kindergarten class into two classes with fewer than 20 students. They maintain their commitment to small class sizes to this day.
When the school board researched moving school boundaries a mile or two, they found how passionate people were about where kids go to school.
The first LOB passed because there were needs that could benefit the district. The school board fully understood the resistance to change when they considered reorganizing the district and they proceeded knowing it was the best solution.
Our four children have benefited in numerous ways from the opportunities provided by USD 287.
Lydia found out that a first-born over-achiever with a strong desire to succeed can do just that. Her successes in the West Franklin school system set the stage for her college academic career.
Matt was accelerated in both math and science in the middle school years. With support from the staff in the district and Appanoose and Pomona schools, he completed all the available math courses by his junior year and completed an independent study of Calculus II.
Ryan’s interest ran more to agriculture and animals, and the schools provided an avenue for him to pursue those interests. He was allowed to bring service dogs into the schools for socialization and training. He met several new friends by traveling to Williamsburg for FFA and agriculture programs.
Brianne is the artist in our family. Her interests in music and the visual arts have always been encouraged by the schools. Where else do you see an electric violin in the marching band?
To provide a brief update on our three oldest children — all graduates of Pomona High School — we are proud to report the following:
Lydia received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Kansas State University last December and will receive a second bachelor’s degree in biochemistry with a minor in biology Saturday. She has been accepted into the pharmacology doctorate program at the University of North Carolina, where she will be performing pharmaceutical research while continuing her education.
Matthew is a junior in mechanical engineering at K-State and is interested in aeronautics. He plans to attend graduate school.
Ryan is a sophomore in feed science at K-State pursuing a bachelor’s degree and working in the extrusion laboratory operated by the feed science department. He is considering his options for further education.
Our graduate, Brianne, also will attend K-State, where she will pursue a dual degree in graphic design and french.
We figured out a long time ago all four of our children are different: different personalities, different interests, different dreams. But one thing they have in common is the preparation they received for continued education from the schools in West Franklin USD 287.
All things considered, we don’t know how their education could have been better.
Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton wrote in a book that “it takes a village” to raise a child. Others contend it takes a father and mother to raise a child. This father and mother believe that having a village that was willing to help us raise our children has been a blessing in our lives.
The “village” we have been blessed to be a part of has been ever-expanding. Starting with our home and immediate family, our village has grown to include our extended family, the members of our church, the pre-school staff of Ottawa’s East Central Vocational Cooperative, the faculty/staff of Appanoose elementary and middle schools, the faculty/staff and families of Ottawa Suzuki Strings, various private music instructors, quite a few summer softball/baseball, fall soccer, pee wee football/basketball coaches, numerous people in the Pomona and Ottawa communities, the leaders and families involved in Franklin County 4-H and Kansas 4-H, the faculty/staff of Pomona High School and Williamsburg High School and now West Franklin High School, the faculty/staff and several students of Kansas State University, and many others that have in some way contributed to the education and well being of our children.
If you recognize yourself as a part of this “village,” we thank you for being a part of this memorable time in our lives.
Specifically, to the West Franklin USD 287 Board of Education, both past and present members, and to all the superintendents, principals, teachers, teacher’s aides, para-professionals, secretaries, cooks, custodians, bus drivers, coaches, counselors and other staff that have played some role in the education of our children, we offer our sincere thanks.
— Bill and Natalie Roberts, Pomona
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