School was the focal point at the fifth “See, Hear Iola!” program Friday.
Stacey Fager, Iola High School’s principal, was the guest speaker.
Fager spoke about changes the high school has recently made. Because students tend to get hungry before their designated lunch, a 10-minute passing period at 9:27 a.m. was created where students could grab a quick breakfast to tied them over until lunch.
“This was a leap of faith for our teachers and administrators,” Fager said. “Ten minutes is plenty of time for students to eat and converse, but it’s also just enough time to get into some trouble.”
Students were told that if the passing period was abused then it would be taken away next year. The students have shown a good response to the extra time, and they have not had any problems, he said.
In addition to getting a longer passing period, students are allowed to use their cell phones during lunch and passing periods.
This, too, was a leap of faith, Fager said. The idea behind the cell phone leniency was to take away from student distractions during classes.
“If parents are wondering why they are getting text messages from their kids at 9:27 or 11 o’clock then that’s why,” Fager said.
Saturday school was changed to Friday nigh school.
Students who attend Saturday school, for disciplinary reasons, now stay after school on Friday and stay until 6 p.m.
“It is used for disciplinary reasons, but it also gives students a chance to get work done and students have responded well to this change,” Fager said.
REALTOR John Broker had positive news to share — the real estate market is steadily increasing.
Since the beginning of the year there have been 59 closings as opposed to 43 closings in 2011 by the end of September.
The amount of days houses are on the market are substantially lower than last year.
Sheila Lampe, director of the Iola Area Chamber of Commerce, spoke briefly about the happenings around Iola.
The 20th Buster Keaton Celebration began Friday and “there are more people in Iola this weekend, so if you get a chance to visit with them, please do,” she said.
Allen Countian Gary Hawk will be inducted into the Historical Society, Oct. 13 and tickets for the dinner preceding the induction meeting are running out. The tickets are $15 apiece.
“If anyone deserves this, it is Gary,” she said.
Superintendent Brian Pekarek informed the audience about the recent trip USD 257 members were able to take to Topeka earlier this month.
They met Gov. Sam Brownback, watched the U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan’s speech and members of the Age to Age pre-school program presented to the Kansas State Board of Education about the work and progress they have been making.
