2014/2015 Independence School District Progress Report

The Academies of ISD are Coming

2014/2015 Independence School District Progress Report

Copy written by John Baccala and Nancy Lewis, Public Relations for the Independence School District | Photos 2015 Independence School District, unless otherwise noted.
Designed by Michael Duntz, Advertising Designer for The Examiner | Mailed through the United States Postal Service, Independence, MO | 2015 The Examiner

Five Questions for Superintendent Dale Herl

Q2: What would you say is the biggest challenge for the district?

The biggest challenge for the ISD, like most school districts
in Missouri, is the lack of funding for K-12 education in the
state. The Foundation Formula is not fully funded and to
compound that issue, the districts local assessed valuation
has dropped over $100 million dollars while adding 1,300
students since 2009.

Q3: Since becoming Superintendent, what

accomplishment are you most proud of?

The accomplishment that has made me most proud is the

continued increase of academic achievement by our students.
The districts MSIP 5 score increased at one of the highest
rates in the state and our ACT scores were at an all-time high.

Q4: How would you describe your ideal teacher?

My ideal teacher is one who uses whatever means necessary

to reach kids. He or she is able to grow students academically
while still caring about them as a person. The ideal teacher
pushes kids to achieve at their highest potential.

Q5: You have described the district focus as the Four

Pillars of Success, including math computation and
problem solving, literacy, attendance, and college and
career readiness. Why focus on these four things?

Superintendent Dale Herl | 2015 Independence School District

Q1: What is your five year goal for the district?

I have many goals for the district. Providing a quality

education that prepares students to be both college and
work ready is probably all-encompassing and biggest
on my list of goals. I feel that the Ford Next Generation
Learning Academies that will be implemented in our high
schools next year play a huge part in reaching that goal. The
Academies will give students pathways that can lead to high
paying/high demand jobs when they enter the workforce.

Each has a special place in how they actively improve the

educational experience. Attendance for example is the number
one predictor on whether a student will graduate high school.
The mantra, You have to show up to go up is one that rings
true. We have to find a way to make school engaging to kids
so they want to be with us. College and Career Readiness
is the culmination of the K-12 educational experience. My
number one goal is to produce young men and women who
are productive members of society who are able to adapt to
the ever-changing world we live in. The math computation and
literacy pillars are really about the district getting back to the
basics with our students and focusing on great instruction.
As a district we dont always get to determine at which level
students join us, but we can have a dramatic effect on the
education they receive while they are with us.

2014/2015 Independence School District Progress Report

Five Questions for Independence School District

Board of Education President Ann Franklin
Q2: What is one thing that would surprise people about
what you do as a Board member?

We attend classes and conferences, and we study education

issues. Board members are required by state law to attend two
days of training when first elected. Every year the Missouri
School Boards Association offers opportunities for board
members to keep up to date on state and national issues.
We follow the actions of the Missouri Legislature carefully
because many laws affect how public education is funded
and delivered in Missouri. We communicate our wishes and
our concerns to legislators on a regular basis.

Q3: What part of the job is most rewarding for you?

The most enjoyable part of the job is celebrating students

efforts and successes at award ceremonies, graduations,
concerts, athletic events, assemblies, or at any of the many other
occasions throughout the year where students are recognized
or where they demonstrate their skills. Staff members work
tirelessly to help all students achieve in the classroom and in
life. Being a witness to that is an amazing experience.

Q4: What part of the job is most difficult?

Because of budget limitations, the district cannot offer all of

the opportunities to students that we know are important.
For example, we know that preschool has a huge impact on
student achievement, but because of limited resources, we
cannot provide it free to all preschool children in the district.
The Board has to make choices in order to live within the
available dollars. Thats the reality, but it isnt easy to accept.
Independence school district Board of education president
ann franklin | 2015 Independence School District

Q1: What makes for a good Board of Education member?

Although there are many excellent qualities and skills that a

board member might possess, it isnt likely that any one board
member will have all of them. Good board members are team
players and focus on the big picture. However, every board
member should be committed to improving and preserving
public education and should strive to stay informed about
issues that affect public schools.

Q5: What is one thing youd like patrons to know about

the district that they may not?

People might be interested to know the economic impact the

district has on the cities of Independence and Sugar Creek.
The bulk of the ISD budget is spent on salaries and insurance
for its staff, a majority of whom live, shop, and pay taxes right
here. Outside of that, a large portion of the remainder flows
back into local businesses. Last year, the district spent nearly
$12 million supporting local business in Independence and
Sugar Creek.

2014/2015 Independence School District Progress Report

Enrollment Continues to Grow in the ISD

While other districts are dwindling and schools
are closing, enrollment in the Independence
School District continues to grow. To some it
might not make sense. No huge developments
have been created in the past eight years. The
number of rooftops has not increased by a large
amount, and yet more and more students are
enrolling in ISD schools.
This year, for the first time in decades,
enrollment topped 14,300 students. That is up
1200 students from the 2008-2009 school year.
Enrollment grew by more than 350 students
from Spring 2014 to Fall 2014.
So where are these students coming from?
Demographic studies show that they are coming

from throughout the district: North, South, East

and West. Young families are moving into homes
as some seniors are choosing maintenancefree options. The sounds of children are filling
homes that had been empty for years. Families
are choosing to move to Independence and
it looks as though that trend is only going to
continue in the years to come.
For the first time this year, elementary
enrollment grew to over 7,000 students. The
early grades are seeing the most growth:
approximately 1200 students are now enrolled
in each of the first four grades of school kindergarten, first, second, and third grades.
Growth is a very good thing, but

does bring with it some challenges,

Superintendent Dale Herl said. It is especially
difficult educating so many more students with
so much less money. Many classrooms are larger
than what most would consider ideal. There is less
money for new initiatives like Career Academies
that will give ISD students an advantage over
their peers. It is difficult to keep teach salaries
high enough to remain competitive.
The good news is that more students will
gain a quality education and the Independence
School District will be a growing force in
the metropolitan area. If the number of
kindergartners is any indication that is a force
that will grow well into the future.

District sees Continued Rise in MSIP Scores

Achievement levels continue to soar in the
ISD, a trend reflected in the most recent MSIP
(Missouri School Improvement Plan) scorethe states scoring guide for school districts.
The ISDs MSIP score for the 2013-14 school
year was 80 percent (112 out of a possible 140
points), up almost seven percentage points from
the previous year and the ISDs MSIP growth
was the fourth highest of any district its size in
the state of Missouri (districts with enrollment
of more than 8,000 students).
District-wide, student test scores in English/
Language Arts and Math grew considerably.

Both disciplines jumped from nine out of 16

points to 15 of 16 points and the district also
saw growth thanks to improved ACT results.
The districts performance on the ACT grew
at twice the rate of the average of all schools
in Missouri. Students enrolled in advanced
placement and dual credit courses also fueled
the growth in achievement- moving from six
out of 10 to eight of 10 possible points in that
area. Districtwide, attendance was up too and
district leaders believe that was a direct factor
in closing the achievement gap.
I want to thank every parent who made sure

students showed up for school on a regular basis,

said Dr. Dale Herl, superintendent. Because of
your efforts, we went from six out of 10 attendance
points to eight of 10 attendance points!
While acknowledging the role parents and
guardians played in improved test scores, Herl was
quick to thank the men and women who interact
with the districts 14,000+ students on a daily basis.
Congratulations go out to each member
of the ISD staff for their contribution to this
achievement, he said. Your commitment to
academic excellence has the district looking
forward to receiving the results for 2014-2015.

2014/2015 Independence School District Progress Report

District Dollars Decrease

When Dr. Herl opened the letter informing
him of this years assessed valuation (the
property value that determines how much the
district will receive in local funding) it was
disheartening news. Yet again, the valuation
had dropped as it had each of the past six years.
In all, the valuation within the Independence
School District boundaries has dropped over $100
million since 2008. For the district, that means it
receives more than 4 MILLION dollars less each
year than the district received six years ago.

That has meant finding increasingly creative

ways to save dollars. Early retirement incentives
meant fewer employees which led to larger
class sizes (see previous page). In conjunction
with the early retirement incentive, the district
reduced the number of administrators. The ISD
employs fewer administrators per student than
all but one of the surrounding districts.
The district brought in an outside organization
to make sure the district is as energy efficient as
possible in all buildings. The district is one of

the only in the Midwest to install an Employee

Health Clinic saving millions in insurance
costs. The ISD developed its own captive
insurance company to save in premiums for
workers compensation insurance. The district
refinanced bonds saving millions more.
While all of these changes have led to the
district being as efficient as possible, concerns
remain about increasing class size as no new tax
dollars have become available to adjust for the
districts increasing enrollment.

ISD Juniors Honored with McCoy Award

More than 130 high school students from
Truman, William Chrisman and Van Horn
continued a tradition started more than 110
years ago when they received the McCoy Award
for Academic Excellence November 13 inside
William Chrisman High School.
This years class of honorees featured 131
students (50 each from Truman and William
Chrisman, 31 from Van Horn) from diverse
backgrounds who excelled academically during
their first four semesters of high school. Many
were among the top scholars in the state, others
achieved academic excellence despite learning
English as their second language.
First established in 1902 to promote academic
excellence, the McCoy Medal is named
after William McCoy, the first mayor of
Independence. Current Independence Mayor
Eileen Weir was among this years presenters.
Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education
Dr. Brad MacLaughlin reads the names of the 2014
McCoy Award winners during ceremonies at William
Chrisman High School. Independence Mayor Eileen
Weir presented students with their McCoy Medal.

2014/2015 Independence School District Progress Report

New Logo, New Look,

Same Excellent Care for Students, Staff

s the Independence School District makes plans to take schools and students into the future, a
new logo brings the district an updated look.
We created a logo that looks as fresh as our outlook, as modern as our students and as
identifiable as we are as individuals here in the ISD, Nancy Lewis said, the districts director

of public relations.
Signs inside and outside the districts central office sport the new look and other buildings in the ISD are
receiving logo makeovers. The district plans to complete the logo transition by the end of this school year.
We are inspiring greatness, Lewis said, and this logo reflects who we are and what we do in the ISD.

2014/2015 Independence School District Progress Report

District Observes Great Kindness Challenge, January 26 - 30, 2015

How many times have you heard someone say
Imagine if the world were a kinder place? Schools
in the ISD did more than just say that- they turned
those words into actions! Students, faculty and
staff in schools across the district took part in the
Great Kindness Challenge January 26-30.
We worked together, as a district, to create a
culture of kindness in our buildings and beyond,
said Nancy Lewis, ISD director of public relations
and communications and director of character
education. Lewis said she challenged building
leaders to do three things during the Great
Kindness Challenge- include every student and
staff member, involve parents and community
partners and create opportunities for real
and meaningful change- and building leaders
throughout the district responded. Random acts
of kindness were commonplace in every school.
Bridger Middle School staff wrote kindness
quotes and messages on the sidewalk where busses
drop off students and Principal Nancy Richards

called all Bridger families and encouraged

them to practice kindness at home. Little Blue
Elementary students created a kindness chaineach link in the chain created each time a student
did something kind for someone else- and made
cards for nursing home residents, hospitalized
children and Independence police officers and
firefighters. We displayed kindness messages on
our marquee and read a kindness quote during
the announcements every day, said Chrissy
Taylor, Little Blue counselor.
Mill Creek Elementary encouraged students
who walk to school to make cookies for the
crossing guards. Bryant and Procter Elementary
created a daily act of kindness list, encouraging
students to say hi and thank you. I talked to
students about what kindness looks like, feels like
and sounds like, said Alesia Robinson, school
counselor. I told them each act of kindness
makes the whole world a little bit better.
It was not just the districts younger students

getting involved, random acts of kindness

swept through the ISDs three high schools too.
William Chrisman students set a goal of 10,000
acts of kindness for the week and displayed a
Kindness Matters sign along U.S. 24 Hwy. for
everyone to see. Van Horn created a kindness
wall in their cafeteria. Spring Branch Elementary
students focused on kindness to animals by
donating pet toys to an animal shelter and also
tried to set a Guinness World Record for most
kind-hearted handprints in an artwork. World
record-setting or not, the real message was
simple- everyone can make a difference, one
random act of kindness at a time.
Sometimes, one random act of kindness can
completely change someones day, Lewis said,
and sometimes, we forget that. This week, we
remembered.
TolearnmoreabouttheGreatKindnessChallenge,
go to: http://www.greatkindnesschallenge.org/
School/event.html

Support the Independence School District Foundation

The Independence School District Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization focused on strengthening schools and
community. The Foundation assists students and families by expanding educational opportunities and enhancing learning environments as
well as inviting community members to become an integral part of the education process. In addition to providing grants and scholarships
to faculty, staff and students, the Foundation promotes volunteerism and provides need-based funding for families.
The Foundation continues to help hundreds of children each year. Without the generosity of community members, alumni and
Independence School District faculty and staff, we would not be able to make such a significant impact. If you are interested in learning
more about the Foundation please visit www.OurISDF.org or call the Foundation Office at 816-521-5300.
Save the Date | Saturday, March 21, 2015, 6 p.m. | Arrowhead Club | Cocktails, Dinner, Auction & Entertainment LIVERPOOL |
Chad Abernathy | For ticket or sponsorship information, please contact the Foundation Office at 816-521-5300.

2014/2015 Independence School District Progress Report

Coming Soon:
The Academics of ISD

On January 15th, 2015, the Independence

School District was officially inducted
into the Ford Next Generation Learning
community. Ford Next Generation Learning
(Ford NGL) mobilizes educators, employers,
and community leaders to prepare a new
generation of young people who will graduate
from high school ready for college, a career,
and life. Calling it a monumental day for the
Independence School District, Dr. Dale Herl,
ISD superintendent, announced the ISD is now
officially part of the Ford NGL family, one of just
19 communities in the United States affiliated
with the innovative educational initiative.
We made the decision to completely
transform the way our high schools operate
day-to-day and the experience our kids will
have on a daily basis, Herl said.
Under the Ford NGL plan, the three ISD high
schools will be transformed into career-themed
academies, The Academies of ISD, giving
students a head start on college and career
readiness- better preparing them for success in
todays competitive global economy.
The investment from Ford is not in dollars,
but in providing the resources and connections
to guide the ISD in making a plan that will take
students into the future.
We wanted to make sure we were meeting
the needs of every student, Herl said, and
meeting real-world challenges. NGL- themed
classes begin in the 2015-16 school year.
I look forward to, and our team looks forward
to working with you as you move forward, said

Cheryl Carrier, Ford NGL executive director.

The ISD worked with Ford NGL for more
nearly 18 months to develop a three-year
master plan to increase the number of students
learning in career academies within the district
and broaden its reach in the Kansas City
metropolitan area through affiliations with
senior business, education and civic leaders.
Ford NGL communities have demonstrated
success through higher graduation rates,
increased academic achievement, lower
dropout rates and industry certifications
earned in high school.

2014/2015 Independence School District Progress Report

FNGL Academies
Implementation Timeline
2015 - 2016 School Year
Computer Science
Networking and Computer
Maintenance
Web Design
Programming and Software
Development
Industrial Technology
Architecture and Engineering
Manufacturing
Construction

FNGL Academies
Implementation Timeline
2016 - 2017 School Year
Health and Public Services
Public Services
ROTC, Public Safety, Legal Services
Health Services
Bioscience, Nursing, Social Services
Arts and Education
Visual and Performing
Mass Communication
Journalism
Education
Business
Microsoft Office
Accounting, Finance, Banking
Business Management
Hospitality and Creative
Services

Freshman
Academy
During their freshman year, students will
be enrolled in a Freshman Academy. During
that semester-long class, students will complete four major tasks:
Design a Ten Year Plan for their Future
Make a College Visit
Take Part in a Career Skills Fair
Choose a Career Academy
Students are encouraged to develop a plan
that will create a successful exit whether they
dive directly from high school into a career,
attend a two-year college, get a four year
degree, or attain a post-graduate degree.
Students will determine their ten year
plan based on interest, ability, goals and
expectations. Its their first important step
on the road to success.

Business
Partners
The Independence School District is
searching for businesses and industry
partners who are interested in helping to
shape their ideal future employee.
If you are in a business that aligns with
the ISD academics and can support student
internships or job shadowing, mentorships,
or teacher externships, the staff at the ISD
wants to hear from you!
Academics cant work without businesses
helping to inform curriculum to ensure
its up to date, meets industry needs and is
preparing students for the future.
For more information, please call
(816) 521-5300 and ask for the Public
Relations department.

10

2014/2015 Independence School District Progress Report

Five Questions

for

Teacher

of the

Year John Vickers

Q2: What does it take to engage students?

I think to successfully engage students it is very important to have energy,
excitement, enthusiasm, a sense of humor and the ability to laugh at yourself
and not take yourself too seriously, and a passion about what I teach but also
have those same characteristics about the students I teach. I believe in the
old mantra students dont care how much you know UNTIL they know how
much you care. I really believe that! So, I try to be as real as I can be with my
students and get down on their level and in their world to be able to establish
a trusting and understanding relationship with them. I want them to know that
I really care about them and their future. They need to know they are more
than just a test score or someone who fills a seat in class each day. Once a
student knows you care and you have established a relationship with them,
I believe the sky is the limit!

Q3: What would you like parents to know about what you do?
I like parents to know that I am going to take a personal interest in their son or
daughter beyond just curriculum knowledge. I am going to coach their son or
daughter through our class by helping to sharpen their strengths and work on
making weaknesses their strengths as well. As a teacher, I will partner with them
(the parents) to not only help their student learn the material they need to know
but have high expectations and standards, hold them accountable and teach skills
that will serve them after they leave Chrisman. It is important for parents to know
that teachers wear so many hats today beyond just teaching important curriculum.
As parents of four ourselves, my wife and I know how important it is for our children
Q1: How does your classroom look different than it did five years ago? to be in a safe, nurturing and challenging environment with teachers who care
It has always been a goal of mine to have a classroom that is interesting, inviting about the whole person. That is exactly what I, and so many other teachers in our
and full of energy. My walls and the way I conduct class usually provide plenty district, strive to be to our students. We care about your children!
for students to get a taste of all of those adjectives, but in the last five years
I have been able to utilize the growing use of technology with our students to Q4: Other than academic knowledge, what do you hope students learn
add to the flavor. Adding the technology component has allowed my students to in your class?
Skype with a representative, use our schools Chromebooks to develop projects, I teach Government, so the content of the class is something that will impact
engage the internet in their learning, take tests and utilize Google Classroom. We them for the rest of their lives. In my class, it is my hope that students begin
have also used student cell phones to become more actively engaged in class to understand how the real world works and where they can make an impact
learning by using different learning apps like quizzes or games or something that whether it be as an employee or employer, a husband or wife, a father or mother
might allow them to independently react to a question or scenario or interact or a citizen. I also hope students learn interpersonal skills that allow them to
with other student answers. The use of social media has become intertwined communicate ideas effectively, get along with and respect others and learn how
in class by using Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by having my students post to problem solve. So many of lifes problems, whether it be what we study in
ideas, thoughts and reactions to learning that has directly taken place in class. Government everyday or read about or see on the news or deal with in daily life
In turn, my students are interacting with the rest of the world, or their followers, could be summed up in the lack of ability to utilize these important life-long skills.
about the impact that learning is having on their lives.
Another way that my classroom looks different now than it did five years ago
is tracking my students data regarding their performance in class. I am able
to post the data in class in a way that each student has personalized and in a
way that allows them to set goals and track their results. Students are more
invested than ever before in their success because of the personalized way we
are tracking our data. It has been rewarding to see students more excited and
committed to personal learning, goal-setting and celebrating successes.

Q5: What is one thing every student can do to better prepare for the
future?
I believe it is very important to learn time management and organizational skills.
These two go hand in hand. These skills will benefit everyone in every aspect
of life - the working world, being a spouse, a parent and a friend. In todays
fast moving, ever-changing, techno world it is more important than ever to be
organized and properly balance time.

2014/2015 Independence School District Progress Report

11

New Nowlin Gym Completes 2009 Bond Project

For many, it was a chance to see an early season
basketball game between Nowlin and Bingham
Middle School. For others, it was a chance to
see the final piece of a district-wide project five
years in the making put into place. Bleachers on
both sides were filled to capacity for a ribboncutting ceremony to officially christen Nowlins
new gymnasium, the 47th and final project
made possible thanks to a voter approved $85
million bond issue in 2009.
Nowlins state-of-the-art gymnasium was
actually a bonus, thanks to careful spending by
the district during the other 46 projects. The
facility has scored points with everyone who has
seen it and reinforced the districts commitment
to western Independence.
Its so exciting for kids to be able to walk
into a new facility and know that this is theirs
and that the ISD and our patrons made that
commitment just for them, said Dr. Dale Herl,
superintendent.
Herl said facilities like Nowlins new
gymnasium make a huge difference in a childs
life. Nowlins administrators have seen that
first-hand.
I cant tell you how many students have said
its so beautiful and were just so excited, said
Cristin Nowak, Nowlins principal. Its amazing!
From the hardwood floors to the soundproofing
materials inside the Panther Paws that line the
gym, the building is a showpiece. But ultimately,
it is about more than just four walls. Nowak said
the new gymnasium shows students that the
community supports them- and their dreams.
One of our girl basketball players said, Im
better for just walking into this place, Nowak
exclaimed. Theres just a lot of that kind of
feeling, that attitude, around here.

Nowlin Middle School students Kayla Sua and Jameson Baker cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially
open the schools new gymnasium, the final of 47 projects completed thanks to voters passage of a
bond initiative in 2009.

12

2014/2015 Independence School District Progress Report

All-Star Teacher
Receives World
Series Tickets

If Megan Coone, fourth-grade teacher at William

Southern Elementary, was not a Royals baseball fan before
the 2014 season started, you can bet she is now! Coone
was given two tickets to Game 6 of the World Series by
Major League Baseball as a thank you for being named
one of the Royals All- Star teachers. Last summer, Coone
was chosen from thousands of nominees in a contest
sponsored by People magazine, Target and Major League
Baseball. She was one of three teachers representing the
American League Champion Royals at last years All-Star
Game in Minneapolis. She wore a Royals jersey and took
part in a special ceremony before the game began.

top | Hundreds of ISD parents and students took

advantage of a warm fall evening to lie on the grass
at District Stadium and watch Game One of the
Royals/Giants World Series. CENTER | Bingham
Middle Schools Life Skills students made confetti
for the Royals during the teams historic World
Series run. RIGHT | Megan Coone, fourth-grade
teacher at William Southern Elementary, received
two tickets to Game 6 of the World Series for being
one of the Royals All Star Teachers.

2014/2015 Independence School District Progress Report

13

Truman Football Coach Finalist for NFL High School Coach of the Year

Truman High School football coach Gregg

Webb was named one of three finalists
from across the country for the Don Shula
NFL High School Football Coach of the
Year Award. Webb was one of 32 coaches
nominated by NFL teams or players for
their character and integrity, inspirational
leadership, commitment to the community
and on-field success.
For being a finalist, Webb receives a $2,500
cash award and a $5,000 grant for Trumans
football program. This years Shula Award
winner, a coach nominated by the Green
Bay Packers, receives $25,000 from the NFL
Foundation and will be a guest of the NFL
during the Super Bowl.
It was breakthrough year for Webbs Patriots.
Under Webb, Truman won their first playoff
game in school history and had just their
second winning season in the last 20 years.
Truman finished with a record of 6-5. Former
Chiefs All-Pro Tim Grunhard presented Webb
with the Chiefs High School Football Coach
of the Year Award January 13.
Former Chiefs All-Pro Tim Grunhard shares a laugh with Truman High School Football Coach Gregg
This award, named after the winningest coach Webb moments before presenting him with the Chiefs High School Football Coach of the Year (Missouri)
in NFL history, was created to honor exemplary award. Webb led the Patriots to just their second winning season in the last 20 years and the schools
high school football coaches who demonstrate first-ever playoff win.
a commitment to player health and safety, others, Shula, former Indianapolis Colts NFL broadcaster and Hall of Fame member
integrity, achievement and leadership. An Head Coach and current broadcaster Tony John Madden and former Secretary of State
impressive selection panel featuring, among Dungy, former Oakland Raiders Head Coach, Condoleezza Rice, made the final selection.
Far left | Bridger Middle School students show
off their dance moves against the Bridger Buffalo
and other mascots during the schools Character
Plus assembly. Bridger students raised more
money than any ISD school for the Holiday Helpers
program and celebrated in style. left |William
Chrismans girls basketball team, one of the surprise
teams in the metro this year, was named the KCTV5/Hy-Vee Team of the Week and was featured on
KCTV5 News.

14

2014/2015 Independence School District Progress Report

Photo Gallery - Students & Staff of the ISD

Main | Pioneer Ridge

Middle Schools Girls
with a Purpose join
Truman High School
juniors on a volunteer
trip to Harvesters. The
girls participated in Girl
Talk, a peer-to-peer
mentoring program led
by high school girls for
middle school girls.
top | Former Secretary
of State Madeleine
Albright posed with ISD
high school students
Photo cluster top left | Elementary students
from across the ISD participated in Drumm Days during the opening
at Drumm Farm, feeding animals and picking their of her exhibit at the
Truman Library.
very own pumpkin.
Photo cluster top right | Sugar Creek Bottom | Van Horn
Elementary students (and teachers) were doctors, High Schools debate
athletes and superheroes during the schools team was one of the
most highly regarded
Character Dress Up Day.
debate squads in the
Photo cluster left | Nearly 400 students,
teachers and William Chrisman administrators, plus metro this past season,
ISD central office administrators, took the ALS Ice winning numerous
Bucket Challenge to raise money and awareness individual and team
awards.
about the disease.

2014/2015 Independence School District Progress Report

15

Now Hiring Bus Drivers!

The Independence School District is hiring bus drivers. Great
wages and benefits including employer paid health insurance,
available dental and vision insurance and access to district facilities
including pool, gym and health clinic.
Applicants must be 21 years of age; no experience necessary.
Drivers receive paid training and only work on school days
(however, extra work is available).
For more information, visit www.isdschools.org, click on Careers
and look under Current Job Postings.

16

2014/2015 Independence School District Progress Report

PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
KANSAS CITY, MO
PERMIT NO. 2679

ISD Academies
are Coming