On the Scene with Green: Meet with Interim Superintendent this Sunday

Interim superintendent to offer straight talk and real answers at community coffee event on Nov. 13

R. Stephen Green, interim superintendent of the Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS), will provide straight talk and direct answers to questions from community members at the first of four community coffees. The kick-off event will be from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 13, at the Waldo branch of the Kansas City Public Library, 201 E. 75^thSt., Kansas City, Mo.

The coffees, titled “On the Scene with Green,” are designed for parents and community members to have direct access to the interim superintendent and get their questions answered. Dr. Green will open the coffees with commentary about the direction and status of KCPS, followed by a question and answer session.

The event is free to the public. Refreshments will be provided, including coffee from co-sponsor The Roasterie.

WHAT: “On the Scene with Green” community coffee event

WHEN: 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011

WHERE: Waldo branch of the Kansas City Public Library, 201 E. 75^thSt., Kansas City, Mo. 
The Kansas City Public Schools is dedicated to graduating students that are college, career, and workforce ready. This mission is supported by innovative classroom instruction, engaging programs, highly-qualified employees, and an engaged and well-informed community. To learn more about the ways our community of schools supports students and the community-at-large, please visit www.kcmsd.net, KCMO School District on Facebook, or KCMOSchools on Twitter. You may also call (816) 418-7000 or visit ww.kcmsd.net.

What's next Hale Cook?

We're moving forward and look forward to an exciting year of activities, outreach, and community-building in support of our Neighborhood School. While we might not have the numbers we needed for enrollment, the feedback has been so positive that we are committed to moving forward and planning for Fall 2012. Here is some more information about how we would like to reorganize our committee to engage you and help us accomplish many of the great ideas you've proposed over the past three months.

Proposed Goals for 2011-2012

1. Increase public awareness and support for the community plan to reopen Hale Cook Elementary in Fall 2011 through outreach, school-centered activities, and broader engagement of stakeholders.
2. Work with the School District to establish a realistic and sustainable strategy for the school in its first year and beyond.
3. Further develop the School Plan with the community and School District.
4. Create partnerships with organizations and stakeholders to not only activate the school building before it reopens in Fall 2012 but will support the school once it is open.
5. Support student enrollment and parent commitment to the school to reach the target of 350 students by February 2012.

Updates from Hale Cook - Clarification on Enrollment

Enrollment Numbers Clarified - Pre-K Counts toward the Target of 350 Students to open in 2011 

There was some confusion on Sunday as to why the Pre-K registrations were not being counted towards the numbers needed to reopen Hale Cook Elementary School. The Steering Committee has clarified that ALL students (Pre-K through 6th Grade) will count towards the critical mass needed to open the school is 2011. This is great news - and means the school can take a variety of forms in its first year - whether or not we fill all grades, we are prepared to open our doors if we have enough students enrolled. Please be sure to pass this information on to your neighbors, particularly those who might be on a waiting list somewhere else - we are ready and look forward to the last few weeks to push enrollment towards our target.