Author: andrewatwal

PHOTO: Get Outdoors Day

http://yankton.net/articles/2012/07/16/community/doc50037f6ceb0c3850551273.txt

Park Rangers at the Missouri National Recreational River put on programs at Riverside Park Saturday for “Get Outdoors” day. Park Ranger Joe Delvaux simulates the flow of the Missouri River to a family. The simulation explained the movement of river beds on the Missouri, high and low run off and how the river can change in high and low water years. Other activities during the day included canoe safety, trivia questions, games and junior ranger activities. (Andrew Atwal/P&D)

Crop Update

Parched

This Yankton County cornfield began tasseling last week, well ahead of schedule, but its leaves have curled up due to the lack of precipitation. Corn crops throughout the region are suffering from drought conditions that may drastically reduce crop yields this season. (Kelly Hertz/P&D)

Crops Hit Hard By Heat, Drought

By Andrew Atwal
andrew.atwal@yankton.net
Published: Friday, July 13, 2012 1:09 AM CDT

With most of southeast South Dakota and northeast Nebraska suffering under extreme heat and drought conditions, farmers in the area are taking a huge hit with their crop yields.

All of South Dakota and Nebraska are currently in a drought, as classified by the University of Nebraska at Lincoln’s United States drought monitor. Furthermore, more than 77 percent of South Dakota is under a moderate, severe, extreme or exceptional drought stage. In Nebraska, more than 99 percent of the state is under a moderate, or higher, drought level.

This is a big shift from this time last year, where no area in either state was suffering from a drought.

“On a Corn Belt basis, this is the most widespread drought since 1988,” Dennis Todey, South Dakota state climatologist, said in a statement.

Larry Wagner, SDSU Extension Agronomy Field Specialist added, “This has been a very dry period and it has gotten very serious.”

Worse, there’s no relief in sight. The forecast for the next week calls for very few chances for rain and more hot weather heading into the       region.

The long-range forecast by Accuweather.com is predicting dry conditions and above-normal temperatures through mid-August.

During the last week, precipitation in South Dakota was less than an inch across the entire state, with the exception of areas in the northwest and some other localized areas, including Irene.

He said there will likely be an 80 to 90 percent reduction in corn yield because of the drought.

“A lot of corn won’t get ears or pollinate because of the extreme drought,” he said.

He added that, once corn finish pollinating, rain would not help yields at all.

Wagner noted that a lot of people in the area are resourceful and could use their corn as cattle feed if the drought conditions continue. However, farmers need to be very careful if they decide to do that.

“Farmers should test to see if there are nitrate levels in the corn before using it as feed,” Wagner said. “If the levels are high, it will kill cattle.”

He added that people are looking at all of their options and are trying to get what they can from their yields.

In addition to the corn yield being down Rich Schwartz, county executive director for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) office in Yankton, said farmers will likely be around 40 percent of their normal hay yield if the hot and dry conditions persist.

However, despite the dire conditions for most crops, soybeans still have a chance to rebound.

“Rain would definitely still help soybean yields,” Schwartz said. “There can still be a fair soybean yield this season.”

“Soybeans have been doing quite well recently, despite the drought,” Wagner said. “Once they enter the reproduction stage, the heat and drought will begin to effect their yields.”

The conditions have become so extreme that Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) wrote a letter to the secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to encourage more flexibility to help the producers in South Dakota that are battling the drought.

The letter makes the recommendation of flexibility in the opening of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres for emergency haying and grazing in the state, among others.

Schwartz thinks the emergency CRP ruling will go through.

“We will know the official word on it by July 26. It’s not 100 percent (guaranteed), but I think it will go forward,” he said. “It will help stretch feed supplies, and even though its not the best quality of hay, it will help.”

Schwartz added that Yankton County is getting closer to declaring a drought emergency.

Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman expanded early roadside haying in 25 counties across his state due to the extreme drought conditions. In addition, applications to hay all Nebraska roadsides will be open to all citizens of the state.

In addition, Heineman authorized an emergency declaration for the drought that allows personnel and resources in Nebraska to assist with emergency situations and prevention. The declaration also allows for maximum flexibility to deploy National Guard and Emergency Management Agency assets and resources as needed across Nebraska.

“This drought has been devastating,” Schwartz said.

Some pastures across the region are doing well, but Wagner notes that pastures in the Yankton area are not so fortunate.

“Pastures in the area are in tough shape right now,” he said. “It’s going to be very difficult for them to improve if farmers don’t get rain soon.”

Schwartz added, in addition to the heat and drought, speculators also play a big influence on farmers’ profits.

“People that raise corn are at the mercy of speculators,” he said. “If prices continue to go up, there will continue to be huge impacts on ethanol.”

Schwartz added, “It’s not a pretty picture right now. The drought is having a huge negative impact on farmers.”

You can follow Andrew Atwal on Twitter at twitter.com/andrewatwal

 

http://www.yankton.net/articles/2012/07/13/community/doc4fff9b96cab39611037057.txt

Tourism Website

Regional Tourism Association Launches Its New Website

The Southeast South Dakota Tourism Association recently unveiled its new website, which could help increase tourism numbers in the region. (Courtesy Photo)
By Andrew Atwal
andrew.atwal@yankton.net
Published: Wednesday, July 11, 2012 12:36 PM CDT

The Southeast South Dakota Tourism Association has recently launched an innovate new website that allows users to find a lot more information that they did not have access to before.

The website, southeastsouthdakota.com, launched last week and is a complete facelift from the old tourism website.

“We’ve been working on the website for about a year,” Jacquie Fuks, director of the Southeast South Dakota Regional Tourism Association, said. “There are whole new functions and a new look to the website.”

She added that the old website needed a makeover, and this site allows staff members to easily handle any changes and updates that may be needed.

One of the features of the site includes a journeys section, which allows users to pick something they’re interested in, and the website will pull up a list of destinations related to that interest.

Examples of journeys on the website include golfing, discovering Bon Homme, various trails and the I-29 cultural corridor, among others.

Fuks added that she believes one of the best features on the new website is the calendar of events and that users can sort the calendar by their interests.

There is a long list of options that visitors can sort the list by, including art, auto shows, holiday events, music, events for children and many others.

Another new feature is an interactive map of the communities in southeastern South Dakota.

“Users can view the map, click on a community and it will take them to a whole page about what is offered there,” she said.

Fuks noted that the new website might help tourism numbers in the region.

“There is a lot more opportunity for visitors to stay on the website longer than they would have with the old site,” she said. “There are all sorts of different categories that we did not have before, which is great.”

She added that package vacation deals are also more accessible on the website, and visitors can easily book a package deal simply by clicking on the appropriate link.

Although the new website allows users to look at a copy of various southeastern South Dakota tourism brochures, Fuks said the website will not replace the paper brochures.

“For the most part, people will still want a physical copy of our information brochures,” she said. “People still come in to request our information to be sent to them.”

The tourism association has been marketing the website to users in various different ways over the past few weeks. They have used social media through Facebook and Twitter to advertise the website, as well as email blasts talking about the new website and its features. The association will also direct people more to the web to get the information that they need.

“The number one thing people have looked at on our website, above all others, is history information and historic things to do and see in the region,” Fuks said.

She added that although there is currently minimal video content on the website, the association is hoping to expand that in the future.

“We are taking little steps with video as we go,” Fuks said.

The tourism association spent about $20,000 on the website, but Fuks said it is money well spent.

“The world has gone to the web, and if you’re any kind of business now, you need a website,” she said. “So far, we’ve also gotten really good feedback on the  website.”

Fuks noted that the department looked at various tourism websites from around the country and took what they liked and disliked from those sites to create southeastsouthdakota.com.

“So far I’m very happy with the website, and it came out well,” Fuks said. “However, websites are never done. You always need to make changes as you go and keep content fresh.”

You can follow Andrew Atwal on Twitter at twitter.com/andrewatwal

School Board

Yankton School Board: Health Cost Options Get Close Scrutiny

Specht Named New President

By Andrew Atwal
andrew.atwal@yankton.net
Published: Tuesday, July 10, 2012 1:09 AM CDT
At its annual reorganization meeting, the Yankton School Board elected a new president and vice president who displayed hope for the future, despite ongoing budget problems within the district.

The board held its annual reorganization at its meeting on Monday, with Chris Specht moving from vice president to president, and Jim Fitzgerald taking the role of vice president for the 2012-13 school year. In addition, Matthew Pietz was sworn in as a school board member, replacing Verlin Ailts, who is retiring from the board.

“It’s very exciting to be on the school board,” Pietz said. “I’m anxious to get to work and hopefully get past the budget issues we’ve been having.”

He added that one of his focuses will be getting better technology for students to learn from and use in their classroom activities.

“I’m focused on educating students in the very best way we can,” he added.

Specht, who replaces Kathy Greeneway as board president, said the school board will continue to try to provide the best education possible for the children in the Yankton School District.

“This has been a challenging last year for everybody, not just the board, but the community and YSD’s employees,” he said. “Even as president, I still have just one vote and still need to work.”

He noted that there are very important issues facing the district in this coming year, including the new drug and alcohol counselor, school funding, achievement levels, absentee rates, among others.

One agenda item that was discussed in detail at the meeting was the potential for new administrative services for the YSD health plan for its employees.

The YSD health plan currently operates under a two-tier system — either a single employee plan or a family plan. A new option is to change to the four-tier system — single employee, single employee and spouse, single parent, or family options.

The school district also has the option of changing administrative providers altogether, which could save the district hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Paula Weydert, president of the Yankton Education Association (YEA), spoke on behalf of the YSD employees’ about the options.

“We’d rather just keep what we have,” she said. “It’s not a problem that needs to be fixed.”

She did add that she would be in favor of moving from the two- to four-tier system.

The board also approved reinstating two library aide positions for the elementary schools. Two years ago, each elementary school in the district had a full-time library aide in its building — positions that were cut last year due to budget constraints. The proposal reinstates a halftime library aide at each of the elementary schools for the upcoming school year.

YSD Superintendent Dr. Joseph Gertsema said its a good starting point in bringing these positions back, but would prefer to have four positions full so each elementary school has its own full-time library aide.

Another agenda item included the unveiling of the potential 2012-13 school budget.

Because of the continued decrease in enrollment at YSD, the new budget is a $1.1 million decrease from where it was last year, which is equivalent to about a 9.4 percent change.

Some of the ways the board was able to save money including tapping into the health care savings reserves established by the district, cutting some funding for school activities, and not filing vacated teachers’ positions.

“The health plan reserves have been a fundamental savior to the budget,” YSD business manager Jason Bietz said. “Without the reserve, more cuts would have been needed.”

He noted that the health plan is a significant portion of the general fund, so the review process could save the district a significant amount of money, if it chooses to change administrative providers.

“We can’t deficit-spend forever,” he said. “We are listening to the public and are addressing their concerns brought forward.”

“Because we’re funded by the number of students we have, when student enrollment continues to drop, you need to cut back,” Specht said. “However, the public should not have too many concerns about this potential budget and we are looking at more ways to further reduce spending, including changes to the health plan.”

The board plans on voting on a budget for the upcoming school year at its Sept. 10 meeting.

In other business, the board designated the Yankton Press and Dakotan as the official newspaper for the 2012-13 YSD proceedings. This was originally slated as a consent item, but Dave Baumeister of the Missouri Valley Observer opposed. Despite the opposition, the board approved the proposal 4-1.

The next school board meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 13 in the YSD administration building at 2410 West City Limits Road.

You can follow Andrew Atwal on Twitter at twitter.com/andrewatwal

Exercising At Work

Exercising While You Work Is Growing In Popularity

Yankton 911 dispatcher Jennifer Palsma shows the yoga ball office chair and bike pedals that are available for dispatchers and employees at the Yankton Police Department. (Kelly Hertz/P&D)

 http://yankton.net/articles/2012/07/03/community/doc4ff2656f82865178524391.txt

By Andrew Atwal
andrew.atwal@yankton.net
Published: Tuesday, July 3, 2012 1:09 AM CDT
Some businesses and agencies in Yankton have gotten aboard the growing national trend that allows employees to exercise while at work.

Recently, the Yankton Police Department began allowing its 911 dispatchers and core services employees to sit on yoga balls as office chairs, as well as have cycle pedals for use while employees sit at their desks.

In addition, the First National Bank Service Center in Yankton allows its call-center employees to use treadmills while manning the phones.

The police department first got its exercise equipment a few months ago, with 911 dispatcher Jennifer Palsma leading the effort.

She thought of the idea after overhearing one of her supervisors talking about an insurance agency that allows call center employees to work out while on the job. That inspired her to do some research before eventually making the proposal.

“When you’re stuck in the same spot for a 10-hour shift, there is not a whole lot of time for working out during, or after, the job,” Palsma said.

Research has shown that employees who exercise at work often exhibit better time management, mental performance and mental ability on those days. There is also a strong positive mood effect that goes along with exercise. It can also reduce health care costs for companies and cut down the number of sick days that employees use.

She sent out her research findings to Chief Brian Paulsen on the benefits of simply allowing desk-workers to use a yoga ball as their office chair.

The benefits include improved spinal health, better blood flow, strengthening of the abdominal and back muscles, improved balance, weight loss, and better focus and alertness for employees.

She noted that a dispatcher is usually stuck to his or her desk due to the need to consistently monitor the phones and cameras. Because of this, Palsma proposed the yoga balls to promote better health, more activity and stimulation in what is  normally a limiting environment.

“The job is usually completely sedentary,” Palsma said. “As a dispatcher, you’re stuck in the same spot for your 10-hour shift, with not a lot of physical movement.”

She added that, once she proposed the idea, the process took a few months, with equipment arriving earlier this spring.

“When I first proposed the idea, others laughed at me,” Palsma said. “Chief Paulsen got on board with the idea pretty quickly, though.”

The First National Bank Service Center began allowing its employees to utilize treadmills after renovations took place this past spring.

Operations Director Twyla Andrus said the main reason why the treadmills were brought in is because employees asked for an exercise room as part of the renovations.

“In this type of office and call-center setting, employees are sitting at a desk for a majority of their eight-hour shift,” Andrus said. “They wanted to have an avenue to get up from their desk to stretch and move around.”

The center added two walking treadmill stations to their facility after renovations were complete.

“Today about half of our employees have gone through training on these stations,” she said. “Each trained employee can sign up to walk on the stations for 30 minutes each day.”

The treadmills only have a few speeds, and nothing faster than a brisk walk is offered because employees are also speaking on the phone and operating a computer while walking.

“So far, we have had a very positive response to the equipment from our employees in the collections and customer care departments,” Andrus added.

“I used to get headaches all the time when I worked,” Palsma said. “Since the equipment came in, I never get headaches anymore at work.”

You can follow Andrew Atwal on Twitter at twitter.com/andrewatwal

4th Of July Travel

AAA: High Holiday Travel Volume Expected

By Andrew Atwal
andrew.atwal@yankton.net
Published: Saturday, June 30, 2012 1:09 AM CDT
New projections show July 4 travel this year could tie a 10-year record for the area. Total travel among South Dakota residents for the Independence Day holiday is expected to be up about 5.4 percent this year, according to AAA.

In addition to the statewide numbers expected to be up, numbers across the country are projected to go up as well. The total travel for people in the United States is projected to be up nearly five percent. These projections represent a nearly 42 percent increase from where the numbers were just three years ago. The holiday travel period is defined July 3-8.

“AAA’s projection for a decade high number of Independence Day travelers is being fed by Americans’ appetite for travel, a mid-week holiday and lower gas prices,” Marilyn Buskohl, spokeswoman for AAA South Dakota, said in a statement.

Jacquie Fuks, Director of the Southeast South Dakota Regional Tourism Association, said that she expects travel numbers to go up because the holiday is in the middle of the week.

“One thing that will make the numbers better this year is because the 4th of July is in the middle of the week,” she said. “People will take the beginning of the week off, the end of the week off, and some may take that whole week.”

She noted that when the holiday is in the middle of the week, it expands the holiday travel from one weekend to two.

Shane Bertsch, District Park Supervisor for the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GF&P), expects numbers to be very good for travel into the Lewis and Clark Recreation areas.

“The numbers are going to be really good for July 4,” he said. “It’s going to be mostly full, and I expect the rest of the available campsites to go in the next few days.”

He added that campsites in the park are expected to be at, or near capacity, beginning this weekend for the next week. The increased patrons to the area mean more staff will be on duty at boat ramps and beaches on the grounds.

“If the weather is good, we expect about 1,600 campers or so for the 4th of July, which is more than a normal busy summer weekend would be,” Bertsch said.

In addition to the 1,600 campers, he expects about 500 to 700 boats to be on the water on the 4th of July alone.

Fuks noted that the biggest impacts on holiday travel are the weather and gas prices. She added this year’s travel could skyrocket for the July 4 holiday because the gas prices have been lower and the weather has been good.

“The 4th of July is the holiday that makes you go somewhere,” Fuks said. “It’s the middle of the summer, kids want to go somewhere and the weather is usually stable.”

She added that another factor that could play in to the numbers going up is that there were a lot of visitors to the area last year to see the flooding — visitors that had never been here before. She said that there is the potential that they travel back here this year to enjoy the area and all that it has to offer.

In addition to the Yankton-area numbers being up, Fuks said that other tourism directors in Sioux Falls, Mitchell and Madison report their numbers of visitor requests being up as well — which could prove to bring the number of travelers into those areas up for the season.

Travel to the area should not be affected by the hot weather, according to Bertsch.

“As long as its not extremly hot, the heat should not affect the numbers,” he said. “The beaches will be packed all week, and people will want to take their boat out regardless of the heat.”

Bertsch notes that, due to the nice weather in the winter, they were able to make a lot of improvements to the grounds, including a lodge that just opened for use this year. Staff members at Lewis and Clark are currently working on an elevated shooting range for archery, which is expected to be open by the end of July.

“We take pride in our customer service and keeping the grounds neat, clean and well-groomed,” Bertsch said. “If we can maintain those things, along with the draw of the lake, it will keep guests coming back each year.”

Fuks noted that, this year, visitor requests have come from an unexpected state — Ohio.

Ohio has topped all other states in terms of visitor information packet requests, she said. This includes the normal traffic from Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minneapolis, something that surprised her.

“Yankton is really a good, hometown feel type of place to go to,” Fuks said. “The fireworks and parks here are big draws for July 4.”

Despite all the fun that comes with the area on the 4th of July, Bertsch said guests should always have safety in mind.

“If you’re out on a boat, have the life jackets and safety gear prepared and ready to go,” he said. “Make sure all safety precautions are taken and use caution, because there will be a lot of other boaters out there, too.”

For the guests enjoying the beaches at Lewis and Clark, Bertsch wants to remind them that no pets are allowed and glass containers are prohibited.

You can follow Andrew Atwal on Twitter at twitter.com/andrewatwal

College Gift

http://yankton.net/articles/2012/06/29/community/doc4fed286a4febc737776232.txt

 

MMC Receives $150,000 Gift For Botanical Laboratory

This artist rendition shows the new Mount Marty College science center project, which is in the final phase where formal architectural plans are being finalized. Construction is projected to start this fall. (Courtesy Image)

By Andrew Atwal
andrew.atwal@yankton.net
Published: Friday, June 29, 2012 1:09 AM CDT
Officials at Mount Marty College announced that the Otto Ullrich Trust Fund has gifted $150,000 to the school to build the Otto Ullrich Memorial Botanical Laboratory.

The laboratory will be constructed as part of the new science center project, which will move all nursing and science operations and classrooms at the college into the old library space.

Ullrich spent most of his life as a clerk at the Manhattan Bar and Cafe in Yankton. He also was an active member of the Elks Club and was proud of the opportunities that Yankton presented to its youth. Since his passing in 2006, the Otto Ullrich trust has dispersed more than $400,000 to various education-based charities and civic organization. However, this is the largest donation they have given so far.

Construction on phase one of the project, which includes science labs and the greenhouse, is expected to start this fall, and should take about a year to complete. Phase two of the project, which is the nursing facilities, is expected to begin shortly after phase one of the project is complete, and will take a shorter amount of time to complete.

Phase one of the project will include five new labs, two for chemistry, two for biology and one for physics. There will also be offices for science faculty members and the greenhouse addition.

The entire project is expected to cost about $3 million, with the greenhouse costing $150,000 — all $150,000 donated from the Ullrich Trust Fund.

“We are very fortunate that the trust has chosen to memorialize Otto Ullrich with a botanical lab on campus,” Mount Marty President Dr. Joseph Benoit said. “It’s nice to have a named building on our campus from someone who had such a large impact on the Yankton community.”

The new greenhouse, along with the other lab rooms that will be constructed, will allow students to engage in aspects of science education that are clearly aligned with educated individuals in science. The new center will also allow for more hands-on opportunities for students, and more problems-based learning opportunities as well.

Benoit noted that the lab will give students the opportunity to learn more about biological diversity, ecosystems and the interactions of organisms with their environment. He added that students will also be given the chance to deal with species that may not typically be available without a greenhouse because of the harsh South Dakota winters.

“Students’ educational experiences are enhanced because of the greenhouse,” Benoit said. “We are quite excited about the donation.”

He added the new science complex will allow for the community and region to have new opportunities not present before for education in the sciences.

“These will be wonderful new educational spaces for us,” Benoit said. “It is a great opportunity to have newer facilities to educate our students in.”

Barb Rezac, Chief Advancement Officer at Mount Marty, has high hopes for the project and the impact it could have on the community.

“I hope the new project will generate confidence in what we’re trying to accomplish here at Mount Marty,” she said.

She added that, while officials at the college are focused on this project, they’re also thinking about ahead to improving some of the other facilities on campus.

Rezac approached members of the trust this past March to propose the greenhouse to them. She finally heard back from them in June approving the donation and kick-starting the efforts on the greenhouse.

“We worked back and forth on the proposal for a few months before we finally got the go-ahead,” she said.

“The impact of a facility like this is going to last for years,” Benoit added.

He noted that Mount Marty should be able to recruit and retain students from other areas because of the new facilities and opportunities they allow for students in the science and nursing fields.

The potential for more students at Mount Marty benefits the economy of Yankton.

“There is a natural economic impact that occurs,” Benoit said. “When family and friends visit students, the economic impacts really can’t be measured in a lot of ways.”

Benoit noted that he wants to have the entire nursing department located on the north side of campus, where the new science facility will be located.

Rezac added the nursing program has expanded in recent years, and it will expand even further this coming fall, when the Masters of Nursing program will begin. She said that there was a big need for more offices for nursing faculty, and the new project will allow for that, along with new, state-of-the-art technology for students in the program.

Both Benoit and Rezac thanked the Trust Fund members for their kind donation to the    college.

“The greenhouse will show the community every day Otto Ullrich’s love for youth and gardening,” Rezac said. “It will memorialize him each day and we are really grateful for the generosity of the trustees in selecting this project.”

“Ullrich was a key example of someone who did a lot with his life,” Benoit said.

Rezac added, “The new greenhouse and science center will make a big difference in the lives of a lot of people.”

You can follow Andrew Atwal on Twitter at www.twitter.com/andrewatwal

Teacher Of The Year

Presidential Teaching

Kuhlman Named Top Math And Science Teacher In State

Published: Thursday, June 28, 2012 1:09 AM CDT

Andrew Atwal
andrew.atwal@yankton.net

AVON — An Avon teacher was recently honored of as a recipient of the Presidential Award for Math and Science Teaching.

Paul Kuhlman teaches math and science courses to students in both the middle school and high school grades in the Avon School District.

Kuhlman left for Washington D.C. on Tuesday, with meetings planned with President Barack Obama and his administration, members of the House and Congress, and members on the National Science Foundation.

Winners are selected by a panel of scientists, mathematicians and educators, following the initial selection process, which is done on the state level. This year’s winners receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation, as well as an awards ceremony and several days of educational and celebratory events while in Washington.

He was nominated for the award in the Fall of 2010 by his former colleague Mike Barondeau, of Edmunds Central High School.

“When I first found out I was nominated, I saw that big packet,” he said, jokingly.

The process included a video-tape of class, with written information about that class lesson that was taught and what was done to help further education. The 15-page application was due in May 2011.

One of the things he looks forward to the most is meeting with the other teachers from all around the country that are also being honored.

“We can all learn so much for each other,” he said.

Kuhlman teaches physics, chemistry, physical science, geometry and seventh grade math at Avon. He is currently entering his 24th year of teaching, with 20 of those years at Avon. He spent his first four years of teaching at Waubay High School and Hosmer High School. He had previously been recognized as the 2008 South Dakota Outstanding Physical Science Teacher and the 2009 South Dakota teacher of the year.

Other area teachers that are being honored in Washington include Deborah Snook from Philip, SD; David Hartman from Lincoln, Neb. and John Christen from Beatrice, Neb.

One of the things that he said has changed in his years of teaching is that students now realize they need a background in math and science to further their career goals and education.

“I like to keep it fun,” Kuhlman said. “I tailor the curriculum to everyday things that students can relate to.”

Avon Superintendent Tom Culver said the community has really been receptive to Kuhlman’s teaching style and all that he does for his students and the school.

“A lot of the community is thankful that he is one of our teachers,” he said. “He goes above and beyond the call on everything he does.”

Matt Yost, secondary dean of students at Avon, said Kuhlman is one of the most dedicated individuals around.

“He shows complete dedication to his profession,” Yost said. “He works and will continue to get better each day.”

Culver noted that, of the 70-80 students enrolled in the high school, about 20-30 of them enroll in a physics or chemistry course with Kuhlman. He added that people might consider moving to Avon because of the recognition that Kuhlman is getting.

Culver went on to dispel the myth that smaller schools often mean fewer opportunities.

“There are outstanding teachers that are very capable in small schools,” he said. “Paul winning the award reinforces things we do in our building.”

Despite the high recognition, Kuhlman remains humble.

“This award is really a credit to the students and their parents, other teachers at the school and the Avon administration,” he said. “It’s a reward for their hard work that makes me look good.”

He is able to relate to students by using many demonstrations in class. He added that a lot more students want to do science fair projects because they realize they could take a trip somewhere if their project does well. Kuhlman even does a “turkey timers” lab around  Thanksgiving which focuses on how turkey timers actually work.

“Paul would be the first to say that he is just doing his job,” Culver said. “He truly cares about the kids and what they learn.”

Kuhlman has a unique teaching style, which distinguishes him from other teachers in the region, Yost said.

“No one word describes his teaching style.” Yost said. “It changes depending on the students and class needs.”

Kuhlman has shown a remarkable ability to motivate his students and make learning fun for them. Under his leadership, Avon has become a perennial competitor in national and international science fairs, with some of his students qualifying for events in New York, Texas, Georgia and Florida. He has even started a science night at the school, with the crowd often filling the entire gym.

“The one thing about Paul is that he sincerely wants his students to be successful,” Yost said. “Students know that he will give them any support that he can mentally and physically take on.”

Both Yost and Culver said that many former Avon students have gone into science and math fields, noting Kuhlman probably had a lot to do with their career choices.

“The students here are committed. They will show up for things after school and they want to be involved, which makes my job a lot easier,” he said. “The more a student is engaged, the more the teacher is engaged.”

He added a sincere thank you to his students, both past and present.

Despite the award, Kuhlman said he is far from done perfecting his teaching style and methods.

“It’s a nice reward and a nice honor,” he said. “However, it doesn’t mean I’m done. It’s only more incentive to work harder and keep at it.”

“When you walk around the school you never know what kind of smells or sounds are going to come from his science labs,” Yost said. “He is really a mad scientist at heart.”

He even has license plates that say “science” on his car.

You can follow Andrew Atwal on Twitter at twitter.com/andrewatwal

Special Education

http://www.yankton.net/articles/2012/06/26/community/doc4fe92e916e75f972591682.txt

 

YSD Working To Meet State’s Special Education Requirements

By Andrew Atwal
andrew.atwal@yankton.net
Published: Tuesday, June 26, 2012 1:09 AM CDT

Recent special education numbers released for the Yankton School District (YSD) show the district exceeding expectations in some areas, but not quite measuring up to standards in other target areas.

The numbers show that, for the 2010-11 school year, YSD fell below the South Dakota statewide average for graduation rate for students on an individualized education program (IEP), as well as proficiency rates for reading and math for both grades kindergarten to 8th grade and grades 9 through 12.

The proficiency rate in reading for children in grades 9-12 was 6.25 percent, which is below the state average of 22.24 percent. The math proficiency rate for high school students was 18.75 percent, also below the South Dakota average, which was at 19.64 percent.

The numbers for the high school proficiency rates only include data from students in 11th grade since that is the only grade in high school that takes the Dakota Step test. The data comes from test scores on the Dakota Step test, administered to South Dakota students.

Other large school districts in eastern South Dakota that also fell below state target proficiency rates include Brookings, Aberdeen, Vermillion and Sioux Falls.

On the other hand, YSD performed better than the South Dakota average for students dropping out who are on an IEP, participation rates for students on IEP’s and overall suspension or expulsion rate for students with disabilities.

The district also outperformed the state average on students with disabilities being in the regular classroom more than 80 percent of the day, being in the regular class less than 40 percent of the day and being in separate facilities       altogether.

Students could be placed in special education and an IEP program because they are deaf or blind; have a cognitive, emotional, learning or orthopedic disability; autism; traumatic brain injury; or a developmental delay. Students with a speech or language impairment could also be placed in the special education program if they have a speech or language impairment, such as a stutter.

Kathy Wagner, director of student services and head of the special education program for the YSD, said students with a speech or language impairment could bring the scores and numbers up for the program.

“These students are on IEP’s but really have no academic issues,” she said.

Wagner added that she is disappointed the schools did not do better in the four-year graduation rate for students on an IEP, which was at about 73 percent — about 12 percent below the state average of 85 percent. However, she said that some students are served until they are 21, which brings the graduation rate down.

One thing that she was happy about was the 100 percent participation rate that Yankton has for students on IEPs.

“It is excellent,” she said. “It shows that you can’t just exclude kids to bring the numbers up, and schools are not allowed to do that any more.”

She noted the importance of vocational courses being offered at the high school. These classes include skilled labor jobs, including some classes being offered with the Regional Technological Education Center (RTEC).

“We have been working hard to change the mindset that kids must go to a four-year college,” Wagner said. “We need to provide classes for kids that just want to go out into the workforce.”

One of the ways that special education numbers could improve in coming years is through the new school standards that South Dakota will adopt beginning with the coming school year.

Instead of standards being specific to South Dakota, all schools in the state will move to the Common Core set of standards. The standards have been adopted by 45 states, with the main goal being to provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn.

Wagner noted the standards are not dramatically different from the ones that have been in place in the state. However, some topics are expected to be covered and mastered even earlier than they have been      previously.

“One thing we’ll try to do differently is linking the Common Core Standards to the IEP’s for students,” she said. “The 8th grade standards might not be what a particular student needs.”

She added that students on IEP’s have their own plans and goals and these must be linked to the new standards. However, she did note that some families might think that it is more important for their child to learn lifestyle skills and not necessarily what other kids are learning in the classroom.

“IEP’s are not just what schools want, they’re also what parents and guardians want, too,” Wagner said.

“Our goal is to provide the best education that we possibly can for every student that is on an IEP,” she added.

New data, which will include numbers for all students in the district, and not just those students on an IEP, are expected to be released in July.

You can follow Andrew Atwal on Twitter at www.twitter.com/andrewatwal

Asian Carp

http://www.yankton.net/articles/2012/06/27/community/doc4fea806dd5629343137369.txt

 

S.D. Enacts Rule To Prevent Spread Of Asian Carp

This is a photo of an Asian Carp found in South Dakota. Asian Carp are currently found in the East and West Vermillion Rivers, the James River, Missouri River below Gavins Point Dam and the Big Sioux River. (Photo: Cari-Ann Hayer, South Dakota State University)
By Andrew Atwal
andrew.atwal@yankton.net
Published: Wednesday, June 27, 2012 1:10 AM CDT

A recent emergency rule put in place by the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GF&P) Commission prohibits the taking of bait in the East and West Vermillion Rivers and Firesteel Creek, below Lake Mitchell. The commission hopes the ruling will help stop the spread of Asian Carp in the state.

Commission members say the ruling was enacted because young Asian Carp are similar in appearance to a variety of different types of bait that anglers use. They hope the ruling will help alleviate the Asian Carp from spreading into other areas in South Dakota. The main objective of the ruling is to prevent any inadvertent transfer of Asian Carp by anglers.

Asian Carp were introduced into the United States in the 1970s. Bighead and Silver carp, most common in South Dakota, are currently found in bodies of water all across the country. Locally, they can be found in the James River, Missouri River below Gavins Point Dam, Big Sioux River and the East and West Vermillion rivers.

The Bighead and Silver carp can grow up to 60 pounds and reach four feet in length, and they only have small scales on their bodies. They also have low-set eyes and a large upturned mouth. One of their more distinguishable qualities is that they are known to jump out of the water when startled.

Asian Carp were first found in South Dakota just below Gavins Point Dam on the Missouri River in the late 1990s, spreading into tributaries of the Missouri River, including the James River, by the early 2000s.

John Lott, Chief of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for the GF&P, talked about how quickly Asian Carp can spread and reproduce.

“Last year was very good for Asian Carp reproduction in South Dakota because of the high water levels from the flooding,” he said.

Lott added that Asian Carp move into spillways, and it becomes hard to differentiate them from common bait species.

“We realize the emergency ruling is affecting anglers,” he said. “However, it is a necessary step to help protect the integrity of resources and the health of fisheries in the area.”

Geno Adams, Fisheries Program Administrator for the GF&P, hopes the ruling will have a significant impact on the Asian Carp.

“I hope the ruling will inhibit the movement of Asian Carp,” he said. “This is a new and upcoming Aquatic Nuisance Species in South Dakota that is spreading incredibly rapidly.”

He noted that Asian Carp are such a big problem because they eat many of the same things that other young species also feed on. Because of this, they have a huge impact on other species’          populations.

The Silver and Big Head Carp are known to feed on Zooplankton in lakes and rivers, something that other fish species rely on for food.

“When the Asian Carp eat enough Zooplankton, it becomes unavailable to other fish species who have poor natural production,” Lott said. “This causes the population of Asian Carp to go up, and other species’ populations to go down.”

Lott added, once Asian Carp are introduced, they become very difficult to get rid of, not only because they can spread so rapidly, but also because they are very prolific reproducers — some female Asian Carp can have up to 4 million eggs, compared to up to 100,000 on a Walleye.

In addition to the ecological problems that Asian Carp present, they also pose an injury risk to citizens out on local bodies of water.

“Asian Carp are known to jump out of the water if they are startled,” Lott said. “This is a safety issue and can cause serious injury to people on boats and in the water.”

However, officials in South Dakota are hoping the steps being taken in the state will help to solve the problem.

Officials hope that, in addition to laws and regulations, information and education will help the problem.

“Knowing about the issue and its importance of stopping the spread of Asian Carp to children in schools and anglers is huge,” Lott said.

He added that each year has the potential to have strong production of Asian Carp.

Adams agreed, adding, “Education and outreach is huge to stop the spread.”

He noted the importace of angling in South Dakota.

“Angling is important to local economies,” he said. “Asian Carp can do a number on fish populations, so there are a lot of reasons to care about stopping them from spreading.”

Adams noted that other states have had to result to more desperate, and more costly, measures to deal with the problem. He’s hoping that steps being taken now will be enough to stop the Asian Carp from spreading any further in the state.

“Other states, including Illinois, are spending millions of dollars to stop the spread,” he said. “It is in the best interest of everyone in South Dakota not to have to do that.”

He went on to say the sport fishing industry in Illinois has taken a huge hit because of the Asian Carp, and hopes that does not happen in South Dakota.

“People should take this seriously,” Adams added.

Anglers who observe or capture a Silver or Bighead Carp outside of the James, Vermillion and Big Sioux Rivers, and below Gavins Point Dam, are encouraged to report their findings to the GF&P website or by calling their local GF&P office.

You can follow Andrew Atwal on Twitter at twitter.com/andrewatwal