Kansas State Board of Education members received a history lesson on American actress Hedy Lamarr during their August board meeting in Topeka.

Four students from Seaman Middle School, Seaman Unified School DIstrict 345, were selected by the National Women's History Museum to be featured in a virtual showcase during this summer's National History Day. Three of the students on Tuesday, Aug. 10, shared their presentation with the board. 

"Hedy Lamarr: More Than Just a Pretty Face" was one of only 20 performances selected for the showcase from the 155 applicants.

The four Seaman students researched, wrote, staged and performed their entry for the 2021 National History Day Contest. The students were Emma Nord, Emily Payne, Miley Proplesch and Ella Shipley. Those attending Aug. 10's meeting were Nord, Payne and Proplesch.

Board members also accepted the recommendations of the Accreditation Review Council (ARC) and awarded  the status of accredited to 14 systems during the meeting.

The board met Aug. 10-11 at the Landon State Office Building, 900 S.W. Jackson.

The following systems were accredited: Cimarron-Ensign USD 102; Prairie Hills USD 113; Olathe USD 233; Emporia USD 253; Valley Center USD 262; Rock Creek USD 323; Oxford USD 358; Caldwell USD 360; Chaparral USD 361; Holcomb USD 363; Durham-Hillsboro-Lehigh USD 410; Auburn-Washburn USD 437; Dodge City USD 443; and South Haven USD 509.

The board received 14 more recommendations (seven public and seven private) from ARC to review for action at the September meeting. 

The ARC recommends that the following public systems be accredited: Ottawa USD 290; Concordia USD 333; North Jackson USD 335; Royal Valley USD 337; Jefferson West USD 340; Seaman USD 345; and Chanute USD 413.

The ARC recommends that the following private systems be accredited: (all Kansas City Archdiocese) Sacred Heart; Sts. Peter and Paul; Holy Name; Holy Rosary; Holy Family; Mater Dei; and St. Rose Phillippine.

Three Kansas school districts and one child care organization were honored for outstanding practices in Child Nutrition and Wellness programs that help support the Kansans Can vision.

The Kansans Can 2020-2021 Best Practice Awards were presented by Cheryl Johnson, Child Nutrition and Wellness (CNW) director for the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE). This is the fifth year for the awards.

Recipients of the Kansans Can Celebrate Nutrition and Wellness Special Events are Wamego Unified School District 320 and Haven USD 312.

The recipient of the Kansans Can Provide Outstanding Customer Service is Southern Lyon County USD 252.

The recipient of the Kansans Can Step Up to Lead is Child Care Links. Beth Carlton, director of Child Care Links, and her staff members displayed leadership and dedication when faced with the challenges associated with COVID-19.

State Board of Education members approved school district expenditure plans and change requests for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) II COVID-19 relief funds.

To date, there have been 169 plans approved for a total of $203 million. Twenty-one new plans were approved Aug. 10 with a total of $16.7 million.

The board also:

• Authorized KSDE's Office of General Counsel to approve actionable licensees and applications within specific parameters.
• Changed the November 2022 State Board of Education meeting dates to the afternoon of Wednesday, Nov. 9, and all day on Thursday, Nov. 10, to avoid conflicting with Election Day on Nov. 8.
• Received an update from the E-Cigarette/Vaping Task Force on an education pilot project to  help with cessation.
• Received information on the National Council on Teacher Quality ranking system.
• Received information on student screen time from a whole-child perspective, learning that not all screen time is the same.
  
  The board is scheduled to meet again Sept. 14 at the Landon State Office Building in Topeka. Board members will have a joint meeting with the Kansas Board of Regents on Sept. 15 at the Curtis State Office Building.