Cara Daugherty, left, and Jill Niemeir, center, receives their certificate of commendation from Board President Matthew Shetley. Staff photo by George Anderson [Click to enlarge]

The Kennett School Board commended two local students on Tuesday for their accomplishments and awards received at the 52nd Annual Southeast Missouri Regional Science Fair held in Cape Girardeau, Mo. on March 6, 2008.

Eighth-grader Cara Daugherty, while in the seventh-grade, entered a project surrounding the hypothesis that Portland cement can be used as a flux to make glass.

At the event, Daugherty, who was sponsored by KMS faculty member, Christy Daugherty, was awarded third place in chemistry and the Jason Lindsey Future Scientist Award, which included a gift basket of science goodies and $100 cash.

Freshman Jill Niemeier, a second year science fair participant and eighth grade student at the time, received nine different awards for the entry, "Emergency Communications II," which was a continued effort from her entry the previous year.

Niemeier's idea was to create "an effective, portable, emergency amateur radio station that is not dependent on commercial power can by built to handle emergency information."

For their accomplishments, Board President Matthew Shetley presented both Daugherty and Niemeier with certificates of commendation.

In other matters of the board, Rayanna Dalton, director of curriculum, presented a summary of the MAP results, noting that improvement was shown in nearly every area.

Dalton also informed the board that the standards are increasing each year and the best way to make AYP is through a growth factor.

A new philosophy will be adopted by all buildings, in which students will be targeted into different learning groups based on their needs.

"The goal will be to move as many [students] as possible into the higher level without allowing others to fall into a lower level. I believe the implementation of end of course exams at the high school will provide a more valid analysis of student achievement. It will also allow for a natural targeting of students," said Superintendent Jerry Noble.

The board also:

During the executive session, the board voted to employ Rachael Overbey as a full time asthma instructor, which is funded by a Missouri Foundation of Health grant.

The board also voted to employ Kaylon Campbell as a part time temporary technical assistant, accepted the resignation of Jane Romines, a first grade teacher, and hired a new first grade aid, Melanie Sweger.