SparkWheel Student Support Coordinators Dara Barr-Miller, Susan Hill and Tanner Smith, updated USD 503 Board of Education members Monday evening regarding the programs operating at Parsons High School, Parsons Middle School and Lincoln School.
The main goal of SparkWheel is to remove barriers to students’ academic success.
SparkWheel provides some services universally, for all students in their schools, and some services for specific students to meet their needs..
Each of the programs serves at least 55 specified students in their respective schools.
Hill said they are required to meet with each of their individual students at least once a month, but they meet with them far more frequently than that.
From the start of school through December, the three coordinators provided 1,465 total support hours with 1,010 of that being intensive support offered directly to students. They provide essential needs for students, such as Hygiene items, clothing, school supplies, food, snacks, drinks as well as universal support for at each school, that includes attendance, positive behavioral support, life skills, enrichment activities, future preparation, family engagement, and essential needs (to families).
They have distributed 11,203 essential items, including food, clothing, hygiene and a few school supplies.
The coordinators provide a wide array of activities and incentives, like attendance incentive drawings, and special clubs for groups with shared interests, like anime or Dungeons and Dragons, or study groups.
Smith has a Shoe Tying Club at Lincoln. If students demonstrate they can tie their shoes they get a paper shoe to decorate and hang on the wall. After they put their shoe on the wall, they get to come get a shoe keychain for their backpack.
“I think we are up to 70 kids now that are in the Shoe Tying Club,” Smith said. “The thing is, it is a family engagement type thing. They have to go home and sit down with an older sibling, parent or grandparent at home and learn how to tie their shoes and then come show me. So they are not badgering their teachers to teach them, they go home, learn it at home and then come show us.”
More examples of activities at the middle school and high school levels are they put on Future Finance Now sessions, giving students a reality check of what life is like at age 26, dealing with a budget, career, and bills, Barr-Miller said.
Hill said she provided a dining etiquette course at the middle school.
“They really liked it,” Hill said. They learned how to set a table, all about manners when they are eating.
“Then I make them dinner and they utilize their skills,” Hill said. “I made them get dressed up and everything.”
Middle School and high school students also participated in bell ringing for the Salvation Army during the holidays, to teach students where some of the help they get comes from and to let them give back. At Lincoln, Smith had miniature trees donated and classes decorated them and had a contest to raise money for a shed, then donated them to residents in nursing homes.
Hill said about 84% of the students they are working with are progressing toward whatever their goal is for improvement, whether academics, attendance, behavior or life skills.
“I think you all do a great job,” board member Kala Green said. “I enjoy coming in when you ask for volunteers. I see the kids connect with all of you and just… I know it makes a difference having another person they can go to. You guys do a great job. I love it. Thank you.”
Assistant Superintendent Jeff Pegeus said SparkWheel is a big part of the district’s efforts to combat chronic absenteeism, and the progress in improved attendance that has been made.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, the board:
Heard there is no school Feb. 17 due to President’s Day.
Heard March 10 is the end of the third quarter. There is early dismissal that day. Lunch will be served.
Heard high school and middle school student-led parent/teacher conferences will be March 10 from 4 to 7:30.
Heard the next regular board meeting will be March 10 at 6 p.m.
Heard elementary parent teacher conferences will be March 11 from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Emails will be sent out soon to schedule conferences.
Heard March 12, parent/teacher conferences for all grades will take place from 4 to 7:30 p.m.
Heard school will not be in session March 14 for a conference comp day for teachers.
Heard Spring Recess will be from March 17-21.
Heard all FCCLA student competitors at STAR events in Pittsburg qualified for state.
Heard Scholars Bowl received second at its last tournament in Girard.
Heard the PHS two-speaker debate team of Madilyn Armitage and Makenzi Taliaiferro, made State runner-up. Novice students in 4-speaker debate finished fifth. Viking Congress did excellent at Pittsburg State with Armitage and Manning placing first in their houses.
Heard Tyler Gordon and Joe Campmier are working on an application for a 21st Century Grant to help cover the costs of possible after school programs at the middle school.
Heard eighth grade will get a chance to visit Pittsburg State University.
Heard April 11 there will be a job fair for 8th grade students.
Accepted a total in donations of $7,600.72 for December to schools.
Approved engaging with Kansas Association of School Boards to assist with board/ teacher negotiations.
Approved the 2025-2026 High School Course Description Handbook.
Approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Group Work Camps (Paint Parsons) for the summer of 2026 to utilize the high school for lodging for a week. Group Work Camps reimburses the district for meals, kitchen staff and extra custodial staff.
Approved the 2025-2026 academic calendar.
Approved job descriptions as listed.
Approved DCS to evaluate needed repairs to the middle school fire escape.
Approved extending director and manager contracts for Transportation Director Rick Giefer; Food Service Director Marla Kirkpatrick; Technology Director Ben McGuire and Business Manager Laura Allison.
Approved employment for Nikki Brownewell, high school secretary; Rick Donley, substitute bus driver; Richard Holsinger, middle school assistant track coach; Ivory Kelly, PHS assistant track coach; Matt Schultz, middle school golf coach; Chris Smith, middle school part-time custodian.
Accepted the resignation of Maintenance Director Eric Bortz, effective Feb. 28.