Sep 25, 2020

Cottonwood, Oakdale, Sunset receive Challenge Awards

Posted Sep 25, 2020 3:58 PM
<i><b>Kyle Griffitts, Cottonwood Principal, receives the Challenge Award from Dr. Dena Horst, State Board of Education, District 6.</b> Photos courtesy USD 305</i>
Kyle Griffitts, Cottonwood Principal, receives the Challenge Award from Dr. Dena Horst, State Board of Education, District 6. Photos courtesy USD 305

The Confidence in Kansas Public Education Task Force has named 92 schools, including Cottonwood, Oakdale and Sunset elementary schools, as recipients of the 2019 Challenge Awards.

The awards recognize Kansas schools that are making a notable difference in student achievement despite facing significant challenges in their school population. Since its inception in 2002, more than 1,700 awards have been presented to schools across the state.

<i><b>Angela Dorzweiler, Oakdale principal, accepts the Challenge Award from Horst.</b></i>
Angela Dorzweiler, Oakdale principal, accepts the Challenge Award from Horst.

“I congratulate the staff members for the innovations and hard work recognized by these awards,” said Linn Exline, USD 305 Superintendent. “This recognition reinforces the important work teachers do for our students and community every day.”

Certificates of Merit were presented by Kansas State Board of Education member Deena Horst, District 6, at the Sept. 22 special board of education meeting.

<i><b>Lonny Schropp, Sunset principal, accepts the Challenge Award from Horst.</b></i>
Lonny Schropp, Sunset principal, accepts the Challenge Award from Horst.

The Confidence in Public Education Task Force is a nonprofit corporation whose primary purpose is to strengthen confidence in Kansas public education and to increase awareness of the positive aspects of public education in the state. The Task Force was created in 1981.

Members of the Task Force include American Association of University Women; Kansas PTA; Kansas Association of School Boards; Kansas National Education Association; Kansas State Board of Education; Kansas State High School Activities Association; Kansas Partners in Education; League of Women Voters – Kansas; and United School Administrators of Kansas.

For more information about the three elementary schools receiving a Challenge Award, please visit usd305.com.