Smoky Hill
FOR ADMINISTRATORS

Overseeing the administration of a school, or a school district, can often feel like facing a tsunami. There are so many competing needs, regulations, and agendas, with far-too-often insufficient resources to fulfill all of them. Whether due to a lack of personnel, physical equipment, or financial capital, the task of education administration is daunting. That is why we offer an abundance of programs and services designed to take some of these challenges off of your plate, allowing you to focus on what you do best: create the most successful learning environment possible. Browse through our available programs and contact us to see how we can help you!

Content Cadres

Leadership Cadre

Being a building principal can sometimes be a lonely job. These meetings are designed to offer an opportunity to share concerns, get feedback, and support your fellow building principals. We will discuss the hot topics of the day, special concerns or questions that you have from your building, and what trends or requirements are on the way in education. We will occasionally be joined by Kansas administrators, policymakers, and content area experts as well to share their points of view on current topics. A great opportunity to collaborate with your colleagues without having to leave your building! 

For more information contact Chris Moddelmog at
cmoddelmog@smokyhill.org.

Mathematics Cadre

The Mathematics Cadre is an opportunity for educators to connect with each other and discuss how to support student, staff, and parents in the area of mathematics. Join fellow educators in understanding ways to maintain quality instruction and support the standards for mathematic practice during the school year. Participants will determine the discussion topics and areas of focus. Meetings will be via Zoom and will be recorded for those unable to attend in person.

For more information contact Jolene Goodheart Peterson at 
goodheartpeterson@smokyhill.org.

 

SECD Cadre

The SECD Support Cadre is an opportunity for educators to connect with each other and discuss how to support student, staff, and parent social-emotional learning and skills. Integrating Social, Emotional, and Character Development structures, practices, and teaching consciously and specifically will be essential throughout the school year. The discussion topics will be determined by the group - what is working, what is not working, what help is needed, or what participants want more information on.

For more information contact Noalee McDonald-Augustine at
 nmcdonald@smokyhill.org.

Tech Directors' Cadre

The Smoky Hill Technology Cadre is open to any technology coordinators and educators who are integrating technology for improved student learning in their districts’ classrooms.  While we offer new and updated training and information, we also want to allow time for the exchange and discussion of all of the group members’ ideas for using technology in schools and classrooms. Topics discussed include using technology for teacher professional learning as well as for student learning, using available Internet databases and resources, 21st Century Literacy Skills for students and educators, and exploration of new technologies.  Each session will include an ‘open agenda’ time for discussion and research on any topic that is brought to the group.  The main goal of this workshop is to develop a learning community in which technology coordinators will learn and share best practices for using and managing technologies to improve student and educator learning environments.

For more information contact Chris Moddelmog at 
cmoddelmog@smokyhill.org.

Instructional Coaching

We offer a variety of coaching and mentoring services at Smoky Hill Education Service Center. Our instructional coaching services empower K-12 school leaders and teachers to align their instruction and curriculum with readiness standards and motivate students to achieve their career and college goals.

Our consultants partner with teachers for job-embedded professional learning that enhances teachers' understanding of students, the curriculum, and pedagogy for the purpose of solving problems that impede teacher success and pursuing interests that enhance teacher success.

We believe coaching has several significant components:

  • Coaching is a partnership.

  • Coaching is job-embedded.

  • Coaching is about professional learning.

  • Coaching enhances teachers' capacity.

  • Coaching supports reflection about students, the curriculum, and pedagogy.

  • Coaching helps teachers enhance their success as teachers.

Quality teaching practices influence student achievement. Instructional coaching practices influence the quality of teaching. Instructional coaches are an incredibly important part of the student achievement equation.

Both in-person and virtual options are available.

Contact one of our education consultants to schedule a customized coaching program.

VECTOR Virtual Coaching

Smoky Hill Education Service Center is excited to announce a new partnership with VECTOR Virtual Coaching! The partnership is focused on bringing high-quality, accessible, personalized professional development 

Virtual Instructional Coaching

The virtual coaching model supports classroom teachers with just in time, on-demand support to address student needs. Key to the coaching is modeling of effective instructional practices and use of data. 

Academic Learning Software Programs

Online Tools Include Apex Learning, Achieve3000, Carnegie Learning, and Edmentum Solutions

Smoky Hill ESC provides many digital resources and learning software packages at discounted rates. Whether they are needed for closing learning gaps, remediation, credit recovery, extended learning opportunities, interventions, enrichment, or full virtual learning, licenses are available. 

For more information contact Chris Moddelmog at cmoddelmog@smokyhill.org.

Bullying Prevention

Anti-Bullying Service Available

SHESC can assist your district in preventing bullying among your students.

Kansas Anti-Bullying legislation implemented in 2008 requires all school districts to have an Anti-Bullying Plan.

Smoky Hill ESC has only one stance on bullying: It must stop. But we also know that is easier said than done.

If your school is looking for resources to meet this legislative requirement and to stop bullying, SHESC has what you need. We have programs and packages that can fit your individual needs and budget. We are ready to help stop bullying.

The question is, “Are you?”


Programs and services are available to help you review, update, develop, and implement the following components of your Anti-Bullying Plan:

  • District Needs Assessment – K-12 Student and Teacher Survey and Disaggregation

  • Written Policies

  • Procedures for Reporting and Documenting Incidents

  • Disciplinary Procedures

  • Staff Training and Resources

  • Instructional Coaching

  • Student Curriculum and Resources

  • Student Workshops

  • Parenting Workshops and Resources

  • Program Evaluation Procedures

For an anonymous reporting solution to identify and help prevent bullying, self-harm, and violence, SHESC's partnership with STOPit Solutions provides a proven system. A free demo and more information are available.

If you have questions, please contact Noalee McDonald-Augustine at 785-621-4414 or NMcDonald@smokyhill.org.

STOPit is an anonymous reporting solution used in thousands of schools worldwide to help keep students safe and make administrators’ jobs easier.

 

Through a mobile app, web, and phone reporting, STOPit helps administrators identify and even prevent school bullying, student self-harm, and acts of violence.

Benefits to administrators include:

  • 24-hour incident monitoring with early warning sign triage

  • Tools to help get in front of issues and manage risk

  • Resources about issues and resolutions

  • Training and promotion services

STOPit is available at a discounted rate to any school in Kansas. Visit stopitsolutions.com/shesc to arrange for a free demo of this product with Matthew Toth.

Contact Matthew at mtoth@lightspeedsystems.com or 609.793.8419.

E-Rate Services


How can Smoky Hill Education Service Center help me take advantage of the savings?

The Smoky Hill Education Service Center has been providing E-Rate assistance to schools since the federal program started in 1998.  The SHESC E-Rate team has diverse backgrounds in education and technology, ensuring that you are able to take full advantage of the program. 

Our team’s primary focus is to ensure that you receive the maximum amount of reimbursement. We stay current on program changes by attending trainings and keeping abreast of E-Rate news. Our goal is to make the process as painless as possible for you, allowing you to focus on other challenges. On average we secure more than $1.5 million in savings for our schools in a school year.  

 The E-Rate assistance we provide includes, but is not limited to:

  • Meeting with school officials yearly to determine needs and start the E-Rate process for the upcoming school year.

  • Filling out all forms necessary to request reimbursement.

  • Guiding you through the bid process.

  • Responding to program review questions.

  • Following up with school officials to make sure credit was received.

  • Assisting with any level of an audit.

  • Retaining documents.

  • Being available for one-on-one support.

 

For E-Rate assistance please call or email:

Tamera Burke at 785-825-9185 or TBurke@smokyhill.org

Joshua Dinkel at 785-825-9185 or JDinkel@smokyhill.org

Deb Steward at DSteward@smokyhill.org

Crisis Management

Prevention/Planning/Responding/Recovery

Smoky Hill Education Service Center's Crisis Management Program assists schools in preventing, planning for, responding to, and recovering from any emergency or crisis that may happen at schools or nearby.

Contracting with SHESC for crisis management prevention and intervention means help with creating a plan to communicate before, during and after a crisis with students, staff, journalists and the community.

Smoky Hill ESC will also help with ensuring the safety of students and staff, protecting the district's property, and restoring normal educational processes as quickly as possible.

For more information contact Noalee McDonald-Augustine, (785) 621-4414 NMcDonald@smokyhill.org.

Curriculum Services

SHESC Can Help Develop a Tiered System of Support

Curriculum alignment is an effective tool for improving teaching and learning. This support can be individualized for each district with the goal of transforming and improving your curriculum. 

This can range from the first steps of the process to more advanced diagnostic stages of curriculum development using data to drive instruction.

The focus is on aligning curriculum to state standards and using curriculum maps to eliminate gaps and redundancies in the curriculum. Service Center staff can also work with your district to develop a plan for aligning your district curriculum.

For more information, contact Dr. Lydia Gerzel-Short at (785) 825-9185 or lgerzel-short@smokyhill.org.

Mathematics Instructional Curriculum & Resource Adoption Process

Implementation of the 2017 Kansas Mathematics Standards is complex and requires many components to be effective in developing mathematics learning for all students. Districts should always look for ways to better meet the needs of their students and propel them into becoming successful in any academic career or professional path that they choose.

Curriculum and other instructional resources play a significant role in the mathematics that is taught and learned. Educators will remember from education courses the various types of curricula explained by research. The types described by Glatthorn, Boschee, Whitehead, & Boschee (2012) are the recommended curriculum, written curriculum, supported curriculum, taught curriculum, tested curriculum, and learned curriculum. When researching and analyzing curriculum keep in mind the outcomes expected for your school or district and how the different types impact what students actually learn.

It is difficult to separate curriculum from the instructional practices employed by teachers when analyzing effectiveness. A quality curriculum should be provided to educators but quality professional development that is continuous and focused must also be provided (National Research Council, 2001). Educators should be aware of the interplay between the curriculum adopted and the instruction provided.

Once a curriculum is provided to educators, a purposeful and thoughtful plan must be utilized when implementing the units and the individual lessons. This does not mean that the curriculum is adhered to without thought toward the needs of the students that are in the classrooms. Educators need to understand those educational needs and make informed modification and adaptations within the curriculum as necessary, without losing sight of the end goal in mathematics. Maintaining rigor is essential!

As a committed mathematics educator, I believe that all students can learn mathematics at high levels and that all students deserve a robust, rigorous, and appropriate education. Mathematics education is constantly evolving, and, as a result, mathematics resources continually evolve.

Let Smoky Hill Education Service Center help you and your staff build an aligned, coherent, and rigorous mathematics curriculum. 

For more information, contact Melissa Fast at 785-825-9185 or at melissafast@smokyhill.org.

Data Analysis to Support Academic Growth

Data is key to supporting student academic growth. Putting in place systems that support the analysis of data and making connections to instruction is an important process to support not only interventions but core instruction. Training is focused on giving districts, schools, and teachers the skills they need to ensure learning for ALL students. 

For more information, contact Dr. Lydia Gerzel-Short at
785-825-9185 or at lgerzel-short@smokyhill.org.

Mathematics Program Development & Support

Implementation of the Kansas Mathematics Standards is complex and requires many components to be effective in developing mathematics learning for all students. It requires teachers to have a deep understanding of the mathematical knowledge that they are expected to teach and a clear view of how student learning of that mathematics develops and progresses across grades. It also requires research-informed teaching practices that support the mathematics learning of all students. Smoky Hill Education Service Center is here to meet your needs in developing a rich mathematics program. We can help you diagnose your needs and take the necessary steps to improve student learning and achievement. Below are a few areas in which we can coach you in this process:

  • Curriculum or resource adoption

  • Curriculum or resource mapping and alignment

  • Evidenced-based intervention strategies and RTI support

  • Evidenced-based instructional strategies

  • Using data to support instructional decisions

  • Development and analysis of acceleration programs

  • Effective math instruction and program implementation

  • Integrating the use of mathematical tools and technology

Let Smoky Hill Education Service Center help you create a mathematics program that will better meet the needs of your students and propel them into becoming successful in any academic career or professional path that they choose. We listen, we collaborate, and we help you build, implement, and execute a plan to bring about real, sustainable change. As a hands-on partner, we will meet you where you are - with the team and resources you have, and the goals you wish to achieve.

For more information, contact Melissa Fast at 785-825-9195 or at melissafast@smokyhill.org.

Top Math Websites to Visit

Pre-Kindergarten - Grade 3

  • Erikson Institute Early Math Collaborative – PreK - 3 content resources.

  • Learning and Teaching with Learning Trajectories – Web-based tool for early childhood educators to learn about how children think and learn about mathematics and how to teach mathematics to young children (birth to age 8). Lessons, videos, and parent resources. English and Spanish versions available.

Pre-Kindergarten – Grade 8

  • UnboundED – Pre K - 8 lessons and curriculum resources.

Kindergarten – Grade 5

  • Estimation 180 – Problems that focus on number sense and problem solving skills.

  • G - Fletchy – 3-Act Tasks, math progression videos, fluency resources.

  • K - 5 Math Teaching Resources – Tasks, videos, and more. Resources on fluency.

  • Math Visuals – Math visuals.

  • Thinking Blocks – Read aloud word problems - visual prompts - better models - engaging themes - mobile friendly Thinking Blocks works well on all devices.

Kindergarten – Grade 12

Grade 6 – Grade 12

  • Desmos – Free graphing calculator, activities, lessons, and platform to create your own.

  • Geogebra – Free online math tools for graphing, geometry, 3D, and more.

  • Mathalicious – Real world lessons.

  • Mathematics Assessment Project – Formative and summative assessment, lessons, and tasks.

Literacy Support and LETRS Training

LETRS: Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling

LETRS training is focused on delivering evidence-based reading instruction and intervention based on structured literacy. It is set up in modules that address each of the elements of structured literacy targeted at specific grade levels. Training is focused on the needs of all students and supporting students needing intervention. Includes data analysis as well as developing tiered systems of support. Customized training is also available in all areas of literacy, as well as in data analysis and interventions.

For more information, contact Dr. Lydia Gerzel-Short, SHESC Assistant Director, at lgerzel-short@smokyhill.org.

Leadership Support

◊ Meets all KSDE mentoring requirements for new principals. ◊

◊ Additional meeting dates can be arranged if requested. ◊

Being a district or building leader is a great opportunity that comes with awesome responsibility. There are times where you will feel accomplishment, pride, and joy in the position. There also might be times where you feel confused, burdened, isolated, or even overwhelmed. The SHESC Leadership Support program is designed to allow you to share your accomplishments as well as get support and feedback from people who are, or have been, in your shoes.

We will discuss the hot topics of the day, special concerns or questions that you have from your building, and what trends or requirements are on the way in education. We will occasionally be joined by Kansas administrators, policy makers, and content area experts as well to share their points of view on current topics.

Join us to learn about how to balance the everyday demands of running a building or district while still accomplishing those “big things” that will mean better outcomes for your students!

Topics will include: leadership theories; using data to inform decision-making; the 21 responsibilities of school leaders; how to bring about lasting, meaningful change; doing the right work; and how to be an effective leader.  

 I wish we could meet every week!”
-Program participant

 Dr. Lydia Gerzel-Short - Smoky Hill Education Service Center Assistant Director - will facilitate these monthly mentoring sessions. In addition, you will hear from other Kansas leaders, policymakers and content experts to make your school or district leadership as effective as possible.

Poverty Services

Services will continue to be provided in the area of understanding how to better meet the needs of our students and parents in poverty. Workshops and trainings can be provided specifically on understanding mindsets of the economic classes, research-based strategies for classroom and building structures as well as learning structures, working with parents, and enhancing individual student resources. Trainings are available on a community-wide approach to supporting individuals, organizations, and systems to succeed through resource development. And the Poverty Simulation has participants take on roles of families under or near the poverty line, getting hands-on experience what it is like to try and meet day-to-day needs for a ‘month.’ Schools can’t tackle poverty all by themselves, it takes a community-wide approach to create sustainable communities.

Contact Noalee McDonald-Augustine at nmcdonald@smokyhill.org for more information.

Tiered Systems of Support

Looking for Ways to Improve Learning for All Students?

SHESC Can Help Develop a Tiered System of Support

The goal of a Tiered System of Support is to provide an integrated systemic approach to meeting the needs of all students and using resources in the most effective and efficient way—enabling every child to be successful.

This is accomplished by:

  • Being prevention oriented - Knowing who needs support early each year and putting those supports in place.

  • Implementing evidence-based practices for all students and tailoring interventions based on student need.

  • Using progress monitoring data to know when to make a change.

These practices set up a system to provide students at risk of - or already experiencing - school difficulties with interventions that prevent additional problems. This approach is different because assessment and instructional practices are integrated into an objective, data-based system with built-in decision stages.

Supporting the Learning of All Students

What We Know

  • The earlier school staff can assess students’ needs and identify those with difficulties, the quicker and less expensive the task is to help those struggling learners catch up.

  • The longer a student goes without assistance, the longer the remediation time and the more intense the services must be.

  • There is emerging evidence that many students who struggle in the early grades cannot catch up if we wait until 3rd or 4th grade to deliver intensive remediation.

What it Looks Like

Tiered systems allow schools and districts to ensure that supports within the entire system are provided in a coordinated way, including:

  • Students receive the help they need quickly.

  • Data is used for all instructional decisions.

  • Student progress is monitored frequently to ensure efforts are on track.

  • Ineffective practices are discontinued immediately.

  • Support is provided to teachers throughout the process.

Smoky Hill Education Service Center can help you developed a tiered system of support in your district. 

For more information, contact Dr. Lydia Gerzel-Short, lgerzel-short@smokyhill.org.

Career and Technical Education

Carl D. Perkins Grant

ep. Carl D. Perkins initiated legislation in 1984 aimed at training people for vocational careers. The legislation has three objectives: 

  • Modernization and improvement of program

  • Better access to quality programs for targeted population groups (people with disabilities, economically disadvantaged, people in nontraditional programs, etc)

  • Adequate funding for educational institutions in economically depressed communities

This program provides a variety of services, such as:

  • Assistance with purchasing equipment and resources

  • Assistance with conference registration fees and associated travel

  • And much more!

Instructions for reimbursement through Perkins:

Perkins FY25 district priority lists have been distributed.  Supplies, software, subscriptions, and computing devices that appear on the priority list are being purchased by Smoky Hill and shipped to the district/school. 

Questions?  Contact Heather Burcham at
hburcham@smokyhill.org  or 785-825-9185

Professional Development Reimbursement

For reimbursement for professional development, districts or individuals will pay for registration, travel, and substitutes and submit the reimbursement form below with appropriate documentation within 30 days of the completion of the professional development. Please send the reimbursement form and all necessary documentation to hburcham@smokyhill.org.  Perkins funds may be used to reimburse registration fees, substitutes, and travel expenses (lodging). Meals can not be reimbursed.

Perkins Professional Development Reimbursement Request Form

 

Additonal Professional Development Requests

To request Perkins funds for additional professional development that isn't on the district's priority list please submit this Additional PD Request Form.  Upon submission the request will be added to a list to be considered for unused funds as they become available.

 

Other CTE information:

Career Cluster Guidance Handbook 2022-23 • ​Career Cluster Guidance Handbook 2023-24 • Career Cluster Guidance Handbook 2024-25 • Pathway changes 2023-24 • Advisory Committee Handbook • Individual Plans of Study Information • Free Online Resume Builder • CTSO Membership Request Form for Special Populations • Kansas Career and Technical Education Data

Digital Citizenship and Technology

Programs for Students, Teachers, and Community Members

Technology has created many opportunities for people to learn, communicate, and interact in the 21st century. However, it has also increased the chances that they will be targeted by scammers, spammers, phishers, and predators. As more people get involved with remote learning, social networking, online communications, and e-commerce, it becomes more important that they know how to act safely and protect themselves while in cyberspace. These Smoky Hill ESC programs focus on suggestions for being a good digital citizen.  

 

For Questions or Additional Information, Contact: Chris Moddelmog at 785-825-9185 or cmoddelmog@smokyhill.org.

Smoky Hill Offers Virtual ACT Prep Course

A virtual ACT©️ Prep course is available from Smoky Hill Education Service Center. Call the Smoky Hill Learning Center at 785-825-0435 for more information.

The ACT® is a national college admissions examination that consists of subject area tests in English, mathematics, reading and science. The ACT® Plus Writing preparation course includes the four subject area tests plus a 30-minute writing test. ACT® results are accepted by all four-year colleges and universities in the United States. 

Smoky Hill Education Service Center offers an online ACT® prep course via Odysseyware that covers:           

  • Modules on English, math, reading and science 

  • Includes orientation to the ACT® Prep Test

  • Four practice tests, each with 215 assessment items with rationales

This preparatory course is for ANY STUDENT in Kansas who is looking to prepare for the ACT® Test. All you need is a computer or tablet and an internet connection to prepare for the ACT® anytime, anywhere and at your own pace. This course is $150.

Contact our Learning Center staff at 785-825-0435 for details.

Fast ForWord

The company Scientific Learning has combined years of neuroscience research with the latest multimedia technology in developing the Fast ForWord family of products. These learning activities help students attain the language and reading skills necessary to achieve the requirements of state language arts standards.

After working on Fast ForWord exercises, students often find they have mastered the basic skills they need to fully engage in their educational experience, not only in language arts, but also across the curriculum, as language and reading comprehension are keys to every subject area.

Fast ForWord K-12 products also correspond to the requirements of most dyslexia legislation for an instructional program.

Fast ForWord products provide assessment, intervention and proven results, which align directly with the goals of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

Read more information about Fast ForWord here and contact Mary Alpers at malpers@smokyhill.org for more information about what Smoky Hill Education Service Center offers with the program.

Learn360

Digital Media Content is Available Through SHESC

Smoky Hill ESC Partners with Learn360

Learn360 is a great media-on-demand service, which allows subscribers to stream or download thousands of video clips and other K-12 educational media.

The content is searchable by keyword, subject, grade level, state standard, media format and more.

Users have access to content provided by a variety of vendors including National Geographic, History Channel, Bennett Watt, Sunburst, A&E, and many other well-known publishers. With all content thoroughly vetted and age-appropriate, users can feel confident they'll avoid unpleasant surprises inherent in a basic internet search for video.

Videos and individual video clips are correlated to Kansas College and Career Ready Standards. All videos can be easily viewed on any device - including desktop computers, laptops, tablets and even smartphones. Everyone in the school district, including students, can access media anytime, anywhere.

A robust administration functionality offers a variety of reports, site customization, and connections to district media content.

To learn more about Learn360, preview accounts are available through Smoky Hill Education Service Center.

If you have questions, need more information, or want a trial login, contact Chris Moddelmog at 785-825-9185.

Resource Library

Search and see what we have available in the library

Library items are available for checkout by employees of our member school districts. 

Most items are checked out for a period of four weeks.  New items are available for a period of two weeks.

There are three ways to receive your library materials:

1. USD 305 will pick up and deliver on Tuesday and Thursday each week. 

2. We can mail items to your districts. 

3.  If we are coming to your area we can drop off items at your school office.   

If you would like assistance finding items you may email Nicole Harmon-Hendrix at library@smokyhill.org or call her at 785-825-9185.

From books and videos to puppets and science kits, there are resources to fit teachers' needs in the SHESC Resource Library.

Feel free to stop by our Salina office at 605 East Crawford St. and see what we have available.

If you would like to put items on hold or reserve them online you will need a patron barcode and password.

Adventure Program

Looking for Something EXCITING and HANDS-ON for Staff or Students?
Try the Smoky Hill ESC Adventure Program!

The Smoky Hill Adventure Program - and the NEW Smoky Hill Virtual Adventure Program - is an adventure education service dedicated to personal and professional growth and development through experiential learning (experience, reflection, generalization, and application). Experiential learning emphasizes three areas:
• Individuals learn best when they are personally involved in the learning experience.
• Knowledge has to be constructed by the individual if it is to mean anything or make a difference in his or her behavior.
• A commitment to learning is highest when one is free to set his or her own learning goals and actively pursue them within a given framework.

This learning process can help students increase knowledge, develop skills, and clarify values.  It also allows participants to be involved in individual and group challenges that support and enhance Social, Emotional, and Character Development skills. These challenges require a combination of teamwork skills, individual commitment, problem solving, goal setting, and emotional risk-taking.

Smoky Hill Virtual Adventure Program

The NEW Smoky Hill Virtual Adventure Program provides a perfect event for individuals to practice and grow these skills through a virtual experiential learning opportunity.

In this current Continuous Learning environment, building relationships and teambuilding can be a challenge, and having students work as a team when they are not physically next to each other can be difficult.

Educators may also need to reconsider what problem-solving lessons look like because most of us have a shorter attention span for a virtual classroom. We are simply not used to being engaged on a screen for such long periods.

You may not be able to take your students outside, but we can bring virtual teambuilding opportunities to your students. Whether students are working in-person or virtually, non-academic skills including effective communication, teamwork, strong work ethic, perseverance, self-discipline, and critical thinking are essential. What do you have in place to give students the opportunity to get hands-on experience developing, struggling with, and reflecting upon these skills?

These virtual experiences will be active, with participants working together in small groups as well a large group. This is an excellent opportunity for you and your group to experience something engaging, encouraging, constructive, and extremely educational.

On-Site Adventure Program

If you are unable to travel with your group, but still want an in-person teambuilding experience, then portable equipment, games, and initiatives can be brought to your building for an On-Site Adventure Program.  On-site experiences can range in time from one hour to a full-day and can serve as a standalone event or as a preparation experience for groups coming to the Ropes Course.  Virtual Adventure Programs can also serve as a preparation experience.  

The Smoky Hill Adventure Program can be designed to fit your individual needs, budget, and goals. Specific programs are available for students; staff; individuals with physical, emotional, or mental disabilities (in any combination); at-risk youth; student organizations or teams; corporate groups; and youth groups.

Program goals can include:

  • Taking opportunities for healthy risk-taking and success

  • Strengthening communication and conflict-resolution skills

  • Improving problem solving and critical-thinking skills

  • Enhancing self-esteem and self-awareness

  • Developing trust in oneself and others

  • Promoting responsibility and leadership

  • Building cooperation and teamwork

If you have questions, please contact Noalee McDonald-Augustine at 785-621-4414 or McDonald@smokyhill.org.

Rosetta Stone

Smoky Hill Education Service Center is making available Rosetta Stone “tickets” to be used by language learners. These tickets will be distributed to schools. Schools may distribute these tickets to students, families, employees, community members, etc. in order to teach or learn a foreign language.

The tickets are good for all levels in the language of choice of the ticket holder. This covers five levels for Chinese (Mandarin), English (American), English (British), French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish (Latin America) and Spanish (Spain); or three levels in all other available languages. The ticket is good for one year of access from the time of enrollment into Rosetta Stone Classroom, which has 25 languages available.

Languages offered in Rosetta Stone are: Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Dutch, English (American), English (British), Filipino (Tagalog), French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Persian (Farsi), Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Spanish (Latin America), Spanish (Spain), Swedish, Turkish, and Vietnamese.

Smoky Hill ESC will continue to offer these tickets for $115 per ticket for the language of choice. The same option is $499 per single subscription on the Rosetta Stone website - representing a savings of more than 78% off the retail price!

Contact Carrie Sloderbeck at 785.825.9185 or rosettastone@smokEyhill.org for more information.

Virtual Instructional Coaching


The virtual coaching model supports classroom teachers with just in time, on-demand support to address student needs. Key to the coaching is modeling of effective instructional practices and use of data. 

Some of the areas included in the coaching: ELA/Reading, Math, SEL, ELL, Leadership, and Culturally Responsive Teaching.

For questions or additional information, contact Darla Smith at dsmith@smokyhill.org.

VECTOR Virtual Coaching

Smoky Hill Education Service Center is excited to announce a new partnership with VECTOR Virtual Coaching! The partnership is focused on bringing high-quality, accessible, personalized professional development in the form of virtual coaching to all Kansas educators.

VECTOR stands for Verify perspective, Examine influence, Commit to change, Take action, Operationalize performance, and Reflect and recommit. The goal of the coaching model is simple: Ensure every teacher has access to an excellent support system and high-quality learning opportunities. Coaches can work with classroom teachers from preschool through 12th grade and from all content areas and specialties.

To learn more about the VECTOR team and the development of the VECTOR model, click here.  

To hear from program participants, see the short video.

MEDIC First Aid

An efficient and effective training program that combines CPR, AED, and first aid training. This comprehensive program meets the required training for School Bus Drivers, as well as OSHA and other federal and state regulatory requirements for training employees on how to respond and care for medical emergencies. Certification lasts for two years.     

KSHSAA Coach/Sponsor CPR/AED Training

An efficient and effective training program that meets the KSHSAA Handbook Rule 10-1-9 that requires any head or assistant coach/sponsor for an KSHSAA sanctioned activity to be certified or trained in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) administration.  Every coach or sponsor must complete CPR/AED training every two years.    

For more information, please contact Noalee McDonald-Augustine at 785-825-9185 or nmcdonald@smokyhill.org.

Volume Purchasing

Saving Organizations Money Through Negotiated Pricing

SHESC's Volume Purchasing Program offers access to discounted products and supplies for any non-profit organization (including educational and governmental organizations) located in Kansas.

For Smoky Hill Education Service Center charter and associate members, this is a free benefit included with membership.

For non-members, there is NO regular maintenance fee or sign-up fee to register for volume purchasing; only a small 2% administrative fee, based only on the price of any items purchased, will be assessed quarterly. (This excludes any shipping fees or other supplier fees for the purposes of determining the fee.)

Current category areas include technology products (from CDW-G), the full online catalogs of School Specialty and Frey Scientific, athletic supply, cafeteria supply, cafeteria food, card stock and copy paper, COVID-19 prevention supplies, custodial supply, furnace filters, lighting, and lumber.

For more information, visit go.smokyhill.org/vp or contact Lois Hanchett, Volume Purchasing Assistant, at vp@smokyhill.org or 785-825-9185. You can also fill out the form below to inquire for more information.

The Smoky Hill Volume Purchasing program saves school districts and other organizations money!

For more information, contact Diane Mann at 785-825-9185.

For current catalogs in PDF format, please use the buttons below.

ARE YOU A SUPPLIER?

SHESC Volume Purchasing is a great opportunity to expand your customer base, to bring attention to your brand, and to help to give back to Kansas communities by helping to connect them with your products at a competitive discount.

Visit go.smokyhill.org/requests-for-bid to see requests currently open for bids, as well as past bid requests on our institutional posting board.

For more information or to receive an invitation to bid on an upcoming request, contact Chris Moddelmog at 785-825-9185.

PLEASE NOTE: When checking out with CDW-G, if you see an option to check out as a "Guest" DO NOT use this option. You will need to create a full account. Failure to do so will result in incorrect billing!

Several popular product categories are also listed on the start page, including Interactive Flat Panels, Projectors, Color Printers, Black and White Printers, Microsoft Software & Adobe Software Licensing (Contact the account team at the link directly for a quote)

To register for the first time in ESM Purchasing, enter your email address and click "Forgot Your Password." Follow the directions and set your password.

If you are not entered into the system yet, you will not be able to register. Email vp@smokyhill.org with your Email Address, District Name, USD Number, Ship to and Bill to Addresses and Phone Number. You will receive notification when you can register. 

Technology Services

Technology is constantly evolving, resulting in ever-changing needs for schools.

Fortunately, Smoky Hill Education Service Center offers a variety of services for technology troubleshooting, networking, planning, and cost savings. Services include:

  • A Tech Cadre group that meets seven times during the academic year to discuss current education technology trend and assist each other with technology issues. See upcoming meetings on the master calendar.

  • Technology consulting services. Inquire to Sean McDonald or Chris Moddelmog at 785-825-9185 for details.

  • E-Rate Services to save schools up to 90% on technology-related products and services. Participants in the program are also eligible for assistance writing their technology plans.

  • Bandwidth assessment to align with minimum FCC bandwidth recommendations. Call 785-825-9185 for more information and see the image at right for a sample analysis.