Archived Posts

Southern Teachers Serving Burgers, Fries and a Scholarship

Last updated: March 24, 2015

There were lots of familiar faces staffing the counter and the ‘drive thru window’ on the 40 Highway McDonalds. Teachers from William Southern Elementary left the classroom and enrolled for a night at Hamburger U- all for a good cause. Teachers worked at the restaurant to raise money for the school’s ‘Southern Stars’ scholarship. Established […]

Gala Raises $125,000 for ISD Foundation

Last updated: March 30, 2015

More than 400 ISD supporters opened their hearts and their wallets and pocketbooks in support of district students and staff during the Connecting Hearts Gala- a fundraiser for the ISD Foundation. More than $125,000 was raised and will go toward a variety of ISD Foundation programs. “I can’t thank our patrons enough for being so […]

Several ISD Students Qualify for State Speech and Debate Including History-Making Van Horn Duo

Last updated: March 23, 2015

For the first time in more than 30 years, a policy debate team from Van Horn High School qualified for the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) State Speech and Debate Tournament.  Junior Tristian Stickle and Chloe Trimble, freshman, defeated teams from Pembroke Hill, Lincoln College Preparatory Academy, Raytown South and Grandview in preliminary […]

Truman High School Student Council Wins Honor Council Award

Last updated: March 23, 2015

Truman High School’s Student Council was awarded the Missouri Association of Student Councils Gold Honor Council Award by the Honor Council Committee of the Missouri Association of Student Councils (MASC). Truman received the award at the annual MASC Convention at Park Hill South High School. Truman’s council submitted an application for consideration and met the criteria […]

Several Van Horn Students Awarded at Science and Engineering Fair

Last updated: March 20, 2015

Hard work and good ideas were honored when several Van Horn High School science students took home regional awards from the 64th Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair (GKCSEF) inside Bartle Hall.  The most highly-decorated project was the brainchild of Van Horn Junior Chase Wilburn and Sophomore Destany Williamson. Their engineering project- The Development […]

Youth Specialist Named ISD Classified Employee of the Year

Last updated: March 20, 2015

Megan Kuhnert, youth specialist at Sugar Creek Elementary, was named the district’s 2015-2016 Classified Employee of the Year. Known as “Miss Megan,” Kuhnert was chosen for the honor by a panel of judges from the Independence community. Her coworkers said she makes a significant difference in the lives of students, staff and families. “Miss Megan provides […]

Truman Student Named Unsung Hero

Last updated: March 20, 2015

Truman High School Senior John Williams was one of three Kansas City-area youth recipients of the Ford Motor Company’s Unsung Heroes Award. Ford and the Kansas City-based Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) partnered to recognize local heroes in Kansas City’s African-American community during ceremonies inside the historic Gem Theater. “This award is a celebration of […]

Southern Students Go “Bow”ing!

Last updated: March 18, 2015

William Southern fourth- and fifth-grade students are beginning to look a lot like William Tell- minus the apple! Southern Physical Education Teacher Annie Dudek has been teaching the students archery and they love it. Dudek received National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) training through the Missouri Department of Conservation. Educators believe learning archer skills […]

Independence Park Trot 5K May 2

Last updated: March 18, 2015

Registration is open for the Fourth Annual Independence Park Trot 5K walk/run, Saturday, May 2 at 8 a.m. in Waterfall Park (18001 Bass Pro Dr.). For more information about this free event or to register, go to: www.independenceparktrot.com .    

ISD Special Education Students Take Part in First Annual Job Olympics

Last updated: March 17, 2015

Special education students from the Independence, Grain Valley and Fort Osage school districts put their skills to the test during the first-ever Job Olympics in Grain Valley. William Chrisman took home the traveling trophy, but organizers said every student was a winner because of the valuable life-skills learned through the competition. “The Job Olympics provided […]

ISD Named Kindness Certified District

Last updated: March 17, 2015

Kids for Peace, a California-based nonprofit, honored the Independence School District for the district’s participation in the Great Kindness Challenge and named the ISD a Kindness Certified School District. “We are honored to partner with the ISD to promote the culture of kindness on school campuses nationwide,” said Jill McManigal, Kids for Peace co-founder and […]

ISD’S FBI Heading to World Robotics Championship

Last updated: March 16, 2015

For the second consecutive year, the FIRST Bots of Independence (FBI) robotics team won the Greater Kansas City Regional Tournament, earning FBI a spot in the FIRST Robotics Competition World Championship in St. Louis April 22-25. Joining forces with teams from Blue Springs and Olathe Northwest High School to form the winning alliance, FBI joins […]

ISD Excited About Tournament Partnership with NAIA, City of Independence

Last updated: March 16, 2015

It is not just the 32 schools participating in the NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball National Championship excited about the tournament, so too, are the 29 schools in the Independence School District (ISD). The ISD has been working with the NAIA, the City of Independence and the city’s tourism department to provide an entertaining and […]

Community Coming Together to Feed Hungry Independence Children

Last updated: March 13, 2015

Van Horn High School students, Independence businesses and local families and neighbors are joining forces to combat the ever-increasing problem of food insecurity Saturday, March 21. As part of the Generosity Feeds program, volunteers will gather inside the school’s gymnasium at 10 a.m. to create 10,000 Black Bean and Rice Soup meals in two hours […]

College 5K Fundraiser March 28 Providing Training for ISD

Last updated: March 13, 2015

Working in conjunction with MOCSA (Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault), William Jewell College students present the Couch-Less Cartoons 5K Saturday, March 28 at 9 a.m. on the school track in Liberty. Minimum donation is $10 (to sign up, click here). Money raised through the 5K will allow MOCSA to provide sexual abuse training to […]

Truman Band Students Heading to State

Last updated: March 13, 2015

With strong performances during the district Solo and Small Ensemble Instrumental Music Contest, 12 Truman High School students earned a trip to the State Solo and Small Ensemble contest in Columbia. Students earning a (I) Exemplary rating and representing Truman at the state competition are: Collin McClaran – Oboe Solo Andrea Zorich – Harp Solo […]

Truman Choir Sending Large Numbers to State Contest

Last updated: March 13, 2015

Truman High School choir students excelled at the District Vocal Music Solo and Small Ensemble contest. Truman took 40 entries- 21 received (I) Exemplary ratings and advanced to state and 19 received (II) Outstanding ratings. “This was quite an accomplishment for a group consisting of several new and young choir students,” said Kim Evans, Truman […]

Chrisman Band and Orchestra Students Shine at Districts

Last updated: March 13, 2015

Thanks to the their performance during the district Solo and Small Ensemble Instrumental Music Contest, 10 soloists and three ensembles from William Chrisman’s band and orchestra will represent the school at the State Solo and Small Ensemble contest in Columbia. Students earning (I) Exemplary ratings and moving on to state are Kayla Stough (violin), Samantha […]

Chrisman Choir Performs Well at Districts

Last updated: March 13, 2015

William Chrisman Choir students had a strong showing at the Solo and Small Ensemble Vocal Music District Contest- earning (I) Exemplary ratings and qualifying the State Solo and Small Ensemble contest in Columbia. Individually, Chrisman’s overall results from the District event included five (I) Exemplary ratings, 10 (II) Outstanding ratings, five (III) Satisfactory ratings and […]

Bryant Elementary Teacher Named ISD 2015-16 Teacher of the Year

Last updated: March 13, 2015

 Katie Marquart, fourth-grade teacher at Bryant Elementary School, was named the Independence School District’s 2015-16 Teacher of the Year during the district’s annual Teacher of the Year Breakfast March 12. Marquart was selected by a panel of judges from the Independence community and introduced by 2014-15 ISD Teacher of the Year John Vickers. Marquart has […]

ISD ‘FBI’ Ready to Solve the Mystery of ‘Recycle Rush’

Last updated: March 12, 2015

With a berth in the nationals on the line, the FIRST Bots of Independence (FBI) Robotics Team is participating in the Kansas City Regional Robotics Competition March 13-14 on the MCC Business and Technology Campus (1775 Universal Ave.). Students from all three ISD high schools built Marie, the ISD robot, to play Recycle Rush. “Recycle […]

Tuione Leads Team Missouri to Win in All Star Challenge

Last updated: March 11, 2015

William Chrisman’s Tomasi Tuione (in blue) led Team Missouri to the title in the 23rd annual Missouri Kansas All Star Wrestling Challenge at Kansas City Kansas Community College. Tuione’s opponent, Ron Broyles from Olathe East, took fourth in state, but that didn’t stop Tuione. Needing a pin to win it for Team Missouri, Tuione pinned […]

THS Student/Athlete Pulls Double Duty

Last updated: March 11, 2015

When Clark Kent changed into Superman, at least he had a phone booth! No such luxury for Truman High School’s Davielle Swinson-Spears, who put her superhuman skills to the test March 7. Swinson-Spears, a senior, sang a solo that night in the district music contest, left and suited up for the Patriots district basketball game, […]

Truman Teacher Featured on NPR Website

Last updated: March 11, 2015

Truman High School’s Robyn King has a dual life- she’s a King during the week and Knight on the weekends- and there is nothing medieval about that! King’s dual career- journalism teacher during the week, radio DJ on the weekend- caught the attention of National Public Radio (NPR) and her story is featured in an […]

Two William Chrisman, Three Truman Students Qualify for National Tournament

Last updated: March 9, 2015

Two William Chrisman and three Truman speech and debate students earned a trip to nationals with their performances during the district National Speech & Debate Association (formerly known as the National Forensic League) tournament. Chrisman Seniors Sarah Daniel and Tim Paxton and Truman’s Amy Ramirez, Karly Kinsey and Alex Millard qualified for The National Speech […]
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