CC#61: Spanish Immersion in K-5 w/ Jenny Steele

In this episode of Cool Coffee with Kansas Principles, host Rick Sola speaks with Jenny Steele, the principal of Manchester Park Elementary, about her journey from middle school to elementary education, the unique Spanish immersion program at her school, and the challenges and successes that come with it. They discuss the importance of community support, the enrollment process, and the transition of students to middle school, as well as the significance of mentorship and compassion in educational leadership.

Principal Jenny Steele
Manchester Park Elementary School
USD 233

"Is this a sitcom?" - CC#24: A Principal's Perspective from Jenny Steele (10/30/2024)

Email: jlsteele@olatheschools.org

Chapters (time stamps do not account for CC intro) (FULL TRANSCRIPT BELOW)

00:00 Introduction and Background
03:02 Journey to Principalship
05:49 Spanish Immersion Program Overview
09:11 Challenges in Implementation
11:49 Curriculum and Instructional Strategies
14:51 Student Enrollment and Lottery System
18:13 Performance and Assessment
20:52 Transitioning to Middle School
24:01 Community and Support
27:12 Advice and Reflections
29:57 Conclusion and Future Outlook

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Show Transcript (AI generated)

Rick Sola (00:01.646)
Hello and welcome to another edition of Cool Coffee with Kansas Principles. Today I am joined by Ms. Jenny Steele, Manchester Park Elementary Principal, home of the Timberwolves and USD 233 in Olathe, Kansas. Welcome, Jenny.

Jenny Steele (00:17.015)
Hello, Rick.

Rick Sola (00:18.798)
How's it going? How was your Friday? This is a Friday that we're recording. It's a Friday in the springtime. How'd it go today?

Jenny Steele (00:24.365)
Well, it's a Friday and you know, mid April, so it's good, you know.

Rick Sola (00:29.688)
So I'll just start with a little bit of full disclosure. Oftentimes, principals, I'm meeting often for the first time after some email conversation, but Jenny and I go way back to like 2011 when I was a brand new administrator and Jenny was my counterpart assistant principal at Prairie Trail Middle School. So, you know.

We'll stay professional and know, task at hand here, but we do go back a little bit. So it's good to see you again. And I actually was going to bring up, so I will just throw this out there. Jenny and I are both big Seinfeld fans. And so we always had fun with a little bit of just kind of banter back and forth and even still through text messaging. I was actually going to bring up

Jenny Steele (01:14.607)
Mm-hmm.

Rick Sola (01:25.39)
in a little bit, but I'll do it now since I'm there back in October and we did a principal perspective blitz through the, this KPA podcast. You submitted, a perspective called, this a sitcom? Which I will put in the show notes for people to easily find, but, I loved it because there's oftentimes it does feel like it can be a sitcom with what we do.

Jenny Steele (01:42.159)
Mm-hmm.

Rick Sola (01:53.92)
I was wondering if you've had any sitcom moments in recent memory.

Jenny Steele (02:01.559)
Well, yes, actually, and stuff that you, you know, you're not sure anybody would write. So I'm probably not going to share those here. Keep in mind, you know, we had our middle school days together. Now I'm in an elementary. And so I have some of the zany things that we had in middle school, but they have an elementary flavor to them now. But I still, I'm still caught off guard sometimes by a few of them. Yeah.

Rick Sola (02:10.605)
haha

Rick Sola (02:28.32)
Yeah, and you know, today it was a Friday and we had a pep assembly and actually it was a really good spring Friday. We had quite a few subs in the building, which, you know, we anticipate this time of year, you know, holding it together. But Jenny, before we kind of get on it, because I'm interested in hearing about or learning more and for you to share about the Spanish immersion program at Manchester Park. But.

want to hear your road to the chair. You're currently in the chair of Manchester Park as principal, but what led you to that chair that you're in today?

Jenny Steele (03:02.955)
Right, well, you know, actually when I started in education, my goal was elementary and that's where I started. Shortly after I started teaching, an opportunity came up in middle school and I was asked to go there and frankly, I went there and...

And I didn't think I belonged there initially and I thought this is nuts man. And then after about two weeks, I really fell in love with middle school and I was there for as you know, know, a couple of decades.

But then, you know, a few years ago was, you know, was approached about coming out to Manchester Park. And I think it's partly because it's, it's the largest elementary in the Olathe district. So we have like 615, 18 kids out there. And so I'm, you know, I'm kind of used to a large population, you know, and Rick, plus it's also back in the, in that attendance area where you and I met, which was at Prairie

trail. So I was familiar with the community and you know really had a home there. Love the middle schools I'd been at but so that's how I ended up at Manchester and it's been it's honestly it's been a great at this stage of my career. It's been a tremendous rejuvenation of my brain. I think because sometimes you do something for a long time and you feel a little bit like you're on autopilot and so when an opportunity comes along where you

to stretch yourself a little bit, which is what I did. There was a lot of new learning. It has been an outstanding opportunity and I truly love it now. I absolutely do.

Rick Sola (04:49.856)
It's interesting that you said you when you started at the middle school, you felt like you didn't belong. And I don't know that I ever shared this with you, the person that hired both of us, Dr. Yurkovich, who now I guess in some ways is kind of our boss all over again in a different way as board president. And I only shared this with her like within the last year, but that whole.

Jenny Steele (05:06.639)
Follow her!

Rick Sola (05:15.49)
I don't know want to say the whole first year, but that first year as assistant principal, I really wondered if I made a huge mistake on why did I leave the classroom and what I was doing I enjoyed and now I'm like fish out of water. And so to hear you say that kind of like didn't belong, like I really wonder if that's a very common feeling that a lot of us when we move into administration feel, but we don't you don't publicize that. That's that's that's not something you talk about. But

Jenny Steele (05:23.012)
Yeah.

Rick Sola (05:45.614)
Yeah, interesting to hear you say that.

Jenny Steele (05:49.047)
Right, think absolutely that stretch to administration, when you're a teacher, feel like, you know, it's kind of, if you have that calling, you feel like it's a natural progression and you think, you know, I have my skills down and I think I, you know, kind of got it together and I can do that because I've watched others. And you don't, you have no idea what's coming to you until you're in that chair and in that position and you have to make those last, you know, put out the little fires and continue

to go and the next one comes at you. Some days are like that and that just takes a lot of you know it takes a lot of experience and practice and you're right we had a great mentor when we were both learning those roles and I I'm grateful for that because I really have I learned a lot when I was at Prairie Trail and that's helped me you know continue down this road.

Rick Sola (06:43.95)
I don't even know if I want to say that you have a huge elementary school and it's you're actually a decent amount bigger than the middle school that I'm currently at. Just I mean that and I know that that your building is is the biggest there's a lot of growth out there that part of well Lenexa technically but Olathe School District.

Jenny Steele (06:48.983)
Mm-hmm.

Jenny Steele (06:57.103)
Yeah.

Rick Sola (07:08.886)
And so, but it's interesting, the reason why I thought this would be really great to have you on is Manchester Park in a district of, what do we have, elementary schools, you're one of two that have a Spanish immersion program, and you are now, I think your oldest kids are now fifth graders, fourth graders.

Jenny Steele (07:19.448)
Mm-hmm.

Jenny Steele (07:31.275)
They're fourth graders. They're going to be fifth graders next year in the program.

Rick Sola (07:35.66)
So I guess there's kind of a lot to the program, but I guess start us off with, I guess at its inception, this program that started with your current fourth graders as kindergartners, just a little bit of history to the Spanish immersion at Manchester.

Jenny Steele (07:52.175)
Well, when I came aboard at Manchester, the Spanish Immersion kids were going into first grade. So I wasn't there for the opening of the program. And so I really can't speak directly to its opening.

I know that the our world language coordinator in the district, Mike Flint rope. He, mean this, he is, he's the heart of it. He truly is. He has a tremendous passion for this program and world language and world culture in general. And he is truly the driving force behind it. I, I would not be able to lead that program on my building with without him because he has such

tremendous insight. So, but as we've continued to grow, it's interesting in a building because it is a new program. The families involved are all very excited about it. It's, you know, we have a waiting list every year, but there are growing pains as with any program and this is still really kind of a new program because it's, like I said, that, you know, they're just going into next year will be the first year that will be K-5.

But there are some growing pains, but overall it's tremendously successful.

Rick Sola (09:18.232)
What have been some of those challenges that you've worked through and maybe your first year, first year principal, really a big program and undertaking where we're at in the district, but what were some of those challenges that really presented themselves that maybe you feel like, we had them, we addressed them and we've gotten past them.

Jenny Steele (09:39.373)
Well, I will say staffing is a bit of a challenge. And I think that was not probably recognized at the program's inception because these kids, they're half and half. They have a teacher who speaks English and they have a teacher who's fluent in Spanish.

primarily the Spanish speaking teacher, their native Spanish speakers. And those aren't always really easy to find. We've actually, the past three years have worked with KSDE on their visiting teacher program where they bring teachers from.

different countries to come over for a certain amount of time to teach specifically in that program. And that brings challenges.

because sometimes they'll these individuals come over and and and I'm not sure I mean they're given a ton of information from the state and from the district and of course at the building level but you know that's a big transition and and I think that it's it's tough I think it's a little tough for them to make and and some find maybe this isn't quite for me because they're leaving their families in another country to come over and so so that's a bit of a challenge.

Rick Sola (11:07.438)
All right.

Yeah, no, I can imagine that. You mentioned that the students in class and you have the English teacher and a Spanish teacher. Is there kind of a percentage guideline that does it change over the course of their first grade, second grade that so much is in English in the class versus Spanish? Or what does that look like?

Jenny Steele (11:33.058)
Okay, so in every grade level, so starting in kindergarten, the students are, say we start out with 44 kids, we'll say, okay, 42, it depends, you know, from year to year, but they're split into two groups.

And those groups, have half of their instruction in English and half of their instruction in Spanish. And then they flip, change classrooms, you know, halfway through the day. So all of their English language arts, of course, is in English. Their math and social studies and science, that's in Spanish. Then as, you know, when they start in kindergarten, it's a lot of

songs and movement and things like that just you know to get things rolling and to keep up with their busy little bodies and and keep them engaged as they continue to go through and then Then they start with some Spanish language arts as well But I will tell you it's pretty amazing to see that Their instruction is in Spanish. I mean, it's not just a little bit of a little bit of Spanish those teachers are using

Spanish the entire time and it's it's phenomenal to watch. It really is.

Rick Sola (12:55.84)
Wow. For the students that are in the class, I guess I'm kind of jumping to an assumption that they are English speaking at home and when they go home, do you get a sense or get any feedback from parents that they're trying to also incorporate Spanish at home or is it really just for the most part they're at school and they go through the half and half and then at home they're, you know.

Jenny Steele (13:07.331)
Mm-hmm.

Jenny Steele (13:22.573)
Well, it's, they, we are, lot of dual language programs, say, where, you know, it's Spanish and English, often they're created because we have Spanish speakers that are learning English. And this is, and that's a way to get them more involved in the academic content. This is really the reverse. Our students are all, for the most part, they're all English speakers, and they're learning Spanish. Now, most definitely we,

We have students who they do have Spanish spoken in the home and so they come in with some Spanish and so in those homes they you know then their home and they're they're speaking a lot of Spanish but the majority of ours are English speakers and there's English spoken in the home.

Parents tell me that, yeah, they utilize it at home. The kids come home and they talk about it and they'll talk in Spanish, but primarily in the home they're speaking English.

Rick Sola (14:24.142)
Okay. You mentioned 44, 42, 44. What does that translate as far as sections? You have your second grade right now. Is it just one classroom or are there two classrooms or?

Jenny Steele (14:33.081)
Mm-hmm.

Jenny Steele (14:36.623)
No, there are two classrooms. like I said, they're divided up. Say if you take in, you know, say we start with, you know, 42, then that means in each group they have 21.

And they are, yeah, two separate classrooms and the kids like they switch during the day. So the teachers don't switch, the kids do. And that's the right way to do it because the Spanish room is completely engulfed in, you know, culture and Spanish content. so that's a better way to do it because that way they're really kind of immersed with that within the physical environment, not just within the teaching portion of it.

Rick Sola (15:21.496)
curious what that application process looks like. It sounds like there's some years where you have to make decisions and that can be challenging.

Jenny Steele (15:30.883)
You mean for the students coming in? Yeah. So here's what it's a lottery system.

Rick Sola (15:32.942)
Yeah, you said there's so many spots per year.

Jenny Steele (15:40.547)
And so students, families, there's an application thing where they just sign up for the lottery. a student does, there are no certain qualifications, okay, for ability or, you know, how much Spanish they know, anything like that. It's truly a lottery. And we wait until after kindergarten enrollment is over before we close that lottery because some

Sometimes there are some families who come in for kindergarten enrollment and they're not aware of the program. So we certainly want to give everybody the opportunity to put their names in the lottery. I think ours closes next week and it is, I'll tell you, they are true to that lottery system. I say that because there's no favoritism played in there.

I've had, you know, we've had district staff members that say, hey, you know, can you get my kid into this program and that kind of stuff and they don't buy. They're they really I appreciate that about it because it really maintains the integrity of the program. And when we say it's a lottery, it is a lottery. The only exception to that is if a student is is, you know, chosen to be in the lottery, then their younger siblings, if they choose to are automatically

Rick Sola (16:44.685)
Yeah.

Jenny Steele (17:05.931)
a part of the program.

Rick Sola (17:09.484)
I guess that's probably the best way, but maybe the only way to do it, because a lottery, it's fair. It's got to be accessible. I'm thinking of this in terms of like, I'm at the middle school, but we have our different levels of math and that sort of thing. Are there qualifications to stay, or is it really, I mean, this is just the program they're in, no matter what grade they're in, just like we would any other school.

Jenny Steele (17:25.763)
Mm-hmm.

Rick Sola (17:36.28)
They're going to second grade and it just happens to be now that you're in the immersion program. Are there qualifications that they need to maintain?

Jenny Steele (17:44.521)
No, there are no qualifications like no particular performance criteria that they have to meet in order to stay in the program. We have students because keep in mind they start in kindergarten and we may have some students that even are identified to need some additional support as in know for their academics as they you know go through the grades and those are provided. So we

Yeah, there's no performance criteria. Now we do have some that...

As they go through the grade, sometimes the numbers go down a little bit. Okay, so like that 42 or whatever we started, won't have 42 of them in fifth grade is what I'm saying. People move and or some decide, some families, not very many though. Some make the determination that maybe this isn't right for their child, the transitions or the, you know, the dual language just isn't the right thing for their child and they may, you know, take their child out of the program honestly.

that's very few. I'll be honest, they normally really stay in it. It's a hard decision for them to make, particularly after they've been in it for a few years because...

Rick Sola (18:51.533)
Sure.

Jenny Steele (19:01.007)
those students like they stay together. It's this cohort, you know, and so they kind of have their own little family feel and the families get to know each other and so it's you know, it's a really tough decision for a family to make to say, you know, I'm not sure this is right for my child any longer. So

Rick Sola (19:05.099)
Right.

Rick Sola (19:20.952)
Those spots wouldn't be filled at that point you're in the program.

Jenny Steele (19:23.023)
No, they're not filled like you can't come in and join in first grade and I'll have some families that move in and they know that we're a Spanish immersion.

building and say they're enrolling their second grader and they say, you know, I want my child to be a part of that. And that's not an option. The only exception, the only exception to that is if a student is moving to us from a dual language Spanish immersion program in another district.

I don't make that decision, but Mike Flinthorpe does because he really, he and they can't just put it down to say, yeah, we've had that. My kid, you know, has been in that program. He looks into any researches that the program that, you know, they're coming from to make sure that it's the right thing for their child. Because the last thing we want to do is to put a child in that program.

and they're not successful. Because the academics is, I mean, it's not all about learning Spanish, you know. You know, there's an academic piece we have, an obligation to make certain that the students are performing and staying up with their peers in the content of, you know, math primarily.

Rick Sola (20:41.73)
Yeah, that's a really good point because it's easy just to focus on and think of kind of singularly like we're just learning the language, but you're learning content. You've got core subjects and you've got a curriculum to maintain and you happen to be learning it in two different languages. But certainly that's a big piece. Have you, do you notice anything with assessment scores or anything at all with this or?

Jenny Steele (20:52.995)
Mm-hmm.

Jenny Steele (21:06.607)
Well, I'm glad you asked because we've been, you know, as you know, Kansas assessments for math and language arts won't start until third grade.

And so when we got our scores back this year from, you know, like last year's third graders, we were looking at those pretty closely because we wanted to make sure that they were staying up and they are. They're keeping up with their peers, which was, whoo, you know, a relief and was a joy and it was a celebration. But they are and we have the data to prove it that they are keeping up with their peers.

Rick Sola (21:34.936)
Yeah.

Rick Sola (21:43.928)
That's really great. Yeah, no, that would be, I can imagine a little bit of maybe nerves as you are about to open that email or that packet of scores that we're getting and hoping for. So yeah, no, excellent. You know, this time next year, and I know I'm sure the thinking about it is already occurring, but this time next year, you're on the cusp of passing on your first cohort to the middle school.

Jenny Steele (21:57.976)
Mm-hmm.

Jenny Steele (22:13.07)
Hmm.

Rick Sola (22:14.956)
Being at the middle school, now I'm not the receiving school here, but being at the middle school, I can imagine there's gotta be quite a bit of planning and thinking through of that. I'm sure it's still being built, but what is that gonna look like?

Jenny Steele (22:17.987)
Right.

Jenny Steele (22:32.108)
Well, at this time, and we've been in some conversations lately about that, frankly, because we do have a group that's getting closer to middle school and what's that going to look like. And as you can imagine, some.

Middle school teachers have had a little anxiety about it thinking what are we going to do with these kids? How can we meet that need? So when they get to middle school it looks different, much different than in elementary and this is the plan at the moment and I know things can change. And I'm not the one to make those decisions, keep that in mind. But at this time the plan is when the first cohort, when they go to middle school, and you're right it's just

just two middle schools, the feeders for our two buildings.

In sixth grade, they will have a higher level Spanish class as one of their electives. Their core classes, all their other classes, they're back in with all their peers and so they're not getting that core content instruction in Spanish. So they have a higher level Spanish class. It's still in development, by the way, and that's in...

in sixth grade and then in seventh and eighth it will continue. It will be a higher level Spanish class.

Rick Sola (24:01.902)
Okay, well I'm gonna hold you to everything you're saying here and nothing better change as a result of this. No, I've been kind of curious and certainly, you know, it's awesome the history of this many years in now, but yeah, that transition and I know I have all the confidence, all the people you've mentioned, including yourself, it's gonna be great. It's just so many things to think through and you're not.

Jenny Steele (24:04.813)
Well, I hope nobody ever does that, but okay.

Rick Sola (24:30.798)
I always think about, or I worry about the unintended consequences. We can make decisions, but then what then results as part of those decisions? so, no, very interesting and just really cool and very unique. a district as large as Olathe, just one of two schools participating in this right now, and to be a part of that's really pretty special.

Are there any area, like do you have any sister schools that you kind of stay connected with as like, I didn't know if there was any connection that you're, you know, that's been through it before as a mentor, if you will.

Jenny Steele (25:09.967)
So, not really me personally. I know that a great deal of research and visits with other schools who have been trying this from around the country, actually, I know they were involved and a part of creating the program here. I know, I personally went to a conference.

with some district folks a couple of years ago. And interestingly enough, one of the schools we went to, they had a dual language Spanish immersion program in an elementary school. And that just, wasn't intended, you know, that that's not what the conference is about. wasn't, that's not why I was there, but I did spend, I was able to spend time with that principal who's phenomenal. And so we were able to talk through, you know, some of

but they've had theirs going a little longer than us.

It was a great opportunity for me to sit down and talk with her about, these are some of the challenges maybe and that I've had and it's even we're in two different parts of the country and she had some of the same. And so I was able to ask her a lot of questions about how did you work through that? And she was still working through some of them. So we were able to really bounce ideas back and forth. Although I was pretty new to it, she'd been doing it longer. think we both really kind of got.

quite a bit out of that collaboration piece and that was a tremendous opportunity for me.

Rick Sola (26:44.322)
You started at the top of this show, if you will, you talk about the growth and the stretching in new ways. Well, I mean, my goodness, this is, you know, aside from transitioning to a different level from the middle school after several years at the middle school, but going to an elementary school was such a unique, really neat, but unique program, too. So there's a lot a lot to take on there right at the outset. But, no, that's all really good. And I appreciate you sharing that.

Before we hear wrap up, we mentioned our shared mentor who I know had a tremendous impact on both of us. And whether it was her or maybe some of the other leaders that you've worked with through your career, have you received any advice that you just feel like, wow, it stuck with you, it kind of resonated with you that we could put on the air here?

Jenny Steele (27:14.147)
Mm-hmm.

Jenny Steele (27:34.305)
Well, you know, I think I may have even said this in my little snippet of the podcast earlier.

Honestly, it was my dad. think about this all the time. because my dad many years ago was a superintendent in the state of Kansas in a smaller district. But he told me at one time, know, he says, Jenny, you're on any given day, there's going to be at least one person in your building that's going through a personal crisis. And you have to be compassionate and you have to understand.

and offer the support for them as human beings, but you also have a job to do. And that's to lead a school and to take care of all the kids there. Rick, I think about that quote, or that piece of advice every single day that I'm at work, because you know how things come at you and somebody's got this and they have this. And there are often times, I hate to say it, but there are often times that you're feeling a little worn down. You're like, man, I just, can't think about that right now. And I know you got a problem.

but we're gonna have to put that to the side. And I really, I remember that comment from my dad from years ago and it stuck with me and so that really, you that kind of gives me the motivation to make sure I'm listening and that I'm actively listening, not just kind of hearing what they're saying, but really taking it in and trying to figure out how best to work through those situations with folks.

Rick Sola (29:14.152)
I love the compassionate focus on that because you said we still have the job to do and that's the hard. I've just discovered that repeatedly and maybe unfortunately, but any given school year there's really hard things that come up and there's really challenging situations, whether it's through the school or personal or whatever. The reality is the job doesn't stop, the building doesn't stop and it's

Jenny Steele (29:39.299)
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

Rick Sola (29:42.112)
ultimately our responsibility to make sure that we are still fulfilling our, not just obligations, but expectations, responsibilities, and helping to put the best place, put our school in the best place moving forward. And sometimes that can be hard, or I always struggle with, I don't want it to come across that I'm being cold to something going on, but.

Jenny Steele (29:57.293)
Right.

Rick Sola (30:08.364)
based on what you just shared, now we have to do this, whatever that may be.

Jenny Steele (30:12.567)
Right, and that's hard and I think also, and I've kind of learned this as I've gotten older, is I think also we have to give ourselves a little bit of grace and there are times when there's so much coming at you and you find yourself, maybe I'm responding in a tone that may not be the best for the whole situation and trying to remember that that tone you just gave somebody, that's what they're going to hang on to. And that's not what I want them to hang on to.

and they're not recognizing that I'm kind of worn out and I've got this other stuff going on that's really a big deal, you know? And the other one isn't. And so to give yourself a little grace to where you have to kind of take a minute.

Rick Sola (30:50.349)
Right.

Jenny Steele (30:58.927)
Even if it's closing your door for seven minutes just to kind of breathe a bit, maybe sometimes it's going out and getting yourself a sonic drink just to get some fresh air so you can come back and get your brain back together to meet the needs that everybody's relying on you to do.

Rick Sola (31:18.776)
Yeah, that pause button was one that stuck with me years ago and it's valuable. Sometimes we need it in that Sonic drink. is, you know, it's a good, for me it's quick trip. It's right down the road. And if I need to go make a run just to clear your head and come back more refreshed or whatever, but no, that's fantastic. Okay, two more things before we go. First of all, thank you for your contribution to

Jenny Steele (31:20.856)
Yeah.

Jenny Steele (31:30.637)
Yeah.

Rick Sola (31:46.536)
this podcast, but KPA and truly what it's intended for, which is principals across the state to hear from and learn from and the sitcom perspective you did back in October. you what is the KPA meant to you as you participate in last several years?

Jenny Steele (31:51.257)
Mm-hmm.

Jenny Steele (32:03.503)
Thank

Well, here's what I will say and I mean this wholeheartedly. I'm a small town girl, okay? I'm up here in Johnson County, I know, and I love it up here. I love it. I'm in this big district that has given me tremendous opportunities. I mean, and I truly mean that. But I'm from Pittsburgh, Kansas, okay? I'm from Southeast Kansas. That's where I grew up. I'm a small town kind of person.

What I think we often forget up here in this corner of the state is that this little portion of the state is not at all like the rest of the state of Kansas. And I always want to try to keep that, you know, that ground, that center.

that it's not all about the hustle and bustle up here. And I love hearing from administrators from smaller districts. And sometimes I'll get on some, you know, some like state Zoom things and just to listen. And I love hearing from those folks because we have the same concerns and issues. They're at different levels and they're with different communities.

But it helps keep me grounded to know that somebody in Columbus, Kansas is dealing with the same stuff. They may not have all the resources we do, okay? Or they may. But it's important to know how people in other demographics and in other communities in Kansas that are much smaller than we are, how they're working through things. Because you know what? There are lot of really great administrators in the state of Kansas. And sometimes we get shielded

Jenny Steele (33:43.249)
from that up here in our corner of the state. And KPA gives me opportunities so I can listen to that or I can read about it. And that is truly important to me.

Rick Sola (33:56.502)
I love the answer because it just resonates exactly how I feel. I grew up in this area and I've worked my whole career here. Love it. Opportunities, everything that you just said. But the connections I've been able to make through this and the conversations I've been able to have through different parts, through people from different parts of the state, there's a comfort but there's a learning.

And you mentioned the hustle and bustle and sometimes it feels like that hustle and bustle can almost just kind of, you know, we're focused at the trees rather than like pull back here and look statewide. And truly, I have said it on here before, but that's really the point of this is just to share the story that's happening in the buildings all across the state because we have so much in common and it's really great to hear that. And so I love everything you said and it really, really resonates.

Before we go, Manchester Park, and I'm familiar with that community, because the middle school I was at before, I've fed right into it. Brag on Manchester Park and all the great things going on, all the great people that are up there.

Jenny Steele (34:58.735)
Right? Yep.

Jenny Steele (35:05.071)
You know what? Manchester Park is an awesome place. OK, I mean I know when people hear that we have 615 or whatever kids up there, they're like, oh my gosh, that's huge. But the building was built to accommodate that many students were not bursting at the seams. mean, we're OK. We don't we don't need any more right now, but I'm not going to be wrong, but we're doing just fine. Our class sizes are good. I have teachers up there. I have a tremendous mix.

of experienced teachers and new teachers. I've probably got, I don't know how many there are, maybe 10, 12 that have been there since the building opened. Rick, Manchester Park opened the same year Prairie Trail did. And yeah, so, and I remember that because I remember when we opened and Manchester opened the same year because they were a feeder. And so that says a lot that you've had people that have been there 21 years.

Rick Sola (35:48.857)
wow. Okay.

Jenny Steele (36:04.943)
and they're sticking around and they still are enthusiastic about it. A lot of them bring their own kids up there to have their own families a part of Manchester Park. That means a lot. And for a building who's been open, say 21 years, you we've had three principals up there. And so that, in my opinion, is a great testament to the community and that, you know, people want to stay there. Our turnover with teachers is really pretty low.

Of course, people move and they want to move on to other opportunities to refresh their brain just like I did, you know? And I'm all for that and I support people and I want to help them be where they want to be. Our kids are, they're awesome kids. We run into glitches every day like every school in the world. But they, you know, they have good families. We have a tremendous family support system up there and I've...

I really tried to embrace that, especially over the past few years to see what all they can actually bring for us in regard to support for the kids. Today I was up there, we're getting ready for our.

You know, today we're getting ready for our special showcase, which is next week. We have so many parent volunteers up there. They are decorating that school like you wouldn't believe, getting all the artwork up and getting things together. And those are just people just breaking their backs, man. I mean, I said I couldn't get up and down off the floor that quickly, you know, to do all that stuff. And I'm so grateful that you're here. So that's it. It really is a great a great community.

Rick Sola (37:36.384)
I love the word glitches. I don't know why and maybe I don't know that I've, mean, I just haven't applied it to the school setting, but what a great kind of word. Yeah, sometimes kids just make glitchy decisions, you know, and that's where I love that you chose sitcom rather than like drama or tragedy or, know, something awful.

Jenny Steele (37:47.651)
Yeah, that's right. That's right.

Jenny Steele (37:58.871)
yeah.

Rick Sola (38:00.718)
Because it is, can be very, and truly I do believe this, and actually a different mentor early on that I worked with said, you gotta laugh. If you can't laugh, then the job could eat you alive. You gotta be able to laugh and find some humor and comedy, and there are some sitcom-y moments. Well, Jenny, I really appreciate you taking the time. At the end of a very long week, and you know, we're just.

Jenny Steele (38:21.698)
Absolutely.

Rick Sola (38:29.26)
you know, several weeks till the end of the school year, but those several weeks feel like about two quarters sometimes with all the events and things that are going to be coming up and it'll all be great. But thanks for sharing about the Spanish immersion at Manchester Park and good connecting with you and have a nice, nice long weekend.

Jenny Steele (38:36.847)
That's true.

Jenny Steele (38:49.549)
Yeah, I hope you have a great weekend and it's always good to talk with you, Rick. Anytime, Sola, okay? All right, bye-bye.

Rick Sola (38:52.622)
Yeah. Well, all right, we'll see you around.