Celebrating Who We Are

At Wichita Public Schools, we take pride in the many ways we celebrate our employees at milestones throughout an individual's career. Some celebrations are held on signing their first contract with WPS, while other honorees are recognized at our fall and spring Good Apple Awards. There are always exciting things happening in the buildings at Wichita Public Schools.? ?

Signing Day?

Our newest recognition event this year was our Signing Day where we celebrated student teachers who will be new teachers starting as full-time teachers next school year. Much like the exciting events many of our students have when signing with a college for sports or other extra curriculars, these teachers were invited to bring family and friends to witness them sign their first strategic plan commitment sheet, as a part of the WPS family. It proved to be an exciting event where individuals were introduced to district leadership including board members, human resource personnel, members of our district leadership team, the new teachers induction support team and previous Distinguished Classroom Teachers (which is another form of recognition within our district). Overall, this was a great opportunity to recognize the new teachers entering the district and provide them with connections to succeed.? ?

Good Apple Awards?

While progress and innovation are important, you will find tradition embedded in many facets of the Wichita Public Schools. The Good Apple Awards program was established 41 years ago and allows schools and administrative support centers to select and recognize employees, volunteers and partners who provide exemplary service and support the mission of the district. This event is held in the fall and spring and celebrates around 600 individuals each school year. During Good Apple season, principals and selection committees take up the task of reviewing nominations and selecting only three award recipients for each building. Honorees are celebrated at their building along with being invited to an all-district celebration. Every honoree is awarded a certificate and the familiar acrylic Good Apple Award. Each Good Apple Award has a unique story behind why it was given and is recorded in a special edition Good Apple booklet. While tweaks have been made here and there to the program, the Good Apple Award has stood the test of time as a key symbol to employee recognition at Wichita Public Schools.? ?

Excellence In Public Service Award?

Another longstanding recognition program that the Wichita Public Schools has been part of is the Excellence in Public Service Award, which is sponsored by the DeVore Foundation and KSN. For 35 years, the City of Wichita, Sedgwick County and WPS have acknowledged the contributions of public servants who perform tasks that make our community a great place to live and work. The winners are selected amongst the many dedicated public workers who represent Wichita Public Schools and demonstrate community involvement alongside the hard work they do day in and day out in the workplace. Every year, the winner is rewarded with a $2,500 check and honored at a reception attended by family, friends, co-workers, previous honorees, the selection committee and members of the DeVore Foundation.? ?

Retirement and Longevity Celebration?

Hitting longevity milestones in your career can be just as meaningful as any award. Wichita Public Schools recognizes and celebrates employees who have served with the district for 10, 20, 30, and 40 years at the same time that we honor those who are celebrating their retirement. The Retirement and Longevity Reception has transformed over the past couple of years, but the meaning and celebration of our people has stayed the same. Those employees who are celebrating their 20-, 30- and 40-year milestones, along with retirees, are invited to a relaxing evening enjoying the gardens of Botanica with their family and friends. There they are able to enjoy music provided by the talented student musicians of Wichita Public Schools and are able to take fun photos and enjoy tasty treats. District leaders and Board of Education members are there to welcome the honorees to what we hope is a meaningful evening for our long-time employees.? ?

Distinguished Classroom Teacher Awards?

Surprises are fun – they are even more fun when we pull in family, students and sometimes the entire school building! When celebrating a Distinguished Classroom Teacher Awardee, nothing is off limits. This award recognizes outstanding teachers who affect the quality of education in Wichita Public Schools, and it is the highest award bestowed by the district on our teaching staff. This program identifies eight categories - new teacher (elementary), new teacher (secondary), primary (Pre-K through 2), intermediate (3 through 5), middle school, high school, support (elementary) and support (secondary) teachers. Every year, one teacher in each category is declared a Distinguished Classroom Teacher by a selection committee made up of teachers, district level administrators, the executive directors of elementary and secondary schools and a member of the United Teachers of Wichita. Winners are surprised in their classroom in many ways, and also brought before the Board of Education to be honored for the outstanding work they do for Wichita Public Schools. Several of the winners go on to represent the district in state recognition programs such as Kansas Teacher of the Year and the Horizon Award Program.? ?

Good News?

Sometimes there is just no particular event that your accomplishment falls under but is indeed worthy of recognition. Once a month, our Board of Education meets and provides an opportunity to hear from everyone and anyone across the district about the Good News and happenings taking place. These span anywhere from awards being given to student achievements to great community events. District leaders and board representatives are willing to listen and acknowledge speakers who come to present Good News items each month. Those who are there to represent each item receive a Good News certificate and are featured as a part of the Board Agenda that evening.? ?

District Staff Appreciation Month?

By the end of the year, it’s hard to stay focused and everyone is ready for summer! May is an important month for Wichita Public Schools, as we have recently declared it District Staff Appreciation Month. It is full of recognition days such as Teacher Appreciation Week, School Lunch Hero Day, National Nurse Day, and one of our favorite events – the Employee Appreciation Event at the Sedgwick County Zoo. Employees are provided free entry while the Zoo offers discounted tickets to their families and friends. First Student is also invited to take part in this event as they play a crucial role in our day-to-day tasks to help keep students on track throughout the year. We hope to continue this event in the years to come.? ?

Whether you are a teacher, an employee representing the district as a public servant or hitting a milestone year, there are many ways that Wichita Public Schools is ready to recognize you!? We are constantly reaching out and receiving feedback from employees to improve and evolve. For more information on any of our programs visit our website at https://bit.ly/3UZigeb