Creating a more bicycle-friendly community and brightening school buildings were among the ideas Eudora seniors presented to the school board Wednesday as part of their honors government capstone.
Samuel Walters talked about biking infrastructure improvements needed in the community. One of his ideas involved the implementation of bike repair stations and new bike racks for all school buildings.
A bike repair station already exists at the Rec Center, Walters said. The bike racks would allow more students to feel safe biking to school, and the high school racks need replacement, Walters said. He feels outdoor activities are important and thinks these items will bring more bike riders to the schools.
“What I’m asking for you guys to do is to raise awareness for this,” Walters said. “Like everything, money is the biggest issue with it.”
Walters proposed having one bike repair station at each building. The stations would potentially include pumps, various screwdrivers and wrenches. The stations would provide a space for safe and correct repairs, according to Walters’ presentation.
Walters’ project included testimonials from Seth Heide, Ron Abel and Mitchell Tegtmeier. All three endorsed his project and ideas.
Walters estimated the project could cost around $5,000.
Sophia Ewy, Maya Pattison and Stella Whalen presented their capstone project, “Life in Color.” The group is advocating for bringing more murals and colors to the campus buildings. The group feels this will improve student well-being, mental health and productivity.
“We really believe that putting murals up would really increase positivity among our school and also bright colors do affect people’s moods and willingness to learn. That’s obviously a huge thing we want to increase,” Pattison said.
The group is asking for funds, approval on location, an artist and a design, and the overall approval of the idea. The school currently has a mural in the gym, but the group thinks more positive paintings in other areas could spread kindness and joy.
“Bright colors release dopamine in the brain, which increases your happiness, your mood, your productivity,” Pattison said.
In other business, during Heide’s elementary school report, fifth graders discussed highlights from this school year.
Fifth graders Madilyn Revell and Alex Hawkins talked about their participation in Card Cast, the daily video announcement. The show includes breaking news, comedy corner, morning announcements, pledges and more. The students record after school for the next show.
“The Card Cast crew has learned how to be cooperative, persistent and how to use their time wisely,” Hawkins said.
“Card Cast has helped me have more communication to others because we have to tell each other what day we want to film or what subject of the day we want to film,” Revell said.
Two student ambassadors talked about their role in giving new students tours. Landry Lown and Chloe Bates said they have learned many things from their roles.
They help around the school with tours, teacher interviews, go to classes to talk about events and take younger students to other grade levels to teach them about upper-level classes.
“It’s helped me be more cooperative with others and working together. It’s also helped me be more out there and not just being hesitant,” Lown said.
“Being a student ambassador has helped me grow. It’s helped me communicate with people and learn how to help them,” Bates said.
Heide’s goal for the coming school year is to continue to grow the community and build the overall culture. Heide plans to focus on team building, data-driven decision-making and community partnerships when he takes over as elementary principal.
“Our teachers have done a phenomenal job this year, very proud of them, very thankful for them,” Heide said.
Superintendent Stu Moeckel discussed a community memer’s interest in purchasing the district’s Main Street property. Moeckel said the area is currently used as a bus drop-off.
If the sale were to go forward, this would no longer be the case. The purchase of the property has not yet been voted on. The board will discuss the topic more during the June meeting.
Reach reporter Sara Maloney at [email protected]
