It is with a heavy heart that the Independence school district has announced the passing of a well-known teacher and family staff member, Tina Schicke, a third grade educator at Jefferson Elementary School.

In an announcement made by superintendent of schools, Rusty Arnold, he released a statement noting Shicke's dedication to her students and assisting fellow teachers at Jefferson on all levels.

"It is with great sadness that I write to inform you that one of our educational family members, Mrs. Tina Shicke, passed away last evening," Arnold said earlier Saturday. He noted that the exact cause of her death has not yet been determined, but "Tina was an incredible role model for thousands of students and a great friend to her colleagues over the course of her 26 year career in the Independence Unified School District 446."

He went on to say that she began her career with Independence in 1989 as a first grade teacher, serving Lincoln Elementary School, and after three years she moved to instruct third grade students.

"She served there brilliantly for 23 years and was a friend to all, and absolutely loved helping kids learn and grow," Arnold added. "Tina will be dearly missed by our entire community and our thoughts and prayers go out to the family."

Arnold asked for all those involved and impacted within the community to be "confident" in that they will have an "adequate amount of support for our students and staff to assist them in coping with the loss of Mrs. Schicke."

"Grievance counselors will be available at Jefferson Elementary School and building level counselors will serve as Grievance counselors throughout the district beginning Monday morning," he said.

For those that require additional information, he encouraged the parents of students and staff to contact him at:
Rusty A. Arnold
Superintendent of Schools
Independence Unified School District 446
517 N. 10th Street

To reach him by phone, call (620) 332-1800, or by his cell, (620) 496-4706.

The Independence Daily Reporter shares this grievance and its staff will keep Mrs. Schicke, her family, and her students in their thoughts. Follow for a more detailed article in next week's edition.