As we wait for some more much-needed precipitation, here are some headlines:

Meeting the grade

ACT score data was released earlier this week and Tonganoxie High School was at or above the state average in all areas except math.

In 2012, 93 THS students took the ACT, part of 23,907 across Kansas.

Here’s a look at Tonganoxie’s scores, with the state average in parentheses: English, 21.6 (21.3), math, 21.3 (21.8), reading, 22.6 (22.3) and science, 21.9 (21.7). The district’s composite score was 21.9, which was on par with the state’s average.

The 93 students participating marked the highest number since 2008 when the same number took the test. The number has fluctuated since then: 66 in 2009, 92 in 2010 and 2011 in 71.

THS students’ highest mark came in reading, which was 22.6. That’s the highest in the past five years and a full-point jump from 2011.

TMS national finalist

Tonganoxie Middle School will be celebrating news that it’s been named a finalist for the National Association of Middle School Principals Middle School of the Year Award.

According to TMS principal Jill Dickerson, more than 25 TMS staff members collaborated and contributed to prepare a lengthy application for the NAMSP award.

Fifth-grade teacher Lynn Franey led the effort and served as editor, Dickerson said.

The school will celebrate with an assembly at 2:40 p.m. Monday at the TMS gymnasium. TMS will receive a banner of recognition and a prize check from program sponsor LifeTouch.

Eyeing apples

The dry weather has meant an early apple crop.

Sara Shepherd’s food page this week focuses on an array of recipes involving apples. For more click here.

Not so (Arm)strong?

Lance Armstrong could be stripped of his seven Tour de France titles, though the discussion is ongoing.

Should Armstrong be stripped of his titles?

In the words of “Saturday Night Live” character Linda Richmond, “Discuss.”