Superintendent’s Ramblings

The playgrounds at Park Elementary and Central Elementary schools recently received a semi trailer load of engineered wood fiber (EWF). EWF is rated as one of the safest playground fall zone materials. EWF is designed in such a way that the wood fibers interlock and create layers of thin wood shavings and empty space, that cushions contact with the ground. Things have changed since my grade school years with the playground equipment on asphalt!

Central Elementary 5th graders held a science fair this week. They had many projects to test their hypotheses on a variety of questions. Great job, fifth graders!!

The district office staff at the Frisbie Education Center manages all of the accounting, recordkeeping, and reporting for USD 405 and for the Rice County Special Services Cooperative. Cheryl Davis - Deputy Clerk of the Board/Business Manager, Sydney Kollhoff - Payroll/HR, Dona Strubhar - Accounts Payable, and Jessica Goforth - Clerk of the Board do a great job and keep the district's business operating effectively and efficiently.

Lyons High School recognized students who have excelled in leadership, scholarship, service, and character. Students who meet the academic qualifications are invited to apply to NHS. Applications are then reviewed for the leadership, service and character criteria. Only those candidates meeting all four areas of excellence are selected. Congratulations to the new LHS NHS members. Thank you to Mrs. Carlton, NHS sponsor for organizing this annual activity.

Kudos to the choirs, ensembles, and solos who performed at the 2023 Spring Vocal Music Concert this week. Approximately 600 friends and family members attended the event.

As part of the National FFA yearlong #LivingToServe grant Lyons High School FFA members and Central Elementary 4th graders put together over a 120 Birthday Cake kits. These kits include cake mix, frosting, candles and a pop so they don’t require any other goods to become a birthday celebration. These will be donated to the local food bank.

The USD 405 Board of Education annually honors the LHS students who have shown academic excellence through all four quarters of the school year. This week, 39 students and their parents were invited to join the board and administration in celebrating their academic success.

Lyons High School assistant principal and activities director Jeff Fuss is the April recipient of the El Potrillo Above & Beyond award. Mr. Fuss has been nominated nearly every month since the program started in October. Mr. Fuss is recognized around the area and the state as one of the best ADs around. He has also been recognized as area AD of the Year as well as area Assistant Principal of the Year over the past three years.

Also nominated this month were Alicia Carlton, Laura Rhodes, Kristin Borrowman, Kristin Dolechek, Oree Johnson, Julie Tommer, and Katie Herrman.