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RELAY - November '23
Great Bend USD 428 - News and Highlights
It is the goal of the monthly RELAY to connect our staff with news and highlights from across our schools and community. There are so many successes, positive stories, and virtual smiles to share!
We hope you enjoy this brief update. Take a moment to learn something new, celebrate with a colleague or friend, and pause to see the good happening all around you.
In this issue:
- Quick Reads
- 23-24 Staff Photo Directory now available
- 2024 Teachers of the Year Announced
- BOE Luncheon Meeting Highlights
- Support Services Open House Highlights
- Let's Celebrate - November Birthdays
- District Highlights
- Community Resources
Mark your calendar!
November 2023
- 22-24: No School, Thanksgiving Break
2023 Theme: All In Great Bend
If you have not received a t-shirt, please email Andrea Bauer with your shirt size and building location. We have shirts available in sizes L - 3X. Thanks!
Employee Referral Program
Personal referrals are the best way to find new employees!
With the launch of the Employee Referral Program, we're giving you a few more reasons to share job openings with your personal network of friends and family.
Click here to learn more about the $250 referral bonus!
2023-2024 Staff Photo Directory
The 2023-2024 Staff Photo Directory is now available. You may want to bookmark this link for quick reference.
*Pro Tip: After opening the PDF, you can quickly search for a person by using the CTRL+F shortcut in the PDF.
Top teachers recognized in USD 428
Two well-deserving educators from Great Bend USD 428 have been named the 2024 USD 428 Teachers of the Year. Honorees, Sergio Ramirez, an art teacher at Great Bend High School, and Casey Hatzenbuehler, a 3rd-grade teacher at Riely Elementary School will now advance to the Kansas Teacher of the Year competition.
“The Kansas Teacher of the Year program allows us to celebrate our outstanding teachers as well as elevate their work for recognition among colleagues and peers across the state,” said Khris Thexton, USD 428 Superintendent.
“Mr. Ramirez and Ms. Hatzenbuehler stood out among the outstanding teachers considered for this award,” said Thexton. “They are outstanding educators and inspire the students and staff they work alongside. Beyond the classroom, they are leaders in their departments, buildings, and in our school community.”
Sergio Ramirez - Secondary Teacher of the Year
“I have always believed connection to be paramount in helping students learn,” said Ramirez. “I once heard, ‘Students do not care how much you know until they know how much you care,’ and I think that is very true.”
Mr. Ramirez has been a teacher in USD 428 for 10 years. Beyond the classroom, Ramirez has served on the Building Leadership Team at GBHS for six years and serves as a Mentor in the district’s New Teacher Mentor Program. In the community, Ramirez volunteers on the Action Team for Barton Arts Movement (BAM) and seeks out opportunities to support and showcase aspiring artists by lending time to Great Bend’s Art & Wine Walk and Shafer Art Gallery’s advisory committee.
Casey Hatzenbuehler - Elementary Teacher of the Year
“My favorite part of teaching is helping kids to see that they can do hard things,” said Hatzenbuehler. “I like being part of their learning journey and challenging them. We look for progress and improvement, rather than perfection. We make mistakes and we grow from them.”
Ms. Hatzenbuehler has taught in USD 428 for 11 years. Beyond her daily classroom duties, she is active in Riley’s Capturing Kid’s Hearts program, teaches summer school, and promotes other opportunities to build relationships with parents, students, and the community. Haztenbuehler also invests her time in professional development, Barton County Young Professionals, Kans for Kids Fighting Cancer, and Bee Kind events.
Congrats to all our deserving district nominees!
Meagan Ketch
Tarra Foster
Stephanie Lomas
Board of Education Highlights - Monthly Luncheon Meeting at GBHS
Meeting Highlights:
- BOE members enjoyed a catered lunch in the GBMS Library followed by a building report.
- Ms. Proffitt brought two students to share insights on a recent unit on corn biproducts, including ethanol. The students demonstrated how ethanol (that they created in class) could be used to power simple machines. They also visited Kansas Ethanol recently in Lyons.
- Mr. Ellegood shared the success of positive office referrals and also demonstrated to the BOE how the new E-Hall pass works at GBMS and how it has reduced behavior issues in the hallways during class.
- Ms. Haag shared an update on ALEKS which is a math learning and assessment tool that provides individualized learning opportunities for students needing support or enrichment.
- Ms. Tittle gave the BOE an update on the first year of her yearbook class and their progress so far this year. Students have learned how to use cameras, design software, and much more. Several students shared their favorite events to photograph and details about the spreads they have created.
Grants & Contributions Approved:
- Ty Buchanan, American Family Insurance, wishes to contribute $300 to help students with past-due Food Service meal accounts.
- 10th Street Eyecare Center in Great Bend wishes to contribute $150 for registration fees ($75 each) plus mileage for two district school nurses to attend the Children’s Vision & Learning Conference in Wichita, KS
- GBMS Booster Club wishes to donate $69.26 to GBMS Library for Daily Trivia prizes
- GBMS Booster Club wishes to donate $992.50 to GBMS for Cheer Poms
- GBHS Orchestra and Strings $150 Anonymous chili supper contributions
- GBHS FFA $500 Zoetis for vendor incentive rewards designated to FFA by Animal Medical Center
- GBHS Robotics Club $2,555 DCCCA Inc. for participating in the SAFE (Seatbelts Are For Everyone) Program. SAFE, a student-led program focusing on peer-to-peer promotion of traffic safety)
- GBHS Drama $100 Sunflower Electric for Treats Around the Track
- GBHS Athletics $200 10th Street Eyecare Center
- GBHS XC State Meals $150 Catalyst Therapy and Sports Rehab
Personnel Report:
- June 1 Retirement - Mr. William Cook, Science Teacher at GBHS
- June 1 Retirement - Mrs. Dara Touslee, Kindergarten Teacher at Park Elementary
USD 428 Celebrates Grand Opening of Renovated Support Services Building with the Community
Great Bend USD 428 recently celebrated the grand opening of the newly renovated Support Services Building at 625 E 10th Street. To mark this occasion, the district hosted an Open House, Job Fair, and Ribbon Cutting on October 11th to welcome the community to the facility.
The USD 428 Support Services Building is an example testament to the district's commitment to enhancing the overall educational experience for its students. This facility brings together several crucial school district departments under one roof, including maintenance, grounds, transportation, and the central kitchen. These departments play an important role in providing students with nutritious meals, safe transportation, and a clean and conducive environment for learning.
One of the highlights of this renovation project is the expansion of the Central Kitchen. The additional space has enabled the district's culinary team to elevate the quality of food prepared for students. With this expansion, the team will introduce new menu offerings and more made-from-scratch cooking.
“I’m proud of this facility and the efficiencies it creates for our staff,” said Khris Thexton, USD 428 Superintendent, “by bringing these departments together we’re seeing the benefit of teamwork and how it positively impacts our schools and students. Our directors are doing a great job getting the facility up and running.”
Key personnel at the new Support Services Building include: Kristy Alvord, Food Service Director; Cody Schmidt, Grounds & Transportation Director; Dirk Davis, Maintenance Director.
Do you have a celebration to share?
Explore Great Bend Calendar of Events
Be sure to follow Explore Great Bend on Facebook for news and events!
Make a Difference Contest
ONE LUCKY STUDENT WILL BE SELECTED EACH MONTH THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR TO WIN AN AWESOME PRIZE PACKAGE. Click Here to submit an entry!
Empower Hour - Why are Holidays so hard?
More about the session:
It can be very difficult to put into words why one is sad/overwhelmed/hurting when it’s “the happiest time of year.” Family Crisis Center wants to help by sharing some tips on being sensitive to others who might be struggling, as well as how to advocate for your own needs. So often these emotional overloads are seen in the form of undesirable behavior in the classroom. Join FCS to get a better understanding of what some students are going through and why they can’t just find the magic and joy that other students have.
Shop Local in November!
November 4th: Mustache You To Shop Local
Go into the stores and try on the mustache - take a picture in the store and help promote them, we will be choosing a variety of winners for shopping local! You know that shopping small helps grow our community. Help us showcase what wonderful stores we have!
See new fall & and holiday products and services. Take this opportunity to see, taste, touch and purchase the wonderful products our stores have this holiday season!
Remember Shop Local First!!
November 18th: Find a Turkey Day
Find the hidden turkey in the participating stores and not only do you get an extra entry for extra Explore Great Bend Month Prizes but you can win special discounts in the stores! Here Turkey, Turkey!
Doorbuster deals, great specials, wonderful bargains.
Shop early, late, or all day, but be sure to get some of the
best savings of the year from local businesses!
November 25th: Small Business Saturday, Cookie Contest &
$1,000 Giveaway Drawing
The Day is packed with Fun (check the full schedule at the bottom of this email). You can register to Win until Noon- but be sure to keep Exploring Great Bend with all the fun and winners will be drawn after the Parade (5:30 pm) in Jack Kilby Square in Downtown Great Bend.
Home for the Holidays - Nov. 25 in Great Bend
Great Bend is the place to be on November 25th, the Saturday after Thanksgiving! Starting at 10 AM, you can cast your vote for the best cookie during the Holiday Cookie Contest in participating stores.
Don't forget to check out the Dilly & Doc Pop-Up Market!
After you shop 'til you drop supporting local businesses on Small Business Saturday, stay downtown for the Home for the Holidays Parade at 5:30 PM.
Share Your Stories and Activities!
It only takes a few minutes to share the GREAT things happening in your classroom! Email high-resolution photos and a quick caption and we'll share it with the community on social media!
Quick Photo Caption:
"Students are learning _______________, by doing ______________."
Submit News to media@usd428.net.
Connect with USD 428
Email: media@usd428.net
Website: www.GreatBendSchools.net
Location: 201 South Patton Road, Great Bend, KS, USA
Phone: 620-793-1500
Facebook: www.facebook.com/USD428/