Salthawk Summer Newsletter

Hutchinson USD 308 Salthawk Families,

I hope this letter finds you enjoying your summer. Let me first express how excited I am to serve as the USD 308 Superintendent of Schools. I will be the District’s 34th Superintendent; its first superintendency began in 1872. Hutchinson Public Schools has 150 years of excellence, and I look forward to keeping with those high expectations in the 2022-2023 school year. After we get school underway in August, I will plan for a listening tour around the community; I hope you will be able to join me in a collaborative conversation about USD 308. I encourage and welcome any questions, comments, or concerns you may have as we head into the next school year. I can be reached at 620-615-4009.

Now to the purpose of this newsletter. While we are also enjoying our summer, we do so while preparing for your return to school on August 17 and 18. Please review the attached newsletter in the coming days and weeks to help you prepare for the 2022-2023 school year. Inside you will find information about enrollment, back-to-school open houses, new information about school lunches, contact information for principals and school hours, school supply lists, required immunizations, and the 2022-2023 district calendar.

I consider it a true privilege to serve the community in my new capacity as Superintendent. I look forward to a wonderful school year. See you soon.

Dr. Dawn M. Johnson

Families will have choices for enrollment in 2022. Families will be able to enroll for the 2022-23 school year online, beginning July 11, 2022. In-person enrollment for Pre-K through 6th is July 28, 2022, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and in-person enrollment for 7th through 12th, including Virtual School, will be on August 2, 2022 (see times below).

The enrollment fee for each K-12 student is $65. Optional fees include yearbook and activity passes for students in grades 7 through 12.

School meals will no longer be free for ALL students effective the start of the 2022-23 school year. Families will need to fill out the Free & Reduced Meal Application in order to be considered for free or reduced meals and textbook fees.

Parents are reminded to check with their pediatricians for any needed vaccinations and physicals. Athletic physicals must be done after May 1, 2022, and be on file before the first day of fall practice.

Students will not be allowed to attend class in August until all required vaccinations and physicals are on file. All student immunization documentation must be on file before students are fully enrolled.

*Hutchinson High School does not host an Open House event, but their campus is open for self-guided tours during In-Person Enrollment.

*Las instrucciones anteriores solo se aplican cuando se utiliza Google Chrome como navegador

Does your child thrive in a virtual education setting? Enroll them in Hutchinson Virtual School for the 2022-2023 school year!

The mission of Hutchinson Virtual School is to provide a quality alternative to traditional schools in a virtual format assisted by licensed USD 308 teachers. The district is excited to offer this to Kansas students. The school is accredited by the Kansas State Department of Education.

Curriculum for the program is internet-based and is powered by Acellus at all grade levels. Students will have 24/7 access to Acellus, which allows them the flexibility to access the program anywhere and at any time.

Hutchinson Virtual School is physically located inside of Avenue A School, 111 S. Madison in Hutchinson. This is where all in-person meetings will take place.

If your student is new to the USD 308 district, please enroll them as a new student, and select Hutchinson Virtual School as your school building.

If you are a current USD 308 student and would like to attend the virtual school this coming year, please contact Mr. Patterson below for more information on the process.

You may also call 620-615-4950 or email David Patterson at pattersondl@usd308.com for more information.

Hutchinson Public Schools is governed by a seven-member Board of Education. Current members of the Board left to right as pictured above, along with their initial board election year:

• Kail Denison (2015)
• Lance Patterson, Vice President (2016)
• Valarie Gibson Smith (2017)
• Greg Meredith, President (2015)
• Cheryl Thompson (2022)
• Ron Fisher (2020)
• Laura Corey (2022)

Elections are in November of odd-numbered years.

Board meetings are open to the public and normally are on the second and fourth Mondays of the month at 6 p.m. Meetings are held at the district office at 1520 N. Plum.

Agendas for each meeting are posted on the Friday prior to the meeting at https://go.boarddocs.com/ks/usd308/Board.nsf/Public

Among the Board’s many duties are to hire a superintendent and set policy. Dr. Dawn Johnson is the USD 308 Superintendent for the 2022-23 school year. Krystal Young is the Deputy Superintendent.

School meals will no longer be free for ALL students effective the start of the 2022-23 school year. All families are encouraged to fill out the free & reduced-price meal application. Only students with approved applications will receive free or reduced-price meals. Families who do not qualify for free meals will be responsible for paying for their child(ren)'s meals at reduced or paid rates.

Families may complete the Application for Free or Reduced School meals online during the 2022-23 enrollment process. Paper applications are also available below. Completed paper applications should be returned to your child's school or Nutrition Services 815 W 4th, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Meal Prices for 2022-2023

• Adult $2.50 breakfast & $4.50 lunch
• Reduced: $.30 breakfast $.40 lunch
• Full Price: $1.65 breakfast for all grade levels
• EL Lunch: $2.60 MS: $2.75 and HS $2.95

Contact Nutrition Services at (620) 615-5580 or nutrition@usd308.com if you have any questions.

All the district menus comply with USDA standards for healthy meals.

Join us for the Convoy of Hope event being held at the Kansas State Fairgrounds (Gate 5/25th Avenue) on Saturday, July 23, 2022! This free community event is sponsored by 16 churches and organizations in Reno County to provide backpacks, school supplies, hygiene products and groceries! This is a drive-thru event, beginning at 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., or until supplies last. Water and snow cones will be provided! To learn more, visit the Convoy of Hope Wichita Facebook page.

Hutchinson Public Schools uses the Apptegy telephone, texting and email system to notify parents of both emergency and routine matters.

Apptegy allows the district to contact its more than 5,000 students, parents, staff and volunteers in a matter of minutes. The system also can contact families and staff of individual schools or grades as needed.

Caller ID for Apptegy will either be the district’s main number 620-615-4000 or the individual building’s number.

Generally, when school is closed because of weather, parents can expect to receive an Apptegy message call prior to 10 p.m. if the decision is made late the night before or around 6 a.m. if the decision is made in the morning. The district also will contact local media when school is closed.

If the Apptegy message is routine, such as an invitation to a music concert or moving the time of a PTO meeting, it will be made normally between 5 and 8 p.m. You also are encouraged to download the district app from the App Store or Google Play. Search for “Hutchinson Public Schools.”

Because Apptegy is only as effective as our student information database is accurate, it has become critical for parents to notify their schools when telephone numbers and email addresses change. Please contact your school secretary with any telephone number changes.

Email: webcontactform@usd308.com
Website: www.usd308.com
Location: 1520 North Plum Street, Hutchinson, KS, USA
Phone: 620-615-4000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/USD308
Twitter: @USD308