The USD 450 Scoop

Quarter 1 Newsletter

2024-25 School Year

www.usd450.net

Dear Shawnee Heights Community,

As we close out the first quarter, I want to take a moment to reflect on our successes and share some highlights with you. I’m thrilled to see our classrooms buzzing with energy and students learning and growing. Being in our schools each week, I’m continually amazed by our students, teachers, and staff. It’s inspiring to watch parents and staff work together to create the best possible learning environment for our students.

I’m happy to report that our recent parent-teacher conferences were a great success. It was wonderful to see so many families connecting with our teachers and staff to discuss student progress. Parent involvement is crucial and makes a significant difference in our students’ growth.

As we move into the second quarter, I want to emphasize that student learning remains our primary focus. Our educators work hard to provide quality instruction and support, and it’s been rewarding to see our students rise to the challenge. Through classroom projects, extracurricular activities, and collaborative experiences, our students are showing remarkable progress.

We’re also committed to ensuring a safe learning environment. We continue to implement various safety measures, including regular drills and an updated emergency operations plan. A safe space is essential for academic success, and we regularly evaluate and update our safety protocols.

As we continue to prioritize the needs of our students and their educational experience, we are working with HTK Architects on a comprehensive facility plan. This initiative aims to evaluate our current spaces and assess the condition and functionality of our facilities. We will keep you updated as we work through this process.

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you—students, parents, and staff—for your support and partnership. We couldn’t do this important work without each of you. Together, we can continue to create a positive educational experience for everyone in our district.

I’m excited for a productive second quarter ahead. Thank you for being part of the Shawnee Heights family—we truly appreciate the opportunity to serve you!

Sheila Meggers
Superintendent

We’re excited to announce that our Shawnee Heights Public Schools Foundation is again partnering with Major Saver for their annual fundraiser! The Foundation receives 50% of all card sales and 70% of any flat donations. From those earnings, 50% is returned directly to the student's school. The Foundation supports our schools by providing teacher grants, student scholarships, care funds, and more.

What’s New This Year?

This year, the fundraiser will be more convenient than ever! Gone are the days of collecting and returning cash or checks to receive physical cards. With the help of a parent or guardian, students will now use the Major Saver app to set up their fundraising account.

Here’s how it works:

• On November 11, 2024 parents/guardians will receive an email that includes the Major Saver Digital Launch Guide.
• On November 13, 2024, each student will go home with a Major Saver BADGE (lanyard included) which will feature a QR code that will take you directly to your schools fundraising page.
• A short information video will play on how to participate in the digital campaign.
• The back of the Major Saver BADGE will feature a QR code that will take you to the YouTube Prize Video.
• Instead of a physical card, supporters will gain access to local discounts directly through the app, which they can use at participating businesses by simply showing the promotion on their phone.
• As a bonus, the parent or guardian who helps the student set up the fundraising account will receive a free discount card to use!

How Funds Are Collected and Prizes Delivered

All transactions are handled digitally, making it easier for everyone. Once the fundraiser ends, prizes will be delivered to the school to be given to students on Thursday, December 5, 2024.

Fundraiser Kickoff on November 13th

The campaign kicks off on November 13, 2024, and runs through December 3, 2024, so check your student’s backpack and your email for more details on how to get started. Your support helps enrich the educational experience for our students!

As we settle into the 2024-25 school year, we want to take a moment to emphasize that the health and safety of our students and staff remain our top priority at Shawnee Heights USD 450. Our commitment is to protect your children from all potential threats and to keep you informed every step of the way.

Sadly, schools may face threats in various forms—whether verbal threats among students, vague or anonymous social media posts, or even hoax threats. We intend to inform you of any threat that is reported to our administration or officers. While these notifications can be unsettling, please understand that we have made a conscious decision to inform you of all threats to our buildings, including those deemed non-credible. This approach helps ensure you receive accurate information directly from us, reducing the risk of rumors or misinformation.

Every threat is taken seriously and thoroughly investigated in coordination with law enforcement. Since reports can come to us anytime, we are committed to promptly informing families if a threat is associated with your child's school. Our response to each threat is carefully assessed and may involve additional law enforcement presence, bag checks, K-9 units, or, in extreme cases, school closures and evacuations.

To help us communicate effectively during such situations, please keep your contact information up-to-date in PowerSchool. While we strive to maintain school operations on schedule, the safety of our students and staff will always come first.

Over the past few years, our district has significantly enhanced security measures. These include keeping all doors locked during school hours, monitoring video surveillance, investigating all reports, and increasing the number of officers on our campuses. Our security department continues to implement new safety measures.

It's crucial to remember that school safety is a partnership. We encourage you to stay engaged, share any concerns you may have, and talk regularly with your children about the importance of safety and reporting any suspicious activities or rumors. The district's StopIt App reporting tool is always available and closely monitored.

Thank you for your ongoing support in keeping our schools, students, and staff safe.

In this video, Sheila Meggers explains some common misconceptions on school budgets and how they are calculated. Watch the video below to better understand how our school budget affects our community.

We are excited to recognize two remarkable educators who exemplify the highest standards of teaching at Shawnee Heights USD 450. Join us in celebrating our distinguished Horizon Award nominees for this year.

Madelyn Foster: Elementary Horizon Award Nominee

Madelyn Foster, a dedicated first-grade teacher at Berryton Elementary School, has been named our 2024-25 Elementary Horizon Award Nominee. Ms. Foster's commitment to her curriculum and her teamwork with the first-grade staff have significantly enhanced the educational experience at Berryton. Her ability to understand and address the unique needs of each student enables her to challenge and inspire her pupils, promoting substantial social and academic development. Additionally, her continual communication with families fosters a supportive and inclusive community. Ms. Foster's approach reflects her exceptional teaching spirit and aligns with the values we cherish in our district.

Shannon Byrne: Secondary Horizon Award Winner

Shannon Byrne, an English Language Arts Teacher at Shawnee Heights High School, was named our 2024-25 Secondary Horizon Award Winner. Ms. Byrne has made an immediate positive impact on both her department and our school as a whole. Her dynamic energy and proactive engagement have introduced a wave of positivity throughout the high school, creating an environment ripe for high-level learning. Shannon is committed to her professional growth, continuously seeking feedback and opportunities to enhance her instructional skills. Beyond her classroom duties, she actively participates in school life, serving as a prom sponsor, cheerleading sponsor, and member of the AVID Site Team.

Both Madelyn Foster and Shannon Byrne represent the exceptional quality of educators at Shawnee Heights. They are both nominated for the Kansas Horizon Award program, which recognizes outstanding first-year teachers. Please join us in applauding both for their well-deserved recognitions and supporting them as they proceed to the state-level nominations!

Our 2024 Shawnee Heights Teachers of the Year: Nicolas Carr and Kaylyn Bruns!

Elementary Teacher of the Year nominee Kaylyn Bruns!

Mrs. Bruns is widely recognized for creating a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive classroom environment where every student thrives. Her hands-on approach and dedication to meeting the unique needs of each child make her a standout educator. Colleagues describe her as purposeful in every aspect of her teaching, integrating social-emotional skills, offering sensory-rich activities, and providing personalized attention to ensure each student's success.

Beyond her classroom, Mrs. Bruns stays deeply engaged with her students' families and works tirelessly to build strong relationships. She communicates frequently through newsletters and personal notes and even visits students' homes with birthday signs!

Secondary Teacher of the Year nominee Nicolas Carr!

Mr. Carr, a Vocal Music Teacher at SHHS, impacts students far beyond the classroom by building strong relationships and providing a safe space for students in need. Last year, he was voted Most Inspirational Teacher by the student body.

In addition to his relationship with his students, Mr. Carr's expertise in instrumental and vocal music has enriched our music program. Mr. Carr is involved in multiple music camps and theater productions, always going above and beyond to share his knowledge and love of music with others.

Congratulations to Mrs. Bruns and Mr. Carr on their well-deserved awards, and we wish them success as they advance in the Kansas Teacher of the Year program. This program, sponsored by the Kansas State Department of Education, honors exceptional teachers who positively impact their schools and communities.

Thank you to all the parents and guardians who participated in our communication survey at the start of the school year. Your feedback is crucial, and we are excited to take the next steps.

Using the information from this survey, we will be working on a strategy to improve, organize, and unify our communication. Our goal is to provide intentional and consistent communication across the district.

Check out the video below for the survey results, and stay tuned as we continue to enhance our communication efforts!

Sheila Meggers, Superintendent

Matt Hirsch, Associate Superintendent

Board of Education

Rosa Cavazos - President

Erica Price - Vice President

Rocky Busenitz

Christina Flaming

Sarah Sanders

Lauren Tice Miller

Kristy VanMetre