Tuesday Talk with Dr. Dain

Dear Pirate Nation,

'Tis the season' to deck the halls—and maybe dodge a rogue fruitcake or two! As we sail into the most wonderful (and busiest) time of the year, I want to thank you all for navigating this ship with such dedication and heart. Whether you're wrapping up lessons, holiday gifts, or just trying to find your car in a crowded mall parking lot, know that your hard work and holiday spirit make a world of difference. Together, we’re making magic happen every day—#BELIEVETHEHYPE!

In today’s update, I want to highlight key initiatives that reflect our commitment to #FUTUREREADY work—strategically planning for a future that ensures personalized and successful pathways for every student.

K-5 Transition for 2026-2027

First, I extend my gratitude to everyone who completed the survey regarding our K-5 transition plan for the 2026-2027 school year. Your thoughtful questions, concerns, and celebrations provided invaluable insights that will guide our planning.

One primary area of focus is the creation of equitable boundary lines between the two schools. Please be assured of two things:

1. The community will play an integral role in the process.
   
2. We will thoughtfully consider multiple demographics, including socio-economic factors, to ensure equity for all students.
   

To support this effort, the district has engaged Mr. Rob Schwarz from RSP Associates, an experienced demographer, to lead this work. The process will follow the Guiding Principles and Prioritized Boundary Criteria approved by the Board of Education.

The district will develop initial proposals using data and will invite community feedback through digital platforms and in-person meetings to refine these ideas collaboratively. New attendance boundaries are anticipated to be finalized in early Fall 2025, allowing families and staff to prepare for the 2026-2027 school year. Additionally, parent forums will be held in early Winter 2025 to address questions, listen to concerns, and work together to ensure a smooth transition. Updates will be regularly shared on the district website throughout this process.

Special Education Program Transition

Secondly, I want to inform you about an important resolution passed by the Board of Education last night concerning the district’s membership in the Special Education Cooperative with USD 500 and the Bonner Springs/Edwardsville School District.

As Piper USD 203 has experienced significant growth, both in student enrollment and financial resources, we are uniquely positioned to make strategic decisions that prioritize the needs of our students and staff. One such decision is the transition away from the current cooperative to establish and manage our own special education program.

This transition will allow us to:

• Tailor resources, staffing, and services to better address the specific needs of our students.
  
• Foster stronger connections and provide more direct support for staff.
  
• Create a unified approach that aligns with our district’s vision for student success.
  

While this is a lengthy process requiring approval from the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE), the Board’s approval of the resolution allows us to begin the necessary preparations. Our team will now work on submitting the required documentation to KSDE. While we aim for this transition to take effect in the 2025-2026 school year, the timeline will depend on external factors. We are committed to keeping you informed as we navigate this important process and will provide updates as they become available.

Share Your Voice: Help Shape Piper’s Facility Future

We invite you to take a few moments to complete the survey linked below as we continue our efforts to plan for the future of our facility needs. Your input is essential in helping us make informed decisions that reflect the priorities and aspirations of our community. Together, we can ensure that Piper USD 203 remains a place where every student thrives. Thank you for being an integral part of this process!

Click Here to Complete the Survey

In closing, thank you for your continued partnership as we work together to shape a bright and successful future for every student in Piper USD 203.

Proud to Be a Pirate,

Dr. Jessica Dain

Superintendent of Schools

Dr. John Nguyen, Assistant Superintendent

As we reach the midway point of the school year, it’s a great time for parents/guardians to connect with their child’s teachers to discuss progress and identify ways to ensure continued success. This serves as a natural checkpoint, as we are a little over a month removed from conferences and are about to enter into Winter Break. Consider reaching out to schedule a quick conversation or sending an email to ask about strengths, areas for growth, and strategies to support learning at home. Open communication with teachers helps create a strong partnership that benefits your student’s growth. Questions like “How can I best support my child’s learning at this stage?” or “Are there specific skills or habits my child should focus on?” can spark meaningful conversations. Teachers are invaluable partners in your student’s academic journey, and taking the time to check in now can help ensure that your child stays on track.

The Piper School District is proud to support our military families! We are excited to announce that we are creating a dedicated Military Families Network to keep you informed, connected, and supported. By signing up, you'll receive important updates, exclusive resources, and opportunities tailored to our military families.

To join, simply fill out a quick form with your name, contact information, and the first and last name and grade level of your students. Thank you for your service and for being a valued part of the Piper community!

CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT THE FORM

Katelyn Kaminski, Director of Communications

Exciting things are happening every day across our district, and we want to showcase them! From engaging classroom activities to inspiring Real World Learning labs, we’re on a mission to capture the moments that make Piper extraordinary.

Have a fun lesson, unique project, or special event coming up? Let us know! Also, if you or your students have received an award or recognition, we’d love to celebrate that too.

Send your photo opportunities and accolades to the Communications Office, at katelyn.kaminski@piperschools.us, and together, we’ll highlight the amazing work happening in our schools.

We’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Brad Eikenbary, DDS, Piper Family Dentistry, for generously offering free dental screenings to Piper students once again this year! His continued support helps ensure our students have access to essential dental care, contributing to their overall health and well-being. Thank you, Dr. Eikenbary, for making a difference in our school community!

• February 7: Piper High School
  

We are pleased to announce that our new communication service regarding student attendance is now in effect. This service will notify you when your child has an unexcused absence from school, enhancing our partnership in supporting your child’s education.

This system is essential for keeping you informed about your child’s attendance, allowing for timely follow-up on any unexplained absences. Please note that notifications will only be triggered for unexcused absences; other attendance records will not prompt a call.

We believe this enhancement will significantly improve our communication and help maintain a consistent line of support between home and school. Thank you for your continued partnership in fostering your child’s educational experience.

It is great to see the enthusiasm and excitement the Piper community has for supporting our students’ athletics and activities. Attending these events is a great way to come together to show school and community spirit. We thank you for your support of our students, coaches, and activity supervisors.

As our district has continued to grow over the past several years, so have crowds at district events. The larger crowds make supervision of unsupervised youth even more difficult. We have had a few concerning issues where student safety has been compromised.

In an effort to provide a safe, positive, and fun fan experience, parental supervision of middle school and elementary school students will be required at ALL district functions for the 2024-25 school year (unless otherwise noted by the building principal or other administrator). Middle school and elementary school students MUST attend games with a parent, guardian, or trusted adult. Unsupervised students will not be permitted to enter the events.

The January Board of Education Meeting will take place on Monday, January 13, at 6 p.m., in the Board Room. Community stakeholders who wish to address the Board of Education should complete the following form (linked below) and send the completed form to the Board Clerk, Kim Buckner, at kim.buckner@piperschools.us no later than end of day on Monday, January 6.

Access Board Docs (Agendas and Corresponding Reports)

Reminder that patrons can access agendas and corresponding reports via the website prior to or after each Board of Education meeting. For access, click here, where you will find agendas and reports from previous Board meetings.

The December Classified Staff Hype Squad winner is Brooke Fenton, Secretary at Piper Early Childhood Center. A colleague of Brooke wrote, “Brooke is the best! She is a warm, welcoming presence in our office. She goes above and beyond to help staff and families with anything they need. She is super organized, is helpful in answering questions, and does many things "behind the scenes" to ensure things go smoothly in our building. During enrollment, she spends countless hours answering questions for families, whether on the phone or in person. On top of all of that, she is lots of fun and brings joy to the workplace - always with a smile!”

The December Certified Hype Squad winner is Jennifer Duncan, ESOL Teacher at Piper Prairie Elementary. A colleague wrote, “Jennifer’s exceptional initiative and dedication in training the new ESOL teachers make her a member of the #HYPESQUAD. Her willingness to step up and guide us, without being prompted or compensated, speaks volumes about her character and commitment to the district. Her enthusiasm and ability to share her knowledge ensured that we felt welcomed and supported. She balanced the extensive responsibilities and tasks of supporting two buildings by helping us become acclimated to Piper ESOL procedures and processes. She continues to be an amazing resource, very supportive, and only a phone call away. She played a pivotal role in my successful transition from the classroom into both a new role and a new school district, and it is deeply appreciated.”

Her supervisor wrote, “Jennifer Duncan does a fantastic job supporting her students’ language development. She effectively differentiates instruction to meet the diverse needs of her learners. In addition to her classroom expertise, she demonstrates exceptional collaboration with fellow teachers and families. She works closely with colleagues to ensure her students’ language needs are met across subjects, and she builds strong partnerships with families to support their children’s learning at home. Her dedication to helping students build confidence in their English skills is evident, and her positive relationships with students contribute to their success.”

The latest edition of the Piper Press Magazine has officially hit mailboxes! For those who may live outside the district or wish to access the magazine digitally, visit https://bit.ly/Fall2024Magazine

Thank you, Pirate Nation, for showing up and showing out at the home opener of our boys and girls basketball games on Friday in the new gym! The energy was electric, and your support made the night unforgettable for our athletes and fans alike. Let’s keep that Pirate pride alive all season long! 🏀💜 #BelieveTheHype

Visit https://secure.smore.com/n/skyzj to find highlights from yesterday evening's December Board of Education meeting.