Tuesday Talk with Dr. Dain

Ahoy, Piper Pirates!

Winter Storm Blair has certainly made a name for itself this week, leaving us all shoveling, sliding, and sipping extra hot cocoa. As the snow piled up and temperatures dropped, one question I continue to receive from community members is: “How do superintendents decide to call a snow day?” Well, let me assure you, it is not as simple as shaking a snow globe or consulting a Magic 8 Ball (though I’ve been tempted).

Deciding whether to call off school is a collaborative effort that starts early—sometimes before the coffee has even brewed. I connect with fellow superintendents from Wyandotte, Johnson, and Leavenworth counties to compare notes on road conditions and forecasts. Our bus company is another key partner, as they provide critical insights into whether buses can safely navigate their routes.

Next, our amazing maintenance team weighs in on the state of our parking lots, sidewalks, and building readiness. And yes, we get behind the wheel driving those tricky secondary roads to see firsthand what our families and staff might face.

And let us not forget the cold. When temperatures and wind chills dip dangerously low, we consider how that impacts students waiting at bus stops, extended bus rides, or walking to school.

At the end of the day, the safety of our students and staff is always the guiding compass. If it is a close call, we’ll always err on the side of caution. After all, no snowball fight is worth risking a slippery commute!

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this frosty season. Whether you are building snow forts, baking cookies, or just staying cozy, let’s all take a moment to appreciate the beauty of winter (even if it means an extra layer of chaos).

Stay safe, stay warm, and as always, #BELIEVETHEHYPE!

Proud to Be a Pirate,

Dr. Jessica Dain

Superintendent of Schools

We invite all Early Childhood, Piper Prairie, and Piper Creek parents to attend an important informational meeting on Wednesday, January 22nd, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. This meeting will focus on the upcoming transition to two K-5 elementary buildings, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.

Further details will be shared soon, but we encourage you to mark your calendars for this important discussion.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Dr. John Nguyen, Assistant Superintendent

As students return from our (extended) Winter Break, it’s the perfect time to focus on reestablishing routines and embracing the opportunities a fresh start brings. Consistent schedules for bedtime, meals, and homework can help ease the transition back to school while ensuring students are ready to learn. Setting clear expectations and creating a daily structure helps students feel secure and organized, making it easier for them to succeed academically and socially.

This time of year also provides a wonderful chance to set new goals and focus on a growth mindset. Encourage your child to reflect on their accomplishments from the first half of the school year and identify areas they’d like to improve or explore further. Remind them that each day is a new opportunity to do their best and grow. By combining supportive routines with a positive outlook, we can help students start the new year on the right foot.

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.

This week's #HYPESQUAD member goes to Dr. Taylor Mapp, Vice Principal & Athletic Director at Piper Middle School. A parent said "Dr. Mapp has brought another level to our school. Not only does he support his students, he supports his staff. He supports his coaches as well. It’s nice to have someone around that’s there for you! He checks on you everyday to make sure you’re good. He is the perfect addition to our staff!"

Piper Educational Foundation is excited to announce that sales are now open for the next installment of the Giving Wall! Need a gift for a loved one? What better way to celebrate the holidays than with a gift of legacy! A personalized plaque on the Piper Giving Wall is a meaningful way to honor alumni, future alumni, community members, and business partners who support our students and staff. Click the link above to purchase a plaque!

Piper High School’s Tannar McDaniel has been selected to play in the prestigious Kansas Shrine Bowl, one of only 88 athletes chosen across the state each year. Nominated by Coach Orrick, Tannar was named to the East All-Star Team, making him the only athlete from Wyandotte County to be selected this year. This marks a significant achievement, as Tannar is only the 8th athlete from Piper to receive this honor since the game's inception in 1974. The Kansas Shrine Bowl, an all-star high school football game that benefits Shriners Children’s, will take place on June 21st, 2025, at Memorial Stadium in Dodge City. This year’s game will celebrate the 52nd edition of the event, which has raised nearly $4 million for Shriners Hospitals for Children. We are proud of Tannar for this outstanding accomplishment and wish him the best of luck as he represents Piper on the field! Visit https://www.kansasshrinebowl.com/football.html

Visit https://secure.smore.com/n/skyzj to find highlights from the December Board of Education meeting.

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