Aug 6 - From the Superintendent
Hello, USD 231 Patrons and Employees.
Only eight days to go! Our employees are hard at work preparing for the 2024-25 school year and we can't be more excited! As a reminder, check out the section below for Back-to-School resources. We feel like most of your questions can be answered by starting on this page. I'm also including several important reminders, starting with our cell phone policy.
Cell Phones
To enhance the learning environment and student safety, Gardner Edgerton USD 231 has rolled out a new cell phone policy for all schools within the district. The policy, aimed at minimizing distractions and fostering responsible digital citizenship, prohibits student use of personal cell phones, including all functions, such as cameras and applications, within the classroom environment and during instructional activities.
This move will minimize classroom distractions, promote focus and engagement in academic activities, enhance student safety, and foster responsible digital citizenship.
Impact on the Learning Environment
The district's policy underscores a commitment to creating a conducive learning environment, promoting student engagement, and ensuring safety. By regulating cell phone usage, USD 231 aims to cultivate a focused and interactive educational setting while teaching students the importance of responsible technology use.
The policy will be fully enforced in the upcoming school year, with the district hopeful that these measures will significantly improve academic achievement and overall student well-being.
To view the full policy/procedures, click HERE.
Curriculum Launch
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new curriculum landing page! This online platform is designed to give our community greater transparency into the educational materials used in our classrooms for all grade levels and subjects. The landing page will be a centralized hub for curriculum information and reference documents; the landing page is a valuable resource for understanding what your child is learning.
To start, we’ve focused on English Language Arts (ELA) and Math curriculum writing this summer, with additional subjects coming in the near future. While we are excited to share this resource, we want to emphasize this year will serve as a "soft launch" for our curriculum. This means the curriculum is still under development, as we welcome staff feedback to improve and ensure it meets the needs of all our students.
- Explore the curriculum and reference materials HERE.
- The Guaranteed Viable Curriculum (GVC) Landing Page can be found HERE.
Sincerely,
Brian
#Forwardas23ONE #WeAreUSD231
P.S. - Please follow me on Facebook (@usd231superintendent) and Twitter (@usd231supe) for more frequent updates!
We're Upping our Facebook Game!
To improve community engagement, Gardner Edgerton Unified School District USD 231 is upping its Facebook and Instagram games. We have partnered with #SocialSchool4EDU– a company that specializes in helping schools celebrate their students and connect with the community. One step we need to take is to deactivate our school-based Facebook pages.
Don't fret—on August 12, the district's Facebook and Instagram pages will feature all sorts of new content.
For more regarding why it's important to only have one FB page district-wide, check out this ARTICLE.
What
Gardner Edgerton Unified School District USD 231 is growing our Facebook and Instagram channels. Click on the icons and follow along!
Why
Celebrate our students.
Keep parents, students, alumni, and the community in the loop of what is happening in our district.
Promote the great things happening with athletics, activities, and other events.
Build an ongoing conversation about the positive impact our district is making in the lives of our students!
What do I need to do?
If you are on these social media sites – follow us!
Help promote the pages to your family and friends.
If you aren’t on these sites – that’s OK. The district will continue to provide communication through traditional channels.
Crossing Guards Needed!
Join the team that is dedicated to Keeping Gardner Kids Safe as they bike and walk to and from school!
Work School Days Only–Training Provided. Gardner School Crossing Guards earn $15.50 per hour!
Work shifts before and after school. If both shifts are worked, earn $31 daily.
Call Area Supervisor Rhonda 913-731-0870 for more info
TEXT “KIDSSAFE” TO 22100 OR click HERE.
Back-to-School Central
USD 231 schools re-open our doors to students on Wednesday, August 14 (K - 9, and any student new to GEHS) and Thursday, August 15 (PreK, returning 10, 11, and 12th-grade students)!! We have compiled almost everything you will need - from immunizations to bus route information to food service details and much, much more - all in one location to make the start of your school year as smooth as possible!
To access this information, please click the image on the right/above.
We will update this page throughout the summer so check back often for additional information.
Enrollment for the 2024-25 School Year
Enrollment for students new to the district and returning student re-enrollment will go live on Tuesday, July 16 (9:00 a.m.). Student schedules will go live for students and parents to view on Thursday, August 8 (9:00 a.m.). To access the enrollment page, click the image on the right/above.
Change to National School Breakfast and Lunch Program
As a reminder, federal funding support that has provided students free school breakfasts and lunches in the past has ended. With this in mind, please be advised of the following items.
For the 2024-25 school year, families will once again pay full price for student breakfasts and lunches unless they apply and qualify for free or reduced meals through the district’s application process.
The new free and reduced application for 2024-25 is available on the USD 231 Nutrition Services webpage.
Families must apply for free or reduced food service and student registration fees each year.
Filling out the free and reduced application will be necessary before students can access free or reduced breakfast and lunches during the 2024-25 school year.
If a household has received an email from the Nutrition Services Department notifying them that their students are directly certified for the 2024-2025 school year, they do not need to complete an application, however, they must complete the Consent for Disclosure form to have fees waived.
Annual Public Notice Regarding Developmental Screenings
The Gardner Edgerton School District offers developmental screenings for children up to 5 years (who are not kindergarten eligible). We also coordinate services with Infant Toddler Services of Johnson County (ITS) and USD 231 Parents as Teachers (PAT) for children birth to 3 years of age. If you live in the Gardner Edgerton district boundaries and have a child from birth to age 5 and you have concerns about his or her development, please call the Special Services Office at (913) 856-2080 to set up an appointment for screening.
There are other rights, which by federal and state laws are afforded to you and your exceptional child. A copy of these rights may be obtained free of charge by contacting the address or phone number below.
If you have a child who you feel may be in need of special education service(s), please contact your child’s building principal or Gardner Edgerton Special Services, 231 E Main, Gardner, KS 66030 — phone (913) 856-2080.
