RELAY - May '24

It is the goal of the monthly RELAY to connect our staff with news and highlights from across our schools and community. There are so many successes, positive stories, and virtual smiles to share!

We hope you enjoy this brief update. Take a moment to learn something new, celebrate with a colleague or friend, and pause to see the good happening all around you.

In this issue:

• Quick Reads
• BOE Luncheon Meeting Highlights from Lincoln
• Let's Celebrate - May Birthdays
  
• District Highlights
• Community Resources
  

Personal referrals are the best way to find new employees!

With the launch of the Employee Referral Program, we're giving you a few more reasons to share job openings with your network of friends and family.

Click here to learn more about the $250 referral bonus!

• May 1 - Principal Appreciation Day
• May 3 - School Lunch Hero Day
• May 6-10 - Teacher Appreciation Week & #428Hero Week
• May 8 - School Nurse Appreciation Day
• May 12 - GBHS Graduation, 5pm
• May 15 - 8th Grade Recognition, 6:30pm
• May 16 - End of the 4th Quarter
• May 17 - Teacher Workday and Checkout

Here's a sneak peek at next week's highlights for the 2024 #428Hero Week!

You won't want to miss this opportunity to celebrate with your colleagues and friends. Stay tuned for more details!

• #428Hero Nominations - Share your kudos, compliments, and brag on your peers and colleagues for being a #428Hero - in turn, they'll be entered to win some AWESOME prizes!
• Local Perks - We have compiled a lengthy list of perks and discounts from local businesses for you to enjoy!
• #428Hero Photo Booth - Enjoy a fun photo booth in your building to celebrate and share the fun on your own social media accounts.

Join the FUN!

Jose Arias, Student & Family Advocate at Lincoln, along with Chelsea Mauler, Instructional Coach, welcomed the Board of Education for their monthly luncheon meeting on Thursday, April 25.

Lincoln highlighted the career exploration work they've been doing by having three 6th-grade students share their career research projects, posters, and exhibits they are preparing to present to the school.

The following grants & contributions were accepted by the BOE.

Great Bend Middle School - Color Run Fun Day T-Shirts:

• Mpire Improvements $150.00
• Spectrum CPA $500.00

Park Elementary School - Sensory Table:

• Park Booster Club $139.99

Great Bend High School:

• GBHS FFA - $400.00 National FFA Organization Day Of Service grant
• GBHS Danceline - $394.00 Panther Booster Club (50/50 raffle)

Reward Incentive contributions for the following schools have been received:

• Jefferson Elementary - $18.50 Box Tops for Education

The following USD 428 educators wish to apply for and receive Credit Union of America TGIF Spring 2024 Grants. Total amount- $3,800.

• P. Williams, GBMS - $1,000
• A. Stein, GBMS - $400
• H. Tittel, GBMS - $1,000
• A. Davis, Jefferson - $500 (total for two grants)
• D. Alcala, Park - $900

Licensed Appointments

• Mr. Lars Lueders, Teacher of Science at GB High School
• Mr. Jarrod Tate Thompson, Teacher of English at GB High School
• Ms. Macy Miller, Teacher of Grade 5 at Eisenhower Elementary School

Licensed Resignation

• Mrs. Cathy Lewis, Teacher of English at GB Middle School

Learning the risks and rewards of Wall Street, 300 students at Great Bend High School recently participated in the Seventh Annual Legacy Financial Solutions Investment Challenge.

Utilizing an online platform called How the Market Works, participants started the month of February with $100,000 virtual cash to “invest” at their discretion. While the online trading platform provides research tools, investment content, and real-time trading to simulate participation in the stock market, students and staff members have the opportunity to test their own strategies and experiment with their investments.

At the end of the month-long simulation, the top three student winners were Caden Guesnier, first; Thomas Armatys, second; and Griffin King, third.

“The popularity of the investment challenge has grown substantially in the past six years,” said Lacy Wolters, GBHS career/ACT coordinator. “It’s exciting to see students participate year-after-year, as well as their enthusiasm grow for personal finance and the stock market.”

“The investment challenge allows students to apply what they are learning in the classroom to a realistic simulation, and even if they’re not enrolled in a personal finance class they can still participate,” said Wolters.

“It’s our goal to give students a real-life foundation in the world of investments and financial planning,” said Matt Hiss, investment advisor representative with Legacy Financial Solutions. “As participation grows, the excitement tells us we are offering a program where students both learn and enjoy. We enjoy partnering with the school to give students and staff members this experience.”

The Legacy Financial Solutions Investment Challenge awarded the following prizes to the USD 428 staff winners, Carrie Minton, first place; Robin Linsner, second place; and Maggie Kreigh, third place.

For more information on the Great Bend High School Personal Finance and Investing courses or the “How the Market Works” simulation, please contact Lacy Wolters at 620-793-1521. For information about Legacy Financial Solutions, call 620-792-6333 or visit their office at 2001 Broadway Ave in Downtown Great Bend, KS.

The USD 428 Elementary Art Teachers - Shannon Wedel & Miraya Starnes - cordially invite you to attend the 24th Annual “Watching Artists Grow” Virtual Art Show!

The virtual show is categorized by building and features over 1,300 pieces of artwork from all K-6 grade students. Students were asked to select a piece to share with the community - the piece they felt was their best work.

“Our students have learned a great deal throughout the year, and put a lot of effort into their work,” said Wedel. “We want to give them an opportunity to show those efforts.”

Click Here to view the art show. A link can also be found on our homepage - www.GreatBendSchools.net.

Eisenhower - 2nd Grade

As we near the summer season, the GBHS track will again be available to the community for walking & jogging. GBHS Activities Director, Matt Westerhaus, recently visited with the Great Bend Post to share our goal of making the facility available for community use while implementing some basic rules to extend the life of the track.

Outside of the school year, the track will be open from dawn to dusk. New signage is being made to communicate rules and expectations with the community.

As a reminder, use of the turf field and practice field is reserved for those with advance permission from USD 428. To inquire about field availability and reservations, please contact USD 428 Support Services at 620-793-1514.

If you have a birth announcement, anniversary, personal accomplishment, or a celebration to share with your 428 family - please email andrea.bauer@usd428.net to be included in the monthly RELAY!

Community events and coupons for local businesses too!

Be sure to follow Explore Great Bend on Facebook for news and events!

Experience the vibrant fusion of art and flavor at the Great Bend Art and Wine Walk! Join us as we stroll through downtown stores transformed into galleries, showcasing the work of talented local artists. Sip on exquisite wines as you immerse yourself in the beauty of paintings, sculptures, and crafts. Engage with the creative community, discover unique pieces, and indulge your senses in an evening of culture and entertainment. Don't miss this opportunity to explore downtown Great Bend in a whole new light!

Learn more - Click Here!

Make plans to attend the annual Cinco de Mayo-Great Bend festival on Saturday, May 11 in Jack Kilby Square. Festival from 11 am - 6 pm, Parade at 11 am followed by music vendors, food, dancing, beer garden, and entertainment all day!

GB Car Care is proud to offer USD 428 staff a year-round 10% discount on all interior and exterior detailing services.

BARTON COUNTY ELEMENTARY STUDENTS, ENTER THE "Make a Difference Contest" AND LET US KNOW HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

ONE LUCKY STUDENT WILL BE SELECTED EACH MONTH THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR TO WIN AN AWESOME PRIZE PACKAGE. Click Here to submit an entry!

It only takes a few minutes to share the GREAT things happening in your classroom! Email high-resolution photos and a quick caption and we'll share it with the community on social media!

Quick Photo Caption:

"Students are learning _______________, by doing ______________."

Submit News to media@usd428.net.

Email: media@usd428.net
Website: www.GreatBendSchools.net
Location: 201 South Patton Road, Great Bend, KS, USA
Phone: 620-793-1500
Facebook: www.facebook.com/USD428/