The Paw Print

We are so excited to meet with all of our parents and guardians to discuss your child's progress so far this year. If you aren't scheduled for a conference or need to reschedule your conference, please reach out to your child's teacher ASAP or call our front office at (816) 321-5040. Thanks in advance!

October 1 - For The Family Day - wear Oak Park or Chapel Hill spirit wear/colors

October 1 & 2 - Parent Teacher Conferences, 4:30 - 8:30pm by appointment only

October 1-3 - Fall Book Fair

October 4 - No School K-12

October 7 - No School, K-12; Professional Development Day

October 8 - PTA Meeting, 6:30pm

October 18 - Chapel Hill Opening Celebration, 5:00pm - 7:00pm (details below)

October 18 - 1st Quarter Ends

October 23 - 1st Quarter Grades available on PowerSchool

October 23-31 - Red Ribbon Week (details below)

October 24 - Champ Camp Assembly & Parties

October 25 - PTA Sponsored Trunk or Treat, 5:30-7:00pm (details below)

October 29 - Individual Picture Retake Day 5:30 -7:30pm, Main Lobby

October 30 - Diversity Council Meeting, 4:30pm

November 3 - Bingo for books (details to follow)

November 4 - 4th Grade Symphony Field Trip, 11:30-2:30pm

November 5 - For the Family Day - wear Oak Park or Chapel Hill spirit wear/colors

Let's have some fun celebrating Red Ribbon Week! Red Ribbon Week takes place each year from October 23rd through 31st. We invite you to join us by getting involved and continue to make America Drug-Free.

We are excited to welcome you back to the Bobcat Cafe for another awesome year of lunches. Please use the link below to sign up.

Reminders:

• Guests and their student will be seated at one of our cafe tables. Only the guest(s) and the students will be allowed to eat together. Other students will not be able to join at the table.
• One guest or two if coming together may sign up per day. You must be signed up to attend. Please only sign up one time per week to allow others the opportunity to join their student.
• All guests must present a valid Driver's License and sign in at the office. You'll receive a sticker to wear during your visit.
• Photos and videos may only be taken of your student. We have students with media restrictions.
• Sharing food is prohibited.
• Once the lunch shift has ended, guests must sign out in the office. Please refrain from visiting other locations in the building or walking your student back to class.

We have Champ Camp once a month, with Champ Camp Assemblies and Celebrations once a quarter. Our first Champ Camp Day will take place on Friday, October 24th! Each student was gifted a Champ Camp shirt for students to wear throughout the year on Champ Camp days. These days give us an opportunity to celebrate our Chapel Hill school spirit, practice a building-wide expectation and complete a challenge to earn a class reward.

We’d love a little help from you- please keep Champ Camp T-shirts for students to wear throughout the year on Champ Camp Days. Below is a list of the Champ Camp Days for the year. We will also send reminders to help students remember to wear their shirts and celebrate with their Bobcat friends.

Future Champ Camp Assembly/Party Days: Students should wear their blue shirts on these dates:

October 24, 2024

December 13, 2024

March 14, 2025

May 15, 2025

If you are interested in helping with your child's party, please use the link below to sign up.

Arrival:

We begin student supervision at 8:55 am each morning.

• If your student is a walker, please work with them to arrive between 8:55-9:15 am. When students arrive earlier than 8:55, it creates an increased concern as we are not able to supervise before school care in front of the school. Once students arrive, they must have a seat and wait for the doors to open to enter the building. Students may not run around the front of the building while waiting for doors to open.
• We do not allow students to ride bicycles on campus. Once students arrive to school, they should dismount their bicycle and walk it to the bike rack located on the side or front of the building depending on their dismissal door.
• All students arriving to school in a car should exit the car through the car rider line. It is a safety concern when students are dropped off in the street. We will continue to monitor arrival drop off for safety.

Dismissal:

If it is necessary to pick your child up before school is dismissed, please come to the office and your child will be called over the intercom. For security purposes, any changes in dismissal must be made prior to 3:45pm. Students will not be called out early after 3:45 as students are beginning to transition for dismissal at this time. The office must be notified if someone other than a parent/guardian listed on your child's online enrollment form is picking your child up. You, or anyone, picking up your child should be prepared to show identification upon request at any time.

Walker parents should wait at one of the designated walker waiting areas. Walkers are dismissed after all cars are cleared from the front parking lot.

Important Car Rider Reminders:

• Please stay in line and do not go around other cars if you load/unload more quickly than them. This poses a safety threat for students who are exiting/entering vehicles. Please wait for the staff on duty to release the cars before pulling forward.
• Be sure your child’s nameplate is hanging and/or visible for the staff member on duty to see who you are picking up. If you do not have the nameplates, be prepared to show ID or come inside the building to retrieve your student.
• Exit the parking lot onto 67th Terrace by turning right. For safety reasons, no left turns are allowed coming out of the parking lot during arrival and dismissal!
• Parents should never exit their car while in the car rider line. If you need to get out to help your child buckle their seatbelt, wait until they are loaded in the car and then pull into a parking spot to get out and assist them.
• You may only enter our parking lot through our car rider line. Names are collected in this order and students are organized 24 cars or more in advance. When cars enter outside of the line, it makes it challenging to ensure all students are in the correct order in line.
• If a car enters in the middle of the line, the car will be directed to park until we have gone through those families waiting in line.
  
• Please do not block the driveways of our neighbors on N. Indiana Ave while waiting in car rider line.

Thanks so much, Bobcats! We had an AMAZING time at the Annual Fall Festival and we hope you did too! We had a great turnout and know that bringing the dunk tank back was a big success! We would love to know what you thought or if you have any ideas to share ... if you do, please reach out to any Board member and sound off! See you at the next family event, Bingo for Books!

The literary pumpkin project is a fun and creative way to explore books and encourage other's to read! If your child completes this optional project, they can bring their pumpkins to display in the library.

There are many ways to volunteer at Chapel Hill Elementary. Some of our YouthFriend volunteers assist as classroom helpers, assisting in the library, as lunch buddies, or with tutoring. If you are interested in volunteering at Chapel Hill, please complete the online application here.

Once you have complete the application, the YouthFriend office will be in touch with you to complete an online training session and for background screenings. We would love to have you as a YouthFriend at Chapel Hill! Let me know if you have any questions about the YouthFriend process.

Mrs. Nguyen
Email- thuy.nguyen@nkcschools.org

Mrs. McCulley

My name is Natali McCulley, and I am so excited to welcome new Kindergarteners to my class! I just graduated from The University of Missouri this past May with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education. This is an extra special year because this is my first-year teaching! Something else I am looking forward to within the next year is marrying my high school sweetheart. I am excited for what’s to come!

Ms. Greer

My name is Christina Greer, and I am excited welcome the new Kindergartener to my class. This is my 12th year as a Kindergarten Teacher, and my 6h year as a Bobcat! I am proud to call Chapel Hill home!

I grew up in Kansas City and went to school in the North Kansas City School District from Kindergarten through Highschool!

I went to UMKC for Early Childhood and Elementary Education. I also graduated from Webster University, where I completed my Master’s in teaching English as a Second Language. I love learning and am continuing to work on my Reading Degree from Northwest Missouri State.

I enjoy spending time with my family, animals and my friends. I love to travel and find good places to listen to music.

I look forward to working with you and your student. I am excited to see how each student will grow this year and throughout the years to come at Chapel Hill. It will be AMAZING!

Mrs. Holliman

This will be my fourth year teaching Kindergarten at Chapel Hill. Previously, I taught Pre-K for five years. I grew up east of KC in a small town and graduated with my education degree and reading endorsement from Graceland University. My husband and I recently got married last year and we live here in North Kansas City.

In my free time I enjoy golfing, cooking/baking, crafts, reading, hanging out with friends/family, and traveling.

Miss Looney

My name is Sydney Looney and this is my 2nd year teaching at Chapel Hill. I attended Northwest Missouri State University and got my degree in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education. I am originally from Omaha, NE and moved to Kansas City about a year and a half ago. In my free time, I enjoy reading, thrift shopping and drinking coffee. The best part about being a teacher is building relationships with all students and families in the Chapel Hill community and seeing my students grow throughout the year!

Mrs. Tjelle

Hello and welcome to Chapel Hill! My name is Amie Tjelle (pronounced Chel-la). I am excited for the opportunity to introduce myself and welcome your Kindergartener to my class. I grew up in St. Joseph, MO and stayed in this area after graduating from William Jewell College. This is my 24th year teaching Kindergarten at Chapel Hill. Each year is a wonderful new experience. Since my first year of teaching, I got a Masters in Reading Education from Northwest Missouri State University. My husband, Michael, and I stay busy raising our two girls. Caroline is in seventh grade. She is still liking junior high and enjoys getting to switch classes. Malena is in fifth grade and likes the new responsibilities that come with being the oldest grade at her school. They like the fall sports and keep us busy with volleyball and soccer games.

We love to camp and visit family in various states, but we also enjoy just staying home and doing outdoor activities. I love to read and sing when time allows. Most of all, I love to teach. I believe that a good learning experience is built on the cooperative effort among parent, child, and teacher. I look forward to working with you and your child. I can’t wait to see all the great things these students accomplish not only this year, but throughout their time at Chapel Hill. It is going to be a great year of learning and growing together!

Mrs. Kever

Education: I graduated from Mizzou in May 2021 with an Elementary Education degree and have additional certification in Early Childhood Education. I also graduated in May 2023 with my Masters in Elementary Education through Mizzou’s MPER Early Career Scholars Program.

Family: I grew up in a small town near Jefferson City with my parents and two younger siblings. I also have lots of family in the Kansas City area. My baby is my 2 year old Goldendoodle, Penelope.

Outside of School: My favorite thing to do is ice skate! I have been competitively skating since I was 4. I compete for Line Creek Figure Skating Club on the Adult Synchronized Skating Team.I also spend lots of time with my dog, watching the Chiefs, and hanging out with family and friends!

Mrs. Drambour

Hello! My name is Lauren Drambour, and this is my 13th year teaching first grade here at Chapel Hill. My husband Oliver and I have a son, Jude, who is a first grader here at Chapel Hill! We also have 2 dogs: Mara, a German Shepard, and Finn, a Miniature Bernedoodle.

When I'm not teaching, I love being outside weather that is taking my dogs for a walk, having fires in our backyard while making s'mores, playing board games, and running. I absolutely love teaching first grade. It is such a huge year for growth! I am so excited to help your child learn who they are as learners and who they are as a person.

Miss George

Hi, I’m Miss George! I have been at Chapel Hill for 3 years! It is my #1 mission is to spark curiosity, foster a love for learning, and build a community where every student feels valued and inspired.

I hold bachelor’s degree in education and a Minor in Human Development and Family Sciences. MIZ-ZOU!

I enjoy reading, shopping, walking my dog, hanging out with friends, and playing Pickleball!

Mrs. Watt

Hello! My name is Jill Watt. I am excited to watch your child grow and learn this year in 1st Grade. This is my 16th year of teaching. I have a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood/Elementary Education from Fort Hays State University and a Master’s in Education from Baker University. When I am not at school, I am busy with my own family. When we aren’t running around to my 3 kid’s activities, my family loves to play cards and board games, road trip to the beach and watch sports.

I am looking forward to a great year together!

Ms. Wilks

Hello! My name is Julia Wilks, and this is my fourth year at Chapel Hill, and I am a graduate of NKC Schools (Go falcons!). I graduated from Missouri State University with a degree in Early Childhood Education and moved back home to KC. I like to spend my free time hanging out downtown at coffee shops, exploring new restaurants, and watching movies with my friends. I have re-kindled my love for reading this summer and I’ve been enjoying a good book in the free time I’ve had this summer. I also love going on walks and volunteering at my church!

Ms. Folk

Hello, my name is Courtney Folk! This will be my 6th year teaching at Chapel Hill and my 3rd year in 2nd grade. I graduated with my bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Missouri State University in 2018. My student-teaching practicum led me to NKCS where I co-taught 4th grade at Northview Elementary. Following graduation, I was hired as an Associate Teacher at Chapel Hill, which led to a 3rd grade teaching position, then a 2nd grade one! I knew from the very beginning that I was meant to be a Bobcat and I have loved every second here.

My fiancé, Tyler, and I usually spend our time outside exploring, at home staying cozy, or planning our next trip somewhere new! I enjoy staying active and love yoga, weight-lifting, and running and appreciate good, quality time with friends and family. I love to listen to Armchair Expert and enjoy reading books. Our house cheers LOUD for Chiefs football and Jayhawks basketball!

Mrs. Hatcher

My name is Mrs. Hatcher, and I teach 2nd grade. This is my 21st year as a Chapel Hill Bobcat and my nineteenth year teaching second grade. I am so excited for this school year!

I was born and raised in the Northland and attended college at the University of Missouri - Columbia. Gooooo Tigers!! I have two master’s degrees; one in Literacy Education, which I also earned at Mizzou, and a second master’s degree in Educational Technology, which I earned through Park University!

When I am not teaching, planning for teaching, or getting things ready for school, I love playing outside. I live on a lake with my family and we are very active in watersports, especially swimming and sailing. My husband, Travis, and I have a fifteen-year-old daughter, Andra, and an 8-year-old daughter, Ellija, who are both swimmers and dancers. Our family is completed with our tiny puppy, Lucy, who is a five pound Morkie.

Everyone in the Hatcher family is a HUGE Chiefs fan! We have had season tickets to the Chiefs for over 15 years and are SO excited about the amazing season last year. We love the Royals, too! Most of the time, my TV has sports on it, unless we are watching classic movies on Disney+!

I love teaching second grade and getting to know all of the Bobcats at Chapel Hill! This year is going to be our best year yet!

Ms. Marion

My name is Kelly Marion, and this is my 1st year of teaching and my first year as a member of the Chapel Hill community! I’m originally from Dallas Texas and moved to Kansas City for school. I attended Rockhurst University where I played collegiate lacrosse all four years. I have a twin brother as well as an older sister. During my free time I enjoy watching all types of sports especially K-State and the Chiefs!

Mrs. Thomson

My name is Vanessa Thomson, and this is my 17th year of teaching at Chapel Hill, all in second grade! I graduated from William Jewell College in May 2008 with an Elementary Education degree. I earned my masters’ degree in education from Baker University in 2013. This year will also be my 8th year as a writing demonstration classroom for our school district. I live in Parkville with my husband Zach and our 5 year old son Grant. My favorite things to do are bake cookies, read on my Kindle, hang out with my son, and go swimming at the lake. My goal is to treat all my students as if they are my own, to get to know each child’s individual strengths and personalities, and to work with families to create a wonderful school experience!

Mrs. Weatherman

Hello! My name is Robin Weatherman, and this is my ninth year at Chapel Hill and twenty-third year of teaching in North Kansas City School District.

I grew up in Abilene, Kansas and graduated from Fort Hays State University in 2000. I earned my Master of Arts in Teaching from Webster University. I have two boys. Hayden lives in Columbia, MO and is a history teacher in Fayette. Landon is a senior at Oak Park.

During my spare time, I love to read books and spend time with my family and friends. I have recently found out how much fun it is to play pickleball. Going out to eat is my favorite hobby! I look forward to another amazing year at Chapel Hill!

Mrs. Andersen

Hello! My name is Beth Andersen. For 10 years, I was a Kindergarten teacher at Chapel Hill. While I enjoyed teaching younger students, three years ago I decided to make a switch to third grade and

I LOVE IT!!

I was born and raised in Liberty, Missouri. Growing up, I was the second oldest of four children. I have an older brother, Jeff and two younger sisters, Carrie and Kay. As a child, I spent a lot of time reading, playing volleyball, being outside, camping, canoeing and swimming with friends.

After high school, I attended the University of Central Missouri and graduated with certification in Early and Elementary Education. While in college, I met my husband, Devin. Together, we have one daughter, Ava (she will be going into 4th grade this fall and her birthday is Monday ☺). We also have a mutt, named Stella who gets into a lot of mischief and keeps us on our toes!

Our family enjoys doing all things outdoors. We love to hike, fish, kayak, swim, roast marshmallows around a campfire and explore! When I am not having fun with my family or teaching, I can be found in my garden, trying out new recipes to share with others, reading, riding my bike, or practicing yoga.

I love: blue and green, anything with cheese, unsweet iced tea, buttered popcorn, Chipotle or Smoothie King, and QuikTrip

I look forward to seeing your student learn and grow this year! It is going to be awesome!

Mrs. Crane

Hi! My name is Katie Crane. This is my 15th year of teaching here at Chapel Hill, and I am excited to make this year my best year yet!

I am from Kansas City, MO, and I am a product of the North Kansas City School District. I graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in 2010 with a B.S. in Elementary Education. I graduated from Northwest again in 2018 with a master’s degree in Educational Leadership, and I am currently finalizing my Doctorate Degree from Baker University in Educational Leadership.

I married my husband Brian in 2010, and we have two sons, Archie and Jack. We also have a dog named Cecelia. Brian is a reading specialist, so naturally, we share a love of books! In my free time I love to read, go on walks, swim, watch movies, and listen to music. I love being a teacher, and I am looking forward to another wonderful school year!

Mrs. Hogue

Believe it or not I’m one of the OGs around here. J This will be my 19th year teaching 3rd grade right here at Chapel Hill. I have many amazing memories over the years but seeing previous students come back to visit always reminds me why I chose this career so long ago!

My wonderful husband, Tucker, and I have been married 16 years. We have three amazing children; Avery (14), Marshall (12) and Bode (7). All three of our children are beyond busy with activities and my husband and I love every second of it.

Aside from being with my family, my biggest passion is traveling and getting to the beach as much as possible!

I really look forward to having the opportunity to be apart of my students’ lives this year and for years to come! Lastly, I wanted to be sure to thank all my students’ families in advance for their continued support with their child’s success throughout this coming school year. Bring on some fun in 3rd grade

Mrs. Holmes

Hello, I am Paula Holmes, one of the third - grade teachers here at Chapel Hill. I have been at Chapel Hill for 10 years. I am truly happy and fortunate to be part of the Chapel Hill family.

I have been a teacher for 26 years. Most of my years as a teacher have been in third and fifth grade. Being a teacher is a fulfilling career; getting to know the students as individuals and seeing the growth they make through-out the year both academically and socially makes my profession worthwhile and rewarding; My cup runneth over…

Away from Chapel Hill, I spend most of my time with family; my husband of 27 years and two daughters who are both in their 20’s. We have a spoiled four-year-old American Bully at home named Lola who of course melts our hearts.

Things I enjoy while I’m away from Chapel Hill are listening to books, yoga, walking, playing records, photography, and just plain kicking back and relaxing with my family and friends.

Ms. Palma

My name is Gina Palma and I am excited to begin my 24th year of teaching! I’ve been teaching 3rd grade at Chapel Hill for the past 18 years and could not imagine teaching anywhere else. It also happens to be my former elementary school. It has only slightly changed over the years. ;)

I have been blessed with two boys. Brayton is a junior in college and Brent is a senior in high school. In our freetime (and when they aren’t on their electronics), we enjoy playing board games, visiting amusement parks and cheering on our Royals and Chiefs!! You can also find us playing with our pup Kenzie at the local dog parks.

I look forward to what I know will be an exciting year for you and your child. With all of us working together, your child will soar!

Mrs. Jenkins

I have 2 boys: Logan graduated from MO State with a finance degree and works in Kansas and Kobe graduated from KU in May also with a degree in finance. I moved to the Northland to be closer to family. Favorite things are being with family and friends, reading, baking and gardening. I have had the privilege of teaching elementary and middle school the past 20 years and am so excited to be teaching fourth grade here at Chapel Hill!

Ms. Leonard

Hi! My name is Jacqueline Leonard, and I am looking forward to returning for my 6th year at Chapel Hill!

I am originally from Detroit, Michigan and am still a proud Michigan fan, but I moved to Kansas City in 2009 and love it here! In my free time, I enjoy exploring new places in Kansas City with my friends and family. And, I’m a big Chiefs fan!

I graduated from William Jewell College with a degree in Elementary Education and Spanish and recently graduated with a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from William Jewell. This year, I’m starting my second master’s degree in English Language Learning at Missouri State. At William Jewell, I also competed on the swim team, and I still enjoy swimming when I have the chance. Traveling is a hobby of mine too! This summer I went on a trip with friends to Charleston, South Carolina! I also visited family in Illinois. I spent a lot of time nannying and taking my three girls all over Kansas City too! They love Science City, Wonderscope, and exploring lots of fun parks. In addition to traveling, I love to run, read, exercise, and spend time with my family and friends. I’m looking forward to another great year at Chapel Hill!

Ms. Moderow

This is my 11th year teaching and my first year at Chapel Hill. I’m excited to be a part of the Chapel Hill family! I taught Kindergarten, 1st Grade and spent three years living overseas in Turkey before becoming a 4th Grade teacher here at Chapel Hill. When I’m not teaching, you can find me traveling, running, decorating, baking, and cheering on the Chiefs or Huskers

Ms. Robinson

I was born in Leavenworth, Kansas, and grew up as a military brat, which exposed me to diverse environments and communities from an early age. This upbringing taught me adaptability and resilience,,,vhich have been instrumental in shaping my approach to teaching. I pursued my passion for education at Park University, where I earned a degree in Elementary Education while also being a dedicated member of the women's basketball team. My time as a student-athlete strengthened my teamwork, leadership, and time-management skills, which I now apply in the classroom.

Currently, I am in my 4th year of teaching, and I am proud to be in my 2nd year as a 4th-grade teacher in Chapel Hill. Over the years, I have developed a deep commitment to creating an inclusive, welcoming environment for my students. I believe that every child deserves to feel safe, seen, and valued in the classroom. My teaching philosophy centers on encouraging students to express their true, authentic selves while fostering a community where all voices are respected.

What I love most about teaching is the opportunity to make meaningful connections

with my students and inspire them to become lifelong learners. I strive to provide personalized support and culturally responsive teaching that acknowledges the unique backgrounds and experiences of each student. As an educator, my goal is to nurture both the academic and emotional growth of my students, helping them build confidence and develop the skills they need to succeed in and out of the classroom.

Mrs. Whitlock

My name is Audrey Whitlock and this is my first year in education, at Chapel Hill, and in Missouri. I recently got married to my husband, Jonah Whitlock, and we are proud parents of a chocolate lab named Bentley. I am excited to have started my career at Chapel Hill and have loved getting to explore Missouri! I believe all students can learn and have enjoyed working within a community that supports that belief.

Mr. Fuentes-Dills

This is my 4th year teaching, and my first year at Chapel Hill. I recently moved to Kansas City from Manhattan, KS where I taught special education for one year and 5th grade for two years. I earned my bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Fort Hays State University. I also have a master's degree in Drama Therapy and am currently working on another master's in Curriculum & Instruction. In my free time I enjoy playing with my pets, working on various house projects, and watching my favorite tv shows. I'm excited to join the 5th grade team and work with the amazing students and families at Chapel Hill.

Mrs. Peine

Hello Chapel Hill families! My name is Megan Peine, and I am one of the amazing fifth-grade teachers this year. This is my 10th year at Chapel Hill but my 18th year as a teacher in all. I have taught all grade levels 1st - 5th.

The North Kansas City School District is home for me. I went to Linden West for elementary school, New Mark for middle school, and I am a proud graduate of North Kansas City High School. So, as you can see, the NKC School District holds a special place in my heart.

Outside of my passion for teaching, I love to read, travel, watch movies, and hang out with my family. My husband and I have been married for 16 years now, and we have two girls (ages 10 and 12). In my free time, one of my favorite things to do is lace up my running shoes, plug in my headphones, and hit the pavement to run several miles. With three dogs and two children, there’s never a dull moment in our house.

I am truly grateful to work with such a wonderful group of students and staff here at Chapel Hill, and I am excited for a wonderful year!

Mrs. Stanfel

I am a first-year teacher, I will be teaching 5th grade. I spent the 23-24 school year teaching 3rd grade here at Chapel Hill. I graduated from Mizzou in May 2024. I am originally from the suburbs of Chicago, I moved to Kansas City in July 2023. I also joined the Army in 2019 and am currently still serving in the National Guard.

My hobbies include CrossFit, reading, and anything outdoors! My dog Moose and I spent the summer paddle boarding on new lakes and walking different trails.

I look forward to learning and growing alongside each one of you. Thank you to all my student’s families in advance for their support with their child’s success. I am so excited for our time together in 5th grade!

Ms. Taylor

Hello and welcome to the new school year. I am Becky Taylor, but my students and families call me Ms. T. I am now starting my 20th year with Chapel Hill teaching 5th grade. I am looking forward to our journey together with a year packed full of fun activities mixed with rigorous learning, and hands on experiences. Please follow your student through Seesaw and see what is happening in class. I have them post there to families. I also post all my information in Seesaw that goes home to families.

I have a degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Elementary Building Administration, and Instructional Design and Technology. I love creating things to bring technology into my classroom learning experiences.

My family consists of my son, Shawn. He works for Verizon in the business sales department. I also have my son’s black lab dog, Ollie. They are a big a part of my life and free time.

I love traveling to see family on breaks. I enjoy watching all kinds of sports, but my favorite past time is football and of course, (as most people know), my favorite team, the Kansas City Chiefs!!! I do volunteer work for a few charities in my free time as well. I enjoy sports cars, especially Camaros, and love looking at older model muscle cars. I am so proud to be here and can’t wait to get to know each and every family. I look forward to working with your student and with you to make this year successful for them. Here’s to a terrific year!!

Ms. Montoya

Hi! I’m Heidi Montoya. I’m a paraprofessional on the ELL team at Chapel Hill. You may have seen me with the umbrella directing the car pick up line in the afternoons. I’m a Kansas City native, currently living near Parkville. My husband, Justin, and I have two dogs. I enjoy the outdoors. Justin and I like to travel when we get the chance. I enjoy learning a few words in several foreign languages. Chapel Hill is an amazing school and I am so happy to be here for a second year. It’s great to be a Bobcat.

Mrs. Surgeon

Hi, families! I am Katelin Surgeon, and I am so excited to be working with our English language learners in grades 3-5 this year. This is my 13th year teaching at Chapel Hill. I grew up in Kansas City and am so proud to call this great city my home. I graduated in 2009 from John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Ark. with a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor’s in Spanish. I enjoy crocheting, cuddling with my cats, and playing cooperative board games with my husband, TJ

Mrs. Goldman

My name is Laura Goldman! This is my ninth year teaching and my very first year at Chapel Hill! I have two daughters, Lily (4) and Daisy (2). We are a very active and adventurous trio! We love the outdoors, weekend getaways, travel, cooking, and our Friday-night Spa Nights! I find so much joy and energy in teaching our English Learners; their motivation, positivity, and perseverance is incredibly inspiring.

Mrs. Finney

I’m Emily Finney and this is my first year as the reading teacher here at Chapel Hill. I’ve taught first grade at Meadowbrook for 11 years, so I love being able to stay in the Oak Park Feeder Pattern. I was an OP Grad and a student at CH during my primary years! My husband’s name is Ryan and we have three children, Graham(6), Lucy(4) and Josie(7 months). We all enjoy getting outside, listening to music, and enjoying s’mores by the firepit. I’ve had a great time getting to know teachers, students and look forward to connecting with more families as the year progresses!

Mrs. Anderson

My name is Michelle Anderson. I am originally from California. We moved to Missouri this summer to be closer to our daughter and grandson. I have been an educator for over 25 years and my background is mostly in a private school setting. I have a degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Arizona. I love all ages, but my passion is working with the little ones grades K-3.

Ms. Davis

Welcome to the library! I am excited for another great year at Chapel Hill. This is my 13th year here and I love getting to work with all students! Before coming to Chapel Hill, I taught 2nd grade, Kindergarten, and Early Childhood.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling, playing volleyball, softball, skating, and trying new things. Of course, I love to read as much as I can!

It is my mission to help every student grow and succeed. Please contact me if there is anything I can do to help!

Ms. Penrose

I am Rose Penrose the paraprofessional in the Chapel Hill library. I am working on my 6th year here but have been in the district for over 20 years. I have two daughters, one son-n-law and two beautiful grandbabies. My favorite things to do outside of school are going on adventures with family and friends, kayaking, flipping furniture, painting rocks which I share on my hikes. Oh and root for the Arkansas Razorbacks with one of my besties!!

Coach Roades

My name is Dylan Roades, and I teach physical education and health here at Chapel Hill. This is my 9th year as a teacher and couldn’t ask for a better place to be. My wife Nicole and I have a daughter, Leighton and an Australian Shepard named Oakley. As a family we enjoy cheering on all the Kansas City sports teams are love going on new adventures. I am excited to help our students set and achieve their fitness goals in our new gym, as well as providing them with new opportunities. I am looking forward to an exciting school year!

Coach Ryan

Hello! My name is Ryan Fearing. The kids call me “Mr. Ryan”! I have been working with children for over 30 years. I started coaching gymnastics in 1993. I went to college to be a doctor and finished my degree in psychology but decided that teaching was my true calling. I got my early childhood education degree and began my career with NKC schools in 2003. I taught 1st grade for a year, moved to kindergarten for 12 years (and was the only guy to do that during that time), jumped up to 2nd grade for 2 years and this will be my 7th year in PE. During that time, I also earned my master's degree and many more hours of ongoing education. I love to laugh, joke and have fun and do the occasional magic trick! I also enjoy filming and editing fun videos! I am excited to work with you all this year.

Mr. Spencer

My name is Eli Spencer. I teach Art at Chapel Hill, and I can’t wait to see what these Bobcats artists create! This is my second year as an Art teacher, but my fourteenth year in education. Eleven of those years were spent teaching fourth grade right here at Chapel Hill. After transferring last year to transition to art, I’m thrilled to be back at Chapel Hill!

I love graphic design, woodworking, printmaking, and playing the guitar.

My six-year-old son and three-year-old daughter keep me and my wife busy at home. We love KC sports. We make it out to Royals, Chiefs, and Sporting games as often as we can.

We love to hike and enjoy the outdoors. Our “go-to” local spot is the Parkville Nature Sanctuary. Our favorite National Park is Yellowstone. We enjoy watching the bison, bears, and wolves in Lamar Valley.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to teach Art at Chapel Hill, and I can’t wait to see what we will create together!

Mrs. Pinkman

My name is Elisabeth Pinkman and I have been in the district for 6 years. This is my first year being part of the Chapel hill community and my first year as an art teacher! In my free time I love making my own art as well as playing games both tabletop and video games. My favorite video game series is Legend of Zelda. Before becoming an art teacher, I taught for two years at Rising Hill as a Special Education teacher. This year I am a traveling art teacher and spend my time split between 3 schools Chapel Hill, Northview, and Clardy. I am incredibly exited to foster the creativity of all my students.

Mrs. Sansom

My name is Sarah Sansom and I teach music here at Chapel Hill. This will be my 12th year here and my 18th year total of teaching. My husband and I are from West Virginia originally, but we have been living in MO for 13 years now. We have five children and a few Bernedoodle pups. Over the summer I became a grandma to the most beautiful baby girl.

When I am not at school you can find me driving my Bronco, sitting by the campfire, drinking coffee or exploring National Parks out west. We love going to Colorado and Utah on off-road trails and in the mountains. Fall is my favorite season because I love the cool weather, comfy sweaters and hanging outside with friends. The ukulele is my favorite instrument and don’t go on trips without one! I am so happy to be here at Chapel Hill another year with you!

Mrs. Westover

Hello! My name is Addie Westover, I’m thrilled to join Chapel Hill as one of the new music teachers this school year. I am in my first year of teaching. I also teach music at two other schools in the district. I graduated from Northwest Missouri State University (Go Cats!), where I developed a deep passion for music education and a commitment to helping students discover their love for music. I have known I wanted to be a music teacher since I was in the fifth grade! Between teaching and making music, I love to read, sew, be outdoors, and travel. I am excited for a fantastic year at Chapel Hill!

Ms. Day

My name is Antoinette Day, and I am a Teaching and Learning Coach (TLC) at Chapel Hill, where I support classroom teachers with effective instructional strategies to enhance students' learning experiences. This is my twenty-sixth year in education. As a classroom teacher, I taught 3-5th grade. This is my thirteenth year as a TLC.

I come from a large Italian family and cherish spending time with my mom. We spend a lot of time experimenting with recipes in the kitchen, both for us and our pups. I also share my life with an adorable four-year-old Labrador named KC. Reading is a passion of mine, and I make the most of every opportunity to dive into books or listen to audiobooks. Additionally, I’m a devoted houseplant enthusiast, much to the amusement of my family who thinks I might have too many plants. I delight in learning about plant care through books and videos and love sharing my plants with others.

Ms. Bustad

Hello! My name is Jordan Bustad. I am a 3rd-5th grade special education teacher. This is my fifth year teaching, and I previously taught 4th grade at Chapel Hill for three years. I am so proud to be a Chapel Hill Bobcat. I grew up in Wahoo, Nebraska, and I moved to Kansas City after graduating from Northwest Missouri State University in 2019. In my personal life, I enjoy running, watching sports, and spending time with my family and friends. I look forward to all the learning we’ll do this year!

Mrs. Hall

Hello, my name is Kay Hall. I am the Special Education Resource teacher at Chapel Hill. I am so lucky to get to have a new classroom this year, we are all loving the new space. This is my 7th year at Chapel Hill and continue to enjoy working with the students and staff here.

My husband and I have lived in Gladstone for the last 25 years and have raised our 4 children in the neighborhood. All four of my children attended Chapel Hill. My oldest daughters Abby and Paige both graduated from Oak Park, Rylee is an 8th grader at Antioch and Max attends Gateway 6th grade center this year. We are usually busy with our kids’ activities which include theater, dance and baseball.

Ms. Bergstrom

Hi, my name is Hanna Bergstrom. I am a Special Education Resource teacher at Chapel Hill, and I work with kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade. This is my 4th year as a teacher in the NKC Schools District, but it is my 1st year at Chapel Hill.

I am originally from Rockford, Illinois, and grew up surrounded by my 5 amazing siblings. My alma mater is Mizzou which is what led me to the Kansas City area. I love spending time with my friends and family, having game nights, watching sports, or being active. I also enjoy reading books or getting outside as much as I can when the weather is nice.

It brings me so much excitement to be a Bobcat and work with the students and staff apart of the Chapel Hill Family.

Ms. Chapin

Hello! My name is Ms Kelly. I am the paraprofessional for the special education department at Chapel Hill Elementary. This is my first year in this position. I previously worked as a clerk at Chapel Hill for the past 9 years. I was born and raised in Kansas City. I have two daughters, two grandchildren, and two dogs. In my personal time I enjoy reading, watching KC sports, and spending time with my family. I’m really looking forward to this school year and all of the learning we will experience at Chapel Hill.

Mrs. Schumann

My name is Mandy Schumann, and this is my 23rd year as a Speech/Language Pathologist in the NKC school district. I split my time between Chapel Hill and Briarcliff Elementary. My husband Ed and I have been married for 18 years, we have two boys in high school at Oak Park (Eddie-11th grade and Eli 9th grade) and a rescue dog Zoey.

I was born and raised in South Dakota and moved to Kansas City in 2002 after finishing graduate school at the University of South Dakota.

I love yoga, hiking, going to concerts and watching sports. It’s a great year watching my boys play football. Go Northmen!

Mrs. Nguyen

Mrs. Nguyen brings a decade of experience as a middle school teacher in the North Kansas City School District. She also served as a part-time school counselor in the Park Hill School District for two years before joining Chapel Hill. Mrs. Nguyen holds a Master’s in School Counseling from the University of Missouri - Kansas City and a Play Therapy Certificate from MidAmerica Nazarene University.

She is thrilled to be part of the Chapel Hill community and looks forward to supporting students, staff, and families.

Outside of school, Mrs. Nguyen enjoys fishing, crabbing, clamming, and taking nature walks with her family—activities that help her stay balanced and energized.

Mrs. Harkins

I’ve been in educations for 28 years. 25 years as Elementary Counselor at Fox Hill, 3 years before that as a 5th grade teacher at Oakwood Manor. Retired for a few years but am excited to be back.

My husband Jeff and I live on a small farm north of Smithville with 3 horses, 2 dogs and 3 cats. We enjoy the quiet country life and traveling. Both of my children, Amber and Jesee, are grown and have their own places now, but live pretty close.

I enjoy may hobbies but especially anything related to outdoors. Hiking, riding horses, swimming, boating, paddle boarding, kayaking, biking, growing all type of plants and flowers and reading!

Ms. Rettenmaier

Hello! My name is Amy Rettenmaier, and I’m the school psychologist at Chapel Hill. This will be my ninth year working at Chapel Hill and my twelfth year in the district. My favorite hobby is trying new restaurants, food, and recipes. I also love art, especially painting, photography, fashion, and interior design! I’m excited to continue working at Chapel Hill – it is such a special place to be.

Jessica Lohmeyer

My name is Jessica Lohmeyer, but the students call me Nurse Jessica. I like to say I have an eclectic background of medicine. I started my medical career with being a paramedic. I worked as a paramedic for several years before going to nursing school. I dabbled in emergency medicine as a nurse but soon turned to leadership/education. I was in leadership for a few years before starting as a school nurse this year. The change was sparked by my own daughter starting Kindergarten this year. My family consists of my husband Grant and our 3 kids: Jace (8), Sophia(5), and Jameson(2). I am very excited to be the new permanent nurse for Chapel Hill. I have enjoyed all the students, staff, and parents I have met so far! I can not wait to see what this school year brings!

Kelly Bailey, Principal

Hello, Chapel Hill! I am honored to be serving the Chapel Hill community this year as the building Principal. Chapel Hill Elementary is truly a special place and I feel fortunate to call it home. This is my fourth year serving as an administrator with North Kansas City Schools, with two years of experience as an Assistant Principal prior to this role. Before joining the Chapel Hill community, I taught at Crestview and Briarcliff Elementaries and began my administration role at Gracemor Elementary. This is my fifteenth year working in education and I love it!

When I am away from Chapel Hill, I spend most of my time with my family. My husband, Bo, is an Oak Park graduate and happy to hear I am working with students so close to his alma mater. My daughter, Perry, is in second grade and my daughter, Ivy, began Kindergarten this year. I grew up mostly in the Midwest living in Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri and now Kansas. I earned my Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education at Northwest Missouri State University (Go BEARCATS!) and my Masters in Education Administration from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. I believe all students are capable of greatness when educators see and name their capabilities, create meaningful learning opportunities, offer support, and develop authentic, caring relationships. I’m looking forward to partnering with you this year as we embrace on a wonderful year ahead as Chapel Hill Bobcats.

Keyonia Cobbins, ED.S Assistant Principal

Hello Bobcat Family,

My name is Keyonia Cobbins. I was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. After high school graduation in 2003, I attended Missouri Western State University where I received a Bachelor of Science in Education in 2008.

For the last fifteen years, I have been afforded the opportunity to serve as a classroom teacher. Those fifteen years have rewarded me with opportunities, experiences, and relationships that I will be forever thankful for. In 2019, I was awarded Teacher of the Year by Missouri Charter Public School Association. Initially, I only had a desire to serve as a classroom teacher. The journey to become a teacher wasn't easy, so when my dream became a reality, it was more than I could ever imagine. I served with a passion that was uniquely gifted. I am constantly reminded by students and families past and present of the impact my teaching has had on their lives.

In 2020, I felt a push on my heart to take my skills and talents beyond my own classroom and into school leadership. So, I went back to school and received an ED.S in school leadership through William Woods University. I obtained the degree and certification in the spring of 2022. Still not ready to serve as a leader, I served one more year as a classroom teacher and instructional leadership team member.

Then in January of 2023 I started my pursuit of a leadership opportunity for the 2023-2024 school year. This pursuit leads me directly to Chapel Hill Elementary school, home of the Bobcats. My first year here was nothing short of amazing and I am still so thankful to be part of this amazing team for another year. I look forward to meeting the new families starting at our school this year.

The nurses office is needing clothing donations, size 5-9. Pants and underwear are in the highest demand, but anything is greatly appreciated.

Chapel Hill believes that regular attendance at school is important. In fact, research has demonstrated a correlation between good attendance and the likelihood of good academic progress. However, it is recognized that there are occasions when it is necessary that a student be absent from school all or part of the day.

If your student has a fever of 100.4, is vomiting or has diarrhea for 24 hour or has a note from a doctor stating they may not attend school, please call the Chapel Hill Elementary Attendance Office at (816) 321-5042.

As the new school year gets underway, we are excited to welcome students, families and community members to events across the district. North Kansas City Schools values community involvement and has clear guidelines in place to provide the safest, most enjoyable experience at our athletic and activity events. Please take a few minutes to review these reminders before joining us at an event this fall:

Student Attendance at Events

- Only students from participating schools are allowed to attend events without prior administrative approval.

- All students will be asked to remain in the stands during games and will not be allowed to loiter in the concourse or restroom areas.

- Students who are unwilling to comply with the directions of the on-site administrators, supervisors or law enforcement will not be able to attend athletic or activity events for the remainder of the 2024-25 school year.

- All students should leave immediately following the conclusion of all school events.

- Middle school and elementary school students may only gain admittance to events when accompanied by an adult. If students arrive at the entrance gate without an adult, they will be asked to contact an adult immediately and will not be allowed entrance into the event.

- Please ensure that you have an adult to attend with your middle or elementary school student prior to purchasing a digital ticket. Digital tickets are non-refundable if the student is not able to gain admittance.

- All middle school and elementary school students will be asked to remain with an adult or in the assigned seating area determined by the school for the duration of the event.

Admission & Tickets

- No re-entry is allowed at any events.

- NKC Schools utilizes digital tickets for all events that require a ticket for admission. No cash will be accepted for entry to any event. Click here for more information on purchasing tickets digitally.

- All district patrons ages 55 and older are eligible for a free Golden Pass, which provides free entry into all regular-season events. Click here for Golden Pass details.

Bags

- No backpacks or bags are allowed for spectators at any NKC Schools events.

- Purses and belt bags are subject to search. Medical equipment and supplies are permitted.

All school district policies remain in effect during all activity and athletic events. Thank you for partnering with us to make NKC Schools events safe and enjoyable for everyone in our community.

- North Kansas City Schools

• Please send your child to school with a water bottle each day.
• Please call the attendance line to report an absence at 816-321-5042.
  
• If your child has borrowed clothes from the nurse's office after having an accident, please launder those clothes and return them. If you are switching out your child's clothes due to the change in seasons, please consider making a donation of outgrown pants to the nurse's office. Used play condition is fine.
  
• If you need to make changes in your child's dismissal for the day, please call the office at 816-321-5040 before 3:45 pm. We will hold firm to this cut off for early pick up as well. Unless otherwise notified by 3:45 pm, your child will follow the after school arrangements as stated on the electronic Dismissal Information Form.
• Did you know that you can find our most up to date school calendar on our website?

Follow us on Twitter at @ChapelHillNKCSD and check out our hashtag #ChapelHillChamps to see the great learning that happens in our school every day. You can also always visit the Chapel Hill School Website at http://www.nkcschools.org/CH for additional information about our school.