RELAY - September '24

It is the goal of the monthly RELAY to connect our staff with news and highlights from across our schools and community. It's a digital 😀 delivered to your inbox!

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
• Instrument Display Night
• BOE Luncheon Meeting Highlights from Riley Elementary
• Welcome, New Teachers
• Let's Celebrate - September Birthdays
  
• District Photo Highlights
• Community Resources
  

• September 2 - No School, Labor Day
• September 27 - GBHS Homecoming - Early Dismissal at 2:30pm for Homecoming Parade (PreK - 12grades)

If you're looking for a new "GB" shirt, hat or other item - now is the time to shop! Our online store with Identifications includes a variety of "ALL IN" shirts in various school colors. Don't delay, the store closes at 11:59pm on September 4 and items will be ready for pick-up within 1-3 weeks.

2024 GB Store

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!

Great Bend students and families enjoyed the 6th Grade Instrument Display Night, held on Wednesday, August 21st, at the Great Bend Middle School (GBMS) Gym and Commons Area.

The event, which aimed to inspire 6th-grade students to explore their musical passions, saw an impressive participation rate. A total of 64 students signed up to join the band, while 40 students opted to join the orchestra, marking a strong start to the school year’s music programs.

During the event, students had the opportunity to try out various instruments and select the one they felt most passionate about. The evening was an important step in helping students begin their musical journeys. In addition to USD 428 band and orchestra instructors, numerous volunteers from the community, retired instructors, and other local instructors were on hand to provide guidance and support as students explored instruments. Several regional music stores were also available to families to rent or buy instruments that evening. A photo-op was also set up to encourage students and families to commemorate their excitement.

“We were thrilled to see so many students eager to explore their musical talents,” said Aubrey Maneth, Orchestra Director at Great Bend Public Schools. “Their enthusiasm was contagious, and we’re excited to see how they grow as musicians this year.”

For more information about the music programs at Great Bend Public Schools, please contact the GBHS/GBMS music directors:

• Band: Grant Mathews, grant.mathews@usd428.net; Kimberli Simms, kimberli.simms@usd428.net
• Orchestra: Aubrey Maneth, aubrey.maneth@usd428.net; Erica Pinkston, erica.pinkston@usd428.net

The USD 428 Board of Education held it's monthly Luncheon Meeting at Riley Elementary on Wednesday, August 28 at 12pm.

Building Report Highlights:

• Beth Rein, principal of Riley Elementary, shared a building report with Board of Education Members; her comments highlighted numerous "Good Things" at her building as well as a few challenges and how they plan to address those. One highlight that positively impacts all operational areas of the building is being fully staffed in all positions.
• 4th-grade students Kimberly and Neomi shared their KELPA (Kansas English Language Proficiency Assessment) Goals with BOE members during the Riley building report. While the annual test is administered in February of each year, Riley has implemented a new strategy to help students set goals in advance so that learning in the classroom and intervention time can be focused on their personal academic growth.

Personnel Report:

Licensed Appointments:

• Dr. Sherri Brantley, Teacher of Grade 3 at Eisenhower Elementary

Licensed Retirement - effective at end of 24-25 School Year:

• Mrs. Lynette Stos, Teacher of 8th Grade ELA at GBMS

Grants & Contributions:

Reward Incentive contributions for the following schools have been received.

• Lincoln Elementary $236.00 Strawbridge Photography

Great Bend High School would like to accept the following contributions:

• Blue Devil Performing Arts $2,000 Band Trip fund
• Carol Hopkins $500 Band Trip fund

USD 428 wishes to accept a $15,000 KSDE 24-25 competitive Education for Homeless Children and

Youth grant. (McKinney Vento Subgrant)

GBMS:

• Amy Stein, GBMS STEM teacher, wishes to apply for and receive the following Kansas Donor Choice Project grants. - Anonymous donor $363.99 3D Print Supplies; General Motors $315.73 Skimmer Car Project supplies
• Holly Oyedeji, GBMS Librarian, wishes to apply for a Patrick Mahomes “Read for 15 Program” nonprofit reading initiative grant for up to $15,000. If granted, funds would be used to purchase student friendly library tables to allow more collaboration and seating in the library.

Great Bend Public Schools - USD 428 is thrilled to welcome 37 new teachers to the district for the 2024-2025 school year. This diverse group of educators includes some new to the teaching profession, as well as experienced teachers who bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our district.

As part of their onboarding process, the new teachers participated in "Capturing Kids' Hearts" training on July 30 and 31. This program equips educators with strategies to create positive, high-achieving learning environments by focusing on building strong relationships with students.

Following this training, the new teachers attended New Teacher Orientation on August 1-7. This comprehensive orientation is designed to familiarize them with the operational aspects of working within USD 428, as well as to immerse them in the spirit of the Great Bend community.

"Starting a new teaching position can be both exciting and overwhelming," said John Popp, Assistant Superintendent of USD 428. "Our New Teacher Orientation covers the essential operational aspects of working in our district, but we also hope it captures the spirit of Great Bend. Thanks to the thoughtful planning by our staff, the hospitality of our community partners, and the collaboration of our mentor teachers, we believe our new teachers will feel supported and ready to thrive."

The orientation schedule included five half-day sessions in the USD 428 Board Room, a bus tour of Great Bend to familiarize the new teachers with the community, and several networking opportunities. These included a social hour hosted by the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce and FUEL Barton County, as well as a mentor luncheon sponsored by Credit Union of America.

Great Bend Public Schools is committed to supporting its educators and fostering a collaborative and welcoming environment for all.

Great Bend High School:

Great Bend Middle School:

Eisenhower Elementary:

Jefferson Elementary:

Lincoln Elementary:

Riley Elementary:

Little Panthers Preschool:

Barton County Special Services:

At the conclusion of the first week of orientation, the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce (Megan Barfield, President and CEO pictured above) and FUEL Barton County, welcomed new teachers, mentors, and building principals to enjoy a social hour at Dry Lake Brewing.

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

Great Bend Airfest is September 20-22 at Great Bend Municipal Airport in Great Bend, Kansas. Hosted tri-annually, the event brings nationally-acclaimed aviation talent to provide world-class family entertainment. The 2024 lineup includes Skip Stewart, Franklin’s Flying Circus, Randy Ball, Matt Younkin, Bob Freeman Airshows, Vertigo Sailplane Airshows, Ghostwriter Airshows, Mini-Jet Airshows, Chuters Parachute Team, Hot Streak Jet Truck, and many other attractions.

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: 1809 24th St, Great Bend, KS 67530
Phone: 620-793-1500
Facebook: www.facebook.com/USD428/