RELAY - January '24
Great Bend USD 428 - News and Highlights
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
- GB Reads Overview
- Let's Celebrate - January Birthdays
- District Highlights
- Community Resources
Quick Reads
Mark your calendar!
- January 3 - School Resumes
- January 8 - BOE Meeting, 5pm @ DEC
- January 15 - No School, Teacher Workday
- January 25 - BOE Luncheon Meeting, 12pm @ Riley
Employee Referral Program
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!
ALL IN GREAT BEND!
Follow the clues below and let's recommit to being ALL IN for our students in the new year!
Gather 'round, folks, for a tale to unfold,
In the breakroom's heart, where stories are told.
Hidden out of sight, a treasure awaits,
A symbol of unity, celebrating our mates.
In the dance of connection, where families and schools align,
Hidden out of sight, your prize does recline.
A reminder of teamwork, turning challenges to cheer,
Let's find that treasure, bring it near.
To the breakroom, we go, with laughter and glee,
Where lunch finds its home and so does the coffee.
Hidden out of sight, in a place so neat,
Your "All In" prize makes the journey complete.
As we step into the New Year, two-zero-two-four,
Let's open the door to adventures galore.
So off you go, with a skip and a grin,
A community of leaders, let the hunt begin.
In Great Bend, together we stand TALL,
Cheers to being "All IN" – now let's have a ball!
📣Snap and share a photo of your All IN sticker in use to media@usd428.net and in return, you might just get another surprise!
-------------------------------------------------------------
ALL IN Great Bend is meant to encourage a mindset of collaboration and a shared investment in our students, families, and community. 'All In' also applies to our school culture and how we support you from the district office, as well as how you support each other in your classrooms and buildings. Collaboration will be at the heart of everything we do because when we work together, we can achieve extraordinary results.
If you have not received a t-shirt, please email Andrea Bauer with your shirt size and building location. We have shirts available in sizes L - 3X. Thanks!
School & Community News
Board of Education Appreciation Month
January is School Board Appreciation Month, a great opportunity to say thank you to the USD 428 Board of Education members who are committed to the success of every student in our community.
Great Bend USD 428 Board of Education members include Jacquie Disque, president, Aaron Emerson, vice-president (beginning a second term on Jan. 8), Chad Burroughs, Deanna Essmiller, and effective January 8, Karen Lindberg, Randy Wetzel, and Sara Williams will join the board to replace retiring members, Lori Reneau, Chris Umphres, and Susan Young.
Members are elected at large to serve a four-year term. These community leaders volunteer hundreds of cumulative hours attending meetings, reading reports, and discussing plans and programs to support educational achievement in Great Bend Public Schools.
“Our board members are advocates for public education and compassionate leaders,” said Khris Thexton, USD 428 superintendent. “Not only do they keep our district running, but their thoughtful service also shapes the future for our students and community.”
A board member’s responsibility goes beyond monthly board meetings. In Great Bend, BOE members oversee district operations for roughly 2,900 students, 700 employees, and 13 buildings.
“We are fortunate to have this dedicated group of individuals who are engaged in our schools, connected with the community, and advocate for student success locally and with legislators and policymakers across the State,” said Thexton.
USD 428 encourages the community to join in thanking BOE members for their work throughout the year. Notes of gratitude and encouragement can sent to the District Education Center, c/o Cathie McManaman.
Retiring BOE Members:
Lori Reneau
Chris Umphres
Board of Education Member since 2016
Susan Young
Board of Education Member since 2016
We extend our sincere gratitude to Mrs. Reneau, Mr. Umphres, and Mrs. Young for their years of service to USD 428, our students, and our community. Best wishes on your future endeavors!
GB Reads 2024: Nature and technology collide in a heartwarming tale
Roz the robot will greet Great Bend elementary students during the 2024 Great Bend Reading Initiative. The Wild Robot, by Peter Brown, has been selected as this year’s book, and the whole community is invited to get involved.
The Great Bend Reading Initiative, GB Reads for short, first launched in 2015 to promote student literacy skills through school and family engagement.
“GB Reads is a shared experience for children and parents,” said JoAnn Blevins, director of teaching and learning for USD 428. “There is a positive link between family involvement, literacy skills, and success in school. GB Reads is a fun and engaging way to build vocabulary, foster an enjoyment for reading, and strengthen parent-child relationships.”
GB Reads will launch on January 8, 2024, with all USD 428 elementary students in grades Kindergarten – 6th receiving a copy of The Wild Robot, by Peter Brown.
“We always look for books that will engage our readers in both English and Spanish,” said Holly Tittel, USD 428 librarian. “The themes of friendship, resiliency, conservation, and STEM (Science Technology, Engineering, and Math) will be explored in the book and brought to life by our awesome community partners who will visit our schools and share lessons with our students.”
GB Reads is sponsored by USD 428 and presented in partnership with numerous community partners. This year, over 1,300 students will receive a copy of the book along with a calendar providing a schedule for reading the book and information on supporting activities and events.
2024 GB Reads Highlights Include:
- Free book for all USD 428 students, Kindergarten through 6th-Grade
- Great Bend Public Library Robot Training/STEM Day, Jan. 27
- Classroom visits from the Kansas Wetlands Education Center, Barton Community College STEM, 4-H/K-State Research & Extension, and Shafer Art Gallery
- After school “Roz the Robot” craft class with the Great Bend Rec
- Choice boards and prompts to get the family involved
- Robots in the Wild Community Scavenger Hunt
New this year, local businesses have sponsored a community-wide scavenger hunt using a mobile app called Goosechase. Families are invited to complete “missions” in the app to seek out robots that have been hand-made by students in the manufacturing class at Great Bend High School. Family fun prize packages will be awarded to five families who earn the most points in the scavenger hunt.
About the 2024 GB Reads book:
When robot Roz opens her eyes for the first time, she discovers that she is alone on a remote, wild island. She has no idea how she got there or what her purpose is – but she knows she needs to survive. As Roz slowly befriends the animals, the island starts to feel at home – until, one day, the robot’s mysterious past comes back to haunt her. The Wild Robot is described as a heartwarming and action-packed novel about what happens when nature and technology collide.
For more information about GB Reads, please contact the USD 428 District Education Center at 620-793-1500 or visit www.gbreads.net.
Welcome, baby Lucia!
Karen Clark, a teacher at GBHS, is excited to introduce her first granddaughter - Lucia Luella Lopez.
Parents Malia Clark & John Lopez, welcomed their sweet baby girl on November 28. She weighed 9 lbs 15 ounces and sure enjoyed her first Christmas!
Hello, baby Maeve!
Audra & Garrett Ensley welcomed Maeve Ryan to the world on December 28 at 12:09 am. She was 8 lbs .6 oz and 19 inches long. Big brother Liam is very proud! Audra & Garrett both work at GBMS. Congratulations!
Do you have a celebration to share?
GBMS Book Buddies
GBHS students meet with representatives from KSDE
DARE Graduation Time!
GBHS Debate is headed to STATE!
Robotics Club promotes SAFE (Seatbelts are for Everyone!)
Park students receive Yoobie School Supplies from Credit Union & Project Teacher
Explore Great Bend Calendar of Events
Be sure to follow Explore Great Bend on Facebook for news and events!
Beat the Winter Blues in Downtown GB - Jan. 13
Embrace the cozy vibes and treat yourself to some sunshine in the form of incredible deals. Don't let the winter blues win – shop now and turn your cold days into warm savings!
Make a Difference Contest
ONE LUCKY STUDENT WILL BE SELECTED EACH MONTH THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR TO WIN AN AWESOME PRIZE PACKAGE. Click Here to submit an entry!
Share Your Stories and Activities!
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.
Connect with USD 428
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/