The GBHS Building Report featured the following:

• The luncheon meal was prepared by students in Katy Hekele's Culinary Arts class. The menu included appetizers, caesar salad, lasagna soup, ratatouille, and dessert.
• Lacy Wolters, GBHS ACT & Career Coordinator provided the BOE with a report highlighting the results of the first semester of the internship program. Sharing that GBHS received nothing but positive remarks about the program, Wolters introduced Madelyn Gregg who was an intern at KU Health Systems this fall to share more about her experience.
• Family Engagement Coordinators, Saylem Ryff (GBMS) and Chuy Loera (GBHS) shared information about the First-Aid and Emergency Response event scheduled for later that day. They welcomed 100 participants, representing 40 GBMS or GBHS families, to learn more about how to respond in the case of an emergency. The event included numerous community partners and covered topics like CPR, mental health crisis response, poison control, overdose, and more.
• GBHS Principal Tim Friess closed the meeting by talking about GBHS' focus on individualized plans of study that help students reach graduation. Making a noticeable improvement in graduation rates over the past 10 years, GBHS achieved over 92% graduation in 2022 which means more students are ready for their next step in life. He attributed the school's computer-based-learning credit recovery class, the school's Independent Learning Center, and the genuine care and investment staff make in the success of each student.

Grants & Contributions:

The following were approved by the BOE.

• GBMS - Brian Williams $500 Credit Union TGIF Grant
• GBMS - Nikki Taylor $500 Credit Union TGIF Grant
• GBMS Booster Club wishes to contribute $1,000 to the GBMS for the Panther Buck Store.
• GBMS Booster Club wishes to contribute $223 to purchase a 12-year GBMS Spelling Bee champion perpetual plaque.
• GBHS - Cristina Montes $500 Credit Union TGIF Grant for Mariachi (for El Sol dresses)
• GBHS Orchestra GB Custard Operations LLC (Freddy’s) $279.27
• GBHS Orchestra - $600 performance contribution from Investment Advantage
• GBHS Activities Department - Marmie Motors wishes to contribute $850 for the Panther Football team for the 17 touchdowns.

• Lincoln Elementary - The United Women in Faith group from Trinity United Methodist Church wishes to contribute $500 to support student needs in the hope that they know they are valued and loved.

• Jefferson Box Tops $148.10

The USD 428 Education Foundation has contributed the following flow-through contributions from the Golden Belt Community Foundation.

• Park Elementary - Patricia A. Schmidt Memorial Donor Advised Fund - $250 cash, and gift cards valued at $250
• District Wide - Greg & Susan Bauer Children’s Health Endowment Fund $433 for student lunch accounts

Personnel Report:

The BOE approved the resignation of Mr. William Dutton, teacher of 6th grade at Jefferson Elementary (effective at the end of the school year).

The BOE approved the appointment of Mrs. Tammie Buckbee, teacher of special education in Ellinwood (transition to teaching program, effective immediately).

It's an opportunity to...

• Build Routines - Daily attendance routines can reduce stress, increase your child’s self-confidence, and lay a foundation for good attendance in later grades. These positive behaviors also correlate to a student’s ability to get and keep a job, as they get older.
  

• Increase Engagement - Being in school helps students connect with their peers, teachers, and school staff, creating positive relationships that motivate students to participate in learning.
  

• Access Resources - Schools help students and families gain access to essential resources such as meals, physical and mental health services, and fun enrichment activities including sports, clubs, music, and after-school programs.
  

• Support Learning - Learning is most meaningful when it is active, social, and allows students to apply concepts to real-life situations. Showing up to school each day, helps students to engage in learning that builds skills in reading and math that will help them succeed throughout their life.

As Little prepared for Space Week, she collected questions from her students and submitted them to NASA, hoping for a response. But what she received in return beyond exceeded her expectations. Students enjoyed a nearly 8-minute video recorded by astronaut Nick Hague to answer their questions.

"The kids were over the moon excited," said Little, "and another cool fact is that the NASA Astronaut in the video, Nick Hague, is from Kansas."

The video has been shared with all classrooms at Little Panthers Preschool as well as some classes at Eisenhower Elementary. For Little Panthers, the week included other lessons, craft projects, and sensory play - all with a space theme.

"You never know what cool things can happen when you just ask," said JoAnn Blevins, principal of Eisenhower Elementary & Little Panthers Preschool.

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