SupportLinc is USD 428's Employee Assistance Partner, intended to support the emotional wellbeing of our staff. SupportLinc provides expert guidance to help you and your family address and resolve everyday issues and struggles.

WIN one of 15 gift cards before the holidays!

We want this service to be utilized but we understand that the first-step can sometimes be the hardest part. Now through December 15, we’re giving you an extra incentive to check it out!

• All you have to do is login and explore the FREE resources available to you and those in your household!

Once you’ve logged in and checked out the website and available resources, enter your name to be entered to win a gift card - Click Here.

There will be 5 - $50 winners, and 10 - $25 winners announced on December 16.

Because SupportLinc is completely anonymous (that’s a good thing!), we’re trusting you to login and explore the available resources and tools before you provide feedback on the brief survey.

How to connect anytime, around-the-clock, 365 days per year:

By phone: 1-888-881-5462

Online: www.supportlinc.com

Through the app: eConnect®

Group Code: greatbendschools

All requests for information or assistance through the SupportLinc program are free of charge and completely confidential.

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Building Report:

• Misty Straub, Lincoln's principal, introduced Jose Arias, family engagement coordinator, and several members of the Lincoln STUCO to present to the BOE members.
• Students shared what motivated them to join STUCO and talked about the application and selection process.
• Mr. Arias shared his priorities to create meaningful experiences for students to go out and represent Lincoln, serve the community, and build confidence and skills.
• Mr. Arias also invited two kindergarten students to share about "Lion Pride." Lion Pride is a program to build relationships across grade levels. There are 17 "family prides" or groups at Lincoln, led by a teacher or staff member. On the last Friday of the month, students move into these groups to complete activities, get to know each other, and build relationships. They reported on the success of the program so far and the positive outcomes they've seen, a video was shared to highlight what the time in the "Lion Pride" looks like.

The following Grants & Contributions were approved by the BOE:

• Anonymous donor for Student Support & Nutrition - $500 to Riley, $500 to Eisenhower, & $500 to Park
• Gifting Forward Foundation provided prizes for the 2022 Cram the Van Winners - $600 to Jefferson, $250 to Lincoln
• GBHS Activities received $62.28 from Ohiopyle Prints, Inc.
• Lincoln Elementary received $53.10 from Coca-Cola Give
• Park Elementary received $1,500 from Kristen Anderson (Brilliance Project)

The following personnel items were approved by the BOE:

• Retirement of Daryl Moore, Assistant Principal at GBHS at the conclusion of the 22-23 School Year.

Following the meeting, BOE members were invited to tour the building with Misty Straub. They stopped into several classrooms, saw a little bit of art week in action, and observed the Winter Benchmark process.

Learn more about the USD 428 Board of Education, including full board reports, by visiting our website - click here.

Great Bend High School’s Internship Program has launched 13 seniors into the local workforce this fall, giving students the opportunity put classroom learning to practical use in the workplace.

In the first academic year of this program, 13 students received a placement at seven local employers that represent a wide variety of industries. The Internship Program is a capstone for GBHS’ Career and Technical Education tracts. Interns must meet high academic and attendance standards before applying and interviewing for an internship placement with a host business partner.

“The GBHS Internship Program is beneficial for everyone involved,” said Lacy Wolters, ACT & Career Coordinator at GBHS. “For students, the goal is to increase their knowledge of workplace skills and receive on-the-job experience that build upon what they’ve learned in the classroom. For employers, they get to influence career training, help students make informed educational and career choices, and gain access to an expanded pool of qualified applicants. The list of benefits goes on and on, it’s really a ‘win’ for everyone involved!”

By the end of this first semester, each intern will have logged roughly 60 hours at his or her host business. Some will continue their work at their host business with another 60 hours in the spring semester.

“Recruiting is a big reason we patriciate in opportunities like this,” said Dr. Ty Brunswig, veterinarian at Animal Medical Center. “For students who are interested in a medical career of some type, we want to provide exposure to veterinary medicine and let them get to know us and our practice with the hope that they may come back to our community.”

In addition to on-the-job experience, the GBHS Internship Program includes a classroom component that Wolters describes as a powerful time of reflection.

“On Fridays, we meet as a class to record observations from the week,” said Wolters. “This provides an opportunity for students to share experiences with their peers, formulate questions for their host businesses, and work on portfolio items.”

Interns will showcase their digital portfolios at a special event scheduled for December 7 from 6-8 pm at Great Bend High School. Families, host businesses, as well as prospective interns for the 23-24 school year are invited to attend.

For more information about the GBHS Internship Program, please contact Lacy Wolters, ACT & Career Coordinator at lacy.wolters@usd428.net or 620-793-1521.

GBHS would like to extend its gratitude to the 2022-2023 host businesses partners:

• Advanced Therapy & Sports Medicine
• Animal Medical Center
• Comfort Pro Inc.
• Fuller Industries Inc.
• Schroeder Homes & Remodeling
• Stueder Contractors Inc.
• University of Kansas Health Systems - Great Bend Campus

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