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Hello, May!Below are a few important calendar days to remember:
The 2023-2024 School Calendar* is now available on our website at GreatBendSchools.net. *Please note, the August in-service schedule is subject to change. | Employee Referral ProgramPersonal 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 personal network of friends and family. Click here to learn more about the $250 referral bonus! | Nominate a #428HeroDo you know a #428hero?! During #428Hero week (May 1-5), we want to highlight stories and staff across USD 428. We're asking YOU to nominate the superheroes in your midst. Click the link below to complete the brief form and then keep an eye on social media! Click Here to nominate a #428Hero! Prizes (drawing to be held on Thursday, May 4):
*All USD 428 employees are eligible to be nominated and eligible to win. |
Hello, May!
Below are a few important calendar days to remember:
May 1: Principal Appreciation Day
May 2: Teacher Appreciation Day
May 1-5: #428Hero Week
May 5: School Lunch Hero Day
May 10: School Nurse Day
May 21: GBHS Graudation
May 24: End of 4th Quarter, Last Day of School
May 25: Teacher Workday & Checkout
The 2023-2024 School Calendar* is now available on our website at GreatBendSchools.net.
*Please note, the August in-service schedule is subject to change.
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 personal network of friends and family.
Click here to learn more about the $250 referral bonus!
Nominate a #428Hero
Do you know a #428hero?!
During #428Hero week (May 1-5), we want to highlight stories and staff across USD 428. We're asking YOU to nominate the superheroes in your midst. Click the link below to complete the brief form and then keep an eye on social media!
Click Here to nominate a #428Hero!
Prizes (drawing to be held on Thursday, May 4):
- $50 Chamber Gift Certificates - donated by the City of Great Bend (x2)
- $100 Chamber Gift Certificate - donated by the City of Great Bend
- Summer Punch Pass for the Wetlands Water Park
- 2 - Party in the Park Concert Passes, August 2023 - donated by the City of Great Bend
- Great Bend REC - steel tumbler and 1-year Jean Cavanaugh Wellness Membership (x2)
*All USD 428 employees are eligible to be nominated and eligible to win.
Board of Education Meeting Highlights
BOE Members and guests enjoyed a school lunch, movie theatre-style popcorn provided by Riley, and a building report from Riley Staff & Students.
Report Highlights:
Beth Rein, principal of Riley, provided a creative "building report" in the form of a quiz game called Kahoot. Kahoot is an interactive online tool used in many classrooms across the district. A few of the highlights included:- Academic Data - Rein shared the challenges and opportunities of academic data and how Riley staff is working to identify the best tools and predictors of student learning.
- LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) - Rein shared that 14 Riley teachers, nine of which are classroom teachers, are working beyond the school day to learn the science of reading. Rein commented that what they're learning is visible in interventions, meetings with families, and targeted and specific areas of phonics and reading.
- Attendance - Riley boasts 95% attendance for K-6 grade students.
- 18 students passed the KELPA
- Christian Garcia won the Barton County Spelling Bee and placed 37th out of 86 students at the State competition.
- Rein also shared that the condition of the playground is a significant challenge for the school community. They are hoping to add accessible equipment for a wheel-chair bound student and other potential upgrades to the 25+-year-old playground.
- The program concluded with two students providing a demo of the Dot & Dash robots that are at "home" in the library. With a recent mini-grant, Riley will have 15 robots next fall that are used to introduce the basics of coding to students.
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Grants & Contributions: The following were approved by the BOE.
- Marmie Motors, Inc. wishes to contribute $100.00 to the 6th-grade band and orchestra program for student t-shirts.
- Eisenhower Elementary School wishes to accept $1,288.72 from Eisenhower PTO for Playground Equipment
- GBHS Activities Department wishes to accept $200 from Pick Chiropractic for GBHS baseball athlete meals
- GBHS Activities Department wishes to accept $500 from the Panther Booster Club for State Wrestling Ad
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Personnel Report: Approved by the BOE
Licensed Resignations:
- Mrs. Kinzie Behrends, 4th-grade teacher at Jefferson
- Mrs. Tina Vondracek, special education teacher at Eisenhower
- Kiley Wahramn, 4th-grade teacher at Eisenhower
- Ms. Hannah Laurin, 6th-grade teacher at Riley
Licensed Appointments:
- Mrs. Katie Zimmerman, teacher of special education at Eisenhower
Administrator Appointment
- Mr. Myron Ellegood, Principal at GBMS
Director Appointment
- Mrs. JoAnn Blevins, director of teaching and learning at District Office
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Network Security Update
USD 428 IT Director Ryan Axman shared a brief overview of measures the district has taken to support secure network systems, processes, and procedures to enhance and protect information technology throughout USD 428.
As features have been implemented, the IT Department often communicates the "How" to staff, but maybe more importantly to help staff understand the importance of these measures, they want to share the "Why."
Why do we need KnowBe4 training? Phishing attacks are the number one way hackers get access to our network. Not only can they steal our data they can ransomware our servers and shut down the entire district's network. This happened to Hays and Newton in the last year.
Why do we need two-factor authentication for our email? With so many people's passwords available on the internet it is important to protect our email accounts from being taken over by someone outside our district.
Why do we need DUO to sign into our computers? This prevents people from outside our district from logging into your computer with your credentials. Since they do not have your phone they cannot receive the authentication code.
Axman shared that USD 428 is more secure than a year ago, but that nothing is full-proof. Cyber security is a moving target and USD 428 IT will continue to make adjustments in the future as needed.
Welcome, baby!
Natalie & Chance Deforest welcomed Molly Jean to the world on 4/1/2023 @ 11:07 am in Great Bend.
8 lb. 9 oz.
20.5” long
Big brother Meyer enjoys looking at her and saying “baby”!
Mrs. Natalie Deforest works at Jefferson Elementary as an instructional coach.
Wagner earns National Bowling Championship
PAIGE WAGNER IS THE 2023 ISC CHAMPION!!!
Paige is a 2022 GBHS Graduate and the daughter of Tim & Cheri Wagner. Cheri is a paraprofessional at GBMS. Paige is attending WSU where she is a member of the Chocker Bowling Team.
Wagner beat Lara Kurt from SCAD 235-226, then won with a 211-203 against Anna Maxwell from Maryville. Congratulations, Paige!
Explore Great Bend Calendar of Events
Be sure to follow Explore Great Bend on Facebook for news and events!
Art & Wine Walk, May 5
Friday, May 5, 4:30 - 7:30pm
Cinco de Mayo Celebration
Saturday, May 6, 11 am - 7 pm - Jack Kilby Square
- Parade at 11 am down Main Street
- Music
- Food Vendors
- Dancing & Entertainment all day!
*Stop by and support Riley Elementary 6th-grade, who will have a booth to raise money for their end-of-the-year field trip!
June Jaunt 2023
- Live music all weekend
- Car show & cruise night - June 2, 6-9pm
- Mural tours on the Dolly Trolly
- Paint in the Park
- Vendors, yard games, bounce houses, and MORE!
Learn more: https://fb.me/e/JVjkVUUI
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.
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