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Hello, April!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! | Sneak Peek - 2K a Day AwardAre you still Step'n?! Here's a sneak peek at the t-shirt design for those who achieved 2K a day, or 31 miles during the challenge! Even though the competition ended yesterday, April 2, we hope you'll keep steppin'! Winners will be announced soon! Coming soon - MyHealth360 Screenings! USD 428 will be hosting TWO opportunities for health screenings this year, screenings will take place JUNE 5th & 6th and AUGUST 15th - 18th. Save $50 a month on your insurance premium by completing the biometric screening and health survey. More details to come soon! |
Hello, April!
Below are a few important calendar days to remember:
4/7: No School - Spring Holiday
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!
Sneak Peek - 2K a Day Award
Are you still Step'n?!
Here's a sneak peek at the t-shirt design for those who achieved 2K a day, or 31 miles during the challenge! Even though the competition ended yesterday, April 2, we hope you'll keep steppin'! Winners will be announced soon!
Coming soon - MyHealth360 Screenings!
USD 428 will be hosting TWO opportunities for health screenings this year, screenings will take place JUNE 5th & 6th and AUGUST 15th - 18th. Save $50 a month on your insurance premium by completing the biometric screening and health survey. More details to come soon!
Let the Good Times Roll!
Employee Appreciation Event Winners:
- Classroom Pizza Party: Dorothy Leidig, Park
- PJ Day: Eric Dowson, Park
- Staff Donut Delivery: Donna Becker, GBHS
- Classroom Sonic Run: Michelle Daniel, Riley
- Building Sonic Run: Lucero Chavez, Central Kitchen
- Classroom Donut Delivery: Holly Johnson, GBHS
- $100 Collaborative Classroom Budget: Shelly Post, Helping Hands
GB Swag Winners:
- Lisa Daniels, GBHS
- Karen Barrow, Food Service
- Wendy Popp, GBHS
- Garrett Dykes, GBHS
- Megan McGuire, Eisenhower
- Ashlynn McCarty, BCSS - Ellinwood
- Doug Disque, Central Kitchen
- Barb Austin, GBHS
- Traci Burns, DEC
- Jessica Delgado, Riley
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Next word, please spell … Tra·di·tion
For one Great Bend Family, excellence in spelling is a tradition. Following in the footsteps of his two older sisters, Christian Garcia claimed top honors at the Barton County Spelling Bee in February and advanced to the Sunflower State Spelling Bee held at Newman University on Saturday, March 25, 2023.
The competition involved 86 spellers from across the state and lasted 13 rounds. Garcia made it to the fourth round and placed 37th.
Jazmin Garcia was the first sibling to win the Barton County Spelling Bee in 2014, followed by Jacklyn in 2019 & 2021.
“Spelling is something we’ve practiced together,” said Jacklyn Garcia. “At home, I took on the role of ‘pronouncer’ and would randomly select a word off the list and ask Christian to spell it. It’s really cool to see the names of all three of us on the spelling bee winner list.”
“It’s okay if you don’t win,” Jacklyn added, “going to the state bee, in itself, is a grand accomplishment.”
All the Garcia siblings attended Riley Elementary where Christian is now in the 5th-grade with his twin sister, Jennifer. Jacklyn is a Sophomore at GBHS, and Jazmin graduated from GBHS in 2020.
Tyler Nolte, from Nemaha County was named the 2023 Sunflower State Spelling Bee Champion and will advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee this summer in Washington, D.C.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee states that the purpose of the bee is to help students improve their spelling, increase their vocabularies, learn concepts and develop correct English usage that will help them all their lives.
The Barton County Spelling Bee is organized by the Kiwanis Club of Great Bend. For more information, please contact USD 428 at 620-793-1500.
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Jacklyn Garcia | Jazmin Garcia | Christian Garcia |
Jacklyn Garcia
Jazmin Garcia
Christian Garcia
Board of Education Meeting Highlights
BOE Members and guests enjoyed Walking Tacos for lunch and a building report from Jefferson Staff & Students.
Report Highlights:
- Kindergarten: Mrs. Westerhaus, teacher, shared information about purposeful centers and how they are supporting learning in her classroom.
- First-grade students from Mrs. Foster's class shared "Why I Love Great Bend" stories they wrote recently.
- Special Education Technology: Mrs. Kriegh and a student helper, showcased how the touch-screen "tv" works in her classroom to provide engaging academic content for both ELA and math.
- Fifth-grade: Students shared and demonstrated what they learned in a recent robotics unit. In their hypothetical scenario, they use robots to collect pollution from the sea after a tsunami.
- 6th-grade: Two students showcased their space display, one example of the interactive science fair that was recently hosted at Jefferson for all students to enjoy.
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Grants & Contributions: The following were approved by the BOE.
- Christine Simos wishes to contribute a 15’x 60’ artificial turf to the new Barton County Special Services Preschool. The contribution is valued at $5,000.
- Eisenhower Elementary School wishes to accept $ 200.00 from their PTO for Family Formal Night (contribution for DJ fee)
- GBHS Choir $395.59 Applebees Giving Tuesday Fundraiser
- GBHS Choir $1,105.54 Pizza Hut Fundraiser
- GBHS Forensics Coach, Kim Heath, wishes to apply for a “Roads to Nationals” grant from the William Woods Tate, Jr. Memorial Fund that if granted, provides $250 up to $1,000 to help students attend the National Speech & Debate Tournament.
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Personnel Report: Approved by the BOE
Licensed Resignations:
- Mr. Nathan Broeckelman, Math at GBHS
- Mrs. Tami Schepman, Instructional Coach at GBMS
- Mrs. Tricia Reiser, USD 428 Assistant Superintendent
Licensed Appointments:
- Ms. Jamie Sorenson, 6th-grade at Jefferson Elementary
- Ms. Kieara Kaufman, 1st-grade at Eisenhower Elementary
- Ms. Mayra Reyas, Kindergarten at Eisenhower Elementary
- Ms. Bradyn Houlteberg, Vocal Music at Jefferson Elementary
- Mrs. Samantha Nicholson, 4th-grade at Lincoln Elementary (TA to Teaching Program)
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Braxton Love First-place, student | Dustyn Epp, Kyler Harris Second and Third-place, students |
Braxton Love
Dustyn Epp, Kyler Harris
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Daniel Schneider First-place, staff member | Jason Duvall Second-place, staff member | Andrea Bauer Third-place, staff member |
Daniel Schneider
Jason Duvall
Andrea Bauer
Welcome, baby!
Miraya & Kasey Starnes welcomed a sweet baby boy to their family on March 22. Theo is loved by his siblings, Kilian, Ramsey, and Lilith.
Theodore (Theo) Kade Starnes
Born March 22, 2023 @ 3:07pm
10lb. 3oz.
21.5 inches long
Miraya Starnes is an Elementary Art Teacher for USD 428. Congratulations!
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Lei off Tobacco! | | |
Lei off Tobacco!
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GBHS HOSA at State! | | |
GBHS HOSA at State!
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Scholars Bowl Team Park! | Team Park! | |
Scholars Bowl
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GBMS Art | | |
GBMS Art
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Jefferson | | |
Jefferson
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Lincoln | | |
Lincoln
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Helping Hands | | |
Helping Hands
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