STC Newsletter

My schedule each day will begin at the VH Jr/Sr High to meet student needs there before the bell rings. The rest of the week will primarily be:

• Monday at Blue Rapids
• Tuesday at Waterville (third Tuesday is Harvesters)
• Wednesday at VH and out and about in our community
• Thursday AM in Waterville/PM in Blue Rapids
• Friday at VH

Meet the Family Advocate, Jayne Whitson by appointment. She is available to help students and families succeed with resources, referrals and donated items to help during a family trauma, crisis or setback.

The best way to reach the family advocate is via cell, 612-202-7366.

It should be no surprise that Americans celebrate Heart Health in the same month as Valentine's Day. There is more to caring for your heart than some may suspect. Heart Health is important to our well-being and essential to life. Keeping our physical heart in good shape is as important as keeping our emotional heart in good condition. Our emotional health impacts our physical health. Stress can increase inflammation, raise blood pressure and weaken our immunity which leads to heart disease, diabetes and chronic pain. Poor mental and emotional states drive unhealthy habits like poor diets, inactivity and substance abuse which make managing chronic illnesses even tougher. Positive emotions help us to build resilience and a powerful mind/body connection.

Self Care is important to keep your mind/body connection healthy. What is your self-care love language? Check out the self care wheel below for ideas to keep your self-care package fresh.

Learning to read is difficult and does not happen naturally. It requires explicit and systematic instruction, which is especially important for struggling students and new readers. Here is an overview of how children typically learn to read, and a checklist of warning signs that parents can use to measure their progress. Parents might consider these Warning Signs and a checklist from the National Center for Improving Literacy if you suspect that your student is having difficulties learning to read. Every child deserves the chance to become a skilled and confident reader, no matter what challenges they face. NCIL supports families, educators and education agencies by providing free, practical tools and professional learning grounded in the best available research. Using a multi-tiered approach, they help schools and communities screen, identify and effectively teach pre-K through grade 12 students who have reading difficulties. Learn More about NCIL.

Good Citizens build healthy communities! We will talk about the characteristics of a good neighbor and a good citizen and even discuss who the good citizens are that we know and respect in our communities. You might begin sharing some of the qualities of a good citizen with your students:

• Responsible Family Members-good citizenship begins at home.
• Respect and obey the law.
• Respect the rights and property of others.
• Loyal to our Nation and Proud of it's Accomplishments.
• Take pride in our community/school and help tp improve the life of our community/school.
• Take active role in our government.
• Honor the earth and natural resources.
• Try to be well informed on important issues.
• Believe in the equality of opportunity for all people.
• Respect individual differences and ways of life that may differ from their own.

Meet Maverick! Maverick is almost 15 weeks old ,weighing in at just over 25 lbs., loves everything outdoors-the snow and the puddles, and taking walks. He is growing constantly, he is smart and learning new things...he has mastered sit, lay down, fetch, come, give me five, high-fives and says "please". He's a good boy! We will begin obedience training in March on his way to become a certified therapy dog when he turns one. He has been making a few short visits to school with the family advocate and loves seeing kids and staff! Once he completes training and becomes a social emotional support dog, he hopes to go to school more often! Stay tuned for many adventures with Mav!

Marshall County low to moderate income residents can get FREE Income Tax Assistance beginning Feb.4. VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance is sponsored by RSVP of NE KS and in cooperation with K-State Extension in Marshall County. This service helps many elderly individuals, students with part time jobs and families with low to moderate income prepare their income tax returns FREE! There is no charge to file your income tax return through this service. Complex returns involving farms and businesses are not included .All returns will be E-filed. Call the K-State Extension Office 785-562-3531 or RSVP 785-562-2154 for an appointment and more information. Simple returns may be dropped off.

Documents needed to complete your return- please bring these with you:

• Photo Id
• Bank Account Information
• Social Security Numbers for taxpayer, spouse and children
• W-2 forms from 2025 employment
• W-2G Gambling Income
• 1095 Health Insurance Forms
• 1098T (Tuition)
• All 1099s: 1099-G, 1099INT, 1099R, 1099MISC, SSA 1099, 1099-Div, 1099-NEC
• If you own your own home, 2025 Property Tax Statement from your county treasure's office.
• Copy of last year's tax return.

RSVP is located at 1019 Broadway, Marysville, KS, 785-562-2154

Marshall County K-State Extension is located in the Marshall County Courthouse, 785-562-3531.

If volunteering or mentoring is on your bucket list this New Year, inquire here! It is never too late to be a BIG- YOU ARE ENOUGH to be a friend, a brother or a sister, even a SUPER HERO! Apply Now to become a BIG in 2026!

Last week, on Tuesday morning, blazes took hold of the home to Big Brother Big Sisters Offices in Manhattan, KS. Firefighters fought hard to extinguish the flames but Director, Michelle Sink concluded the structure to be a loss along with it's contents. No one was on site when the fire occurred, it was reported by a neighbor and thankfully no one was harmed. The community support has definitely been a blessing to this organization. Temporarily, staff will office in the basement at the Flint Hills Breadbasket until a new permanent location is established. Kaydee Tran, our Valley Heights match specialist reflected on these 3 things after the fire, 1. People are invaluable. 2. Material goods and buildings are replaceable. 3 Community support is everything.

And it's true! We are so grateful there were no injuries, as staff were working at home the morning of the fire. The cause of the fire will be investigated. Although the building and it's contents are a complete loss, these things can be replaceable! And the mission of matching kids with adult mentors is still being pursued. The community is outpouring with support of all kinds.

If you would like to donate to help replace some of the lost items that will be needed immediately to continue doing business, please click here and select Riley County. Thank you for your support!

Blessing boxes are available in both Waterville and Blue Rapids. Give what you can and take what you need. In Waterville the Blessing Box is located on Commercial Street near the Citizens State Bank. The Blessing Box in Blue Rapids is located in Riverside Park near the playground by the recycling container.

Federal funding was approved for the 2026 Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) season. LIEAP helps eligible Kansas households pay a portion of their primary home heating costs during the winter season with a one-time per year benefit.

Applications will be accepted online starting at 8 a.m. on Jan. 20, 2026, and must be received by DCF by 5 p.m. on March 31, 2026.

Preparing for winter heating needs early and exploring alternative resources is encouraged. For more info click here. Stay informed by visiting LIEAP.dcf.ks.gov.

For application assistance in person, ONE DAY ONLY, Feb. 3, 1pm-6pm, at Lincoln Center, 405 N. 4th St. in Marysville there will be a LIEAP event. Staff will be available to assist with in person applications during this one day event.
Please bring:

• proof of income (earned and unearned) for anyone living at the residence
• a copy of all fuel bills (gas, electric, propane)
• Proof of child support payments received or a court order
• if Subsidized housing, provide a copy of rental agreement
• if your heating is included in you rent, provide a copy of your rental agreement.
  
  Other information may be requested as needed.
  
  ** If your utilities are in the landlord's name, a copy of the lease agreement must be provided.