Valley Heights District Newsletter

Blue Rapids Circle of Giving Match Event

September 13-15, 2025

Thank you to The Patterson Family Foundation for providing up to $100,000 in matching funds to BRCF.

Donations can be mailed to PO Box 63, Blue Rapids, KS 66411,

postmarked on or before Sept 13, 2025.

Or you may drop it off at the Community Center.

All mailed donations must include a completed donation form.

Online giving begins September 13th, 12:00 am, running through the weekend,

ending Monday, September 15th at 11:59pm

The Patterson Family Foundation will award up to $100,000 to BRCF during match days—up to $50,000 allocated for operations and/or the grant endowment, and up to $50,000 designated as matching funds for participating organizations.

Gifts between $25 & $5,000 will receive a 50% match up to $2,500 per organization.

LIVE MATCH DAY EVENT

Monday, September 15, 2025

Gather for Lunch, Support the Community!

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Community Center, 4 Public Square

Lunch will be served from 11:30

Valley Heights USD 498 is excited to announce the creation of the Mustang Facility Enhancement Fund, a community-focused initiative through the Blue Rapids Community Foundation dedicated to supporting critical facility improvements across the district. This fund will help ensure that Valley Heights Schools continue to provide safe, modern, and functional spaces for learning, growth, and community engagement. From classrooms and common areas to infrastructure and technology upgrades, every improvement will help our students thrive.

We are especially grateful to share that an anonymous donor has stepped forward with a generous dollar-for-dollar matching challenge.

Individuals can either give during the Blue Rapids Circle of Giving Match Day, September 13–15, through the Mustang Facility Enhancement Fund. Or gifts of grain or livestock can be given directly to the Valley Heights USD 498 Foundation and designated for facility maintenance.

This donor’s first priority is updating the existing HVAC unit in Blue Rapids, with additional interest in supporting the replacement of the High School Gym bleachers. They recognize the importance of maintaining our current facilities, reducing the burden on taxpayers if the district were to seek a future bond, and avoiding an increase in the mill levy.

The donor points out that raising $500,000 through this initiative would have the same financial impact as adding 15 mills to our Capital Outlay Fund for a year—nearly double the maximum 8 mills we are allowed to levy annually—without touching the mills already dedicated to annual maintenance and upkeep.

The donor is deeply committed to keeping our schools in their individual communities and hopes others will join in this effort to reduce the financial burden for everyone. “Your support—whether through donations, spreading the word, or participating in Match Day—will make a lasting difference.

Together, we can invest in the future of Valley Heights and enhance the learning environment for all students.” “Thank you for being part of our mission.” Sean Spoonts Superintendent USD 498

Match Days

Online or Live in person, you can increase your giving to Schools That Care during the Circle of Giving event in September! Donors are encouraged to give during this time because gifts of $25 or more can be matched 50% with generous funds from the Patterson Family Foundation. Schools That Care uses donated funds to purchase school supplies, hygiene supplies and other items when family needs require more than what donated items can provide. Donate online at midnight Sept. 13 through 11:59pm Sept. 15. OR join us for lunch at 11:30am Sept. 15, at the BR Community Center, the live event takes place 9am-3pm. Thank you for your support!

Goal: $3,500.00

Specific Need

Schools That Care operates strictly from donations to fill student and family needs in Valley Heights, USD#498. Schools That Care served Jr and Sr High School students with school supplies when school started this year. There will be more needs. Last school year, we served over 1,000 student and family needs. Schools That Care also provides hygiene supplies and care closets at each school and on the Mobile Family Resource Center aka, "the care bus".

Cash donations are appreciated to help fill specific student and family needs as they arise. Other donation drives are held throughout the school year to secure specific items to keep on hand such as, Back to School supplies, Winter hats/gloves/coats/boots, school supplies, socks, shoes and undies, hygiene supplies and household supplies. Follow Us! The Schools That Care FB Page updates current donation drives and needs, high demand items, local event dates and provides weekly Tuesday Tips. Schools That Care also has a page on the Valley Heights website.

Mission

Engage, educate, and support students and their families to improve their mental and physical health status and ensure access to appropriate resources. Connect schools with business and community partners to help mobilize resources for students and families resulting in a removal of barriers to learning. Serving students and families in Valley Heights, USD#498 based on needs, not income....It takes a village to enhance communities.

Profile

Schools That Care offers the Mobile Family Resource Center, aka “care bus” and our Family Advocate to serve students and families in USD#498, Valley Heights School District. Together they help address and alleviate the mental health and physical needs of students and their families through providing concrete resources to optimize success! The Family Advocate and Mobile Family Resource Center travels throughout the communities in USD#498 providing students and families with supplies and resources to improve students’ ability to learn in the classroom. Families are served based on needs, not income.

Follow Us! And share with others. The Schools That Care FB Page updates current donation drives and needs, high demand items, local event dates and provides weekly Tuesday Tips.

Goal: $20,000.00

Specific Need

Our specific needs are focused and are correlated with our Mission. First, to provide post-secondary education scholarships to worthy students in the USD 498 School system. Second, to provide for educational projects and/or grants throughout the USD 498 public school system. Third, to provide financial support as a supplement to the teaching resources available to instructors employed by USD 498 for the purpose of preserving, maintaining and improving the public school eduction in the district.

Mission

Our Mission along with our specific needs and goals are a three-pronged approach. First, to provide post-secondary education scholarships to worthy students in the USD 498 School system. Second, to provide for educational projects and/or grants throughout the USD 498 public school system. Third, to provide financial support as a supplement to the teaching resources available to instructors employed by USD 498 for the purpose of preserving, maintaining and improving the public school eduction in the district.

Overall, it is our goal to continue to work in connection with USD 498 to provide financial support, leadership, professional expertise in all facets of the District.

Profile

If anyone has any questions or would like additonal information about the USD 498 Foundation, please contact Chad Parker (President) 785-363-2263 or Kenneth Steinfort (Treasurer) 785-363-2263.

This year brings several exciting updates and improvements for USD 498. We successfully transitioned our food service from OPAA to self-operation, which allows us to better serve our students and maintain consistent meal pricing. We are pleased to announce that our 21st Century afterschool and summer programs will continue for the 2025–26 school year, thanks to federal funding being reallocated back to the district.

Safety continues to be a top priority. Through our $400,000 SVPP grant, we have completed significant security upgrades, including new cameras, intercom systems, a safety app, and protective bollards at entryways in both Waterville and Valley Heights Jr./Sr. High School.

Infrastructure improvements also mark a major milestone this year. We are replacing our lagoons with a sewer connection to the City of Waterville, funded entirely by a $1.27 million Small Towns Grant at no cost to the district. Over the summer, our track was replaced, our football field was re-sodded, and new flooring was installed at Blue Rapids Grade School. At WGS, painted hallways, new carpet in first grade rooms, Parents As Teachers purchased a swing set for the preschool playground and our board has approved a much-needed upgrade to our main gym bleachers, with installation scheduled for April. HVAC improvements at VHHS and Waterville Grade School are scheduled to take place in September.

Passion, purpose, and connections are essential elements that synergistically work together to create a vibrant and effective educational environment in our schools. Passion fuels students' intrinsic motivation, driving them to pursue their interests with fervor and dedication. When students discover their passions, they gain a sense of purpose, understanding how their interests align with their long-term goals and aspirations. Purpose provides direction and clarity, guiding students in their educational journey and helping them stay focused on their objectives. Additionally, fostering connections within the school community, between students, teachers, and mentors, enhances learning experiences by providing support, collaboration, and opportunities for growth. Through passion-driven pursuits, guided by purpose, and supported by meaningful connections, students are empowered to achieve their full potential and contribute positively to their school and beyond.

The newsletter serves as a beacon, illuminating the opportunities available within our educational community for nurturing passion, purpose and connections. It showcases extracurricular activities and initiatives designed to ignite student's passions and provide avenues for exploration and self-discovery. Additionally, the newsletter highlights programs and resources geared towards helping students identify their purpose, whether through mentoring programs, or community service projects. Through the newsletter, members of our school community are inspired to engage, pursue their passions, find their purpose, and forge lasting connections that enrich their educational journey.

Email: sspoonts@valleyheights.org
Website: https://www.valleyheights.org
Location: 2274 6th Road, Blue Rapids, KS, USA
Phone: 785-363-2398
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vhusd498/
Twitter: @usd498