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.

The National Association of Social Workers is celebrating this March with a new theme: Uplift. Defend. Transform. The mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well-being, meet the basic needs of all people and give special attention to people who are vulnerable, oppressed and living in poverty. Social workers commit to enhancing the well being of their communities through social changes, education, networking and advocacy. They address mental health needs, support veterans, assist in managing substance abuse disorders, and guide people through grief, trauma and crises.

National Professional Social Work Month was established in 1984 by President Ronald Reagan.

Social workers are working all around us, in hospitals and clinics, schools, health care, mental health care and substance abuse facilities, correctional facilities, other government agencies, and private practices. They often work with individuals, families, groups, non-profit organizations and in communities. Social workers have a deep desire to help others who are vulnerable and make a positive difference in the world around them by valuing human relationships, service and dignity.

Thank a social worker this month, especially those who have made an impact on the lives in your family, and/ or your community.

It's almost time to "Spring Forward"! Set your clocks forward one hour on

Sunday, March 8 for Daylight Savings Time.

COURAGE. Showing courage doesn't mean you're suddenly a Super Hero. It could be the spirit in which you face difficulty, persevere, speak up for yourself or others, solve problems or brave danger, overlook fear or resist pain. It could be described as valor, spunk, true grit, daring, determination or tenacity. Courage can grow with practice, experience, confidence, support and commitment. Courage comes from our values and making a conscious decision to act in the face of fear.

We will explore encouragement and why it is important to encourage others and what it feels like to be encouraged. Encouragement is offering courage or hope and support to others who you want to succeed. Prompting and praising are persuasive ways to encourage others, not creating fear. but to comfort, cheer up, console or speak to in a friendly manner. There are lots of ways we can offer encouragement to others: high fives, smile, clapping, cheering, challenging, sharing and listening.

Save these dates now for kids to attend Summer's Camp Exploration!

OR
Looking for summer work?

Apply to work with kids at Summer Camp Exploration if you want to engage with kids, not enrage...

CLICK HERE FOR 21ST CCLC CAMP EXPLORATION JOB APP LINK Applications close March 12

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.

Valley Heights Elementary students in grades K-4 have been building their own personal tool kit this school year during Character Ed lessons with Ms. Jayne. The toolkits are labeled with each students' name and are kept in their classroom. Toolkits may be used anytime they feel like they need to take a minute to adjust their attitude, clear their mind, re-focus or reset in order to be ready to learn or try again. Students understand the rules for using their tool kits in class- tools are not toys and are not used to distract others and they must use a one minute timer--they may simply ask their teacher if they can take a minute...Generally all it takes is one minute or less to regulate and return to a learning mindset. Once children understand that they are responsible for themselves- their thoughts, their emotions and their behavior, then they are ready to learn about the tools to make adjustments to what they think, how they feel and what they do.

Students have learned the best 2 ways they can self-regulate is: breathing and movement. A breathing straw was the first tool added to their tool kits. Students can regulate and calm quickly by breathing in and out to a count of 4...or up to 8....and learned to refocus by using a finger to trace a shape while practicing breathing exercises. Students have a key ring with cards that give them clues and reminders about lessons we've learned to change how we feel about a bad day or experience into a better day. Gratitude is a great way to change an attitude. Students added a gratitude stone to their tool kits after reading the story, "Gratitude is My Superpower". We have so many blessings to be grateful for and recognizing them can help us put the day into a much better perspective when things may not seem to be going our way. A compact mirror is a tool used to look at and talk to ourselves. Practicing positive thinking and telling yourself and your brain positive things like, "Woo HOO! You're Doing Great!"- another book we read, or affirmations like, "you've got this" and "I will try again". Teaching young students that it is ok to make mistakes is important for them to learn resiliency. In February we learned why it is important to love others and feel loved.

Recently we've learned how using our 5 senses can also be helpful! Not only are we grateful for having use of our 5 senses, but taking a minute to refocus on one or all senses is a helpful way to a have a great day! We added Chapstick to our tool kits last week. Chapstick can reach all 5 of our senses and helps us feel better in less than a minute! Feeling better and ready to learn can simply take a minute when you have the right tools and know how to use them!

Schools That Care is accepting donations for the annual "Say YES! to a formal dress" events. Donations of new and used dresses still in great condition can be dropped off at VH high school at the district office. Other items accepted are make up, jewelry, shoes, heels, sandals and flats plus hairstyling gems, hot irons and hair styling products. Girls just wanna have fun!

Looking for a lunch date once a week? You'd make the perfect Big Brother or Big Sister for a student at Waterville Elementary! Pack a lunch for yourself or for you and your little to enjoy together at school, or buy a school lunch and visit during lunch time. Students love to have lunch time visitors! It only take a few minutes each week to build a trusting relationship with a student who needs a mentor, another important adult in their life who can make a difference by believing in them, sharing life with them and modeling or mentoring them as they grow and learn about life. Find your perfect match and be a mentor!

So many options for packing a lunch or snack, how do you choose what's best? Sack are inexpensive and disposable. Lunch bags and boxes are reusable, but need to be cleaned thoroughly be tween uses. Bento boxes also need to be cleaned between uses but offer sections to accommodate serving sizes and eliminates the need for plastic baggies that create waste. Packing lunches and snacks can be fun for the whole family! Get the kids involved. Selecting snacks and food items is everyone's favorite thing to do! Make the shopping list together. Food prep can be time consuming but working on it together or doing it all in one evening each week can save time during the nights with busier schedules. Use this list or create your own. Click here to download the lists.

Maverick is growing so fast that some students thought I had gotten another new dog! Maverick loves going to school and seeing the kids, he really is a social pup and get as excited to see the kids as they do to see him. Right now, he is learning to behave and is doing a pretty good job. The younger students are learning too. If they get loud and crazy-hyper, so does Maverick because he wants to play! I am looking forward to training Maverick; he will become a certified as a therapy dog after he turns a year old.

There are many benefits to him becoming a therapy dog for school. Therapy dogs can help improve the physical, mental and emotional state of those they contact while improving people's moods, boosting morale and encouraging social interaction. Other benefits include reducing stress, anxiety and blood pressure while offering comfort and companionship. Therapy animals offer non-judgmental support and help to improve mental health. Watch for more Moments with Maverick featured on FB and in each monthly newsletter.

Ms. Tryon's Kindergarten class enjoyed a visit from Maverick during their snack time. No snacks for Maverick-he doesn't get people food, it could make him sick.

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.

in Marshall and Washington Counties

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.

The dates are set for the annual "Say YES! to a formal dress" events. Valley Heights students in grades 7-12 are invited! This year's selection of dresses is bigger and better than ever before! New and used dresses have been donated throughout the year to fill the racks with formal dresses in all colors, styles and sizes! Some shoes, make up , nail polish and hair accessories are also available. Bring your bestie to help you choose the best dress for your upcoming event- Jr. High Dance, Prom, Graduation, a wedding, Easter Sunday or other celebration! Snacks will be served. And if these dates don't work for you, contact the Family Advocate for a date and time that will. You're going to look FAB-u-lous!

If your family is staying at home during Spring Break don't miss out on the opportunity to make some memories and treasure some family bonding time! Make the most of it with a "stay-cation" plan! Leave the plans to the kiddos and see what they can come up with...."movie nights...sleep overs...camping in the yard....wiener roast...scavenger hunt...declutter the garage....yard sale...read a book...lemonade stand...crafts....board games....paint the bathroom.....day at the library....rearrange the living room...build a tree house or a fort...try a new recipe...create a puppet show...menu planning...and more!" Let the kids pack a bag and switch rooms or camp out on the porch for one night. The sky is literally the limit when you are safe at home and can pivot instantly if plans don't work out. A stay-cation offers convenience, affordability, less stress, and opportunities for creative play! Make this Spring Break Stay-cation an "Adventure for Everyone to Remember"!