Jayhawk Staff Weekly Update

October 13, 2024

Message from Dr. Samuels

Parent/Teacher Conferences

First Quarter ends Friday, October 11 and Conferences are scheduled for October 15 and 17 from 4:00–8:00 p.m., providing a valuable opportunity to meet with families and discuss how their students are doing in school.

Christa Holt has done an AMAZING job helping to organize food for conferences. Please see the message below.

School Improvement Day

Thursday, October 17, is our KESA School Improvement Day. Our team will meet at Greenbush for the day.

Russ Hermreck

Pete Proctor

Mindy Higgens

Nicki Traul

Julie Samuels

Stephanie Nichols

Shawn Thomas

We will be back in time for conferences Thursday evening.

CELL PHONES

This week, we have encountered serious concerns regarding the misuse of social media and inappropriate content being shared via phones during school hours. Given the nature of the material, we have involved both our School Resource Officer (SRO) and a local detective to investigate and address these incidents.

While we understand that many guardians want students to have phones at school for safety reasons, this has unfortunately created opportunities for some students to misuse this privilege in ways that go beyond simple communication with parents. At this time, we are not planning to change our current phone policy, but it is important to recognize that the issues we are facing involve the inappropriate sharing of content.

We are requesting assistance with cell phones at school reminding students of the policy.

Cell Phone Policy

Students are permitted to use cell phones in designated areas and times as outlined below:

• Before School: Cell phone use is allowed.

• After School: Cell phone use is allowed.

• Lunch: Cell phone use is allowed.

• Passing Periods: Cell phone use is allowed.

Classroom and Academic Time

• When the Bell Rings:

• Cell phones must be silenced, stored away, and out of sight.

• During Academic Times:

• Cell phones are not to be used, including if students leave the classroom for

any reason.

Personal Note

I wanted to share that my father was diagnosed with dementia earlier this year, and it appears we are now moving into the later stages of the disease. I was out of the building for a couple of days last week to assist him and help make plans for the future.

I cannot express enough how much I appreciate the support from the Jayhawk staff during this challenging time. Your kindness and understanding have truly made a difference in my life, and I am incredibly grateful to be part of such a caring community.

Food For Conferences

This week is parent teacher conferences and we always do a great job of bringing food and using it as nourishment AND entertainment on those evenings. Having said that….there are events going on both nights that will take teachers/staff away from the building; high school volleyball Tuesday night, Jr. High football Thursday, HS/JH cross country on Thursday. I have tried to plan accordingly, but if I have missed you or put you on a date you will not be here, please switch with someone or just bring on the other evening that you WILL be in attendance.

Tuesday we will be doing Soup and sandwiches. Christy and I have offered to bring soup. If you are willing to bring a crockpot of soup as well, please let me know and I will put you on the list. We will be getting a deli tray from the Grocery store for the sandwiches.

Thursday the district will provide pizza and we will supplement with salad and dessert (of course).

Here are the lists of what everyone is bringing. Again, if you won’t be here or would rather not bring what is suggested below, let me know and we will switch you with someone.

Tuesday

Soup - Christa Holt

Christy Thomas

Donna Krum

Kim Umphenour

Courtenay Slinkard

Crackers, pickles, cheese, meat, veggies, dip, etc…

Brody White

Terry Gentry

Barry and Juanita Spitz.

Jason Casner

Julie Samuels

Sarah Jordan

Penny Holloman

Dessert

Kim Johanning

Shayla

Shawna Price

Nick Stults

Bald and Not Bald Kramers

Joel Schauf

Jessica McGriff

Brett Brownback

Kevin Spencer

Thursday

Pizza (provided by the district)

Salad - Kirk Holt

John and Nicki Traul

Rachel Wilson

Lisa Sterling

Katie Randall

Amanda Stahl

Brian and Dawn Carlson

Donna Krum

Dessert

Jennifer Hughes

Curt Toll

Scott Murphy

Zach Zerr

Jessie Storey

Jesse Seacrest

Wendi Baldwin

Mike (the Destroyer) Kramer

Dustin Johnson

Manny Garcia

Again, If you have been accidentally left off the list, please write yourself in somewhere.

Christa Holt

Updates From Mr. Beckam

-Fundraisers – 2024-2025-

-September/October – STUCO – Butter Braids

-October – FFA – Fruit

-October – FFA – Jolly Market Event

-November – Seniors – Krispy Kreme

-Courtwarming – Art Club – 50/50

-January/February – STUCO/FCCLA – Fresh Strawberries

-February – STUCO – “Love Match”

-March – Band – Chocolate

-March/April – Trap Shooting – Raffle

-March/April – Track – Gerry’s Track Meet

-Eligibility-

-Thank you all for your help and diligence with this process – it has been a learning experience for me – most of the kids have taken care of these issues in a timely fashion – we still have a few that we are working with and they are earning their way back into eligibility – thank you again for all of your help.

-Vehicles-

-Thank you also for communicating so well regarding vehicles as you need them and also for your patience when you have to be flexible because they are all being used.

-Tardies-

-Now that we are in full swing I have a small handful that have received consequences for exceeding the limit(s) – I will continue to monitor this weekly.

Employer of the Year

The nominations for the USD 346 Employee of the Year shall be submitted to each building principal by December 6, 2024. The building principal will review al nominees and has the authority to make the decision as to the number of employees to submit for consideration. The principal shall have the option to not submit any names for consideration.

Once the building principal has determined the nominees from their respective building, they wil submit requests for letters of support and/or other documentation. Once this si completed, the nominations and supporting documentation will be submitted to the building leadership team. Building leadership teams will use the nomination forms and supporting documentation to select up to two winners in each building.