• Total amount saved between SVPP grant, Safe Schools Grant, and Wastewater Regionalization Project $1,312,580. (District's cost $363,580) Project totals (Grant, loan forgiveness, and district cost)- ($1,676,160.)

Create a supportive environment that equips students with the knowledge, skills, and connections to discover their passions, define their purpose, and actively engage as responsible, productive members of the community.

Empowering students to build strong foundations, develop resilience, and achieve lifelong success.

As we reflect on the first half of the 2024-2025 school year, we are proud to share the significant strides we have made together. From enhanced communication efforts to impactful facility upgrades and community connections, our achievements highlight a shared commitment to excellence and progress. This newsletter highlights the milestones that have shaped our journey so far and the steps we are taking to build an even stronger future for our district.

Communication and Transparency

• Distributed Newsletter: Delivered electronically and as hard copies to local businesses. Flyers posted around town with links to all newsletters.

• Community Engagement: Established connections with Blue Rapids Community Action, Blue Rapids Chamber of Commerce, Blue Rapids Watch, and Waterville Community Connections.

• Rotary Club: Developed a 2024-2025 hosting schedule. Blue Rapids, Waterville and VHHS all host rotary club meetings each month.

• Schedules:

  • Created a Building Leadership Team/District Leadership Team/District Site Council Schedule for 2024-2025. Monthly BLT/Faculty meetings. Quarterly DLT/DSC meetings.

  • Developed a Board Of Education Rotation Schedule emphasizing key points for monthly board meetings. (Goal is to incorporate Strategic Plan check points every month for guidance and accountability purposes)

• Hubs for Communication:

  • Created a Valley Heights Administrative Hub for organizational purposes and communication.

  • Professional Development (PD):

• • Published a yearly Professional Development schedule during the summer for transparency.

  • Established Professional Development priorities in collaboration with the MTSS team and Building Leadership Teams.

• Strategic Planning:

  • Held meetings on 9/9, 9/23, 9/30, and with the board team on 10/28.

  • Finalized Strategic Action Plans and Steps in November 2024.

  • Strategic Plan approved in December 2024.

Connections

• Community Outreach: Flyers posted around town providing links to district newsletters.

• Presentations:

  • Superintendent Presented at Waterville Community Connections meeting (10/15) to discuss Strategic Planning, DCS Facilities Assessment, and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design evaluation.

  • Superintendent Shared updates on the District’s Strategic Plan at the Blue Rapids Community Action meeting and also Waterville Community Connections.

  • Future Plan-Visit with Lions Club during their regularly scheduled meeting(s).

• Staff Professional Development:

• Staff toured the GP plant and Sharp Manufacturing in November 2024.

• Hosted by the Blue Rapids Museum for lunch and a tour.

• Provided community access to the fitness center.
• Weight room improvements
• 5k donation from GP for 2 commercial treadmills.

• Mrs. Conti and Crew Hosted a Varsity Scholar's Bowl Tournament and proudly took 1st place at the home event!

Fine Arts & Activities Highlights:

• Ms. Allison Jones and Ms. Emma Tryon directed an outstanding all-school play.
• KAYS Organization sponsored two impactful events: Fall Fest and Veterans Day.
• Student Council organized a Fall Service Day in both towns.
• Music Programs:
  • Two exceptional Christmas programs directed by Mrs. Popejoy and Ms. Coleman.
  • 14 students auditioned and were accepted into the Kansas State Concert Band!
  • Kloee Martin, a senior, was selected for the Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall in February 2024, performing with the Honors Treble Choir.

Elementary & Family Engagement:

• Started Family Fun Nights at the elementary school to enhance family engagement opportunities in the district.
• Numerous students earned VHS tickets for going above and beyond in the classroom.
• High-level reading students were awarded a book at the book fair.
• Waterville Grade School School Student Success Meeting attendance rate was 100%!

Media & Communication:

• Launched a new Media Class at VHHS, producing weekly “Keeping Up with the Mustangs” videos featured in the school newsletter and on social media.
• Successful music program for both elementary schools with 653 views on You tube since we now have the ability to livestream the programs!!!

Civic Engagement Initiatives:

• Students participated in impactful civic activities, including Harvesters and recycling programs, and Schools That Care Activities which promoted service and sustainability.

Facilities Improvements

• Completed Projects:

  • ROI Energy Lighting Upgrade at VHHS and Blue Rapids Grade School (August 2024): Converted to LED lighting with estimated annual energy savings of $13,000.

  • Greenhouse delivered (July 2024), concrete poured (September 2024), project completed (November 2024).

  • Carpet replacement (December 2024).

  • Roof projects at Blue Rapids and Waterville Elementary (October 2024).

  • Phase 1 of HVAC purchase plan completed (November 2024).

  • Installed Water Bottle Filler at Blue Rapids Gym (December 2024)

  • Ductwork Replacement @ VHHS.(Science Rooms and Office area) (2024)

  • 28 Tree Stumps removed at Waterville, BRGS and VHHS. (Improving appearance and Safety)(December 2024)

  • Upgraded/moved Electrical Components in Ag Shop (2024)

  • Upgraded High School Gym Lighting (December 2024)

• Ongoing and Future Projects:

  • Track replacement scheduled for summer 2025, Football Field Repair summer of 2025.

  • Approved three-year HVAC purchase plan (four units per year).

  • Epoxy flooring in entryway and bathrooms at BRGS to be completed by summer 2025.

  • Sewer line project start date: summer 2025.

• Grant Awards:

  • SVPP COPS Grant: $292,000 awarded with a district match of $97,000 for safety improvements (total $390,000).

  • State Safe Schools Grant: $10,000 (50/50 matching grant) for security upgrades.

  • Wastewater Regionalization Project (Sewer Line) Probable Cost is estimated at $1.27 million. STWSIA Grant amount ($622,760) and KDHE SRF Loan Forgiveness @ 60%, $392,820. (Total probable cost to the district $261,880.) Total with grant and loan forgiveness over 1 million dollars! ($1,015,580)

  • Total amount saved between SVPP grant, Safe Schools Grant, and Wastewater Regionalization Project $1,312,580. (District's cost $363,580) Project totals (Grant, loan forgiveness, and district cost)- ($1,676,160.)

• Grant Implementation Updates:

  • School Violence Prevention Program Grant:

    • Cameras, intercom systems, bells, window film, and signage completion projected for February 2025.

    • Bollards projected for summer 2025.

    • Monthly Ongoing Safety/Crisis Meetings (Started November 2024) Includes Local EMS, Fire Department, Sheriff/Police, and school officials

    • E3 Safety App- Initial Training started in December. Will have staff training in January/February

Awards and Recognitions

• Kansans Can Star Recognition Program:

  • Civic Engagement Copper Award.

  • Academically Prepared for Post-Secondary Bronze Award.

The first half of the 2024-2025 school year has been marked by significant progress in communication, facilities improvement, professional development, and community engagement. These efforts reflect the district’s commitment to transparency, strategic planning, and enhancing educational opportunities for all students. Thank you for your continued support and engagement as we build a stronger future together.

Please access the newsletter link to find out more about STC.

First semester accomplishments include:

100 students served with school supplies in the first week of school

Mustang Spirit Night

Blue Rapids Community Foundation Match Day

MTSS symposium

Temporary Tattoos at Homecoming and Care bus in Homecoming parade

Joined DLT, BLT and SIT Teams

Assisted at Elementary Family Fun Nights

Fall Festival-popcorn balls

Celebrated Suicide Prevention Month in September, Mental Health Awareness and Stop Bullying Month in October, Benefits of Gratefulness in November, and ways to relieve holdiay stress in December.

Monthly newsletter with resources for teachers, students, families.

Student Success meetings at each school.

Continuing Big Brothers and Big Sister program at WV Elem. Seeking NEW volunteers for Big Brothers and Big Sisters. apply online at

Character Ed Lessons covered in Waterville Elementary:

September-Respect for self, of others and possessions

October-Responsibility for self, others and things + Stand up to Bullying- students signed a Stop Bullying Pledge with their class and teacher.

November-Honesty/Integrity and Gratefulness

December- Caring for ourselves, others and things +Empathy

Met with 103 students at BR for 1 to 1 listening and learning sessions.

Attended Jumpstart at BR

Partnered with KAYs to provide 43 Christmas Meal baskets to VH families in our community

Partnered with NHS to provide Christmas gifts to 3 families.

STC provided Christmas gifts to 3 additional families.

Met over 600 student and family needs last semester compared to 388 in 2023.

In Blue Rapids the 6th grade leadership team helped facilitate several school wide service projects

• They had a food drive in November to help restock the local food pantry and multiple boxes of food was collected
• In December they sold candy canes and raised money that was split between three families in the district that lost loved ones this fall. The Hogan family, the Brungardt family and the Flowers family.
• They had a penny drive to raise money for a picnic table to be placed on the playground
• They helped maintain the recycling program in the building
• They also provided snacks for the teachers during student success meetings
• They continued their support of school safety by assisting with crosswalk before and after school
  

In October the student council at the high school helped sponsor a service day at the Blue Rapids building. The HS students did an amazing job as they came out and did crafts and activities with the elementary students. They also did yard projects sprucing up the building and helping the custodial/building and grounds staff with several projects.

In October we had a 97% attendance rate by parents at the fall student success meetings.

In November the students attended a sneak peek of the all school pay in Waterville.

In December Mrs. Popejoy and Miss. Coleman and all the elementary students put on an outstanding Christmas program. We received many positive comments, it truly was a very special night.

In December the 4th grade class had their Tier 1 entrepreneur fair where students learned about entrepreneurship and came up with their own business ideas and sold items (with play money) to the student body.

The Blue Rapids students showed their school spirit by having an all school send off on the curb of the school for the state volleyball and cross country runners. We also attended a spirited pep rally at the high school to cheer on the final four football team.

Post-Season Honors:

• Volleyball Team:

  • Sub-State and Regional Champions
  • 2nd Place at State
  • Individual Honors:
    • Ava Smith and Mia Vermetten: Class 2A All-Tournament Team, TVL All-League 1st Team
    • Anne Toerber: TVL All-League 2nd Team

• Football Team:

  • District, Regional, and Sub-State Champions
  • Final Four finish at State
  • Individual Honors:
    • Sports in Kansas: Jayden Dewalt (RB), Creighton Smith (DL), Logan Gray (Returner); Honorable Mentions: Royce Ekstrum, Cayden Dummermuth, Mack Shanks, Lawson Stryker
    • TVL All-League Offense:
      • 1st Team: Creighton Smith, Lawson Stryker, Jayden Dewalt, Logan Gray, Royce Ekstrum
      • 2nd Team: Mack Shanks
    • TVL All-League Defense:
      • 1st Team: Creighton Smith, Logan Gray, Royce Ekstrum
      • 2nd Team: Lawson Stryker, Cayden Dummermuth
  • Coach Cody Trimble named a finalist for 1A Coach of the Year

• Cross Country Team:

  • Three members qualified for state: Lindsay Gray, Kebeb Zimmerman, and Tyler Holmes
  • Junior High Cross Country: Langston Gray finished the season as the top runner in the state! Emma Warders and Langston both finish #1 in TVL!

Congratulations to all students, staff, and community members for making Valley Heights a place of excellence! These achievements reflect hard work, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to success.

Art

Art

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