January Newsletter

Jan. 6: School Resumes
Jan. 15: 8th BBB vs Tonganoxie 4pm

Jan. 15: 7th BBB @ Tonganoxie 4pm

Jan. 19: MLK Day - No School

Jan. 20: 8th BBB vs. Ottawa 4pm

Jan. 20: 7th BBB @ Ottawa 4pm
Jan. 22: 8th BBB @ Louisburg 4pm

Jan. 22: 7th BBB vs. Louisburg 4pm

Jan. 26: 8th BBB vs Forest Spring 4pm

Jan. 26: 7th BBB @ Forest Spring 4pm

Jan. 29: 8th BBB @ Spring Hill 4pm

Jan. 29: 7th BBB vs. Spring Hill 4pm

Before School: Doors open at 7:30 a.m.. School begins at 8:00 a.m.. Please have students arrive at 7:30 a.m. or after, as any students arriving prior to 7:30 a.m. will remain outside of the building and not be under supervision.

School Release: School ends at 3:00 p.m., students are asked to exit the building immediately unless working with an arranged teacher or have an activity/practice.

Home Sports/Activities: Students are not allowed to enter the gate until 3:30 p.m..

Attendance Reminder: If your student is absent, please notify the office as soon as possible.

Email: pms-attendance@usd368.org

Phone: (913)294-8030

We will utilize the following to notify parents and the community should the need arise to cancel school.

• PantherAlerts - this text feature is available to any parent or community member who wants to sign up. A link to sign up is available on our district webpage under the Parents & Students tab.
• Infinite Campus Messaging system. Emails and phone calls will be sent from Infinite Campus.
• TV (channels 4, 5, 9, 41)
• USD 368 webpage
  

When possible, a decision will be made the night before, however when this is not possible a decision will be made by 6:00am in the morning.

Please encourage your student to dress in appropriate clothing for the weather outside. Layers are a great idea, especially when they are waiting outside before/after school! The building is temperature controlled, but parts of the building are cooler/warmer than others. Reminder, blankets are prohibited at school.

Lady Panthers had their last basketball game of the season 12/11/25. 7th grade varsity took 7th in league and 8th grade varsity took 5th. HUGE shoutout to 8th grade JV for completing the season undefeated at 14-0!

For the last two weeks of the first semester, 6th grade science students learned about the engineering design process. They used the design process to engineer a vehicle that could carry an elf safely from the top of a shelf down to the floor via zip line. By applying the proper steps of the design process, students first defined the problem (elf is stuck on a shelf and needs to get down). They then had to review scientific principles and laws to be considered for their design such as friction, gravity, balance, etc. The next step was brainstorming which had them identifying the criteria (elf must get down safely and in 5 seconds or under) and constraints (use only materials given and the elf can’t be restrained in the vehicle). They learned that engineers must come up with multiple solutions first then proceed with the best one. Next, was the design stage where they determined exact materials used, how they were to be used/assembled, and how each part worked together and with the zip line. After this, they built the solution they chose and then ran test trials on a zip line. After each trial, they isolated one variable to change in order to get their next trial to meet criteria or be improved upon. The last step of the process was to communicate their results. Below are some photos of students running their test trials.

Our class has reached the end of an unforgettable journey through Ancient Egypt, where we explored daily life along the Nile River, learned how geography shaped civilization, and studied the powerful roles of pharaohs, religion, and the afterlife. We discovered why the Egyptians built pyramids, how hieroglyphics told stories, and how beliefs about the afterlife influenced everything from art to architecture. To honor our learning, students became true Egyptian scholars and craftsmen, making papyrus, carefully mummifying the bodies of our kind and noble pharaohs Julian and Barthalamue, and creating canopic jars to protect their organs for the journey to the afterlife. Pharaoh Barthalamue lived a long and prosperous 99 years, while Pharaoh Julian ruled wisely for an impressive 100 years. May their journeys to the afterlife be victorious! As we close the tomb doors on Ancient Egypt, we are excited to begin our next adventure in Ancient India. Students will travel east to explore the Indus River Valley, compare how rivers supported early civilizations, and learn about early cities, culture, beliefs, and daily life. We look forward to discovering how life in Ancient India shaped the world we live in today.

Our historians are ready for the next chapter!

Kathryn, 8th grader, worked hard to complete a 3D puzzle, a Christmas scene with a music box and Santa cruising on a motorcycle. STEM in action!!

Students in Mr. Thimesch's class were competing in an Olympic Review Game for the last week of school. Each day the students had a different game reviewing content from the semester. The games involved Fishtopia, Counties Work, Jeopardy, Buzzers, and a variation of uno. Here are the following winners for each class. The winners received a pizza party, while the 2nd and 3rd place finishers of each class received an assorted snack prize.

KAY Club has been busy this week. On 12/8/25 the KAY Club enjoyed shopping for a little boy for Christmas. They also had fun making Christmas bags for the staff and cards for nursing home residents. On 12/11/25 the KAY Club was excited for their favorite "field trip!" They love hanging out with the residents at Homestead!! They helped make beautiful Christmas ornaments and sang some popular Christmas songs!

Our wonderful custodian, Mr. Dwight, dresses up his cleaning machine every year and delivers candy canes to students!

Our teachers played some fun Christmas games! Congratulations to all of our winners!

As we come into cold and flu season, be reminded our current school policy, based on guidelines from Miami County Health Department for all Respiratory Viruses (COVID, Influenza & RSV) are as follows:

• Any person with a positive case shall remain in home isolation until fever-free for 24 hours without the aid of fever reducing medications AND overall symptoms are getting better. Contact school health staff for any additional questions.

If you are needing to reach the health aide, Michele Miller, you may call the office or email her at: michele_miller@usd368.org