Hays USD 489

Backpacks!! Backpacks!! Backpacks! The amazing folks at First Call for Help have lots of backpacks filled with school supplies to give out TODAY! Any student in Ellis County....go get a backpack! Location: First Presbyterian Church at 2900 Hall Street Time: Until 1:00 pm TODAY only! Our community is amazing...thank the volunteers! #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Seen Around USD #489: One last photo from The Learning Center's graduation... Pictured is Rhiannon Cummin. She won our Outstanding Senior Scholarship endowed by and named the Aiden and Gabriela Schmidt Award. Rhiannon was selected as USD #489 Best of the Best in March 2019. She completed 37 concurrent credit hours before starting in the LPN program in Aug 2020 at NCK Tech. She has supported herself since the age of 17. She lives in Russel and drove back and forth 5 days a week to attend TLC. She earned both her CNA and her CMA while a student at TLC. She has worked 60 hours per week in two residential care homes since on campus classes were suspended in March 2020. Her Best of the Best bio was picked up by a nationwide internet channel called CNA Heroes. Rhiannon's story became a feature on one of the episodes. Rhiannon is the recipient of the Dane G Hansen Career and Tech Ed Scholarship. She is a bright and shining star. #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Seen Around USD #489: Even more photos from The Learning Center graduation!! #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Seen Around USD #489: The Learning Center has hit a milestone...read on to learn all the details from our very own Sondra Hickert. On June 1, 2020, The Learning Center of Ellis County celebrated its 20th anniversary of operation in this region. In those 20 years, we have had close to 500 graduates and have helped to graduate a several thousand across Kansas. The Learning Center was part of the Rural Grant and was organized under the guidance of Former Assistant Superintendent for Special Services, Mark Hauptman. Former Superintendent, Fred Kaufman made the decision that The Learning Center would be district owned rather than operated by an Educational Service Center, as was common at the time. Mark Hauptman and Fred Kaufman chose Anita Schlegel as the first administrator of TLC. Her foundational principles still live on at TLC every day. The USD #489 BOE and district administration has been truly supportive of TLC the last two decades. On Saturday, Aug 1st, TLC set a record with 44 graduates for the 2019-20 school year. With over 100 in attendance at the outside ceremony, The Learning Center celebrated a first in 20 years. The Class of 2020 had 2 Dane G Hansen winners, 4 certificate completions through NCK Technical College and numerous other academic scholarships through FHSU. What a joy it was to celebrate them on Saturday. Thank you to all who attended. Huge thanks to Mark Rome who set up the chairs and tables for the event.

Backpacks!!! Backpacks!! Don't forget to participate in this event! Don't forget to thank the folks that have worked so hard to make this amazing event happen! #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Seen Around USD #489: HMS New Student Orientation is happening right now!! Learning the hallways...finding lockers...answering questions! #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Spanish version of Re-Opening Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeZC6uGtqK0&rel=0&utm_source=broadcast&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Transactional-Publish-success

Nutrition Update:

Reopening Video: A video to help with the return to school. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4BL9G09dNQ&rel=0&utm_source=broadcast&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Transactional-Publish-success #EveryStudentEveryDay489

If you would like to watch the Special BOE Meeting today at 11:30 am LIVE, you can click on the link attached: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZZ8yLCWlWQ #EveryStudentEveryDay489

8 Days of Awesome .. Our amazing teachers continue to build on their skills ... #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Getting to Know USD #489 series... Learn a bit about Kyle Carlin.. What is your title? Director of Special Education How long have you been with the district? I’m starting my 6th year with the district On a typical day at work..what do you do? My typical day during the school year includes checking email, attending meetings, and reviewing reports in the morning. In the afternoon I get out to the buildings to visit classrooms and talk with teachers. Mixed in with all of that is planning and providing trainings for staff, interpreting new guidance, talking with parents, and hiring staff. What is your favorite day of the week and why? Saturday because I get to spend more time with my family. What is your favorite non-healthy food? Pizza If you had the chance to tell your 13-year-old self anything, what would that be? Don’t be afraid to say yes to things you want to do. Travel bucket list…where would you go? I’ve always wanted to visit Ireland. Describe yourself in three words… Family. Relationships. Organized. If you have a dream job…what is it? Astronaut. Do you make your bed every morning? Yes What is your favorite non-work activity? Playing games with my kids. Something random about you? I’m married and have two kids. I was in the Army Reserve for 8 years, where I was an optical lab specialist. Which is a wordy way to say I made glasses.

8 Days of Awesome...Continues.. Our teachers never stop learning because life never stops teaching. #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Getting to Know USD #489 series... This series has been such a fun thing...we have received oodles of great comments! Hopefully you have learned a thing or two about our staff! This will be the last day that we run this series...so don't miss the last few!! Learn a bit about Alyssa Dees... What is your title? 3rd Grade Teacher at Wilson Elementary How long have you been with the district? This coming Fall will mark 4 years for me. On a typical day at work… what do you do? I usually arrive at school around 7 am to turn on the lights, coffee pot, projector and document camera – coffee is important! I check over my email and schedule for the day, making any last minute adjustments. Then I gather my students and we begin our day together. I get to spend my days with what I think is the best age group! 8 and 9 year-olds are old enough to take on more independence and responsibility, and at the same time young enough that they can be convinced that whatever I’m teaching is the neatest thing ever! What is your favorite day of the week and why? I like Thursdays. I look at what we’ve accomplished for the week and start preparing for the next week. I like making plans and thinking through fun ways to teach integrating technology into learning. What is your favorite non-healthy food? I love to cook and bake! So I love to make and eat pies, breads, cookies, angel food cakes, quick breads, etc. All from scratch! We even have a sourdough starter now so we bake bread without needing store-bought yeast. If you had the chance to tell your 13-year-old self anything, what would that be? Buckle up and enjoy the ride! It’s gonna get bumpy, but you can handle anything! You cannot control the wind. But you can adjust your sails! Travel bucket list…where would you go? Tops on my list would be Turkey, Israel, Washington, DC, and a remote tropical island. My husband and I honeymooned in Oregon and I’d love to go back again. Describe yourself in three words… Big-hearted, coffee-loving, creative If you have a dream job…what is it? Sounds cliché, but I think I have it! If I have to pick something other than being a 3rd grade teacher, someday, I’d like to be the one writing the curriculum. Do you make your bed every morning? Yes! Every day. What is your favorite non-work activity? Baking, camping, sailing, napping Something random about you? Before I was a classroom teacher, I worked in Christian Education for 10 years. My husband, Adam, is an attorney with Clinkscales Elder Law. We have two daughters. Kay will be a freshman at Hays High and Rachel will be a 3rd grader. We have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Simon. We love to go camping and sailing as often as we can. I’m a big KU fan, but both my degrees are from “purple schools” – my Bachelor’s in Philosophy and Religious Studies with a minor in Christian Education is from Southwestern College and my Master’s in Teaching is from K-State.

Seen Around USD #489: 8 Day of Awesome... Teachers...always learning! #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Seen Around USD #489: 8 Days of Awesome has started!!! This is a training that gives our teachers a chance to learn new skills...and build on what they already know. Teachers being learners...to help teach your learners! #EveryStudentEveryDay489

Getting to Know USD #489 series... Learn a bit about Jill Schaben.. What is your title? Student Secretary/Attendance How long have you been with the district? I just completed my 15th year (14 years as the HHS Athletic Secretary, 1 year in current position) On a typical day at work..what do you do? In short, my job is to check attendance each hour and make sure all of the students are accounted for. What is your favorite day of the week and why? Saturday, because I usually get to spend time with my family and be outside. What is your favorite non-healthy food? Brownies, ice cream, cookies (pretty much any dessert except cake) If you had the chance to tell your 13-year-old self anything, what would that be? RELAX and to live out the Serenity Prayer -- "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." Travel bucket list…where would you go? Ireland Describe yourself in three words… Trustworthy, Hard-working, Sincere If you have a dream job…what is it? Professional singer. Unfortunately, I sound bad even in the shower so I do not see this job in my future. Do you make your bed every morning? No, I would but I am afraid my husband would not be able to breathe under all of the pillows and covers! What is your favorite non-work activity? Going to the lake, building something or almost any outdoor activity Something random about you? My husband and I have two beautiful daughters and a new son-in-law. Alexis is in grad school at FHSU (where Travis and I both graduated from) and Kaitlyn will be a junior at K-State.

Getting to Know USD #489 series... Learn a bit about Staci Straub.. What is your title? I am a 3rd grade teacher at Roosevelt How long have you been with the district? 18 years On a typical day at work..what do you do? Make sure my students feel safe and know they are loved. I work hard everyday to not only teach the curriculum, but also the values of being a good person and doing the right thing. There is so much more to teaching than reading, writing, and math. I want my students to feel and become successful!! What is your favorite day of the week and why? Right now, all the days are a blur. but when I’m in school mode, Fridays are my favorite. My students are ready for the weekend just as much as I am. What is your favorite non-healthy food? Chinese food If you had the chance to tell your 13-year-old self anything, what would that be? Don’t sweat the small stuff!! Relax and enjoy the bumpy ride. It’s the bumps that make life exciting. Travel bucket list…where would you go? Hawaii Describe yourself in three words… dedicated, passionate, loving If you have a dream job…what is it? I’ve always wanted to be a teacher. If I had to do something else, I would want to be a Real Estate Agent. Do you make your bed every morning? Nope, depends on my mood What is your favorite non-work activity? Spending time with my family or reading a good book! 12. Something random about you? (Spouse, kids, pets, random tidbit) I have been married for 29 years and have 2 adult sons. I have 4 grandchildren that are my world. I am lucky enough for us all to live in Russell.

Getting to Know USD #489 series... Learn a bit about Arielle Simpson.. What is your title? Health & Nutrition Coordinator at Early Childhood Connections How long have you been with the district? 3 years On a typical day at work, what do you do? Oh goodness…every day is so unpredictable! I am the school nurse, so I take care of LOTS of ouchies & apply LOTS of bandaids! On a REALLY fun day, I get to go to the infant room, rock babies and love on the little ones 😊 What is your favorite day of the week and why? Sunday Funday!! I get to be with my family and ‘fill my cup’ up for the week ahead ❤ What is your favorite non-healthy food? I love pizza…A LOT!! If you had the chance to tell your 13-year-old self anything, what would that be? Worry less…Trust yourself…Love yourself…& Forget what others think about you. Travel bucket list…where would you go? Ireland is #1 Israel & the Taj Mahal are a close 2nd Describe yourself in three words… Compassionate…Outgoing…Patient If you have a dream job…what is it? I love being a nurse, but when I’m old and crazy…I would LOVE to deliver flowers!! I think it would be SO MUCH FUN to bring smiles to those who are least expecting it 😊 Do you make your bed every morning? Nope What is your favorite non-work activity? I love traveling. It doesn’t matter WHERE I go, I just love the adventure that awaits! Something random about you? I have been married for 12 years to Jed & we have 2 adorable little girls, Piper & Emme. We have 3 chickens (Figaro, Chickoletta, & Spirit…named by Emme!) and we LOVE to go on adventures!! Our life is crazy but we wouldn’t have it any other way. ❤

Getting to Know USD #489 series... Learn a bit about Janell Beilman.. What is your title? 5th grade teacher at Wilson Elementary How long have you been with the district? 31 years On a typical day at work..what do you do? I arrive around 6:45 and make sure I have everything ready for the day. Once the kids arrive it is nonstop activity, teaching and practicing math concepts, monitoring science investigations and using technology to enhance learning whenever possible. Throw in recess duties and attending meetings and the time flies. What is your favorite day of the week and why? Friday, of course. It is spirit day at Wilson and everyone is eagerly anticipating the start of the weekend! What is your favorite non-healthy food? A bacon cheeseburger. Yum! If you had the chance to tell your 13-year-old self anything, what would that be? Don't worry about what other people think. Be yourself. The only person you have to prove anything to is you. Travel bucket list…where would you go? The island of Bora, Bora would be wonderful. (really anywhere with a beach will do). Describe yourself in three words… organized, authentic and dependable If you have a dream job…what is it? My earliest memories from my childhood are of me pretending to be a teacher. So I guess you could say I am doing what I've always dreamed of doing. But, if I had to pick something else it would be something creative like a graphic designer. Do you make your bed every morning? Yes I do. That is part of being organized! What is your favorite non-work activity? I enjoy exercising at The Center, spending time with family, traveling and cooking. Something random about you? (Spouse, kids, pets, random tidbit) My husband, Chris, and I will celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary on June 30. I enjoy being a mom to our daughter Kaycee and our son Kaden. Both are currently living in the Kansas City area. I am also mom to a 1 1/2 year old miniature Australian Shepherd that has me wrapped around her furry little paw.