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Superintendent NewsSuperintendent NewsSuperintendent NewsSuperintendent News From Mr. KrausFrom Mr. KrausFrom Mr. KrausFrom Mr. Kraus

December has arrived and with it comes the joy, excitement, stress and the multitude of distractions associated with the holidays. It also means that the school year is nearly half over and the end of the first semester is rapidly approaching. It is an incredibly busy time of the year. In addition to the classroom requirements to be met, there are numerous extra and co-curricular activities such as concerts, basketball and scholars’ bowl. At this time of year, it becomes important to find the proper balance and perspective in order to focus on what is truly important. The holiday season is also a good time to reflect on the past year in order to help identify things to be accomplished during the upcoming year. As you may recall, it was this time last year that Grinnell and Wheatland made the decision to attempt sharing one superintendent. The degree of success with this experiment will be determined by the two Boards of Education. From my perspective, there are indications that this has been a positive change.

The two districts are working together as never before. The two faculties have been working together on curriculum alignment and school improvement on a regular basis. We have found new ways to share resources and staff. The Grinnell Middle School is now fully departmentalized and policies have been implemented that will make the transition to Wheatland High School easier. The two elementary faculties are working together to ensure that curriculum is aligned across the two buildings. There is little doubt that we have made progress. Moving forward, we must also be able to find the proper balance and perspective that will allow us to continue improving the educational opportunity for our children.

Wishing you Peace – Hope – Love – Joy This Christmas Season

USD#291 NEWS

Thunderhawk Pride!Thunderhawk Pride!Thunderhawk Pride!Thunderhawk Pride! www.usd291.com

December 2017

PrincipalPrincipalPrincipalPrincipal NewsNewsNewsNews From Mr. VincentFrom Mr. VincentFrom Mr. VincentFrom Mr. Vincent December has arrived!! We are only a few short weeks away from the end of the first semester. There are many exciting things coming up that I hope all have highlighted on your calendars. The GGS students will have 3 plays that they have been working on for all to come and enjoy on December 8th at 8:45 and 12:45. Feel free to attend as our guests at either of the performances. All students in Preschool through 8th grade have been working hard to prepare for the Christmas Music Program on December the 11th at 7:00 p.m. I hope you can all come out and enjoy the Holiday Season with us at these times! I am trying hard to show off all that we are doing at school on a regular basis. There truly are some wonderful things happening at USD #291. If you have a Twitter account you can follow what I post by searching for #USD291Schools. In addition to this there are often things posted on Facebook by various teachers. If you have any questions about this please contact me and let me know!!

Enjoy the Holiday Season!

GMS & GGMS & GGMS & GGMS & GGS Honor Our Local GS Honor Our Local GS Honor Our Local GS Honor Our Local VeteransVeteransVeteransVeterans

Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts; Braden

Gormley, Nathan Vollbracht, Deagon Herl, Coltin Deges, Trenten Price and Keelen

Dockendorf presented the flags.

So proud of all our Veterans!

STUCO officers, Livia Schultz, Jett Vincent,

and Kenlee Williams prepare to serve coffee and donuts to the veterans before

the assembly.

Patriot Pen Essay Contest Patriot Pen Essay Contest Patriot Pen Essay Contest Patriot Pen Essay Contest WinnersWinnersWinnersWinners

The 7th and 8th graders participated in the

Patriotic Pen Essay contest. This year's winners were Tyra Schultz, Nevaeh Nelson and Laredo Allemang. Congratulations!!!

Special Board MeetingSpecial Board MeetingSpecial Board MeetingSpecial Board Meeting November 3, 2016November 3, 2016November 3, 2016November 3, 2016

The Board of Education for USD #291 Grinnell Public Schools met on Tuesday, November 21, 2017. Attending: Board members Jody Beckman, Brian Beckman, Julie

Dickman, Alan Suter, Robert Fellhoelter, and Joyce Baalman; Gary Kraus; Clerk Lauren Ruggles; Principal Jesse Vincent; Staff members Mary Jane Goetz and Don Huelsman. Meeting called to order by President, Jody Beckman at 7:30 p.m. The board approved the agenda as presented. Les Barnhart did not attend the board meeting, but presented a written report for the board. The work station arrived and learning new things on Windows 2016 server. The technology committee reviewed the Internet acceptable use and email policies and are discussing some updates. The committee discussed the purchase of a 3 year license for the Meraki firewall from CDWG. The Meraki license helps protect devices and network from viruses. Jesse Vincent presented to the board. The scheduling for next year’s games will be the same for activities like it has been for the past 2 years. Josh Williams has been helping with the boys’ basketball team and will take the assistant coaching position. There’s an issue with the voltage on the scoreboard. The company will be sending out a technician to work on the problem. Mr. Vincent went to a Principals’ Conference in Wichita and

received some awesome feedback. He learned the district should promote the school at every opportunity. Mr. Vincent made a twitter page with the username @USD291Schools. The Veterans’ Day activities went very well and had amazing feedback from the community. Joyce Baalman reported on NKESC. Alan Suter reported on NWKTC. He stated 26 students have already signed applications to attend NWKTC next year. The retention rate is 104 students. Total enrollment for the 2017-18 year is 836. The softball field is being updated. The wrestling team is ranked 14th nationally. Mr. Kraus reported that he attended a legislative luncheon in Salina and 11 legislators were present. Sally Cauble, State Board of Education member attended Wheatland’s board meeting. She discussed major differences between the new accreditation system (KESA) and the QPA requirements under No Child Left Behind. The October In-service was combined with faculties from both districts present for the day. The elementary teachers work on curriculum while the middle school and high school teachers went over Career Cruising. The remainder of the day was spent with full faculty

beginning discussions related to the required needs assessments. The board approved the regular meeting minutes from October 16, 2017 and checks for November. Mr. Kraus reported that several elementary teachers from both districts visited a classroom in Hays to learn about the Lucy Calkins program for English Language Arts. The WHS geometry class had an opportunity to present to the Grainfield City Council with proposed renovations for the park that they designed. The board approved the purchase of the Meraki License from CDW-G. The board reviewed bus bids. Don Huelsman visited with the board about the windows in his bus. He has been having issues getting them to stay up on the country roads. The board came to the consensus to table the bus bids until next month. Brad Moxter, American Boiler, sent an explanation for the grade school boiler invoice. There was a quote for the bus barn door from Hi-Plains. They repaired the door last month and thought it might need replaced soon. The board will take bids for a new bus garage door for the next board meeting. There is a pile of egg rock and pavers off the elementary

roof that will be given to the greenhouse to landscape. The breezeway door has an issue with the crash bar; Rod’s Locksmith will be sending us a quote. The board went over quotes for the school home egress window. The board approved the quote from Taylor Construction. The board accepted Joel Beougher’s quote to replace the windows in the school home. The board approved the supplemental contract for the boys’ assistant basketball coach position to Josh Williams. The board approved to change Christin Losey’s wage for custodial. There were five executive sessions for the purpose of discussing personnel matters. Meeting adjourned at 10:03 p.m.

Blankets - students have made those in FACS class

Thank you to all the parents that came to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal with the GGS

students and staff.

The GMS students watch the TV in the gym to see their pictures and ads as they walk

to class. Businesses interested in advertising, please contact Mr. Vincent.

Christmas MuChristmas MuChristmas MuChristmas Music Programsic Programsic Programsic Program Monday, December 12th – GGS/GMS

Winter Program 7:00 p.m. We have made special arrangements We have made special arrangements We have made special arrangements We have made special arrangements

for Santa for Santa for Santa for Santa totototo attend.attend.attend.attend.

December 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 HS BB @ Golden Plains 4:00

2 Little Kids BB at GMS

3 4 JH Scholars Bowl @ Cheylin 4:30 HS Scholars Bowl @ Colby 4:00

5 HS BB Castle Rock Tourn. @ Quinter

6

7 JH BB Cheylin @ McDonald 4:00

8 PS-2

nd Grade

Play at GGS 8:45 & 12:45 HS BB Castle Rock Tourn.

9 HS BB Castle Rock Tourn. GAP Craft Fun Day and Santa 10:00 @ GMS

10 11 Grinnell Preschool-8

th

Christmas Program 7:00

12 HS BB Ellis @ WHS 4:00

13

14 JH BB @ Palco 4:00

15 HS BB Weskan @ WHS 4:00

16

17

18 USD 292 Christmas Program 7:00 USD 291 Board Meeting 8:30 p.m.

19 HS BB Trego Co. @ WHS 4:00

20 No School

21 No School

22 No School

23

24 25 No School

26 No School

27 No School

28 No School

29 No School

30

31

December Breakfast/Lunch 2017 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

1 French Toast Sticks Tater Tot Casserole, Green Beans, Dinner Roll and Fruit

4 Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Ham and Cheese Sub Sandwich, Chips, Baked Beans, Okra and Fruit

5 Mini Donuts Chicken Nuggets, Tri Tater, Peas and Fruit

6 Sausage Pancake Stick Chili, Cinnamon Roll, Pickle Spear and Fruit

7 Pancake Chicken Alfredo, Salad, Broccoli and Fruit

8 Muffin Sloppy Joe, French Fries, Carrots and Fruit

11 Honey Cinnamon Bun Crispito/Burrito Refried Beans, Peas and Fruit

12 Cinnamon Toast Cook’s Choice

13 Waffle Sticks Cook’s Choice

14 Breakfast Pizza Spaghetti, Salad, Corn and Fruit

15 Long John Cook’s Choice

18 Ham, Egg and Cheese Bar Chicken Sandwich, Tater Tots, Carrots and Fruit

19 Glazed Donut Ham, Corn, Mashed Potatoes, Cake and Fruit

20 NO SCHOOL --------

21 WINTER BREAK

22 -------- NO SCHOOL

25 NO SCHOOL --------

26 --------------------------

27 - WINTER BREAK -

28 -------------------------

29 -------- NO SCHOOL

Milk and fruit are served with each breakfast.

All lunches are served with milk.

Middle School

students can choose a sandwich instead of the main entree

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and

employer.

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Don’t forget to visit schoolmall.com for your Christmas shopping. Enter Grinnell Grade School and a % of your order will come back to the

school!

USD 291 wishes all of you a

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Winter Break December 20 - January 2.

Enjoy time with your children.

Thank YouThank YouThank YouThank You The GGS potato bar wouldn’t have been a success without your help and support!!!!

Special thanks to…

Frontier Ag for letting us borrow the tubs.

AND

Students, parents, community members and school staff for donating food items,

desserts and hard work.

7777thththth Grade Greenhouse ProjectsGrade Greenhouse ProjectsGrade Greenhouse ProjectsGrade Greenhouse Projects

GMS vs Ness CityGMS vs Ness CityGMS vs Ness CityGMS vs Ness City

USD 291 does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, handicap, or age in

admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs or activities. Any

questions regarding the board’s compliance with Title VI, Title IX, or 504 may be directed to Dr. Ragena Mize, including information about the

existence and location of services, activities and facilities that are accessible to and useable by

disabled persons.

Unified School District No. 291 Non-Profit Organization Mr. Gary KrausMr. Gary KrausMr. Gary KrausMr. Gary Kraus, Superintendent, Superintendent, Superintendent, Superintendent U.S. Postal PAID Grinnell, KS. 67738 Permit 1