Dear Ft. Larned Families and Community Members,

This week, from February 26th to March 1st, our schools proudly join others across the nation in celebrating Public Schools Week! Our schools are the heart of our community, shaping the future of our children and our shared tomorrow. I invite each of you to join us in celebrating the invaluable role our public schools play. Whether it's attending a school event, sharing your appreciation for a teacher, or simply reflecting on the impact of public education in your own life, let's come together to recognize the dedication and hard work that make our schools truly exceptional.

Looking ahead, Spring Break is just around the corner! We hope our students and families take this opportunity to unwind, recharge, and enjoy quality time together. Whether you're planning a getaway or exploring local activities, I encourage you to make the most of this well-deserved break.

As always, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to our entire school community for your unwavering support and collaboration. Together, we can continue to make a positive difference in the lives of our students and the success of our schools.

Check out the district calendar for plenty of things to do!

If you have a free night, go support our athletes or get out and enjoy the other activities going on.

This Friday, March 1st, our Lady Indian Basketball team will hit the court for the 2nd round of sub-state basketball! Join us as they face off against Haven at the Hoisington Activity Center, tip-off at 6:00pm.

Friday, March 1 - Local scholarship applications due, 11:00am @ LHS Counselors Office

Monday, March 4 - LES Book Fair Carnival, 4:30pm-6:30pm (Come and Go) @ LES

Monday, March 4 - Dr. Kristin Feeback, 6:30pm @ LMS Gym

March 4-7 - LES Book Fair After School Hours, times vary

Tuesday March 5 - Apples and Books Event (Similar to Books and Bananas), 7:30am @ LES

Tuesday, March 5 - LHS Coffee House, 6:00pm @ LHS Cafeteria

Thursday, March 7 - LES Spring Pictures

Thursday, March 7 - Kindergarten Music Concert, 7:00pm @ Community Center

Friday, March 8 - No School PK-12 - 1/2 Day Teacher Work Day

March 11-15 - No School - Spring Break

Monday, March 18 - Board of Education Meeting, 6:00pm @ District Office

Thursday, March 21 - LHS Festival Music Concert, 7:00pm @ Community Center

Friday, March 22 - LES Glow Dance, 7:00pm @ LES

Tuesday, March 26 - 1st/2nd Grade Family Dance Night, 7:00pm @ LES

Friday, March 29 - No School PK-12

Monday, April 1 - No School PK-12 - Teacher Inservice

PAT Playground for ages birth to 5 - Every Tuesday from 10:00am-11:00am @ LES

LES Learn and Play for ages birth to 3 - Every Friday from 8:30am-9:30am @ LES

Join district leaders in celebrating Ft. Larned School employees represented by the following appreciation days:

February 26-March 1 - Public Schools Week

March 1 - Maintenance Worker Appreciation Day

March 3-9 - National School Social Worker Week

We're excited to welcome Dr. Kristin Feeback, President and CEO of CommCare & Alternatives EAP, to Larned!

Join us on March 4th at Larned Middle School starting at 6:30 PM, where Dr. Feeback will share insights on the significance of 988, its impact, and available resources. She'll also address vital topics such as the opioid crisis and addiction.

7th-12th graders will have the opportunity to attend a similar presentation during a school assembly on March 5th. Don't miss out on this valuable opportunity to learn and engage with important issues!

We're excited to welcome children from birth to 3 years old in the Larned district who aren't part of our preschool program to join us for LES Learn and Play! The fun happens every Friday morning at LES from 8:30-9:30 am. No need to sign up—just show up and play! For any questions or more information, feel free to call us at (620) 285-2141.

Lucia Hagerman has been named both the LMS All-Star staff member of the month and the USD 495 District Staff Member of the Month. Lucia's dedication to student preparedness is unmatched, earning her high praise from both our internal and external community. Not only does she excel in the classroom, but Lucia also plays a vital role in various leadership teams and extracurricular activities, making her contributions to our district invaluable. Congratulations, Lucia, on this well-deserved recognition!

At Fort Larned Elementary School, we have a Behavior Expectation Matrix displayed throughout the school and in every classroom. This matrix outlines clear expectations for our students, emphasizing three key principles: "Act Responsible," "Be Safe," and "Care for Self/Others." Each month, every classroom teacher selects one outstanding student who exemplifies these values, and they are recognized as the Student of the Month at an all-school assembly.

Larned Middle School proudly hosted the Pawnee County Spelling Bee on February 14th! Despite the nerves, students showcased their impressive spelling abilities.

Join us in congratulating the winners:

1st Place: Kale Amspacker from Pawnee Heights

2nd Place: Lilly Montgomery from Larned Middle School

3rd Place: Kade Johnson from Larned Middle School

Thanks to the incredible support from our students and families, we collected a total of 637 boxes of cereal to donate to the Pawnee County Food Pantry. A special shout-out goes to Mr. Sleder's 5th-grade class (our champion class!), for their outstanding contribution of 137 boxes! As a reward for their hard work and generosity, they've chosen to celebrate with a class ice cream party. Thank you to all the families who helped make this event such a success!

USD 495 is so incredibly proud of our student athletes and their determination, grit, and sportsmanship on the mat at the State Wrestling Tournament! Congratulations to Luke Fischer, Jai Sean Phillips, Landon Haney, Cara Herbert, Lily McKenna, Reese Watkins, and Teagan Walker for their accomplishments this season!

Congratulations to Luke Fischer, who secured his second consecutive 321A state wrestling championship with an undefeated season!

For more information, visit our Careers Page on our website or contact Tiffany Burris at the District Office (620) 285-3185.

Our after-school program, 'Be Your Best Academy,' is open for K-5 students at Fort Larned Elementary School! The program runs from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm on regular school days, offering snacks and engaging activities for a daily fee of $5 per child. Advance registration for specific days is required, and transportation arrangements must be made by families. Contact Larned Elementary School at (620) 285-2141 to enroll your child today!

If the daily fee is an issue that prevents your child from attending the after school program, please reach out to the school. We've established partnerships with generous organizations eager to remove any barriers and provide financial support to those who might need it to benefit from the program.

We get it – life happens, whether it's dealing with health issues or family matters. If you're facing any obstacles or just want to chat about attendance, we're here for you. Your involvement is crucial in making sure your child gets the most out of their learning experience.

Just to clarify, being chronically absent means missing 10% or more of school, for both excused and unexcused absences. Here are some eye-opening facts:

• Children who are chronically absent in Kindergarten and 1st grade are less likely to read proficiently by 3rd grade.
• By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school.
• By 9th grade, attendance is actually a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th-grade test scores!

Let's work together and make sure every day counts towards our students' academic success. If you have any questions or need support, feel free to reach out to your child's building principal!

The track and field events at Larned High School are undergoing a transformation with resurfacing by Beynon Construction. The renovations began last Tuesday and the facility will be closed for the next 21 days, weather permitting. This much-anticipated upgrade is a key component of the renovations for our outdoor athletic facility and we are excited to see the finished product!

If you have any questions about the Guided Growth program, please contact Allisa Spain at the District Office (620) 285-3185 or LMS/LHS administration.

Join us for Board of Education meetings on the second Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m., located at the District Office, 120 E. 6th St., Larned, KS. Upcoming meetings are scheduled for March 18 and April 8, 2024.

Our seven-member Board of Education, elected for four-year terms, currently includes Brent Hemken, Tyson Atteberry, Tyson Steffen, Michelle Koch, Buddy Tabler, Jessie Pleasant, and Mike Myrick. For more details about our board, or to access Board Briefs, agendas, and minutes visit the Board of Education page on our website.

Explore Ft. Larned USD 495's 2024 Legislative Platform, approved by our Board of Education in November. Please reach out to our elected Kansas legislators to share Ft. Larned USD 495 successes and needs. We appreciate their service to our community!

• Senator Alicia Straub
• Representative Brett Fairchild
  

Click the following attachment to read about Ft. Larned USD 495's Legislative Priorities for the 2024 session.