USD 495

FORT LARNED USD 495

120 E. 6th, Larned, KS 67550 Phone: 620-285-3185 FAX: 620-285-3185 www.usd495.com

Fort Larned USD 495 is committed to developing and maintaining an environment that ensures all students will be prepared to meet the challenges of the everchanging world. By building bridges with parents, community members, and local businesses, students will obtain the academic skills and personal characteristics necessary to eff ectively communicate, utilize resources available to them, and maintain a safe and healthy lifestyle.

Th e district commits to this mission by providing a comprehensive system of support.

Gift s to the Ft. Larned Foundation for Education are fully tax deductible as a charitable contribution. Contact the foundation through the district offi ce, 120 6th St., Larned.

Th e Kansas State Department of Education’s 2019-2020 accountability report notes that the district received Kansans Can Star Recognition at the bronze level for high school graduation and for graduates’ success in postsecondary education.

Fort Larned USD 495 meets the requirements of IDEA — Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Th e Kansas State Department of Education verifi es that it has attained the highest level of achievement in providing services to children and youth with disabilities. Download the USD 495 app on D ldthUSD495 Android: http://bit.ly/2MVjXK6 or iPhone: https://apple.co/2MKAhgC.

Bryce Wachs, Superintendent Phil Martin, Attorney Tiffany Burris, Board Clerk

Board of Education The Board of Education meets at 6:00 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at the District Office. Charles Tabler, President Jessie Pleasant, Brent Hemken, Vance Smith, Jade Meyer, Brian Carlton, and one more to be elected in August of 2021

Larned High School Dustin Wilson, Principal 815 Corse 620-285-2151

Larned Middle School Shane Sundahl, Principal 904 Corse 620-285-8430

Fort Larned Elementary Catrina McGurk, Principal 2104 Broadway 620-285-2141 Tri-County Cooperative, ALC Cris Seidel Special Education Director 904 Corse 620-285-3119

Tri-County Preschool Cris Seidel 904 Corse 620-285-3119

Jump Start Fort Larned Elementary Catrina McGurk 2104 Broadway 620-285-2141

Th e Fort Larned USD 495 Board of Education approved a Return to School Plan in August of 2020 and the Pawnee County Commission approved a Public Health Order that adopted a Risk Assessment Matrix in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Th e commission approved four levels of risk: Green, Yellow, Orange and Red. USD 495 utilized that matrix along with guidance from the Kansas State Department of Education in determining which tier within its Return to School Plan would be implemented within its school buildings.

Masks were required but became optional before 2020-2021 ended.

In August of 2021, school resumed with no mask requirement, although they were recommended. However, federal regulations did require masks in buses and other vehicles transporting more than one person.

Larned High School signed its fi rst-ever FFA charter during a ceremony on Monday, March 29, 2021.

“Although LHS instituted FFA the year before, COVID prevented them from signing their charter last spring,” said FFA sponsor Brice Gibson. “State FFA offi cers Kiran Elam and Bailey Sipes off ered words of excitement and advice for Larned students who are promoters of all areas of agriculture, reminding the students that FFA also aff ords a place where they can learn public speaking skills, interview skills, and leadership skills.”

Gibson also said the Larned FFA will be included with other Kansas FFA charters at the state offi ce. Larned’s FFA offi cers include: President, Halle Barker; Vice-President, Trevor Bartz; Treasurer, John Stedje; Sentinel, Dillen Hook and Reporter, Ella McNett.

Some of the events that were missed in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic resumed in 2021. Kansas Fitness Day for third graders is typically held in April at Fort Larned National Historic Site but it was canceled in 2020. So, in 2021, third and fourth graders attended.

Fort Larned Elementary School Principal Catrina McGurk noted, “With the help of Fort Larned volunteers and LMS and LHS students, our third graders get to tour and learn more about the Fort and participate in diff erent fi tness activities back in the 1800s. We always appreciate the support from Fort Larned in making this happen.”

Likewise, the annual 4th Grade Kids Ag Day wasn’t held in May of 2020. So, in May of 2021, more than 100 fourth and fi ft h graders from Fort Larned USD 495 and Pawnee Heights USD 496 attended that event at the J.A. Haas Building.

Th e fi nal day of school was May 19, 2021. School wrapped up with Life Skills Day at the middle school, where the students learned to change a tire, make a budget, table manners, basic sewing, changing diapers, and many more skills. Pawnee County Co-op Association helped 6th and 7th graders celebrate their last day of school with root beer fl oats.