SPRING 2019
G A R D N E R
E D G E R T O N
HORIZON
Teachers Laying the Foundation of Success
Blazers Promote Mental Health Awareness USD 231 Summer Extravaganza SPRING 2019
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GARDNER EDGERTON HORIZON
Superintendent’s Message The Gardner Edgerton School District has gotten off to a great start in 2019. Over the past several months, USD 231 students and staff have been recognized for outstanding accomplishments and achievements. GEHS had three choir students earning All State honors. Riley Buck - All State Mixed Choir, Annie Kuzma - All State Treble Choir, and Katie Long - Fountain City Youth Brass Band. The GEHS Color Guard went to a national competition in South Dakota bringing home twelve awards. The Wrestling team sent seven wrestlers to State and the Boys Basketball team ended the regular season with an eleven game winning streak. GEHS Cheerleaders earned three - 1 ratings and one - 2 rating at the Baldwin Cheer and Dance Festival. Joining them were Trail Ridge and Wheatridge both earning 1 ratings for their Team Routine. All these students work extremely hard and represent USD 231 with maturity, respect, and pride. This past month, two outstanding teachers were selected to represent USD 231 as the 2019 Teachers of the Year. Sarah VanDeBerghe, Pioneer Ridge (Communications), and Mandi Hodo, Nike Elementary (Reading Specialist), will represent USD 231 in the Kansas Teacher of the Year competition. I am honored these two outstanding educators are a part of our educational team and will represent our district at the state level. We are all grateful for the USD 231 Operations Staff as they worked diligently to ensure the safety of our children, staff, and visitors while on school grounds. The custodial, grounds, and operations staff put in many long hours and weekends to apply salt, plow parking lots, and clear sidewalks during this grueling winter season. We truly appreciate all the time and effort these men and women invest to make the snow and ice disappear. I am so proud of each and every one of our students and staff for their hard work and dedication this year. We are an exceptional school district today, with great expectations for tomorrow. I look forward to sharing many more student and staff accomplishments with you in the coming weeks, months, and years!
Gardner Edgerton School District once again is excited to offer the Summer Food Service Program to area youth. The Summer Food Service Program, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered by Kansas State Department of Education, provides nutritious meals to children during the summer. During the school year, nearly half of the children in Kansas qualify for reduced-price or free meals. The goal of the Summer Food Service program is to ensure children continue to receive nutritious meals during long school vacations when the low-cost or free school meals are no longer available. Over the past eight years, thousands of meals have been served to community children. Last summer, the participating Gardner Edgerton schools served more than 26,000 meals in nine weeks. “Unfortunately, nutritional needs for kids don’t stop when school is out. Our program helps parents and caregivers bridge the gap over summer break by providing healthy, fresh meals to our community’s children,” said Amy Droegemeier, Director of Nutrition Services. “We want our school sites to continue to be a place where kids gather to see their friends and enjoy a meal together.” The program provides FREE meals for all children 1 to 18 years of age. Persons over 18 years of age may also dine at any of the sites for a minimal fee. The following locations in the District will be serving FREE meals this summer. Edgerton Elementary: Monday, June 6 - Friday, Aug. 2 Lunch 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. (Monday,Wednesday-Friday) Brunch 10-11:30 a.m. (Tuesday) Cyclone Cafe (Tuesdays only) 5:00-6:30 p.m. Moonlight Elementary: Monday, June 6 - Friday, Aug. 2 Breakfast 7:30-8:30 a.m. / Lunch 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Pam Stranathan Superintendent of Schools
Wheatridge Middle School: Monday, June 6 - Friday, Aug. 2 Breakfast 7:30-8:30 a.m. / Lunch 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Gardner Edgerton School District’s Horizon is a newsmagazine published quarterly throughout the year. Editorial and photography is created by the USD 231 staff and produced by NPG Newspapers. To receive a copy of the magazine call 913-856-2000. Gardner Edgerton School District / 231 E. Madison / P.O. Box 97 /Gardner, KS 66030 / 913-856-2000 / www.usd231.com Superintendent of Schools: Pam Stranathan District Offices Contributing Writers/Editors: Ryan Colston and Daphne Pippitt USD 231 Board of Education: Tresa Boden, Shawn Carlisle, Greg Chapman, Kristen Schultz, Rob Shippy, Robin Strentz, Lana Sutton SPRING 2019
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Follow the Gardner Edgerton School District on Social Media for current events and news.
Follow GEYCP for current programming and upcoming events.
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GARDNER EDGERTON HORIZON
Gardner Edgerton High School student Makenzie Blum signs her letter of intent for gymnastics at the Air Force Academy.
Gardner Edgerton High School student Luke Jennings signs his letter of intent for Football at Pittsburg State University.
Gardner Edgerton High School Spring Signings Congratulations to the following seniors at Gardner Edgerton High School on signing letters of intent to be student athletes next year at the collegiate level:
NAME
SPORT
SCHOOL
Andrew Adams
Football
Rochester Community College
Landon Cain
Baseball
Mid America Nazarene
Dakota Jackson
Baseball
Mid America Nazarene
Luke Jennings
Football
Pittsburg State University
Emma Prothe
Volleyball
St. Mary's
Darin Robertson
Football
Kansas University
Jake Steward
Football
SE Missouri State University
Gabby Bishop
Volleyball
Highland Community College
Makenzie Blum
Gymnastics
Air Force Academy
AJ Bohon
Track and Field
St. Mary's
Asher Brown
Soccer
Dordt University
Kennedy Comstock
Track and Field
Baker University
Marshall Hammett
Soccer
Allen County Community College
Olivia Hogue
Soccer
Mid America Nazarene
Gabby Schultz
Softball
Highland Community College
Destiny VanGordon
Powerlifting
Ottawa University
Kelby Wilson
Cross Country and Track and South Dakota School of Field Mines and Technology SPRING 2019
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Blazers Promote Mental Health Awareness Gardner Edgerton High School hosted a Zero Reasons Why themed basketball game on February 5 against Shawnee Mission West. The Zero Reasons Why campaign was established by the six superintendents in Johnson County as a response to the growing number of teen suicides. The campaign includes a teen council which helps to guide the effort to promote mental health awareness, increase community activity, and prevent teen suicide. Superintendent Stranathan wanted each student and staff member at GEHS to have a Zero Reasons Why shirt to wear as a reminder that there are Zero Reasons Why suicide is an option. Over 1,000 shirts were distributed during the past month by GEYCP Supervisor Ryan Colston, Coordinator of Student Support Services Melissa McIntire, and GEHS student volunteers. During the GEHS vs Shawnee Mission West Girls and Boys
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GARDNER EDGERTON HORIZON
Basketball games, students packed the gym in their shirts. GEHS Cheerleaders passed out Zero Reasons Why bracelets to every person who entered the gym. Before each contest, the GEHS basketball teams presented each player, coach, and manager from Shawnee Mission West with a bracelet to unify both schools in the cause. GEHS Cheerleaders also presented every Shawnee Mission West Cheerleader with a shirt and both teams sported the shirts as they cheered on the game. “Watching the student athletes come together before the game was a wonderful site to see,” said GEYCP Supervisor Ryan Colston. As the campaign continues to evolve, USD 231 plans to include activities for student, parent, and community groups. Gardner Edgerton plans to host future events to promote mental health awareness.
USD 231 SUMMER EXTRAVA GANZA! Each summer, many USD 231 students take advantage of the opportunity to enrich their lives through Summer Programming, and this summer is no different. Once again, fun and engaging classes will be offered during the summer months for student enjoyment. The Summer Enrichment Program is designed to support student learning during the month of June with engaging, high-interest activities that promote student creativity, problem-solving and reinforcement of core learning skills. The Summer Enrichment Program is open to all current Gardner Edgerton students who will be entering first through 12th grade. Summer Enrichment classes, held at Wheatridge Middle School, will be offered in a variety of date combinations with all sessions running
Monday through Thursday. Students enroll for the grade they will enter in August 2019. Session times are 8 a.m.-10 a.m. and 10:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Session dates are listed below. Session 1: June 3-6, 2018 Session 2: June 10-13, 2018 Session 3: June 17-20, 2018 Session 4: June 24-27, 2018 Gardner Edgerton Youth & Community Programs (GEYCP) is excited to offer a variety of programming for your child throughout the summer months. Lego Camps with Bricks 4 Kidz, String Art with the Barefoot Builder, Art with Young Rembrandts are going to make a splash this summer. The Advanced Technical Center will be offering adult programming for the second year. Adults in the community will be able to learn the basics
of Welding, Auto Maintenance, Automotive Air Brush, and more! Summer Athletic Camps will also make its way into the Summer Programming Guide. You will be able to find athletic camps for your K-12 grader with an easy, online registration process. Transportation is not provided for the Summer Enrichment program. Online registration begins mid-March. Visit www.usd231.com to register.
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TOP ROW: Besty Beverage, Sunflower Elementary; Joy Dwyer, Gardner Elementary; Kelly Edrickson, Edgerton Elementary; Julie Gillette, Gardner Edgerton High School; Kristen Gore, Trail Ridge Middle BOTTOM ROW: Lacy Hinkle, Madison Elementary; Mandi Hodo, Nike Elementary; April Meyer, Moonlight Elementary; Amy Schuer, Wheatridge Middle; Laura Scoma, Grand Star Elementary; Sarah VanDeBerghe, Pioneer Ridge Middle School
Teachers Laying the Foundation of Success Teachers hold a very special place in the lives of students. They play a very important role in molding each child into becoming ideal citizens. In the Gardner Edgerton School District, exceptional teachers are the rule, not the exception. Each year, eleven veteran educators are selected to represent Gardner Edgerton in the state-sponsored Kansas Teacher of the Year (KTOY) program. The Kansas Teacher of the Year Award recognizes and utilizes representatives of excellent teaching in the elementary and secondary classrooms of the state. Its mission is to build and utilize a network of exemplary teachers who are leaders in the improvement of schools,
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GARDNER EDGERTON HORIZON
student performance, and the teaching profession. We are extremely proud of the following teachers: Edgerton Elementary—Kelly Erickson (Early Childhood), Gardner Elementary— Joy Dwyer (Math Specialist), Grand Star Elementary—Laura Scoma (Third Grade), Madison Elementary—Lacy Hinkle (Interrelated), Moonlight Elementary—April Meyer (First Grade), Nike Elementary—Mandi Hodo (Reading Specialist), Sunflower Elementary—Betsy Beverage (First Grade), Pioneer Ridge Middle School—Sarah VanDeBerghe (Communications), Trail Ridge Middle School—Kristen Gore (7th Grade Science), Wheatridge Middle
School—Amy Scheuer (5th Grade), Gardner Edgerton High School— Julie Gillette (English Language Arts) Out of this excellent group of educators, Sarah VanDeBerghe, Pioneer Ridge (Communications), and Mandi Hodo, Nike Elementary (Reading Specialist) have been selected as Gardner Edgerton School District’s Secondary and Elementary Teachers of the Year. Sarah VanDeBerghe has taught in the Gardner Edgerton School District for the past nine years. She is/has been a Communications Teacher at Pioneer Ridge Middle School for the past six years. Prior to this, she taught three years as a fifth grade teacher, also at PRMS. In an effort to promote
LEFT: Sarah VanDeBerghe, communications teacher at Pioneer Ridge, poses with students. RIGHT TOP: Mandi Hodo, reading specialist at Nike Elementary, teaching students. RIGHT BOTTOM: Katey Foley, French teacher at Gardner Edgerton High School (center).
acceptance for all students in and around the school community, Sarah has led building-wide efforts such as ‘Walk the Track for Autism’ (2017) and ‘Step Up for Down Syndrome’ (2018). Sarah also serves as district trainer for Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (CPI). VanDeBerghe’s students are her passion and she is proud to represent the district as Secondary Teacher of the Year. Sarah had two students in her fifth grade classroom that made the move into the Communications Classroom a no-brainer. Luke Mayo and Isabelle Carpenter were those two students who, VanDeBerghe says, taught her about acceptance, patience, friendship, and family. “Those two students changed my life forever,” said VanDeBerghe. Mandi Hodo has taught in the Gardner Edgerton School District for the past twelve years. For the past two years, she has been the Reading Specialist at Nike Elementary. Prior to this, Hodo taught 5th grade for three years at Wheatridge Middle School and 1st grade for three years and 2nd grade for four years at Nike
Elementary. Mrs. Hodo holds a Master of Science in Teaching with a Reading Specialist certification from Fort Hays State University and a Bachelor in Elementary Education from the University of Central Missouri. Hodo has been part of various leadership teams, such as: Nike Building Leadership, PBIS Leadership, Gardner Edgerton Integration Teams, SITE Council, BIST Leadership, and the first grade report card committee. She was also a Mentor Teacher the 2014-15 school year and has been a Cooperating Teacher with MidAmerica Nazarene University and Baker University. Mrs. VanDeBerghe and Mrs. Hodo will now move to the state level and participate in the KTOY selection process. The KTOY Program recognizes a Regional Finalist for each of the eight (8) regions. From the eight representatives, a Kansas Teacher of the Year is selected. As a team, these designees are provided professional learning opportunities, make visits to school districts around the state, advocate for education at
the state level, and represent teachers as a whole across Kansas. The Kansas Teacher of the Year is nominated to represent Kansas in the National Teacher of the Year Program. Another great success in USD 231 is Katey Foley, French Teacher at Gardner Edgerton High School. Katey has been recognized by the Kansas State Department of Education as an outstanding first year teacher. The Horizon Award is reserved for those teachers who have successfully completed their first year of teaching and have performed in such a way as to distinguish themselves as outstanding. “Students love coming to her class because of her passion and enthusiasm she has about the French Language,” said Ashley Gorney, GEHS Spanish Teacher. There are only eight teachers in our region who are recognized with this distinction in 2019. As a district, we are proud of our accomplishments and thankful for the opportunity to educate the children of our community. It is for these many reasons, “We Are...USD 231.”
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In a continued effort to increase communication and offer opportunities to students, USD 231 has started a weekly podcast entitled “The 231 Way”. This podcast is being offered as part of an ongoing effort by Central Office administration to work more directly with students and increase awareness of district activities, initiatives, and accomplishments. Four students have been chosen to start the program and act as “co-hosts”: Jade
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GARDNER EDGERTON HORIZON
Haney and Calvin Schoendaller, Seniors at GEHS, and Morgan McIntire, Taylor Warner, Evan Orozco, and Logan Krauskopf, Juniors at GEHS. Episodes will be released on a weekly basis and focus on timely and relevant information related to the school district and community at-large. Barring technical difficulties, episodes will be released weekly on Thursday afternoons.
Events at a Glance March 8 – Sunflower, PTO Family Bowling at Mission Bowl, 6:30 pm 21 – Gardner, Movie Night, 6 pm 22 – Nike, Donuts with Dudes, 7:45 am 22 – Sunflower, PTO Movie Night, 6 pm 26 – Grand Star, McTeacher Night at McDonalds, 4:00 pm 27 – GEHS/TRMS/PRMS/WMS, District Orchestra Concert @ GEHS, 7 pm 28 – Gardner, Mornings with Mom, 7:45 am 28 – Gardner, 2nd Grade Musical, 7 pm 29 – Grand Star STEM & Family Science Night 29 – Gardner, PTO Chuck E Cheese Fundraiser, 3:30 pm 29 – Moonlight, PTA Family Fun Night, 6 pm 29 – Nike, PTO Movie Night, 7 pm 29 – Sunflower, Kindergarten Family Fitness Night, 5:30 pm
April 2 – Sunflower, PTO Art Walk/Choir Performance, 7 pm 2 – GEHS, ACT Test Date, 8 am 4 – Grand Star, PTA Donuts with Dad, 7:30 am 3-5 – GEHS Spring Play, 7 pm 4 – Madison, 4th Grade Musical, 7 pm 8 – Grand Star, Body Venture Exhibit, 4 pm 9 – Madison, STEAM Night, 5:30 pm 10 – GEHS, Quill & Scroll/NTHS Induction, 7 pm 11 – Edgerton, 1st & 2nd Grade Music Program, 7 pm 11 – Gardner, 1st Grade Musical, 7 pm 11 – Moonlight, 24 Hour Challenge 11 – Grand Star, Kindergarten Musical, 6:30 pm 12 – Instrumental Music Info Night for 4th Graders at GEHS, 7 pm 12 – Sunflower, PTO Carnival, 5 pm 13 – TRMS/WMS/PRMS, Solo Ensemble Festival @ WMS, All Day 18 – Grand Star, PTA Mornings with Mom, 7:30 am 18 – Nike, 1st Grade Music Program, 7 pm 22 – No School, Teacher Professional Development, All Day 22 – All Elementary, Kindergarten Rodeo 25 – Grand Star, 1st Grade Musical, 7 pm 25 – Sunflower, 1st Grade Musical, 7 pm 26 – Gardner, PTO Carnival, 6 pm 26 – Sunflower, PTO Parent Night Out, 6 pm 27 – GEHS, Blazerette Spring Show, 3 pm 29 – PRMS, Incoming 5th Grade Parent Night, 6 pm 30 – Nike, Singing Missiles Concert, 6:30 pm
7 – PRMS, Orchestra Concert, 5th/6th Grade, 6 pm; 7th/8th Grade, 7:45 pm 7 – Trail Ridge, Vocals Concert, 5th/6th Grade, 6:30 pm; 7th/8th Grade, 7:45 pm 7 – Wheatridge, Band Concert, 5th/6th Grade 6:30 pm; 7th/8th Grade, 7:45 pm 8 – Band Instrument Rental Night for 4th Graders at PRMS, 6 pm 8 – GEHS, Senior Honors Night, 7 pm 9 – Trail Ridge, Band Concert, 5th/6th Grade, 6:30 pm; 7th/8th Grade, 7:45 pm 9 – Wheatridge, Orchestra Concert, 5th/6th Grade, 6:30 pm; 7th/8th Grade, 7:45 pm 9 – PRMS, Vocal Concert, 5th/6th Grade, 6 pm; 7th/8th Grade, 7:45 pm 9 – Moonlight, 4th Grade Wax Museum, 6 pm 10 – Grand Star, Field Day, All Day 10 – Sunflower, Field Day, All Day 10 – Nike, PTO Carnival, 6 pm 13 – GEHS, Pops Concert, 7 pm 14 – Grand Star, Talent Show, 1:30 pm 14 – PRMS, Band Concert, 5th/6th Grade, 6 pm; 7th/8th Grade, 7:45 pm 14 – Wheatridge, Vocal Concert, 5th/6th Grade 6:30 pm; 7th/8th Grade 7:30 pm 15 – Orchestra Instrumental Rental Night for 4th Graders at PRMS, 6 pm 15 – Trail Ridge, Orchestra Concert, 5th/6th Grade, 6:30 pm; 7th/8th Grade, 7:45 pm 15 – USD 231 Retirement Dinner, 6 pm 16 – Edgerton, Field Day, All Day 17 – Grand Star, 4th Grade Wax Museum, 2 pm 17 – Moonlight, Talent Show, 1:30 pm 18 – GEHS, Graduation, DAC, 10 am 20 – Edgerton, Talent Show, 1 pm 20 – Moonlight, Field Day, All Day 21 – Grand Star, am Preschool Graduation, 9:30 am 21 – Grand Star, pm Preschool Graduation, 1:30 pm 22 – Grand Star, Kindergarten Graduation, 9 am 22 – Grand Star, 4th Grade Graduation, 11 am
May 1 – GEHS, Spring Orchestra Concert, 7 pm 3 – Nike, PTO Movie Night, 7 pm 4 – GEHS, Prom, 9 pm 6 – GEHS, Band Concert, 7 pm 75107908
SPRING 2019
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GARDNER EDGERTON HORIZON
SPORTING BLUE VALLEY
JOIN OUR SUMMER CAMPS!
PRETRYOUT
AGES U8-U19
HALF DAY AGES 7-14
GK CAMP ALL AGES
MINI KICKERS AGES 4-6
REGISTER: Camps: Today Fall Programs: May 1st
FALL PROGRAMS
Recreation Futures/Juniors Skills Club
FALL PROGRAMS OPEN MAY 1st
913.685.2872 | 13700 Switzer Road | Overland Park, KS 66221 Camps and fall programs held at the Scheels OP Soccer Complex.
SPRING 2019
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GARDNER EDGERTON HORIZON
Kansas Rush Soccer Club Providing opportunities for Local youth to play soccer for over 38 years
INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION AFFORDABLE EDUCATION Saint Mary has helped students find their purpose for over 90 years. At USM, Gardner Edgerton grads will benefit from: • A Princeton Review Best Midwestern College* • Over 30 majors, including top-notch health care programs, business, accounting, pre-engineering, education, and more • One-on-one attention from expert faculty • Generous financial aid—scholarships of up to $60,000 over four years for qualified students • The college sports experience, with 21 varsity sports, including eSports *The Princeton Review’s Best Regional Colleges, 2019. (c)2018 TPR Education IP Holdings, LLC. The Princeton Review is not affiliated with Princeton University.
www.kansasrush.com SPRING/ Summer 2019 Premier Tryouts Tryouts June 7-9 Pre-Tryout Camp June 3-6 Junior Rush Great place to start for pre-k age 3-5 Mighty Mites, Beginner, and Advanced, Indoor and Outdoor Summer Leagues & Camps June and July more info to come
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stmary.edu/GEHS 75115087
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SPRING 2019
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