Eudora Unified School District No. 491 1310 Winchester Rd. P.O. Box 500 Eudora, KS 66025 785-542-4910
Eudora School Newsletter is a quarterly magazine which includes content provided by the Eudora Schools communication department and is produced by the Lawrence Journal-World.
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Staff Directory
STU MOECKEL
Superintendent of Schools stumoeckel@eudoraschools.org
DR. BILL DEWITT
Head Principal, Eudora High School billdewitt@eudoraschools.org
CARA KIMBERLIN
Assistant Principal and Activities Director, Eudora High School carakimberlin@eudoraschools.org
SEAN HAYDEN
Assistant Principal, Eudora High School seanhayden@eudoraschools.org
JESSICA JOHNSON
Director of Alternative and Virtual Learning jessicajohnson@eudoraschools.org
JEREMY THOMAS
Head Principal, Eudora Middle School jeremythomas@eudoraschools.org
TY PATTISON
Assistant Principal and Activities Director, Eudora Middle School typattison@eudoraschools.org
SETH HEIDE
Head Principal, Eudora Elementary School sethheide@eudoraschools.org
JAMIE GRADO
Assistant Principal, Eudora Elementary School jamiegrado@eudoraschools.org
SARAH MILLER
Assistant Principal, Eudora Elementary School saramiller@eudoraschools.org
KRISTEN LEWIS
Early Learning Center Director kristenlewis@eudoraschools.org
MACHAELA BESHEARS
Transportation Director machaelabeshears@eudoraschools.org
BETSY CRABILL Finance Director betsycrabill@eudoraschools.org
HEATHER HUNDLEY Director of School Improvement Services heatherhundley@eudoraschools.org
SHANDA HURLA Eudora Schools Foundation Executive Director shandahurla@eudoraschools.org
CHUCK JAMES Director of Facilities chuckjames@eudoraschools.org
RON LONG Technology Director ronlong@eudoraschools.org
NICOLE PARKS
Food and Nutrition Director nicoleparks@eudoraschools.org
JAYLIE POSTLEWAIT
Communication and Engagement Specialist jayliepostlewait@eudoraschools.org
YEMEN SHAABAN
After School Program Director yemenshaaban@eudoraschools.org
AMY SHANKS
Human Resources Director amyshanks@eudoraschools.org
STEPHENIE SUDDUTH
District Nurse stepheniesudduth@eudoraschools.org
Exciting School Bond Projects Update: Transformations Across the District
We are thrilled to provide an exciting update on the progress of our school bond projects, which have been and will rapidly transform our district. We have witnessed significant developments across various campuses with more to come this summer.
District-wide enhancements include the implementation of energyefficient LED lighting, modernization of our phone systems, installation of new audio-video components in classrooms, improvement of our intercom systems, and the replacement of HVAC systems!
At Eudora Elementary School, this summer we are constructing a brand new playground for our students’ enjoyment and safety. Additionally, the installation of a repeater antenna will not only enhance communication but also improve safety protocols for our custodial and front office staff.
West Resource Center is undergoing significant renovations, with The Early Learning Center (ELC) opening this fall. This includes the creation of new classrooms and a dedicated gymnasium to support innovative learning environments for
our youngest students.
At the Middle School, attention has been directed towards enhancing security measures with the construction of a new secure front entrance and a remodel of the front office area. Another exciting project involves replacing classroom furniture!
Upgrades and additions at Eudora High School include the installation of an advanced security camera system, the addition of a new auxiliary gymnasium, and the construction of a training facility that also serves
as a storm shelter. Additionally, six new EDTEC classrooms are being built, equipped with the latest tools and resources to support innovative teaching and learning practices.
As these projects continue to unfold, we remain committed to providing our students, staff, and community an environment that fosters academic excellence, safety, and overall well-being. We are very grateful for the support of our community throughout this process and look forward to the continued growth and success of our district.
Reality U:
Empowering Eudora Students with Real-World Financial Literacy
The Eudora Schools Foundation recently hosted Reality U, an interactive event for 8th and 10th-grade students. In collaboration with the Eudora School District, the Foundation aimed to provide practical financial literacy skills to ensure students are well-prepared for their futures.
The 75-minute simulation allows students to envision their lives as 26-year-olds. They complete an online lifestyle survey, which, combined with their GPA, generates a personalized future scenario including monthly income, credit card debt, student loan information, and more. Students then navigate through 12 booths representing typical adult expenses, managing their finances to avoid going into the red.
The hands-on nature of Reality U makes financial literacy tangible and relevant. Students quickly learn the impact of their decisions, both in the simulation and in their real lives. This experience underscores the importance of their academic performance and its long-term effects on their financial well-being.
The event saw over 45 community and business volunteers hosting tables on various topics such as childcare, housing, vehicles, retirement, and insurance. More than 180 students participated, benefiting from this immersive learning experience. Monica Dittmer, volunteer and program coordinator of the Eudora Schools Foundation, expressed her gratitude saying “We are lucky to have such an involved community here in Eudora. Several folks stepped up to help our students gain a hands-on experience that really can’t be gained any other way. It was also incredible to hear the advice and words of encouragement from our community members with so much life experience and insight.”
Parents have seen the positive effects of Reality U firsthand. Betsy
The Card
Crabill, a parent of an 8th grader and a 10th grader, shared her experience: “Reality U was a fantastic opportunity for my boys to gain a deeper understanding of financial responsibilities. It was eye-opening for them to see how expensive things can be and to appreciate all that we, as parents, do daily. They expressed their gratitude and now have a better grasp of the bigger picture. My sophomore realized how close he is to entering the real world. At almost 16, he wants a car and understands he has to work for it. This experience was invaluable in teaching them real-life financial skills.”
Through Reality U, the Eudora Schools Foundation and the Eudora School District are fostering financial literacy and empowering students to make informed decisions about their futures. This program exemplifies the district’s commitment to real-world learning and prepares students to navigate adulthood with confidence and competence. We look forward to continuing to provide these valuable opportunities and watching our students thrive.
EES Calming Cardinal Room
In the ever-changing world of educational institutions, creating environments that support students’ emotional and academic well-being is an ongoing endeavor. The concept of the Calming Cardinal Room is born from this pursuit, aiming to provide a space that promotes students’ wellbeing by engaging their senses and fostering self-regulation. More than just a physical space, the Calming Cardinal Room embodies a philosophy rooted in compassion and empowerment. It is designed to meet the diverse sensory needs of students, offering a multi-sensory experience to encourage relaxation, self-awareness, and emotional regulation. Every element, from soothing visuals to gentle sounds and comforting tactile stimuli, is carefully selected to
create a safe space away from stress and agitation.
At the core of the Calming Cardinal Room lies a proactive approach to supporting students. It serves as a tool for educators to deescalate tensions, redirect behavior, and guide students toward self-soothing techniques, thereby reducing reliance on restraint and seclusion. Importantly, it is not a substitute for disciplinary measures but a preventative strategy that emphasizes empowerment over control.
Central to the ethos of the Calming Cardinal Room is its role in fostering positive relationships and nurturing a culture of empathy and understanding. By prioritizing students’ needs and providing a safe, respectful space, it becomes a catalyst for crisis deescalation
and prevention. Here, students are encouraged to explore various activities and environments, empowering them to self-regulate and cope with stressors effectively.
Informed by research-backed interventions such as mindfulness, self-regulation strategies, and socialemotional learning programs, the Calming Cardinal Room adopts a holistic approach to student well-being. By leveraging the power of positive emotions, emotional intelligence, and character development, it aims to cultivate resilience, enhance academic outcomes, and promote overall well-being.
Effective implementation of the Calming Cardinal Room relies on robust data collection methods that capture its impact on student behavior and emotional well-being. From self-rating scales to observational feedback, each data point offers valuable insights into the room’s efficacy, guiding continuous improvement and refinement of therapeutic practices.
In an effort to create inclusive and supportive learning environments, the Calming Cardinal Room stands as a beacon of hope and healing. By embracing the principles of empowerment, empathy, and prevention, it not only transforms physical spaces but also nurtures the hearts and minds of students, empowering them to navigate life’s challenges with resilience. In the peaceful environment of the Calming Cardinal Room, students find reassurance and stability.
8th Grade Career Exploration Fair:
A Hands On Learning Experience
On April 10th, 8th grade students hosted their much anticipated Career Exploration Fair, an event designed to immerse them in the world of careers through real-life, hands-on project experiences. The fair was a culmination of weeks of hard work, where students practiced and honed their English Language Arts (ELA) skills through research, writing, and presentations.
Inspired by a conference session and a desire to bring career-focused learning to the middle school, EMS Counselor Michelle Plegge had an idea. While 6th and 7th graders already have career development opportunities through their Computer elective, 8th Grade was lacking. The Career Fair aimed to fill this gap with a cross-curricular project that included ELA components and career development goals aligned with Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) standards.
The students’ journey began on March 25th with a “Career Cafe”. This kickoff event allowed students to get a “taste” of their chosen careers through hands-on simulation activities, providing a practical glimpse into their future
professions. Following this, students began research and prepared their presentation boards for the Career Fair.
Students reflected on their research and experiences by creating detailed tri-fold presentation boards. On Career Fair Day, they showcased their findings to families, community members, and other students sharing insights into job descriptions, salary information, education and training requirements, and the traits and qualifications needed for their chosen careers.
The event was extremely successful as students, staff, and community members visited various stations to learn about 97 different careers. This project was made possible by a generous grant from The Eudora Schools Foundation, awarded to Michelle Plegge, Jamie Meyers, and CherrieAnn Lindsey.
By applying their ELA skills in a practical context, students prepared for future career decisions, making this event a significant stepping stone toward their high school journey and beyond. The grant covered materials and costs for simulation kits, refreshments for the Career Cafe, and presentation materials.
The teachers were impressed with the students’ engagement and dedication to their chosen careers. One teacher noted, “I got to walk through [the Career Fair] today during 5th hour.
It was amazing! Every student was quite engaged in the ‘job’ they were simulating. I was impressed with how much effort went into this lesson—tons of detail and hands-on activities students were working through.”
The 8th Grade Career Exploration Fair was more than just an event—it was an invaluable learning experience that bridged academic skills with real-world applications, guiding students toward their future career pathways.
The careers explored spanned a wide range of clusters, including:
- Arts, A/V Technology, and Communication
- Education and Training
- Architecture and Construction
- Hospitality and Tourism
- Business, Management, and Administration
- Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
- Manufacturing
- Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics
- Health and BioSciences
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)
- Finance
- Law, Public Safety, and Security
- Human Services
- Information Technology
- Marketing
EHS Seniors Enjoy an Unforgettable Adventure on Their Annual Trip to Branson
The Class of 2024 recently completed its senior trip to Branson, Missouri! As is tradition, EHS seniors headed south to this legendary destination to enjoy camaraderie, recreation, shopping, and dining (7 meals at the buffets), chaperoned by EHS teachers and administrators. The first stop on the Saturday leg of the trip was to the Woodland Lanes bowling alley near Branson so seniors could bowl a couple of games. From there, it was off to check in at the Grand Country Resort on the main strip in Branson and seniors then divided into groups: one bound for indoor rock climbing and ropes courses and the other to try their skill at driving go-carts.
Rain on Sunday may have shortened the seniors’ time at Branson’s famous amusement park, Silver Dollar City, but it couldn’t dampen their spirits. Most seniors who wanted to ride the roller coasters were able to do so before the weather shut down the rides! Fortunately, the seniors were able to take advantage
of the indoor water park, miniature golf, and arcade back at the Grand Country Resort. Gretchen Schreiner, senior class sponsor and EHS librarian, captured the resilience of EHS seniors despite the rainy weather: “The kids were willing to be involved in any activity we had planned, and when those plans changed, they were able to adapt and create their own fun with whatever we did.”
What makes this long-lasting tradition possible for Eudora seniors can be traced to the positive behavior demonstrated by the EHS students. Along this trip, chaperones received numerous compliments about the friendly and polite manners of our senior Cardinals, from restaurant servers to Wal-Mart greeters and motel service personnel. Senior class advisor Angie Brown summarized the trip in this way: “It’s always great to spend time with the seniors on the last big event before graduation, and our kids are always a lot of fun and inclusive of everyone.”
Much of the credit for the
successful trip goes to school librarian and senior class sponsor Gretchen Schreiner, who has planned and organized or attended the senior trip for 20 years. “This was one of the best groups of students we have taken. We keep doing this trip because the kids are so good and are flexible and enjoy being with their classmates,” said Schreiner. Dr. Bogart, the then principal of EHS, expresses his gratitude to Mrs. Schreiner and our other senior class sponsors, Angie Brown, Chris Dunback, Scott Keltner, Corrie Jackson, and Nate Robinson would give up their weekend for the benefit of our students. Athletic Director, Cara Kimberlin, did behindthe-scenes work in scheduling and fueling of busses and served as the voice of the group in delivering daily instructions to students.
The Class of 2024 was an exemplary representation of Eudora High School, which gives EHS teachers and administrators confidence to continue the tradition for the classes of 2025 and beyond.
Excellence in Eudora
Field Day
From Tug of War, Track and Field events, water relays, and more, the EES Field Day was perfect! It truly captured the spirit of teamwork and community, making it a memorable day for all involved.
Field Trips
Thanks to the generous support of the EES PTO students were able to go on a variety of field trips throughout the year! Up and Away, Science City, The Discovery Center, The Kansas City and Topeka Zoo, Ernie Miller Nature Center, and Main Event were favorites among the field trips!
Elizabeth Knispel
Twill Trade’s owner, Elizabeth Knispel, visited with the 5th grade to discuss the Life Cycle of a Garment and “The Math Store”: Where Numbers Meet Shopping, Evaluating Revenue, Expenses, and Profit.
Excellence in Eudora
Eagle Scout Project
Abigail Aronhalt worked to build a large size checkerboard and made homemade checkerpieces for the EMS Outdoor Learning Center as part of her Eagle Scout project.
Rocks and Minerals/Fossils
Grayson, 8th grade, & Wesley, 7th grade, shared their knowledge of Fossils with 3rd graders at EES! They are both Rocks & Minerals and Fossils state champs!
Excellence in Eudora
Buzz into Teaching
Students in the Teaching Pathway attended the Buzz Into Teaching Conference hosted by Emporia State University in partnership with Johnson County Community College. Our prospective teachers learned about degree pathways, as well as practical classroom skills such as cooperative learning structures, how to increase student motivation, and effective classroom management strategies. They are making strong connections in our community and we are so proud to call them future educators!
Pictured left to right: McKenna Roste-Unfred, Abby Adams, Jaycee Campbell, Takarah Olberding, Kyleigh Musick, Rylee Griffin, Olivia Lawhorn, Lucy Giffin, Nate van Foeken, Carson Miller
Excellence in Eudora
League Art Competition
Eudora hosted the Frontier League Art Competition on Wednesday, May 1st. Ten students participated and all were recognized for their achievements!
For this year’s 2-D competition (chalk drawing), students were asked to draw their art teacher(s) in the style of a randomly selected art period to reflect its style. Our students pulled Impressionism/ Post-Impressionism.
Chalk drawing: 2nd place - Abby Kennedy, Shelby Miller, Natalynn Tuckness, Andrew Turner, Sophie Whalen and Sofia Miller
The 3-D competition tasked students with building a paper tower as tall as possible with the fewest materials that could support a set weight at the top for one minute.
Additional accolades: Sophie Whalen: Artistic Excellence (oil painting)
Once a Cardinal, Always a Cardinal:
Join the Eudora High School Alumni Program
Calling all Cards! Attention, Eudora High School Alumni – whether you’re near or far, we want to connect with you and celebrate your unique journey since walking the halls of Eudora High. As part of our ongoing commitment to strengthen the bonds within our Eudora High School community, we are thrilled to launch the Cardinal Alumni Program, an initiative that aims to bring together our esteemed alumni to share experiences, inspire, and guide current and future students.
Your journey post-Eudora High School has been filled with unique experiences and remarkable achievements. We believe that your stories can serve as a source of inspiration for our current students and provide valuable guidance as they navigate their own paths. By sharing your details, you’re not just updating us on your journey –you’re actively becoming a beacon of inspiration and an essential part of a growing network that supports mentorship, career guidance, and community engagement.
Here’s what we’re eager to collect from you:
Basic Contact Information: Keep us updated so we can stay connected
and share exciting updates about the Eudora High School community.
Career and Education Achievements: Share the highlights of your journey post-Eudora High, whether it’s in your career, education, or military service.
Areas of Involvement: Let us know where you might be willing to lend your expertise or time to benefit current students. Your willingness to contribute can make a significant impact on their lives.
This is more than just a data collection effort – it’s an invitation to engage, reconnect, and make a tangible impact on the next generation of Eudora High School students. Your story matters, and we can’t wait to hear it!
There are a few easy ways to share your information with us: Scan the QR Code: Quick and convenient – just scan and submit your details. Visit bit.ly/CardinalAlumni: Fill out the online form to update us on your journey. Give us a Call: Reach out to us at 785-542-4950 – we are excited to hear from you! Join us in creating a stronger, more connected Eudora High School community. Your participation in the Cardinal Alumni Program will enrich the lives of current students and create lasting connections among our cherished alumni. We look forward to celebrating your achievements and welcoming you back to the Cardinal family!
“Once a Cardinal, Always a Cardinal!” - Joining the Cardinal Alumni Program means becoming a lifelong member of a community that values and celebrates your successes. 14 The Card
