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Principal News From Mr. VincentPrincipal News From Mr. VincentPrincipal News From Mr. VincentPrincipal News From Mr. Vincent Spring is just around the corner! Hooray for warmer weather and green grass again. Before we know it the end of the 4th nine weeks will be approaching and summer break will be here.

March brings with it State Assessment Testing. These Assessments need to be taken seriously as it is a reflection on our school. We have always scored well and I am confident of the same this year. It would be helpful if parents were aware of when these tests are going to be taken and ensure that students get plenty of rest and proper nutrition. A solid breakfast the morning of test dates can make a big difference in energy levels to stay focused and work diligently.

A few other reminders coming up . . . Report cards will be coming home for the 3rd quarter March 8th. There is no school on March 9th for teacher in-service training. Spring Break falls the week of March 19th-23rd. Friday March 30th is also a no school day for observance of Good Friday.

On March 3rd, seventh grader Matthew Teeter will travel to Fort Hays State University to compete in the Regional Spelling Bee. Good luck Matthew as you represent Grinnell Middle School!!

LOST COAT: A heavy winter coat was left behind on the Kansas Day Field Trip,

if you think it belongs to your child please call the Middle School 824-3277 or

Grade School 824-3296.

USD#291 NEWS

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

March 2018

Nancy Bixenman, school nurse, and Jesse

Vincent, assistant principal, hand out water bottles to the 5th-8th grade students at

Grinnell. The water bottles were purchased through a grant from Blue Cross

and Blue Shield.

Joceylyn Perez fills out a survey at GMS before students receive their new water

bottles.

Preschool Screening will be on Thursday, March 15th at the

Grinnell Catholic Church Center. Please call Melissa at the Grade School office, 824-3296, to set up a time to bring your child.

Matthew Teeter, Dakota Dossey and Miguel

Galeana make pizza in science class.

Be thinking if you want toBe thinking if you want toBe thinking if you want toBe thinking if you want to get a get a get a get a Summer Bridge Book for your child, Summer Bridge Book for your child, Summer Bridge Book for your child, Summer Bridge Book for your child, notes with prices and information notes with prices and information notes with prices and information notes with prices and information will come home with GGS students will come home with GGS students will come home with GGS students will come home with GGS students

towards the end of March.towards the end of March.towards the end of March.towards the end of March.

Regular Board MeetingRegular Board MeetingRegular Board MeetingRegular Board Meeting February 19, 2018February 19, 2018February 19, 2018February 19, 2018

The Board of Education for USD #291 Grinnell Public Schools met on Monday, February 19, 2018. Attending: Board members Jody Beckman, Julie Dickman, Alan Suter, Robert Fellhoelter, Joyce Baalman, Holly Beckman, and Loren Stephens; Superintendent Gary Kraus; Principal Jesse Vincent; Clerk Lauren Ruggles; Staff member Les Barnhart. Meeting called to order by President, Jody Beckman, at 7:30 p.m. The board approved the agenda with the following addition of the flag under facilities. No one addressed the board. Les Barnhart reported for the technology committee. E-Rate is submitted. The technology committee approved the renewal for

IXL. The renewal period would be from March 2018 to August 2019. Accelerated Reader update has been giving the district problems, but slowly figuring it out. Mr. Vincent reported on activities. The basketball teams at the WKLL tournament were all playing in the championship games. Boys varsity 1st place and Girls varsity placed 2nd. The scholars bowl 7th grade team placed 1nd at the WKLL meet. Track starts this week, estimating 40 students going out. Mr. Vincent discussed a website called Hudl that helps keep stats at games for $2,000 annually that we would share with USD 292. Trey Vincent, Isaac Mendez, Ryan Heier, and Tyrell Chapin presented in Topeka for a KSDE Civic Engagement on a 4 day work week. They would like to present their presentation at the next board meeting. Joyce Baalman reported for NKESC. At January’s meeting all the positions were full. February’s meeting audit report, inter-local agreement, and negotiations was discussed. Alan Suter reported for NWKTC. Endowment has started their fundraiser. Alan has tickets for anyone interested to win a trip to Europe.

Mr. Kraus reported on legislative updates. March.9 is the next in-service. We hope to complete the needs assessment that day. We have shifted some expenditures over to Capital Outlay due to the decrease number of enrollments coming up. The board approved regular meeting minutes of January 15, 2018. Approval was already made of the January 5, 2018 minutes last month. Approval of checks for February in the amounts of General Fund $65,759.66, Supplemental General $8,448.22, 4 Year Old at Risk $2,437.06, K-12 At Risk $2,609.40, Capital Outlay $6,845.99, Food Service $7,459.33, Special Education $7,976.47, Gifts & Grants $1,125.11, Federal Funds $1,627.76. The board discussed Mr. Kraus’ salary and evaluation. They want to conduct a meeting with the executive committee with USD 292. The board approved the KASB Policy Update on entering into executive sessions. The board adopted the NKESC Inter Local Agreement and Resolution. The board approved the IXL Learning renewal quote of $2,474.00.

The board accepted and approved the GEA funds and purchases of $2,059.00. The board approved purchasing two bottle filling stations out of capital outlay funds for $1,917.90. Robert Fellhoelter addressed that the flags haven’t been flown and wanted to see a change. The board declared Bus 6 as surplus property and to advertise on Purple Wave. The board approved Kelly Fellhoelter’s daycare lease agreement. There was discussion on notice letter to teachers. The board approved Bridgette Ramey’s resignation as cheerleader sponsor. The board approved payment of unused sick leave for Mary Jane Goetz. Three executive sessions were held for the purpose of discussing employee assignment. It was the consensus of the board to allow Jesse Vincent to pursue coaching duties at WHS.

Four executive sessions were held for the purpose of discussing employee performance. The motion failed to accept Christin Losey’s resignation. The Board directed Mr.Kraus to develop a plan for improvement for GGS classified staff. Meeting adjourned at 10:25 p.m.

Scholar’s BowlScholar’s BowlScholar’s BowlScholar’s Bowl

JH Thunderhawk 7th grade Scholars' Bowl Team were WKLL champs on Wednesday,

February 14. Emma Thompson, Aubrey Losey, Matthew Teeter, Nathan Vollbracht, Miguel Galeana,

and sponsor, Mrs. Ranae Nelsen.

League TournamentLeague TournamentLeague TournamentLeague Tournament

Boys varsity got 1st place. Back Row; Nathan Vollbracht, Braden Gormley, Tyrell Chapin, Isaac Mendez, Coach Vincent.

Front Row; Jett Vincent, Trey Vincent and Ryan Heier.

Girls varsity placed 2nd. Front Row; Coach Martin, Isabella Ostmeyer, Livia

Schultz, Karoline Schroeder, Coach Kraus. Front Row; Halle Habiger, Anna Godek, Zoe

White and Kerri Heier

First Grade did a study on penguins.

Trenten Price, Addison Ostmeyer, Brodey Dirks, Italy Teeter, and Bailynn Moser.

March Breakfast/Lunch 2018 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

1 Bagels w/ Cream Cheese Pepperoni Pizza, Salad, Carrots and Fruit

2 Cheese Bread Fish Sandwich, Tri Taters, String Cheese and Fruit

5 Waffle Sticks Sloppy Joe, Baked Beans, Ranch Potatoes and Fruit

6 Biscuit and Jelly Chicken Wraps, Green Beans, Salad and Fruit

7 Mini Cinnamon Donuts Corn Dog, Tater Tots, Carrots and Fruit

8 Toast Salisbury Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Roll, Corn and Fruit

9 NO SCHOOL

12 Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Chicken Strips, Tri Tater, Corn and Fruit

13 Breakfast Pizza BBQ Rib Sandwich, Baked Beans, Fresh Carrots and Fruit

14 Mini Bagels Soft Tacos, Rice, Mixed Veggies and Fruit

15 French Toast Sticks Hot Dog, Green Beans, Steak Fries and Fruit

16 Pull-apart Cinnamon Rolls Mac and Cheese, Peas, Roll, Salad and Fruit

19 NO SCHOOL

20 SPRING

21 BREAK

22 NO SCHOOL

23 NO SCHOOL

26 Pancake Sausage Stick Turkey Sub Sandwich, Chips, Pickle Spear and Fruit

27 Ham, Egg and Cheese Bar Chicken Nuggets, Fresh Broccoli, Brownie, French Fries and Fruit

28 Honey Cinnamon Bun P B & Jelly Sandwich, Fresh Carrots, Banana and Yogurt

29 Pancakes Taco Salad, Refried Beans, Rice and Fruit

30 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.

March 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 HS Sub-State BB

2 HS Sub-State BB End of 3

rd Quarter

3 HS Sub-State BB Regional Spelling Bee at FHSU

4 5

6 JH Instrumental Clinic @ Northern Valley 1:00 Concert 6:00

7 State BB

8 State BB Report Cards Go Home

9 State BB No School Teacher In-Service

10 State BB

11 12

13 USD 291 Board Meeting 7:30

14

15 Grinnell Preschool Screening at the Church Center

16 4-H Days at GMS

17

18

19 No School Spring Break

20 --------------

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25 26

27 28 29 HS Golf @ Oberlin 2:00

30 No School Good Friday

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 Mr Kraus, 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 Kraus, Superintendent U.S. Postal PAID

Grinnell, KS. 67738 Permit 1