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News from Superintendent Mr. News from Superintendent Mr. News from Superintendent Mr. News from Superintendent Mr. Mike McDermeitMike McDermeitMike McDermeitMike McDermeit

It’s March already, which means it is time once again for Parent/Teacher Conferences, Kansas State Assessments, track season, and Spring Break!!! As well, our school district is moving forward with plans to establish a daycare at GGS to address the anticipated shortage in our community this summer. Parents of grade school students should have a time scheduled for Parent/Teacher conferences on Monday, March 7th so if you are not sure what that time is, give Melissa a call at 824-3296. Parents of GMS students will conference with teachers in the commons area on a first come, first serve basis from 4:00-8:00 p.m. We begin our Math/ELA/SS/Science Assessments in March which, just like last year, are different than the year before. Because the new assessments are much more challenging than in years past, we are focusing our efforts with students to stay focused, try their hardest throughout the testing sessions, and to keep a positive

attitude. Parents can help with this. Make sure your child gets plenty of rest and has a good breakfast prior to coming to school. Much of the testing is done in the morning hours. Track season officially began the last week of February at GMS with almost 100% participation! As many of you know from speaking with me, 100% participation by our students for all of our activities is my goal. The first Track Meet is scheduled for April 5th in Jetmore with 1 track meet per week clear to the end of the school year. If you need a track schedule give Mary Jane a call at GMS (824-3277), stop by the school, or go to www.usd291.com. Lastly, USD 291 is in the planning stages of remodeling a classroom at GGS to accommodate a daycare. The daycare space will be leased to an individual that will run their own daycare business in the school. We are currently accepting applications from daycare providers that have interest in working with our school to make daycare services more accessible to our community. Anyone interested in this opportunity should stop by the school, call me at 824-3277, or e-mail me at

USD#291 NEWS

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

March 2016

mikem@usd291.com. The USD 291 Daycare Committee will be conducting interviews on Tuesday, March 22nd for a selected number of candidates.

League Quiz BowlLeague Quiz BowlLeague Quiz BowlLeague Quiz Bowl GMS 8th grade quiz bowl students were WKLL champs at the meet held

in Palco on February 17.

Front: Harrison Stephens, Jett

Schmidtberger, Morgan Zimmerman, Jessi Bernbeck and Cale Prewo Back: Christopher

Bixenman, Ethan Beckman and Colter Allemang

Regular Board MeetingRegular Board MeetingRegular Board MeetingRegular Board Meeting February 15, 2016February 15, 2016February 15, 2016February 15, 2016

The Board of Education for USD #291 Grinnell Public Schools met on Monday, February 15, 2016. Attending: Board members Duane Vollbracht, Brian Beckman, Robert Fellhoelter, Julie Dickman, Alan Suter and Loren Stephens; Superintendent Mike McDermeit; Clerk Mary Jane Goetz; staff member Les Barnhart; Gove County Emergency Management Director, Michael Haase. Meeting called to order by President, Duane Vollbracht at 7:30 p.m. Agenda was approved with discussing daycare under facilities. Michael Haase, Gove County Emergency Management Director, visited with the board on adopting the Northwest Kansas (Region A) Multi-Hazard, Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. The board adopted the plan resolution. Mr. Barnhart reported on technology committee meeting. Mr. Barnhart explained the erate category two spreadsheet and budget. The school district would be responsible for $4,117.70 if approved. The committee recommended going with S & T for erate category two purchases and approved IXL renewal and to drop Scootpad.

Duane Vollbracht reported for NKESC. Negotiations and speech scholarships were discussed. Alan Suter reported for NWKATS. Admission report, courses, search for new college president, and fundraiser were discussed. Duane Vollbracht and Mr. McDermeit reported on Kansas Supreme Court opinion concerning the equity portion of the Gannon school finance case. No action will be taken on the school district realignment bill. There is a bill proposing that teachers and administrators have suicide awareness training. Mr. McDermeit reported on handwashing station at grade school, steam pipe leak in the first grade room and valve leaking in preschool room. Mr. McDermeit thanked Duane Vollbracht, Adam Walz, Nathan Vollbracht, Greg Goetz and Frontier Ag for moving the snow so quickly in front of the buildings and parking lot. State assessments start March 3. Congratulations to the Varsity Boys, JV Girls both league champs and Varsity Girls, JV Boys both runner-up at the WKLL basketball tournament held in Brewster. The minutes of the regular meeting held January 18, 2016 were approved.

Approval of February checks: General Fund $58,387.02, Supplemental General $12,412.33, 4 Year Old at Risk $937.73, K-12 At Risk $712.18, Capital Outlay $3,141.27, Food Service $6,895.72, Special Education $5,472.43, Gifts & Grants 357.60, Federal Funds $3,394.94. The 6th-8th grade students, staff and some board members attended the STEM program held at WHS in January. They had impressive presentations enjoyed by the students and staff. The board approved S & T for the category two erate funds. The board accepted $2,984.13 from the GEA for purchases from teacher requests, and approved the remaining requests to be purchased with district funds of $2,055.93. The board thanked the Grinnell Education Association for their contribution. The board reviewed the appraisal from Randy Sangster on the home at 302 S. Jefferson. There is no interest at this time in purchasing the house. The board discussed a daycare to be located at the grade school. Mr. McDermeit received an estimated cost on remodeling the preschool room and music room. We will research grant fund applications.

There was discussion of individuals that may be interested in applying to lease our facilities to provide a daycare. Consensus by the board was to remodel the elementary music room. Mr. McDermeit will continue to do some more research on the project. There were three executive sessions for the purpose of discussing matters relating to actions adversely or favorably affecting a person as a student. Board adjourned at 10:35 p.m.

Preschool ScreeningPreschool ScreeningPreschool ScreeningPreschool Screening Preschool Screening will be on Thursday, March 31st at the Grinnell

Catholic Church Center. Please call Melissa at the GGS office, 824-3296, to set up a time to bring

your child.

League BasketballLeague BasketballLeague BasketballLeague Basketball Thunderhawk JV Girls WKLL Champs

Aubri Iversen, Regan Lewis, Saige Meier,

Anna Godek Coach Martin, Courtney Wright, Jailey Gallentine, Isabella Ostmeyer, Brooklyn

Ptacek, Coach WrightCoach Martin, Regan Lewis, Eidree Chapin, Nicole Holaday, Kirsten Schroeder, Coach Theobald

Thunderhawk Varsity Girls WKLL Runner-up

Livia Schultz, Morgan Zimmerman, Jessi

Bernbeck, Jessica Heier, Jett Schmidtberger Coach Wright, Jordyn Vincent, Chazni

Barker, Eidree Chapin, Kirsten Schroeder, Coach Martin

Thunderhawk JV Boys WKLL Runner-up

Braden Gormley, Isaiah Dickman, Isaac

Mendez, Ty Losey, Ryan Heier Coach Vincent, Tristian Stuart, Tyrell

Chapin, Gabe Moreno, Harrison Stephens, Elliot Godek, Dayton Dilka, Coach Mense

Thunderhawk Varsity Boys

WKLL Champs

Jordan Ostmeyer, Cale Prewo, Ethan

Beckman, Kyler Haffner, Chris Bixenman Coach Vincent, Luke Bixenman, Trevor Zarybnicky, Coach Mense, Trey Vincent

Brody Beckman and Griffin Beckman learn

about shadows for Ground Hog Day.

GGS Economics ProjectGGS Economics ProjectGGS Economics ProjectGGS Economics Project Steve from the Bank talked to the students about getting a loan.

Students learned about marketing.

They made signs and TV commercials.

They made puppy chow, trail mix

and rice krispie treats.

They sold the treats to fellow

students, staff, parents and others in the community that stoped on by.

Thank you everyone who helped make this project a success!!

Be thinking if you want to get a Summer Bridge BookBe thinking if you want to get a Summer Bridge BookBe thinking if you want to get a Summer Bridge BookBe thinking if you want to get a Summer Bridge Book for your child, notes for your child, notes for your child, notes for your child, notes with prices and with prices and with prices and with prices and information information information information will come home with GGS students towards the end of March.will come home with GGS students towards the end of March.will come home with GGS students towards the end of March.will come home with GGS students towards the end of March.

Results for your child’s Dental Screening Results for your child’s Dental Screening Results for your child’s Dental Screening Results for your child’s Dental Screening werewerewerewere sent home with your sent home with your sent home with your sent home with your child. If you did not see the results you can find them child. If you did not see the results you can find them child. If you did not see the results you can find them child. If you did not see the results you can find them by logging by logging by logging by logging

onto youronto youronto youronto your child’s PowerSchoolchild’s PowerSchoolchild’s PowerSchoolchild’s PowerSchool information.information.information.information.

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

Mike McDermeit, including information about the existence and location of services, activities

and facilities that are accessible to and useable by disabled persons.

March 2016 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 Sub-State BB

2 3 End of 3

rd

Nine Weeks Sub-State BB

4 Teacher In-Service No School Sub-State BB

5 Sub-State BB Sunflower Spelling Bee at Hays

6 7 USD 291 PTC 4:00-8:00 Board Meeting 8:00

8 JH Instrumental Clinic @ Golden Plains 1:00 Concert 6:00 USD 292 PTC 4:00-8:00

9 State BB

10 State BB

11 State BB

12 State BB

13 Daylight Savings Time Begins

14 Spring Break

15 ------------------

16 --------------

17 -------------

18 --------------

19

20

21 22 23

24 25 No School

26

27 Easter

28 No School

29 30 31 Preschool Screening Golf @ Oberlin 1:00

Harrison will be competing in the Sunflower Spelling Bee in Hays on

Saturday, March 5

GGS Valentine’s Parties

March Breakfast / Lunch 2016 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

1 Breakfast Pizza Turkey Sandwich, Okra, Chips and Fruit

2 Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Soft Tacos, Salad, Refried Beans and Fruit

3 Ham, Egg and Cheese Breakfast Bar Chicken Pot Pie, Mashed Potatoes, Carrots and Fruit

4 NO SCHOOL

7 Biscuit Hot Dogs w/ Bun, Green Beans, Tater Tots and Fruit

8 Pancakes Taco Soup, Corn Chips, Salsa, Refried Beans and Fruit

9 Muffin Chicken Biscuit Roll, Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Peas and Fruit

10 Sausage, Pancake on a Stick Lasagna, Salad, Corn, Garlic Roll and Fruit

11 Bubble Bread Popcorn Shrimp, Steak Fries, Mixed Veggies, Fruit

14 NO SCHOOL

15 NO SCHOOL

16 NO SCHOOL

17 NO SCHOOL

18 NO SCHOOL

21 Cinnamon Toast Chicken Strips, Fries, Okra and Fruit

22 Long John Super Nachos, Refried Beans, Rice and Fruit

23 Biscuit and Gravy Beef and Noodles, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Muffin and Fruit

24 Scrambled Eggs Bierock Casserole, Carrots, Salad and Fruit

25 NO SCHOOL

28 NO SCHOOL

29 Waffle Sticks Meatlovers Pizza, Salad, Cooked Carrots and Fruit

30 Bagel Corn Dog, Tri Tater, Pickles and Fruit

31 Honey Cinnamon Bun Cheeseburger w/ Bun, Baked Beans, Tater Tots and Fruit

Milk and fruit are served with each breakfast.

All lunches are served with milk.

Middle School students can choose a chef

salad instead of the meal.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and

employer.

Unified School District No. 291 Non-Profit Organization

Mr. Michael McDermeit, Superintendent U.S. Postal PAID

Grinnell, KS. 67738 Permit 1