Thunderhawk Pride!

USD#291 NEWS
F
February 2015
Thunderhawk Pride!
www.usd291.com
News from Superintendent Mike
McDermeit
Please keep an eye on Kansas
Legislature activity over the next
couple of months. A shortfall in tax
revenues over the last several months
has caused a big hole in school
funding for this school year AND next.
In December, the Kansas Supreme
Court ruled that current Kansas
funding is inadequate. Last year they
ruled that the current finance formula
met the requirements to be
constitutional but that the current
funding amounts were not distributed
equally. The legislature addressed and
corrected the equality issue but did
not address the adequacy issue. The
State of Kansas appealed the most
recent ruling so there will most likely
be no final decision from the court
until late fall.
That brings us back to this legislative
session. If classroom funding is
reduced through legislative action
again this year the quality of your
child’s education and ultimately, the
existence of rural schools is in
jeopardy.
It felt good to come back refreshed
and ready for students after a long
Christmas Break and now we are
already midway through the 3rd nine
weeks of school! The staff of USD
#291 continues to look for ways to
improve the performance of our
students on state assessments and
other measures of success in school.
Teacher instructional methods
continue to expand to meet the
challenges of the College and Career
Readiness Standards.
The GMS staff will again be
implementing school wide project
based learning activities throughout
the Spring semester designed to
challenge students through critical
thinking methods and a variety of
other concepts that are addressed
through the CCRS. Grinnell Grade
School students will be learning
Math and Science concepts through
the use of our greenhouse. Grinnell
Middle School students will be given
the challenge to “look local” for the
most interesting people, places, and
experiences within 1 hour of
Grinnell.
Spelling Bee
Emma Zerr 1st
3rd & 4th Grade Level
Kerri Heier 3rd
Ethan Gruenbacher 2nd
Kaleb Dohm 1st
5th & 6th Grade Level
Trevor Zarybnicky 3rd
Lyndsy Hinman 2nd
Trinity Ringer 1st
The Grinnell Grade School students that
attended the Gove Co. Spelling Bee, Back
Row: Matthew Teeter, Nathan Vollbracht,
Jett Vincent and Aubrey Losey. Front Row:
Treyton Barnett, La Rynn Rumback, Kenlee
Williams and Lily Rumback.
The Grinnell Middle School students that
attended the Gove Co. Spelling Bee, Back
Row: Kyler Haffner, Wendell Mong, Dayton
Dilka, and Luke Bixenman. Front Row:
Trever Zarybnicky, Mikayla Heier, Andrew
Taylor and Breanna Losey.
Results of the Gove Co.
Spelling Bee
1st & 2nd Grade Level
Lily Rumback 3rd
Meagan Jacka 2nd
7th & 8th Grade Level
Andrew Taylor 3rd
Breanna Losey 2nd
Evie Gruenbacher 1st
Regular Board Meeting
January 19, 2015
The Board of Education for USD
#291 Grinnell Public Schools met on
Monday, January 19, 2015.
Attending: Board members Joyce
Baalman, Alan Suter, Duane
Vollbracht, Brian Beckman, Jody
Beckman and Robert Fellhoelter:
Superintendent Mike McDermeit;
Clerk Mary Jane Goetz; staff member
Les Barnhart; and Kelly Rummel Gove
County Deputy.
Meeting called to order by President,
Joyce Baalman at 7:30 p.m. Agenda
approved with additions of
thermostats and assistant activities
director.
Kelly Rummel, Gove County Deputy,
gave a report on Wave Plus an
instant notification system for
schools to provide a safe
environment for students and
teachers. He discussed the system
cost of installation and training. The
company will do an onsite
demonstration if the board is
interested in viewing the system
Mr. Barnhart reported for the
technology committee. Mr.
Barnhart reported on the Erate bids
and that the committee approved S
& T for phone and internet service.
He discussed the 30x30 bandwidth
speed price of $299.95; with Erate
discount the cost would be $119.98
per month. The committee approve
network and license upgrades if we
receive funding. We are still
researching setting up a facebook
page. Mr. McDermeit’s new laptop is
here and in use.
Alan Suter reported for NKESC. They
watched and discussed the State of
the State address and discussed
school budget and finance formula.
Head Start in Goodland moved into
their new building.
Joyce Baalman reported on the
school finance formula. The board
was reminded of the Governmental
Relations workshop at the end of this
week in Topeka.
McDermeit reported on capital
outlay resolution on the continuous
and permanent resolution law. The
board received a spreadsheet of
general fund expenses with
percentage of budget used as of
January. Charlie had trouble with
his bus and it has been fixed. We
had twelve 8th grade students receive
State Scholastic Art awards. Two of
the projects receiving gold key award
have been sent to the next level. We
won both games at Healy on
Thursday, January 15.
The minutes of the regular meeting
held December 15, 2014 were
approved with the adjournment time
changed to a.m. instead of p.m.
Approval of January checks: Approval
of checks for January in the amounts
of General Fund $64,435.75,
Supplemental General $133.13, 4
Year Old at Risk $1,050.89, K-12 At
Risk $82.33, Capital Outlay
$8,544.91, Food Service $5,790.92,
Professional Development 2,500.00,
Special Education $27,812.31,
Federal Funds $1,614.66.
Mr. McDermeit and Mr. Kraus have
not heard back from Donna
Whiteman, KASB, on a draft for the
cooperative agreement.
The board approved S & T for phone
and internet service and to upgrade
to 30x30 internet bandwidth speed
for Erate funding and approved
equipment and license updates upon
approval of receiving Erate category
two funding.
The board discussed the Wave Plus
system presented by Kelly Rummel
and was the consensus to have Mr.
McDermeit research other
possibilities.
The board looked at shingle colors
and Mr. McDermeit will inform
Racette Construction of the color.
Mr. McDermeit informed the board
of donations for refinishing the gym
floor and that the students are also
helping raise money to have a
Thunderhawk painted on the floor.
There is interest from patrons to
keep one of the Warriors that would
be cut out of the gym floor. The cost
from Von Lintel Refinishing and
Flooring estimated it would cost
$3,000.00. The patrons are seeking
donations for their project if the
board has no objections.
There was concern on temperature
in the buildings and what
thermostats are set on for evenings
and weekends. Windows and
outside doors need to be closed
when staff leave the building.
Mr. McDermeit thanked Alan Suter
for his work on fixing up a lawn
mower out of some older mowers.
The board approved a supplemental
contract to Jesse Vincent for assistant
activities director.
The board approved Mr. McDermeit’s
contract to 2016-2017 making it a
two year contract.
Brian Beckman and Loren Stephens
were appointed for the negotiations
team. The board discussed their
negotiations exchange letter with
the teachers.
Meeting adjourned at 9:55 p.m.
8th grade students and their parents were
honored at the basketball game on
Thursday, January 29
Grinnell Middle School Honor
Roll 2nd Nine Weeks
High Honors
Mason Bixenman
Zach Gillespie
Mikayla Heier
Angel Mong
Andrew Taylor
Ethan Beckman
Jessica Heier
Jett Schmidtberger
Jordyn Vincent
Morgan Zimmerman
Luke Bixenman
Jailey Gallentine
Elliot Godek
Trevor Zarybnicky
Ryan Heier
Isabella Ostmeyer
Livia Schultz
Honor Roll
Breanna Losey
Brandon Patton
Taylor Wright
Chris Bixenman
Eidree Chapin
Kyler Haffner
Harrison Stephens
Aubri Iversen
Wendell Mong
Jaedyn Rangel
Laredo Allemang
Tyrell Chapin
Anna Godek
Trey Vincent
Honorable Mention
Darien Dilka
Nicole Holaday
Cassidy Janik
Tyler Ramey
Colter Allemang
Jessi Bernbeck
Regan Lewis
Tristian Stuart
Chazni Barker
Isaiah Dickman
Kirsten Schroeder
Lhesa Beougher
Braden Gormley
Ty Losey
Nevaeh Nelson
Brooklyn Ptacek
Tyra Schultz
We encourage local farmers to
please nominate our school district
for the America's Farmers Grow Rual
Education Monsanto Fund between
January 1 through April 1, 2015.
You may visit
GrowRuralEducation.com or call 1877877-267267-3332.
3332. We appreciate your
support.
The League of Kansas Municipalities
holds an essay contest each year "If I
Were Mayor, I Would ... " . Over
1,300 7th grade students submitted
essay’s, from 50 schools across 49
cities throughout Kansas. Six
regional winners around the state
have been selected with one selected
to represent the entire state.
Winning essays were selected in each
of the six geographic regions of the
state. Ethan Beckman has been
selected as the North West Regional
winner. Ethan will be honored in
Topeka on February 4th. Governor
Brownback will present him with a
cash award of $125, a plaque, and
Ethan will be invited to have lunch
with the Kansas Mayors Association.
Grinnell Middle School
State Scholastic Art Awards
2015
Gold Key – Darien Dilka ‘Eye See
You’ Printmaking
Mason Bixenman ‘Past of the Future’
Ceramics
Silver Key – Zach Gillespie ‘Nature’s
Art’ Ceramics
Zach Gillespie ‘Rings of the World’
Sculpture
Mikayla Heier ‘Bed Head’
Printmaking
Breanna Losey ‘Stripes of Friendship’
Printmaking
Angel Mong ‘Face of Wonder’
Sculpture
Brandon Patton ‘Matallic
Masterpeice’ Ceramics
Andrew Taylor ‘Heart of the Spine’
Charcoal
Honorable Mention – Darien Dilka
‘Exotic Blue’ Ceramics
Mikayla Heier ‘ Light of Darkness’
Pencil
Nicole Holaday ‘Bones of Matter’
Charcoal
Nicole Holaday ‘ To The Point’
Ceramics
Cassidy Janik ‘Power of Art’
Printmaking
Cassidy Janik ‘All Ribbed Out’
Charcoal
Breanna Losey ‘Home Alone’
Printmaking
Cauy Meier ‘The Life of a Boy’
Printmaking
Angel Mong ‘Paint in color’
Printmaking
Angel Mong ‘Lines of Design’
Charcoal
Angel Mong ‘Fire is Catching’
Ceramics
Brandon Patton ‘Paradise City’
Printmaking
Andrew Taylor ‘Reo the Dog’
Printmaking
Andrew Taylor ‘Six Strings of
Awsomeness’ printmaking
Andrew Taylor ‘A Pot of Snails’
Ceramics
Taylor Wright ‘ Slender Cat’
Printmaking
2014-2015 Yearbooks
The 2014-15 Grade/Middle School Yearbook is now on sale for $25.00. The yearbook will be
40 colored pages of all students preschool thru 8th grade. The book will consist of school
pictures of each student and staff along with several pictures of them in the classroom,
activities, and sports that they participated in during the school year.
Name ___________________________________
_____________ $25.00 each _______________
Quantity
Amount Paid
Please attach a check or cash to this order form. Checks made out to Grinnell Middle school.
All order need to be returned to the office by Friday, February 13.
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Thunderhawk Booster Club
Meeting Schedule
Wheatland Elementary School
7pm
Tuesday, January 27
Tuesday, February 24
Monday, March 30
No April Meeting
Thursday, May 14
February 2015
Sunday
1
Monday
2
HS BB WKLL
Tournament
Wheatland &
Grinnell
Tuesday
3
HS BB WKLL
Tournament
Wheatland &
Grinnell
Wednesday
4
Thursday
5
JH BB
Western
Plains @
Bazine 4:00
Friday
6
Dental Checks
HS WKLL BB
Tournament @
Colby
Saturday
7
HS WKLL BB
Tournament @
Colby
HS Regional
Scholars Bowl
8
9
JH Quiz Bowl
@ Grinnell 4:00
HS Instrumental
Clinic @
Western Plains
10:00
15
10
HS BB Quinter
@ WHS 4:00
16
17
18
No School
HS BB Oberlin
4:00
JH WKLL
Scholars Bowl
at Heartland
Christian 12:00
24
25
Board Meeting
7:30
22
11
23
Spring Portraits
12
13
14
JH BB
Tournament
@ Brewster
HS BB
Triplains/
Brewster @
WHS 4:00
JH BB
Tournament @
Brewster
19
20
21
HS BB Golden
Plains 4:00 @
WHS
26
27
HS BB Palco
4:00
28
February Breakfast and Lunch 2015
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
2
Honey Cinnamon
Bun
3
French Toast Sticks
4
Biscuits
5
Pancakes
6
Bubble Bread
Chicken Nuggets,
French Fries,
Carrots, Fruit and a
Cookie
9
Breakfast Pizza
Hot Dog on Bun,
Pickle Spears,
Green Beans and
Fruit
10
Toast
Crispitos, Rice,
Cheese, Refried
Beans and Fruit
11
Muffin
Mac and Cheese,
Ham, Peas,
Broccoli and Apple
Salad
12
Sausage Pancake
on a Stick
Meatball Subs,
Ranch Potato
Wedges, Salad and
Fruit
13
Bagel
Mini Corn Dogs,
Tater Tots, Carrots,
Fruit and a Cookie
Burritos, Cheese,
Rice, Tortilla Chips,
Salsa and Fruit
Spaghetti, Garlic
Bread, Salad and
Fruit
Chicken Patty on
Bun, Baked Beans,
Okra and Fruit
Chicken Biscuit Roll,
Mashed Potatoes
w/Gravy, Cream
Corn and Fruit
16
17
French Toast Sticks
18
Biscuit
19
Pancakes
20
Bubble Bread
BBQ Drumsticks,
Mashed Potatoes
w/Gravy, Green
Beans and Fruit
Pigs in a Blanket, Tri
Tater, Baked Beans
and Fruit
Chicken Nuggets,
Carrots, Fruit and a
Rice Krispy Treat
Taco Burgers, Salad,
Tortilla Chips, Salsa
and Fruit
23
Breakfast Pizza
24
Toast
25
Muffin
26
Sausage Pancake
on a Stick
27
Bagel
Popcorn Shrimp,
Fries, Green Beans,
Corn Bread and Fruit
Steak Fingers,
Mashed Potatoes
w/Gravy, Carrots,
Fruit and a Cookie
Baked Potato Bar,
Boiled Egg, Yogurt,
Fruit and Cinnamon
Puff
Loaded Nachos,
Refried Beans,
Salsa, Peas and
Fruit
Lasagna, Salad,
Corn, Garlic Bread
and Fruit
NO SCHOOL
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
Grinnell, KS. 67738
U.S. Postal PAID
Permit 1
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.