Thunderhawk Pride! www.usd291.com February 2019

Superintendent News From Mr. KrausSuperintendent News From Mr. KrausSuperintendent News From Mr. KrausSuperintendent News From Mr. Kraus Finally, the repairs and renovations at Grinnell Middle School are to a point that we have begun using some of the spaces. The FACS and Science classes have moved back into their rightful classrooms. The gymnasium is also being utilized for basketball practice. The gym has also been put to use for competition beginning with the WKLL high school basketball tournament. Below are two pictures of the gymnasium prior to the league basketball

tournament.

The Thunderhawk occupies center court. New bleachers are installed that include seatbacks on the home side.

Much work remains to be done before the project is complete. The reconstruction of the locker rooms and the music room is barely underway. There are also many of the finer details of the facility to be addressed. In spite of the work that remains, we now have a

functioning facility that many schools our size will envy.

Grinnell Middle School honored the 8th grade and their parents at the last home game on Thursday, January 24

Gove County Spelling BeeGove County Spelling BeeGove County Spelling BeeGove County Spelling Bee Was held January 30 in Grainfield

Natalie Bixenman - 2nd

in the 3rd

/4th

Grade Division

Emma Zerr - 1st in the 5

th/6

th Grade Division

Maddison Zerr – 3rd

in the 7th

/8th

Grade Division

Other contestanst that represented GGS and GMS

that day were…

Sawyer Beckman, Aiden Walz and Addison

Ostmeyer for 1st/2

nd Grade Division

Griffin Beckman, Brody Beckman and Spencer

Beckman for 3rd

/4th

Grade Division

Kenlee Williams, Olivia Thompson and Jade

Beckman for 5th

/6th

Grade Division

Treven Humphrey, Mary McDonald and Aubrey

Losey for 7th

/8th

Grade Division

GGS visited the Fick Fossil Museum in Oakley for

some fun Kansas Day activities and information.

GGS also visited the Oakley Library for some fun

story telling.

Tuesday, February 12Tuesday, February 12Tuesday, February 12Tuesday, February 12thththth, 2019, 2019, 2019, 2019

Dr. Blackwood Dental Screenings at GGS

and GMS. February 8th

GMS BasketballGMS BasketballGMS BasketballGMS Basketball

Varsity players Jordyn Beckman, Mary McDonald, Halle Habiger, Karoline Schroeder and Kerri Heier

cheer on the JV team during a timeout.

Dakota Dossey and Hunter Stroup prepare to defend the basket from the Golden Plains

Bulldogs.

Jaden Dohm looks for an open teammate to pass

the ball to.

Regular Board MeetingRegular Board MeetingRegular Board MeetingRegular Board Meeting January 21, 2019January 21, 2019January 21, 2019January 21, 2019

The Board of Education for USD #291 Grinnell Public Schools met on Monday, January 21, 2019. Attending: Board members Jody Beckman, Julie Dickman, Alan Suter, Robert Fellhoelter, Loren Stephens and Joyce Baalman; Superintendent Gary Kraus; Principal Jesse Vincent, Clerk Elizabeth Rietcheck and Staff Member: Les Barnhart. Guests, Leland Mense, Erika Nicholson, Erin Walz, Lisa Bixenman, Shari Burks, and Walt Dickman. Meeting called to order by President, Jody Beckman at 7:30 p.m. The board approved the agenda with the addition of Neighborhood Revitalization Plan Committee. Erika Nicholson spoke to the board about possibly reconsidering and joining the community with accepting the Neighborhood Revitalization Plan. She talked about the benefits it would bring to our community and how it would help the school in the future. Walt Dickman added how it would be beneficial and wants the schools support to potentially bring in new businesses. Leland Mense expressed the same concerns to the board. The board approved the Neighborhood Revitalization Plan. Les Barnhart reported for the technology committee. Les Barnhart reported for the technology committee. The new copier for the Grade School will be here January 23. The company bringing the copier will also pick up the old one. He filed for E-Rate, S & T quote is the same price as last year. The committee approved Microsoft Office 365

license for a 1 year subscription. The new Smart Boards are up and running, waiting on the training to happen. Jesse Vincent reported on activities. Jesse Vincent reported on activities. We will be hosting the first round of the HS WKLL basketball tournament on January 28 and second round January 29. Last regular season game is January 24 in Grainfield and League Scholars’ Bowl in two weeks. Mr. Kraus reported on legislative updates and governmental relations. Mr. Kraus was in Topkea last week and spoke to Don Hineman and Rick Billinger. He had said the Speaker of the House said he was “misquoted” regarding starting from scratch on a finance formula. Mr. Kraus also stated several bills have been introduced to address the “windfall” Kansas receives due to the changes related to itemizing deductions. Inservice was held at Grinnell today and the focus was on trauma informed based topics. The board approved the regular meeting minutes on approve the regular meeting minutes on December 17, 2018. Approval of checks for January in the amounts of General Fund $56,189.18, Supplemental $4,904.59, 4 Year Old at Risk $2,322.26, K-12 At Risk $451.04, Capital Outlay $94,094.61, Food Service $5,703.39, Special Education $33,049.89, Title I $1,750.76 Gifts & Grants $867.91, REAP Funds $321.31 The board accepted $943.80 from Blue Cross and Blue Shield. There will be a cooperative agreement committee meeting on February 6th tentatively at 7:00 p.m. in Grainfield.

The GEA committee will meet on Monday, February 4 at 7:00 p.m. Loren Stephens and Alan Suter were appointed to the negotiations team. Purple Wave auction for the scoreboards will end February 19, 2019. Shelly would like to start spraying the school instead of renewing the contract with Central Pest Control. It was the consensus of the board to allow Shelly to spray the facilities. Also, she asked if they could possibly get a hot water heater put in the shop which was agreed to. Mr. Kraus and Jesse Vincent updated the board about the gym and back classrooms. Bleachers are being installed this week Jan. 21-25. Pella was here this past Saturday to work on the windows. EMC Insurance will be here soon for an inspection of the buildings. The board approved the KASB Policy Updates. There were four executive sessions for the purpose of superintendent evaluation. Mr. Kraus informed the board of the notice letter to the teachers is due by the end of March. Negotiations Training dates will be given to Alan and Loren. Meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.

February Breakfast/Lunch 2019 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

1 Chicken Biscuit and Fruit Chicken Quesadilla, Spanish Rice, Corn and Fruit

4 Uncrustable and Fruit Cheese Pizza, Broccoli, Baby Carrots and Fruit

5 Peanut Butter and Jelly Bar and Fruit Cowboy Cavatini, Whole Wheat Roll, Green Beans, Salad and Fruit

6 Oatmeal Round and Fruit Beef and Noodles, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans and Fruit

7 Cereal and Fruit Stromboli, Salad, Carrots and Fruit

8 Mini Bagel and Fruit Super Nachos, Refried Beans, Salad and Fruit

11 Pancakes and Fruit Hot Ham and Cheese on a Bun, Potato Wedges, Broccoli and Fruit

12 Biscuit and Jelly and Fruit Corn Dog, Green Beans, Tater Tots, Snickerdoodle and Fruit

13 Coffee Cake and Fruit Turkey and Cheese Sub Sandwich, Salad, Tomato Slice, Sweet Potato Fries and Fruit

14 Biscuit and Gravy and Fruit Chicken Nuggets, Whole Wheat Roll, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Salad and Fruit

15 Sausage Breakfast Sandwich and Fruit Spaghetti w/ Meat Sauce, Garlic Stick, Salad, Green Beans and Fruit

18 No School

19 Peanut Butter and Jelly Bar and Fruit Chicken Patty, Whole Wheat Roll, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Asparagus and Fruit

20 Mini Waffles and Fruit Rock and Roll Beef Wrap, Carrots and Fruit

21 Oatmeal Rounds and Fruit Pig in a Blanket, Roasted Red Potatoes, Broccoli w/ Cheese and Fruit

22 Whole Grain Muffin and Fruit Taco Salad, Tortilla Chips and Tomato Salsa, Refried Beans and Fruit

25 Pancake Sausage Bites and Fruit Mini Meatball Sub, Ranch Potato Wedges, Salad and Fruit

26 Biscuit and Jelly and Fruit Pork Rib on a Bun, Salad, Tomato Slice, Sweet Potato Puffs and Fruit

27 Cereal and Fruit Hamburger on a Bun, Salad, Tomato Slice, French Fries and Fruit

28 Long John and Fruit Macaroni and Cheese, Meatballs, Peas, Baby Carrots and Fruit

1 Uncrustable and Fruit Sloppy Joe on a Bun, Roasted Red Potatoes, Salad and Fruit

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.

February 2019 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 HS WKLL BB Tournament @ WHS

2 HS WKLL BB Tournament @ WHS

3

4 USD 291 PTC 4:00-8:00 HS Instrumental Clinic @ Healy 11:00

5 HS BB Quinter @ WHS 4:00

6

7 JH BB WKLL Tournament @ Brewster

8 Dental Screening GGS & GMS 8:30 HS BB @ Palco 4:00

9 JH WKLL BB Tournament @ Brewster State Scholars’ Bowl

10

11 USD 292 PTC 4:00-8:00

12 Spring Portraits HS BB @ Oberlin 4:00

13 JH WKLL Scholars’ Bowl @ Cheylin 12:00 HS Leadership Training VFW

14 Valentine’s Day

15 HS BB Logan @ GMS 4:00

16

17

18 No School Board Meeting 7:30 Regional HS BB

19

20 JH Leadership Training Grinnell VFW

21 Regional BB

22 Regional BB

23 Regional BB

24

25 Sub-State BB

26 27 28 Sub-State BB

NO SCHOOL – FEBRUARY 18TH 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 Gary 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 KrausMr. Gary KrausMr. Gary KrausMr. Gary Kraus, Superintendent, Superintendent, Superintendent, Superintendent U.S. Postal PAID Grinnell, KS 67738 Permit 1