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FT. LARNED SCHOOLS family & community NEWSLETTER
mark your calendar
October 7, 8, 9: Parent PE Week @ LES
October 7: Student of the Month Assembly @ LES
October 8: Better Together Family Workshop @ LES 6:00-7:30 PM
October 9: LHS Picture Retakes
October 10: No School - Teacher Professional Development Day
October 11: No School - End of 1st Quarter - Teacher Work Day
October 14 : No School - Parent Teacher Conferences 11:00 AM-7:00 PM
October 14: FAFSA Help Night @ LHS 5:30-7:00 PM
October 14: Trash Bag Pick-Up @ LES
October 14: Board of Education Meeting @ DO 6:00 PM
October 15: LHS Coffee House @ LHS Cafeteria 6:00 PM
October 16: LMS Picture Retakes
October 28: Rescheduled from 10/25* LES Picture Retakes
October 28: 5th Grade Band Night @ LES 6:30 PM
October 31: Trunk or Treat @ LES 2:30 PM
Every Tuesday: PAT Playgroup for birth to age 5 @ LES 10:00-11:00 AM
Join District Leaders in Celebrating These Upcoming Appreciation Dates!
October - National Principal’s Month
October 2 - National School Custodian Appreciation Day
October 5 - World Teachers’ Day
October 16 - Kansas School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
moments that matter
We hit the jackpot with Dr. Wasinger, our College and Career Counselor at LHS! Her dedication to helping students with their postsecondary plans is unmatched. She made ‘Why Apply’ Day a huge success by involving staff, hanging posters with advice from teachers to their younger selves, and holding drawings throughout the day. Thank you, Dr. Wasinger, for all you do!
board of ed news
Join us for Board of Education meetings on the second Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m., located at the District Office, 120 E. 6th St., Larned, KS. Upcoming meetings are scheduled for October 14 and November 18.
Our seven-member Board of Education, elected for four-year terms, currently includes Brent Hemken, Tyson Atteberry, Tyson Steffen, Michelle Koch, Buddy Tabler, Jessie Pleasant, and Mike Myrick. For more details about our board, or to access Board Briefs, agendas, and minutes visit the Board of Education page on our website.
On September 9, the USD 495 Board of Education held its Revenue Neutral Rate Hearing, Budget Hearing, and regular monthly meeting.
Here’s a brief recap:
- The Board approved a resolution to exceed the Revenue Neutral Tax Rate for the 2024-25 budget.
- A public hearing was held for comments on the proposed budget.
- Special thanks to 5th graders Austin Long, Camden Wagner, and Jayce Finger for leading the Pledge of Allegiance!
- New this month: Board members will now share their favorite highlights from the previous month. Jessie Pleasant kicked things off with back-to-school pictures and video interviews from Tailgate with the Tribe.
- Policy updates and legal services were discussed and will be reviewed next month.
- The Local Option Budget and 2024-25 Budget were approved.
the more you know
FREE
Family Workshop
for LES Families
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8
LES families, don’t miss our Parent and Caregiver Workshop from 6:00–7:30 PM. Free meal and childcare, and great parenting strategies to take home!
We are excited to invite you to the second event in our Parent & Caregiver Workshop Series, this one led by Saylem Ryff, who will share practical strategies on how to calmly resolve disagreements, strengthen family bonds, create open spaces for communication, and build routines that support positive interactions with your child.
This workshop will take place on Tuesday, October 8 from 6:00–7:30 PM at LES. A free meal and childcare will be provided. These workshops are part of a series we will offer throughout the year, partially funded by our 21st CCLC grant, so we especially encourage our Be Your Best Academy families to sign up and attend.
Registration is required: Please sign up by Friday, October 4 using the link below or by calling (620) 285-2141. Tina Gladow or Val Marshall will be happy to assist you with registration.
POSITIVE EXPERIENCES AND BUILDING CONNECTIONS
Learn practical tips to help you and your child:
- Calmly diffuse disagreements
- Build trust and strengthen family bonds
- Create safe, open spaces for communication
- Establish routines that encourage positive interactions
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Sign up today by visiting https://forms.gle/YkULgoza4LYzqbKq8 or by calling Larned Elementary School at (620) 285-2141. Tina Gladow or Val Marshall will be happy to assist you with registration over the phone.
You can also scan the QR code with your smartphone to access the registration right away!
To help us plan for everyone, please register yourself and any family members by Friday, October 4.
FAMILY
MOBILE APP
Download the free Ft. Larned USD 495 app on the App Store or Google Play for school alerts, calendars, menus, and more. With Rooms, parents can message teachers directly and stay informed about their child's classes. To access Rooms, simply toggle over in the app after logging in with your credentials.
For app assistance, check out our Rooms FAQ webpage, call the District Office at (620)285-3185, or email allisa.spain@usd495.com.
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Cafeteria Menu
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USD 495 Careers
COLLEGE
ROAD MAP
What is an FSA ID?
An FSA ID is required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It's a username and password that you and your student will use to access federal financial aid information.
Why Create the FSA ID Now?
FAFSA opens on December 1st, but your student can create their FSA ID now to get ahead! Don’t wait—this will help streamline the FAFSA process.
FAFSA Help Night Details:
Join us for a FAFSA Help Night on Monday, October 14 from 5:30 – 7:00 PM in the LHS Library. A representative from Barton TRiO will be available to answer any questions. This event is come-and-go.
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Wasinger at jacque.wasinger@usd495.com.
PARENTS
AS TEACHERS
Did you know we have a Parents as Teachers program? This free program helps families in the Ft. Larned USD 495 area with young children, from pregnancy through age 5.
The program offers home visits, weekly playgroups (Tuesdays at LES!), and developmental screenings. Our trained educators work with families to support their child’s growth, build strong bonds, and set them up for future success.
If you’re interested in learning more about this program, contact Val Marshall at val.marshall@usd495.com.
Simple ways you can
HELP
FROM HOME
With hearing, vision, and oral health screenings in full swing at all of our buildings, Nurse Amie reminds parents to make sure their children bring their glasses to school if they need them. Many students forget or have broken glasses, so a quick reminder can make a big difference!
With cold and flu season approaching, Nurse Cindi wants to share a few simple tips to help keep your family healthy. Many viruses spread through coughing, sneezing, or touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the mouth or nose.
Prevention is key!
COLD WEATHER
Dress warmly in hats, coats, gloves, long pants, sturdy shoes, and socks when the weather is cold. Energy spent staying warm is energy your body can't use to fight infections.
TIPS FOR STAYING HEALTHY
Eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water, staying active, and getting plenty of sleep can help the body fight off infections. But to add an extra layer of prevention, remind your child to:
Cover coughs and sneezes with a bent elbow instead of hands.
Wash hands frequently with soap and water, especially after coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose, using the restroom, or before eating.
Avoid touching your face, including your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Avoid putting items in your mouth (like pens or pencils).
OUR ILLNESS POLICY
- Fever: If your child has a temperature over 100.0°F, they should stay home until their temperature has been normal for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications like Tylenol or Advil.
- Stomach Illness: If your child has been experiencing stomach issues, they should remain at home for 24 hours after the last episode to ensure they are feeling better.
- Skin Conditions: Any open or draining skin areas must be covered. Some rashes may indicate contagious illnesses like strep throat or chickenpox, which may require staying home.
- Antibiotics: If your child is prescribed antibiotics, please keep them at home until they have been on the medication for at least 24 hours.
work with the best! join our team today
Become a Substitute Teacher!
Interested in a flexible schedule, competitive pay, and the opportunity to support our students? Substitutes earn $120 per day, with a special perk of two additional paid days after 10 days of subbing. Not licensed? We can help!
Apply here: Substitute Teacher Application
At-Risk Aides Wanted!
We’re looking for additional at-risk aides at all three Ft. Larned schools. Whether you’re a parent with school-aged kids or a retiree looking to stay active, this role is great for balancing work and family life. With hours ending by 4 PM, holidays off, and summers free, it’s a perfect 9-month schedule!
Apply here: At-Risk Aide Application
Tri-County Needs Paraprofessionals
Until next month!
Spend time this month with your child creating a fall-themed craft or decoration. This could be anything from painting pumpkins, making leaf collages, or building a fall wreath together.
Talk about the changing seasons, your favorite fall activities, or anything that sparks conversation while you work. Share a photo of your creation with us for a chance to win a prize!
Eating dinner together is one of the best ways to connect, share, and enjoy each other's company. To make the most of your time and spark conversation, try asking these questions at the table:
Send a Shout-Out!
Know a district staff member who deserves a shout-out?
We’d love to hear from you!
Email your suggestions to allisa.spain@usd495.com, and help us recognize their hard work!
Connect Over Dinner
October Family Challenge
- “Tell me one thing that made you smile today.”
- “What’s something you learned today that you didn’t know before?”
- “If you could change one thing about your day, what would it be and why?”
Allisa Spain
USD 495 Communication and Engagement
Office Ph: (620) 285-3185
allisa.spain@usd495.com