Union Valley Elementary

Each month all USD 313 students and staff focus on a core essential skill. March's skill is forgiveness. We practice being forgiveness in many ways through the hard work of learning and growing together, both in the classroom and through extracurricular activities. Take some time to talk about forgiveness with your students this month! #BetterTogether #Bexceptional

Buhler families and caregivers, you should have received an email with a link to participate in our annual family engagement survey. Please complete this at your earliest convenience. It will close this coming Friday. Thank you! #BetterTogether

At 2:55 today, Plum Creek Elementary was notified by Reno County Dispatch to put the building into lockdown. This was a precautionary measure as a suspect near the school was being pursued by our local law enforcement. At 3:10, the suspect was apprehended and Plum Creek was released from lockdown by our local law enforcement. Students were dismissed at 3:15 without incident. Because of the protective actions of our law enforcement, at no time were any students or staff in danger. We are thankful for their communication and protection of our community. Thank you also to our bus drivers, parents, and staff for being patient at dismissal time. Cindy Couchman, Superintendent Buhler Schools

Did you know that Parents as Teachers is available for families in USD 313 boundaries? Parents as Teachers (PAT) is an international early childhood parent education and family support program serving families throughout pregnancy until their child is age 6. See the brochure for more information here and sign up here: https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1341300/scan_kmcclure_2019-09-16-13-38-15.pdf

Our central office is hiring for a benefits and substitute teacher clerk. The people and culture at our central office create a fun and rewarding place to work! Apply online and please share with anyone you know that may be interested: https://www.applitrack.com/buhlerschools/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Business%2fClerical

Our very own Ashley Bunting (Sides), pictured second from left, has won the Region 1 Horizon Award! Ashley teaches science and STEAM at Prairie Hills Middle School. This means that not only was she recognized as one of the top first year teachers in the state, she is now recognized as one of the top 4 first year teachers in the state! She receives a scholarship from Security Benefit for achieving this award. Congratulations Mrs. Bunting, we are proud of you! #CommittedtoExcellence

Buhler USD 313 continues to seek bus driver help. See the information below about the jobs that are available and training steps. Mandy Gantenbein will help train you on site here in Buhler! Below are some opportunities that may work for you or someone you know: -Non-CDL routes ($13.20-$15.20 per hour depending on experience) - This does not require a CDL but does require a DOT physical. A route driver is guaranteed 3.5 hours per day and has benefit options such as KPERS retirement, 403b match, and health insurance. -CDL routes ($14.00-$16.00 per hour depending on experience) - This does require a DOT physical. A route driver is guaranteed 3.5 hours per day and has benefit options such as KPERS retirement, 403b match, and health insurance. -Activity route driver (CDL required): The activity rate is $11.75. You also get paid the same rate whether you are driving or a spectator at the event. Steps to obtaining a passenger CDL - This process is guided by our transportation director, Mandy Gantenbein. Mandy has helped to certify 8 drivers this year. 1. Study and take written tests to obtain permit - Mandy will walk you through a highlighted manual to help with the studying process 2. Complete ELDT (Entry Level Driving Training) with Mandy 3. Begin practicing skills on the bus with Mandy (driving, backing, pre-trip inspection, etc.). 4. USD 313 schedules a time with the examiner. You will be tested on pre-trip inspection, backing, and driving skills. Please pass along this information to anyone you may think might be interested in taking on any of these roles. Call the transportation office at 620-543-6829 with any questions you have. Thank you for your help in sharing this opportunity!

It is February...the month of LOVE. Time to show some love to our amazing staff!! We know you’ve experienced an employee going above and beyond for you, a student, a parent, a peer, or a community member! Please help us recognize that employee by completing this short nomination form. https://forms.gle/pSDVzSSQTFX3sKB79 All employees nominated will be recognized with a certificate and two of the nominees will be chosen as the monthly Standing Ovation winners and receive a $25 gift card courtesy of the Buhler Education Foundation! Cindy Couchman, Superintendent Buhler Schools

Save the date for our 2nd Buhler Family STEAM Night at the Cosmosphere! This was a great hit last year and we are excited that the Cosmosphere is partnering with us again. See details in the image below

It is hiring season at Buhler USD 313. We want to make sure our openings are seen by all who might be interested. Openings in our buildings include positions for Reno County Special Education Cooperative so those are listed below as well. Please share with friends and family who might be interested in applying. View more about these positions on our web page here: https://www.usd313.org/page/employmen See what makes Buhler special here: https://vimeo.com/792418597 Reno County Education Coop positions in our buildings as of 2/3/23: Hiring now - Paraeducators at Buhler Grade and Union Valley Adaptive 23/24 school year: Special education teacher - Buhler High Physical therapist - District wide Occupational therapist - District wide Speech therapist - Plum Creek (part-time) Paraeducators - District wide Possible special education teacher-district wide Buhler USD 313 openings: Kindergarten teacher (Plum Creek) Health Aide (District-wide) Bus Drivers 4th grade teacher (Union Valley) Counselor (Union Valley) Part-time Preschool Teacher (Union Valley) Dishwasher (Prairie Hills Middle School) Vocational Ag Teacher (Buhler High School) Shining Stars(3&4 yr old day care) Part Time (Plum Creek) Cares Club (After school care) (Plum Creek) Paraprofessional (Union Valley Elementary) Paraprofessional (Buhler Grade School)

Each month all USD 313 students and staff focus on a core essential skill. February's skill is respect. Respectful is also one piece of the DNA of a Buhler graduate. We practice being respectful in many ways through the hard work of learning and growing together, both in the classroom and through extracurricular activities. Take some time to talk about respect with your students this month! #BetterTogether #Bexceptional

This year we started a new recognition award for staff who have gone above and beyond for staff, students, and/or community. You all came through (like always) with an outpouring of support and appreciation for our staff. It is this partnership that makes Buhler so exceptional. In a random drawing from this group of recipients, Sarah Cherry (PCE PreK teacher) and Melissa Newcome (UV Media Specialist) won a $25 gift card to Dillons. Thank you to The Buhler Education Foundation for supporting this program!! #Bexceptional

Buhler Schools' preschool and new student kindergarten enrollment roundups are coming up in March! We offer FREE half day preschool for 3 and 4 year olds AND low cost 1/2 day child care in the SAME building. Attend any of the times listed on the flier, regardless of the school your student would attend. If your student is a current Buhler PreK student, you do NOT need to attend for kindergarten roundup. Come join us!

Due to road conditions, Buhler USD 313 will start two hours late on Wednesday, January 25th. Please see below for specific building start times and information. All scheduled bus pick up times will be two hours late. For instance, if your scheduled time is 6:45 am, it will now be 8:45 am. With the 2 hour late start, the following will be implemented: No morning PreK No breakfasts will be served Shining Stars will be open 2 hours late All start times will shift back two hours: BGS 9:50 UV/PCE 10:10 PHMS 9:45 BHS 10:00 High school students will report directly to 1st hour Middle school students will report directly to 1st hour Many roads are snow packed in spots with a layer of ice under the snow. Please drive with caution and allow plenty of room for the car in front of you. Cindy Couchman, Superintendent Buhler USD #313

January is "School Board Appreciation Month!" Last week we delivered Standing Ovation Awards to each of our board members. This feels inadequate to thank them for the long hours they spend guiding our district. Each of them care so much about our students, staff, and our entire community and we are lucky to have them! Top, from left: Monte Cross, Miranda Engelken, Todd Carr Middle, from left: Greg Lackey, Matt McCabe, Tim Lackey Bottom: Laura Meyer Dick Thank you!

The USD 313 school board approved a resolution to move forward with an 8 million dollar bond election for facility enhancements. A public vote for USD 313 patrons will take place in person on April 4th, 2023, with advance voting starting March 27th. This project will include: Ad Astra Academies Learning Space District Leadership and Support Staff Consolidation Indoor Activity Facility Elementary Playground Enhancements This project can be completed without raising the bond and interest mill levy. You can find detailed information, including the recording of our community Zoom meeting on January 11th, on our web page here: https://www.usd313.org/page/raising-the-standard-bond-issue

JOIN US for a Community Zoom on Wednesday, January 11th, at 7:00 pm!! Come learn about the bond resolution that was passed Monday night. You will learn about the scope of the project, what it will cost to complete, the cost to taxpayers, and also learn a little about school financing. We hope by doing a zoom, it will be easier for more people to attend and ask questions. If you can't make this informational meeting, there will be more community zooms and meetings in the future. Click on the link below to join us tomorrow at 7:00 pm. Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89842720730?pwd=bGN6NGVobUZmMUNodWE1NnNpczJ0QT09

Any day is a great day to recognize teachers but today was very special. In a surprise phone call, Kansas Commissioner of Education, Dr. Randy Watson, notified Ashley (Sides) Bunting, 6th grade science teacher, that she was awarded the Horizon Award. The Kansas Horizon Award Program is a regional competition based upon the state’s four U.S. congressional districts. Four elementary classroom teachers and four secondary classroom teachers per region are selected which makes Ashley one of 32 exceptional teachers recognized.

IT IS TIME FOR A STANDING OVATION!!! Congratulations to the staff pictured below for "going above and beyond for students, staff, and/or community members." In a random drawing from this group of recipients, Shannon Vieyra (PCE 4th grade teacher) and Denise Ingalls (PHMS Social Studies teacher) won a $25 gift card to Dillons. Thank you to The Buhler Education Foundation for supporting this program!!

Today was our final day delivering Operation Joy prizes to randomly chosen staff members. Today’s prize was a gift certificate to DJ’s, generously donated by DJ’s! Congratulations to our winning staff members! #BetterTogether #Bexceptional