GREAT BEND, KS – Nine out of 10 students in the United States attend public schools, that’s more than 50 million students served by the country’s public education system. February 24-28, 2020 has been designated as Public Schools Week, a time to celebrate the achievements public schools are making and honoring the significant contributions and accomplishments of students, parents, educators and education advocates in local communities.
Public schools are open to every child—regardless of ability, wealth, language, country of origin, or needs.
Great Bend Public Schools serve 2,800 students in grades K-12. Five elementary centers converge at Great Bend Middle School (grades 7-8) before students enter Great Bend High School (grades 9-12). Additionally, USD 428 is the “host district” for Barton County Special Services, which coordinates and provides specialized services (school psychologists, paraprofessionals, special education coordinators, and more) for Great Bend and three additional school districts, USD 355 Ellinwood, USD 403 Otis-Bison, and USD 431 Hoisington.
“To celebrate our schools, we first have to celebrate our outstanding teachers,” said John Popp, assistant superintendent for USD 428.
“Our 265 certified teachers have a combined 2,402 years of teaching in our district – that’s an average of 9 years per teacher,” said Popp. “The dedication, expertise and passion from our teaching staff, from elementary and secondary levels, is really something to celebrate. We are fortunate to have this foundation of support influencing positive outcomes for our students, and our community.”
The Kansas Department of Education (KSDE, Kansas Association of Schoolboards (KASB, and members of the Kansas Learning First Alliance (KLFA) are sponsoring a Kansas Public Schools week event at the Kansas Statehouse in Topeka on Wednesday, February 26. Activities will include bipartisan Senate and House resolutions honoring Public Schools Week along with displays by the event partners and other public-school advocates.
“While many of us know that our local public schools are doing a wonderful job with our students, we may not take the time to tell our teachers and administrators we stand with them and the work they do,” said Kansas Learning First Alliance Chair Dr. Laurie Curtis. “Public Schools Week is the perfect opportunity to offer our support and make a public statement of our confidence in the educators in our state.”
New in 2020, USD 428 launched a Milestones Program to acknowledge the career longevity of all staff. In the inaugural year, 322 employees will be recognized for career milestones, marked in five-year increments. USD 428 plans to use Public Schools Week as a platform to highlight these teachers and their positive impact on thousands of students and alumni of Great Bend’s schools.
· 5 Year Milestone – 99 employees
· 10 Year Milestone – 59 employees
· 15 Year Milestone – 69 employees
· 20 Year Milestone – 50 employees
· 25 YearMilestone – 27 employees
· 30+ Year Milestone – 18 employees
Career Milestones – Certified Teachers with 30+ years of service to USD 428:
· Gary Pinkall, GBMS – 30 Years
· Carla Markovich, Eisenhower Elementary – 31 Years
· Sheryl Neeland, GBMS – 35 Years
· Dara Touslee, Park Elementary – 30 Years
· Karen Smith, Lincoln Elementary – 31 Years
· Susan Stambaugh, GBHS – 34 Years
· Tina Hiss, GBHS – 40 Years
· Timothy Friess, GBHS - 36 Years
· David Meter, GBHS – 41 Years
You can learn more about Public Schools Week by going to www.publicschoolproud.org.
