Twenty-five elementary students, and one preschool student, earned a set of wheels this week, achieving perfect attendance for the 2023-2024 school year. The Perfect Attendance Bike Program has awarded bikes for over 13 years to encourage students to attend school every day in Great Bend USD 428 elementary schools. Assemblies were held at all 5 elementary buildings to celebrate the students’ accomplishments with their peers, teachers, and families.
“Congratulations to the students who have stepped up to the challenges of grade school and have completed another successful school year,” said Karen Shaner, program organizer. “We would like to thank all the students for their hard work and dedication during the school year. We also want to thank those who make it possible for the students to be on time each day and not miss a day of learning.”
The effort is led by Karen Shaner and Jane Isern, and is supported by a lengthy list of community donors. Walmart has been a consistent partner in the effort, providing assembly and storage for bikes in addition to financially supporting the program through product discounts and store credit.
“This is an amazing program that honors the commitment of our students,” said Khris Thexton, USD 428 Superintendent. “We greatly appreciate the dedication of our students and families to accomplish perfect attendance - it takes a lot of work by students, parents, grandparents, and caregivers! We are fortunate to have such a great program and generous community sponsors to celebrate this notable accomplishment.”
Every student who achieved perfect attendance this year was awarded a bike. In addition, the Pilot Club of Great Bend provided a new fitted bike helmet to further their organization’s efforts to support brain safety and health.
· Eisenhower Elementary – Two students qualified for perfect attendance.
· Jefferson Elementary - Twelve students qualified for perfect attendance.
· Park Elementary – Eight students qualified for perfect attendance.
· Lincoln Elementary - Two students qualified for perfect attendance.
· Riley Elementary - One student qualified for perfect attendance.
· Little Panthers Preschool – One student qualified for perfect attendance.
2024 Bike Donors
· Walmart - Great Bend
· Bauer, Pike, Bauer, Wary, Carroll, & Gunn LLC
· Jim Cavanaugh Donor Advised Endowment Fund
· Isern Carpenter
· Doris Spray
· Eldridge Fencing
· Perry & Krista Smith
· Tom Vernon
· Sheryl Cheely
· American Plains Coop
· Marmie Auto Group
· Damon & Donna Schloemer
· Farmers Bank & Trust
· Jerry Ney
· First Kansas Bank
· Craig & Kari Smith
· Jeffrey & Rhonda Brozek
· Larry & Anne Kutina
· Francis Financial Services, Inc.
· Watkins Calcara, Chtd.
· OPI
· Gerald & Glenna Achatz
· KanEquip, Inc.
· Dale & Karen Shaner
· Darwin & Maritta Schloemer
· Michel & Linda Ringwald
· Mark & Leslie Mingenback
· Club 1 Fitness
· Stueder Contractors
· Gregg & Margaret Reinhardt
