USD 428 celebrates Public Schools Week

While the 2020-2021 School Year has presented challenges, USD 428 has remained open for in-person learning since the first day of school. Enhanced health and safety protocols were critical to keeping the doors open and students learning.

Great Bend USD 428 joined schools across the state and nation to celebrate Public Schools Week, February 22-26, 2021.

“We’ll take any opportunity to celebrate the staff, students, and families of USD 428,” said Khris Thexton, superintendent. “Opening our doors in August and keeping them open for in-person learning has required a tremendous amount of dedication and work by our teachers and staff. As an administrator, but also as a parent, I am grateful for the efforts of many to keep students safe, learning, and growing.”

USD 428 enlisted the help of Rana Luna Boutique in Downtown Great Bend to deliver smiles to the students and staff of USD 428 with creative and unique balloon displays at each building.

While current public health concerns have caused many schools across Kansas to operate in a remote or hybrid setting, all schools in USD 428 have remained open since the first day of school on August 27, 2020.

“We know our students learn best in the classroom,” said Tricia Reiser, director of teaching and learning for USD 428. “We strive for academic growth, but we also care for our students’ social-emotional wellbeing and development.”

2,500 students in Great Bend Public Schools, and an additional 256 in surrounding communities, are served by the over 700 employees of USD 428. Dedicated employees include teachers, secretaries, paraprofessionals, teacher assistance, custodians, bus drivers, cooks and food servers, crossing guards, and administrators – it is a team effort to keep students safe, learning, and growing.

USD 428 employs over 700 teachers and staff who are teaching approximately 2,900 students in Great Bend Schools. USD 428 staff also serves 265 students through the Barton County Special Services Cooperative, which provides special education services to Ellinwood 355, Hoisington 431, and Otis-Bison 403.

Public schools across our nation are providing educational opportunities for more than 50 million students inside their school buildings. According to the Learning First Alliance, nine out of every ten students in the US attend public schools.

The ovens start at about 5:45am to prepare roughly 2,500 meals each day for Great Bend students. Sanjuana Lomas is one of the dedicated members at the USD 428 Central Kitchen.

“We are preparing every student to become college-ready, career-ready, and life-ready following high school graduation,” said Thexton. “This involves a rich curriculum that includes and goes beyond basic academics. Our students benefit from updated technologies and 1:1 device access, expanded Career and Tech Ed offerings, infusion of STEM programming, vibrant fine arts programming, and robust professional development offerings for teachers.”

To learn more about USD 428, please visit www.GreatBendSchools.net and follow the district on Facebook.

2020 KU Night at the Lab: Embracing technology and virtual opportunities to learn, students continue to make strides in academic and career exploration. From temporary remote learning during quarantine, virtual guest speakers, or virtual competitions, students and teachers have found innovative ways to connect classrooms to learning opportunities. Pictured here, GBHS students Ruth Williams, Ashlyn Harbaugh and Zoe Jerke, compete virtually in the state finalists category of KU Med’s Night at the Lab.