Press release
Twenty-nine elementary students earned their own wheels this week after achieving perfect attendance for the 2022-2023 school year. The Perfect Attendance Bike Program has been awarding bikes for over 12 years to encourage students to attend school every day in Great Bend USD 428 Elementary schools. Assemblies were held at all five elementary buildings to celebrate the students’ accomplishment 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.
A unique addition to this year’s program was a custom CASE IH bike donated by KanEquip, Inc. that is valued at roughly $500. Justin Loera, a 5th-grade student from Riley Elementary was the lucky winner drawn out of all 4-6th-grade students who were eligible.
"This is an amazing program that honors our well-deserving perfect attendance 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 – Six students qualified for perfect attendance.
• Jefferson Elementary - 11 students qualified for perfect attendance.
• Park Elementary – Two students qualified for perfect attendance.
• Lincoln Elementary - Four students qualified for perfect attendance.
• Riley Elementary - Six students qualified for perfect attendance.
Questions about the Perfect Attendance Bike Program can be directed the USD 428 District Education Center at 620-793-1500 or to Karen Shaner, community organizer at [email protected].
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2023 Bike Donors
• Walmart
• Jim Cavanaugh & Stephanie McBride – Portland, Oregon
• Midwest Energy Community Fund
• Isern & Carpenter Law
• Bauer Pike Law
• Doris Spray
• KanEquip, Inc.
• Dr. Tom Vernon
• Dr. Perry Smith & Krista Smith
• American Plains CO-OP
• Marmie Auto Group
• Damon & Donna Schloemer – Lakewood, Washington
• Fred & Candace Nuss
• Ron & Kathy Straub
• Farmers Bank & Trust
• Watkins Calcara, CHTD.
• Don & Susan Young
• Office Products, Inc.
• Larry Kutina, DDS & Anne Kutina
• Dale & Karen Shaner
• Joe & Loretta Southard
• Jerry Ney
• Gerald & Glenna Achatz
• First Kansas Bank
• Darwin & Marty Schloemer
• Craig & Kari Smith
• Countryside Veterinary Associates
• Stueder Contractors
• Mark & Leslie Mingenback
• Jeff & Rhonda Brozek
• Francis Financial Services, LLC
• Club 1 Fitness
• Gregg & Margaret Reinhardt
• Great Bend Children's Clinic