Free summer meals are available this year for kids up to age 18 at a number of Hutchinson sites, courtesy of USD 308 food service. See the attached photo for information.
Yesterday, an unspeakable tragedy occurred at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. As our community is excited to start summer and a rejuvenation period, Uvalde families are living out our worst nightmare. Violence inside our schools is impossible to process. We send our most precious gifts to schools trusting they will be cared for, loved, supported, and safe. When that trust is violated, it leaves all of us to question our own safety and procedures, and to reflect on what more can be done to keep everyone in our buildings protected.
Buhler schools have a number of precautionary measures in place. Each building has a secure entryway. Individuals must identify themselves to office personnel before being allowed entry. Each building also has cameras at the entryway and in various locations in the building. Exterior doors are to remain locked during the day, and gates to playgrounds remain locked and secure. With our recent bond issue, all offices have been relocated to the front of the building, and visitors must go through the office before gaining access to the building. Additionally, staff and students do crisis drills to prepare for an active shooter. Reno County Law Enforcement and county superintendents also work together to ensure communication and response procedures are in place with crisis plans and threat assessment procedures. In the next two weeks, our administration will review those plans, reflect on what we learn from Uvalde to improve our response, and adjust accordingly.
Unfortunately, safety precautions such as those listed above are simply that...precautions. Our most effective deterrent is being sure each student feels a sense of belonging in our schools, that each student is supported and has a caring adult they can trust. The other most effective precaution is each of you. Each student, staff member, parent, and community member must remain vigilant in listening for and reporting any questionable behavior or comments to authorities.
Every one of us has a role to play in keeping our staff and students safe. I am thankful for the support of our community and dedication to our youth.
Cindy Couchman
Superintendent, Buhler Public Schools
Our Buhler Special Olympics Teams (basketball, track, & bowling) will be holding a fundraiser at Applebee's this coming Tuesday, May 31st from 4-8pm.
Eat out at Applebee's on Tuesday and order off of the "Together We Care Tuesday" menu and a percentage of the revenue will go toward funding our team's annual budget.
See the attached "Together We Care" menu.
#BetterTogether
The Kansas State Department of Education is once again partnering with many venues and experiences state-wide to give students the opporutunity to stay engaged through experiential learning this summer. See the flyer below for details or visit sunflowersummer.org
Yesterday our Cru Leaders from all three elementary schools visited the Kansas State Capitol Building together. They toured the building and got to go to the house floor. Thank you, Jason Probst, Kansas Representative from Hutchinson, for hosting our students!
Cru Leaders started just this year and they are already making a positive impact on their school and community.
As part of the Affordable Connectivity Program, which is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, there are many internet providers that have lowered high-speed internet costs, resulting in free or very low cost internet options for qualifying families.
Large wireless providers like AT&T and Verizon, as well as fiber internet providers that serve many Buhler families like Cox Communications and Ideatek, are on board.
View the White House press release below for details on the program, including who qualifies, and links to participating internet providers.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/05/09/fact-sheet-president-biden-and-vice-president-harris-reduce-high-speed-internet-costs-for-millions-of-americans/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=sharpspring&sslid=Mze3NDc3NrQwsDQ2AAA&sseid=MzIxNrI0MTAwNgEA&jobid=158e5e77-2c1a-41c7-9b61-2f394fb14aeb
Last call for STEAM Camp applications! If you are planning to enroll your students for STEAM Camp and have not yet done so, please complete the application form below by the end of the day tomorrow, April 14th.
bit.ly/buhlersteamcamp22
Last call for STEAM Camp applications! If you are planning to enroll your students for STEAM Camp and have not yet done so, please complete the application form below by the end of the day tomorrow, April 14th.
Parents and family of preschoolers, if you were unable to attend one of our preschool application nights you may apply online using the following link:
bit.ly/313preschool2022
To help us with planning for next year, please complete the application by April 29th. Notification of acceptance into one of our preschool classrooms will come on or before May 20th.
Our nominees for Kansas Teacher of the Year will be recognized at the Region 1 Award event tomorrow from 1-3pm. We are so proud of them and excited to see them recognized state wide!
Courtney Klassen( left), math teacher at Prairie Hills Middle School is our secondary nominee.
Shannon Vieyra( right), 3rd grade teacher at Plum Creek Elementary is our elementary nominee
You can tune in live to the award event on YouTube. Links to the live feed and the schedule for the weekend is below.
Saturday, March 26:
Region 1 – Awards Event 1-3 p.m.
https://youtu.be/1yRLn2Lg5h8
Region 4 – Awards Event 4-6 p.m.
https://youtu.be/Xlt99l_NefE
Sunday, March 27:
Region 2 - Awards Event 1-3 p.m.
https://youtu.be/bssEMiPbEH0
Region 3 - Awards Event 4-6 p.m.
https://youtu.be/2Bd6mJ0d7xw
Good luck Shannon and Courtney!
Our 2022 Family Engagement Survey is now available. Each year we ask for your feedback to measure how we are doing at involving families in the education of your children.
We would greatly appreciate if parents of current USD 313 students would take the time to complete the 15 item survey linked below.
Thank you for your time!
https://www.districttools.org/buhler2022
Summer STEAM Camp applications are now open! See the image below for details. Camp is open to students exiting 2nd grade through 7th grade.
*We apologize the flyer sent home and given at Cosmosphere family night originally had a QR code that directed to last year's application. It now offers a link that will take you to the correct place.
Tonight we have two amazing opportunities for your family to be entertained and learn together!
The Buhler Singers "Motown and Musicals" Variety Show begins at 7:00 at Buhler High School and STEAM Family Night at the Cosmosphere is from 6:30-8:00pm.
Come join us!
Good Evening,
With the road conditions tonight and the freezing that will take place overnight, Buhler USD 313 will start two hours late on Monday, March 7th. Please see below for specific building start times and information.
*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 (elementary 10:00, PHMS 10:20, BHS 10:10)
*Bus pick up times will be 2 hours later
*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
If you are interested in donating to help Buhler school students, families, or staff members through the Buhler Education Foundation you may also donate online at their PayPal link here:
www.paypal.com/paypalme/USD313Foundation
Please make sure to add a note when donating that says “Fire Victims”
Thank you for your support of our Buhler family!
Good Morning Buhler Crusader Community,
As the sun rises this morning, we are all counting our blessings that no lives were lost in the fires yesterday. "Things" can be replaced and that is what we now start work on. Our firefighters - across the state - came together yesterday to make some miracles happen saving lives and many homes.
There are quite a few homes and families that have been devastated and have little more than the clothes on their backs. I am working to gather names and numbers of our Buhler students and employees to get a list going of immediate needs. Currently, I know of at least 4 families that have lost everything.
Many of you have such generous hearts and are willing and able to help. Here are two safe and reliable ways to donate. Both options below are tax deductible.
1) To donate specifically to help Buhler School students, families, and employees:
Write a check to Buhler Education Foundation with "fire victims" in the memo line. That can be mailed or dropped off at our district office: USD 313, 406 W. 7th, Buhler, KS 67522. OR can be dropped off at any First National Bank location.
2) To donate to any fire victim, United Way of Reno County is helping by collecting money at https://www.unitedwayofrenocounty.org/?fbclid=IwAR1EhTHipGS-FQr-r02jo6rrqFCDfv3VEiRoH9xid7dV079JS0Bm5iXkZKQ
Another valuable resource is Reno County VOAD (Volunteer Organization Active in Disaster). For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/renocovoad/
As you consider helping financially, please always do your research and make sure the organization or page you donate to is a reliable place to give.
Currently, there are 4 families with various ages of students we are aware of who need items. We will get organized quickly today. The easiest way for people to help right now is by donating money to purchase items specific to each student such as school supplies, clothes, toiletries, etc. Soon we will get a list going of other needs that can be dropped off if needed.
Cindy Couchman, Superintendent
Buhler Schools
Buhler Family,
Please keep our first responders (and their families) in your thoughts and prayers as they continue to fight the fires to protect our lives and property.
I understand we have some families that have lost their homes and have many that have property damage already. As we get confirmation of their needs and how we can help, there will be information on how to contribute posted.
If your family has lost a home, please reach out to your school administrator or private message us on our page. We are here to help. We are a Buhler Family and as such, will rally to make sure needs are met.
For those coming to support the Buhler boys tonight at 6:00, please avoid Buhler Haven Road and 30th.
Cindy Couchman, Superintendent
Buhler Schools
We are ready to meet our littlest Crusaders! Our first PreK roundup time is this coming Monday, March 7th at Union Valley
Preschool application clinics are coming up in March. There will be three Monday evenings available to attend and sign your child up to attend any of our three elementary schools. Feel free to attend a different school's night if the listed time does not work for your attendance center. That information will be shared with the correct school.
PreK roundup dates are:
Monday, March 7: Union Valley 5:00-7:00
Monday, March 21: Plum Creek 5:00-7:00
Monday, March 28: Buhler Grade 5:00-7:00
Please bring the following documents: A copy of your student’s state issued birth certificate, Immunization Records, Student Health Assessment and Proof of Residency (water, power or gas bill, rental agreement, etc.)
View the following link for frequently asked questions regarding our early childhood programs.
https://5il.co/157wa
Family STEAM Night is one week from today on March 8th, from 6:30-8:00. See flyer below for information.
This is going to be so much fun! Bring the whole family and come learn and play with science and space!
Buhler USD 313 is in need of the following kitchen help.
•Plum Creek Elementary is looking for a new Main Dish Cook
•Buhler High School is looking for an Ala Carte Cook
To apply navigate to usd313.org and click employment
