
🌟 We're on a roll at Shawnee Heights! 🌟
Today, we're excited to present our 2024-25 Secondary Horizon Award Winner, Shannon Byrne! 🏆
Ms. Byrne, a dynamic English Language Arts teacher at Shawnee Heights High School, brings an incredible energy that has made a lasting impact. Her enthusiasm and engagement have created a vibrant atmosphere that motivates students and staff. 📚✨
🏆 Ms. Byrne was surprised in her classroom by Administration and Foundation Board members. The Foundation presented her with a $250 check for her outstanding dedication.
Join us in congratulating Ms. Byrne on her well-deserved award and dedication to making a difference at Shawnee Heights! 👏🎉
#HorizonAward #ExcellenceInEducation #ShawneeHeightsHighSchool

🌟 Exciting start to the week at Shawnee Heights! 🌟
We proudly announce that Madelyn Foster, a dedicated first-grade teacher at Berryton Elementary, is our 2024-25 Elementary Horizon Award Nominee! 🏆
This morning, Ms. Foster was surprised in her classroom by Administration and Foundation Board members. The Foundation presented her with a $250 check for her outstanding dedication. Ms. Foster's ability to understand and meet her students' individual needs has fostered their academic and social growth. 📚💡 With her dedication to the curriculum and consistent communication with families, she creates a nurturing and inclusive environment in her classroom.
Join us in congratulating Ms. Foster on this well-deserved recognition and wish her luck as she moves forward in the Kansas Horizon Award program. 👏🎉
#HorizonAward #ExcellenceInEducation #BerrytonElementary

🎓 Why Apply? 🎓
The first step toward your future is to apply! Whether you're considering a certificate program or a two-year or a four-year degree, applying to college opens doors to new opportunities, skills, and experiences. 📚
✨ Seniors - Mark Your Calendars! - The Kansas Apply Free Days will be held on October 7-9, 2024! During these three days, any Kansas resident, regardless of age or income can apply for free at any of the 7 public universities, 19 community colleges, 6 Technical colleges, and the 21 private member institutions of the Kansas Independent College Association. 💼
Check out this 10 Steps to Applying resource for students: https://5il.co/2x6t4
#WhyApply #ApplyKS #CollegeBound #FutureReady




Join Our Team! 🚍 We've added some fantastic bus drivers to our Shawnee Heights family, but we're still looking for more!
If you're passionate about working with kids and want a rewarding job with great benefits, apply today! 🌟
💵 Starting at $20.02/hr (4-hr daily guarantee)
🏥 Paid medical insurance
🎓 CDL training provided
👧👦 Bring your kids to work with you!
🔗 Apply Now: https://bit.ly/USD450BusDriver
Help us make a difference in our family's lives! 💙
#ShawneeHeights #USD450 #Hiring #SchoolBusDrivers #MakeADifference


📝 Happy Constitution Day! 🇺🇸 Across the district, students are diving into lessons about the Constitution and learning how it shapes our country.
At TSouth, Ms. Taliaferro's 3rd-grade class had the amazing opportunity to be part of a mock trial, serving as part of the jury alongside other Kansas 3rd graders. Judge Robert Wonnell invited them to watch the case, helping them understand the judicial system and how the Constitution works. 🎓 Watch Ms. Taliaferro and her students discuss the trial and their deliberation! https://youtu.be/vCGzSlj0dVw
At TNorth, Ms. Jones' 6th-grade class compared Hammurabi's Code to the U.S. Constitution, exploring how laws have evolved. 📜
4th graders at TNorth had a special visit from retired USD 450 teacher Paul Bahnmaier, who shared his knowledge of the Constitution. Fun fact: Did you know that the state of Kansas had four constitutions before deciding on one? 🤔
Our students are learning important lessons about history, justice, and civic responsibility.
#ConstitutionDay #USD450 #CivicEducation

💻 Today is IT Appreciation Day! 🎉
Let's take a moment to thank our amazing IT team for all they do to keep us connected, secure, and running smoothly every day. Their expertise and dedication make a huge difference in our daily work, from troubleshooting technical issues to ensuring our systems are always up and running. 🙌
We couldn't do it without you, IT team! 💙
Join us in celebrating amazing people behind the scenes who make it happen. Drop a comment to show your appreciation! 👏👨💻👩💻
#ITAppreciationDay #ThankYouIT #TechHeroes #GratefulForOurITTeam


Board of Education Meeting tonight, September 16, at 7:00 pm in the Shawnee Heights High School PD Room. Join us or watch at: https://bit.ly/3fT7WyB
Agenda & minutes: https://bit.ly/USD450MeetingAgenda


🎉 Check Out Our Community Opportunities Page! 🎉
Take advantage of the fun and exciting events happening in our area! Find discounted tickets to the Circus 🐘🎪, an upcoming Resource Fair 💼, and district-wide events. Head over to the News Section on any of our school websites to explore the latest opportunities for your family! https://www.usd450.net/article/868234
👏 #SHCommunity #CommuntyOpportunities #FunForAll


All K-6 USD 450 students are invited to participate in the SHHS Boys Soccer Elementary Night event!
Advanced registration is not required, but helpful: https://forms.gle/kBHzHyBVtPyYAueb8
Cheer on the T-Birds as they face DeSoto on Tuesday, September 17th. The JV game starts at 4:30, and the Varsity game starts at 6:00.
Students will receive:
· Free game entry with a paid adult
· Free goodie bag and team poster
· Walk on the field with Varsity players during game introductions
· Be there by 5:45 and meet at the North end of the field by the goodie bag table to line up with the players.
We will have food trucks and a great crowd!
Come back to Bettis Sports Center on Wednesday, September 18th, to train with the T-Birds at our first Mini Kicker Clinic! The clinic will be held from 5:30 pm-7:00 pm and is absolutely free to district students!


📅 This Sunday, September 8, 2024, is Physical Therapy Appreciation Day! 🎉
We want to celebrate and recognize the incredible work of Katrina Taggart, Physical Therapist, and Brooke Baker, Physical Therapy Assistant. Their dedication to helping our students heal and move is truly appreciated! 🙏💪
In honor of this day, Katrina and Brooke encourage us all to reflect on the amazing gift that has been given to us in the complexity of our bodies and the beauty of movement - from lifting our heads off our pillows in the morning to embracing our children, to literally moving through our days.
So, this Sunday, let's celebrate by appreciating the beauty of movement and the essential role physical therapists play in our lives by taking a break from our screens, shooting a few baskets, swinging, or tossing a ball with a child or friend – not to improve, but to enjoy! 🏀🎈😊
Thank you, Katrina and Brooke, for all that you do! 👏💙
#PhysicalTherapyAppreciationDay #GratitudeInMotion #CelebrateMovement

*Registration is now OPEN*
Join the SHHS Cheerleaders on the Sideline for the 1st qtr of the Varsity Football game Friday 9/20/24
Visit HeightsCheer.com for more information and to register.
*Register by September 13th to guarantee your child's shirt size*


🐾 Meet Bark Twain, Honorary Class Pet! 📚
We're thrilled to share that Bark Twain, a lovable pup from the Helping Hands Humane Society, was recently featured in The Wichita Eagle! 📰🐶✨
Thanks to the incredible Mrs. Bradshaw, a language arts teacher at Shawnee Heights High School, Bark Twain became an honorary "class pet" in her classroom!
Mrs. Bradshaw says, "I'm fortunate to work in a district that prioritizes the student experience, and part of that is creating a 'home court advantage'—a space where students feel safe, valued, and respected, which is essential for their growth both academically and personally."
Bark Twain had an unforgettable day with the students, enjoying belly rubs, lots of love, and a fun photo session—he even got his picture taken for the school yearbook! 🎓📸 Mrs. Bradshaw sponsored his adoption fee and set Bark Twain up with school-themed toys to make his future adoption extra special. 🧸🎒
Read more about Bark Twain and how to adopt in the article titled "Class pet named Bark Twain gets special treatment at Kansas school" by TJ Macias" The Wichita Eagle. https://amp.kansas.com/news/state/article291839380.html


🌟 Long-Term Dedication at Shawnee Heights! 🌟
We're thrilled to see Cindy Hunter featured in the Topeka Capital-Journal! With 39 years of dedicated service, Cindy continues to make a profound impact as a speech pathologist at Berryton Elementary School.
🗣️ Cindy shares how the landscape of speech pathology and special education has evolved over the years, noting the increased support and reduced stigma that has made a huge difference for students and educators.
Her passion for helping children grow emotionally and academically is truly inspiring. Cindy says it best: "Even if I'm not making as big a difference in their speech, I'm obviously making a difference in their emotional well-being, and that's what keeps me in it. Just the kids."
🎉 We're grateful for the incredible work Cindy does every day!
Read the full article titled "Retire? These long-term employees at Topeka-area schools wouldn't dream of it" by Stacey Saldanha-Olson in the Topeka Capital-Journal. https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/local/2024/08/30/longtime-employees-at-topeka-area-schools-wouldnt-dream-of-retirement/74918665007/
#ShawneeHeights #SpeechPathology #SpecialEducation #Dedication #TopekaCapitalJournal


BOE meeting tonight, Sep 3, in the SHHS PD Room. The Revenue Neutral Rate Hearing starts at 6:45 PM, followed by the Budget Hearing at 6:50 PM and the Regular Board Meeting at 7:00 PM.Join us or watch at: https://bit.ly/3fT7WyB Agenda & minutes: https://bit.ly/USD450MeetingAgenda


After 36 years of helping to keep our food service running smoothly, Rusty Fulton has clocked out for the last time as our Food Service Warehouse Manager. Best wishes for a well-earned retirement! 🎉


🚨 Reminder: No school on Monday, September 2, 2024! Enjoy your long weekend! 🎉🕶️🌞 #RelaxAndRecharge


🎉 We made it through our first full week of school, and we couldn’t be happier to see all these smiling faces back in our halls! 🏫✨ Here’s to a great start and an even better school year ahead! #BackToSchool #SmilingFaces






Board of Education Meeting tonight, August 19, at 7:00 pm in the Shawnee Heights High School PD Room. Join us or watch at: https://bit.ly/3fT7WyB
Agenda & minutes: https://bit.ly/USD450MeetingAgenda


The Shawnee Heights High School Drama Club is excited to collaborate with the Lady Shakes Theatre Company on their upcoming production: The Good, The Bard, and The Ugly: A Comedy of Errors. The Performances are on August 16th and 17th at 7:30 pm. Make sure to come out early for the pre-show festival. A portion of the proceeds from the food trucks will be donated to the SHHS Drama Club.
Tickets for the show are $12 for adults and $7 for students and are available online at https://ladyshakes.ludus.com or at the door.
Under the guidance of Jeff Boyer, SHHS drama teacher and the director of the production, these incredible students are getting a hands-on, real-world experience. They built the set during their Drama Club Tech Camp, and they will be light and soundboard operators and backstage running crew during performances.


🎒✨ The big day is almost here! We're excited to welcome our PreK-9th grade students back to school tomorrow, August 13th! 🌟
📅 Remember:
- 10th-12th start Wed, August 14th
- ECSE start Thur, August 15th
Get ready for a fantastic school year ahead! 🏫📚
#FirstDayOfSchool
