Jr High Basketball plays tonight against Beloit! Boys are home beginning at 4:30-1/2 C game, B game, A game. All games are in the main gym. Click the link for game information: https://5il.co/12fsq
The girls travel to Beloit, games also begin at 4:30 with C game, B game, A game. Click the link for game information: https://5il.co/12fsr
The Rolling Hills Electric Youth Tour and Scholarship applications are now available for Juniors. The student must be a junior and the parents must be customers of Rolling Hills Electric Cooperative. All juniors received emails today about how to access the application. If they have any questions please have them see Mrs. Hubert or Mrs. Aurand.
Dear Republic County USD #109 Stakeholders:
Republic County USD #109 has a top priority of providing a safe learning environment for all students. Culture affects that environment as well. Students and/or staff can affect how the culture develops or changes. Positive changes can be student-led as stated by John Calvert from the Kansas State Department of Education School Safety Division who spoke to our students in late October.
There is a difference between being rude, being mean and bullying. Everyone should understand that not everything that occurs is bullying as it has become a buzzword that is often used out of context.
Rude: Inadvertently saying or doing something that hurts someone else.
Mean: Purposefully saying or doing something to hurt someone once (or maybe twice).
Bullying: Intentionally aggressive behavior, repeated over time, that involves an imbalance of power.
Please read the following articles for additional information and clear differences between the three:
https://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/topics/pediatrics/2018/01/the-difference-between-rude-mean-and-bullying/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/passive-aggressive-diaries/201211/is-it-rude-is-it-mean-or-is-it-bullying
Republic County USD #109 has implemented and continues to look at additional methods to help stop the continued culture damaging issues that are affecting students and staff.
1. The district hired an additional counselor in 2019.
2. All staff are required to annually participate in bullying and suicide professional development.
3. Staff have an open door policy for any student to come at any time if they have a concern or issue.
4. Staff support and supervise in the cafeterias daily.
5. Weekly social emotional lessons for every grade level K-8.
6. Drop box at East Elementary for any one needing to talk to a counselor.
7. When an incident/situation is brought to our attention, it is immediately investigated and dealt with accordingly. Individual counseling occurs after this for both parties involved. Statements of what has been done regarding individual incidents and discipline for students will not be released as it violates confidentiality under FERPA as it is part of a student’s record.
8. Counselors frequently have regular meetings with various groups of students.
9. Purchased socio-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum of Second Step for grades PK-5. Evaluating different SEL curriculums for 6-12 for purchase in spring of 2022.
10. Added time to Jr/Sr High schedule for seminar to focus on team building and SEL.
11. Eliminated the use of cell phones during the school day for grades 6-8 and researching the option of eliminating cell phones during the school day in grades 9-12.
12. Two of the counselors are trauma certified and the entire staff has been trauma informed.
13. October 2018 - Kevin Honeycutt spoke to our student body and parents regarding finding your talents and being kind.
14. October 2018 - Noalee McDonald from Smoky Hill Educational Service Center came and did some small group interventions with the students.
15. September 2019 - Chris Scheufele came and presented to both elementary and high school regarding being “resilient.”
16. November 2019 - Mark Potter - Battling depression - ‘Don’t Suffer in Silence: The Silent Epidemic’- Pike Valley HS and Republic County Junior/Senior High School attended at RCJSHS.
17. February 2021 - Chet Kuplan from Sports in Kansas-Spoke to students about “Think Before You Post.”
18. October 2021 - John Calvert from Kansas State Department of Education School Safety Unit presented on the “Be the Change You Want to Be” and mental health to grades 5-12. Additionally, he presented on the effects of social media and apps to adults in the community with an evening presentation.
19. December 1, 2021 - Providing a venue for the Todd Becker assembly.
20. February 2, 2022 - Value-Up Organization to present to students and staff along with a night event for adults in the community on “Value Yourself, Value others and Live Your Values.”
As stakeholders have stated, any bullying incident is not only a school issue, but a community issue as a whole. As a school, we are deeply concerned about the current culture that exists in our school and community and the impact it is having on individuals and our community as a whole. Together as a community, we can overcome this through supporting each other in a positive manner. USD #109 welcomes any thoughts, input or suggestions on possible solutions and looks forward to working as a community in being supportive of one another. Please contact any of the following individuals with your ideas.
Alan Sheets: asheets@usd109.org 785-527-2281
Michelle Hubert: mhubert@usd109.org 785-527-2281
Gina Aurand: gaurand@usd109.org 785-527-2281
Katie Struebing: kstruebing@usd109.org 785-527-2330
Susie Jelinek: sjelinek@usd109.org 785-527-2330
Larry Lyder: llyder@usd109.org 785-527-5621
Be sure to check out Republic County High School’s pop-up art show, at Belleville Medical Clinic!!
Due to an extremely busy holiday, Kasl Christmas Tree Farm requests that 5th graders wait until Wednesday (after 4pm) or Thursday-Sunday 10 am to 5 pm to pick up their wreaths.
Any questions please contact 785-527-2036 or email kaslchristmastreefarm@gmail.com
Thank you!!!!
USD #109 is seeking candidates for the open board position #5 representing district #2.
To be considered as a candidate for board position #5, one must live in the USD 109 district area East of US 81 except that area North of 18th Street in Belleville and West of 180 Road to its point of intersection with US 81. Belleville City, South of 18th Street and West of S Street excluded. North to the Kansas State Line and South to the Cloud County Line.
Interested individuals should submit a letter of interest answering the following questions: 1. What is your philosophy of the role as a board member? 2. Why do you want to be a USD #109 board member? Letters of interest should be dropped off at the district office at 1205 19th, Belleville, KS 66935 by 4:00pm on Thursday, December 9. Candidates will be interviewed by the board at the regular board meeting on December 13 at noon when a candidate will be chosen and appointed.
Questions can be sent to Mr. Lyder at llyder@usd109.org or 785-527-5621.
Jr High Girls Basketball travel to Thayer Central tonight to take on the Titans! Games begin at 4:30 with B team, 1/2 C team, then A team.
Go Buffs!
Mrs. Richecky’s Kindergarten class enjoyed their Thanksgiving Feast last week. A few of our friends were absent.
Republic County Buffs and Lady Buffs Alumni basketball scrimmage is tonight. Girls scrimmage begins around 4:15 and will go until 5:15, boys scrimmage will follow.
Students in Mrs. Stindt’s 1st grade class made turkey traps in the Maker Space with their student teacher Mrs. James
Reminder to all juniors! Please meet at tree farm at 6:00 to help finish the gnomes. We need as many as possible to help!
It’s a WRAP checkout the new image of our indoor concession stand @ RCJSHS…Go Buffs
League Choir at Southeast of Saline. Republic County did amazing! Jaycie Stindt was chosen for the solo in large group!
Jr. High Basketball is in action today against the Minneapolis Lions! The girls are home in the main gym starting at 4:30- 1/2 C game, B game, A game. The boys travel to Minneapolis, game time is 4:30-1/2 C game, B game, A game. Good luck Jr. Buffaloes!
Girls game information- https://5il.co/12617, Boys game information-https://5il.co/12618
This week Rosalie and Trinity taught a little lesson about being home alone with safety and activity ideas.
Also, Culinary class baked Christmas tree cookies for Kasl Tree Farm.
Thank you to apple one media for giving the graphic design a tour of your business. Liz and Brian Isaacson.
Fbla members serving breakfast to faculty/staff. Have a great Friday.
RCHS Fall Sports Banquets
Football-Friday, November 19 at 7:00 pm in the HS Cafeteria. Seniors & Sophomores bring a side dish or dessert. Juniors and Freshmen bring a main dish.
Volleyball-Monday, November 22 at 7:00 in the HS Cafeteria. Everyone bring a snack food to share.
Cross Country-Tuesday, November 23 at 6:30 in the HS Cafeteria. Hamburgers provided, Seniors & Freshman bring side dishes. Juniors and Sophomores bring desserts.
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER -- Nov. 22 - Dec. 6, 2021
click on attached link
https://5il.co/1226a
Little Buffs Daycare enjoyed decorating a box donated by the food service department. The creativity and artistic ability in USD 109 looks very inspirational.
