Shawnee Heights Unified School District 450 - Preparing Students of Today for the Opportunity of Tomorrow

🎉 This Sunday, October 6th is Coach Appreciation Day! 🎉 Sunday, we celebrate the amazing coaches who dedicate their time, energy, and passion to our students. From the sidelines to the classroom, our coaches inspire, motivate, and guide our athletes to be their best on and off the field. Here are just a few pictures of coaches we've spotted recently, but we have many more wonderful coaches who make a difference daily! 💬 Tag a coach in the comments and tell them how much you appreciate them! #CoachAppreciation #ThankYouCoaches #ItsAGreatDayToBeATbird!

🧠 FREE Childcare Professional Development Event! 🧠 Join us at Shawnee Heights High School on Saturday, October 12, from 9:15 AM to 11:45 AM for an insightful in-person class on social-emotional development in young children. 📚 Learn the brain science behind social-emotional development and discover simple strategies to foster this growth through everyday routines and interactions! ✨ This class is FREE to attend, but space is limited. Register now by calling 785-357-5171 or visiting https://bit.ly/3Br7DLc #EarlyChildhoodEducation #SocialEmotionalDevelopment #ProfessionalDevelopment #ShawneeHeightsUSD450

🚀 Don't forget! 🚀 Our Career Fair is happening today from 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM! Seniors and Juniors are exploring career opportunities now. Then it’s your turn, community—come network with local businesses and discover new career pathways. 💼 #CareerFair #CommunityEvent

Today is Custodian and Maintenance Appreciation Day! 🛠️🧹 We’re incredibly grateful for our outstanding custodial and maintenance teams, who work hard every day to keep our schools clean, safe, and running smoothly. Their dedication ensures that our students, staff, and families have a welcoming environment in which to learn and grow. We’ve captured a few of our team members in action — 🙌 Be sure to thank a custodian or maintenance worker today! 💙 #CustodianAndMaintenanceAppreciationDay #TeamUSD450

📣 Check out our exciting morning! 📣 The Shawnee Heights Public Schools Foundation surprised teachers across the district with over $10,000 in grants to fuel creative learning experiences! 🎉 Take a look at how the Prize Parade brought smiles, excitement, and new opportunities to classrooms! 🚐💙 https://www.facebook.com/shpsfoundation/posts/pfbid02nLLhLCVHQtro1CyFxFeGZFqtxSjYodCLNtYsgL6v8QuZvo1kUtXNxE7CD2Tmzqsal #USD450Proud #PrizeParade #SupportingTeachers #InnovativeLearning

🎉 We are incredibly proud of Tecumseh North 1st Grade Teacher Benjamin Eckelberry, one of the 8 finalists for the 2025 Kansas Teacher of the Year! 🎉 While he wasn't named the 2025 Kansas Teacher of the Year, he is OUR Teacher of the Year. Mr. Eckelberry's dedication and passion continue to inspire our students and community every day. 🌟 Congratulations to the 2025 Kansas Teacher of the Year, Elizabeth Anstine. A Career and Technical Education teacher at Leavenworth High School. We'll be selecting our next Teacher of the Year nominees soon—stay tuned as we continue to celebrate the amazing educators at Shawnee Heights! 👏 #ProudMoment #KTOYFinalist

🚀 Join Us at the Shawnee Heights Career Fair! 🚀 Our juniors and seniors will explore career opportunities during their school day, and now we're inviting the community to be part of the action! Stop by SHHS on October 3rd from 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM to meet local businesses, network, and discover exciting career pathways. This is a great chance to connect with professionals and learn about opportunities in our area. We hope to see you there! 💼👩‍💼👨‍🔧 #CareerFair #CommunityEvent #ShawneeHeights #FutureReady

Reminder: No school tomorrow, Monday, September 30, 2024, for students due to a Professional Development Day for staff. 📚🍎 Enjoy the long weekend! 😊 #ProfessionalDevelopment

🎉 What a fun Homecoming Parade! It was great to see so much school spirit and community support! 🎉 Good luck to our football team tonight! 🏈 And best of luck to all the Homecoming candidates—tonight's your night! 👑 We hope you have an amazing time at the dance tomorrow! 💃🕺 #SHHSHomecoming #GoodLuck #SchoolSpirit #GoThunderbirds

🎉🎉 Celebrate Shawnee Heights Elementary's 50th Anniversary! 🎉🎉 Join us on Sunday, September 29th from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM for an afternoon full of fun, food, and entertainment! 🎧 Featuring Top City Entertainment 🚌 Bubble Party Bus kicks off at 5:00 PM 🍴 Food Trucks on-site to satisfy your cravings! Let's make memories and celebrate 50 years at Shawnee Heights Elementary! #ShawneeHeightsElementary #50YearsStrong #CommunityCelebration

🎨✨ Join our High School Art Students at the Aaron Douglas Art Fair on September 28th from 10 AM - 5 PM at 12th & Lane, Topeka, KS! 🎨✨ 🎟️ Free Entry 🖼️ Students will have artwork, greeting cards, and jewelry available for purchase. 🎨 Plus, get a $5 Henna Design from our talented students! Support local art and our amazing students at this fun, community-driven event. See you there! #AaronDouglasArtFair #SupportLocalArtists #ShawneeHeightsStudents #TopekaEvents

We are remembering Julie Tibbits, a beloved Nurse at SHES. Her kindness touched many lives. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and all who knew her. For details on her obituary and funeral services, please visit https://www.ppdfuneral.com/obituaries/julie-tibbits

🌟 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