Prairie Hills Middle School

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

The STUCO Champion Time Olympics are in full swing! So far this week, students have competed in a rock, paper, & scissors tournament, trivia, basketball knockout, and a relay race. Students have earned points for placing and dressing up in the spirit week theme each day! Don't forget to wear neon tomorrow to earn more points for your team! Students and staff are also currently voting on their favorite team flag! May the best team win!

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

The 2nd annual PHMS STUCO Champion Time Olympics begin Monday! PHMS students had the opportunity to sign up to complete in an event to earn points for their CT. They can earn additional points for their CT by participating in spirit week each day! May the best "team" win!

Student council hosted a pencil full to raise money for fire victims. They collected $459 which will be sent to Reno County VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) to help fire victims in the county. Thanks to all who donated and purchased pencils!

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.

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!

Bring money this Thursday and Friday to support a great cause!

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

Student council celebrated National Oreo Day and the start of March Madness by creating "PHMS Oreo Madness". A bracket of Oreo flavors was created and students voted on their favorite each day. When students made choices each round, they were entered to win an Oreo snack. A grand prize drawing was held where students earned an entire pack of the winning Oreos. STUCO celebrated the completion of the event by passing out Oreos to the entire school!

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

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!