With the first day of school just a little over two weeks away, two new Great Bend residents visited Jefferson Elementary School with their grandmother on Monday to enroll. School secretary Lexie Brack told Keishaun, 8, and Deshawn, 9, about the school mascot.
“You’ll officially be Jefferson Jets,” she said.
Jefferson is also the school Brack attended through sixth grade.
The boys moved here from Beaver and the Hoisington school district.
Jefferson Principal Adam Niedens is also new to the district this year, replacing Kip Wilson, who took an administrative opening at Great Bend High School.
Another new administrator is Park Elementary School Principal Adam Cline, who replaces Phil Heeke, who retired at the end of the 2020-2021 school year. Cline was the math coach at Eisenhower Elementary School before becoming Park's principal.
On Tuesday, all schools were set up for on-site enrollment until 7 p.m. Over at Park Elementary, third-grader Kaylee stopped to pet the school therapy dog, Rudy, and have her hair brushed by Alana Blessing, Park’s family support worker. Back in January, Blessing told the school board that the school offers a “lunchroom beauty salon” where Park students can freshen up every morning.
“A lot of times, you can learn a lot from a student when you’re doing their hair,” Blessing said.
Enrollment continues
On-site enrollment continues Wednesday at all Great Bend USD 428 school. Hours are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the elementary buildings and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Great Bend Middle School and Great Bend High School. For more information call 620-793-1500 or visit GreatBendSchools.net.
Upcoming dates
New staff orientation started Monday and will be held every day next week. Marching Band Camp also started Monday and next Monday will mark the start of fall sports practice.
The back-to-school date for all teachers is Friday, Aug. 13.
The first day of school for grades K-6, GBMS grade 7 and GBHS grade 9 is Thursday, Aug. 19 and the first day of school for grades 8, 10, 11 and 12 is Friday, Aug. 20.
