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Larned hosts back-to-school breakfast
school talks
USD 495 district employees and patrons shared breakfast at Larned Community Center at the district's annual back-to=school coffee hour Monday morning.

LARNED — Classes begin Thursday for the Fort Larned USD 495 school district. Before then, there are teacher work days and open houses to attend as well as the first day of practice for fall sports.

Monday morning, the district hosted a special coffee hour tradition at the Larned Community Center that allowed the public and employees to mix and mingle, as well as a chance to meet those new to the district. There are usually some recognitions and awards as well.

USD 495 Superintendent Bryce Wachs welcomed those in attendance, opening with a thank you to members of the school board.

“We want to recognize our new teachers into our district,” Wachs said. “Being in the education profession is extremely important. There are less and less individuals taking that calling.” Wachs noted that the majority of the new teachers in the district are experiencing their first time in the classroom. “They are new to the profession and new to impacting students.” 

He then turned the microphone over to the principals of the district’s principals to make introductions.

After new teacher introductions, Wachs gave special recognition to retiring teachers and honored those who had served 30 continuous years with the district.

Those retiring included: Marci Wagner, Patti Wilcox and Karol Foster. Those with 30 continuous years in the district included: Kathleen Bunch, Scott Upson, Val Marshall and Richard Fairchild.

In closing, Wachs said that he was excited for the upcoming school year. “I am excited for school to get started and excited for the team of individuals gathered in this room,” he said.

“Each new year brings different challenges, different exciting moments. The biggest one is that we have the opportunity, every single year, to influence a new group of kids that will last a lifetime with what we do. It doesn’t matter if you are a classroom teacher, or someone who at six o’clock in the morning sees them as they get on the bus to come to school. Even that aide that sees them at the end of the day has the opportunity to be extremely influential throughout the school year. Don’t forget that.”