The smack talk has begun, but it is all in good, clean – albeit wet – fun.
“I feel that my team will triumph,” said USD 428 Superintendent Brad Reed about the upcoming water balloon fight between administrators and Jefferson School staff.
“I have seen a little of the Jefferson teachers’ team strategy and it is all wet from the beginning,” Reed pontificated. “Or it will be!”
Reed explained that the all-in-fun battle is a payoff for Jefferson School employees who pledged the most money to the United Way of Central Kansas campaign last fall. He agreed to “do something” as a reward to the USD 428 school that raised the most money.
That “something” was decided by the winners and is a water-balloon fight set for 11 a.m. today at Jefferson School.
“We are looking forward to a fun day,” Reed said.
The fund-raising competition between the schools last fall resulted in USD 428 being named one of the top 10 businesses supporting the United Way. For its efforts the district was named a Pacesetter business.
USD 428 employees pledged more than $9,000 to the United Way during the 2015 campaign. That was an increase of about 30 percent
Jefferson School personnel had the highest percentage of donors at 78 percent.
“This is what I love about my job, community leaders setting an example and showing their staff and students that you can make a difference in your community,” said United Way Executive Director Julie Smith.
“Giving back can be made fun,” Smith said. “Thanks to Mr. Reed and the school district United Way champions in each school that made United Way of Central Kansas reach our goal and help 19 agencies and several programs locally.”