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

🚀 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

All K-6 USD 450 students are invited to participate in the SHHS Boys Soccer Elementary Night event! Advanced registration is not required, but helpful: https://forms.gle/kBHzHyBVtPyYAueb8 Cheer on the T-Birds as they face DeSoto on Tuesday, September 17th. The JV game starts at 4:30, and the Varsity game starts at 6:00. Students will receive: · Free game entry with a paid adult · Free goodie bag and team poster · Walk on the field with Varsity players during game introductions · Be there by 5:45 and meet at the North end of the field by the goodie bag table to line up with the players. We will have food trucks and a great crowd! Come back to Bettis Sports Center on Wednesday, September 18th, to train with the T-Birds at our first Mini Kicker Clinic! The clinic will be held from 5:30 pm-7:00 pm and is absolutely free to district students!

📅 This Sunday, September 8, 2024, is Physical Therapy Appreciation Day! 🎉 We want to celebrate and recognize the incredible work of Katrina Taggart, Physical Therapist, and Brooke Baker, Physical Therapy Assistant. Their dedication to helping our students heal and move is truly appreciated! 🙏💪 In honor of this day, Katrina and Brooke encourage us all to reflect on the amazing gift that has been given to us in the complexity of our bodies and the beauty of movement - from lifting our heads off our pillows in the morning to embracing our children, to literally moving through our days. So, this Sunday, let's celebrate by appreciating the beauty of movement and the essential role physical therapists play in our lives by taking a break from our screens, shooting a few baskets, swinging, or tossing a ball with a child or friend – not to improve, but to enjoy! 🏀🎈😊 Thank you, Katrina and Brooke, for all that you do! 👏💙 #PhysicalTherapyAppreciationDay #GratitudeInMotion #CelebrateMovement

🐾 Meet Bark Twain, Honorary Class Pet! 📚 We're thrilled to share that Bark Twain, a lovable pup from the Helping Hands Humane Society, was recently featured in The Wichita Eagle! 📰🐶✨ Thanks to the incredible Mrs. Bradshaw, a language arts teacher at Shawnee Heights High School, Bark Twain became an honorary "class pet" in her classroom! Mrs. Bradshaw says, "I'm fortunate to work in a district that prioritizes the student experience, and part of that is creating a 'home court advantage'—a space where students feel safe, valued, and respected, which is essential for their growth both academically and personally." Bark Twain had an unforgettable day with the students, enjoying belly rubs, lots of love, and a fun photo session—he even got his picture taken for the school yearbook! 🎓📸 Mrs. Bradshaw sponsored his adoption fee and set Bark Twain up with school-themed toys to make his future adoption extra special. 🧸🎒 Read more about Bark Twain and how to adopt in the article titled "Class pet named Bark Twain gets special treatment at Kansas school" by TJ Macias" The Wichita Eagle. https://amp.kansas.com/news/state/article291839380.html

*Registration is now OPEN* Join the SHHS Cheerleaders on the Sideline for the 1st qtr of the Varsity Football game Friday 9/20/24 Visit HeightsCheer.com for more information and to register. *Register by September 13th to guarantee your child's shirt size*

🌟 Long-Term Dedication at Shawnee Heights! 🌟 We're thrilled to see Cindy Hunter featured in the Topeka Capital-Journal! With 39 years of dedicated service, Cindy continues to make a profound impact as a speech pathologist at Berryton Elementary School. 🗣️ Cindy shares how the landscape of speech pathology and special education has evolved over the years, noting the increased support and reduced stigma that has made a huge difference for students and educators. Her passion for helping children grow emotionally and academically is truly inspiring. Cindy says it best: "Even if I'm not making as big a difference in their speech, I'm obviously making a difference in their emotional well-being, and that's what keeps me in it. Just the kids." 🎉 We're grateful for the incredible work Cindy does every day! Read the full article titled "Retire? These long-term employees at Topeka-area schools wouldn't dream of it" by Stacey Saldanha-Olson in the Topeka Capital-Journal. https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/local/2024/08/30/longtime-employees-at-topeka-area-schools-wouldnt-dream-of-retirement/74918665007/ #ShawneeHeights #SpeechPathology #SpecialEducation #Dedication #TopekaCapitalJournal

BOE meeting tonight, Sep 3, in the SHHS PD Room. The Revenue Neutral Rate Hearing starts at 6:45 PM, followed by the Budget Hearing at 6:50 PM and the Regular Board Meeting at 7:00 PM.Join us or watch at: https://bit.ly/3fT7WyB Agenda & minutes: https://bit.ly/USD450MeetingAgenda