This month I’d like to inform you all about a few items. First, I’d like to thank the patrons who have stepped up this year and in year’s past by contributing funds to our lunch program. The relief that this has provided to our students most in need is deeply appreciated. It is worth noting that contributions to the school’s lunch fund are tax deductible. Also, a link to the 2025-26 school year calendar was recently sent in a Live Feed to parents and staff. For those who would like to get a head start on planning. The calendar is very similar to our current year. You may also find the calendar on our website under MENU, Documents.
To meet the need for our staff to have daycare for their own children for the 2025-26 school year, the school district plans to implement an in-house daycare. Teachers and other school employees would be our top priority, however there may be some capacity available for other patrons of the school district. It is important to note that it is the goal of the program that it will be funded almost entirely by those who utilize the service, with little to no cost to the school district. For the longer term, we will continue joint efforts with the community to find a childcare solution for Stapleton and Logan County at large.
At Monday’s meeting of the Board of Education, discussion was held regarding last month’s crisis pertaining to the wrongful acts committed by our secondary principal, his ensuing death, and the actions taken by the school district surrounding the event. Patrons of the school district should know that the school board, administration, and employees of the school district understand the enormous responsibility we incur, when we form professional relationships with students on behalf of and in cooperation with their parents. Because the student-teacher relationship can be personal, we all rely on the school’s policy regarding professional boundaries between staff and students, to help protect everyone involved, most especially the students, who are most vulnerable.
This event notwithstanding, it is difficult time to be an educator. Many of us decided early on to devote our working lives to nourishing the hearts and minds of our young people, because we think it’s the most meaningful thing we could do with our time. Because of this we find extraordinary gratification working with our youth as they progress to adulthood. Undoubtedly our work with students and their families, can and often does lead to very special relationships. Moving forward, I encourage our school’s staff, parents, students, and the community to continue to strive together to give our students the best possible formation toward adulthood, in a manner that allows for the protection of all, while also allowing for those rewards we all seek in well-ordered relationships with each other.
Lastly, I’d like to thank our colleagues at McPherson County Public Schools, and everyone for their prayers and support during these trying times. I am very proud of the way our school community has dealt with this most harmful incident. I would like to encourage anyone who may have some valuable feedback to contact me.