USD 327

Superintendent

This month has brought people together in many ways.

I’d like to thank the community members and businesses across our school district for your unwavering support.

Whether as volunteers in our schools, spirited fans in our bleachers or creators of a bit of fun during a school day — such as merchants inviting Ellsworth Elementary School students to trickor- treat or taking time out to join us for the Kanopolis Middle School fourth grade Thanksgiving Feast — you make a difference.

Your investment in our students’ learning and lives has created, and will continue to create, positive ripple effects for generations to come.

Our students, families and community members gathered on Nov. 3 to hear Mildred Janzen share her first-person account of a critical time in the world’s history.

The way Mrs. Janzen so generously shares her story makes her a true Ellsworth County treasure in my book.

It was also a delight to see people gather on Nov. 11-12 to enjoy our students’ production of “Grease.” I love to see the talent of our young people on display, and it’s even more incredible when we consider each year how many students prepare to perform their scenes and songs while balancing the demands of other activities, from sports to FFA.

In fact, our FFA students attended the national convention Oct. 30-Nov. 4 in Indianapolis, bringing home impressive accolades. Ellsworth Jr./Sr.

High School was named a 3-Star FFA Chapter, one of only 14 in Kansas and putting it in the top 1 percent of all FFA chapters in the U.S.

Senior Noah Goss also competed in extemporaneous speaking, making it to the semi-finalist round. Congratulations to all the students and adults who have made FFA such an exemplary representative of our schools and community.

Speaking of activities, I must congratulate all our fall athletes. It’s been especially rewarding to see how our community has come together on Friday nights for such an exciting season of wins.

A special congratulations to our Bearcat football team on their 9-2 season! Let’s wish our winter athletes the best of luck as junior high basketball is off to a great start and the high school seasons for both basketball and wrestling are just around the corner.

Back inside the classroom, November has brought an exciting update to our career and technical education programs. The EJSHS industrial technology program passed an evaluation by the National Center for Construction Education and Research.

This enables our CTE program to expand to include a construction pathway with courses, programming and certifications available to students.

Even with elections earlier this month, I’m proud of the focus our board has had on our strategic themes. Those started with you! It’s easy to look back through all the good things that have happened in November and point out the themes of Educate for Excellence, Support Exploration and Engagement Opportunities and Connect with Family and Community.

Implementing our strategic plan helps us focus our time and resources on the action steps that matter most.

The great work of our board is a credit to the voters in our district. This year and in years past, USD 327 voters have elected seven people from different backgrounds and areas of expertise who hold themselves to a high standard of collaboration and teamwork.

It’s truly inspiring how our school board comes together to do what is best for our kids, teachers and community.

As we finish the month of November, I hope you have a chance to reflect on what makes you thankful about our schools and community. If you’d like to share, or have anything else on your mind, I invite you to join me from 7:30-9 a.m. Dec. 8 at the district office for a Superintendent First Semester Chat. I’d love to see you.

Let’s Grow.

Hilbig is the superintendent of USD 327 and can be reached at (785) 472-5561.