Winter Recess
Happy Holidays from Everyone at USD 503!
Santa heard what all the children at Lincoln want for Christmas, and visited with children about his reindeer and elves. He will be heading back soon to the North Pole to check his list twice to see who's been naughty or nice. Ho! Ho! Ho! Happy Holidays Everyone!
Guthridge students participated in all kinds of holiday themed fun and games and activities Thursday, bringing the semester to a close and readying for winter recess. Friday is only a half day! Students dismiss at noon.
Every day children in this country who are victims of bullying die by suicide. Parsons Middle School students heard from the parent of one of those victims, Ty Smalley, who took his life at age 11 after being suspended for finally defending himself against someone who had been bullying him for two years. Through the Stand for the Silent program, Kirk Smalley seeks to raise awareness among students about the devastating impacts of bullying as he shares the factual story of the loss of his own son, and other children.
While Santa loves delivering presents to children, one of his favorite things is to visit children at Lincoln School, hear what they want for Christmas, and receive all the warm, wonderful hugs from children - the best Christmas gifts of all!
After visiting Santa in the morning, Garfield students participated in holiday rotations in the afternoon, listening and dancing to Christmas music, playing holiday BINGO, and decorating and eating sugar cookies. Winter recess is only one and a half days away.
As he has for more than 40 years, Santa Claus slipped in a personal visit to Garfield School to listen to students' Christmas wishes, and offer them a candy cane and a smile. Santa was informed that some parents don't believe in him, but lots of children assured him they do!
Guthridge students in Mrs. Brimm's fifth grade enjoyed a fun activity Tuesday afternoon - making colorful, stained glass Christmas trees using tissue paper and glue. It was a nice break from testing and regular assignments.
First grade students were fingertip deep in frosting and full of smiles while decorating gingerbread houses and listening to holiday music this morning, courtesy of their first grade teachers and Miss Kinley who prepared the houses and plates of colorful goodies to cover them.
In one of the PHS Library rooms, Dakota Ginn uses a little free time to quietly practice playing his guitar and singing the lyrics he wrote to a new song. While unable to take lessons in school this coming semester, he plans to take guitar all next year to hone his skills.
Congrats to a few of our PHS guys on getting All State HM from KSHSAA Covered.
Brelin Summers - DE
Makai Baugh - DB
Demonta Kendrick - DL
Damais Johnson - OL
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15V9Yz1cHr/?mibextid=wwXIfr
PHS FCCLA students volunteered today to help unpack nonperishable food items and distribute them amongst 800 Stella Wells Christmas food boxes lining the floor of the Sutherland building. The students got to work side-by-side with descendants of Stella Wells who came to help.
PHS Honor Flight students were among those helping place wreaths on veterans' graves during the first Wreaths Across America event held Saturday at the historical Oakwood Cemetery. The Parsons Historical Museum board set up the event - a tribute to the lives of those who served.
PHS art students were challenged to design, create and decorate a chair that would hold the weight of PHS Assistant Principal Tyler Thompson. Only two creations landed Mr. Thompson on the floor as they collapsed. The student body votes for their favorite one. Winner gets a pizza.
Graphic Design students are busy in Mrs. Telfer's class wrapping up end of semester work they are doing for others, as well as personal projects and assignments.
A huge thanks to the First Presbyterian Church for carrying on the tradition of Angel Shoes this year, using generous church and community donations to provide 46 children from Guthridge and Parsons Middle School with new shoes from the Shoe Dept this holiday season.
Students in Mr. Gilpin's construction class assembled a new couch for the regulation room at PHS. Kristina Mayhue received a $605 Parsons Educational Foundation mini grant to upgrade the room. She also ordered a lighted, noise machine and puzzles, as well as hygiene items.
Mrs. Liska's class, at Garfield School, learned about the history of pomanders from volunteer/mentor Mrs. Lubbers, who then guided them in making their own to take home for the holidays. While students made their pomanders, Mrs. Lubbers also read them a holiday story.
