BUHLER, Kan. — Buhler USD 313 is preparing for the end of the school year while also looking ahead to summer meals, enrollment and facility projects.
Superintendent Cindy Couchman said returning students should be enrolled by the end of May to help the district plan for classes, staffing and open enrollment. Parents and guardians of returning students should have received an email with a code to complete the process.
As of Monday, Couchman said about 500 of the district’s roughly 2,300 students had been enrolled.
“We would really like, if you’re a returning student, let’s get those students enrolled,” Couchman said.
The district also will offer summer meals at two locations this year. Meals will be served from May 26 through July 30 at Buhler High School and Union Valley Elementary School in Hutchinson.
The program is open to children ages 1 to 18, regardless of what school district they attend. Meals will be served from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Couchman said the district’s program includes a hot lunch, along with breakfast for the following morning.
“We’re here to help support our community with the summer meals,” Couchman said.
The district also is celebrating several end-of-year student achievements. Buhler’s speech team placed third at the Class 4A state championships. Jacob Friesen won a state championship in original oration, while Regan Walle won state titles in program of oral interpretation and serious solo acting.
Couchman also highlighted Buhler’s career and technical education program, which had 14 students earn state CTE scholar recognition. Students must complete several requirements, including at least three CTE courses, a 3.5 GPA or higher, and a project that addresses a local, state or national issue. The project must include leadership and at least 40 hours of community service.
“To have 14 students complete that huge project, service learning, is amazing to me,” Couchman said.
Buhler seniors also marked one of their final school-year traditions with visits to the district’s elementary schools. Couchman said the senior walks give students and staff a chance to reflect as graduates return to the buildings they attended as younger students.
The district also recently held its “Are You Faster Than a Fifth Grader?” event, where fifth-grade students challenged Couchman in a two-mile run. About 40 students participated.
Couchman said the Buhler Education Foundation awarded scholarships to the fastest boy and girl from each elementary school. Students who beat Couchman received a medal that said, “I’m faster than the superintendent.”
“I am not faster than a fifth grader,” Couchman said.
The district also continues to work through implementation of a new state law involving cell phones in schools. Couchman said Buhler is still waiting on some interpretation, but the district expects the policy to apply from bell to bell during the school day.
Couchman said the district does not plan to enforce the ban during athletics and activities at this time.
“This summer” the district also will focus on facility work, including roof sections at Union Valley and Buhler Grade School, rooftop units at Buhler High School and resurfacing the Prairie Hills Middle School track. Couchman said the district also expects to look at replacing the turf at Crusader Stadium next school year.