HUTCHINSON, Kan. — As the school year winds down, Hutchinson Public Schools is preparing for a busy stretch of graduation ceremonies, summer programs and planning for the 2026-27 school year.
USD 308 Director of Communications Stacy Goss said schools across the district are wrapping up the year with field days, cookouts and other celebrations.
“Almost every single elementary school has like a Super Kids Day, a field day, or a cookout of some kind,” Goss said, encouraging parents and grandparents to check school calendars and social media pages for event details.
The district also is preparing for three upcoming graduation and promotion ceremonies.
The Midtown Virtual and Adult Learning graduation will take place Friday, May 15, at 6 p.m. at the Hutchinson High School Performing Arts Center. Goss said the event continues to grow each year and will be livestreamed on the Midtown Facebook page.
Hutchinson High School’s graduation ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, May 17, at 2 p.m. at the Hutchinson Sports Arena. The ceremony will be livestreamed on YouTube, with viewing links expected to be shared about a week beforehand through district email and social media channels.
HMS-8’s promotion ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, May 21, at 7 p.m. in the Salthawk Activity Center gymnasium at Hutchinson High School. That event also will be livestreamed on Facebook.
May 21 also marks the final day of school for USD 308 students. Goss said it will be an early release day with staggered dismissal times for elementary schools.
While students and staff are looking forward to summer break, district administrators are already focused on the next school year.
Superintendent Dr. Dawn Johnson said planning for the upcoming academic year begins well before the current year ends.
“When January hits, you’re already working toward next year,” she said.
Summer work across the district will include teacher contract negotiations, facility maintenance, equipment upgrades, cleaning projects and grounds work.
USD 308 also will continue its summer lunch program at the same three locations used in recent years: the Kansas State Fair splash pad, HMS-7 and the Hutchinson Public Library.
The free meal program is open to the public and will operate Monday through Friday for eight to nine weeks during the summer. Goss said schedules, menus and additional information will be shared through district communication channels.
She emphasized that families should not hesitate to participate.
“We really want people to show up,” Goss said. “The more kids we can feed in the summer, the merrier.”