USD 388

Preparing this column as a winter wind swirled outside, I recalled a beloved children’s book, The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. It was a favorite of my kids, whether they were asking me to read it or enjoying it on their own. Especially in the cold of winter, it inspired warmth, joy and wonder.

Every winter, it seems, brings at least one morning when the world feels freshly made. Quiet, bright and full of possibility. A ready-made moment for kids and adults alike to experience curiosity, imagination and a sense of wonder about even the smallest things. An icicle. A squirrel on the fence. A drift of snow. An icy creek. A cardinal in the tree.

Our schools are also full of small moments of joy and wonder. Laughter in the classroom, teachers and staff encouraging one another, a spirited class discussion. Students of every age discovering new ideas and possibilities with the same excitement as seeing the first snow flurries with sweet anticipation of what’s to come.

Here are just a few recent moments we’ve had to celebrate our schools:
• The fall semester honor roll lists at WGS and EJSHS were impressive this year! Please help me congratulate students and educators across our district on the hard work that led to this accomplishment.
• There is a great group of student teachers in our classrooms this semester. Caelyn Pimlott (1st grade), Molly Ricke (2nd grade), Jake Kirchhoff (Industrial Arts) and both Kylin Rudzik and Easton Burton in physical education. Thank you to our veteran teachers for providing valuable support to future educators.
• EHS seniors Eliana Brull, Ethan Carroll, Carson Schwartz and Sienna Schmidt were awarded Mid-Continent League All-Academic Team Honors, which recognizes students with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.85 who were involved in at least 12 MCL and/or KSHSAA activities in high school.
• Seniors, Brody Fischer and Leah Reed were crowned king and queen of the Snowball on Feb. 7. Juniors Jersee Fabrizius and Wyatt Dixson, Sophomores Mackinley Rhoden and Asher Haag, and Freshmen Maggie Downing and Carter Jimenez were all were named princesses and princes’
• Mark Wildeman was named 2025 1A Girls Track & Field Coach of the Year by the Kansas Cross Country and Track & Field Coaches Association.

I also want to shout out the Ellis Board of Education as they welcomed new board members at the Jan. 9th meeting. They are off to a great start as we enter budget season and continue the focus on a smooth superintendent transition this summer. In the coming months, budgeting work involves reviewing the goals of our strategic plan, as well as data for key student learning trends. This review will help us build a budget for next year that reflects the needs of our students and the expectations of our community.

And as Valentine’s Day nears, I hope you’ll join me in noticing the smallest of good things around us. Love and friendship do not require grand gestures. Consider acts as simple as showing up for someone, listening well and creating warmth and connection in whatever season they are in. Thank you for your support of our schools — and for everything you do to make Ellis a place where every child feels seen, loved and encouraged to explore their world.

Janice Wilson
Superintendent