South Gray Schools

🏐 South Gray Junior High Volleyball Camp! Please use the link provided to register!!! 🏐 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeNl2GaWtz5no8A0AxhiOmtYjQEwISNVbZED7pCArh8wem1Qg/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=110670103625146251872

Parents and Patrons of USD #371 & USD #476, This letter is to update you on the status of consolidation discussion and decisions made by the USD #371 Board of Education and the USD #476 Board of Education. A meeting was arranged with KSDE to include USD #371 BOE President Ryan Reed, USD #476 BOE President Clay Croft, Superintendent Jay Zehr, Kansas Department of Education School Finance Directors Dale Brungardt (current director), and Dale Dennis (longtime former director) to further explore the district’s options. Dale Dennis is very familiar with the Interdistrict Agreement adopted by USD #371 and USD #476 in 1992. Currently our Interdistrict Agreement addresses enrollment sharing in grades 6-12. After discussion with the finance directors, approval was granted and we were encouraged to expand the enrollment sharing to include grades PreK-5. During our conversation and review of the estimated loss of low enrollment weighting revenue after the three year grace period, it was discovered that the preliminary estimate obtained from KSDE was 20 students short. This would have resulted in a significant increase in lost revenue and was not accurate in the amount that I was sharing at the community meetings. The approval by KSDE in extending the Interdistrict Agreement to grades PreK-12 will allow the districts to continue to receive the current low enrollment weighting. In addition, each district will maintain their elementary schools while having the flexibility to transport PreK-5 students to either Montezuma Elementary or Copeland Elementary in the event of low enrollment numbers, a lack of teacher applicants, late resignations, or for financial deficits and budget concerns. Therefore, the Boards of Education will pause consolidation discussion and will continue to operate under the current Interdistrict Agreement with the amendments to include the flexibility to share grades PreK-5. For the 2025-2026 school year, USD #476 will transport grades 4 (four students) and 5 (nine students) to USD #371 to attend Montezuma Elementary. USD #476 grade 4 & 5 students will enroll at Montezuma Elementary. The funding for students attending the elementary school outside their district of residence will follow the students to the district in which they are being educated. The sharing of elementary enrollment will be reviewed annually by the Boards of Education. Communication will take place with parents or guardians of Copeland 4th and 5th grade students explaining enrollment information, shuttle procedures, meal payments, breakfast option, etc……

HS/JH Football Camp. The second session of weight is cancelled on Tues due to the FB camp being in the morning.

Just a reminder that high school track uniforms are due by Friday, June 6th. Please turn in to the high school office. Thanks! Coach Deges

Now that all of our school sports have officially been completed, happy summer! Let's not move on from the 2024-25 school year just yet though.... Parents, please check your email and make a plan to get those negative balances paid off ASAP. Please and thank you! Have questions? Call 620-846-2283 or email kelli@usd371.org. Office hours are M-Th, 7:00 - 1:00 but I'm happy to coordinate another time if necessary.

Congratulations to the following track athletes on their state track accomplishments: Kylie Stapleton • 3x 800 M state champion - 2:16.44 / Broke Jackie Stile's 29 year old record (holds the school record at 2:15.32). • Long jump - runner up / 17-10 (holds school record at 18-0.25) • 100 M Hurdles - runner up / 15.36 (holds school record at 15.00) Așa Briscoe • Shot put - 7th place / new PR of 48-3.75 Jacee Deges • Pole vault - 5th place / 10-0 (has tied school record at 10-6) • Triple jump - 12th place / 32-7 Jenna Simmons • 1600 M run - 11th place / 5:41.28 Kyndal Stapleton • Pole Vault - 9th place / 9-0 • 300 hurdles - 13th place / 50.10 Girls 4x400 M Relay (Kyndal Stapleton, Reegan Meairs, Jacee Deges, & Kylie Stapleton) - 5th place / 4:13.24 (set new school record this year with a 4:09.93) Girls 4x800 M Relay (Jacee Deges, Reegan Meairs, Jenna Simmons & Kyndal Stapleton) - 2nd place / 10:00.12 (set new school record with this time).

A reminder to all HS and JH Students the first day for summer weights will be June 2. Session 1 5:30am-7:00, Session 2 7:30am - 9:00, Session 3 9:30am - 11:00 Coach Jantz will be in charge.

Come teach with us! Copeland Elementary is seeking a 3rd grade teacher. Contact Mr. Klaker if interested. 620-668-5565 or cklaker@usd476.org

All high school track uniforms need to be turned in to the high school office by Friday, June 6th. If you need to make special arrangements to turn in your uniform, please contact Coach Deges.

South Gray students Cameron Wahl and , Paityn Klaker presenting the Taps and Kallan Koehn presenting the Laying of the Wreath at the Copeland Memorial Day Ceremony. Really special ceremony on a very special day. Celebrate those who paid the ultimate sacrifice 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

State Track Schedule

Congratulations to the following South Gray Rebels who have qualified for state track: Kylie Stapleton - Long Jump, 100 M Hurdles, & 800 M Run Asa Briscoe - Shot Put Jacee Deges - Pole Vault, Triple Jump Jenna Simmons - 1600 M Run Kyndal Stapleton - Pole Vault, 300 M Hurdles Jacee Deges, Reegan Meairs, Jenna Simmons, & Kyndal Stapleton - 4 x 800 M Relay Kyndal Stapleton, Reegan Meairs, Jacee Deges, & Kylie Stapleton - 4 x 400 M Relay The Lady Rebels were also the 1A Regional Champions for the 3rd year in a row.

Lady Rebels Summer Basketball! Summer basketball is right around the corner! Girls entering 9th grade through 12 grade can participate. Practices will be at 7:00 p.m. on the following days: June 3rd, June 10th, June 17th, and June 24th. Kiowa County Summer League (all games played in Greensburg): June 12th, June 19th, and June 26th. Kiowa County Summer basketball tournament: June 13th & 14th. June 13th schedule: 10:00 a.m. / 12:00 p.m. / 3:00 p.m. / 7:00 p.m. The schedule for Saturday, June 14th will depend on how we do on Friday. Transportation is provided to and from games. The schedules are attached. These are varsity games only. There may be a possibility of some JV games at a later date. Any girl interested in playing is invited to attend. If you have questions, please contact Jill Deges.

1A High School Regional Track @ Greensburg on Thursday, May 22nd 3:00 p.m. Order of Events

The South Gray High School Volleyball team hopes to see lots of campers at our summer volleyball camp! All proceeds go towards summer volleyball expenses for the team! Click the link to register now!! 🏐 https://forms.gle/UNMoEiayCJ696HrJ8

Class of 2025 Seniors & Parents The graduation photos have been shared to the email each senior provided Miss Axtell with. Parents, please talk with your senior to see what email they provided. If you did not receive access to the photos, please let Miss Axtell know (shelby@usd371.org). These are on a Google Drive but please download any photos you'd like soon.

SPIAA League Track Meet @ Spearville / Friday, May 16th Order of Events

JH SPIAA Track today at Minneola. Here is the order of events

Copeland Elementary is seeking a 2nd Grade teacher for the 2025-26 school year. Please contact Cory Klaker if interested! 620-668-5565 or cklaker@usd476.org.

I realize regional track is a week and a half away, however, the t-shirt orders for regional track are due by Thursday, May 15th. If you would like to order a t-shirt, here is the link: https://emblazondesigns.myshopify.com/collections/1a-regional-track-apparal-2025 Information about t-shirt orders is attached. Thanks! Coach Deges