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April Newsletter

Posted Date: 3/27/25 (9:00 PM)

Bison Bulletin

April Newsletter

"Hello Spring" picture with bouquet of flowers

Oliver Brown Happenings

April 1st and 2nd- Green Valley Honey Fundraiser
April 2nd- Board of Education meeting 6:30pm
April 3rd- Kindergarten Open House 6:oo-7:15pm
April 3rd Paraprofessional Appreciation Day
April 4th School Librarian Appreciation Day
April 7th- 11th- National Assistant Principal Week
April 11th- Spring Pictures
April 14th- Site Council Meeting 6:00- 7:00pm
April 18th- Kindergarten Field Trip to Konza
April 18th- Ms. Navigoto's 4th Grade Class Trip to Wolf House
April 21st- No School
April 22nd- 5th Grade EMS Tour
April 24th- Ms. Haught's 4th Grade Class Trip to Wolf House
 
family picture of our school's new student support monitor

Introducing a new staff member!

We are so excited to introduce Kimberly, Penson, Oliver Brown's newest staff member! Kimberly will be our Student Support Monitor. A student support monitor is a dedicated professional who plays a crucial role in fostering a positive and productive learning environment for students. They provide assistance to students both inside and outside the classroom, helping them navigate academic, social, and emotional challenges. These monitors often work closely with teachers, school counselors, and parents to identify students' needs, offer guidance, and ensure that students have access to the resources necessary for their success. We know that Kimberly will be an amazing asset to our school!

Here is a little message from Kimberly!

"Thank you so much. I am very excited. A little about me:
I have worked with children in some capacity for over 25 years. We have recently moved to Manhattan from Texas to be near to our grand boys and live in the beautiful Kansas weather. I love to explore towns, shop, and spend time with my three Wildcat children and my amazing husband Randy. We have a mini golden doodle named Ginny who thinks she is a human. I love having fun and can’t wait to be a Bison."
 

Green Valley Honey Fundraiser

Spring is here, and we’re excited to invite you to a special fundraiser with Green Valley Honey, a local apiary known for its 100% raw, pure honey. For every purchase, 25% of the proceeds will be donated to support Oliver Brown. Join us in making a sweet difference this season!
Green Valley Honey fundraiser graphic. Happening April 1st and 2nd
 
Kindergarten Open House on Thursday April 3rd from 6:00-7:15pm

Kindergarten Open House

Oliver Brown is hosting our annual Kindergarten Open House on April 3rd, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome all of our incoming kindergarteners! Come take a tour of our building, meet our incredible kindergarten teachers, and snap a picture with our mascot, Buddy the Bison! We can’t wait to see you there!
Future Middle Schoolers graphic

Our 5th Graders Are Moving Up!

On April 22nd, all 5th-grade students will be transported to Eisenhower Middle School from 9:00 to 11:00 AM for a guided tour of the facility. This exciting visit will give them a sneak peek of what to expect in the coming year!
 
state testing graphic

State Testing

State Assessments Begin in April – Let’s Cheer on Our Students!
Dear Parents & Guardians,
It’s almost time for our students to shine! State Assessments will begin the first week of April, providing an opportunity for students to showcase their hard work and all they’ve learned this year. We are confident in their abilities and know they will do an amazing job! Teachers will communicate specific testing times for their class, and we kindly ask that you avoid scheduling appointments and minimize disruptions during these important days to help set students up for success.
You can support your child by ensuring they get a good night’s sleep, eat a nutritious breakfast, and arrive at school on time. Encouraging a positive attitude can also help them feel confident and ready to do their best!
Thank you for your partnership in helping our students succeed—we appreciate your support!
Mrs. Cook
 

Our Free Little Library Is Here!

We are thrilled to announce the installation of our very own Little Free Library, a special addition to our school community that will foster a love of reading for years to come!
This beautiful library was designed and built by a dedicated group of 5th-grade students in our Innovation Space, where creativity and collaboration come to life. Their hard work and craftsmanship have brought this project to life, creating a space where students, families, and community members can take a book, leave a book, and share the joy of reading.
The Little Free Library was made possible thanks to funding from the memorial of Kathleen Bechtel, a beloved former educator and author. Her passion for literacy and education lives on through this meaningful tribute, and we are honored to carry forward her legacy. A special thank you to the Oliver Brown PTO and BHS Construction funding the installation.
To celebrate this wonderful new addition, we will be hosting a dedication ceremony in April and the Library will be open to the public following the ceremony. More details will be shared soon, and we hope you’ll join us in commemorating this special moment. Following the dedication, we encourage families to stop by, explore the library, and take part in this exciting new way to connect through books!
picture of a small yellow library
 
Summer STEM camp graphic

Summer STEM Camp

A summer STEM camp is an exciting opportunity for students to immerse themselves in hands-on learning experiences related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. These camps are designed to spark curiosity, encourage problem-solving, and develop critical thinking skills through fun and engaging activities. Summer STEM camps not only provide valuable educational experiences but also foster teamwork, creativity, and a passion for future careers in STEM fields.

This opportunity is for students in grades 4-8
Camp will be held June 9-26, Monday-Thursday
8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Manhattan High School
Additional information is available on the district website https://usd383.org/summerlearning

Courses offered include:
Makerspace, Food Science, Plant Science, Lego Robotics, Swiftie STEM: The STEM Behind Taylor’s Magic!, Coding With Spheros, CSI, Fore the Future: Exploring STEM through Golf, and Artful Innovators: Exploring STEM through Creativity!

Registration is open now and closes on May 2nd. Click the link below to sign up!
Summer STEM Sign Up Link
 
Parent's Night Out flyer at Evolution Training Center

Parent's Night Out

Evolution Martial Arts is hosting another Oliver Brown Elementary Parents Night Out on April 26 from 6:00-8:00PM. The event will be held at Evolution. The cost is $25, and all proceeds are donated to Oliver Brown! Please review the flyer for more details. Click the link below to sign up. 
Sign Up Link