USD 361
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AVISO DE SALIDA: SALIDA TEMPRANA PARA LA ESCUELA PRIMARIA HARPER
AVISO DE SALIDA TEMPRANA: ESCUELA PRIMARIA HARPER
Fecha: martes, 20 de octubre
Estimados padres y tutores de la Escuela Primaria Harper:
Las clases en la Escuela Primaria Harper han sido suspendidas por el resto del día de hoy, martes 20 de octubre, debido a una rotura de tubería principal de agua en la Ciudad de Harper.
Debido a que actualmente no tenemos acceso a agua corriente en la escuela, comenzaremos a enviar a los estudiantes a sus casas en breve:
Estudiantes que usan el autobús: Los estudiantes que viajan en autobús serán enviados a casa en sus autobuses escolares habituales a partir de las 1:30 p. m.
Recogida por los padres: Si prefiere recoger a su hijo en lugar de que viaje a casa en autobús, por favor llame a la escuela antes de la 1:30 p. m. para que podamos retener a su hijo para su recogida. Todos los demás estudiantes pueden ser recogidos en HES a partir de la 1:30 p. m. Si su hijo aún se encuentra en la escuela después de las 2:00 p. m., caminaremos hacia el granero Blue Fair y su hijo estará allí para ser recogido.
Conferencias entre padres y maestros: Las conferencias entre padres y maestros programadas para esta noche se llevarán a cabo, pero el lugar ha sido cambiado. Las conferencias se realizarán en el Granero de la Feria Azul de Harper.
Gracias por su comprensión y pronta cooperación mientras trabajamos para mantener a nuestros estudiantes seguros y cómodos.
Atentamente,
Administración de la Escuela Primaria Harper
*Traducción con Google Translate ™. Como con cualquier traducción automática, puede que no sea correcta.
AVISO DE SALIDA TEMPRANA: ESCUELA PRIMARIA HARPER
Fecha: martes, 20 de octubre
Estimados padres y tutores de la Escuela Primaria Harper:
Las clases en la Escuela Primaria Harper han sido suspendidas por el resto del día de hoy, martes 20 de octubre, debido a una rotura de tubería principal de agua en la Ciudad de Harper.
Debido a que actualmente no tenemos acceso a agua corriente en la escuela, comenzaremos a enviar a los estudiantes a sus casas en breve:
Estudiantes que usan el autobús: Los estudiantes que viajan en autobús serán enviados a casa en sus autobuses escolares habituales a partir de las 1:30 p. m.
Recogida por los padres: Si prefiere recoger a su hijo en lugar de que viaje a casa en autobús, por favor llame a la escuela antes de la 1:30 p. m. para que podamos retener a su hijo para su recogida. Todos los demás estudiantes pueden ser recogidos en HES a partir de la 1:30 p. m. Si su hijo aún se encuentra en la escuela después de las 2:00 p. m., caminaremos hacia el granero Blue Fair y su hijo estará allí para ser recogido.
Conferencias entre padres y maestros: Las conferencias entre padres y maestros programadas para esta noche se llevarán a cabo, pero el lugar ha sido cambiado. Las conferencias se realizarán en el Granero de la Feria Azul de Harper.
Gracias por su comprensión y pronta cooperación mientras trabajamos para mantener a nuestros estudiantes seguros y cómodos.
Atentamente,
Administración de la Escuela Primaria Harper
*Traducción con Google Translate ™. Como con cualquier traducción automática, puede que no sea correcta.
Harper Elementary School Update:
School is cancelled for the rest of today, Tuesday, October 20th, due to a city water main break and lack of running water.
Dismissal Details:
Buses & Pre-K: Students will be sent home on normal buses starting at 1:30 PM.
Parent Pick-Up: If you prefer to pick up your child rather than have them ride the bus, please call the school before 1:30 PM.
Regular parent pick-up begins at 1:30 PM at the school. Any students remaining at HES after 2:00 PM will be walked over to the Harper Blue Fair Barn for pickup.
Parent-Teacher Conferences:
Conferences scheduled for this evening will still take place, but the location has been moved to the Harper Blue Fair Barn.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we work to ensure everyone's safety!
School is cancelled for the rest of today, Tuesday, October 20th, due to a city water main break and lack of running water.
Dismissal Details:
Buses & Pre-K: Students will be sent home on normal buses starting at 1:30 PM.
Parent Pick-Up: If you prefer to pick up your child rather than have them ride the bus, please call the school before 1:30 PM.
Regular parent pick-up begins at 1:30 PM at the school. Any students remaining at HES after 2:00 PM will be walked over to the Harper Blue Fair Barn for pickup.
Parent-Teacher Conferences:
Conferences scheduled for this evening will still take place, but the location has been moved to the Harper Blue Fair Barn.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we work to ensure everyone's safety!
USD 361 is pleased to welcome Caleb Ediger, DNP, PMHNP, APRN, to the Board of Education.
A Harper County native, Caleb grew up on his family’s farm in Crystal Springs and is a 1999 graduate of Chaparral High School.
Following high school, Caleb attended Hesston College for two years before transferring to Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2003.
Caleb began his nursing career at Ascension Via Christi Health, where he worked in oncology, the Surgical Intensive Care Unit, and the Intensive Care Float Pool. He also played a key role in the opening of St. Teresa Hospital, serving as a nursing administrator for the Medical-Surgical Unit and Intensive Care Unit.
He later joined The University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas, where he helped open a new Medical-Surgical Intensive Care Unit. While working there, Caleb earned his Master of Science in Nursing, with a focus in Health Systems Leadership, from Grand Canyon University in 2013.
With a passion for nursing education, Caleb returned to the classroom in 2014, teaching in Wichita State University’s graduate and baccalaureate nursing programs. In 2017, he joined Newman University as an assistant professor of nursing and simulation educator. The following year, he earned his Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Kansas, with a focus in Organizational Leadership.
Caleb has also contributed to healthcare leadership in the community, serving on the Hospital District No. 6 Board of Directors. During his time on the board, he provided valuable insight into healthcare leadership and nursing practice throughout the transition to Patterson Health Center.
He subsequently served for two years as Associate Dean of Health, Education and Public Services at Butler Community College, where he led the associate degree nursing program and other healthcare-related programs.
In 2024, Caleb completed his Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certificate through Purdue University Global. He currently practices at Kansas Mental Health Medicine in Wichita, where he treats a wide range of mental health conditions and provides medication management for children, adolescents, and adults.
Despite an accomplished career in healthcare and education, Caleb remains deeply connected to his Harper County roots. He lives in the Crystal Springs area with his two children, Brandon, a fifth grader, and Daniel, a second grader, who both attend Harper Elementary School.
We are excited to welcome Caleb to the USD 361 Board of Education and look forward to his experience, leadership, and community perspective he will bring to serving our students, families, and schools!
A Harper County native, Caleb grew up on his family’s farm in Crystal Springs and is a 1999 graduate of Chaparral High School.
Following high school, Caleb attended Hesston College for two years before transferring to Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2003.
Caleb began his nursing career at Ascension Via Christi Health, where he worked in oncology, the Surgical Intensive Care Unit, and the Intensive Care Float Pool. He also played a key role in the opening of St. Teresa Hospital, serving as a nursing administrator for the Medical-Surgical Unit and Intensive Care Unit.
He later joined The University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas, where he helped open a new Medical-Surgical Intensive Care Unit. While working there, Caleb earned his Master of Science in Nursing, with a focus in Health Systems Leadership, from Grand Canyon University in 2013.
With a passion for nursing education, Caleb returned to the classroom in 2014, teaching in Wichita State University’s graduate and baccalaureate nursing programs. In 2017, he joined Newman University as an assistant professor of nursing and simulation educator. The following year, he earned his Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Kansas, with a focus in Organizational Leadership.
Caleb has also contributed to healthcare leadership in the community, serving on the Hospital District No. 6 Board of Directors. During his time on the board, he provided valuable insight into healthcare leadership and nursing practice throughout the transition to Patterson Health Center.
He subsequently served for two years as Associate Dean of Health, Education and Public Services at Butler Community College, where he led the associate degree nursing program and other healthcare-related programs.
In 2024, Caleb completed his Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certificate through Purdue University Global. He currently practices at Kansas Mental Health Medicine in Wichita, where he treats a wide range of mental health conditions and provides medication management for children, adolescents, and adults.
Despite an accomplished career in healthcare and education, Caleb remains deeply connected to his Harper County roots. He lives in the Crystal Springs area with his two children, Brandon, a fifth grader, and Daniel, a second grader, who both attend Harper Elementary School.
We are excited to welcome Caleb to the USD 361 Board of Education and look forward to his experience, leadership, and community perspective he will bring to serving our students, families, and schools!
Board Meeting Agenda- October 12, 2026 6:30pm
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DMe_eodNEY94TD59lR_CTKyQH3Pj1Orph9mVnEb-jGs/edit?usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DMe_eodNEY94TD59lR_CTKyQH3Pj1Orph9mVnEb-jGs/edit?usp=sharing
Change in time for school board meeting October 12th- 6:30pm
👶 FREE Birth–5 Developmental Screening Coming Up! 👶
Do you have a child between birth and 5 years old? Come on over! We’re hosting a FREE developmental screening to help determine if your child is meeting age-appropriate milestones in motor skills, speech, communication, hearing, vision, and more.
📅 Date: October 16, 2026
📍 Location: Harper United Methodist Church (1268 East 14th)
📞 To schedule your free appointment: Call the South Central Kansas Special Education Cooperative at 620-672-7500.
Open to families residing in Barber, Comanche, Harper, Kingman, Kiowa, Pratt, Stafford, and a portion of Edwards counties.
💡 Note: If your child is already enrolled in our Lil' Runners Early Childhood Program, there is no need to sign up—we already have all the professionals on hand!
Do you have a child between birth and 5 years old? Come on over! We’re hosting a FREE developmental screening to help determine if your child is meeting age-appropriate milestones in motor skills, speech, communication, hearing, vision, and more.
📅 Date: October 16, 2026
📍 Location: Harper United Methodist Church (1268 East 14th)
📞 To schedule your free appointment: Call the South Central Kansas Special Education Cooperative at 620-672-7500.
Open to families residing in Barber, Comanche, Harper, Kingman, Kiowa, Pratt, Stafford, and a portion of Edwards counties.
💡 Note: If your child is already enrolled in our Lil' Runners Early Childhood Program, there is no need to sign up—we already have all the professionals on hand!
Board Meeting Agenda
September 14, 2026
6pm
Anthony Elementary/District Office Fema Room
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1spj-jetskrMWMCvhAzkY8ENi5mm8TVb38gufBE4RTx4/edit?usp=sharing
September 14, 2026
6pm
Anthony Elementary/District Office Fema Room
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1spj-jetskrMWMCvhAzkY8ENi5mm8TVb38gufBE4RTx4/edit?usp=sharing
We were thrilled to host Senator Jerry Moran at Chaparral Jr/Sr High today! Three of our amazing students and Principal Patton took him on a tour to give him a firsthand look at the student experience at Chaparral. It was a wonderful opportunity to highlight everything we love about our school and community!
Join our team at Chaparral Schools (USD 361)! We are looking for dedicated staff passionate about shaping the future of our students and supporting our school community.
The 5th Monday Board Meeting on August 31, 2026 has been cancelled. See you next time on September 14, 2026.
The 5th Monday Board Mtg on August 31st has been cancelled! Please come join Superintendent Chris Whetzel at the same time and location! August 31st, AES/District FEMA Room at 6pm for "Coffee with Chris" instead.
We are incredibly proud to recognize Brande Vogele, a 16-year educator who has spent her career serving students at Harper Elementary and Chaparral High School, for an incredible professional achievement!
Mrs. Vogele was selected as Kansas’s 2025 James Madison Fellow, one of the nation’s most prestigious honors for educators committed to teaching American history and constitutional government. Through this highly competitive fellowship, she is completing a Master’s degree in American History with tuition fully funded by the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation. She will complete her final class this fall semester and will graduate from Gettysburg University.
As part of the fellowship, Mrs. Vogele spent a month in Washington, D.C., studying the foundations of American constitutionalism alongside 43 outstanding educators from across the country. The experience gave her the opportunity to learn from incredible scholars, visit some of the most significant sites in American history, and spend time in places she has taught about for years.
During her time in Washington, Mrs. Vogele visited the National Archives and Library of Congress, the U.S. Capitol, the Supreme Court, Mount Vernon, Independence Hall, the Mint, and Georgetown University to name a few. She also had the incredible opportunity to meet Chief Justice John Roberts of the United States Supreme Court and to witness colleagues who participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery and Mount Vernon.
For a teacher and lifelong student of American history, these experiences were more than simply memorable—they were opportunities to see, touch, and experience the history she brings into her classroom every day.
We are proud of Mrs. Vogele’s commitment to lifelong learning and to bringing those experiences back to her students in south-central Kansas. Congratulations, Brande, on this incredible accomplishment! We can’t wait to see the continued impact of this experience in your classroom and in the lives of your students. 💙💛
Mrs. Vogele was selected as Kansas’s 2025 James Madison Fellow, one of the nation’s most prestigious honors for educators committed to teaching American history and constitutional government. Through this highly competitive fellowship, she is completing a Master’s degree in American History with tuition fully funded by the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation. She will complete her final class this fall semester and will graduate from Gettysburg University.
As part of the fellowship, Mrs. Vogele spent a month in Washington, D.C., studying the foundations of American constitutionalism alongside 43 outstanding educators from across the country. The experience gave her the opportunity to learn from incredible scholars, visit some of the most significant sites in American history, and spend time in places she has taught about for years.
During her time in Washington, Mrs. Vogele visited the National Archives and Library of Congress, the U.S. Capitol, the Supreme Court, Mount Vernon, Independence Hall, the Mint, and Georgetown University to name a few. She also had the incredible opportunity to meet Chief Justice John Roberts of the United States Supreme Court and to witness colleagues who participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery and Mount Vernon.
For a teacher and lifelong student of American history, these experiences were more than simply memorable—they were opportunities to see, touch, and experience the history she brings into her classroom every day.
We are proud of Mrs. Vogele’s commitment to lifelong learning and to bringing those experiences back to her students in south-central Kansas. Congratulations, Brande, on this incredible accomplishment! We can’t wait to see the continued impact of this experience in your classroom and in the lives of your students. 💙💛
We are so excited to officially welcome our new staff members to the team! We had a wonderful day together for New Employee Orientation on August 11, filled with great conversations, team building, and shared passion for students and community.
We couldn't be more thrilled for what’s to come this school year. Help us give a warm welcome to our new team members in the comments below! 👇💙
Come join our team!!
We are looking for a great addition to our team. We need someone that has a passion for supporting students and teachers. Please email Principal Trisha Moritz at trisham@usd361.org or stop by Anthony Elementary today!
Returning Students,
Online enrollment continues through August 10th!
New Students, Pre-K, & Kindergarten (In-Person Enrollment)
8am to 4pm
August 4: Lil Runners Early Childhood Program Enrollment (at HES)
August 4: Chaparral High School- On-Site Enrollment
August 5: Anthony Elementary School- On-Site Enrollment
August 7: Harper Elementary School- On-Site Enrollment
Enjoy the rest of your summer break, Roadrunners! See you soon!
Come see us at Harper Elementary August 4th!!
A Message from the Superintendent to USD 361 Families 🏫
Welcome back to a brand-new school year! Attached to this post, you will find an official letter from the Superintendent to all Chaparral Schools parents and guardians regarding the upcoming school year.
Please review the attached document for key information as we welcome our students back to campus. Have a wonderful start to the school year!
Welcome back to a brand-new school year! Attached to this post, you will find an official letter from the Superintendent to all Chaparral Schools parents and guardians regarding the upcoming school year.
Please review the attached document for key information as we welcome our students back to campus. Have a wonderful start to the school year!
USD 361 Chaparral Schools is Hiring an ELL Paraeducator! 🌟
Help us empower students to thrive in English while working with a fun, supportive team!
✨ Perks
School hours & weekends free
Pay bonus for bilingual candidates who can translate
Make a real difference every day
Interested? Contact us today:
📧 melissaf@usd361.org
📞 620-896-2913
Help us empower students to thrive in English while working with a fun, supportive team!
✨ Perks
School hours & weekends free
Pay bonus for bilingual candidates who can translate
Make a real difference every day
Interested? Contact us today:
📧 melissaf@usd361.org
📞 620-896-2913
Junior High Grades 7-8 School Supply List for 2026-27!
