☀️ Happy Summer from your 2026-2027 Chaparral Schools Principal Team! ☀️

We hope you are all having a wonderful, safe summer and getting some well-deserved rest. Even though school is out, you are still on our minds, and we are already getting excited to see everyone back in August!

To help you plan ahead, here are the key enrollment dates for the upcoming school year:

💻 Returning Students
July 27th- Online enrollment begins!

🏫 New Students, Pre-K, & Kindergarten (In-Person Enrollment)
August 4: Early Childhood Program Enrollment (at HES)
August 4: Chaparral High School (CHS) On-Site Enrollment
August 5: Anthony Elementary School (AES) On-Site Enrollment
August 7: Harper Elementary School (HES) On-Site Enrollment

Enjoy the rest of your summer break, Roadrunners! See you soon! 💙💛

#ChaparralSchools #RoadrunnerPride #BackToSchool #Summer2026

USD 361 Families,

To comply with Kansas HB 2299, USD 361 will be implementing communication changes beginning with the 2026–27 school year.

Effective August 1, 2026, all social media communication pages, classroom applications, and communication platforms such as BAND and similar apps will be discontinued. The USD 361 Board of Education has approved ParentSquare as the district’s official communication platform moving forward.

The only Facebook pages that will remain active are:
• USD 361 Chaparral Schools
• Chaparral Jr/Sr High School
• Anthony Elementary
• Harper Elementary

These pages will serve as informational pages only ran by the school and district office.

In addition, our district website, www.usd361.org, will continue to be updated routinely with important information and announcements.

We are excited to let you know that USD 361 will be using ParentSquare to communicate with families at the district, school, classroom, and group levels. ParentSquare provides a simple and secure way for everyone in our school community to stay connected.

With ParentSquare, families will be able to:
• Receive district, school, and classroom communication via email, text, or app
• View school and classroom calendars and RSVP for events
• Sign up to volunteer and/or bring items
• Securely receive important student documents

You will soon receive an invitation email or text to join ParentSquare. Please click the link to activate your account. Activation takes less than a minute. Support will be given during enrollment and can currently be found on our website under Parent Resources  

ParentSquare can be accessed on any device through the free iOS or Android app or online at www.parentsquare.com.

Our goal is for every family to join ParentSquare and stay engaged with our school community. If you have questions, please contact your child’s school office.

Thank you for your continued support of USD 361!

📣 FREE SUMMER MEALS FOR KIDS! 🍎☀️

Please help us spread the word — we would love to see more kids take advantage of this amazing program!

Any child ages 1–18 in the community can pick up:
🥪 Lunch for today
🍳 Breakfast for the next day

📍 Pick-up locations:
• Anthony Methodist Church
• HES

✅ Children do NOT need an adult present to pick up meals.
✅ Adults CAN pick up meals for children — just provide the names of the kids.
✅ At the Anthony location, students are welcome to stay and eat there!

Menus are available on OPAA’s website.
Last day will be June 26th so make sure to get it while you can!
Please share this post so families in our community know these meals are available ! 💛

Regular Board Meeting Agenda

Date: 6/8/2026
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: @AES FEMA Shelter

🎵 Now Hiring: 7-12 Band Teacher for 2026-27! 🎷🥁

Chaparral Schools USD 361 is seeking a talented, student-centered educator to lead our music program at Chaparral Jr/Sr High School. Come be a part of a close-knit community that truly values the arts, offers instructional autonomy, and boasts strong local support in Anthony and Harper!

👉 Ready to inspire our student musicians? Apply online today at usd361.org.

For inquiries, contact Superintendent Chris Whetzel at chrisw@usd361.org or (620) 842-5183.

Now Hiring: High School Science Teacher at Chaparral Jr/Sr High School

Chaparral Schools USD 361 is officially accepting applications for a High School Science Teacher for the 2026-27 school year.

At Chaparral, we believe in fostering an environment where teachers have the autonomy and structural support they need to make a true, student-centered impact. Located southwest of Wichita in the welcoming communities of Anthony and Harper, our district boasts strong community backing and a close-knit school culture.

This plan is the hard-earned result of months of dedication and community collaboration, transforming our current challenges into a positive opportunity to innovate. By rightsizing our operations, we are purposefully reallocating our resources to protect student learning and ensure a stable, thriving future for our kids.

Read the full overview below to see how we are securing a stronger Chaparral Schools together. ⬇️

Chaparral Schools: Securing Our Future