Staff Bulletin | May 15, 2025

The Board of Education proudly celebrated Emporia Public Schools being named a Capturing Kids' Hearts National Showcase School District during Wednesday evening's meeting. This prestigious recognition honors the district’s outstanding commitment to building strong, trusting relationships through the Capturing Kids’ Hearts® Process, creating safe, connected, and supportive environments for students and staff across all campuses. The following schools earned National Showcase Schools: Emporia Middle School, Jones Early Childhood Development Center, Logan Avenue, Riverside, Timmerman, Village and Walnut Elementary.

District Information:


Remember to use your Educator Appreciation Week Discount Card:

In celebration of Educator Appreciation Week, all staff should have received a special discount card, valid from May 19–25! Be sure to take advantage of the great deals offered by our generous local business sponsors—it's the perfect excuse to treat yourself to your favorite coffee or meal. If you didn’t receive a card or accidentally misplaced yours, no worries! Just reach out to us at community.relations@usd253.net, and we’ll get you a replacement.


National Teacher Hall of Fame Celebration Week:

In Emporia during the 3rd week of June, the newest class of educators will be inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame. The members of the class of 2025 will participate in a variety of activities during the week, many of which are open to the public. Activities open to the public during the 33rd annual Induction Celebrations include:


Thursday, June 19, 2025

  • Ice Cream Social and Band Concert, Fremont Park, at 7:00 PM 

Friday, June 20, 2025

  • Rededication of the National Memorial to Fallen Educators, Emporia State University - Visser Hall Atrium, 10:00 AM
  • Induction Banquet, Emporia State University, 6:00 PM (doors open at 5:15 PM)
  • Induction Ceremony, 7:15 PM


Staff from Emporia Public Schools are encouraged to attend any of the Induction Weekend Celebrations for the National Teachers Hall of Fame Class of 2025. Staff members interested in attending the banquet should email Dr. Erica Mickelson at erica.mickelson@usd253.net by Wednesday, May 28. A limited number of tickets ($75 each) will be purchased by the district on a first-come come first first-served basis. More information can be found on the National Teachers Hall of Fame website https://nthf.org/.



Reminder for Emporia Public Schools Families:

For the 2025–26 school year, information updates must be submitted for ALL students through the PowerSchool Parent Portal, which opens online on July 16. Need help? Once the Parent Portal opens, enrollment staff will be available at the Jones Early Childhood Development Center to assist with the process. For assistance, contact us at 620-341-2396 or enrollment@usd253.net.


  • For all returning students, parents/guardians need to complete each of the 2025-26 Enrollment Forms in the PowerSchool Parent Portal to reserve their student’s space for the upcoming school year. 
  • New students must first complete the pre-registration form, which is available on the district website. Once pre-registered, additional instructions will be provided.


Free Summer Meals:

The district’s summer meal program will begin on Monday, June 2nd, and run through Friday, August 1. Free breakfast and lunch will be available Monday-Friday for all children aged 1-18. Meals can be picked up at Riverside Elementary and Village Elementary from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM. We will be closed on June 19th and June 30 through July 4. If you have any questions regarding the summer meal program, please contact the Food Service Department at 620-341-2382.


May Lucet Employee Assistance Program:

As a USD 253 employee, you can utilize resources provided by Lucet through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Additionally, Lucet offers a variety of free online webinars for all employees. If you or a family member is experiencing any stress or heightened emotions due to events going on in our world, please contact the EAP support line at 833-848-1764 or log onto the Lucet website and use the code usd253. May Newsletter


Kindergarten and Preschool Pre-Registration Continues:

Use the links on the district website https://www.usd253.org/services/enroll to get started today! Kindergarten students must be 5 years old on or before August 31, 2025, and 3 and 4-year-old preschool students must meet eligibility requirements. All pre-registered students will enroll online beginning April 7. For more information, contact the Jones Early Childhood Development Center, the elementary school nearest you, or the Student and Family Resource Office at 620-341-2396.



District Events:


Emporia High Graduation Reminder:

Graduation for Emporia High School seniors will be held on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at William L. White Auditorium at 3:00 PM. To ensure a smooth and safe event, all guests must wear an official graduation bracelet. Each senior received 10 bracelets at graduation practice on Wednesday, May 14. Bracelets not picked up at practice will be available in the EHS Guidance Office until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 16. No replacements will be issued if bracelets are lost.


Infants/toddlers who can sit on a parent’s lap do not need a bracelet. Handicap seating is available with space for one accompanying friend or family member.


Last Day of School Reminder:

The last day of school is Friday, May 23, and will be a partial day for students. A lunch will be available for students at each school, and buses will run according to the dismissal times.


  • Emporia High School/Flint Hills Learning Center will dismiss at 11:52
  • Emporia Middle School will dismiss at 11:52
  • Elementary Schools will dismiss at 11:46 
  • Jones students will complete their school year on Thursday, May 22


May Calendar Events:

For the latest information on events, view the USD253 Calendar.


Convocation Save the Date:

Convocation for the 2025-26 school year will be held on Tuesday, August 12, 2024, at Emporia State University. Stay tuned throughout the Summer for more information.

Appointments, Resignations, and Retirements:

View the employment recommendations here.

On Wednesday morning, students at Walnut Elementary participated in Bike to School Day, promoting physical fitness, bicycle safety, and a healthy lifestyle. 

Congratulations to all of the students recognized at the Emporia High School Healthcare Pathway White Coat Pinning Ceremony! We’re so proud of your dedication and accomplishments.

Board Approvals:




Board Updates and Information:


District Family Advisory Council:

Mrs. Tara Glades, Director of Student Services, and Dr. Ryan Karjala, Director of Assessment and Accountability, presented an overview to the Board of Education regarding the purpose and role of the District Family Advisory Council. This council fulfills multiple critical functions, including meeting Kansas Educational System Accreditation (KESA) requirements for a District Site Council, as well as federal ESSA and Title mandates for parent, family, and community involvement. The council's role is to advise the district on strategies to enhance family engagement, provide feedback on district improvement plans, such as accreditation goals and student achievement data, and collaboratively develop the District Parent and Family Engagement Policy. Additionally, the council reviews key data, including climate surveys and academic outcomes, to ensure district resources effectively support students and families.


Mrs. Glades and Dr. Karjala also highlighted the advisory council's discussion topics and shared strategies to improve family engagement with the schools. They shared what the council had done and achieved during the year, showing how it helped build stronger connections between families and the school district. View the District Family Advisory Council slides here.


Academic Calendars:

Dr. Erica Mickelson, Director of Teaching and Learning, presented proposed updates to the 2025-26 academic calendar to the Board. The updates include adding nine early release days, adjusting the early release schedule for the Jones Early Childhood Development Center, and changing one existing early release date.


She also previewed two calendar options for the 2026-27 school year—one with a regular schedule and one that includes early release days. These options will be reviewed and discussed further in December 2025. Following the presentation, the Board voted to approve the proposed changes to the 2025-26 calendar.


View the District Academic Calendars slides here.


View the approved JECDC 2025-26 Academic Calendar here.


View the approved 2025-26 Academic Calendar here.


Construction Update:

Mr. Eric Woltje of McCownGordon Construction presented the final construction update to the Emporia Public Schools Board, marking the successful completion of a $78 million bond-funded facilities improvement initiative. Supported by a $6 million donation from the Jones Foundation, the district upgraded all school buildings over 55 months, beginning in 2020, with projects including safety enhancements, infrastructure modernization, and new learning spaces. Woltje reviewed each of the nine completed projects, highlighting their features, timelines, and budgets. All work was finished on time and within budget, and the Board thanked McCownGordon for their partnership and commitment to improving education in Emporia. View the final construction update slides here. 


Offer to Purchase Kansas Avenue: 

Tyler Holloman, President of Frontier Development Group, presented a proposal to the Board for the purchase and redevelopment of the Kansas Avenue School property located at 315 S. Market St. Holloman shared a Letter of Intent (LOI) outlining the key terms of the proposed acquisition and redevelopment project.


The offer presented includes a proposed purchase price of $80,000 with $10,000 in earnest money. The proposal is contingent on three critical factors: the successful rezoning of the property, approval of a Reinvestment Housing Incentive District (RHID), and the award of a Kansas Housing Investor Tax Credit (KHITC).


During his presentation, Holloman highlighted Frontier Development Group’s experience and success in restoring historic properties and creating workforce housing throughout Kansas. He cited the Cottonwood Falls School Project as a recent example, where a long-vacant historic school was transformed into housing specifically geared toward the needs of the local workforce.


Holloman emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting rural communities and noted that many of their projects receive strong support from local school districts. He also stressed Frontier’s focus on creating housing opportunities for teachers and school staff, aligning with broader community development goals.


Board members were provided with supporting documentation, including references and additional background on the company’s past projects. Following the presentation, the Board voted to accept the proposed purchase price and associated contingencies outlined in the Letter of Intent.

View the presentation slides here.



EMS Track/Field/Throwing Area:

At Wednesday's Board of Education meeting, a comprehensive proposal to upgrade the Emporia Middle School (EMS) track and football field received strong support and was officially approved. The proposal, presented by Mrs. Pam Stranathan, Assistant Superintendent of Business/Operations, included input from Mr. John Martin, Principal of EMS, and Mr. Dathan Fischer, Principal of Emporia High School (EHS).


The presentation highlighted several key benefits, emphasizing the project's positive impact on both students and the wider Emporia community. Notable points included expanded opportunities for student-athletes at both EMS and EHS, projected economic benefits for the local area, improved lighting to extend facility use, and essential upgrades to meet ADA compliance standards.


The proposal reflected a collaborative effort between EMS and EHS administrators to ensure that the needs of both schools were addressed. Mrs. Stranathan also provided an overview of the district’s Capital Outline Plan, outlining how available funds could support the project without affecting other district priorities.



After the presentation and a productive discussion, the Board voted to move forward with the project. Planned upgrades include renovation of the track and field, additional parking, restrooms, concessions, expanded seating, fencing, turf installation, a throwing area, and field markings for both football and soccer. Construction is expected to begin in the coming weeks, marking a significant investment in student opportunities and enhancing school and community resources.

View the track/field proposal slides here.



Future Board Calendar Dates:



  • Sunday, May 18, 2025, 3:00 p.m., EHS Graduation, W.L. White Auditorium
  • Wednesday, June 11, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center
  • Wednesday, July 9, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center

Emporia Public Schools | 1700 W 7th Ave | Emporia, KS 66801 US

Unsubscribe | Constant Contact Data Notice

Constant Contact