Friday, April 24, 2026 | Issue 186

Members of the 2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year team visited Derby Hills Elementary, Derby USD 260 (a Kansas Purple Star district), for Purple Up! on April 15, celebrating the connection military students and their families have with their schools. (Photo submitted by Katie Carlson, Derby USD 260.)

Month of the Military Child: Purple Star program helps military children connect to new schools, fosters educational success 

Andre Cavitt, a U.S. Army veteran, teaches fifth- and sixth-grade language arts and social studies at St. Francis Xavier, the first private school in Kansas to achieve Purple Star designation. (Photo submitted by St. Francis Xavier)

Connecting children of military families to new schools in order to help them continue navigating through their education successfully are pillars of the Purple Star schools program. 

In 2008, Kansas was the first state to join the Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission, or MIC-3, that supports this vital program. This year, the Kansas Military Children’s Education Council chose Maize USD 266 and St. Francis Xavier, in Junction City, to join the nine Kansas districts already with the Purple Star designation. St. Francis Xavier is the first private school in Kansas to receive the honor.  

Read more...

Andrew Steenbock is the transportation supervisor for Auburn-Washburn USD 437 where he started as a driver in 2010.

Kansas school transportation supervisor shares insights before National School

Bus Driver Appreciation Day 

The Great Recession had an unexpected impact on the trajectory of Andrew Steenbock’s career who was in the lumber business post-2008.



“I delivered lumber and sold lumber, and I had a CDL (commercial driver’s license),” he said. “The housing market crashed back then and tons of people got laid off in that field.”

Steenbock, transportation supervisor for Auburn-Washburn USD 437, said he and his wife briefly swapped roles and he became a stay-at-home dad to his two children who were preschool-age at the time. 

Read more...

ICYMI: KSDE launches new website

The Kansas State Department of Education launched a new website this week.

Just as the NASA Artemis program didn’t happen overnight, building a better website takes time, planning and ongoing improvement.

This new site is designed to be more transparent and easier to navigate, helping visitors find important information about Kansas education more quickly.

The initial launch on April 20, was a starting point, with continued updates and improvements planned as KSDE works to make www.ksde.gov even better.

ICYMI: KSDE Insight Podcast, “The Homework Debate: Helpful or Outdated?”

Homework has long been a fixture of the American education system, but its value remains contested more than a century after the debate began. Today, schools find themselves caught between competing priorities: maintaining high academic expectations while also protecting student well-being.

During the April KSDE Insight Podcast, “The Homework Debate: Helpful or Outdated?”, Kansas Education Commissioner Randy Watson speaks with two Kansas educators who share their nuanced perspectives about how much homework is good for students:

• Taylor Bussinger, social studies teacher at Prairie Trail Middle School, Olathe USD 233
• Adam Topliff, social studies teacher at Wamego High School, Wamego USD 320

This month’s KSDE Insight Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.  

Coming Soon:

KSDE Insight Podcast -

A conversation with

Dr. Jake Steel 

The May KSDE Insight Podcast will feature a conversation between retiring Kansas Education Commissioner Randy Watson and his successor, Dr. Jake Steel.

Have a question about your child’s education? Commissioner Watson and Dr. Steel want to hear from you. 

Parents can email their questions to insightpodcast@ksde.gov — and it could be featured in the May episode! 

ICYMI: Kansas Education Commissioner

Randy Watson reads Spend It!

In recognition of Financial Literacy Month in April, Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson is featured in a video reading, Spend It! from the Money Bunny series by Cinders McLeod.

The story reinforces key financial literacy concepts such as budgeting, prioritizing needs and wants, and making informed spending choices. Through comparing prices and prioritizing wants, Sunny the Bunny learns that he can't afford everything and must decide what matters most.

Reminder: KSDE provides video for understanding updated mandated

reporting requirements

Recent updates have clarified expectations for recognizing and reporting suspected child abuse and neglect, ensuring professionals and community members can respond quickly and appropriately when concerns arise.

KSDE created a video that explains the latest guidance regarding the following areas:

• Differences between safety, risk, and danger
• Who is required to report
• How abuse, neglect, and poverty are defined

Contact Trish Backman, trish.backman@ksde.gov, or Stacy Clarke, stacy.clarke@ksde.gov, with questions.

Final reminder: Introduction to ASQ trainings

set for April 28 and May 1; upcoming trainings

Engaging with families to support young children’s growth and learning helps prepare families, educators and children for school success.

The Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ-3 and ASQ:SE-2) are widely used developmental screening tools. All Kansas schools are required to partner with families to complete the ASQ-3 and ASQ:SE-2 for incoming kindergarten students, and many other early childhood professionals use the ASQ as well. See the Kindergarten Readiness Snapshot Fact Sheet for additional information.

Kansas professionals have several upcoming ASQ training opportunities:

Kansas Child Care Training Opportunities, Inc. (KCCTO) will offer the live-virtual course, "Introduction to ASQ®-3 and ASQ®:SE-2", 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., on Tuesday, April 28.

KSDE and the Kansas Parent Information Resource Center will host “Using ASQ to Engage Families and Support Learning (Intermediate ASQ)” on Friday, May 1, from 1- 2:30 p.m. and on Friday, July 31, from 9-10:30 a.m.

KSDE and the Kansas Parent Information Resource Center will host “Introduction to the ASQ” on Friday, Aug. 7, from 1- 3 p.m.

Contact Amanda Petersen, Amanda.Petersen@ksde.gov; Stacy Clarke, Stacy.Clarke@ksde.gov; or Natalie McClane, Natalie.McClane@ksde.gov, with ASQ questions. Contact Jennifer Pishny, KCCTO, jpishny@ksu.edu, with questions about the April 28 course. 

Reminder: Committee members needed for higher education preparation standards revisions

The KSDE teacher licensure team is seeking volunteers to revise the educator preparation standards for art, biology, Earth and space science, gifted, library media specialist, music/instrumental/vocal, school counselor, and middle-level science. 

Please note your availability at this link and share this call with colleagues whom you think would be interested: 



https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FW5NDYB 

Current standards for the license areas are posted here. 

Contact Catherine Chmidling, catherine.chmidling@ksde.gov, or (785) 291-3573 with questions. 

School Nutrition Program

CEP training set for May 5

The KSDE Child Nutrition and Wellness team is hosting a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) virtual training at 2 p.m., on May 5. The CEP is a non-pricing meal service option for schools in low-income areas.

Training topics include the following: 

• An overview of CEP 
• Requirements to operate 
• How to determine whether sites qualify 
• Frequently asked questions  

Go to https://cnw.ksde.gov under Training, CNW Calendar for the training link.

Contact KSDE Child Nutrition and Wellness, (785) 296-2276, with questions. 

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program

application deadline is May 29

The Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program (FFVP) application for the 2026-27 school year is due May 29.

Participation in the FFVP is limited to elementary schools, with priority given to schools with the highest percentage of students eligible for free or reduced price school meals. This program provides all children in participating elementary schools with a variety of free fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the school year.

The application can be found at https://cnw.ksde.gov under SNP, SNP What’s New.

Schools selected to participate will be notified this summer and will be reimbursed for their documented expenses every month.

Contact CNW@ksde.gov or (785) 296-2276 with questions.

Reminder: School Lunch Hero Day

to be celebrated May 1

School Lunch Hero Day, observed on May 1, recognizes those who provide healthy meals to students—not only preparing food but also serving it with a smile and kind word, encouraging children to try new things and get all the nutrients their growing bodies need. 

More information and resources are available at https://schoolnutrition.org/about-school-meals/school-lunch-hero-day/. Be sure to use the hashtag #FuelingKSKids when sharing celebrations on social media. 



Contact KSDE Child Nutrition and Wellness at (785) 296-2276 with questions.

Reminder: Schedule available for

2026 Great Ideas in Education Conference

The schedule is now available for the 2026 Great Ideas in Education Conference, July 27-29, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Convention Center, in Wichita. 

Registration is also open for this event and hotel reservations can be made here. Don’t miss out on early bird pricing if you register before April 30. 

For registration questions, contact Kelli Byrne, kelli.byrne@ksde.gov. Contact Pat Bone, pat.bone@ksde.gov, with all other questions.

Reminder: Kansas Alliance for Drug Endangered Children conference

slated for April 28

The Kansas Alliance for Drug Endangered Children (KADEC) will host a conference, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., at the Wichita Marriott, on April 28.

This event focuses on educating professionals (including child welfare, legal, medical and social service) who may have an opportunity to identify and/or respond to children living in environments where illegal drugs are manufactured, sold, distributed or used.

Click here for the agenda, rates and registration.

Email conference.office@wichita.edu with questions.

Kansas Technical Assistance System Network  training opportunities

The Kansas Technical Assistance System Network (TASN) provides evidence-based professional learning and technical assistance, grounded in the federal requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). 

• View upcoming professional learning opportunities on the TASN events calendar. 
• Learn more about TASN projects. 

Contact Michele Hayes, mrhayes@pittstate.edu, with questions. 

April

24: Window closes for summative state assessments for brick and mortar schools. Contact Chelsea Pelfrey, chelsea.pelfrey@ksde.gov, with questions.

24: Kansas Inclusive Learning and Teaching (KILT) assistive technology training session, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Northeast Kansas Educational Service Center (NKESC), 703 W. 2nd, Oakley. Register here. Contact Paige Buckingham, pbuckingham@ucpnet.org, with questions. 

28: National School Bus Driver Appreciation Day. Contact Keith Dreiling, keith.dreiling@ksde.gov, with questions.

28: Introduction to ASQ^®-3 and ASQ^®: SE-2 training, virtual, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. To register, visit the Cape online professional development portal to create an account. Contact Jennifer Pishny, jpishny@ksu.edu, with questions.

28: Office hours available for school staff serving highly mobile students, virtual, 2-4 p.m. Contact Maureen Tabasko, maureen.tabasko@ksde.gov, (785) 296-1101, or Joe Jewett, joe.jewett@ksde.gov, (785) 296-2600. 

28: Trauma-responsive school community facilitator workshop, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Heartspring Conference Center, 8700 E. 29th Street North, in Wichita. Click here to register and for more information, including continuing education credits. Contact Amy Wells, amyw@tasnsmhi.org, with questions. 

April 29 – May 1: K-State Rural Education Center Summit, Manhattan Conference Center, 510 S. 3rd Street, in Manhattan. Register here. Cost is $25; less if attending as a leadership team. Contact Dr. Karen Eppley, keppley@ksu.edu, with questions.

30: ESEA Title IA monthly office hour, 9 – 10 a.m. Register here: ESEA Title IA April Office Hours. Contact Roxanne Zillinger, Roxanne.zillinger@ksde.gov, with questions. 

30: Special Education Catastrophic State Aid application (current year) and NPE contracts data is finalized. Contact Mason Vosburgh, mason.vosburgh@ksde.gov, (785) 296-4945, with questions. 

30: Dec. 1 MIS Child Count – MIS Collection data is finalized. Contact Mason Vosburgh, mason.vosburgh@ksde.gov, (785) 296-4945, with questions. 

May  

1: Using the Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) to Engage Families and Support Learning (Intermediate ASQ), virtual, 1- 2:30 p.m. Register here. Contact Natalie McClane, natalie.mcclane@ksde.gov, with questions.  

8: ESEA program administrator webinar series, 10:30 – 11:45 a.m. Click here to register: https://ksdetasn.org/event_groups/T0xWJA. Contact Twyla Sprouse, twyla.sprouse@ksde.gov, (785) 296-6714 with questions.  

11-22: Kansas Parents as Teachers Final Expenditures claim form open. Contact Amanda Williams, amanda.williams@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-2020. 

12-13: Kansas State Board of Education meeting, Landon State Office Building, Topeka. Click here for agenda and meeting materials. 

26: Office hours available for school staff serving highly mobile students, virtual, 2-4 p.m. Contact Maureen Tabasko, maureen.tabasko@ksde.gov, (785) 296-1101, or Joe Jewett, joe.jewett@ksde.gov, (785) 296-2600. 

28: ESEA Title IA monthly office hour, 9 – 10 a.m. Register here: ESEA Title IA May Office Hours. Contact Roxanne Zillinger, Roxanne.zillinger@ksde.gov, with questions. 

June 

1: Applications due for the next Kansas Registered Teacher Apprentice Program cohort. Contact Joel Gillaspie, joel.gillaspie@ksde.gov, or Aysha Satterlee, aysha.satterlee@ksde.gov, with questions. 

3-5: Kansas School Transportation Safety Conference and State Driving Competition, DoubleTree by Hilton Wichita Airport. Driving competition is June 3, in Maize. Go to https://www.kspta.net for conference information and registration.

9-10: Kansas State Board of Education meeting, Landon State Office Building, Topeka. Click here for agenda and meeting materials. 

23: Office hours available for school staff serving highly mobile students, virtual, 2-4 p.m. Contact Maureen Tabasko, maureen.tabasko@ksde.gov, (785) 296-1101, or Joe Jewett, joe.jewett@ksde.gov, (785) 296-2600. 

29-30: 2026 BOOST Summit, Emporia State University. Register here. Contact Cris Seidel, crisseidel@educatekansas.org, with questions. 

July

14: Deadline to register for 2026 Great Ideas in Education conference, Wichita. Contact Kelli Byrne, kelli.byrne@ksde.gov, with registration questions. 

27-29: 2026 Great Ideas in Education conference, Hyatt Regency Hotel and Convention Center, 400 W. Waterman, Wichita. Contact Pat Bone, pat.bone@ksde.gov, with questions.