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District News:
Benefit Open Enrollment 2026:
We are excited to continue our partnership with AmeriLife Benefits - Benefits Direct as our benefits administrator. Benefit Open Enrollment will take place from October 20 through October 31, 2026. All benefit-eligible employees, which include those working 20 or more hours per week, are required to complete open enrollment even if they plan to waive benefits. This year, there will be no in-person appointments. Instead, employees will have two options to complete enrollment: online self-enrollment or through the AmeriLife Benefits Call Center. If you choose to use the Call Center, you will need to schedule an appointment in advance. More details and instructions will be shared in the coming days through ParentSquare.
Early Resignation/Retirement Notification Incentive:
Any licensed teacher who has worked for more than two years in USD 253 and is planning to resign or retire at the end of the school year is eligible to receive an early notification stipend.
A written resignation or retirement notice must be submitted to the Director of Human Resources. Stipends will be awarded according to the timetable below at the end of the contract year.
Written notification received by:
- October 1, would receive $1,000
- November 1, would receive $750
- December 1, would receive $500
- January 1, would receive $250
See the master contract for more information.
Student and Family Resources Clothing Drive:
Student and Family Resources is hosting its annual clothing drive to support students and families in our district. From October 3 through October 27, community members are invited to donate new or gently used children’s clothing. Donations may be dropped off at the Flinthills Mall, either at the back entrance by the theater or at the west entrance by Sutherland’s.
We sincerely appreciate your generosity in helping meet the needs of students and families in our community. For questions or additional information, please contact Heather Wagner at heather.wagner@usd253.net.
A message from the Emporia High School Debate Team:
The Emporia Debate Team needs your help! We are hosting a debate tournament on October 4, 2025, from 8-4 at Emporia High School. We need judges. Breakfast and lunch will be provided for those who participate in judging. No experience is required to judge, but we are offering a judging clinic for those who want to learn how to judge. Recent high school students are welcome to return. Please note you are not required to be here all day. If you are interested in helping the Emporia team and the other teams in attendance, please use this link to complete the EHS Debate Team Google Form.
90th Annual Seasonal Celebration Alumni Choir:
This year, as we celebrate the 90th annual Seasonal Celebration, all EHS Choir Alumni are invited to sing the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah on December 10 & 11. Alumni may participate in just one or both performance dates. Musical scores and practice tracks will be emailed to participants. EHS Seasonal Celebration Alumni Participation Form
Grant Opportunity - A message from the Emporia Community Foundation:
The Emporia Community Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) organization with the mission of connecting caring individuals with causes that build stronger communities in our region. We started in 1995 with a group of six individuals and a gift of $5K and have grown to over $45 million in assets and close to 400 funds. One of the funds we have is called the Emporia Public School Foundation Non-Endowed Fund. It is available as a funding resource for teachers within USD 253. The fund provides financial assistance for non-budgetary items, which look at alternative learning strategies, creative teaching ideas, various ways to motivate students, and inspire lifelong learners.
In 2019, the fund was updated to also include helping with the needs of the district nursing staff in order to better serve the students. If you have needs that might qualify, please consider filling out the application. Use this link, Emporia Public Schools Grant Application, to get started. Applications are accepted through September 30, and you can find information at www.emproiacf.org. All grant applications must have the principal’s signature on them before it is submitted to the grant committee for review. Examples of previous funding:
- a series of family-oriented events throughout the year.
- economics in real life course.
- sensory support project.
- room transformation items.
- flexible workstations.
KPERS Optional Life Insurance:
KPERS Optional Life Insurance open enrollment is September 1 to 30. As part of your KPERS benefits, you have the opportunity to purchase additional coverage beyond KPERS basic life insurance. You can decide how much you need and pay your premiums through payroll deduction. For further information, please review the KPERS Open Enrollment Handout and the KPERS optional life insurance website.
United Way of the Flint Hills Campaign:
Our United Way of the Flint Hills campaign wraps up this Friday, and there’s still time to make a difference. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps strengthen our community and supports programs that directly impact children, families, and neighbors right here in the Flint Hills.
If you haven’t had a chance yet, please consider donating before the campaign closes. You can give directly through this link: United Way of the Flint Hills – USD 253 Campaign
Personal Illness Pool and Maternity/Paternity Leave Pool:
USD253 offers two valuable benefits: the Personal Illness Pool and the Maternity/Paternity Leave Pool. To join either, you must donate one day of chargeable leave per pool by October 1st and meet eligibility requirements. You may join one, both, or neither. If you've already donated, no action is needed unless a pool is depleted.
To learn more or to donate a day and join a pool, please review the policy and complete the Google Form on the leave pool site. For questions, contact HR and Payroll at human-resources@usd253.net and payroll@usd253.net.
Spanish Stipend:
Emporia Schools offers a Spanish language stipend to eligible classified and licensed staff. Stipends range from:
- Licensed Staff: $250–$1,000/year
- Classified Staff: $0.25–$1.00/hour
Separate verbal and written Spanish tests are required. To learn more, contact HR at human-resources@usd253.net. To schedule testing, contact Jenny Flores-Guerrero at jenny.flores-guerrero@usd253.net or 620-341-2395.
Schedule for Staff ID Photos:
As a reminder, all staff should have their photo taken on school picture day so you will have a 2025-26 Staff ID. Please plan to have your photo taken while Interstate Studios is in your building. Your Staff ID badge will also get you and your family into home events. If you need an ID badge before your 2025-26 badge is available, please contact community.relations@usd253.net to schedule a time for an individual badge to be made.
- Logan Avenue Elementary, September 26
- Riverside Elementary, October 2
- Timmerman Elementary, October 6
- Jones Early Childhood Development Center, October 15
- William Allen White Elementary, October 22
Employee Assistance Program:
As a USD 253 employee, you can utilize resources provided by New Directions through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Additionally, New Directions 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 in our world, please contact the EAP support line at 833-848-1764 or log onto the New Directions website and use the code usd253. September Newsletter, read more here.
District Events:
District Tailgate RSVP:
The District Tailgate is Friday, October 10, on the Emporia State University campus. Bring your family for an evening of food and fun! Each meal includes a hot dog, chips, a snack cake, and water. Food will be available for the first 400 people.
- Location: Between the tennis courts and Visser Hall, just west of Welch Stadium
- Time: 6:00 PM
Feel free to bring lawn chairs, as seating will be limited. Staff, be sure to wear your new district T-shirts (coming soon!) and bring your staff ID for free admission for you and your family to the game. Let’s celebrate and cheer the Spartans to victory! RSVP for the tailgate here.
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