Summer Cafe will be available to children 1-18 years in our communities of Tescott and Bennington Monday thru Thursday. In order to receive these meals you will have to email or text otcosummercafe@gmail.com or contact Ashley Johnson at 785-407-7131. Meals in Tescott will be able to be picked up at the Tescott Park and in Bennington it will be at Bulldog Alley at the school from 11:30-12:30. Meals will be able for pickup on Tuesday and will include Tuesday and Wednesday meals and on Thursday meals will be included for Thursday, Friday and Monday.
Elementary Title 1 Teacher for Bennington/Tescott Elementary Schools
Questions about this position can be directed to Craig Gantenbein, Principal of Bennington Elementary at 785-488-8640 or via email at cgantenbein@usd240.org OR Steven Kimmi, Principal of Tescott Elementary at 785-488-6012 or via email at skimmi@usd240.org.
7-12 English Language Arts Teacher at Bennington Jr/Sr High School
Coaching and/or sponsorships may be available, but not required.
Questions about this position can be directed to Curtis Nightingale, Principal of Bennington High at 785-488-6532 or via email at cnightingale@usd240.org
Half-Time PreK Teacher at Tescott Grade School
Questions about this position can be directed to Steven Kimmi, Principal of Tescott Schools at 785-488-6012 or via email at skimmi@usd240.org
To apply, please submit to leverhart@usd240.org, a cover letter, resume, three letters of reference, copies of transcripts, and a copy of your teaching license, or mail to USD 240, PO Box 38, Bennington, KS 67422. A Certified Application is also required:
We will work to provide updated information on the Covid-19 virus situation on social media, our website, and through our messenger service. We will also post any letters, etc. on this site.
The most current information will be at the top of this website. We are NOT removing objects as some information MAY be important throughout this pandemic. If you have questions or concerns email fvanranken@usd240.org or contact building principals.
Updates from Superintendent Fred Van Ranken
Sunday, May 17, 2020 Twin Valley update from Mr. Van Ranken. Topics include:
KSHSAA activities
Winding down USD 240-sponsored breakfast and lunch programs
Ottawa County Summer Cafe option
Track update
Next fall and the Parent Pulse survey (question about next year added)
Shout-out/congratulations to the Class of 2020.
Letter from Governor Kelly's Office providing clarification for graduation ceremonies during phase 1 of the reopening plan for Kansas
The graduation plans put together by the buildings have been postponed to a later date. Below is the announcement put out to all on May 7, 2020:
Twin Valley students, parents, and patrons. The graduation plans originally scheduled for May 17, 2020 are officially postponed due to additional clarity from the Governor’s office and relayed to the Kansas State Department of Education. We are still waiting for official documentation from the Kansas State Department of Education but wanted to get this announcement to parents and students today. When we get the official documentation, it will be posted on social media and on our website.
Please know that we had our graduation plans approved by the Ottawa County Health Department and validated by the Kansas State Department of Education based upon their interpretation of the Executive Order 20-29. The Governor’s office has made it clear that this interpretation was inaccurate, hence the KSDE is making sure all school districts know what they have to do in order to be in compliance.
We will obviously follow this directive and go back to the drawing board. We do not know what those plans will entail at this time nor do we know when Twin Valley will have their graduation ceremony, but something will be planned for a later date.
This is not the first change we have had to make in plans this spring nor will it be the last. This pandemic situation will continue to force us to be flexible in our thoughts and our actions.
Sorry for any inconvenience this will cause families. Buildings will announce graduation plans when we have them.
Thanks to all of you for your patience as we work through the issues associated with the Covid-19 pandemic. I have tried to keep you all up to date as much as possible over the course of the past week and will continue to do so. If anything, the district will over communicate, but we would rather do that than leave you in the dark. I appreciate your continued understanding in that regard.
Today I have several things that are of importance to share. Some will require action on your part and some are just for information. The areas are separated to refer back to when necessary.
CONTINUOUS LEARNING OPPORTUNITY START DATE AND LINK TO PARENT SURVEY-PLEASE TAKE THIS SURVEY!
We will begin school in the form of what will be a “continuous learning opportunity” with all students beginning the week of March 30, 2020. The district and individual buildings will be sharing information as to how that will look. These learning opportunities will NOT be face-to-face, in-person sessions. They will be a combination of online/video direct instruction and “packet” learning based upon parent preference.
There may be situations in the near future (if possible) where we can start bringing in some students for in-person sessions. When/if that happens, we will be reaching out as to protocols for that situation. To be clear, that is NOT in our initial plan.
We realize some families will have an issues online portions as you either do not have Internet access or that access is limited. In addition, students may lack devices, especially in the lower grades. Parents might struggle supporting students due to limitations with their work schedule, etc. There are many factors that we need to have data on in order to make this work effectively for each Twin Valley student and family.
To help us better serve the needs of students and families, we would like each family to complete a survey that contains questions related to Internet access, device capacity, and preferred delivery methods. The survey serves two school purposes, the first giving us aggregate data that our teachers and staff will use in planning for instruction.
The second purpose is that it gives us specific information about your situation. This OPTIONAL section asks for some demographic information, including number of students and their names, the best number to either call or text, and the best email address to reach you. We kept this portion of the survey optional and understand if you do not want to share that with us.
We would like this survey completed by all Twin Valley families on or before 10 pm on Monday, March 23, 2020. Our staff will begin using that information on Tuesday morning during their planning for instruction.
Buildings will have a protocol for students and families to be able to get their personal belongings from the facilities and communicate that process some time early this week. If you have an emergency need for those materials, please email your respective principal and work that out on an individual basis. When the process is released by buildings, they will communicate that with families, and we will reinforce at the district level.
BUILDING ENTRANCE
Building entrance at all times will be monitored and restricted on both campuses. Those restrictions will be communicated to parents and students at the time we release information as to the acquisition of personal belongings. This will include entrances, restrooms that can be used, and we will not want people wandering around the facilities. Custodial staff have sanitized buildings and we must limit that access to decrease the chances of community spread of the virus.
FOOD SERVICE-WHERE, WHEN AND HOW
I want to reiterate the fact that we will be offering free grab and go along with next-day breakfasts at each campus at least through this next week. For those in the rural areas, we are delivering those meals. You do not have to be a student to get the free meal, you only have to be between the ages of 1 up through 18.
PLEASE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY. It is not that you don’t have the money now but based upon the uncertainty we all are feeling about the future, that money you save in this instance is money that could be used for your family later. I cannot stress this enough.
If you do NOT sign up your child for a meal for whatever reason (via one of the two methods described below), you can still drop off at either the Bennington or the Tescott facility between 11:30 am-12:30 pm and get a meal. You may have to wait for a bit as they might have to prepare those for your children, but they will NOT turn anyone away.
For those that live in Salina, there are locations hosted by USD 305 where you can also pick up those free meals. That information listed below.
USD 305 FREE GRAB-AND-GO BREAKFAST AND LUNCH
Open 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. weekdays, March 23-27.
Available to all children ages 1-18.
No signup, eligibility, or paperwork required.
Children must be present per federal government (USDA) requirements.
Visit any site regardless of school attended.
Drive-thru distribution of meals from seven school sites:
Schilling Elementary, 3121 Canterbury
Sunset Elementary, 1510 W. Republic
Cottonwood Elementary, 215 S. Phillips
Oakdale Elementary, 811 E. Iron
South Middle School, 2015 Simmons
Central High School, 650 E. Crawford
Heartland Early Education, 700 Jupiter
YOU HAVE TWO OPTIONS TO ORDER MEALS AT TWIN VALLEY:
OPTION #1: You must call 785-488-3325 ext. 279 with the number of 18 or under meals between 7:30-9:00 am. PLEASE DIAL THAT EXTENSION.
You MAY indicate that you want meals delivered all week for all of your children on any day of the week that you call.
Also include whether or not you want that meal(s) delivered IF you are a resident of the district in the rural areas.
OPTION #2: If you do not want to call OR want to be able to order meals for the week of March 23-27 you may use the link below to place that order.
We are asking for a valid email address ONLY to ensure we can contact the person submitting the form.
There are many things that we still do not know. I think that is safe to say for all agencies at this point in time. We will not get all of the things “right” the first time we do them. We WILL work to make things right for all students and families in the end. Please communicate needs to teachers, buildings and administrators.
Thanks again for your patience and understanding as we work to provide opportunities for Twin Valley students and families.
If you have questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to contact me at my office or via email at fvanranken@usd240.org.
Best regards,
Fred Van Ranken-Twin Valley Superintendent
The announcement below was put out on school messenger at approximately 4:30 pm on Wednesday, March 18, 2020
This announcement was put out at approximately 4:35 pm on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 regarding school closures based upon the accouncement from Governor Kelly
Access hundreds of free online resources 24/7 including e-books, downloadable videos, music and audiobooks, and databases with your public library card. If don't have a library card, CKLS can issue you a digital e-Card.
If you have a child that plans on attending preschool at TwinValley for the 2020-21 school year, please email Mrs. Jilka at TGS tjilka@usd240.orgor Mrs. Lawson at BGS klawson@usd240.org.
Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will not be able to proceed with preschool screenings. This however will not affect your child’s acceptance into our program. All preschool students must be 4 years old on or before August 31, 2020. You are also welcome to contact the grade school offices: TGS jgotti@usd240.org BGS lkaiser@usd240.org
K-12 Immunization Requirements for 20-21
KDHE K-12 School Requirements for 20-21
KDHE Early Childhood Program Immunization Requirements for 20-21
KDHE Kansas Immunization Program Website Link
USD 240 Exclusion Letter
As we move toward college and career readiness BHS and THS has initiated and implements 4 year plans of study. The form has been posted for your viewing with more information to come at a later date.
4 Year Plan
Twin Valley USD 240 Logo
