Terry Rainbolt makes the whole room bloom. Year after year, student after student. 🌸
She’s full of patience, joy, and heart, and she’s spent her career helping first graders grow into confident, kind learners. Her impact will be felt long after she closes her classroom door one last time.
🧡 Big thanks to Country Seasons Flower Shoppe and Dress It Up for sponsoring today’s prize! #larnedpride #lesfamily #bettertogether #teacherappreciationweek
Happy School Nurse Day to the ones who take care of it all—sick kids, bumps, scrapes, and everything in between. We’re so thankful for you! #larnedpride
Each year on the first Friday in May, 3rd grade students across Kansas take part in Kansas Kids Fitness and Safety Day. The event focuses on promoting physical activity and safety awareness, with nearly 18,000 students participating at more than 40 sites across the state.
This year, USD 495 had the honor of hosting the event at Fort Larned National Historic Site. Our 3rd graders enjoyed a busy, fun-filled Friday with hands-on activities that took them “back in time.” We welcomed 98 students from four schools: Larned, Otis-Bison, Holy Family (Great Bend), and St. Joseph (Ellinwood).
A big thank-you goes out to the LMS students who volunteered to help run the stations, and to everyone who helped make the day a success. Special thanks to LES PE teacher Mrs. Crosby for leading the way and making sure everything ran smoothly! #larnedpride #lesfamily #bettertogether
Middle School boys league tennis has been rescheduled for Tuesday May 13th at 9 am at Smoky Valley.
Some teachers just have a way of helping things grow—whether it’s the confidence to read out loud, the courage to try again, or the joy of learning something new. Their impact reaches far beyond the classroom.
If a teacher came to mind just now, tell us about them in the comments. We’ll read all nominations submitted before noon on Wednesday, May 7, and one teacher will be selected for a prize from today’s sponsor. Private nominations are welcome at allisa.spain@usd495.com.
🧡 Thanks to Wednesday’s sponsors:
Country Seasons Flower Shoppe | 519 Broadway | (620) 285-6543
Dress It Up | 511 Broadway | (620) 285-6686
Just a reminder: it’s not about how many times someone is nominated—it’s about the why. What made you think of that teacher? How have they made a difference for your child, your family, or your team? The stories behind the names are what really stand out to the judges. (Some of the best nominations so far have even come from coworkers.)
One more hint: part of the judges’ rubric is based on how well the nomination fits the theme. So if you can, try to connect your story to how that teacher helps others grow! #larnedpride #bettertogether
Adam Hewson keeps cool under pressure—and helps his students do the same. 🧊🔧
He’s calm, patient, and intentional with every student. Whether it’s wiring, welding, or woodworking, Adam creates a space where kids feel safe to learn, ask questions, and try again. He doesn’t just teach tools—he teaches confidence. His students leave with real-world skills and a belief in themselves that lasts long after high school.
🧡 Thanks to B&B Quality Meats, Doerr’s Ace Hardware, and Santa Fe Convenience Store for sponsoring today’s prize! #larnedpride #besttribeever #bettertogether
On Saturday, Mr. Scheideman’s LHS Forensics students competed at the state speech championships at Maize High School, taking on five events. Erin Tims qualified in Impromptu and paired with Emma Corman in Improvised Duet Acting. Emma also competed in Humorous Solo, and Troy Hemken represented in Extemporaneous (a timed event where students research and deliver a speech on current events with limited prep).
Three events made it to semifinals: Troy placed 9th in Extemp, Emma placed 11th in Humorous Solo, and Erin and Emma finished 7th in Duet Acting—just one spot shy of a medal!
These students had a strong season, and we’re proud of how they represented LHS and the Forensics program! #larnedpride
Touch-A-Truck Night is one of our favorite nights of the entire school year!
It wouldn’t be possible without the people who show up for our kids. Thank you to everyone who brought their “trucks,” shared summer resources, donated prizes, served delicious food, and painted so many happy faces. We’re also grateful to all of the families who came out and made the night so much fun.
We say it a lot, but it’s true! We’re #bettertogether, and this night was one more reason why. #larnedpride #lesfamily
Some teachers stay calm in the classroom. Others do it while coaching, working in the shop, or guiding students through a science lab. Maybe it’s the steady presence in a chaotic room, or the one who patiently explains the same math problem five different ways. If you know a teacher who stays cool and keeps others grounded, we want to hear about them!
We’ll start reviewing comments at noon on Tuesday, May 6, and select one winner based on the impact of what’s shared—not the number of comments. One teacher will receive a prize from today’s sponsors!
If you'd rather keep it private, email your nomination to allisa.spain@usd495.com.
🧡 Thank you to today’s sponsors:
Doerr’s Ace Hardware | 602 Broadway | (620) 285-2171
B&B Quality Meats | 759 E 14th | (620) 285-6376
Santa Fe Convenience Store | 444 SW Trail | (620) 804-5047
#larnedpride #bettertogether #teacherappreciationweek
Bethany goes the extra mile—and it shows! 🏁
She leads student council, brought back school plays, helps with track meets, and plans lessons that meet every student where they are. She’s always thinking of how to make things better and pours her heart into it all.
We’re lucky to have homegrown kids who come back to make their school and community even better! 🧡
Big thanks to Casey’s and the Larned Area Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring Bethany’s prize during Teacher Appreciation Week! #besttribeever #larnedpride #bettertogether
Do your best, be your best—and they sure did! 🎉 Congrats to our final Student of the Month recipients for the 2024–2025 school year. We are proud of you! #larnedpride #lesfamily
🚛 TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT!
Touch a Truck and the Summer Resource Fair kicks off at 6:00 PM at LES. Come hungry—there’ll be food trucks, shaved ice, and a whole lot of fun for the whole family!
We can’t wait to see you there! #larnedpride #lesfamily #bettertogether
Due to the scheduled weather forecast tomorrow and limited possible makeup dates we are going to move up the start time of the varsity baseball games tomorrow vs Russell. First pitch of game one will be at noon. We will plan on senior night activities prior to game one around 11:30. #larnedpride
Teacher Appreciation Week is here! We’ve got fun giveaways, meaningful shoutouts, and plenty of love coming your way all week long.
Want to be part of it? Nominate a teacher each day in the comments! And thanks again to our local business sponsors who always step up to support our schools. #larnedpride #bettertogether
It’s the first time we’re doing this, so here’s the scoop before we get started ⬇️
🧡 Each day during Teacher Appreciation Week, we’ll post a theme and invite YOU to nominate a USD 495 teacher who fits it.
🧡 It’s not a popularity contest — one meaningful nomination is all it takes. The best nominations are thoughtful and personal. Tell us why they stand out!
🧡 We’ll choose one winner each day based on impact — not how many times someone’s named.
🧡 We’ve got really great prizes lined up (hint: they go with each day’s theme!) thanks to some amazing local business sponsors.
Now that the details are out of the way... let’s get started!
Know a teacher who always shows up, steps in, or goes the extra mile for others? Drop their name in the comments and tell us why! Families, students, coworkers, and community members are all welcome to nominate.
We’ll review all nominations made before noon on Monday, May 5, and select one winner. If you’d rather keep your nomination private, please email allisa.spain@usd495.com.
🧡 Thank you to Monday's sponsors:
Casey’s General Store | 701 Edwards St | (620) 240-9929
Larned Area Chamber of Commerce | 502 Broadway | (620) 285-6916
#larnedpride #bettertogether
May 5–10 is shaping up to be a busy week—but we’re most excited to celebrate our amazing teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week! 🎉
We’ve got daily themes, fun giveaways, and chances for families and our community to get involved. Keep an eye out for how you can help us show some love to the staff who make a difference every day! #larnedpride #bettertogether
https://secure.smore.com/n/34jg0
🚨 Are you ready to Touch A Truck?! 🚨 Join us TOMORROW NIGHT (Monday, May 5) from 6–7:30 PM at Larned Elementary for one of our favorite family events of the year!
We’ll have an airplane, excavators, fire trucks, tractors, law enforcement vehicles, lift trucks, RZRs, dozers, ambulances... and more!
Come hungry—Ma Ma C’s Meat & Sweet Pies, Amelia’s Tacos, Floyd’s Smoke Shack, and yes, that really yummy green Mexican food truck will all be there. Plus: snow cones and face painting with the LHS Cheerleaders!
We’re also excited to bring back the Summer Resource Fair to help families get ready for summer. Meet with groups including (but there's more, too!) Larned Summer Rec, Jordaan Memorial Library, 4-H, Pawnee County Health Department, United Way, Kansas Wetlands Education Center, Family Crisis Center—and even the Brit Spaugh Zoo (we hear they plan to bring animals!). Visit 5 tables and you’ll be entered to win a prize!
The forecast is looking great (fingers crossed it stays that way), and we can’t wait to see your whole crew there! #larnedpride #lesfamily #bettertogether
Making those #goodnews calls home! 📞🧡 #larnedpride #lesfamily
Our kindergarteners visited Pawnee Valley Community Hospital yesterday for KinderU! 🏥 They got a tour, learned about staying healthy, and discovered what happens at a hospital—and who helps!
We hope this experience helps make the doctor’s office feel a little less scary if they ever have to visit. Big thanks to our friends at PVCH for being such great partners! #larnedpride #lesfamily #bettertogether
Always so fun when the Sonic crew shows up for Hi5 Friday at LES! Thank you for the assortment of goodies you brought for the kids and for all the hugs and high fives! #larnedpride #lesfamily #bettertogether
