🎉 It’s School Board Appreciation Month! 🎉
Surely you all know this guy—whether it’s from broadcasting Larned Varsity sports on 106.9, writing for the Tiller & Toiler, or serving on numerous boards and committees around town. Buddy Tabler has also been named a Sports in Kansas Fan of the Year because he’s a huge supporter of our schools and always has been! 🏆
Buddy is entering his 9th year serving on the USD 495 Board of Education. 👏
When we asked Buddy, “If you could share one piece of advice or encouragement for students, staff, or families in our district, what would it be?” here’s what he shared:
💬 "I encourage everyone, students, teachers, and staff, to appreciate what a special school system we have in Larned. It’s not perfect and, thus, we should all do our part to make it even better, from academics to athletics to social activities as well. It’s easy to bail out and look for greener pastures, but it’s far more rewarding to make what we have the best it can be."
Thank you, Buddy, for your dedication and leadership in shaping the future of our schools! 🧡🖤 #larnedpride #bettertogether #ThankBOE
Calling all superheroes! 🦸♀️🦸♂️ Fort Larned Elementary is hosting Family Math & Reading Night on Monday, January 27th, 5–6:30 PM!
Complete at least 4 stations with your child to unlock a Superhero Meal and enter to win a prize. 🏆 Don’t miss this family night of FUN! #larnedpride #lesfamily #bettertogether
Boys basketball final score
Larned Indians 43
Litte River 45
@CatchItKansas @scoresinkansas
#larnedpride
Girls basketball final score
Larned Indians 35
St John 42
@CatchItKansas @scoresinkansas
#larnedpride
📢 Reminder for 6th & 7th Grade Families: 6th and 7th grade students will not have school tomorrow as we host RealityU for our 8th and 10th graders.
We’ll see everyone back on Thursday! #larnedpride
📚✨ A huge thank you to Jordaan Memorial Library for coming to hang out with our crew at Be Your Best Academy! The students loved the time spent with you, and we’re so grateful for your support.
We’re always looking for more community partners to join us at BYBA! Whether you have an educational presentation, a fun hands-on activity, or would like to sponsor after-school snacks, we’d love to have you.
If you’re interested, simply fill out our partner form at https://www.usd495.com/forms/partner-with-be-your-best-academy, and a member of our BYBA team will reach out to coordinate!
We have the BEST community ever—thank you for making our after-school program even better!! 🙌 #larnedpride #lesfamily #bettertogether
Larned High School is excited to welcome Jana’s Campaign to speak with our students about domestic violence and healthy relationships. Don’t miss this important presentation!
If you or someone you know is struggling with a bad relationship, please talk to Mrs. Hoch at the high school. We’re here to help! #larnedpride #bettertogether
The St. John Mid Winter Classic starts today, and Larned will take the court tomorrow, Tuesday night.
Tuesday, January 16 Schedule:
🏀 At 6:30 PM, the Larned girls will play St. John. You can watch the game live at: www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/st-john-high-school-st-john-ks/gam94afda4236.
🏀 At 8:00 PM, the Larned boys will take on Little River. Catch the game at: www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/st-john-high-school-st-john-ks/gama3fbb20f18.
Admission is $8 for adults and $6 for students. You can also purchase a tournament pass for $24 (adults) or $18 (students) to attend all five days. The concession stand will have more options than usual, so come hungry and enjoy some great food while cheering on the Indians!
If you can’t make it in person, tune in to the NFHS Network using the links above or tune in to 106.9. #larnedpride
📅 Here’s what’s happening this week, January 20-25, at USD 495! Just a reminder, there will be no school tomorrow, Monday, January 20, as our teachers spend the day in Professional Development. #larnedpride
Results from today’s wrestling meet in Scott City:
🏆 Girls take 1st as a team!
Teagan - 1st
Miranda - 2nd
Lili - 4th
Cara - 1st
Mia - 2nd
Kinley - 4th
Paisley - 1st
💪 Boys: Konnor takes 1st!
Great job to everyone who wrestled today! 🖤🧡 #larnedpride
Both of our LHS basketball coaches stopped by the kindergarten basketball practice this morning! 🏀 #larnedpride #bettertogether
LES kiddos sure enjoyed seeing the crew from World Wrestling Xpress this morning! Thank you for sharing your time to host the first Hi5 Friday of 2025! #larnedpride #lesfamily #bettertogether
Join Our Team at USD 495! 📣
We’re hiring an Assistant Custodian to help keep our facilities in top shape year-round! This 12-month position offers competitive pay, excellent benefits like KPERS and paid time off, and great perks including a family activity pass and discounted fitness center membership.
Learn more and apply today at: https://usd495.schoolspring.com?jobid=4944557.
If you have questions, contact the District Office at (620) 285-3185 and ask for Tiffany Burris. We’d love to have you on our team! #larnedpride
Reminder: There will be no school on Monday, January 20, for Teacher Professional Development. Enjoy the long weekend! #larnedpride
We’ve updated the Ft. Larned mobile app to make it easier than ever to stay connected with your child’s school. Whether you haven’t used the app in a while or it’s your first time trying it, now is the perfect time to check it out!
With the update, you’ll find all your messages, announcements, and classroom updates in one spot. Tap the book icon to log in and see what’s happening—no need to switch between pages. You can also filter by school or classroom to quickly find what you’re looking for.
All USD 495 staff members use this app, making it the best way to communicate with your child’s teacher(s). We hope you’ll give it a try and see how simple it is to stay connected!
Our friends at Opaa! are hiring to join the kitchen team at Fort Larned USD 495 schools! They’re looking for a Kitchen Manager and Kitchen Staff.
These positions offer flexible hours with no nights or weekends, competitive wages, and the chance to work in a fun environment with kids. There are also opportunities for advancement and a great team culture!
📲 Apply today at opaajobs.com #larnedpride #bettertogether
Larned vs. Halstead Basketball Games are today, Thursday, January 16, at Halstead High School, 521 W. 6th, Halstead, KS. Games begin at 4:30 PM.
Schedule:
🏀 4:30 PM – JV Boys (Main Gym) | JV Girls (Auxiliary Gym, 2Q)
🏀 6:00 PM – Varsity Girls (Main Gym) | C-Team Boys (Auxiliary Gym, 2Q)
🏀 7:30 PM – Varsity Boys (Main Gym)
Admission is $6 for adults and $5 for students (K-12), and league passes will be accepted. Concessions will be available in the high school commons throughout the evening!
Can’t make it in person? Varsity games will be streamed on the Halstead High School Facebook Page or, as always, tune into 106.9 FM.
Go Indians! #larnedpride
📋 The January Board Brief is here! Catch up on what happened at the Board of Education meeting: https://5il.co/3571j
👏 Special thanks to the 2nd-grade students for leading the Pledge of Allegiance and to Clara Shaver from the Superintendent's Student Advisory Council for inviting Nurse Amie, Mrs. Sundahl, Mrs. Hoch, and Slade Sundahl from the RESIST Chapter to share their mission!
💡 Board Member Michelle Koch shared exciting district updates, including student activities and upcoming events.
🎉 We also celebrated School Board Appreciation Month with help from LES and the annual BOE Appreciation Poster Contest! The board loved all the entries but selected Karrie Sleder's 1st-grade class as the winner. They’ll celebrate with a cupcake party this Friday! 🧁 #larnedpride #bettertogether #lesfamily
We’re Hiring! USD 495 is looking for a Teacher at Larned Elementary School for the 2025-26 school year!
Why Join Us?
✅ Great pay and benefits (hello, KPERS!)
✅ Family-friendly schedule
✅ Great perks like family activity passes and discounted fitness memberships
📲 Apply today: https://usd495.schoolspring.com?jobid=4941207
Or call (620) 285-3185 and ask for Tiffany Burris to learn more.
We’d love to have you on our team! 🧡 #larnedpride #lesfamily
📣 Quick Reminder: LMS Wrestling Parent Meeting is today, Jan. 15, at 5:30 PM at the Community Center. See you there! #larnedpride