🚀 Learning & Innovation in Action! 🚀
Our Apple BINGO tech challenge is in full swing, and staff across the district are shouting BINGO!
What makes this even better? This is voluntary learning, where staff work at their own pace to build skills that truly make a difference in their day-to-day workflow.
We’re seeing some real game changers in action:
✨ Split screen for multitasking
👀 Quick View for faster file access
📲 Shortcuts to create QR codes
🗂️ Group Tab organizer for staying organized
📄 Merging PDFs
Small skills are leading to big wins for more efficient workflows, better organization, and more time focused on students!
We love seeing our staff jump in, learn, and embrace the opportunity for continuous improvement @ 440!
#440Proud #AppleEducation #440iTeam
🔥 So close to BLACKOUT! 🔥
Lavonda Shafto, para at BPS, is on a roll with THREE BINGOS and just TWO squares away from a BLACKOUT!
Her favorite find? Using tags to organize notes quickly and keep everything sorted—simple, but powerful!
We love seeing staff discover tools that make their day easier. BLACKOUT watch is ON… 👀
#440proud #AppleLearning #440iTeam
Lavonda Shafto, para at BPS, is on a roll with THREE BINGOS and just TWO squares away from a BLACKOUT!
Her favorite find? Using tags to organize notes quickly and keep everything sorted—simple, but powerful!
We love seeing staff discover tools that make their day easier. BLACKOUT watch is ON… 👀
#440proud #AppleLearning #440iTeam
🎉 BINGO x3! 🎉
Shoutout to Erika Witten at BPS for earning THREE BINGOS on this month’s Apple BINGO board! 👏
Learning split screen on her iPad is a game changer for her. We love how learning simple tools can make a big impact in the classroom! 🙌
Who’s next to call BINGO? 👀
#440AppleBINGO #440Proud
Shoutout to Erika Witten at BPS for earning THREE BINGOS on this month’s Apple BINGO board! 👏
Learning split screen on her iPad is a game changer for her. We love how learning simple tools can make a big impact in the classroom! 🙌
Who’s next to call BINGO? 👀
#440AppleBINGO #440Proud
Preschool Screening Appointment times are now open! Please call the Middle School office to sign up for a time slot.
🎉 BINGO x3! 🎉
A big shoutout to Chelsea Sperry, one of our amazing 1st grade teachers, who just earned her favorite candy and Sonic drink with THREE BINGOS on this month's Apple BINGO board! 👏
Chelsea’s classroom is a perfect example of what happens when creativity, curiosity, and Apple technology come together to support student learning.
Who will be the next to call BINGO? 👀
#440AppleBINGO #440Proud #440CanCreate
A big shoutout to Chelsea Sperry, one of our amazing 1st grade teachers, who just earned her favorite candy and Sonic drink with THREE BINGOS on this month's Apple BINGO board! 👏
Chelsea’s classroom is a perfect example of what happens when creativity, curiosity, and Apple technology come together to support student learning.
Who will be the next to call BINGO? 👀
#440AppleBINGO #440Proud #440CanCreate
🥞 Happy National School Breakfast Week, USD 440! 🍎
We’re celebrating with delicious, nutritious morning meals for all Halstead and Bentley students. Start your day strong, stay focused, and fuel up with us in the cafeteria each morning!
☀️💙 #NSBW #USD440
We’re celebrating with delicious, nutritious morning meals for all Halstead and Bentley students. Start your day strong, stay focused, and fuel up with us in the cafeteria each morning!
☀️💙 #NSBW #USD440
Driver's Education enrollment is now open. Enrollment forms are available in the High School & Middle School offices. Please direct all questions to the High School office. Enrollment deadline is April 17th.
Mrs. Carr & Mrs. Hiebert were treated to fruit cups from the FFA Officers as part of National FFA Week activities.
Good luck to all of the wrestlers headed to Hays to compete in the state wrestling tournament!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WK1KaNszt64XxSorlqrI2iLEkZD8ZnSP/view?usp=share_link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WK1KaNszt64XxSorlqrI2iLEkZD8ZnSP/view?usp=share_link
Check out these awesome QR codes 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Santoya created for K-2nd graders. Find your child's grade level and scan the QR code to access phonics readers for at-home practice.
Mr. Bruton's Woodworking Principles class utilized the instructional materials crafted by Mrs. Zehr's Professional and Technical Writing class to assemble furniture LEGO sets. The students in the writing class were responsible for designing and creating clear instructions for these sets. Once they completed this task, Mr. Bruton's students followed the instructions to build the sets and subsequently provided feedback to their peers.
📚 Exciting professional development happening in our district!
Last week, we were thrilled to have Brig Laene, Professional Learning Consultant, on site working alongside our teachers on implementing the 7-Step Learning Cycle.
Our Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) are a key component of our district's school improvement plan, helping both students and teachers grow as we focus on Essential Learning Targets.
Investing in our educators means investing in our students' success! 💡
#ProfessionalDevelopment #TeacherLearning #440PROUD #ContinuousImprovement
Last week, we were thrilled to have Brig Laene, Professional Learning Consultant, on site working alongside our teachers on implementing the 7-Step Learning Cycle.
Our Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) are a key component of our district's school improvement plan, helping both students and teachers grow as we focus on Essential Learning Targets.
Investing in our educators means investing in our students' success! 💡
#ProfessionalDevelopment #TeacherLearning #440PROUD #ContinuousImprovement
🎉 HUGE congratulations to Rachel Sebesta! 🎉
Ms. Sebesta earned 1st place in the Beginning Teacher category at the 2026 KAAE, Kansa Association of Agriculture Education, Ideas Unlimited Awards for her innovative unit on Legal Land Descriptions. Her lesson connects history, agriculture, and real-world application to help students understand why land descriptions matter—then and now.
Way to represent agricultural education and inspire students!
#440PROUD
Ms. Sebesta earned 1st place in the Beginning Teacher category at the 2026 KAAE, Kansa Association of Agriculture Education, Ideas Unlimited Awards for her innovative unit on Legal Land Descriptions. Her lesson connects history, agriculture, and real-world application to help students understand why land descriptions matter—then and now.
Way to represent agricultural education and inspire students!
#440PROUD
Meet our PLC Guiding Coalition!
This team is leading the implementation of Professional Learning Communities across USD #440, strengthening collaboration and keeping student learning at the center of our work. Through shared leadership and purposeful planning, we are building systems that support teachers and help every student succeed.
This team is leading the implementation of Professional Learning Communities across USD #440, strengthening collaboration and keeping student learning at the center of our work. Through shared leadership and purposeful planning, we are building systems that support teachers and help every student succeed.
🎉 Bond Project Progress Update! 🎉
🏫 Bentley Primary School
Big celebration time! The major construction work at Bentley is almost complete 🎉✨ Final inspections are nearly wrapped up, the new addition looks fantastic, and we’re getting very close to fully opening the new part of the building! Fresh paint, new flooring, and a cleaned‑up, ready‑to‑go space make this a huge milestone for our district. 🙌💙
🎭 Halstead High School – Auditorium
The auditorium is transforming in a big way! The massive scaffolding is coming down, opening up the space again 👀✨. New lighting and finished ceiling features are giving us a great preview of what’s to come. It’s looking more and more like a performance space we can all be proud of! 🎶🎤
🏗️ Halstead High School – 7/8 Classroom Addition
We’ve gone VERTICAL! 🚀 The new walls and steel structure are up, and it’s exciting to see a real building taking shape. This addition is going to create incredible learning spaces for our students. 📚💡
💪 Halstead High School – Weight Room
The weight room project is officially underway! Footings are poured and the foundation work is complete. 🏋️♂️🔥 We’re building a space that will support our athletes and PE programs for years to come.
🏫 Bentley Primary School
Big celebration time! The major construction work at Bentley is almost complete 🎉✨ Final inspections are nearly wrapped up, the new addition looks fantastic, and we’re getting very close to fully opening the new part of the building! Fresh paint, new flooring, and a cleaned‑up, ready‑to‑go space make this a huge milestone for our district. 🙌💙
🎭 Halstead High School – Auditorium
The auditorium is transforming in a big way! The massive scaffolding is coming down, opening up the space again 👀✨. New lighting and finished ceiling features are giving us a great preview of what’s to come. It’s looking more and more like a performance space we can all be proud of! 🎶🎤
🏗️ Halstead High School – 7/8 Classroom Addition
We’ve gone VERTICAL! 🚀 The new walls and steel structure are up, and it’s exciting to see a real building taking shape. This addition is going to create incredible learning spaces for our students. 📚💡
💪 Halstead High School – Weight Room
The weight room project is officially underway! Footings are poured and the foundation work is complete. 🏋️♂️🔥 We’re building a space that will support our athletes and PE programs for years to come.
Staff spent the January 5th professional learning day working on their essential standards for the second semester. Identifying and planning for essential standards is part of the Professional Learning Community initiative #440 has committed to through our Kansas Education System Accreditation process.
🌱 Hey Plant Lovers! 🌱
Our awesome 6th graders are turning green thumb projects into amazing gifts! 🎉 Come check out our Plant Sale—it’s full of leafy friends just waiting to be gifted to someone you love.
📍 Stop by Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm at Halstead Middle School and grab your favorite plant before they’re all gone!
💬 Got questions? Just ask—we’re rooting for you! 🌿
#PlantSale #GreenThumbs #6thGradeGardeners #LeafItToUs
Our awesome 6th graders are turning green thumb projects into amazing gifts! 🎉 Come check out our Plant Sale—it’s full of leafy friends just waiting to be gifted to someone you love.
📍 Stop by Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm at Halstead Middle School and grab your favorite plant before they’re all gone!
💬 Got questions? Just ask—we’re rooting for you! 🌿
#PlantSale #GreenThumbs #6thGradeGardeners #LeafItToUs
Mr. Conard leads the BPS student and staff parade today. The district office staff even got in on the fun, handing out candy.
Take a look at the Director's Newsletter!
Happy National Hispanic Heritage Month!
From September 15 to October 15, we celebrate the rich history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. 🌎✨
Our school community is proud to honor the traditions, stories, and achievements that continue to inspire and shape our world. 💛📚🌟
#HispanicHeritageMonth #CelebrateCulture #ProudCommunity
From September 15 to October 15, we celebrate the rich history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. 🌎✨
Our school community is proud to honor the traditions, stories, and achievements that continue to inspire and shape our world. 💛📚🌟
#HispanicHeritageMonth #CelebrateCulture #ProudCommunity
