Halstead-Bentley USD 440

🔥 Day 22 Celebrating USD 440! 🔥 Halstead is making history thanks to not one, but TWO incredible leaders—3A Coaches of the Year, Derek and Diana Schutte! 🏆🏆 💙 Derek Schutte led the Halstead girls basketball team to its first-ever state championship this season—an unforgettable milestone! 💙 Diana Schutte did the same in volleyball, guiding the team to its first state title in program history as well! Both were honored as 3A Coaches of the Year AND selected to coach in Kansas All-Star games—a true testament to their impact on and off the court. But what makes this even more special? The culture they’ve built in Halstead. A culture of selflessness, teamwork, and playing for each other. These aren’t just wins on the scoreboard—they’re wins for the entire Dragon community. Their leadership is inspiring. Their commitment is unmatched. And their legacy is just beginning. We are beyond proud. Dragon Proud! 🐉💪 #USD440 #HalsteadDragons #StateChamps #3ACoachesOfTheYear #DragonProud #CultureWins

Day 21 of Celebrating! 🎉 We had 440 at HMS today, and the celebration spirit is going strong! One of the highlights of our community is having our preschool on campus, which gives us an amazing opportunity to connect our older Dragons with our littlest Dragons. 💚💙 Some of our upper-grade students have had a blast teaching our Pre-K students about horticulture—from planting seeds to watching them grow! 🌱 They’ve also taken time to read stories and build bonds that go beyond the classroom. We love seeing our oldest students step into mentorship roles and care for our youngest learners. These moments of connection are what make HMS truly special. 🐉💫 #HMSDragons #LittleDragonsBigHearts #Day21Celebration #HMSCommunity #GrowingTogether #StudentMentors #PreschoolPartnership #DragonsInAction #HorticultureFun #ReadingBuddies #WeAreHMS

📅 Day 20 of Celebrating USD 440! 🎭 Today we’re spotlighting one of our favorite traditions at BPS — the 3rd Grade Living Wax Museum! 🕯️ Our amazing third graders dive into history by selecting a person of significance from the past, researching their life, writing a speech in their voice, and dressing the part. Then, they bring history to life — performing for students, staff, family, and friends! 🗣️✨ It’s an unforgettable experience that fosters public speaking, research skills, and a true appreciation for the people who’ve shaped our world. 💡📚 👏 Way to go, 3rd grade — you make learning come alive! #USD440Celebrates #LivingWaxMuseum #BPSPride #HistoryComesAlive #3rdGradeStars

🌾 Welcome to Halstead High! 🐉 We’re excited to welcome Rachel Sebesta to our team as our new Agriculture teacher! We can’t wait to see the amazing things she’ll bring to our Ag program. Welcome to the Dragon family, Ms. Sebesta! A little bit about her: Hello! My name is Rachel Sebesta and I'm the new Agriculture Educator for Halstead High School! I grew up as the 5th generation on a century farm in North Central Kansas, raising Hereford-Angus cattle, wheat, and sorghum. I graduated from Kansas State University this May with a degree in Agricultural Education and Global Food Systems Leadership. When I'm not helping my family on the farm, I love traveling across the United States and the world, exploring global agriculture and other cultures. While in high school, I was very active in both 4-H and FFA, with both organizations being a large part of my life. I'm very excited to be bringing those experiences to students as an educator now and helping them graduate with career-ready skills in agriculture! 💙 #WelcomeToHalstead #USD440 #DragonPride #AgEducation

Day 19 🎉📚 Celebrating Our Staff's Commitment to Literacy Excellence! 📚🎉 USD #440 is proud to announce that over 75% of our dedicated educators, teachers, paras, and administrators, have successfully completed LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) training! 🙌 LETRS is an intensive, research-based professional development that empowers teachers with the knowledge and skills they need to help every student become a confident reader. This training strengthens our ability to provide high-quality literacy instruction grounded in the science of reading. 👏 A huge THANK YOU to our incredible staff for investing their time, energy, and passion into this journey. Your commitment to student success is what sets #DragonNation apart! 🐉💙 #440PROUD #LETRS #ScienceOfReading #ProfessionalDevelopment #DragonPride #CommittedToConintinuousImprovement

We want to welcome Mrs.Sarah Bussen she will be teaching at HMS this next school year. We are so excited to have her joining our as her family are already Dragons! Here is a little bit about her: Hello, Halstead Families!! My name is Sarah Bussen, and I’m thrilled to be joining HMS as the 5th grade Science & Social Studies teacher. This year marks my 16th year in education, and I couldn’t be more delighted to return to the classroom. I grew up in the rural town of Dade City, Florida, on my family’s orange grove. As a teen I enjoyed assisting with teaching dance classes at my local dance studio, pole vaulting, and cheerleading. I moved to Manhattan, Kansas in August of 2000 to go to Kansas State University on a Track & Field Scholarship as a Pole Vaulter and earned my degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Dance. I’ve spent over a decade teaching in USD 259 – first as a 3rd grade teacher and later as a K-5 Math Interventionist. In 2020, I stepped away from the classroom to focus on raising my four wonderful children-now ages 5, 7, 9, and 11-who are all proud Dragons themselves! Outside the classroom, I enjoy gardening, supporting my kids with their many activities, and anything related to gymnastics or dance. I also like a good cup of black coffee. I believe in creating a classroom that is engaging, hands-on, and encourages active participation. I’m incredibly excited to return to teaching. Go Dragons!

🎉 Celebrating Success in USD 440! 🎉 We’re proud to share that over 26 students from Halstead have earned collegiate scholarships to continue pursuing their passions at the next level! 🎓🌟 These opportunities span a wide range of activities—including football, volleyball, basketball, golf, track, cheer, dance, theater, choir, forensics, and more! 🏈🏐🏀🎭🎶📣 Their dedication, talent, and hard work have truly paid off. 👉 And that number doesn’t even include all the academic scholarships… stay tuned for another post highlighting those achievements! 📚✨ If you're thinking about continuing your activity after high school, Halstead is a great place to start. 💙🐉 We’re proud to support students as they grow, thrive, and chase their dreams. #30DaysofUSD440 #DragonPride #CollegiateSuccess #HalsteadStrong #FutureFocused #ScholarshipSeason #DreamBigDragons

🏀 Day 17 – Girls' First Basketball State Championship! 🏆 In a year to remember, this incredible team—led by Coach Schutte—made history by winning the first-ever girls basketball state title for the program. And they weren’t alone… it was one of two girls programs at the school to make history this year! 👏🔥 But the real story? The way they did it. This wasn’t just a team—it was a family. Unselfish play, relentless hustle, and total trust in each other carried them all season long. They didn’t care who scored, who started, or who got the spotlight. They cared about each other—and it showed. Team culture wasn’t just something they talked about. It was something they lived, every single day. 💙 Two programs. One historic year. United by culture, grit, and heart. #Day17 #GirlsBasketball #StateChamps #HistoryMakers #TeamFirst #CultureWins #MoreThanAGame

🎭 Day 16 of Celebrating USD 440! Did you know Halstead hosts a free summer musical program for kids? Led by our very own Mrs. Clifford and run through the city rec program, this amazing opportunity is hosted right at the school! Young performers get the full theater experience—from acting and singing to working behind the scenes with lights, sound, and props. 🎤🎬 This year’s production? High School Musical Jr.—and we’re so excited to see the magic come to life on stage! This program is a shining example of how our district supports the arts and creates meaningful, hands-on experiences for kids of all ages. 🌟 #HalsteadHigh #30DaysofCelebrationUSD440 #TheatreKids #HighSchoolMusicalJr #SmallTownBigTalent

🛠️ Day 15: Hands-On at Halstead – Spotlight on Skilled Trades Classes At Halstead High (USD 440), our students get real with real tools. We offer a rich progression of hands-on building and woodworking opportunities, including: Intro to Skilled Trades – foundational exposure to construction, tools, and shop safety. Woodworking Principles – dive deeper into wood types, measuring, joinery, and safe equipment use. Furniture & Cabinetry Fabrication – design and build functional household projects. Carpentry I & II – from rough framing basics to refining finish carpentry techniques. Work-Based Learning in Building Trades – gain real-world experience on actual job sites. Why it matters: USD 440 provides industry-style shop environments for students to learn with power tools and real materials—developing craftsmanship, problem-solving, and confidence—all right here in our rural 3A setting of about 840 students #votech #shop #BuildingTheFuture #HandsOnLearning

Day 14 🌟 “24 Hours, 1000 Smiles: USD 440 Students Give Back!” Halstead-Bentley USD 440 has implemented a robust community service program that integrates civic engagement into students' educational experience. Each student is required to complete 6 hours of community service annually, totaling 24 hours over their high school tenure. These hours are thoughtfully embedded into the school schedule, ensuring that students can participate without compromising their academic responsibilities. The program emphasizes collaboration with local organizations and residents to identify and address community needs. Students engage in various projects, including painting, moving furniture, and cleaning communal spaces, directly contributing to the betterment of Halstead and Bentley. A highlight of the initiative is the annual "Rake and Run" event, where the entire student body participates in raking leaves across neighborhoods in Halstead and Bentley. This event not only fosters a sense of community pride but also instills the value of volunteerism among students. The district's commitment to community service is evident in its structured approach to civic engagement, ensuring that students develop a lifelong dedication to serving others. #givingbacktothecommunity #CivicEngagement #halsteadcares #makingadifference

📣 Day 13 of 30 Days of Celebration – HHS Digital Media Earns 2nd in State! 🏆🎥📸📰 We’re proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our Halstead High School Digital Media students at the Kansas Scholastic Press Association (KSPA) State Contest! ✨ Halstead High placed 2nd overall in the 3A division, just 6 points away from 1st place—a huge accomplishment among schools across Kansas! Students competed in a variety of categories including yearbook, photography, journalistic writing, video production, web design, ad design, and more—with several bringing home 1st place honors in highly competitive events such as: 🎥 Video News 🎤 PSA (Public Service Announcement) 📊 Multimedia Storytelling 📚 Yearbook Theme & Graphics ✍️ Editorial Cartoon 🖼️ Ad Design …and many more! This amazing success wouldn’t be possible without the dedication and leadership of Mrs. Farmer and Mrs. Zehr, who guide and support students through their creative journeys every step of the way. 💙💛 📸 Every student who placed helped earn points for HHS, and we could not be prouder of the entire team and the excellence they brought to the state level! Proud to be a Dragon. Proud to be USD 440. #30DaysOfCelebrationUSD440 #HalsteadDragons #DigitalMediaExcellence #KSPA #StudentSuccess #DragonPride #CreativityInAction #JournalismMatters #ProudToBeADragon #USD440Shines #ThankYouMrsFarmer #ThankYouMrsZehr

Day 12 🎭Kansas Jester Awards! 🎭 At Halstead, the arts matter—and this season’s success is proof that when we invest in creativity, our students shine. Halstead High School – USD 440’s fall musical, The Music Man, earned 19 Regional Awards and received 7 Jester Award nominations in this year’s Kansas Jester Awards program, which recognizes excellence in high school musical theatre across the state! 💫 This incredible recognition highlights the dedication, teamwork, and talent of our students and staff. 🌟 Student/Staff Highlights: Avery Castelberry and Dalaina Schutte were recognized as Leading Performers, showcasing their exceptional stage presence and vocal ability. Luke Ayers and Maxx Linton earned honors for Supporting Performer, bringing depth and personality to their roles. Blakely Baalman received the Pre-High School Performer award—an amazing accomplishment for such a young star! The Barbershop Quartet and the full Music Man Ensemble/Chorus were awarded for their strong ensemble performances and harmonies. Our Stage Crew was honored for their work behind the scenes—proving once again that theatre magic takes a full team. Aurora Farmer earned recognition for Choreography/Staging, bringing energy and precision to every scene with the Halstead Dragon Dazzlers and other dancers. 🎨 Technical Excellence: Shauna Black was recognized for her impressive Scenic Design. Michael Detweiller received honors for Program Design. Claire Clifford led the way with awards in Lighting Design, Sound Design, and Vocal Music Direction, in addition to directing the entire production. And speaking of leadership… Mrs. Claire Clifford was named a 2024–2025 Jester Award recipient for Outstanding Direction—one of only ten directors selected from across the state! This is a tremendous honor, chosen from over 150 high school productions throughout Kansas. #JesterAwards #HalsteadHS #TheMusicMan #OutstandingDirection #DragonProud #HalsteadFineArts #USD440 #StudentSuccess #TheatreExcellence #KansasTheatre

Day 11 – Bentley Primary is Getting a Big Upgrade! Thanks to the Bond and the incredible support from our community, Bentley Primary School is undergoing some much-needed renovations—and construction is moving right along! As part of the updates, students and staff can look forward to secure new entryways that enhance safety, freshly updated classrooms with modern lighting and flooring, additional space and rooms to support growing enrollment and small-group learning, a brighter and more functional cafeteria, and brand-new playground equipment. All of these changes are designed to create a more engaging and supportive learning environment for our students and staff. We’re so excited to see these improvements come to life. These changes will have a lasting impact on our students, staff, and families—and it’s all possible because of your continued support. Thank you, Halstead-Bentley community, for investing in the future of education. We can’t wait to welcome everyone into the new and improved Bentley Primary! #joinourfamily #30daysofusd440 #bentleyprimary #usd440proud #futurefocused #communitysupported #buildingabetterschool #growingstrongertogether

Day 10: Halstead Middle School – Battle of the Books! This year’s Battle of the Books saw our highest number of student participants ever! Students formed teams, selected from a curated book list, and divided up the reading. After diving into their assigned titles, teams faced off in a bracket-style trivia competition testing their knowledge and memory of each story. It’s a fun, engaging way to build a love for reading, foster teamwork, and get students excited about learning. Huge thanks to Mrs. Matlack for organizing this amazing event and inspiring our students to open more books! 📚 #BattleOfTheBooks #HalsteadMiddleSchool #DragonProud #ReadMore #HMSReaders

Day 9: Dragonbackers Booster Club Spotlight Dragonbackers is our outstanding volunteer booster club, dedicated to supporting Halstead students, staff, and programs in countless ways. This past year alone, they contributed over $35,000 back into our schools. Here’s a breakdown of their incredible impact: Athletics – $16,700 went directly toward supporting our sports programs, helping provide essential equipment, uniforms, and resources. Post-Season Athletics – $7,000 helped cover expenses such as student admission to state competitions, transportation like the football charter bus, and other postseason needs. Other Activities – $4,000 went toward supporting programs outside of athletics, including items like a drone for the graphic design program and other enriching tools and opportunities. Halstead Middle School – $4,200 was invested into HMS to support students and staff in a variety of ways, enhancing both academics and extracurriculars. Dragonbackers is a volunteer-run organization, powered by people who care deeply about our school community. Their dedication directly supports the growth, culture, and success of Halstead students at every level. We are so grateful for their commitment and continued support. Thank you, Dragonbackers, for helping make Halstead a place where students thrive. #DragonProud #HalsteadSupport #CommunityStrong #JoinOurFamily

Day 8 | Little Dragons Preschool Spotlight At Halstead-Bentley, our Little Dragons Preschool is where big learning begins! Our program is designed with heart—fostering curiosity, creativity, and confidence in every child who walks through our doors. We’re proud to offer an Extended Day Program, with all-day preschool, Monday through Friday, giving families flexibility and children more time to grow, play, and learn in a safe, nurturing environment. From hands-on activities and early literacy to social-emotional learning and school-readiness skills, our preschoolers are thriving every single day. It's more than a classroom—it’s a place where young minds blossom. If you're looking for a program that blends care, fun, and a strong educational foundation, look no further than Little Dragons! #LittleDragons #HalsteadUSD440 #PreschoolPride #DragonStrong #EarlyLearningMatters #JoinOurFamily

🏐 Day 7: STATE CHAMPS! 🏆 History was made this year as our Halstead Girls Volleyball Team brought home the FIRST State Championship in school history! With an unbelievable 43-2 record, these girls showed what heart, hustle, and grit truly look like. One of their games at the state tournament was being played at midnight—but that didn’t stop them. Their determination and drive never wavered. What made this team so successful? More than just skill—it was their strong team culture and the spirit they had for each other. They lifted each other up, played for one another, and truly embodied what it means to be a team. All of it led by the incredible Coach Diana Schutte, named 3A Coach of the Year for her leadership and commitment to building champions on and off the court. This was more than a championship—it was a legacy in the making. 💙🐉 #HalsteadProud #StateChamps #DragonVolleyball #30DaysOfHalstead #TeamCulture #CoachOfTheYear #Unstoppable

Day 6 of 30: Fields of Dreams ⚾🥎 This spring, USD 440 proudly unveiled our brand-new baseball and softball facilities—state-of-the-art spaces where our student-athletes can grow, compete, and shine. Our softball team recently hosted Regionals right here at home, and our baseball team wrapped up their season playing on their new home turf. We’ve received nothing but compliments on the upgrades from visiting teams, fans, and officials alike. We believe our students deserve the best, and these fields are just one example of how we’re investing in their growth, talent, and future. #USD440Proud #FieldsOfDreams #HalsteadDragons #30DaysOfHighlighting440 #JoinOurFamily

Day 5: Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) FBLA is the largest career and technical student organization in the world—and we’re proud to offer it right here at Halstead High School! In just its second year, our FBLA chapter is making big moves. This summer, five incredible students will head to Anaheim, California to compete at the FBLA National Leadership Conference! 🇺🇸✨ 💼 National Competitors: 🎤 Leah Parks – Intro to Public Speaking ⚖️ Delia Stewart – Business Ethics ⚖️ Michael Detweiler – Business Ethics ⚖️ Parker Metoyer – Business Ethics 🎬 Ryan Jahnke – Digital Animation These students have put in the work, and now they’re getting the chance to shine on a national stage. We’re so proud of the dedication, preparation, and leadership they’ve shown all year long. Since last year, our chapter has grown by 76%—a clear sign that students are seeing the value of being part of something bigger. From building resumes and sharpening public speaking skills to networking with peers across the country, FBLA is preparing our students for the future in a big way. With strong support from our school and community, the best is yet to come. FBLA at Halstead is just getting started! 💙 #DragonProud #FBLA #FutureLeaders #HalsteadStrong #USD440 #JoinOurFamily