Board to Interview First Superintendent Candidate
Todd Wiedemann will be interviewing for the position of superintendent with the board of education on Monday May 4, 2026. Wiedemann is the first of four candidates that USD 440 Halstead/Bentley board of education will be interviewing. Candidates were selected for interviews based on their fit with desired characteristics that were developed with input from focus groups and an online community survey utilized during the search process.
Todd Wiedemann currently serves as the Director of the Kansas MTSS and Alignment Project through the Southeast Kansas Education Center. He is in his 17th year in that position. Previously, Wiedemann served in a Secondary School Leadership role for 13 years.
🎒✨ Halstead/Bentley Families: Ready to start your child’s preschool journey? ✨🎒
Preschool screening still has open slots on May 1 and May 8!
If you have a 3‑ or 4‑year‑old and are interested in preschool, please click the link below to share your information. Once submitted, a member of our team will reach out to answer any questions and help schedule a screening time.
👉 Please submit your information even if these dates do not work and you are interested in learning more about our preschool program.
🔗 Complete the form here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScCEO1E1jUMeInF7mbFUfoqvLV2aK0kvcexUimgozvqL8FaSQ/viewform?usp=publish-editor
We can’t wait to connect with our future Dragon families! ❤️🐉
#HalsteadBentley #PreschoolScreening #EarlyChildhood #FutureDragons #PreschoolReady
Reminder:
📣 Community Input Requested: Superintendent Search 📣
As the USD 440 Board of Education begins the process of selecting the next Superintendent of Schools for Halstead/Bentley, we are seeking community input on the professional and personal qualities you value most in our next superintendent.
You are invited to share your voice by attending an in‑person focus group or by completing a short online survey.
👥 Join a Focus Group
We will host in‑person focus group sessions on Monday, April 20. Please attend the time and location that works best for you:
🕣 8:30 a.m. – District Office
🕤 9:30 a.m. – District Office
🕝 2:30 p.m. – Bentley Primary School
📝 Share Your Voice via Survey
If you are unable to attend a focus group, please take a few minutes to complete our online survey.
⏱️ The survey takes approximately 5 minutes.
👉 Click here to participate:
https://tejoin.com/scroll/193356299
Thank you for your time and for helping us shape the future of our school district.
USD 440 Board of Education
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
