Rural Vista Schools USD 481 - Home of the Heat

Join us in thanking our Board of Education January is School Board Recognition Month and our school district would like to thank each of our board of education members for their incredible service to our community and our public schools. School board members in USD 481 develop policies and make important decisions that help shape the future of our education system. They are entrusted by their communities with the responsibility of an annual budget of $8 million, 297 students, 59 employees and two PK-12 buildings. This January, please join us as we thank our school board members for volunteering their time, for fulfilling this very important civic responsibility, and for advocating on behalf of every child in our community The men and women serving Rural Vista and their years of service are: Tracy Schmidt (President) - 17 years Chad Johnson - 10 years Chuck Hoff - 5 years Jaren Nittler - 1 year Chris Barnes - 9 months Dillon Cook (Vice-President) - 2 years Elizabeth Stroda - 2 years

Dear Rural Vista Family – We are writing to make you aware of a recent cybersecurity incident involving PowerSchool, a software vendor which provides our Student Information System (SIS). On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, PowerSchool informed our leadership team that they experienced a cybersecurity incident involving unauthorized access to certain PowerSchool SIS customer data. Unfortunately, they have confirmed that the information belongs to some of Rural Vista’s families and educators. PowerSchool informed us that the taken data primarily includes parent and student contact information with data elements such as name and address information. Across their customer base, they have determined that for a portion of individuals, some personally identifiable information (PII), such as social security numbers (SSN) and medical information, was impacted. They are working with urgency to complete their investigation and determine whether PII belonging to our students was included. Protecting our students is something we take seriously. With PowerSchool’s help, more information and resources (including credit monitoring or identity protection services if applicable) will be provided to you as it becomes available. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Sincerely, USD 481 - Rural Vista

As we continue to monitor the roads and consider the forecast of more snow and freezing drizzle tonight, USD 481 Rural Vista schools will not be in session on Friday, January 10th, 2025. We look forward to seeing everyone back Monday!

To ensure the safety of our students & staff, all classes & activities are cancelled for Thursday, Jan 9th.

Due to the road conditions in Woodbine. The bus will pick up all Woodbine students at the COOP Tomorrow and Friday. Parents, please have your students to the pick up locations by 7:05.

Due to the current road conditions Rural Vista Schools will not be in session on Wednesday January 8th.

Rural Vista schools will not be in session on Tuesday January 7th, 2025.

All classes and activities will be canceled for Monday January 6th for Rural Vista schools.

Tomorrow's HS JV Boys tournament at Hope has been postponed and has been moved to January 18th!

Rural Vista Electronic Device Policy To help facilitate an optimal learning environment, Rural Vista Schools will follow a cell phone free policy. Cell phones or any other, none district assigned, electronic device that can communicate with other devices will not be allowed during the school day. Students will be required to power down their devices and place them into their assigned box once they enter the school. Devices will be able to be retrieved at the end of the school day or when a student leaves for the day. Special exceptions may be made and must be approved by the building principal and superintendent. If at any time a cell phone or electronic device capable of communicating with another device is identified during school hours, this will be deemed a violation of district policy and will be given the appropriate consequences. Consequences for Violation of District Policy: First Violation: A student's first violation will result in confiscation of the device for the remainder of the day. The device will be taken to the office and put into the designated lock box. The office will notify the parent/legal guardian of the violation. Students may pick up the device at the end of the school day. Second Violation: A student's second violation will result in confiscation of the device for the remainder of the day. The device will be taken to the office and put into the designated lock box. The office will notify the parent/legal guardian of the violation and the parent/legal guardian will be required to pick the phone up at the end of the day. Third Violation: A student's third violation will result in confiscation of the device for the remainder of the day. The device will be taken to the office and put into the designated lock box. The office will notify the parent/guardian of the violation and the parent/guardian will be required to pick the phone up at the end of the day. Subsequent Violations: Any subsequent violations will result in confiscation of the device for the remainder of the day. The device will be taken to the office and put into the designated lock box. The office will notify the parent/guardian of the violation and the parent/guardian will be required to pick the phone up at the end of the day and an ISS will be assigned to the student. Policy Refusal: If a student refuses to turn over his/her phone or electronic device that is in violation of the policy, he/she will immediately be given a 1-day ISS. 2-days ISS may be issued if the student has multiple refusals. False Device: If any student is caught turning in a fake device so that he/she can keep their real device, this will be treated as a refusal to turn in your device and “Policy Refusal” consequences will be followed. School Sponsored Activities: Use of cell phones and electronic devices on school sponsored activities will be left up to the discretion of the supervising teacher. Students will be expected to respect and follow the supervising teacher’s wishes. Students will be made aware of the supervising teacher’s expectation before the trip leaves the school. College Class Student’s Electronic Device Agreement As a student taking a college course through a district approved program, students will be exempt from turning in their cell phones or any other, non district assigned, electronic device that can communicate with other devices. Student will still be subjected to the same consequences for violating the following: Students will only be allowed to be on their phones to access their dual login with teacher permission. Once the student has completed his/her login, the cell phone needs to be powered off and put away in the student's bag. If a student is caught on their phone, outside of logging in for class, they will be subject to the same consequences outlined in the district policy. If a phone is confiscated, per district policy, the student will be unable to login for their classes for the remainder of the school day and work will need to be completed outside of school hours. Both students and parent/guardian(s) must read and sign this agreement before students will be allowed to enroll in online college classes. I, ______________________________, have read and understand this agreement. I agree to (Student’s Printed Name) follow the policy and only use my electronic device to login in for my college class. Student Signature:_________________________________ Date:_____________ I, ___________________________________, Have read and understand this agreement that (Parent’s Printed Name) my student will abide by. Parent/Guardian:_____________________________________ Date:____________________

Gym will be open tonight from 6-7 at both schools. HSBB will start practice tomorrow at 10am in Hope. The bus will leave WC at 9:15.

More pictures from the White City Christmas Concert Directed by Ben Schierling

White City Christmas Concert Directed by Mr. Ben Schierling

Bruce Graham from Cloud County Community College shared his love of science with White City & Hope students on Monday, December 16, 2024.

Regular BOE Meeting December 9th, 2024 White City, KS- School Library 7:00 P.M. 1. Call to Order 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Consent Agenda Approval a. Approval of November Minutes b. Treasurer’s Report (Cash Summary) c. Approval of Warrants 4. Adoption of the December Meeting Agenda 5. Public Presentation a. Citizen’s Open Forum b. Correspondence c. Governmental Relations 6. Old Business a. Cell phone policy 7. New Business a. Supplementals b. New Hires c. Superintendent Vehicle 8. Administrative Updates a. White City Principal b. Hope Principal c. Superintendent 9. Adjournment

White City After School Program invoices will be sent home today with students. If you have a negative balance, you will be receiving an invoice.

Regular BOE Meeting Agenda November 11th, 2024 Hope, KS- School Library 7:00 P.M. 1. Call to Order 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Consent Agenda Approval a. Approval of October Minutes b. Treasurer’s Report (Cash Summary) c. Approval of Warrants 4. Adoption of the November Meeting Agenda 5. Public Presentation a. Citizen’s Open Forum b. Correspondence c. Governmental Relations 6. Old Business a. Presentation-Ben Schierling 7. New Business a. Supplementals b. Executive Session-Personnel c. Executive Session-Acquisition of Real Property 8. Administrative Updates a. Hope Principal b. White City Principal c. Superintendent 9. Adjournment

Exemplary Teacher and Student Award Evan Tate was recognized by the MW Grand Lodge of AF and AM of Kansas for his perfect attendance the first quarter of this school year. Evan received a certificate and a $25 gift card. Mrs. Kim Stilwell was recognized by the MW Grand Lodge of AF and AM of Kansas for being an exemplary teacher at White City Schools. Mrs. Stilwell received a certificate and a $50 gift card.

High School Football will play at Axtell on Friday. Kick off is set for 7pm and the game will be live streamed on NFHS Network! (It will either be on Axtell's NFHS network or KSHSAA's)

With a majority of our staff having children and wanting to participate in the Halloween parade, we are short 2 gate workers for the Football game. If you are interested in helping please contact the school! We would need you to work from 5:30-7:30ish. Thanks!