USD 204 Board of Education Appoints Nicole Perica Gerken to fill BOE Vacancy
The Bonner Springs/Edwardsville Board of Education appointed Nicole Perica Gerken as a school board member to replace the vacancy opened when former member Ashley Razak resigned to accept a position within the district. Gerken will serve in this position through December 2027.
A 1997 graduate of Bonner Springs High School, Gerken brings more than 20 years of leadership experience across nonprofit management, strategic communications, fundraising, marketing, public relations, brand development, and operational oversight to the position. She has worked at The HALO Foundation for the past 16 years, including serving as their Chief Operating Officer since 2016.
Gerken applied for the Board position because she believes strong schools are the foundation of a strong and thriving community.
“Through my professional work at HALO supporting homeless and at-risk children and families, I have seen firsthand how education, stability, and supportive environments shape a child’s long-term trajectory,” Gerken said. “I believe school boards play a critical role in setting vision, ensuring responsible stewardship of resources, and supporting educators so they can focus on student success.”
USD 204 Board President Angie Thomas said, “The Board unanimously agreed Gerken’s expertise and leadership make her well suited to fill this role. Her skills and perspective will strengthen our board, and we look forward to the positive impact she will have on USD 204 and the community we serve.”
In Part 1, students will design and decorate two connected rooms inside a shoebox. Each room must:
Have a door or passageway connecting them
Feature a unique theme
Include items and details that match the purpose of the room
This creative step allows students to plan and visualize how electricity will be used in real-life spaces.
In the coming weeks, students will move on to Part 2, where they will:
Build a series circuit in one room
Build a parallel circuit in the other
Use these circuits to light up their rooms
Once completed, projects will be proudly displayed in the library before students have the option to take them home.
We’re excited to see their creativity and understanding of electrical concepts come to life!
1st through 12th graders are invited to participate in the Bonner Springs Summer Weights 2026 program! There is FREE registration with a physical on file before April 20, otherwise the program is $20 (includes t-shirt, prizes and giveaways for highest attendance, and free breakfast/lunch offered daily)!
Youth Sessions (1st - 3rd graders):
July 6 - 23 (Monday - Thursday only)
9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Middle School Sessions (4th - 8th graders):
June 8 - July 23, M-Th only (no workouts June 26 through July 5 due to KSHSAA Moratorium)
Session 1: 7-8 grade boys - 7 - 8 a.m.
Session 2: 7-8 grade girls - 8:15 - 9:15 a.m.
Session 3: 4-6 grade boys and girls - 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
High School Sessions (9th-12th graders)*
June 8 - July 23, M-Th only (no workouts June 26 through July 5 due to KSHSAA Moratorium)
Session 1: high school boys - 6:15 - 8:15 a.m.
Session 2: high school girls - 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
*There will also be an orientation and newcomers camp for all incoming freshmen and new high school students May 15, 16, 22, and 23rd from 6 - 8 p.m. (Meet in the BSHS commons area.)
Sign up NOW using this link! (Make checks payable to BSHS Athletics)
Please feel free to email Coach Mays with any questions!
Our 2026 boys basketball team made history!
This season, our boys basketball team brought home a state championship, only the second in school history, and the first since 1984. What makes this team special goes beyond the scoreboard, they showed toughness, discipline, and a commitment to each other every single night.
Championship T-Shirts: Bonner Springs made history, and this championship hits different. This isn’t just a shirt, it’s the season we’ll never forget. Get yours and wear it proudly.
If you would like to order one of the championship shirts, here is your chance! We accept cash and card (there is a fee if you pay by card). The deadline for shirt orders will be April 12, 2026. To guarantee you receive your shirt, you need to do two things:
Complete the Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdkEKWeFQIVaomeUZwy0-28fCFuDiMpNU2JjeOHjRAq1OgVAA/viewform
Submit payment: If paying cash, you will need to bring it into the high school (give it to the athletic secretary - Mrs. Kelly); If paying by card (there will be a small fee), use this link: https://gofan.co/event/6414951?schoolId=KS18100
Both steps are required for a successful t-shirt order!
USD 204 Preschool
(Tuition-based Pre-K hosted at Delaware Ridge Elementary)
1601 N. 130th St.
Kansas City, KS 66109
McDanield Learning Center
(No fee Pre-K - must meet qualifications)
110 S. Nettleton Ave.
Bonner Springs, KS 66012
Head Start
(No fee Pre-K - must meet income qualification)
402 N. Neconi Ave.
Bonner Springs, KS 66012
To find out which preschool program your child should attend, check out: https://www.usd204.net/page/204pre-k
On Saturday, the CMS Tiblow Singers, under the direction of Mr. Zachary Shoemaker, rose early and traveled to Woodland Spring Middle School to participate in the annual Spring Hill Music Invitational. The ensemble performed two selections, worked with a clinician, and received valuable feedback and ratings.
We are incredibly proud to share that they earned a Superior (1) Rating, the highest distinction an ensemble can receive! This achievement reflects their hard work, focus, and commitment to excellence. It’s a great day to BRAVE!
We were able to interact with several members of the 1984 Championship Team last night, too, which perfectly demonstrates what Mr. Moulin told this year's championship team during the celebration, "You’ve connected generations of Braves and given this community a moment it will never forget."
Mayor Tom Stephens also read a proclamation honoring the 2026 Championship team.
Special thanks to the following for making this a memorable event for all:
Bonner Springs High School Band
Bonner Springs Police Department
Bonner Springs Fire Department
Bonner Springs Edwardsville Area Chamber of Commerce
Union Bank & Trust
Atmos Energy
Providence Medical Group
Cool Heat KC, LLC
American Family Insurance, Mike Holloway Agency
Alden-Harrington Funeral Home
Burdette Driving School
Third Space Coffee
CST Sweets
Winkle Berry
Nationwide Discount Printing
Spencer Davidson, emcee
and Dave Stokka, Rebecca Ruff, and Peni Gaititi for preparing the Braves Fieldhouse for the event!
Congratulations to our March students of the month! These student demonstrated the BRAVE character trait of ACCOUNTABILITY.
Hello,
Counselors visited 7th grade Social Studies classes today to discuss next year’s 8th grade elective choices. During this time, students received an elective form along with important information.
Please take time to review elective options with your student. Completed forms should be turned in to their Social Studies teacher by Monday, March 30, 2026. Additional forms are available in the CMS office if needed.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at craigc@usd204.net or pattersonj@usd204.net.
Thank you,
Christian Craig & Jacob Patterson
CMS Counselors
Hello,
Counselors visited 6th grade Social Studies classes today to discuss next year’s 7th grade elective choices. During this time, students received an elective form along with important information.
Please take time to review elective options with your student. Completed forms should be turned in to their Social Studies teacher by Monday, March 30, 2026. Additional forms are available in the CMS office if needed.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at craigc@usd204.net or pattersonj@usd204.net.
Thank you,
Christian Craig & Jacob Patterson
CMS Counselors
At 5:30 p.m., there will be a small parade from McDanield Learning Center up Kump Avenue to Bonner Springs High School.
After the parade, the Bonner Springs Edwardsville Area Chamber of Commerce and several local businesses will provide hot dogs and water for attendees - and the Winkle Berry truck will be on-site, too!
Around 6 p.m., all are invited to gather in the PE Center/Braves Fieldhouse for a short celebration featuring the coaches, players, and special guests! The team will also be available for autographs and photos after the celebration!
Make plans to join us in celebrating this historic moment together!
https://x.com/KCTV5/status/2033289468745069031?s=20
Flashback Friday: The year of the last boys state basketball championship for the Bonner Springs High School Braves was 1984! Jim Sechrist shared photos he took during the game his senior year!
Check out:
Mike Martin #13
Rob Stewart #12
David Hall #10
Hughes Suffern #23
Randy Reed #11
Joe Sechrist #5 jacket
Brad Palmberg #4 jacket
Coach Carl Taylor
Did you know 1984 was also the year of the original Orange Crush? (Before that, the group was called Bleacher Creatures!)
