Congratulations to our April Students of the Month! These students demonstrated the BRAVE character trait of VALUE.
Clark Middle School 8th graders have been putting the final touches on their electrical projects! Each group designed and decorated two rooms, then wired one room with a series circuit and the other with a parallel circuit. They even engineered their own working switches using brads and paper clips—all powered by a 9-volt battery.
These projects show off not just creativity, but a solid understanding of how electrical circuits function!
These projects show off not just creativity, but a solid understanding of how electrical circuits function!
Don’t let the memories fade - grab your yearbook today! Deadline is May 1st!
Today, we participated in our STEM Olympics, where advisories from each grade level competed in a variety of exciting, hands-on challenges. Activities included designing structures to withstand simulated earthquakes, constructing and launching rockets, building balloon-powered cars, solving escape room puzzles, and creating protective vehicles to keep eggs intact during crash tests. The event encouraged creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving while showcasing students’ skills in science, technology, engineering, and math.
🎤 Middle School Talent Show Results! 🎉
Congratulations to all of our talented performers!
🥇 1st Place: Layla Holton – winner of tickets to see Louis Tomlinson in concert!
🥈 2nd Place: Silas Cannon – recipient of a $10 gift card!
A big thank you to our wonderful judges for their time and support:
• Amy Gibbs (Third Space Coffee House, downtown Bonner Springs)
• Tracy Shiner (CST Sweets, downtown Bonner Springs)
• Jim Mitchell (beloved former CMS staff member)
• Rick Moulin (our Superintendent)
We appreciate everyone who helped make this event such a success! 🌟
Congratulations to all of our talented performers!
🥇 1st Place: Layla Holton – winner of tickets to see Louis Tomlinson in concert!
🥈 2nd Place: Silas Cannon – recipient of a $10 gift card!
A big thank you to our wonderful judges for their time and support:
• Amy Gibbs (Third Space Coffee House, downtown Bonner Springs)
• Tracy Shiner (CST Sweets, downtown Bonner Springs)
• Jim Mitchell (beloved former CMS staff member)
• Rick Moulin (our Superintendent)
We appreciate everyone who helped make this event such a success! 🌟
Need help buying food for your children when school is out for summer?
Learn how the Kansas SUN Bucks program can help you!
SUN Bucks, also known as Summer EBT, is a program to help families buy food for their school-aged children during the summer. Families will get a one-time benefit of $120 per year for each eligible child to help buy groceries during the summer months. Children who get SUN Bucks can still participate in other summer meal programs. Receiving SUN Bucks will not affect children or families’ immigration status.
Applications are now being accepted for SUN Bucks benefits for summer 2026. Benefits will not be issued until summer 2026. Some households may be automatically eligible and will receive a letter from DCF after January 2026 regarding SUN Bucks eligibility. Other households can create a DCF Self-Service Portal account or use your existing login to apply before 5 p.m. on August 31, 2026.
🐸 Science in Action: Seventh Grade Frog Dissections!
Our seventh-grade scientists took a deep dive into biology this week! To better understand how body systems work together, students stepped into the lab for hands-on frog dissections.
By locating specific organs and observing how they connect, our students gained a much clearer perspective on:
Anatomy & Physiology: Seeing firsthand how structures function.
Biological Links: Comparing frog anatomy to human systems to understand our own bodies.
Lab Skills: Practicing precision, observation, and scientific inquiry.
It was an incredible day of discovery and "aha!" moments. We are so proud of the curiosity and respect our students showed during this classic rite of passage in science education! 🧬✨
Our seventh-grade scientists took a deep dive into biology this week! To better understand how body systems work together, students stepped into the lab for hands-on frog dissections.
By locating specific organs and observing how they connect, our students gained a much clearer perspective on:
Anatomy & Physiology: Seeing firsthand how structures function.
Biological Links: Comparing frog anatomy to human systems to understand our own bodies.
Lab Skills: Practicing precision, observation, and scientific inquiry.
It was an incredible day of discovery and "aha!" moments. We are so proud of the curiosity and respect our students showed during this classic rite of passage in science education! 🧬✨
Don’t let the memories fade - grab your yearbook today! Deadline is May 1st!
The USD 204 Preschool Information Night will take place tomorrow night, Thursday, April 16th from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. at Delaware Ridge Elementary, Head Start, and McDanield Learning Center! If you have a child who is 4 years of age on or before August 31, 2026, you may want him/her to attend one of our three preschool programs!
If you don't know which preschool your child will attend, check out our Preschool Information page on our website: https://www.usd204.net/page/204pre-k or call one of our schools at:
USD 204 PRESCHOOL - 913-441-2126
Tuition-based preschool hosted at DRE
PRESCHOOL AT MCDANIELD - 913-422-7970
No-fee preschool
PRESCHOOL AT HEAD START - 913-441-2828
No-fee preschool
Join us on Thursday, April 16th to learn about the preschool program at the building your child will attend! Bring your student to visit the classrooms and meet the staff!
We hope to see you there!
If you don't know which preschool your child will attend, check out our Preschool Information page on our website: https://www.usd204.net/page/204pre-k or call one of our schools at:
USD 204 PRESCHOOL - 913-441-2126
Tuition-based preschool hosted at DRE
PRESCHOOL AT MCDANIELD - 913-422-7970
No-fee preschool
PRESCHOOL AT HEAD START - 913-441-2828
No-fee preschool
Join us on Thursday, April 16th to learn about the preschool program at the building your child will attend! Bring your student to visit the classrooms and meet the staff!
We hope to see you there!
Colton Sutton, an 8th-grade student, represented CMS at the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) State Leadership Conference in Wichita this past weekend. Competing against students from across the state, Colton earned a red ribbon and secured 1st place for his outstanding project.
His winning project showcased the creation and design of a Disney-themed Airbnb, demonstrating creativity, planning, and attention to detail. Colton’s achievement highlights both his hard work and talent, and he has made his school and community proud.
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.”
Our 8th grade science students are beginning an exciting hands-on project focused on electricity!
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!
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!
Last week students in Ms. Mohney's Intro to FAID class put their creativity (and sweet tooth 🍪) to the test! They created edible color wheels using cookies to practice identifying primary, secondary, and tertiary colors, along with color mixing.
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!
Last week, students in Ms. Mohney’s Intro to FACS class practiced dining etiquette and table setting! 🍽️👏 They did an amazing job mastering proper place settings while building important real-life skills.
Last Friday, we had the privilege of listening to Jennifer Ledgerwood, a local artist and designer, speak to our students about using their artistic talents to build a successful career. She is the illustrator of many books and was able to encourage and share some of her illustrating process.
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!
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