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
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
CMS students will begin taking the Kansas State Assessments on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
You are invited to a Community Championship Celebration that will take place next Thursday, March 26 during the CMS and BSHS Family Engagement Night!
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!
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!
Any patrons out there who have an X (twitter) account, go vote for our Bonner Springs boys basketball team as this week's Hy-Vee High School Team of the Week!
https://x.com/KCTV5/status/2033289468745069031?s=20
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!)
Chicks are hatching!!
Students in Mrs. Schneider’s 8th grade science put their learning into motion. Students designed and built marble runs to demonstrate their understanding of kinetic and potential energy. Here’s their problem solving and creativity in action!
Congratulations to Superintendent Rick Moulin as he was awarded the NAACP Louisa Fletcher Excellence in Education Award for 2026!
Mr. Moulin was recognized for the following:
"Rick has grown up in this community since third grade, graduating from BSHS in 1990. He has contributed to our education system as a student, teacher, principal and superintendent, and continues to use his expertise to support its development. He has been an advocate for diversity in our schools and our community. As a BS NAACP member, he has shown his support each year for the Freedom Fund banquet, by grilling at Tiblow Days, and at the State NAACP meetings hosted by Bonner Springs, he has given the greeting addressing the support of NAACP's principles and goals. Rick is an excellent role model."
Mrs. Fletcher was an advocate for the rights of African Americans not only in this community, but at the state and national levels as well. Since 2017, BS NAACP has given a Louisa Fletcher "Excellence in Education" award.
National Junior Honor Society members got to spend some time at Maple Ridge with some beautiful young ladies. BINGO was the game-o! So much fun!
These pictures show our 8th grade science Potential and Kinetic Energy Lab, where students are designing and building marble runs. The goal of the activity is for students to demonstrate their understanding of potential energy and kinetic energy by creating a track that allows the marble to move using gravity and changes in height.
Throughout the project, students test and adjust their designs while observing how energy changes from potential energy (stored energy at higher points) to kinetic energy (energy of motion as the marble moves through the track). This hands-on activity helps students connect real-world engineering design with the science concepts we are learning in class.
Throughout the project, students test and adjust their designs while observing how energy changes from potential energy (stored energy at higher points) to kinetic energy (energy of motion as the marble moves through the track). This hands-on activity helps students connect real-world engineering design with the science concepts we are learning in class.
