Congratulations to the USD 204 Parents as Teachers program!

The USD 204 Parents as Teachers program is the recipient of a $15,000 Parents as Teachers National Center Challenge Grant.

The Hands-On, Minds-On project will equip USD 204 PAT families with physical tools, manipulatives, and resources needed to build foundational early learning skills at home.

“Our goal is to strengthen school readiness by ensuring every family entering our program receives a welcome kit stocked with materials that support fine motor development, language acquisition, mathematical reasoning, and prereading skills that our Parent Educator can introduce, model, and leave with the family,” USD 204 Director of Instruction and Federal Programs Dr. Matt Wachel said.

The grant will run through June 30, 2027 and was created as a competitive funding initiative designed to help local PAT affiliates invest in infrastructure, community engagement, and family support programs rather than diverting all operating funds strictly into rising personnel costs.

USD 204 Parent Educator, Melissa Lewis, recently named the Kansas Parent Educator of the Year, said, “We are honored to receive this Challenge Grant and thankful for the confidence it places in our work. This funding will give us the ability to offer additional learning opportunities for the families we serve, and ensure that parents have the tools and support they need to help their children grow and succeed and prepare for preschool or kindergarten.”

Find more information about Parents as Teachers by clicking here.

Ms. Aubrey and Mr. Brian's pre-k class brought learning to life... literally! Mr. Brian became their coconut tree so they could act out a class favorite, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. The laughter was definitely contagious!

Former Sporting Kansas City player, Matt Besler, visited Mr. Razak's 4th hour Pre-Algebra class this morning! Razak was recognized last May as a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City Sporting Samaritan, so members of the Blue KC team as well as Sporting KC staffers visited Clark Middle School today let his class know he won the award, since the award was received after school let out for summer last year.

Students were able to ask Matt Besler a few questions about his career and he talked about the importance of getting good grades if students want to play sports in college.

Congratulations, again, to Mr. Razak on receiving this award! Read more about Mr. Razak's award here!

USD 204 Pre-K students visited Delaware Highlands Assisted Living this afternoon to show off their stuffed animals in a Pet Parade for the residents! Delaware Highlands staff even had Dalmation puppy ear headbands for the students to wear, and treats for the students after the parade!

Today was the first day of this year for the Pre-K students to visit, but they will be back several times throughout the year - a wonderful partnership for both the preschool students AND Delaware Highlands Assisted Living residents!