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!
Hello 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade DRE Families,
The deadline to register for our school Variety Show is getting close. Registration ends on Friday, April 17th at 4:00 PM. This registration can be found in grade level Newsletters, the Rooms App, or through this link. Right now, we are very low on participants and need MANY more for the show to be able to go on. Let Mrs. Timmons in the Music Room know if you have any questions.
Thank You!
Dear DRE Families,
Over the next few days, the photo packages from picture day should go home with your student. Here are some instructions on what to do with those packages.
If you wish to keep the photos that you received, you can turn in your payment to the office. There is also an option to pay online if you are not paying with cash or check.
If you do not want the photos, please return them to the office. If you would only like to keep certain photos, you can return the ones that you do not want and your payment for the ones you keep to the front office.
Payments and portraits should be returned to the front office by April 24th. Please contact Ms. Kaya at the front office if you have any questions!
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 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!
DRE Families,
We are moving the Fun Run INDOORS tomorrow to the gym. Please have your student wear tennis shoes and bring a water bottle- we are still going to have a great time!
Times have changed slightly, so please see the updated information below. If you have any questions, please reach out to the office. Thank you so much for your flexibility! It's going to be a fun day!!
We are moving the Fun Run INDOORS tomorrow to the gym. Please have your student wear tennis shoes and bring a water bottle- we are still going to have a great time!
Times have changed slightly, so please see the updated information below. If you have any questions, please reach out to the office. Thank you so much for your flexibility! It's going to be a fun day!!
From DRE PTO,
To celebrate our teachers and staff the week after break, we are having a day where they can dash into the lounge and dip into some snacks. On Thursday, March 26th, PTO will be providing several dippable snacks for our wonderful DRE staff. We'd love your help filling up this dip buffet. Please sign up to bring in a tasty dip plus the items that go with that dip. Some easy examples would be fruit tray and dip, veggie tray and ranch dip, pita and hummus, apples and caramel, chips and salsa, potato chips and french onion dip, pigs in a blanket with mustard dip, bread and oil, meatballs and spaghetti sauce, egg rolls and sweet and sour sauce, strawberries and chocolate etc. These are just some ideas to get you thinking but any dip type snack would be fantastic. When you sign up, please list the type of dip as well as the item(s) that go along with that dip. To sign up, please use the link below!
DRE Teacher Appreciation Dip and Dash
The 3rd Annual DRE Fun Run is coming up NEXT THURSDAY, April 2nd. Fundraising envelopes will be sent home this evening! If you would like to volunteer to help with the Fun Run, you can sign up with the QR Code provided!
On these flyers, you will find ways to help out, how to donate, and times for each grade level. Join Us for a wonderful opportunity to connect, engage with our DRE Community, and make great memories together. We hope to see you there on April 2nd, your participation makes all the difference!
Dear DRE Parents and Guardians,
This is a reminder that tomorrow, March 24th, is Picture Day!
This is a reminder that tomorrow, March 24th, is Picture Day!
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As we near the end of the school year, we want to hear your feedback! Please fill out the Parent Input Form so that we can assess how we can better help you and your student. Students can turn this form into their classroom teachers until April. 10th!
As we near the end of the school year, we want to hear your feedback! Please fill out the Parent Input Form so that we can assess how we can better help you and your student. Students can turn this form into their classroom teachers until April. 10th!
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!
We are one week away from Spring Picture Day on March 24th. Students will take their spring photos and classroom pictures on this day as well. We can wait to see those smiling faces!
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!)
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.
Check out the latest Board Beat from the March Board of Education meeting on our website at: https://bit.ly/204BoardBeat
Congratulations to our Braves boys basketball team on their win tonight! Next, they will travel to Wichita State University to play at Koch Arena this Thursday night, March 12, at 8 p.m. for the semifinal round of the KSHSAA 5A State Tournament!
Because the team is advancing and we anticipate many families traveling to Wichita to support the team Thursday evening, the BSHS and CMS Family Engagement Nights will be postponed. Originally scheduled for this Thursday, they will now be moved to Thursday, March 26th from 3:30 - 7:30 p.m. (The BSHS band pre-festival solo and ensemble recital already scheduled for March 26th will continue as scheduled at 7 p.m.)
Elementary school conferences will still take place on Thursday, March 12. If an elementary teacher would like to attend the state basketball tournament they will be allowed to do so. If elementary students are impacted because a staff member is not available Thursday evening, individual teachers will reach out to reschedule parent teacher conferences. Along that same line, if your family is planning to cheer on the Braves in Wichita Thursday night, please just contact your child’s teacher to reschedule your conference appointment.
Thank you for your understanding, and please join us in cheering on our Braves as they continue their season!
USD 204 Board of Education Approves Cassity Wooten as Assistant Principal of Delaware Ridge and Edwardsville Elementary
The Bonner Springs/Edwardsville Board of Education approved the appointment of Cassity Wooten as the Delaware Ridge Elementary and Edwardsville Elementary assistant principal beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. Wooten will replace Scott Geary, the current DRE and EDW assistant principal, who will take the role of assistant principal at Clark Middle School next year.
Wooten is a Class of 2007 graduate of Bonner Springs High School, and currently serves as an elementary administrative intern in the Spring Hill School District. Prior to that, she taught K-5 music for eight years in Spring Hill and elementary and vocal music for three years in the Leavenworth School District. Wooten was a Teacher of the Year nominee in 2020 and a Kansas Horizon Award nominee in 2013.
“Growing up as a child of educators, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for the impact education has on students and the critical role strong leadership plays in shaping a positive and successful school culture,” Wooten said. “I’m excited to join this school community again to begin building meaningful relationships with our students and staff.”
Delaware Ridge Elementary principal Dr. Steven Archer said, “We are pleased to welcome Mrs. Wooten to our schools here at DRE and EDW. Her passion for supporting students and her commitment to creating a positive, engaging learning environment makes her an exceptional addition to our team. We are confident she will help our students and staff continue to thrive.”
This is the LAST WEEK to place yearbook orders. Yearbooks are available for purchase until Thursday, March 12th. If you have not received an order form, we have them available in the office! If you are not sure if you have ordered a yearbook, you can contact Mr. Mackey at mackeyj@usd204.net or call the front office at 913-441-2126.
Dear DRE Families,
Delaware Ridge Elementary is excited to host our 3rd Annual Fun Run on Thursday, April 2, 2026! Families are invited to come out, cheer on our students, and enjoy a fun day of school spirit and community support. This event also serves as an important school fundraiser, with donations helping support programs and activities for our students. We hope to see lots of family members there encouraging our runners and helping make this event a success!
