USD 204 wants to share important updates regarding the new law the Kansas Legislature passed in the spring of 2026. HB 2299, or the Cell Phone Ban, goes into effect today. HB 2299 prohibits student use and display of personal communication devices at school from "bell to bell" during the school day, including during lunch and passing periods.

The law does not restrict devices students receive from the school district, such as Chromebooks used in our schools. These are allowed, and should be brought to school fully charged for learning activities, as in the past.

At the elementary level (BSE, DRE, and EDW), all devices must be turned off and kept out of sight during the school day. If personal electronic devices are brought to school, they will be kept in student backpacks, with backpacks remaining inaccessible to students throughout the school day.

At the secondary level (CMS and BSHS), all devices must be turned off and kept out of sight during the school day. Students will have the option to turn in their devices each morning to a designated staff member stationed in the commons area prior to the start of school. A daily first hour/advisory announcement made the first weeks of school will reinforce expectations regarding personal electronic devices.

If a device is being used during school hours or is visible, it will be collected, secured, and delivered to the office, where administration will assign a consequence to the student based on the number of offenses.

For further details on the Cell Phone Ban law, please find our FAQs page on our website at: https://www.usd204.net/page/cell-phone-bill-faqs

In addition, as of today, July 1, 2026, official Bonner Springs/Edwardsville USD 204 and building social media accounts will no longer respond to direct messages or engage in comment-based conversations in response to Section 3 of HB 2299.

As a result, we will use social media as a one-way, public-facing communication tool. If you need assistance, please contact the District Office or school buildings through Messages in the USD 204 app, or via phone numbers and 'Send Message' links on our websites.

Here is the Summer Nurse's Newsletter.

Click here to view vaccination requirements for the 2026-2027 school year!

Join us this afternoon for the Students vs. Staff Softball Game fundraiser that will be held TODAY, May 13th at 3:30 p.m.!

$5 entry for BSHS baseball and softball teams! Concessions will be available!

Dear DRE Families,

If you would like to purchase Class Group Photos, we have extras in the front office. Group Photos are $10 and are available for purchase!

Dear DRE Families,

Check out the PTO April Newsletter!

April 2026 Newsletter

The April 20 Board Beat is now available on our website!

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.

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!

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