Category Archives: Schools

Food, Fort Scott, Schools

Summer School and Free Food Start in June at USD 234

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USD 234 School District halls are quiet right now, but in June some students will be back for more learning.
Destry Brown. Submitted photo.
“Summer school will be held during the month of June for students from preschool through high school,” said Superintendent Destry Brown. “Part of the summer school activities is for students with Individualized Educational Programs. We call this the Extended School Year. The other part for Kindergarten through 8th grade is an enrichment summer school for any student who wants to come. The high school kids will be working on credit recovery during summer school.”
“The elementary students and all the Extended School Year students will be at Winfield Scott. Elementary School,” Brown said.  “The preschool students will be at the preschool. The middle and high school students will be at the middle school.”
Winfield Scott Elementary School, 316 W. 10th Street, Fort Scott.
“Breakfast and lunch will be served daily at Winfield Scott and the Middle School and is free to all students and any other children from birth to 18. We will also be sending food home for the weekends for any student who wants or needs it.”
“Students not attending summer school may come to Winfield Scott or the Middle School at 11 a.m.”
Winfield Scott Elementary School is located  at 316 W. 10th and Fort Scott Middle School is located at 1105 E. 12th.
Fort Scott Middle School, 1105 E. 12th.

 

Bourbon County, Schools

National History Day State Champions from Fort Scott Set to Present at the Empress Events Center

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Submitted photo.

Southeast Kansas will send one project to the National History Day Championship in College Park, Maryland June 9-13. Two groups from the Bourbon County community attended the State National History Day Championships in Topeka in April.

The Fort Scott State Champion group who will compete at Nationals in June will present their performance project at 6 PM on May 28th at the Empress Event Center, 7 N Main, Fort Scott. A second group will also present their documentary that received third place at the state competition in June. This presentation will allow the students to practice sharing their projects and raise funds for their trip to College Park, MD. The community is invited to attend and support these students.

The following students are the State Champions and will be sharing their projects on June 1st:

Kenlee Eden, Blair Felt, and Kodie Wells from Fort Scott Christian Learning Center will participate in the Junior Group Performance category, coached by Megan Felt and Rachel Wells. Their project is entitled Tillie Anderson and Her Bicycle: the Picture of Free, Untrammeled Womanhood. Their project is a performance based on Tillie Anderson, one of the first professional female athletes. As the world champion cyclist from 1895-1902 Tillie Anderson was a turning point for women’s athletics, fashion, exercise, and freedom.

 

Charlee Wells and Hadley Wells from Fort Scott Christian Learning Center participated in the Junior Group Documentary category at the State National History Day competition, coached by Rachel Wells. Their project is titled Etching Voices: A Turning Point in the Recording and Music Industry. The documentary is based on the inventions of Emile Berliner specifically the impact of the gramophone. Due to the invention of the gramophone, recordings and music were made more accessible to all people which would revolutionize the mass production of music.

 

 

History Day encourages students to express their knowledge of and interest in history through creative and original dramatic performances, media presentations, historical papers, website design, or three-dimensional exhibit projects. The research and study for district, state, and national competitions take place throughout the entire school year.

The national competition involves the top 2,800 students from across the nation, chosen from over 800,000 who compete in order to advance from local to state to national competition. All 50 states and several countries will be represented at the National competition. The theme this year is “Turning Points in History.”

The Lowell Milken Center provides critiques and helps with research for National History Day Unsung Hero projects from Kansas and throughout the United States.

 

Bourbon County, Church news, Schools

St. Martin’s Academy Rugby Team Claims 2nd KS State Championship

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Celebration time! Captain Joseph Moleski raises the trophy after an epic comeback victory in the KS State Final. Submitted photo.

The Kingfishers of Saint Martin’s Academy roar back in the 2nd half to claim their 2nd straight KS State Championship in Tier 1 Rugby, defeating the Saints of Thomas Aquinas 26-19 on May 11th at the KU Rugby Complex in Lawrence, KS.

A long narrative report of the match can be read here.

Highlights:

  • 2 tries, including the game-winner with time expired, by Captain Joseph Moleski.
  • Man of the Match went to Senior Outside-Centre, Ben Skinner, who scored a late try to tie the match and had multiple long runs to put Aquinas on their heels.
  • The Kingfishers went down 19-7 mid-way through the 2nd half, only to score 19 unanswered to claim victory.
The Kingfishers finish the regular season ranked #6 Nationally and are headed to Nationals in Elkhart, Indiana to compete against the best teams in the country.
Quote from School Founder and Headmaster, Daniel Kerr: “No team works harder than our boys and when the chips were down at the end of the match, that hard work paid off.  This was the most exciting match I’ve ever been a part of.”
Senior Ben Skinner battles through a tackler en route to the match tying-score. Skinner was named Man of the Match by the hosts, KU Rugby Club.
Submitted photo.
We’re on the road right now to Nationals.  Say a prayer for the boys!
Submitted  by

Daniel Kerr

Headmaster, St. Martin’s Academy
Fort Scott, Schools

Tiger Newsletter Final Edition

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Fort Scott, Schools

USD234 Board Meeting Press Release for May 13

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Unified School District 234

424 South Main

Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697

www.usd234.org

620-223-0800   Fax 620-223-2760

DESTRY BROWN                                                                                                                                      Superintendent                                                                                                                                            

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING

NEWS RELEASE

Monday, May 13, 2024

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, May 13, 2024, for their regular monthly meeting at the board office.

 

President David Stewart opened the meeting.

 

The board approved the official agenda with the change to District Cell Phone policy to be discussion only, and the consent agenda as follows:

Board Minutes

04/08/24 Board Minutes

Financials – Cash Flow Report

Check Register

Payroll – April 19, 2024 – $2,108,758.88

Activity Funds Accounts

USD 234 Gifts

Resolution 23-17 KMIP Signers

Resolution 23-18 – Account Signers

Tiger Club Fundraising

EW Book Fair Fundraising

Leadership Club Fundraising

EW Box Top Fundraising

FSHS Dance Team Fundraising

 

Zach Johnson & Matt Harris recognized Jannah Farrington and Danielle Cavin, both Special Education Teachers at Fort Scott Middle School. They were both thanked for countless hours that they put into their positions not only with paperwork and legal information but how much they care for the students. Both Administrators spoke very highly of each teacher and how each meets the needs of their students and collaborates seamlessly with staff and Admin.

 

Superintendent Destry Brown reported on an increase in enrollment for the end of the year. Also, explained about a Federal EPA Grant that the district will be applying for with various community partners. The Board will meet with Administration for a work evening.

 

The Board welcomed Terry Mayfield who will be Assistant Superintendent/Business Manager starting July 1, 2024.

 

Tonya Barnes, Special Education Director, reported the final revenue payment coming in June. She updated the board on ESY with sixty-six students attending this summer. Testing tools are being reviewed and hopefully will be updated soon.

The Board moved the district cell phone policy to discussion only and Tyler Slinkard, FSHS Speech and Debate Forensics Teacher, was present to discuss this policy.

 

The board approved the following items:

  • Five Year Professional Development Plan
  • Approval for Crossland as CMAR for Preschool building
  • FSHS Lunch Price Recommendation for 2024-25
  • 10 Passenger Van Purchase
  • New student devices for incoming 6th & 9th graders
  • Content Filter & Classroom Management Bid
  • Middle School Science Text & Resources
  • Instrument Lockers & Storage Bids – Melhart

 

The board went into an executive session for personnel matters.

 

President Stewart adjourned the meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PERSONNEL REPORT

May 13, 2024

 

RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:

 

Anderson, Anna – Resignation – SPED Teacher – Eugene Ware

Bergmann, Mark – Supplemental Resignation -Assistant Debate & Forensics Coach – High School 

Casey, Hunter – 2nd Grade Teacher – Winfield Scott

Durnell, Suzan – Resignation – Instructional Coach – Winfield Scott

Forkner, Julie – Resignation – Preschool Intervention Teacher

Hall, Kathi – Supplemental Resignation – Assistant Summer Weights & Conditioning 

Hall, Laeci – Supplemental Resignation – Assistant Volleyball Coach – High School 

Hutchison, Brian – Supplemental Resignation – Assistant Football Coach – Middle School

Kegler, Terra – Supplemental Resignation – Head Volleyball Coach – High School 

Killion, Chelsea – Resignation – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott

Kim, Anna – Resignation – 5th Grade Teacher – Eugene Ware

Ludeman, Sara – Resignation – Paraprofessional – High School

Martin, Jared – Supplemental Resignation – Assistant Football Coach 

Metcalf, Alvin – Resignation – Full Time Substitute 

McGehee, Sarah – Resignation – Paraprofessional – Preschool

Michaud, Jennifer – Resignation – Spanish Teacher – High School

Motley, Aubrionna – Resignation – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott

Owenby, Bo – Retirement – Custodian – Eugene Ware

Regan, Nikki – Resignation – Special Education Teacher – High School

Specht, Alex – Resignation – Assistant Principal – High School

Weddle, Codee – Resignation – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott

 

TRANSFERS/REASSIGNMENTS/LEAVE OF ABSENCE:

For the 2024-25 school year:

Certified:

Deatsch, Erin – Kindergarten to 2nd Grade – Winfield Scott – 2024-25

Classified:

Allen, Joe – Substitute Bus Driver to Full Time Bus Driver – 2024-25

Brown, Stacy – Food Service to Paraprofessional – Middle School – 2024-25

Supplemental:

 

EMPLOYMENT:

Certified Recommendations for the 2024-25 school year:

Hay, Marilyn – 9th Grade English Teacher – High School 

Hardesty, Tabitha – SPED Teacher – Eugene Ware – 2024-25

Howell, Carolien – 2nd Grade Teacher – Winfield Scott

Johnson, Jeff – Assistant Principal – High School – 2024-25

Knopp, Mackenzie – FACS Teacher – High School 

Prine, Amanda – 2nd Grade Teacher – Winfield Scott 

Wilcoxen, Travis – Special Education Teacher – Middle School

Williams, Courtney – 5th Grade Teacher – Eugene Ware

Classified Recommendations for the 2024-25 school year:

Baublitz, Christina – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott

Coffman, Quita – Food Service – Middle School 

Elton, Martin – Kitchen Manager – Winfield Scott

Guss, Stewart – Substitute Bus Driver 

Supplemental Recommendations for the 2024-25 school year:

Martin, Dave – Assistant Girl’s Swim Coach 

Schnichels, Laryn – Assistant Cheer Coach – High School

 

Summer School Recommendations

High School

Clark, Erica – Teacher

Felt, Carson – Teacher

Harper, Amy – Teacher

Mayberry, Polly – Teacher

Robinson, Justin – Teacher

Rogers, Jaimie – Teacher

Tally, Jenna – Teacher

Middle School

Ables, Andrew – Teacher

Claypool, Tammy – Teacher

Hall, Dakota

Homan, Tracy (1st two weeks)

Messer, Kari – Teacher

Short, Samantha (last two weeks)

Middle/Elementary Shared

Bin, Angela – Teacher

Chaplin, Lisa – Teacher

Nelsen, Lori – Teacher

 

ESY Summer School Recommendations

SPED Teachers

Kassie Cate, Sierra Sprague, Danielle Cavin, Billi Jo Shoemaker, Jannah Farrington, Aubri Motley, Ashley Taylor

Paraprofessionals

Nissa Dinneen, Matt Crank, Michael Freeze, Tabitha Hardesty, Joan Page, Jordan Guss, Becky Lee, Erin Campbell, Jenny Pryor, MeKenna Lord, Kayla Purdy, Susanne Cosens, Lena Phelan, Sara Schnichels, Rhonda Perkinson, Heather Metcalf, Julius Hodges, Kathryn Ogle, Mckayla Vincent, Laryn Schnichels, Dennis Denigan, Alicia Craig, Corinna Johnson

 

Classified Renewals: Preschool, Winfield Scott, Eugene Ware, Middle School, High School, Tech Team, Kitchen Staff, District Office, Transportation Staff, Transportation Subs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fort Scott, Government, Schools

Agenda For The USD 234 Board Meeting on May 13

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Unified School District 234

424 South Main

Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697

www.usd234.org

620-223-0800   Fax 620-223-2760

 

DESTRY BROWN                                                                                                                                                        

Superintendent                                                                                                                                             

 

 

 

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING

May 13, 2024 – 5:30 P.M.

PUBLIC AGENDA

 

1.0       Call Meeting to Order                                  David Stewart, President

2.0       Flag Salute

3.0       Approval of the Official Agenda (Action Item)

4.0       Approval of the Consent Agenda (Action Item)

            4.1       Board Minutes

  1. 04/08/24 Board Minutes

            4.2       Financials – Cash Flow Report

            4.3       Check Register

            4.4       Payroll – April 19, 2024 – $2,108,758.88

            4.5       Activity Funds Accounts

4.6       USD 234 Gifts

4.7       Resolution 23-17 – KMIP Signers

4.8       Resolution 23-18 – Account Signers

4.9       Tiger Club Fundraising

4.10     EW Book Fair Fundraising

4.11     Leadership Club Fundraising

4.12     EW Box Top Fundraising

4.13     FSHS Dance Team Fundraising

5.0       Recognitions (Information/Discussion Item)

6.0       Leadership Reports (Information/Discussion Item)

            6.1       Superintendent’s Report

            6.2       Assistant Superintendent’s Report

            6.3       Special Education Director’s Report

            6.4       Finance Director’s Report

7.0       Old Business

            7.1       Five Year Professional Development Plan (Action)

            7.2       Approval for Crossland as CMAR for Preschool Building (Action)

7.3       District Cell Phone Policy (Discussion/Action)

 

           

           

 

8.0       New Business

8.1       FSHS Lunch Price Recommendation (Action)

8.2       10 Passenger Van Purchase (Action)

8.3       New Student Devices for Incoming 6th & 9th graders (Action)

8.4       Content Filter & Classroom Management Bid  (Action)

8.5       Middle School Science Text and Resources (Action)

 

9.0       Public Forum

10.0     Other Business – Personnel Matters            

 

11.0     Adjourn Meeting (Time)            David Stewart, President

Fort Scott, Government, Schools

Fort Scott Preschool Will Get Bigger Facility in 2025

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Fort Scott Preschool Center, 409 S. Judson,  has a waitlist of approximately 25 three-year-old students this year.

The Fort Scott Preschool, at 409 S. Judson.

“We began this school year with 93 students,” said Nick Johnson, the preschool’s principal.  “Between students moving into the district and students transitioning from Infant-Toddler services, we are finishing the year with 120 students.”

To solve that problem the USD234 School District has begun the process of renovating a building at 9th and Horton Streets for a preschool center. The building was originally owned by Mercy Hospital.

902 S. Horton, from a 2022 photo.

“The new building will allow our program to expand to five classrooms and all those classrooms will be under one roof,” he said.  “Having five classrooms will allow us to increase our enrollment and decrease class sizes.  The new building will also provide more space for related services.  In our current situation speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, mental health services, and English Speakers of Other Languages services all share very limited space.  Having staff in the same location will allow for increased collaboration and more consistency between classrooms.”

“Currently, everything being done is behind-the-scenes planning by the architects and engineers.,” Johnson said.

“Architects and engineers are currently working on plans for the new building,” he said.  “The school board held a hearing at the April board meeting to begin the process of hiring a construction manager at-risk.  The next step will be to hire a construction manager at risk.  We are planning for construction to begin this summer.”

“Construction should be completed during the 2024-25 school year,” he said.  “We are planning to be in the new building for the 2025-26 school year.”

Nick Johnson. Submitted photo.

Criteria to attend Fort Scott Preschool Center is based on age,” he said. ” The student must be three or four years old on September 1st.”

Students fall into one of three categories: 1) students who qualify for an Individualized Education Program (IEP), 2) students who are at risk of entering kindergarten socially, emotionally, or academically unprepared for success, and 3) peer models.

“All four of our classrooms are blended preschool classrooms, meaning they contain a combination of students from each of these three categories,” he said.

Preschool is offered free of charge to all families.

“Our preschool program receives special education and preschool-aged at-risk funding administered by Kansas Department of Education,” he said.  “We also receive funding from the Kansas Preschool Pilot Grant and the Early Childhood Block Grant.  These four funding sources cover most of our preschool expenditures and keep the program free for families.”

The mission of Fort Scott Preschool Center is to create a school environment that partners families, the school, and the community to build a foundation for lifelong learning.

There are five preschool teachers – four classroom teachers each licensed to teach early childhood special education and one part-time intervention teacher.

“We have eight classroom paraeducators,” he said. ” Our classrooms are adequately staffed as we finish the school year, but we will need to hire one or two additional paras next fall as some of our current paras transition into other roles.”

 

 

Entertainment, Fort Scott, Schools, Youth

FSHS Thespians Perform Comedy Improv Show This Sunday

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The Fort Scott High School Thespians perform their annual Spring Improv Comedy Show at 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 12 at the FSHS Auditorium.

The show features improvised comedic scenes acted out on the spot using suggestions from the audience. Admission for the show is a free will donation at the door. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

The Improv Troupe, named Scripted, is directed by FSHS teacher Mark Bergmann and sponsored by Thespian Director Angie Bin. Junior Cooper George serves as this year’s Improv Troupe Captain.

 

Fort Scott, Government, Schools, Youth

FSHS Thespians Honor Members At Annual Awards Banquet

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Left to right: Jericho Jones, Casey Gomez, Regen Wells, Junie Fisher, Cooper George, Lexi Hill, Alyssa Popp, Lizzy Moore, Milo Donnelly, Angie Bin. Submitted photo.

The Fort Scott High School Thespian Troupe #7365 honored members at the annual Golden Thespie Awards Banquet on Apr. 29. The banquet followed original one-act play performances written by the three Drama classes at FSHS.

Honors opened with the President’s Speech & Introduction of New Officers by senior Lexi Hill. New officers include: President – junior Cooper George, Vice President – junior Kaiden Clary, Secretary – junior Emi King, Historian – junior Milo Donnelly, Publicity Chair – sophomore Junie Fisher, State Thespian Representatives – sophomores Chris Newman and Emma Bin, and State State Thespian Representatives in Training – freshmen Ava Johnson and Allie Wards.

The troupe inducted official International Thespian Society Members: seniors Jericho Jones, Lexi Hill, and Casey Gomez; and juniors Emi King, Mykael Lewis, Kaiden Clary, and Cooper George.

 

The following were recognized for competing in the KS State Thespian Festival Thespy Events: Vocal solos – seniors Casey Gomez and Jericho Jones, junior Emma Guns, and sophomores Junie Fisher and Levi Fairchild; Monologues – seniors Regen Wells and Jaedyn Lewis, juniors Emi King and Alyssa Popp, sophomores Chris Newman and Grace Walker; Group acting – seniors Jesse Dinneen and Natalie Woods along with sophomore Peighton Head; Duet acting – juniors Mykael Lewis and Kaiden Clary; Stage Management – junior Cooper George; and Lighting – senior Lexi Hill. Special Recognition went to Wells (qualifying for the third year in a row) and Fisher who qualified to compete at the International Thespian Festival at Indiana University June 23-28.

 

The troupe was presented the Gold Honor Troupe Award from the KS Thespians and the following State Improv Troupe Finalists were recognized: seniors Regen Wells, Lexi Hill, and Jaedyn Lewis; junior Mykael Lewis, and sophomore Chris Newman.

Senior members of International Thespian Society were presented with a medal to wear at graduation. Lexi Hill was honored for receiving the Kansas Thespian Society Technical Theatre Scholarship and Independence Community College Technical Theatre Scholarship. Kassandra Farr, Natalie Woods, Lizzy Moore were recognized for Fort Scott Community College Theatre Scholarships.

 

Senior 4-Year Drama Class Students were presented with lifetime alumni tickets to theatre productions at FSHS. They include: Jesse Dinneen, Lexi Hill, Natalie Woods, Josiah Eisenbrandt, Casey Gomez, Jericho Jones, and Jaedyn Lewis.

 

Every year the troupe votes on the Golden Thespies. These are special trophies presented for outstanding achievement during the year. The Best Newcomer trophy went to junior Milo Donnelly with freshmen Ava Johnson and Allie Wards also as nominees. Most Involved was junior Alyssa Popp with junior Mykael Lewis and sophomore Chris Newman also nominated. Drama Mama went to senior Lizzy Moore with senior Lexi Hill and junior Emi King as nominees. Drama Papa was awarded to junior Cooper George with seniors Jesse Dinneen and Josiah Eisenbrandt nominated.  The Designer of the Year trophy went to senior Lexi Hill, also nominated: senior Natalie Woods and sophomore Chris Newman. Technician of the Year went to junior Cooper George, juniors Emi King and Alyssa Popp also nominated. Actor of the Year was awarded to senior Casey Gomez with juniors Kaiden Clary and Mykael Lewis nominated. The Actress of the Year trophy was won by senior Regen Wells with senior Jaedyn Lewis and Junior Emma Guns nominated. The Singer of the Year trophy went to sophomore Junie Fisher with nominations also to senior Jericho Jones and sophomore Levi Fairchild. The top award of the evening went to theTriple Threat senior Jericho Jones. Seniors Casey Gomez and Regen Wells were nominated as well. Jones also has his name engraved on the perpetual Triple Threat plaque.

The evening closed with a tribute slideshow to the Thespian Seniors. Upcoming events include the Improv Comedy Show on May 12 at 7 p.m. at the high school auditorium and Tiger Drama Camp – Sleeping Beauty – held May 28-June 10 weekdays 12:30-4:30 p.m., with performances June 10 & 11 at 7 p.m.

FSHS is also proud to announce the production of Disney’s Frozen Jr. as the fall all-school musical for 2024. Thespians is led by Troupe Director Angie Bin

 

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Bourbon County, Schools, Youth

Uniontown FFA Livestock Judging Teams Is Named Reserve State Champion

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The Uniontown FFA Livestock Judging Team was named the Reserve State Champion team at the Kansas FFA State Livestock Judging contest on Tuesday, April 30th in Manhattan, Kansas. With the win the team has qualified to represent Kansas at the American Royal Livestock Judging contest in Kansas City, Missouri in the fall. Team members include sophomores Klara Stock and Jaci Marlow and freshman Kole Harris and Jace Harvey. The team is coached by Uniontown FFA Advisor Scott Sutton.
Individually the team was led by freshman Kole Harris. Harris finished 8th overall individually and 3rd overall in reasons. Klara Stock was 11th overall and 14th in reasons. Jace Harvey was the 30th ranked individual. There were 88 total teams and 360 individuals in total.
Advisor Scott Sutton commented, “This young team exceeded expectations by earning the title of Reserve State Champion. For a young team to handle a competitive contest with such a high level of maturity is really impressive. Obviously with this finish they have set the bar very high for the next few years of their high school judging career. I look forward to seeing what they can accomplish!”
Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Schools

FS Christian Heights School Annual Fundraiser is May 4

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Sending on behalf of Chamber Member

Fort Scott Christian Heights…

Fort Scott Christian Heights is hosting their Annual Country Store, 5K and Auction Fundraiser on Saturday, May 4th.

5K – 7:30am registration, 8:00am Race and Fun Walk Begin.

For more information regarding the 5K call 620.215.4915

9:00am-4:00pm: Giant Indoor Garage Sale, Specialty Booths Bakery, Kettle Corn, Snow Cones, Full Concession Stand

4:00pm-6:00pm: Dinner featuring fried chicken, smoked pulled pork, sides, and homemade desserts.

Adults:$8, Kids:$5 (ages 5-12), Kids under 5 are free

6:00pm: Live benefit auction of merchandise and services donated by local businesses!

1101 South Barbee St.

For more information contact the school at 620.223.4330 or [email protected]
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701