USD 343 is excited to announce a partnership with VU Scholarships to provide valuable scholarship opportunities for our juniors and seniors. This collaboration aims to assist students in exploring their options for college education by offering financial support that can ease the burden of tuition costs. By taking advantage of these scholarships, students can make informed decisions about their future academic paths and pursue their dreams without excessive financial stress. We encourage all eligible students to consider applying for these scholarships as a step towards achieving their educational goals.
VU scholarships is an innovative platform dedicated to helping high school students discover and secure college scholarships early in their academic journey. By partnering with various universities, VU aims to provide students with access to a multitude of scholarship opportunities before they even apply for college. This proactive approach not only alleviates the stress often associated with the college application process but also empowers students to dream big about their futures.
One of the significant benefits of the VU program is its ability to connect students with scholarships totaling over $2 billion, as recorded in 2024 alone. Each student can receive numerous scholarship offers, greatly enhancing their educational prospects. This initiative transforms the way students and parents approach higher education, making scholarships more accessible and less intimidating. By offering these resources, VU is not just changing students' lives; it is reshaping the future of education within our communities.
In our inaugural year, Perry-Lecompton HIgh School juniors were eligible for $84,514,524 in scholarships between the 72 students in the class. Similarly, PLHS seniors were eligible for $90,100,300 in scholarships between the 67 students in the class. USD 343 is hopeful that this program provides our students with the opportunity to not only decrease the amount of money that they have to provide out of pocket for their post-secondary education, but that it also encourages students to look into universities that they may not have otherwise considered.
The 2024 PLES Spelling Bee and the PLMS Spelling Bee were both held on December 6th, 2024.
The PLES bee was hosted in the PLES gym. The Spelling Bee lasted 58 minutes, went 7 rounds and concluded on the 117th word, "hurricane."
Third graders:
Henry Stahl, Blaize Franzen, Caroline Richmond, Joslyn Hankins, Gus Franzen, Kevin Scheer, Max Zajic, Kayden Morgison, Penelope Sledd, Chase Coleman, Luke George, Eliana Urbina, Justin Poppelreiter
Fourth graders:
Leo Roberts, Elle Schmidt, Caleb Clough, Maxine McCune, Jeremy Jones, Amari Houk, Madi Zajic, Cleo Struve, Callie Beattie, JJ Hamilton, Mason Clark, La'Darius Dunavan, Bennett Edmonds, Kai Nioce, Chase Boyce
Congratulations to the 2024 PLES Spelling Bee winner Caleb Clough!
The PLMS spelling bee was hosted in the PLMS Library and streamed live for parents. There were 36 students who participated in the bee. The contest lasted 1 hour and 7 minutes and concluded with the word "fruition."
5th Graders
Jaxton Bingham, Kensie Herman, Levi Rector, Fisher Brakenhoff, Aubrey Ediger, Sadie Jo Landis, Christian DeFoe, Esmarin Messerly, Charles Root
6th Graders
Taevyn Boucher-Tucker, Chevelle Brown, Emma Burns, Karson Cross, Lilly Kristic, Paetyn Poppelreiter, Lucille Purdon, Gehrig Rea, Hunter Schafer
7th Graders
Rosie Copeland, Wyatt Goodrick, Weston LaBonte, Kai Nadella, Remington Parker, Layla Quigley, Wyatt Souter, Zachery Starnes, Preston Tolbert
8th Graders
Audrey Bohannan, Aedan Carlston, Cohen Christman, George Chuber, Ellee Kelley, Elizebeth Kersey, Brodie Mallonee, Emme McHardie, Brinnley Morris
The winner of this year's PLMS spelling bee is Weston LaBonte!
The winners will represent PLES and PLMS in the Jefferson County Spelling Bee, which will be held in the PLHS Theater on Tuesday, February 18th, at 6:30 p.m.
Congratulations and Good luck to Caleb and Weston at the County Bee.
On November 8, 2024, Perry and Lecompton Elementary Schools came together to host a heartwarming event- Grandfriends Day! This special occasion welcomed over 250 grandparents who joined their grandchildren for a celebration filled with fun, learning, and connection.
Grandfriends Day is an annual celebration that emphasizes the importance of intergenerational relationships and the invaluable contributions of elders in the lives of our students. This year, the event was a tremendous success, bringing joy and excitement to both students and their grandfriends.
We want to extend a heartfelt "thank you" to all the Perry Lecompton Seniors who volunteered their time and energy to be “Foster Grandfriends” in each classroom. Their participation not only made the event possible but also enriched the experience for our students, creating lasting memories they will cherish.
The visits included a variety of activities, from classroom visits and interactive projects to games and storytelling sessions. It was inspiring to see the enthusiasm of both the students and their grandfriends as they engaged in meaningful conversations and shared experiences.
Grandfriends Day is a wonderful reminder of the strong bonds between generations and the love that connects us all. We look forward to celebrating this special day again next year and continuing to foster these cherished relationships within our school community. Thank you to everyone who made this event so memorable!
On Monday, November 11th, PLMS hosted its annual Veterans Day Assembly. We were honored to host veterans from various military branches, including the Air Force, Coast Guard, Army, Marines, and Navy. Our USD 343 Food Service Department prepared a hot breakfast for the veterans and their spouses. The Stuco and YEP students visited with our guests and helped refill drinks and bus tables. It was a lovely way to start the day.
Our students, Masters of Ceremony Cienna Duchesneau, Luxdyn Hoffman, and Miya Williams, did a wonderful job of reflecting on Veterans Day's history. The assembly also featured a heartfelt speech by Chief Master Sergeant Troy Abel, a 1988 PLHS graduate.
The PLHS Singers beautifully performed the National Anthem, and the PLMS band played a series of patriotic songs, culminating in the "Armed Forces Salute," which honored each military branch. The atmosphere was filled with respect and gratitude for our veterans' sacrifices.
We are thankful for our USD 343 Community's help in making this program a success. Our goal is to instill a deep appreciation for our veterans in our students, and your support helps us achieve that.
Please use this link to view the slideshow created with photos from our Veterans.
If you wish to watch the recording of our program, please use this link.
The Household Application for Free and Reduced Lunches for the 24-25 school year is now available for parents/guardians to complete and submit for determination! Please check out the informational flyer and Letter to Households attached for more detailed information. Also, please do not forget to submit a Consent for Disclosure form that is also attached if you would like to be considered for more benefits for your student(s)! Please contact Deb Brehm at the District Office at 785-360-2022 if you have any questions.
