Issue 3 Newsletter

2024-25 School Year

www.usd450.net

I encourage our students to stay focused and finish the year strong. Whether they are preparing for final projects, gearing up for performances, or competing in spring athletics, their hard work and dedication continue to make us proud. To our families, thank you for your ongoing partnership in supporting our students both inside and outside the classroom.

I want to thank you for your patience and support as we have adjusted our calendar to make up for truly unprecedented weather this winter. As we look ahead, we continue actively planning for the future. Our Facilities Steering Committee has been working hard to assess our schools’ current and future needs, and we appreciate the valuable input from our committee throughout this process. We will continue to seek feedback in the coming months as we consider potential improvements to our facilities.

Thank you for your commitment to our students and to the Shawnee Heights community. Let’s make this final stretch of the school year a great one!

Sheila Meggers
Superintendent

Find next school year's 2025-2026 Year-At-A-Glance calendar below. All year-at-a-glance events have been updated on our calendars online.

As we begin planning for 2025-26, we want to share a few important updates to Shawnee Heights USD 450 transfer request procedures.

To better serve families and simplify the process:

• In-district transfer students will no longer need to submit a new in-district transfer request application each year.

• Non-resident students will no longer need to submit a new non-resident transfer request application each year. Non-resident students must continue to meet acceptable standards for attendance, behavior, and academic progress.

For more details on the policy regarding the determination of good standing for non-resident students, please visit the JBCC Enrollment of Non-Resident Students policy on our website.

All eligible students will follow the returning student enrollment process. Online enrollment for the 2025-26 school year opens July 7, 2025. As we get closer to opening Online Enrollment, we'll share what to expect, walk you through the process, and provide contact information if you have questions. We're here to help make enrollment as smooth as possible!

Mitch Spade, Science Teacher at Shawnee Heights High School, is the first voice our incoming freshmen hear as they step into high school, setting the tone for an exciting and welcoming start. As a dedicated Link Crew sponsor, he brings unmatched energy and enthusiasm to freshman orientation, making the transition to high school a fun and positive experience.

His nominator highlighted just how impactful Mitch’s dedication is, sharing, "Each year, I am in awe of his dedication to the Link Crew program and his willingness to take the lead on a day that is so important to the success of our school. He is truly one of the bedrocks of our high school."

Beyond Link Crew, Mitch teaches Physics and coaches the Junior Varsity soccer team. His selflessness and commitment to both his students and colleagues make him a cornerstone of our school community. We are proud to recognize him with this well-deserved Spotlight Award!

Spotlight Awards are presented throughout the year to staff members who go above and beyond. Would you like to nominate a USD 450 employee for a Spotlight Award? Complete our USD 450 Spotlight Award Nomination Form to highlight the next deserving staff member. All nominations will remain active throughout the school year, so don’t hesitate to recognize those who inspire you.

Over the past several months, our Facilities Steering Committee—comprised of parents, staff, community members, and board representatives—has been hard at work evaluating the current and future needs of our district’s school buildings.

The committee toured each building, assessed needs, and helped prioritize safety, space, and student learning. Across all schools, common themes emerged: the need for more classroom space, improved safety features, and updated areas for electives, small group support, and student services.

With our current bond set to be paid off in September 2025, this is a key opportunity to invest in facility improvements while minimizing the financial impact on our community. The committee reviewed several potential bond options, ranging from a $0 tax increase to more comprehensive proposals that address additional long-term needs.

To learn more about the work of the committee and explore the options being discussed, watch the video updates below. You can also visit our Facility Study Info page on our website to find additional information and answers to frequently asked questions and leave feedback.

The Steering Committee's work has been shared with the Board of Education. The Board will review the committee’s feedback, and in the coming months, the district will seek additional input from staff, families, and community members. This feedback will help shape the final scope of a potential bond proposal.

Thank you for your continued engagement as we plan for the future of Shawnee Heights.

Austria, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland from March 14–22. The group, which included students, parents, patrons, and friends of the district, visited major cultural and historical sites across eight cities in four German-speaking countries, including Frankfurt, Rothenburg, Munich, Innsbruck, Vaduz, Lucerne, Zurich, and Heidelberg.

Trip highlights included:

• Frankfurt & Rothenburg – Their journey kicked off in Frankfurt before heading to Rothenburg, a gem along Germany’s Romantic Road. The town boasts one of Europe’s most intact medieval walls and a famous clock that reenacts the tale of a wine-drinking mayor who saved the city during the Thirty Years’ War.

• Dachau Memorial – A sobering and powerful stop at Germany’s first concentration camp, established in 1933. A deeply reflective moment of historical learning.

• Munich – Students marveled at the Glockenspiel show at Marienplatz and explored the Frauenkirche Cathedral, the BMW Museum, and the Deutsches Museum of Science and Technology.

• Hohenschwangau & Neuschwanstein – In the Bavarian Alps, the group visited the childhood home of King Ludwig II before hiking up to Neuschwanstein Castle—Germany’s most iconic fairytale fortress.

• Innsbruck, Austria – Strolling through the cobbled streets of Old Town, students admired the Golden Roof, built for Emperor Maximilian I and featuring 2,657 copper shingles.

• Vaduz, Liechtenstein – A quick but meaningful visit to this tiny country nestled in the Alps.

• Lucerne, Switzerland – From the medieval Kapellbrücke Bridge to the city’s mural-covered walls, Lucerne enchanted the group with its blend of charm and history.

• Mt. Pilatus – Students scaled this snow-capped Swiss mountain for panoramic views—on a clear day, visibility reached up to 200 miles.

• Zurich & Heidelberg – The trip wrapped with a visit to Zurich and the castle ruins of Heidelberg, home to the Great Vat, the world’s largest wine barrel, holding nearly 50,000 gallons.

Though the trip was not school-sponsored, it was filled with once-in-a-lifetime educational experiences. “Getting to see all of those very old and historical places was amazing,” said student Brady Miller. “It was an incredible experience to see a window into the past as though it were still brand new.”

Birgitte Theroff shared, “Visiting places like Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau was a dream come true. As someone going to major in history, learning about German history, both medieval and recent, was a treat.”

The memories made along the way were more than sightseeing—they were about connection, culture, and curiosity. “I was so impressed watching Brady have a conversation in German,” said SHHS Teacher Anne Vetter. “The whole experience was unforgettable.”

From Black Forest cake to snow-covered mountaintops, these students brought back more than souvenirs—they returned with a global perspective and a collection of memories that will shape them for years to come.

How did you spend your Spring Break? Whether you explored new countries or played board games with family, we hope your break was filled with connection, joy, and a little bit of adventure.

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Sheila Meggers, Superintendent

Matt Hirsch, Associate Superintendent

Board of Education

Erica Price - President

Sarah Sanders - Vice President

Rocky Busenitz

Rosa Cavazos

Christina Flaming

Lauren Tice Miller

Kristy VanMetre