The person who keeps the bills paid and the lights on, often behind the scenes, but always making a difference!
Kim Kraft wears many hats as our Board Clerk, ensuring operations run smoothly while managing countless administrative responsibilities with care. Her dedication provides essential support to the USD 288 Board and our entire district.
Always willing to help and greet others with a positive attitude, Kim’s professionalism and kindness do not go unnoticed. We are truly grateful for all she does and proud to recognize her as an amazing Viking!
Thank you, Kim, for everything you do for USD 288!
Kim Kraft wears many hats as our Board Clerk, ensuring operations run smoothly while managing countless administrative responsibilities with care. Her dedication provides essential support to the USD 288 Board and our entire district.
Always willing to help and greet others with a positive attitude, Kim’s professionalism and kindness do not go unnoticed. We are truly grateful for all she does and proud to recognize her as an amazing Viking!
Thank you, Kim, for everything you do for USD 288!
High school scholars bowl at Uniontown has been cancelled.
A look at the week ahead!
Due to the hazardous road conditions and forecast of sub-zero windchill, there will be no school tomorrow, January 26, 2026.
Huge Congratulations to Benjamin Wuertz for making the 1234A All-State Band and to Knox Cannady on being selected as an alternate for the 12334A All-State Band! These 2, along with Arabella Dunbar, Mathew Dunbar, Tate Smith, & Willis Miller, competed for positions in the Band against all 1234A kids across the entire state of Kansas at live auditions in Salina this past weekend! We are immensely proud of all our students who worked throughout the season and prepared for their auditions.
Ben is now a Two-time All-State Qualifier! In addition, Ben can proudly say that he is the #14 Trumpet in the State of Kansas & Knox can boast that he is the #10 Horn in the State of Kansas, 1A-4A! Pretty Amazing! If you see either of them, please congratulate them on this incredible achievement!
Ben will perform with the 1234A All-State Band on Saturday, February 28, at 5:00 PM in the Century II Concert Hall in Wichita, KS. Knox will wait to see if he gets called up. This is a huge accomplishment! Please consider coming out and supporting them!
*Benjamin Wuertz, 14th Chair Trumpet
*Knox Cannady, Alternate Horn
Link to the entire 1234A All-State Band Roster
https://ksmea.org/hsband/roster1234/
Ben is now a Two-time All-State Qualifier! In addition, Ben can proudly say that he is the #14 Trumpet in the State of Kansas & Knox can boast that he is the #10 Horn in the State of Kansas, 1A-4A! Pretty Amazing! If you see either of them, please congratulate them on this incredible achievement!
Ben will perform with the 1234A All-State Band on Saturday, February 28, at 5:00 PM in the Century II Concert Hall in Wichita, KS. Knox will wait to see if he gets called up. This is a huge accomplishment! Please consider coming out and supporting them!
*Benjamin Wuertz, 14th Chair Trumpet
*Knox Cannady, Alternate Horn
Link to the entire 1234A All-State Band Roster
https://ksmea.org/hsband/roster1234/
The Central Heights wrestling team competed at Wellsville yesterday, facing a strong field of opponents.
The Vikings earned several top finishes during the competition:
Gage Peine placed 1st, finishing 4–0 and earning a finals victory over a returning 6A state medalist.
Royce Ulrich placed 2nd with a 3–1 record.
Ebony Hughes earned 2nd place, finishing 2–2.
Landry Sparks finished 4th, going 2–2.
Hayden Jamescup 1-2 DNP
Charley 1-2 DNP
Cayleigh 1-4 DNP
Proud of all the wrestlers, way to work hard!
The Vikings earned several top finishes during the competition:
Gage Peine placed 1st, finishing 4–0 and earning a finals victory over a returning 6A state medalist.
Royce Ulrich placed 2nd with a 3–1 record.
Ebony Hughes earned 2nd place, finishing 2–2.
Landry Sparks finished 4th, going 2–2.
Hayden Jamescup 1-2 DNP
Charley 1-2 DNP
Cayleigh 1-4 DNP
Proud of all the wrestlers, way to work hard!
Thank you to all the officials who come to Central Heights! We are so thankful for your time and commitment to allow our student athletes to participate!
Also a quick shout out to the families of officials! Your understanding, and sacrifices make it possible for them to serve our students and school community.
Central Heights Coach Troy Prosser Earns Dual Kansas Coach of the Year
Honors in 2025
The Kansas City Cross Country and Track & Field Coaches Association
(KCCTFCA) has named Central Heights Head Coach Troy Prosser the 2025
Class 2A Coach of the Year in both Track and Field and Cross Country,
an exceptional achievement recognizing excellence across two sports in
the same year.
Coach Prosser earned the Track and Field honor following a standout
spring season in which the Central Heights Boys Track and Field team
captured the Class 2A State Championship in May 2025.
In the fall, Coach Prosser was also recognized as KCCTFCA Class 2A
Coach of the Year for Cross Country after leading the Boys Cross
Country team to a third-place finish at the Class 2A State
Championships. The podium finish came after the program graduated five
of its top seven runners from the previous season. The team had
previously won back-to-back state championships in 2023 and 2024.
This marks the fourth time Coach Prosser has received KCCTFCA Coach of
the Year recognition in Cross Country and his first time earning the
honor in Track and Field. Earning Coach of the Year awards in two
sports during the same year highlights Coach Prosser’s impact on
student-athletes.
Central Heights proudly congratulates Coach Troy Prosser and
the Boys Track and Field and Cross Country teams on an outstanding
year!
Graphic created by: Jesse King
Central Heights Middle School hosted its annual Spelling Bee yesterday afternoon, welcoming students from grades six through eight for the competition. Congratulations to all students who participated, representing their grade levels with confidence throughout the event!
At the conclusion of the competition, the following students earned the top four placements and will advance to represent Central Heights at the Franklin County Spelling Bee, scheduled for Tuesday, February 3, where the top three spellers will compete.
2025 Central Heights Middle School Spelling Bee Results:
1st Place: Kyndal Elsasser, 6th Grade
2nd Place: Gabriel Vargas, 7th Grade
3rd Place: Carsen Droddy, 6th Grade
4th Place: Walker Sage, 7th Grade
Spelling Bee Participants
6th Grade:
Kyndal Elsasser, Carsen Droddy, Brian Dunn, Hailey Watkins, Izabella Laughlin, Brody Harmison
7th Grade:
Rodney Macy, Gabriel Vargas, Walker Sage, Alyss Sayler, Aurora Harrison, Kenzzy Smith
8th Grade:
Carson Powell, Elizabeth Meyer, Kaitlyn Watkins, Carter Zajic, Gavin Vielbig, Kinzie Matile
Congratulations to all participants for their hard work and dedication, and best wishes to the advancing students as they prepare for the Franklin County Spelling Bee!
At the conclusion of the competition, the following students earned the top four placements and will advance to represent Central Heights at the Franklin County Spelling Bee, scheduled for Tuesday, February 3, where the top three spellers will compete.
2025 Central Heights Middle School Spelling Bee Results:
1st Place: Kyndal Elsasser, 6th Grade
2nd Place: Gabriel Vargas, 7th Grade
3rd Place: Carsen Droddy, 6th Grade
4th Place: Walker Sage, 7th Grade
Spelling Bee Participants
6th Grade:
Kyndal Elsasser, Carsen Droddy, Brian Dunn, Hailey Watkins, Izabella Laughlin, Brody Harmison
7th Grade:
Rodney Macy, Gabriel Vargas, Walker Sage, Alyss Sayler, Aurora Harrison, Kenzzy Smith
8th Grade:
Carson Powell, Elizabeth Meyer, Kaitlyn Watkins, Carter Zajic, Gavin Vielbig, Kinzie Matile
Congratulations to all participants for their hard work and dedication, and best wishes to the advancing students as they prepare for the Franklin County Spelling Bee!
Final Middle School Home Game!
Tonight’s game is a special one as our 8th graders take the floor for their final middle school basketball game, and it happens at home.
📍 Central Heights Middle School
🗓 Thursday, January 15
⏰ Start time: 4:30 pm
🆚 Southern Coffey County
Little Gym
JV Girls 2 quarters
C Team Boys full game
Ike Cearfoss Gym
JV Boys
Varsity Girls
Varsity Boys
Come help us celebrate of our athletes and all the hard work they’ve put in this season. Go Vikings!
Tonight’s game is a special one as our 8th graders take the floor for their final middle school basketball game, and it happens at home.
📍 Central Heights Middle School
🗓 Thursday, January 15
⏰ Start time: 4:30 pm
🆚 Southern Coffey County
Little Gym
JV Girls 2 quarters
C Team Boys full game
Ike Cearfoss Gym
JV Boys
Varsity Girls
Varsity Boys
Come help us celebrate of our athletes and all the hard work they’ve put in this season. Go Vikings!
📣 6-8th Grade Parents, this is your chance to learn all about the upcoming 2027 Washington, D.C. trip!
Join us at the school in the little theater on Tues, Jan. 20th at 6:30 PM. We'll cover everything you need to know for this exciting adventure!
Haven’t RSVP'd yet? Click here to secure your spot: https://rsvp.worldclassrooms.com/inperson/40261726724?rsvp_id=40261726724
Don’t miss out—we can't wait to see you there! ✨
Join us at the school in the little theater on Tues, Jan. 20th at 6:30 PM. We'll cover everything you need to know for this exciting adventure!
Haven’t RSVP'd yet? Click here to secure your spot: https://rsvp.worldclassrooms.com/inperson/40261726724?rsvp_id=40261726724
Don’t miss out—we can't wait to see you there! ✨
Meet Day!
The Vikings are back on the mat tonight.
📍 Wellsville
🗓 Thursday, January 15
⏰ 1:00 pm
It’s another chance to compete, grind, and represent Central Heights. Good luck to our wrestlers as they take the mat. Go Vikings!
Graphic created by: Ava Jones
The Vikings are back on the mat tonight.
📍 Wellsville
🗓 Thursday, January 15
⏰ 1:00 pm
It’s another chance to compete, grind, and represent Central Heights. Good luck to our wrestlers as they take the mat. Go Vikings!
Graphic created by: Ava Jones
🏀 Game Day at Jayhawk Linn 🏀
The Vikings are on the road tonight with a full night of basketball action!
Auxiliary Gym
4:30 pm JV Boys
5:30 pm C Boys 1/2
Main Gym
4:30 pm JV Girls
6:00 pm Varsity Girls
7:30 pm Varsity Boys
Come support the Vikings and bring the energy on the road! Go Vikings!
The Vikings are on the road tonight with a full night of basketball action!
Auxiliary Gym
4:30 pm JV Boys
5:30 pm C Boys 1/2
Main Gym
4:30 pm JV Girls
6:00 pm Varsity Girls
7:30 pm Varsity Boys
Come support the Vikings and bring the energy on the road! Go Vikings!
<3 Roses are red,
Candy Gram forms are coming.
Have a special someone in mind?
Here's your chance to give them something!
Pick from the options:
One, Two, or Three would be fine.
And proclaim your love
To your special Valentine! <3
Forms have gone home. You can also email Karrie Matile (kmatile@usd288.org) or Michelle Smit (msmith@usd288.org) in the middle school office to order if you are not local.
Candy Gram forms are coming.
Have a special someone in mind?
Here's your chance to give them something!
Pick from the options:
One, Two, or Three would be fine.
And proclaim your love
To your special Valentine! <3
Forms have gone home. You can also email Karrie Matile (kmatile@usd288.org) or Michelle Smit (msmith@usd288.org) in the middle school office to order if you are not local.
Senior Students & Parents - if you are needing assistance with FAFSA completion or have specific questions, there are still some great opportunities for free live help with a financial aid professional!
Sickness won't stop the Spelling Bee! Congratulations to these middle school scholars! The Spelling Showdown will be held on Thursday, January 15th at 1:30 PM.
*Correction* - Movie Night is JANUARY 30th. :)
Come one, come all! Make plans to join us on December 30th! CHMS PTO is presenting the movie Snow Day in the big gym on the big screen! Our MS STUCO is hosting a chili cook-off (more details to come), so stay tuned for more info. We can't wait to see you all there! Students in elementary MUST be accompanied by someone responsible over the age of 16.
High school basketball is at home tonight as the Vikings host Southern Coffey County. Due to a schedule change, it will be varsity only, with the girls tipping off at 6:00 pm, followed by the boys.
A great night to fill the gym and back our teams on their home floor! Good luck, Vikings!
A great night to fill the gym and back our teams on their home floor! Good luck, Vikings!
Final week. One last road trip and one more chance to show what this group is about.
Middle school basketball heads to Crest tonight with a 5:00 pm start. The evening tips off with JV girls for two quarters, followed by JV boys for two quarters, then Varsity girls and Varsity boys close out the night.
It is the final away game of the season and one more opportunity to compete together before we finish the year at home on Thursday. Good luck tonight!
Make it a great week Vikings!
Middle school basketball heads to Crest tonight with a 5:00 pm start. The evening tips off with JV girls for two quarters, followed by JV boys for two quarters, then Varsity girls and Varsity boys close out the night.
It is the final away game of the season and one more opportunity to compete together before we finish the year at home on Thursday. Good luck tonight!
Make it a great week Vikings!
