Here’s a look at this week’s events!
Today is the Big Day! Wishing all of our musicians competing at KSHSAA State Solo & Small Ensemble Festival the very best!
Our middle school track and field athletes had a great showing at the Northeast-Arma meet yesterday! Both the 7th and 8th grade boys teams took 1st place overall, and several standout performances made it a meet to remember.
We’re especially proud to announce that three new school records were broken last night:
Emersyn Blaufuss – Turbo Javelin
Sawyer Thackeray – Shot Put
Blake Bones – 400 Meter Dash
With these new additions, this felt like the perfect time to celebrate all of the students who have broken school records this season. Congratulations to everyone on a great day of competition!
Before the Easter break began,
Our Middle School Lighthouse Team hatched a joyful plan!
To spread some cheer, both sweet and bright,
And fill young hearts with pure delight.
With toys and treats (oh, what a stash!),
They stuffed those eggs in quite a flash!
Five hundred strong, then off they sped,
To hide them where the little feet tread.
The football field, the bleachers, too
Became an egg-hunt dream come true!
With giggles, shouts, and happy cheers,
The fun was infectious as it reached our ears.
We loved each smile, each moment shared,
A simple act that showed we cared.
To help, to shine, to lift and glow—
That’s the kind of LIGHT we love to show!
And they're off! Today, we sent off our KSHSAA State Solo & Small Ensemble Festival qualifiers with a walk-through the halls send-off from students and staff.
These talented musicians are headed to compete at the KSHSAA State Festival tomorrow at Gypsum–Southeast Saline High School.
Best of luck to all our soloists and ensembles—we’re proud of your hard work and accomplishments!
State Qualifiers – First Division “I” Ratings:
Soloists:
Brooks Hamilton – Alto Saxophone
Jenna Jumet – Vocal
Liley Elsasser – Vocal
Russell Reed – Trombone
Riley Sprinkle – Euphonium
Kinsley Shaffer – Tuba
Alayna Fallis – Horn
Benjamin Wuertz – Trumpet
Charli Smith – Vocal
Small Ensembles:
Central Heights Brass Quintet (Knox Cannady, Jenna Jumet, Russell Reed, Kinsley Shaffer, Benjamin Wuertz)
Swing Group (Karley Davis, Liley Elsasser, Jenna Jumet, Russell Reed, Alyson Roll, Charli Smith, Alyssa Welch)
Treble Trio (Karley Davis, Liley Elsasser, Jenna Jumet)
Elding Quartet (Russell Reed, Alyson Roll, Charli Smith, Alyssa Welch)
Central Heights Woodwind Trio (Arabella Dunbar, Paige Powell, Alyssa Welch)
Yesterday, the HS Lighthouse Team collaborated with the Elementary Lighthouse group for "Superhero Training" - adding even more special powers to their toolbox to combat bullying. Students discussed their favorite superheroes and used their creativity to make their own superhero trading card, then learned four new ways to feel empowered to approach bullying behavior. Watch out Viking community - there are superheroes in your midst (but we already knew that)!
Good luck to our teams playing in the Humboldt Tournament today!
Good luck to our middle school track & field team as they compete today at Northeast Arma! Events start at 2 PM—cheering you on all the way. Go Vikings!
What a wonderful night of music!
Our 5th grade band, 6th grade band, middle school band, and high school band all took the stage for an outstanding spring concert this evening. Each group performed beautifully under the direction of Mrs. Stephanie Cannady, whose talent and dedication continue to bring out the best in our student musicians.
Great job to all of our performers — and thank you to everyone who came out to support them!
Middle School Track Meet Results – Yates Center
Our athletes had a great showing at yesterday’s meet! Congrats to all of our track and field athletes for your hard work and effort!
Good Evening,
On April 30th, middle school and high school PE students will go with Mr. North, Mr. Oestreicher, and Mrs. Oestreicher to Garnett to play pickleball, golf, and disc golf. PE students will eat lunch at the school and then leave at 11:30 and return around 3:00
🎶 Your talented, entertaining, and award-winning Central Heights bands take the stage tonight for their Spring Concert!
The music begins at 6:30 p.m.—join us for a beautiful evening of performances you won’t want to miss!
It’s GAMEDAY — and it’s happening at HOME!
Both baseball and softball games are ON for today, 4/22, and they've been moved to Central Heights! The start time is 4:30 PM vs Crest. Let's Go Vikings!
The baseball and softball games for today 4/22 have been moved to Central Heights. The start time will be 4:30 vs Crest. Come on out and support the boys and girls!!!
🧪⚡ WANTED: Mad Scientist (a.k.a. 6th & 7th Grade Science/STEM Teacher) ⚡🧪
Location: Central Heights Middle School in Richmond, KS - Just 45 minutes from Lawrence or Olathe!
Start Date: August 2025 – The lab is bubbling!
Are you passionate about sparking curiosity, blowing young minds, and mixing science with a dash of mayhem (in a good way)? Do you dream in equations, tinker with tech for fun, and have a secret stash of Mentos and soda just in case?
We’re on the hunt for a 6th & 7th Grade STEM Teacher who embraces the spirit of a mad scientist—wild hair optional, energy and enthusiasm required.
🧬 What You’ll Do:
Teach 6th & 7th Grade Science in a way that’s hands-on, minds-on, and never boring
Design and lead STEM electives that inspire innovation—think robotics, coding, rockets, Rube Goldberg machines, slime (oh yes, slime)
Turn the classroom into a mini think-tank, maker space, and sometimes controlled science explosion zone
Make sure students leave class saying, “That was SO COOL!”
Collaborate with a team that loves creativity, chaos (the good kind), and coffee
🔬 What We’re Looking For:
A certified teacher or someone with a science/engineering/STEM background (on a clear pathway to becoming a teacher) who’s ready to inspire young learners
A personality that lights up the room (and maybe the lab—safely, of course)
Passion for project-based learning, real-world connections, and encouraging curiosity
Comfortable with tech, or at least not afraid to press buttons and see what happens
A sense of humor and a love of gummy worms (for experiments, naturally)
🎉 Perks of the Position:
A creative, collaborative team who will laugh at your science puns
Freedom to design electives that match your passion
Students who are eager to learn, question everything, and maybe build a robot army
Occasional lab coats, goggles, and spontaneous classroom cheers
A principal who’s totally cool with dry ice fog as long as it’s educational
🧪 How to Apply:
Fill out the information at this link: https://tinyurl.com/48cmhzn4 or send us your résumé, a quick note about your favorite science experiment, and why you’d be the perfect mad scientist for our middle schoolers at msmith@usd288.org.
Let’s make science weird. Let’s make it wonderful. Let’s make it unforgettable.
Apply now—your beaker is waiting!
Our middle school track and field team has a meet at Yates Center today! The meet begins at 3:30 p.m. Good luck to all of our track and field athletes!
On Saturday, April 12, our talented Central Heights Middle School students participated in the ESU Music Festival in Emporia, KS. With 46 students performing in 34 events—including 1 Full Band Performance, 25 Solos, and 8 Small Ensembles—it was another full day of incredible music, dedication, and success.
The hard work and preparation paid off in a big way, as we had 25 “Outstanding” I Ratings and 9 “Excellent” II Ratings! Congratulations to all of our amazing MS Students!
First Division “Outstanding” I Ratings
Large Ensembles:
Central Heights MS Concert Band - I
Soloists:
Jencie Rubick, Alto Sax - I
Tristen McRoberts, Alto Sax - I
Elizabeth Meyer, Clarinet - I
Mya Jumet, Clarinet - I (75/80 score)
Kamden Moon, Clarinet - I
Autumn Brown, Clarinet - I
Danicka Moyer, Clarinet - I
McKinley Smith, Bass Clarinet - I
Breck Watson, Flute - I
Desiree Apfl - Flute - I
Bailey Melvin - Flute - I
Willis Miller - Snare Drum - I
Kenzzy Smith - Bells - I (76/80 score)
Walker Sage - Timpani - I
Arlen Underwood - Baritone - I
Ella Johnson - Trumpet - I
Mya Jumet, Vocal Solo - I (Perfect Score 80/80!)
Kelsie Wilson, Vocal Solo - I
Autumn Brown, Vocal Solo - I
Kenzzy Smith, Vocal Solo - I
Small Ensembles:
Tristen McRoberts & Jencie Rubick - Alto Sax Duet - I
Tristen McRoberts, Jencie Rubick, Breck Watson, & Mya Jumet - Woodwind Quartet - I
Mackenzie Macy & Emery Harris - Trumpet Duet - I
Danika Moyer & Allie Hinrichs - Wind Duet #1 - I
Brayley Harris & Arlen Underwood - Wind Duet #2 - I
Additionally, several students earned Excellent II Ratings for their performances:
Students Receiving “Excellent” II Ratings:
Natalie Hinrichs, Baritone Solo - II
Lane Bachelor & Leo Day - Snare Drum Duet - II
Kamden Moon & Elizabeth Meyer - Clarinet Duet - II
Owen Fears, Emery Hughes, Allie Hinrichs, & McKinley Smith - Mixed Quartet - II
Bailey Melvin, Vocal Solo - II
Arlen Underwood, Vocal Solo - II
Autumn Fraser, Vocal Solo - II
Ariel Luttrell, Vocal Solo - II
Baseball and softball have been postponed for today. We are trying to reschedule for tomorrow, pending umpire availability.
Hope everyone is enjoying the day off today! The rest of the week is packed with activities—let’s make it a great one, Vikings! 💙💛
Results from the middle school track meet at Jayhawk Linn last Thursday. Great job, Vikings!
