Important Dates

February 1: SHS Parent Engagement Night - Pathway and Job Fair, 5:30 pm
February 1: 8th Grade Parent Night at SHS, 6:00 pm
February 3: SHS Snowball Dance, 8:00 pm
February 5: SMS Site Council, 5:30 pm
February 5: EL Site Council, 6:00 pm
February 5: EL PTO Meeting, 7:00 pm
February 5: SMS PTO Meeting @ El Dorado North, 6:30 pm
February 6: WI PTO Meeting, 6:00 pm
February 8: LO PTO Meeting, 6:00 pm
February 13: MELC PTO Meeting, 5:30 pm
February 13: NH PTO Meeting, 6:00 pm
February 15: SHS Winter Musical, 7:00 pm
February 16: SHS Winter Musical, 7:00 pm
February 17: SHS Winter Musical, 7:00 pm
February 19: Regular School Board Meeting, 6:00 pm
February 20: SMS Band Concert, 7:00 pm
February 22: No School
February 23: No School
February 28: SHS One Acts, 3:30 pm

Click here to view the SHS athletics calendar and athletics website.

Superintendent Update

Are you ready for next school year? I know…sometimes it can seem like getting ready for next week is already asking a lot, not to mention next year!

Well you can rest assured that we are looking ahead for you and preparing students for all of the new opportunities next year will bring. Sixth graders will be visiting Seaman Middle School to learn about their course selections. Eighth graders will join our high schoolers in the enrollment process at Seaman High School and our incoming kindergartners will begin registration for Kindergarten Orientation. What an exciting time for new milestones as we continue to watch students progress to their next level of education.

We have a lot of learning experiences for parents and I hope that you’re finding time to connect with all of our parent engagement opportunities where you can learn more about what our schools have to offer, like our high school Parent Engagement Night. At this event, you can learn about our 21 career pathways, find job opportunities for students, learn how earning college credit in high school works, and more! There’s even a designated time to help parents of seniors complete the FAFSA. I guarantee you will walk away from this event feeling much more connected and prepared.

Whether you are a preschool, elementary, middle, high school parent, or a community member, it’s never too early (or too late) to learn about all of the different opportunities our students have and how our schools are preparing students for life after graduation. Our events are open to everyone and we would love to share more with you.

Continue to enjoy all the moments this year brings but if you can, please take some time to look ahead and ask your kids about their goals and interests. We are having those conversations at school and those continued conversations at home can build a tremendous partnership in preparing students for success.

Brad Willson
Superintendent

2024-2025 School Calendar is HERE!

Snow Day Make-up Date

At this time, we have used three snow days for the school year. Our first two snow days do not get made up. The third snow day will now be made up on Friday, March 29, 2024. We will be in session with students on Friday, March 29, 2024. As of right now, with the current snow day count, Monday, April 1 is still a no school day. A fourth snow day would activate April 1 as a school day. Any subsequent cancellations will be dependent on the school hours we are in session.

Kindergarten Orientation

April 25, 2024

If you have a child who will be five years old on or before August 31, 2024 and you live in the Seaman School District, please register for Kindergarten Orientation.

View our Boundary Map: www.seamanschools.org/map

ELMONT ELEMENTARY
785-286-8450
6432 NW Elmont Rd. 66618
Registration Link

LOGAN ELEMENTARY
785-575-8700
1124 NW Lyman Rd. 66608
Registration Link

NORTH FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY
785-286-8500
1941 NE 39th St. 66617
Registration Link

NORTHERN HILLS ELEMENTARY
785-286-2992
5620 NW Topeka Blvd. 66617
Registration Link

WEST INDIANOLA ELEMENTARY
785-286-8550
4201 NW Brickyard Rd. 66618
Registration Link

To be sure everyone is pre-registered and ready to enroll in July, we are asking that you complete the New Student Information sheet and supply us with your Proof of Residency.

Proof of Residency:

• A copy of a current lease with your name and address on it
• A home purchase document with your name and address on it
• A current utility bill with your name and address on it
(if you just moved, an email from a utility stating that service will start at a Seaman address.)

Please email these documents to [email protected]. If you do not have the ability to scan and email, take a CLEAR picture on your cell phone and email the picture.

You can also mail the documents to Theresa Dunham, Seaman Education Center, 901 NW Lyman Rd., Topeka, KS 66608.

If neither of these options will work for you, please contact your elementary school to arrange a time to come fill out the New Student Information sheet and provide Proof of Residency.

Elmont: 286-8450
Logan: 575-8700
North Fairview: 286-8500
Northern Hills: 286-2992
West Indianola: 286-8550

The other documents (Birth Certificates, immunization record, and health assessment) can be brought to kindergarten orientation.

Join our Team as a Substitute Teacher

Substitute

We have substitute teacher positions open, including both regular and long-term. If you know of any potential candidates, please have them contact the HR department at 785–575-8602 or email [email protected]. Below is more information on substitute pay.
Long-Term Substitute Teacher
Substitute Teachers are compensated at the long-term daily rate under the following condition: Beginning on the eleventh consecutive day of replacing the same absent teacher, the substitute will begin receiving the long term pay rate. Once a substitute teacher begins a long-term assignment, they will assume all of the responsibilities and duties of the regular teacher.

Substitute teachers, when in a long-term assignment will be allowed "plan time" as is possible, but may be required to cover another teacher's classroom during the absent teacher's plan time.

Long Term Rate: Full Day $240; Half Day $120

Regular Substitute Teachers
Substitute Teachers payroll period will end monthly on the last day of the month, with the possible exception of May. The first payroll period of each school year will begin on the first day of school through August 31. The final payroll period for the school year runs through the last day of school. We suggest that substitutes keep records of the dates worked and any details of the assignment hours along with the confirmation number given by Absence Management. Payday will be the 14th of each month, September through June unless the 14th is on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday.

Substitute teachers are paid by a half day or full day. Four or less hours is considered a half day. Any time over four hours, less than eight hours is considered a full day.

Regular Substitute Rate: Full Day $120; Half Day $65 (rates for regular subbing up through ten days, day 11 with the same assignment becomes long-term substitute status).

How do you become a Substitute Teacher?
1. Apply online at seamanschools.org/employment.
2. Provide a copy of your substitute teaching license (State of Kansas license required) to Human Resources.
3. Human Resources will review all application information and contact you.
4. Complete a criminal background check and Child Abuse and Neglect Registry check.
5. Participate in USD 345 substitute orientation and organizational training.
6. Provide a signed Certificate of Health which includes a TB test.
7. Complete new hire paperwork and get photo ID badge.

For additional information, please contact Jenny Boggs in Human Resources at 785-575-8602 or [email protected].

How do you obtain a substitute teaching license?
Information about substitute teaching license requirements and how to obtain a license can be found on the KSDE website. Standard processing time for a substitute licenses 4-8 weeks, depending on application and call volume which is highest from May to August. Per KSDE, an individual may temporarily qualify for an emergency substitute license with the following:

1. High school diploma; and
2. Completion of Greenbush's Emergency Substitute Training Modules (training may be completed now); and
3. Verification of hire from a local education agency (LEA)
4. Application and $60 processing fee.
5. Fingerprint background check and fee. (Individuals who previously received a TEAL license are not required to resubmit fingerprints.
6. Individual may serve no more than 15 consecutive days in the same assignment.

Get Paid to Watch Games

Wouldn’t it be cool if you could get paid to go to your kid’s events? You can! Our incredible transportation department will train you (paid training, btw) and pay you to drive a bus to athletics and activities, and pay you to watch the game/activity, and pay you to drive the bus back! Plus, bus drivers get into away games for free! Starting pay is $17.25 per hour. Think about it for a second. It kinda makes sense, doesn’t it? If you’re interested, give Ronna Blocker a call at 785-286-8440 or email [email protected].

See Something, Say Something

Our See Something, Say Something reporting tool is anonymous. This form allows you and others to submit safety concerns to district officials. This reporting tool is continuously monitored by district staff. If you would like to receive follow-up correspondence you may leave your contact information. Reporting observed threats, behaviors, actions, and harassment help maintain a safe and secure learning environment for all students and staff.

After you provide as much information as you have about a safety or security concern, here are the next steps the district follows:

1. A district official reviews your information and replies to your tip if contact info is provided.
2. Your tip is forwarded to the proper administration to begin investigation.
3. You are contacted (if contact info is provided) to provide any follow-up info, if needed.
4. Administration follows through with the investigation and any action steps necessary.

Crime Stoppers is another reporting tool available to Shawnee County residents. Crime Stoppers encourages members of the community to assist local law enforcement agencies in the fight against crime by overcoming fear and apathy. They assist local law enforcement agencies by gathering information through the use of online and mobile tools and encourage community members to volunteer vital information that could lead to the battle against crime.

Call the Anonymous Tip Line at (785) 234-0007 or submit information through their Mobile Application. Tips that lead to a felony arrest are eligible for a cash reward.

See Something, Say Something
www.seamanschools.org/report

Crime Stoppers
(785) 234-0007

Seaman Parents as Teachers

Parents as Teachers

Parents as Teachers is a FREE program offered to anyone in the Seaman School District. It is a voluntary program designed for all families with children ages prenatal to Kindergarten entry. Parents as Teachers (PAT) is based on two important concepts: 1.) Parents are their child's first and most influential teachers and 2.) experiences in the first years of a child's life are key to future success in school and life.

Parents as Teachers offers personal visits, group connections, screenings and a resource network. Call Mathes Early Learning Center at 785-286-7103 and leave a message for Angie or Tina. Also check out our Facebook Page, Seaman Parents as Teachers USD 345.

Visit Seaman Parents as Teachers online for more information.

School Board Meetings

Teachers of the Year

Regular board meetings are scheduled on the second Monday of each month at 6:00 pm, with the exception of February, March and April, which will be held on the third Monday. Regular meetings may be adjourned to another time and place when necessary. Special meetings may also be scheduled on an as-needed basis.

Regular meetings typically take place at the Seaman Education Center. When meeting locations change, notice is sent out to the public and made available online. Board agendas go live on the Friday afternoon prior to the regular board meeting.

All regular meetings are streamed live and available on the district's YouTube channel. A recap of the meeting is also made available through the Board Digest.

Both in-person and digital public comment are accepted at regular board meetings. The public comment agenda item may be found in the meeting agenda.

Remaining regular meetings for the 2023-24 school year:

February 19, 2024
March 18, 2024
April 15, 2024
May 13, 2024
June 10, 2024
July 8, 2024

Peachjar Flyers

Stay up-to-date and informed with events and resources available around the community by checking our digital flyerboard. Community organizations can upload their flyers for USD 345 families to receive through email.

Peachjar

Don't forget to check out our collection of school and community flyers. You can view all flyers for the district or search by school. Digital flyers help us keep you informed and saves our community partners in resources.

A Look at District News

SHS student receives grant for period products

Kansas Day Celebration: North Fairview 4th graders make loaves of bread

Seaman partners with Farview Farms to bring local meat into cafeterias