Spring Student Led Conferences
Join us for Student-Led Conferences on Thursday, February 27th from 8 AM to 8 PM.
Your child will share their learning goals and growth with you—don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate their progress! ✅
Use the link to sign up for a time: https://tinyurl.com/WHSconference25
We look forward to seeing you there! #ItsAGreatDayToBeABulldog 🐾
RETRO NIGHT at the HS basketball game Feb. 11. Home vs Central Heights. Wear vintage Bulldog gear from any sport to the game.. could be an old football jersey, old school Waverly shirt or something orange & black from any decade🧡🖤
📢 Facility Updates at Waverly Grade School 📢
The girls' bathroom floor has been jackhammered out to repair the drain trap. We have been told the work should be completed within the week.
Additionally, we are waiting for the hired contractor to run the necessary wiring so the restoration company can operate the equipment needed to address the moisture issue between the old roof and the new roof.
We appreciate your patience as we work to ensure a safe and functional environment for our students!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Self
📢 Spring Conferences – Thursday, Feb. 27! 📢
Join us for Student-Led Conferences on Thursday, Feb. 27, from 8 AM to 8 PM! Your child will share their learning goals and growth with you—don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate their progress!
✅ Use the link to sign up for a time: https://tinyurl.com/WGSspring2025
We look forward to seeing you there! #itsagreatdaytobeabulldog 🐾
Mon. 02/10/2025 is a Late Start. Classes start at 10a. Doors will open at 9:30a. No breakfast served for K-5th. Daycare will operate normal hours. AM PreK will start at 7:50a and will have breakfast available to them.
#itsagreatdaytobeabulldog
Great day of learning and playing for these WJH Bulldogs at the Holton Honor Band Festival today!
Queen of Courts Pep Rally tomorrow, Friday, February 7th, 2:30 at the New Gym. Community Welcome!
Mrs. Self and I have been working to address the moisture issues in the school. Stover Restoration will be using high-powered dehumidifiers to remove excess moisture from the old roof. We also met with Evergreen Construction, and they will be installing vents to improve air circulation between the two roofs, as well as adding higher-level vents in the boiler room. New safety signs have been installed on the boiler room door, and we are continuing efforts to clean the space thoroughly.
Additionally, we are researching professional-grade Carbon Monoxide and Natural Gas detection equipment and working on bids for CO detectors that integrate into our Simplex system for enhanced safety.
We appreciate your patience and support as we continue improving our facilities! Let us know if you have any questions.
— Mr. Ford
1st place for our Junior Varsity Quiz Bowl Team at Lebo today!
Congratulations to these WHS students on selection to the 12A State Honor Band!
Dear Parents,
I want to address the recent concerns at WGS with full transparency and take full responsibility for the decisions I made. Your children deserve my very best, and in this situation, I let them down. I did not knowingly put students or staff in harm’s way, but looking back, I realize there were many more questions I should have asked and precautions I should have taken. I regret not doing so, and I understand that I have betrayed your trust in me to keep your children safe.
We are taking immediate steps to address the issues and prevent future concerns. First and foremost, the building has been thoroughly inspected by both Modern Air and the fire department, and there is 0ppm of Carbon Monoxide present in the building. We will continue to monitor air quality to ensure a safe environment for students and staff.
Below are some commonly asked questions and our plans moving forward:
1. If the smell was noticeable, why were carbon monoxide detectors only installed afterward?
I installed carbon monoxide detectors because I did not want teachers to worry. These detectors have digital readouts so staff can monitor them at any time. While CO detectors are not required by code, I will be getting quotes to integrate a full carbon monoxide detection system into our fire alarm system, ensuring that if CO is ever detected, the entire building will be immediately alerted.
2. Isn’t carbon monoxide odorless?
Yes, carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless. This is why we did not originally suspect it as the source of the smell.
3. What is the source of the smell?
That is what we are still trying to determine. The smell appears inconsistently and has been difficult to trace. We suspect condensation between the metal roof and the old concrete roof could be contributing. A restoration company is coming to dehumidify the area and vent out the trapped air. Additionally, we are seeking a building engineer to assist in identifying the source. Regardless of whether the trapped moisture is the cause, it needs to be addressed.
4. If the issue was “resolved” on the 30th, why was there still an odor and a 400 ppm CO reading on the 31st?
Carbon monoxide is odorless, so we do not believe it was the cause of the smell. The blocked vent was discovered while investigating the odor, and while it was quickly cleared, we still do not know if CO was ever present at dangerous levels before that point. I should have been clearer in my communication—I now realize that saying the issue was “resolved” was misleading. The vent blockage was removed, but we are still working to determine the source of the smell and ensure all safety measures are in place.
5. What is being done to ensure the boiler vent does not become blocked again?
• The vent area has been completely cleared of all obstructions, including stored items and wooden boards.
• We are installing a new vent in the ceiling or north wall to prevent future blockages.
• The current vent placement is flawed—it is too low and at risk of being blocked by snow drifts or stored materials. The new vent will eliminate this risk.
6. How will the boiler room be kept clean and clear of debris?
• Staff have been instructed not to store anything near the boiler.
• We will be posting Warning stating that, by order of the fire marshal, the area must remain clear within six feet of the boiler.
• We will conduct regular inspections to ensure compliance.
Moving Forward
I am fully accountable for what happened, and I am committed to making things right. I should have asked more questions and acted sooner to address the concerns. While I did not intentionally put anyone at risk, I recognize that my lack of thorough questioning and investigation led to an unsafe situation.
Please know that we are making permanent improvements to our building’s safety measures and ventilation. If you have any questions or concerns, I encourage you to reach out. Your children’s safety is my highest priority, and I will work tirelessly to rebuild your trust.
Sincerely,
Duane Ford, Ed.S.
Superintendent, USD 243
Reminder-Forms for Rec Softball, Baseball and Tball are due this Wednesday! There is a $5 late fee for forms submitted after the deadline. Thank you!
Congratulations to all our WHS FBLA members on their outstanding performance at Districts!
#itsagreatdaytobeabulldog!
Dear Parents,
We want to reassure you that the WGS building has been fully inspected by certified professionals multiple times, including the boiler, hot water heater, and flue. No harmful substances have been found, and the safety of our students and staff remains our top priority. For added reassurance, we have also installed digital carbon monoxide detectors in the boiler room and classrooms.
We appreciate your trust and support and are always here to address any questions or concerns.
Thank you for being part of our school community.
USD 243 Administration
Congratulations to all our WJH students on their success at FBLA Districts!
PAWS-itive Shoutout!
We’re celebrating our latest PAWS winners who have shown what it means to Perform their best, be Accountable, make Wise choices, and Show respect!
✨ Congratulations to: Luka, Levi, Tylora, Hudson, Kyler, William M., Edwin, Samuel C., Kamryn, Paizlee, Audrey, Otis, April, Layla, Bentley C., and Kelsie!
We’re so proud of you for leading by example and making Waverly Grade School a great place to learn and grow! Keep up the amazing work!
#PAWSomeStudents #BullpupsLeadTheWay #ItsAGreatDayToBeABulldog
Our Lady Bulldogs finished 3rd at the LCL Tournament today in Emporia with a hard fought 32-30 finish over Madison.
Waverly Grade School currently has a job opening for a special education paraprofessional. If interested, please apply using this link through USD244. Thanks!
https://family.usd244ks.org/scripts/wsisa.dll/WService=wsFin/rappljoblst0502.w?isPopup=true
🌟 Door of Distinction 🌟
This student is a dedicated hard worker, always ready to take on any challenge and give his best effort. No task is too big for him!
Keep up the great work, Bentley! 💪👏🚀
