Rock Hills USD 107 Logo

Nikki Ost, Kindergarten teacher at Rock Hills Elementary, was honored with a certificate from the University of Kansas for 25 years of teaching youth.  Mrs. Ost graduated from Barton County Community College in 1994 with an Associates of Art degree, and Fort Hays State University in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree.  She began her teaching career at Eastern Heights.  She joined the Rock Hills family in August of 2007.  She has taught HS World History, Algebra, MS Social Studies, Elementary Technology, Elementary Physical Education, 5^th Grade Language Arts, 3^rd Grade and Kindergarten, and serves as the Assistant Technology Director for USD 107.  Mrs. Ost lives in Mankato with her husband, Kevin who teaches Industrial Arts at Rock Hills Jr/Sr High School, and their daughter Meili who will be in the 7^th grade at Rock Hills Jr/Sr High School this fall.

USD 107 honored their employees with the first annual recognition luncheon on Monday, May 16^th.  USD 107 employees, as well as USD 273 Special Education employees working in the Rock Hills District, were recognized for their years of service to our students.  Certificates were given to those with certain milestones.  Board President Kenny Mizner welcomed approximately 60 employees and presented the following:   Five year certificates to: Trenton Duskie, Jamie Harvey, Amy Rice, Eric Rothchild, Kristin Thronson, Christina Boyles and Jana Coil; and a 15 year certificate to Nikki Ost.  Travis Cox and Janice McMillan were honored for their retirement this year.

Door prizes were given to the following:  Sheila Lorence, Greg McMillan, Sheila McEntee, Kevin Ost, Sarah Warne, June White, Janice McMillan, Tandra Sholtz and Jennifer Walker.

Kansas is having their Sunflower Summer series of field trips and free admission again this summer.  Sunflower Summer provides a wide variety of ways for families to get out, explore something new, and enjoy time together. Kansas families can visit museums, zoos, historic landmarks and more for free! Go to the website for more information.  https://www.sunflowersummer.org/

The Elementary School had Field Day on Wednesday May 11.  Grades K-5 enjoyed a beautiful afternoon playing games.  We ended our day with a schoolwide water ballon fight.  

Our Kindergarten class participated in their graduation today.  Mrs. Bozarth told them it was a big move going from letters to numbers for their grade.  Families came and watched and joined in the celebration.  #rockshillsproud.  

Summer Foods Program

The 7th grade students traveled to Manhattan for their field trip to visit the Beach Museum of Art on the Kansas State University Campus and the Flint Hills Discovery Center. At the Beach Museum, they toured photography exhibits by Gordon Parks and a local MHK photographer as they explored difficult topics the concept of using art for social good. At the Discovery Center, the students watched a 4D film about the tall grass prairie and explored exhibits. 

During the week of May 2nd, the Rock Hills Student Council members sponsored a "Selfie with your favorite teacher" contest. The contest challenged students to take a picture with their favorite teachers and post them on social media with a caption of why they are the best. Students used the #rhfavteachers on all forms of social media, but especially Instragram. A quick search of the hashtag on social media will pull up all the posts by students. Over 30 students posted to show off their favorite teachers with creative captions. A winner was named for the student with the most creative caption and the teacher with the most posts. Isabel Navarro won the most creative caption with a picture of Ms. Gilbert saying "this pic is a 10 on the pH scale because it's pretty basic but at least I have a cool teach to take it with!" The teacher with the most posts was Mr. Rhea having 10 posts from students. The student council would like to thank all the teachers and students that participated and again wish all our great teachers a Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!