Debate/Forensics coach Ed Workman and his class look on as students act out their ideas in front of the class, improving, helping them to hone their skills.
8 months ago, Colleen Williamson
Four high school students  practice forensics skit in front of their class.
Due to an HVAC issue, the USD 503 school board meeting will not be broadcast live this evening, it will be recorded and posted at a later date. The meeting is being moved to the PHS Community Room.
8 months ago, Parsons District Schools
Thanks to the Parsons Sun for working to get out this year's Back To School Edition, and printing our submitted stories.
8 months ago, Colleen Williamson
Picture collage of Friday's Back to School Edition in the Parsons Sun.
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8 months ago, Parsons District Schools
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Parsons USD 503 elementary school, sixth grade and freshmen students all began school Thursday, along with new students to the district. All other students start school Friday.
8 months ago, Colleen Williamson
A woman takes pictures of two little girls in front of the Guthridge sign.
Kelly Bedore meets a parent and student at the front door to Guthridge.
Children get off a bus.
Two children get off a bus and are met by a Guthridge  staff member.
Parsons High School Seniors worked last night to finish painting parking spaces before the start of school Thursday.
8 months ago, Colleen Williamson
Two girls paint flowers on a parking spot at PHS.
two girls paint an abstract design on a parking spot at PHS.
As students return to school and buses are back on the roads, it’s important for motorists to be aware, be cautious, and be patient with increased vehicle and pedestrian traffic. This is going to be a great year! #PKBacktoSchool
8 months ago, Parsons District Schools
When the Lights are Flashin' Don't Be Passin'
Tomorrow is the first day of school for Preschool - 6th grade, 9th grade, and all new students! It will be a full day. #PKBacktoSchool
8 months ago, Parsons District Schools
USD503 First Day of School 2023 August 17th
Reuben Perez presents a workshop on Emotional Poverty in All Demographics and How to Reduce Anger, Anxiety and Violence in the Classroom. During the workshop, staff was equipped with tools to positively help students struggling with their emotions. #Emotional Poverty, #RubyPayne
8 months ago, Colleen Williamson
Reuben Perez speaks to USD 503 during a Ruby Payne Emotional Poverty workshop Tuesday.
Reuben Perez hols up his hand to demonstrate an easy way tp remember a model of the brain.
Reuben Perez explains what emotional poverty is to staff gathered in the PHS auditorium
USD 503 • Parsons District Schools wants to thank Commercial Bank for taking time out of their busy day to show appreciation to our hard working employees by serving up some delicious fried chicken for lunch today! #committedtocommunity #PKBacktoSchool
8 months ago, Parsons District Schools
Commercial Bank serving lunch to USD 503 staff
Commercial Bank - Prize drawing for USD 503 staff
Commercial Bank
Commercial Bank
Parsons USD 503 staff were welcomed back during district in-service Monday at PHS. They heard from USD 503 Board of Education president Jeff Quirin and vice president Lou Martino, Superintendent Lori Ray, PNEA president Michell Piva, and Administrative Assistant Amanda Riley.
8 months ago, Colleen Williamson
Staff gather in the Parsons High School auditorium for the start of district in-Service Monday.
USD 503 Board member Jeff Quirin speaks to staff in the Parsons High School auditorium
Board member Lou Martino speaks to staff gatherred for in-service in the PHS auditorium.
PNEA president Michell Piva speaks to staff during district in-service  Monday.
USD 503 administrative assistant Amanda Riley speaks to district staff Monday during in-service.
Building principals spoke to staff during in-services at their buildings Monday helping everyone to get on the same page with operations and expectations. Grade level collaborations followed at each school in preparation for students' arrival Thursday.
8 months ago, Colleen Williamson
Garfield principal Barney Pontious speaks to teachers and other staff during in-service Monday.
Guthridge principal Kurt Friess speaks to staff during in-service Monday.
Parsons Middle School staff attend a building-wide in-service Monday.
Behind most happenings in Parsons USD 503 is the district's technology team, helping keep everything technology in operating order so everyone else can do their jobs, no matter what building, classroom or event. This small crew stays constantly busy behind the scenes.
8 months ago, Colleen Williamson
Technology personnel work in the  tech booth in the PHS auditorium.
School Bus Safety: Kansas law KSA 8-1556 requires all motorists to stop when approaching or overtaking a stopped school bus displaying its flashing red lights and stop arm. Motorists are to remain stopped until the bus is no longer displaying its flashing red lights and stop arm. Violation of this law not only endangers children but is punishable by a fine and court costs in excess of $420. #PKBacktoSchool
9 months ago, Parsons District Schools
School Bus Safety
USD 503 administrators and board members carried on the tradition of serving all district staff breakfast on Monday, before the start of district and building in-services. It is one of the many ways in which administrators and board members let staff know they are appreciated.
9 months ago, Colleen Williamson
After donning aprons, USD 503 administrators stand in a circle and visit before serving staff.
Administrators prepare drinks to serve staff.
USD 503 Board member Lou Martino hands out plates to staff as they enter the line to get breakfast.
Three adminstrators serving breakfast to staff.
Superintendent Lori Ray hands a beverage to maintenance staff member David Miller.
USD 503 staff fill the east bleachers of the gymnasium in preparation for their annual group photo to be taken.
9 months ago, Colleen Williamson
Staff for USD 503 fill the east bleachers  in preparation for their annual group picture.
New Parsons USD 503 teachers attended an all-day orientation session Thursday. It kicked off with Superintendent Lori Ray sharing with them about The Marigold Effect, encouraging teachers to find those people who will nurture and enhance their teaching careers.
9 months ago, Colleen Williamson
Parsons USD 503 Superintendent Lori Ray speaks to new teachers gathered oin the community room at Parsons High School for New Teacher Orientation.
Inside the Parsons High School computer lab, echnology Integration Specialist Matthew Peak guides new teachers through various apps they will be using this year in their classrooms.
Lincoln teachers, aides and paras were all on hand Wednesday for Kindergarten Readiness, a time in which kindergarten students' are assessed to determine what they know before they start the year, such as shapes, numbers, letters, understanding instructions and motor skills.
9 months ago, Colleen Williamson
Lincoln School classroom aid Gary Weidert asks kindergartner Molly Burke to circle pictures in a work book that answer his questions.
Lincoln kindergarten students Molly Burk and Jennings LaForge cut an outlined circle and square out of a piece of paper as classroom aide Gary Weidert looks on.
Lincoln kindergarten student Brooklynn Sharp  circles a picture in a workbook for a teacher.
Under the shade of a canopy Tuesday, Parsons High School senior Madison Shepard worked for hours to finish painting her parking spot at Parsons High School, hoping to complete it before the anticipated Wednesday rains. The tradition has gone on for years.
9 months ago, Colleen Williamson
Parsons High School senior Madison Shepard paints a cartoon  character on her parking spot.
It is time for all things Back-to-School, and Parsons USD 503 wants to remind folks about a few important things. First, drivers are asked to be watchful, especially at street corners and crosswalks, as neighborhood children begin walking to and from school. The first day of school in Parsons is Aug. 17. Drivers are also encouraged to pay close attention to school crossings, especially during both the morning and afternoon hours. Students start arriving at schools around 7:30 a.m. and begin leaving around 3:20 p.m., though those times can vary with activities, events and early dismissals. Crossing guards at the middle school and elementaries try to ensure safe crossing for students, but some students may attempt to cross unaccompanied. Students have been struck by inattentive drivers in the past. For both student and driver safety, please be aware of school zones, and children in and near them. Drivers are also reminded that stopping for buses that have engaged their flashing lights and extended their STOP sign is mandated by law. Every year, in violation of the law, bus drivers attempt to pass stopped buses as they are letting children board and disembark, endangering children and bus drivers. All motorists are required to stop for a school bus when its lights are flashing and its STOP arm is extended. Failure to do so can result in a fine and court costs exceeding $420, according to the Kansas Department of Education. This law applies no matter how many lanes there are in each direction, unless the flows of traffic are separated by a median.
9 months ago, Colleen Williamson
Parsons USD 503 Transportation Director Rick Giefer speaks to bus drivers and monitors at a meeting Tuesday.