🚀 Blast Off!
Mr. Walsh’s 6th Grade scientists launched their bottle rocket designs today, experimenting with air-to-water ratios to maximize flight! As they explore the solar system and learn about space probes, these future engineers are also diving into real-world lessons on criteria, constraints, and trade-offs. After today’s test flights and tweaks, they’re gearing up for round two tomorrow. Stay tuned for more launches! #Celebrate379
🌟✨ Hey, everyone! Just a quick reminder that tomorrow, Thursday, April 17th, is an early dismissal day at 11:45 AM! 🎉 Plus, don’t forget that there’s no school on Friday, April 18th! Enjoy this awesome three-day weekend ahead! Stay safe! 🐰🥚🐣 #EarlyDismissal #LongWeekend #FunTimes
🌟✨ Today, we’re putting the spotlight on our incredible Library Staff in honor of National Librarian Day! 📚💖 What better way to celebrate our love for books than to appreciate the amazing people who inspire us to read? Our Bengal Library team is truly dedicated to igniting a passion for literature in every student. They absolutely thrive on seeing books in our hands! As the talented Neil Gaiman once said, “Google can bring you back 100,000 answers, but a librarian can bring you back the right one.” 🙌📖 Let’s take a moment to peek into the inspiring lives of our fabulous Library Staff!
Lynn Auld is in her 20th year of teaching and her 12th year as Library Media Specialist. Although she is not in the building a lot, she is always available through email, drop her a line sometime. She is married to Andy, and he is on the school board. They have three human children: Zoe works in Wichita as a legal assistant, Jorja is a senior at CCCHS, and Reece is an 8th grader here at CCCMS. She has two fur babies: Rut is 4, and Finn is 3.
Tasha Siemers joined the CCCMS Bengal Library in 2015 as an aide, and it quickly became her happy place! After taking a three-month hiatus at the end of the last school year to pursue a new opportunity, she realized she missed the kids too much to stay away for long. In addition to her role in the library, Tasha works as a PRN assistant in the Speech/Occupational Therapy department at Clay County Medical Center, enjoying the variety of experiences both roles provide. She has been happily married to Daniel Siemers for nearly 18 years; he serves the community as a local firefighter. Together, they have two sons: Daniel Jr., a sophomore at CCCHS, and Kadyn, a seventh grader at CCCMS. With all her "adopted" student kids, it's safe to say she could rival the Old Lady Who Lived in a Shoe!
🧡🖤 #NationalLibrarianDay #BengalPride #BookLoversUnite
🌟 Exciting news, everyone! 🌟 We are thrilled to share this week’s “Like A Champion” Pillar of Leadership award winner: the amazing Mrs. McDonald! 🎉 Every day, she exemplifies Habit 6 by creating a collaborative space where her students shine individually and as a team. By encouraging them to tap into their unique strengths and perspectives, she helps them achieve incredible things together! 🙌✨ From cooking projects to sewing adventures, Mrs. McDonald empowers her students to take ownership of their work, and her unwavering support makes her a fantastic teacher and an extraordinary person. We’re so grateful to have her at CCCMS! 💖 Keep shining, Mrs. McDonald! #Leadership #Inspiration #ChampionTeacher
🌟✨ It’s time to shine a spotlight on our amazing 7th Grade Track stars this week! 🏃♂️🏃♀️ The Black Team is kicking off their season today in Rock Hill/Mankato, while our Orange Team had an amazing kickoff last week in Abilene and is gearing up for Minneapolis on the 17th! If you haven't seen their incredible talent in action yet, don’t worry—you can catch both teams at the Clay Center Invitational Track Meet on April 22nd! 🎉 A huge shoutout to our awesome coaches, Travis Smith, Emilie Roe, Megan Griffiths, Austin Last, Ben Last, and Peyton Lane, for all their support and guidance! Wishing all our Bengals an outstanding track season! Let’s go, team! 🐅💪 #LikeAChampion #BengalPride #TrackSeason2025
🌟🐅 Huge shoutout and good luck to our incredible Black Team competing today at Rock Hills High School Track - 710 E. Madison, Mankato, KS 66956! 🏟️✨ It’s officially track meet day, and the excitement is real! 🎉 All Black Team athletes will be dismissed from class at noon and will head out by 12:15 PM. We’re thrilled to be competing against schools including St. Johns-Beloit, Rock Hills, Pike Valley, Linn, Clifton Clyde, Lakeside, and Lincoln! Field events kick off with the first call at 2:45 PM, starting at 3:00 PM (with pole vault an early start at 2:30 PM). Running events will begin at 4:00 PM with the 3200 M Run! There’ll be a concession stand ready to fuel our track stars and supporters on the southeast side of the track. Athletes heading home with parents, remember to check in with your coach and sign out using the sign-out sheet after your events. You’re free to go once you’ve put in your best effort! Good luck, Bengals! Let’s show everyone our strength and spirit! 💪🧡🖤 Stay tuned for the live results link coming soon... #LikeAChampion #GoBengals #TrackMeetDay #BlackTeamStrong
🌟 Hey everyone! Exciting news! Our next PEP meeting is happening next week on Monday, April 21st! 🎉 Everyone is invited, and we would love to see you there! Let's come together and make some magic happen! ✨ #PEPmeeting #CommunityVibes
CCCMS April BOE Report #celebrate379
🌟✨ Today’s “Like A Champion” shoutout goes to the incredible Zayne Ray! 🎶👏 Zayne is not just a section leader for the 7th grade band; he’s a true inspiration! Recently, he took charge during their chamber music sessions, leading his group with confidence and an awesome plan. Talk about multitasking—he embodied three of the seven habits in just one move! 🏆🙌 Zayne, your dedication to practicing and your encouragement for your peers are truly commendable. Keep shining and living out those seven habits every single day! You’ve got this! 💪🎉 #LikeAChampion #SevenHabits #Inspiration
🌟✨ Let's turn the spotlight on our amazing 8th Grade Track stars! 🏃♂️🏃♀️ The orange team is gearing up to kick off their season today in Abilene, while our black team will be hitting the track next Tuesday at Rock Hill/Mankato! Huge shoutout to our incredible coaches, Travis Smith, Emilie Roe, Megan Griffiths, Austin Last, Ben Last, and Peyton Lane for guiding these talented athletes. Best of luck to all our Bengals this track season! Go team! 🐅💪 #LikeAChampion #BengalPride #TrackSeason2025
🌟🐅 Good Luck to our Orange Team competing today at Abilene Cowboy Stadium, 922 N Walnut St, Abilene! 🏟️✨ Get hyped because it's track meet day! 🎉 All students on the Orange Team will be dismissed from class at 1 PM and will be heading out by 1:15 PM. 📅 Here’s the game plan: - Pole Vault, Javelin, Long Jump: 3:00 PM ⏰ - Remaining Field Events: 3:30 PM ⏰ - 3200m Race: 4:00 PM ⏰ - Remaining Running Events: 5:00 PM or after most field events wrap up 🏋️♂️ Just a reminder! All throwing events (shot put, discus, and javelin) will take place at the AHS Practice Field, which is conveniently located just one block north of the stadium. 🚗✨ For those athletes riding home with parents: Make sure to check in with the coach and sign out by using the sign-out sheet after your events. You’re free to go once you’ve finished competing! Good luck, Bengals! Let’s show them what we’re made of! 💪🧡🖤
Live Results Link: https://live.reddirtrunning.com/meets/48336
#LikeAChampion #GoBengals #TrackMeetDay #OrangeTeamStrong
🎉 Huge shoutout to all our amazing 3rd Quarter 8th Grade PAWS Recognition recipients! 🌟 Your hard work with attendance and grades is truly inspiring—keep shining, you all ROCK! 🙌🧡🖤 #LikeAChampion #Pawsitivity #HardWorkPaysOff #YouGotThis
🎉 Huge shoutout to all our amazing 3rd Quarter 7th Grade PAWS Recognition recipients! 🌟 Your hard work with attendance and grades is truly inspiring—keep shining, you all ROCK! 🙌🧡🖤 #LikeAChampion #Pawsitivity #HardWorkPaysOff #YouGotThis
🎉 Huge shoutout to all our amazing 3rd Quarter 6th Grade PAWS Recognition recipients! 🌟 Your hard work with attendance and grades is truly inspiring—keep shining, you all ROCK! 🙌🧡🖤 #LikeAChampion #Pawsitivity #HardWorkPaysOff #YouGotThis
Today is National School Library Appreciation Day! #celebrate379
✨ So proud of our incredible Scholars Bowl team and our fantastic coaches! 🎉 They brought home a 3rd place finish at NCKL in Fort Riley last night. What a spectacular way to wrap up their season! 🏅👏 #LikeAChampion #ScholarsBowl #ProudMoment #TeamSpirit
🚨✨Scholars Bowl NCKL Alert! 🚨✨ Wishing our amazing Bengals the best of luck today! 🐅💪 Our Scholars Bowl team is gearing up to hit the road at 2:30 PM to take on the NCKL Scholars Bowl Meet in Fort Riley! Let’s show them what we’re made of, Bengals! You've got this! 🌟🏆 #LikeAChampion #ScholarsBowl #NCKLBengals #TeamSpirit
Congratulations Mrs. Koster! #celebrate379
🎉✨ Big news, everyone! Last night, our incredible Scholars Bowl team clinched 1st place at Blue Valley (Randolph)! 🏆👏 We’re so proud of their hard work and dedication! But the excitement doesn’t stop there! Tomorrow, they’ll be heading to NCKL in Fort Riley. They'll be dismissed from class at 2:15 PM and be hitting the road by 2:30 PM. The meet kicks off at 4:30 PM! Let’s cheer them on! GO TEAM! 🚀💪 #LikeAChampion #ScholarsBowl #GoTeam
🌟 Happy National Paraprofessional Appreciation Day! 🎉 Today, we’re celebrating the incredible team of paraprofessionals here at CCCMS! 🙌✨ They are the unsung heroes making a difference in the lives of our students every day. 💪💖 Let's shine the spotlight on these amazing individuals who work tirelessly behind the scenes. Check out a glimpse into their inspiring journeys and discover what makes them so special! 👏📚 #LikeAChampion #ParaprofessionalAppreciation #TeamCCCMS #HeroesUnmasked
Denise Beutler moved to Clay Center 20 years ago and began working for USD 379 at that time. She is in her 9th year as a Para at CCCMS. She and her husband have 3 grown children, 3 in-law kids, and 6 precious grandchildren.
Nicole Kennison relocated to Clay Center from Colorado in 2010. She began her career in 2016 as a paraprofessional for USD 379. Nicole is the mother of three sons—AJ, who is currently a junior; Marcus, a freshman; and RJ, who is in the seventh grade. She enjoys spending time with her boys and her significant other, Brian. On the weekends, you can find her working at The Rex.
Shaylee Simnitt has worked for USD379 for 7 years. She is married to Wade Simnitt. They have one child together. She is currently in school to be a K-6 teacher.
Sally Chestnut is in her seventh year working at CCCMS as a para. She is married to a farmer, has three grown daughters, and one granddaughter, Charlotte.
Shannon Appleby has worked for USD 379 for 4 years. She was previously
in the medical field for 30 years. She is married to Corey Appleby and is a mother of 5, Kade, Vance, Abby, Ian, and Johanna Appleby. And a grandmother of 6. She and her family like to go camping. Two of her boys are into demolition derby.
Kelly Stewart has recently moved back into the community with her husband and 3 kids. This is her first year as a para at CCCMS, and she loves it.
Amy Ziolkowski recently moved to Clay Center in February with her family. Mom of 1 boy and 1 girl- her kids keep her very busy. She has been a para for 14 years, previously working at Beloit. Grew up on the farm near Jewell. Their school colors were orange and black (seemed obvious for her to work here). So far, everyone has been super helpful and inviting at CCCMS.
Thank you all for everything you do for our students and our community! You are seen!!
