Mrs. Knepper started a new ELA story this week with "Big Idea" vocabulary. Students learned the definitions of possible unknown words that would occur in the story. This is a comprehension strategy that all Garfield classes use. #Celebrate379
about 13 hours ago, USD379 Communications
Mrs. Knepper started a new ELA story with "Big Idea" vocabulary. Students learned the definitions of possible unknown words that would occur in the story. This is a comprehension strategy that all Garfield classes use. #Celebrate379
Mrs. Knepper started a new ELA story with "Big Idea" vocabulary. Students learned the definitions of possible unknown words that would occur in the story. This is a comprehension strategy that all Garfield classes use. #Celebrate379
Mrs. Knepper started a new ELA story with "Big Idea" vocabulary. Students learned the definitions of possible unknown words that would occur in the story. This is a comprehension strategy that all Garfield classes use. #Celebrate379
Mrs. Knepper started a new ELA story with "Big Idea" vocabulary. Students learned the definitions of possible unknown words that would occur in the story. This is a comprehension strategy that all Garfield classes use. #Celebrate379
Mrs. Knepper started a new ELA story with "Big Idea" vocabulary. Students learned the definitions of possible unknown words that would occur in the story. This is a comprehension strategy that all Garfield classes use. #Celebrate379
Mrs. Knepper started a new ELA story with "Big Idea" vocabulary. Students learned the definitions of possible unknown words that would occur in the story.

Mrs. Cott gets into homerooms at least once every other week for Leader In Me counseling lessons. Today, she taught Ms. Bott's 5th graders about "big rocks and small rocks." Students thought about which "big rocks" take up a lot of space in their jar, and how "small rocks" can add up quickly and take over the jar, even when they aren't as important as the big rocks. #Celebrate379

6 days ago, USD379 Communications
Mrs. Cott gets into homerooms at least once every other week for Leader In Me counseling lessons. Today, she taught Ms. Bott's 5th graders about "big rocks and small rocks." Students thought about how "big rocks" take up a lot of space in their jar, and how "small rocks" can add up quickly and take over the jar, even when they aren't as important as the big rocks.
Mrs. Cott gets into homerooms at least once every other week for Leader In Me counseling lessons. Today, she taught Ms. Bott's 5th graders about "big rocks and small rocks." Students thought about how "big rocks" take up a lot of space in their jar, and how "small rocks" can add up quickly and take over the jar, even when they aren't as important as the big rocks.
Mrs. Cott gets into homerooms at least once every other week for Leader In Me counseling lessons. Today, she taught Ms. Bott's 5th graders about "big rocks and small rocks." Students thought about how "big rocks" take up a lot of space in their jar, and how "small rocks" can add up quickly and take over the jar, even when they aren't as important as the big rocks.
Mrs. Cott gets into homerooms at least once every other week for Leader In Me counseling lessons. Today, she taught Ms. Bott's 5th graders about "big rocks and small rocks." Students thought about how "big rocks" take up a lot of space in their jar, and how "small rocks" can add up quickly and take over the jar, even when they aren't as important as the big rocks.
Mrs. Cott gets into homerooms at least once every other week for Leader In Me counseling lessons. Today, she taught Ms. Bott's 5th graders about "big rocks and small rocks." Students thought about how "big rocks" take up a lot of space in their jar, and how "small rocks" can add up quickly and take over the jar, even when they aren't as important as the big rocks.
Mrs. Schurle's science classes were in investigative mode today. What happens to all of the leaves that drop in the fall that don't get picked up? #Celebrate379
9 days ago, USD379 Communications
Mrs. Schurle's science classes were in investigative mode today. What happens to all of the leaves that drop in the fall that don't get picked up?
Mrs. Schurle's science classes were in investigative mode today. What happens to all of the leaves that drop in the fall that don't get picked up?
Mrs. Schurle's science classes were in investigative mode today. What happens to all of the leaves that drop in the fall that don't get picked up?
Mrs. Schurle's science classes were in investigative mode today. What happens to all of the leaves that drop in the fall that don't get picked up?
NextGen Under 30 recognizes and encourages the next generation of innovative, creative, and inspiring individuals who push boundaries across various fields. Congratulations, Mr. Wichman! #Celebrate379
10 days ago, USD379 Communications
Recognition graphic featuring Kelby Wichman, a fourth-grade teacher at Garfield Elementary, who was named a 2026 NextGen Under 30 Kansas K–12 Education winner.
Each Friday, students in Mrs. Ferguson's class vote on a class G.O.A.T., listing the 7 Habits and specific examples of great behavior they witnessed from a classmate that week. Here's the post for week one. #Celebrate379
10 days ago, USD379 Communications
Evve Lipker smiles while holding a trophy and certificate recognizing her as Mrs. Ferguson’s first Class G.O.A.T. Award winner for demonstrating positive habits, including kindness, inclusion, and hard work.
It's concert prep season in Mrs. Rourke's music classes! This year, she is giving her students the opportunity to choreograph their routine for each song. Today, students broke into small groups to develop their ideas. Taylor Swift would be jealous! #Celebrate379
10 days ago, USD379 Communications
Mrs. Rourke's 5th grade music classes come up with choreograph ideas for the songs they will sing in their upcoming fall concert.
Mrs. Rourke's 5th grade music classes come up with choreograph ideas for the songs they will sing in their upcoming fall concert.
Mrs. Rourke's 5th grade music classes come up with choreograph ideas for the songs they will sing in their upcoming fall concert.
Mrs. Rourke's 5th grade music classes come up with choreograph ideas for the songs they will sing in their upcoming fall concert.
Mrs. Rourke's 5th grade music classes come up with choreograph ideas for the songs they will sing in their upcoming fall concert.
Mrs. Rourke's 5th grade music classes come up with choreograph ideas for the songs they will sing in their upcoming fall concert.
Mrs. Rourke's 5th grade music classes come up with choreograph ideas for the songs they will sing in their upcoming fall concert.
Mrs. Rourke's 5th grade music classes come up with choreograph ideas for the songs they will sing in their upcoming fall concert.
At USD 379, i-Ready Math is one of many tools our teachers use to help students grow and succeed. Students spend very little time on a screen each week, so when they do, it needs to be highly instructional.

Teachers use i-Ready insights to identify individual needs, guide small-group instruction, and provide hands-on learning opportunities. In Mrs. McDonald's 4th-grade classroom, students took the initial diagnostic assessment today. Then, the i-Ready program will place them at their level, supporting personalized instruction. #Celebrate379
16 days ago, USD379 Communications
Mrs. McDonald watched over her students as they take the i-Ready diagnostic assessment.
Mrs. McDonald watched over her students as they take the i-Ready diagnostic assessment.
Mrs. McDonald watched over her students as they take the i-Ready diagnostic assessment.
Mrs. McDonald watched over her students as they take the i-Ready diagnostic assessment.
It’s only the 4th day of 4th grade, but Mrs. Pfizenmaier's students are already teaching Leader in Me lessons! Today’s lesson was how to be proactive by taking initiative inside and outside of school! #Celebrate379
21 days ago, USD379 Communications
It’s only the 4th day of 4th grade, but Mrs. Pfizenmaier's students are already teaching Leader in Me lessons! Today’s lesson was how to be proactive by taking initiative inside and outside of school!
We are continuing to highlight new certified staff joining USD 379. Welcome to Garfield! #Celebrate379
about 1 month ago, USD379 Communications
Welcome to Garfield graphic introducing Renee Taggart, Special Education. The graphic features Renee’s portrait and highlights her education at Ridgewood High School and Kansas State University, her experience as a teacher’s aide, Title I aide, student teacher, and childcare provider, as well as information about her family.
We are continuing to highlight new certified staff joining USD 379. Welcome to Garfield! #Celebrate379
about 1 month ago, USD379 Communications
Welcome to Garfield graphic introducing Victoria Whitaker, Special Education. The graphic features Victoria’s portrait and highlights her educational, professional, and personal background, including her teaching experience, ongoing master’s degree work at Fort Hays State University, and family.
We are continuing to highlight new certified staff joining USD 379. Welcome to Lincoln and Garfield! #Celebrate379
about 1 month ago, USD379 Communications
Welcome graphic introducing new USD 379 K-5 art teacher Jeannie Hauck. The graphic features a headshot of Jeannie outdoors alongside information about her background. She graduated from Palo Alto High School in California, earned her bachelor's degree from Colorado Mesa University, and is completing her master's degree at Fort Hays State University. She previously taught K-12 art in Miltonvale and K-5 art in Geary County. Jeannie is a mother of three, grandmother of five, and great-grandmother of one. She enjoys gardening, owns an art studio called The Purple Door in Clay Center, and has a Bernese Mountain Dog named Sophia. Her name and position, "Jeannie Hauck – K-5 Art," are displayed prominently on the graphic.
We are continuing to highlight new certified staff joining USD 379. Welcome to Garfield! #Celebrate379
about 1 month ago, USD379 Communications
Graphic welcoming Christie Solomon to Garfield Elementary as a Special Education teacher. The design features a headshot of Solomon on the right with blue and orange accent rings. Text highlights her educational background, including Dover High School in Delaware, a bachelor's degree from Grand Canyon University, and a master's degree from Fort Hays State University. It notes she is beginning her seventh year in education, with previous experience in USD 475 Junction City as a paraeducator at Grandview Elementary and as a special education teacher at Westwood Elementary and Eisenhower Elementary. The graphic also shares that Solomon is originally from Bel Air, Maryland, now lives in Clay Center with her husband, Warren, and that their three children attend USD 379 schools. Her name and position, Christie Solomon – Special Education, appear prominently at the bottom of the photo.
We are hiring! #Celebrate379
about 2 months ago, USD379 Communications
USD 379 is hiring a special education teacher at Garfield Elementary. Contact Erica Bammes at ericabammes@usd379.org or 785 632-3176
USD 379 is hiring a speech para. Contact Erica Bammes at ericabammes@usd379.org or 785 632-3176

USD 379 2026-2027 Enrollment is Now Open!

Enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year is now open!

  • Returning Students: Please use the Snapcode that was emailed to you to finish enrollment. If you did not get your Snapcode, please contact your child's school building starting July 22 for help.

  • New Students to USD 379: Please complete the New Student Enrollment form. A Snapcode is not needed for new student enrollment. Head to our enrollment page to enroll.

Visit www.usd379.org/enroll for everything you need to get ready for the new school year, including:

  • Enrollment information

  • School supply lists

  • Physical forms

  • Free and Reduced-Price Meal applications

  • After-school program registration

  • And much more!

District staff will be available on August 4-5 to help families with enrollment questions and offer in-person enrollment support.

Be sure to follow our social media pages! We will keep sharing important updates, reminders, and back-to-school information all summer until the first day of school. We can't wait to see you!

about 2 months ago, Clay County USD 379
Enrollment poster with dates for enrollment: August 4th and 5th

USD 379 Families,

Last night’s rain has compromised the basement area at Garfield Elementary, which is also a shelter in the event of inclement weather. We don’t normally close school based on forecasts, as we feel our students and staff are very safe in all of our buildings. However, in this case, we would need to transport students to other buildings, which is impractical and unsafe. We also utilize the same buses within multiple buildings for after-school transportation, which makes dismissing just Garfield impractical.

Because of this, USD 379 will have a 1 pm dismissal today.

Lunch will be served as usual. All after-school sports practices and evening activities, including Project LEAD, have also been canceled. No afternoon preschool. Please call the school with any changes to your child’s after-school schedule.

4 months ago, USD379 Communications
1 pm Dismissal
Garfield had a great time hosting Lincoln 3rd graders last week at Movin' On Up Day! Students learned about Garfield School, met the staff, and took a tour of the building. A big shout-out to our 4th grade Movin' On Up Day leaders! They did a fantastic job! #Celebrate379
4 months ago, USD379 Communications
Lincoln 3rd graders learn about Garfield Elementary from 4th grade leaders during Movin' On Up Day.
4th grade leaders at Movin' On Up Day are pictured.
For her last unit of the year, Ms. Bott is conducting a "My Pretend Life" unit in her math classes. Similar to the high school's Financial Literacy simulation, students are "given" a family and a salary, and then have to navigate grocery shopping, purchasing a house (and a mortgage), and even whether they can afford a vacation! #Celebrate379
4 months ago, USD379 Communications
Ms. Bott gives instructions on how much students can spend on a house based on their current income.
Ms. Bott checks over student work during their "My Pretend Life" simulation.
This is one sheet from the "My Pretend Life" simulation that talks about monthly income vs. expenses.
A student works on her "My Pretend Life" simulation.
Students work on their "My Pretend Life" simulation while. Mrs. Baumann looks on.

Thanks to the CCCHS Student Council, select Garfield students who met their independent reading goals got to compete in a basketball game against StuCo members today! This game had it all: Intense fans, outgoing cheerleaders, demanding coaches, and even some technical fouls against the seniors! #Celebrate379

4 months ago, USD379 Communications
Students are introduced and run through a human tunnel at the Garfield vs. CCCHS Student Council basketball game.
CCCHS Student Council members introduce themselves at the Garfield vs. CCCHS Student Council basketball game.
An announcer introduces students at the Garfield vs. CCCHS Student Council basketball game.
Students are introduced and run through a human tunnel at the Garfield vs. CCCHS Student Council basketball game.
A jump ball occurs at the start of the Garfield vs. CCCHS Student Council basketball game.
A high school student guards a Garfield student the Garfield vs. CCCHS Student Council basketball game.
Students cheer at the Garfield vs. CCCHS Student Council basketball game.
Students cheer at the Garfield vs. CCCHS Student Council basketball game.
Students cheer at the Garfield vs. CCCHS Student Council basketball game.
Garfield cheerleaders perform at the Garfield vs. CCCHS Student Council basketball game.
Every afternoon, GES 4th graders are divided into reading groups and head to different classrooms to improve specific reading goals. Mr. Wichman's group is focusing on reading comprehension. Today, they were finishing a "Scoot" in which they read different passages on the classroom walls and answered comprehension questions. #Celebrate379
4 months ago, USD379 Communications
Mr. Wichman checks the progress of students who have answered comprehension questions.
Students read a passage and answer comprehension questions about that passage.
Students read a passage and answer comprehension questions about that passage.
Students read a passage and answer comprehension questions about that passage.
It's getting down to the wire for the 5th grader's first band concert of their careers! The 5-12 spring band concert will take place on Monday, May 18, at 7 pm. #Celebrate379
4 months ago, USD379 Communications
5th grade band students prepare for the upcoming 5-12 spring band concert.
5th grade band students prepare for the upcoming 5-12 spring band concert.
5th grade band students prepare for the upcoming 5-12 spring band concert.
5th grade band students prepare for the upcoming 5-12 spring band concert.
5th grade band students prepare for the upcoming 5-12 spring band concert.
5th grade band students prepare for the upcoming 5-12 spring band concert.
5th grade band students prepare for the upcoming 5-12 spring band concert.
5th grade band students prepare for the upcoming 5-12 spring band concert.
5th grade band students prepare for the upcoming 5-12 spring band concert.