News for 1/31/2018

Celebrating 157 years of Kansas this week!

Students and teachers have enjoyed celebrating our great state of Kansas this week. When we think of Kansas, we normally think of sunflowers, meadowlarks, wheat, buffalo and cottonwood trees. Each year, the children learn about these plus the state insect, the honeybee, the state reptile, which is the Ornate Box Turtle, and our state flag.

The state flag of Kansas dates to 1927, although changes have been made to the original design of the flag since that time. The flag contains the state seal of Kansas, the word KANSAS in yellow, a sunflower, and a yellow and blue bar. The flag is full of symbolism. The gold and blue bar symbolizes that Kansas was part of the Louisiana Purchase. When looked at closely, the state seal tells us much about Kansas in 1861. The early history of our state is written in the symbols contained in the state seal.

• 34 signify that Kansas was the 34th state to enter the Union.

• The state motto, Ad Astra Per Aspera, “To the stars through difficulty,” reminds us of the struggles settlers lived through during the territorial years in order to achieve statehood. (Do what you believe in, even if it is difficult.)

• Rolling hills identify the terrain near Fort Riley.

• American Indians hunting bison are reminders of the people who settled Kansas earlier.

• Teams of oxen and a pair of prairie schooners suggest the advance of the frontier.

• Plowed fields represent the importance of agriculture in Kansas.

• The log house speaks of settlement.

So if you are a Kansan, native born or claimed residency, stand proud and be thankful because our great state holds lots of history and we have much to take pride in!

American Legion

The Sons of the American Legion will host a Valentine's Dinner on February 10th, serving steak and shrimp. There will be 2 different times to choose from to eat--this is so there will be room for everyone. The times are 6pm and 7:30pm. The menu is steak and shrimp, baked potato, salad, vegetable, bread, brownie sundae for dessert and a glass of wine for $15 a person. We'd like for reservations to be made by Feb 5th. Please call the American Legion after 6pm @ 785-476-3204 or Karen @ 785-476-2467. Come out and spoil your valentine with us!

The Friday Night Special, February 3rd:

This week at the American Legion in Kensington we will be having homemade smothered burritos, Mexican coleslaw, and a cheesy/creamy dip with chips for the nightly special. Our dessert will be peach cobbler with or without ice cream. We will have our regular menu items available, too. Soup of the night will be Taco Soup. Kitchen hours are 6-8:30 and you are more than welcome to call us for take out orders or if you are running late and want us to stay open for you, just call! 785-476-3204. Hope to see you Friday evening!

Thunder Ridge School News

Important Dates:

Wed. Jan. 31- Blood Drive to be held in the TRHS Science Lab from 9am-3pm.

Mon. February. 5th- NPL Band Clinic @ Tescott (1:00pm) with concert at 6:00pm; Steering Committee & Post Prom Meetings 6:00pm

Spaghetti and Chess Night:

Thur. February 8th- All high school staff, parents, and students are invited for Spaghetti and Chess Night, located in the cafeteria in the Thunder Ridge Elementary Building from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. If you have chess sets that you would like to share, please bring them. We will have a challenge board, which is a bracket for players who accept a challenge by another. Please RSVP to the Thunder Ridge High School Office 476-2217.

Upcoming Games:

Fri. Feb. 2- HS BB @ Sylvan-Lucas (Sylvan Grove) 4:00pm

Tue. 6- HS BB @ Franklin 4:00pm

Fri. 9- HS BB vs Tescott at Home 4:00pm w/ Mini Cheer Performance

Tue. 13- HS BB vs Lincoln at Home 4:00pm

Fri. 16- HS BB @ Rock Hills (Mankato) 4:00pm

County Spelling Bee this week!

These Top 10 earned the opportunity to go on and compete in the County Spelling Bee in Logan on Wednesday, January 31.

Best of Luck to these finalists: back row (l-r) Kristal Rice, Alexis Holling, Liam Corbett; middle row (l-r) Jackson Dunlap, Evan Slavik, Brooklyn Stauffer, Jenna Barnes; front row (l-r) 1st place Abby Hardacre, 2nd place Alli Rhea, 3rd place Teaghan Hendryx.

TR fourth grade had a K-state extension lady visit and provide a presentation about pollination:

R HS/GS Menus:

Daily choice with meal: breakfast- milk or juice, fresh/canned fruit, cereal; lunch- Salad, fruits & veggie bar, served daily. *Note: Menus are subject to change.

Wed. 31

Breakfast: Breakfast Sliders

Lunch: Chili Soup, Crackers, Orange Smiles, Cinnamon Rolls

Thur. Feb 1

Breakfast: Cheese Quesadilla w/salsa

Lunch: Chicken fillet. Sweet potato bites, green beans, biscuit, grapes

Fri. 2

Breakfast: Breakfast Bar

Lunch: Mac N Cheese, meatball, peas, apple wedges, dinner roll, cookie

Mon. 5

Breakfast: Mini Cinnamon Roll

Lunch: Ham & Cheese on bun, tri tater, grapes

Tues. 6

Breakfast: Pancake & Sausage Stick w/Syrup

Lunch: Pepperoni Pizza, orange smiles, cheese sticks (9-12)

Wed. 7

Breakfast: Breakfast Sliders

Lunch: Taco Burger, refried beans, chips & salsa (9-12), half-a-banana

Thur. 8

Breakfast: Breakfast Pizza

Lunch: Lasagna, bread sticks, cookie, apple wedges

Fri. 9

Breakfast: Blueberry Pancakes w/syrup

Lunch: Chicken Patty, whipped potatoes w/gravy, dinner roll (9-12), green beans, diced pears

Weekly Inspiration

Patience is not the ability to wait but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting.

A strong person is not the one who doesn't cry. A strong person is one who is quiet and sheds tears for a moment and then picks up the sword and fights again.

At the end of the day I am thankful that my blessings are greater than my problems. Amen.

ISO: News Needed

Please send me your News! If you don’t send it, I can’t submit it! Contact Erica Barnes at 785-476-8185 or by email at ebarnes8185@gmail.com.