Ad Astra Academies

Join us TONIGHT for Buhler Family Library Night at the Hutch Public Library! Come and go from 6 - 7 pm after you cheer the Lady Crusader basketball team to a victory in the state tournament! Enjoy activities including: Read to Rover (Therapy Dogs) Scavenger Hunt Puppet Storytelling Light Table Makerspace Legos Book checkout! See you there!

Thank you for your interest in Ad Astra Academies. While enrollment for PreK–5 and 9-12 students is currently closed, we are still accepting applications for limited spaces in grades 6–8 with director approval (contact Ad Astra directly for spring middle school enrollment). Pre-enrollment for the 2025–2026 school year is now open. Please complete the form linked below to add your student to our enrollment list for consideration. If you have more than one student, please complete a separate form for each student. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdSAJiikocT1m6dTBxGgUWpKat59entSNw9d25Zsd8FU7-WIg/viewform?usp=sharing

Save the date to attend one of our preschool and kindergarten application clinics! Attend any of the dates listed and our teachers and secretaries will ensure your information is shared with the correct school building. Returning students do not need to attend. Attend any of these dates between 5-7 PM March 10: Plum Creek March 24: Union Valley March 31: Buhler Grade Please bring a copy of your student’s state issued birth certificate, Immunization Records, Student Health Assessment and Proof of Residency (water, power or gas bill, rental agreement, etc.) See our preschool page here for more information: https://www.usd313.org/page/preschool-and-wraparound-care

🌟 At Ad Astra, we celebrate our high school graduates every month—but today, we’re celebrating one of our staff! Join us in congratulating Mrs. Kohls on her incredible achievement! She officially graduated today from Breathe for Change's 200-hour program as a Certified Yoga Teacher and Social-Emotional Learning Facilitator. Her dedication to growth and well-being will have a lasting impact on our students, staff, and families. From breathwork and mindful movements to chair yoga, somatic healing, and social-emotional well-being, her training will enrich our school community in so many ways. We love seeing our staff lead by example, showing our students what a true growth mindset looks like. Congratulations, Mrs. Kohls! 🎓✨ #LifelongLearning #GrowthMindset #BreatheForChange #MindfulnessMatters #MentalWellnessMatters

Our Core Essential Value of the Month is COOPERATION! "Working together to do more than you can do alone!" Such an important value to lean into as we zero in on the last quarter of the school year. #BetterTogether

Buhler Schools and our community rely on each other to form a strong , viable community that prospers. We are proud to partner with our stakeholders. #DidYouKnow

Registration for STEAM Camp 2025 is open! This is open to Buhler students that will be exiting the 2nd through 7th grades. PLEASE NOTE: With the expiration of COVID 19 relief funds, we are no longer able to offer STEAM Camp at no cost. The cost for camp will be $50, due prior to the first day of camp. Cash or check may be delivered to any elementary school office, Prairie Hills Middle School, or Burkholder Administration Center. Please label it for STEAM Camp with your child's name Two sessions of camp will be available. Session 1: June 2 - 6 Session 2: June 9 - 13. Both sessions go from 8:00 - 11:30 Monday through Friday. Due to the high number of interested students and need for staff to plan ahead, please ensure your child is available each day before signing up. Visit bit.ly/buhlersteamcamp25 to register your child We can't wait for a great summer of learning!

Join us for a 313 family night at the library! Come and go on March 13th from 6 - 7 pm. (The library is open to the public until 8 after our event) Enjoy activities including: Read to Rover (Therapy Dogs) Scavenger Hunt Puppet Storytelling Light Table Makerspace Legos Book checkout! We hope to see you there!

Save the date to attend one of our preschool and kindergarten application clinics! These help us accurately plan for the upcoming year. Attend any of the dates listed and our teachers and secretaries will ensure your information is shared with the correct school building. Attend any of these dates between 5-7 PM March 10: Plum Creek March 24: Union Valley March 31: Buhler Grade Please bring a copy of your student’s state issued birth certificate, Immunization Records, Student Health Assessment and Proof of Residency (water, power or gas bill, rental agreement, etc.) See our preschool page here for more information: https://www.usd313.org/page/preschool-and-wraparound-care

Buhler Staff and Families, Due to the drifting snow and dangerous wind chills, Buhler USD #313 will NOT be in session on Wednesday, February 19th.  A decision on practices will be made by 12:00 and communicated through your student’s coaches.   Crusader Corner and Buhler Beginnings will also be closed Wednesday.  Make Up Days: As you know, all built in snow days have been utilized and time will need to be made up.   In addition to the 10 minutes added each day, Buhler Schools will be in session as student contact days on Friday, April 25th, AND Monday, April 21st. Parent Teacher Conference Information: Conferences scheduled for PreK-8th grade on Wednesday night will be given the option to be rescheduled in person on Thursday as the teacher’s and family’s schedules allow.  IF these can’t be rescheduled to Thursday, a virtual zoom option will be offered by the teacher to the family.  Conferences will NOT be cancelled.  Thursday conferences will be in person at the buildings as scheduled.   Reminder Per the calendar, there is no school Thursday (for conferences) and Friday.   Stay Warm! Cindy Couchman, Superintendent Buhler USD #313

Buhler Staff and Families,  Due to the forecasted snow and dangerous wind chills, Buhler USD #313 will NOT be in session on Tuesday, February 18th.  A decision on practices will be made by 12:00 and communicated through your student’s coaches.   Crusader Corner and Buhler Beginnings will also be closed Tuesday.   As you know, all built in snow days have been utilized and time will need to be made up.   In addition to the 10 minutes added each day, Buhler Schools will be in session as a student contact day on Friday, April 25th.   Stay Warm! Cindy Couchman, Superintendent Buhler USD #313

Our high school basketball teams have big matchups with McPherson tomorrow, February 14th. Come out and cheer them to a victory and enjoy 50 cent hot dogs, sponsored by Hutchinson Regional Medical Center! Go Crusaders!

🌟 Student Spotlight: Tinley Kerschner Joins KSDE Advisory Council! 🌟 Ad Astra Academies' middle school student Tinley Kerschner has been appointed to the Kansas State Department of Education’s Charter and Virtual Education Advisory Council! Her experiences in a variety of school settings makes her a valuable voice in shaping the future of education in Kansas. Congratulations, Tinley! 👏 #StudentLeader #EducationMatters #Bexceptional

Buhler Staff and Families,  Due to poor road conditions and blowing snow, Buhler USD #313 will NOT be in session on Wednesday, February 12th.  A decision on practices will be made by 12:00 and communicated through your student’s coach.   Crusader Corner and Buhler Beginnings will also be closed today. As you know, all built in snow days have been utilized and time will need to be made up.   An email will be sent later this morning with details for making up the days missed due to inclement weather.   Stay Warm! Cindy Couchman, Superintendent Buhler USD #313

We are hiring! Our para positions and secretary position are for immediate hire. The other positions are for next school year. For more positions including coaching opportunities, check our website out at: https://www.applitrack.com/buhlerschools/onlineapp/

Union Valley Elementary is looking for their next head secretary. This position is open and would start as soon as the onboarding process is complete. Please share this opening with friends and family who may be interested! Click here to view the job description and apply online : https://www.applitrack.com/buhlerschools/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Business%2fClerical

Save the date to attend one of our preschool and kindergarten application clinics! This helps us to accurately plan for the upcoming year. You may attend any of the dates listed, even if it is not at the school you plan for your child to attend. Our teachers and secretaries will ensure your information is shared with the correct school building. Attend any of these times: Monday, March 10: Plum Creek 5:00-7:00 Monday, March 24: Union Valley 5:00-7:00 Monday, March 31: Buhler Grade 5:00-7:00 Please bring a copy of your student’s state issued birth certificate, Immunization Records, Student Health Assessment and Proof of Residency (water, power or gas bill, rental agreement, etc.) See our preschool FAQ here: https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1840149/Buhler_Preschool_Application_Clinic_FAQ_22_23.pdf

January is Board of Education Appreciation Month! School board members are locally elected leaders who play a vital role in shaping the future of education in our community. They set a vision for our schools, hire and evaluate the superintendent, adopt policies, oversee district finances, and collaborate with the community to enhance student achievement. Please take a moment to thank our current Board members: Back row: Chris Shank, Greg Lackey, Dr. Tim Lackey, Monte Cross Front row: Dr. Michael Green, Jessica Goering, Laura Meyer Dick Buhler Schools have been built on the service and dedication of our present and past BOE members. If you know any that have served in this role, give them a shout-out!

Good Evening, We are expecting wind chills of -15 degrees at 8:00 tomorrow morning. By 10:00, it is expected to be about -5 degrees. When considering a delay due to cold weather, I weigh out many situations, vehicles starting, buses starting, students at bus stops, students walking and our staff who have to stand out in the cold for 30 minutes doing student drop off lanes. I am confident our buses will start but I would prefer not to have students and staff outside in this bitter cold. Due to the forecast of dangerous wind chills tomorrow, Buhler USD #313 will be on a two hour delay Tuesday, January 21st. With the 2 hour late start, the following will be implemented: *No morning PreK *No breakfasts will be served *Shining Stars will be open 2 hours late *All start times will shift back two hours: BGS 9:50 UV/PCE 10:10 PHMS 9:45 BHS 10:00 AdAstra Alternative 10:00 High school students will report directly to 1st hour Middle school students will report directly to 1st hour Buhler Beginnings Daycare and Crusader Corner Daycare will open and operate with normal hours. Cindy Couchman, Superintendent Buhler USD #313

A great opportunity for our community is being offered January 17-18 in Hutchinson. A free dental clinic offering fillings, screenings, and cleanings. No appointment necessary but children ages 1 to 13 are granted the special privilege to schedule an “arrival time” at the KMOM free dental clinic with a pediatric specialist. This "arrival time" does not guarantee that they will be seen at that exact time, but it will limit their waiting time for treatment. Appointments are limited. To make an appointment, https://kmomkids.as.me/schedule/5fff8a1a/appointment/30180423/calendar/6450206