Republic County USD 109

As our seniors begin their final year at RCJSHS, I have found myself reflecting on the old saying, "It takes a village to raise a child." That idea was already on my mind before Senior Paint even began. The night before, we watched our community rally around the Hodgson family in a powerful way. Then yesterday, in a much lighter setting, I saw that same instinct to show up for one another all over again. Senior Paint is, at its heart, about individuality. Each senior gets to take a small physical piece of our school and make it their own. As a passerby parent told me: "it is such a reflection of their individuality and identity." I wholeheartedly agree thay it can reflect their personality, interests, memories, and identity. But what I enjoyed just as much as seeing the finished spots was watching how many people it took to create them. Families helping other families outline sketches, moms holding up a tent to block the sun, and friends helping fill in designs when the sun was boring down on them. People shared paint, supplies, advice, and plenty of manual labor. People simply saw where help was needed and stepped in. I even watched kids stop to help get a dead car started, and before long an entire small group of people had gathered around to help. As our seniors know, I can never resist an opportunity to talk about government. This past week we have been talking about civic virtue and the idea that freedom is not just "freedom from" something, but also "freedom for" something. A healthy community depends on people choosing to use their freedom to participate, contribute, and care for those around them. Over the course of two very different evenings, our young people got to see that idea lived out. Sometimes showing up for your community means rallying around a family when they need it most. Sometimes it means grabbing a paintbrush, helping trace a design, sharing supplies, or getting somebody’s car running. The circumstances are very different, but the instinct behind them is the same: We take care of one another. Every finished parking spot and donation is individual, but the process was anything but. Each parking spot belongs to one senior, but the past couple days belonged to the village. A pretty special way to begin senior year.

Republic County Fall Sports Pictures are this week! 9/26 - All Football after school. 9/27- All Cross Country and Volleyball after school. Online ordering is preferred and open! Paper forms will be at the school Monday as well. Online link: https://thp.accessmyevent.com/Fallsports

Please join Mrs. Hubert for Freshman Parent Night on Monday, August 24 at 6:30 PM in the Front Flex Room. Topics covered will include: courses, credits, joining clubs and organizations, study skills and many more.

Jostens will be here on Monday for class rings, caps, gowns and graduation announcements. They will be meeting with sophomores at 12:30 and seniors at 1:00.

The FBLA chapter is sponsoring the parking spot raffle for the Fall 2026 sports season. Buy one ticket for $5.00 or six tickets for $20.00 for a chance to have your name drawn for one of two reserved parking spots (back parking lot or front parking lot). Tickets can be purchased in the high school office or upcoming events. The winner will be announced during halftime of the first home football game on September 4th.
Questions: Contact Nicol Parde

Now Hiring!!!
Assistant Cross Country Coach

Please apply online at usd109.org (Employment tab).
For more information, please contact Eric Jones or Alan Sheets at 785-527-2281.

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER -- August 24 - August 31
Please click on link

https://aptg.co/hxB-dd

DON'T MISS the Sports Preview on Friday, August 21, 2026 at the Jr/Sr High School

Senior Parents, we are sending out a reminder for tonight's Senior Project Parent Meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the front flex room at the High School. See you there!!!

Join us Friday, August 21st, as we kick off the fall season and showcase all of our amazing activities!

Come out and support our:
🏈 Fall Sports
📣 Junior High & High School Cheer
🎺 Band
🎶 Choir

Let’s come together as a community to celebrate our students, coaches, directors, and the start of another great school year!

We’ll see you Friday!

Don’t forget about our Back to School FFA Parent Information Night tonight from 5:00-7:00 pm. Food is provided! Games for students and short meeting for parents to make sure everyone starts the year on the same page!

You're invited to the Student Council Back-to-School Bash! 5:00 PM – The Lions Club will be serving up delicious burgers with a free-will donation. Enjoy games and activities throughout the evening for all ages. 🎶 7:00 PM – Grab a lawn chair and stick around for live music from Hudson Reid! Bring your family, meet up with friends, and help us kick off another great school year. We hope to see you on Friday, August 14!

Welcome New Jr/Sr High Staff!

Welcome New Staff at East!

Come catch: A Grimm Graduation tonight at 7pm! Our Junior Buffs theatre camp has been working hard, and we'd love to share our end product with you! Free will donation will support the Buffalo Actor's Guild.

All 7th graders and parents are invited to attend orientation on Tuesday, August 11 from 7:00-7:45 at Republic County Junior Senior High School new gym. Students will be able to meet their teachers, walk their schedules and set up lockers. We are looking forward to welcoming you back to 2026-2027 school year!

Here’s to Year 20 and another great year at RepCo! We can’t wait to have our Buffaloes back in the building! ❤️🤍💙

You're invited to the Student Council Back-to-School Bash!
Let's celebrate the start of a new school year with a fun evening for the whole community!
5:00 PM – The Lions Club will be serving up delicious burgers with a free-will donation.
Enjoy games and activities throughout the evening for all ages.
🎶 7:00 PM – Grab a lawn chair and stick around for live music from Hudson Reid!
Bring your family, meet up with friends, and help us kick off another great school year. We hope to see you on Friday, August 14!

All 6th graders are invited to attend orientation on Tuesday, August 11 from 6:00-6:30 in the new gym at Republic County Junior Senior High School. You will have the opportunity to meet your teachers and set up your locker. Welcome back to the 2026-2027 school year! We are excited to see you!

Junior Buffs theatre camp had another great day. We spent an hour doing improv games and two hours rehearsing our play. These kids are great! Please come join us tonight at 7pm for A Grimm Graduation! Free will donation.