USD 343
Perry-Lecompton
Leading with Sportsmanship. Representing Perry-Lecompton!
A couple of decades ago, former KSHSAA (Kansas State High School Activities Association) Executive Director Gary Musselman published an article about the importance of extracurricular activities. In that article, he referenced Robert D. Putnam’s book, Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis, and shared this quote from the book: “Consistent involvement in extracurricular activities is strongly associated with a variety of positive outcomes during the high school years and beyond, including higher GPAs, lower dropout and truancy rates, better work habits, greater self-esteem and resilience, less risky behavior, increased civic engagement, and greater future educational and career success.” Mr. Musselman added, “Without question, the return on investment in providing extracurricular programs to our students is beyond measure. We would do well to remember that we are about much more important business than simply wins and losses. Every child involved in school activities wins….”
While extracurricular activities are often associated with athletics, there are many other opportunities for students to become involved. Scholars Bowl, band, choir, art fairs, STUCO, Forensics, and the high school musical are just a few examples. At USD 343, our goal is simple: We want every student to find something they enjoy and become involved each year. Through these experiences, students build relationships, develop life skills, gain confidence, and experience many of the benefits described above.
Over the years, it has been exciting to see the positive impact activities can have on our students. They deserve our encouragement, praise, and support. With that in mind, here is an important reminder for all Kaw Fans:
• Players are there to play to the best of their abilities.
• Coaches and sponsors are there to teach and lead to the best of their abilities.
• Officials are there to enforce the rules to the best of their abilities. If a call needs to be questioned, please allow the coach to have that conversation.
• Fans are there to encourage and support to the best of their abilities.
Players, coaches, sponsors, and officials will all make mistakes. Mistakes have always been part of the game or activity. With that said, I have never seen an official change a call because a parent or fan was yelling from the stands. At USD 343, we work hard to help students understand that they represent more than themselves. They represent their classmates, teammates, organizations, teachers, coaches, parents, school district, and the entire Perry-Lecompton Family. The same is true for all of us!! How we conduct ourselves reflects on our schools and community and we should all take pride in representing Perry-Lecompton with positivity, respect, integrity, and sportsmanship.
Years ago, I read an article about being a “Nightmare sports parent,” and it has stayed with me ever since. Unfortunately, I was unable to locate the original article, but I did find another article that references it. (HERE) It is a worthwhile read that had an impact on me as a parent, so I wanted to share it with our PL Family.
Thank you for everything you do to encourage and support our students. As always, please stop by, email, or call if you have any questions, concerns, or celebrations to share.
Thank you!
Josh Woodward, EdD
PLES had fun with "Tat the Teacher" day. Students purchased temporary tattoos for their teachers as a fundraiser. Over $300 was raised.
Help us encourage our children and entire community to live a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.
Come join the PLHS dancers for a fun performance at a basketball game! 💙🏀
Don't forget to Sign UP to save a life 11/9/26!
Your donation will not only help local blood supply, but also help us receive a scholarship for a graduating Senior.
Your donation will not only help local blood supply, but also help us receive a scholarship for a graduating Senior.
October is fire safety month. We'd like to say thank you to our local volunteers Conley and Staci Feaster and Luke Wagner with Kentucky TWP Fire Dept for coming to the ECC and sharing important fire safety tips with the youngest learners in our district. We learned a lot! 🚒🧯
October is National Fire Prevention Month. We would like to give a big THANK YOU to our first responders who visited PLES. They shared ways to prevent emergencies and what to do in an emergency. We appreciate you!
DG Co Sheriff Dept- Master Deputy Tyree Clark, Deputy Ethan Moyer, Lieutenant Caleb Chaffin, Advocacy & Outreach Specialist Morgan Haney
CFD #1- Lieutenant Casey Quigley, Firefighter Chad Loecker, Recruit Ryland Mill, Recruit Matthew Farha
JF Co Sheriff Dept- Deputy Emily Hamm
LDCFM- Deputy Fire Chief Tyler Wade
Don't forget to sign up for our upcoming flu shot clinic for students and staff on Friday, October 23, 2026.
Here is what you need to participate:
Staff Members: Bring a completed JF County consent form and a copy of the front and back of your insurance card
Students: Bring a signed parental consent form, a completed JF County consent form, and a copy of the front and back of your insurance card.
How it works for students: Students will be called down school by school. They will receive their flu shot as long as all consent forms and insurance card copies are turned in.
Stay healthy this season! Securing your spot today.
Here is what you need to participate:
Staff Members: Bring a completed JF County consent form and a copy of the front and back of your insurance card
Students: Bring a signed parental consent form, a completed JF County consent form, and a copy of the front and back of your insurance card.
How it works for students: Students will be called down school by school. They will receive their flu shot as long as all consent forms and insurance card copies are turned in.
Stay healthy this season! Securing your spot today.
Reminder for Blood Drive 11/9/2026.
Help out our local blood supply and help us achieve a Scholarship for a Senior this coming May!
Reminder....Upcoming Flu Shot Clinic for Staff & Students!
We are partnering with the Jefferson County Health Department to host a convenient, on-site flu shot clinic on Friday, October 23, 2026.
The mobile clinic will be traveling to all four of our buildings:
ECHC: 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM
LES: 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
PLMS: 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
PLHS: 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
Email with all forms that need completed has been sent.
We've got spirit! Thank you to the Kaws football players for greeting our students and to the band, cheerleaders, and dancers for getting us ready for tonight's Homecoming game. Go Kaws!
Smiles@school program provided by AllWAYS community Health Center, is a mobile dental clinic for USD 343! Sign up today, they come to the schools soon!
Mrs. Jewell's Pre-K 4 class enjoyed observing the lifecycle of monarch butterflies up close and personal. We found the caterpillars on milkweed that grows on our playground fence and took 3 into our classroom. The students checked on them everyday. We observed them through all the stages, learned lots of vocabulary, read fiction and non-fiction books, created some art, and then released them! 🐛🦋
Grandparents day at the ECC was a huge success! We began each session in the gym reciting the pledge and remembering the events of 9/11 25 years ago. Then we had fun singing songs, creating art, reading, snacking, and of course taking pictures! Thank you to all the grandparents for sharing their day with us! 💙
Be a hero and save a life! ❤️
Our local community blood supply is in high demand, and we need your help to restock it. Plus, there is a huge bonus for our students: if we collect at least 50 donated pints, one of our amazing senior coordinators will receive a $500 scholarship this May!
Last year, our incredible community showed up and donated 67 pints. Let's come together to beat that record this school year!
Our local community blood supply is in high demand, and we need your help to restock it. Plus, there is a huge bonus for our students: if we collect at least 50 donated pints, one of our amazing senior coordinators will receive a $500 scholarship this May!
Last year, our incredible community showed up and donated 67 pints. Let's come together to beat that record this school year!
Upcoming Flu Shot Clinic for Staff & Students!
We are partnering with the Jefferson County Health Department to host a convenient, on-site flu shot clinic on Friday, October 23, 2026.
The mobile clinic will be traveling to all four of our buildings:
ECHC: 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM
LES: 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
PLMS: 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
PLHS: 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
Email with all forms that need completed has been sent.
September School Nurse Newsletter
The Early Childhood Center started their morning family time on Friday. Each morning we gather in the gym for morning announcements, celebrate birthdays, and recite the Pledge of Allegiance together. It's a wonderful way to begin our day together! 💙
PLES had a great first day! Thank you for sharing your children with us. We can't wait to see them again tomorrow.
USD 343 is accepting applications for a Title I Paraprofessional for the 26-27 school year. If you, or anyone you know, are interested in applying for this position, please apply at the following link: Application Link
If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Mark Lamb, Lecompton Elementary Principal, at mlamb@usd343.org.
