On Wednesday, March 23, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) plans to begin a bridge replacement project which spans Labette Creek on U.S. 59/U.S. 160, 5.69 miles northwest of Oswego.
Starting Thursday, March 24, the work zone will be closed to traffic. Please be advised the state route detours on U.S. 160, K-101, U.S. 166, and U.S. 59 could cause delays to USD 504 bus routes.
Weather permitting, KDOT expects to complete the work and open the new bridge by year-end.
USD 504 Oswego-Service Valley has 3 storm shelters available in the event of a severe storm or tornado. However, we ask that you please be aware that all 3 shelters are opened by volunteers. When the alerts are broadcasted and sirens sound, the shelters will be open as soon as the volunteers are able to arrive on campus.
Our 3 storm shelter locations are available to the public in the event of a severe storm or tornado during nonschool hours of operation. During the school day, the shelters will be full of students and staff.
• Neosho Heights Elementary (NeHi): 100 Oregon - Shelter is located on the northwest corner of the building. Look for the neon "OPEN" sign.
• Oswego Jr.-Sr. High School (OJSHS): 1501 Tomahawk Trail - Shelter is located on the southwest corner of the building.
• Service Valley Charter Academy (SVCA): 21102 Wallace Road - Shelter is located in the library building directly west of the main building.
Last week Friday afternoon the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) issued updated masking guidelines
With respect to masking on school buses, please note the following from the CDC: Effective February 25, 2022, CDC is exercising its enforcement discretion to NOT REQUIRE that people wear masks on buses or vans operated by public or private school systems, including early care and education/child care programs.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/face-masks-public-transportation.html
On behalf of Oswego USD 504, THANK YOU to the school & City of Oswego maintenance crews for getting the sidewalks, driveways, & roads ready for school. Your hard work & efforts make things safer for our students & staff. You are greatly appreciated. THANK YOU!
Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief III (ESSER III) funds are being provided under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021, Public Law 117-2, enacted on March 11, 2021. The purpose of ESSER III is to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on students by mitigating learning losses, supporting social-emotional needs, and ensuring safe in-person learning for students. We will submit an application for ESSER III funds to the Kansas State Department of Education which must include input from a variety of stakeholders on how best to prioritize use of these funds. Your input will impact how ESSER III funds are spent across the school district. Please take a few minutes to provide your feedback. Thank you in advance for your input, participation, and engagement in this process. The short form can be completed at: https://forms.gle/cNs21ka1iUjz7GNW8
Due to the snow & ice packed road conditions, Oswego USD 504 School will be closed Thursday, February 24, 2022. Stay warm and safe.
Due to inclement weather conditions, Oswego USD 504 has canceled all after school practices and activities for Wednesday, February 23, 2022.
Oswego USD 504 schools will be closed on Thursday, February 17, 2022 due to dropping temperatures and freezing rain.
The High School will be moving to remote learning from January 20-24th, returning to in-person learning on Tuesday, January 25th due to reaching the 10% threshold of positive COVID cases.
The January 19, 2022 letter to USD 504 parents/guardians regarding the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) support for schools to implement a 30-day temporary suspension on all contact tracing is available at https://5il.co/14gzh
Due to two changes to the Covid-19 guidelines from the Kansas Department of Health this week, the board of education voted to adopt the revised guidelines recommended by KDHE on January 12, 2022 including the following protocol:
• A positive test case will result in a 5-day isolation period followed by continued masking with a well-fitted mask while around others for 5 days
• Close Contact (being within 6 ft. of a positive infection for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24 hour period.) Test-to-Stay: Students/staff members will be tested starting day 3 and every other day thereafter for a 10-day period. Should a test day fall on a non-school day the testing sequence will resume on the following school day.
• All close contacts will be required to wear a mask for a 10-day period
• Household Contact: will have a required 5-day isolation period. Students and/or staff members will be required to follow the test to stay protocol for a 10-day period
• If the student/staff member chooses not to test, the student/staff member is required to adhere to the 10-day isolation period
• At any point during the isolation period the student/staff member chooses to return to school, the test to stay protocol will be required
The Junior High B-Team Jamboree scheduled for Saturday, January 15th has been postponed to Saturday, January 29th due to inclement weather.
The USD 504 board of education has scheduled a special meeting for Friday, January 14, 2022, at 10:00 AM at the school district's central office. The agenda is available here: https://5il.co/14azx
The High School basketball game at Jayhawk-Linn scheduled for Friday, January 14 has been postponed. The tentative make-up date is Monday, January 24.
At the January 10, 2022 board of education meeting, the school board approve the adoption of the CDC quarantining guidelines. The guidelines can be found at https://5il.co/145si
In addition, the school board approve to increase the daily positivity rate for mandatory masks at the individual buildings from 2% to 3%.
This week the board of education will be interviewing three candidates for the superintendent position.
On Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday from 3:40-4:30 PM, there will be a meet & greet with each candidate at the Oswego Community Center in the East room.
The meet & greet is open to the community and all staff members.
Hope to see you there!
The next monthly Board of Education meeting for USD 504 will be held in the Oswego Jr/Sr High School Commons on January 10 at 7:00 pm.
"Hello, this is Douglas Beisel, Oswego USD 504 Superintendent of Schools. I hope you & your family have had a great holiday season. This message is to inform you that when our students & staff return to school Monday, January 3rd that the USD 504 BOE has issued a mask mandate. This mask mandate starts January 3rd & will be reviewed on Monday, January 10th. Thank you for you cooperation & understanding thorough this process. Happy New Year!"
JOB TITLE: District Counselor
JOB DESCRIPTION: U.S.D. 504 is currently accepting applications for a District Counselor. The counselor will promote student success through providing academic, personal, and social development for all district students. This vacancy is for the 2022-2023 school year and will remain open until filled.
Individuals interested in this position should submit the following:
1. Application
2. Resume’
3. Cover Letter
4. Transcripts
5. Credentials
6. Minimum of 3 References
Please send all correspondence to:
Douglas Beisel
Superintendent of Schools
P.O. Box 129
Oswego, KS 67356
dbeisel@usd504.org
620-795-2126
Applications can be found on our website at www.usd504.org or picked up from our office at 719 4th Street, Oswego, KS 67356.
Please be aware that we cannot accept Facebook applications. Interested applicants must turn in USD 504 district applications. Those can be found on our website or picked up from our district office. Thank you!
JOB SALARY: Salary will be approved by the board of education and will be based upon education and experience.
JOB BENEFITS: Per negotiated agreement; the board of education pays for an Employee Only Option B Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Kansas health plan. The board of education also pays for a $20,000.00 term life insurance policy. Additional insurance options for dental and vision are available.
JOB START DATE: August 2022
Tonight's (12/10) high school basketball games at Marmaton Valley have been cancelled due to a COVID outbreak at another school.