📣 Elk Valley Parent-Teacher Conferences are TODAY! 🍁
We’re kicking things off at 1:00 PM and running until 7:30 PM — Thursday, October 23rd!
🍬 Don’t forget… there’s usually a SWEET reward for attending after Fall Break!
👩🏫 Middle & High School: Come-and-go format — stop by anytime!
📚 Elementary: Conferences are as scheduled with your child’s teacher.
Can’t make it in person? No problem! 📞 Contact the school to make alternate arrangements.
We look forward to connecting with all our Elk Valley families and celebrating our students’ progress!🧡 🦁🖤
It’s that delicious time of year again — the annual Texas Roadhouse Rolls & Legendary Honey Cinnamon Butter Fundraiser! 😋
🧈 Only $12 per dozen!
Perfect for your holiday meals and gatherings.
📅 Rolls will be delivered November 10th — just in time for the holidays!
Have questions or want to order?
Contact any member of the Senior Class of 2026 or Mrs. Ramsey at 📧 cramsey@usd283.org
💵 Make checks payable to Elk Valley.
Support our seniors and stock up on some warm, buttery goodness! 🥖💛 #ElkValleyLions #Classof2026 #TexasRoadhouseFundraiser
Don’t forget — tomorrow, Wednesday, October 15th, is Picture Day at Elk Valley! 😄✨
Make sure to dress your best and bring your brightest smiles! We can’t wait to see everyone looking sharp and ready to shine for their school photos. 🖤🧡
#ElkValleyLions #PictureDay #DressYourBest #LionsPride
We’re celebrating Red Ribbon Week, Anti-Bullying & Suicide Awareness, and Fire Safety Week — all rolled into one powerful week of fun and purpose!
Here’s what’s happening:
📅 Tuesday, Oct 14: Dreaming of a Drug-Free Future — Wear your pajamas and house shoes! 💤
📅 Wednesday, Oct 15: SHARE the Spirit of KINDNESS — Dress your BEST for Picture Day! 📸
📅 Thursday, Oct 16: Throwback Thursday — Rock your favorite 80s, 90s, or 2000s look! 🎸🕹️
📅 Friday, Oct 17: Stop, Drop, & Roll! — Dress as your favorite book character! 📚🔥
✨ Then join us for a Bonfire Celebration on Friday, October 17th from 7:00–8:30 PM for grades 6–12!
$5 per person | Hotdog meal provided! 🌭🔥
Let’s come together to celebrate kindness, safety, and making smart choices — the Lion Pride way! 🦁❤️ #ElkValleyStrong #RedRibbonWeek #KindnessCounts #FireSafetyWeek
Nothing says fall fun like our annual Elk Valley Fall Festival! Join us for a day full of food, fun, and festive spirit!
🥪 Luncheon Schedule:
🧡 Pre-K — 10:45 AM
🖤 Day care — 11:00 AM
🧡 Elementary — 11:00 AM
🖤 Middle & High School — 12:00 PM
🎭 Parade — 1:00 PM
Our students will be parading downtown in their costumes, and we invite parents, families, and community members to line the streets and pass out candy to our Lions as they march by! 🦁🍬
✨ It’s one of our favorite traditions — don’t miss it!
📋 Sign up to join the fun using the link in the image or right here:
👉 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdlHbf0qIMbE7moyXDqzqsIraVxXVq_BCnDlND2o99Vv-JSuA/viewform?usp=header
🦁🎃 Let’s make this a spooktacular celebration of community, costumes, and Lion Pride!
Costumes are to be brought to school and are NOT to be worn during regular classroom activities. Time will be provided for students to prepare.
Remember, no prop weapons, masks may only be worn during the parade, and all costumes and make-up must be school-appropriate.
Our October Lunch Menu, Newsletter, and Calendar have all dropped—and they’re filled with treats (no tricks 😉). From frightfully good meals in the cafeteria to exciting events on the calendar, you won’t want to miss a thing this month.
🦇 Check out the ghoulishly good details below and get ready for a spook-tacular October at EV!
📅 Lunch Menu | 📰 Newsletter | 🗓️ Calendar
#LionPride #SpookySeason #ElkValley
Wednesday, Oct 15.
Order before Picture Day to receive free shipping to the school.
Order online at https://inter-state.com/FlyerEntry/0092NNF.
This event's Order Code is 0092NNF.
Handmade wooden pumpkins are now for sale:
🧡 Full Set – $50
🧡 Large Pumpkin – $30 (approx 30" x 36")
🧡 Small Pumpkin – $15 (approx. 12" x 12")
Perfect for your porch, entryway, or fall décor! 🍂
📞 Call the Elk Valley office at 620-642-2215 to place your order.
🚚 Local delivery available if needed!
Support our talented students and snag your pumpkins before they’re gone! 🍁🪚
📅 When: After school until 5:30 PM
🚌 Transportation: Bus routes WILL run!
📝 Reminder: Your student must have a registration sheet filled out and turned in to participate.
This program is a great opportunity for students to get extra support, enjoy activities, and spend time with friends in a safe environment. 💡✨
We can’t wait to see our Lions after school today! 🦁🖤🧡
We’re excited to share the September Menu, Activity Calendar, and Newsletter with all our Elk Valley families! This month is packed with learning, fun, and opportunities for our students.
📅 September Activity Calendar – Stay up to date with all the games, events, and special activities happening around campus.
🥪 September Lunch & Breakfast Menu – Check out the delicious meals planned for the month.
📰 September Newsletter – Read about classroom highlights, upcoming events, and important announcements you won’t want to miss.
We can’t wait for a fantastic September at EV!🖤 🦁🧡#ElkValleyLions #EVPride
We are beyond proud to share that the Class of 2025 achieved an incredible 100% post-secondary acceptance rate AND an 85% post-secondary going-rate straight out of high school! 🙌
This is a huge accomplishment for our Lions, showing their hard work, determination, and commitment to their futures. 🧡🖤
👏 Let’s give it up for the Class of 2025—you’ve set the bar high and made Elk Valley proud!
We can’t wait to see what an amazing year the Class of 2026 has in store. Keep roaring, Lions! 🦁✨
#ElkValleyPride #Classof2025 #LionStrong
🎉🧡🖤🦁 Show Your Elk Valley Pride! 🦁🧡🖤🎉
The Class of 2028 is on a mission to pump up the spirit and help you get geared up for the year! Whether you’re cheering from the stands, representing at school, or just want to show your Lion pride around town, we’ve got you covered. 🧢👕
🛒 Shop now:
➡️ Visit https://www.spiritgeardirect.com/Store
➡️ Choose Kansas
➡️ Search Elk Valley to get started!
Promotion ends September 12th!
🔥 If there’s a big roar for more gear, we’ll add new items in the spring — so let us know what you want to see!
Let’s make this year one for the books, Elk Valley! 🧡🖤#LionPride #ClassOf2028 #EVSpirit
Join us at Elk Valley’s Meet the Teacher Night from 4:00–6:00 PM!
🌭 Free Hotdogs
👋 Meet our amazing new teachers & staff
🏫 Tour classrooms and connect with the Elk Valley family
Whether you’re a returning Lion or brand new to the pride, we can’t wait to welcome you! 🧡🖤
📍 Location: Elk Valley School
🕓 Time: 4–6 PM TONIGHT!
#ElkValleyLions #MeetTheTeacher #WelcomeBack2025 #CommunityStrong
Welcome back one of your favorites!
Meet Stephanie Dowell – First Grade Teacher
Stephanie Dowell serves as the First Grade Teacher at Elk Valley, where she brings more than 20 years of dedicated experience in education. Originally from Sharon Springs, a small town in northwest Kansas, Stephanie moved to Longton in 1996 after living in Overland Park with her husband, Douglas.
She holds an Associate of Science from Pratt Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Pittsburg State University, and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education, also from Pittsburg State. Stephanie has worked in a variety of educational roles, including positions with the YMCA before/after school programs, as a paraprofessional, a Title I aide, and a teacher mentor. Throughout her career at Elk Valley, she has taught preschool, kindergarten, 1st grade, 5th and 6th grades, and middle school Language Arts and Social Studies.
Stephanie’s passion for teaching stems from her lifelong desire to inspire young minds to do great things. She considers Elk Valley her home and is excited to reconnect with familiar faces and meet new students and staff this school year.
Beyond the classroom, Stephanie enjoys singing on her church’s worship team—a passion sparked during college when she performed in show choir and several musicals. One of her favorite life mottos is Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” If given the chance to travel, she'd choose a cooler destination—she much prefers the cold over the heat!
Stephanie and her husband are proud parents of two children and grandparents to five wonderful grandchildren. She is honored to continue serving the Elk Valley community with joy, experience, and heart.
We are also excited to welcome Mr. Tyler Coots as the new Principal at Elk Valley!
Mr. Coots grew up in Neodesha and now lives in Coffeyville with his wife, Ashley, and their three daughters. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Pittsburg State University (2015) and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership, also from PSU (2023).
No stranger to Elk Valley, Mr. Coots previously served here from 2016 to 2020 before continuing his educational journey at Chetopa and most recently Coffeyville. His roles have included Physical Education teacher and basketball coach. Now, he’s thrilled to return to the EV family and step into his first year as principal.
Mr. Coots was drawn back to Elk Valley because of its strong sense of community and the close-knit, supportive school culture. He is passionate about building positive relationships and fostering a thriving environment for students and staff.
Outside of school, he’s a dedicated fan of the Chiefs, Royals, Sporting Kansas City, and the Boston Celtics. One of his favorite quotes comes from Isaiah 41:10: “So do not be afraid, I am with you. Do not be terrified, I am your God.” If given the chance to travel anywhere in the world, he’d love to visit Germany and Hawaii.
We are proud to have Mr. Coots leading Elk Valley and know this year will be full of growth and exciting opportunities!
Meet Jessica Osburn, Elk Valley’s enthusiastic new 2nd grade teacher! Jessica brings a wealth of experience, a global perspective, and a heart for teaching to the classroom. Born in Germany and raised as an Army brat, she’s lived in several states and countries—but now calls Independence, Kansas home, where she lives with her husband, youngest daughter, and their three playful dogs.
Jessica holds a Bachelor’s degree in Arts for Education from Newman University and a Master’s in Special Education from Emporia State University. She’s currently pursuing her second Master’s degree in Curriculum and Administration, further demonstrating her dedication to growth and excellence in education. Her teaching journey began at Jefferson School in Independence as a 4th grade teacher, followed by two years in special education. She then returned to the general education classroom, teaching 1st and 2nd grade at Eisenhower Elementary.
This isn’t Jessica’s first time at Elk Valley—she served as a special education teacher here in 2020, and she’s thrilled to be back! She looks forward to reconnecting with familiar faces and becoming a part of the close-knit EV community once again.
In addition to her passion for teaching, Jessica speaks fluent German, enjoys traveling, discovering new music, and cheering on her favorite teams—the Kansas City Chiefs, Royals, and Sporting KC. Her favorite book is The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch, and if given the chance, she’d always choose Germany as her next travel destination—it’s where her roots are and holds a special place in her heart.
Jessica is excited to start the school year and can't wait to make lasting memories with her 2nd grade students at Elk Valley!
