
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!


If your student is in Mr. Russell’s Intro to Computer Science class, here’s some important info: This course is a graduation requirement for the Class of 2028 and younger, and it’s powered by Kansas State University’s Cyber Pipeline program. That means your student will be learning with college-level materials developed by K-State’s computer science experts!
The course uses online tools like Canvas (for organizing lessons) and Codio (a coding platform), which your student will use throughout the year. K-State faculty and grad students will support Mr. Russell by helping with grading and answering questions — so your student is in great hands!
Rest assured, all student data is carefully protected and only shared as needed to help teachers and support the program. Privacy and security are top priorities.
There’s also an optional part where students can take surveys to help improve the course — but participating won’t affect their grade or whether they can take the class.
Forms with more details will be available during enrollment, so keep an eye out. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to Mr. Russell at jrussell@usd283.org




Meet Tara Yarnell, Elk Valley’s new 6th–12th Grade English Language Arts teacher! A lifelong resident of Erie, Kansas, Tara brings a deep passion for literature, writing, and student growth to her classroom. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and a Master's Degree in English Literature—both from Pittsburg State University—and is certified K-9 with a 6–12 ELA endorsement.
Tara has a rich background in education, having taught English at both the high school and college levels. Most recently, she taught ELA at Fredonia Jr/Sr High School for six years and Composition I at Pittsburg State University. She also previously taught at various community colleges, building a strong foundation in both instruction and mentorship.
After taking a year off following a personal loss, Tara was encouraged by a friend to visit Elk Valley—and it was love at first sight. She’s excited to return to the classroom, share her love of literature, and connect with students and colleagues in a supportive, close-knit environment.
Outside of school, Tara is married to her high school sweetheart, Mike. They’ve been together for over 30 years and share a beautiful family of five children and five grandchildren. Tara is a proud pet mom to three dogs and six cats, including her Husky, Echo, and Gaston, her late son’s beloved Bernadoodle. She’s also an avid fan of Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache series, and one of her favorite quotes from the books is:
“These four sentences, when said easily, lead to wisdom: I’m sorry. I was wrong. I don’t know. I need help.”
If given the chance, she’d love to visit the UK or Canada to walk in the footsteps of her favorite authors and characters. Tara is thrilled to join the Elk Valley family and looks forward to building meaningful connections throughout the school year.


Meet Haley Roberts, Elk Valley’s new Pre-K teacher! A proud graduate of Sedan High School, Haley brings a wealth of early childhood experience and a passion for helping young learners thrive. Since 2016, she has owned and operated Neverland’s Adventures Child Care in Sedan, providing nurturing and educational care to children in her community. She is currently pursuing her degree in Early Elementary Education to further her commitment to teaching and supporting early learners.
Haley previously served as a paraprofessional in Sedan for six years, where she gained valuable experience working one-on-one with students. She was drawn to Elk Valley by its small, family-oriented environment—an ideal setting to build strong connections with students and their families.
This school year, Haley is most excited to meet new faces and become a part of the Elk Valley school system once again. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her family. She’s been married to her husband, Boog Roberts, since 2015, and together they have three boys—Hyde, Hale, and Hatcher. Haley is a big fan of the Oklahoma State Cowboys and has a special love for the mountains of Montana, where she’d travel in a heartbeat.
Haley is thrilled to begin this new chapter and is looking forward to a fun and meaningful year with her Pre-K students!
