We are just weeks away from welcoming so many new faces, both students and staff. We can not wait to start 2025! Check out one of our newest staff! Meet Zac Hill, one of the new Principals of the ROCS program at Elk Valley! Originally from Nixa, Missouri, Zac now lives in Sedan, Kansas, where he has continued to grow both professionally and personally. With nearly a decade of experience in education, Zac brings energy, leadership, and a passion for student success to his new role.
Zac began his teaching career in Missouri, where he taught Business and coached boys' basketball for six years. After marrying and relocating to his wife’s hometown of Sedan, he continued working in education, taking on roles in PE and coaching. His experience spans multiple schools and subjects, including business, weights, small engines, and athletics, giving him a well-rounded perspective on student development.
Drawn to Elk Valley by its positive culture and strong sense of community, Zac is excited to be part of a team that’s committed to helping students grow and thrive. This school year, he’s especially looking forward to building relationships with students and watching them achieve their goals.
Outside of education, Zac is a passionate car enthusiast—so much so that even his wife has lost count of how many vehicles he owns! His favorite quote, from the classic film Joe Dirt, is: “Life’s a garden, dig it.” And if he could travel anywhere, Lake Powell is at the top of his list for its breathtaking views and peaceful vibe.
Zac is thrilled to join the Elk Valley family and looks forward to connecting with students, staff, and the entire school community.
It's another great day to be a lion and another great day to introduce new staff!
Meet Mrs. Ashleigh Orton, Elk Valley’s new Agricultural Education Teacher and FFA Advisor! Originally from Benedict, Kansas, Ashleigh now lives just outside of Chanute. She brings a wealth of agricultural knowledge and hands-on experience to the classroom, along with a deep passion for shaping the next generation of ag leaders.
Ashleigh holds an Associate of Science degree with an emphasis in Agriculture and a certificate in Livestock Management from Allen County Community College. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences and Industry from Kansas State University and will complete her Master of Arts in Teaching—Agricultural Education from K-State this December. Her professional background includes internships in Precision Agriculture with MKC and swine reproduction and management with Perdue Farms. This is her second year teaching and advising in the Southeast District.
Inspired by her belief that the future of agriculture lies in the hands of today’s youth, Ashleigh is excited to bring engaging, hands-on learning experiences to Elk Valley students of all grade levels. Prior to joining Elk Valley, she substitute taught in Chanute and began her ag teaching career in Madison.
Outside the classroom, Ashleigh enjoys spending time with her growing family. Her daughter is an honors student at Chanute High School, her son is starting preschool at Elk Valley, and she is expecting another baby girl in October. A lover of travel and tradition, Ashleigh has a goal of taking her kids on memorable adventures—most recently to the Grand Canyon, with Niagara Falls next on the list. Her favorite motto is: “You can only control what you can control.”
Ashleigh is thrilled to be part of the Elk Valley team and looks forward to a meaningful year ahead with her students!
Meet Mrs. Ashleigh Orton, Elk Valley’s new Agricultural Education Teacher and FFA Advisor! Originally from Benedict, Kansas, Ashleigh now lives just outside of Chanute. She brings a wealth of agricultural knowledge and hands-on experience to the classroom, along with a deep passion for shaping the next generation of ag leaders.
Ashleigh holds an Associate of Science degree with an emphasis in Agriculture and a certificate in Livestock Management from Allen County Community College. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences and Industry from Kansas State University and will complete her Master of Arts in Teaching—Agricultural Education from K-State this December. Her professional background includes internships in Precision Agriculture with MKC and swine reproduction and management with Perdue Farms. This is her second year teaching and advising in the Southeast District.
Inspired by her belief that the future of agriculture lies in the hands of today’s youth, Ashleigh is excited to bring engaging, hands-on learning experiences to Elk Valley students of all grade levels. Prior to joining Elk Valley, she substitute taught in Chanute and began her ag teaching career in Madison.
Outside the classroom, Ashleigh enjoys spending time with her growing family. Her daughter is an honors student at Chanute High School, her son is starting preschool at Elk Valley, and she is expecting another baby girl in October. A lover of travel and tradition, Ashleigh has a goal of taking her kids on memorable adventures—most recently to the Grand Canyon, with Niagara Falls next on the list. Her favorite motto is: “You can only control what you can control.”
Ashleigh is thrilled to be part of the Elk Valley team and looks forward to a meaningful year ahead with her students!
As we continue to share our new staff, we hope you are ready for what this new year brings!
Meet Callie Lawrence, a new paraprofessional at Elk Valley who brings both a deep-rooted connection to the community and a diverse professional background. Originally from Longton, Kansas, Callie now resides in Fredonia with her husband and two young sons. Her ties to Elk Valley run deep—she attended elementary and junior high here, and is excited to return to the district that shaped her early years.
Before joining the Elk Valley team, Callie worked in the criminal justice field as a Trial Clerk for the State of Kansas and spent two years in a local law office. She also gained early experience in education and childcare through her time working at the Fredonia Childcare Center while in high school and college. Wanting more family time and a meaningful career shift, she transitioned into education, drawn by the opportunity to work one-on-one with students and contribute to a small school environment that she knows and values.
Callie is looking forward to reconnecting with familiar faces, meeting new people, and making a positive impact on students. In her free time, she enjoys baking, fishing at the family pond, and hosting game nights with loved ones. A fun fact—Callie is one of four sisters, and all of them were pregnant at the same time!
Her favorite quote is by E.E. Cummings: "The most wasted of days is one without laughter." If she could travel anywhere, she’d choose Scotland to explore its rich history.
Callie is thrilled to be part of the Elk Valley family and looks forward to a great school year ahead!
Meet Callie Lawrence, a new paraprofessional at Elk Valley who brings both a deep-rooted connection to the community and a diverse professional background. Originally from Longton, Kansas, Callie now resides in Fredonia with her husband and two young sons. Her ties to Elk Valley run deep—she attended elementary and junior high here, and is excited to return to the district that shaped her early years.
Before joining the Elk Valley team, Callie worked in the criminal justice field as a Trial Clerk for the State of Kansas and spent two years in a local law office. She also gained early experience in education and childcare through her time working at the Fredonia Childcare Center while in high school and college. Wanting more family time and a meaningful career shift, she transitioned into education, drawn by the opportunity to work one-on-one with students and contribute to a small school environment that she knows and values.
Callie is looking forward to reconnecting with familiar faces, meeting new people, and making a positive impact on students. In her free time, she enjoys baking, fishing at the family pond, and hosting game nights with loved ones. A fun fact—Callie is one of four sisters, and all of them were pregnant at the same time!
Her favorite quote is by E.E. Cummings: "The most wasted of days is one without laughter." If she could travel anywhere, she’d choose Scotland to explore its rich history.
Callie is thrilled to be part of the Elk Valley family and looks forward to a great school year ahead!
We’re excited to continue welcoming new faces to the USD 283 family! 🧡🖤 Each new staff member brings unique strengths and passion to our team, and we can’t wait for you to get to know them. Stay tuned as we continue introducing the newest members of our Elk Valley community! 🦁 #USD283 #ElkValleyPride #WelcomeToEV
Today, meet Gwendolyn Sally—known by most as Gwen or Ms. Sally—who joins the Elk Valley team in Student Support Services. Originally from Claremore, Oklahoma, Gwen now calls Coffeyville home. With over 13 years of experience in education and more than a decade in the corporate world before that, Gwen brings a diverse and dynamic background to her new role.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Northeastern State University, a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas at Arlington, and most recently earned her Building Administrator certification from Pittsburg State University. Gwen has served in a variety of school settings—urban, suburban, and rural—teaching 2nd, 4th, and 5th grades, and supporting fellow educators as an instructional coach for 5th and 6th grade.
Drawn to Elk Valley by the strong reputation for caring leadership and a supportive environment, Gwen is excited to become part of a team that puts students first. She looks forward to connecting with staff, students, and the community, and is eager to contribute to student growth both academically and personally.
Outside of school, Gwen is kept on her toes by her two dogs, Charlie and Lola, and her bearded dragon, Lizzy—who surprisingly enjoys following Charlie around the house. Her favorite book, The Giving Tree, holds deep personal meaning, reminding her of her mother’s resilience and unconditional love. If she could travel anywhere, the Maldives would be her dream destination, where she could fully unwind by the ocean.
Gwen is thrilled to begin this new chapter with the Elk Valley Lions and can’t wait to meet everyone and dive into a great year ahead!
🎉 As we gear up for an exciting new school year, we’re thrilled to introduce the amazing new teachers and staff joining the Elk Valley team! 🎓🍎
Over the next few weeks, keep an eye on our page as we highlight each new face and share a little about what makes them special. Welcome to the EV family!🧡🦁🖤 #ElkValleyPride #WelcomeToEV #BackToSchool2025
First up, meet Sydnee Simmons, a proud Longton native and former Elk Valley student who is excited to return to her roots as a paraprofessional. Sydnee is currently in her second year of college, working toward becoming a certified teacher through the Para-to-Teacher program. Her passion for working with young children and her own positive experiences as a student at Elk Valley inspired her to pursue a career in education.
Last year, Sydnee gained valuable experience working as a paraprofessional at Fredonia ELC, assisting in various classrooms. This year, she looks forward to building relationships with students and becoming an active part of the Elk Valley staff and community. She’s especially grateful that her daughter will be close by in the Little Lions Daycare.
Outside of school, Sydnee enjoys life on the farm with her husband, their baby girl, and two dogs. She and her three sisters recently shared the special experience of being pregnant at the same time, making for lots of fun—and a little bit of chaos—at family gatherings. Her favorite quote is, “Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” If she could travel anywhere, she’d love to relax on the beautiful beaches of Mexico.
Sydnee is thrilled to be joining the Elk Valley team and can’t wait to contribute to a great school year!
🎒📚 School Supply Lists Are Here! 📚🎒
Elk Valley USD #283 is gearing up for an amazing 2025-2026 school year, and we’re excited to announce that School Supply Lists are now posted and ready! 📝✨
Whether you're prepping backpacks or planning that last summer shopping trip, we've got you covered with everything your student needs to start the year off strong. 💪💼✂️
🗓 Registration is August 4th
🏫 First Day of School is August 12th
Let’s make this year the best one yet! 🦁
#ElkValleyPride #BackToSchoolReady #USD283 #SchoolSupplyTime #LionsLeadTheWay
Summer Program Update
Due to the pool closing early for a swim meet and possible weather at arrival time, we will NOT be going to the pool today. Instead, we'll be enjoying a movie and popcorn at school!
Pick-up time remains the same at 2:30 PM. Thanks for understanding!
🐾 Elk Valley Summer Program Zoo Trip Reminder! 🐾
We’re excited for our big adventure to Sedgwick County Zoo TOMORROW – Wednesday, June 11th! 🎉
This trip is for students who earned it with PERFECT ATTENDANCE and NO BEHAVIOR ISSUES – great job! 🙌
🕖 Breakfast starts at 7:30 AM sharp
🚌 Departure follows shortly after
🕟 We’ll return around 4:30 PM
✅ REMINDERS:
👟 Wear tennis shoes (we’ll be walking a lot!)
👕 Dress in appropriate, weather-friendly clothing
🌞 Don’t forget sunscreen if needed!
We can’t wait for a fun-filled day celebrating your hard work and great behavior! 🐯🦓🦒
#ElkValleySummer #ZooTrip2025 #PerfectAttendance #PositiveChoices
🌞 Elk Valley Summer Program Swim Day Update! 🏊♂️
Today is Swim Day! 🎉 A reminder that only students who attended every day (Mon–Wed) this week are eligible to go—unless they were excused with a doctor’s note.
🚨 Important Weather Note: The pool requires a temperature of 75°F or higher to open. If it doesn’t, we’ll stay at Elk Valley and leave at the regular 2:30 PM, and bus riders will arrive home at their normal times.
Thanks for your support!
Yes. Summer is here, and so is our Breakfast and Lunch Menu for you!
📢 Attention families!!
There is an approximate 15 minute delay in the return of the SDC trip. We are currently tracking for pick up times of:
7:45 John Deere
8:00 Elk City
8:15 EV
Elk Valley is Hosting Driver’s Education!
We’re excited to offer Driver’s Education at Elk Valley from May 27th–30th and June 2nd–6th, with classroom instruction running daily from 8:00 AM to Noon.
Driving times will begin May 28th and run through June 6th, based on student sign-up slots. Students will be able to reserve their driving times during the first day of class.
Let’s get ready to hit the road safely and confidently this summer! For questions or more information, please contact the school office.
Summer Breakfast and Lunch Program!
🏃♀️🔥 Elk Valley High School Track & Field Update! 🔥🏃♂️
Our Lions competed at the South Central Border League Meet yesterday and made us proud! 🦁🖤🧡 Though we had a smaller team this time around, their heart and hustle were undeniable!
💪 Kaylea Hilyard earned team points with a 6th place finish in Shot Put!
🎯 Kabella Hilyard crushed another personal record in Javelin—way to go, Kabella!
Next stop: REGIONALS at Iola on May 22nd for a select few of our standout athletes! Let’s go, Lions! 🏅💥
#ElkValleyPride #LionsTrackAndField #OnToRegionals #SCBLMeet #ElkValleyStrong
🚸 Safety Alert from Elk Valley Schools 🚸
This morning, one of our staff members stopped to allow a student to safely cross the street at a crossing. Shockingly, FOUR vehicles sped around the stopped car without slowing down or acknowledging the student crossing. This is not only illegal – it's incredibly dangerous.
💥 Drivers: Please remember:
✅ Always stop for pedestrians in crosswalks – especially when children are present.
✅ Never pass a vehicle that is stopped for a pedestrian.
✅ Stay alert in school zones and near buses – our students’ lives depend on it.
🎒 Students:
✅ Always make eye contact with drivers before crossing.
✅ Use designated crosswalks and look both ways.
✅ Stay off phones and headphones when crossing the street.
Let’s work together to keep our Elk Valley students safe. Please share this to help us spread awareness. One second of caution can save a life.🧡 🦁
#ElkValleyPride #DriveSafe #StudentSafety #StopForStudents #SchoolZoneSafety
Attention Middle and High School families: Students who qualified for Silver Dollar City were sent home with permission slips yesterday, 5- 14 These must be returned by the end of the school day tomorrow 5 - 16
Bus Stops:
Longton - Up 6:00 AM, Drop 8:00 PM
Elk City @ Gas Station - Up 6:15 AM, Drop - 7:45 PM
Indy @ John Deere - Up 6:30 AM, Drop 7:30 PM
Sunflower Summer offers Kansas families a get out of the house free card you can carry in your pocket. A chance to have free rein (and free admission) visiting museums, zoos, historical attractions, and nature centers. An app for free family fun!
https://sunflowersummer.org/
In preparations for another amazing school year, we want to make sure everyone has a jump on next year's immunization requirements!
See the image below or follow the link to the websites also below!
https://www.usd283.org/page/district-policies-and-information
https://immunizekansascoalition.org/documents/2025-2026 School-Immunization-Requirements.pdf
📣 Elk Valley High School Track & Field Update! 🦁
Yesterday, our student-athletes had the opportunity to compete at the Humboldt meet, and what a day it was! The weather was beautiful, the competition was fierce, and the entertainment was top-notch thanks to GameTime, provided by Neptune Music, a company led by Elk Valley alum Eric Jontra. 🎶🧡🖤
This meet brought together 26 teams from across classifications — from large 4A schools to fellow 1A teams like us. Our athletes faced a tough field, which made for a fantastic challenge and valuable experience for improvement!
🌟 Highlight Performances:
🏅 Paeshence Best placed 4th in High Jump, earning points for Elk Valley!
She also smashed her personal records in both the 300m Hurdles and Triple Jump — incredible effort!
🏃♂️ Johnny Best also broke his personal record in the 300m Hurdles, shaving off key seconds and putting himself in an even stronger position for a State run!
We’re so proud of our Lions and can’t wait to see what they accomplish next. Keep pushing forward, EV! 💪🔥
#ElkValleyPride #LionsTrack #GameTimeFun #PRsAndProgress #NeptuneMusic #AlumniSupport
You're Invited to Participate in Graduation!
All PreK students, 8th graders, and seniors are invited to take part in our Graduation Ceremonies on Saturday, May 17th at 3:00 PM.
Let’s celebrate your achievements together. Don’t miss this special moment!
