Ad Astra Academies

Join Us for Our Open House! 📅 Saturday, April 26 ⏰ 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM 📍 1800 E. 23rd, Hutchinson, KS 67502 📩 Message us for more details! Ad Astra Academies is enrolling now for Fall 2025! Whether you're looking for a flexible online option or a hands-on, small-group learning environment, we provide individualized, innovative education designed to help each of our students thrive. Our virtual program is also a great option for homeschool families looking for extra support and enrichment. Come explore what makes Ad Astra Academies unique—we can’t wait to meet you! Think differently. Learn boldly. Succeed confidently.

April 22nd is Bus Driver Appreciation Day! Each day this group gets our students safely to and from school with a smile, and sometimes treats! Thank you for all you do! Back row: Joel Reiss, Chris Wolf, Gregg Stone, Bob Nikkel, Diane Cannon, Matthew Walters, Claude Augustine, Doug Teter, Blair Starr, Russell Willms, John Scott Middle Row: Gayleen Thieseen, Teresa Haley, Joyce Dehm, Jason Wolf, Steph Homan, Sally Devena, Kim Shull, Gil Ledbetter, Jennifer Vierthaler, Rhonda Swank, Brenda Moore, Cindy Guffey, Kenny Mullens, Chelsey James, Cindy Montano, Sara Hodgkins, Paul Rhodes Front Row: Mandy Gantenbein (Director), Doretta Dickson, Cassi Deister (Not pictured: Patty Bruce) Also thank you to our activity and coach drivers who help as well: Curtis Morgan, Jeff Voss, Ryan Wray, Willie Adkins, Matt Atherton, Colt Beshears. Bret Gilmore, & Danzy Nickel

Did you miss our preschool application clinics?! Apply to add your child's name to our waitlist. In-district 4 year olds receive first priority. As we sit on April 21st many of our waitlist will have a spot after we ensure we won't go over our capacity later in the summer. Our preschool programs are for children age 3 and 4 prior to September 1st. Preschool grant requirements don't allow us to accept kindergarten eligible students in preschool. In Kansas this means students who turn 5 prior to September 1st. Our kindergarten classes are ready for your 5 year olds! Read more about our PreK programs here: https://www.usd313.org/page/preschool-and-wraparound-care Apply online here: https://bit.ly/buhlerprek

Buhler USD 313's annual STEAM Family Night is here! We will see you tonight at the Cosmosphere sometime between 6 - 8pm. There will be three new activities that have not been offered in past years. See the link to the flyer below for details and we hope to see you there! https://5il.co/3cj3h

Crusader Nation, We are making a push to add personalized pavers to Victory Lane at Crusader Stadium! These pavers are located at the south ticket box. You’ll see them every time you visit Crusader Stadium for an event! We have 80 available to add to Victory Lane. With the paver, you can create a personalized inscription that will be a lasting reminder of the exceptional community support we have in Crusader Nation! The pavers are wonderful opportunities to recognize a recent graduate, a personal achievement at Buhler, honor a favorite teacher, coach, or employee, celebrate a team accomplishment or sponsor a business! Please use the Google form linked here for ordering your paver: https://forms.gle/Xh8iuAJJdAvT9yw78 We are accepting payment through cash or checks delivered to the Buhler Education Foundation at 406 West 7th, Buhler, KS, 67522 or you can pay via credit card/PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/RJ44ACNPH7VL4. (This link is also in the Google form). All proceeds from the paver sales will benefit the general fund of the Buhler Education Foundation, which awards thousands of dollars annually to teachers and students! Thank you for considering this unique way to promote our exceptional school community!

Buhler USD 313's annual STEAM Family Night is coming up on Monday, April 21st from 6-8pm. This is always a fun time to be together as a family, learn about space, rocketry, technology, and problem solving. There will be three new activities that have not been offered in past years. See the link to the flyer below for details and we hope to see you there! https://5il.co/3cj3h

Reno County schools are rallying AGAIN as a TEAM of educators for a shared professional learning day called All Hands on Deck. Over 1,100 teachers, Hutchinson Community College instructors, and administrators will be on HCC’s campus on January 5th, 2026 for a day of workshops, keynote presentations, and networking opportunities. An integral component of this day is connecting 1,100 area educators with vendors both inside and outside of education. Vendor options include being a part of our vendor showcase and leading presentations for attendees. It’s a great opportunity for some serious exposure to a LARGE audience! Below is a form that interested vendors can complete so that they can be a part of All Hands on Deck. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdvCtgq9EKNz6fVllQuLtEPHkwXYJxTQ_h_Z2jYGs-Qz3t4ZA/viewform?usp=dialog Please contact Paul Erickson (perickson@usd313.org), Amy Jones (ajones@usd309ks.org) or Shelia Berridge (berridge.shelia@usd308.com)

Reno County Week of the Young Child is coming up! Early childhood development and education is so impactful for our children long term. Celebrate that with events being held throughout the week. See the flyer for details about these events happening April 14-19th!

Our Core Essential Value of the Month is HOPE! "Believing that something good can come out of something bad." Spring is always a great time to look forward to what's next. In Buhler we believe we are Directors of Hope as staff members and we HOPE our students see good things for their future.

Join Us for Our Open House! 📅 Saturday, April 26 ⏰ 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Ad Astra Academies is enrolling now for Fall 2025! Whether you're looking for a flexible online option or a hands-on, small-group learning environment, we provide individualized, innovative education designed to help each of our students thrive. Our virtual program is also a great option for homeschool families looking for extra support and enrichment. Come explore what makes Ad Astra Academies unique—we can’t wait to meet you! 📍 1800 E. 23rd, Hutchinson, KS 67502 📩 Message us for more details! Think differently. Learn boldly. Succeed confidently.

Our final PreK and Kindergarten application clinic is tonight, March 31st at Buhler Grade School from 5-7 pm Please bring a copy of your student’s state issued birth certificate, Immunization Records, Student Health Assessment and Proof of Residency (water, power or gas bill, rental agreement, etc.) See our preschool page here for more information: https://www.usd313.org/page/preschool-and-wraparound-care Attend any of the dates listed and our teachers and secretaries will ensure your information is shared with the correct school building. Returning students do not need to attend. Our preschool programs are for children ages 3 and 4 prior to September 1st. Preschool grant requirements don't allow us to accept kindergarten eligible students in preschool. In Kansas this means students who turn 5 prior to September 1st. Our kindergarten classes are ready for your 5 year olds!

We have two more preschool and kindergarten application clinics left! Attend either of these dates between 5-7 PM March 24: Union Valley March 31: Buhler Grade Please bring a copy of your student’s state issued birth certificate, Immunization Records, Student Health Assessment and Proof of Residency (water, power or gas bill, rental agreement, etc.) See our preschool page here for more information: https://www.usd313.org/page/preschool-and-wraparound-care Attend any of the dates listed and our teachers and secretaries will ensure your information is shared with the correct school building. Returning students do not need to attend. Our preschool programs are for children ages 3 and 4 prior to September 1st. Preschool grant requirements don't allow us to accept kindergarten eligible students in preschool. In Kansas this means students who turn 5 prior to September 1st. Our kindergarten classes are ready for your 5 year olds!

Join us TONIGHT for Buhler Family Library Night at the Hutch Public Library! Come and go from 6 - 7 pm after you cheer the Lady Crusader basketball team to a victory in the state tournament! Enjoy activities including: Read to Rover (Therapy Dogs) Scavenger Hunt Puppet Storytelling Light Table Makerspace Legos Book checkout! See you there!

Thank you for your interest in Ad Astra Academies. While enrollment for PreK–5 and 9-12 students is currently closed, we are still accepting applications for limited spaces in grades 6–8 with director approval (contact Ad Astra directly for spring middle school enrollment). Pre-enrollment for the 2025–2026 school year is now open. Please complete the form linked below to add your student to our enrollment list for consideration. If you have more than one student, please complete a separate form for each student. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdSAJiikocT1m6dTBxGgUWpKat59entSNw9d25Zsd8FU7-WIg/viewform?usp=sharing

Save the date to attend one of our preschool and kindergarten application clinics! Attend any of the dates listed and our teachers and secretaries will ensure your information is shared with the correct school building. Returning students do not need to attend. Attend any of these dates between 5-7 PM March 10: Plum Creek March 24: Union Valley March 31: Buhler Grade Please bring a copy of your student’s state issued birth certificate, Immunization Records, Student Health Assessment and Proof of Residency (water, power or gas bill, rental agreement, etc.) See our preschool page here for more information: https://www.usd313.org/page/preschool-and-wraparound-care

🌟 At Ad Astra, we celebrate our high school graduates every month—but today, we’re celebrating one of our staff! Join us in congratulating Mrs. Kohls on her incredible achievement! She officially graduated today from Breathe for Change's 200-hour program as a Certified Yoga Teacher and Social-Emotional Learning Facilitator. Her dedication to growth and well-being will have a lasting impact on our students, staff, and families. From breathwork and mindful movements to chair yoga, somatic healing, and social-emotional well-being, her training will enrich our school community in so many ways. We love seeing our staff lead by example, showing our students what a true growth mindset looks like. Congratulations, Mrs. Kohls! 🎓✨ #LifelongLearning #GrowthMindset #BreatheForChange #MindfulnessMatters #MentalWellnessMatters

Our Core Essential Value of the Month is COOPERATION! "Working together to do more than you can do alone!" Such an important value to lean into as we zero in on the last quarter of the school year. #BetterTogether

Buhler Schools and our community rely on each other to form a strong , viable community that prospers. We are proud to partner with our stakeholders. #DidYouKnow

Registration for STEAM Camp 2025 is open! This is open to Buhler students that will be exiting the 2nd through 7th grades. PLEASE NOTE: With the expiration of COVID 19 relief funds, we are no longer able to offer STEAM Camp at no cost. The cost for camp will be $50, due prior to the first day of camp. Cash or check may be delivered to any elementary school office, Prairie Hills Middle School, or Burkholder Administration Center. Please label it for STEAM Camp with your child's name Two sessions of camp will be available. Session 1: June 2 - 6 Session 2: June 9 - 13. Both sessions go from 8:00 - 11:30 Monday through Friday. Due to the high number of interested students and need for staff to plan ahead, please ensure your child is available each day before signing up. Visit bit.ly/buhlersteamcamp25 to register your child We can't wait for a great summer of learning!

Join us for a 313 family night at the library! Come and go on March 13th from 6 - 7 pm. (The library is open to the public until 8 after our event) Enjoy activities including: Read to Rover (Therapy Dogs) Scavenger Hunt Puppet Storytelling Light Table Makerspace Legos Book checkout! We hope to see you there!