The conference is “a premier professional development event designed to strengthen teaching, leadership, and innovation in school-based agricultural education,” according to the Kansas FFA website.
The following ten Kansas teachers attended the conference:
Tracy Oelschlaeger - Valley Falls, Valley Falls USD 338
Matthew Schick - Norton Community High School, Norton Community Schools USD 211
Charlie Bestwick - Marion-Florence High School, Marion-Florence USD 408
Corley Becker - Pike Valley High School, Pike Valley USD 426
Christina Wallace - Minneapolis Jr/Sr High, North Ottawa County USD 239
Ashley Klozenbucher - Ness City, Ness City USD 303
Sarah Jordan - Jayhawk Linn High School, Jayhawk USD 346
Christine Elam - Beloit Jr/Sr High School, Beloit USD 273
Kaysi Overdick - Tonganoxie High School, Tonganoxie USD 464
Elizabeth Sturgis - Girard High School, Girard USD 248
#tongienation #usd464 #KansasFFA

Schedule of events:
4:30-THS Volleyball Scrimmage in Chieftain Arena
5:15-Hot Dogs served at Beatty Field
5:30-THS Band Performs
5:40- THS Soccer Scrimmage
5:43-First State Bank Check (During Soccer)
5:50-THS and TMS Volleyball Announced (During Soccer)
5:55-Unified Bowling Announced (During Soccer)
6:00- 2025/2026 TES Students of the Month Announced
6:08- THS Dance Performs
6:15- TMS and THS Football (THS "Scrimmages")
6:20- Girls Golf (during Football)
6:25-TMS and THS Cross Country (during Football)
6:30- Trap- (during Football)
6:35- TMS and THS Cheer Squads Perform
6:40- Recognize 4A BOYS WRESTLING STATE CHAMPIONS
6:45-Finish

We're excited to share that Phase 1 of the TES HVAC renovation project is officially complete—on time and on budget! 👏
Over the summer, our teams accomplished an incredible amount of work, including:
✅ Installation of all new HVAC units
✅ Six new rooftop units up and running
✅ New classroom lighting throughout the building
✅ Ceiling installation completed
✅ Classrooms nearly set up and ready to welcome students
This milestone wouldn't have been possible without the dedication of so many people. A huge thank you to our TES staff, whose hard work packing classrooms before summer helped keep the project on schedule from day one. Your flexibility, patience, and teamwork have been instrumental throughout the process.
We're also incredibly grateful to Universal Construction and HTK for their outstanding work and partnership in delivering a high-quality project.
As with any new building system, we'll continue fine-tuning and addressing any startup adjustments over the coming weeks, but we're thrilled to provide our students and staff with improved comfort and learning environments for years to come.
With just a few finishing touches, classroom unpacking, and final preparations ahead, we're ready to welcome our Chieftains back for an amazing school year!
#TonganoxieUSD464 #tongienation #BuildingForTheFuture #BackToSchool



As we begin the 2026–2027 school year, Tonganoxie USD 464 wants families to be aware of new requirements under Kansas House Bill 2299 regarding communication between school staff and students.
These requirements are designed to protect students and staff while ensuring school-related communication is safe, transparent, and conducted through approved platforms.
📱 What Families Need to Know
✅ Official social media accounts are for one-way communication. District and school social media accounts may be used to share news, reminders, announcements, and celebrate our students and staff.
🚫 Staff may NOT reply to or engage with comments or questions on Facebook, Instagram, or other district/school social media accounts.
🚫 Staff may NOT communicate with students through social media direct or private messages.
🚫 Staff may NOT use personal phones or personal social media accounts to communicate directly with students for school-related purposes.
💻 Approved communication platforms include district email, SchoolStatus Connect, Thrillshare, Bound, Hudl, and other Board-approved platforms.
🚫 Consumer messaging apps such as GroupMe, TeamSnap, and similar platforms are not compliant with Kansas law and should not be used for school-related communication with students.
📵 Remind will be phased out and will no longer be used after the 2026–2027 school year because it is not compliant with Kansas law.
We are currently reviewing school, classroom, club, athletic, and activity social media accounts to ensure compliance. If changes are needed, staff will receive additional guidance.
Thank you for your understanding and partnership as we work to provide safe, transparent, and professional communication for our students and families.
Questions? Please contact your building administrator or the District Administrative Center.
#TonganoxieChieftains #USD464 #Tongienation

We’re pleased to share that online enrollment and new student enrollment are now available! 🎉
A few important reminders when accessing Skyward:
📱 Using the Skyward app? Delete the old app and download it again.
💻 Use the links on our district website: www.tong464.org
🔗 Please do not use old links or bookmarks—they may no longer work. Always access Skyward through the links on our website.
🧹 You may need to clear your browser cache before accessing the updated system.
🔑 Having trouble logging in? Try the “Forgot Password” link.
📧 Still having trouble? Email it@tong464.org for assistance.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we complete our transition to Skyward Qmlativ! We appreciate our families’ support as we work to provide an improved experience for everyone. ❤️

We're excited to welcome Riley Hundley to Tonganoxie High School as our new Junior/Senior Advisor! ❤️🖤
Get to know Riley with a few fun facts:
🏈 K-State football season ticket holder
🥾 Has hiked more than 500 miles on the Appalachian Trail in a single summer
⚽ Enjoys playing and watching sports
Please join us in giving Riley a warm USD 464 welcome! We're excited to have you as part of the Chieftain family!
#TonganoxieUSD464 #TongieNation #WelcomeToTheFamily #ChieftainPride

💙❤️ Thank You, First State Bank & Trust! ❤️💙
We kicked off the new school year today with a wonderful Welcome Back Breakfast for our USD 464 staff, generously provided by First State Bank & Trust. We are incredibly grateful for their continued partnership and support of our schools!
The excitement continued as First State Bank & Trust presented USD 464 with this year's BIG CHECK from the Chieftain Card Program—an amazing $23,767.75! 🎉
Thanks to our incredible community, USD 464 once again finished #1 in the program!
Since the Chieftain Card Program began, First State Bank & Trust has donated an incredible $240,297.40 to support our students and schools. Even more remarkable, they have proudly served as USD 464's banking partner for 80 years!
Want to help support USD 464 every time you shop? It's easy! Simply use your First State Bank & Trust Chieftain Card, skip the PIN, and select "credit" at checkout. Every qualifying transaction helps generate donations that directly benefit our district.
Thank you, First State Bank & Trust, for investing in our students, staff, and community. Your generosity and commitment continue to make a lasting difference!
#TonganoxieUSD464 #TongieNation #CommunityStrong #ChieftainCard #ThankYouFirstState

We're excited to welcome Leslie Pritchard to Tonganoxie Elementary School, where she'll be teaching Early Childhood! 🍎📚
Get to know Leslie a little better:
🍽️ Loves to cook, bake, and travel
📖 Enjoys spending free time reading
🌮 Favorite food: Mexican
Please join us in giving Leslie a warm Chieftain welcome! We're excited to have you as part of the USD 464 family and can't wait to see the positive impact you'll make with our youngest learners.
#WelcomeToTheFamily #USD464 #tongienation #TES #EarlyChildhood

Please join us in welcoming Kayci Lewis to Tonganoxie Middle School, where she'll be teaching 8th Grade History this year!
📚 Fun Facts about Kayci:
🍎 She's a 4th-generation teacher, carrying on a proud family tradition of education.
⚾ She's a loyal Chicago Cubs fan.
🏫 She was a student teacher at THS in 2018—and now she's back as part of the Chieftain family!
We're excited to welcome Kayci back to USD 464 and can't wait to see the impact she'll make in our middle school classrooms.
#WelcomeToTheFamily #USD464 #TonganoxieMiddleSchool #tongienation

At this time, we kindly ask that you do not call or email the district or your child's school regarding this issue. We are aware of the problem and will provide an update to all families as soon as we have more information.
Thank you for your patience, understanding, and cooperation as we work to restore the enrollment system.

Please join us in welcoming Ally Waddle, the new Assistant Principal at Tonganoxie Middle School! We're excited to have Ally join the Chieftain family and can't wait for students, staff, and families to get to know her.
✨ Fun Facts About Ally:
❄️ She attended the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy this past February.
💁♀️ The blonde streak in her hair is actually a birthmark—and it won't hold color!
⭐ She was once a nanny for a celebrity family on the East Coast.
Welcome to USD 464, Ally! We're excited to have you on the team and look forward to an amazing school year! #tongienation #ChieftainFamily #WelcomeToTheFamily

There's an exciting change this year for Tongie Nation!
Our goal this year is simple: fill the stands with students, families, and our incredible community as we cheer on our student athletes all year long! ❤️
All Tonganoxie USD 464 students will not be charged admission to regular season home athletic events at both TMS & THS.
Athletic passes for adults will be available for purchase through Bound.
https://tickets.gobound.com/tickets/events/h2026071405015802099492f809c2d4d/checkout
Go Big Red! ❤️

We're excited to welcome Amanda Brady as the new Nurse at Tonganoxie High School! Amanda brings an incredible combination of dedication, knowledge, and determination to our Chieftain family, and we can't wait for our students and staff to get to know her.
✨ Fun Facts about Amanda:
🏃♀️ She's completed several marathons.
🎤 She was the commencement speaker at her nursing school graduation.
🎓 She holds degrees in Nursing and Business Finance & Economics.
Please join us in giving Amanda a warm USD 464 welcome! We're so glad you're here! ❤️ #tongienation #ChieftainFamily #WelcomeToTheFamily

We're excited to welcome Katie Carlson to Tonganoxie Elementary School, where she'll be joining our team as an Interrelated Special Education Teacher! 🎉
A few fun facts about Katie:
🌮 Favorite food: Mexican
👧 Proud mom of three daughters—and she says being their mom is her favorite job!
🚗 Her favorite "hobby"? Keeping up with her daughters' busy schedules and serving as their unofficial chauffeur (a role many parents know well! 😄)
Please join us in giving Katie a warm Chieftain welcome! We can't wait to see the positive impact she'll make on our students and school community.
#WelcomeToTheFamily #TonganoxieUSD464 #tongienation #TES #WeAre464

We're excited to welcome Peyton Ogden to Tonganoxie High School, where she'll be teaching CBR this school year!
Get to know Peyton a little better:
🌮 Favorite food: Mexican
📺 Favorite TV show: Virgin River
🎨 Loves crafting and spending time with family & friends
Please join us in giving Peyton a warm Chieftain welcome! We can't wait to see the positive impact she'll make at THS. ❤️🖤
#usd464 #WelcomeToTheFamily #tongienation #THS

We're excited to welcome Lucia Scott to Tonganoxie High School, where she'll be inspiring students as our new Debate & Forensics teacher!
✨ Fun Facts about Lucia:
💂 Studied abroad in London while earning her master's degree.
💡 She was named after her paternal grandmother, who was named for the patron saint of light after her father lost an eye in a factory accident shortly before she was born.
🐊 She says she'd pet an alligator... if it would let her!
Please join us in giving Lucia a warm Chieftain welcome! ❤️ #WelcomeToTheFamily #THS #tongienation

We're excited to welcome Paige Roberts as the Director of Curriculum & Instruction for Tonganoxie USD 464! Paige brings a passion for education and supporting both students and staff, and we're thrilled to have her join our team.
✨ Fun Facts about Paige:
🌟 Married to her high school sweetheart
🏆 Nominated for and recipient of the Everything Woman Award
🌮 Favorite food: tacos, tacos, and more tacos!
Please join us in giving Paige a warm Chieftain welcome! ❤️🤍 #USD464 #WelcomeToTheFamily #tongienation

We're excited to welcome Zack Camacho to Tonganoxie High School, where he'll be joining our team as a Physical Education Teacher!
Get to know Zack with a few fun facts:
🏆 He won an elite Oreo stacking contest!
✍️ He's right-handed, but eats and writes left-handed.
🌮 His favorite food is Mexican cuisine.
Please join us in giving Zack a warm Chieftain welcome! We’re excited to have you as part of the USD 464 family! #Tongienation #ChieftainFamily #WelcomeToTheFamily

We're excited to welcome Sarah Miller as the new Principal at Tonganoxie Elementary School!
A few fun facts about Sarah:
✨ Proud mom of three fabulous boys (ages 11, 14, and 17)
💇 Started her first career as a cosmetologist
🏆 Loves a challenge and is very competitive!
Please join us in giving Sarah a warm Chieftain welcome! We are excited to have her leadership, passion, and experience as part of the USD 464 family.
Welcome to Tonganoxie, Sarah! ❤️🤍
#Tongienation #USD464 #WelcomeToTheFamily #ChieftainStrong #TES

We heard you!
Thank you to the families who shared feedback about our Back-to-School Open House schedule. We understand that many families are balancing multiple buildings, activities, and work schedules, so we've extended our Open House hours to provide more flexibility.
Updated Times:
📍 Tonganoxie Middle School
🗓️ Thursday, August 6
⏰ 5:00–7:00 PM
📍 Tonganoxie Elementary School
🗓️ Monday, August 10
⏰ 5:00–7:00 PM
📍 Tonganoxie High School
🗓️ Monday, August 10
⏰ 5:30–7:30 PM
Thank you for your feedback and for partnering with us. We can't wait to welcome our Chieftain families back for the 2026-2027 school year! ❤️🤍 #Tongienation #USD464 #BackToSchool #WeHeardYou

