Our last Summer Snaps post for 2025 is here!

1: Tonganoxie Middle School eighth grader Emma Smith spent her summer traveling around the Midwest playing softball! Most notably, she was also selected to represent Region 7 at the USA All-American games at Devon Park in Oklahoma City next month to close out her summer! 🥎🥎🥎

2-4: Sawyer and Meagan Vestal went fishing at Leavenworth State Fishing Lake! 🎣🎣🎣

5-6: Matt Bowers enjoyed a Savannah Bananas baseball game and a Sporting Kansas City match! ⚾️⚽️

7-9: Kelly Griffiths attended the Mumford and Sons concert at Azura Amphitheater, where the cast of Ted Lasso joined the band on stage to perform the show's theme song! 🎤⚽️

Summer may be winding down, but New Employee Spotlights featuring our new certified staff are coming soon!

#tongienation #usd464 #summerfun
about 1 month ago, USD 464
Emma Smith wearing light blue shirt, black softball pants, and cleating, pushing off a pitcher's mound as she release a pitch from the right hand
Sawyer Vestal wearing long sleeved blue shirt and green life jacket, sitting in the driver's seat of a fishing boat
Meagan Vestal wearing purple sunglasses, black pants, and light blue UPF top, holding a hooked fish in her left hand
Meagan and Sawyer on a fishing boat
Matt Bowers, wife and daughter standing together at a baseball game, the lights of the stadium shine brightly along the top of the image
Matt Bowers wearing white sunglasses, flanked on either side by his wife and a friend, taking a selfie together in the blue seats of a soccer stadium
Kelly Griffiths wearing a baseball cap and dark colored top, standing next to her husband wearing a dark colored t shirt, with the Azura Amphitheater stage in the background
band members playing various instruments on the Azura Amphitheater stage
Ted Lasso cast members standing on stage at Azura Amphitheater
Save the date! Our sixth annual Tongie Tailgate will be held on Friday, August 22, 2025. Chieftain Volleyball will scrimmage in Chieftain Arena from 4:30 to 5:15 pm, with the program at Beatty Field starting immediately afterward. This annual event is free, and all district families, staff, and community members are invited! Join us for a complimentary meal featuring hot dogs, chips, cookies, and water, along with scrimmages, performances, and introductions of our athletic teams and extracurricular organizations. A detailed schedule will be shared in August. We hope you will join us for an evening of food, fun, and community! ❤️🤍 #tongienation #usd464
about 1 month ago, USD 464
red background black bbq grill, white letters

March 27, 2025: The Board Game Club, sponsored by Mrs. Donahey and Mrs. Espy, meets during Warrior Time at Tonganoxie Middle School. 🎲♟️🎴 We want to see your throwbacks! Share your blasts from the past with us at socials@tong464.org to be featured on our socials! Put "Throwback" in the subject line and include a description and the month and year (and day, if you have it!) #ThrowbackThursday #tongienation #usd464

about 2 months ago, USD 464
four middle school boys sit at a table playing an RPG
two middle school girls sit at a table playing the game Guess Who
three middle school boys sit at a table playing UNO card game
three middle school boys sit at a table playing UNO card game
The District Administrative Center and Rec Commission parking lots are being repainted tomorrow morning, Thursday, July 24, 2025. If you have plans to visit the DAC or Rec Commission tomorrow, please park in the THS parking lot. Thank you!
about 2 months ago, USD 464
black background yellow and black caution stripes, red tongie t in bottom right corner
Did I hear a niner in there? It's radio installation day for our three brand new buses! (Two of them have air conditioning!) 😎🙌🚌 #tongienation #usd464
about 2 months ago, USD 464
transportation clerk Carrie Koch smiling out the driver's window of a school bus
two yellow school buses in a gravel parking lot, one with its hood open
view of blue school bus seats from the front of the bus looking towards the back
three yellow school buses in a gravel parking lot
rear view of three yellow school buses lined up in a gravel parking lot
Summer Snaps Week 5 is live!

1-3: Landen Ruff, Landin Vautour, and Cooper DaGrava celebrated Landen’s 16th birthday and the Fourth of July in style in Panama City Beach, Florida! 🎉🎆🌞

4-6: Heather Gutierrez, Bryan Lerma, and Carlos Lerma celebrated the Fourth of July with family! ❤️🤍💙

One week left to participate in our 2025 Summer Snaps series!

> Email your summer pics to socials@tong464.org with "Summer Snaps" in the subject line. Include a quick caption telling us about the photo(s).
> Keep it classy: school-appropriate dress, no questionable hand signs, etc.
> By submitting, you're giving USD 464 permission to use your photo(s) across our platforms and confirming you have permission from everyone pictured.

#tongienation #usd464 #summerfun
about 2 months ago, USD 464
IMG_3357
red and gold firework exploding in the sky over the beach at night
faint rainbow in the sky at the beach
Heather and five family members wearing red white and blue clothing stand together at their 4th of July celebration
Bryan Lerma wearing an orange Under Armour t shirt and blue tie dye shorts, riding a red four wheeler
Carlos Lerma wearing a red t shirt and jeans, riding a red four wheeler

2022 Tonganoxie High School graduate Mason Davenport has signed with Major League Baseball's Toronto Blue Jays as an undrafted free agent. Mason was a 2-time First Team All-State Selection for the Chieftain baseball team, helping the 2022 team to a school record in wins and a runner-up finish at the state tournament. After graduation, Mason pitched at KCKCC for 2 seasons before continuing his career at NCAA Division 1 Stetson University in Deland, Florida. Congratulations Mason, we can't wait to see what you accomplish in your professional baseball career! #tongienation #usd464 #classof2022

about 2 months ago, Mitchell Loomis
2022 Graduate Mason Davenport
Toronto Blue Jays
May 11, 2018: Kindergarten teacher Amanda Albert receives the Read to Achieve award from the Kansas National Education Association. Amanda taught kindergarten from 2013 until 2023, when she became a TES instructional coach! #ThrowbackThursday #tongienation #usd464
about 2 months ago, USD 464
Amanda Albert stands with her class, holding a large check from KNEA for $1000
Week 4 Summer Snaps are here!

1-4: Iván and Ana Franco enjoyed a few days of summer at Xcaret in Mexico! 🌞🇲🇽
5-7: Nicole Martin and her granddaughter Willow enjoyed celebrating Willow’s first birthday, first camping trip, and Fourth of July! ⛺️🎆
8-10: Amy Olsen and her husband Josh celebrated 15 years of marriage at Disneyland! 🏰🎢

Two weeks left to participate in our 2025 Summer Snaps series!
> Email your summer pics to socials@tong464.org with "Summer Snaps" in the subject line. Include a quick caption telling us about the photo(s).
> Keep it classy: school-appropriate dress, no questionable hand signs, etc.
> By submitting, you're giving USD 464 permission to use your photo(s) across our platforms and confirming you have permission from everyone pictured.

#tongienation #usd464 #SummerFun
about 2 months ago, USD 464
Ivan and Ana Franco sit in a flintstones style pedal car
Ivan Franco looks out over a hotel balcony, the balcony floor is glass
Ana Franco stands on a glass balcony of a hotel wearing a purple tank top and floral skirt
Ana and Ivan walk hand in hand down a stone walkway at a hotel
Nicole Martin wearing a black and green stripe top, holding her granddaughter Willow, wearing a red white and blue onesie
Baby Willow sitting in a miniature camp chair holding a bottle
Baby Willow sitting in a pink kids pool, wearing a flowered swimsuit and hat, holding a blue shovel
Josh and Amy Olsen sit on a stone bench in front of the Disneyland Castle at night
Josh and Amy Olsen riding a roller coaster, the black restraint bars over their shoulders
Josh and Amy Olsen standing on either side of Mickey Mouse
The monthly USD 464 Board of Education meeting will be held on Monday, July 14 at 6 pm in the BOE room at the District Administrative Center. Please enter through the west doors. Everyone is welcome! #tongienation #usd464
about 2 months ago, USD 464
green chalkboard with white text on it; brownd esk with two books, a laptop, and a cup of pencils on it
Week 3 Summer Snaps are here! 1-3: Kaelyn and Jayce Baldridge walked all the way to the top of the Capitol building in Topeka, Kansas! They also spent some time in Panama City Beach, Florida, soaking up the sun. 🌻☀️ 4-8: The Fox boys, Landon, Julian, and Arnold, enjoyed picking local berries and exploring the farm at Gieringer's Family Farm! 🫐🍓 9-10: Loren Feldkamp and his wife Nancy supported their grandson Tatum as he and his 13U baseball team, the Storm Chasers, won the USSSA 13U National Championship for the second time in three years! Mr. Feldkamp also participated in the Tonganoxie VFW Military Vehicle & D-Day Encampment event. ⚾🪖 Three weeks left to participate in our 2025 Summer Snaps series! Here’s how: > Email your summer pics to socials@tong464.org with "Summer Snaps" in the subject line. Include a quick caption telling us about the photo(s). > Keep it classy: school-appropriate dress, no questionable hand signs, etc. > By submitting, you're giving USD 464 permission to use your photo(s) across our platforms and confirming you have permission from everyone pictured. #tongienation #usd464 #summerfun
2 months ago, USD 464
Kaelyn and Jayce Baldridge walked all the way to the top of the Capitol building in Topeka, Kansas!
Kaelyn and Jayce Baldridge walked all the way to the top of the Capitol building in Topeka, Kansas!
They also spent some time in Panama City Beach, Florida, soaking up the sun.
Three Fox brothers wearing red white and blue tie dye tank tops, sitting in an oversized adirondack chair at Gieringer's Farm
Fox brothers wearing red white and blue tank tops, picking berries in an orchard
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Fox brothers wearing red white and blue tank tops, picking berries in an orchard
blueberries, blackberries, and a cinnamon donut sitting in a cardboard carton
Loren and Nancy stand on either side of Tatum; he is holding a blue trophy in each hand
group shot of various military reenactors wearing camouflage uniforms
Happy Independence Day! Today, we celebrate the freedoms that unite us and the spirit that drives our community forward. All district buildings are closed in observance. Wishing you a safe and joyful day! #tongienation #usd464
2 months ago, USD 464
red white and blue themed happy fourth of july graphic
July 23, 2019: USD 464 hosts one of four Community Bond Meetings, giving parents and patrons the opportunity to visit with the bond architects, contractor, finance members, and district administration as well as tour the high school. #ThrowbackThursday #tongienation #usd464
2 months ago, USD 464
community members sitting in black chairs positioned around white round tables listen to members of the bond project speak
community members sitting in black chairs positioned around white round tables listen to members of the bond project speak
Last week, we wrapped up our third and final New Staff Orientation of the summer! These sessions give incoming staff a first look at life in Tongie Nation—featuring insights from our technology, finance, communications, and HR teams. We’re excited to welcome these new faces to the USD 464 family. You'll get to know them a little better next month, when our annual New Staff Spotlight series begins. Welcome to Tongie Nation! ❤️🤍 #TongieNation #USD464
2 months ago, USD 464
Assistant superintendent and human resources director Tonya Phillips stands at the front of a tiered classroom wearing a red t shirt and black pants. new staff sit in black chairs at white tables, listerning
Week 2 Summer Snaps are live! 1-5: The Rowe brothers, Michael & Quinton, spent a week in Orlando visiting Walt Disney World & swimming with dolphins! 🎢🐬 6-10: Tonganoxie Middle School para Linda Sieg attended the Fraternal Order of Eagles State Convention as part of the Fraternal Order of Eagles #55 Leavenworth Kansas Auxiliary. She also got together with loved ones at her family reunion! 🌻🌻 Four weeks left to participate in our 2025 Summer Snaps series! Here’s how: > Email your summer pics to socials@tong464.org with "Summer Snaps" in the subject line. Include a quick caption telling us about the photo(s). > Keep it classy: school-appropriate dress, no questionable hand signs, etc. > By submitting, you're giving USD 464 permission to use your photo(s) across our platforms and confirming you have permission from everyone pictured. ☀️📷🍉 #tongienation #usd464 #summerfun
2 months ago, USD 464
two boys riding a roller coaster with their arms up in the air; one is wearing a green t shirt with a Goofy character face on it; the other is wearing a blue t shirt with the Donald Duck character on it
two boys standing with the Goofy character in a restaurant; one is wearing a green t shirt with a Goofy character face on it; the other is wearing a blue t shirt with the Donald Duck character on it
two boys standing with a Donald Duck character; one is wearing a green t shirt with a Goofy character face on it; the other is wearing a blue t shirt with the Donald Duck character on it
boy wearing yellow life jacket, swimming with a dolphin
boy wearing black wet suit, swimming with a dolphin
women wearing various clothing with sunflowers on it, standing in front of eight flags
women wearing various clothing with sunflowers on it, standing in front of eight flags
Linda and a family member sitting in camping chairs outside at her family reunion
people sitting in camping chairs under a grove of trees outside
people sitting at a picnic table and camping chairs near a grove of trees at a family reunion
Earlier this month, three district student-athletes competed at the Metro Mile KC Championships at Rockhurst High School! Facilitated by the KC Running Company, this annual event showcases 18 races featuring top runners of all ages from across the region. Rising Tonganoxie Elementary School fourth grader Reagan Welsh brought home 12th place in the Kids 9 and Under Division, crossing the line in a speedy 8:11.7. Carter Welsh ‘30 competed in the Middle School Boys Elite Division, earning 16th place with a strong time of 5:30.12, and Solomon Carter ‘25 earned an impressive 10th place finish in the High School Boys Gold Mile, clocking a blazing 4:28.67. Congratulations and well done to these talented athletes! #tongienation #usd464
2 months ago, USD 464
Reagan wearing a purple tank and multicolored shorts, standing in front of a blue and black Metro Mile banner
Reagan Welsh wearing a purple top and multicolored shorts, running on a blue track
Carter Welsh wearing a blue shirt and white shorts, running on a blue and gray track
Carter Welsh wearing a blue shirt and white shorts, standing in front of a blue and black Metro Mile banner
Solomon Carter wearing orange shorts and tank top with yellow smiley faces, racing on a blue track in spikes
Solomon Carter wearing orange shorts and tank top with yellow smiley faces, racing on a blue track in spikes
October 2019: Tonganoxie Elementary School students show off their themed fits for Red Ribbon Week! #ThrowbackThursday #tongienation #usd464
2 months ago, USD 464
six elementary students wearing sports hoodies
four elementary students standing in the hallway at TES
four elementary students standing in the hallway at TES
nine elementary students sitting in the hallway at TES
seven elementary students wearing t shirts with various sports teams on them
six elementary students wearing superhero t shirts
Tonganoxie High School Spanish teacher Heather Rowe was recently selected by The Teachers College at Emporia State University as their 2025 Outstanding Graduate Student for her work on her Master's in Teaching! She teaches Spanish II, III, and IV, sponsors the World Cultures Club, and recently took a group of students to Costa Rica. Congratulations, Mrs. Rowe! ❤️🤍 #tongienation #usd464
3 months ago, USD 464
headshot of Mrs. Rowe wearing a cream colored top with green leafery, standing with her arms casually crossed, smiling and leaning against a wood pillar outdoors,
wooden plaque with black inlay, inscribed with gold letters
Here are your 2025 Week 1 Summer Snaps! 1-2: Lilly, Trent, Jakob, and Betsey Burge went fishing in the bay off Galveston Island, Texas! 🎣 3: Tonganoxie High School teacher Morgan Schmidt held a 3-day DnD camp at the Tonganoxie Recreation Commission, teaching students about Dungeons and Dragons while having fun! 🐲 4-8: Tonganoxie Elementary School art teacher Amy Lawson, along with her husband Jamie and daughter Lauren (both THS alums!), took a cruise to the Dominican Republic, US & British Virgin Islands, and The Bahamas! A highlight was hiking up a mountain in the DR and using waterfalls as natural waterslides to go down. They also enjoyed kayaking in BVI! ⛰ You still have five more weeks to participate in our 2025 Summer Snaps series! Here’s how: > Email your summer pics to socials@tong464.org with "Summer Snaps" in the subject line. Include a quick caption (1–3 sentences) telling us about the photo. > Keep it classy: school-appropriate dress, no questionable hand signs, etc. > By submitting, you're giving USD 464 permission to use your photo(s) across our platforms and confirming you have permission from everyone pictured. ☀️📷🍉 #tongienation #usd464 #SummerFun
3 months ago, USD 464
Trent and Jakob Burge, wearing black tops and gray shorts, sit on the edge of a boat holding fishing reels
Lilly and Betsey Burge stand at the edge of a boat, holding fishing poles
students sit in black chairs arranged in a semi circle while Mr. Schmidt stands at the front talking about Dungeons and Dragons in front of a projection screen
the Lawson family wearing blue life jackets and helmets, standing in water
Amy Lawson, wearing a blue swimsuit, blue life jacket, and red helmet, slides down a rock waterslide with her arms over her chest
Amy Lawson, wearing a blue swimsuit, blue life jacket, and red helmet, slides down a rock waterslide with her arms over her chest
Lawson family walks along the rocky edge of a beach
Lawson family kayaks across blue water
September 2017: Tonganoxie High School science teacher and herpetology expert John Tollefson shares his knowledge with children of all ages at the Tonganoxie Public Library. #ThrowbackThursday #tongienation #usd464
3 months ago, USD 464
Children gather around Mr. Tollefson, wearing an orange shirt and red hat, as he holds up a snake
children gather around Mr. Tollefson as he holds a snake
Mr. Tollefson, wearing an orange shirt and red hat, speaks to a group as a snake sits on the wooden table beside him