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Santa Fe Trail Schools

Inspiring and Empowering Every Charger, Every Day

Superintendent Newsletter

Posted Date: 11/13/26 (03:50 PM)

A cartoon mascot shaped like a yellow lightning bolt with a muscular build and crossed arms.

Superintendent Newsletter

November 13, 2026

Charger Community,

As we move through November, we have much to celebrate across Santa Fe Trail. Our first quarter has wrapped up, and our classrooms are filled with students learning, engaging, and growing. We hope parent-teacher conferences provided meaningful time to connect with teachers, celebrate progress, and discuss how we can work together to support your student’s success.
Thank you for supporting our Chargers throughout fall sports and activities. Although not every season ended as we hoped, we recognize the time, effort, and heart our students put into representing our schools. From the volleyball court to the National FFA Convention, our students continue to bring pride to our district. We are grateful to the coaches, sponsors, staff, and families who help make these experiences possible.
In our classrooms, staff remain focused on strong instruction, targeted interventions, literacy, and academic growth for every student. They lead the charge by helping students build confidence, take ownership of their learning, and work toward meaningful goals. This daily work is central to our commitment to inspire and empower every Charger, every day.
 

Expanding Opportunities with Allen Community College

I am excited to share that the contract for our partnership with Allen Community College has been approved, and closing procedures are in the works. ACC will be moving into the Scranton building very soon as preparations begin to repurpose the facility as a site for postsecondary education. This partnership will expand opportunities for our students, community members, and the surrounding county and region while bringing a new educational purpose to the facility.

As industries evolve and technical careers advance, education must keep pace. We want our students to have access to opportunities that prepare them for college, careers, and the workforce. This partnership has the potential to strengthen those pathways while supporting community growth and economic development.  Allen is very excited to have a northern tier presence for a Career and Technical Program to serve students here in Osage County. This does NOT close the door to opportunities with other universities that we have standing partnerships with, such as Washburn Tech, Emporia University, and more; it simply opens another door that sits within our district lines.  This proximity is key to easy access to new opportunities for our students.

Santa Fe Trail and other area school districts will work closely with ACC as programs are developed to align with student interests, community needs, and workforce opportunities.  This partnership is crucial to sustain and create progress for our students. We look forward to sharing more as this work progresses.
 

Planning Ahead for Winter Weather

A graphic displaying the text INCLEMENT WEATHER ALERT with a red-bordered triangular warning sign featuring a snowflake.

Inclement Weather Procedures

As winter weather approaches, please take a few minutes to review the district’s inclement weather procedures included with this newsletter. This document outlines our procedures and explains how families will receive information about weather-related changes to the school day.

Planning ahead can help make these situations less stressful. Please review your family’s arrangements for childcare, transportation, and changes to your daily schedule in the event of a school closure or other weather-related adjustment. Keeping your contact information current in PowerSchool and ParentSquare will help you receive timely updates. Students and staff safety remains our priority as we make these decisions.

Please click the link below for details on our procedures.
Inclement Weather Link
 

Honoring our Veterans

Across our schools, students and staff took time to honor veterans and express gratitude for their service and sacrifice. These experiences help our students understand the meaning of service and recognize the people in our own families and communities who have served our country.

The photos shared in this newsletter offer a glimpse of how our schools celebrated and thanked our veterans. To all who have served, including our Charger family members, staff, and community members: thank you. We are grateful for the opportunity to honor you and help the next generation understand the importance of your service.
A large group of children gather outside, enthusiastically waving small American flags under a clear blue sky.
A young girl in a pink shirt hands something to a driver in a white truck.
A student speaks into a microphone at a podium in a school gymnasium with an American flag nearby.
Three people stand in a gymnasium, placing their hands over their hearts near an American flag.
A school choir stands on tiered risers in a gymnasium, led by a teacher at a laptop.
A young person reads from a paper at a wooden podium in a gymnasium, with several other people standing behind them.
A school band performs on a gymnasium stage, led by a director at the front.
A speaker stands in a gymnasium presenting in front of a projection screen showing a graduation photo.
 
A promotional poster for Santa Fe Trail High School Theatre Department's presentation of The Addams Family.

Enjoying the Winter Season Together

As the second quarter continues, we look forward to our school musical, winter sports and activities, and time together before Thanksgiving break. This school year is moving quickly! I hope you will take time to enjoy the moments and memories that make these years special.

Thank you for partnering with us, supporting our staff, and cheering on our students. I am grateful to serve a district with so much Charger pride.
 

BOUND: FOR ALL YOUR ACTIVITY NEEDS

USD 434 WEBSITE

If you engage with our website, please check out our Athletics page, where you can find both Junior High and High School Athletics event information powered by BOUND.  This program provides us with a comprehensive platform on our website to host all athletics information for our community. See the link below

A special thank you to our community Sponsors!!!!

Fawl Ag Sales
Kansas State Bank
Pinecrest Marketing Group
Mast Builders LLC
McCain Plumbing
Overbrook Family Dentistry
SnS Service LLC
Transition Painting
Link to SFT Athletics
 

Community of Chargers

Thank you for supporting our Chargers!

Thank you for partnering with us, supporting our staff, and cheering on our students. I am grateful to serve a district with so much Charger pride.

Happy Holidays!

Proud Charger,
Faith Flory
Superintendent of Schools