CCS, WP ready ‘22-23 school year; classes start Aug. 17

The days are quickly melting away until the start of the 2022-2023 school year at Chase County Schools and Wauneta-Palisade.
Both schools will start classes Aug. 17. Wauneta-Palisade will have a two-hour early release, while Chase County will go all day.
Eight new staff at CCS
Chase County welcomes eight new staff members this fall, including new 7-12 principal Christopher Barr. Two of the returning teachers are Brandi Dannatt, who’ll teach first grade, and Mercedes Hauxwell, who teach ELL.
New teachers this school year include Misty Jaeger, family and consumer science; Beau McConnell, junior high social studies; Emma McConnell, middle school art; and Rebekah Urban, speech pathologist.
Chandra Thayer has joined the classified staff as 7-12 secretary, replacing Deb Blecha, who retired.
Summer improvements at the school include new carpeting in the junior/senior high hallways and administration areas, as well as the necessary waxing and cleaning of floors around the facility, plus painting inside and outside of the building.
New asphalt has been poured on the elementary play ground and the new playground equipment has been delivered, but CCS is waiting for the installers to finish the job.
Although the foundation has been poured for a new crow’s nest on the visitors’ side of the football field, work will continue through the school year.
CCS is also waiting for its new maintenance truck and two new mini busses to be delivered.
Opaa!, Chase County Schools new food service partner, will be providing a Cookies and Fruit Bar from 3-6 p.m. Tuesday to welcome back students. Families can bring in school supplies and meet school staff.
New at WP
 On Monday, Wauneta-Palisade announced the hiring of Ron Bauer as 6-12 Principal, Activities Director and Transportation Director. Bauer will fill the spot left open by the passing of Mike Sorensen last week.
Bauer is familiar with the area, having starting his teaching career in Palisade. After teaching in Trenton, Bauer served as Assistant Principal and AD at Ord for 20 years before retiring.
“Mr. Bauer will be a welcome addition to our district, and we are looking forward to working with him,” WP Administrators Joseph Frecks and Randy Geier said.
Two familiar faces will return to the WP hallways this year. Kristy Vapenik returns as pre-kindergarten teacher and Lisa McAlevy returns as a social studies teacher. Teresa Hayes also returns as a chemistry teacher.
No major work was done on the facilities over the summer other than general maintenance and building upkeep.
WP will host 6th grade orientation and 6-12 parent/student kickoff Monday with the preschool to fifth grade open house in Palisade Tuesday. The first day of preschool will be Monday, Aug. 22.