Hi! I am Katie Grote and as I enter my 8th year at NV, I am moving to the PreK-3rd Grade Special Education position. In all, this will start my 16th year in education, one year as a para and the rest in the classroom.
I received my Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education from Kansas State University and my Masters in Special Education from Fort Hays State University.
When I’m not teaching, I’m busy going to many different sporting and music events for all the kids! This summer has been full of baseball fields and getting ready to send the oldest to college.
I am eager to get in this new position this school year!
I wanted to send you a final update now that we are officially at one of the most exciting parts of our first Beyond the Backpack project! First and foremost, I cannot thank all of you enough for your encouragement and support throughout this process. What started as an idea to help provide school supplies has turned into something much bigger, and our community's response has been incredible!!
The Final Numbers
I'm excited to share that Beyond the Backpack raised a total of $12,385! Here is a breakdown of the funds:
$6,769.41 - School supplies, classroom snacks and hygiene products
$386.72 - Back to School Night expenses
That leaves $5,228.87. Here is the plan for the remaining funds:
$1,238.50 - Beyond the Match Foundation grant programs
This represents 10% of everything raised and allows this community project to also further the charitable mission of the foundation that made it possible.
$2,000 - Northern Valley school-year reserve
This money will stay available for additional snacks, backpacks, supplies, new students or other needs that come up throughout the school year. Teachers - please reach out if you need something!!!!! Whatever is not used will go into the 2027 budget.
$1,990.37 - 2027 Beyond the Backpack
This will give us an amazing head start for next year so we aren't beginning at $0 and can continue building this program.
Combined with what we've already spent, approximately 90% of the money raised this year will remain directly invested in Beyond the Backpack and Northern Valley students. I want this program to be something our community can trust and rely on, and something that can continue year after year. Towards the end of the school year (probably in March or April) I will send an email asking you all about your needs for the next school year. I've tracked everything on a spreadsheet to help make this easy!!
An Amazing Night of Volunteers 💚
Last night we had an awesome group of volunteers came together to organize, sort and load everything for our students. A very special thank you to:
Angie Knuth, Kirsten & Shane Baird, Rachel Hays, Sierra Stabenow, Liz Woodside, Mim Tubbs, Sandra Dole, Karen Gebhard and Cathy Smith! There were A LOT of supplies, and I am so grateful for everyone who gave their time!! This morning, Sandra Dole and I will deliver supplies to the Elementary and High School. Shane and Kirsten have already taken everything over to the Junior High, and I will bring their snacks separately.
As we sorted everything, I realized I was short on a few items. Those have already been ordered! As soon as they arrive later this week, I'll deliver them to the appropriate classrooms. If you notice something missing or realize you need something, please tell me.
Tonight is Back to School Night! 🎉
I am SO excited to finally see everything come together tonight! Every student who attends will receive a little care package to help kick off the year. It will include:
Husky Pride bracelet, courtesy of The Hays Family
Water bottle encouragement sticker
Granola bar
Fidget toy
Bottled water, courtesy of Almena Market
Toothbrush, toothpaste and body wash (hopefully!)
Our hygiene supplies are scheduled to arrive, but if the package doesn't make it in time today, I'll bring those items to the school separately. Each classroom can then distribute or use them however you feel would be most helpful for your students.
I hope you all know how highly this community speaks of you. Throughout this fundraiser, I've heard over and over again how fortunate Northern Valley is to have the teachers and staff that we do. People wanted to give because they believe in our students, our school and the people caring for these kids every day. Thank you for letting the Beyond the Match Foundation take the lead on this project!!
Now let's have some fun tonight and get these kids excited for a GREAT school year! 💚🐾
My name is Judy, and I am excited to join Northern Valley School as the new school nurse. I have been a registered nurse for 23 years, caring for patients in the emergency room, obstetrics, surgery, and medical-surgical nursing. Throughout my career, I have enjoyed helping others and providing compassionate care to patients of all ages.
Although I was born in Arizona, Kansas has been home since 1987. My husband and I raised our family here, and our children are proud Northern Valley graduates. We are also blessed to have several grandchildren currently attending Northern Valley. In my free time, I enjoy camping, gardening, and reading. I look forward to getting to know the students, families, and staff, and I’m excited to be a part of the Northern Valley community while helping keep our students healthy, safe, and ready to learn.
🎒 Northern Valley Families: Open Enrollment, Back to School Night & Beyond the Backpack Updates! 💚🐾
As we get ready for another great school year, we have a few important reminders and exciting updates to share!
📚 Open Enrollment Reminder
Don't forget Open Enrollment is tomorrow and Wednesday from 8:00 AM–4:00 PM at the High School! Families will receive an information sheet detailing everything they need to know about our upcoming Beyond the Backpack Back to School Night.
🎉 Beyond the Backpack Back to School Night
📅 Monday, August 10
🕕 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 Almena Community Building
This is a FREE, come-and-go event for all Northern Valley students (PreK–12th grade) and their families! Join us for: FREE snow cones from Verd Ice Cream Truck, back-to-school photo booth, games and activities, Husky gear available for purchase from The Ink Spot, community booths and more!
🍎 Elementary Back to School Night - Meet the Teacher
📅 Friday, August 14
🕟 4:30–6:30 PM
Elementary students and their families are invited to meet their teacher, explore their classroom, and see all of their school supplies already waiting for them! Middle and high school students will receive their school supplies on the first day of school.
💚 Beyond the Backpack Update
When we shared our last update, we mentioned that families would still be responsible for providing pillows and blankets for our youngest students. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, that has changed!
Families will only need to provide:
🎒 Backpack
💧 Water Bottle
Beyond the Backpack will provide:
✅ All required school supplies
✅ Classroom snacks throughout the school year
✅ Pre-K students will receive a pillow and blanket
✅ Kindergarten students will receive a pillow
This project has grown beyond anything we imagined. Because of your generosity, we've not only been able to meet this year's needs, we've also built a strong foundation to continue growing the Beyond the Backpack initiative for years to come.
💚 Thank You to Our Amazing Donors!
We are incredibly grateful to the many families, businesses, and organizations that made this possible. Please help us thank:
• Naphtali Masonic Lodge
• Kansas Health Foundation
• Wesco Feed Transport
• Mid-America Bank
• Sierra Stabenow – Massage by Stabenow
• Nickell Concrete & Construction
• Equity Bank
• Northern Valley Booster Club
• Theraplay Learning Center
• All Creatures Vet Clinic
• Long Island Redi Mix
• The Ink Spot
• The Hut
• Edward Jones – Phillipsburg
• Edward Jones – Norton
• Mindy's Magical Playhouse
• Whitney Construction
• NWKS Cattle Company
• Shirk Dentistry
• All American Glass
• Norton Thrift Store
• MVP Electric & More
• 5 S Land & Cattle
• Madden Family Dentistry
• Almena Market
• A Step Ahead Adoption Services
• First National Bank & Trust
• Verd Ice Cream Truck
...along with the many generous families and individuals who also contributed to this project. Northern Valley isn't just a school, it's a community. Together, we've shown what can happen when neighbors, businesses, and families come together with one purpose: helping every student start the school year prepared, confident, and knowing they have an entire community cheering them on.
Thank you for making the very first Beyond the Backpack initiative such an incredible success. We can't wait to celebrate the start of another amazing school year with our Husky family! 🐾
Hello! My name is Kara Stanton, and I am excited to begin this school year as the title teacher for our pre-K through third grade students. I have my Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and I’m currently pursuing my bachelors degree in Human Services.
I’ve spent the past four years working as a paraprofessional with students ranging in age from 3 to 14. Last year, I was thrilled to become part of the Valley family when I joined the middle school as a paraprofessional. I’m excited to continue my journey at Northern Valley in this new role and help our youngest learners build confidence, strengthen their skills, and discover a love of learning.
When I’m not at school, you’ll usually find me keeping up with my three “spicy chicken nuggets” (my kids!), who keep life busy, full of laughter, and always entertaining. I look forward to partnering with our students, families, and staff to make this a fun, successful, and memorable school year!
My family and I have lived in the Valley for nearly ten years, and during that time, it has truly become our home. I love the close-knit atmosphere and the sense of safety and community that comes with small-town life.
My three children attend school here, participate in sports, and enjoy being part of the Valley community just as much as I do. As someone who grew up participating in athletics, I especially appreciate the way sports bring students, families, school employees, and community members together. I enjoy supporting our Valley athletes and being part of the strong sense of community that surrounds them.
After working as a paraeducator, I realized how much I enjoy working with children and helping them learn, grow, and overcome challenges. Teaching gives me the opportunity to pour my heart into work that has a clear purpose and can make a lasting difference in a child’s life. I have also come to appreciate how the staff at the school supports one another and feels more like a family than simply a group of coworkers.
I currently hold an associate degree in social work and am entering my junior year at Fort Hays State University, where I am pursuing a degree in elementary education. In the future, I hope to find a meaningful way to combine my background in social work with my career in education. I consider the opportunity to teach in the Valley a true blessing, and I intend to approach that opportunity with gratitude, dedication, and a commitment to serving the students, families, and community that I have grown to love.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community and the Beyond the Match Foundation, ALL required school supplies will be provided for Northern Valley students this year! Families will only need to provide backpacks and water bottles. Preschoolers will also need a pillow/blanket and kindergartners will need a pillow.
Join us for a Back to School Night, to celebrate the success of the Beyond the Backpack Fundraiser, on Monday, August 10, from 6:00–8:00 PM at the Almena Community Building. This free, come-and-go event is open to all PreK–12 students and their families and will feature games, crafts, face painting, a photo booth, free snow cones from Verd Ice Cream Truck, Husky gear from The Ink Spot, community resources, and a special care package for every student!
Elementary students will see their school supplies during Meet the Teacher Night on Friday, August 14 from 4:30-6:30 PM, and middle/high school students will receive theirs on the first day of school, August 17.
A handout with additional details will be available during open enrollment on August 4th and 5th from 8AM-4PM. We can't wait to celebrate the start of another great school year with our Husky families! 🐾💚
Please note: Only Kiddos who are in all day pre-K will need pillows and blankets.
14 boys in the HS and JH joined the Husky Iron Club this summer, showing up at 7:00am for 80% or more of the total days. 8 weeks of hard work and dedication paid off during max out week! Looking forward to a great school year for weights, and HS powerlifting season in the spring.
Husky Iron Club picture above.
Not pictured: Colt Rogers and Thomas Thompson
Both Jim Cole and Tammy Vincent were inducted on Sunday, July 26, 2026, surrounded by many friends and families of the Valley.
The Almena, Long Island, and Norton communities continue to AMAZE us! Thanks to the incredible generosity of local businesses, families, and community members, we've already raised $4,325 toward our $8,000 goal for the Beyond the Backpack initiative!
Our goal is simple: to ensure every Northern Valley student starts the school year with the supplies they need to succeed.
Here's what your support will provide:
✅ FREE school supplies for every Northern Valley student.
✅ An unforgettable Back to School Night on Monday, August 10, where families can come together to celebrate the start of a new school year with fun activities, community connections, and more!
💚 Thank You to Our Community Partners!
We would like to recognize the businesses that have already invested in our students and school community :
• Nickell Concrete and Construction
• Mid America Bank
• Wesco Feed Transport
• Theraplay Learning Center
• All Creatures Vet Clinic
• Long Island Redi Mix
• The Ink Spot
• The Hut
• Edward Jones
• Shirk Dentistry
• Sierra Stabenow Massage
• A Step Ahead Adoption Services
THANK YOU to all of these businesses!!
📚 What Families Will Need to Provide
If we reach our fundraising goal, everything on the school supply list will be provided except:
🎒 Backpack
💧 Water Bottle
🛏️ Pillow (Pre-School & Kindergarten)
🛌 Blanket (Pre-School only)
That's it!
❤️ Want to Help?
If you've already budgeted for back-to-school shopping, or if you'd simply like to support Northern Valley students, we would be incredibly grateful for your donation. Every dollar helps us get closer to our goal and ensures every child starts the school year prepared and confident.
Ways to Give:
💚 Donate online:
https://givebutter.com/the-beyond-the-match-fund-tfgggy
💚 Venmo:
@beyond-the-match
📧 Questions?
valerie@astepaheadadoption.com
We're excited to share more details about our Back to School Night on August 10 in the coming weeks. We have some fun surprises planned and can't wait to celebrate with our school community!
Let's finish strong! Together, we're doing more than providing school supplies—we're investing in our students, supporting our families, and strengthening the Northern Valley community for years to come. 💚🎒
Valerie Marble
CEO | Adoption Consultant
A Step Ahead Adoption Services, LLC
Cell: 308.962.0104 (call/text)
Office Hours: Mon–Fri | 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM CST
Join us on Sunday July 26th @ 2:30PM at the gymnasium in Long Island for the Wall of Fame ceremony! We will be inducting Jim Cole and Tammy Vincent! We hope to see you there and help us celebrate these two wonderful people!
Its that time of year again.... School Enrollment is here!
August 4th and 5th from 8-4 in the high school!
Things To bring with you:
Birth Certificate
Social Security Card
Immunization Record
Any Medical Information
Money for enrollment
Sports Physicals if NOT done by the school
You can pre fill out all enrollment forms before you come @ https://www.nvhuskies.org/page/enroll-documents
Any questions please call 785-669-2445 Option 1
We are excited to share a brand-new community initiative coming to Northern Valley this year!
Beyond the Backpack, hosted by Beyond the Match Foundation, is working to provide school supplies for Northern Valley students through the generosity of local businesses, organizations, and community members.
📅 Mark your calendars for Monday, August 10!
Families are invited to join us for a fun Back-to-School Kickoff at the Almena Community Building from 6:00–8:00 PM. The evening will include:
🎒 School supply distribution
🎨 Face painting
📚 Story time
🖍️ Coloring station
🥤 Refreshments
🤝 Community resources
...and more!
If you're able, we encourage families to wait for additional information before purchasing school supplies. Our goal is to provide every Northern Valley student with the supplies they need to start the school year with confidence, and we'll share more details as the event approaches. This is the first year for Beyond the Backpack, and we are incredibly grateful to the Beyond the Match Foundation and the many businesses, organizations, and volunteers helping make this event possible. We hope it becomes a tradition that blesses Northern Valley families for years to come!
💚 Want to Help?
We're currently seeking community partners to help make this event a success! Whether you're a local business, organization, parent, grandparent, alumni, or community member, there are many ways to get involved:
• Sponsor the back to school night event
• Donate school supplies
• Make a monetary gift
📲 Donate online: https://givebutter.com/the-beyond-the-match-fund-tfgggy
📧 Interested in sponsoring or donating?
Contact Valerie Marble at valerie@astepaheadadoption.com
Together, we can help every Northern Valley student start the school year prepared, confident, and supported. 💚🐾
