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SUN Bucks 2025

SUN Bucks, also known as Summer EBT, is a program to help families buy food for their school-aged children during the summer. Families will get a one-time benefit of $120 per year for each eligible child to help buy groceries during the summer months. Children who get SUN Bucks can still participate in other summer meal programs. Receiving SUN Bucks will not affect children or families' immigration status. For families who were pre-approved in January or applied and received a notice of approval since the application opened, benefits were recently distributed as follows (based on the primary applicant’s, not the child’s, last name): May 28 – A to G, May 29 – H to M, May 30 – N to S, May 31: T to Z. The one-time $120 benefit per eligible child was put onto a new or the household’s existing EBT card. For those that have not yet applied, the SUN Bucks application is available until 5 pm on August 29, 2025. Visit SUNBucks.dcf.ks.gov for more information.

SUN Bucks Website

25 days ago

West Elementary School

Engaging in the Present to Prepare for the Future

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Miss Kitti, The Therapy Dog

Miss Kitti, The Therapy Dog

A gray and white poodle with a pink collar looks directly at the camera.Meet Miss Kitti

West Elementary implemented a "Therapy Dog" program in March of 2015. This opportunity has been made possible by the efforts of West Elementary Counselor, Robin Butler. 

Research has shown that therapy dogs in schools can increase reading skills (students reading to the dog), as well as contribute to social and emotional development. A Therapy Dog's presence in the School Counselor's office has also been shown to reduce anxiety, help students work through anger management, reduce bullying tendencies, and address other personal/social issues. The specific goals of the Therapy Dog program include the following: Increase empathy and compassion in children; help students connect in the school setting and reduce anxiety; and improve reading skills and comprehension, while increasing confidence and literary interest. 

Mrs. Butler and Miss Kitti are registered through Therapy Dogs International. To belong to Therapy Dogs International (TDI®), all dogs must be tested and evaluated by a Certified TDI Evaluator. A dog must be a minimum of one (1) year of age and have a sound temperament. Each dog must pass a TDI temperament evaluation for suitability to become a Therapy Dog. The test also includes the evaluation of the dog's behavior around people with the use of some type of service equipment (wheelchairs, crutches, etc.). 

TDI has specific guidelines to meet cleanliness and grooming requirements. Miss Kitti is an "aussiedoodle" breed, which is one of the hypoallergenic breeds of dogs. She is brushed daily, bathed as needed, and groomed every six weeks, which will minimize allergic contact. TDI also requires regular veterinarian checks for registered Therapy Dogs along with regular evaluations to maintain certification. Handlers are trained to notice potential harm to either a child or their dog. 

Please complete the Permission Form acknowledging your preference as to whether you wish your child to have contact with the West Elementary Therapy Dog, Miss Kitti. 

Permission Form