USD 204 Board of Education Appoints Nicole Perica Gerken to fill BOE Vacancy
The Bonner Springs/Edwardsville Board of Education appointed Nicole Perica Gerken as a school board member to replace the vacancy opened when former member Ashley Razak resigned to accept a position within the district. Gerken will serve in this position through December 2027.
A 1997 graduate of Bonner Springs High School, Gerken brings more than 20 years of leadership experience across nonprofit management, strategic communications, fundraising, marketing, public relations, brand development, and operational oversight to the position. She has worked at The HALO Foundation for the past 16 years, including serving as their Chief Operating Officer since 2016.
Gerken applied for the Board position because she believes strong schools are the foundation of a strong and thriving community.
“Through my professional work at HALO supporting homeless and at-risk children and families, I have seen firsthand how education, stability, and supportive environments shape a child’s long-term trajectory,” Gerken said. “I believe school boards play a critical role in setting vision, ensuring responsible stewardship of resources, and supporting educators so they can focus on student success.”
USD 204 Board President Angie Thomas said, “The Board unanimously agreed Gerken’s expertise and leadership make her well suited to fill this role. Her skills and perspective will strengthen our board, and we look forward to the positive impact she will have on USD 204 and the community we serve.”
Our 2026 boys basketball team made history!
This season, our boys basketball team brought home a state championship, only the second in school history, and the first since 1984. What makes this team special goes beyond the scoreboard, they showed toughness, discipline, and a commitment to each other every single night.
Championship T-Shirts: Bonner Springs made history, and this championship hits different. This isn’t just a shirt, it’s the season we’ll never forget. Get yours and wear it proudly.
If you would like to order one of the championship shirts, here is your chance! We accept cash and card (there is a fee if you pay by card). The deadline for shirt orders will be April 12, 2026. To guarantee you receive your shirt, you need to do two things:
Complete the Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdkEKWeFQIVaomeUZwy0-28fCFuDiMpNU2JjeOHjRAq1OgVAA/viewform
Submit payment: If paying cash, you will need to bring it into the high school (give it to the athletic secretary - Mrs. Kelly); If paying by card (there will be a small fee), use this link: https://gofan.co/event/6414951?schoolId=KS18100
Both steps are required for a successful t-shirt order!
You are invited to a Community Championship Celebration that will take place next Thursday, March 26 during the CMS and BSHS Family Engagement Night!
At 5:30 p.m., there will be a small parade from McDanield Learning Center up Kump Avenue to Bonner Springs High School.
After the parade, the Bonner Springs Edwardsville Area Chamber of Commerce and several local businesses will provide hot dogs and water for attendees - and the Winkle Berry truck will be on-site, too!
Around 6 p.m., all are invited to gather in the PE Center/Braves Fieldhouse for a short celebration featuring the coaches, players, and special guests! The team will also be available for autographs and photos after the celebration!
Make plans to join us in celebrating this historic moment together!
At 5:30 p.m., there will be a small parade from McDanield Learning Center up Kump Avenue to Bonner Springs High School.
After the parade, the Bonner Springs Edwardsville Area Chamber of Commerce and several local businesses will provide hot dogs and water for attendees - and the Winkle Berry truck will be on-site, too!
Around 6 p.m., all are invited to gather in the PE Center/Braves Fieldhouse for a short celebration featuring the coaches, players, and special guests! The team will also be available for autographs and photos after the celebration!
Make plans to join us in celebrating this historic moment together!
Any patrons out there who have an X (twitter) account, go vote for our Bonner Springs boys basketball team as this week's Hy-Vee High School Team of the Week!
https://x.com/KCTV5/status/2033289468745069031?s=20
https://x.com/KCTV5/status/2033289468745069031?s=20
Flashback Friday: The year of the last boys state basketball championship for the Bonner Springs High School Braves was 1984! Jim Sechrist shared photos he took during the game his senior year!
Check out:
Mike Martin #13
Rob Stewart #12
David Hall #10
Hughes Suffern #23
Randy Reed #11
Joe Sechrist #5 jacket
Brad Palmberg #4 jacket
Coach Carl Taylor
Did you know 1984 was also the year of the original Orange Crush? (Before that, the group was called Bleacher Creatures!)
Congratulations to Superintendent Rick Moulin as he was awarded the NAACP Louisa Fletcher Excellence in Education Award for 2026!
Mr. Moulin was recognized for the following:
"Rick has grown up in this community since third grade, graduating from BSHS in 1990. He has contributed to our education system as a student, teacher, principal and superintendent, and continues to use his expertise to support its development. He has been an advocate for diversity in our schools and our community. As a BS NAACP member, he has shown his support each year for the Freedom Fund banquet, by grilling at Tiblow Days, and at the State NAACP meetings hosted by Bonner Springs, he has given the greeting addressing the support of NAACP's principles and goals. Rick is an excellent role model."
Mrs. Fletcher was an advocate for the rights of African Americans not only in this community, but at the state and national levels as well. Since 2017, BS NAACP has given a Louisa Fletcher "Excellence in Education" award.
Check out the latest Board Beat from the March Board of Education meeting on our website at: https://bit.ly/204BoardBeat
Head Start celebrated reading today! We did some Dr. Seuss themed activities followed by the kids getting to do some book "shopping" and bringing home a few books to keep!
Have a great Spring Break, friends!
Congratulations to our Braves boys basketball team on their win tonight! Next, they will travel to Wichita State University to play at Koch Arena this Thursday night, March 12, at 8 p.m. for the semifinal round of the KSHSAA 5A State Tournament!
Because the team is advancing and we anticipate many families traveling to Wichita to support the team Thursday evening, the BSHS and CMS Family Engagement Nights will be postponed. Originally scheduled for this Thursday, they will now be moved to Thursday, March 26th from 3:30 - 7:30 p.m. (The BSHS band pre-festival solo and ensemble recital already scheduled for March 26th will continue as scheduled at 7 p.m.)
Elementary school conferences will still take place on Thursday, March 12. If an elementary teacher would like to attend the state basketball tournament they will be allowed to do so. If elementary students are impacted because a staff member is not available Thursday evening, individual teachers will reach out to reschedule parent teacher conferences. Along that same line, if your family is planning to cheer on the Braves in Wichita Thursday night, please just contact your child’s teacher to reschedule your conference appointment.
Thank you for your understanding, and please join us in cheering on our Braves as they continue their season!
Congratulations to the BSHS boys basketball team who will play their first round of the KSHSAA 5A State Basketball tournament Tuesday, March 10 at 6 p.m. at KCKCC vs. KC Washington. Come on out and cheer on our Braves!
Click here for KCKCC site information: https://www.kshsaa.org/react/fanpage/6138
Click here for KCKCC site information: https://www.kshsaa.org/react/fanpage/6138
On Friday we had our grandparents come to Head Start to get a glimpse of our day to day classroom life. We also put on a fashion show to close out our clothing unit. We had so much fun walking that runway!
Don't forget to dress your best tomorrow!
Last week we celebrated our 100th day of school! Students made crowns to wear and we strung "100" Cheerios to make a necklace.
The beginning of the week had our playground still covered in snow but we made the best of it and went on a nature walk on the lions park trail behind the school! So much fun!
All things winter before we began our break! We decorated graham cracker "gingerbread houses", opened gifts from Hands to Heart, and enjoyed our winter party with families! Have a great break, Head Start!
Schools will be closed December 19-January 5. Classes resume on Tuesday, January 6. Enjoy your winter break!
Too cold and indoor recess has got you down? Hallway snowball fights and classroom obstacle courses for the win!
🚨 Weather Alert! Due to inclement weather and potentially hazardous road conditions, there will be no school tomorrow, December 2nd. Stay safe and warm, BRAVES!
🍂 Thanksgiving Break Starts Monday! 🍂 There will be no school for all students November 24th–28th. All students will return on Monday, December 1st, as we kick off the final stretch of the second quarter. Looking ahead, Winter Break begins December 19th! Make sure you have a copy of the full academic calendar HERE: https://5il.co/32zde Wishing everyone a restful and happy Thanksgiving Break! 🧡🦃
🎭 SAVE THE DATE! 🎭 The Bonner Springs High School Theatre Department proudly presents Grease! 💃🕺 Directed by Mr. Zachary Shoemaker, this year’s musical brings the energy, music, and spirit of Grease to the BSHS stage! Our amazing cast and crew have been working hard to create a fun, high-energy show you won’t want to miss. 📅 Show Dates: 7:00 PM on November 13, 14, & 15 at Bonner Springs High School. 🎟️ Tickets are $10 for adults, and $8 for students. Tickets can be purchased at: https://gofan.co/app/school/KS18100. Come out and support our talented students, staff, and volunteers as we bring this iconic story to life. Let’s fill the house and celebrate the incredible work of our BSHS Theatre family!
