Dear Wabaunsee USD 329 Families, Students, and Staff,
It is with profound sadness and a very heavy heart that I share the passing of Wabaunsee High School senior Kalvin Lynch, who passed away last evening. Some moments in education remind us that our work is about far more than academics, activities, or the daily operations of our schools. It is about the young people entrusted to our care, the relationships we build with them, and the lasting impact they have on our lives. Kalvin was one of those young people.
I had the privilege of getting to know Kalvin personally through our Superintendent's Student Advisory Council and through many interactions over the years. As he faced circumstances that no young person should ever have to face, I witnessed something extraordinary. Throughout his illness, I never once heard Kalvin ask, "Why me?" I never witnessed him express bitterness, anger, or self-pity. Instead, I saw a young man who kept approaching life with a smile, remarkable dignity, and a strength of character that humbled me. I have spent my professional life trying to help young people develop the qualities that will make them good people. Yet, in the final chapter of his life, Kalvin taught me more about courage, grace, and character than I could ever have hoped to teach him. There is something I hoped to tell Kalvin personally, and I want to share it now:
Kalvin, I wish I were half the man you turned out to be.
Those words come from deep admiration and respect for a young man whose life, though far too short, carried extraordinary meaning.
Our hearts are with Kalvin's family, his friends, his classmates, and every member of our school community who had the privilege of knowing him. We recognize that this loss will affect each of us differently, and our schools will provide support and opportunities for students and staff to process their grief in the days ahead. I ask that we surround Kalvin's family with compassion, respect their privacy, and take care of one another as we navigate this difficult time together. Kalvin's time with us was far too brief. But a life's measure is not simply the number of years we are given. It is also the impact we leave on others. And Kalvin left an impact that will remain with me for the rest of my life.
Once a Charger, always a Charger.
With deepest sympathy,
Dr. Troy Pitsch
Superintendent of Schools
Wabaunsee USD 329
Tomorrow, we don’t just take the court in Salina...we bring the heart of an entire Charger community, the pride of Wabaunsee, and the determination to leave it all on the floor. LET THE STAMPEDE BEGIN!
The WHS Office will be open until 8pm on October 29th to process renewals. Please note that there is no school on Friday, October 30th so the office will be closed.
Afternoon buses will run 10–15 minutes early today because of the high school pep rally. This includes hub stops in McFarland, Paxico, and Maple Hill. Please plan to pick up your students earlier than usual. We appreciate your flexibility!
☕ COFFEE AT MEL’S — TOMORROW MORNING!
Join us Tuesday, October 27, from 9:00–10:00 a.m. at Mel’s in Alma for our second USD 329 Bond Coffee Chat.
We’ll have the latest project information and plenty of time to talk. Stop in to:
• Review the proposed bond projects
• Ask questions about costs, planning, and project estimates
• Learn more about the work proposed at WES, WJHS, WHS, and the new CTE facility
• Talk directly with district leadership
• Share your questions and concerns
No presentation required, no long meeting — just coffee, conversation, and an opportunity to get information directly from the district.
And after some of the recent discussion around the bond, perhaps the theme should be:
Hats off. Facts on. Coffee ready.
📍 Mel’s in Alma
🗓️ Tuesday, October 27
⏰ 9:00–10:00 a.m.
A huge thank you to **Custom Wood Products** for generously donating about **$1,200 in lumber** to support our students' woodworking projects! Contributions like this do more than provide materials. They give students opportunities to build practical skills, explore their creativity, and feel the satisfaction of creating something with their own hands. We are fortunate to have businesses that recognize the importance of investing in our young people and the value of hands-on education.
**Thank you, Custom Wood Products, for investing in our students and helping our Chargers build something great!**
#ChargerPride #USD329 #CommunityPartners #HandsOnLearning
Join us Tuesday, October 27th for a pep assembly in the gym to send our State Girls Cross Country and Volleyball Teams to state! We will also recognize our state tennis team that competed.
Also, a reminder of the WJH/WHS choir and band concert at 7:00 on Tuesday!
