INVOLVEMENT MY COMMUNITY
How I Connect With My District
Bobcat Buddies
AT A GLANCE
Ms. Fondaw
Junior NHS Bobcat Buddy
I want to let my Bobcat Buddy know that she should keep her head up because everyone loves her smile
Mr. Rightmore
Junior Life Skills Student
I do like having [Bobcat Buddies] here, having conversations with them, and making new friends with the buddies
Bobcat Buddies is a program that establishes skills both inside and outside of the classroom.
While in the classroom, the buddies with work on assignments together, such as balancing a checkbook or calculating tax on a menu.
Out of the classroom, the buddies with travel together on any field trips, such as going with the group on shopping trips or enjoying the end of year Main Event celebration.
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As a result of this integration, the target students develop social connections and thus opens communication with students that would normally not be in the same classes.
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Student mentoring is not something new to the school community; however, this is the first of its kind that have mentors be emotional and mental companions and lessen the struggles of high school.
Ms. Rosche
Senior NHS Bobcat Buddy
I like being a Bobcat Buddy because my friend group is relatively a small group of people so being able to make friends and be around people I’ve never met before is nice.
Ms. Bensen
Senior NHS Bobcat Buddy
I love being a Bobcat Buddy because it’s fun having new experiences. It teaches me something new and every time I come back, I never experience a dull moment
WATCH OUR VIDEO
VIDEO COURTESY OF THEBOBCATNETWORK
INTEGRATING INTO MY SCHOOL
Bobcat Buddies was originally just a National Honors Society service project opportunity that I started. Little did I know that it would become more than just an easy, simply step.
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Firstly, I met with our Life Skills facilitator to understand the classroom environment. Overwhelming students not accustomed to large groups need to experience a steady influx of social interaction.
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Secondly, I met with our counselors. Since our Life Skill classes were during the school day, Bobcat Buddies would require signed approval to complete classwork out of class.
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Thirdly, Bobcat Buddies and Life Skills students would complete an application. This application was meant to gauge the interests and skills of each student. Bobcat Buddies and Life Skills students that matched in their applications would be paired together.
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For example applications and student-release approval forms, or if you would like any insight, please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns.
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GLSEN OUTREACH
Meet our Gender-Sexuality Alliance; we are the students fighting for equality in and out of our community
OUR GENDER-SEXUALITY ALLIANCE
AT A GLANCE
Anna Freeman
Junior GSA Officer
I want to let my Bobcat Buddy know that she should keep her head up because everyone loves her smile
Zach Palmgren
Sophomore GSA Officer
I like being a Bobcat Buddy because my friend group is relatively a small group of people so being able to make friends and be around people I’ve never met before is nice.
Our mission is to provide each and every student, staff, and community member a place where they can express themselves without feeling the need to publicize who they are.
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Our GSA, while I have been in high school, has changed quite drastically. Starting my freshman year, our GSA was only a small group of students; now, finding enough seats for our meetings is usually a problem I am glad we have.
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We also engage with our community through different national campaigns: Ally Week and Day of Silence. We aim to spread awareness and acceptance past our classroom walls and into the minds of each and every student, staff member, and community member.
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On February 13th, we will be hosting a GSA conference for neighboring GSAs. If interested to learn more details, please contact me. Currently, we are working out the details, so GSAs nearby Kansas City, please stay tuned.
"Students, advisors, and community members meeting together to find ways to make the Basehor community a safe and accepting place for all."
Mattie Bonner
Sophomore GSA Officer
I like being a Bobcat Buddy because my friend group is relatively a small group of people so being able to make friends and be around people I’ve never met before is nice.
Mrs. Bowser
GSA Sponsor
I want to let my Bobcat Buddy know that she should keep her head up because everyone loves her smile
NEWS COVERAGE
GSA Spreads Awareness During Ally Week
“The purpose of the safety pins is to let LGBTQIA+ students know that there are several allies in our building,” said GSA sponsor Tara Bowser. “Statistically, LGBTQIA+ students are bullied more often and feel more alone than other students. A small sign, such as the safety pins, lets them know there are people they can trust and count on to stand up for them in hurtful situations.”
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Along with passing out these safety pins, the GSA will be giving students the opportunity to openly display support by letting students sign a banner that will be hung up for the rest of the year.
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“An ally is an individual who speaks out and stands up for a person or group in the LGBTQ+ community that is targeted and discriminated against. An ally works to end oppression by supporting and advocating for people who are stigmatized, discriminated against or treated unfairly,” said Bowser.
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