Please help us welcome Hunter Hempen, the newest face in our Phoenix family!
Hunter is passionate about creating a bus system that is safer, more efficient, and stronger for students, families, and staff!
We’re excited to have him on board, and we know he’ll make a positive impact on our district.
Welcome to the Phoenix family, Hunter!
🔥🚌 #WeAre409 #PhoenixPride

Bell bottoms, high socks, and full-court hustle! 💛
Today we’re throwing it back to the 1976 Girls Basketball Team — a group of fierce competitors!
Long before social media highlights and digital scoreboards, these athletes brought grit, teamwork, and school pride to the hardwood. Their legacy? Still going strong today. 💪
If you recognize someone in this photo, tag them below! Let’s celebrate these women! 🏀🔥
#TBT #GirlsBasketball #SchoolPride #WeAre409



This past Thursday we had our Career Speaker Fair for Freshmen and Sophomores. Students were able to hear from 3 different Career Speakers. This goes along with our Individual Plans of Study. Students were able to explore possible career paths. Thank you again to members of the community that came and spoke to students about potential careers. #WeAre409

Join us for our next "Two Cent Tuesday" tomorrow in the Board Office Community Room! #WeAre409

Join us for our next "Two Cent Tuesday" next Tuesday at the Board Office Community Room! #WeAre409

At Monday's Board Meeting Misti Wilson was recognized as an exceptional educator and a vital part of the AES team. As an interventionist, she provides intentional, high-quality support that makes a real difference for both students and teachers. She goes above and beyond to learn new initiatives and ensure staff feel confident and prepared—especially with Literacy Task requirements.
In addition, Misti serves as our district’s ELL teacher, supporting multilingual learners with expertise and compassion while collaborating with staff across buildings. Her leadership and dedication make her an incredible asset to our school community! 💛❤️ #WeAre409


Congratulations to our AMS Soar Winners!! #WeAre409

This week's AES Phoenix Feather winner is Amora Smith from Miss Miller's second grade class!
Thank you, Daylight Donuts, for partnering with us in this special recognition for our students!
#WeAre409

Congratulations to Mr. Clardy's Super Star Attendance Winners of the Week at AHS! #WeAre409

We always love when our schools have their book fairs!! #WeAre409

Tuesday and Thursday this week are Spring Parent/Teacher Conferences from 3:30-7:00 pm. #WeAre409

Congratulations to our Royal Courts King and Queen, Nae'Onna Sanders and Keyantroi Heyward! They were recognized Friday during half-time of the boy's basketball game!! #WeAre409

Congratulations to the 2026 Royal Courts Royalty,
Kelsey Rebant, Nae'Onna Sanders, Gracie Noll, Ivorianna Jolly, and Adriana Delgado,
Kael Williams, Keyantroi Heyward, Finnan Patterson, Jackson Snowden, and Michael Fuhrman.
The King and Queen will be crowned at halftime of the Boys' Basketball Game this Friday.
Good luck to all of you!
#WeAre409
Thank you to each and every board member in our district and those across Kansas! Our Kindergarteners want to leave you with some final thoughts as we close our School Board Appreciation Month! #thankboe #WeAre409
https://youtu.be/u7kvBJq88VE
https://youtu.be/u7kvBJq88VE
Our very own Jedd Casey auditioned and made the All-State Band as First Chair Euphonium! An Atchison High School Student has held this chair for the last 3 years. We are so proud of Jedd and his accomplishments. He will be headed to Wichita in February! #WeAre409

We are in the final stretch of January's Board Appreciation Month! Take a minute to find out why Doug Tschauder ran for the USD 409 School Board!
#boaardappreciationmonth #WeAre409
#boaardappreciationmonth #WeAre409

Dear Phoenix Families and Staff,
Due to extremely low temperatures and dangerous wind chill values, USD 409 schools will be closed on Monday, January 26th, to ensure the safety of our students and staff. All district offices and buildings will be closed.
The forecasted conditions present a significant risk for frostbite and other cold-related concerns, particularly during transportation and outdoor exposure. After careful review, this decision was made with student safety as our top priority. There will be no school activities to include before, during, or after school practices tomorrow. At this point, athletic games for basketball and bowling are still scheduled, and your coach will follow up with more specific information.
All maintenance and facility staff, please report by 8:00 a.m., and we are so very thankful for these employees making sure our buildings and parking lots will be ready for us on Tuesday morning. All other school staff, including classified staff, certified, and administrative staff, are not required to report. We will continue to monitor weather conditions and communicate any additional updates as needed.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support. Please stay safe and warm.
Sincerely,
Laura Batson
USD 409
Due to extremely low temperatures and dangerous wind chill values, USD 409 schools will be closed on Monday, January 26th, to ensure the safety of our students and staff. All district offices and buildings will be closed.
The forecasted conditions present a significant risk for frostbite and other cold-related concerns, particularly during transportation and outdoor exposure. After careful review, this decision was made with student safety as our top priority. There will be no school activities to include before, during, or after school practices tomorrow. At this point, athletic games for basketball and bowling are still scheduled, and your coach will follow up with more specific information.
All maintenance and facility staff, please report by 8:00 a.m., and we are so very thankful for these employees making sure our buildings and parking lots will be ready for us on Tuesday morning. All other school staff, including classified staff, certified, and administrative staff, are not required to report. We will continue to monitor weather conditions and communicate any additional updates as needed.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support. Please stay safe and warm.
Sincerely,
Laura Batson
USD 409

Great showing this weekend at the Tonganoxie Tournament!! Girls took home 3rd place and our boys took 1st! Congratulations s to both teams!! #WeAre409


Dear Phoenix Families and Staff,
Due to forecasted extremely low temperatures and dangerous wind chill values, USD 409 schools will be closed on Friday, January 23, 2026, to ensure the safety of our students and staff.
The forecasted conditions pose a significant risk of frostbite and other cold-related injuries, particularly during transportation and outdoor exposure. After careful review, this decision was made with student safety as our top priority.
The only USD 409 staff expected to report for duty are the custodial and maintenance staff, who should report to their designated location at 8:00 am to prepare our buildings for the winter weather. We will continue to monitor weather conditions and communicate any additional updates as needed for next week.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support. Please stay healthy, safe, and warm.
Phoenix Proud!
https://youtu.be/fYHPUvrnCYk
Sincerely,
Laura Batson
USD 409
--
Due to forecasted extremely low temperatures and dangerous wind chill values, USD 409 schools will be closed on Friday, January 23, 2026, to ensure the safety of our students and staff.
The forecasted conditions pose a significant risk of frostbite and other cold-related injuries, particularly during transportation and outdoor exposure. After careful review, this decision was made with student safety as our top priority.
The only USD 409 staff expected to report for duty are the custodial and maintenance staff, who should report to their designated location at 8:00 am to prepare our buildings for the winter weather. We will continue to monitor weather conditions and communicate any additional updates as needed for next week.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support. Please stay healthy, safe, and warm.
Phoenix Proud!
https://youtu.be/fYHPUvrnCYk
Sincerely,
Laura Batson
USD 409
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Thank you, Brandi Ross, for your commitment to leading and supporting students and staff at USD 409! #WeAre4o9 #thankboe

