
Thursday, July 16, 2026
Contact: Ashley Razak, Director of Communications
Phone: 913.667.8170
Bonner Springs/Edwardsville USD 204 Deploys ZeroEyes AI Gun Detection and Intelligent Situational Awareness Technology
PHILADELPHIA, July 16, 2026 -- ZeroEyes, the creators of the first AI-based gun detection video analytics platform to earn the full US Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act Designation, today announced that its AI gun detection and intelligent situational awareness platform has been deployed by the Bonner Springs/Edwardsville Kansas School District to protect students and faculty against gun-related violence.
USD 204 serves more than 2,400 Pre-K–12th grade students with 455 staff members across a network of schools in the suburban communities of Kansas City, Bonner Springs, and Edwardsville, including one high school, one middle school, three elementary schools, and two pre-K buildings. ZeroEyes complements the district’s multilayered security plan, which also includes school resource officers (SROs), secured entrances, and close, ongoing collaboration with local law enforcement agencies across all three communities. The district secured funding through the Kansas Safe and Secure Firearm Detection Grant Program, administered by the Office of the Kansas Attorney General, to purchase and implement ZeroEyes.
“Ensuring the safety of our students and staff is at the core of everything we do,” said Lisa Terrell, Director of the Education Foundation & Counseling Services. “The deployment of ZeroEyes is a natural extension of our district’s proactive, layered approach to security, enhancing the strong foundation we’ve built through trusted partnerships with local law enforcement, secure facilities, and dedicated personnel.”
Read more: https://aptg.co/_JbbLZ


Returning student online enrollment is NOW OPEN!
Access the form by logging into Skyward Q and clicking on the Returning Family Registration 2026-27 “tile” as circled in red in the attached image. If you have trouble logging in, please contact our USD 204 District Office at 913.422.5600 to resolve any issues.
To submit the enrollment form, you will need proof of residency. A water, gas, or electric bill (PDF or image) is required for form submission. (The water, gas, or electric bill will need to include the legal parent/guardian’s name and address in the image or PDF.)
This year’s enrollment form can also be filled out on a phone or tablet using the Skyward Mobile Access app! Please note that students must be enrolled in Skyward Q in order to see their teacher or view their class schedule before the start of school.
While in Skyward Q, you can fill out the online application for free and reduced-price school meals, and please make sure that you sign the "Consent for Disclosure" on the last step if you wish for discounts to be considered for school fees, as well.
The first day of school this year is August 13th! Schedules/teachers will be posted on August 11th at 3:00 p.m. on Family and Student Access.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the District Office until office staff returns to the school buildings on July 27th.

From building strength and speed to improving endurance and discipline, these athletes are committed to becoming the best versions of themselves in the off season.
We are proud of the dedication and positive attitude these students bring each day and grateful for the dedication of our coaches to continue this program throughout the summer!





Labor Day: 4-day weekend (Sept. 5 - Sept. 8)
Fall Break: 5-day opportunity (Oct. 14* - Oct. 18)
Thanksgiving Break: 9-day opportunity (Nov. 21 - Nov. 29)
Winter Break: 18-day opportunity (Dec. 18 - Jan. 4)
MLK Day Weekend: 3-day weekend (Jan. 16 - Jan. 18)
President's Day Weekend: 3-day weekend (Feb. 13 - Feb. 15)
Spring Break: 10-day opportunity (March 12* - March 21)
PD Break: 4-day weekend (March 26 - March 29)
April 30: 3-day weekend (April 30 - May 2)
*Denotes P/T Conference dates - we encourage you to schedule a time to meet with your child's teachers if you cannot attend on Oct. 14-15 or March 12.
By traveling during these designated days off, your child won’t miss important classroom instruction. Let’s work together to reduce absences and to prepare today's learners for tomorrow's opportunities!

Pick yours up this summer in the BSHS Office between Mondays - Thursdays from 6 a.m. - 4 p.m.! Call first to confirm we have yours - 913.667.8150!

Join us this afternoon for the Students vs. Staff Softball Game fundraiser that will be held TODAY, May 13th at 3:30 p.m.!
$5 entry for BSHS baseball and softball teams! Concessions will be available!

https://bonnerspringsedusdks.sites.thrillshare.com/documents/about-us/boe/board-beat/25298948

Share the joy of graduation! The graduation ceremony on Tuesday, May 12th will be livestreamed for those that cannot attend in-person. The livestream can be found at bravesbroadcast.live In addition, Wagner Photography will be there to capture graduate portraits. You can view and purchase photos at wagnerportraitgroup.com/graduations
We can't wait to celebrate will you. See you there!

Congratulations to Chasitee Sambol - Valedictorian:
Chasitee Sambol plans to attend college, where she will continue her athletic career in basketball, though she is still undecided on her specific path. Throughout high school, she has been actively involved in volleyball, basketball, track and field, National Honor Society, Orange Crush, Diversity, KAY Club, Prom Committee, and the Superintendent’s Advisory Council.
Reflecting on her journey, Chasitee shares, “I want to thank my family, of course, Madilock, and myself for keeping my expectations high.”

Can you believe Graduation is almost here? As we near the end of the year, we wanted to share lots of important information with you! Attached you will find the following...
- Important dates/events with information about Senior finals, Senior events, Graduation Rehearsal, Graduation, etc.
- "Know Before You Go" document from Sporting KC park, including venue rules and parking information
In addition, Wagner Photography will be at graduation to take Senior portraits. Following the event, you can purchase photos by going to wagnerportraitgroup.com Also, graduation will be livestreamed at bravesbroadcast.live that evening for anyone that cannot attend in-person.
Please review this information and reach out with any questions. We are so excited to celebrate this moment with our Seniors and their families!





If you haven’t yet purchased a yearbook from your student’s freshman, sophomore, or junior year, good news—limited copies are still available! This is a great opportunity to complete your collection and hold onto those special high school memories.
Please see the graphic for details on availability and how to purchase.

During the evening:
67 seniors were recognized for having a GPA of 3.5+
8 were recognized as valedictorians, 1 as salutatorian
40 local scholarships were given out to 102 students
3 students committed to the US Military
16 students were named for the Braves Activity Award
5 special scholarships were awarded
3 students who scored 30+ on the ACT were recognized
Addison Vogel and Kelan Gruver were recognized as our Athletes of the Year
Braelyn Morris was recognized as the KSHSAA Citizenship Award winner, and
Cora Dow was awarded an official appointment to the US Air Force Academy (for which she received a standing ovation from the audience!)
Congratulations to our entire Class of 2026! We are so proud of you all!







Congratulations to Valedictorians:
Sophia Schwartzkopf
Margaret Haigh
Karbe Barber
Addyson Thompson
Addison Vogel
Cora Dow
Chasitee Sambol and
Victoria Timmons
And congrats to the Class of 2026 Salutatorian:
Braelyn Morris
Congratulations to:
Cherish Gonzaga
Sophia Schwartzkopf
Eric Peterson

Congratulations to our BSHS student athletes doing activities and playing sports at the next level! This afternoon, they signed letters of intent committing themselves to next year:
Reyna Dunn - vocal music at KCKCC
Natalie Stoway - vocal music at KCKCC
Amaya Burris - basketball at KCKCC
Nya Anderson - basketball at Iowa Central Community College
Chasitee Sambol - basketball at Johnson County Community College
Isabella Gonzalez - volleyball at Framingham State University
Lane Vogel - wrestling at University of Saint Mary
Devan Fleischer - football at Garden City CC
Allison Campbell - powerlifting at MidAmerica Nazarene University
Braedyn Wells - cross country at McPherson College
Keira and Kelcey Bayles - cross country at Baker University
Addyson Thompson - track & field at University of Wisconsin - Parkside
Emily Morton - track & field at Fort Scott Community College
Addison Vogel - track & field at St. Cloud State University
Way to go!
#204BravesPride
Need help buying food for your children when school is out for summer?
Learn how the Kansas SUN Bucks program can help you!
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.
Applications are now being accepted for SUN Bucks benefits for summer 2026. Benefits will not be issued until summer 2026. Some households may be automatically eligible and will receive a letter from DCF after January 2026 regarding SUN Bucks eligibility. Other households can create a DCF Self-Service Portal account or use your existing login to apply before 5 p.m. on August 31, 2026.

If you don't know which preschool your child will attend, check out our Preschool Information page on our website: https://www.usd204.net/page/204pre-k or call one of our schools at:
USD 204 PRESCHOOL - 913-441-2126
Tuition-based preschool hosted at DRE
PRESCHOOL AT MCDANIELD - 913-422-7970
No-fee preschool
PRESCHOOL AT HEAD START - 913-441-2828
No-fee preschool
Join us on Thursday, April 16th to learn about the preschool program at the building your child will attend! Bring your student to visit the classrooms and meet the staff!
We hope to see you there!

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.”

