Originally delivered on 3/6/2026 3:00 pm

SUBJECT: March 2026 Newsletter

March 6, 2026
Hello! From the PTA President

March is here and is shaping up to be an exciting and fun month at Trailwood!  Spring is hopefully here to stay and this last part of the year is such a busy time.  So many fun events just around the corner!  

We would like to extend a big thank you to everyone who contributed to the Roaring 20s Auction last weekend!  Whether you bid on and/or purchased an item, attended, volunteered, donated, or spread the word, you helped make the night a great success for our school.  The funds raised will help us continue to provide our students and staff with amazing opportunities at Trailwood.  THANK YOU for your INCREDIBLE generosity!

I would like to invite you to attend our next General PTA Meeting on Thursday, March 12th after drop-off in the band room.  Childcare will be provided.  Come hear about all of the spring activities and ways that you can be involved.


Kindly,

Cher

Important Dates

March 2-6: Social Worker’s Week

March 5: Flight Time/6th and 7th Grade Orchestra at IWMS

March 6: 3rd Grade Steamboat Arabia

March 9: 5th Grade Colonial America Live Action Museum

March 12: Flight Time

March 13: General PTA Meeting

March 13: No School-End of 3rd Quarter

March 16-20: No School-Spring Break

March 26: Flight Time

March 26: Dining Partner Betty Rae’s 5p-9p

March 31: Legislative Meeting at Indian Woods Cafeteria 7-8p

April 2: Open House/5th Grade School of Economics

April 9: Last flight time/Shrek Musical

April 14: General PTA Meeting-moved to Tuesday

April 16: Pre-K and Kindergarten Round-Up

April 17: No School

April 24: LAST Skate Party


What a roaring success! ✨


Thanks to the incredible generosity and spirit of our Trailwood community, this year’s Roaring 20s–themed school auction was truly a night to remember. From the lively bidding to the great music, dancing, and camaraderie, it was an evening filled with fun, connection, and support for our school.

Because of our amazing families, sponsors, and supporters, the event raised a gross total of $70,371 through ticket sales, sponsorships, our silent and live auctions and more. Your enthusiasm and generosity helped make the night such a spectacular success.

Your contributions fund more than 50 programs that enrich the educational experience of our students and support our dedicated staff. Your support of this year's event means that cultural art programs, school field trips, community events and enhanced learning experiences will be provided to each student in the Trailwood Community! Additionally, teacher stipends allow teacher to purchase materials that guarantee that learning is hands on, engaging and relevant to the world outside the classroom.

A special round of applause goes to our generous sponsors, donors, and the incredible volunteers and auction committee members who spent months planning and preparing to make the evening unforgettable. Your dedication and hard work helped bring the spirit of the Roaring 20s to life for our Trailwood families.

We were able to raise $4,085 for Fund-A-Need programs!

This more than doubled our goal! Our specials teachers will be able to fund the items they need for optimal learning and fun for all of our students! THANK YOU!

Thank you for helping us raise a glass, celebrate together, and make a meaningful impact for our students. We are so grateful for such a wonderful and supportive community!


Jennifer Clipp

Ways and Means 




Legislative Update

On March 5th, the Kansas Senate passed a bill banning cell phones in Kansas schools. The bill will head to Governor Kelly's desk, where she is anticipated to sign it into law. 


The cell phone bill: 

  • Includes a bell-to-bell ban on all personal electronic devices for K-12 students; entirety of the day for all grades

  • Requires personal electronic devices to be "securely stored" and "inaccessible to students" requiring districts to ensure storage equipment for devices; backpacks and student lockers will not suffice. 

Funding Update

The Senate also passed their budget bill by the slimmest of margins (21-19). The bill now includes an increase of $6 million (up from $5M) in special education funding while the current shortfall being covered by districts is $226 million. 

SMSD area Senator Cindy Holscher proposed an amendment that would have resulted in a $24 million increase which would have at least kept funding at current (underfunded) levels. Unfortunately, her amendment failed.

Two other concerning amendments passed:

  • The elimination of a $16 million mental health grant program that supports students. $1 million from these funds was added to SPED.

  • The addition of penalties for school districts that allow student walk-outs without parental consent and if districts fail to enforce attendance laws and discipline for students who participate in a walk-out. The penalty is equal to the superintendent's base contract salary for each day of a walkout.

The House and Senate have now each passed differing budgets. They will likely send members to a Conference Committee where they will attempt to come up with a final budget bill they believe can pass both chambers.

Watch for Alerts or Send a Message Now

Feel free to contact your state level House Representative and Senator and send them a message now.  And come and meet them face-to-face at Trailwood's March 31st Legislative Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at Indian Woods Middle School library.  Reach out to Emily Meissen-Sebelius with any questions! 



Trailwood PTA Hosts Local Legislators on March 31st! 


Ever wondered where our school gets its funding? Curious about a potential new state law regarding cell phones in schools? 

Our Trailwood PTA is inviting you to meet with your local elected officials on March 31st from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at Indian Woods Middle School to talk about these issues and more! We are organizing this meeting, in partnership with Brookwood and John Diemer PTAs, to bring parents together to hear about current funding and laws affecting our schools. We will have plenty of time for questions and to meet your elected officials in a casual, informal setting. 

Hear from 2 state-level representatives, 3 senators, including 2 governor candidates, and our south-area SMSD Board of Education representative/vice-president. Please join us on March 31st! Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions to Emily Sebelius- emsebelius@gmail.com

Parties and Prints still for sale for a limited time!

Don't forget to purchase!! Grade Level Parties, Gals and a Guest, Sons Plus One, Rock of Ages Progressive Dinner (sales end 3/9,) Senoritas and Sangria, and Poker party still for sale! Also don't forget to order your 6th grade and Kindergarten photos.


Instructions to sign up for Auction Frogs to purchase:

"Simply click HERE and follow the prompts to log in (if you attended Trivia Night last year or Auction this year), or create a new account (if you’re new to Auction Frogs)

Please confirm your contact information and payment method are up to date."

Reach out to Cher Brownback with questions!

Room Parent Info

Thank you to all of our amazing room parents for throwing yet another great party for our kids this Valentine's Day! We appreciate all of your time and hard work to make those parties happen! 

Thank you, Wingmen!

Trailwood dads and father-figures, there are still plenty of opportunities for you to volunteer as a Wingman! You don't want to miss out!


Please consider taking a half-day or full-day out of your busy schedules and spending some time at Trailwood as a Wingman! This is a great opportunity to interact with the kids and see what they do every day!


For a list of available dates in March, April and May, and to sign up, please visit: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090944A8A82EA7FF2-58504890-trailwood#/.


Let's give a big THANK YOU to these dads who volunteered during the month of February!


Andrew Friscia

Mike Burns

Matthew Eberle

Ryan Lund

2026 Annual Flower and Plant Sale

Our annual PTA Flower and Plant Sale is open! Click here to shop a wide range of premium-quality bedding plants and flowers, including annuals, perennials, and tomatoes, as well as beautiful mixed pots and hanging baskets for both sun and shade. 


  1. Order now through March 27th at TrailwoodPTA.com
  2. We'll email you near the end of April to sign up for a time slot to pick up your order.
  3. May 8th - Pick up your plants and flowers here at Trailwood!


Go to TrailwoodPTA.com to order today! Please direct any questions to Christina Geiger.

🔥 BEFORE THE MADNESS… LET THERE BE GLADNESS. 🔥

Kansas City, it’s time.

March Gladness 2026 is officially underway — a month-long celebration of the power of sports to shape young lives, culminating in the Do Like Duke 3v3 Basketball Tournament on Saturday, March 28, at Homefield Athletic Complex.

This isn’t just another tournament.

It’s:
• Competition with purpose
• Energy with meaning
• A city showing up for kids

We tip it off March 5 with our live “Before the Madness” radio show on Sports Radio 810 WHB, featuring Bill Self and other incredible guests. Then we build momentum all month long — stories, community activations, and real impact.

🏀 Grades 2–12
🏀 Teams or Individuals (Free Agents Welcome)
🏀 3 Games Guaranteed
🏀 Live DJ, Skill Challenges, Prizes
🏀 Ballers Breakfast + Opening Ceremony

Every dollar raised supports #Ready2Play Camps & Clinics, removing financial barriers so more kids can access sports, mentors, and opportunity.

Sports build confidence.
Sports build connection.
Sports build character.

This is where the city shows up for kids.

Register now:
👉 sharewavesfoundation.org/marchgladness 

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