Monday, April 30, 2012

Bancroft-Rosalie golfers win the conference

In their first year competing at the Lewis and Clark Conference golf tournament, Coach Brook Darnell and the Bancroft-Rosalie Panthers took home first place.

Individual medalists were Preston Peters- 1st place, Auston Darnell- 4th place, and Brady Petersen- 8th place.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Lewis and Clark Conference votes to add four teams in 2013

The Lewis and Clark Conference executive board voted to allow four schools to enter the conference beginning in the 2013-14 school year. The schools are Randolph, Laurel-Coleridge, Plainview and Creighton. Atkinson West Holt also requested admission by the request was voted down 0-12. The reason we did not support West Holt was due to distance.

The conference athletic directors will meet before the end of the year to make decisions on conference divisions and tournament formats. The following school are currently in the Lewis and Clark:
Allen
Bancroft-Rosalie
Bloomfield
Emerson-Hubbard
Hartington
Homer
Newcastle (sharing sports with Ponca starting this coming Fall)
Osmond
Ponca
Wakefield
Walthill
Wausa
Winnebago
Winside
Wynot

Added school:
Creighton
Laurel-Coleridge
Plainview
Randolph

This will be a 19 team conference in 2013-14, 18 teams competing in sports.

Sports article on Eric Browning

Reprinted from Lincoln Journal-Star. Steve Suhr initiated contact with the LJS for this article.

Eric Browning is producing some eye-popping numbers for the TC Thunder.
The senior pitcher has struck out 57 batters in 23 1/3 innings with a 1.20 earned-run average and 3-1 record. Opponents' batting average against him? A measly .090.
"He's an overpowering pitcher and throws pretty hard for this level," TC Thunder coach Clay Haymart said. "I've never had a gun on him, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was in the high 80s (mph) and even the low 90s when he comes into full form in the summer."
Browning is a senior at Bancroft-Rosalie, which is in the cooperative sponsorship with Pender and West Point-Beemer, all towns in Thurston and Cuming counties, thus the TC Thunder name. He signed with Wayne State to play baseball.
"He's become more accurate as the season has gone on. He's only walked four batters in his last three appearances," Haymart said. "He was a little wild early on.


"I think pitching in Nebraska weather, everyone goes through a period of not being able to hit the strike zone."
Browning hurled a no-hitter against Guardian Angels Central Catholic/Dodge/Scribner-Snyder in the Platte Valley Tournament earlier this spring.
"He's real confident with his stuff and has been successful for a long time," Haymart said. "Last year, Pender was Class C runner-up in the senior Legion season. And the year before, the junior team was the runner-up. So he has experience being in competitive ball games. He knows how to win."
Browning, who will play for the East team in the Eight-Man All-Star football game June 16, rushed for 823 yards for Bancroft-Rosalie with 14 touchdowns. He also recorded 85 tackles with one interception, and had 36 of his 44 kickoffs go for touchbacks as the Panthers kicker.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Distrtict Baseball Schedule

 Listed below are proposed game times for the B-1 District Baseball Tournament hosted by Norris High School.

Game 1: Friday, May 4 - 6:00 p.m. - #4 Arlington vs. #5 Plattsmouth
Game 2: Saturday, May 5 - 1:00 p.m. - Winner of game 1 vs. #1 Norris
Game 3: Saturday, May 5 - 3:30 p.m. - #2 Bancroft Rosalie/Pender/West Point - Beemer vs #3 Ralston
Game 4: Monday, May 7 - 6:00 - Championship Game

Monday, April 23, 2012

NeSA Reading testing results

Bancroft-Rosalie School completed the NeSA reading assessments today. There are three students absent that will need to take their second test session tomorrow. The cut scores (number of right answers to be proficient) have not been set for this year yet, so I am using last year's cut scores to judge our results. The cut scores will not change much from year to year.

Based on last year's cut scores, here are the reading results for each grade-

Grade 3     15/18     83%
Grade 4     17/24     71%
Grade 5     11/18     61%
Grade 6     17/24     71%
Grade 7     16/18     89%   Three students left to test
Grade 8     13/19     68%
Grade 11   12/14     86%
I am happy with the results, especially the 3rd and 11th grades.

The  state has set the following percentages as the minimum levels for schools to make Annual Yearly Progress (AYP):
Elementary     78%
Middle School     80%
High School     79%

These percentages have to be met for each grade level, and also for males/females, special education, free and reduced lunch, and ethnicity.

It will be difficult for schools to met AYP percentages for all of these groups.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Cuming County Economic Development News

The Cuming County Economic Development Board met Tuesday night and voted to recommend to the Cuming County Board of Supervisors to extend the current interlocal agreement between the four communities in Cuming County for another three years.

The cost to each community will be $5000, with the county paying the remaining amount. Businesses have agreed to help pay part of the Bancroft contribution because of the current financial situation.

The CCED Board also voted to have a lawyer put together an application for 501c3 Non-profit status.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Kindergarten Round-up tonight

The Bancroft-Rosalie Community School Kindergarten Round-up for the next year’s class will be Monday, April 16, 2012 at 6:00 pm in the Bancroft-Rosalie old gym. You may enter the school from the main doorway.

Kindergarten is open to all students who will be 5 years old on or before August 1, 2012. Parents are encouraged, but not required, to bring eligible children to Round-up activities.

We need the following on file in the school office:
1. A completed “Application for Student Admission” form.
2. Your child’s birth certificate. (Requirement by State Law)
3. An up to date “Immunization Record” card. (Requirement by State Law)
4. A completed physical examination and vision screening.

Students attending the Bancroft-Rosalie Pre-school should already have these on file. We need to update our files if new immunizations were completed during the past year.

New students should bring the forms to round-up.

Students living in the B-R school district may participate in Kindergarten Round-up even though their parents may not be planning to have them start school next fall or may be sending them to a different school.

Please feel free to call the school if you have any questions about Round-up activities, Bancroft-Rosalie School Office. 648-3336

Jess Tietz selected for All-star game

The Nebraska Coaches Association has selected Jessica Tietz to the Red team for the Nebraska Coaches All-star game. The game will be played July 23 at Lincoln North Star.

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Nebraska School Activities Association Representative Assembly

The NSAA representative Assembly met Friday April 13 at 9:00 am at the NSAA office in Lincoln. I serve on the NSAA District III managing committee which also means I represent the district at rep. assembly.

There were only three issues to vote on this year.
Proposal 1A establishes Classification Caucus Committees. Each classification of schools (A,B,C,D) shall form a caucus which meets each year to initiate proposals to the NSAA that deal with issues that only impact schools in their classification. This means that B-R will attend a caucus with other class D schools to develop proposals for class D schools. The proposals will be screened by a Classification Caucus Review Committee and either approve, disapprove, or submit the proposal by to the caucus with recommendations.

I am interested to see how this works next year.

Proposal IIA allows the use of hand held dummies at football practices when the no-contact rule between bodies is in effect. This should improve player safety during no-pad football practices.

Proposal IIB allows the use of hand held dummies during summer camps and clinics. Again, this will improve player safety.

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Pledge of Allegiance

The Nebraska State Board of Education voted unanimously (8-0) Friday to direct the Commissioner of Education to establish a hearing date to amend Rule 10 (the regulations and procedures for accreditation of schools) regarding the pledge of allegiance in schools.
The amendment shall read:
Each public school district shall require each such district's schools to establish a period of time during the school day, when a majority of pupils is scheduled to be present, during which time pupils will be led in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in the presence of the flag of the United States of America, in grades kindergarten through twelve. Pupil participation in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance shall be voluntary. Pupils not participating in the recitation of the Pledge shall be permitted to silently stand or remain seated but shall be required to respect the rights of those pupils electing to participate.

I believe that this amendment will be enacted after the hearing process is concluded. Next year B-R will have to make sure there is a proper United States flag in every classroom and have the pledge throughout the school, led by a reader reciting the pledge over the intercom system.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Lewis and Clark Conference Calendar 2012-13

31st NEIHARDT CONFERENCE FOCUS ON HISTORICAL EVENTS

The Neihardt Foundation offers another excellent conference on Saturday, April 28th at the Neihardt State Historic Site in Bancroft, Nebraska. This year’s theme is “Neihardt’s World: 1900-1948” examining what was going on in Nebraska and the world during the poet’s most prolific writing years. Each of the participating scholars has a tremendous wealth of knowledge on their chosen topic. Neihardt’s father left to serve in the Spanish-American War and never returned to the family. Thomas Thiessen, National Park Service archeologist, will address Nebraska’s role in providing troops and horses for that conflict. The political stance of Populism was created in Nebraska, and one of the most ardent supporters was George Norris. Former senator David Landis will speak about Norris and his impact on the politics and economics of the State. Native tribes were undergoing many changes prior to World War II, including those precipitated by the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 and the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934. Sam Deloria, a Standing Rock Lakota and Director of the American Indian Graduate Center, will look at the far-reaching and long-lasting effects of that legislation. In the 30s and 40s, decisions were also made about the Missouri River which would have tremendous impact on Nebraska’s history and even current issues. Robert Schneiders, author and river systems environmentalist will speak on the Army Corps of Engineers and its battle to control the great river.
Conference moderator is Charles Trimble, Oglala Lakota businessman and historian from Omaha. Registration can be made by mail, phone, or e-mail. Cost is $20 per person and $15 for students. Lunch reservations at $8 must be made by April 25th. The conference day begins at 8:30 am, first presentation at 9:00 am and ends at 4:30 pm. Lunch will be served at the Country Pub, 409 Main Street. Presenters’ books will be available for sale and signing. Funding has been provided by the Neihardt Foundation, Nebraska Humanities Council, and Wayne State College School of Arts and Humanities. To register, call 402-648-3388 or toll free 1-888-777-4667; by mail: PO Box 344, Bancroft NE 68004; by e-mail at Neihardt@gpcom.net ; or through the website at www.neihardtcenter.org . The Neihardt State Historic Site is located at 306 West Elm Street, Bancroft and is a branch museum of the Nebraska Historical Society.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

NeSA Reading Tests begin today

Today and tomorrow the NeSA tests will be given to students in Mrs. Zwygart and Mrs. Elsassers classes. Next week, Tuesday-Friday,NeSA reading will be given to the students in Mrs. Brummond, Mrs. Wegner, Mrs English and Mrs. James classes.

Make sure students get plenty of rest and plenty of encouragement to do their best.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

School Board meeting summary

The Bancroft-Rosalie Board of Education met Monday, April 9, 2012 at 7:30 pm in Bancroft.
Superintendent Cerny reported on transportation, the External Visitation Report, Annual Yearly Progress and Board policy 126.2.

In new business the board approved six teachers and six paras for K-11 summer school in July and August and reviewed the Special Education and Title I programs. The board also accepted the resignations of Bruce Smith, Jason Smith, Tara English and Ashley Bessmer, and approved up to $400 for the annual recognition luncheon and awards.

In other new business the board set the last day of school for May 16, purchased basketball uniforms for the boys and girls varsity teams, and offered Matt Kai the head custodian position.

The board went into executive session to discuss evaluation and hiring of classified staff and evaluation and hiring of coaches and sponsors. Following executive session the board voted to approve wages and benefits for classified staff as recommended by Dr. Cerny and to approve the activity sponsors as recommended by Mr. Sjuts.

Saturday, April 7, 2012

B-R Powerdrive wins Cuming County Open

The E21 car won the exhibition class at the Cuming County Open Saturday morning in West Point. Morgan Smith drove the car the entire race. It was the first win for B-R at their home racetrack.

West Point to host 5th-6th grade track meet


Thursday, April 5, 2012

Updated April School Board meeting agenda

The Speech-Language position will be on the May agenda.

Bancroft-Rosalie Community School
Regular Board of Education Meeting Agenda
Monday, April 9, 2012 --- 7:30 pm in Bancroft

1. Call to Order
2. Open Meetings Act
3. Roll Call
4. Read and approve the minutes of the March 12, 2012 Regular Board meeting.

5. Treasurer’s Report
A. Approve the Bills
B. Financial Review

6. Review Agenda
7. Public Hearing

8. Administrator’s Reports:
A. Superintendent’s Report
B. Principal’s Report
C. Athletic Director’s Report

9. Old Business:
A.

10. New Business:
A. Approve Summer School program for 2012
B. Annual review of Title I and Special Education
C. Set amount for annual recognition luncheon and awards.
D. Set the last student day of school for May 16.
E. Approve purchase of 65 passenger bus.
F. Accept resignations of Bruce Smith, Ashley Bessmer, Jason Smith, and
Tara English.
G. Offer contract for head custodian position
H. Evaluation and hiring of classified staff
I. Annual review of extra-curricular activities- Evaluation and hiring of coaches
and sponsors.


11. Discussion Items.
A.

12. Executive Session- Classified Staff; Coaches and sponsors.
13. Future Planning- Next scheduled meeting- Monday, May 14, 2012 in Bancroft.
13. Adjournment.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Identifying Effective Teachers Using Performance on the Job

In April 2006 the Hamilton Project issued a report entitled "Identifying Effective Teachers Using Performance on the Job." This report has been cited by education reformers across the country as a guide for improving student achievement in America's Public Schools.
The report offered five recommendations-

1. Reduce the Barriers to Entry into Teaching for Those Without Traditional Teacher Certification.

2. Make It Harder to Promote the Least Effective Teachers to Tenured Positions.

3. Provide Bonuses to Highly Effective Teachers Willing to Teach in Schools with a High Proportion of Low-Income Students

4. Evaluate Individual Teachers Using Various Measures of Teacher Performance on the Job

5. Develop Data Systems to Link Student Performance with the Effectiveness of Individual Teachers over Time

These ideas have been have been embraced by people at the federal Department of Education and are part of the criteria in The Race To The Top state competitive grant program (which Nebraska applied for but did not meet). If states want the federal dollars, they will have to do these things.

Eventually Nebraska will adopt some of the concepts brought out in this report. The Nebraska Department of Education has employed to consultants to develop a model teacher and principal evaluation system that will be piloted across the state in 2013-14, so they are addressing recommendation #4. Nebraska also has the ability to link students with their teachers (recommendation #5).

This is where education is heading in this country, like it or not.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

TOM MAY AND BOBBY BRIDGER TOGETHER IN A SPECIAL AFTERNOON OF FOLK MUSIC SUNDAY, APRIL 15th 2:00 PM

PRESS RELEASE: Nancy Gillis, John G. Neihardt State Historic Site

On Sunday, April 15th, a special Sunday Afternoon at the Museum program will join the exceptional talents of world renowned and acclaimed folksingers Tom May and Bobby Bridger for a dual program at 2:00 pm at the Neihardt State Historic Site in Bancroft, NE. It has been a couple of years since either of these fine performers has graced the Neihardt Center stage and more than a decade since they have performed together at any event. Both have always been staunch supporters of all things Neihardt; often garnering inspiration from his early works.
Tom May, creator and host of River City Folk radio and television programs, is a singer, songwriter, and author originally from western Nebraska, who toured with Gordon Lightfoot and has headlined a special series of concerts with the Omaha Symphony Orchestra. His fine baritone voice is supported by twelve string guitar, and occasionally an Irish pennywhistle harkens back to the time period settings of many of his songs. He is the author of Promoting Your Music: The Lovin’ of the Game. Check out his website at www.tommayfolk.com.
Bobby Bridger is a singer, songwriter and author who also is an actor, playwright, and painter. Bridger has traveled the world performing a trilogy of one man shows. He is artist in residence at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, WY, the Neihardt Center, and Yellowstone National Park and has authored Buffalo Bill and Sitting Bull: Inventing the Wild West, and A Ballad of the West, and is the subject of the documentary film “Quest of An Epic Balladeer.” Check out his website at www.bbridger.com.
The program is free and open to the public. A reception will be held after the program and performer CDs will be available for sale and signing. This program is sponsored in part by the Nebraska Arts Council, promoting all the arts across the state and the region.

Sunday, April 1, 2012