Coach Sjuts wins 300th

Coach Mike Sjuts picked up his 300th basketball victory in last Friday night's 60-56 win over Homer.

The milestone wins for basketball are 100, 200, 300 and 400. Coach Sjuts is the second Bancroft-Rosalie basketball coach to reach the 300 win milestone.

Wind Turbine is generating electricity

The computer interface has been connected to the wind turbine and is providing the school data on how much energy is being generated by the wind turbine.

The above dials are a digital image of what is displayed on the computer. We can see wind speed, turbine speed and energy produced by the turbine. This data will be uploaded to the Wind Application Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Texting/Sexting/Facebook assembly for grades 7-12

School attorney Karen Haase will be presenting an assembly to Bancroft-Rosalie 7-12 students on the topic of "Sexting,Texting and Facebook."She will provide students with information on the legal problems that can be associated with these activities. The assembly will be at 10:00 am January 12, 2011.

There will be a morning inservice for B-R staff members at 7:30 am on the same subject.

Pender Public Schools will also host the same workshops that afternoon. Pender Princiapl Kelly Ballinger worked to pull these presentations together for the benefit of students and staff from both schools.

Students will gain an understanding of the dangers of texting and using facebook.

School General Fund Audit information

Here are General Fund figures from the school audit of the 2009-10 school year. The audit was approved by the School Board December 13. Auditors are Morrow, Davies, and Toelle.

GENERAL FUND
A. Sources of Income:
Total Local Property Taxes 1,567,040
Total Motor Vehicle Taxes 101,930
Total Other Local Revenues 7,987
Total County Receipts 24,952
Total State Aid 923,112
Total State Special Education 148,615
Total Other State Receipts 179,203
Total Non-revenue Receipts 4,413
Total Federal Receipts 476,647
Total Receipts 3,433,899

B. Expenditures:
Salaries 1,651,928
Benefits 515,878
Purchased Services and Utilities 353,692
Supplies and Materials 100,543
Furniture and Equipment 59,791
Debt Service 260,760
Other Expenditures 18,917
Transfers 69,000
Federal Programs 312,038
Total Expenditures 3,342,547

C. GENERAL FUND BALANCE
Balance 8-31-09
589,321
Receipts 3,433,899
Disbursements 3,342,547
Cash Balance 8-31-10
680,673

Bancroft-Rosalie Community School Board News

Bancroft-Rosalie Community School Board News

The December meeting of the Bancroft-Rosalie School Board was held Monday, December 13, 2010 at 9:00 p.m. in the school library. Dr. Cerny presented the November transportation report and election results.

In new business the board approved the 2009-10 audit and the 2009-10 annual report. The staff Christmas gathering at the Country Pub was set for Wednesday, December 22. The board approved a cooperative agreement with Pender Public Schools for baseball and golf in 2011. The softball cooperative with Wisner-Pilger for Fall of 2011 and 2012 was discussed, the NSAA paperwork will be completed and placed on the January agenda for approval. The board approved $5,000 for the purchase of 40 new choir robes.

In old business the board reviewed the estimate from Beckenhauer Construction for a four classroom building addition in the amount of $1,338,361. Financing options from D.A. Davidson were discussed. The Board approved an application for Quality School Construction Bonds for the full cost of the project.

All-State Football teams announced

Congratulations to the five Bancroft-Rosalie football players that were recognized for all-state this weekend.

Omaha World Herald All-State
End- Aaron Brown
Punter- Alex Berg
Linebacker- Matt Stansberry
Honorable Mention- Mitchell Hawk and Jalen Flock


Lincoln Journal-Star
Line- Jalen Flock
Athlete- Alex Berg
Linebacker- Matt Stansberry
Honroanle Mention- Aaron Brown

Huskerland Prep report
Running Back- Matt Stansberry
Defensive Line- Mitchell Hawk
Punter- Alex Berg

Suspension policy

The following general rules apply for suspending (expelling) students:

1. A student may only be suspended up to the end of the current semester. Exception, if a student brings a gun to school. Then they must be suspended for two semesters (one year) but no longer than one year. Students have the right to appeal a long term suspension (more than 10 days) to a hearing officer from outside the school system.

2.If the student is a Special Education student, then they can be suspended no more than 10 days. The school must then hold a meeting to discuss the student's Individual Education Plan (IEP) and adjust it if necessary. The school is responsible for providing basic education services to the student according to the IEP. Parents have the right to have input into the IEP, and can appeal if the parent disagrees with the student placement or services provided.

School Board agenda Monday December 13

Bancroft-Rosalie Community School
Regular Board of Education Meeting Agenda
Monday, December 13, 2010 --- 9:00 p.m. in Bancroft

1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call

3. Read and approve the minutes of the November 8, 2010 regular board meeting.

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

5. Review Agenda

6. Public Hearing

7. Administrator’s Reports:
A. Superintendent’s Report
B. Principal’s Report

8. Old Business:
A. Building addition plan and payment options.

B.

9. New Business:

A. Approve the 2009-10 audit.

B. Approve the 2009-10 annual report.

C. Approve amount for staff Christmas (Wednesday Dec. 22 at the Country Pub).

D. Approve golf and baseball cooperative agreements with Pender.

E. Approve purchase of Band uniforms and choir robes.

10. Discussion Items

A.

11. Executive Session.
12. Future Planning- Next meeting- Monday, January 10, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.
13. Adjournment.

Summary of Betterment meeting housing discussion

The Bancroft Betterment has taken on Housing as its priority. In October, representatives from the Northeast Nebraska Department of Economic Development held a community meeting in Bancroft. They suggested that Bancroft talk to Lyons to see how they are dealing with vacant buildings in need of repair.

Ron Daberkow and Alan Steinmeyer were guest speakers at the December Bancroft Betterment meeting Monday.

Ron described the three step process they went through to put their program in place.
Step 1- Adopt a building code
Step 2- Adopt a village ordinance
Step 3- Appoint a Housing administrator, a Building Inspector, and a Health Department representative.
Copies were provided on the Lyons code and ordinances.

The Building inspector is responsible for determining if a building is in need of repairs, based on the building code, and how much the cost of repairs will be. If the repairs will cost less than 50% of the value of the building, then it is yellow tagged. The property owner is notified by certified mail and has 90 days to fix the building.

If the building repairs are greater than 50% of the value of the building, the building is red-tagged. The building becomes a city responsibility and the city pays to tear down the building. There is also an emergency Red Tag if a building becomes damaged due to fire or weather.

Owners have an appeal process.
Step 1- A hearing with the Housing administrator.
Step 2- Appeal the decision to the Village Board
Step 3- Appeal the decision to the courts.

Lyons budgets $10,000 a year for dealing with building in disrepair. They tag 3-4 houses per year. The process can take over 3 years before a building is tore down. Removing a house typically costs $6,000-7,000 to tear down and haul away.

The next step will be to do a housing study in Bancroft. This will include a community survey. Survey information will be used to determine if Bancroft is eligible for any Housing grant programs. Cuming County Economic Developer Garry Clark has been working with Northeast Development on the Housing study.He anticipates having information to share at the January 3 Betterment meeting.

Bancroft is in the Three Rivers Housing District. Three Rivers will put together some information on programs Bancroft may be interested in. This information will be shared at the Bancroft Betterment meeting January 3. Pam Thompson, of Three Rivers, has been invited to attend the February 7 Betterment meeting to talk about the different programs.

Several community members have volunteered to be on a Housing committee to develop a housing action plan to present to the community members and the Village Board. A meeting date for the committee has not been set.

Great Sioux War Geography at Neihardt Site this Sunday

On Sunday, December 12th at 2:00 PM, Paul L. Hedren will present, “Sacred Sites of the Great Sioux War: A Geographer’s Bazaar.” In the program, based on his 1995 book Traveler’s Guide to the Great Sioux War, Hedren takes his audience on an imaginary tour of locations associated with the conflicts of the 1870s. Some are very difficult to see today, and several are indeed sacred places. Hedren is a retired National Park Service superintendent and historian now living in Omaha, Nebraska. A life-long student of the Indian wars of the American West with a special interest in the Great Sioux War, his publications include more than sixty essays appearing in state and national journals, and seven books, including First Scalp for Custer (1980) and We Trailed the Sioux (2003). Hedren’s eighth book, Great Sioux War Orders of Battle, is scheduled for release this February, and a ninth, an epilogue for Sioux Country and the Great Sioux War, is also in press.
The program begins at 2:00 PM and is free and open to the public. A reception will follow. Author books will be available for purchase and signing. The John G. Neihardt State Historic site is located at 306 W. Elm Street in Bancroft, Nebraska.

Statewide analysis of State Reading Test results

Governor Heineman released a school-by-school analysis of the statewide reading test results. His analysis was divided according to NSAA classifications. The entire analysis can be obtained at http://ncsa.org/pages.phtml?pageid=119269.

I am pleased with how our students performed this year, but we do have room for improvement.

Here are the results of students meeting or exceeding the state standards from Class D schools in our area.

Dodge 100%
Bloomfield 90.48%
Osmond 85.19%
Wausa 83.33%
Howells 81.82%
Bancroft-Rosalie 79.17%
Scribner-Snyder 77.27%
Allen 73.33%
Newcastle 72.22%
Hartington 65.52%
Coleridge 62.50%
Winside 61.90%
Lyons-Decatur 61.54%
Emerson-Hubbard 50.00%
Pender 50.00%
Wynot 47.06%
Winnebago 23.08%
Omaha Nation 20.83%
Walthill 20.00%

Bancroft Betterment Meeting Agenda Dec. 6 at 5:15

Bancroft Betterment Monthly Meeting Agenda
December 6, 2010
5:15 pm at the Country Pub

Call to order.

Thank you to this month’s host

Speaker- Ron Daberkow, Lyons House Demolition Program

Read and approve minutes of November 2010 meeting

Reports
1. School
2. Village
3. Betterment Corporation
4. Cuming County Economic Development
5. Neihardt Center
6. Recycling

Old Business
1.
2.

New Business
1. Projects for 2011
2.

Public comments


Next meeting January 3, 2011 , 5:15 pm at Country Pub. Host

Meeting adjourned

New Format for Conference Basketball Tournament

The Lewis and Clark Conference will have a new format for the conference basketball tournament this year. The loss of Coleridge has reduced the teams to fifteen. The conference decided to eliminate the junior varsity games during the first round and move to two varsity games at the higher seeded sites.

Here is the complete basketball tournament schedule for this year.

Lewis & Clark Conference
Basketball Tournament Schedule 2010-2011

Saturday Girls 1st Round Jan 29
Games: 2vs15 & 7vs10 @ 2 seed
Games: 3vs14 & 6vs11 @ 3 seed
Games: 4vs13 & 5vs12 @ 4 seed
Game: 8vs9 @ 8 seed 1 seed gets bye

Monday Boys 1st Round Jan 31
Games: 2vs15 & 7vs10 @ 2 seed
Games: 3vs14 & 6vs11 @ 3 seed
Games: 4vs13 & 5vs12 @ 4 seed
Game: 8vs9 @ 8 seed 1 seed gets bye

Tuesday Girls 2nd Round & Consolation Feb. 1st
2nd round games @Winnebago & Osmond
Consolation round @ Wakefield

Thursday Boys 2nd Round & consolation Feb. 3rd
2nd round games @ Ponca & Bloomfield
Consolation round @ Homer

Friday Girls Semifinal Round
Semifinal @ Bloomfield

Saturday Boys Semifinal Round
Semifinal@ Ponca

Monday Championship Feb. 7
Championship @ Laurel

D1-2 All-District Football Team

D1-2 All District team

FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
Quarter Back – Alex Berg Bancroft-Rosalie

Running Backs- Matt Stansberry Bancroft-Rosalie
Robbie Thomsen Pender

Center – Ethan Sorensen Bancroft-Rosalie

Guards- Jalen Flock Bancroft-Rosalie
Levi Hesse Pender

Tight Ends – Aaron Brown Bancroft-Rosalie
Tyran Sounsoci Omaha Nation

Kicker- Eric Browning Bancroft-Rosalie

DEFENSE
Defensive line – Mitchell Hawk Bancroft-Rosalie
Eric Browning Bancroft-Rosalie
Dylan Powley Pender

Linebackers – Byson Miller Bancroft-Rosalie
Chase Miller Emerson-Hubbard
Theo Wolfe Winnebago

Defensive backs Trey Bonneau Bancroft-Rosalie
Zach Johnson Pender
Neil Sheridan Omaha Nation

Punter- Zach Johnson Pender


SECOND TEAM
OFFENSE
Quarter Back – Zach Johnson Pender
Neil Sheridan Omaha Nation

Running Backs- DJ Berg Emerson-Hubbard
Travis Jacobsen Pender

Center – Mike Schmidt Pender

Guards- Kyle Gutzman Emerson-Hubbard
David Walker Walthill

Tight Ends – Dylan Powley Pender
Richard Kearnes Winnebago

Kicker- Travis Jacobsen Pender

DEFENSE
Defensive line – Chase Colombe Winnebago
Austin Emmons Emerson-Hubbard
Levi Hesse Pender

Linebackers – Ben Burmester Pender
Dylan Frederickson Pender
Michael McCauley Omaha Nation

Defensive backs Anthony Bonneau Bancroft-Rosalie
Eric Hansen Emerson-Hubbard
Greg Neff Winnebago

Punter- Adam Dreiling Emerson-Hubbard

Honorable Mention

Dalton Wortman Bancroft-Rosalie
Austin Steichen Bancroft-Rosalie
Cory Sebade Pender
Jon Fassler Emerson-Hubbard
Matt Sheridan Omaha Nation
Khiry Webster Omaha Nation
Joe Galvin Omaha Nation
Cornell Hamilton Jr
Larry Smith Winnebago
Jeff Thomas Winnebago
Narcisse Wood Jr Walthill

B-R third in Conference One Act

Bancroft-Rosalie placed third in the Lewis and Clark Conference One Act competition Monday. Homer won and Wakefield placed second. The judges split on their opinion of the B-R performance of "Cinderella" getting a "1" from one judge and a "5" from the other. The cast has a week to improve before districts.

The District contest is next Tuesday at Cedar Bluffs.

NSAA says "You won't have that officiating crew again."

Last Thursday I talked with the head of football officials at the NSAA. I described my perception of the officiating of the West Point CC football game. After reviewing the game film, they missed some very crucial calls at the end of the game. I described the Dave Davis crew from Omaha as "clowns, showboating and trying to be part of the show" and "incompetent for a game at this level." How else would you describe a referee that crawls on his belly to check for a first down.

The head of officials told me that it would be noted and that as long as he was in charge, we would not have that crew assigned to one of our play-off games again. In hindsight I regret not complaining to the NSAA last year after the Davis crew performance of the previous year. But no one wants to be looked at as a "whiner."

Anthony Ridder is the best 8-man quarterback I have coached against. West Point CC is too good a team to give them a fresh set of downs when you have them stopped (i.e. pass interference and late hits). To make it through the play-off's, you have to get some breaks and a little luck. We could have used a little more of both.

Good luck West Point CC in the championship game.

Cuming County Visitors Bureau Photo Competition

The Cuming County Visitors Bureau is holding a photo contest to get photos for the new Cuming County Visitors Bureau website. There will be five photos selected. The five winning photos will receive $100 worth of Beef. It is anticipated that one photo will be taken in each community.

Deadline for photo submissions is December 1, 2010. See the ad in the West Point or Wisner papers for how and where to submit your photos.

The Visitors Bureau approved three grant applications at their meeting last night.
$5000 for the 2011 Cattlemen's Ball in West Point.
$500 for the West Point Bridal Fair
$1500 for the Beemer Q125

The next meeting will be Wednesday February 16 at the Country Pub.

Building Addition Plan and Estimate completed

The architect finally completed the building plan and cost estimate.

The addition would be to the North end of the school. It would be a two story addition, two classrooms on each level.

It would extend out to the edge of the current garage. The garage would be moved back further into the open parking lot.

The upper level classrooms would be 949 and 961 square feet. There is also a 200 square foot storage area at the end of the hallway.

The lower classrooms would be 952 and 1041 square feet. There is a small vestibule on the outside of the building for entry.

Estimated cost for construction $1,338,000 and architect fees approximately $107,000 for a total of $1,450,000.

The levy increase over 30 years would be around 4 cents based on current valuation. This would be a payment of about $80,000 per year. A more definite number will be available after consultation with our current Bond company D.A. Davidson.

The four new classrooms would be used to provide more space for Mrs. Wegner's elementary special education and Mrs. Brummond's class (third grade this year). Mr. Peter's and Mrs. Hawk would also have a classroom, instead of sharing space with other teachers. Mrs. Wegner's room would become the nurse's office (she is currently using the girls locker room office) and Mrs. Brummond's room would be used for elementary reading and math groups (they are currently in the hallway).

Quality Zone Academy Bonds

Bancroft-Rosalie School has been approved for a QZAB Bond allocation of $220,000. The money is a no interest Bond that is repaid over a 30 year period.

The bond money can only be used for renovations, not new construction.

The school qualified for the no-interest bond based on the student poverty level and the number of schools in the state that applied for a share of the $2.0 million dollars allocated by the federal government.

State Semi-Final 7:00 pm in Bancroft

The state football semi-final will be played at 7:00 pm Monday November 15 in Bancroft.

The Cuming County Feeders are planning a pre-game tailgate steak feed in the Bancroft Park prior to the game. Details will be announced later.

School Board Meeting Summary

Bancroft-Rosalie Community School Board News

The November meeting of the Bancroft-Rosalie School Board was held Monday, November 8, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. in the school library. Dr. Cerny presented: the October transportation report; District tax history; the sale of surplus televsions and information on a digital school-community sign.

In new business Principal Sjuts gave a preliminary report on teacher evaluations. The board also reviewed the district multicultural program and the technology plan, and approved the purchase of a color copy machine for the school office. The board decided to proceed with up to $220,000 in interest free Quality Zone Academy Bonds for building renovations.

School Board Agenda Monday November 8

Bancroft-Rosalie Community School
Regular Board of Education Meeting Agenda
Monday, November 8, 2010 --- 7:30 p.m. in Bancroft.

1. Call to Order

2. Roll Call

3. Read and approve the minutes of the October 11, 2010 regular board meeting.

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

5. Review Agenda

6. Public Hearing

7. Administrator’s Reports:
A. Superintendent’s Report
B. Principal’s Report

8. Old Business:
A.

9. New Business:
A. Annual review of Multicultural program.

B. Annual review of technology

C. Preliminary teacher evaluation

D. Purchase of color copy machine

E. QZAB allocation of $220,000

F. Accept snow removal bid

10. Executive session-

11. Future Planning- Next meeting- Monday, December 13, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.

12. Adjournment.

Delphine Red Shirt at the Neihardt Center

DELPHINE RED SHIRT AT NEIHARDT SITE

On Sunday, November 21st at 2:00 pm, Lakota author Delphine Red Shirt will give a presentation on the writing of novels with biographical and autobiographical material. Ms. Red Shirt is a Ph.D. candidate in American Indian Studies at the University of Arizona. Her dissertation, “Woyake: Defining Lakota Oral and Written Literature,” focuses on collecting and interpreting these materials. She is currently a lecturer at Stanford University teaching Lakota language and Native American literature.

Best known for “Bead on an Ant Hill,” this popular author’s books have been translated into German and Mandarin Chinese. Other works include “Turtle Lung Woman’s Granddaughter.”

This presentation is part of a series of biographical related topics over the 2010-2011 season of programming at the Neihardt State Historic Site. The April 30th Neihardt Spring Conference will be “Biography: Written Lives” and focus on the many ways to portray a person’s legacy, including biographies, poetry, novels, and art.

The program is free and open to the public. A reception will follow where the author’s books will be available for purchase and signing. The Neihardt State Historic Site is located at 306 West Elm Street in Bancroft, NE. For more information: 1-888-777-4667 or 402-648-3388 or Neihardt@gpcom.net. Visit our website at www.neihardtcenter.org for information on upcoming programs and events.

Volleyball team finishes 19-13

Congratulations to the Lady Panther volleyball for a great season. The team finished the season with a 19-13 record, were district runners-up and conference tournament runners-up.

Congratulations Coaches Bessmer and Nottlemann and all of the players for the 19 wins and a district plaque on the wall.

Football Play-off game time set: 5:00 pm Tuesday at Friend

Bancroft-Rosalie will travel to Friend for a 5:00 pm game Tuesday, November 9.


The football team will dismiss to eat at 11:40 am and leave at Noon.

School will dismiss at 1:30 pm.


Friend is a 2.5 hour drive from Bancroft. Take highway 77 to Lincoln, get on I-80 west and take the Seward exit to highway 6 west. Highway 6 goes through the middle of Friend.

Volleyball District Final at West Point-Beemer School Thursday at 7:00 pm

The time and place for the volleyball district final has been set. Bancroft-Rosalie will play Howells at 7:00 pm in West Point at West Point-Beemer School Thursday night at 7:00 pm.

The winner advances to the State Volleyball Tournament November 11-13 at Grand Island/Hastings.

Economic Development in Bancroft

The Cuming County Economic Development office has completed the following activities in Bancroft.

-Held an Economic Development Strategic Plan meeting at the Bancroft Community Center October 12. The meeting was facilitated by Nebraska Public Power District, Northeast Nebraska Economic Development, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. Thirteen Bancroft residents participated.

-Visited Bancroft businesses to discuss assistance options.

- Attended Bancroft Betterment meeting and gave monthly update.

- Met with 5 local businesses about potential needs and assistance thoughts.

Next steps- Continue visiting with the business community and work on needs described in the Strategic Planning meeting with the help of local leaders.

Betterment meeting agenda

Bancroft Betterment Monthly Meeting Agenda
November 1, 2010
5:15 pm at the Country Pub

Call to order.

Thank you to this month’s host- Bancroft-Rosalie School.

Read and approve minutes of October 2010 meeting

Reports
1. School
2. Village
3. Betterment Corporation
4. Cuming County Economic Development
5. Neihardt Center
6. Recycling

Old Business
1.
2.

New Business
1.
2.

Public comments


Next meeting December 6, 2010 , 5:15 pm at Country Pub. Host

Meeting adjourned

Letter from Emerson-Hubbard Parent

It is always nice to have the kids be complimented on their behavior on the field or the court. I have permission to share this with the players, and I hope it is okay to share with the parents and community as well.

Dr. Cerny,
The following is a note I felt necessary to pass along, at least to you. Feel free to share it with your team as they deserve it.

Panthers-
My name is Mike Renning and I am from Emerson. Last night, you ended our season and for your play on the field you should be congratulated. As great as you guys play, your actions on the field overshadowed your play in my opinion. With the game well in hand literally in the first quarter, I didn't see any showboating or gloating from any of you. I also did not witness any disrespect even though you were obviously better than us. A part of my job is to cover high school sports in and around Dakota County and I have witnessed some pretty bad sportsmanship both from the teams I cover and their opponents. I have been to your two games with Emerson-Hubbard this season and although you could have "rubbed our noses" in it both times, you took the high road. You would knock us down and help us back up. Too often we, as parents and fans, judge teams by strictly wins and losses, well, apparently you are a great group of kids as you are winners in your play and winners in your actions. I wish you the very best of luck on your playoff journey. I would also like to give a personal shoutout to Matt Stansberry. I got to know Matt when he played for the Jr. Pirates. He was a great kid then and he still is. If you see someone standing on the sidelines in a purple coat during your playoff run, that will be me. I hope you go the distance, you deserve it.

Mike Renning
Dakota County Star

Bruning-Davenport-Shickley at Bancroft 5:00 pm Kick-off

The Bruning-Davenport-Shickley and Bancroft-Rosalie Football play-off game will be Wednesday November 3 at 5:00 pm in Bancroft.

School will dismiss at 3:00 pm that day to get students out of the building before the visiting team arrives.

Volleyball Subdistrict Bracket

The Volleyball Subdistrict D1-4 at Wakefield.

Monday, November 1

Match 1 5:30 pm
Walthill (6-12)
vs
Omaha Nation (3-20)

Match 2 6:30 pm
Pender (10-18)
vs
Lyons-Decatur Northeast (9-19)

Match 3 7:30 pm
Bancroft-Rosalie (17-11)
vs
Winner of Match 1

Tuesday, November 2 7:00 pm

Winner of Match 2
vs
Winner of Match 3

Health Science students to Creighton Medical Center today

The Health Science class is taking a field trip to the Creighton Medical Center in Omaha today. They are part of a group of students that boarded a chartered bus this morning in West Point. The bus and trip was organized by the Northeast Career Academy Partnership.

The students will have an opportunity to see the medical school and watch medical students as they work with cadavers. The Health science academy supports students interested in medical careers in Northeast Nebraska.

Volleyball team advances to Semi-finals

The B-R volleyball girls advanced to the Lewis and Clark Conference semi-finals by defeating Emerson-Hubbard in the first round in three sets 25-14, 25-21, and 25-17. Newcastle defeated in Winnebago in 3 sets in the second game. Bancroft-Rosalie defeated Newcastle in the three sets in the third game 25-22, 25-23, and 25-14.

Bancroft-Rosalie plays top seeded Wynot tonight at 6:00 pm in Bancroft. Wynot defeated Wausa in fours sets last night.

In the second semi-final game Winside will play Homer. The winners will advance to the Championship game Friday night in Bancroft.

Reading and Language group accomplishments

Last week we had some groups complete programs and move up to the next level.

Mrs. Schuttler's yellow group completed Reading Mastery II and moved to 2+, completed Language for Thinking and moved to reasoning and Writing B, and completed Spelling Mastery A and moved to B.

Mrs. Schuttler's green group also completed Language For Thinking and moved to reasoning and Writing B.

Mrs. English's Reading Mastery 5+ group moved to 6+. Only 113 more lessons to finish the program!

Mrs. James Reasoning and Writing D group moved to E. They will be finished with E in 70 lessons.

Congratulations students and teachers. Keep up the good work.

First Round Playoff Game

First Round game

Emerson-Hubbard at Bancroft-Rosalie

Thursday October 28

7:00 pm.

D-1 Play-off Bracket (unofficial)

Sorry this took so long. I had to wait for the Winside-Hartington final Winside won 16-8 in overtime. If Winside would have lost, Creighton would have been in the East.

East

#1 Bancroft-Rosalie
#16 Emerson-Hubbard

#8 Bruning-Davenport-Shickley
#9 Scribner-Snyder

#4 Pender
#16 Randolph

#5 Friend
#12 Hartington

#2 West Point CC
#15 Lyons-Decatur

#7 Newman Grove
#10 Shelby

#3 Osmond
#14 Deshler

#6 Winside
#11 Omaha Christian Academy


West

#1 Creighton
#16 Fullerton

#8 Arapahoe
#9 Burwell

#4 Alma
#13 Shelton

#5 Elgin-Elgin Pope John
#12 Southwest

#2 Overton
#15 North Central

#7 Axtell
#10 Garden County

#3 South Loup
#14 Clearwater-Orchard

#6 Kenesaw
#11 Sandhills-Thedford

11th ANNUAL NEIHARDT LAUREATE FEAST

The John G. Neihardt Foundation, dedicated to the legacy of Nebraska’s Poet Laureate, will hold its eleventh annual Laureate’s Feast dinner and auction fund raiser on Sunday, November 7th in the new Culinary School building at 32nd and Sorenson Parkway entrance of the Fort Omaha Campus of Metropolitan Community College in Omaha.
The evening’s theme is “Generations” honoring Robin Neihardt, grandson of John Neihardt, with the Neihardt Word Sender award. Robin has spent many years promoting Neihardt’s work, including performing with his mother Hilda reciting the poet’s works as a gifted classical guitarist. In recent years he has re-mastered recordings of Neihardt reciting and backed them with his own compositions. In previous years, the Word Sender has been presented to such luminaries as journalist Tom Allan, Ron Hull of NETV, former Governor and Mrs. Thone, folklorist Roger Welsch, State Poet Bill Kloefkorn, and Poet Laureate Ted Kooser. The evening’s activities include a wine reception with music by Native American flutist Michael Murphy of Omaha. Award recipient Neihardt will also perform during the evening. Emcee for the event will be Paul Hammel, Omaha World Herald journalist and Foundation board member. The reception, meal, and decor are all designed and prepared by the Culinary Arts Department of Metropolitan Community College.

Both the silent and live auctions contain interesting, unusual, and valuable items such as a hot air balloon ride, an Okoboji weekend, fine art and signed prints, fine wines, a variety of gift baskets, prime vintage single-malt whiskey, Opera Omaha, Rose Theater and Omaha Symphony tickets, first edition works by Neihardt, signed works by other noted authors, and a great variety of dinner certificates, gift and collector items.
The Laureate Feast is open to the public, but does require advance reservations as dinner seating is limited; reservations are open through October 29th. Contact the Neihardt Foundation office at 1-888-777-4667 or 402-648-3388 or on-line at Neihardt@gpcom.net for reservations. Tickets are $100 per person. Also available are Sponsor tables for eight at $1000. The Neihardt Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization and 35% of the dinner cost is tax deductible. The reception, music, and silent auction begin at 5 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m. followed by the live auction. Dress is business attire.

MAP test results

Tonight at Parent-Teacher Conferences, parents will be given copies of MAP test results, called Student progress reports. The results are for tests in Reading and Mathematics.

One goal of the school is for all graduates to read at an eighth grade level. We will start using the MAP reading test to gauge if graduates have met this goal. Eventually we will set a similar goal in Math.

The MAP progress report will give information on:

1. When the test was given,

2. the student score range (the range shows where the child would likely score if retested)

3. The district average score

4. The national average score

5. Student growth (this will be blank this time. When the next test is given in January, there will be a growth score to represent how much the student has improved)

6. Typical growth (average student growth nationally, which will also be blank this time)

7. Student percentile range (based on 100%)

8. Goal performance- this shows how the students did in the four areas of math and the five areas of reading.

9. RIT to Reading range- This converts the student score to a Lexile scale score, which is what is used to determine reading level.

Grade 1
Lexile Range Up to 400L

Grade 2
140L to 500L

Grade 3
330L to 700L

Grade 4
445L to 850L

Grade 5
565L to 950L

Grade 6
665L to 1050L

Grade 7
735L to 1075L

Grade 8 The level we want all students to achieve by graduation
805L to 1100L

Grade 9
855L to 1165L

Grade 10
905L to 1200L

Grades 11 & 12
940L to 1300L

Parent survey Thursday Night

Parents will be asked to complete a short 7 question survey about the school at Thursday nights Parent-Teacher Conferences.

Parents can Strongly Agree, Agree, Undecided, Disagree, Strongly Disagree or have No Opinion to the following seven statements.

1. Teachers at this school really care about the students.

2. This school has high academic standards for all students.

3. The administration communicates well with parents about the instructional program.

4. The school is inviting to all parents.

5. The subjects taught to my child in school are important ones for their future.

6. Teachers in this school use their classroom time very effectively, with little wasted time.

7. Teachers give my child prompt and specific feedback on the quality of their classroom work.

These seven questions correlate to the seven indicators of effective schools that have been identified through research.

Bancroft-Rosalie School Improvement Goal

Today I am attending a workshop on the school improvement process. The group was asked if the community knows the goal of the school. In case there are some of you that are not aware, our school goal in Reading.

Goal

90% of third grade students will read at or above grade level

and

all graduates will read at or above a eighth grade reading level.

Football Play-off possibilities

Bancroft-Rosalie has clinched the District football title and has qualified for the play-offs. There are several scenarios of who the first round opponent will be. Barring any major upsets, Creighton will be the top seed in the west bracket and Bancroft-Rosalie the top seed in the east. The most likely first round opponent will be either Lyons-Decatur or Emerson-Hubbard (assuming that both win).

The other projected seeds in the east:

#2- West Point CC
#3- Osmond
#4- Pender

If Emerson-Hubbard loses to Winnebago, then Pender would drop to the #5 seed and Friend would be #4.

8th grade financial literacy class begins Monday

Mrs. Hennig has put together a good financial literacy curriculum for the 8th grade. This is a new class that will meet the need for students to understand how money works. Class topics are
1. Jobs and Salary
2. Automobiles
3. Insurance
4. Checking accounts
5. Savings
6. Interest

We hope that students will gain an understanding of how to manage their finances and can avoid the pitfalls of getting into debt after high school. We also want students to understand that going to college is affordable if they manage their money.

Conference Volleyball Tournament Bracket

At Bancroft

Bancroft-Rosalie vs. Emerson-Hubbard
Newcastle vs. Winnebago


At Wynot

Wynot (Bye)
Osmond vs. Wausa


At Homer

Homer vs. Walthill
Wakefield vs. Ponca


At Winside

Hartington vs. Allen
Winside vs. Bloomfield

Notes from last nights Bancroft Strategic Planning meeting

Nine people attended last nights strategic planning meeting in the lower level of the community building. It was unfortunate that no Village Board members attended, because they will need to be involved in the implementation of action plans.

The top priority of the group was housing. The action plan included applying for a grant to do a housing survey. The last survey done is now out of date. The grant will cover 75% of the cost of the survey, so the additional 25% will need to be paid with local funds. The housing survey is necessary for applying for any state or federal grant or loan programs.

Tim Spoeneman and Garry Clark volunteered to oversee the housing action plan.

It was suggested that someone from Lyons be invited to talk to the Village Board or the housing group about what they are doing with old houses in Lyons.

The second priority was business retention. I had to leave the meeting before the action plan was completed, so I will try to publish the action plans in a later post.

School Board meeting news

Last nights board meeting was a short one. The board reviewed the school insurance program and the transportation program. The vehicle set for replacement this year is the handicapped van. The 1996 bus is scheduled to be replaced next year.

In old business the board offered the co-head coach for girls basketball to Bullet Beaudette. Mr. Beaudette has a coaching certificate from the Nebraska Department of Education.

New information required by state

I just received the following information from the Nebraska Commissioner of Education.

"The 2010-11 school year has begun and with it comes new data collections as required by new federal and state laws. Many of the new data collections are requirements for the federal ARRA State Fiscal Stabilization Funds. The new data requirements Include:
• Courses completed and grades earned for all high school students;
• Class (section information) to connect teacher and student data; and
• The number and percent of teachers and principals at each performance level of a school district’s evaluation system, if a district’s evaluation system has performance levels, and
• The Legislature’s mandated collection of excessive absences (by the 10th of each month beginning October 10th)."

The two of interest are the collecting of teacher evaluation results and connecting students to the teacher who taught their classes. This is to lead to comparing teachers based on the performance of their students. I don't know what this will lead to, but it will raise the anxiety of many teachers. In larger school systems they are not going to want low achieving students in their classes.

Field trips today

The hallways in the elementary are quieter than usual today. The kindergarten went to Vala's Pumpkin patch and the 3rd and 4th grades went to the Henry Doorly Zoo.

The Pumpkin Patch trip in October has been a regular occurrence for several years, but the zoo trip is usually done in the spring. This year the zoo offered a discount to school groups and we thought the fall would be a good time to go, since the spring is so hectic.

It looks like they picked a good day to go. It is warm for mid-October, but it is better than rain or cold winds.

School bOard agenda for Monday October 11

Bancroft-Rosalie Community School
Regular Board of Education Meeting Agenda
Monday, October 11, 2010 --- 7:30 p.m. in Bancroft

1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call

3. Read and approve the minutes of the September 13, 2010 regular board meeting,
annual budget hearing, and hearing to set property tax amounts.

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

5. Review Agenda
6. Public Hearing

7. Administrator’s Reports:
A. Superintendent’s Report
B. Principal’s Report

8. Old Business:
A. Hire additional Girls Basketball coach

9. New Business:
A. Annual Review of School Insurance.

B. Annual review of transportation.

C.

D.

10. Discussion Items
A.

B.

11. Executive Session-

12. Future Planning- Next meeting- Monday, November 8, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.

13. Adjournment.

MAPS testing in grades 7-12 starts today

The Measures of Academic Progress (MAPS) will be given to students in grades 7-12 today. The tests measure students abilities in Reading and Math. Today's test results will give a baseline to for each student. Testing will be done in January and April. The results of these later tests will be used to measure student growth in these two areas during the year.

The MAPS test will also identify specific areas of strengths and weaknesses in reading and math. Test results will be back to the teachers within two days, and teachers will be able to plan instruction to address the areas that need improvement.

Betterment meeting- Today's agenda

Bancroft Betterment Monthly Meeting Agenda
October 4, 2010
5:15 pm at the Country Pub

Call to order.

Thank you to this month’s host- West point News and Wisner News-Chronicle.

Read and approve minutes of September 2010 meeting

Guest speaker-

Reports
1. School
2. Village
3. Betterment Corporation
4. Cuming County Economic Development
5. Neihardt Center
6. Community Theatre
7. Recycling

Old Business
1. Halloween
2.

New Business
1.
2.

Public comments


Next meeting November 1, 2010 , 5:15 pm at Country Pub. Host

Meeting adjourned

Facebook returns Monday

Student access to Facebook will be restored starting Monday, October 4. They will able to get on Facebook before and after school and during lunch.

Facebook was blocked when it was reported that several students were participating in a conversation with students from another school that resulted in harassment-like comments made about one of our students.

We decided to give everyone another chance. Please choose your comments wisely. Facebook is a social network, not a conduit for those who wish to harass others. Remember, what you post is not private.

Much ado about nothing in Lyons

The grapevine tells me that members of the media were disappointed that the controversy between the Becker Foundation and the ACLU did not result in anything newsworthy yesterday. Every school received a letter from the ACLU advising them not to have school assemblies with Becker or Ron Brown. I showed it to Mr. Sjuts and then promptly threw the letter in the trash.

Anyone who is familiar with the Becker Foundation knows that Becker has two types of programs. One that is appropriate for the public schools and one for groups outside the school that has a religious message. I understand that Mr. Becker did quote one bible passage that helped explain his brothers story. Is that one quote any different than quoting Gandhi or Dr. Martin Luther King?

The Becker message is an important one. Students see drinking (and some see drug use) as a normal part of life, and it is good for them to hear stories of what can happen if these substances are abused. Especially for those students that have made the decision not to drink or use drugs. These students need to hear that they made a good decision, when peer pressure often tells them differently.

As an EMT, I have been called to accidents involving either inexperienced drivers or alcohol, sometimes both. Anything that can be done to reduce these occurences is a good thing.

West Point Central Catholic added to baseball schedule

This spring the Pender-Bancroft-Rosalie Baseball team has contracted to play West point Central Catholic in two junior varsity- varsity double headers. There is a possibility that Wayne may start a team. We should know in a couple weeks.

The addition of new teams in the area should reduce the amount of travel and missed school time.

Lauren Ahlers selected for Sing Around Nebraska

Lauren Ahlers, a fifth grade student at Bancroft-Rosalie School, auditioned and was selected to participate in the 2010 Sing Around Nebraska Honor Choir this fall. She is 1 of 150 students in Nebraska that will be participating in this event in Lincoln.

Congratulations Lauren.

Fall Enrollment Count

The Fall enrollment count for next year's Nebraska School Activities classifications (except for football) is official as of last Friday September 24.

Bancroft-Rosalie School submitted a count of 62. This year we are D-1 in sports, but C-2 in One Act Play and Speech. An enrollment of 62 should place our school in class D-1 in all activities for the 2011-12 school year.

Looking down the road, our enrollment count for 2012-13 is currently 48. That's right, it drops to 48 when this year's junior class is gone. An enrollment of 48 will place Bancroft-Rosalie in D-2 for sports in 2012-13. We have never been D-2 in basketball or volleyball before.

WJAG Radio Interview Saturday morning between 9-10

I did a radio interview on WJAG Saturday morning.



Listen on the TruBlu Youtube Channel.

Low voltage at the school yesterday

B-R School was operating on low voltage for about 30 minutes Thursday morning. This affected the computers and the cooling system. When the power came back on, some of the desktop computers in the computer lab started smoking. We are checking them to be sure they are not damaged.

The low voltage also caused a problem with the school cooling system. The air shut down and the high school classrooms got warm by the end of the day. A mechanic arrived just before the end of the day and resolved the problem before the volleyball game last night.

So far there is no reported damage to any equipment, just the cost of the mechanic and a few sweaty students and staff.

An afternoon like that makes us appreciate our air conditioning.

Bancroft Strategic Planning Meeting October 12 6:30 pm

Village of Bancroft Economic Development Strategic Planning Meeting

Tuesday, October 12th - 6:30 pm

The Village of Bancroft will be hosting a village wide meeting on
Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at 6:30 pm at the Bancroft Community
Building, at 502 Main Street.

Your attendance is requested to help define the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and goals for our Village. Information discussed at this meeting will be instrumental
in the future development of the Village of Bancroft so please make plans to attend. The meeting will be facilitated by the Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District, the Nebraska Public Power District and Cuming County Economic Development. If you
have any questions please call the Village Clerk at 402-648-3332.

Power School Public

Baylie Reil had a nice article on the school web page regarding "Power School Public". Here are the directions she gives for parents to sign up for e-mail notification of how their students are doing.

"On the Bancroft-Rosalie school website parents can log into Power School Public. In the “E-mail Notification” tab they can now customize what and when they want to receive grades. Some of the things parents can pick from are “Summary of current grades and attendance”, “Detailed reports showing all assignment scores for each class”, “Detailed report of attendance”, “School announcements”, and “Balance Alert" (which will only be sent when a student is low on funds.) They can receive them daily, once every week, once every two weeks, once a month, or they do not have to receive them at all if they don’t want to."

I hope that all B-R parents will follow these directions and stay current on how their children are doing.

Community Play on October 2 and 3

The Bancroft Community Theater will be presenting "Wash Your Troubles Away" in the Bancroft-Rosalie School gym on October 2 and 3.

The Saturday performance is at 7:00 pm and is a dinner theater. Serving will be at 6:30 p.m. with the performance to follow. Cost of the ticket for this performance is $12.00 per person. The menu is: Windsor Loin, scalloped potatoes, cowboy beans, cole slaw, pudding salad, corn bread muffin and a dessert. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

The Sunday show is at 2:00 p.m. and is a make your own sundae performance. Serving will begin at 1:30 p.m. The cost of a ticket is $5.00.

Tickets will be sold at First National Bank and First Community Bank, the Bancroft Village office and Central Valley Ag in Bancroft.

Cast members include- Peggy Renz, Nikki Sachs, John and Bethany Sedivy, Jennifer Carlson, Danny Bridges, Kent Steinmeyer, Cheryl Tietz, Suzanne Ras, Brianna Wegner, Jerrica Tietz, and Jon Cerny.

School Bus Routes

This year we started running only one bus on the before and after school routes. This came about for three reasons- 1) there were less than 10 students riding the second bus in the morning, 2) the students on the bus were misbehaving, and 3) we only have one custodian with a bus driver license which resulted in bringing in someone to drive and paying them more than the normal rate because of the inconvenience.

To help with student behavior on the bus, a paraprofessional rides the bus on morning and after-school routes. Bruce tells me that student behavior has improved tremendously. This is good, because we want the driver's attention focused on the road, not on the students.

We have been monitoring the number of students on the bus and there is typically 45-48 students riding. The bus capacity is 59, but more than 50 students makes it feel crowded. The Wednesday after-school route is the only concern right now. That went over 50 one day (there are no junior high practices after school on Wednesdays).

There has been some concern raised that the students may not have enough time to eat breakfast. The bus is supposed to leave Rosalie at 7:45 a.m. and arrive in Bancroft by 7:55 a.m. If Bruce has to wait for late-comers in the morning, then the bus has been late leaving Rosalie and some students are rushed to finish eating. We are hoping that students can arrive on time so that this is not a problem. If the train outside of Rosalie is the cause for late arrivals, we will allow the students to be a few minutes late to their classrooms, as long as they don't abuse this. Elementary reading starts at 8:20 a.m. for grades 4-6, and 8:30 a.m. for grades K-3.

If the number of students riding results in crowded conditions or puts us over capacity, we will make plans to run two buses again. It may only be needed on Wednesdays after school. We will continue to monitor the situation and make changes when necessary.

Information from the IRS for schools

Yesterday I attended a meeting which featured the business manager from Papillion-Lavista Schools talking about their IRS audit. They were one of the first schools in Nebraska ti undergo a thorough audit and she gave some recommendations for other schools in Nebraska.

1. If schools provide cell phones for their administrators, the administrator must highlight personal calls on their bill and pay for those calls. Papillion chose to pay the administrator's a stipend and run the stipend through payroll so that income tax is paid on all monthly charges.

2. If schools provide a uniform allowance to certain employee's, like custodians, any part of the uniform that could be worn as everyday wear is considered wage to the employee and is taxable income.

3. All wages for employees must be processed through payroll. If an employee works as a teacher during the day and a volleyball line judge at night, the volleyball wages must be run through regular payroll, not as a separate check.

4. Currently enrolled students working for the school during the school year are not considered an employee of the district. If they work during the summer, they are considered a school employee.

5. If schools pay tuition for employees to take additional classes, that is considered taxable income unless the payment is made directly to the University.

6. A form W-9 must be obtained from all active vendors the school does business with. A form 1099 must be completed if payments to the vendor exceed $600 and the vendor is not a corporation.

If Bancroft-Rosalie School were to be audited by the IRS, there would be a $100 fine for each 1099 that was not sent. Area businesses that receive a 1099 from us should complete the form and return it to the school in a timely fashion, even if you don't feel you need to. otherwise, Gina Pagels will have to keep bugging you until we get it.

School Board meeting summary

The Bancroft-Rosalie Board of Education met Monday, September 13, 2010 at 7:30 pm in Bancroft. Two public hearings were held prior to the regular monthly meeting. The first hearing was the 2010-11 school budget hearing, followed by the Property Tax Request hearing.

During the regular board meeting, Superintendent Cerny presented the August transportation report, 2011 valuations, the Enrollment Option report, and NeSA Reading test scores.

In old business, the board discussed the proposed classroom addition. The project will be limited to no more than $1.5 million dollars.

In new business the board approved the 2010-11 school budget as published; and set the General Fund tax rate was set at 0.9602 and the Bond Fund levy was set at 0.0246 for the 9-12 Bond levy and 0.01323 for the K-8 levy. Adam Hoffman was approved as the Head Girls Basketball coach. The board approved an upgrade to the school wireless network and the Building Construction sidewalk replacement project.

The board and administration met in executive session to discuss personnel.

Proposed School Budget for 2010-11

Here is the proposed budget for tonight's school board meeting.

General Fund- $3,520,000

Depreciation Fund (Money set aside for vehicle replacement)- $37,100

Employee Benefit Fund (Money employees withhold for Section 125 plan)- $35,000

Activities Fund- $180,000

School Lunch Fund- $186,000

Bond Fund (To repay school bonds)- $193,000

Special Building Fund (for land purchases or building repairs)- $64,000

Cooperative Fund (Projects shared with others schools or organizations)- $80,000

Student Fee Fund (For driver education and student computers)- $7,000

Total Budget- $4,032,100

B-R Enrollment Figures

Our enrollment has dropped 24 students from this time last year. Here is the current enrollment.

Seniors- 24
Juniors- 31
Sophomores- 13
Freshmen- 19
8th grade= 17
7th grade- 17
6th grade- 21
5th grade- 22
4th grade- 17
3rd grade- 23
2nd grade- 18
1st grade- 18
Kindergarten- 22
Preschool PM- 16
Preschool AM- 14

DIBELS spring benchmarks 2004-10

Here are the spring benchmarks for DIBELS testing from 2004-2010 for grades K-3.

DIBELS is a Reading screening test given to elementary students in the Fall, Winter and Spring. Students scoring below benchmark are at risk for not being successful at the next grade level.

Our goal is to have 80% of students at benchmark. Because of the small class sizes, one or two new students moving and not at grade level can seriously effect our percentages. B-R averages about 16% of students moving in or out of elementary during a typical school year.

Kindergarten

04-05 77%
05-06 100%
06-07 88%
07-08 92%
08-09 72%
09-10 77%

First grade

04-05 100%
05-06 100%
06-07 100%
07-08 65%
08-09 74%
09-10 82%

Second Grade

04-05 95%
05-06 67%
06-07 95%
07-08 100%
08-09 67%
09-10 63%

Third Grade

04-05 71%
05-06 79%
06-07 78%
07-08 94%
08-09 100%
09-10 65%

School Board meeting agenda for Monday, September 13

There will be two public hearings prior to the September Board meeting.

Bancroft-Rosalie Community School
Budget Hearing Agenda
Monday, September 13, 2010 --- 7:30 p.m. in Bancroft

1. Call the hearing to order.

2. Roll Call

3. Board discussion on the proposed 2010-2011 Budget.

4. Request for public input on the proposed Budget.

5. Final Board discussion on the proposed Budget.

6. Adjourn.


Bancroft-Rosalie Community School
Regular Board of Education Meeting Agenda
Monday, September 13, 2010 --- 7:50 p.m. in Bancroft

1. Call to Order

2. Roll Call

3. Read and approve the minutes of the August 9, 2010 regular board meeting.

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

5. Review Agenda

6. Public Hearing

7. Administrator’s Reports:
A. Superintendent’s Report
B. Principal’s Report

8. Old Business:
A. Classroom addition.

9. New Business:
A. Approve the district budget for the 2010-2011 school year.

B. Approve the district property tax request for the 2010-2011 school year.

C. Building Construction project- Sidewalk replacement

D. Girls Basketball Coach

10. Discussion Items
A.

11. Executive Session-

11. Future Planning- Next scheduled meeting- Monday, October 11, 2010.

12. Adjournment



Bancroft-Rosalie Community School
Tax Request Hearing Agenda
Monday, September 13, 2010 --- 7:40 p.m. in Bancroft

1. Call the hearing to order.

2. Roll Call

3. Board discussion on the proposed 2010-11 tax request.

4. Request for public input on the proposed tax request.

5. Final Board discussion on the proposed tax request.

6. Adjourn.

Community Betterment Meeting Sept 13, not today.

The community Betterment meeting is Monday September 13 at 5:15 pm at the Country Pub. I mistakenly posted it as today. So if you show up at the Pub today at 5:15 pm, there will be no meeting.

Double the poetry this Sunday at Neihardt site

The Neihardt State Historic Site is pleased to present poets Jim Reese and Patrick Hicks for the September 12th Sunday Afternoon at the Museum at 2:00 P.M. Jim Reese is an Associate Professor of English; Director of the Great Plains Writers' Tour at Mount Marty College in Yankton, South Dakota; and Editor-in-Chief of PADDLEFISH. Reese's poetry and prose have been widely published, most recently in New York Quarterly, Poetry East, Prairie Schooner, Paterson Literary Review, Louisiana Literature Review, Connecticut Review, and elsewhere. His new book ghost on 3rd (New York Quarterly Books 2010) includes Pushcart Prize nominated poems. Reese has been the National Endowment for the Art’s Writer-in-Residence at the Yankton Federal Prison Camp since 2008.

Patrick Hicks teaches creative writing at Augustana College and he is the author of several poetry collections, most recently, Finding the Gossamer (2008) and This London (2010) both published by Ireland's acclaimed press: Salmon Poetry. His work has appeared in scores of international journals including, Ploughshares, The Utne Reader, Glimmer Train, Indiana Review, Christian Science Monitor, Virginia Quarterly Review, Natural Bridge, Commonweal, Tar River Poetry, Poetry East, Briar Cliff Review, Nimrod and many others. Patrick has been nominated several times for the Pushcart Prize, shortlisted for a variety of awards, and he recently won the Glimmer Train "Emerging Writer's Fiction Award". Aside from being a Visiting Fellow at Oxford, he is the recipient of a number of grants including one from the Bush Foundation to support work on his first novel, which is about Auschwitz. He has lived in Northern Ireland, England, Germany, and Spain, but has returned to his Midwestern roots.

The program begins at 2:00 PM and is free and open to the public. A reception will follow. Authors’ books will be available for purchase and signing. The John G. Neihardt State Historic site is located at 306 W. Elm Street in Bancroft, Nebraska.

Bancroft Betterment meeting Tuesday at 5:15 pm

Bancroft Betterment Monthly Meeting Agenda
September 7, 2010
5:15 pm at the Country Pub

Call to order.

Thank you to this month’s host- Cuming County Power

Read and approve minutes of August 2, 2010 meeting

Guest speaker-

Reports
1. School
2. Village
3. Betterment Corporation
4. Cuming County Economic Development
5. Neihardt Center
6.

New Business
1.
2.
3.
4.

Old Business
1. Fall Garage Sale update
2.

Public comments


Next meeting October 4, 2010 , 5:15 pm at ________________. Host ___________________.

Meeting adjourned

Lewis and Clark Conference general information

The activities of the Lewis and Clark Conference:

Volleyball
Academic Contest
Basketball
Vocal Music Clinic
Boys Track
Instrumental Music Clinic
Girls Track
Speech Contest
Boys Golf
Play Production Contest
Art

LEWIS DIVISION
Allen Eagles
Bancroft-Rosalie Panthers
Emerson-Hubbard Pirates
Homer Knights
Ponca Indians
Wakefield Trojans
Walthill Bluejays
Winnebago Indians

CLARK DIVISION
Bloomfield Bees
Hartington Wildcats
Newcastle Raiders
Osmond Tigers
Wausa Vikings
Winside Wildcats
Wynot Bluedevils

Conference teams are divided into three divisions for regular season play in basketball and volleyball:

Central
Emerson-Hubbard
Homer
Ponca
Wakefield
Winnebago

East
Allen
Bancroft-Rosalie
Newcastle
Walthill
Winside

West
Bloomfield
Hartington
Osmond
Wausa
Wynot

Enrollment Figures

Homer 105
Ponca 105
Winnebago 102
Wakefield 93
Osmond 79
Winside 76
Hartington 74
Ban-Ros 72
Emerson-Hub 70
Allen 64
Walthill 63
Bloomfield 59
Wynot 48
Wausa 40
Newcastle 38

State Board of Education presentation

I just returned this afternoon from presenting a report on Reading First at the Nebraska State Board of Education meeting. My 5-7 minute presentation ended up lasting 15 minutes, but I hope I did an adequate job of informing the State Board of how Reading First has impacted reading instrution in Bancroft-Rosalie School.

I presented test data for 3rd grade performance on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills from 2002-10 (we started Reading First in 2004-05) along with DIBELS oral reading fluency scores for that same time period. I will try to upload the charts onto this blog in the next few days.

Remote Desktop helps with Internet safety and security

According to Apple "Apple Remote Desktop is the best way to manage the Mac computers on your network." Apple remote access allows Mr. Sjuts and Mrs. Nolting to observe and obtain access to all of the school-owned MacBook computers. If Mr. Sjuts wants to see what students in school are using their computers for, he can find it. Remote Desktop provides a list of all of the student computers in the building and what application the student is using. By clicking on the student, he can see what the student is seeing.

Yesterday he was showing me how it worked and we we able to see the u-tube video a student was watching. Students were made aware of the capabilities of remote desktop prior to receiving their lap-top, so hopefully they will use their computers for appropriate activities.

Remote desktop also allows Mrs. Nolting to install upgrades or software on any/all of the Macbook computers without actually touching the computers, making it quick and efficient.

The student computers have a filtering system installed that should prevent access to inappropriate materials both inside the building and when students take the computers home. The school software does an effective job of filtering most inappropriate web sites, but some things could slip past the filter. If that happens, then Apple remote desktop provides another way to ensure Internet safety and security for computers in the school building.

Air conditioning a necessity this week

When district voters passed the school bond in 1997, one of the benefits of the new building was air conditioning. Our students are in comfortable classrooms where teachers can focus on education and not have to deal with problems associated with excessive late summer heat. That is not the case in some neighboring districts, which have had to let out early because of the weather.

When construction bids were accepted in 1998, the air conditioning to the gymnasium was cut to stay within budget, a savings of $60,000. After re-considering the district financial picture at the time, the gym air was put back in a few months later. In hindsight this was a wise decision. The school gymnasium is utilized just about every period of the day for physical education classes and recesses, in addition to the time it is used after school for activities and events. The doors to the gym are typically open and would have drawn cool air from other parts of the building, causing those cooling units to work harder.

It is nice knowing that our students are provided a classroom environment conducive to learning. Thanks B-R taxpayers.

Five classrooms get Interactive whiteboards

Five classrooms added interactive whiteboards over the summer. Glenn Bonsall and Bruce Smith installed the whiteboards in mid-August.

The new boards were put in the science room, the math room, the spanish room, and the language arts room. Four rooms (computer lab, Math-science room, social studies room and 6th grade) had the whiteboards during the last school year.

That leaves three secondary rooms, five elementary rooms and the special education rooms to complete the project. The boards with projectors and wall mount cost $2900. Grant funds have been used to purchase the equipment. Hopefully, we will be able to purchase whiteboards for the remaining classrooms in the upcoming year.

More info on state reporting of student absences

LB 800, passed by the legislature last year, requires all public districts and non-public school systems to submit a monthly report on the number of students with excessive absenteeism, suspensions, expulsions, and contacts with law enforcement officers. This information will be reported to the Nebraska Department of Education at the end of each month.

At the end of September, we have to report the number of students that were absent from school more then 2 days. That's right, over two days before September 30. Already we have three students that we will be reporting. In October we will report the number of students absent more than 4 days total. Two days are added each month. At the end of the school year we will report students that were gone more then 18 days.

For each student reported, we have to report the reasons students were absent. The four reasons are: suspension, expulsion, medical, or other. It is important that parents provide the school with a reason for why their student is not in school.

This data will be reported to the Truancy Intervention Task Force for study and evaluation. My guess is that the State will be getting tougher with parents who do not make sure their children are attending school.

It is also required that the county attorney be contacted when students have excessive absenteeism. The number of times law enforcement is contacted will also need to be reported.

Not feeling well? Go see the nurse.

This year Bancroft-Rosalie School has a full-time nurse in the building. Linda Munderloh is in the process of performing the mandatory school health checks, managing student health records, and caring for the occasional skinned knee or tummy ache.

Linda is a Licensed Practical Nurse and has previous experience as a school nurse for the Elkhorn-Logan Valley Health Department. Dr. Felber has agreed to serve as our school medical director. He must approve all medical protocols that we use, such as how to handle medical emergencies. Dr. Felber is also the medical director for the Bancroft Rescue squad.

Mrs. Munderloh will be teaching the Certified Nurse Aide course second semester and will also teach CPR and first aide to students in high school physical education and intro to Health Science classes.

New reporting requirement for schools

LB 800, passed by the legislature last year, requires all public districts and non-public school systems to submit a monthly report on the number of students with excessive absenteeism, suspensions, expulsions, and contacts with law enforcement officers. This information will be reported to the Nebraska Department of Education at the end of each month.

It is also required that the county attorney be contacted when students have excessive absenteeism.

Laptops keep high school students busy during lunch

The behavior during high school lunch has vastly improved this year. Students are now engrossed in their laptop computers and spend less time roaming the hallways in places they are not supposed to be.

As these pictures show, you can find students after lunch sitting in small groups within designated areas of the school with their laptops open. Less discipline problems, happier students and staff.

Statewide Reading results for Bancroft-Rosalie

Here are the results of the statewide reading tests given last spring.
Grade 10
79% of students met the state standard.
The class average was above the state average for both comprehension and vocabulary.

Grade 8
81% met the state standard
The class average was above the state average for both comprehension and vocabulary.

Grade 7
68% met the state standard
The The class average was above the state average for both comprehension and vocabulary.

Grade 6
78% met the state standard
The class average was above the state average for both comprehension and vocabulary.

Grade 5
57% met the state standard
The class average was below the state average for both comprehension and vocabulary.

Grade 4
71% met the state standard
The class average was above the state average for both comprehension and vocabulary.

Grade 3
53% met the state standard
The class average was below the state average for both comprehension and vocabulary.

Overall, 70% of students met the state reading standard, which speaks well for our school.

Of the 41 students that did not meet the state standard, 9 were new students to our school.

Bancroft-Rosalie School District valuations up 18.9%

Valuations
August 2010



Burt County
2011 14,266,503
2010 13,110,395
Increase 1,156,108 8.8%

Cuming County
2011 127,827,719
2010 108,254,434
Increase 19,573,285 18.1%

Thurston County
2011 63,038,487
2010 51,173,106
Increase 11,865,381 23.2%

TOTALS
2011 205,132,709
2010 172,537,935
Increase 32,594,774 18.9%

Financial literacy now part of 8th grade curriculum

The financial and economic picture across the United States has brought attention to the need for financial literacy. This year, Bancroft-Rosalie School will be adding a nine week financial literacy for eighth grade students. This course will be taught in place of the computers course offered in the past. Mrs. Hennig will teach financial literacy.

The curriculum will include the following topics:

1. Checkbook - opening an account and balancing
2. Savings account - interest
3. Credit Cards - what is interest, compound interest and what do you look for
4. Loans vs. grant when going to college
5. Basic Insurance

It will taught during the second quarter of the school year.

Football team starts second week of practice

The B-R football team has 26 players. The first game is September 3 at home versus Omaha Christian Academy. There are six returning starters on offense and six on defense from last year's 10-1 team, so our expectations are high for this year.

Big Crazy Society visits B-R

The Big Crazy Society is a group of Omaha Tribal members that volunteered to visit with Bancroft-Rosalie School staff to assist with the education of the Native American students. Dwight Howe of Rosalie organized the workshop. Other group members included Vincent Merrick, Pierre Merrick, Vida Stabler, Father Dave, and former B-R student Ashleen Marr.

One of the most helpful topics was a discussion of the myths that are often spread about Native Americans. One example is the idea that all Native Americans get a check just for "being an Indian." Vida provided some information to help teachers address these myths when they are brought up in school. The group showed a powerpoint of notable Americans that were also members of the Omaha tribe. Dwight provided a display of Native American articles that he possessed.

Teachers had a chance to ask questions about tribal customs and traditions. The presenters talked about the family life on the reservation and that tribal members who send their children to B-R want the structure that our school provides. Students may have difficulty adapting to the structured setting, and teachers need to be empathetic with the students as they adjust. If teachers have difficulty with a particular student, the panel suggested finding out who are the "pillars"of the family, and working through them. That person might be an uncle or a grandfather.

The workshop provided some good information that staff can use. Thanks to the Big Crazy Society for their time, and also the Fry Bread and Bear Salad.

Bancroft-Rosalie School nominated for "Doing What Works."

Here is a portion of the letter Bancroft-Rosalie School received this week. It is a pleasure to have the opportunity for national recognition of our school reading program.

Dear Principal Sjuts,
Congratulations! Bancroft-Rosalie Community School has been nominated as
a potential site to be featured on a US Department of Education online
resource, “Doing What Works” (dww.ed.gov). We are currently developing
web content for the topic of improving K-3 reading comprehension, and
would like to talk with you because you have been nominated as an
exemplary site in this area.

This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase your practices on a
nationally disseminated website so that other educators can learn from
what you do.

You were nominated for being successful with at least two of the
following practices related to helping students navigate the path to
college:

1. Teach students how to use reading comprehension strategies
2. Teach students to identify and use the text’s organizational
structure to comprehend, learn, and remember content
3. Guide students through focused, high-quality discussion on the
meaning of text
4. Select texts purposefully to support comprehension development
5. Establish an engaging and motivating context in which to teach
reading comprehension.

Doing What Works -- Background Information

The U.S. Department of Education has contracted with WestEd, AIR, and
RMC to create a Web site-Doing What Works-that supports implementation
of research-based practices identified by the What Works Clearinghouse
to help educators meet the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act.
This site helps equip technical assistance providers, education
decision-makers, and practitioners with the tools, resources and support
they need to take action. The Web site (dww.ed.gov) includes:
* Recommended practices vetted by experts in the field
* Descriptions of how others have implemented practices successfully
* Access to a variety of online implementation tools
* Links to more information and resources for additional assistance.

Admission prices raised for 2010-11

The Lewis and Clark Conference raised admission prices for the 2010-11 school year for all conference activities. Bancroft-Rosalie School uses the conference admission price for all home activities.

The new price this year is adults $5.00 and students $4.00 (up from $4 and $4).

The school will also raise the price for season passes. The new price for a season pass (good for all home athletic events except tournaments) is student $20, adult $40, adult and spouse $60. Senior citizens (65 and older) that are residents of the school district or district landowners can pick up a senior citizen season pass for no charge.

The school will not be charging for home junior high and junior varsity games this year, but there will be a charge for junior high and junior varsity tournaments as in the past.

The music boosters will no longer be taking admission at the gate. This year school staff members will be performing these duties.

Mac 24-7 Making Academics Count

The Bancroft-Rosalie School one-to-one computer program slogan is "Mac 24-7 Making Academics Count". Parent meetings for 9-12 grade students will be held Monday August 16 and Tuesday August 17 at 7:30 pm to explain the program to the parents. The parents are asked to sign a simple one page document describing the parent and student responsibilities. The students will be asked to sign the same paper on Wednesday morning after they complete a short training on how to care for their computer. After the training, the students will be checked out a MacBook computer. Underclassmen will have the same computer throughout high school.

Parents will also be asked to sign up for "security assurance." The cost of security assurance is $25. This fee will cover the cost of the computer in case of accidental damage after a $200 deductible has been applied. For only $25, parents will be essentially be purchasing a $200 deductible insurance plan. The school will use the assurance fees to self-insure all 100 MacBook computers. We are expecting that the students will take good care of their laptops and that very few computers will be damaged.

Thanks to Jackie Smith for proposing the Mac 24-7 slogan.

August School Board meeting news

The Bancroft-Rosalie Board of Education met Monday, August 9, 2010 at 7:30 pm in Bancroft.
Superintendent Cerny presented the July transportation report and the distance learning report.

In old business the board gave final approval to amended policy 450 Student Fees to include technology fees. Mr. Hulstein was approved as assistant athletic director, with Dr. Cerny and Mr. Sjuts serving as AD pending interest by other staff members.

The board discussed the classroom addition project. A meeting with the architect has been scheduled for Wednesday August 11 at 2:30 pm.

In new business the board reviewed the 2010-11 budget; set the substitute teacher rate at $110, and the activity rate at $5 for adults and $4 for students. Season pass prices were set at $20 for a student, $40 for an adult, and $60 for an adult and spouse. The board approved the 2010-11 handbooks and the Mac 24-7 computer program policies and procedures.

Shonna Briggs was hired as a special education para-professional and handicapped van driver.

Fromer B-R student Rob Kreig is Lt-Colonel

U.S. Army Major Rob Krieg, a former student at Bancroft-Rosalie High School, was recently selected for early promotion to Lieutenant Colonel below-the-zone, which is limited to less than the top ten percent of officers considered for promotion. Rob attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, following in the footsteps of his brother, Mike Krieg, who graduated from Bancroft-Rosalie in 1987 and West Point in 1991.
After graduating from West Point in 1994 with a degree in Environmental Engineering, he was commissioned as a Field Artillery Officer. Rob has served in a variety of command and staff positions in the U.S. Army while serving at Fort Hood, TX, Fort Sill, OK, Germany, and Iraq. While serving in Iraq, Rob served as the Multinational Corps-Iraq Joint Fires Liaison to the Multinational Force-Iraq where he assisted in synchronizing economic, governance, security, and reconciliation efforts. Rob is currently a student at Fort Leavenworth, KS where he is attending Command and General Staff College.
Rob’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, four Meritorious Service Medals, one Joint Service Commendation Medal, four Army Commendation Medals, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, and the Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Star. Rob is married to the former Lauren Glover of Fort Worth, TX, who is the senior nurse practitioner for Comanche County Memorial Medical Group’s Pediatrics Clinic. They have two boys, William and Matthew, and a daughter, Katelin. Rob is the son of the late Rex and Andrea Krieg.

School Board agenda Monday August 9

Bancroft-Rosalie Community School
Board of Education Meeting Agenda
Monday, August 9, 2010 --- 7:30 p.m. in Bancroft

1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call

3. Read and approve minutes of the July 12, 2010 board meeting.

4. Review Agenda

5. Public Hearing

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

7. Administrator’s Reports:
A. Superintendent’s Report
B. Principal’s Report

8. Old Business:
A. Assign Athletic Director duties

B. Final approval of Board policy 520 Student Fees

9. New Business:

A. Initial approval of budget for 2010-11.

B. Set substitute teacher rate at $110.

C. Set Activity admission rate- Adults $5, Students $4.

D. Approve elementary, secondary, activity, and staff handbooks for 2010-2011

E. Approve Shonna Briggs as Special Education para-educator and van driver.

F.

G.

10. Discussion Items:
A.

11. Executive Session.

12. Future Planning- Next meeting- Monday, September 13, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.
13. Adjournment.

A new school year; Where do we want to be in May?

As the 2010-11 school year approaches, I want to take a few minutes to articulate the vision I have for the students at Bancroft-Rosalie School. My number one priority is to have 100% of our seniors go on to college, or some type of post-secondary education. According to leading economists, 63% of all jobs in the year 2018 will require some type of training beyond high school. If we want our students to be successful in the future, then they need to go to college.

So how do we get them there? Researchers have found that fourth grade seems to be the age at which children start seeing themselves as a college student or ruling out the prospect of going to college. It starts in the elementary. I believe we have an excellent elementary program in place. Our reading, language and math programs are skills based. Each student is placed in the curriculum where they can be successful. All of our elementary students should be getting 85-90% of their schoolwork done correctly. If it becomes too easy for some, we accelerate them through the program by moving them ahead into a group further along in the program. If they are moving slowly through the program, we try to accelerate them by having them spend more time on reading or math skills so that they can master them and move on to new and more difficult skills. Wouldn't it be great if we can get all of our students to complete Geometry or Algebra II?

If our elementary students are at or above grade levels in reading, writing and mathematics, then we should see higher scores on standardized tests, including the ACT. The ACT is still one of the best indicators of a student’s ability to succeed in college. This year we started giving the ASSET test to our juniors. This test is used by community colleges to determine if new incoming students can start in the regular curriculum or need to take remedial math and English classes first (they must pay for the class but receive no credit). Our school goal is for 90% of our seniors to pass this test (or the COMPASS test, which is the computer equivalent of the ASSET). If they can get the required ASSET scores, then I am satisfied that our school has adequately prepared them. Of course we want them to do much better than the minimum, but that is the level at which I expect ALL students to achieve.

Beerfest results

The Second Annual Bancroft Beerfest has 144 people in attendance at the Country Pub in Bancroft. There were two beer contests- the best Nebraska brewed beer and the Peoples Choice best overall beer. The best Nebraska brewed beer was judged by a panel of experts. These “Official” judges were Chuck Muller (Chairman of the Bancroft Village Board), former state Senator Matt Connealy from Decatur, Dr. Hoelting from Pender, Tim Anderson (University of Nebraska journalism professor), and Sheryl Schmeckpeper of Norfolk. The judges choice for best Nebraska brewed beer went to a beer from Gottleib Brewery of Columbus Nebraska.

All in attendance were asked to vote on the People's Choice for best overall beer. Pastor Phil Hale of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bancroft won for his Vienna Ale. Pastor Hale also demonstrated his beer-making techniques.

Paul Hammel (reporter for the Omaha World Herald) organized the Beerfest event and also was the auctioneer for the live auction of beer paraphernalia and other items donated by breweries and distributers.

Special thanks to the Cuming County Visitors Bureau for $350 to advertise the Beerfest. The event is expected to bring in over $3000 for the John G. Neihardt Foundation Board of Directors.

High school teachers at Mac workshop

Yesterday and today the Bancroft-Rosalie high school teachers were involved in training on using the Mac computers in the classroom. The Training was entitled "Learning with iLife", and was presented by Cyndi Danner-Kuhn of Kansas State University and a Mac trainer. iLife software includes iPhoto, iWeb, GarageBand and iMovie.

The Monday sessions involved an introduction to the Mac, an iLife overview, iPhoto, and GarageBand. The teachers made a iPhoto photo album and wrote a piece of music with Garage Band. On Tuesday the teachers made a movie with iMovie and explored the Apple Interchange, iTunes U and iWeb.

The goal of the workshop was to help the teachers to incorporate student use of Mac computers in the classroom.

Blog comments abuse

It has been brought to my attention that someone has been posting inappropriate comments and internet links on this blog. Evidently I did not have the necessary button clicked to allow me to moderate comments that are posted. I am in the process of correcting this problem. Until then, I am not allowing any comments to be posted.

I apologize to anyone that may have looked at the comments and were offended.

Neihardt Day Sunday at 1:30 pm in Bancroft

Sunday, August 1 is the 45th annual Neihardt Day. The outdoor program begins at 1:30 p.m. and is focused on the short story, featuring both Neihardt’s work and those of Mark Twain, a contemporary of Neihardt. A Chautauqua style presentation of Twain, portrayed by Wally Seiler of Alliance, and a reading of Neihardt work by Walt Duda of Omaha, will be emceed by Ron Hull of NET.

Lunch and beverages are on sale from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. The museum exhibits and gift shop are open from 9:00 – 5:00. The program, funded by the Neihardt Foundation, the Cuming County Visitor Bureau, and the Nebraska Humanities Council, is free and open to the public. Some bleacher seating; bring lawn chairs.

2010 Beer Fest Saturday

Just a reminder that the 2010 Bancroft Beer Fest is this Saturday night July 31 at the Country Pub in Bancroft. There will be a variety of beers to sample for the low price of $20 per person. Snacks will be provided. Several additional beer companies have provided sample for this year.

Beer Fest is a fund-raiser for the John G. Neihardt historical site in Bancroft.

Summer School starts Monday

Reminder to parents that summer school starts tomorrow morning at 8:30 am.

Wind Turbine up at the Bancroft playground

The 60 foot wind turbine was installed on the Bancroft-Rosalie School playground on Friday. Joel Jacobs from the University of Nebraska Wind Application Center did most of the work setting up the turbine. Cuming County Power lifted the turbine into place. Steiny had the tower stored behind his shop and brought to the playground. Mr. Hoffman, Mr. Peters, Bruce and Preston helped slide the two tower pieces into place. Cary Renz brought 80 foot of wire to get the tower ready for wiring.

The turbine is not running yet. The wire still needs to be run to the school, which should be completed before school starts.

We also need to do some repair work on Myron Beineke's driveway. The truck and the loader tore up his grass a little bit and will need to be fixed as soon as it dries.

Bancroft-Rosalie 2010-11 Sports Schedules

Bancroft-Rosalie School
2010-2011 Athletic Schedule

Varsity Football
9/3 Omaha Christian Academy (Parent’s Night) 7:00
9/10 @ Osmond 7:00
9/17 Hartington 7:00
9/24 Pender (Homecoming) 7:00
10/1 @ Omaha Nation (Macy) 7:00
10/8 @ Emerson-Hubbard 7:00
10/15 Winnebago 7:00
10/22 @ Walthill 7:00

Junior Varsity Football
9/7 Howells 6:00
9/13 Dodge 5:30
9/20 @ Emerson-Hubbard 5:00
9/27 Pender 5:00
10/4 @ Omaha Nation 5:00
10/11 Winnebago 5:30
10/18 Lyons-Decatur 5:00

Junior High Football
9/13 @ Walthill 4:30
9/21 @ Howells 4:30
9/28 Omaha Nation 5:00
10/5 Lyons-Decatur 5:00
10/12 @ Cedar Bluffs 5:00

Varsity Volleyball A-B-C
9/2 & 9/4 @ NEN VB Classic TBA A
9/7 Triangular @ Winside 5:00 A
B-R, Walthill & Winside
9/9 @ Ponca 5:30 C-B-A
9/14 Triangulars @ Wakefield 5:30 Var & J-V
B-R, Howells & Wakefield
9/18 @ Cedar Bluffs Tour. TBA A
9/21 Homer (Parents Night) 5:30 C-B-A
9/23 Archbishop Bergan 5:00 C-B-A
9/25 @ Lyons-Decatur 9:00 J-V
9/28 Clarkson 5:30 C-B-A
10/5 @ Allen 5:30 C-B-A
10/7 Newcastle 5:30 C-B-A
10/9 @ Oakland Craig Tour 9:00 C
10/12 Triangular @ Winnebago 5:30 A
B-R, Cedar Bluffs & Winnebago
10/14 @ Emerson-Hubbard 5:30 C-B-A
10/16 @ Hartington Tour. 9:00 A
10/19 @ Lutheran High Northeast 5:30 C-B-A
10/25 Conference Tour. @ Sites TBA A
10/26 Conf. Tour. Semi-Finals @ Bancroft TBA A
10/29 Conference Tour. Finals @ Bancroft TBA A
11/1-2 Sub-Districts TBA A
11/4-5 District Finals TBA A
11/11-13 State Volleyball TBA A

Junior High Volleyball
9/13 @ Walthill 3:30
9/14 @ Omaha Nation 4:00
9/16 B-R Tour (A) 4:00
9/21 @ Winnebago 4:00
9/27 Winside (C-B-A) 3:00
9/28 @ Emerson-Hubbard (C-B-A) 4:00
10/4 @ Oakland-Craig (C-B-A) 4:00
10/7 @ Lyons-Decatur (C-B-A) 4:00
10/9 @ Oakland-Craig Tour. (A) 9:00am
10/14 Homer (C-B-A) 3:00
10/18 @ Dodge (B-A) 6:30

Girls Softball (Coop with Wisner-Pilger)
All home games will be played in Wisner
8/26 Madison 5:00
8/28 Wisner-Pilger Tourney 10:00
8/31 O’Neil 4:30
9/2 @ Tekamah-Herman 5:00
9/7 @ Schuyler 5:00
9/9 @ Arlington 5:00
9/11 Raymond Central Inv.-@ Valparaiso 9:00
9/14 J-V Quad 4:30
9/16 Boone Central 5:00
9/18 @ Wilber-Clatonia Quad 10:00
9/21 Wahoo 5:00
9/23 @ Wayne 5:00
9/25 @ Wayne Invitational 10.00
9/27 Logan View/S-S 5:00
9/30 @ NBC 5:00
10/2 @ O’Neil Invitational 10:00
10/4 West Point C.C. (Parents Night) 5:00
10/7-8 District @ TBA TBA
10/13-15 State @ Hastings TBA

Varsity Girls/Boys Basketball
12/3 @ Omaha Christian Academy 6:15 G/B
12/4 @ Lyons-Decatur 6:15 G/B
12/7 Emerson-Hubbard (Parents Night) 6:15 G/B
12/10 Walthill 6:15 G/B
12/14 Winside 6:15 G/B
12/17 Homer 6:15 G/B
12/20 @ Oakland 6:00 Girls J-V & V
12/21 @ Cedar Bluffs 6:15 BJ-V & V
12/ 29-30 B-R Holiday Tour. TBA G/B
1/6 Wisner-Pilger 6:00 G/B
1/8 @ West Point 6:15 G/B
1/13 @ West Point C.C. 6:15 Girls J-V & V
1/14 Allen 6:15 G/B
1/18 @ Wakefield 6:15 G/B
1/20 @ Mead 6:15 Girls
1/21 Ponca 6:15 G/B
1/25 @ Winnebago 6:15 G/B
1/29-2/7 Conference Tour. TBA G/B
2/8 @ Howells 6:15 G/B
2/11 Newcastle 6:15 G/B
2/18 Pender 7:30 Boys

Junior Varsity Girls/Boys Basketball
12/7 Emerson-Hubbard 4:00-5:00 G/B
12/11 B-R 9-10 Tour. 9:00am G/B
12/14 Winside 4:00-5:00 G/B
12/17 Homer 4:00-5:00 G/B
12/21 @ Cedar Bluffs 6:15 Boys
1/8 @ West Point Both at 5:00 G/B
1/10 @ WPCC 6:30 G/B 9-10
1/13 @ WPCC 6:15 Girls
1/14 Allen 4:00-5:00 G/B
1/17 Lyons-Decatur 6:00 &7:15 G/B
1/18 @ Wakefield Both at 5:00 G/B
1/20 @ Mead 6:15 Girls
1/21 Ponca 4:00-5:00 G/B
1/25 @ Winnebago 4:00-5:00 G/B
1/29 Conf. Tour. 1st Round 6:15 Girls
1/31 Conf. Tour. 1st Round 6:15 Boys
2/11 Newcastle 4:00 G/B
2/12 @ Pender 9-10 Tour. 9:00 G/B
2/18 Pender 6:15 Boys
2/19 @ Dodge 9-10 Tour. 9:00 Boys

Junior High Girls/Boys Basketball
11/20 @ Pender Tour. Boys 9:00 7th & 8th
12/9 West Point CC G/B 6:15 & 7:15
12/11 @Scribner Tour. 9:00 Boys
12/13 @ Omaha Nation 2:30 - Girls, 3:30 – Boys
12/16 Winnebago Girls 4:00 & 5:00
12/27 @ Wisner Tour. 5:00 7th & 8th -Boys
1/10 @Clarkson/Dodge/Howells 6:00 - Girls, 7:15 - Boys
1/13 Homer 4:00 - Girls
1/20 @ Winnebago 4:00 - Girls, 5:00 - Boys
1/22 B-R Tour. 9:00 G/B
1/25 Walthill 4 & 5 - Girls, 6 & 7 - Boys
1/27 Wayne 4:00 & 5:00-Girls & Boys
2/1 @ Wisner 3:00 & 4:00 Girls A & B
2/3 Lyons-Decatur 4:00 & 5:00 Girls A & B

TRACK
3/29 Laurel-Concord Relays @ Laurel 1:00
4/5 Hartington Invite @ Hartington 1:00
4/13 WSC Meet TBA
4/16 Wisner Lions Club Invite J-V & V 9:00am
4/19 Tekamah-Herman Track Meet 2:00
4/23 Wausa Invite @ Pierce 9:30am
4/26 Ponca Invite @ South Sioux City 4:00
4/28 Norfolk Classic 4:00
4/30 Conf. Meet @ WSC 10:00am
5/ 5 Oakland-Craig Invite 2:30
5/11 District Track @ TBA TBA
5/20-21 State Track Meet @ Omaha Burke TBA

Junior High Track
4/5 Wisner-Pilger Early Bird Invite 3:00
4/14 West Point Invite 12:30
4/21 Lyons-Decatur Invite 3:00
4/29 Knight Invite @ Oakland 3:00
5/3 Homer Invite 4:00

Boys Baseball (Coop with Pender)
All home games played in Pender
3/22 Elkhorn South J-V 4:30, Var. 6:30
3/26 Bellvue East J-V Double Header 12:00
4/7 Norfolk J-V 4:00 & Varsity 6:00
4/9 @ Yutan Tour. Varsity 10:00
4/15 @ Bennington Var. DoubleHeader 4:30
4/16 @ Wahoo Var. DobleHeader 3:00
4/18 D.C. West Var. DoubleHeader 4:30
4/28 @ Norfolk J-V 4:30 & Varsity 6:30
4/30 Elkhorn Mt. Michael J-V 12:00 &Varsity DH 2 & 4