Social Media Resource presentation May 16 in Bancroft

There will be a presentation May 16 at 5:30 pm in the Bancroft Community Building on using Social Media as a Resource.

4th and 5th grades do well on state math test

The 4th and 5th grades took the Nebraska State Math Assessment last week. They did great. 82% of the 4th grade and 85% of the 5th grade scored higher than a 50% on the test. This a criterion-referenced test, not a norm-referenced test, so we won't know what the cut-off is for scoring at proficient until this summer. But it appears that the majority of our 4th and 5th grade students are proficient in math.

Testing in reading and math continues this week and next.

Bond vote put on hold

The school board voted unanimously to rescind the motion calling for a May bond election. The vote came after the board discussed the upcoming loss of $588,000 instate aid and the failure to secure 0% interest school construction bonds. The impact on the tax levy will be an increase of approximately 15 cents for next year, without the additional bond.

There is still a need for additional classroom space, but now is not the time to add an additional burden on to the taxpayers.

Special Education Discipline

I have had some questions concerning discipline procedures for students in special education. Here is a quiz (with the answers highlighted) to see how much you know about the laws that deal with special education discipline.

This would be a good topic of discussion for staff workdays in August.

Special School Board meeting Wednesday at 6:30 pm

There will be a special school board meeting Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the school library. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss school finances and discuss rescinding the motion for a bond election or proceeding with the May 10th vote.

The school is projected to lose $588,000 in state aid next year, which will result in a property tax levy increase of approximately 15 cents (from $1.00 to $1.15) for next year.
The school is also on a waiting list for the $330,000 low interest construction bond allocation that I was expecting to receive.

The classroom space is needed, but the time may not be right to ask the taxpayers for more money.

Weather alters spring sports

The baseball team had 6 games canceled due to weather in the last four days and Tuesday's game with West Point CC is questionable with an 80% chance of rain tomorrow. None of these games will be rescheduled due to lack of common open dates. The golf meet today at Ponca will probably not be rescheduled either. The track meet at Tekamah for tomorrow has been changed to Thursday at 10:00 am.

Neihardt's Easter Poem

Here are two videos of John G. Neihardt reciting his poem "Easter."

The first site is the poem set to video and music by his grandson Robin Neihardt. The second site has an introduction of Neihardt talking about the process of writing the poem.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiXvf1xeQIE

www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0NvYC671KU&feature=related

National Gallup Student Poll; What students are telling us

The 2009-10 Gallup student poll had over 700,000 completed responses from Public schools across the United States. A recently released report highlighted some of the findings.

1. Over half of students (53%) are hopeful. Students are generally confident in their future. 84% believe that they will graduate high school, 62% believe they will get a good job after high school, but only 32% strongly believe that they can find ways around any problem that may arise in life.

2. Over half (57%) are engaged in school. Engagement is high in elementary school and steadily declines through middle and high school years. This suggests that "we may be losing the hearts and minds of some students in middle school years." This engagement decline is largely attributable to students receiving less praise and recognition as they age. The researchers suggest that a national discussion about praise may be needed to resolve adults uncertainty about how to praise students effectively and when it is appropriate.

3. About 2/3's of students (63%) are thriving. They think about their present and future life in positive terms. 77% said they did or learned something interesting yesterday and 84% indicated they smiled or laughed a lot yesterday.

From Measuring Hope, Engagement and Well-Being in America's Students: A Report on Findings From the Fall 2010 Gallup Student Poll, Dr. Shane Lopez and Dr. Valerie Calderon.

The student engagement data is concerning. I think that lack of student interest in school is as much a contributor to low student engagement as lack of student praise and recognition is. Although I do find that praise and recognition tends to be heaped on the "high achievers" and much less is given to those who struggle with learning, even though they may be doing their best.

We educators should try to give attention and positive support to the average and low performing students in our schools. We can't let them fall through the cracks or feel like they are not important to us.

Student access to U-tube?

Should the school be allowing student access to YouTube? It has been suggested by education technology expert Rushton Hurley that schools should stop blocking Youtube because of the many tutorials that are available to students. YouTube is blocked by schools because of the fear that the students will access inappropriate (aka junk) materials. Hurley suggests that the benefits outweigh the risks. Those students that are caught abusing their computer privileges should be punished, according to Hurley. But those using them appropriately should not.

Making Youtube available to students will require that the school's "computer police" be more active. But I access Youtube myself for videos to use in my Physics and Chemistry classes and I have found some good stuff. It comes down to students being responsible. Giving them a computer implies that we have trust in how they will use it. If the school unblocks Youtube, will they use it appropriately?

Dead or Alive. Art Exhibit at Neihardt Center April 15-May 15

Opening April 15th and continuing open to the public through May 15th, IMPACT Nebraska Artists will exhibit “Dead or Alive,” artistic interpretations of notable Nebraskans, living or deceased, famous or obscure. The works offer more than portraits; more the essence of the subject in a variety of mediums: pastel, acrylic, oil, watercolor, ceramic, glass, and wire sculpture. Subjects include, among others, Nobel Prize scientist George Beadle; artist Robert Henri, historical figures such as Hiram Scott, writers Loren Eiseley and Mari Sandoz, and even the notorious Charlie Starkweather.

Neihardt Spring Conference

Humorist Roger Welsch is one of the speakers at the Neihardt Spring Conference Saturday April 30. Only $20.

School Board news

Bancroft-Rosalie School Board news

The Bancroft-Rosalie Board of Education met Monday, April 11, 2011 at 7:30 pm in Bancroft.
Superintendent Cerny reported on transportation, East Husker Conference discussions, and teachers in non-endorsed areas.

In new business the board approved five teachers and five aides for Pre-6 summer school in July and August and reviewed the Special Education and Title I programs. The board also accepted the resignation of Adam Hoffman, approved the teacher contract for Kyle Elsasser and approved up to $400 for the annual recognition luncheon and awards.

The board went into executive session to discuss purchase of a lot south of the school, classified staff, administrator negotiations, and evaluation and hiring of coaches and sponsors. Following executive session the board voted to approve wages and benefits for classified staff as recommended by Dr. Cerny and to approve the salaries and benefits for administrators. The board also approved the activity sponsors as recommended by Mr. Sjuts. Finally, the board approved offering $3800 for the lot- BARBER ADD, W 162' LT 10, & N 36' OF THE W 162' OF LOT 9, BLK 2, BAN V.

School Board Meeting agenda

Bancroft-Rosalie Community School
Regular Board of Education Meeting Agenda
Monday, April 11, 2011 --- 7:30 pm in Bancroft

1. Call to Order
2. Open Meetings Act
3. Roll Call
4. Read and approve the minutes of the March 7, 2011 Regular Board meeting.

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

6. Review Agenda
7. Public Hearing

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

9. Old Business:
A. Administrator negotiations

10. New Business:
A. Approve Summer School program for 2011
B. Annual review of Special Education and remedial programs
a. Title I
b. Resource
C. Set amount for annual recognition luncheon and awards.
D. Evaluation and hiring of classified staff
E. Annual review of extra-curricular activities
- Evaluation and hiring of coaches and sponsors.
F. Accept resignation of Adam Hoffman
G. Approve teacher contract for Kyle Elsasser
H. Purchase of lot south of school.
I. Bid from Baumert Furniture for tile replacement in High School locker rooms and from Engaging technologies for projectors with arms.
J. Set May 24 for last student day and May 25 for teacher workday

11. Discussion Items.
A.

12. Executive Session- Classified Staff; Coaches and sponsors.
13. Future Planning- Next scheduled meeting- Monday, May 9, 2011 in Bancroft.
13. Adjournment.

Bancroft Betterment meeting notes

Bancroft Betterment met Tuesday April 5 at 5:15 pm in the Country Pub.

Monthly reports

School- The school received a preliminary state aid report that showed the loss of $588,00 in state aid for next school. The $1,000,000 bond issue for the school addition is on the ballot for May 10.

Village- The surveys for attitude and for income have been coming in. The due date is April 15.

Cuming County Economic Development- The recent Agriculture Opportunities Conference had over 100 in attendance.

Neihardt Center- The Spring Conference is April 30 with Roger Welsch as one of five speakers. Cost is $20.

Recycling- The company bringing the paper trailer has decided that it is not profitable for them. Other avenues are being explored.

Community Theater- The production of "Murder at the Orient Express" will be July 29-30-31. The next meeting will be April 12 at 6:30 pm in the school library.

Bancroft Community Club- They are working on Easter and Harvestfest. the next meeting will be April 25 at 7:30 pm in the lower level of the community building.

Food Pantry- Everything seems to be in place. The Betterment group will vote at the May meeting to decide whether or not to support a food pantry in Bancroft.

Guest speaker Greg Moser described the Healthy Community Initiative. The purpose is to reduce alcohol and other drug misuse in Madison, Stanton, Burt and Cuming Counties. Anyone interested in being involved in the Initiative should contact Brandy Boshult at hcicoordinator@elvhd.org.

The next meeting will be May 3 at 5:15 pm at the Country Pub.

Duane Flock receives school volunteer service award

In 2006 Bancroft-Rosalie School began recognizing volunteers that contribute to the school activity programs. This year Duane Flock was recognized at the school Athletic Banquet for 19 years as the announcer at B-R football games. Duane announced from 1977-1996 and retired only because he was no longer able to make the climb to Crow's Nest. Duane had the privilege of announcing two state championship games, the 1977 Bancroft-Coleridge game and the 1985 B-R- Sandhills game.

Previous volunteer award winners were Jeff Baldwin, Tim Slaughter, John Zwygart and Judy Ross. Duane's name will be added to the plaque recognizing these volunteers.

Congratulations Duane and thank you for your years of service.

The demise of Prom wills and prophecies

This year the tradition of reading wills and prophecies ended. There were several students upset when they heard what was being written. In this day and age, we need to eliminate opportunities for students to demean others. May wills and prophecies Rest In Peace.

Betterment meeting agenda Tuesday April 5

I am hoping someone from the Community Club will give a monthly report on what is happening with that organization.

Bancroft Betterment Monthly Meeting Agenda
April 5, 2011
5:15 pm at the Country Pub

Call to order.

No host

Read and approve minutes of March 8, 2011 meeting

Reports
1. School
2. Village
3. Cuming County Economic Development
4. Neihardt Center
5. Recycling
6. Community Theater
7. Community Club

Guest Speaker- Greg Moser- Healthy Community Initiative

Next meeting- May 3, 2011 at 5:15 pm at the Country Pub

Meeting adjourned

State Aid to Schools expected to drop

The Nebraska Department of Education has released a preliminary report on the effect of LB235 on state aid to Nebraska Public Schools. The report shows a decrease of $588,000 for Bancroft-Rosalie. This is a result of two factors- #1) the decrease in the overall amount of aid to schools and #2) the large increase in the assessed valuation of the B-R school district (19%).

Here is the history of state aid to Bancroft-Rosalie School:

2011-12 543,999
2010-11 1,116,549
2009-10 923,112
2008-09 681,302
2007-08 713,623
2006-07 604,304
2005-06 679,739
2004-05 742,590
2003-04 630,347