B-R One Act gets 2nd at Districts

"Games", the B-R One Act Play, received one 1st, one 2nd, and one 3rd from the three judges at the District contest. Humphrey St. Francis won the contest with one 1st and 2 2nd place votes. Clarkson was third with One 1st and two 3rd place votes. St. Francis will advance to the State competition in Kearney.

The following students received recognition for their performance:

Amanda Brummond, Jasmine Greenfield, Molly Hermelbracht, Ian Nottlemann, Olivia Nottlemann, Shelby Ostrand, Cameron Smyth, Jessica Tietz, Brianna Wegner and Ryan Wellman.

Congratulations play cast.

Twelve areas of national need

As students begin to look at different career choices, they should be aware of the twelve areas of national need. The federal government has identified certain fields that are crucial to national innovation, competitiveness and well-being in which not enough students complete degrees.

Twelve areas of national need (from National Center for Education Statistics):

1. Agriculture and conservation sciences

2. Biological and life sciences

3. Computer and information sciences

4. Education (elementary, early childhood, special education, mathematics, science,
foreign languages, bilingual education)

5. Engineering and engineering-related technologies

6. Foreign languages and literature (general foreign languages and literatures,
linguistics, foreign language interpretation and translation)

7. Health professions and related sciences

8. Mathematics

9. Nursing

10. Physical sciences

11. Protective services and criminal justice

12. Social work.

In 2002, only 31.5% of the 1,242,310 bachelor's degrees awarded in 2002 (the most recent year I could find statistics) were in these areas. Notice most areas are in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math- often referred to as STEM.

Doc Egerman leaves $5000 to B-R music department

The school received a check over the weekend for $5000 from the Lyle Egerman Estate. The money was designated for the music department. Doc was always a supporter of the Arts in Bancroft, attending many school and Neihardt Center events. It was nice of Doc to remember the school music department with his generous gift. Jason Smith is looking into the purchase of some new instruments with the funds.

All-Conference Volleyball

Lewis and Clark Conference
East Division
Shelby Lienemann Sr. Winside
Shelby Olsen Sr. Newcastle
Jessica Tietz Sr. Bancroft-Rosalie
Hannah Finnegan Jr. Allen
Brittany Sullivan Jr. Allen
Jerae Doffin Sr. Winside
Nazya Theis Jr. Winside
Marcell Grant Jr. Walthill
Lindsey Jones So. Allen
Shannon Gray Jr. Winside

Honorable Mention
Erin Gray Sr. Winside
Erin Sorenson So. Bancroft-Rosalie
Bridget Gray Jr. Winside
Brook Cayou So. Walthill
Devin Jacobs Jr. Newcastle
Rachel Finnegan Fr. Allen
Makayla Mueller Sr. Bancroft-Rosalie
Allie Vogt So. Bancroft-Rosalie

Study finds that preschool improves reading scores

The National School Boards Association Center for Public Education recently released their report "Starting Out Right: Pre-K and Kindergarten." This report evaluated how different approaches to early childhood effected third grade reading scores, since students who are proficient readers in third grade are more likely to be successful in future grades.

Major findings of the report included:
1. Students that attend a preschool and a half-day kindergarten have significantly higher reading levels by third grade than students who attend only a full day kindergarten.

2. Students who attend a full-day kindergarten make greater academic gains and are less likely to be retained in the early grades than students who attend half-day kindergarten.

3. Two is better then one. A combination of preschool and full day kindergarten is best; but a combination of preschool and half day kindergarten is better then full day kindergarten alone.

It seems that the B-R program of half-day preschool for two years followed by full day kindergarten gives our students the best chance for success.

School Board news- Baseball cooperative to add West Point-Beemer

Bancroft-Rosalie Community School Board News

The November meeting of the Bancroft-Rosalie School Board was held Monday, November 14, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. in the school library. Dr. Cerny presented: the October transportation report; District tax history; and students with excessive absences.

In new business the board voted to amend the budget by increasing the Bond Fund to $2,310,000 to allow for repayment of bonds refunded last spring. The board also approved adding West Point-Beemer to the baseball cooperative this spring and approving the final baseball agreement at the December meeting.

The board reviewed the documents for the modular addition to the existing secondary building. It was decided to remove the electric furnace from the bidding and purchase that separately so that it is compatible with the existing system. The documents were approved and will be released for bids. The bids will be opened at the December Board meeting.

Principal Sjuts gave a preliminary report on teacher evaluations. The board also reviewed the district multicultural program and the technology plan.

Rief Design Video

Here is the link to the U Tube video at the Rief Design Open House.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEV07pSlvWI&feature=email

Grandmas Attic Video

To see the U Tube video of Grandma's Attic Open House go to the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpEXQUIOkWw&feature=email

School Board Agenda Nov. 14, 2011

Bancroft-Rosalie Community School
Regular Board of Education Meeting Agenda
Monday, November 14, 2011 --- 7:30 p.m. in Bancroft.

1. Call to Order

2. Roll Call

3. Read and approve the minutes of the October 10, 2011 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. Amend 2011-12 Budget

E. Approve cooperative agreement for baseball.

F. Approve building addition documents before releasing for bids.

G. Accept bid for snow removal.

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

Bancroft Business Social Friday 10:00 am

The November Bancroft Business social will be held at Rief Design and Manufacturing at 10:00 am. Rief Design is located at 2275 N Road. The drawing for community survey prizes will be awarded.

All District Football Team

D1-2 All District team

FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
Quarter Back –
Zach Johnson Pender

Running Backs-
Ben Bermester Pender
Eric Browning Bancroft-Rosalie
Brandon Cline Omaha Nation

Ends –
Austin Heineman Pender
Joey Merritt Bancroft-Rosalie

Line–
Connor Fillipi Pender
Nick Svoboda Pender
Isaac Jessen Emerson-Hubbard
Brady Petersen Bancroft-Rosalie

Kicker-
Eric Browning Bancroft-Rosalie

DEFENSE
Defensive line –
Nick Svoboda Pender
Shieler Bolen-Greve Bancroft-Rosalie
Mason Renning Emerson-Hubbard
Eugene Zach Winnebago

Linebackers –
Eric Browning Bancroft-Rosalie
Justin Miller Emerson-Hubbard
Dyllan Fredrickson Pender
Cory Sebade Pender

Defensive backs
Anthony Bonneau Bancroft-Rosalie
Zach Johnson Pender
Eric Hansen Emerson-Hubbard

Punter-
Adam Drieling Emerson-Hubbard

SECOND TEAM
OFFENSE
Quarter Back –
Anthony Bonneau Bancroft-Rosalie

Running Backs-
Richard Kearnes Winnebago
Klint Conroy Pender
Cornell Hamilton Winnebago

Line –
Mike Schmidt Pender
Joey Galvin Omaha Nation
Ethan Trenhaile Emerson-Hubbard

Ends-
Kyle Gutzman Emerson-Hubbard
Brody VanDeBurg Pender


DEFENSE
Defensive line –
Andre Berg Bancroft-Rosalie
Patrick Mackling Emerson-Hubbard
Quinn Malmberg Pender

Linebackers –
Ben Burmester Pender
Landon Frenchman Winnebago
Chase Morgan Emerson-Hubbard

Defensive backs
Carsten Tietz Bancroft-Rosalie
Austin Heineman Pender
Tyren Saunsoci Omaha Nation
Greg Neff Winnebago


Honorable Mention

Auston Darnell Bancroft-Rosalie
Drake Luedert Bancroft-Rosalie
Daniel Lyday Bancroft-Rosalie
Logan Peters Pender
Nathan Hogan Emerson-Hubbard
Austin Emmons Emerson-Hubbard
Trey Sheridan Omaha Nation
Hugo Rodas Omaha Nation
Jason GhostDog Winnebago
TaeRyan Parker Winnebago

Budget amendment won't affect taxes

Last year Bancroft-Rosalie School refunded approximately $1,767,068 of bonds that were previously issued. The refunding saved the district several thousand dollars because the new bonds were issued at a lower interest rate. The old bonds were called in and the payment date will be in January 2012. This amount was left off the 2011-12 budget because it was thought that they would be paid in the 2010-11 budget year. The school auditor noticed this during our annual audit and recommended that the budget be amended to pay for the refunding.

At the November board meeting the school board will be taking action to amend the 2011-12 bond fund from $510,000 to $2,204,000. There will be no change in the property tax asking because the payment will be made from the proceeds of the refunded bonds.

B-R alum having success on the web

Brigitte Gregg graduated from Bancroft-Rosalie in 1998. She started as a newspaper advice columnist for the Lincoln Journal-Star. Writing led to podcasting, and podcasting led to creating several successful web series and a large audience for her personal video blog. She writes/blogs under the name Brigitte Dale.

Brigitte moved to Los Angeles in 2008 and works as a director, writer, or actress. She was a 2010 Streamy Nominee for best VideoBlogger. She was named one of G4's "ten hottest women on the web," won the title of Yahoo Internet Personality of 2008 and was chosen as NatureMade's "Good Mood Blogger" last year.

Brigitte has written/produced/hosted shows for AOL, ABC Family, Ford Motor Company, and NASA.

Her website is www.brigittedale.com and you can view her videoblogs on You-Tube by searching for Brigitte Dale.

Pretty cool. Congrats Brigitte.

Doane Senior Day (Devon Niewohner] this Saturday

The Doane Football seniors will play their last home game this Saturday in Crete against Dordt College. According to the Doane website, B-R alum Devon Niewohner and the other Doane seniors will be recognized before the game. Kick-off is at 1:00 pm.

Join me in Crete Saturday. You can watch Devon play and catch the second half of the Nebraska game on BTN at a local Crete Sports Bar.

B-R student results on PLAN and EXPLORE tests

The student results are in from the PLAN (grade 10) and EXPLORE (grades 8-9) tests. These tests are pre-ACT tests that indicate student strengths and weaknesses. Our students did very well overall.

Based on the test composite (total) score, these students scored above the 50%ile (based on national scores).

Grade 10 PLAN test- 15 of 19 students scored above 50%
Grade 9 EXPLORE test- 12 of 17 scored above 50%
Grade 8 EXPLORE test- 9 of 16 scored above 50%

The scores suggest that our students gave their best effort on the tests. Congratulations. I will be correlating these scores with the students scores on the MAP test and the NeSA state assessment to see which area(s) each student can improve on.

The guidance counselors will be meeting with students to discuss the results.

"The Coming Job Wars"

Gallup CEO Jim Clifton's new book, "the Coming Job Wars", identifies 10 demands America must master to remain the leading country in the world. Schools can address demand #6- to cut the school drop-out rates. According to Clifton,"too many young people lose hope in their futures as employed, stable adults. So how do schools raise the hopes of young people? What steps can schools take to increase student motivation in school? Most experts tell us to engage students in their schoolwork and make school relevant and meaningful.

The one-to-one computer initiative is one way B-R is trying to engage students. In addition to on-line testing and 24 hour access to class materials, one goal of 1:1 is to have students using technology and the internet for problem solving and critical thinking. We are continuing to move forward in this area.

Career Education is also a focus at B-R. We want all of our students college or career ready by the time they graduate from high school. Career planning is part of junior high Life Skills class. All students will visit at least 3 college campuses in high school. The curriculum provides opportunities for earning college credit during high school. The school is working to provide a career pathway for each of the 6 career fields identified by the Nebraska Department of Education (Ag is the one area we want to offer through distance learning).

Clifton says, "the will of the world is to have a good job." Students need the support of both the parents and the school to help them stay focused on their future.