2013-14 School Calendar

The 2013-14 School Calendar has been updated to include summer school and early dismissal dates.

Now you can schedule those dental appointments on early dismissal dates 

so your students will not have to miss any school.  :)

Bancroft-Rosalie is D-2

The Nebraska School Activities Association released the Volleyball classifications for the upcoming school year. Basketball will be almost identical. If you want to see where other schools are, I included classes C-2, D-1 and D-2 information below.

Bancroft-Rosalie School earns NSAA Farmers Sportsmanship Award for 2012 - 13

The Nebraska School Activities Association announced the Nebraska high schools

earning the prestigious Farmers School Sportsmanship Award. The annual awards program

is designed to recognize NSAA member high schools that establish and follow a quality sportsmanship program within their athletic activities.

 

 

2012-2013

Sportsmanship Award Winners

Bancroft-Rosalie

Gothenburg

Lincoln Lutheran

Norfolk Catholic

Valentine

Bancroft-Rosalie and Valentine high schools earned the award for the third time.

Gothenburg, Lincoln Lutheran, and Norfolk Catholic were honored for the fourth

consecutive year.

 

As Assistant Activities Director, Mr. Hulstein supervises the Bancroft-Rosalie School  Sportsmanship program.

New Paraprofessional- Anna Petersen

Anna Petersen has accepted the paraprofessional position at Bancroft-Rosalie School for the upcoming school year. She previously was employed as a paraprofessional at B-R in 2006-07. Anna has 3 years of college coursework in early childhood education and over 10 years experience working with children.

Anna will work in the kindergarten room and supervise recess, the lunch room, and the east doors after school.

Nebraska Risk and Protective Factor Student Survey

The Nebraska Risk and Protective Survey is given to students in grades 6,8,10, and 12 every two years. 
The 2012 risk and protective scores for Bancroft-Rosalie Community Schools have been provided to the school by grade and we have compared our local scores to the overall state scores.

The good news-
100% of our students believe that our communities provide opportunities for positive social involvement.
The perceived availability of drugs in our communities is below the state average.

Area for concern-
Our students perceived that rewards for positive social behavior in school were provided at a lower percentage than the state average. This survey was done at the beginning of the school year as PBIS was just being implemented.  I anticipate that this number will increase significantly the next time the survey is taken.

Derek Ahlers represents B-R at 19th annual Masonic Lodge marching band

The Nebraska Masonic Lodge marching band performed the national anthem and the halftime show at the Nebraska Shrine Football Game on Saturday June 1st in Kearney. Derek Ahlers of Rosalie was part of that band. Olive Branch Masonic Lodge #274 of Walthill sponsored Derek. 

Derek enjoyed the experience and met a lot of students from all over the state. The band had four intense days of practice in preparation for the halftime show. They also performed for the Shrine Bowl Committee the night before the game.

Reporting to Olive Branch Lodge #274 in Walthill

Iowa looks at policy on when schools can start

Information is taken from Omaha World Herald article June 18, 2013. http://www.omaha.com/article/20130618/NEWS/706189959/1707#iowa-gov-branstad-school-start-rules-too-lax-hurt-state-tourism

"Iowa's law requiring the school year to start in the week that includes Sept. 1 gets circumvented so often it's been rendered meaningless, and the earlier school year is eating into the profits of the state's tourism industry, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad said at his weekly news conference."
According to the Omaha World Herald , "under Iowa law elementary and secondary schools are supposed to start during the week that includes Sept. 1. But nearly all districts apply for and get waivers to start in August. In the 2012-13 school year, all but eight of the state's 348 school districts received waivers to start the school year earlier."
"A group of tourism officials led by Iowa State Fair Manager Gary Slater has filed a petition with the state Department of Education seeking tougher enforcement of the law. In the petition, the tourism groups argue that the start date policy has become “effectively meaningless.”
"Slater said that attendance and participation in the State Fair drops as schools resume. Daniel Smith, executive director of the School Administrators of Iowa, said local districts should get the flexibility to start early. He said schools may need to begin early for a variety of reasons."

I agree with Daniel Smith. Let the districts decide what is best for the education of their students, not government officials who prioritize tourism profits ahead of education interests. If this law is not what's best for the education of students then it needs to be changed.
It is time to start making school decisions based on what is good for kids instead of what is good for adults. Put the focus on student learning and maximizing academic learning time.

Student Eligibility

Omaha Public Schools (OPS) is looking at toughening their eligibility requirements for student-athletes including maintaining a 2.0 (C) grade point average and a passing grade in every class to participate in athletics. OPS high schools currently follows the eligibility requirements of the Nebraska School Activities Association in which a student must earn at least a D in four classes the previous semester. Most students take seven classes each semester. Here is the Bancroft-Rosalie School eligibility policy for participation in extracurricular activities taken from the student handbook. "To be eligible for extra curricular events or contests, the student must be passing six of the seven classes of which they are enrolled. Teachers will update all grades for students (7-12) by 8:15 on every Tuesday. After the second week of each semester if a student is not passing six of their classes they will be put on probation for their first offense, (students will get one probationary week each semester) after that they will be ineligible for all activities the following week. Eligibility will run from Monday to Monday. Students must meet the eligibility status to participate in any activities or contests. Parents will receive a letter from the school when their child is ineligible which will inform them of the classes and grades that their child is down in. The letter will also include the date of the week when they will be ineligible. The policy is not constructed to unnecessarily punish any student. The school is first an academic institution. To be eligible to compete in extracurricular events sponsored by the school, the students must first meet the academic requirements. All other eligibility policies as stated by the Nebraska School Activities Association must be in compliance [passing four classes the previous semester]. Students not passing four classes for the semester will be ineligible for the succeeding semester." The idea of requiring a 2.0 grade point average (or a 77% average) to eligible the next semester is worth looking at. That might decrease the number of students who do just enough to pass (69%). But it might also lead to students taking classes they know they will do well in rather than challenging themselves with more rigorous coursework.

Nebraska School Activities Association policy on transgender athletes

Note- the NSAA will vote on this policy at their August 21 meeting. It was discussed by the Board of Directors in December, but was not voted on.

Nebraska could be one of eight states that have a policy governing the participation of transgender students in school activities. The policy (below) ensures appropriate gender assignment for sports and requires the student’s home school to perform a confidential evaluation to determine the gender assignment for the prospective student-athlete. Before anyone thinks that males will start to dominate female sports in Nebraska, according to Deadspin.com the few instances in California it has been female athletes wanting to compete in male sports. Nobody seems to get excited about that. In college athletics the NCAA gives transgender athletes their choice of sport, but requires biologically male players to undergo one year of hormone therapy before competing in women's sports. This is not a requirement in the Nebraska high school policy.

Elementary girls basketball camp today

Morningside College basketball's Jessica Tietz is holding an elementary girls basketball camp and the girls were showing off their talent this morning.

Valuations rise in Cuming, Thurston and Burt counties

These numbers come from the Nebraska Department of Revenue website and are county averages. The Bancroft-Rosalie School District property valuations will not increase exactly by these percentages, but can be used to estimate the new valuations for the 2013-14 school year.

Residential Property
Cuming 2.80%

Thurston 7.71%

Burt 3.72%

Commercial Property

Cuming 1.16%

Thurston 5.70%

Burt 1.92%

Agricultural Land

Cuming 19.52%

Thurston 25.84%

Burt 27.98%

TOTAL Valuation Increase

Cuming 14.72%
Thurston 21.38%
Burt 20.70%

Bancroft-Rosalie School Board news

The Bancroft-Rosalie Board of Education met Monday, June 10, 2013 at 7:30 pm in Bancroft.

A budget hearing was held prior to the regular meeting to amend the Budget of Expenditures by increasing the Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund by $170,000 in order to pay bills for the building addition that were budgeted for in 2011-12 but were not submitted until the 2012-13 budget year.

Superintendent Cerny presented the May transportation report, the Employee Leave Report, certified State Aid for 2013-14, and the IRS compliance visit. The school will contact Engelhardt’s to look at the gymnasium sound system. A letter from the school insurance company recommended not allowing fireworks sales on school property. Interviews for a Paraprofessional position will be held this week. Staff "Jean Fridays" raised over $1000 that was donated to needy families. 

The following extracurricular assignments were made: Jessica Brichacek- assistant junior high volleyball and Toni Hennig- junior high track. 

In new business, the board approved the amended 2012-13 school Budget of Expenditures,  reviewed the Food Service Program, and reviewed the list of bus drivers, van drivers, substitute teachers and substitute paraprofessionals for 2013-14.

Mike Surrells Retirement Reception at Senior Center

Mike Surrells officially retired Saturday June 8 with a reception at the Senior Center. The Village Board members presented Mike with a gift for his years of service. John Sparks will start work today at the new Chief of Police.

Bancroft-Rosalie receives 2013 Farmers Sportsmanship Award

B-R has been awarded the Nebraska School Activities Association Sportsmanship 

Award for the 3rd time in the four years of the program.

Our school believes that sportsmanship is an important part of our activities program.  

As part of the B-R sportsmanship program, two students are selected for their sportsmanship each year. This years winners were Auston Darnell and Jerrica Tietz.

School Board hearing and meeting agendas Monday June 10

Bancroft-Rosalie Community School

Budget Hearing Agenda

Monday, June 10, 2013 --- 7:30 p.m. in Bancroft

1.   Call the hearing to order.

2.   Roll Call

3.   Board discussion on the proposed 2012-13 Budget amendment.

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, June 10, 2013 --- 7:30 pm in Bancroft

1.   Call to Order

2.   Open Meetings Act

3.   Roll Call

4.   Read and approve the minutes of the May 14, 2012 Regular Board Meeting.

5.   Treasurer’s Report

      A. Approve the Bills

      B. Financial Review

6.   Review Agenda

7.   Public Hearing

8.   Administrator’s Reports:

      A. Superintendent’s Report

      B. Principal’s Report

9.   Old Business:

      A.

10.     New Business:

      A. Approve amended budget of expenditures for 2012-13

      B. Annual review of Food Service program.

      C.  Approve school auditor.

      D. Review part-time and substitute staff

           - bus drivers

           - van drivers

           - substitute teachers

           - substitute paraprofessionals

11. Discussion Items

      A.

12. Executive Session

13.     Future Planning- Next scheduled meeting- Monday, July 8, 2013 in Bancroft.  

14.     Adjournment.

Superintendent’s  Report

                                    1.         May transportation report

                                    2.         Sound System

                                    3.         Fireworks

                                    4.         Employee Leave Report

                                    5.         State Aid 2013-14

                                    6.         IRS Compliance Visit

                                    7.         Paraprofessional position

Cuming County Economic Development Information

Anyone in Cuming County with questions about their business should contact Garry at Cuming County Economic Development

Two B-R Fifth Grade students attend Leadership Program

Luke Kramer and Anabel Villanueva attended the Future Leaders of America Camp June 3-5.

• Hosted by: West Point Public School in conjunction with the West Point Chamber of Commerce

• Has been held in West Point since 2005.  Since 2005 approximately 180 youth have attended.

·      23 Students from 10 area schools attending this year’s leadership camp were: 

• Instructed by Sandy Luebbe and Mike Recker West Point Public School staff 

• High school teaching assistants were Alyssa Hoffman, Jesus Cervantes, Caylynn Cruse, and Amanda Hansen 

• Camp Director was Sandy Luebbe, Middle School Counselor at West Point Public School.

• Students entering 5th and 6th grade were selected based on their abilities to positively influence other students in their schools 

• Students from Howells-Dodge Public, Dodge St. Wenceslaus, Bancroft-Rosalie, Howells Catholic, Lyons-Decatur, Oakland-Craig, Beemer Elementary, West Point Guardian Angels, St. Paul Lutheran, and West Point Elementary schools attended this year’s camp 

• Instruction took place in large groups and small groups led by teaching assistants

• Campers took part in activities aimed at utilizing their individual talents to further develop leadership skills.  Activities involved: identifying strengths in self and others, active listening skills, empathy, interpersonal relationship skills, synergy ("teamwork" that taps each individual's strengths), and goal setting.

• Sponsors included:

Harry Knobbe Feedyards, Farmers and Merchants National Bank, Charter West National Bank, Valmont West Point Galvanizing, Citizens State Bank, First Community Bank – Beemer,

B-R Football to play Mead August 30

The Nebraska School Activities Association has realigned schedules to accommodate schools that lost games due to school changing to 6 man football.

Mead will replace Lindsay Holy Family on the Bancroft-Rosalie schedule. The Mead game will be played August 30 (week 0 of the football season). Bancroft-Rosalie will have a bye week during week 7 of the season the week the Lindsay game was scheduled.

2013 Bancroft-Rosalie NeSA results