B-R 2013 National Honor Society Inductees

Kim Kai is new Administrative Assistant at B-R

Kim Kai will begin her job as administrative assistant at Bancroft-Rosalie School in May. She will be taking over for Vickie Slaughter, who is retiring after 33 years at Rosalie and Bancroft-Rosalie School.

Kim has been employed at the Pender Times as a reporter/photographer/office assistant since January 2005. She graduated (cum laude) from Wayne State College in May 1998 with a major in Journalism and a minor in Advertising. Her experience at the Pender Times in handling information and dealing with the public will be an asset to Bancroft-Rosalie school.

Kim and her husband Matt (B-R Director of Maintenance and Transportation) live in Bancroft with their two children, Cale and Callie.

Bancroft Brush Pile Hours

Neihardt Spring Conference Saturday

Work being done to establish a "Bancroft Boat Launch" on county property next to Logan Creek

The Logan Creek is an under-utilized resource right in our own back yard.  Outdoor enthusiasts, especially those who like to kayak and canoe, have indicated that canoeing the Logan Creek would be a fantastic experience, if there were just access points where they could “put in” and “take out”.  

The Nebraska Loess Hills RC&D Board of Directors identified this as one of their projects.  RC&D Board Member John Ross has led the effort to create one of these access points just north of Bancroft.  John also serves on the Cuming County Board of Supervisors, and worked with Board of Supervisors, the Lower Elkhorn NRD, the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission, local Pheasants Forever Chapters, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, to bring all these agencies together to develop plans for a ramp, a native warm-season grass seeding, a cool-season introduced grass seeding, and for planting some shrubs.  

The ramp will be considered “improved” but still primitive.  There will be parking for a few vehicles but no facilities.  For anyone using the site, it will be their responsibility to carry out their own garbage.  “Pack it in – Pack it out”.  The plans are not yet finalized, but funding for approximately half the proposed costs have been made available through the Lower Elkhorn NRD.  The other half will have to be raised locally.  

For more information, contact John Ross or Kent Neumann.

Baseball Districts set for May 4 at Lincoln Sherman Field

Jerrica Tietz artwork selected for display in Washington DC

Here is the letter Jerrica received regarding her artwork. 

Jerrica:

Congratulations! Your artwork submission, Faith, has been awarded first place in the 2013 First Congressional District Art Competition.  In the next few weeks, you will be receiving a more formal acknowledgement from Congressman Fortenberry along with an invitation to attend the National Congressional Art Competition Reception and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in Washington, D.C. on June 26, 2013.

I wanted to inform you as soon as possible so that you can determine if you will be able to attend the National Ceremony where you will be able to view your artwork on display in the Cannon Tunnel of the United States Capitol where it will hang for one year along with the winning entries from Congressional Districts across the country.  This is a beautiful way to honor Faith.  To assist with your travel costs, Southwest Airlines gives each winner two plane tickets to attend the National Ceremony in Washington, D.C.  You will be receiving a packet of information from Southwest in the next week or two with more information about this award.

Congressional offices are not permitted to assist with the cost of traveling to the event.  As such, the winner is responsible for lodging and other expenses incurred to attend the National Ceremony.  Some schools hold fundraisers to assist with the cost of travel. We can be of assistance to you if you have questions about visiting D.C., especially if you’ve never been there before.  Please note that most museums are free of charge and the cost of getting around D.C. on the Metro system is very easy and affordable. We’ve received very positive feedback from our winners who have attended the National Reception in past years.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Again, Congratulations!

Marie Woodhead

Office of Congressman Jeff Fortenberry

First District of Nebraska

Lincoln District Office

301 S. 13th Street, Suite 100

Lincoln, Nebraska 68508

Telephone:(402)438-1598

Fax:(402)438-1604

Cuming County Open race schedule Saturday April 27

Power Drive at West Point

Cuming County Open

April 27, 2013

Set up 7:00 am

Check In 8:00 am

Inspection 8:00 am

Drivers meeting 9:35 am

Cars line up for first heat 9:45am

 

Car Introduction first Heat 9:55am

First Heat 10:00am

 

Car Introduction second Heat 11:55am

Second Heat 12:00pm

Awards after second heat

Clean –Up        2:00 

Information on paying student lunch bills on-line

Anthony (TJ) Hilsinger hired as Bancroft-Rosalie Industrial Technology teacher

T.J. Hilsinger will be returning to Bancroft-Rosalie School next year as the Industrial Technology teacher. TJ is a Bancroft-Rosalie graduate, class of 2003. He has been the Industrial technology teacher at Lyons-Decatur Northeast since 2006, serving as Assistant Football and Head Varsity Track coach.

TJ graduated from Wayne State College in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science degree  and will graduate with a Masters Degree from Wayne State College in May 2013. Tj and his wife Danielle (also B-R class of 2003) live at 1662 31 Road, Rosalie, NE.

TJ is taking over the program from Rob Smith who has decided to become a local businessman with the purchase of Ru-de's Mart in Bancroft. Next year TJ will be teaching Drafting, Advanced woods, General Technology (Powerdrive), 7-8 grade Industrial Tech, and a new class- Electricity and Robotics, replacing Principles of Technology. TJ will also teach computer applications for Mrs. Nolting next year so that she can provide technical assistance on a data collection and data use pilot project through the Nebraska Department of Education.

TJ will coach junior high football and sponsor the Powerdrive team. We are also considering starting a SkillsUSA chapter at Bancroft-Rosalie School with TJ serving as the sponsor. SkillsUSA is the Industrial Technology equivalent of an FFA.

"Bully" to be shown to grades 10-12 today

As part of the Bancroft-Rosalie School Positive Behavior Intervention Support program, students will be discuss bullying. The discussion will center around the documentary film "Bully." Today grades 10-12 will watch the documentary. Later it will be shown to grades 5-9. The film does have some bad language and one of the victims of bullying is gay. Parents and students can decide not to view the film if they choose. The film is rated PG-13 and we feel it is appropriate for students who will be viewing it.

The following is a description of the "Bully."

This year, over 13 million American kids will be bullied at school, online, on the bus, at home, through their cell phones and on the streets of their towns, making it the most common form of violence young people in this country experience. BULLY is the first feature documentary film to show how we've all been affected by bullying, whether we've been victims, perpetrators or stood silent witness. The world we inhabit as adults begins on the playground. BULLY opens on the first day of school. For the more than 13 million kids who'll be bullied this year in the United States, it's a day filled with more anxiety and foreboding than excitement. As the sun rises and school busses across the country overflow with backpacks, brass instruments and the rambunctious sounds of raging hormones, this is a ride into the unknown. For a lot of kids, the only thing that's certain is that this year, like every other, bullying will be a big part of whatever meets them at their school's front doors. ...              

Biz Buzz- Bancroft Community Club

Striving For Student Growth and Excellence

The Bancroft-Rosalie staff used yesterday's early dismissal to work on revising the school mission statement and beliefs. The group decided that "Striving For Student Growth and Excellence" is our school mission. Five belief statements were developed. - All students can learn - Students learn best in a positive, safe environment - Students must be prepared to compete and excel in a digital age - Students’ individual needs must be met - Students need relevant skills in diverse opportunities Other belief statements may be added later. The mission statement and beliefs will be presented to the school board at the May board meeting.

Nebraska School Activity Association rule changes for 2013-14

There are two changes which will impact Bancroft-Rosalie School next year, the 40 point rule in basketball and two preliminary rounds in district speech. 40-Point, Running Clock Rule A running clock will be used for all regular season games and tournaments and all NSAA sub district, district, and state tournament games whenever a 40-point differential in score is reached after the first half of play. The clock will run continuously except at the following times: During a called time-out; during a break between the third and fourth quarters; and for safety reasons, such as injuries, the clock will re-start with the procedure that would normally re-start these instances. Once the 40-point differential is reached, normal clock operating and time procedures will not be resumed even if the point differential falls below 40 points. District Speech All contestants will compete in two preliminary rounds. Preliminary round sections will each be evaluated by a single judge. The top six contestants in each event will advance to a final round, which will be evaluated by two judges.Judges will be hired for a district contest by the NSAA.

Community Club seeks input at April 23 meeting

If you have some ideas on how to improve the community, plan to attend the April 23 meeting of the Bancroft Community Club.

Levi Butler and Preston Peters win Video Contest

The Nebraska Public Power District announced the winners of the It's Easy Bein' Green Video Challenge. Bancroft-Rosalie School students Levi Beutler and Preston Peters won with their video "Super Savers" starring B-R math instructor Mr. Zavadil.

Kelsey Beaudette and Josi Bruning won the D-2 most viewed video with their entry "Save Energy...It's not complicated."

The results can be found at nppd.com/videochallenge

42

I went to see the just released movie "42" over the weekend. 42 is the story of Jackie Robinson in his first two years with the Brooklyn Dodgers. It is a must-see. Before the movie I wasn't aware that Robinson was a four sport athlete at UCLA, which adds to the irony since he was not accepted in professional baseball but he could play on integrated college teams.

Harrison Ford is Dodger owner Branch Rickey, who finally answers Robinson's repeated question "Why are you doing this?" at the end of the movie.

Some characters in the movie behave so badly that the movie audience applauded when the bad guys futures were revealed at the end. A few people left the theater with tears in their eyes.
Every junior high and high school student needs to see this movie and experience what it what like for Jackie Robinson. To see the stupidity of racism.

Mandarin Chicken edges Potato Bar as Favorite Lunch

The top four student meals were Mandarin Chicken, Potato Bar, Hamburger and Chicken Tenders.
Other meals in the Elite Eight were Panther Sub, Chili/cinnamon Roll (my personal championship meal) Chicken Nuggets and Super Nachos.
Mandarin Chicken had the toughest road to the finals, defeating student favorites Stromboli and spaghetti bar.

 

B-R 6th-7th-8th graders to Health Fair in Pender Wednesday

Pender Hospital has invited our 6-8 grade students to attend a wellness fair Wednesday (Tomorrow) at the Pender School. It is an antismoking message. 

It will take an hour to go through the displays, so they will leave after the beginning of 6th period and leave Pender at 2:30 arriving in Bancroft at 2:50 in time for 8th period. 

Mr. Bridges will drive the bus. Mr. Grinvalds and Mrs. Henry will supervise the trip. 

Biz Buzz Social Friday at Neihardt Site

April School Board meeting summary

The Bancroft-Rosalie Board of Education met Monday, April 8, 2013 at 7:30 pm in Bancroft.

Superintendent Cerny reported on transportation, expected state aid, and using E Funds so parents have the option to pay lunch bills online.

In new business the board approved six teachers and six paraeducators for K-8 summer school in July and August and reviewed the Special Education and Title I programs. The board also accepted the resignation of Alan Grinvalds and approved up to $500 for the annual recognition luncheon and awards. It was the recommendation of Superintendent Cerny that the Media Specialist position be filled with existing staff.

In other new business the board set the last day of school for May 17, approved up to $6500 for the purchase of a mower, and offered Anthony Hilsinger the industrial education teaching position. The board also approved the use of a school bus by the Village of Bancroft for a summer swim bus and purchased 10 additonal internet access points and a new controller for $7755.

The board went into executive session to discuss the administrative assistant position, evaluation and hiring of classified staff and evaluation and hiring of coaches and sponsors. Following executive session the board voted to approve wages and benefits for classified staff as recommended by Dr. Cerny. No action was taken on the hiring of coaches and sponsors.

April School Board Agenda

Cheating in Atlanta Schools

Some of you probably read the title and thought this article would be about students cheating, but it is really about thirty-five educators in the Atlanta School system who are accused of cheating, concealing cheating or retaliating against whistleblowers in an effort to bolster test scores and obtain pay bonuses. The cheating has been traced all the way back to 2005.

Former Atlanta Public schools superintendent Beverly Hall was freed on a $200,000 bond recently. Hall was named national superintendent of the year in 2009 by the American Association of School Administrators mainly because of student improvement on standardized tests. The 35 defendants include four high- level executive administrators, six principals, two assistant principals, six testing coordinators, 14 teachers, a school improvement specialist and a school secretary. They were indicted on 65 counts, including racketeering, making false statements and improperly influencing witnesses.

The investigation began after there were reports of widespread erasures on student state competency tests in 2009. Investigators conducted over 2,100 interviews and reviewed 800,000 documents of middle and elementary schools before determining that 44 of the 56 schools had engaged in score changing.  Seven teachers have confessed to test tampering. The most significant example is Parks Middle School, which had a student reading competency pass rate increase from 50 percent to 81 percent in one year. The proof of grade tampering became apparent when test scores under the cheating investigation dropped substantially when added test security prevented staff from changing wrong answers.

How could something like this happen? Part of the problem is the "high stakes" nature of state testing. There are consequences for how students perform on these once a year tests, including pay bonuses tied to student scores and state sanctions for low performing schools. Some school districts tie teacher evaluation to student performance. So when these schools didn't think they could get the results they want by improving instruction, they resorted to cheating.

Nebraska Schools are in the process of giving the state assessments in reading, mathematics and science. To ensure that the tests are being administered properly, school principals must sign off that the testing rules will be enforced and state test monitors visit school random schools to check for compliance. Last week we had a test monitor sit in on our 7th grade reading testing.

We don't give staff bonuses or evaluate teachers based student performance on the state assessments. It doesn't make sense to make decisions based on a single test. I like to make decisions based on individual student growth over time using a combination of the state test (given once a year), the MAP achievement tests and DIBELS assessments (given three times a year), and classroom assessments (given continuously).

At Bancroft-Rosalie, we provide student rewards for test performance to motivate each student to do their best. If they don't give their best effort, the test results won't be a valid measure of the students' ability- making the test results meaningless. Like the test results from Atlanta.  

PPACA- Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

Most of this information is from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska.

PPACA, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (also known as ObamaCare), has regulations that are scheduled to go into effect January 1, 2014. These regulations will bring about significant changes to employer group health plans of all sizes.

Here are changes that the Bancroft-Rosalie School group health plan must comply with:

1. 90 day waiting period maximum.
Waiting periods for coverage cannot be longer than 90 days.

2. Removal of pre-existing condition limitations and/or exclusions.
Coverage must be provided on a guarantee issue basis without any exclusion for pre-existing conditions.

3. Employee cost sharing limits.
Annual cost sharing limits can be no more then the current maximums established for Health savings account eligible high deductible health plans- $6400 for individuals and $12,800 for families in 2014. This cost sharing limit includes all deductibles, coinsurance and copay amounts under the plan.

4. Notice of Marketplace (exchange) availability.
Employers must provide employees with a notice regarding the availability of coverage through the Marketplace (formerly called the Exchange).

5. Minimum value.
In order to avoid paying the Employer Shared Responsibility penalties, all non-grandfathered plans must provide "minimum value", which is defined as providing coverage for at least 60% of the average employee's eligible expenses.

6. Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute Fee
The IRS is assessing employer group plans a $1 per covered person fee (increasing to $2 October 1, 2013) to fund research on the health care treatments for certain conditions. The Omaha World Herald today had an article about how the University of Nebraska hoped to receive some of these funds for their research projects.

7. Transitional Reinsurance Fund Fee
A per-enrollee fee to fund a transitional reinsurance program (help pay for the added costs of PPACA).
The annual fee for 2014 is expected to be $63 oer covered person. This fee applies to all group health plan participants including dependents (the fee for a family of four would be $252). This fee will be included in the premiums charged.

The school Blue Cross Blue Shield premiums for next year will be going up 6%. Three percent is due to the increased costs of medical service and 3% because of the added fees and costs associated with PPACA, according to information provided by the Nebraska Council of School Administrators.

New teachers in Nebraska will have to pass a content area test

The new test requirements will go into effect after the test is approved and written into the certification rules that govern teacher certification. These updated rules will have to be approved by the State Board.

(From the Nebraska Department of Education April State Board meeting agenda)


Nebraska does not require educator preparation candidates or applicants for a Nebraska certificate to pass a content test.

Nebraska is currently the only state that does not use a content test as an indicator in the educator preparation process.

At the direction of the Commissioner, NDE staff investigated testing options, conducted preliminary work to identify appropriate tests related to Nebraska endorsements, and facilitated discussion related to other implementation details.

In March 2013 a group of stakeholders (including teachers, administrators, educator preparation and other higher education faculty, and NDE content consultants) met to review Praxis II test options available through the Educational Testing Service and to make preliminary recommendations for a passing score. At the May meeting, the Board will be asked to approve moving forward with implementation of a content testing requirement.

NeSA Assessment Schedule- April

April 3-4
7th and 8th grade reading (7th at 10:00 am; 8th at 12:15)

April 9-10
3rd and 4th grade reading (3rd at 8:20, 4th at 9:50)

April 11-12
3rd and 4th grade reading (5th at 8:20, 6th at 9:50)

April 16-17
7th and 8th grade math

April 17-18
11th grade reading (10:00)

April 23-24
3rd and 4th grade math

April 25
11th grade math

April 25-26
5th and 6th grade math

April 30
5th grade science

May 1
11th grade science (2:00)
8th grade science

Common Core Standards

Since 2010, 45 states have adopted the same standards for English and math. These standards are called the Common Core State Standards (CCSS).

Nebraska is one of the five states that have not adopted the Common Core, along with Texas, Alaska, Minnesota, Virginia. It is only a matter of time before we join the rest of the nation. The Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) is considering what actions to take regarding the common core. There is a bill in the legislature that will give NDE the authority to adopt the common core if they choose.

For the upcoming 2013-14 school year, NDE plans to continue with the current Nebraska State Standards. They have commissioned a study to compare the current nebraska State Standards with the common core. In my opinion the study will find that there is not a significant difference between the Nebraska Standards in Language Arts and Math and the Common Core standards, leading us to join the other 45 states, but time will tell.

Here are some frequently asked questions from http://www.corestandards.org/resources/frequently-asked-questions. Note the last questions that addresses common assessments. 
Beginning in 2014-15, states that adopted the common core will give a common assessment. If Nebraska adoptes the common core, our current assessments (called NeSA) will be replaced with the common assessment. 

What are educational standards?

Educational standards help teachers ensure their students have the skills and knowledge they need to be successful by providing clear goals for student learning.

What is the Common Core State Standards Initiative?

The Common Core State Standards Initiative is a state-led effort that established a single set of clear educational standards for kindergarten through 12th grade in English language arts and mathematics that states voluntarily adopt. The standards are designed to ensure that students graduating from high school are prepared to enter credit bearing entry courses in two or four year college programs or enter the workforce. The standards are clear and concise to ensure that parents, teachers, and students have a clear understanding of the expectations in reading, writing, speaking and listening, language and mathematics in school.

Who leads the Common Core State Standards Initiative?

The nation’s governors and education commissioners, through their representative organizations the National Governors Association (NGA) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) led the development of the Common Core State Standards and continue to lead the initiative. Teachers, parents, school administrators and experts from across the country together with state leaders provided input into the development of the standards.

Why is the Common Core State Standards Initiative important?

High standards that are consistent across states provide teachers, parents, and students with a set of clear expectations that are aligned to the expectations in college and careers. The standards promote equity by ensuring all students, no matter where they live, are well prepared with the skills and knowledge necessary to collaborate and compete with their peers in the United States and abroad.. Unlike previous state standards, which were unique to every state in the country, the Common Core State Standards enable collaboration between states on a range of tools and policies, including:

• the development of textbooks, digital media, and other teaching materials aligned to the standards;
• and the development and implementation of common comprehensive assessment systems to measure student performance annually that will replace existing state testing systems; and

Who was involved in the Common Core State Standards Initiative?

States across the country collaborated with teachers, researchers, and leading experts to design and develop the Common Core State Standards. Each state independently made the decision to adopt the Common Core State Standards, beginning in 2010. The federal government was NOT involved in the development of the standards. Local teachers, principals, and superintendents lead the implementation of the Common Core.

What guidance do the Common Core State Standards provide to teachers?

The Common Core State Standards are a clear set of shared goals and expectations for the knowledge and skills students need in English language arts and mathematics at each grade level to ultimately be prepared to graduate college and career ready. The standards establish what students need to learn, but they do not dictate how teachers should teach. Teachers will continue to devise lesson plans and tailor instruction to the individual needs of the students in their classrooms.

How do the Common Core State Standards compare to previous state standards?

The Common Core State Standards were written by building on the best and highest state standards in existence in the U.S., examining the expectations of other high performing countries around the world, and careful study of the research and literature available on what students need to know and be able to do to be successful in college and careers. No state in the country was asked to lower their expectations for their students in adopting the Common Core. The standards are evidence-based, aligned with college and work expectations, include rigorous content and skills, and are informed by other top performing countries. They were developed in consultation with teachers and parents from across the country so they are also realistic and practical for the classroom.

Will there be tests based on the Common Core State Standards?

Yes. States that adopted the Common Core State Standards are currently collaborating to develop common assessments that will be aligned to the standards and replace existing end of year state assessments. These assessments will be available in the 2014-2015 school year.

Neihardt Program: Woody Guthrie, Re-invisioning 1930s America Sunday April 7