Sioux City Journal article on Mousetrap cars

Nice article on B-R technology program.

You can view the article and see the video at the following:

http://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/hytrek-neb-students-learn-how-to-build-a-better-mousetrap/article_ee106a8f-5cdc-5539-be18-375f4c357b90.html

Sioux City paper at B-R for the Mousetrap powered vehicle contest

Mr. Hilsinger's 8th grade Technology class tested their mousetrap powered vehicles today and the Sioux City Journal was here to see it. Look for the article in the near future.

Making a few last minute adjustments

Sioux City Journal photographer getting a clsoe-up

Thats Devon Darnell at the end of the gym measuring the distance his vehicle traveled. This one will be hard to beat.

NSAA Academic All-Stater's announced

Bancroft-Rosalie School had several players named to Academic All-State for Fall activities.

Football- Derek Ahlers and Ian Nottlemann

Play Production- Ian Nottlemann and Suzanne Ras

Softball- Suzanne ras

Volleyball- Hannah Flock and Jerrica Tietz

B-R School Improvement Goals

Two goals have been identified for school improvement at Bancroft-Rosalie.

1. Student Achievement Goal-                         Math

All Students will increase knowledge and skills in math concepts and reasoning.

2. Learning Opportunities Goal-             Multi-Tiered Support Systems

All Students will be provided a schoolwide multi-tier system of supports

Reading and Behavior and the two areas targeted under the multi-tier support system goal.

Action plans will be worked on during the Teacher Workday on Monday January 5, 2015.

Team leaders are:

Math achievement- Breanna Beutler

Learning Opportunities- Reading- Karin Vogt

Learning Opportunities- Behavior- Michelle Hennig

The school improvement leadership team is Breanna Beutler, Michelle Hennig, TJ Hilsinger and Anita Bray.

 

Career Readiness- What does it mean in Nebraska

Watch this youtube video on Career Readiness in Nebraska.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0GU5UNirpk&feature=youtu.be

All-State Football announced

Carsten Tietz was selected as all-state punter by the Lincoln Journal Star and Huskerland Prep Report. He received Honorable Mention in the Omaha World Herald.

Easton Weborg and Zeb Greve received Honorable Mention in the World Herald and the Journal Star.

Allied/Unified Sports programs

Allied (or Unified) sports programs are developing across the United States. The idea will make it into Nebraska Schools in the near future. What are allied sports/ Unified sports?

From the website https://www.bcps.org/offices/athletics/alliedSports/history.html

Modeled after the Special Olympics’ "Unified Sports" program, Allied Sports is a totally inclusive program that affords students with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in interscholastic sports along-side their non-disabled peers.
This program was designed for students who are interested in playing a sport but do not necessarily possess the skill or desire to play on a varsity or junior varsity team. There are three Allied sports offered, one per season. Soccer is offered in the Fall, bowling is offered in the Winter, and softball is offered in the Spring. All team activities are co-ed with the appropriate rule modifications to ensure a safe and successful experience for all students, regardless of ability.

Holiday Tunes this Sunday at the Neihardt Site

Get into the holiday spirit by attending the John G. Neihardt State Historic Site’s December “Sunday Afternoon at the Museum” program.  Mark your calendar for December 14 at 2:00 p.m., and don’t’ forget to bring your family, friends, and even your Grinch-y neighbor to Bancroft to rejoice at the holiday music of the Burt County Brass Quintet and the Bancroft Melody Chimers.  The quintet features Gary Fugman (Decatur) and Jim Groth (Oakland) on trumpet; Brenner Beavers (Tekamah) playing the French horn; Jeff Watson (Lyons) playing trombone; and Bancroft-Rosalie music teacher Viktor Sundleaf playing tuba.  Enjoy sweet treats, holiday décor, and good company after the program.  You may even find a unique gift in our selection of books, CDs, and beaded jewelry.  The Neihardt State Historic Site is located at 306 W. Elm St., Bancroft, Neb.  Both the program and reception are free and open to the public.

Bancroft-Rosalie Community School Board News

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The December meeting of the Bancroft-Rosalie School Board was held Monday, December 8, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. in the school library. Dr. Cerny presented the November transportation report, certified election results, and the Woodmen of the World Outstanding American History student award. Superintendent Cerny and board members shared what they learned at the state school board conference.

In new business the board approved the audit and the annual report. The staff Christmas gathering at Main Street was set for Friday, December 12. The board received school health services and approved the cooperative agreement for baseball with Pender, Emerson-Hubbard and Lyons-Decatur for the 2015 and 2016 baseball seasons. The board also accepted the resignation of teacher/counselor Anita Bray.

The board held an executive session to discuss teacher negotiations and a student discipline incident.

December School Board Agenda

Bancroft-Rosalie Community School

Regular Board of Education Meeting Agenda

Monday, December 8, 2014 --- 7:30 p.m. in Bancroft

1.             Call to Order

2.             Roll Call

3.            Open Meetings Act

4.             Read and approve the minutes of the November 10, 2014 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. Board Committee Reports

                             1. Negotiations                        2. Citizenship/Instruction/ Americanism

                             3. Personnel                             4. Buildings and Grounds

                             5. Transportation                     6. Insurance

                             7. Reorganization

9.            Old Business:

            A.

10.            New Business:

            A. Approve the 2013-14 audit.           

           

            B. Approve the 2013-14 annual report.

           

            C. Approve $350 for staff Christmas at Main Street December 12

           

            D. Annual Review of School Health Services

            E. Approve 2015 Cooperative agreement for baseball in 2014 and 2015 with

                  Pender, Emerson-Hubbard and Lyons-Decatur.

            F. Accept letter of resignation from Anita Bray.

11.            Executive Session.

12.            Future Planning- Next meeting- Monday, January 12, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.           

13.            Adjournment.

Help Wanted: Manager for Barber's Sunrise Villa

Fifth grade students compete in Elementary Science Olympiad

Lauren Kramer, Jocie Pagels, Colten Briggs, and Ryker Gomez traveled to Midland University in Fremont Thursday for the area Science Olympiad. They competed in 6 contests- Catapult, Sink or Float, Straw Towers, Estimania, Clay Boats, and Write It Do It Picture This.
The contests were a chance for the students to perform hands-on science activities and were noncompetitive.

Building a straw tower

The clay boat under construction

Preparing the catapult

Checking on Sink or Float

Bancroft Community Calendar

Bancroft Village Board has two new members

Education Quest update

Remediation classes in college

REMEDIAL CLASSES are classes that some students must take in order to build up math, reading, or English skills BEFORE they are allowed to take regular college courses.
 Why You Don’t Want to take Remedial Classes:

• You can’t take regular college courses until you complete the remedial classes.
• These classes cost the same as college classes but DO NOT COUNT TOWARDS A COLLEGE DEGREE!

Nationally, 58% of high school students entering community college took at least one remediation course. Only 28% of these students went on to complete a degree. Keep in mind that many community college students are non-traditional, taking college classes after having been in the workforce.

In Nebraska during the 2012-13 school year 30% of students entering community college took a remedial math course, 20% took a remedial reading course, and 18% took a remedial writing course.

We have no way of knowing the number B-R students taking remedial courses, but we have some strategies to reduce the need for remediation.
- All students take college entrance assessments (ACT, COMPASS) in their junior year so they can identify areas of need and work to improve those skills before retesting.
- Teachers understand college-level coursework and hold students to that standard in junior and senior year courses.
- Students have the opportunity to take college level classes their junior and senior years, learning what a college class is like and the level of study needed to be successful.

For students that may need remediation in math, EdReady.org has a free, online math assessment that students can use to measure their college math readiness and identify skills that need to be improved. They will have a reading assessment available in April.

Fridays OCA games at College of St. Marys

Fridays basketball games against Omaha Christian Academy will be playing at College of St. Mary in Omaha.  The address is:  7000 Mercy Rd., Omaha, NE 68106.  The girls game will start at 6:00pm followed by the boys.

Coaches for Northeast Nebraska Football Classic named

From Northeast All-star Classic website.

Two head football coaches, who will be stepping down from their respective programs following the season, have been named head coaches for the 3^rd Annual Red vs. White Northeast Nebraska All-Star Football Classic, according to Mike Fuehrer, Sports Development Manager for the Norfolk Area Sports Council.
Tony Hoffman of Crofton, who will be the head coach for the Red Team, and Dr. Jon Cerny of Bancroft-Rosalie, who will be the head coach for the White Team, have been named head coaches for the 2015 All-Star Classic.
The 3^rd Annual All-Star Game will be played on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at 1 p.m. at Veteran’s Memorial Field in Norfolk.
Dr. Cerny served as assistant coach on the White Team last summer. He said this will be the last game he will coach after 32 years, all at Bancroft-Rosalie.
Hoffman served as an assistant on the Red Team last summer. He said he is stepping away from the game after joining the Crofton football program as an assistant in 1995. He has been the head coach since 1999.
Mark Brahmer, Head Football Coach at Pierce High School, who serves as President of the Board of Directors, said both men are quality head coaches and both will have outstanding assistant coaches to work with.
“The board and I are thrilled to have two of the most successful football coaches in Northeast Nebraska leading our respective all-star squads this year,’’ Brahmer said.  “Tony Hoffman and Jon Cerny have been proven winners over the long haul, and we are excited to watch them lead their teams.’’
Brahmer also said both coaches are joined by a wealth of knowledge and ability among their assistant coaches.  “High school football is strong in this part of the state, not only because we have tough players that are willing to work, but also because we have coaches who work hard at their trade,’’ he said. “All of these coaches positively represent the strength of football in this area.’’
Hoffman’s assistant coaches will be Tom Allen of Crofton, Steve Neptune of West Holt, Darin Suckstorf of Lutheran High Northeast, Chad Cattau of Hartington Cedar Catholic and John Bellar, formerly of Norfolk Catholic.
Cerny’s assistant coaches include Dan Maresh of Lyons-Decatur Northeast, Arnie Johnson of Boone Central/Newman Grove, John Erwin of Norfolk High School, Ron Beacom of Neligh-Oakdale and Jim Clarkson of Clarkson.

Bancroft-Rosalie Play Production wins East Husker Conference

Bancroft-Rosalie's performance of "A Mid-Summer Nights Dream" won the Elkhorn Division One Act Play competition today in Lyons.
Brianna Wegner was named outstanding actress overall.
Ian Nottlemann was named outstanding supporting actor overall.
Outstanding performers for our play were- Brianna Wegner, Ian Nottlemann, Suzanne Ras, Wyatt Hennig, and Austin Bruning

The Future Ready Pledge

The Future Ready District Pledge, developed by the U.S. Department of Education in October 2014, is a commitment by district leaders to work with educators, families, and community members to make all schools in their districts Future Ready. The Future Ready Schools Initiative will encourage and support superintendents as they transition their districts to personalized, digital learning.

I, Dr. Jon Cerny, Superintendent of Bancroft-Rosalie Community Schools do hereby affirm the commitment of this district to work with students, educators, families, and members of our community to become Future Ready by engaging in a wide range of activities such as:

 

Fostering and Leading a Culture of Digital Learning Within Our Schools.

Future Ready district leadership teams work collaboratively to transform teaching and learning using the power of technology to help drive continuous improvement. We work together to protect student privacy and to teach students to become responsible, engaged, and contributing digital citizens.

Helping Schools and Families Transition to High-speed Connectivity.
Future Ready districts conduct comprehensive diagnostic assessments of the district’s technology infrastructure and develop a sustainable plan to ensure broadband classroom connectivity and wireless access. Future Ready districts work with community partners to leverage local, state, and federal resources to support home Internet access outside of traditional school hours.

Empowering Educators through Professional Learning Opportunities.
Future Ready districts strive to provide everyone with access to personalized learning opportunities and instructional experts that give teachers and leaders the individual support they need, when they need it. Future Ready districts provide tools to help teachers effectively leverage learning data to make better instructional decisions.

Accelerating Progress Toward Universal Access for All Students to Quality Devices.
Future Ready districts work with necessary stakeholders to ensure that all students and educators across the district have regular access to devices for learning. Future Ready districts develop tools to support a robust infrastructure for managing and optimizing safe and effective use of technology, so students have opportunities to be active learners, creating and sharing content, not just consuming it.

Providing Access to Quality Digital Content.
Future Ready districts align, curate, create, and consistently improve digital materials and apps used in the support of learning. Future Ready districts use carefully selected high quality digital content that is aligned to college and career ready standards as an essential part of daily teaching and learning. Teachers are able to share, discover, and adapt openly-licensed materials and teaching plans.

Offering Digital Tools to Help Students And Families #ReachHigher.
Future Ready districts make digital resources available that help access expanded college, career, and citizenship opportunities. Future Ready districts promote ways to leverage technology to expand equity through digital activities such as completion of the FAFSA online, virtual counseling services, college scholarship search tools, and online advising access, all of which help to return America to the nation in the world with the highest college completion rate by 2020.

Mentoring Other Districts and Helping Them Transition to Digital Learning.
Future Ready districts work to design, implement, and share their technology plans. Future Ready districts join regional summits, participate in an online Connected Superintendents community of practice, and publish their Future Ready technology plan at a site such as www.MyDistrict.org/FutureReady

3 D printing- a disruptive innovation

A disruptive innovation is an innovation that helps create a new market and value network, and eventually disrupts an existing market and value network (over a few years or decades), displacing an earlier technology.

The desktop computer is an example of a disruptive innovation. In the early years of computers, they were so expensive only large businesses could afford them. Eventually the desktop computer came along and completely changed the computer industry. Now nearly every household has a computer.

The 3 D printer will have the same effect on the manufacturing industry. According to Biztimes.com, "The latest examples of this groundbreaking work are breathtaking:
- NASA has successfully tested a part of a rocket engine made through 3-D printing and has plans to send a 3-D printer to the International Space Station in 2014 and is even working with a private company to 3-D print a pizza.
- A Dutch firm is in the process of 3-D printing an entire house."

According to visualcapitalist.com, it looks like there would be one 3d printer for every five people in the US by 2023. Instead of buying toys and other items from China, people will be able to purchase them custom made at a local business or even make them at home on their own 3 D printer.

Let's get them in the hands of our students and see what they can do.

Products from the B-R 3D printer

3-D printing has the potential to change how manufacturing is done. B-R purchased a 3-D printer this year with grant funds from Great Plains Communications. A flag holder and an IPad holder are 2 items that the Industrial Technology classes have produced with the 3-D printer. The IPad holder looks like a broken water pipe. The products are made of plastic and come out white so they require painting after the printing is finished.

History of Neihardt Site In Bancroft

State Senators Blair Richendifer of Walthill and former Senator Bill Hasebroock of West Point introduced LB 855 on January 15, 1974. The bill passed on the floor but was vetoed by Gov. J. J. Exon. However, after two days of lobbying by Marie Vogt and an eloquent speech in support of the bill by Sen. Ernie Chambers, the Senators overrode the veto and appropriated $200,000 to build the Neihardt Center. The Center was dedicated on Neihardt Day, 1976. Some locals pass along a story of a possible swimming pool if the Neihardt Center wasn't built. Not true.

One Act Play Public Performance Tuesday Night at 8:00 pm

Trends in Superintendency

The following article excerpt was published in The Nebraska Council of School Administrators by James Ossian at Wayne State College.

All District Football Team

Bancroft-Rosalie places 5 on All-District Football Team

First Team All-District Football Carsten Tietz Easton Weborg Zeb Greve Dayne Wortman Chris Snyder Honorable Mention Mckenzie Lyons Ian Nottlemann Damion Otteman

Bancroft-Rosalie Community School Board News

The November meeting of the Bancroft-Rosalie School Board was held Monday, November 10, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. in the school library. Dr. Cerny presented the October transportation report, District tax history, State School Board Conference, and the addition of a required financial literacy course for seniors. In old business the board discussed the Interlocal Agreement with the Village of Bancroft and cooping high school sports with Lyons-Decatur. In new business the board reviewed the district multicultural program and the school technology plan. Dr. Cerny presented a preliminary teacher evaluation report. The board went into executive session to discuss teacher negotiations.

Veterans Day Program Tuesday at 2:45 pm in B-R School Gym

Neihardt Laureate Feast this Sunday in Omaha

The Laureate Feast is a major fund-raiser for the Neihardt Historic Site. This yeras honoree is Nebraska State Poet Twyla Hansen.

Bancroft-Rosalie School Board meeting agenda

Bancroft-Rosalie Community School
Regular Board of Education Meeting Agenda
Monday, November 10, 2014 --- 7:30 p.m. in Bancroft.
1. Call to Order
2. Open Meetings Act
3. Roll Call
4. Read and approve the minutes of the October 13, 2014 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. Board Committee Reports
          1. Negotiations
          2. Citizenship/Instruction/ Americanism
          3. Personnel
          4. Buildings and Grounds
          5. Transportation
          6. Insurance
          7. Reorganization
9. Old Business:
     A. Interlocal Agreement with Bancroft Village
     B. Cooping sports with Lyons-Decatur beginning 2016-17
10. New Business:
      A. Annual review of Multicultural program.
      B. Annual review of technology
      C. Preliminary teacher evaluation
11. Executive session- Negotiations
12. Future Planning- Next meeting- Monday, December 8, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.
13. Adjournment.

B-R Activities is now on Twitter

With the push for staying more connected in our digital age, Bancroft-Rosalie has just this year began using twitter as a way to get more information out concerning school related activities. This brief, "micro-blog" format, that uses only 140 characters per tweet, along with it's ease of mobile posting, allows B-R Activities followers to have up-to-the-minute check-ins on activities at Bancroft-Rosalie. By following B-R Activities ( www.twitter.com/bractivities ), users will be kept up to date on not only sports schedules and scores, but also other activities that Bancroft-Rosalie students are involved in, like Battle of The Pep Bands (coming this Friday to B-R at 7:00 p.m.), One Act Performances and other important events at B-R. Stay up to date by following @BRActivities. #GOBIGBLUE

Election day Part II- Bancroft Village Board

I have served as the Bancroft representative on the Cuming County Economic Development Board of Directors for the past five years. Cuming County Economic Development has had a positive effect in every community in the county. I attended the Candidates forum at the Bancroft Senior Center last week to find out where the candidates for the Village Board stood on continuing to as a full partner with Cuming County Economic Development. Bancroft Village Board Chairman Jack Gardes said he will not support membership in Cuming County Economic Development. Candidate Kent Hansen said that he needed to know more about it before making a decision. Mike Hermelbracht, Aaron Peirce, and Angel Anderson were unable to attend the forum because of other commitments that night. My sources tell me that they are in favor of staying with CCED. Cuming County Economic Development is in the middle of putting together a housing project that will involve the Village of Bancroft. Now is not the time drop our membership. Please vote for Village Board candidates that will support Cuming County Economic Development.

Tomorrow is Election day

My perspective on Tuesday's election in Nebraska from the angle of economic development in rural Nebraska. Governor's race: We need a Governor that prioritizes rural economic development. We shouldn't be operating under the assumption that many small, rural towns in Nebraska will inevitably die. Chuck Hassebrook has a record of working to improve life in rural Nebraska through his work at the Center For Rural Affairs. Many of the business grants and incentives available to small businesses in Nebraska have come about through the efforts of the Center. Pete Ricketts has been the head of of an organization that proposed consolidating school district and counties in rural Nebraska. Which candidate do I trust to look out for the interests of the citizens of Bancroft and Cuming County? My friend for over 20 years- Chuck Hassebrook.

News from the Neihardt Site

Olsen’s Tree Service, from Norfolk, began work on trimming and removing some trees around the Neihardt site October 30. Bids are still being reviewed for the retaining wall project around the Neihardt Study. The addition of ADA accessible restrooms to the Neihardt State Historic Site has been approved. Construction is planned for this summer and may be completed by Neihardt Day. The ADA restrooms will be an addition extending off the library, and the front entrance will have automatic-opening doors. A one or two space parking area will be added between the crab apple trees on the sidewalk leading to the front entrance. This will require removal of at least one of the trees.

Sub-District Volleyball

Health Screening Information

In the Fall Bancroft-Rosalie School sends home the results of the students health screening with their report card. The health screening report includes all of the health information that the school is required to collect on the student. We received a phone call regarding the inclusion of the Body Mass Index results as part of the report. The Department of Health and Human Services requires this to be measured, but it is not required that we send it to parents. That is a decision we made because we want this information to be available to the parents. It is up to the parents to decide if this information is useful to them or not. The Body Mass Index is determined by inputting height and weight data into the Center For Disease Control website and generating a report. We are not making judgments about any individuals, just sharing what we have. We are operating on the belief that parents want to know as much about their child as they can in order to help the child/student. If a parent requests it, we will not send home the health screening information for their students.

B-R and L-D Board committees meet

A joint BR and LD Board committee meeting was held last night to continue the discussion of cooping high school sports beginning in 2016-17. The boards shared information on what was discussed at their October board meetings. The sharing of FFA and Powerdrive programs is also being considered. Bancroft-Rosalie parents and patrons will have the opportunity to express their opinions at both the November 10 and December 8 Board meetings.

Bancroft-Rosalie did not meet NCLB requirements, but is not a needs improvement school yet

Under the federal law No Child Left Behind, 480 Nebraska schools and 52 districts were designated in need of improvement because 100 percent of the students were not proficient as required To be designated in need of improvement, the school does not meet annual yearly progress for two consecutive years in any category. Bancroft-Rosalie Elementary and secondary schools both made AYP in all areas in 2012-13, but did not get 100% proficient in 2013-14. But I doubt anybody had 100% proficiency in both reading and math last year. As a result, federal sanctions will be applied to 265 of those schools and to 50 districts ― sanctions requiring districts to set aside funds, offer school choice or tutoring or to restructure. We have a year to see how schools deal with the federal sanctions, because B-R will be sanctioned in 2015-16 (unless the state of Nebraska requests a waiver of No Child Left Behind and it is accepted by the federal government). A waiver would require Nebraska schools to meet several federal requirements, including tying student performance to teacher and principal evaluations and having state standards that are comparable to the Common Core Standards.

Football game time set for 7:00 pm Thursday at Randolph

Bancroft-Rosalie plays at Randolph in the first round of the football play-offs

Game time to be decided later.

Governors Race gives voters a clear choice

The editorial below was published in the Cedar County Newspaper last June. It addresses exactly why I believe rural Nebraskans need to support the candidate that has spent his life working on rural issues.

Senior Job Shadowing Tomorrow

Bancroft-Rosalie Community Schools would like to thank the following businesses and organizations for providing job shadowing experiences for our seniors tomorrow: Pender Implement Singing Hills Animal Hospital Triple A Lawn and Sprinkler Brehmer Manufacturing Burgess health Center Allen Public School Pender Times U.S. Army Countryside Vet Clinic Midwest Diesel Nebraska Games and Parks West Point-Beemer Public Schools In addition, we want to thank St. Francis Hospital in West point for allowing our Health Science students to job shadow once a month.

ACT results- Giving them onsite improved scores

All juniors and seniors took the Fall ACT test this year at school during the school day. This was the first year this option was available. The results are in and nearly all seniors bettered their previous scores. The juniors will have a second opportunity to take the test at B-R in April and then again next October. Since 100% of students were tested, it is likely that the overall average score will decrease. But at this point the decision to give the ACT during the school day was a good one.

B-R students at "Bright Lights"

The Bright Lights program is bringing together students from the four Cuming County schools to work on projects that could improve Cuming County. Students have been assigned to four teams, mixing the students so they work with people from other schools. The four B-R students involved are Justice Johnson, Kylee Marr, Kylee Cole and Tess Nottlemann. In the photo, Kylie C, Kylie M and Justice are involved in a small group discussion. Kylie C and Justice are on team "We The Boss". Kylie m is on the "Community Constructors:. Tess is on the "All For All" team.

B-R Blood Drive a big success

This was the best drive Bancroft-Rosalie school has had since our very first one in September of 2008. 18 people registered, there were 16 successful donations, and 19 units of blood were collected. These donations will save up to 48 lives! There were also 6 people that donated for the very first time. The next drive is scheduled for Monday, January 12th from 11-2 again at the school.

Microwave available for students at lunch

The microwave is located on top of the pop cooler in the Commons area. Students can use the microwave to heat their lunch.

Front Page of the 1927 Rosalie Newspaper

A copy of the newspaper found in a Rosalie "time capsule". The Rosalie Bulldogs and the Bancroft Tigers battled to a 0-0 tie in Football. Does anyone know anything about Bancroft being the Tigers? If you would like a copy of the paper for easier reading you can pick one up at the school office.

Bancroft-Rosalie School Board Meeting Summary

The Bancroft-Rosalie Board of Education met Monday, October 13, 2014 at 7:30 pm in Bancroft.

In old business, the board approved the purchase of a used ten passenger van.

In new business, the board reviewed the school transportation program and the school insurance program. The board recognized the Bancroft-Rosalie Education Association as the exclusive bargaining agent for teachers for 2016-17 and discussed the timeline for teacher negotiations.

Several patrons were in attendance for discussion on the possibility of cooping all high school sports with Lyons-Decatur beginning in 2016-17. The board asked for input regarding the upcoming discussions with Lyons-Decatur. There were a variety of ideas and suggestions brought up and discussed. The board will continue to gather information and is in no hurry to make a decision on the coop.

 The board went into executive session to discuss negotiations.

New state rating system for schools- AQuESTT

Nebraska is adopting a new rating system for its schools. The system, referred to as AQuESTT, will replace the old system of ranking schools based on their state assessment scores. In the new system schools will be classified as Excellent, Great, Good, or Needs Improvement. The three schools most in need of assistance will be designated priority schools. The school classification will be based on how schools meet each of the six tenets of a Quality Education System. Those tenets are described on the attached page below.

Softball team is District runner-up

October 13 School Board Meeting

Bancroft and Rosalie Fire and Rescue donate smoke alarms to grades 4-6

Families of B-R students in grades 4-6 will be receiving a smoke alarm courtesy of Bancroft Volunteer Fire and Rescue and Rosalie Volunteer Fire and Rescue. Here are fifth graders with their detectors. Students were asked to place the smoke detector in or near their bedroom.

East Husker Conference Volleyball Tournament

History lesson- Nebraska Czechs in the Oklahoma Land Rush, 1893

This article is from the Oklahoma historical society. Captain Caha and his in-laws, the Cerny's, made up the "Gang of Bohemians", as the Oklahoma Court referred to them. My great-grandfather and his brothers were in this group of "Oklahoma Sooners." The Cerny's eventually moved back to Nebraska. "The land office contest against Captain Caha and his brother and about twelve others, involved some of the best agricultural land in the new country. These people were not of the old boomer crowd but they came down to the South Canadian from Omaha, Nebraska and were formerly from the Czecho-Slovakia country. They were of the business type of men and Captain Caha was the leader of the party. They seemed to have gotten a good early start and located on some of the finest land in the new country along Mustang creek southwest of Oklahoma City. They were contested before the Register and Receiver of the land office, and all lost their claims, although they had sworn that they left the line at the South Canadian exactly at twelve o’clock. They were prosecuted in the United States court for committing the crime of perjury. I think all of them received a short sentence in the federal jail except Captain Caha. Cris Madsen has the explanation of why the shrewd Captain did not go to jail. These cases were pending for a year or two as they were appealed from the land office to the Commissioner of the general land office at Washington. While these cases were pending on appeal, Ezra Banks, one of the contestants, wrote the story in rhyme that had quite a circulation nearly forty years ago. Here is the way he tells it: "Captain Cahas’ Mules." By Ezra Banks. April the twenty-second, The great and noted day, When through the land of promise, Our horses ran away. There were some fast Bohemians, And mules one lovely pair; They beat the mounted squadron, Of course they did it fair. There were men of every color, Of every race and tribe; There, on the South Canadian, We started side by side. Except those loaded wagons, With plunder, grub and tools, They filed their crew for Mustang Led by a pair of mules. Twelve hundred to the wagon This was the average load; Thirteen miles the distance, And very rough the road. In less than fifteen minutes, If they obeyed the rules— They only touched in places, This famous pair of mules. Dark brown is their color— Fifteen in their stocking feet; A person just to look at them, Would think them easy beat. Their owner got to Mustang, And dug a dozen holes Before race horses got in sight This fast pair of mules. Some were skillful stockmen— The saddle was their home; With horses well selected, Bred and trained to run. When they’d run half the distance They dropped their heads like fools; They got in sight of Mustang And saw the Captain’s mules. There is nothing in the stock line Has ever been produced; For nothing on the race track Has ever been turned loose. Nor nothing found in training In old Kentucky schools Can anything like equal This dashing pair of mules. Men may work with lightning; Inventors learn to fly; The world in editorials May boast of Nellie Bly. The specials on their east lines With Vanderbilts or Goulds, But none can make the record Of Captain Cahas’ mules. If another country opens, As will likely be the case, And Congress makes -the blunder To have another race. I bow in sweet submission And still obey the rules, But organize a company And buy the Captain’s mules. Most of these Bohemians remained in the country and made good citizens and they were joined by many more. They are prosperous farmers and business men and no people, according to their number, have contributed more to developing the resources of our state.

Homecoming cadidates

Senior candidates for Homecoming King and Queen: Carsten Tietz Ian Nottlemann Derek Ahlers Kylita Gomez Suzanne Ras Jerrica Tietz Brianna Wegner The King and Queen will be crowned at the Homecoming Pep Rally Wednesday Night at the Football Field

Author Bruce Hopkins this Sunday at the Neihardt Site

Letter from Nebraska Commissioner of Education regarding No Child Left Behind in Nebraska

Bancroft-Rosalie did not achieve 100% of students proficient in Reading or Math in any of the grade ranges Grades 3-6, Grades 7-8 and Grade 11. Therefore, we are rated NOT MET for annual yearly progress according to No Child Left Behind. Here are the B-R proficiency levels at each grade range per subject: Reading 3-6 92% 7-8 75% 11 86% Math 3-6 89% 7-8 73% 11 93%

Softball District next Thursday and Friday at Wisner

We are the #3 seed and play at 11:00 am Thursday.

October School Board meeting will discuss Cooping all sports with Lyons-Decatur Beginning 2016-17

Parents and community members- At the October 13 School Board meeting the board will be discussing cooping all sports with Lyons-Decatur beginning in 2016-17. Board members and administration are interested in how each of you feel about this possibility. Please attend the meeting or contact a school administrator or school board member and share your opinion so your voice is heard. There has been mostly positive feedback from the coop of junior high sports and the youth football and summer baseball. There are always a few things that need to get worked out, but the players have gotten along well, they are having fun, and the teams have been successful.

Bancroft Tax Poster

Election Day is November 4. We need all eligible voters to get out and voice their opinion by voting.

Update on the Student Center- Panther Pad

Pictures of the new carpet on the south. Next step- wash and paint the walls, replace the ceiling tile.

ACT test day

All juniors and seniors took the ACT test this morning. The test was given at B-R for the first time. The test is a paper/pencil test. Grades 7-10 attempted the pre-Act test called Aspire. We tried the on-line test and experienced some major problems with students logging and and also with the program quitting in the middle. We decided to stop testing in the middle and figure out why we are having connectivity problems. Testing will be completed at a later date.

Four new EMT's in Bancroft

Daniel Bridges, Corey Engel, Mike Oltrogge and Aaron Peirce completed the requirements for Emergency Medical Technician. All four live in Bancroft. That is a nice addition to Bancroft Fire and Rescue.

Softball team wins East Husker Conference Tournament

The Wisner-Pilger/Bancroft-Rosalie/Lyons-Decatur softball team won the conference tournament beating Logan View/Scribner-Snyder in the first round, knocking off Tekamah-Herman 10-4 in the semifinals, and defeating Twin River 2-1 in the championship game. Suzanne Ras pitched all three games.

Sales Tax and Economic Development Plan on the November ballot in bancroft

In order to implement the local sales tax and plan, both ballot questions must pass. This requires a yes vote for each of the two questions.

EducationQuest Awards Grants to 22 High Schools

EducationQuest Foundation
NEWS RELEASE

Funds will help increase college-going rate

(LINCOLN, Nebraska, September 22, 2014) – EducationQuest Foundation has selected 22 Nebraska high schools as recipients of College Access Grants – a program designed to increase the number of students who go to college. The high schools will share $670,000 in grant funds over the next four years. The amount each school receives is based on enrollment.

Lincoln High School, Lincoln Southeast High School, Omaha North Magnet High School, and Omaha South Magnet High School will each receive $20,000 a year for four years.

Columbus High School, Norfolk Senior High School and Omaha Benson High School will each receive $10,000 a year for four years.

Crete High School will receive $7,500 a year for four years.

Central City High School, David City High School, Logan View Public School, North Bend Central High School, Raymond Central High School, and West Point-Beemer High School will each receive $5,000 a year for four years.

Bancroft Rosalie Community School, Blue Hill High School, Diller-Odell Secondary School, Garden County High School, Harvard High School, Kenesaw High School, Santee High School, and Weeping Water High School will each receive $2,500 a year for four years.

The high schools use the grants to fund programs and activities such as college visits, financial aid sessions, scholarship searches, career exploration, ACT test preparation, and completion of college applications. The grant program also promotes involvement with families and businesses to help ensure the program’s success.

Eric Drumheller, EducationQuest Assistant Vice President of Grants and Scholarships, said the recipient schools have set goals to increase their college-going rates by approximately 10 percentage points over the next four years.

EducationQuest awards College Access Grants to Nebraska high schools every two years. Eighty-one grants have been awarded since the program began in 2006.

In 2016, EducationQuest will select additional Nebraska high schools to receive College Access Grants funding.

EducationQuest Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization with a mission to improve access to higher education in Nebraska.  Headquartered in Lincoln, EducationQuest provides free college planning services, need-based scholarship programs, grants that help high schools increase their college-going rate, and outreach services for community agencies statewide. For more information, call 800.303.3745 or visit EducationQuest.org.

Rosalie Gym roof includes pitched metal roof over cafeteria

Body Mass Index Screening

Last week the Omaha World Herald printed a story on the Health and Human Service requirement to screen for Body Mass index during school health screenings. It is not a requirement to send this information to parents. 

At Bancroft-Rosalie our school nurse, Mrs. Munderloh, handles the school health screenings. The State of Nebraska only requires a health screening in certain grades, but here at BR we do a health screen on each student each year.  This keeps students aware as to what their height, weight and Body Mass Index are each year. Mrs. Munderloh visits with each student about their screening during the first couple months of school. The screening monitors all areas of the students health from teeth to hair condition, skin condition, vision, etc.

 

All students are screened individually at BR. It takes longer than group screening but it gives the student a chance to talk individually with the school nurse and ask any questions they may have.

All of the screening information is provided to the parents at report card time in October. Any parents that have questions or concerns about the screening results should contact Linda Munderloh. She welcomes communication with parents regarding student health and welfare.

Big Bad Musical Pictures

Scribner-Snyder Volleyball Tournament Schedule

Rosalie gym update

Pictures of the front entrance to Rosalie Gym. The gym is used for junior high volleyball practices and high school basketball.

Bancroft-Rosalie School Board members recognized

Three Bancroft-Rosalie School Board members were recognized at the area Nebraska School Board Association meeting Wednesday night. NASB is a private, nonprofit organization that serves the needs of Nebraska public school districts and Educational Service Unit board members. Board Members from across the state may participate in board development training throughout the year by attending workshops and conferences to help strengthen their role in governance, legislative advocacy, and stewardship of district resources in support of student achievement.

Naomi with Executive Director John Spatz

Mike with NASB President Marilyn Bohn

 In recognition of their volunteer time and commitment to education, the Association commends continued participation and growth in knowledge and best practice governance. Level I awards went to Mike Nottlemann and Scott Hansen. A Level VIII went to Naomi Brummond.