Return of the Fantastic Researcher

Why did TV Asahi choose me for their program on Elementary Education? My coordinator at GPA USA, the company that searched for an American educator, said she found me on the U.S. Department of Education website as a Terrell Bell Award winner and I was her first choice. Kind of hard to turn that down.

Sasaki Chinatsu (left) and Sayaka Tanako

 I signed a confidentiality agreement that I would not share anything prior to the broadcast of the show in January, so I am limited to pictures and stories that took place during non-work time.

I was greeted at the airport by one of the show producers, Sasaki Chinatsu, and my personal interpreter, Sayaka Takano. I put my life in the hands of these wonderful women for the week I was there. I have never experienced anything like this- surrounded by people who do not speak English, and reliant on one person for all of my information. As a person who always likes to be in control, it was a humbling experience for me, and I was fortunate to have a well-educated, funny, and knowledgeable person to interpret what was going on and translate that information to me and my information to them.

Pasi Majasaari, highly regarded Elementary Principal from Finland, and I spent a lot of free time together and Sayaka was our guide through Tokyo, Kamakura, and Yokohama. His school is featured in a Michael Moore documentary that will be released this spring and has been nominated for an academy award. Probably not going to see Micahel Moore in Bancroft or Rosalie. I hope someday to visit his school located near Helsinki.

I learned a lot from Pasi and Sayaka and will remember my week as a Fantastic Researcher as a great personal learning experience that I will carry with me forever. Very much how I feel about the month I spent in Tanzania, you have to experience life and the world in order to appreciate it.

I included photos of the different foods during the week for those who are curious and a selfie standing in front of the Pacific Ocean. I was treated very well the entire time I was there, with good food and transportation to where I wanted to go. I added two Hard Rock Cafe glasses to my growing collection and bought two Hapi coats (used for festivals).

Homer Holiday Basketball Tournament Bracket

Pajama Day in First Grade

Joined the First Grade for Polar Express Trip in pajamas. had a chance to wear my new Hapi coat (for festivals)

Pictures from Japan Trip

My home for a week

Shopping for a Hapi Coat

Unique architecture

Samurai watching over the shopping area

Blowfish. Wanted to eat one but my partner did not

Kobe beef for dinner

Waitress preparing our meal

Hard Rock Uedo

TV Asahi Studio

View from the top of the studio- Tokyo skyline

Famous TV character on TV Asahi

Pacific Ocean from Kamakura

Picked the right day to turn the wheel

Yes, we were here on December 18. Guess I brought home some merit.

Hard Rock Yokohama

View from 69th floor of Restaurant in Yokohama- Last night in Japan

Barber Villa Christmas Party

Barber Sunrise Villa Manager Cindi Peters hosted a Christmas Party for Barber Villa residents last night. Good food and a festive atmosphere.

Bancroft Biz Buzz News December

Back in the USA

First thing I wanted was a cheeseburger. The Japanese food was great and we ate at some of the best restaurants, but I came back ten pounds lighter.

The English-Japanese language barrier was difficult for me to get used to. I was at the mercy of my interpretor, Sayaka, for all of my information, and for a control freak like me it was stressful.
 
Overall this was a good experience. Let's just say that I am very proud of the education that we provide our students and I wouldn't trade it for anywhere else in the world.

Bancroft-Rosalie Academic All-State Fall Sports

The following students were named Academic All-state by the Nebraska School Activities Association in these sports
Football- Jacob Cole
Volleyball- Hannah Flock and Tess Nottlemann
Girls Golf- Paige Peters
Play Production- Kylee Cole and Tess Nottlemann

Football District for next two years

District C2-3:
Schools Assigned:	Archbishop Bergan BRLD Logan View Oakland-Craig Tekamah-Herman Wisner-Pilger

National Institute For Direct Instruction monthly newsletter

Science Olympiad at Midland University

Four B-R fifth grade students attended the Elementary Science Olympiad at Midland University in Fremont Tuesday. The students were Michael Cooney, Stephanie Wiese, Ella Bridges and McKenzie Murphy. The students participated in several science challenges including building a tower.

School Board meeting summary

Bancroft-Rosalie Community School Board News

The December meeting of the Bancroft-Rosalie School Board was held Monday, December 7, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. in the school library. Dr. Cerny presented the November transportation report, AQuesst results, and the Blended Learning Pilot School program.

In old business the board discussed purchasing a school truck. The board approved the recommended coaches for BRLD Fall sports. Head coaches are Dan Maresh- Football, Rebecca James- Volleyball.

In new business the board approved the audit and the annual report. The staff Christmas gathering at Main Street was approved for up to $350. The board received a report on school health services. The superintendent annual evaluation was discussed.

The board held an executive session to discuss contracts.

School Board Meeting Agenda

KETV Blue Ribbon interview

See interview clip at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGVtF0NqviI

Always like to give credit to the ones that did the work- B-R elementary students and staff.

Revision process update- Letter to area businesses

We are hopeful that 3-4 of the largest employers in the community will be able to attend one of these meetings to discuss skills that they want in their employees and how schools can help to provide students/future employees with those skills.

One Act Play wins Conference Championship

The One Act play "A Company of Wayward Saints" won the East Husker Conference contest fort he Elkhorn Division.

Austin Bruning was named Best Actor

Kylee Cole was named Best Actress

Anna Currier was named Best Supporting Actress

These students received Honorable Mention- Chase Bonsall, Kennedy Schuttler, Teagan Steinmeyer, Zachary Bridges, Wyatt Hennig, Tess Nottlemann,  and Lauren Ahlers

Pictures of B-R elementary students presenting at Nebraska Association of School Boards

Several elementary students presented to administrators and school board members at the State School Board Conference in LaVista last Friday. The students the Discovery Education science program and the after-school robotics and Minecraft/3D printing project. Mrs. Zwygart, Mrs. James, and senior Alyssa Bonneau, who helps with the afterschool program, went as supervisors. School board members were very interested in the robotics and the after-school program clubs. Our students did an excellent job explaining and answering questions.

More congratulations letters

B-R receives ALICAP Loss Ratio Award

Bancroft-Rosalie School was presented the ALICAP Loss Ratio Award at the Nebraska School Board Association Conference. ALICAP is the Nebraska School insurance pool. B-R was recognized for its zero claims over the last three years. The recognition comes with a 2% reduction in the schools insurance premium this year.
Dr. Cerny received the award from Doug Lewis, Assistant Superintendant, Papillion-LaVista Public Schools, a member of the ALICAP Board of Trustees.

Bancroft-Rosalie staff accepts Blue Ribbon award with fun dance

You can see the award presentation at the following link:

Glad we represented our school well. Some students were not pleased with the lack of dancing by their principal.

December school board meeting date changed

The Bancroft-Rosalie School Board of Education in December will be held Monday December 7. The date has been changed due to schedule conflicts for some board members.

Soctober

The Bancroft-Rosalie Soctober drive brought in 260 pairs of socks. Thanks everyone.

Minutes of the NSAA District III meeting in Norfolk

The issue of transgender was discussed at the meeting. I made a motion that gender will be identified by the sex that is listed on the birth certificate. That motion passed. It will be voted on by all districts in January.

School Board Agenda November 11, 2015

Final Bond Payment on 1997 bonds

Education Secretary Arne Duncan Announces Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership for 2015

This was released last week by the U.S. Department of Education. My position at B-R includes both Superintendent and Elementary Principal.

The past two years have been very rewarding. In March 2014 I received the Nebraska Rural Community School Outstanding Superintendent Award; in June 2015 I was head coach of the Northeast Nebraska 11 man All-star game; and now the national Terrell Bell for Elementary Principal.  I feel a little guilty receiving recognition for things that are the result of an entire team of people working together, so I hope that the entire B-R staff understands that they have also receiving this award.

"U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced the 2015 recipients of the Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership. The seven principals from the 2015 National Blue Ribbon Schools will be honored with the Terrel H. Bell Award at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on Monday, Nov. 9th at the Omni Shoreham Hotel.

“Great principals shape a school’s culture and nurture, retain, and empower teachers and serve as the catalyst for significant school improvement,” Duncan said. “These principals inspire their teachers and have a positive impact on instructional practices that lead to improved learning outcomes. The Bell Award is recognition for the essential work they do every day.”

The U.S. Department of Education, together with the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the Association for Middle Level Education, and the National Association of Secondary School Principals present the Terrel H. Bell Awards to principals of National Blue Ribbon Schools for their outstanding work and the vital role they play in guiding their students and schools to excellence, frequently under challenging circumstances.

The 2015 recipients are:
·         Jon Cerny, Bancroft-Rosalie Elementary School, Bancroft, Nebraska
·         Edna Coia, Francis J. Varieur School, Pawtucket, Rhode Island
·         James Heater, Esther F. Garrison School of Visual and Performing Arts, Savannah, Georgia
·         Rosalba De Hoyos, Achieve Early College High School, McAllen, Texas
·         Heidi Smith, Frank L. Huff Elementary School, Mountain View, California
·         Irma Trosclair, South Crowley Elementary School, Crowley, Louisiana
·         Janell Uerkwitz, Murdock Elementary School, Lafayette, Indiana

Named for the second Secretary of Education, the award honors school leaders who are committed to education as a powerful and liberating force in people’s lives. They are principals who do “whatever it takes” to foster successful teaching and learning and help their students meet high standards. The Bell Award is part of the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, and principals are nominated by their school communities during the final stages of the program’s application process.

Brief summaries of each recipient’s work are available at National Blue Ribbon Schools."

Blue Ribbon awards live-streamed Monday and Tuesday

The 2015 National Blue Ribbon Recognition Ceremony will be live-streamed.  The school community can watch by accessing the U.S. Department of Education channel next Monday and/or Tuesday: http://liveeventaccess.com/blueribbon/
The coverage will feature Monday’s Opening Session and Presentation of the 2015 Terrel H. Bell Awards for Outstanding Leadership. The opening session begins Monday at 8:30 am Eastern/ 7:30 am Central.
The Terrell Bell awards will begin Monday at approximately 9:30 am Eastern Time/8:30 am Central Time.
Tuesday’s 2015 School Recognition Ceremony and award presentations to schools will take place from 1:00 to 4:00 pm Eastern/ Noon to 3:00 pm Central. 

Neihardt Laureate’s Feast to Honor Chuck Trimble in Omaha on November 8th

The John G. Neihardt Foundation, dedicated to the legacy of Nebraska’s Poet Laureate, will hold its 16th annual Laureate’s Feast dinner and auction fundraiser on Sunday, November 8th in the Swanson Conference Center at the Fort Omaha Campus of Metropolitan Community College in Omaha. The evening’s activities include a wine reception and musical entertainment by Eddie Elfers. The event emcee will be Paul Hammel, Vice-President of the Neihardt Foundation, and the auctioneer will be Dr. Myrvn Christopherson, former President of Dana College. The event begins at 5 p.m., with dinner served at 6:30 p.m. followed by the live auction. Dress attire is business casual. Both the silent and live auctions contain unusual and valuable items, including gift and collector items. The reception, meal, and decor are all designed and prepared by the Culinary Arts Department of Metropolitan Community College. The Neihardt Foundation has chosen to present the “Word Sender” award to Charles “Chuck” Trimble. A member of the Oglala Lakota Nation, Trimble was born and reared on the Pine Ridge Reservation in the small village of Wanblee. He was principal founder of the American Indian Press Association in 1969, and served as Executive Director of the National Congress of American Indians from 1972. He has represented U.S. Indian tribes at the charter conference of the World Council of Indigenous Peoples, as U.S. delegate at the United Nations Subcommission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, and U.S. delegate to the Human Right Experts meeting of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki Accord). Trimble is a former Executive Director at the John G. Neihardt State Historic Site, and was on the Board of the Nebraska State Historical Society (three years as president). Trimble previously served on the Board of Directors of the American Indian National Bank, the Board of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, and as President of ARROW, Inc. In 1979, he founded Charles Trimble Company, Inc., dedicated to promoting and fostering economic development on Indian Reservations. He founded Red Willow Institute to provide technical and management assistance to American Indian non-profit organizations. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Cultural Sciences degree from Creighton University, an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Wayne State College, and an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by his alma mater, the University of South Dakota. He was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2013.Trimble lives in Omaha with his wife, Anne. They have one daughter, Katherine (Kaiti). He has published a book, Iyeska, which details the rich and varied experiences of his well-accomplished life. The Laureate Feast is open to the public, but advance reservations are required as dinner seating is limited. Reservations are accepted now through November 2nd. Tickets are $100 per person, or reserve an entire table for $1,000. The Neihardt Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and part of the dinner cost is tax-deductible. For more information, call (402) 648-3388 or 1-888-777-HOOP; e-mail: neihardt@gpcom.net; or visit the website: www.neihardtfeast.com.