Skills USA competition - Nolan Smith and Trenton Schmeckpeper win State Robotics Championship

Nolan and Trenton will compete at the National Championships this June in Louisville, Kentucky.

From Omaha WOWT
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) -- Working with your hands, greasy and covered in sawdust, these are jobs in the trades that are in demand. Thursday, high school and college students from across the state converged on Omaha to put those skills to the test. Drive to succeed grew stronger for student on Thursday; inside the Century Link Center over 1,000 high school and college students were competing in 80 different competitions. The Skills USA Nebraska State Championships hosted events from precision cutting, carpentry, welding, metal work and even baking. Event organizers said for competitors it’s not just about the contest itself, it’s also about prepping for the future. Just ask Jason Laughlin who already works as a diesel mechanic. WOWT 6 News cameras caught up with him while he was inspecting a semi-truck. "I was inspecting the truck, essentially a DOT inspection trying to find anything wrong from cracks in the windshield to a missing fire extinguisher," Laughlin. Skills USA helps these students preparing for careers just like the ones they are competing in. There was also a Team Building event with four categories in one. It included electrical work, plumbing, masonry and carpentry. "They work together to build a project just like you would see in the real world,” said MCC Construction Tech Instructor Trevor Secora. The group gets a set of plans they put into action, just like a job site. Soon they could be getting paid to do the same thing. "The opportunities for employment for these guys right now, we have contractors looking to hire our students all the time," said Secora. Until then, they continue laying a firm foundation, one brick at a time. Some of the best from Thursday's Skills USA competition will move on to compete nationally. Some will earn prizes and scholarships.

LB 930 is signed into law

LB 930 may be implemented as early as next year. High school students will no longer have to take state assessments (NeSA). And grades 4 and 8 will not be taking a state writing assessment. The writing will now be incorporated into the Reading/English Language Arts Assessment.

BRLD

BRLD cheerleaders for next year are Tess Nottlemann, Kennedy Schuttler, Maddie Hansen, Amelia Schlichting, Kailey Irwin, Anna Currier, Teagan Steinmeyer, Cydnee Bonsall, and Kelsey Larsen.

ACT like test to replace NeSA for 11th grade students

The Nebraska legislature gave final approval to a bill authorizing a college readiness test, like the ACT or SAT test, to replace the current NeSA test for 11th grade students. If the governor signs the bill it will change the test preparation for high school juniors.

Currently our 11th grade students are preparing for both the ACT and the NeSA. ACT tests Reading, English, Math, Science and Writing and is given in one day. NeSA tests English Language Arts, Math, Science and Writing. The ACT is an important test for students pursuing post-secondary education at a two or four year college. The NeSA is intended to hold schools accountable for students performance on the state standards. Student motivation to do well on the NeSA is minimal.

This will be a good change. Now we can focus on preparing students for their future, not testing things in their past.

Bancroft-Rosalie School Job Openings

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Night Custodian/Bus Drivers

Bancroft-Rosalie School is seeking applications for a Night Custodian/Bus Driver. This position will be a 40-hour work week, 52 weeks a year. Benefits include single insurance, sick leave, and two weeks paid vacation.

Duties will include cleaning, after school bus routes and some activity driving. A CDL and a level I bus driver license are required.

Assistant Cook

Bancroft-Rosalie School is seeking applications for an Assistant Cook. This position will involve food preparation, serving and cleaning . Hours will be 7:00 am- 2:00 pm (7 hours) each day that school is in session.

Interested persons can apply at the Bancroft-Rosalie School office in Bancroft, NE.

403-648-3336

STATE ED BOARD ANNOUNCES GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS

Press release from Nebraska Department of Education

Afterschool and summer programs will soon be available at 11 new sites in the Nebraska communities of Bancroft-Rosalie, Omaha, Crete, Fremont and Nebraska City.

Federal grant funds were awarded to support community learning centers serving students attending schools with high needs. During non-school hours, these programs offer hands-on learning and activities to meet student needs.

The State Board of Education recently approved grants for the following new programs:
·         Bancroft-Rosalie Public Schools received an $80,438 federal grant for a program at Bancroft-Rosalie Elementary School and at Bancroft-Rosalie Jr/Sr High School.
·         Collective for Youth in Omaha received a $90,750 federal grant for a program at Wakonda Elementary School.
·         Crete Public Schools received a $152,575 federal grant for a program at Crete Primary School.
·         Fremont Public Schools received a $512,250 federal grant for programs at Bell Field Elementary School, Clarmar Elementary School, Grant Elementary School, Howard Elementary School, Johnson Crossing Academic Center (grades 5-6) and Fremont Middle School.
·         Nebraska City Public Schools received a $120,000 federal grant for a program at Northside Elementary School.

April 11 School Board Meeting Summary

The Bancroft-Rosalie Board of Education met Monday, April 11, 2016 at 7:30 pm in Bancroft.

Superintendent Cerny reported on transportation, the dual credit program, the school Title I 
review, and the football field conversion.

In new business the board approved the summer school program in July and August and 
reviewed the Special Education and Title I programs. The senior sneak trip to Kansas City was given approval and up to $500 was approved for the annual recognition luncheon and awards.

In other new business, Dr. Cerny presented wages and benefits for classified staff for 2016-17, and Mr. Sjuts presented coaches and sponsors assignments in 2016-17. The Board accepted 
the resignation of Jessica McPhillips, approved the teaching contract for Micah Buller, and approved the cooperative agreement with Lyons-Decatur for cross-country and the cooperative agreement with Wisner-Pilger for softball.  

Following discussion with representatives of the Bancroft Library and Village Boards, the school board approved a memorandum of Understanding between the two boards for services to students in the Bancroft-Rosalie School District. The board also voted to amend policy 411.6 Homeless to be in accordance with federal Title I rules.

The board went into executive session to discuss personnel.