Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Special School Board meeting tonight to approve construction contract
The Bancroft-Rosalie School Board will hold a special meeting tonight at 6:30 pm in the school library. The purpose of the special meeting is to approve the contract with Crafts, Inc to build the two classroom addition at the north end of the secondary building.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Jessica Tietz signs with Morningside
Jessica Tietz signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Morningside this morning. The newest Mustang joins former B-R players Shelby Beaudette and Kalene Anderson on the nationally ranked team.
USDA announces new nutrition standards for school meals
On Wednesday, January 25th First Lady Michelle Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced new nutrition standards for school meals. The new standards include:
• offering more fruits and vegetables
• serving more whole grain-rich foods
• offering only fat-free or low-fat milk varieties
• make sure kids are getting proper portion sizes.
Our school district has already brought a variety of healthier choices to our school cafeterias that address goals in the new regulations. For example,
o We serve at least one fresh fruit and vegetables every day
o We already made the switch to 1% or fat free milk
o We offer salads every day
The federal restrictions on the amount of sodium and calories from fat make it difficult to prepare meals that taste the way meals do at home or from fast food places. Since all meals are partially subsidized by the federal government, students and parents need to understand that school meals must follow the federal guidelines for proper portion size and nutritional requirements.
• offering more fruits and vegetables
• serving more whole grain-rich foods
• offering only fat-free or low-fat milk varieties
• make sure kids are getting proper portion sizes.
Our school district has already brought a variety of healthier choices to our school cafeterias that address goals in the new regulations. For example,
o We serve at least one fresh fruit and vegetables every day
o We already made the switch to 1% or fat free milk
o We offer salads every day
The federal restrictions on the amount of sodium and calories from fat make it difficult to prepare meals that taste the way meals do at home or from fast food places. Since all meals are partially subsidized by the federal government, students and parents need to understand that school meals must follow the federal guidelines for proper portion size and nutritional requirements.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Kindergarten admissions
From Roger Breed Commissioner of Education.
"With many school districts making plans now for kindergarten registration for the coming 2012-2013 school year, I would like to clarify the options districts have related to kindergarten admissions under Nebraska law.
Section 79-214 requires that a child must be five years of age on or before July 31 to enroll in kindergarten for the 2012-13 school year.
Section 79-214 goes on to permit school boards to admit children if certain requirements are met. School districts, under the guidance of their school boards, are allowed to enroll a child who turns five after July 31 but on or before Oct. 15 if the parent requests admission and provides an affidavit that states:
1) The child attended kindergarten in another district during the current school year; OR
2) The family plans to relocate to a district that allows admission during the current school year; OR
3) The child has demonstrated his or her ability to do kindergarten level work through a recognized assessment procedure approved by the local school board.
This language is “permissive” so a school district is NOT required to admit a child who turns five after July 31."
In addition, Rule 11 does not allow students that turn 5 before August 1st to attend school-operated preschools. Exceptions can be granted for children who are identified with special needs and whose Individual Education Plan places the child in preschool as the most appropriate placement.
"With many school districts making plans now for kindergarten registration for the coming 2012-2013 school year, I would like to clarify the options districts have related to kindergarten admissions under Nebraska law.
Section 79-214 requires that a child must be five years of age on or before July 31 to enroll in kindergarten for the 2012-13 school year.
Section 79-214 goes on to permit school boards to admit children if certain requirements are met. School districts, under the guidance of their school boards, are allowed to enroll a child who turns five after July 31 but on or before Oct. 15 if the parent requests admission and provides an affidavit that states:
1) The child attended kindergarten in another district during the current school year; OR
2) The family plans to relocate to a district that allows admission during the current school year; OR
3) The child has demonstrated his or her ability to do kindergarten level work through a recognized assessment procedure approved by the local school board.
This language is “permissive” so a school district is NOT required to admit a child who turns five after July 31."
In addition, Rule 11 does not allow students that turn 5 before August 1st to attend school-operated preschools. Exceptions can be granted for children who are identified with special needs and whose Individual Education Plan places the child in preschool as the most appropriate placement.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
2011 MAP test norms
Bancroft-Rosalie students in grades 3-11 just completed winter MAP testing in Reading. I am attaching the 2011 norm data that can be used to gauge individual student performance. If you know a student score, look at the reading section, find their grade level and go to middle of the year mean. This is the national average for that grade. Scores that are in the 235-240 range indicate college readiness.
Next week is the NeSA state writing assessment for grades 4,8, and 11. Grade 4 will start on January 31 and conclude February 1st. Grades 8 and 11 will write on February 1. MAP testing in Math will begin February 6.
All students that increased their MAP score will get ice cream at lunch next week.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Omaha World Herald editorial "Great Teachers Can Often Be Saviors"
Great Teachers Can Often Be Saviors - Excerpt
Nicholas Kristof – Omaha World Herald – Jan. 25, 2012
available at http://www.omaha.com/article/20120125/NEWS0802/701259946/-1#nicholas-d-kristof-great-teachers-can-often-be-saviors
This is a great story about how the efforts of one teacher changed the life of a troubled student. I believe most teachers want to have that kind of effect on their students. Teacher advocacy groups claim that when given well-raised students, they are almost always successful, but when given badly raised kids the results are usually disappointing. By pointing the blame at parents and society in general, are educators admitting that schools/teachers don't make a difference? The education profession needs to focus on what programs are getting positive results for "all students' and try to replicate those programs. Accepting the status quo is not the answer.
Nicholas Kristof – Omaha World Herald – Jan. 25, 2012
available at http://www.omaha.com/article/20120125/NEWS0802/701259946/-1#nicholas-d-kristof-great-teachers-can-often-be-saviors
This is a great story about how the efforts of one teacher changed the life of a troubled student. I believe most teachers want to have that kind of effect on their students. Teacher advocacy groups claim that when given well-raised students, they are almost always successful, but when given badly raised kids the results are usually disappointing. By pointing the blame at parents and society in general, are educators admitting that schools/teachers don't make a difference? The education profession needs to focus on what programs are getting positive results for "all students' and try to replicate those programs. Accepting the status quo is not the answer.
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