November 22, 2005 No. 6
Kudos
Tony Vincent, technology specialist at Willowdale Elementary School, has been selected as one of four semifinalists in the nation for the Outstanding Young Educator Award from the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development. Hy-Vee awarded Ezra Elementary School with $7,500 for the Smiles for Education program. The Nebraska Music Educators Association honored Debbie Jenkins of Millard North Middle School and Cathy Keiser of Millard North High School for 25 years of teaching music. Cindy Nabity of Millard North High School was honored for teaching music for 30 years. Volker Langeheine, German teacher at Millard North High School, presented at the European Studies Conference, Nebraska International Languages Association Convention and Nebraska Association of Teachers of German Conference.
Staff Supports Millard Foundation Millard staff members set a record by contributing $30,538 to the Millard Public Schools Foundation, an increase of 36 percent from last year. In the last three years, staff support for the foundation has doubled. “Generous contributions from Millard Public Schools employees represent a personal investment in educational excellence from the very people who know the system best,” said Gary Steiner, executive director of the foundation. Contributors designated over $14,000 to support general programs. Staff chose to support scholarships with $4,700 and classroom and study center grants attracted $3,700. Over $6,000 was earmarked to pay expenses of fighting the OPS takeover attempt. Almost 70 percent of the staff at Sandoz Elementary School supported the campaign, earning the grand prize of a digital camera. Aldrich Elementary School also won a digital camera by achieving the largest increase in percentage of staff participating. Upstream Brewing Company and Rockbrook Camera provided incentive prizes for the staff campaign.
Snow Days Reminder If schools are to be closed due to inclement weather, the announcement will be made on radio and TV stations by 6 a.m. School closings will be posted on Millard’s website: (www.mpsomaha.org). Starting this year, parents and staff also will receive a phone call to alert them that school is closed. The new Connect Ed automated telephone system will be utilized to call approximately 18,000 households within a matter of minutes. The call will be made sometime after 6:00 a.m., depending on when the decision is made and changing weather conditions.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Land Sought for Fourth High School A public hearing was held on the proposed acquisition of almost 50 acres for a fourth comprehensive high school to be located in the far western part of the school district. The district is negotiating with CFM Realty to purchase 47 acres, located west of Highway 31 (204th Street) and south of Q Street. The proposed site, known as the Kuehl Farm, lies in Douglas County. The bond issue, passed in February, provided funds to purchase land for a fourth high school. The bond issue plan also calls for a small specialized high school. The search continues for land for the small high school. Elementary Test Scores Released Millard’s elementary students continue to perform at a high level on the TerraNova Achievement Test. Math scores show the highest performance with scores at the 78th and 79th percentile for third and fourth grade respectively. Third and fourth graders are assessed each fall. The test covers skills in reading, language, math, science and social studies. This marks the sixth year that Millard has used the TerraNova. The test uses a mix of multiple-choice and short-answer questions. Middle and high schools give the test in the spring. The following scores indicate where Millard students rank in national percentiles: • Reading (third grade): 68 • Reading (fourth grade): 73 • Math (third grade): 79 • Math (fourth grade): 78 • Language (third grade): 68 • Language (fourth grade): 70 • Science (third grade): 68 • Science (fourth grade): 67 • Social Studies (third grade): 71 • Social Studies (fourth grade): 74
Students Showcased The school board congratulated students who qualified as National Merit Semifinalists. To earn this honor, students must score in the top one percent on the PSAT exam. Students also were honored for finishing in the top two percent, receiving National Merit Commendations. Semifinalists are Laura Bailis, Dominic Berns, Jordan Focht, Alexander Good, Jonathan Green, Joshua Huber, Lauren Hunter, Molly Jergenson, Emily Maack, Larissa Schultz, Lindsay Thomsen, Olga Tomchin and Lela Waters of Millard North High School, Kelly Strominger of Millard South High School, and Sarah Kettler and Francis Van Wetering of Millard West High School. Commended students are Mallory Anderson, Benjamin Cook, Amy Hulstein, Michael Schaal and Dana Tabor of Millard North High School, Michael Glenn, Laura Lundblad and Brent Quandt of Millard South High School, and Jessica Planos of Millard West High School. United Way Drive Succeeds Millard staff and students increased giving to the United Way of the Midlands by 10 percent over last year’s drive. The district set a record with $81,569 contributed to charities. The top three schools were Millard West High School ($10,681), Millard North Middle School ($6,207) and Morton Elementary School ($4,901). The school district has held the annual campaign since 1988. Join the Legislative Corps! We need the help of our community to speak in an effective and positive manner to preserve our school district. Millard has organized a
Legislative Corps to enable our community to be armed with the facts as this issue comes up for debate in the Unicameral. This proactive lobbying effort will be composed of interested staff and community members. They will be asked to make frequent contact with state legislators. Online signup is available at http://www.mpsomaha.org/mps/ index.cfm?action=65 or call 895-8221. The website also contains tips on effective ways to communicate with your legislator. Your help will make a difference! Personnel Action Stacie Witherspoon was hired as the school nurse at Millard North Middle School and Cody and Cather elementary schools. Future Meetings Board of Education Meeting, Mon., Dec. 5, 7 p.m., Don Stroh Administration Center, 5606 So. 147 St. Committee of the Whole Meeting, Mon., Dec. 12, 7 p.m., Don Stroh Administration Center, 5606 S. 147 St.
Brad R. Burwell Mike Kennedy Julie A. Johnson Mike Pate Linda Poole Jean Stothert Keith Lutz, Superintendent