Raider News - Mead Public Schools

Mead Public Schools
Raider News
From the Superintendents Desk
SENIORS SET TO GRADUATE:
Commencement Exercises will be held for the Class of 2016 on Saturday May 14
at 2:00 PM at the Mead High School. A Baccalaureate Service will precede the
Commencement and will begin at 1:30 P.M. Best wishes go to the members of
the graduating class as they transition from students to alumni and begin their post
secondary plans.
CLASSES TO DISMISS/SUMMER BREAK APPROACHING:
Classes will be dismissed for the fourth quarter, second semester and 2015-16
school year on Thursday May 26. The elementary track and field day will be
Wednesday May 25 from 12:00 until 3:00 PM. The ‘rain date’ would be the
morning of the 26th.
Monday and Tuesday May 23 and 24 will be full days of classes. Classes at the
high school will be for the full day on Wednesday; however, elementary students
will be free to leave following the track and field events. All classes will be dismissed on Thursday May 26 at 11:30. Lunch will be available on the final day.
Inside this issue:
Counselor
3
Blood Drive
6
Football Camp
9
FCCLA
4
Messenger
10
Volleyball Camp
8
FFA
7
Elementary Citizenship
5
Best wishes to all during the summer vacation. Classes for 2016-17 will begin on
Wednesday August 17.
Dr. Dale V. Rawson, Superintendent
ANNUAL PLANT SALE
DATES TO REMEMBER:
MEAD HIGH SCHOOL GREENHOUSE
SATURDAY, MAY 7TH
8:00 AM TO 2:00 PM
ANNUALS
VEGETABLES
GRASSES
SUCCELENTS
HANGING BASKETS
SOMETHING
FOR
EVERYONE!
COME EARLY
FOR THE BEST
SELECTION!
2nd - NHS Blood Drive
5th - 7-12 Spring Concert
9th - Board of Ed Meeting
10th - Academic Awards
14th - Graduation
17th - Athletic Awards
20th - Kindergarten Grad.
25th - Elementary Track and
Field Day
26th - 11:30 dismissal/Last
Day of School
Raider News
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Principal’s Point of View
Helping Students with Tough Times
I have a book on my shelf titled Helping Teens Handle Tough Experiences: Strategies to Foster Resilience. The tough
experiences explored in the book range from addiction and anxiety to self-injury and suicide. When I recently
skimmed through the book, I wondered if teenagers had the same difficulties 30 years ago when I was fumbling
through my teenage years.
Divorce was a growing issue back then; drug use by teens was a concern, prompting First Lady Nancy Reagan’s
Just Say No program; and health issues such as anorexia and bulimia became widely known in the ‘80s.
But I don’t remember as much talk about anxiety, attention deficit disorder, self-injury, or depression; all of
which are discussed in Helping Teens. I’m sure such conditions affected teens throughout history, though maybe
not on the scale that they do today. Undoubtedly, there are other books that explore and explain why such
conditions affect more teens today, but my intent is not to write about the causes.
Instead, I am excited about an opportunity to help students with such issues, regardless of the cause. Through a
county-wide initiative, Mead students will have access to mental health services during the school day. Funding
for the services will be provided by grant monies secured by Saunders County. My expectation is that, beginning
next year, we will have a mental health practitioner available to students one day per week.
Many may question the need for such services in schools. Ten or so years ago, I probably would have, too. As
we see more and more students dealing with issues such as anxiety, ADHD, depression, bipolar difficulties, and
self-injury, I no longer question the value of such services at school during the school day. This belief is becoming more common in schools across the state, and the number of schools providing such services is growing.
Lincoln, Grand Island, and Gering Public Schools all have such services in place in some capacity. They have recognized the importance of such services and the difficulty students and parents face when students need mental
health services on a regular basis. To some degree, schools have long provided at least some mental health services through their guidance counselors.
One of my biggest concerns is that there is still a stigma attached to the need for mental health services, even
though there should not be. I’m not sure this program will fit into the traditional view of mental health as therapy. For example, early in the year we often have a few kindergarten students who struggle with impulse control
or keeping their hands to themselves. The person in this position could easily provide extra help so that such
students might adjust more quickly to the structure of kindergarten. It will all be based on the needs of the students.
Again, I am truly excited about this opportunity for our kids, and I hope others will be, too. I will have more
information after meeting with the supervisor of the program.
MEAD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
SURPLUS EQUIPMENT FOR SALE
The Mead School District is offering used equipment from the industrial arts shop for sale by sealed bid. Items
include a 240 V air compressor, 240 V table saw, 120 V wood miter saw, and 120 V drill press. All items are
used but are in running condition.
Sealed bids will be accepted until May 28. Items may be viewed at the school vocational shop.
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Mead FCCLA Chapter goes Back to
OUR Future with FCCLA
Over 1,100 students from all areas of Nebraska gathered for the
Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America’s (FCCLA)
State Leadership Conference held in Lincoln, Nebraska April 3-5.
The conference took place in the Pinnacle Bank Arena and Holiday Inn-Downtown. Mary Linscomb was among the students that
attended the conference. She had the honor of being chosen
through an audition to sing the National Anthem at the opening
ceremony.
Over the 3 day conference, students were able to participate in
competitive events such as STAR Events, and attend several sessions and workshops led by many inspiring speakers on relevant
youth issues. Topics included leadership development, peer education, entrepreneurship, nutrition and wellness, healthy relationships, and much more.
The students who attended the conference got the chance to
listen to the conference keynote speaker Alex Sheen. Alex is the
founder of the movement “because I said I would”, a social
movement and non-profit dedicated to betterment of humanity
through promises made and kept. He has been featured on The
Today Show, ABC World News, and The Los Angeles Times. He
once walked over 240 miles across the state of Ohio in 10 days to fulfill a promise. He has impacted millions
with his message.
School Physical Information for the 2016-2017 School Year.
Nebraska Law requires a physical examination prior to entrance into kindergarten, 7th grade, and all students transferring into the State of Nebraska.
The Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) also requires a sport physical prior to participation in any
NSAA sponsored activity. Sport physicals performed anytime after May 1, 2016 will cover the entire 2016-2017
school year.
Saunders Medical Center/Ashland Family Clinic will be pr oviding spor ts physicals for a fee of $25.00.
(After August 1st the fee will go to $40.00) Sports physicals are able to be scheduled during office hours Monday
thru Friday. Please call SMC at 402-443-4191 or the Ashland Family Clinic at 402-944-2201 to schedule an appointment.
Fremont Health will pr ovide a FREE Pr e-Participation sports screenings for student entering 9-12 grades on
June 2 and 3 from 5:30—8:30 pm. Mead’s official time is 5:45 pm on June 2nd.
Each of these facilities require a Sports Physical Consent Form signed by a parent or guardian prior to the physical.
Both a physical form and the Physical Consent Form can be obtained from either school office or on line at
www.meadpublicschools.org. (Click on “Forms” and “Pre-participation Sports Physical Form”)
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Raider News
Elementary Citizenship
The students in the elementary building are being recognized for random acts of good citizenship. Citizenship is based on the characteristics of scholarship, responsibility, leadership, and respect of peers and staff. At the
end of each month, students who most consistently display good citizenship are given a certificate.
The recipients of the citizenship award for the month of April include: K- Grace Armagost, 1st- Alex Ellison and Lilja
Bratsburg, 2nd- Jacie Brabec and Austin Greise, 3rd- Waylon Greise, 4th- Colby Sorensen, 5th- Tye Dickes, 6th S-Riah
Engel, 6th R- Emily Quinn
Board of Education Meeting Minutes
A regular Meeting of the Board of Education, District 72, Mead Nebraska, was held Monday April 11, 2016 in the Jr.-Sr.
High IMC. President Kuhr called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following board members were present: Kevin
Hough, Andy Carritt, Stephanie Langemeier, Rich Kuhr and Nate Mongan. Brenda Halbmaier entered at 7:01 p.m.
The following is a condensed version of the minutes. A complete copy is available for inspection in the Mead Elementary Office.
Principal Quinn reported on diplomas, attendance issues, Graduation, post-prom and instructional report.
Superintendent Rawson reported on board and personnel Issues, Kindergarden Round-up and board policies.
The following other action was taken by unanimous vote: approval of the minutes, bills and financial reports, consent
agenda, approve the concrete project 1-6 with Bullock Bros, motion to offer surplus property as listed by Orion Realty
for sale to interested parties at not less than the appraised values. Approve a contract with Cole Blomendahl as JH girl’s
basketball coach. Motion to recess into closed session at 8:17 pm out at 8:52 pm. Authorize a 4.4 percent increase for
classified employees with satisfactory job performance, for 2016-2017.approve the changes to the second portion of Series 6000 as recommended.
President Kuhr declared the meeting adjourned at 8:55 pm.
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Mead Public Schools
PO Box 158
115 No Elm St
Mead, NE 68041
Phone: 402-624-3435
Fax: 402-624-2069
www.meadpublicschools.org
119th MEAD ALUMNI BANQUET
Saturday, May 28th, 2016
Mead High School Commons
Social Hour at 5pm - Dinner at 6pm
Tickets: $20 if purchased by May 21st - $25 at the door
Available at: Konecky Oil, The Country Store, Bank of Mead
Or contact:
John Konecky (402)720-6170 or JKonecky@neb.rr.com
Deb Virgl (402) 443-6702 or DJVirgl@gmail.com
Shari Nygren (402) 540-3575 or ShariRose@charter.net
Grade school tours available from 4:45pm to 5:30pm
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Alumni Reception
From 8pm to 11pm at the Mead Fire Hall
PLEASE RSVP for the reception
(No charge – bring your own refreshments)