Crete Public Schools

October 2012

Communication

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omething new and/or exciting is always happening at school. The monthly newsletter you’re reading at this moment will have a plethora of information. However, there are many other systems of communication which will be much more current for patrons to use in following school events. I would suggest the school website, creteschools.com or possibly the school Facebook account. Parents have 24/7 access to their student’s grades, attendance, lunch account and other data by clicking on the quick links found on the front page of the district website. Text messaging and email systems are also used to notify parents of school closing or emergencies. The tried and true communication strategies of face-to-face conversations, newspapers and notes home still work very well. Some particularly significant changes already taking place this year included a change in entrance age for incoming kindergarten students. Children use to be allowed into school if they turned 5 on or before October 15th. The new date is July 31st. Naturally, the change resulted in a smaller kindergarten class this year which

currently stands at 109. The overall attendance for the district is on track to continue the decade long streak of record numbers. As of this writing, 1,822 students are receiving services. The school board will receive a comprehensive facility study report during the October board meeting. Increases with student enrollment require longterm planning to address the inevitable shrinking of instructional space. Patrons will definitely be hearing more about this topic. Please feel encouraged to contact either myself or other school staff members if you ever have questions about your child or the district in general. My phone number and email is listed below. Communication is definitely a two -way street and we greatly appreciate input from the public we serve. The goal of educating our youth is best accomplished as a partnership with parents and the community. Thank you for your continued support. Kyle McGowan Superintendent 402-826-5855 or Toll Free 877-826-1011 [email protected]

The Mission of the Crete Public Schools is to develop respectful and productive citizens. Learners will demonstrate academic and communicative skills necessary to navigate new challenges while providing support for their families and communities.

NO SCHOOL for Elementary Students on October 19

The Elementary School will not have classes on Friday, October 19.

 The Middle School and High School will be in session.

NO SCHOOL for ALL students on October 29

Elementary Parent Advisory Meeting

Elementary Parent/Teacher Conferences

The first Parent Advisory meeting will be held in the Elementary Media Center on Monday, October 1 at 7:00 p.m. Many parents volunteered for this organization and those selected have been notified. We want to thank all of those who volunteered for this group. Even though you might not have been selected, you can always come and be a welcomed part of the group. Dates throughout the year for the advisory council are:

Elementary Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on Monday, October 15, from 6:00-8:30 p.m. and on Thursday, October 18, from 2:00-5:00 p.m. and 6:00 -8:30 p.m. School will be dismissed early on Thursday, October 18 at 1:15 p.m. This is an important time for you to meet with your child(ren)'s teacher and ask any questions that you might have.

October 1, 2012 November 5, 2012

February 4, 2013 March 4, 2013

Bed Bugs Bed bugs are small wingless insects, approximately one-fourth of an inch long that feed on blood, normally during the night. Most, but not all, of a bed bug population will congregate in cracks and crevices near where humans and pets sleep or rest. Bed bugs live in furniture such as couches, easy chairs, dressers, and night tables, as well as electronic devices such as alarm clocks and radios. Infestations of bed bugs are not limited to bedrooms and hotels; they can be found in public transportation, hospitals, and long-term care facilities. Evidence of a bed bug infestation includes presence of the bed bugs or their cast exoskeletons, and blood spots/stains on bedding, walls, or upholstered furniture. Bed bugs can live many months without a blood meal while hiding in cracks and crevices.  Is the bug yellowish white or reddish brown in color?  Is the bug flattened with obvious folds on its body?  Is the bug no bigger than a pencil eraser?  Is the bug round or oval in shape?  Is the bug wingless?  Does the bug have 6 legs and short thick antennae?  Does the bug have well defined, protruding eyes?  Does the bug have a leathery skin with small fine hairs?  Does the bug have a round end with no tail-like appendages?  Was the bug found in the sleeping or sitting area? If you answered ―Yes‖ for any of the questions please contact Public Health Solutions 402-826-3880.

Picture Retakes October 4—Elementary October 10—Middle School & High School

Community Homecoming Pep Rally October 17 6-8:00 p.m. at Tuxedo Park Come and support the Cardinals!

Check Out our Website… www.creteschools.com We hope to keep you up-to-date on school events and student achievements. Visit our webpage each week at creteschools.com for activities, lunch menu, board meetings, weekly bulletins, staff directories, and a variety of other school information. You can also pay fees online. If you are interested in obtaining an access code to enter the Infinite Campus parent portal, please contact any of our offices to sign up.

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NOTICE TO PARENT OF RIGHTS AFFORDED BY SECTION 504 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973 The following is a description of the rights granted by federal law to qualifying students with disabilities. The intent of the law is to keep you fully informed concerning the decisions about your child and to inform you of your rights if you disagree with any of these decisions. You have the right to: 1.

Have your child take part in, and receive benefits from, public education programs without discrimination because of his/ her disability. 2. Have the school district advise you of your rights under federal law. 3. Receive notice with respect to identification, evaluation or placement of your child. 4. Have your child receive a free appropriate public education. 5. Have your child receive services and be educated in facilities which are comparable to those provided to every student. 6. Have evaluation, educational and placement decisions made based on a variety of information sources and by persons who know the student and who are knowledgeable about the evaluation data and placement options. 7. Have transportation provided to and from an alternative placement setting (if the setting is a program not operated by the district) at no greater cost to you than would be incurred if the student were placed in a program operated by the district. 8. Have your child be given an equal opportunity to participate in nonacademic and extracurricular activities offered by the district. 9. Examine all relevant records relating to decisions regarding your child’s identification, evaluation and placement. 10. Request mediation or an impartial due process hearing related to decisions or actions regarding your child’s identification, evaluation, educational program or placement. (You and your child may take part in the hearing. Hearing requests are to be made to the Department of Student Services). 11. File a local grievance.

Got Photos? GED prices and tests are changing. If you need to finish a GED, now is the time. Beginning in January 2014 if you haven't completed, you will need to start over. Soon, even the current tests will increase steeply in costs and be completed on a computer instead of paper and pencil. For more information, please call Jan Sears at 826-7898 or Cheryl Feeken at 826-7896.

You should have taken (or should be scheduling) your senior class portrait session! Senior Portraits will be due to the school NO LATER THAN Friday, December 14, 2012. If you do not have your portraits taken by Friday, November 2, the yearbook staff will take your photo to be placed on the senior pages of the yearbook. Seniors can schedule their portrait session with Mrs. Wright. Sign up in Room 412 TODAY.

Get the Most From Parent-Teacher Meetings Parent-teacher conferences are great opportunities to learn about and improve your child’s education. These tips will help:     

Start by saying something positive about the teacher. For example, mention what you like about her classroom. Discuss your child’s strengths and weaknesses. What are her special talents? With which subjects does she struggle most? Talk about any major changes in your child’s life, such as a divorce or a new sibling. Find out how students are evaluated. What factors will affect your child’s final grade? Review what your child is learning. Ask about what will be covered the rest of the year.

Cardinal

ZONE

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Ask how you can help. What things can you do at home? Clarify anything about which you’re unsure. One way to do this is to repeat what the teacher says in your own words.  Keep an open mind. If the teacher says something unexpected, think before responding. Try to understand her point of view.  Follow up. Check back with the teacher about topics you discussed. If your child was going to work on certain skills, see how she’s doing.

Source: “Parent-Teacher Conferences: How Can I Get the Most Out of Them?” Home and School Institute.

Everyone involved in Cardinal Zone this year is very excited about the changes in programming and upcoming club activities! With a programming fee of only $20 (per semester) for both before and after school Cardinal Zone, we are pleased to have 95 students registered for afterschool CZ and 150 students that have joined us for before school programming! More students are registering every day and we are hoping more choose to join us in the future!

None of Cardinal Zone’s success could be possible without the help of our amazing staff! This year, we have eight returning staff and a few new faces. Alongside our CZ staff, we are fortunate to have support of Middle School teachers and community partners. This semester Mrs. Unger is leading a NaNoWriMo club and Ms. Diaz is leading a healthy living club called ―Staying Alive.‖ Because they are so busy during program hours, some of you may not know our Cardinal Staff. Below are a few brief bios from some of our staff members. We are currently interviewing for new staff members—so expect more bios in the future! Thank you all for your support, it is greatly appreciated! Lauren Taylor is Cardinal Zone’s Assistant Director, returning for her second year on staff. Lauren is originally from Minden, NE but is currently studying Math with an endorsement in Secondary Education as a sophomore at Doane College. Lauren is excited to continue her work here with Cardinal Zone! Kellie Parks is a Doane College student. This is Kellie’s first year working with Cardinal Zone, but she is a Crete Public Schools alumni. Kellie is a freshman studying Elementary Education, so working with Cardinal Zone is right up her alley! Roxanne Vacek is a returning Cardinal Zone employee; this is her second year. Roxanne has a passion for art, music, and science. Roxanne loves working with the Cardinal Zone students and looks forward to encouraging our young students to find and pursue their passion! Nellie Ristvedt is another returning staff member for CZ. Nellie enjoys making music, cooking, writing, sewing, and sports. She is married with four children, living in Crete, NE—but she has lived in MI, OK, CO, NV, OR, MO, and MN! We are very glad she is currently here working with us at Crete Middle School! Katy Janousek is yet another veteran staff member. She is from Clarkson, NE but is currently living in Crete, double majoring in Psychology and Spanish and minoring in Art at Doane College as a sophomore. Katy enjoys working with the kids and showing them new ways to have fun (like her ―Ooey Gooey club‖ this quarter!).

School Breakfast Program Want to help your kids succeed academically? Send them to the School Breakfast Program. Research shows that ―children who attend school hungry often have diminished attention spans and are unable to perform tasks as well as their nourished peers. In these cases, the full value of the education provided is lost.‖ On the other hand, school breakfast participation has been shown to improve standardized test scores, make kids more alert in class, and improve classroom behavior. Make sure your kids start the school day with a delicious, nutritious meal—you’ll see the results in their report cards! Serving Time: 7:40 a.m.

Prices: Elementary $1.25 MS/HS $1.45 *Reduced: $ .30 *Free (*If qualified)

Ask your child what fresh fruits and vegetables were served this month at the elementary.

Lunch Account Balances Would you prefer to be notified by email when your child’s lunch balance is low? If you are interested in receiving an email about your lunch account, please email your address to [email protected]. Call Sherry at 826-7886 if you have any questions. Free and Reduced school meals applications are available in all the school offices and on our website creteschools.com.

5th Grade Coat Drive For the second year in a row, Crete Middle School fifth graders will be sponsoring a winter clothing drive. During the month of October, students, families and friends are encouraged to bring new or gently used coats, hats, mittens/gloves, scarves and boots to the Middle School for the drive. Please be sure all items are in clean and serviceable condition. On November 1st and 2nd, from 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. each day, members of the community may come to the middle school and pick out coats to keep their children warm throughout the winter. Please consider donating to help make the fifth grade coat drive a success.

LUNCH ACCOUNTS

BUS ACCOUNTS

Please make sure your children have money in their lunch account. Cash or checks may be taken to any of our school offices. It will save time if larger amounts of cash are deposited. We are offering BONUS DOLLARS for these amounts: You Deposit - Bonus Dollars $40 $1.00 $78 $2.00 $116 $4.00

If you are paying for QUARTERLY busing, your next payment is due before October 17th.

SNACK MILK—Kindergarten and first grade students will receive snack milk daily. This is not included in the free/ reduced program. Snack milk will be .25 a day.

If payment is not received by October 17th students will need to present bus tokens to ride the bus to and from school. (2 tokens per child, per day) Tokens can be purchased in any school office. $1.00 per token

ABSENCES If your child is going to be absent from school, please notify the appropriate school office before 9:00 a.m. Elementary : Toll Free: Middle School: Toll Free: High School: Toll Free:

826-5822 877-826-1017 826-5844 877-826-1018 826-5811 877-826-1019

Booster Club needs your help. First of all, thank you to all those who have already supported Booster Club through your membership fees and supporting Booster Club events. But I know there are more of you, that if only asked, would also like to join Booster Club. The cost for a membership is $20 a year. The money we raise through memberships and Booster Club events all goes to the children in our school. Just a few facts that I think are important:   

Booster Club supports ALL athletic teams. Once a year coaches submit requests for items that the regular budget is not able to cover. Last year Booster Club granted $13,000 for coaches requests and $3,000 in scholarships.

If Booster Club wasn’t able to assist with these extra expenses, either the athletes would go without or the fees for participating in sports would increase, which could cause hardships for some students/families. Even parents of younger children benefit now and in the future. Money isn’t the only way we need help. We sponsor the tailgate events before football games, sell concessions, and sponsor the community pep rally for Homecoming. These events raise money for the Booster Club and also provide a community environment that makes our school more like a family. If we could have more involvement, it would help spread the work load for everyone. If you can help us with a membership to Booster Club, please pick up a form at any of the school offices and return it along with $20 to: The Crete Booster Club PO Box 95 Crete, NE 68333 If you would like to volunteer at any of the events, please contact me. We could use your help! Next time you are at a sporting event, look around at the clothes, laptops used to keep stats, water bottles, and exercise equipment. Booster Club is thankful that we have been able to purchase many of these items but would like to do more to help our students. Thank you for supporting Booster Club and our community children. Dave Bauer Booster Club President

SAVE YOUR RECEIPTS…

The Elementary is collecting…….

Crete Foodmart has agreed to give Post Prom $1,000 for $100,000 in grocery receipts turned in by April 20, 2013.

Campbell’s Labels

Receipts can be dropped off at Davidson Insurance during regular business hours from now until the end of April or drop them off at the high school office.

Box Tops for Education

Thanks for your help!

Land O Lakes Lids—please send clean milk caps with the sticker attached.

Post Prom Committee

Please send items to the elementary office. Thank you

W

e are a SCHOOL where Staff and Students EXCEL, Parents and Community CARE.

Music Programs The Fall Vocal Concert will be held on Sunday, October 14, at 2 p.m. in the high school auditorium. The fifth grade students will be displaying their talents on Monday, October 22, at their annual music program. The program will be held in the high school auditorium and will begin at 6:30 p.m. Come and enjoy these musical events.

Get Involved at Your Child’s School There are many ways to take part in the school community and your child’s school “career.” Whatever you can do to keep involved is sure to benefit your child. Here are some ideas for you. 

Attend parent-teacher conferences—come to meetings prepared with any topics you want to discuss. Before you go, talk with your child about the conference.

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Attend open houses and other school events to help you better understand your child’s school community.

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Let your child’s teachers know what’s going on in your child’s life.

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Cheer them on! Whether it’s a football game, an academic competition, or the school play, try to attend.

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Attend school board meetings or special parent meetings if possible.

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Join the school’s parent-teacher organization. Serve on school advisory councils or committees for curriculum, discipline, and other issues that come up.

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Read all notices that your child’s school sends home—respond to anything that requires your signature.

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Volunteer if possible. There are many opportunities to offer your services at your child’s school.