The Future of Herman Elementary School Concern of Tekamah-Herman School Board


By Brandon Lavaley, Tekamah-Herman Superintendent

While there are certainly many issues being discussed concerning the Tekamah-Herman Schools district, one change seems eminent at this time. At the most recent Board of Education meeting, the disposition of education at Herman Elementary was discussed. This is a topic that has been discussed repeatedly over the course of at least the past five years as the district planned for the future.

Based on projections for next school year, there are expected to be 12 students across three grade levels (4th, 5th, and 6th) that would attend Herman Elementary. In all reality, this number of students is not enough for which two full-time teachers should be responsible and too wide of a grade span for one teacher to take on that role. Additionally, the opportunities for social growth of students is limited by the small student body attending and the staff members are placed in a difficult position when it comes to professional growth and support. The Board is now faced with a difficult decision regarding the future of Herman Elementary. The choice is either putting a significant sum of money into the Herman Elementary, reconfiguring grades and students to be served, and altering the district or closing Herman Elementary, serving all students in the district in Tekamah, and making a short-term commitment to housing the preschool students in a modular until a permanent plan and structure can be put in place.

The pending decision is not one that is taken lightly by the Board and certainly one that has been debated countless times by members, either individually or as a group. Herman Elementary has been a wonderful institution for so many of our students when the student numbers were different. The experience of a small school with one-on-one teacher attention is a benefit for some of our students. However, the district has reached a crossroads with the Herman Elementary and decisions must be made very soon. By making these decisions, the Board gives ample opportunity for students and parents to plan for a transition for the next school year. As always, please feel free to contact a Board member or stop in to my office if you have any questions or concerns about your school district.

Brandon Lavaley, Tekamah-Herman Superintendent

Brandon Lavaley, Tekamah-Herman Superintendent

 

Fischer Teams-Up with Red Cross for 2015 Holiday Mail for Heroes Campaign


U.S. Senator Deb Fischer’s office is teaming up with the American Red Cross to help Nebraskans send holiday wishes and appreciation to members of the military, their families, and our veterans. This is the third year Senator Fischer’s office has coordinated the Holiday Mail for Heroes campaign with the Red Cross. Senator Fischer released the following statement encouraging Nebraskans to participate:

 

“The Holiday Mail for Heroes program is a simple way for Nebraskans to share their holiday cheer, along with their gratitude, to the men and women of our military. I hope the people of Nebraska will join me in sending greetings to the dedicated members of our armed services around the world, their families, and our veterans.”

 

The Holiday Mail for Heroes program collects cards and messages to send to our military men and women serving both abroad and in our local communities. Nebraskans who wish to participate can make or purchase a card to sign, and mail them to Senator Fischer’s Omaha office. In order to guarantee delivery, cards must be received by December 6, 2015.  They can be dropped off at, or mailed to, the following address:

 

Office of Senator Deb Fischer

11819 Miracle Hills Drive

Suite 205

Omaha, NE 68145

 

In addition to your homemade cards, Senator Fischer and the Red Cross have created a card specifically for Nebraskans that can be printed and signed at home. You can download cards through Senator Fischer’s website by clicking here.

 

To ensure holiday cards can be quickly screened and mailed, the Red Cross asks participants to follow the guidelines listed below:

 

  • Ensure that all cards are signed.

 

  • Use generic salutations, such as “Dear Service Member.” Cards addressed to specific individuals cannot be delivered through this program.

 

  • Only cards are being accepted. Do not send or include letters.

 

  • Do not include email or home addresses on the cards. The program is not meant to foster pen pal relationships.

 

  • Do not include inserts of any kind, including photos. These items will be removed during the reviewing process.

 

  • Please refrain from choosing cards with glitter or using loose glitter, which can aggravate the health issues of ill and injured warriors.

 

  • If you are mailing a large quantity of cards, please bundle them and place the cards in large mailing envelopes or flat rate postal shipping boxes. Each card does not need its own envelope. All envelopes will be removed from all cards before distribution.

 

 

Patricia Lou (Kai) Fendrick, 74, of Pender NE


Patricia Lou (Kai) Fendrick, 74, of Pender, Nebraska passed away Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at Legacy Garden Rehabilitation and Living Center in Pender. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 21, 2015 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Pender; with Pastor Miles Ruch officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 20, 2015 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church with a prayer service starting at 7:00 p.m. Burial will be in Rosehill Cemetery in Pender. Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home.

Pat was born February 10, 1941 to Art and Florence (Cook) Kai at Wayne Jameson Hospital in Wayne, Nebraska. On January 3, 1960, she married Robert James Fendrick in Pender, NE. To this union three children were born: Pamela, Rhonda and Kevin. Pat worked in several different places in Pender: Pool Manager, Ray’s Tap and Grill, Pender High School and at the Pender Care Center. Bob died on August 27, 2015. She was a longtime member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Pender. Pat enjoyed cross stitching, embroidery and watching her grandchildren compete in sporting events. Most of all she enjoyed being a babysitter for her grandchildren.

Patricia is survived by her daughters, Pamela (Mark) Buchholz of Omaha, NE, Rhonda (Rodney) Heise of Pender, NE; son, Kevin (Michelle) Fendrick of Pender; sisters, Marilyn Leonard, Bonnie (Raymond) Prokop, Ardyce Surber and Joyce Giese; sisters-in-law, Betty Meister, Marlene Abendroth; brothers-in-law, Harold (Darlene) Fendrick, and Tony (Pamela) Fendrick, Dale Vavra; eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert J. Fendrick; parents; brothers-in-law, Robert Leonard, Norman Surber and Leroy Giese, Frank Fendrick; parents-in-law, Anton and Wavia Fendrick; sister-in-law, Twila Vavra.

Mabel E. (Harbison) Johnson, 96, of Laurel NE


Mable E. (Harbison) Johnson, 96, of Laurel, NE, passed away Thursday, November 19, 2015 at Hillcrest Care Center in Laurel, NE. Funeral services will be Monday, November 23, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. Concordia Lutheran Church in Concord, NE; Pastor Sarah Ruch will be officiating. The visitation will begin one hour prior to the funeral. Burial will be in the Laurel Cemetery. Memorials may be directed Concordia Lutheran Church Arrangements are under the direction of Bressler-Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Wakefield, NE.

Mable was born September 10, 1919 to Everett and Minnie (Smith) Harbison in Circle, MT. She grew up in rural Bloomfield, NE and graduated from Bloomfield High School. Mable attended Wayne State College and received a teaching degree. She taught in Knox and Cedar counties in rural schools. Mable married Albert Johnson on September 24, 1949 at the Methodist Church in Wasau, NE and the couple had three children. She was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church. Mable loved reading, gardening, and caring for her family.

She is survived by Arnold Johnson of Laurel, NE, LaVerle (Nancy) Johnson of Laurel, NE, and Doug Johnson; 7 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Mable is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Albert, and sister-in-law, Esther Johnson.

Mabel Johnson

Mabel Johnson

Kenneth Hartwig, 82, of Pender NE


Kenneth Hartwig, 82, of Pender, NE, passed away Thursday, November 19, 2015 in Sioux City, Iowa.

Memorial services are pending with Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Pender, NE.

Winter Storm Warning


MONONA-HARRISON-SHELBY-THURSTON-WAYNE-CUMING-BURT-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ONAWA...MAPLETON...MISSOURI VALLEY...

WOODBINE...LOGAN...DUNLAP...HARLAN...PENDER...MACY...WALTHILL...

WINNEBAGO...WAYNE...WEST POINT...WISNER...TEKAMAH...OAKLAND...

LYONS...DECATUR
721 AM CST FRI NOV 20 2015

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM THIS
AFTERNOON TO 3 AM CST SATURDAY...

* TIMING...RAIN AND SNOW WILL DEVELOP BY MID TO LATE AFTERNOON 
AND BECOME ALL SNOW BY LATE AFTERNOON. SNOW WILL CONTINUE 
THROUGH THE EVENING AND END AFTER MIDNIGHT. 

* ACCUMULATIONS...5 TO 8 INCHES OF SNOW IS EXPECTED.

* MAIN IMPACT...VISIBILITIES WILL DROP TO LESS THAN A HALF MILE 
AT TIMES. WINDS WILL INCREASE THIS EVENING CREATING AREAS OF 
BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. TRAVEL WILL BE SIGNIFICANTLY 
IMPACTED...ESPECIALLY DURING THE EVENING AND OVERNIGHT. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW...

SLEET...AND ICE ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO
POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

Mable E. Johnson, 96, of Laurel NE


Mable E. Johnson, 96, of Laurel, Nebraska, passed away Thursday, November 19 at Hillcrest Care Center in Laurel, NE.

Funeral services are pending with Bressler-Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Wakefield, NE.

Oakland City Office Closed Tuesday Afternoon Nov. 24th


The Oakland City office will be closed Tuesday November 24th,2015 from 12:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Go KNIGHTS!!!!!

Oakland City Office Closed for Thanksgiving


The Oakland City office will be closed for Thanksgiving on Thursday November 26th & Friday, November 27th. Happy Holidays!

Word on the Street: What was on the Menu for the First Thanksgiving?


What do you think was really on the menu for the First Thanksgiving??

Kay Gibbs Kommers Some kind of Roots dug out of the ground. Maybe corn .. (Maze).

 Peggy Louise Jensen Wild turkey, squash, berries, pumpkin pie.
 Holly Hurrell Deer fish cranberries nuts.