Tekamah-Herman Participating in reVision Grant

January 11, 2016 Leave a comment


By Brandon Lavaley, Tekamah-Herman Superintendent

Welcome back to the second semester! I hope everyone was able to have an enjoyable break and spend some important quality time with family. These next two months are two of the most important, yet most difficult months of the school year for teachers and students. Typically, the weather is not very accommodating, there tends to be a lot of sickness going around, and there aren’t any breaks built into the calendar. However, this is a final push toward our spring testing window for state assessments (NeSA) and local assessments (MAP). Please encourage your student to continue working as hard as they can to improve, make sure they are getting plenty of sleep and eating appropriately. Though these two months may seem long, they fly by and the fourth quarter will be upon us before we know it.

The other topic for this article is the reVISION grant in which Tekamah-Herman is participating. The reVISION process is an initiative in career and technical education to make sure students are graduating high school with the skills and characteristics necessary to be successful when they eventually are employed, whether right after high school or upon graduation from college. The grant is a cooperative effort among 10 schools in northeast Nebraska. The primary purpose is to have the businesses in each community become more engaged with the school district, providing opportunities to students and helping guide curriculum decisions.

The benefit of this process for the school district is preparing our students and giving them opportunities to be successful after high school. The benefit for businesses is working directly with students, potentially preparing them for careers that they can fill within that business. The benefit for the community is helping replace and potentially bring in new jobs, allowing the population to maintain or grow instead of the continual decline we see in rural Nebraska. Businesses in our area have received a mailed invitation to attend an informative, interactive meeting with Nebraska Department of Education. The planning this year will hopefully go toward implementation of programs next year. Your input is vital and I encourage you to RSVP and attend the meeting in Oakland on January 20th. If anyone has more questions about reVISION, please feel free to contact the school and speak with myself, Mr. Gross, or Ms. Nuss about reVISION and the benefits for our students.

Brandon Lavaley, Tekamah-Herman Superintendent

Brandon Lavaley, Tekamah-Herman Superintendent

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Lyons-Decatur Northeast Preschool Letters to Santa Claus

December 23, 2015 Leave a comment


Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Cassidy Rose Miller. I am three years old. I live far away from Brooke’s house. This year, I have been really good at playing upstairs, watch TV and I eat food. I would really like it if you could bring me feel better lotion like Hayley gots.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Cassidy Rose Miller

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Bryannda. I am four years old. I live in Lyons, Nebraska. This year, I have been really loving everyone in my house. I would really like it if you could bring me a pillow, a toy Santa and an Olaf bike.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Bryannda Chavira

 

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Tianna. I am four years old. I live in Decatur, Nebraska. This year, I have been really good. I would really like it if you could bring me Barbies!

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Tianna Stabler

Unknown

 

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Ascher. I am four years old. I live in Lyons, Nebraska. This year, I have been really good and I’ve been folding with Grandma. I would really like it if you could bring me a present. I want a toy and a real phone. Oh and my big sister likes Barbies.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Ascher Hagberg

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Dakotta. I am four years old. I live in Nebraska. This year, I have been really snuggly with mommy, daddy and grandma. I would really like it if you could bring me a baby doll that you can push in a stroller and take her outside. I like to snuggle with my baby dolls. And I like cookies!

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Dakotta Erickson

 

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Raygen. I am five years old. I live in a house in Lyons. This year, I have been really good. I would really like it if you could bring me a toy phone, Barbies, a baby doll and stroller that I can push.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Raygen Olsen

Unknown

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Cali. I am five years old. I live in Lyons, Nebraska. This year, I have been really playing in the snow. I would really like it if you could bring me more Barbies, a Barbie that does what I ask it to do and a great big Santa toy.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Cali Madsen

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Skylar. I am four years old. I live in a house in my town. This year, I have been really good. I would really like it if you could bring me Barbie toys, a train for the white tree, a house and a motorcycle.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Skylar Hollman

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Carsyn. I am five years old. I live in Nebraska. This year, I have been really learning! I would really like it if you could bring me a truck that I can drive…it must be green, a moving corn toy and a blue car.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Carsyn Miller

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is McKennah. I am five years old. I live in Nebraska. This year I have been really good! I would really like it if you could bring me new chapstick, Gingerbread movie, Gingerbread book, a new baby doll, movies.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

McKennah Tuttle

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Dear Santa Claus,

My name is LilliAnn. I am four years old. I live in a home. This year, I have been really playing with my toys. I would really like it if you could bring me a Santa teddy, a unicorn, a Minnie Mouse toy, a toy pig and a toy bear.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

LilliAnn Svendsen

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Jacek. I am four years old. I live in Lyons. This year, I have been really good. I would really like it if you could bring me a turtle man! I also want a batman robot!

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Jacek Alexander

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Caroline. I am five years old. I live in Lyons out in the country, in a white house. This year, I have been really good. I would really like it if you could bring me a pretend puppy that follows you where ever you go!

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Caroline Timm

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Parker. I am four years old. I live far away in a house with red bricks. This year, I have been really nice. I would really like it if you could bring me a gift, maybe a stuffed animal!

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Parker Norton

Unknown-1

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Skylynn. I am five years old. I live in town. This year, I have been really good. I would really like it if you could bring me a new Frozen bike!

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Skylynn Wolf

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Wyatt. I am four years old. I live in Lyons. This year, I have been really good and helping my sister and decorating my tree. I would really like it if you could bring me jackhammer Rebel with his vehicle!

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Wyatt Trost

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Charlotte. I am four years old. I live in Oakland, Nebraska. This year, I have been really nice. I would really like it if you could bring me a big Barbie pop up camper with Barbies.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Charlotte Dolezal

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Kade. I am three years old. I live in the country. This year, I have been really good. I would really like it if you could bring me a planter and a sprayer for my tractors.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Kade French

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Emma. I am three years old. I live in Decatur. This year, I have been really nice then good. I would really like it if you could bring me toys!

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Emma Henneman

Unknown

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Delaney. I am three years old. I live in Lyons. This year, I have been good. I would really like it if you could bring me rainbow high heels!

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Delaney Andersen

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Tucker. I am four years old. I live on a farm. This year, I have been really good. I would really like it if you could bring me a big transformer toy that can talk and change by itself!

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Tucker Vyhlidal

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Shyla. I am three years old. I live in home with Mom and Dad. This year, I have been really good. I would really like it if you could bring me another doll!

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Shyla Talada

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Jenaveev. I am four years old. I live in the country by Mrs. Ronnfeldt. This year, I have been really GOOD! I would really like it if you could bring me some roller skates to skate on ice!

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Jenaveev Myers

Unknown

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Brooke. I am three years old. I live in the country. This year, I have been really playing in the snow. I would really like it if you could bring me a book and toys.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Brooke Larson

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Archie. I am four years old. I live in my home. I have a snowman at my house. This year, I have been really good watching giant robots on TV. I would really like it if you could bring me my birthday.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Archie Pond

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Autumn. I am four years old. I live far way in the country. This year, I have been really happy! I would really like it if you could bring me lotion and a book.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Autumn McCullock

Unknown-1

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is McKenzie. I am four years old. I live with my family in my house. This year, I have been really good. I would really like it if you could bring me Peppa Pig Camping toy, Legos, tiny baby dolls, play-dough, snow cone maker, candy cane maker and Barbies.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

McKenzie Christiansen

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Jackson. I am five years old. I live with Bo. This year, I have been really good. I would really like it if you could bring me a car.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Jackson Hart

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Amirez. I am five years old. I live in a house. This year, I have been really busy and good. I would really like it if you could bring me a Captain America toy and a Spiderman toy. Santa, I have a new baby brother.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Amirez Encinas

Unknown-1

 

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AQuESTT Classification Released for Tekamah-Herman School

December 18, 2015 Leave a comment


 By Brandon Lavaley, T-H Superintendent

On December 4th, the Nebraska Department of Education released their AQuESTT classifications for each public school and district in the state. While some of you may have heard or read about the classification, the looming question remains, what is AQuESTT?

Accountability for a Quality Education System, Today and Tomorrow (AQuESTT) is the most recent installment of an accountability system for public schools in Nebraska. Previously, each school was ranked based on its respective NeSA (state assessment) scores and graduation rates. This didn’t give much information to districts or patrons because it only referred to a snapshot picture on a single day for assessment scores and graduation rate for one class. AQuESTT is intended to be a multi-faceted tool that represents a school/district in a broader scope, then assigning them a classification score (1-4) rather than ranking from 1 through somewhere in the 200s. In the assignment of classification, a score of 1 indicates a need for improvement, 2 is a rating of good, 3 is a great classification, and 4 is excellent.

AQuESTT has six pillars that are represented within the overall classification. Those pillars are: 1) positive partnerships, relationships, student success, 2) transitions, 3) educational opportunities and access, 4) college and career ready, 5) assessment, and 6) educator effectiveness. The information gathered is through NeSA assessments, school characteristics, and administrator surveys.

While as a school district, we held a public celebration for our achievements and improvements on the NeSA from last spring, we are equally excited about our classification as a school district. The Tekamah-Herman Schools was assigned a classification of 3 (great) when considering all tenets of the AQuESTT system. In addition to receiving a great classification as a district, the high school was assigned a rating of 4 (excellent), of which we are extremely proud.

The AQuESTT system does not replace the continuous improvement cycle that we have used in the past. The data gleaned from AQuESTT is intended to support that process and help districts focus on areas of need, which we will continue to do. The explanation of AQuESTT is brief and probably confusing, as it takes time to become familiar with the system. More information is available online at aquest.com. Thank you for your continued support of the students and staff at Tekamah-Herman Schools.

Brandon Lavaley, Tekamah-Herman Superintendent

Brandon Lavaley, Tekamah-Herman Superintendent

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Lyons-Decatur Northeast Homecoming Royalty

October 13, 2015 Leave a comment


Left to right back row: Mickayla Petersen Jaime Raabe Darcey Simonsen (2014 queen) Chevy Henneman (2014 king) Alec Anderson Martin Long Front row: Maizielyn Josephsen (crownbearer) Abby Peterson Marcus Hegy Colton Brehmer (crownbrearer) Photo courtesy of Cara Raabe.

Left to right back row:
Mickayla Petersen
Jaime Raabe
Darcey Simonsen (2014 queen)
Chevy Henneman (2014 king)
Alec Anderson
Martin Long
Front row:
Maizielyn Josephsen (crownbearer)
Abby Peterson
Marcus Hegy
Colton Brehmer (crownbrearer)
Photo courtesy of Cara Raabe.

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Oakland-Craig Homecoming Royalty

October 1, 2015 Leave a comment


Oakland-Craig Homecoming Royalty, from left: Bryce Uhing (2014 King), Connor Thiele, Cole Mitchell, Cody Mace, Bob Gatewood, King Tommy Nelson, Queen Olivia Bures, Bailey Charling, Brynn Charling, Brie Peterson, Mia Smith, Ashleigh Carr (2014 Queen) and crown bearers Noah Anderson, son of Nathan and Jen Anderson and Keryn Uhing, daughter of Dave and Alisa Uhing. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Oakland-Craig Homecoming Royalty, from left: Bryce Uhing (2014 King), Connor Thiele, Cole Mitchell, Cody Mace, Bob Gatewood, King Tommy Nelson, Queen Olivia Bures, Bailey Charling, Brynn Charling, Brie Peterson, Mia Smith, Ashleigh Carr (2014 Queen) and crown bearers Noah Anderson, son of Nathan and Jen Anderson and Keryn Uhing, daughter of Dave and Alisa Uhing. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

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Dancing at the OC Homecoming Pep Rally

October 1, 2015 Leave a comment


The young kids had a great time dancing at the OC Homecoming Pep Rally! Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

The young kids had a great time dancing at the OC Homecoming Pep Rally! Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

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Wrestling at OC Homecoming Pep Rally

October 1, 2015 Leave a comment


"Ponca" came to the OC pep rally and "wrestled" OC, with OC winning and also winning the homecoming football game. All photos credit of Denise Gilliland/Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

“Ponca” came to the OC pep rally and “wrestled” OC, with OC winning and also winning the homecoming football game. All photos credit of Denise Gilliland/Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

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Oakland-Craig’s Homecoming Pep Rally

October 1, 2015 Leave a comment


Oakland-Craig students celebrated homecoming week, concluding with a pep rally. All photos credit of Denise Gilliland/Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Oakland-Craig students celebrated homecoming week, concluding with a pep rally. All photos credit of Denise Gilliland/Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

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Need to Fix No Child Left Behind Nationally

May 14, 2015 Leave a comment


Rachel Wise, District 3, Nebraska State Board of Education 

In March, I had an opportunity to attend the National Association of State Boards of Education’s board of directors meeting and legislative policy forum. As a member of the board of directors of this organization, I have had an opportunity to learn about educational issues around the country from my colleagues serving on state boards of education in other states. This month, I want to share some activities happening nationally as well as a few important initiatives underway “at home” here in Nebraska.

Nationally, the biggest issue is the need to fix or reauthorize a very broken Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) titled No Child Left Behind. I feel like a broken record, bringing this issue up every month! However, this month there is a glimmer of hope! It is anticipated that the House of Representatives will vote on its bill when Congress returns to Washington D. C, after its break. This week a draft bipartisan Senate bill has been made public. Apparently, the House and the Senate— from a bipartisan perspective—concur that ESEA needs to be reauthorized and that states should have greater control of education as they once did!

At the conference I attended a session on the effective use of digital educational resources and technology. Technology is significantly impacting our lives and education. Technology has changed my life! With the help of our great Nebraska public libraries and the application called OverDrive, I can use my phone to listen to a book while I am walking, cleaning the house or on the road. Technology can have a positive change in the classroom! Classroom teachers are engaging students with digital resources and a variety of applications. These are the new tools of the trade for teachers at all grade levels. An open educational resource is the term used to define a host of digital resources that teachers can access at low or no cost. Some states have created statewide networks to help teachers more easily access digital materials and resources. In Nebraska, we have resources and digital tools in place, but we need a statewide plan that allows educators easy access similar to the Nebraska OverDrive Libraries, which has expanded access to eBooks and audio books through the public library network. All Nebraska students, teachers and parents ought to have key educational resources at their fingertips through a few easy clicks on a phone or a tablet.

In April, the Nebraska State Board of Education released a draft of the new mathematics standards for public input. If you go to the Nebraska Department of Education website at the link below, you can review and provide comments on these draft standards. As Nebraskans, we should take pride in the process used to develop academic content standards. Nebraska teachers—with input from business, post-secondary education and the public—write the standards and then seek input in multiple ways, including the survey on the NDE website.

This month the board also reviewed the Nebraska Coordinated School Health program, and NDE’s role in providing support for schools in health education, human growth and development and sex education. This role involves providing resources and support to schools as they work to develop curriculum and strategies that work well for local school districts. While NDE provides resources and support, it is the responsibility of local school districts—with input from their communities and their locally-elected school boards —to address these sensitive and sometimes controversial issues within their individual communities. Each community has unique needs and challenges. Who knows better how to deal with those issues other than local community members and parents of children in the school district? One reason I ran for the State Board of Education was to become an advocate for a balance in the responsibilities between state and locally-elected school board members. The approach taken with the Nebraska Coordinated School Health program is balanced, respectful and has led to a meaningful process and practice.

This article represents my personal view, not that of the State Board of Education or my role as president. Feel free to contact me at rachel.wise@nebraska.gov. Search the Nebraska Department of Education website at www.education.ne.gov to learn more about education in our state.

Rachel Wise

Rachel Wise

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Oakland-Craig Graduation Set for Saturday

May 8, 2015 Leave a comment


Oakland-Craig Commencement Exercises are Saturday, May 9th at 2:00 p.m. at the Oakland-Craig Elementary Gymnasium.

The Class Motto is: Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory-Dr. Seuss.

Class Flower: Orange Rose

Class Colors: Orange and White

Alexandra Moore is the daughter of Kenneth and Beatrix Moore. She plans to attend Northeast Community College, majoring in nursing, then transferring to UNMC to become an RN and work in a trauma unit.

Alexandra Moore is the daughter of Kenneth and Beatrix Moore. She plans to attend Northeast Community College, majoring in nursing, then transferring to UNMC to become an RN and work in a trauma unit.

Joel Johnson is the son of Jay and Dee Johnson. He plans to attend Wayne State College and major in business and public relations.

Joel Johnson is the son of Jay and Dee Johnson. He plans to attend Wayne State College and major in business and public relations.

Shelby Greve is the daughter of Roy and Leslie Greve. She plans to attend Metro Community College then transfer to College of Saint Mary's to become an occupational therapist.

Shelby Greve is the daughter of Roy and Leslie Greve. She plans to attend Metro Community College then transfer to College of Saint Mary’s to become an occupational therapist.

Nicole Moore is the daughter of Kenneth and Beatrix Moore. She plans to attend Northeast Community College, majoring in nursing, then transfer to UNMC to complete her degree.

Nicole Moore is the daughter of Kenneth and Beatrix Moore. She plans to attend Northeast Community College, majoring in nursing, then transfer to UNMC to complete her degree.

Ted Maline is the son of Dr. Pat Maline and Dr. Teresa Schieber. He plans to attend South Dakota School of Technology, majoring in Metallurgical Engineering.

Ted Maline is the son of Dr. Pat Maline and Dr. Teresa Schieber. He plans to attend South Dakota School of Technology, majoring in Metallurgical Engineering.

Joshua Davis is the son of Jeramy Davis.

Joshua Davis is the son of Jeramie Davis.

Josh King is the son of Terry and Sally King. He plans to attend UNL majoring in diversified crop production.

Josh King is the son of Terry and Sally King. He plans to attend UNL majoring in diversified crop production.

Justin Smith is the son of Mark and Michelle Smith. He plans to attend Northeast Community College majoring in diversified agriculture and also working on the family farm, with future plans to expand it.

Justin Smith is the son of Mark and Michelle Smith. He plans to attend Northeast Community College majoring in diversified agriculture and also working on the family farm, with future plans to expand it.

Michael Fischer is the son of Tim and Cathy Fischer. He plans to attend UNL, majoring in biology.

Michael Fischer is the son of Tim and Cathy Fischer. He plans to attend UNL, majoring in biology.

Blake Uhing is the son of Tracy Moore. He plans to attend Iowa Western Community College then transfer to a four-year college to major in sports medicine.

Blake Uhing is the son of Tracy Moore. He plans to attend Iowa Western Community College then transfer to a four-year college to major in sports medicine.

Cameron Kiner is the son of Cary and Beth Kiner. He plans to attend Central College in Pella, Iowa majoring in exercise science.

Cameron Kiner is the son of Cary and Beth Kiner. He plans to attend Central College in Pella, Iowa majoring in exercise science.

Heather Riedy is the daughter of Ed and Val Riedy. she plans to attend Amherst College, majoring in English, then attend law school to become a lawyer.

Heather Riedy is the daughter of Ed and Val Riedy. She plans to attend Amherst College, majoring in English, then attend law school to become a lawyer.

Angela Weisbrook is the daughter of Richard and janet Weisbrook. She plans to attend UNO majoring in business.

Angela Weisbrook is the daughter of Richard and janet Weisbrook. She plans to attend UNO majoring in business.

Anita Potts is the daughter of Doug and Andrea Potts. She plans to study art education in Florida.

Anita Potts is the daughter of Doug and Andrea Potts. She plans to study art education in Florida.

Ashleigh Carr is the daughter of Allison Miller. She plans to run track at UNL, undecided about a major.

Ashleigh Carr is the daughter of Allison Miller. She plans to run track at UNL, undecided about a major.

Nick Arlt is the son of Aaron and Kristi Arlt. He plans to attend Nebraska Weslyan University majoring in physical therapy.

Nick Arlt is the son of Aaron and Kristi Arlt. He plans to attend Nebraska Weslyan University majoring in physical therapy.

Michael Bryce Uhing is the son of David and Alisa Uhing. He plans to attend UNO, majoring in architectural engineering.

Michael Bryce Uhing is the son of David and Alisa Uhing. He plans to attend UNO, majoring in architectural engineering.

Job Egbers is the son of Teresa Sue Egbers. He plans to attend Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis, NE, studying diversified ag.

Job Egbers is the son of Teresa Sue Egbers. He plans to attend Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis, NE, studying diversified ag.

Tyler Groth is the son of Jim and Marilee Groth. He plans to attend UNL, majoring in computer engineering.

Tyler Groth is the son of Jim and Marilee Groth. He plans to attend UNL, majoring in computer engineering.

Vera Never Miss A Shot is the daughter of Elizabeth Iron Shell and Paul Never Miss A Shot. She plans to attend college, becoming a social worker.

Vera Never Miss A Shot is the daughter of Elizabeth Iron Shell and Paul Never Miss A Shot. She plans to attend college, becoming a social worker.

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