UNL Extension Tractor Safety Courses Offered Across Nebraska

May 4, 2015 Leave a comment


By John Wilson

Extension Educator

Nebraska Extension Tractor Safety/Hazardous Occupations Courses will be offered at seven locations in Nebraska during May and June. Any 14- or 15-year-old teen who plans to work on a farm, other than his/her parents’ farm, should plan to attend.

Federal law prohibits youth under 16 years of age from working on a farm for anyone other than their parents or guardian. Certification through the course grants an exemption to the law allowing 14- and 15-year-olds to drive a tractor and to do field work with mechanized equipment.

The most common cause of death in agriculture accidents in Nebraska is overturn from tractors and all-terrain-vehicles (ATVs). Tractor and ATV overturn prevention are featured in the class work. Instilling an attitude of ‘safety first’ is a primary goal of the course where youth have the chance to learn respect for agricultural jobs and the tools involved.

Classes will consist of two days of instruction plus homework assignments. Classes are from 8:00  a.m. – 5:00 p.m. each day. The closest session will be held at the fairgrounds in Wayne on Monday and Tuesday, June 15-16. Other dates and locations include:

— May 27-28, Fairgrounds, Kearney

— June 1-2, Fairgrounds, Valentine

— June 5-6, Event Center, Lincoln

— June 8-9, Farm and Ranch Museum, Gering

— June 11-12, West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

— June 17-18, College Park, Grand Island

Pre-registration is strongly encouraged at least one week before a location’s start date to the Extension Office at the course site. Cost is $60, which includes educational materials, testing, supplies, lunches and breaks. For more information on the training in Wayne, contact Keith Jarvi at 402.584.2234 or kjarvi1@unl.edu.

The first day of class will include intensive classroom instruction with hands-on demonstrations, concluding with a written test that must be completed satisfactorily before students may continue driving tests the next day. Classroom instruction will cover the required elements of the National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program. Homework will be assigned to turn in the next day.

The second day will include testing, driving and operating machinery. Students must demonstrate competence in hitching equipment and driving a tractor and trailer through a standardized course as well as hitching PTO and hydraulic systems.

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Scrap Computers and Electronics Collected

May 4, 2015 Leave a comment


More than 21 tons of scrap computer and other electronic equipment was collected in Dakota, Thurston, Burt and Washington Counties through an E-Waste recycling effort sponsored by the Papio-Missouri River NRD. Items collected included computers, monitors, televisions, microwaves, copiers, video and audio equipment and other electronics.

The collections took place at U.S. Department of Agriculture Service Centers on April 7th in Tekamah and Blair and April 9th in Dakota City and Walthill. “211 households and 34 businesses participated in these collections,” said Deborah Ward, Papio-Missouri River NRD Program Assistant in the NRD’s Tekamah Field Office. “These events were very successful despite rain, sleet and even a little snow. Participants were so grateful for the opportunity to recycle their e-waste that we hope to organize another series of free collections in 2016,” said Ward.

 

NRD employees and volunteers from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Nebraska Loess Hills Resource Conservation & Development Council, and Tekamah Herman High School staffed the collection and assisted with promotion and pre-collection events. The materials collected will be recycled by Secure Recyclers of Lincoln, NE.  Funding was provided through the Waste Reduction and Recycling Incentive Program of the NE Department of Environmental Quality.

“Recycling is just one of many natural resources protection program areas of the state’s 23 Natural Resources Districts,” said NRD General Manager, John Winkler. “This effort is just another example of how the Papio NRD works cooperatively with our constituents from all parts of the District to protect life, property and our natural resources for generations to come,” he said.

 

(From left) Bill Woehler, Lance Olerich, Lowell Roeber, Wally Juhlin, and Jon Krause, Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District (NRD) staff, assist with the Papio Missouri River NRD’s scrap electronics collection. A total of 211 households and 34 businesses participated in the event which was held in the communities of Dakota City, Walthill, Tekamah, and Blair. The collection event was free of charge to local Nebraska residents and businesses. Funding was provided by the Papio-Missouri River NRD and Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ). Secure Recyclers of Lincoln was the recycling contractor. Photo Courtesy of Deborah Ward, NRD.

(From left) Bill Woehler, Lance Olerich, Lowell Roeber, Wally Juhlin, and Jon Krause, Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District (NRD) staff, assist with the Papio Missouri River NRD’s scrap electronics collection. A total of 211 households and 34 businesses participated in the event which was held in the communities of Dakota City, Walthill, Tekamah, and Blair. The collection event was free of charge to local Nebraska residents and businesses. Funding was provided by the Papio-Missouri River NRD and Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ). Secure Recyclers of Lincoln was the recycling contractor.
Photo Courtesy of Deborah Ward, NRD.

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Oakland-Craig Prom King and Queen

May 4, 2015 Leave a comment


Oakland-Craig's Prom Royalty and Crownbearers were: King - Ted Maline Queen - Heather Riedy Crown Bearers: Riley Hineline and Ellinor Johnson. Photo Credit/Cindy Dahlquist.

Oakland-Craig’s Prom Royalty and Crown bearers were: King – Ted Maline
Queen – Heather Riedy
Crown Bearers: Riley Hineline and Ellinor Johnson. Photo Credit/Cindy Dahlquist.

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Tekamah-Herman School Participates in Continuous Improvement Cycle

May 4, 2015 Leave a comment


By Brandon Lavaley

Tekamah-Herman Superintendent

Tekamah-Herman Schools, as every other public school district in Nebraska, participates in a Continuous Improvement Cycle to set goals and make sure we are moving in a positive direction. Every five years, the district entertains an external visitation team to review the Continuous Improvement Process. The district had a measurable goal of improving reading comprehension in all grades and an immeasurable goal of improving communication in and out of the district.

The external team that visited was composed of four public school administrators and one community college representative who was formally in a K-12 public district. This team met with our Continuous Improvement Team and administrators, took tours of our buildings, met with elementary and junior/senior high students, met with some of our teaching staff, had lunch with some of our Board members, and then reported their observations, commendations, and recommendations for our next five-year cycle.

We have many great things going on at Tekamah-Herman Schools that were recognized by the external team. Some of those highlights included: 1) having great students and staff who were proud to be a part of Tekamah-Herman, 2) an outstanding curricular offering for a district of our size, 3) the active participation of our students (extracurricular, i-Help, FBLA, Computer Club, FCCLA, National Honor Society) in the school and community, 4) the Board’s vision in creating the curriculum coordinator position, which has proven to be invaluable, 5) the positive strides taken to prepare students for the digital world with technology, 6) the use of data to guide decisions and improve student learning in the classroom.

While one of the duties of the external team is to help us celebrate our accomplishments (noted above), another is to provide suggestions for improvement in our district. There were two or three minor changes they recommended which can be addressed over the summer concerning staffing and technology, but there was one big one that they spent most of their time on when reporting out to our staff. Facilities. The external team reinforced, as a district, we must reach, challenge, and educate students regardless of what is going on around us. This is absolute fact and something we strive to reach on a daily basis. However, the quote they used several times was “You are doing the best you can with what you have”. This struck me and made me ask, is this fair to our students to just get by when they are competing with so many other students for scholarships, placement in higher level education, and jobs once they leave us?

I think most would agree our facilities are in need of some significant attention, however there is not a clear public majority as to what that should be.

In addition to several facility comments from the team, they stressed the importance of everyone (teachers, administration, Board of Education, and communities) getting on the same page and working toward a common goal for our students. I hope each of you are reading these articles, sharing with those that aren’t, talking about the future of our district, and educating yourself as to the needs of our district. If you have talked with a Board member, please continue to do so. If you have not, please take the time. If an external team can make such strong observations in the span of nine or ten hours in our facilities, it is a pressing need for our students. The Board wants to do what is best for our students and needs public input for that to happen. If we continue to fail bond issues or make incorrect decisions regarding our facilities because of lack of input, that is a severe injustice to our students, current and future.

Brandon Lavaley, Tekamah-Herman Superintendent

Brandon Lavaley, Tekamah-Herman Superintendent

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Ushering in a New Era of Accountability

May 4, 2015 Leave a comment


By Rachel Wise, District 3, Nebraska State Board of Education

Ushering in a New Era of Accountability

The State Board of Education moved forward this month on two very important steps for Nebraska schools. The first step was to authorize the Commissioner of Education to submit a waiver from certain No Child Left Behind (NCLB) requirements. NCLB is the accountability system imposed by federal law. I wrote an article last July on this topic urging the U. S. Congress to do its job and, with a new Congress in place, one would hope for action. However, in the case of reauthorizing ESEA—currently known as NCLB—there seems to be “talk” but still no real action!! Because Congress has not reauthorized ESEA—action that should have occurred in 2007—it is time to pursue the NCLB waiver. The Commissioner of Education will submit a waiver request to support our schools that are still saddled with an unrealistic federal accountability system and start negotiations with the U. S. Department of Education to allow Nebraska to establish a system of accountability that is clear, transparent and a system that benefits Nebraska’s children, families and communities!

Before I continue, I again urge you to contact your Congressional representatives to encourage bipartisan collaboration on the reauthorization of ESEA. We may be moving forward with the NCLB waiver request, but I believe my colleagues and I are on the same page—reauthorization of ESEA needs to occur!

The other important step taken by the State Board of Education was to approve four levels of school classification for Nebraska’s a new accountability system, AQuESTT—Accountability for a Quality Education System, Today and Tomorrow. AQuESTT was developed as a result of the Nebraska Quality Education Accountability Act, state legislation passed last year.

Under AQuESTT this first year, student growth and improvement on state tests as well as high school graduation rates, will be the primary indicators used to classify each school and district as Excellent, Great, Good or Needs Improvement. Within the Needs Improvement classification, the three schools in greatest need of assistance to improve will be designated as priority schools. The Nebraska Department of Education will develop intervention teams to help improve student achievement for priority schools and will share those strategies and interventions with all Nebraska schools.

The AQuESTT tenets and examples of possible future indicators include:

  • College and Career Readiness: rigorous curriculum and alignment with state standards as well as student participation in career education and/or college courses while in high school
  • Assessment: competency-based assessment or adaptive assessment
  • Educator Effectiveness: percent of classes taught by appropriately endorsed staff, a formal evaluation process to monitor and to ensure effective instruct
  • Positive Partnerships, Relationships and Student Success: engagement of families and communities as well as individual learning plans for students
  • Transitions: improvement in school attendance, reduction in dropout rates and improved achievement for highly mobile students
  • Educational Opportunities and Access: number of instructional units available to students, expanded enrichment opportunities, including programs before and after school and in the summer, access to early childhood programs and digital learning.

The State Board will continue to refine AQuESTT and seek additional input on from individuals across the state.

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.

 

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Myron Peterson, 77, of Laurel NE

May 4, 2015 Leave a comment


Myron Paul Peterson, 77, of Laurel, Nebraska died on Saturday, May 2, 2015 at the Wisner Care Center in Wisner, Nebraska. Memorial services for Myron will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Laurel, Nebraska with Pastor Jamie Farias officiating. A memorial visitation will be held on Tuesday from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the church. Burial with military honors will be in the Concord Cemetery in Concord, Nebraska. Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation. Bressler – Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home of Wakefield is in charge of the services.

Myron was born in Wayne, Nebraska on May 25, 1937, the son of Arvid and Ethel (Magnuson) Peterson. He was baptized and confirmed at Concordia Lutheran Church in Concord and graduated from Concord High School in 1955. Myron entered the United States Air Force and was stationed in Saudi Arabia and California. On November 9, 1958, he was married to Mary Mann at Whittier, CA. After leaving the services, Myron worked at Lowell Joint School District in La Habra, CA. Myron and Mary returned to Nebraska in 1976. He worked from P&W Sales constructing grain bins, and with Cedar County Roads Departments. His greatest joy working was with the Laurel Concord School District as a bus driver and a grounds keeper.

He is survived by his wife Mary, daughter Linda (Roger) Kvols, a son Paul (Diane) Peterson, five grandchildren and six great grandchildren with another coming this June. Myron is also survived by a sister-in-law Caroline Peterson, sister and brother-in-laws Nancy (Ken) Nair, Betty (Terry) Graf, Rick (Connie) Mann, his Aunt Evonne Magnuson and many nieces and nephews.

Myron was preceded in death by his parents Arvid and Ethel, infant son Cory Peterson, infant grandson Kale Kvols, brother Verneal Peterson and brother and sister-in-law Iner (Naomi) Peterson.

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Myron P. Peterson, 77, of Laurel NE

May 3, 2015 Leave a comment


Myron P. Peterson, 77, of Laurel, Nebraska passed away Saturday, May 2, 2015 at the Wisner Care Center in Wisner, Nebraska.

Memorial services are pending with Bressler – Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home in Wakefield, Nebraska.

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Happenings at Oakland Heights

May 2, 2015 Leave a comment


Oakland Heights News

By Nancy Silvey Activity Director

 

May is here and what a fun month we have planned for this month during National Nursing Home week. On Monday May 4th is our Volunteer Ex. Meeting at 2:30pm. On Friday May 8th at 2:30 pm is a 15 year Employee Anniversary Party for Betty Hasenkamp.

Church Service for May 3rd at 2:30 pm will be given by the First Baptist Church with a luncheon served afterwards. On Wednesday May 6th at 1:00 pm is Communion with Pastor Hoden.

Activities for the week of May 4th to May 9th , are as followed, Reading with Marilyn, Manicures, Sing a Long, Game Day, Reading Group, Bingo w/LCW, Bible Fellowship, Reading the Local Paper, Word Games, Let’s Play Ball, Friday Bingo, and Saturday morning movie.

Volunteers signing in last week were; Judy Nelson, Betty Hanna, Donnie Baldwin, Patty Miller, Mary Donavon, Anne Anderson, Mary Alice Pearson, Pat Anderson, Di Ruwe, Judee Dix, Dani Moseman, Seth Anderson, Lola Bridgeford, Nadine Anderson, and Sly Rouse.

Guest signing in this past week were; Jane Neitzke and Chuck and Celia Neitzke to see Wilma Neitzke.

Enjoying the Funny Hat Party at Oakland Heights were residents Lamae Johnson and on the right is Lois Anderson. Photo Courtesy of Oakland Heights

Enjoying the Funny Hat Party at Oakland Heights were residents Lamae Johnson and on the right is Lois Anderson. Photo Courtesy of Oakland Heights

The staff at Oakland Heights also had a good time dressing for the Funny Hat Party. Pictured are back row left to right Connie Schneekloth, Nancy Silvey, front row Donna Denton, Betty Hasenkamp, Lori Peterson and Jill Brink. Photo Courtesy of Oakland Heights.

The staff at Oakland Heights also had a good time dressing for the Funny Hat Party. Pictured are back row left to right Connie Schneekloth, Nancy Silvey, front row Donna Denton, Betty Hasenkamp, Lori Peterson and Jill Brink.
Photo Courtesy of Oakland Heights.

 

 

 

 

 

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Allen “Allie” E. Neiburg, 83, of Oakland NE

May 1, 2015 Leave a comment


ALLEN “ALLIE” E. NEIBURG, 83 years, of Oakland, Nebraska passed away Thursday, April 30, 2015 at Logan Valley Manor in Lyons, Nebraska.

FUNERAL SERVICE: May 11, 2015, 10:30 am, at Salem Covenant Church rural Oakland.

NO VISITATION

BURIAL: Oakland Cemetery

MEMORIALS: Golden Oaks

Please feel free to send your condolences to the family.
Each condolence will be printed and given to the family after the service.

pelan@pelanfuneralservices.com

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Allen “Allie” E. Neiburg, 83, of Oakland NE

May 1, 2015 Leave a comment


ALLEN “ALLIE” E. NEIBURG, 83 years, of Oakland, Nebraska passed away Thursday, April 30, 2015 at Logan Valley Manor in Lyons, Nebraska.

FUNERAL SERVICE: May 11, 2015, 10:30 am, at Salem Covenant Church rural Oakland.

NO VISITATION

BURIAL: Oakland Cemetery

MEMORIALS: Golden Oaks

Please feel free to send your condolences to the family.
Each condolence will be printed and given to the family after the service.

pelan@pelanfuneralservices.com

Allen Neiburg

Allen Neiburg

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