February 2015 - Yutan Public Schools

YUTAN DISTRICT NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY
PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR
INFORMATION ON THE FOLLOWING
www.yutanpublicschools.com
*Lunch Menu
*January Events
*January Sports Schedule
*Athletic Booster web page
*Fine Arts web page
*School Forms
*Staff Websites
*Staff Directory
*District News
FEBRUARY
03
04
09
11
16
20
20
21
21
22
25
28
Fine Arts Booster Mtg
6:00
Post Prom Mtg
6:00
Board Mtg.
6:00
Athletic Booster Mtg.
6:30
POPS Concert
7:00
@HS Gym
Yutan Youth Girls Hoopster Tourney
Elkhorn Band Olympics, GR. 9-10
Yutan Youth Girls Hoopster Tourney
Elkhorn Band Olympics, GR. 9-10
Yutan Youth Girls Hoopster Tourney
ECNC Speech @East Butler HS
9:30
Speech Invite
MARCH
03
04
06
06
06-7
05-7
09
11-12
11
13
13
16-18
18
19-20
21
23
25
28
Fine Arts Mtg.
6:00
Post Prom Mtg.
6:00
NO SCHOOL
Yutan Youth Boys Hoopster Tourney
All-School Play
GB State Tourney@Lincoln
Reg. Board Mtg
6:00
Parent/Teacher Conf.
Athletic Booster Mtg.
6:30
NO SCHOOL
BB State Tourney@Lincoln
District Speech
ECNC JH Quiz Bowl@JCC
Malcolm Music Contest
Jr-Sr Prom
ECNC HS Quiz Bowl@Conestoga
ECNC Art Show @Malcolm
Class C ALL-State Band
What is NEW at the TRIBE
YUTAN Jr/Sr High School
February Newsletter
CHIEFTAIN PRIDE
Principal Tim McNamara
2015
John Baylor: ACT National Testing Expert will be here several times during
the next month to prepare Juniors for the ACT exams. Yutan continues to be one of
the few schools Mr. Baylor conducts the review sessions, in person. The Chieftains
continue to score well above the National, State and local ACT average. Fifteen
minutes may save you 15% but higher ACT scores result in more college scholarship
money and less debt for college graduates. Everybody knows that!
Service to our Community:
Teaching, showing and modeling community service to young people is a big part of
helping them become adults who have a sense of helping others. One way Yutan
High School does that is by hosting the American Red Cross Blood Drive on Monday,
th
March 30 from 8am-2pm in the High School gym. Students participate by
donating blood, helping as greeters and assisting Red Cross personnel throughout
the day. We love having our younger students see this process and look forward to
th
having community members visit us. Please consider donating blood March 30
and helping show our students an awesome way to assist others in need. Call for
an appointment…(402-625-2241).
First Semester Grades: POW WOW - HOLY
COW!!!!!!!!!
75% of all Chieftains made the Honor Roll of Distinction (94% average and no grade below a 91%) or Honor
Roll of Merit (90% average with no grade below a 88%). Thank you parents for helping make academics a priority. We’re all in this
together!
Honor Roll of Distinction
Honor Roll of Merit
Totals
Seniors = 28
Seniors = 14
32/45 = 71%
Juniors = 13
Juniors = 4
17/26 = 65%
Sophomores = 16
Sophomores = 12
28/40 = 70%
Freshmen = 22
Freshmen = 11
33/42 = 79%
Eighth = 8
Eighth = 7
15/31 = 48%
Seventh = 18
Seventh = 11
29/36 = 81%
164/219
75%
HONOR ROLL OF DISTINCTION 1ST SEMESTER 2014 – 2015
(Students who received all “A’s” have a “*” by their name)
SENIORS
Keyshon Brown, *Morgan Burkle, Jayme Bussing, Matt Dooley, *Madison Egr, Alec Epstein, Courtney Fisher, *Kendyl Heuertz,
Zach Jones, *Brooke Kelly, *Colton Leal, Collin Lewis, Skyler Limbach, Madeline Miller, *Tad Nelson, Travis Olson, Matt Oviatt,
Zach Palmer, Brooke Phillips, *Jessica Pleskac, Jayden Rannells, *Boston Rew, Rachel Roll, *Jacob Trost, *Josh Trost, Cassie Wade,
Megan Wade, Connor Worden
JUNIORS
Eric Bussen, *Madilyn Charette, Connor Devish, *Cody Feist, *Bailey Josoff, Nealie Josoff, Ethan Karloff, *Christian Keays, *Derek
Ortmeier, *Nolan Roth, Sofia Sandoval, Cody Stevens, Karly Zaugg, Wyatt Zaugg
SOPHOMORES
*Allan Cramblitt, Tatum Devish, *Kelsey Edwards, Jayden Graham, *John Grinvalds, Michael Kelly, Nathan Miller, Christian
Moroschak, * O’Malley, Jenny Ostblom, *Ellie Petersen, Julia Pleskac, Ashley Stevens, Parker Strand, *Haleigh Wuster, *Scott
Wuster
FRESHMEN
Alexis Aufenkamp, Cole Egr, Samuel Elgert, *Colton Feist, Shelby Fenner, Lauryl Hebenstreit, Brett Heuertz, *Julia Kennedy, Jalin
Kube, Hayden Lassek, Natalie Lothringer, *Tyler McLaughlin, *Bryland Menicucci, Shelby Olson, *Preston Pearce, Morgan
Pinkelman, Emily Pogue, Jaymie Schroeder, Kyle Shaw, Kyle Stevens, *Mason Timm, *Machala Woodcock
EIGHTH
Alexis Coen, *Kira Embrey, *Haley Herman, McKinley Josoff, Jaydin Layman, Brenden Leahy, Clayton Nelson, Rheanna Townsend,
Megan Workman
SEVENTH
*Logan Burright, Molly Davis, Michaela Dooley, *Emily Fisher, Madison Henkel, *Teagan Jacobs, Dyson Juedes, *Emily Kennedy,
Salem Kennedy, Hope Kult, MaryLynn Lewis, Emma Lloyd, Rachel Ortmeier, Jessica Palmquist, Joel Pleskac, Rachel Pohl, *Colby
Tichota, Johanna Vandenack
HONOR ROLL OF MERIT 1ST SEMESTER 2014 – 2015
SENIORS
Luke Breitenfeldt, Kylie Dahlhauser, Matt Dooley, Jordan French, JT Fuller, Anthony Harnish, Christian Kazos, Cayden Menicucci,
Kaitlyn Rider, JC Robinson, Jacob Schulz, Chris Stevens, Braden Storm, Jessica Wade
JUNIORS
Jarrod Anderson, Samantha Butler, Jill Edwards, Parker Hinrichs,
SOPHOMORES
Corrigan Abraham, Madison Davis, Katrina Devish, Daleigha Ford, Abby Frye, Sarah Gatewood, Tyler Henkel, Levi Kult, Jensen
Miller, Josiah Nelson, Chavis Vanosdall, Trevor Ziemba
FRESHMEN
Hayden Bedlan, Hannah Burright, Lizzy Cernin, Liberty Josoff, Noelle Josoff, Allan Leahy, Miranda Mueller, Mitchell Mueller,
Madison Page, Jadyn Stuart, Parker Workman
EIGHTH
Taylor Arensberg, Madison Burkholder, Olivia Crews, Jaben Makings, Lynn Smith, Paige Timperley, Sandy Walden
SEVENTH
Chase Brown, Allison Frye, Bobby Hageman, Will Hayes, Drake Hobza, Levi Larson, Nick Martin, Lilyann Moroschak, Caitlyn
Shaw, Rachel Steinauer, Ethan Strand
Elementary Happenings
BEGINDERGARTEN & KINDERGARTEN ROUND UP
Begindergarten and Kindergarten Round-Up for the 2015-2016 school year will be held at the elementary on
Friday, February 27th from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Youngsters who reach age 5 on or before July 31, 2015 are
eligible for Kindergarten. Please call the elementary office if you have any questions or concerns.
THERE IS NO SCHOOL FOR OUR REGULAR BEGINDERGARTEN AND KINDERGARTEN CLASSES
ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27TH DUE TO ROUND UP.
PRESCHOOL ROUND UP
Preschool Round Up for the 2015-2016 school year will be held at the elementary on Friday, February 27th from 9:00-
10:00 a.m. Youngsters who reach age 4 on or before July 31, 2015 are eligible for Preschool. Please call the
elementary office if you have any questions or concerns.
Letters to perspective Preschoolers, Begindergartners, and Kindergartners will be mailed before the end of
January. If you do not receive a letter or are new to the community and you have an eligible child, please call
the school at 402-625-2141 so we can send you the information.
Please share this information with anyone you know who might have an eligible child.
Thank you.
Trevor Hoegh
Elementary Principal
SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH PROCESS FEATURES PRIVATE FIRM
By Colton Leal
Originally, it was common for a chief to be replaced by someone in his bloodline, usually a son, once he became unable to
effectively do his job as the head of the tribe. However, this original process is a far cry from the process being used to select a new
superintendent for the Yutan Chieftains.
Current superintendent Kevin Johnson submitted his formal resignation in November of his 19 th year in the school district.
Shortly after, Jill Karloff, who is spear-heading the project, and the rest of the school board decided to hire McPherson & Jacobson
LLC to help them select an effective replacement. McPherson & Jacobson is a company that is completely based around filling
administration positions in education, according to principal Tim McNamara.
“We decided to go with McPherson & Jacobson because this is specifically what they do, they have more resources and
advertising than we do, they know superintendents looking for jobs and they have experience finding new superintendents,” Karloff
said.
Karloff also stated that using a firm would save the board a lot of discussion time, and it would ensure that the process is in
the hands of qualified groups and individuals.
A representative from McPherson & Jacobson then came to the high school to meet with McNamara, elementary principal
Trevor Hoegh, the school board, a group of staff representatives and a group of student representatives so that he could confirm what
the school needs and wants out of a new superintendent.
“It was a lot easier for them to fine tune what we wanted,” Karloff said. “Sometimes we [board members] realize what we
want and have a hard time listening to what others want.”
After some discussion, a general description of an ideal candidate became apparent.
“We came to the conclusion that we are looking for a great communicator, a person that has strong fiscal responsibility,
someone who supports technology, and a person that brings some level of administrative experience to the district,” McNamara said.
McPherson & Jacobson began advertising the position in December. The company will continue to advertise and collect
applications until the end of January, but they have already begun to funnel the applications through a selective process to find the
applicants that it feels will most benefit the school.
“I’d speculate anywhere from 20 to 40 applicants,” McNamara said, “because of our great school district, location, size of
school, financially sound shape and we have a lot of attractive reasons like academics and sports.”
By the end of February, about four candidates will be presented to the school board.
“All of the applicants will have the required qualifications, and they’ll each bring one specific strength to the table,”
McNamara said. “It’s all about how their strengths fit our school.”
At this point in the process, interviews are set to commence in the early afternoon on Feb. 2. Once a candidate arrives, he or
she will spend the next six hours of their day answering questions proposed by different groups that represent the entire school.
According to McNamara, the plan for the interviewing process is set to conclude by Feb. 6. After about one week of
discussion and evaluation by the school board, the job will be offered to one of the candidates. From there, the school board is
prepared to give the selected candidate up to a week to decide whether or not to accept the position, so about halfway through
February, a new superintendent could be selected.
“I’m nervous about hiring a new superintendent because we will need to be patient throughout the adjustment process, but
I’m also excited and optimistic because the new superintendent might bring new skills to the district,” Karloff said.
To end the entire process, the new superintendent will spend as much time as he or she can with Johnson in order to make
the new transition as smooth as possible (This final, informal step is Johnson’s only involvement in the process.).
The person that takes this job has some pretty big shoes to fill because 19 years in one school district is very admirable,”
McNamara said, “but the school district that this person is taking over is in great shape.”
Come August, the new superintendent will be completely on his/her own.
YUTAN GRADUATE TO APPEAR ON JEOPARDY!
By Maddie Egr
A young Christopher Grinvalds sits on the floor of his grandparents’ living room. He watches the television screen intensely
as bright flashes of purple and blue come across it. Then the moment he’s been waiting for; Johnny Gilbert shouts out, “This… is…
Jeopardy!”
Gilbert announces the three contestants and the show’s host Alex Trabek, and as Trabek starts asking the contestants trivia
questions, Grinvalds becomes hooked.
A life-long dream of one day competing on Jeopardy! begins to develop, but little does he know this dream will one day come true.
Grinvalds, a Yutan native, recently competed on the game show Jeopardy!.
“It has been a life-long dream to compete on the show,” Grinvalds said. “I’ve loved and watched Jeopardy! ever since it
came back on the air in the ‘80s.”
Grinvalds grew up in Yutan and graduated from Yutan High School in 1990. He then obtained his business degree from
Doane College, and later attended Peru State College to achieve his teaching certificate.
While attending Peru State, Grinvalds worked as a substitute teacher and paraprofessional at Yutan High School. He is now
a sixth-year teacher at Bennington High School, teaching world history, intro to business, marketing and junior high computers. He
also coaches football, basketball and track.
Grinvalds said that he would watch the show daily with his grandparents because of how unique it was and the kinds of
questions that were asked intrigued him.
“I have the type of brain that absorbs the type of information on the show,” Grinvalds said. “That is why I felt I would be
good on the show. When watching at home, I could answer most of the questions correctly.”
Following this gut feeling of confidence, he pursued his life-long dream of competing on Jeopardy! by completing an online
contestant search, which was specifically looking for people from the Omaha area, in October of 2013. Prior to this, Grinvalds had
tried completing national online tests, but had no luck.
In November of 2013, Grinvalds received an email telling him that he had made it to the next phase of trying out: an inperson tryout. This time, Grinvalds completed a 50-question written test, not knowing at the time he was competing against 200 other
contestants just from the Omaha area.
After completing the written tests, the contestants were split up into groups of three and played the game in front of cameras
for about 15 questions to see how they responded to the actual style of the game.
“After the in-person try out, they told us there was an 18-month window to hear back as to whether or not we made the
actual show,” Grinvalds said.
Grinvalds patiently waited about one year before receiving the news that he had been selected to compete on a special
addition of Jeopardy! called the Teachers’ Tournament.
“I found out I made the actual show on a Friday night at about 5:30 p.m., right before we headed out to warm up for our
football game against Mt. Michael,” Grinvalds said. “I was in complete disbelief because I hadn’t heard from anyone from the show
since the December tryout the year before.
The producer told him that he would be competing and taping the show on Dec. 15 and 16, therefore he would be flying out
of Omaha to Los Angles on Dec. 13.
Grinvalds received an outrageous amount of support from his students, family and friends.
“The reaction I got from the students and staff at BHS was unbelievable. They all knew that I had tried out and when they
found out I made the show they flooded me with cards and well-wishes…it was overwhelming,” Grinvalds said.
After finding out he had made the show, Grinvalds prepared by doing different types of word puzzles, reading up on common
categories for the show and reading blogs from former contestants about how they prepared for the show.
Grinvalds was unaware of some of the advantages of being on the Teachers’ Tournament, such as having the entire trip paid
for (air fare, hotel and a $700 check to cover meal and transportation costs), being guaranteed $5,000 for appearing on the show and a
chance to win $100,000 if he won the whole tournament, which consisted of 15 teachers.
“I was able to get to Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon and didn’t have to meet anyone from the show until Monday
morning, so I was able to sightsee,” Grinvalds said. “ I went to Universal Studios theme park all of Saturday since the hotel was right
there. On Sunday I went to the Santa Monica Pier and walked down to Venice Beach to see the sights. Later on Sunday I went to the
Hollywood Walk of Fame and saw all the famous names and attractions.”
They shot on Dec. 15 and 16, and Grinvalds left Los Angles and returned back to Omaha on Dec. 17.
Grinvalds isn’t allowed to disclose any information about what happened during filming or details about his episode other
than it will be aired on Feb. 5, but he is allowed to talk about the overall experience.
“The best experience from this trip was actually doing it,” Grinvalds said. “I had dreamed of this for a long time and when it
finally came and the lights came on and music started playing, it felt like it wasn’t real.”
BOOK REVIEW: “GONE GIRL” CAPTIVATES THE READER
By Cassie Wade
With a gripping, fast-paced plot, Gillian Flynn’s thrilling mystery novel “Gone Girl” will capture readers’ attention and keep
them entertained until the very last pages of the book.
“Gone Girl,” which was originally published by Crown Publishing in 2012, consists of 415 pages and is a New York Times
Bestseller. Like many other popular, modern novels, such as “Hunger Games” and “Divergent,” it has been made into a major motion
picture.
If you are interested in a book with countless plot twists and dynamic characters, I highly recommend that you read this
book.
“Gone Girl” tells the story of former journalists Nick and Amy Dunne. It is written in first person but alternates narrators
between Nick, who tells the story as events unfold in the present, and Amy, whose diary entries focus on the past.
The story begins on Nick and Amy’s fifth wedding anniversary. Unlike most couples, their anniversaries are usually tense
since Nick always forgets to buy Amy a present while Amy always sets up an elaborate treasure hunt for Nick.
Nick is working at the bar that he owns with his twin sister, Margo (nicknamed and usually referred to as Go) when he
receives a call from a neighbor that the door to his house has been left open.
Originally, Nick doesn’t think much of it since he receives strange calls from his alcoholic neighbor all the time, but panics
when he arrives home and finds what appears to be a crime scene: glass is shattered and furniture is tipped over in the living room, an
iron has been left on upstairs and, most importantly, Amy is missing.
Nick immediately calls the police, he is taken to the police station for questioning and Amy is declared a missing person.
At the police station, it is revealed that Nick and Amy had been having marital problems since they both lost their jobs. They
had used the last of Amy’s trust fund to move back to Nick’s hometown.
It was a well-known fact that Amy despised living in a small town, and the police discovered that Nick had recently raised
Amy’s life insurance policy.
By the end of the interview, it becomes painfully clear to Nick that he is the police’s prime suspect. He worries that the
public will quickly turn against him because as everyone knows, when the wife goes missing, the husband is usually guilty.
Encased in a web of lies, the story told in “Gone Girl” seems to belong on a real-life true crime drama like “Dateline” or “60
Minutes.” The plot unfolds in a way that makes it easy for readers to identify with Nick and Amy’s characters.
Flynn drops bombshell after bombshell until readers are not sure what version of Nick to believe anymore. Do you trust who
he swears he is or do you believe he is as violent and manipulative as Amy’s diary entries portray him?
As time passes, Nick appears to be guilty of his wife’s disappearance as more and more evidence is stacked up against him.
He is desperately searching for the clues left by Amy for their anniversary treasure hunt.
“What are you thinking, Amy?” is repeated multiple times in the book as Nick begins to wonder how well he truly knew his
wife. “Gone Girl” forces readers to question how well they really know their loved ones and how far they would go for revenge.
Just when you think Nick had to have done it, Flynn drops the ultimate bombshell that will make you question everything
you know about Nick and Amy’s relationship.
Flynn’s must-read novel explores the complications of relationships, the balance of power between husband and wife and the
darkness that lives inside all of us.
FEMINISTS CAME IN VARIETY OF PACKAGES
By Madeline Miller
“She can’t be a feminist. She’s too girly.” That’s where you’re wrong. Just because I like to wear frilly skirts doesn’t mean
that I can’t destroy the oppressive patriarchy while rocking my cute ballet flats.
Fuzzy sweaters and pink lipstick do not indicate any weakness—physical or otherwise—just as a short haircut and jeans
don’t reveal strength. The fact that one girl likes lifting weights doesn’t make her a better feminist than the girl who loves to get her
nails done.
Feminism isn’t about being masculine or giving up the things that make us feel beautiful. It’s about the equality of the sexes
on a social level, but too many people don’t understand that.
People think that campaigning against misogyny means becoming one of the guys. Authors play the misinformed feminist
preacher by creating holier-than-thou tomboys who look down on their fellow females and claim to be a superior form of woman.
This leaves pink-loving Barbie, who has been a successful doctor, lawyer and astronaut, to be marked as a bad role model
simply because she’s beautiful and feminine. That’s a load of internalized misogyny if I’ve ever seen it.
Feminism is about a choice. We can choose to do whatever we want. We as women can be the scientist or the homemaker,
the warrior or the cosmetologist.
Wearing a dress doesn’t negate feminism any more than refusing to wear one creates it, and being a feminist doesn’t mean I
hate men. It means I hate sexism.
Any fedora-tipping Brony or perpetually single “meninist” can fight me on this. So-called “nice guys” can complain about
the “friend zone” all they want, they’re never going to get a date if they only value girls as romantic conquests instead of friends.
I, for one, cannot wait for the destruction of traditional gender roles. I will see that day come wearing glitter eyeliner.
KOOPMANN NAMED VFW TEACHER OF THE YEAR
By Megan Wade
Every year the Yutan Veterans of Foreign Wars honor a teacher for their service in and out of the classroom. The 2014
winner of the VFW State Citizen Education Teacher of the Year award is band director Kevin Koopmann.
Winning that award is a huge honor at a local level, but it is even more important to Koopmann because he is the junior high
division first place winner in the state of Nebraska.
“There are over 300 schools in the state that have junior highs, and in those schools there are thousands of junior high
teachers. Mr. Koopmann is number one,” said principal Tim McNamara.
The award is given to a teacher who shows patriotism, and teaches it in their classroom.
“It’s a sense of duty,” Koopmann said. “It [patriotism] is a sense of obligation, whether you like it or not. Really this is about
service.”
Koopmann said that he was surprised to receive the letter notifying him of his first place award.
“I was in shock. I had Mr. McNamara and Hank (Sauer) and I called them and asked them to read this and asked if that is
really what it [the letter] said. I was so shocked, and very flattered.”
McNamara was one of two people to write Koopmann a letter of reference for the award committee to review.
“Mr. Koopmann, think of all the things he does. There’s never a music program that goes by that he doesn’t do something
that’s patriotic. He chooses patriotic music to put into anything from the Christmas program to the Veteran’s Day program, to
Graduation,” McNamara said. “Mr. Koopmann’s pretty passionate about helping young people understand the value of patriotism.”
Koopmann will travel to Norfolk, Neb., in June to receive his award.
“I’m very happy, very proud of Mr. Koopmann,” McNamara said. “We are very lucky to have a teacher like Mr. Koopmann
here at Yutan.”
WINTER SPORTS
JUNIOR VARSITY/VARSITY WRESTLING
Fri.
06-Feb
ECNC Tourney at Malcolm
Fri-Sat 13-14 Feb
Districts
Th-Sat 19-21 Feb
State Tourney at CenturyLink Center
2:00
TBA
TBA
A
A
TBA
JUNIOR HIGH WRESTLING
Mon
09
JH WR Dual with DC West
Fri
27
JH WR Invite
4:30
4:15
H
H
5:30
4:30
TBA
6:00
H
H
H
A
10:00
4:30
4:15
4:00
10:00
4:00
10:00
A
A
H
H
A
H
H
10:00
H
TBA
7:00
6:00, 7:30
TBA
7:30
TBA
TBA
A
H
H
A
A
A
A
BOYS & GIRLS JUNIOR VARSITY BASKETBALL
Tues. 10-Feb
Centennial (Girls Only)
Fri.
13-Feb
Johnson County Central
Sat.
14-Feb
Elm.-Murdock Tourney (Boys Only)
Fri.
20-Feb
Logan View (Boys Only)
GIRLS JH BASKETBALL
Sat.
07-Feb
Fort Calhoun
Mon. 09-Feb
Elmwood Murdock
Thurs. 12-Feb
Ashland-Greenwood
Thurs. 19-Feb
DC West
Sat.
21-Feb
East Butler
Mon. 23-Feb
Bishop Neumann
Sat.
28-Feb
Louisville
BOYS & GIRLS C TEAM BASKETBALL
Sat.
14-Feb
Arlington-Girls
VARSITY BOYS & GIRLS BASKETBALL
Sat-Sat
31 Jan -7 Feb
ECNC Tourney
Tues.
10-Feb
Centennial (Girls Only)
Fri.
13-Feb
Johnson County Central
Mon-Th
16-19 Feb
Girls Subdistricts
Fri.
20-Feb
Logan View (Boys Only)
Mon-Th
23-26 Feb
Boys Subdistricts
Fri.
27-Feb
Girls District Finals
VISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE TO SEE MORE OF WHAT’S HAPPENING AT YUTAN SCHOOLS.
www.yutanpublicschools.com
Elementary Band
Students
Playing Christmas
Music
for the Community
LUNCH
PROGRAM
*FEBRUARY**
Feb 02
Feb 03
Feb 04
Feb 05
Feb 06
French Toast, Sausage Links, Tater Bar, Applesauce
Meatball Sub, Curley Fries, Peaches, Chocolate Chip Bar
Sloppy Joe on a Bun, Tater Tots, Pineapple, Blueberry Muffin
Chicken and Gravy Mashed Potatoes, Corn, Pears, Roll
Baked Potato w/Chili or Cheese, Mixed Fruit, Pretzels, Ice Cream
Feb 09
Feb 10
Feb 11
Feb 12
Feb 13
Breaded Beef Sticks, Seasoned Potato Wedges, Peaches, Pudding
Cheeseburger on a Bun, French Fries, Pears, Applecrisp
Pizza, Salad, Pineapple & Cake
Taco Salad w/ Lettuce and Cheese, Mixed Fruit, Sugar Cookie
Spaghetti, Cheese Sticks, Salad, Apple
Feb 16 Chicken Strips w/ BBQ Sauce, Tater Tots, Peaches, Brownie
Feb 17 BBQ Pork on Bun, Curley Fries, Pears & Jello
Feb 18 Tomato Soup w/ Crackers, Cheese Bread, Pineapple & Cookie
Feb 19 Chicken Fried Steak, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Corn, Mixed Fruit, Roll
Feb 20 Fish Shapes, Crinkle Fries, Apple, Animal Crackers
Feb 23
Feb 24
Feb 25
Feb 26
Feb 27
Fiestada, Salad, Pineapple & Pudding
Chicken Patty on Bun, Seasoned Potato Wedges, Peaches & Cookie
Corn Dogs, Baked Beans, Applesauce & Fritos
Turkey and Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Pears & Roll
Macaroni and Cheese, Peas, Mixed Fruit, Ice Cream
Breakfast is served every day at both high school & elementary. At the high school, students have the option of a sandwich
meal or the regular meal. A salad bar & milk is included with the meal daily.
Elementary Band
Students
Playing Christmas
Music
for the Community
YUTAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Spotlight on Education
By Kevin Johnson, Superintendent
Board Action in Brief: The following matters were discussed and/or acted upon at the January 12, 2015 meeting and Special meeting January
20, 2014, of the Board of Education:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Election of Officers for 2015
President – Joe Vandenack
Vice President - Molly Lloyd
Treasurer – Dan Josoff
Secretary – Jill Karloff
Committee Assignments for 2015
a. Negotiations – Joe Vandenack, Molly Lloyd, John Limbach
b. Building & Grounds, Transportation, Americanism, Curriculum, Public Relations - Whole Board
Approved: Depository (First State Bank), legal publication( Wahoo Paper), legal counsel(Curt Bromm) and designate Supt.
Johnson as custodian of the School Activity Fund, Bond Fund, Building Fund, Depreciation Fund and as authorized
representative of the school district for all federal programs; special education programs; and designated person for asbestos
containing materials.
Ameritas – Marc Munford - Bond Refinancing Resolution was approved
a. Call in old 2010 Bonds
b. Authorize issuance of 2015 Refunding Bonds
Building & Grounds
a. Activity Center Update
Miscellaneous: bathroom partitions, bleacher purchase, wall pads purchase, lobby area carpet, sidewalks and
stoops (in the spring), air conditioning (future), etc.
Teacher Negotiations 2015-16 contract approved
Reports/Discussion Items
7. Totally Kidz Day Care is changing to new management. Sarah Drews is the new manager and is in the process of acquiring it.
She requested an opportunity to address the board.
8. Bus purchase update – options to consider (new or used)
Mr. Johnson will research new and used options and report back
9. 2015-16 Budget priorities were presented
10. 2015 Annual Report & Board Policy Update were submitted
2015 Annual Report
Yutan Public Schools District #9
Nebraska Department of Education's Rule 10, which deals with school accreditation, requires that schools annually
prepare a written report that includes student performance, school systems demographics and financial information.
District Demographics
The Yutan School district consists of approximately 44 square miles and borders the Platte River for 15 miles. The rural students
are provided bus transportation daily to and from school.
The PK-12 enrollment for the beginning of the 2014-15 school year was 477 students. 32 pre-school students and 226 students (K6) are enrolled in elementary and 219 were enrolled in the secondary program.
The June 2014 census indicated that there were 483 (5 to 18 year-olds) living in the district.
The Yutan school district’s employees include 3 administrators, 1 psychologist/counselor, 42 teachers, 6.5 instructional aides, 4.5
custodians, 3 secretaries, 1 business manager, 4 bus drivers and 6 cooks.
NeSA - NEBRASKA STATE ACCOUNTABILIY
STATE TEST - WRITING ASSESSMENT - NeSA
Grade
4
8
11
ALL
Students Meeting or Exceeding Standards
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
District
District
District
97%
82%
78%
80%
70%
N/A
69%
88%
N/A
82%
80%
NDE Testing Failure
MATH ASSESSMENT - NeSA
Grade
3
4
5
6
7
8
11
ALL
Percent of Students Meeting or Exceeding Standards
2011-12
2012-13 2013-14
District
District
District
87%
84%
64%
82%
86%
*
96%
89%
96%
N/A
97%
97%
79%
97%
80%
76%
77%
77%
74%
80%
86%
84%
87%
86%
SCIENCE ASSESSMENT - NeSA
Grade
Percent of Students Meeting or Exceeding Standards
2011-12
2012-13
District
District
5
89%
83%
8
64%
80%
11
85%
88%
ALL
80%
83%
2013-14
District
83%
82%
80%
81%
READING ASSESSMENT - NeSA
Grade
3
4
5
6
7
8
11
ALL
Percent of Students Meeting or Exceeding Standards
2009-10
2010-11
2011-12 2012-13
2013-14
District
District
District
District
District
86%
81%
96%
84%
67%
91%
93%
90%
91%
97%
86%
94%
96%
92%
83%
96%
88%
N/A
90%
83%
70%
89%
83%
97%
90%
78%
67%
84%
91%
87%
78%
72%
69%
88%
70%
83%
82%
87%
91%
82%
YUTAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
The Yutan Public Schools Foundation is a non-profit tax exempt corporation established in 1991.
The purpose of the Foundation is to receive gifts and funds, which are to be used for the students of the
Yutan Public Schools through programs for which there is not sufficient tax dollars. The Foundation is a
charity with 501(c)(3) status.
The Foundation provides scholarships, special use awards, teacher project grants and school project
support. The funds are generated through memberships, memorials, donations, endowments and
bequests. A $100 donation will make you a LIFETIME MEMBER, or a MEMORIAL DONATION in the name of
a loved one can be designated by request.
----------------------------------------------------------(Detach Here)-----------------------------------------------------------------------
YUTAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
nd
1200 2 Street
Yutan, Nebraska 68073
Phone 402-625-2243
Name_____________________________ If Alumni, year_________
Address______________________City________________State_______Zip________
Please give your support in any amount and become an Honor Roll donor for 2015.
_______$100.00 Lifetime Membership
$________General Support
$________Teacher Project Support
$________School Project Use
$________General Fund
*Help enhance quality education and provide scholarship opportunities.
"You can make a difference."
YUTAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
1200 2ND Street
Yutan, NE 68073
Non-Profit Org
U.S. Postage PAID
Permit No. 3
Yutan, Nebr
Address Service Requested
PATRON
DISTRICT #9
YUTAN NE 68073
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES FOR YUTAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Again, this year Yutan Public Schools is using the School Beacon (School Messaging System). Information concerning early
release, late starts, no school or any unexpected changes concerning activities will be transmitted to enrolled parents, through
home or cell phone message & e-mail. Parents who wish to sign up for this may go to the school website:
www.yutanpublicschools.org.
All school closings will be posted on the radio stations WOW 94.1 PM, KFAB 1110 AM or local TV stations.
The Yutan School District has developed a School Safety and Security Plan that is designed to minimize danger to
anyone occupying a school building should an emergency occur. Our main objective is to attend to the health and
welfare of your children in the event of a crisis.
In most emergencies your children will remain and be cared for at the school she/he attends. In the rare event of
an emergency affecting the school your child attends that prohibits re-entry to the building (such as a broken gas
or water main, a fire or toxic chemical spill), all students will be escorted to the St. John’s Lutheran Church. Junior
and senior high students may be dismissed to return home for the day. Elementary students’ parents will be
contacted regarding dismissal procedures.
We ask that you follow this procedure if you hear of any school emergency:
 TURN ON YOUR RADIO OR TELEVISION. We will keep the media informed of any emergency and of
any dismissal procedures.
 PLEASE DO NOT TELEPHONE THE SCHOOL. We have limited phone lines. These must be used to
respond to the emergency.
 PLEASE DO NOT COME TO THE SCHOOL UNLESS REQUESTED TO PICK UP YOUR CHILD AT THE SCHOOL
OR DESIGNATED PICK UP AREA. Any emergency involving your child’s school may mean that
emergency vehicles and workers must be able to get to the building. If the emergency necessitates
relocation of staff and students you will be informed via the media.
If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact Mr. Johnson, Mr. McNamara or Mr. Hoegh