December 2015 - January 2016 Newsletter

Dec. 2015-Jan. 2016
UPCOMING
EVENTS
Millard North High School
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of Millard North is to guarantee that each student masters the academic skills and develops character traits and intercultural understanding through challenging, diverse, personalized opportunities that prepare, engage, and motivate students to pursue career pathways and contribute nationally and internationally.
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INDEX
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MNHS Mustang
Page
Finals Bell Schedule ....... 3
Within District Transfers 3
Barnes & Noble
Bookfair ....................... 4
Mustang Mania .............. 5
2016-17 Registration ...... 6
National Merit
Scholarships ................ 7
UNO Dual Enrollment.... 8
May 2016 AP Exams ...... 9
Basketball Clinic .......... 11
Girls Track & Field ...... 11
MN Winter Softball
Camp ......................... 11
Counselor’s Corner ...... 12
MNHS Illness Policy .... 13
Prescription Meds ........ 13
DECA ........................... 13
English.......................... 13
Fabric/Sewing Supplies 13
Spanish Honor Society . 13
IB .................................. 14
Xanax Abuse ................. 15
Graduation Info ............ 16
Bullying &
Substance Use ........... 18
Self Injury/Self Harm .... 20
School Calendar ........... 22
ATTENDANCE: 402-715-1223
(Use this number to report absences, call students in late, appointments, or phone messages)
SPORTS SCHEDULES: www.mhsaaconfer ence.or g
LUNCH MONEY: www.mylunchmoney.com
PARENT ACCESS: www.mpsomaha.or g
MNHS: www.mps.mnhs.schoolfusion.us/
BAND: http://www.mnband.net/
ORCHESTRA: http://mnhsor ch.com/
SHOW CHOIRS: http://www.millar dnor thshowchoir s.or g/
COUNSELING: http://mps.mnhs.schoolfushion.us/
Click on Counseling
FORENSICS: http://mps.mnhsfor ensics.net/
COUNSELING DEPARTMENT
402-715-1379
A - Br............................... Laurie Stackhouse
Bu-Fen ............................. Paul Gabel
Feo-Hud .......................... Lindsey Zentic
Hue-Mac ......................... Loel Schettler
Mad-Peterson .................. Jillian Depue
Peth-Stac ........................ Jodi Therkelsen
Stad-Z ............................ Andy Hahn
Millard Board of Education
Millard North Administration
Mr. Dave Anderson
Mr. Mike Kennedy
Mr. Paul Meyer
Mr. Mike Pate
Ms. Linda Poole
Mr. Pat Ricketts
Dr. Jim Sutfin, Superintendent
Mr. Brian Begley, Principal
Ms. Mary Bayne, Assistant Principal
Mr. Aaron Bearinger, Assistant Principal
Mr . Casey Lundgren, Assistant Principal
Ms. Susan Marlatt, Assistant Principal
Mr. Chad Zimmerman, Activities Director
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MNHS Mustang
FINALS BELL SCHEDULE
Thursday, December 17, 2015
1
8:00 – 9:35
3
9:45 – 11:20
5
11:30 – 1:30
Lunch 11:30 – 12:00
12:00 – 12:30
12:30 – 1:00
7
1:40 – 3:15
Friday, December 18, 2015
2
8:00 – 9:35
4
9:45 – 11:20
6
11:30 – 1:30
Lunch 11:30 – 12:00
12:00 – 12:30
12:30 – 1:00
0/8
1:40 – 3:15
(95 min)
(95 min)
(90 min – 30 min for lunch)
study for first 30 minutes, lunch, then test for last hour
return to class for the last 30 minutes
(95 min)
(95 min)
(95 min)
(90 min – 30 min for lunch)
study for first 30 minutes, lunch, then test for last hour
return to class for the last 30 minutes
(95 min)
10 minute passing periods
Please send your students to lunch on Friday during 6th hour based on the following:
Math, Music, PE, Art, Business & FCS – 1st lunch 11:30-12:00
Language Arts, World Language & Study Halls – 2nd lunch 12:00-12:30
WITHIN DISTRICT TRANSFERS
A Reminder about Within District Transfer:
The window for Within District Transfer for the 2016/2017 school year closes February 15th,
2016.
**PLEASE NOTE** As a result of the 2014/2015 boundary changes, students attending a
closed school who move out of the closed school attendance area will be allowed to complete the current school year, but must attend their newly assigned school based on their
new address for any subsequent school years.
will benefit our school/organization.
A percentage of your Barnes & Noble purchases
Bookfair ID 11752813
3333 Oakview Drive
Barnes & Noble
Sunday, December 13th
MNHS
After Prom
supporting
Bookfair ID 11752813
3333 Oakview Drive
Barnes & Noble
Sunday, December 13th
MNHS
supporting
4
Visit BN.COM/bookfairs to support us online from 12/13/15 to 12/18/15
by entering Bookfair ID 11752813at checkout.
Sunday, December 13th
Give the gift of reading and imagination. In
addition to books, take a look at toys and
games, a fabulous Vinyl Collection and gifts
for everyone on your list! Enjoy a peppermint
mocha or your favorite coffee and support
MNHS After Prom!
Millard North High School After Prom
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MNHS Mustang
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MNHS Mustang
MUSTANG MANIA!
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MNHS Mustang
Current Millard North Student Class Registration Schedule for 2016-17
January 4th, 11th, & 25th
Mustang Time - 9th, 10th, 11th grade students will receive and review all 2016-2017 registration information
from their advisor.
February 1st– 5th
Students and their advisors will review the student’s current academic progress, credit counts, and transcripts to establish a working draft copy of 2016-2017 course selections.
February 9th
TRADITIONAL Parent/Teacher Conferences, 4:00 – 8:00 PM in the main gym.
February 11th 1:00 – 8:00 PM
ADVISEMENT Conferences
Parents, Students, and Advisor will review the student’s draft course selections and finalize the student’s
2016-17 registration. Advisors will be scheduling individual appointment times with parents.
8th to 9th Grade MNHS Registration Schedule for 2016-17
Week of January 11th
Registration materials distributed to 8th grade students at middle schools
January 21st
IB MYP & IB DP Information Night, 5:00PM.
Parents and students interested in IB at MNHS should attend.
January 26th
North Middle School Orientation, 5:00 PM in the Auditor ium for Nor th Middle
School and any students attending any other middle schools besides Kiewit. Parents and
students should attend. The program will conclude at 7:00 PM.
January 28th
Kiewit Middle School Orientation, 5:00 PM in the Auditor ium for Kiewit Middle
School. Parents and students should attend. The program will conclude at 7:00 PM.
February 23rd or 25th
Registration Night for all Non-IB students assigned to attend MNHS.
5:00 – 7:00PM. Pick your own time and date. Parents and students should attend.
March 1st or 3rd
IB-MYP & DP 2 & 4-Year Plan Nights, 5:00 PM in the Mustang Center . ALL students interested in the IB-MYP or DP must attend. Students with the last name starting
with A-L should attend on March 1 and students with the last name starting with M-Z
should attend on March 3.
March 8th
Within-district transfer student Registr ation by appointment 4:30- 7:30. Contact
counseling.
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MNHS Mustang
2016 NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS
Commended
Semifinalists
Sarah P. Annis
Holden Bradley
Alexander J. Deptula
Jordyn M. Meekma
Gauri Ramesh
Neil B. Band
Andrew W. Blalock
Claire L. Breen
Abigail R. Burroughs
Turner A. Eakins
Dylan N. Finley
Rebecca J. Fitzgarrald
Lily C. Hock
Sophia M. Holt
Alex R. Jana
Spencer J. Sosalla-Bahr
Sarah H. Suh
Raymond C. Thai
Front row: Alexander Deptula, Andrew Blalock, Spencer Sosalla-Bahr, Rebecca Fitzgerald, Sophia Holt, Sarah
Suh, Dylan Finley, Jordan Meekma
Back row: Holden Bradley, Neil Band, Raymond Thai, Abigail Burroughs, Lily Hock, Turner Eakins, Alex Jana,
Sarah Annis
Not pictured: Claire Breen, Gauri Ramesh
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MNHS Mustang
UNO DUAL ENROLLMENT
If you are interested in dual enrollment with UNO for second semester please attend an enrollment meeting on Monday, January 11th at 8:00 AM in the Auditorium. Kelly Malone, UNO
Dual Enrollment Coordinator, will be here to explain the program and hand out enrollment
forms.
AP DUAL ENROLLMENT OPTIONS FOR 2015-2016
MILLARD NORTH HIGH SCHOOL
FALL DUAL ENROLLMENT:
 Must Dual Enroll BOTH Semesters
Millard’s AP Calculus BC
Mr. Higgins
Semester 1
Semester 2
(5 Credit Hours)
(5 Credit Hours)
UNO Math 1950-Calculus I
UNO Math 1960-Calculus II
Millard’s AP English Literature
Semester 1
Semester 2
Dr. McGill, Mrs. Irwin & Mr. Lingenfelter
UNO English 1010-Intro to Genre Studies: Prose
UNO English 1020-Intro to Genre Studies: Poetry, Drama & Film
(3 Credit Hours)
(3 Credit Hours)
Millard’s AP Biology
Mr. Pearson
Semester 1
Semester 2
(5 Credit Hours)
(5 Credit Hours)
UNO Biology 1450- Biology 1
UNO Biology 1750-Biology II
Millard’s AP United States History
Mr. Diehl
Semester 1
Semester 2
(3 Credit Hours)
(3 Credit Hours)
UNO History 1110 – American History to 1865
UNO History 1120 – American History Since 1865
 First Semester Only Class
Millard’s AP Environmental Science
Mr. Yakus
Semester 1 – One Semester
(3 Credit Hours)
UNO BIOL 1330-Environmental Science
SPRING DUAL ENROLLMENT:
 Year-long class/Spring Dual Enrollment
Millard’s AP Statistics
Semester 1 & 2
Mrs. Dovali & Mr. White
UNO CIST 2500-Intro to Applied Statistics for IS&T
Millard’s AP Calculus AB
Semester 1 & 2
UNO Math 1950 – Calculus I
(5 Credit Hours)
Millard’s AP German
Semester 1 & 2
Mr. Pitt
UNO German 2120-Intermediate German II
(3 Credit Hours)
Millard’s AP Physics 1
Semester 1 & 2
(3 Credit Hours)
Mr. Higgins & Ms.Hopkins
Mr. Mertz & Dr. Wilson
UNO Physics 1110-General Physics
(4 Credit Hours)
UNO Physics 1120-General Physics
(4 Credit Hours)
Millard’s AP Physics 2
Semester 1 & 2

Mr. Mertz
Second Semester Only Class
Millard’s AP Psychology
Semester 2 – One Semester
Mr. Edmundson & Mr. Pilkington
UNO Psychology 1010-Intro Psychology
(3 Credit Hours)
Millard’s AP Music Theory
Semester 2 - One Semester
Mr. Placek
UNO MUS 1410/1420-Music
(4 Credit Hours)
Millard’s AP Environmental Science
Semester 2 - One Semester
Mr. Yakus
UNO BIOL 1330-Environmental Science
(3 Credit Hours)
Millard’s AP Comparative Government
Semester 2 - One Semester
UNO Political Science 2500- Intro to Comp. Politics
Millard’s AP US Government and Politics
Semester 2 – One Semester
UNO Political Science 1100
Ms. Kratochvil
(
3 Credit Hours)
Mr. Drummond
(3 Credit Hours)
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MNHS Mustang
MAY 2016 AP EXAM INFORMATION
Registration for May 2016 AP Exams will take place from February 1st , 2016 – February 29th, 2016. The cost for all AP
Exams this year will be covered by a grant from the Millard Public Schools Foundation. There will be specific details in
terms of location, materials (both required and prohibited), etc. on the registration forms which will be available at the
end of January and the exam confirmation sheets which will be handed out at our April pre-sessions. Please contact
Mrs. Mary Bayne in the 9-12 office with questions.
UNO dual-enrolled students are required to take the AP exam.
Any student who requires a testing accommodation must see Mrs. Bayne prior to registration.
Below are the exam dates for the May 2016 testing. Please begin to look for any potential conflicts. Students must
work with Mrs. Bayne to schedule late testing if a conflict exists. Also note that these tests can be up to 4 hours long.
Students testing in the afternoon must account for this time in plans they have after testing- including work, etc.
2016Exam
Calendar Week 1
Morning – 7:45 a.m.
Afternoon - 12 p.m.
Monday, May
2
Chemistry
Environmental Science
Psychology
Tuesday, May
3
Computer Science A
Spanish Language and Culture
Art History
Physics 1: Algebra-based
Wednesday,
May 4
English Literature and Composition
Japanese Language and Culture
Physics 2: Algebra -Based
Thursday,
May 5
Calculus AB
Calculus BC
Chinese Language and Culture
Seminar
Friday, May 6
German Language and Culture
United States History
European History
2016 Exam
Calendar Week 2
Morning – 7:45 a.m.
Afternoon - 12 p.m.
Monday, May
9
Biology
Music Theory
Physics C: Mechanics
Tuesday, May
10
U.S. Government and Politics
French Language and Culture
Spanish Literature and Culture
Wednesday,
May 11
English Language and Composition
Italian Language and Culture
Macroeconomics
Thursday,
May 12
Comparative Government and Politics
World History
Statistics
Friday, May
13
Human Geography
Microeconomics
Latin
Afternoon - 2 p.m.
Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
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MNHS Mustang
ADVANCED PLACEMENT EXPERIENCE
Think about the challenges you tackle every day. With each one you
build greater confidence in your abilities. That's what AP is all about.
AP courses may be tough - they bring the college experience to your high
school after all - but they also help you develop skills and knowledge
that you can use in the real world. Even better, they introduce you to new
possibilities- in college majors, in career options and in yourself.
Qualities like Curiosity, Creativity and Commitmentthings
you use every day in other parts of your life to
achieve your goals- are key ingredients for success in AP®.
If you're ready to explore and follow your passions, if you're
willing to get academically prepared for exciting classes and
put in the effort once you're in them, then you may be
ready for AP
1. The AP Experience
This is your college-level class.
AP is about having the experience of a college student,
today. In AP courses you'll tackle challenging topics head on
and investigate issues that matter to you. You'll learn about
exciting subjects in-depth and your AP teacher and your
classmates will help you learn and get the most out of AP
2. Why Take AP?
Set yourself apart for college.
- Let colleges know that you're serious about your
education -with AP on your transcript you'll show
that you've challenged yourself with rigorous
course work.
- Earn college credit and potentially skip introductory
courses if you do well' on the AP Exam. This can save
tuition costs.
- Experience college while you are still in high school.
Learn what is expected of you and develop skills you
need now to get the most out of college later.
3. AP & Your Future
Getting started is easy.
- Learn m~re about AP at exploreap.org, where you
can watch videos and hear from students who took
AP courses.
- Speak to a counselor or a teacher and ask these three
questions: What AP courses does my school offer?
Are there any requirements for students to enroll?
What is the deadline for enrolling?
- Discuss your options with your parents or guardians
to determine if AP makes sense for you.
Pick an AP class that's
right for you.
- Start with your interests-What do you enjoy?
What do you want to learn more about?
- Explore the AP courses offered at your school and see
how they can get you started on a path to many
college majors and careers at exploreap.org.
- Ask your counselor or teacher how you can get ready
for AP This might include courses you need to take
before an AP course.
-Select the course that fits you best and enroll.
Be confident
You have what it takes to succeed in AP, and you'll have
help every step of the way. Speak to your counselor or
teacher. They'll help you get the information you need to
determine the best next steps for you.
Learn more at exploreap.org
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GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD
There will be a field team meeting on Monday, December 14th @ 3:30 p.m. in the West
Lecture Hall of the Auditorium. The meeting
will last 20 min., please plan accordingly
(Winter sport female athletes, stop in and see
Coach Reed.)
MNHS Mustang
MN WINTER SOFTBALL CAMP
6th, 7th, 8th grade girls
You do NOT need to be in the MN attendance area.
Instruction by MN Head Coach John Swoboda, assistant coaches
and players. Learn skills in the area of hitting (slapping), defensive skills, base running and pitching. Camp will be held in the
MN Gym Jan 10, 17, 24th 4:15pm-5:45pm. Cost $25 per person
(Team discounts available) Please contact Coach Swoboda @
402-715-1462 or [email protected] for registration information. Camp will be limited to the first 25 registrations in order
to provide more 1-1 instruction.
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Counselor’s Corner
Tech Expo:
Millard North’s Tech Expo will be held on Thursday, March 10 th from
7:30 am until 10:30 am in the Millard North Cafeteria.
What is Tech Expo? An event featuring colleges & other institutions
that offer career training programs that take 2 years or less. Are you
interested in a good paying career but don’t want to spend 4 -10
years getting the education? Then Tech Expo is for you!
Should I select 4 colleges to send my ACT / SAT scores when I register to take either or both tests? YES, colleges use only your best
score. Each time your register for the ACT, indicate which 4 colleges
you’d like to receive your score report. This service is included in
your registration fee. By selecting NO COLLEGES, you are creating
more expense for yourself, as ACT charges to send additional scores.
PSAT Test Results
Reasons to attend the Tech expo:

65% of jobs in the 21st century will require 2 years or less of
post-secondary education.

Opportunities for MNHS graduates who do not select 4
year college

Meet representatives from the military. Learn about general enlistment and the Reserve Officer Training Core
(ROTC)

Learn about technical medical programs:
x-ray, surgical, nursing, medical billing

Be introduced to apprenticeship programs

Learn how to train for the following careers: heating & air
conditioning, plumbing, electrical, manufacturing and other trades

Find out how you can earn your license in the following
areas: cosmetology, esthetics, massage therapy, airplane
pilot
ACT given to all Juniors on Tuesday, April 28
All 11th graders will sit for the ACT exam on Tuesday, April 19. It will
be a full day of school for 11th grade. 9th, 10th and 12th grade students will NOT have school that day. Families do not need to do anything for this registration. Registration will be completed during the
school day prior to the exam.
ACT and SAT NATIONAL TEST DATES
Future Test Dates for ACT:
Test Date
Registration Date
December 12, 2015
November 6, 2015
February 6, 2016
January 8, 2016
April 9, 2016
March 4, 2016
June 11, 2016
May 6, 2016
(June test not offered at MNHS due to construction)
Students must register with ACT on-line, @ www.act.org
Future Test Dates for SAT:
The SAT is not given at MNHS – Check registration for location.
Test Date
Registration Date
December 5, 2015
January 23, 2016
March 5, 2016
May 7, 2016
June 4, 2016
November 5, 2015
December 28, 2015
February 5, 2016
April 8, 2016
May 5, 2016
ACT Prep Classes
PrepMe is provided FREE to all juniors & seniors. Students can log on
through the home page of their Naviance Family Connection account. Additional test prep resources are listed under the “Links” in
Family Connection.
The PSAT is practice for the SAT and the National Merit Qualifying
Test for 11th graders which some students elected to take on October 14. Results will be given to students as soon as we receive
them.
ASPIRE Test Results
Sophomores will receive their ASPIRE results in January. The ASPIRE
test is developed by ACT and provides standardized testing practice.
Review your PSAT & ASPIRE test results carefully. Both include valuable information on future planning as well as how to improve
scores.
Scholarships
Seniors are encouraged to check the “Guidance News” weekly. We
advertise every scholarship of which we are made aware. Applications are hotlinked to the newsletter or can be picked up in the
Counseling Office (if indicated that it is a paper application). In addition, conduct an independent on-line scholarship search. The best
places to search include the college(s) you wish to attend as well as
the following websites: educationquest.org ,
www.scholarships.com, fastweb.com, scholarships4students.com,
and Naviance Family Connection.
College Funding
Parents of seniors: Plan to file your 2015 taxes as soon as
possible. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA) can be completed online any time after January 1st @
fafsa.ed.gov. If your taxes will be delayed, you can complete
the FAFSA using your 2014 taxes and estimates for 2015.
Each college has their own financial aid process. Please carefully read and follow the steps outlined by each institution to
which you applied.
EducationQuest is available to assist families in completing the
FAFSA. Call (402)-391-4033 to make an appointment at their Rockbrook office. Visit them online at educationquest.org/
EducationQuest will be hosting a Financial Aid Night for Millard
families on Thursday, January 7 in the Millard West Lecture Hall at
6:00 pm.
Summer Enrichment Opportunities
Use your summer constructively by securing employment, attending
summer school, summer sports camps or another enriching summer
experience. A listing of opportunities available to high school students can be found in Naviance Family Connection under the college tab, “Enrichment Programs”. Options include studying on college campuses in the United States and abroad!
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MILLARD NORTH HIGH SCHOOL ILLNESS POLICY
We would greatly appreciate the cooperation of all our parents with our school’s health and illness policy. If your son or daughter becomes ill during the school day, your child must report to the school nurse.
Teachers will send any ill student to the nurse with a pass if requested by the student.
Students must come directly to the nurse if ill. Also as a reminder, any student who leaves school without signing out in the Attendance Office or the Nurse’s Office will be considered unexcused and will be
referred to the student’s assistant principal. This policy has been in place for many years for the safety of
your child and all our students at Millard North High School.
PERSCRIPTION MEDICATION:
Prescription medication must be brought in and kept in the nurse’s office and administered by the nurse
and/or health para. The only exception is if a student has an inhaler you are encouraged to carry it.
Non-prescription medication –such as Tylenol or Advil, or cough drops can be carried by the student.
You should never give medication to any other student at any time. This can result in health issues as
well as school consequences. Thank you for making good decisions and following the school procedures.
DECA
Congratulations to the following DECA members for
their achievements at DECA's Burke Invite this past
November:
Molly O'Brien- 1st place Apparel and Accessories Marketing
Trey Spethman- 3rd Place Business Services Marketing
Sharadh Sivamani- 5th place Business Services Marketing
Melanie Harvey/ Madeline Shriver- 2nd Place Hospitality Services Team Event
Rachel Brader- 6th Place Quick Serve Restaurant
Management
Aaron Gosch/ Gus Sheppard- 8th Place Sports and
Entertainment Team Event
Rohan Thakker- 8th place Business Services Marketing
Lizzy Humphus, Melanie Harvey, Aaron Gosch, and
Gus Sheppard- 3rd Place Quiz Bowl
ENGLISH
The MNHS English department continually strives to
create a culture of lifelong learners. One of the many
ways to foster a love of learning is to encourage the reading of literary fiction. A recent study published in the
Journal of Science found that people who read literary
fiction demonstrated more empathy, social perception,
and emotional intelligence than those who did not. Stay
tuned for information about the second annual Millard
North Mustang Reading Challenge starting in January,
and encourage your students to get involved.
FABRIC AND SEWING NOTIONS
NEEDED
The clothing classes are in need of fabric and sewing
notions. If you are cleaning closets and find materials
you would like to donate, call 402-715-1461 or
email [email protected]. We will pick up or you
can leave it at the security desk anytime. Some of the
materials you donate, you may see on the runway of
Omaha Fashion Week.
Thanks,
Judith Glesne
Clothing and Textile Design Teacher
"Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica's 5th annual formal initi-
ation ceremony will be held in the Mustang Center
on January 22nd at 7pm. For this Spanish national honors society, members, who
were selected through a rigorous application process, must
complete 10+ hours of service
to the Spanish-speaking community, a global service project
and maintain academic excellence while continuing to improve their Spanish. Families
and friends of this year's almost 50 members will be attending. See Theresa Jensen
for more information."
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What Have MNHS IB Diploma Students Been Doing?
IB English HL I: Students have studied T he House of the Spirits, Life of Pi, Watchmen. In
January their Internal Assessment (IA) includes an Individual Oral Presentation over any of the three novels.
IB English HL II: Students have studied Charlotte Brontë, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Joan Didion. In January the IA, a
sustained oral commentary on a poem and a literary discussion over one of the other authors.
IB French SL: Students will complete their intr oduction to the thr ee IB-mandated "core" themes of the course in December. The Written Assessment and the IA Individual Oral occur in February
IB Latin SL: While other students took a day off on Oct. 27th, the Latin scholars traveled to the UNL Love Library for
an all-day adventure researching ancient, primary resources for the IA Research Dossiers.
IB Spanish SL: Students resear ched the her itage of a Spanish-speaking country, presenting simulations and cultural
activities to the class. They explored the connection between language and identity.
IB History HL I: Students had a visit fr om Snowball the Alpaca as they study the Columbian Exchange, the Aztec
and Incan Empires, and the perspective of Environmental History.
IB History SL: Students have examined the Par is Peace Confer ence and will be looking at life in Weimar Ger many and the art of the Age of Anxiety through Fritz Lange's classic film Metropolis.
IB Psychology: Students have studied cognitive psychology and are starting the IA by replicating a published experiment, culminating in February. In 2nd semester students will study social psychology
IB Math Studies: Students have begun data collection and analysis for the IA Pr oject concluding in J anuar y.
IB Math SL: Students have star ted their IA Exploration, discover ing/finding the mathematics in the things they
love: music, art, sports, politics, medicine, engineering, cooking, or any other areas of interest.
IB Math HL II: In J anuary, students will be wor king in gr oup pr ojects explor ing " dimension" in mathematics,
physics, art, literature, giving presentations during class to summarize their findings.
IB DP Group 4 Science Project: Gr oup pr esentations will happen on Feb. 3rd after two pull-out days in January for
collaborative research by Biology, Chemistry, and Physics students.
Biology HL II: Students completed their IAs in November . They r esear ched, designed, and conduct their own investigations by hands-on experimental work, a database investigation, or a simulation or model.
Chemistry HL I: Students have r eviewed fir st year chemistr y infor mation, extending it to a much deeper level including detailed error analysis on lab data – and were studying atomic bonding in December.
Chemistry HL II: Students have studied Oxidation/Reduction, Organic Chemistr y, and completed their IAs. In
January, they will study Energy and work in groups on the Group 4 project.
Physics HL II: Students studied waves and vibrations and completed their IAs – ten-day projects ranging from the light
intensity of stars to the conservation of angular momentum of a ballet dancer.
IB Film Students collabor ated with Cr eighton Univer sity to cr eate a PSA, finished cr eating their Me Montages
and prepared Oral Presentations on The Lives of Others, Calvary, and On the Waterfront.
IB ToK: Minerva KGI’s Student Outreach Manager and Bethany Jana (MNHS 2015) visited all three IBDP ToK classes
on Friday Nov. 6th to speak to our IBDP students about this new “elite but affordable” university.
IBDP Lunches: Representatives of UNL’s Admissions Office, Honor s College, and Raikes School pr ovided lunch
and presented to MNHS IBDP juniors and seniors in November.
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MNHS Mustang
Xanax Abuse
and Addiction
Prescription drugs are the 3rd most commonly abused drugs amongst teens in Nebraska, and the same statistic holds true on a national level. The rise in prescription drug abuse is becoming increasingly problematic
and some experts are even calling it an epidemic. The family of prescription drugs known as Benzodiazepines are the second most commonly abused prescription drug. Specifically, the misuse of the drug known
as Alprazolam (Xanax) is on the rise amongst our local youth.
Xanax, typically prescribed to treat a variety of anxiety, panic and stress disorders, is a sedative and muscle
relaxant that affects the central nervous system by calming down brain excitement and has become widely
used in anxiety disorders because it provides rapid symptom relief for these disorders. While Xanax has its
benefits when taken properly, reducing feelings of anxiety and panic in patients, it can produce euphoria when
taken in larger doses. Combined with a sensation of relaxation, this sense of extreme happiness can lead to
cravings and abuse. Additionally, due to the rapid reactions felt from Xanax, when misused, it can be highly
addictive.
In 2012, 49 million prescriptions for Xanax were written, making this drug the second most prescribed psychoactive drug that year. The high number of legal prescriptions for Xanax being issued has led to an increase in
availability of this drug on the street. In fact, according to the DEA, Xanax is one of the top 3 prescription
drugs being sold on the black market. As Xanax abuse rises, it is important to increase awareness of common street names as a means to monitor prevalence and listen for possible signs of misuse amongst our
youth. Street names include Xannies (Zannies), Xanbars, Handlebars, Z-bars and Blue Footballs.
The scary reality of Xanax abuse is that some teens have a misperception that prescription drugs are safe to
use because they are prescribed by a doctor. In fact, the majority of teens who abuse prescription drugs often get them from the medicine cabinet of a friend or family member. According to a study conducted by the
Partnership for a Drug Free America, two in five teens felt that prescription drugs were significantly safer to
use when compared to illicit drugs like heroin or cocaine.
The symptoms of Xanax abuse will vary among individuals based on different variables including frequency
and length of use. These symptoms can present themselves physically, behaviorally and psychologically.
Symptoms may include:
Physical Symptoms
Mood Symptoms
Behavioral Symptoms
Slurred Speech
Drowsiness
Impaired Coordination
Twitches
Nausea/Upset Stomach
Blurred Vision
Euphoria
Hostility
Aggression
Rage
Agitation
Lack of Focus
Memory Problems
Avoidance of Activities
Confusion
Xanax addiction can result in dangerous consequences and, depending upon the severity of use, can result in
even more serious effects such as thoughts of harming oneself, depression, hallucinations, chest pain and
seizures. If you see signs of Xanax abuse and want to help, it may be necessary to refer those at-risk to a
medically monitored rehab program, as Xanax and other benzodiazepines can require a very careful period of
weaning before it is safe to discontinue them.
(Sources: www.muirwoodteen.com; http://drugabuse.com; www.drugabuse.gov; www.addictionhope.com)
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M I L L A R D N ORT H H I GH S CH O O L
GRADUATION INFORMATION
2015-16
COMMENCEMENT SPEECHES:
Applications can be picked up in the
Administration office in April. Tryouts will be scheduled shortly after.
Speakers will be selected by a panel
of administrators.
This information is provided in an attempt to keep students and parents
informed as to the graduation procedures throughout the year. Please refer
to it with each newsletter for changes
and updates.
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CAP AND
GOWN: Jostens will be providing our
Announcements and Cap and Gowns
this year. A catalog and order form was
distributed to the Seniors during the
Senior Meeting on October 5th during
Mustang Time. You may take your order
directly to Jostens, their address is provided in the packet.
DIPLOMAS: Seniors were asked to complete a diploma card at registration indicating how they wanted their name to
appear on the diploma. Any student
who has not done so should see Mrs.
Blycker in the Administration office.
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY STOLES: Will
be handed out during Honors Night.
Only those members in good standing
will wear the stole. Stoles must be re-
turned after Commencement before
receiving diploma.
SCHOLARSHIPS: Please report
scholarships to the guidance secretary so that proper recognition can
be made. It is important to list all
scholarships, regardless of whether
they have been accepted or not. By
using a final all-encompassing listing, it is possible to ensure that we
give proper recognition to all students and scholarship donors.
HONORS NIGHT: May 5, 2016, 6:00
p.m.—Seniors receiving scholarships
and Academic Letters who will be
present at Honors Night are to go to
a check-in table to report their presence as well as students receiving
other honors. Only students who are
present will be recognized at Honors
Night.
HONOR CORDS: Will be presented
during Honors Night. Those seniors
receiving a 4.0 or above cumulative
Grade Point Average after seven
semesters will receive a silver and
green cord. Those seniors with a
3.75 to 3.99 cumulative Grade Point
Average after seven semesters will
receive an all silver Honor Cord.
Those seniors with a 3.5-3.74 cumulative Grade Point Average after seven semesters will receive an all
green Honor Cord.
( CONTINUED)
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INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE:
Stoles will be awarded during Honors Night ceremonies to IB Diploma
Candidates. Stoles must be returned after Commencement before
receiving diploma.
GRADUATION REHEARSAL: Graduation Rehearsal will be at 11:00 a.m.
at the UNO Baxter Arena. Students
should report by 10:45 a.m. Please
carpool since parking is scarce. Do
not leave valuables in your cars.
Girls take your purses with you. You
must attend practice to go through
the commencement exercises. Assigned seating and commencement
procedures will be explained.
COMMENCEMENT: Will be Saturday,
May 28, at 4:00 p.m. Students
should report by 3:15 p.m. The entire ceremony will last approximately
ninety minutes. Students with National Honor Society Stoles must
return their stole to receive their
diploma. If you do not plan to participate in the commencement ceremony, please report to Mr. Lundgren by
May 1. If you do not go through
commencement, you may pickup
your diploma after May 31. If you do
not pick up your diploma by June 7 it
will be mailed to the last known address. Any pranks prior to or during
commencement ceremony, will delay
the presentation of your diploma.
PARENTS AND GUESTS: The UNO
Baxter Arena provides plenty of seating for parents and guests of our
graduates. Tickets are NOT required. Graduates and family members need to make prior arrangements as to location to meet after
graduates are dismissed from the
main floor.
MNHS Mustang
FINES: Students who owe any fines
will not receive their diploma until
the fine has been cleared. Please
check the list posted outside the
Bookkeeper’s window for any fines
due as graduation draws closer.
SENIOR SKIP DAY: To eliminate any
misunderstanding, the school does
not approve of any senior skip day
while school is in session for seniors.
Seniors known to have participated
in a skip day will not be excused and
will be assigned a consequence. If
parents of seniors call the attendance office, they will be told that the
school does not sanction a skip day.
If the skip day is the reason for absence, the student will not be excused and will be subject to consequences.
TRANSCRIPTS: At the time seniors
pick up caps and gown, ALL seniors
will be given a Final Transcript Request Form to indicate where they
want their one college final transcript to be sent. All colleges, vocational schools, the Armed Services
and some employers require final
high school transcripts showing the
last semester’s grades and graduation date. Should a change in plans
occur, the student will need to contact Millard North to arrange for the
transcript to be sent elsewhere.
Final transcripts will be sent around
the middle of June. The one-time
$5.00 transcript fee must be paid
before any transcripts are sent.
Please contact your counselor if you
haven’t paid this fee.
COUNSELORS
Laurie Stackhouse ............ 402-715-1375
Paul Gabel ........................ 402-715-1374
Lindsey Zentic ................. 402-715-1160
Loel Schettler ................... 402-715-1248
Jillian DePue .................... 402-715-1239
Jodi Therkelsen................. 402-715-1378
Andy Hahn ....................... 402-715-1377
SCHOLARSHIPS & TRANSCRIPTS
Mrs. Reinholz ................... 402-715-1225
FINES
Mrs. Thomas ..................... 402-715-1337
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
FOR SENIORS
Mr. Casey Lundgren ......... 402-715-1371
( CONTINUED)
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Substance use and bullying are two prevalent issues that affect youth today. Though these
issues are often viewed as separate problems, new findings indicate there are many commonalities between substance use and bullying. According to SAMSHA.gov, “middle and high
school students who bully their peers are more likely to use alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana.”
There are preventative factors that can reduce the risk of substance use and bullying.
Parental/Guardian support has a huge influence on adolescence. Providing children with consistent discipline methods and clearly set boundaries reduces risk along with open communication and modeling positive behavior. Children with parents who use drugs are at an increased
risk to use drugs themselves.
Peer groups play a significant role in social development, which impacts risk for bullying and
substance use. Children who associate with people who bully, or use drugs, are more likely to
engage in similar behavior. On the other hand,
children who are more antisocial and have difficulty developing relationships with peers are also
at risk. Modeling healthy relationships and social
situations positively contribute to children’s social
development.
Children who perform well academically and appear enthusiastic about learning are less likely to
use drugs and engage in bullying behavior. Children with poor grades and lack of interest in
school and other activities are at a much higher
risk. There are other environmental factors like exposure to crime, poverty and violence at
home that correlates to an increased risk of substance use and bullying.
Creating a safe home environment with clear parental supervision and support can reduce the
risk of substance use and bullying. Parental involvement, like getting to know your child’s
friends, can have a significant positive impact. Teachers and families are also encouraged to
recognize and reinforce positive behaviors, accomplishments, and other abilities.
Become familiar with signs of substance use and bullying:
Signs of Substance Use:
 Poor academic performance, including poor attendance, low grades, concentration, and
disciplinary problems
 Increase in high-risk behaviors
 Rebelling against rules
 Change in friends or lack of interest or involvement in former interests
 Mood changes, flare-ups, irritability, and defensiveness
 Apathetic attitude; sloppy appearance
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Additionally, substance abuse can adversely affect adolescent brain development, lead to chronic use, and
could lead to disability or even death.
Signs a Child is Bullying Others:
 Has friends who bully
 Gets into physical or verbal fights and are increasingly aggressive
 Blames others for problems or does not accept responsibility for their actions
 Frequent detention or visits to principal’s office
 Is competitive and worries about reputation
 Has unexplained extra money or new belongings
Parents and teachers should be on the lookout for aggressive behavior, especially if it manifests at an early
age, because it’s an indicator that a child could become involved in drugs, alcohol, and/or bullying. Teachers
and families should also seek opportunities to recognize and reinforce children’s abilities and accomplishments – self-esteem, competencies, and skills are characteristics that “protect” a child from engaging in these
types of behaviors.
(Sources: www.samhsa.gov; www.stopbullying.gov; www.toosmarttostart.samhsa.gov)
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Self-injury/self-harm, is an intentional act of someone physically harming themselves. Such as cutting, burning, hitting biting etc. of oneself. And generally, it is not meant as a suicide gesture or attempt. But rather, an unhealthy way to cope with emotional pain, intense anger, anxiety and frustration.
Why Do People Self-Injure/Self-Harm Themselves?
Many of us find it hard to understand why someone would harm themselves, and how it could possibly help them to feel better. Some who self-harm say by purposely hurting their bodies, they can
change the state of their mind so that they can cope better with emotional pain and other intense
stressors they are feeling.

Some use physical pain as a way to distract themselves from emotional pain.

Others, especially those who feel emotionally scarred, may use it as a way to “wake up” in
situations where they are so numb they can’t feel anything.
What Schools & Educators Can Do:
Self-injury is a problem that requires professional
attention. School staff may provide a sympathetic
ear, develop a plan for students when the urge to
self-injure occurs within the school day, and offer
other services through the school psychologist or
school counselor. However, the school alone
cannot provide adequate intervention or the longterm therapy that often is required to successfully
address this complicated issue.
School personnel of all types are in a unique position to help kids. Two important rules to remember when encountering a student whom you know or suspect is self-injuring.
First thing to remember is that you should not ignore anything suspicious. If your “gut” tells you that
something is wrong with a student, follow up on it. It is easy to tell yourself that it probably is not what
it appears to be or assume someone else is helping the student. The fact is that you may be the only
one who has noticed.
The second thing to keep in mind is to do your best to present an understanding and empathetic attitude. It may seem inconceivable to you that self-harming behavior is useful to a student, and while
unhealthy, it does serve a purpose as a coping mechanism.
Teachers and other educators should routinely refer self-injuring students to the school nurse, and
the school psychologist or school counselor for further assessment.
Teachers and other non-mental health educational staff can play a key role in the well-being of students who self-injure by identifying and listening to these students as they are able, however, they
should never try to handle the situation on their own.
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It should also be noted, generally, it is beyond the ability of school counselors and school psychologists to provide adequate intervention for self-injury based only within the school setting
so schools should highly consider developing a specific protocol for dealing with cases of selfinjury.
Protocols developed for Self-Injury/Harm cases should include the following components:
 Parents/Guardians should be informed immediately.
 Resources and information about how to seek out professional help should be available to the parents/guardians.
 A follow up with the parents/guardians a few days after providing resource information
to find out if the student is getting help.
Also, addressing the following skill-sets with self-injuring students would be appropriate for
school counselors and school psychologists.



Healthy Coping skills
Identifying Feelings and Appropriately Expressing Emotions
Self-Acceptance
It is important to remember that self-injurers can be included in a group that addresses a relevant skill such as those listed above, but should not be put into a group solely for self-injurers.
And it should be known that even with expert intervention and loving family support, self-injury
may persist for many years.
For more resource information on Self-Injury and other behavioral health concerns please visit
the SCIP website: www.scipnebraska.com
(Sources: www.mayoclinic.com/health/self-injury, www.kidshealth.org, www.educatorsandselfinjury.com)
North High School 2015-16 Comprehensive Calendar
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