August-September 2010 Newsletter

Monday, August 2, 2010

SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE

What:  Exeter-Milligan Schools Open House

When:  Friday, August 13th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Where:  Grades K-2 and 7-12 at the Exeter Site

Grades 3-6 at the Milligan Site

Why:  Parents can meet the teachers, finalize schedules and tour the facility

Parent Informational Packets will be distributed at this time.

First Day of School

The first day of school will be Tuesday, August 17th.  School will dismiss at 1:30 PM on the 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th.

New Student Registration

All students new to the Exeter-Milligan school district are encouraged to register during the week of August 9th-13th  between the hours of  9 AM and 3 PM.    If this week does not work out, please contact the school and set up another time.  266-5911.  New students are also welcome to stop at the school anytime during the summer.

Starting Times

Exeter Site

*Buses arrive at Exeter Site by 8:00 AM

*Buses containing 3rd, 4th, 5th, & 6th grade students depart for Milligan Site at 8:00 AM

*Exeter Site Elementary grades K-2 begin classes at 8:25 AM

*High School students grades 7-12 report to homerooms by 8:23 AM

*School Dismisses at 3:30 PM

Milligan Site

*Buses arrive at Milligan Site by 8:00 AM

*Buses containing K-2 and 7-12 grade students depart for Exeter at 8:05 AM.  Students are strongly encouraged to use school transportation.

*Milligan Site Elementary grades 3-6 begin classes at 8:25 AM

*Exeter 3rd, 4th, 5th, & 6th grade students dismissed at 3:10 PM

*Elementary Classes at Milligan dismiss at 3:20 PM

Kindergarten Requirements

All students entering kindergarten must have on file BEFORE the first day of school the following items:  Certified copy of birth certificate, physical form, eye examination form, and updated immunization records.  These items can be brought to the office in Exeter prior to the first day of school.  If the school does not  have these items, students will not be allowed in school.

NEW - 7th Grade Vaccination Requirements

Beginning with the 2010-2011 school year all students entering seventh grade will be required to show proof of a booster immunization containing diphtheria, tetanus toxoids, and an acellular pertussis vaccine.

Currently, students are required to show proof of 3 doses of DTaP, DTP, DT, or Td vaccine, one given on or after the 4th birthday.   he new changes due to LB 464 will not require a 4th dose of Tdap vaccine before entering the seventh grade.

Physical Information for Kindergarten, 7th Grade Students, and New Students

All Kindergarten, 7th graders, and new students (coming from out of state) entering the school this fall are required to have a physical examination.  This is the State Law!  The financial responsibility of this exam rests with the parents.  This examination form should be turned into the Exeter office prior to the first day of school.  Students that do not have this physical the first day of school will be sent home. 

Girls Golf

Any 9-12 Girl who wants to go out for Girls Golf this year should attend the meeting/practice on August 9th  @ 3:00 PM in Mr. Lewandowski's room.

Volleyball Summer Conditioning

Summer conditioning for any 9-12 girl going out for volleyball will be August 9-13 at 7:00 PM in Exeter.

Athletic Physicals

All 7-8 grade students and all 9-12 grade athletes must have a physical examination before the first day of athletic practice.  High school softball and football practice will begin on Monday August 9th and high school volleyball practice begins on Monday, August 16th .  Before practicing all athletes must also have their NSAA Student and Parent Consent  Form and Activity Policy Form turned in.   These were sent to each student 7-12 in the mail this summer.   If you lost yours please stop in the office and pick another one up.   There will be no exceptions,  if you don’t have these turned in, you can not practice.

Junior High Football

There will be a junior high football meeting during junior high boys P.E. class the first day of school.  Practice will

start after school the following day.  All boys participating must have their physical, parent consent form, and activity policy turned in before they will be allowed to practice. These were mailed to you earlier in the summer, if you lost yours, more forms are available in the Exeter office.  Coaches this year will be Mr. Murphy and Mr. Gabel.

Admission to School Activities

Admission to school activities for the 2010-2011 school year will be: 

•Students K-12 - $3 

•Adults - $4

Welcome New Staff!

Hello Timberwolves!  My name is Casey Pohl and I will be the new third grade teacher in Milligan.   I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you.   I am originally from Crete, NE but attended school in Dorchester.   After graduating from Dorchester, I went on to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where I earned my degree in elementary education.   I then was very fortunate to be offered the 3rd grade position here at Exeter-Milligan.   In my spare time I like to cheer on the Huskers and spend time with my family and friends.  I am very excited for this upcoming year and glad to be back in a smaller community.  Everyone has been very welcoming and I cannot wait to meet the students, families, and members of the community!  I am very proud to call myself an Exeter-Milligan Timberwolf and look forward to the beginning of the school year! - Casey Pohl

My name is Jamie Ellis and I would like to welcome your child to my classroom. This is my first year of teaching at Exeter-Milligan Public Schools, and my second year teaching Language Arts. I am originally from Elm Creek, Nebraska, and completed my Bachelor of Arts degree in Education at the University of Nebraska-Kearney, where I was involved in the Student Education Association of Nebraska, the Chi Omega Sorority, and as a resident advisor. Prior to being selected for the teaching position in Exeter-Milligan, I served as an English teacher for Amherst Public Schools, where I taught the 7th, 8th, 10th, and 12th grade English classes.

I enjoy spending my free time with my family and my fiancé, Mike. I also love reading classic literature, attending theater or art performances, shopping with my sisters, and preparing for my upcoming wedding.

I greatly anticipate getting to know you and your children this year, and look forward to a fun-filled and educational school year. - Jamie Ellis, English Teacher

Newsletter

The next newsletter will be mailed out the end of September.  Anyone that would like something printed in our monthly newsletter needs to have their information to Jackie by the 15th of the month.  Due to the cost of printing and mailing  we will be  limiting  our information to only items that pertain to our students.   We will no longer be printing minutes  of community organizations.

Caller ID

We are asking that you NOT call the school when you see on your caller id that you missed a call from the school phone number.   The school has close to 50 telephones in their building and it is usually impossible to guess who tried to call you.   If you missed a call and it was important,  that person will try to call you back or they will  leave you a message.

Calling Your Student at School

The office will cooperate with parents and guardians to get messages to students during school hours, primarily during lunch period or study halls.   However, calls for pupils during school hours are disturbing to the school routine and hence should be held to a minimum.   Students will be called to the telephone for emergency calls only from parents or relatives.

Senior Citizen Athletic Passes

Any resident of the Exeter-Milligan School District that is 60 years of age or older may buy a senior citizens pass for $25.00.  This pass will get you into all regular home athletic events.  You may purchase your senior citizen pass at the office in Exeter.

Friday Notes

Friday notes are sent home each Friday with students in grades K-6.  These notes are available in the office to all students in grades 7-12.  Friday notes are also added to our school website.   If you have any information you would like included in our Friday notes please get to Jackie by Thursday.  We are asking that only information that pertains to our students be included in the Friday notes.

Exeter Cub Scouts

All boys entering first grade through fifth grade are invited to join Exeter Cub Scout Pack 218.  Scouting is a great way to promote citizenship, community, honesty, loyalty and other admirable traits in young boys.  Exeter Scouts participate in sports activities, help in the community and have a great time together.  They meet once a week in the evenings with families welcome to participate. This year the scouts are planning an outdoor hiking and fishing day along with other fun activities.  For more information call Leesa Bartu at 402-266-3651.

Youth Soccer

GAED's youth soccer program is open to students pre-school (must be at least 4 years-old) through 6th grade.  All games are on Saturday morning in Geneva and games will begin August 21.  Register by July 30.  $25.00 cost per participant.  Please call Valerie at the GAED office at 759-4908 to register.

School Closing Info...

All notification of weather related late starts or school closing will be announced only at these media sites.  Please tune in these stations to receive information updates:

-Television Station KLKN in Lincoln -- Channel 8

-Television Station KOLN-KGIN in Lincoln -- Channel 10/11

-Radio Station KAWL in York --1370 am

-Radio Station KZ100 in Central City --  100.3 fm

Exeter Baseball/Softball Pants

If you haven’t already turned in your pants please do so by Friday, August 7th.  You can turn these into Anita Mueller or Jackie at the school. Please be sure to label your pants with your child’s name.  If they are not turned in by August 8th your deposit check will be cashed.

Title I Meeting

Federal law requires an annual meeting for all parents who have children eligible to participate in the Exeter-Milligan Public Schools Title I reading and math program.  The first meeting will be held at 7 PM on Monday, August 23rd in the Exeter school cafeteria.  This is your opportunity to ask questions and express your concerns about the remedial instruction we provide to children.  Mrs. Mueller, Mr. Krejci, Mr. Mahoney, and Mrs. Poppert will be at the meeting and we hope you can attend.

Bike Safety Program

We care about the safety of your children!  In conjunction with the Public Health Solutions District Health Department, incoming Kindergarten students will have the opportunity to purchase a bike helmet for only $3.00.  A helmet worn while biking offers protection from a head and/or brain injury.

We are excited about the fact that so many of our students were able to purchase helmets through the No Child Left on their Behind and Safe Routes Nebraska funds.  We hope you will encourage your child to wear their helmet every time they ride their bike.  We know it takes 28 days to form a habit.

To encourage students to ride their bikes with their helmets on to and from school, students will be rewarded with reflective stickers for their helmet. Students will receive incentive prizes for continuing to role model and wear their helmets.

If you live outside of town and want your child to have an opportunity to participate, please bring your child, their bike, and helmet into town and drop them off several blocks from school, so they can also have an opportunity to be involved in the program.

If you have any additional questions or concerns regarding this safety program, please contact Mrs. Poppert, Elementary Principal. Thank you for your support of this effort to keep our children active and safe!

Attendance Policy

Notice!  The district has an attendance policy which is aimed at reducing critically-high absenteeism.  Under normal conditions, the policy limits absences to 10 days per semester, with exceptions for special circumstances.  The details of the policy are outlined in the student handbook which each student will receive.

Student Absences

We are again asking that you notify the school by 9 AM if your child will be absent or late from school.  If you know in advance that your child will be absent, please send a note with your child prior to the absence.  This is the most effective way for the school to monitor your child’s attendance.  If you do not know in advance or if your child is not in school by 9 AM we will make an effort to contact  you as to the whereabouts of your child.  When your child is absent  if we do not speak to you personally or if you do not send a note your child will be  considered UNEXCUSED.

Annual Asbestos Notification

We are pleased to inform you that Building Administration has continued to respond to the asbestos in buildings issued in a cautious and proactive manner.  Building Administration will continue with its ongoing asbestos operations and maintenance program, including periodic surveillance inspections which are conducted on a semiannual basis.

Inspections of the school building has revealed the presence of some friable asbestos materials.  Once such material has been identified, a program can be implemented to ensure that the material is maintained in good condition and that appropriate precautions are followed when materials are disturbed for any reason.  Please be assured that we will maintain all identified material.

In addition, as required by AHERA (EPA), reinspections are conducted by accredited inspectors every three years since the implementation of our management plan. 

Please rest assured that Building Administration’s ongoing efforts related to the management and control of asbestos containing materials are focused on providing a safe and healthy environment for our building occupants and employees.

If you have any questions, or would like to review the management plan, please feel free to contact the District’s Asbestos Program Manager, Paul Sheffield,  at 266-5911.

School Pictures

K-12 school pictures are scheduled for Friday, September 17th.  Pictures will begin at 8 AM at both sites.   Preschool students can have the pictures taken at either site but please try to be there a little before 8 AM.  You will also need to contact the school for a picture packet for preschool students.  If you plan to order pictures your child must have their packet and money turned into the school before they get their picture taken.  It is impossible to order your packet after the picture has been taken. Picture packets will be sent home with the students about 2 weeks before picture day.  Retakes are scheduled for Friday, November  5th.  We will also be having spring pictures in March sometime.

Notice to Parents - Childfind

This notice is to inform the patrons of the Exeter-Milligan District 01 that:  Public Law 94-142 and State Rule 51 and 54 mandate that free appropriate public education is available to each handicapped child, years 0-21, who reside in a local school district./  Handicapped children are defined as:  Physically Handicapped, Visually Handicapped, Acoustically Handicapped, Speech Handicapped, Orthopedically Handicapped, Educable Mentally Handicapped, Behaviorally Impaired, Specific Learning Disabled, Mentally Retarded, Multi-Handicapped, Home and Hospital Bound.  (By reason, thereof, require special education and related services.)  If you feel that your child may qualify under any of the above categories, please contact Paul Sheffield, Superintendent, Exeter-Milligan Public School District #01, Exeter, NE  266-5911.

HOT LUNCH INFORMATION

Lunch prices for the 2010-2011 school year will remain the same:    K-6 lunches -  $2.25 and 7-12 lunches -  $2.50.  Extra milk and K-2 grade afternoon milk will be 35 cents.  ALL MEALS MUST BE PURCHASED IN ADVANCE.      We had many problems this past school year collecting for lunches.  The policy is that no student is to charge more than 5 meals.   You can check the status of your child’s lunch account  on Power School. A notice will be given to the student when they need lunch money.  It is the student’s responsibility to get the notices home.  If your child has charged 5 meals, they need to buy another lunch ticket or pay daily.  On the 6th day we will allow the student to call home for money before lunch time or they will not be allowed to eat. 

Purchasing Meals

Some parents prefer to buy meals for a semester or for the entire year.  Lunches for the entire year for students K-6 will be approximately  $405 and for 7-12  $450, or half of this if you want to pay by the semester. Before you buy lunches for the entire year you should first  call the school to see if your child has money left from last school year.   You may pay for lunches at either site.   All lunch money does end up at the Exeter office so there is no need to write a separate check for each child.

Milk Money

Milk is provided with each meal.  If your child would like an additional milk with their meal it will cost 35 cents.  Students in Kindergarten, 1st Grade, and 2nd Grade will have afternoon milk breaks.  Milk for these breaks is 35 cents each or $7.00 for 20 days.  If you do not want your child to participate in the afternoon milk break please let your child’s teacher know.  Afternoon milk is not part of our free and reduced lunch plan.

Free and Reduced Lunch Information

Free and reduced lunch applications are included in this flyer.  You are encouraged to look this over carefully and if a qualifier please return the application to Jackie at the school for processing as soon as possible.  Applications are only good for one school year so you must refile each year.  If you qualified last school year, you have until September 20th to reapply or your child will be expected to pay full price. If you do not qualify now but sometime during the school year you do,  you can refile at any time.    If you have any questions regarding the lunch program please contact Jackie at 266-5911.

Lunch Policies

According to the policy of the Board of Education of the Exeter-Milligan Schools, we will have a closed campus policy which means that all students will eat at school and remain on school grounds except those that have been issued, upon request, a permanent pass to eat lunch at HOME!  No student is to drive a motor vehicle during lunch break without written permission of the principal.

All  lunches brought to school shall be eaten in the lunchroom.  This applies to all students grades K-12.

Bus Routes

Following are the bus route schedules for the 2010-2011 school year.  Times are approximate.  Please have your children ready a few minutes early until the route times become consistent.  If for any reason your children are not riding the bus, please contact your bus driver so that he doesn’t have to make a special trip to your home. 

It is the policy of A & M, Inc., school bus service to pick up and drop off students at regular bus stops only.  Please check the following list for stops.  Afternoon routes may not follow the exact schedule as morning routes because some students may not ride mornings.  Names without times are not regular stops.  If you have any questions concerning bus routes, please contact Bob Mueller.  Bus routes will switch at the end of the SEMESTER.  Second semester routes will begin January 6, 2011.

Exeter Area

West RouteTimeEast RouteTime

Paul Erdkamp  *Ben Horne  *

Jeff Underwood7:17Wade Harre  *

Jay Geiger7:23Matt Harre  *

Don Bristol  *Roger Johnson7:30

Luke Meyer7:29Travis Due7:34

Kent Manning  *Doug Thomsen7:41

Jim Zeleny7:38Kent Olson7:43

Tom Sluka7:44Steve Rhodes  *

Roger Brandt7:51Brad White7:50

Jason Oldehoeft  *Doug Papik7:56

Tom Klemm  *

Milligan Area

South & East RouteTimeNorthWest RouteTime

Tim Pribyl  *Roger Brandt7:15

Bruce Filipi  *Tom Vossler  *

Chad Jindra7:10Billy Slezak  *

Bob Vnoucek  *Jim Zeleny7:24

Dennis Oliva  *Tom Sluka7:29

Jeff Jansky7:23Dale Luzum7:34

Lowell Bartels7:30Brent Reinsch7:40

S. Vonderfecht  *Rod Krupicka8:05

Roger Capek7:35

Todd Pribyl  *

Jason Pribyl7:41

Kyle Svec7:45

Opportunity for Grades 5-6...

(from the NCDA website http://www.nebraskachoral.org/Site/Childrens_Choirs.html)

October 22-23, 2010 will be the Sing Around Nebraska Honor Choir for singers in grades five and six.  This will again be held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus and the Lied Center for Performing Arts.  The clinician is Emily Ellsworth, who currently serves as the Artistic Director of Anima-Young Singers of Greater Chicago.  

Auditions generally are $5.00.  We will be allowed to send in two auditions total.  The cost for those who are accepted has not yet been determined, however it will probably be in the $60 - $75 range.  All fees are the responsibility of the students/parents.  The audition will be due in early September, so interested students should pick a solo to work on before school starts.  

Kimberlin and Mariah Ruhl each participated in the past, so they would be able to give you a good idea of what it is like.  Interested?  Email me at amurphy@esu6.org.

FCCLA

July 3-8th Kelsey Moore and Becca Vossler represented Nebraska and the Exeter-Milligan FCCLA Chapter at the National FCCLA Conference.  The girls competed in the Applied Technology Division, Senior Category.  Their project subject was "Defend Yourself".  This project consisted of a keynote presentation (powerpoint) which included imovies, digital photos, creation of a webpage on the FCS webpage, links to specific internet resources for self defense, a portfolio presentation and oral presentation.  While at State, they were named State Champions within this division and were awarded gold medals.  At Nationals, the girls competed with many in their division and were awarded a Silver medal.   While in Chicago, the girls were able to see some sites of the "Windy City", enjoy fireworks at Navy Pier, take a "Nebraska" dinner cruise on Lake Michigan and attend the "Gala". 

Congratulations, ladies on a job well done!  We are so very proud of what you have accomplished!

__________________________

Exeter-Milligan Public School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, marital status, disability, or age in admission or access to, or treatment of employment, in its programs and activities.  the following person has/have been designated to handle inquiries regarding complaints, grievance procedures or the application of these policies of nondiscrimination: 

Title:Supt. Paul Sheffield

Address:  Exeter-Milligan Public Schools, Box 139. Exeter, NE  68351

Phone #: (402) 266-5911

VIEW FROM THE FRONT OFFICE

It seems like the older I get, the faster time flies. It feels like summer just started and we are already gearing up for the new school year. However, I would rather have time fly by then to have it drag on.  I always look forward to the start of a new school year.  It is like Christmas (Christmas in August anyway) - new supplies, fresh coats of paint – a new beginning. I will never get tired of the sights and sounds of a new school year.

As we get ready to start the school year, we will experience a few changes that I am very excited about. We welcome 2 new teachers to the Timberwolf family - Casey Pohl will be our 3rd grade teacher and Jamie Ellis will teach 9-12 Language Arts.  We welcome these new teachers to the family and hope everyone will take some time to say hello and welcome them. Chris Lewandowski, 7-12 Social Studies teacher, will see a minor change in his teaching duties.  Chris will still teach a couple of history classes, but will also add technology director to his plate. This may be a daunting task as we embark on our 1 to 1 Laptop Learning Initiative. 

The 1 to 1 Laptop Learning Initiative is a major change we will experience this upcoming school year. Each student in grades 7-12 will be issued a school owned laptop to use as a learning tool to help prepare them for life in the digital 21st century.  This project will help us to create the kind of learning environment this generation of students needs, wants and expects.  We hope to instill into our students the desirable works skills business leaders are looking for: work ethic, collaboration, social responsibility, and critical thinking and problem solving.  We look forward to this project and thank the school board for their financial support and the teachers for their insight into implementing this project.  Most of all, we relish the idea to offer our students a chance to get a leg up and be prepared for life outside of our school walls.

One other new item this year will be a school open house on Friday, August 13th from 5 to 7 PM. This is a time to meet with teachers, students may finalize schedules, and everyone may tour the facility and check out all the building improvements. We are all excited about the upcoming school year and look forward to see how these changes have a positive impact not only on the students but the teachers and communities as well.

Thought for the month:  Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix

                            by Christina Baldwin