"HERD" That...
August 5, 2022
Welcome Back to School...
Welcome to the First Edition of the Elm Creek Public Schools Newsletter for the 2022-2023 School Year. We are so excited to begin this new year with students, staff and patrons.
Love BLUE, Live GOLD
District News
From the Superintendent's Office
Dear Elm Creek Families,
As we prepare for the 2022-2023 academic school year we are excited to welcome you and your children back to our schools. This summer has been a busy and productive one.
Updates on some of the work this summer:
Our maintenance staff have been working hard to have the buildings ready for students' arrival on August 18th. This has included some painting, stripping and recoating both gyms, minor maintenance, and cleaning carpets. A big thanks to them for doing such a great job.
Safety and Crisis - we have been working on our safety and crisis response plan this summer. This year we will spend more time on this area of need including a training August 24th from 3:30 - 5:00 for all staff on Active Shooter. It will be led by our local Sheriff's Department. On Tuesday, August 9th from 1:00 - 6:00 the building will be closed to everyone so the surrounding law enforcement officers can use our facility for their own training on safety and crisis response.
Construction - we are behind schedule a little due to a delay on steel. It will be delivered August 8th and 9th. While there are frustrating moments during this process, I remind myself that we are getting a new school for our students and staff and that is all that matters. I remain excited to see walls go up and can’t wait for the first day when students walk in for the first time.
Personal challenge for myself. This last year we have been finding ways to ensure good communication. This has included regular newsletters, announcements, a redesigned website, and an Elm Creek Schools phone app. Additionally, I am going to try and put out a video at least twice a month highlighting an area of Elm Creek Schools.
This week's video is an update on our construction project. Please click the link to watch the video.
Principal's Notes
August 5, 2022
SECONDARY FAMILIES
Hello Elm Creek Families!
Welcome back students, families, and community members! Excitement is building as we prepare to get students back in the building for school.. I have been impressed with the activity in the building this summer. We have had many students in for lifting, open gyms, camps, and prepping the set for the One Act team. Since this is my first year here, it has provided me with an early opportunity to get to meet many students, staff, and parents. I am thrilled to be on this team and working for your kids and community.
GENERAL INFORMATION AND UPDATES
First, I am the only new staff member on the JH/HS side. I have been a Principal/Assistant Principal for 8 years. My first four years were in Colorado at Revere School District as a K-12 Principal. The last four years I served as an Assistant Principal at Southern Valley. I have also been an Athletic/Activities Director for the last 15 years in Colorado and Nebraska. I am thrilled to be here and get the opportunity to work with this community. I look forward to meeting those of you I have not met yet.
Again, this year we will be on a 7-period day. This allows for increased instructional time in both Math and English. Additionally, students enrolled in science and social studies courses will have some additional time to incorporate John Baylor Test Prep (science classes) and Dave Ramsey “Foundation Personal Finance” content (social studies classes). You will see an elevated emphasis put on ACT Prep moving forward for students in 9th through 11th grade. Our elective classes will continue to be 12 week in length. This allows students to take 9, twelve-week electives throughout the school year. . Please check powerschool with your student to see the courses on their schedule. If you have any scheduling questions, please contact Mr. Revelo (bernardo.revelo@elmcreekschools.org) with them.
We will host an Open House on Wednesday, August 17th from 5:00 to 6:30. Our first day of school is Thursday, August 18th beginning at 8:00 AM ending at 3:25 PM. At the Open House, please plan to fill out all district forms for the 22-23 school year, check out chromebooks, tour the building to find lockers and classrooms, and sign up for activities tickets if you so desire. We are looking forward to having you all back in our school for this event.
ACTIVITIES UPDATES
Information night for fall activities (CC, FB, and VB) will be on Tuesday, August 9th at 6:30 PM. Reminder that all physical forms and medical release forms need to be turned in prior to practice on August 8th. Conditioning week begins the week of August 1st and the first official week of practice begins on August 8th.
Click on the sport below for a schedule that you can save and reference for the season
The first day of school is August 18th. Doors will open at 7:30 AM daily. Students will be served breakfast from 7:30 AM to 7:50 AM. We will not be letting students in the building prior to 7:30 so please do not drop them off prior to that time. The school day will conclude at 3:25 this year for all grades. There will be morning supervision of the locker areas again this year. Students who need to drop off bags for PE or sports will be allowed access to do so. We are working to develop a team approach to supervision which allows our students and staff the ability to feel safe and secure.
Mr. Revelo and I will plan to meet with each grade level (7-12) on the first day. We will discuss student schedules, address concerns that students may have, ways that both he and I can support students throughout the year, and describe some basic student expectations for our student body.
We are working on scheduling Fall Sports Picture Day and will get that information out to all of you. It will be the week of August 8th sometime. We just need to finalize it.
I hope you all enjoy the rest of your summer break! It’s going to be a great year!!
Mr. Marquez
ELEMENTARY FAMILIES
Hello Elm Creek Elementary Families,
Welcome back to the 2022-2023 school year! We hope you have enjoyed your summer break! We look forward to the students filling the hallways again! To ensure a great start for each child, the staff and I have spent time analyzing student performance data, identifying successful strategies for teaching and reaffirming our commitment to make our school an environment that reflects high expectations and opportunities for our students. Our PBIS Team spent time this summer looking over our current practices and procedures and preparing for another great year! The PBIS Team is excited to use our new app to highlight our students!
Our custodial team has done an exceptional job in preparing the building, so we are able to open our doors to staff and students. The office staff has been busy registering new students and organizing our students’ records. We are all committed to the education and success of each child and look forward to developing or continuing a strong partnership between home and school. It is an honor to serve the Elm Creek community! Please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have prior to the school year!
Please read below for important information regarding Open House and other beginning of the year items.
I look forward to an amazing year together!
Go Buffaloes!
New Staff:
We are excited to welcome our new staff members!
Miakayla Almanza- 2nd Grade Teacher
Brooke Griss- Kindergarten Teacher
Classroom Postcards:
Your child should receive a postcard with your child’s teacher's name around August 1st . If you do not receive a postcard by then, please contact the main office to discover this information.
Open House:
We will host an Open House for K-6th grade students on Wednesday, August 17th from 5:00 to 6:30. At the Open House, please plan to fill out all district forms for the 22-23 school year. Please leave the paperwork at the main office or with your child’s teacher. It is helpful to have this information the first week of school! During this time, please find your child’s teacher's classroom and tour the building. You will find out more information about your child’s classroom and the school year at this time.
At the Open House there will be several booths set up in the cafeteria. Please stop by the booths to learn more about our programs at Elm Creek Public Schools.
School Picture Booth:
There will be a booth that will display examples of school pictures and purchasing options. School pictures are scheduled for Thursday, September 8th.
Transportation Booth:
If your child is planning to ride the bus, please stop by and visit Mrs. Stone during Open House!
Preschool Start Date and Open House :
Our preschool program will begin Wednesday, August 24th. The morning class will begin at 8:00-11:15. Mrs. Sullivan and Mrs. Graddy will be available at 7:45am by the elementary doors located close to the preschool. Preschool students will be dropped off and picked up at these doors for both morning and afternoon sessions. The afternoon class will begin from 11:50-3:25.
Preschool Open House will take place on Tuesday, August 23rd from 5:30 to 6:30. Please bring your child to check out the preschool classroom!
New this Year- Dismissal Time:
Just a reminder that our PK-12 students will be dismissed at 3:25 on a daily basis.
First Day of School:
Our first day of school is Thursday, August 18th and it will begin at 8:00 AM and complete at 3:25 PM. The first day entrance will look different than the rest of the school days. ALL teachers K-6 will meet their class outside on the playground and sidewalk. Teachers will walk their students up to the classroom on the first day only! Please have your child report outside the elementary (playground area) to meet his or her teacher to kick off the school year together! This will only be the report area for the first day! Students who eat breakfast will have help finding their classrooms.
Students will enter by the buffalo and exit by the elementary playground for the rest of the school year!
Doors Open and Breakfast:
Doors will open at 7:30 AM daily. Students will be served breakfast from 7:30 AM to 7:50 AM. Supervision and breakfast served will be available at 7:30am. The doors will remain locked until 7:30 AM.
Specials Rotations:
All students K-6 will participate in a variety of special courses throughout the week. We are excited to continue our technology class taught by Mr. Bauer for all students. Students will also continue to rotate to physical education, music, and art. Our 4th, 5th and 6th grade students will now be rotating to band during the special rotations. This will allow for more band instruction time. Mr. Revelo will continue to visit all classrooms on a weekly basis!
4th, 5th and 6th Grade:
Our 4th grade is now part of the departmentalized sections on our third floor. Your child’s teachers were listed on the postcard. PLEASE NOTE…Your child will get their schedule of classes and when to rotate when you come to the open house!
Volunteers:
We would love you to volunteer at Elm Creek Public Schools! Volunteer opportunities include helping students in small groups, assisting the teacher in the classroom, etc. Look for a form at the Open House to join our list of volunteers!
We are so excited to welcome you back to school! We hope you enjoy the rest of your summer!
Mrs. Williams
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OPEN HOUSE AUGUST 17TH @ 5-6:30 PM
What do I need to bring for Open House?
- Your student to pick up computer and/or to see classrooms
- Updated Shot Records (if you have a Kindergartener, 7th Grader or Recently got shots)
- Certified Birth Certificate (if we don't have one on file)
- Physicals (Kindergarteners, 7th grade and Sports)
- $ for Computer Use Fees/Family Passes
- Items that are too bulky to bring on the first day. (Kleenex, Clorox Wipes, etc...)
We have the BEST Janitors
We are thankful for our
~Janitorial Crew~
Thanks to Dave Kottich, Ron Goad and John Clark for making our school a SUPER place to be!
PHYSICALS NEEDED
All Kindergarten and 7th Graders must submit a physical.
All Athletes 8-12th grade must have a physical submitted prior 8/9/2021.
If you do not have a physical completed and turned in you can not practice until one is turned in to our office.
Physicals can be faxed to 308-856-4300
Or Emailed to chris.shoff@elmcreekschools.org
Love BLUE....Live GOLD
Mission Statement
Elm Creek School District's mission is to... Educate all students based on high educational standards. Support a safe environment that welcomes diversity and mutual respect among adults and students. Prepare all students, in cooperation with staff, family and community, to be well-rounded contributing members of society.
Notice of Non-Discrimination
The Elm Creek Public School District hereby gives this statement of compliance and intends to comply with all state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination. This school district intends to take any necessary measures to assure compliance with such laws against any prohibited form of discrimination.
Elementary Students: Terah Williams, Principal, 230 East Calkins Ave., Elm Creek, NE 68836, (308) 856-4953, terah.williams@elmcreekschools.org
Secondary Students: Brandon Marquez, Principal, 230 East Calkins Ave., Elm Creek, NE 68836, (308) 856-4300, brandon.marquez@elmcreekschools.org
Employees and Others: Dr. Bret Schroder, Superintendent 230 East Calkins Ave., Elm Creek, NE 68836, (308) 856-4300, bret.schroder@elmcreekschools.org
Elm Creek Schools
Dr. Bret Schroder, Superintendent.
Brandon Marquez, Secondary Principal
Terah Williams, Elementary Principal
Newsletter Publisher
Chris Shoff
Questions, Comments or ideas for future newsletter articles...
email: chris.shoff@elmcreekschools.org
Email: chris.shoff@elmcreekschools.org
Website: https://www.elmcreekschools.org/
Location: Elm Creek Public School, 230 E Calkins Ave, Elm Creek, NE 68836, USA
Phone: 308-856-4300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElmCreekBuffs
Twitter: @ElmCreekBuffs