The RPS Weekly Message

Ralston Public Schools is pleased to announce Dr. Aaron Bredenkamp as the new Assistant Superintendent of Business. He will begin work in his new position in Ralston on/about July 1st, when Mr. Buckingham takes over as Superintendent. We are excited to welcome Dr. Bredenkamp to the Ram Family.

Dr. Bredenkamp received his Doctorate in Education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He is currently an Educational Consultant for Educational Service Unit #3 (ESU#3), providing support, assistance, guidance, coaching, and consultation to 18 school districts. His specialty is in the areas of MTSS and CIP.

Before his time at ESU#3, Dr. Bredenkamp was an Assistant Principal at Westside High School for three years. He managed building maintenance, furniture and equipment, several of the school’s budgets, and construction projects worth $1.5 million.

Throughout his 18 years in education, he has served as a Dean of Students and mathematics teacher for Westside Community Schools, taught data analysis and statistics at Columbia College in Chicago, was a math teacher for Chicago Public Schools, and was a Teaching Ambassador for the U.S. Department of Education.

Tonight is the District Vocal Music Festival at Ralston High School. Starting at 7:00 pm, you will be able to see student performances from Ralston Middle School, Ralston High School, the Sixth Grade Chorus, and Sixth Dimension.

The District Band Festival is Tuesday, March 7th, starting at 7:00 pm at Ralston High School. This event brings together all the band students to perform for each other and their families. Scholarship presentations will also be presented to some RHS senior band students.

You don’t want to miss either festival!

Mark your calendars! Ralston High School will host its monthly food distribution on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. This event is in partnership with the Food Bank of the Heartland.

Families can start to line up in the Ralston High School main parking lot at 4:00 pm. The food distribution starts at 5:00 pm and concludes at 6:00 pm. The address for Ralston High School is 8969 Park Drive.

Ralston High School volunteers will direct individuals on where to park and help with the food distribution.

The final day to submit option enrollment paperwork for students entering kindergarten through the twelfth grade in Ralston Public Schools for the 2023-2024 school year is Wednesday, March 15, 2023. The Administration Office is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours to serve those turning in their paperwork.

Each week in Ram Recognition, Ralston Public Schools will highlight some good news happening across the District.

Help us congratulate members of the Ralston High School swim and dive team who recently competed at the Nebraska State Championships held at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln.

Freshman Madelyn Vukov competed for the Rams on the Dive Team and placed 16th overall in the competition. Members of the swim team fiercely competed at the State Championships. The 200 free relay team (Olivia Persing, Alivia Aerni, Josey Fink & Maria Connealy) finished with a time of 1:49.29. Olivia Persing finished her race in the 200 freestyle with a time of 2:05.60 & Josey Fink finished with a time of 5:45.13 in the 500 freestyle. Way to go Rams!

This week is Read Across America Week in Ralston Public Schools. This week focuses on encouraging young students to celebrate reading and encourage reading for people of all ages. Our buildings have had lots of fun theme days and additional reading opportunities for students. Please check out all the fun pictures below. For additional photos and information on theme days and activities, visit your student’s school’s Facebook page.

At the February 27th Board of Education Meeting, the District celebrated Board of Education Recognition Week. Each elementary school adopted a Board Member and created thank you cards, posters, and poems for each member.

Ralston Middle School Skilled and Technical Science 7th and 8th-grade students presented Board members with hand crafted wooden pens. The LEGO League team from Ralston Middle School provided a presentation about their competition and then gave each Board member a LEGO trophy. Ralston High School Graphic Arts student Mia Dziurawiec created a “Thank You” graphic with fun interpretations of the Ram and Ralston “R” Apple logos.

The Ralston High School Jazz Band and RUSH Show Choir kicked off the celebration with some amazing performances.

Thank you so much to Ms. Roarty, Mrs. Richards, Mrs. Kumru, Mrs. Willey, Mrs. Hough, and Dr. Harley for your passion, dedication, and service to Ralston Public Schools students, staff, families, and community!