Dear EHS Parents,

As we move into the start of the Second Quarter, I find it a great time to reflect on our strong start to the 24-25 school year, and my excitement for the months ahead. I continue to be impressed by the character and determination of our students as well as their balancing of activities, curriculum, volunteering, work, and more. Their positive outlook and relentless work ethic is a testament to their families and a great indicator of their success down the road. The season ahead is challenging: semester finals, the winter season, demanding classes, and the like. Just the same, their diligence is inspiring and this perseverance will serve them well when they leave the halls of EHS.

On our end, EHS counselors and administration will be checking our students’ grades with a mid-quarter grade progress report and talking with our students daily who are struggling academically. We will continue to serve our students with many opportunities that will help them become the adults they aspire to be. Our goal is a well-rounded educational experience with a focus on academic rigor - and our staff as well as your support at home will help them to navigate this.

I am frequently reminded there is much to celebrate here at EHS. Here is a very quick list of accomplishment from our first quarter:

-EHS Senior Maureen Kubicek was named a National Merit Commended Scholar!

-EHS Marching Antlers competed at NSBA State on 10/26!

-The EHS Auditorium renovation is almost complete! We look forward to concerts and shows this winter and spring.

-Volleyball and Softball seasons wrapped up in district tournament play

-Football plays Friday 11/1 in the first round of the state playoffs!

-11 EHS All State Band and Choir students perform November 21st-22nd in Lincoln!

-Strong showing at Girls and Boys State Cross Country

-Strong finish to the Boys Tennis and Girls Golf seasons

-Unified Bowling started its season with two events at Bowlero bowling alley!

On Friday, 11/8, EHS will recognize students on the Honor Roll for Quarter 1 at EHS as well as our Elkhorn Excellence Winners (students nominated for character and grit by staff) with Elkhorn Excellence t-shirts provided by the EPS Foundation. The EPS Foundation supports our mission by recognizing students for academic success and helping with classroom grants, scholarships and partial subsidizing of AP Tests.

We have much to be grateful for. These successes did not happen by accident. They were achieved through collective vision, effort and commitment of staff, students and parents. Clearly, we all have the same goals in mind- excellence in everything we do. I appreciate your support of everything at Elkhorn High. I challenge students and staff to stave off the fatigue, and encourage others to do the same. Focus on what we can control and look for opportunities to serve others.

To this end, students will soon begin their initial interest surveys for courses in the 2025-2026 school year. The topic of rigor and college preparedness has been frequently discussed this quarter. Periodically, I hear the conversation framed in a manner of “what students will need for college”. When engaged in this conversation with students, parents or colleagues, I often respond with some questions, “Can the student honestly state that he/she has done everything possible to be prepared for college? Have they taken advantage of rigorous levels of curriculum in order to prepare for college?” Clearly, I want our students to be successful in college and in life and have a vested interest in their future. Thus, I would contend it is far better for students to be challenged to their utmost potential in high school, where they have built-in support systems of caring parents and educators at their side. I believe that as educators, we are morally obligated to ensure that our students are prepared for life after high school. I fear that if students leave here without being challenged and find their first real academic challenges in college, they will struggle in isolation, away from caring adults, and become overwhelmed. Our guidance department, teachers, and administrators will continue to encourage our students to take the rigorous coursework in preparation for college. We look forward to continued conversations with our parents and students regarding college preparedness. I would encourage all of our parents to thoughtfully promote their students to take the most rigorous courses possible during all four years of their high school career.

Thank you for your continued support of EHS, and Go Antlers!

Upcoming Dates:

F 11/8: Honor Roll and Elkhorn Excellence during TA

T 11/26: Junior Practice ACT during School; ALL STUDENTS attend school this day

W-F 11/27-29: Thanksgiving Break: note - no school on Wednesday 11/27

M 12/2: EPS Foundation Scholarship Applications open for Seniors (over $400,000+ to EPS Seniors Annually)

F 12/6: Red Cross Blood Drive hosted by EHS National Honor Society. Visit RedCrossBlood.org, enter: EHSAntlers to schedule an appointment which run from 7 am - 1 pm.

Th-F 12/19-12/20: Fall Semester Finals - Students are not permitted to take finals early - please contact me with any questions.

F 1/3: Teacher in-service

M 1/20: Teacher in-service

Have a great weekend and November!

Mark Schroeder

Riley Hacker (freshman) and Kendal Greenquist(Elkhorn Middle 8th grader) were able to attend a 3 day event at UNO called Code Crush. They learned about all things regarding emerging tech, and won first place in a team coding competition against 28 other girls from the Metro! Way to go girls!

Nov. 21- Practice ACT for 11th graders, regular school day for 9th, 10th, 12th graders.

Nov. 27, 28 & 29- NO SCHOOL, Thanksgiving Break

Dec. 1- Deadline to purchase senior tributes in the yearbook

Dec. 19 & 20- Semester finals STUDENTS MUST BE IN ATTENDANCE. End of 2nd Quarter

Dec. 23-Jan 3- Winter Break

Jan. 20- NO SCHOOL, Teacher In-Service

Feb. 11 & 12- Parent Teacher Conferences, dismissal at 2:20 p.m. & Conferences 4:30 - 8:00 p.m.

Feb. 13- NO SCHOOL, Teacher In-Service

Feb. 14- NO SCHOOL

Mar. 13- End of 3rd Quarter

Mar. 14-21- NO SCHOOL, Spring Break

Apr. 9- ACT for 11th graders, Pre ACT for 9th and 10th graders

April 12 - Prom

Apr. 18- NO SCHOOL, Teacher In-Service

May 14- Seniors’ last day & graduation rehearsal in the afternoon

May 14- Senior Honors Night at 7:00 p.m., in the auditorium

May 18- EHS Graduation 12:00 p.m., Elkhorn Public Schools Stadium

May 22 & 23- Semester finals STUDENTS MUST BE IN ATTENDANCE

The Elkhorn Public School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, disability, race (including skin color, hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion, veteran status, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, sexual orientation or gender identity, or other protected status in its programs. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination Policies: Students: Anne Doerr, Executive Director of Student Services, 20650 Glenn Street (402) 289-2579,(adoerr@epsne.org). Employees and Others: Don Pechous, Executive Director of Personnel, 20650 Glenn Street (402) 289-2579, (dpechous@epsne.org). Complaints or concerns involving discrimination or needs for accommodation or access should be addressed to the appropriate Coordinator. For further information about anti-discrimination laws and regulations, or to file a complaint of discrimination, contact the OCR at One Petticoat Lane, 1010 Walnut Street, 3rd Floor, Suite 320, Kansas City, Missouri 64106, (816) 268-0550 (voice), Fax (816) 268-0599, (800) 877-8339 (telecommunications device for the deaf), or ocr.kansascity@ed.gov.