Roughrider District News

As spring approaches, we want to remind you of important upcoming events and assessments at our school. Our students will be participating in various district and state assessments, which are crucial for measuring student progress and helping us improve our educational programs. Specifically, students in grades 3-8 will be taking the NSCAS tests, which are state assessments covering English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science for grades 5 and 8. These tests measure how well students are meeting state academic standards and are an important part of our educational framework.

Additionally, sophomores will be taking the PreACT, while juniors will take the ACT. These tests are valuable tools for college readiness and future planning. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of these assessments. Please remind them to try their best on each test, as this will provide teachers and administrators with accurate data to review and inform instruction. This data helps us tailor our educational programs to better meet the needs of all students, ensuring they receive the best possible education. Our school improvement process is a vital part of our educational framework, involving continuous analysis of data, goal setting, plan development, strategy implementation, and progress monitoring. This process allows us to refine our teaching methods and curriculum, ensuring that every student is provided with educational opportunities.

It's extremely important that students maintain regular attendance during this period, as absences can impact learning and test preparation. We understand that spring brings many extracurricular activities, but we ask for your diligence in prioritizing school attendance whenever possible.

To keep up with all the exciting events happening this spring, please regularly check the school calendar for updates on activities, concerts, meets, and field trips. We also want to extend our best wishes to all our spring sports teams and activity groups as they begin their competitions. We wish them the best of luck and look forward to seeing their hard work and dedication pay off.

As a reminder, please use Infinite Campus to stay informed about your child's academic progress. You can check for attendance, grades, missing assignments, and lunch account activity. This will help you stay updated on your child's performance and ensure they are on track academically.

We appreciate your support in making this spring a successful and enriching time for all our students at Southwest Public Schools.

Drew Billeter, Superintendent

Southwest Public Schools

Celebrations from March:

March flew by so fast! We are amazed at how quickly the school year is passing. March was filled with a lot of exciting events and celebrations! We kicked off the month with Kindergarten Orientation, where parents learned about the transition from preschool to Kindergarten. Students met their teachers and enjoyed fun activities that got them excited about starting school.

Our 5th-grade students had a special day in Curtis, where they participated in Farm Safety Day. It was an educational experience, teaching them valuable lessons about farm safety and the importance of being aware of their surroundings.

We also celebrated Read Across America week and Dr. Seuss’s birthday! Students participated in a variety of activities to celebrate reading and many of our favorite books and authors. It was a week full of fun and reading!

To finish off March, we’re looking forward to hosting our Family Literacy Night on March 31st from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. This event is packed with exciting activities, including the Scholastic Book Fair, Book Bingo, a Book Walk, and much more! It’s a “come and go” event, so families can drop in at their convenience and enjoy the festivities. We can’t wait to see all of our elementary students and their families there!

Coming in April:

April promises to be a busy and eventful month! Students will be completing MAP Growth assessments and NSCAS state assessments. There will also be field trips, preparations for the music contest, and many other exciting learning opportunities!

A few important dates to note:

• April 7th: No preschool classes as the early childhood team attends Pyramid Model training at ESU 15.

• April 8th: Our 5th-grade students will visit the Jr/Sr High for Transition Day. They’ll tour the building, meet current 6th graders, learn about school procedures, and enjoy lunch before returning to the elementary school for dismissal.

• April 10th: There will be no school for students, as teachers will participate in professional development for School Improvement.

• April 16th: We’ll have a 10:00 AM late start, allowing teachers time to work in their professional learning communities.

• April 18th and 21st: There will be no school in observance of the Easter holiday.

As always, we are grateful for your continued partnership and support. Thank you for being such an important part of our school community!

Warm regards,
Tara Fries
Elementary Principal

Sixth Grade Orientation - April 8th

We are excited to announce that the current 5th grade students will be visiting the high school on April 8th for a special orientation day. During their visit, the students will:

• Enjoy lunch in the high school cafeteria

• Take a tour of the building

• Meet some of their teachers for the upcoming school year

• Have the opportunity to ask questions and get to know their new school environment

That evening, at 6:30 PM, we will host a 5th Grade Parent Meeting in the library. This meeting will provide parents with valuable information about the transition to middle school. Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Hyke, and Mr. Springer will be available to answer any questions parents may have.

We look forward to welcoming the students and their families as we begin this exciting journey into middle school!

We are now in our last month and a half, and things are busy around the school. The students have been competing in interscholastic competitions. These are competitions that allow our students to show how much they have learned in their academic classes. Students may also win scholarships to various college institutions if they perform well on the test.

This year our students were tested in academic areas with the use of the maps test. The students have taken the MAPS test for the second time this year. Those results will be used to determine student progress and identify areas of weakness with individual students. This information can then be processed to help teachers design lessons to target the areas students need to improve. Our overall test scores this year showed some improvements. I feel that with our great staff working with the kids we have been able to ensure the students are steadily improving.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call the office so we can get you in contact with the person to help answer your questions.

Matt Springer

JH/SH Principal

I would like to thank everyone who has helped with the quiz bowls this year! We will host our final QB (ESU 15 Junior High Quiz Bowl) on April 7th here at the High School. Without all of the staff who so generously donates their time, hosting these quiz bowls would not be possible! THANK YOU!!

Peg Rice

Seniors:

Scholarships:

Seniors can access scholarship applications at www.swpschools.org

Hover over the Jr. Sr. High School tab at the top

Go to the bottom of the selection and choose “Senior Scholarships”

Click the google link.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tUvMVTpzKq3umttYJmzwmBM64aNEs60AOFPMJARU_jQ/edit?gid=0#gid=0

*The spreadsheet is organized by monthly due dates so be sure to look at the months in advance, so you have time to fill the applications out before the due date. This is updated as I receive scholarships throughout the year.

*The scholarships highlighted in red are not updated and the scholarships highlighted in green are always open and have differing due dates so be sure to look back on these frequently.

Seniors wanting to improve their ACT scores can take it through February to use on their college and scholarship applications.

FAFSA:

Reminder to ALL seniors, as of this year the State of Nebraska requires the FAFSA to be completed before you graduate (it is a graduation requirement). If you plan on not attending college or do not plan on using student loans to pay for college you MUST fill out an exemption form before graduation. These forms are found in Mr. Schake’s office.

Sophomores:

You will be taking the Pre-ACT April 9th for the first half of school in the Library. It will be at no cost to the student and will be on paper and pencil. This is used to help test where students knowledge is prior to the ACT, as well as to give students the opportunity to see how the ACT will feel like.

We have a lot going on in music during April!

On Saturday, April 5, we will participate in the 5-8 Music Contest in Arapahoe. A few 5th graders will be performing solos and/or small groups. The 6-8 grade band and 6-8 grade choir will perform, along with various solos and small groups.

The following weekend, on Saturday, April 12, there will be 17 junior high students performing in the Holdrege Honor Band and Honor Choir. Those students in band are: Izzy Donvito, percussion; Aiden Guilliams, percussion; Jace Jensen, percussion; Ava Martin, flute; Makenlee Thomas, flute; Alexis Cornwell, flute; Ava Rucker, alto saxophone; Ella Hyke, trumpet; Jaxon Porter, trumpet; Ruby Jarmin, trumpet; Hunter Halloran, trombone; Kali Kurkowski, baritone; and Sophia Glass, baritone. Those students in choir are: Faith Neel, Alex Perales, Ellyana Walkington, and Alivia Cure. I’m sure they will have a wonderful learning experience that day!

On Tuesday, April 15, we will have our 6-12 Spring Concert at 7:00 in the high school auditorium, where we will be showcasing our contest music. It will be an evening full of beautiful music.

On Friday, April 25, the high school band and choir will be in Imperial for District Music Contest. We have a lot of solos and small groups performing, showing off how talented our students are!

It’s a busy month, but it’s full of wonderful performances and opportunities for the students.

At the elementary school, Southwest Health Department will be here along with a dental hygienist on April 1. The dental hygenist will provide a dental check, fluoride varnish, and dental sealants if needed. Parental consent is needed for your child to participate in this event. We love our Polish Your Pearls event, and the kids always seem to enjoy learning how to brush their teeth and how to fight cavities! Please make sure you return the consent forms, even if you do not wish your child to participate.

At the high school, we have a couple things coming up!

First, on April 7th, Red Willow County Health Department will be assisting with our annual high school health screenings. Our health screening includes vision, hearing, dental, blood pressure, height and weight checks. All students in grades 6-11 are screened. If your child has any concerns noted, you will receive a letter in the mail indicating any recommendations for follow-up. If you choose, you may opt your child out of this screening event. Please email me at janette.nelms@swpschool.org if you do not want your child to participate.

Next, on May 6, McCook Clinic healthcare providers and physical therapists will be coming to our high school and will be offering a free sports physicals donated by the McCook Clinic. A yearly sports physical is required for all students who are planning on participating in cheerleading, golf, volleyball, football, basketball, swim, wrestling, and track in the 25-26 seasons. This service is optional, and you and your student may choose to have a sports physical completed at a provider of your choice. A sports physical form will be mailed to all students at Southwest in current grades 7-11. For your student to participate, the physical must be filled out and signed by both the student and the parent/guardian, and must be returned to the school.

Finally, a reminder that all incoming 7th graders (current 6th grade students) must have a state mandated 7th grade physical completed by a healthcare practioner and updated Tdap (vaccination) prior to the first day of 25/26 school year. I recommend scheduling with your primary healthcare practitioner now and to avoid the late summer rush and scheduling difficulties! If you would object to these state mandated physical and/or vaccination requirements, please email me and I will send you forms to opt out: janette.nelms@swpschools.org

On a ending note, I am sad to inform you that this is my last year as Southwest Public School Nurse. I have enjoyed my role as school nurse, and love seeing your kids smiling faces at school. Thank you for sharing them with me, and allowing me to provide band-aids and ice packs with some of their more difficult moments. I truly will miss them all, but it is time for me to move in a different professional direction! I want to thank Southwest Public Schools for allowing me a chance at this role and for being just an overall great place for me to work and students to learn! We are sure blessed wtih an amazing school district!

Janette Nelms, RN

Southwest Public School Nurse

Board of Education Meeting

Southwest Public Schools

District 179

March 10, 2025

President Jason Neseth called the regular meeting of the Southwest Public Schools Board of Education to order at 7:30 p.m. on March 10, 2025 at the Southwest Junior-Senior High School in Bartley.

Present: Jennifer McConville, Derek Meyers, Jason Neseth, Brooke Brooks, Duane Teter, Superintendent Drew Billeter, Principals Matt Springer and Tara Fries, and Patricia Smith.

Absent: John O’Dea.

Visitors: Sagan Carman-Downer, Stacy Wilson, Alyssa Garrett, Hillery Kennedy, and Mindy Haag.

President Neseth observed Open Meeting Law requirements.

Moved by McConville, seconded by Brooks, to excuse absent board member, John O’Dea. Ayes: Neseth, McConville, Brooks, Teter, and Meyers. Nays: None. Absent: O’Dea. Motion carried.

Moved by Teter, seconded by Meyers, to approve the board meeting agenda as presented. Ayes: Meyers, McConville, Neseth, Teter, and Brooks. Nays: None. Absent: O’Dea. Motion carried.

Notices of the meeting were posted at the Adams Bank and Trust in Indianola, the Stockmens Bank Bartley Branch, Post Offices in Bartley and Indianola, Southwest Elementary School in Indianola, Southwest Junior-Senior High School in Bartley, and published in the Valley Voice newspaper and on the school website. Notice of the meeting was given in advance to all members prior to the meeting date.

John O’Dea arrived at the meeting at 7:37 p.m.

Moved by McConville, seconded by Brooks, to approve the minutes of the February 10, 2025 Board Meeting. Ayes: Teter, Brooks, Meyers, McConville, and Neseth. Nays: None. Abstained: O’Dea. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Moved by Teter, seconded by McConville, to approve the claims as presented. Ayes: McConville, Meyers, Brooks, Teter, O’Dea, and Neseth. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

The treasurer’s report was presented to the Board.

Moved by O’Dea, seconded by Teter, to approve the teacher contract for Sergio Alarcon as a math instructor at the junior-senior high school. Ayes: O’Dea, Neseth, Brooks, Teter, Meyers, and McConville. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Moved by Teter, seconded by O’Dea, to approve the 2025-2026 bus driver rates at $65.00 per route and the activity trip hourly wage will remain at $18.00 per hour. Ayes: O’Dea, Teter, Meyers, Neseth, Brooks, and McConville. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Moved by O’Dea, seconded by Teter, to approve the bid by Unitech to refinish the gym floors in the summer of 2025 for $4,740.00. Ayes: O’Dea, Meyers, Brooks, Neseth, Teter, and McConville. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Moved by O’Dea, seconded by Meyers, to approve the quote in the amount of $4,956.00 from K-C Motor and Electric to install lighting controls at the Southwest Junior-Senior High School. Ayes: O’Dea, Teter, Meyers, Brooks, Neseth, and McConville. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Superintendent Billeter reported on the resignation of District Nurse Janette Nelms and have contacted the Red Willow County Health Department for a contracted services proposal for the 2025-2026 school year. The additional security cameras have been installed at both buildings, and the claim damage on the elementary roof is awaiting a decision from ALICAP, the district’s insurance company. Advertising for the head maintenance position, to be vacated this summer, has begun; and surplus vehicles will be auctioned by Kris Schaffert at Adam Marshall Auction on April 8th. The district met local special education costs via maintenance of effort for the 2023-2024 school year.

Principal Fries reported on kindergarten orientation, notification of 2025-2026 preschool attendees and possibility of updating the board policy for determining the selection of preschool attendees, and the implementation of a buddy system to prepare preschool students for kindergarten.

Principal Springer reported on the testing schedule at the junior-senior high school, and the process of determining a 2025-2026 class schedule. Grade Six student and parent orientation will be scheduled.

Moved by O’Dea, seconded by McConville, to adjourn the meeting at 8:26 p.m. Ayes: O’Dea, Teter, McConville, Neseth, Meyers, and Brooks. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Agenda for meetings will be kept continually current and available for public inspection in the office of the Superintendent.

The next regular board meeting will be held on Monday, April 14, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. at the Southwest Junior-Senior High School in Bartley.