April Newsletter
Fillmore Central Public Schools
District News
Mr. Cumpston
We have had a great year so far and we are looking forward to all of the things that we have coming up this spring. One of our big events will be the musical Beauty and the Beast. Please watch for more information about tickets and dates. We hope to see you at some of our events!
We continue to work with BVH Architecture. Currently they are helping us with master planning for our district’s current and future facility needs. If you have been following things, we had asked them to do a facility audit of all of our district’s buildings including the elementary school, middle school, high school, and downtown gym. They had architects and engineers go through all of our buildings and mechanical systems. They looked in classrooms, storage rooms, offices, and mechanical rooms in an effort to help us understand our buildings’ physical conditions.
At the same time, they sought input from staff through surveys, a heat mapping exercise that helped to identify areas of the building that were in good or poor condition, and met with each building’s staff to ask questions and to get feedback. They used this information to look at the educational alignment of our spaces currently and in the near future. They put all of this information together to help give each building a score.
The facility audit and educational alignment combined score will help the board strategically plan budgets and spending in the future. As needs have been identified through the facility audit and educational alignment, the board is working with BVH to come up with solutions in the master planning process. We have already had one community meeting on February 28th and there will be another meeting on April 10th at the middle school in Fairmont at 7pm. We’d love to have you join us to learn more.
We continue to have a need for Bus Drivers. We would love to add two more full time drivers for our morning and afternoon routes and shuttles. Our morning route drivers begin about 6:15 a.m. and end about 8:15 a.m. Our afternoon route drivers begin about 2:45 p.m. and end about 5 p.m. These positions’ starting pay is $24.88 an hour next year. Although we’d love to have drivers that can do both a morning and afternoon route, we would also work with someone that could only drive in the morning or in the afternoon. Activity or field trip driving would be optional for our route drivers. Contact Jac Marchand at (308) 627-0195 if you have any questions to see what it would take to become a Fillmore Central Bus Driver.
Traffic Signal Light Crossing: If your child crosses 13th street to and from the high school there is a traffic signal button on the north side of L street they can push to stop traffic. Please remind your children of this safety feature as we want everyone to be safe crossing the road.
State Speech Medalist
Annika placed 3rd in Poetry at State Speech in Kearney, on March 21st. Congratulations on a great season!
Cumpston's Corner
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The kindergarten classes completed their Jobs unit today by parading around the school dressed as what they would like to be when they grow up.
Elementary
Mr. Veleba
UPCOMING ELEMENTARY EVENTS
April 1st, No School
April 2nd, Presentation by the York Children’s Theater
April 3rd, 1:05 Early Dismissal
April 9th-11th, 3rd and 4th Grade ELA NSCAS Testing
April 17th, 2023-2024 K Parent Meeting @ 6:00pm
April 23rd-25th, 3rd and 4th Grade Math NSCAS Testing
April 25th, 3rd to Grand Island, 4th to Lincoln
April 26th, Earth Day Clean Up
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
The entire elementary staff is proud of our parents for taking such an active role in their child’s education. Your involvement and support increases positive educational outcomes for your child. We had 90% of our elementary parents attend the March parent-teacher conferences.
Other ways to be involved with your child’s education include:
§ coming for lunch
§ asking about homework
§ reviewing homework with your child
§ volunteering in your child’s classroom
§ going on a field trip
§ contacting your child’s teacher by e-mail, phone, or note.
4th GRADE TRANSITION TO THE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Transition activities are being planned to help our current 4th grade students experience a smooth transition to the middle school campus. Ms. Keenan, the guidance counselor for Kindergarten through 7th grade, will escort 4th graders to the Middle School this spring. Activities including a tour, opportunities to meet teachers, eat lunch, and question-answer sessions are planned.
PROUD PANTHER NIGHT
On the evening of Monday, May13th , Fillmore Central Elementary will be hosting PROUD PANTHER NIGHT. Activities for the night include: Student work showcased in their classrooms, free hot dog meal, and an end of the year recognition assembly. More detailed information will be going home with students.
CLASS ROSTERS FOR 2024-2025
The principal, school counselor, and classroom teachers develop the class rosters for the following year. Parent requests for particular teachers are not accepted, but information pertaining to your child will be considered. This information must be given to Aaron Veleba, Elementary Principal, in writing, on or before Monday, April 15th.
Creating class lists requires time and consideration. For example, Student A is a leader; Student B is reading above grade level; Student C thrives in a nurturing environment; Student D has a learning disability; Student E is an excellent math student. Development in all areas: academic, physical, social, and emotional is considered when we build class rosters.
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION for 2024-2025
Kindergarten registration for the 2024-2025 school year began in February. A packet of information was sent to parents of children considered age eligible for kindergarten (5 by July 31st, 2024). If you have not registered your kindergarten aged child for the 2024-2025 school year, or if you did not receive a packet of information, please call the school, 402-759-3184.
KINDERGARTEN PARENT MEETING
There will be a Kindergarten Parent Meeting for parents of 2024-2025 Kindergarten students, on Wednesday, April 17th at 6:00 p.m. in the elementary school music room. All parents of incoming Kindergarten students are encouraged to attend. Even if you are still undecided as to whether to send your child to school in August, we still encourage you to attend this meeting. Information presented at this meeting may help you decide, and you also will have the opportunity to ask questions. Items to be discussed at this meeting include:
· Introduction of Staff
· Review of medical requirements (immunizations, physical, vision)
· “K” curriculum
· Complete necessary paperwork
· Answer questions and tour the school
One request
In order to avoid any possible confusion, and due to the need for parents’ undivided attention, please do not bring your child(ren) to the parent meeting. Supervision will be provided in the gym during the parent meeting.
BLUE VALLEY COMMUNITY ACTION – HEAD START
Head Start is now enrolling children for the fall of 2024. Head Start is for children from 0-5 years of age. Head Start serves children and families by providing varied experiences and opportunities that develop school readiness. If you have any questions please contact Mercedes Maciel at 402-759-3699.
ESU 6 TYKE REGISTRATION
The ESU 6 TYKE preschool is currently accepting applications for the 2024-2025 school year. TYKE operates tuition free with 2 sessions available. The TYKE roster prioritizes children who are identified as having special education needs and/or students in the year before kindergarten. Per Nebraska Department of Education guidelines, students who are kindergarten age eligible (5 by July 31st, 2024) are not permitted to enroll in the TYKE program.
Contact Holli Lovegrove or Beth Lightwine at the ESU 6 -Geneva office at 402-759-3143 or 225 N 17th St.(within the elementary building) for more information.
Hastings Museum Fun!
The first grade classes traveled to Hastings Museum for a day of learning and fun. They learned about planets and constellations in the planetarium, and watched a movie in the IMAX theater. Students were also able to make their own Kool-Aid mixture after learning about Edward Perkins and his invention of Kool-Aid.
Reading Buddies
The 2nd graders read to Ms. Shaunna’s TYKE kids during our Read Across the Community week.
Kindergarten Parent Meeting - FC Elementary Music Room
For more information call 402-759-3184.
Wednesday, Apr 17, 2024, 06:00 PM
Fillmore Central Elementary, North 17th Street, Geneva, NE, USA
MAKE ONLINE SAFETY A PRIORITY IN YOUR HOME
Technology has changed how students learn and how they socialize. Millions of kids in all age groups are online every day – at home, at school, as friends’ homes, at the library – and many are creating online content.
To keep your child safe online:
· Discuss rules and expectations. Use software that helps to protect kids, but supervise carefully too. Only allow your child to communicate with people you both know when he’s online.
· Set limits on screen time. Set a limit such as 10 hours or fewer per week. Remember that screen time includes TV, computer, and video game use.
· Do not allow your child to reveal personal information. Help your child understand that their name, phone number, school, passwords and current location should not be revealed online.
· Keep internet access out of your child’s room. Only let your child go online if you can see what he’s doing.
· Learn about websites. Know what your child visits online. Are they safe? Do you approve of their content?
· Encourage your child to be honest. If something inappropriate occurs online, react calmly, and report your concern to the authorities.
· Stay informed. Visit such sites as www.fosi.org (Family Online Safety Institute) and Netsmartz.org for more tips.
Reprinted with permission from the April 2013 issue of Parents make the difference! (Elementary School Edition) newsletter. Copyright 2013 The Parent Institute, a division of NIS, Inc.
EARLY DEVELOPMENT NETWORK SERVICES COORDINATION
What is Early Development Network Services Coordination?
Services Coordination helps families of children with special needs below age three:
Find services to meet developmental, educational, financial, health care, child care, respite care and other needs
Work with multiple providers to make sure services are provided as needed
Why is Service Coordination Needed?
Nebraska families of children with special needs have found it difficult to locate needed services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and then to coordinate the services with the providers.
Who is Eligible for Services Coordination?
Eligible families are those with an infant or toddler below age 3 who has a disability or developmental delay and qualifies for special education through the public schools.
Year round services coordination is provided.
There is no cost to families.
How Can Families Apply?
To request Early Development services for your child or to refer a child, call the local number below. With prior parental permission, referrals may be made by anyone who suspects a developmental delay in an infant or toddler.
CONTACT: Beth Lightwine at ESU6-Geneva office (225 North 17th, Geneva, 402-759-3143).
Essay Finalist - Lawson's Essay
Mrs. Gaston's’ 5th grade ELA students wrote essays about their Mothers. Lawson L. was recognized at the Capitol as a top 10 essay contest finalist! Congratulations Lawson! For more information about Lawson's Experience click the button below.
Middle School
Mrs. Lamb
Early Dismissal-Professional Development
On Wednesday, April 3rd there will be a 2 hour early dismissal for students. For middle school students, the 2-hour early dismissal time is 1:20 PM. Athletic practices will not be held for Middle School student-athletes on the days that we have scheduled early dismissals.
Wellness Day
Fillmore Central Middle School will host its annual Wellness Day on April 3rd. The daylong event will provide an opportunity for students to learn and participate in a wide-variety of activities relating to health, wellness and life skills presented by community members and members from the Fillmore County Hospital and Nebraska Extension - Clay/Fillmore Counties; as well as, a keynote speaker.
NSCAS State Testing (ELA, Math, and Science Tests)
The NSCAS testing will begin on April 10. We use the results of all our assessments to measure both student performance and school performance. Spring is often a busy time with regards to the various tests and assessments that we provide our students. If you must schedule a doctor’s appointment or some other appointment or visit during the remaining months of the 2023-2024 school year, please visit with your child’s teacher prior to the absence to see what days they will be testing. We appreciate your cooperation, as rescheduling tests is not any easy task.
8th Grade Graduation
The FCMS 8th Grade Class of 2024 Graduation and Honors Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 15th beginning at 5 p.m. The 8th Grade Graduation and Honors Ceremony is an opportunity to celebrate and honor our 8th grade students for their academic work during their years at the Fillmore Central Middle school.
4th Grade Step-Up Days
Step-up days for 4th grade students will be in May. These days present an opportunity for next year’s 5th grade students to tour Fillmore Central Middle School and meet their teachers. Students will have the opportunity to visit classrooms and ask questions to our current 5th grade students.
If you have a student who is transitioning to Fillmore Central Middle School next year, please visit with your student prior to their step-up day. It could be very beneficial for you and your student to identify a list of “Things I Want To Know.” This will help your student as they tour the facilities and listen to various staff members talk about the transition. It will also help your student know what to ask when given the opportunity to ask questions.
Last Day Of School
The end of the 2023-2024 school year is quickly approaching. The final day of school will be Thursday, May 16 School will dismiss at 11:20 a.m. that day with no lunch being served. The 8th grade students will be placing their handprint on the wall as part of the middle school tradition. Students will need to have all materials and books checked in and all fines paid before being allowed to checkout. Students generally know if they have any book fines prior to the last day of school. Please visit with your student about paying all fines and returning all materials.
8th Grade Graduation
Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 05:00 PM
Fillmore Central Middle School, F-Jefferson Street, Fairmont, NE, USA
Personal Finance Home Tour with Karla Jacobson.
Mrs. Patterson's Personal Finance class went on a house tour with Realtor Karla Jacobson of 2KS Realty. Karla started off the morning by providing the girls (and Mrs. Patterson) with some coffee from Brick Road Boutique and cinnamon rolls from Jill's Sweet Shop. The group toured three homes in Geneva currently on the market/under contract and one new build. Karla took the girls through the homes as if they were potential buyers and pointed out some things to look for. She talked to them about the potential for increasing value and how at different stages of your life different homes will fit your needs. Karla even took the time to stage a house so the girls could see what a difference that makes. Later in the next week or so these students will hear from local banks and insurance agents about that part of the home buying process. Thank you to Karla and the home owners for letting these students in your homes!
High School
Mr. Theobald
ACT/NWEA MAPS
The date this year for our NSCAS ACT is April 15th. All juniors will be participating, and all 9th and 10th grade students will be completing their NWEA MAP assessments. Seniors will be participating in a school sponsored “skip day.” This will be a regular day of school for students in grades 9-11, and once testing is complete, we will run our RRSH (remedial rotating study hall) for the remainder of the day so students have opportunities to complete missing work, as we know the spring months are always hectic.
Upcoming Events
We are nearing the end of the 2023-24 school year, and every year seems to go by faster and faster, and overall this has been a really great year for our students. With that being said, here are a few “end of the year” events. These events are designed to honor our students for their hard work and dedication this past year, and also allow them to perform publicly. Please refer to the school website for the most up to date information, or feel free to call the school at 402-759-3141.
April 29th - NHS Inductions/Academic/Athletic Honors Night - 6:30 p.m.
April 30th - Band/Choir Concert - 7:00 p.m.
May 11th - Graduation - 2:00 p.m
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me.
GO PANTHERS!!!
State Speech Qualifiers
Cake Decorating in Culinary Skills
Culinary Skills has officially finished up their cake unit! The unit started with a cake decorating demonstration from Mrs. Hofferber's grandmother Shelley. Shelley has professionally decorated cakes for over 40 years. Shelley showed students several different decorating tips and methods. Students were then tasked with creating and decorating their own mini-cake. Each student made sketches of what they wanted their cakes to look like before decorating.
Upcoming Events
April 1st
No School
April 3rd
Early Dismissal 1:05/1:20/1:35 PM
April 15th
Board Meeting - 7:30 PM
Quick Links
You can also find the Breakfast and Lunch Menu on the Fillmore Central App.