September 24, 2024

Congratulations to Upchurch Elementary School! The United States Department of Education recognized the school this week as a National Blue Ribbon School. This is the third Millard school to be honored in two years. Last year Aldrich Elementary and Reeder Elementary were recognized as Blue Ribbon Schools.

The Board of Education received the annual Advanced Placement report at last night's Board meeting. Millard offers 28 AP courses, including the newest addition, AP Drawing. District data indicates more students are accepting the challenge of AP classes, and they are proving they can master college-level course work. Millard students took 2,882 AP tests, an increase of more than 300 exams over the previous year. The percentage of students scoring a passing grade of 3, 4, or 5 also rose to 80 percent from 74 percent the previous year. We congratulate the 570 Millard students named AP scholars!

Millard's Board also received the annual Dual Enrollment Report. Last year Millard students earned 30,615 college credits. The total savings to families through reduced tuition came to $2,621,902. Dual enrollment opportunities let Millard students take classes for both high school and college credit. Dual enrollment courses are offered through Advanced Placement classes, Millard Career Academies, the Early College High School program, and through partnerships with Metro Community College and their career academies.

The Board received a report detailing the summer construction projects across the district. Projects were completed at 17 schools. These included work on roofing, HVAC systems, and fire alarms, along with general maintenance to maintain the value and function of our schools. The average age of Millard's schools is 41 years.

Congratulations to our staff doing amazing things!

• Neihardt Elementary School 5th Grade Teacher Tom Whisinnand was named one of three finalists in the state for the Nebraska Teacher of the Year and will be recognized as a Nebraska Department of Education Award of Excellence winner.
• Cody Elementary School Speech Pathologist Kelsey Sheridan has been awarded the Distinguished Early Career Professional Certificate from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

From Left to Right Back Row: Board Member Mike Pate, Board Member Lisa Schoenberger, Superintendent Dr. John Schwartz, Treasurer Amanda McGill Johnson, and Vice President Mike Kennedy From Left to Right Front Row: Secretary Linda Poole and President Stacy Jolley

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