I would like to take a moment to thank Mr. Richard Zimmerman for his excellent
service to our district! Richard has made the difficult decision to retire from the
Fairbury Public Schools Board of Education, effective this December 2015. His
dedication and service has spanned an incredible 31 years! Throughout his tenure,
he has also helped lead at the State Level as well, as he served as the President of
the Nebraska Association of School Boards in 2012.
During his tenure as a Fairbury Public School’s board member, there have been
momentous events that Richard has had the opportunity to observe, lead and to be
an integral part of since he began on the board in 1985! For example:
He has worked with 7 superintendents.
The East and West Elementary schools ceased being used as elementary attendance centers and we began using Central Elementary School.
The Fairbury Public Schools purchased The Southeast Community College building (formerly known as Fairbury Junior College) and it became Jefferson Intermediate School.
The district purchased the Armory Building for our use for the Life Program.
The successful bond election that allowed the district to build the current high school facility.
Last week I read The Gingerbread Man to my kindergarten students. They loved the story but we were saddened when the Gingerbread Man was gobbled up by the fox in the end! For a family project I sent home a gingerbread man with each student and their parents helped to disguise them. Check out their awesome creations!
Mrs. Shinn’s 3rd grade classroom participated in the Cookie Project this year with the Fairbury High School FBLA Organization. This project teaches 3rd grade students about the American Free Enterprise System which gives them the ability start and run their own business. The 3rd graders, along with Fairbury’s FBLA, baked chocolate-chip cookies and sold them to the high school students. The profits go to the 3rd grade classrooms. The students of each room then get to decide what to do with their cookie money.
One day as Mrs. Shinn was telling her students about visiting her mom in the nursing home and that students from another school would go out to the nursing home read to residents once a week. Mrs. Shinn’s students asked it they could go read to residents at Fairbury’s Heritage Nursing Home. The students found out what it would cost to get a bus and driver. They also needed to make sure they were not giving up important classroom time. The students voted to use their cookie money for the bus and would be willing to give up their art time one week.
Mrs. Shinn made arrangements with the school, bus barn, and the Heritage Nursing Home. Next, the students worked on Christmas decorations and Christmas cards for residents in art class. In music they even practiced a Christmas Carol to sing.
On December 10, the students arrived at school dressed in red and green with their two Christmas books picked out and ready to go. The students were so excited and on the bus that they practiced their song. Upon arriving at the Nursing home, the students gathered in the cafeteria and practiced their song again as residents gathered. Then each student found a resident. They read to them, visited with them, and gave them a gift. It was soon hard to tell who had bigger smiles, the residents or students. After reading, the students sang again and told the residents good-bye. The students were still singing on the bus trip back to school. Throughout the day the students continued to talk about how much fun they had.
Before going home, the students shared with Mrs. Shinn that when they decided to go to the nursing home they thought they would be giving a gift to the residents. However, they hadn’t realized how good it would make them feel inside, so it was really a gift to themselves as well. Mrs. Shinn’s class has decided if it can be arranged, they want to do this again.
Fairbury Public Schools will be rolling out the 1:1 Chromebook Initiative for Fairbury Jr. Sr. High School on December 21-22, 2015. The Chromebook program will include students in grades 7-12. Each student will receive a Chromebook to be used in the classroom as well as at home for educational purposes. Teachers will be using computer technology for instruction, assignments, projects, research and assessment.
Please Note: In order for students to receive a device, a parent or guardian must be in attendance at one of the two Parent Informational Sessions December 21, 2015:
1:25 – 3:35PM (with students) or
6:00-8:00 PM (Parents only)
There will be an informational session by Robert Truhe, KSB School Law Attorney in Lincoln, NE and a presentation on our Policy and Usage Handbook including Chromebook care, and acceptable use. There will also be several forms that must be signed. Families must pay a $30 Chromebook Asset Protection Policy Fee each year. The amount will be discounted to $15 this year if parents attend during our rollout on December 21st-22nd.
This is an exciting time for the community, our high school students and teachers and for the school district. We are moving into a new era! The immediate access to computers and increased use of computers in education will have a beneficial effect on educational outcomes. We hope to bring the 21st century to the forefront as well as engage students in critical thinking, collaboration and communication.
E-Registration
Just a reminder to parents that E-Registration must be completed before your student will be issued a Chromebook next Semester. If you do not have access to a computer, PLEASE contact the office BEFORE the rollout date of December 21. We will provide you the necessary items to have this completed!!
CHROMEBOOK POLICY–Parents
If E-registration is completed, parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to begin viewing and approving the Chromebook Policy. This approval process is through the parent access of PowerSchool and can be done any time. This approval MUST BE completed before your student will be issued their Chromebook next semester. If you have any questions, please contact the high school at 402 729-6116 and we will be happy to assist you.
We encourage parents to refer to our Website for more information on the 1:1 initiative. We look forward to seeing you at one of our Parent Informational Sessions in December!
On Friday, December 4th, sixty-three fifth grade students from Jefferson Intermediate attended a showing of “The Nutcracker” presented by Ballet Omaha at the Orpheum Theater. Students and teachers attended the second act starting at 1:00. Students prepared for the production by viewing the first act at school. They also learned about the music from the ballet in music class. The students were in awe of the beautiful architecture and history of the Orpheum Theater as well as the intricate costuming.
Fairbury Jr-Sr High School recently dedicated a new sign near the entrance to the school drive that was generously donated by Endicott Clay Products. The latest sign is a bigger, better version, and there were contributions from former FHS graduates on the design and construction that make it even more special.
Mr. Gary Davis of Endicott Clay Products worked with Fairbury Public Schools administration to invite interested students to come up with possible design options for the new sign. After reviewing the designs submitted, Taylor Miller’s (‘14) rendition was chosen. There were some minor design modifications, but the essence of her original drawings inspired the creation of the new sign that depicts Fairbury Public School’s commitment to activities, the arts, and scholarly pursuits. Fairbury graduates, Jared Starr (‘94) and Justin Bennett (‘99) donated their time to complete all the masonry work on the project.
If you haven’t had the opportunity to drive by and see the new sign at the top of hill, please do so. We are very fortunate to have Endicott Clay Products and former graduates who are so willing to use their time and talents to bless Fairbury Public Schools with this beautiful new sign!!
The second graders spent the day at the Hastings Museum’s Native American Festival. The students watched the Mini Moccasins Dance Troupe, created a pot, watched Tiny Giants a 3D movie, heard Native American spirit stories, explored the museum, as well as many other activities!
The Circle of Security Parenting Class series is being offered in each of the 5 PHS Counties (Fillmore, Gage, Saline, Jefferson and Thayer) for 2016.
These are sponsored by the Nebraska Children and Families Foundation and are FREE to parents.
Strengthening families is a priority within our 5 counties. This series is considered to be a “promising practice” and is outstanding. This is a great benefit for our communities and FAMILIES.
For more information contact Stephanni Renn, Circle of Security Coordinator at 402-239-5920 or srenn@nebraskachildren.org
