Karen Dux

Junior High Students Research For Innovation Week

by Trenton Ruhnke
Link to Original Article on the XRay

Students in Dr. Winter’s junior high science classes participated in innovation week.
In innovation week students got to research a subject of their choosing to later present to the class.
“It was really fun,” CJ Goeking ‘26 said. “But you had to focus hard and work hard.”
Some of the requirements that Dr. Winter set for the students is that they used their class time well and that they explained the science behind their topics when they presented.
“Innovation week was super fun to do,” Aliga Humng ‘26 said. “Sometimes it got kinda stressful, but otherwise it was super fun.”
Students started to work and research on their innovation week projects starting on November, 16.
“Our innovation week project turned out really good,” Logan Wentz ‘26 said. “We learned a lot more than what I thought we were going to learn, so overall a good process.”
Presentations for innovation week started on November 20 and finished on November 24.
“I like to be able to give kids the opportunity and time to learn about a science topic that interests them,” Dr. Winter said. “My teacher heart loves to see kids excited to learn about their projects.”

Working together. Brodie Prellwitz ’26 and James Martin ’26 work together to finish their project. Their project involved making a longboard and when presented they went over why longboards have more control than skateboards.

Finishing a project. Thoron Tracy ’26 finish making his innovation week project. Thoron Tracy’s innovation week project involved making bouncy balls and the different ingredients he used to make them.

Presenting the project. Destiny Vocelka ’26 shows Dr. Winter the results of her project. The innovation week project revolved around soil testing and what soil is best for plants.

Showing his research. Dominic Joe ’26 shows off to his class what he has done for innovation week. Dominic Joe’s project involved a light and circuit and how they were used for morse code.

Presenting a bright project. Amy Campbell ’26 and Mercedes Powell ’26 watch as Jayden James ’26, and Garrett Roelfs ’26 present their project. Jayden James and Garrett Roelfs’ innovation week project demonstrated how circuits and lighting up a light works.

Chris Goeking Receives Jeffs’ Best Award!

The Jeffs’ Best Award was created by the Fairbury Public Schools Board of Education to highlight and celebrate the great work of our staff.On behalf of the Board of Education, I would like to congratulate Chris Goeking, Head of Maintenance, as the recipient of the December Jeffs’ Best Award!

Here was the nomination statement:
He is great at what he does! He is always willing to help out even if it might not be “his job”. He has a great attitude and is a joy to have as a coworker. Chris is such a hard worker and handles things at all our buildings so well! We are blessed to have him!

He has gone above and beyond with covid safety in all of the schools.

Chris is always working and finding answers to everyone’s problems regardless of how inconvenient it is for him.

He has worked above and beyond his respective “requirements” for his job. He has the “can do” attitude that makes our district so great! He never complains and is always willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. He has never once tried to minimize what he can do, especially through this pandemic closure. Hr embraces this as an opportunity to serve. He truly is our Jeffs’ Best!!

Get Your Copy of the Fairbury Jr. Sr. High School Play – WCKY

Murder and mayhem collide in hilarious fashion as new radio station WCKY is preparing to air its first show in 1939.

As the Clementine Sisters are about to sing the opening jingle, the action behind the scenes is infused with both excitement and drama. Head writer Roy plans to propose on air to assistant director Polly. One of the radio actresses, Sarah, has helped him procure a ring, and of course, Polly walks in just as Roy is down on one knee practicing his proposal with Sarah. When Sarah ends up dead a few minutes later as she’s about to make her own shocking and unscripted announcement on the air, all signs point to poor Roy.
Own your own copy today!!

https://bit.ly/3428wXc

Save 20% On Your Jeffs Apparel Now!

December is here!
This month we are offering 20% off on your Sideline Store purchase! The below promotion is good for the entire month of December. This will end on 12/31/20 at 11:59 P.M. EST.

Make sure to be on the lookout for some more upcoming holiday specials from me this month.

Thank you for your continued support and please stay safe.

Click on this link and start shopping!

The 2nd Grade Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade

This year for Thanksgiving my second grade class and I decided to have a “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”. Each student got to come up with an idea for what they wanted their balloon to look like, and then put the materials together to make it. This was such a fun activity to do, and one that I will definitely continue in years to come!

And the Winner is….Mr. Molloy!

The food has been pouring in all week. The students at Central, Jefferson and the Jr. Sr. high school are super excited to share food with families in need! Students were also excited to see if Mrs. Smith, Mr. Molloy or Mr. Anderson got to wear the turkey costume this year. The results are in. Mr. Molloy will wear the turkey costume! It was great to see all of our students reaching out to help others, especially this year with all we’ve been through! We brought in the following amounts of food:

HS 23.2 #
Jefferson 472.4 #
Central 411.2 #

Total donated from FPS: 906.8 pounds of food!

Last year we donated a total of 652 pounds of food and $20. We increased by 254.8 pounds this year! That is such awesome support coming from our community!

Jefferson Intermediate 3rd – 6th Grade Students Honor Our Veterans

Since Covid-19 prevented our veterans from coming into our school this year to share a meal with students – our students decorated the windows of the cafeteria to show their appreciation for our local veterans. Each grade level was responsible for one window in the cafeteria. Check it out the next time your drive past Jefferson Intermediate School!

Students celebrate Día de los Muertos by making Folk Art

Article by Gavin Shramm

Students in Señora Johnson’s class celebrated Día de los Muertos by making and decorating skulls, masks, and making a box of life.

Día de los Muertos stands for Day of the Dead and it is celebrated in Mexico and Spain. The holiday starts on Nov. 1 and ends on Nov. 2. The tradition is to celebrate the people who have died. They decorate graves and tombs with candles, sugar skulls, pan de muertos, pictures of the dead, and many more offerings.

Jami Mans ’21 Sculpting Clay to Make Her Small Figurine

“My class is making paper mache masks and I am making Pan de Muertos for an assignment.” Brendon Runge ‘23 said. The masks are the size of a hand and with a skull painted on it.

The students enjoyed taking a break from learning spanish and working on crafts to celebrate this tradition.

Tam Ruhnke Receives Jeffs’ Best Award!

The Jeffs’ Best Award was created by the Fairbury Public Schools Board of Education to highlight and celebrate the great work of our staff.On behalf of the Board of Education, I would like to congratulate Tam Ruhnke, Jefferson 5th Grade Teacher, as the recipient of the November Jeffs’ Best Award!

Here was the nomination statement:
“I would like to nominate Tam Ruhnke for the Jeffs Best award. I have known Tam for many years and have witnessed her dedication to our school system and her students. She is always trying to better herself as a teacher by learning new technologies for student engagement, trying new teaching techniques, and adapting to every change come what may. She never lets herself get stagnant. She keeps learning and growing as an educator. If she see a new teaching idea or technology tool, she will check it out and see if it can help any of her students.
When teachers were having to teach from home this last spring, Tam was trying to make sure she kept relationship building by connecting with her students outside of class time. When a student needed help, she made herself available at all times of the day. She didn’t just worry about their personal lives but made sure they were keeping up with academics. She made many personal phone calls to parents and students to make sure they were understanding the content she was teaching.
Tam has served on many committees throughout her years at Fairbury Public Schools. She has been an integral part of the School Improvement Team and now the district and Jefferson MTSS teams. She also serves on the technology committee, reading/language arts committee and Superintendent’s Faculty Advisory Committee. She never complains when asked to serve, she just does it.
She is a model teacher for our new teachers and a dedicated employee. She rarely asked for personal time off, even if she has days available. She is there for her grade level team and help in any way possible.
Tam works hard for her students and our district. She is at school many days before the sun rises and never complains when having to stay for late meetings or school activities. That shows her dedication. Please consider Tam for this recognition.