Preschoolers have been learning about themselves for the last 4 weeks. Our focus included body parts and the five sense. This is their favorite activity to practice body parts. Meet Mat Man!! They sing along and build him, one part at a time, making learning about body parts and five senses so much fun.
With everything Covid related students and community members were unsure of whether the 2020 homecoming parade would be able to take place this year. Although the parade looked a little bit different, the town of Fairbury was able to make it happen.
This years Homecoming parade was held on Friday, September 25, in downtown Fairbury. The theme for this year was “Out of this World”. Children and adults lined the streets of the square to watch the floats drive by. Because of restrictions from covid, candy was not allowed to be thrown out to children that watched the parade. Instead, those riding the floats waved at community members who came to watch.
There were a total of 26 floats that participated in the parade this year. Some floats that participated in the Homecoming parade included local businesses, sports teams, and organizations. The Fairbury softball parents won the prestigious award for best float. The float captured the “Out of this World” theme to its entirety. Parents dressed as aliens, and Coach Ryan Evans was a NASA Astronaut.
This years 2020 class representatives and Homecoming candidates also made an appearance at the parade. Class representatives included Lily Davis ’24 and Riley Arner ’24, Cora Tatro ’23 and Connor Gerths ’23, Anna York ’22 and Zane Grizzle. Homecoming candidates were the very last to ride through the parade. As usual, the candidates rode in topless jeeps and waved to those who watched as they made their way around the square in anticipation for the coronation. Homecoming candidates consisted of Seniors Mallonee Biehl, Maggie Layton, Brynn Novotny, Ellie Ohlde, Keely Schramm, Joshua Robertson, Payton Firmanik, Dylan Starr, Riley Wood, and Lane Zabokrtsky.
After the parade, class representatives and Homecoming candidates were introduced and they made their way to the steps of the court house. It was announced that this year’s Homecoming King was Joshua Robertson and Homecoming Queen was Ellie Ohlde. Last year’s Homecoming King and Queen Bret Cole ’20 and Kennedy DeBoer ’20 attended the coronation to crown the King and Queen.
“My favorite part during the parade was seeing all the little kids that went to daycare waving and talking to me,” Homecoming Queen Ellie Ohlde ’21 said. “I was surprised and honored that my school wanted me to be homecoming queen.”
Following the Coronation and parade was the Homecoming football game against Falls City and the Homecoming dance held at the Fairbury Elks Lodge.
Students have been working on re-entering the classroom environment after the extended Covid-19 Closure through “Second Step” Guidance lessons each Monday. On this particular day, the lesson was entitled “Let’s Talk”. Students were given 3 sticky notes and were instructed to write down the following:
“I’m Excited About…
National Honor Society elected this year’s officers and previewed some upcoming dates in its first meeting on Thursday, Sep. 17.
This was the first meeting since the unofficial “kidnapping” induction of new members back in March. A new date for the formal induction has yet to be announced. NHS advisor Mrs. Julie Petersen used this gathering to welcome new members and provide an overview of the organization’s values and involvement.
“I am looking forward to giving back to the community through the volunteer opportunities that are given to me by the club.” Alex Buxton ’22 said.
One of the first orders of business was the election of officers. President Brynn Novotny, elected as President-Elect last year as a junior, will serve alongside Buxton (Vice President/President-Elect, Point Chart Recorder), Lindsey Korthals ’21 (Secretary) and Keely Schramm ’21 (Reporter). Some of these individuals have already begun brainstorming ideas for their new roles.
“Right now, we have a Twitter page. However, I’d like to start an Instagram account for [NHS] because I find people use it more often,” Schramm said. “I’m excited to be a part of the NHS officer team. I decided to become the Reporter to strengthen my leadership skills and learn to balance responsibilities.”
NHS will have several opportunities to continue its work in the school and community, including its partnership with Nebraska Community Blood Bank to hold blood drives at Fairbury High School and the conduction of the Veterans Day convocation.
by Trenton Ruhnke
To further advance their learning to the next level, Doctor Emily Winter’s Junior High Life Science class is learning how to use microscopes.
First starting this learning experience on September 1st the clase continues to use the microscopes that Dr. Winter has.
“I love microscopes,” Dr. Winter said. “I get really happy when the students get excited to use the microscopes.”
Students have been viewing many items under the microscope ranging from a sunflower seed to even part of a human brain, but the main part of the viewing is related to the viewing of cells.
“My favorite thing that I viewed under a microscope was a piece of a cat that Dr. Winter’s husband was working on,” Jamison Runge ‘26 said.
Starting next week, Dr. Winter’s JH Life Science class will be continuing the use of the microscopes to view and learn about water bears underneath the microscope.
“I think that learning to use a microscope is an important skill,” Dr. Winter said. “I want my students to be confident in a lab if they have to use a microscope.”
by Makenzie.Mills 15 Sep 2020 0 Comments
Play auditions for WCKY were held in the Burkley Fine Arts Center on Tuesday, September 8 at 7:00pm.
The cast that was picked are grateful for their roles in this year’s play.
“I am extremely happy with the part I got. I didn’t know much about the play but the role I got suits me well.” Addison Parrack ‘21 said.
Even though they enjoy the role they received, some of them did not think they were going to receive one.
“I was not confident about my audition. I feel like I did really well but I did not think I got a part.” Lyza Call ‘23 said.
The cast had many reasons for auditioning for WCKY.
“I guess I just wanted to give it a try because I’m interested in acting and I thought it would be fun.” Trenton Ruhnke ‘23 said.
WCKY is a comedic murder mystery that takes place at a radio station. The cast and directors enjoy many different parts of this play.“My favorite part of this show would be no matter what is happening on stage while the actual “radio show” is happening, both seem to fit together so well. The timing of this play is, in itself, a work of art.” Ryan Dusso, director of this year’s play, said.
The Cheer Clinic presented by the Fairbury Jeffs Cheerleaders is quickly approaching! Forms went home to elementary students last week and are due Wednesday, September 23rd to your student’s school office. Please print and fill out this digital form if you need a replacement
In Mrs. Stanton’s preschool classes, the students have been learning, playing, and creating with wood pieces. The wood pieces we work with are big lines, little lines, big curves, and little curves. Wood piece play takes children from the very beginning to teach everything they need for readiness to pre-writing. To children, it’s just play-but this is play that leads directly to school readiness skills.
