On Fridays students in Mrs. Shinn’s classroom enjoy turning off the lights and using their flashlights to read and sing some of their favorite motivational and educational songs.
Friday Flashlight Read It, Sing It
BlendEd Learning in 5th grade
This year is off to a great start incorporating BlendEd learning into our daily routines. The students are actively engaged in the content through integrating technology as part of our everyday lessons. Using tools such as Quizlet, Nearpod, Kahoot, and Wonders online resource. We are able to have the students actively participate and interact with one another as they learn. Through the use of flexible seating we are observing an increase in student engagement and lesson completion. Students are able to move about the room and select seating options that best fit their learning need.
10 Years of TeamMates
TeamMates of Fairbury was recognized at the Annual Partnership Meeting on July 24th for reaching its 10th year of mentoring. Fairbury, among other communities, has been making quality matches based on shared interests and the school and community has benefited from the program’s presence. Statistics based off of data collected last school year showed some promising numbers; over half of our local matches are staying together for at least 3 years, 90% of students in the program had fewer disciplinary referrals, and 100% of matches in Fairbury had fewer unexcused absences. The goal of the Mentor is not to tutor or fix the student, however, our statistics show that TeamMates helps engage both students and volunteers alike with 95% of Mentors claiming to leave their weekly visit in a better mood than when they arrived. If you would like to become a part of this fun and advantageous program, please contact coordinator, Tiffany Ebke at tebke@fairburyjeffs.org to learn about the application process and learn about upcoming training dates!
Elementary Back to School Night
Families are invited to attend Central and Jefferson Intermediate’s Back to School Night on Tuesday, Aug. 14th between 5-7 pm. This is a great opportunity for students and their parents to meet teachers and visit the new classrooms.
Strategies For Keeping Your Sanity With Homework
Welcome back to the new school year! For some parents, homework can be a nightmare so here are a few tips to help make homework time more efficient and less stressful for you, as well as more productive for your child(ren)!
- Identify a space in your house for homework completion. This might be the kitchen table, the student’s room or an office space. All spaces have advantages and disadvantages and it’s really up to you and your child to identify the best space. If your child is easily distracted, it might be the best space is his room or an office area. If your child needs more supervision, a kitchen table might be a better space.
- Keep a schedule for homework and maintain it. For many families coming home right after school and completing homework is the best plan for them. For example, your child might come home and have a snack from 3:45-4:00 and then have “Homework Hour” from 4:00-5:00 every day. Choose a time that works for your child and family. Even if your child says they don’t have homework, keep the schedule. This is a great time for students to do some personal reading if there is no homework!
*A good rule of thumb is for every grade they should have 10 minutes of “homework time” after school. So first grade = 10 minutes and their “homework hour” is only 10 minutes long. Second grade =20 minutes so their “homework hour” is 20 minutes long, and so on.
- Pre-correct for obstacles in getting homework done. For example, if your child is disorganized and will “forget” pencils and paper, have them ready to go. If your child will “forget” their reading book have a book or magazines for them to read stored in your homework space. If your child puts everything off until the end of the day and THEN remembers he or she has homework, schedule your homework time for right after school and not in the evening. You could even make a rule that there is no free time, video games or time with friends until homework hour has been completed.
If this is something new you are trying for the first time, don’t be surprised if your child tries to ignore, argue or escape from this new routine. But be persistent! This is not only helps them get homework done and reduces your stress, it also teaches them good study habits for whatever is next for them, Intermediate school, Junior high, High School and post-high school education.
Finally, if you ever need any help, I’m here to provide it. Call me or email me anytime!
Jill Timmons, Ph.D. NCSP
School Psychologist
Fairbury Public Schools
National Library Week Activities at Jefferson Intermediate
Students at Central and Jefferson Intermediate celebrated National Library week April 8-14th. Libraries aren’t just places to borrow books or study – they’re also creative and engaging community centers where students can collaborate using technology and develop their skills and passions. During the last two weeks students explored creative MakerSpace Stations such as space building sets, puzzles, 3D pens and Breakout sessions. Contests and prizes were awarded throughout the week.
Nehemiah Cervantes Selected for 2018 Nebraska Choral Directors Association Middle Level Honor Choir
Congratulations to 8th grader Nehemiah Cervantes on being 1 of 70 students selected statewide for the 2018 Nebraska Choral Directors Association Middle Level Honor Choir. The honor choir will take place at the annual NCDA Summer Conference at Doane University, July 8-11. NCDA holds an annual conference every July at the beautiful campus of Doane University in Crete, Nebraska. During these three to four days, music teachers and choral directors from all over the state gather to share ideas, attend concerts and interest sessions, and renew their passion for choral music with friendship and fellowship. The conference also houses a Middle Level Honor Choir, an All-State Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and the newly initiated All-State Show Choir. The Middle Level Honor Choir will be directed by Dr. Andrew Last, a Husker alum and current director of the acclaimed Nordic Choir at Luther College in Decorah, IA. Please congratulate Nehemiah on this outstanding accomplishment!
TeamMates Attend Spring Game
15 TeamMates in Fairbury helped set the school’s the spring game attendance record on Saturday, April 21st. A total of 86,818 people gathered to watch the Red and White game, making Nebraska number one nationally in attendance for spring games this year. Before the game, they honored seniors in TeamMates at a special ceremony at Haymarket Park, where graduating seniors and their mentors walked across home plate together.
Top, Left to Right: Mark Schoenrock, Deb Ebke, Dannie Gasper, Natalie Julin-McCleary, Alex, and Lexi.
Bottom, Left to Right: Jordan, Aidan, Makena, Megan, Sophie, Shelby, and Jayleigh. Not Pictured: Chad Sprunk & Tiffany Ebke
Freshmen Attend Hastings College
The Freshmen Class was able to visit Hastings College yesterday as part of the EducationQuest College Access Grant that Fairbury High School was awarded a year ago. Students were able to tour the campus facilities, dorms, classrooms, and even eat lunch in the cafeteria. The visit allows students to see what different types of college campuses have to offer.
