Jr. Sr. High School – Page 24 – Fairbury Public Schools

Hands on Construction

This year Mr. Scott’s Construction class took on the challenging task of attaching a one car garage onto the home of Chad and Tami Mans. Each job is decided upon with careful thought and planning as there many different requests from the community for a variety of projects. Choosing a project that would keep all students busy and on task has to be taken into account as well as the amount of time available to complete it. Part of our time consideration also includes travel to and from the site, loading up tools and materials, project organization and weather constraints. A project also had to be chosen that will challenge them and teach the standards as outlined in the curriculum guide from the state of Nebraska.

After making a few small projects in the shop during the planning and consideration process, the class decided to build the garage that measured 16′ x 22″ with a 9 foot garage door, two sliding windows and one garage door 7′ x 9′. The homeowner was really excited that in the near future she wouldn’t have to park outside while unloading her groceries during inclement weather. This year’s class consisted of Dalton Buxton, Zach Holes, Cayman DeBoer, Keyten Pfingsten, Trenton Sokolik, Jacob Johnson, and Logan Slater. Careful planning had to take place first with finding roof pitch of the existing structure to match to the garage, estimating a materials list, ordering rafters, siding, windows, a door and planning the layout of all the wall studs. The tips from http://www.garagerepairfl.com/garage-door-repair/ were great help. The boys learned a lot about the construction process. Measuring and accuracy were stressed along with working as a team to accomplish a goal. Many different tools were used along the way and each student gained skills needed to be successful in their future building projects. The class had a few obstacles as we had a few boys that got injured in sports and they did well working around their injured crew. A group picture was difficult as most of the boys were in sports as well. There were many early outs for them to attend sporting events but it all worked out and Mr. Scott was really proud of the boys accomplishments. It was a fun project and one that the boys will never forget. Thank you for the opportunity as it was a success for everyone, the homeowners and the students alike. We finished on the last day of class with the packing up of all tools, ladders and a general sweep of the property for clean up of loose nails and debris that happened to dropped to the ground. Watch for more exciting building to come next season.

High School Students Inducted Into the National Honor Society

Membership in the National Honor Society is one of the highest honors that can be awarded to a high school student. The National Honor Society has worked hard to bring the accomplishments of outstanding students to the attention of parents, teachers, peers and community. Chapters in more than 12,500 high schools across the nation strive to give practical meaning to the Society’s goals of scholarship, leadership, service and character. These four ideals have been considered as the basis for selection of new members. No student is inducted simply because of a high academic average. The National Honor Society strives to recognize the total student: one who excels in all these areas.

Congratulations to the ten new members of the Fairbury High School chapter of National Honor Society including:

Rusti Bassett

Devin Holliday

Josephine Blatny

Kennedy DeBoer

Sara Huss

Jaelle Johnson

Hannah Knigge

Taylor Runge

Izze Schwab

Claire Shumard

These students were “kidnapped” (with parent permission) early in the morning and brought to school. They celebrated with the nineteen current members by eating breakfast together and laughing about their morning adventure. Then they were featured on the Stu Co Show.

A fun note regarding members this year is we have four pairs of siblings – Evie and Izze Schwab, Marah and Claire Shumard, Jacob and Jaelle Johnson (picture with Emily not Jacob), Dawson and Kennedy DeBoer.

A formal induction ceremony will be held on January 16th at 7:30 p.m. in the BFAC.

Geometry Students Calculate Height of New Entryway

Geometry students in Mrs. Julie Petersen’s class studied trigonometry ratios this week. Always seeking an answer to the question, “When will we use this in life?”, students completed a lab to find the height of various parts of the high school such as the classroom, hallway, commons area, and flag pole.

Setting up equations according to the well-known acronym SohCahToa can be done with a traditional worksheet or a more interactive lab. Petersen’s classes used a tape measure and clinometer to estimate the height of the newly constructed entry to be either 18 or 21 feet. The hunt has begun to find a blueprint for the exact answer.

Mrs. Petersen’s enthusiasm was contagious as the excitement on a chilly Friday warmed students to the idea that math can be appreciated in every day life. Influencing long-term memory, a lab makes lessons more meaningful yet takes more time than a traditional worksheet. In the future when these students walk in to the school, they may observe the entry and remember how SohCahToa helped them find the height of the new archway.

Past President of the Nebraska Choral Directors Association Supports Jr. Sr. High Choirs

This past week, retired music educator and Past President of the Nebraska Choral Directors Association Don Reimer stopped by Fairbury Jr./Sr. High School to meet and work with the high school and junior high choirs. Mr. Reimer started his career in Tecumseh before leaving a lasting legacy at Bellevue West High School. We thank Mr. Reimer for his valuable insight.

From Small Engines to Energy, Power and Transportation

With some of the new state standards coming out, “Small Engines” has now been changed to “Energy, Power and Transportation”. Students in this class have explored how a small gas internal combustion engine works to power everything from lawn mowers, weed eaters, chain saws, snow blowers and many other applications. Just recently students also did a unit on land transportation vehicles.
Students were broken up into groups of two or three students. Each group had to design, test and build a vehicle that used only the mousetrap as the power source. Students were to see how they could engineer and problem solve to make the vehicle go the farthest. Pictured here are Austin Novotny and Riley Stewart with the vehicle they made. They had a vehicle go almost the entire hallway using only the power of a standard Victor mousetrap.
It was interesting to see some of the designs the students made using materials such as CD’s for wheels, wood and plastics. Many had to rework their vehicles to make them track better as well. It was fun to see them come together. Currently, we are now building hovercrafts using small DC motors and propellers. Students will explore how a vehicle can ride on a cushion of air both on water and on land. They again will problem solve and change their designs to make their vehicles better.

Ag Class Takes Field Trip to Local Vet Clinics

Original Article by Paige Livingston fhsxray https://goo.gl/kaCKUc
Classes at FHS focus on not only learning inside of the classrooms, but outside.
For a new and creative way of looking at the occupations in the agriculture department, ag teacher, Thomas Dux took his block 3/4 students to visit two rural vet clinics in town.
On December 5, they went to both the Countryside Vet Clinic and Fairbury Animal Clinic here in town.

Winter’s Veterinarian Larry Winter talks to the students about what the occupation entails. Photo courtesy of Thomas Dux.

“I just wanted to get the kids out to industry vet clinics in town so they could see what the typical everyday occurrence is. This way they get a glimpse into that career and if they want to continue it or not,” Dux said.
In the future, Dux plans on continuing the outing with his Ag Science and Technology crew.

FFA Poinsettias

The Fairbury FFA is selling poinsettias for $5 a piece. If you are interested in supporting the students by purchasing one or more of these beautiful poinsettias, stop by the school or call the high school to get ahold of Mr. Dux

Maureen Beck Receives Young Music Educator Award

The NMEA Outstanding Young Music Educator award is given in recognition of outstanding promise in music education. The 2017 Outstanding Young Music Educator is Maureen Beck of Fairbury High School. Congratulations Ms. Beck! Fairbury is proud to have you as part of our staff.

Fairbury Jr. Sr. High School Celebrates Veteran’s Day

On Monday morning Nov. 13^th, faculty and students attended the Veteran’s Day program at the high school presented by American History teacher Mick Suey and some of his history students. The program began with slides showing the major wars that the United States has been involved in from the American Revolution up to Afghanistan. Once completed, Mr. Kroon welcomed those in attendance and by lead the crowd in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

The next section included slides of the history of Veterans Day (narrated by Rusti Bassett, Isaac Robertson and Michaela Buchli), followed by slides showing Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknowns (narrated by Jared Engelman). Isaac Robertson and Konnor Hasselbring played “TAPS” in the background followed by a video of the “Changing of the Guard.”

The following section of the presentation honored current military personnel (narrated by Jayson Klaumann and Taylea Mills), followed by a tribute to all veterans (narrated by Tori Likens).

The highlight of the program was the presentation of “Quilts of Valor” by Barb Schmidt and other members of the Rock Creek Quilters’ Guild to three Korean War Veterans (escorted to the stage by Jeremiah Gray and Brandon Hinrichs):

“James H. Barber was born on March 21, 1932. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. In May 1952, Jim was drafted from Jefferson County to Omaha, where the Marines took 10% of those drafted. He was sent to San Diego, California for 12 weeks of boot camp training, then to Camp Pendleton, California for 6 weeks and then back to San Diego for High Frequency Radio training, where he was the top of his class. In February 1953 he was transferred to Camp Lejuene, North Carolina. In August of 1953, Jim was sent to meet the 7th fleet in Naples, Italy and ports of France, Greece, and Sicily where he coordinated high frequency message communications. He was honorably discharged in May of 1954 and returned to Fairbury where he ran Barber Furniture Company.

Roscoe Beachler was born February 22, 1932. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1952-1956 during the Korean War. After his basic training in San Diego, Roscoe spent 19 months in Guam. The war ended and he went to Maryland for schooling to be a personnel officer. He returned to California and spent seven months on Midway Island on a Naval Base. He received the All Navy award in basketball in 1953 and also in softball. After being honorably discharged in 1956, he returned to Reynolds to farm.

Mark D. Schmidt was born October 15, 1933. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. Mark entered the Air Force in August 1952. He received his basic training at Parks Air Force Base in California. He was sent to Sheppard Air Force base in Wichita Falls, Texas for aircraft and engine training and then had schooling to become an instructor in aircraft and engine training. In February 1955 he was called to Travis Air Force Base, Fairfield, California to be an inspector on engines in F-86 fighter jets. He was honorably discharged in August 1956 and returned to farm east of Daykin. He was awarded four ribbons for his years of service.

Robert W. Yantz (also escorted by his granddaughter, Brylee) was born July 26, 1927. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War. Bob was inducted into the Army on March 22, 1951 at Omaha. He was sent to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for basic and advanced training. On September 15, 1951 he rode a troop ship to Japan. On October 1, 1951 he was sent to Slinodaya, Japan. Upon completion of training as a medical aide man, he was sent to Pusan, Korea. He rode a train to the 514th Medical Clearing Company where wounded were brought by helicopter and ambulance. Seriously wounded soldiers were put on planes and sent to Japan. Bob received his honorable discharge at Camp Carson, Colorado on March 10, 1953 and returned to the family farm east of Daykin. For his service to his country, Bob received the Korean Service medal with four bronze service stars and the United Nations service medal.”

The presentation ended with a video tribute and a “Thank You” to all of America’s veterans.

A special thanks also to Mick Suey and his class for putting the presentation together and to Darby Davidson, Joe Fitzgerald and Maureen Beck for their help in showing the power-point.