Mrs. Engle-Evans 8th Grade American History classes have been preparing to participate in the National project, The Great Thanksgiving Listen. Students will record an interview with a grandparent, elder in their family, or an elder in their community using the free StoryCorps app to foster meaningful connections within families, communities, and the classroom, and create a firsthand archive of American History and wisdom. At the conclusion of their interview, they will take a picture with their chosen interview partner and use it to post their projects. With parent permission they will be posting this oral history project on StoryCorps.me and it will be archived in the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.
Construction Class Builds Deck
Students in Mr. Scott’s construction class are building a deck in Gladstone. The purpose of the deck was improve accessibility and add curb appeal to the home. Students learned how to calculate area, create a materials list, layout step risers, and use a variety of tools such as a router, drill and skill saw. 
Industrial Tech Students Visit Endicott Clay
Roughly 30 students visited Endicott Clay in Endicott on Friday Nov. 13th. The focus of the day was to expose students to the many types of jobs available at Endicott Clay Products. Students broke up into groups and toured the facility. They saw the Computer Aided Drafting Department, toured the plant and saw the old oven where bricks were fired. They also got to see the heavy equipment that is used at the factory. This was a great educational opportunity for the students at FHS.
Junior High Students of the Month
Congratulations to our Junior High Students of the Month for October. Eighth graders are John and Hannah. Seventh graders are Riley and Brylee. Students were nominated by their teachers based on their work ethic and classroom behaviors. 
FBLA National Fall Leadership Conference
Five FBLA Members attended the National Fall Leadership Conference in Omaha on November 6 and 7. With over 2400 students in attendance, members were able to connect with FBLA members from many other states including Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma, and even Vermont. Members had the opportunity to listen to motivational keynote speakers Patty Hendrickson and Aaron Davis. The Conference provided ample opportunities for professional development and career planning through networking and workshops.
Bringing the Farm to School
Students in Agricultural Science and Technology Class have been learning key terms and evaluation of livestock over the past two weeks. On November 4th, these students got first hand experience as a class of market swine was brought to the high school. The pen was set up behind the welding shop, and students had time to evaluate the swine, write notes about each hog, and were then asked to write down their placings. Students discussed each body part and were asked what they liked and disliked about each animal. This was a great way to promote the livestock industry and to give students a lasting experience.
Fairbury FCCLA Members Hand Out Treats, Not Tricks!
Fairbury FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America) participated in the Trunk or Treat event around the square in Fairbury on Halloween. Eight members handed out over 300 books to youngsters during the event. This marks the seventh year that FCCLA has promoted reading by giving each child an age appropriate book. Members pay for the books through fundraising efforts during the school year. Children and parents alike enjoy getting something that lasts longer and is more beneficial than candy!
Macy Ohlde Earns Softball All-State Honorable Mention Honors in Class C
Macy Ohlde, sophomore, earned Softball All-State Honorable Mention in both the Lincoln Journal Star and Omaha World Herald papers this season. Macy is a 2-year letter-winner and plays both first base and pitcher for the Jeffs. Off-season batting practice propelled Macy’s batting average from a .310 just a year ago to a .437 this year including 2 homeruns at the Crete Tournament this season. “The hard work and dedication to hitting in the off-season is proof that if you are willing to put in the time to getting better at something, it can happen!”
Jewish and German Food Day
7th Graders in Miss Beck and Mrs. C Winter’s reading classes have been reading the book “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas”, a story about the unlikeliest of friends; a German boy and a Jewish boy during the time of the Holocaust. For the last few days these students have had the chance to cook and eat some authentic German and Jewish foods, such as German chocolate cake, hot dogs with sauerkraut, tzatziki sauce, pita chips, hummus, and cinnamon twists. This is a great opportunity for these students to learn more about the different cultures that they have been studying. A big thank you to all the parents who donated a food item to this project!
-Mrs. C Winter and Miss Beck
