Category: Schools

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Learning About 9/11

On Wednesday, September 11, 8th Grade American History students and Politics students participated in the 9/11 Museum’s Anniversary in the School webinar.  The students started the day brainstorming what they knew, what they thought they knew, and things they wonder about.  After a class discussion and question and answer period, we logged into the webinar and joined 200,000 students from all 50 states and 13 other countries learn more about the events that happened that day.  We watched survivors tell their story of that days events They watched 2 people that were at the Pentagon, 2 people that were at the Marriott Hotel between the Twin Towers, and a journalist reporting on site that day.  

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International Dot Day

In celebration of International Dot Day, first graders in Mrs. Schmidt’s classes are studying Wassily Kandinsky’s Squares with Concentric Circles and creating their own “dot” using watercolors. 

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National Award Winning Children’s Author: Julia Cook visits Fairbury Public Schools, Monday, September 9, 2019

Award winning author and former school counselor, Julia Cook leads an entertaining discussion on the use of storybooks to offer children and adults a fun way to learn important people skills. Julia will demonstrate humorous and effective ways to use books on such subjects as tattling, bullying, personal space, interrupting, divorce, anger, and personal safety.  The writing and publishing process will be explained – learn to become a published author! A Must SEE Presentation!!!

 Some of her titles include My Mouth Is A Volcano, A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue, Personal Space Camp, My Mom Thinks She’s My Volleyball Coach….But She’s Not, I Am A Booger, Treat Me With Respect!, The Bubble Wrap Queen, It’s Hard to Be a Verb!, Melvin the Magnificent Molar, Cell Phoney, Bully Beans, and over 40 more!Visit her website @ http://www.juliacookonline.com
Book order forms will be sent home the day of her visit so students are familiar with her books. Check her website for more information as well.

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Be the “i” in Kind

Third grade students at Jefferson Intermediate are learning how to SOAR. (Be Safe, Organized, Accountable, and Responsible). However, the students are also learning how to promote kindness and caring behaviors. Teachers know that one way to teach these qualities in the classrooms is to model them. Teachers have already witnessed this year, both staff and students practicing what it LOOKS and SOUNDS like to be kind. By seeing kindness in action, and already practicing it, there is a far greater chance students will repeat those modeled behaviors. As children watch and imitate those around them, it is important that they see great examples of kindness not only at school but at home as well. Teachers also are encouraging the third grade students to be models of kindness for younger students and siblings. Our mission this year it to make sure caring and kindness behaviors are being “caught” and “taught” at Jefferson Intermediate. 

Mrs. Shinn’s students wanted to send a powerful message about what they have learned and used the green screen in her classroom to capture their stand on kindness. The class then chose a song about kindness to show how they feel about being the “I” in kind this school year.

Produced with permission – Song Kind-Hearted Hand by Peter Seltser & Kids for Peace

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Fairbury Public Schools Brings Disability Resources for Community and Staff to Fairbury

On Wednesday, August 14th, Fairbury Public Schools in partnership with Three’s Pieces and the Fairbury Community Foundation hosted their second Disability Resource Night.  

The speakers were Mary Phillips, Student Services Director at ESU 6, who spoke about transition services but also spoke honestly about her experience having a child with developmental disabilities who is now an adult and receives adult disability services.  Jen Quaranta, Southeast Nebraska Regional Coordinator for the ASD Network, also spoke sharing strategies for parents on managing behaviors in the home.

Several community members as well as school staff attended, and feedback was very positive.  A very important message for families to hear is that if you think your child might need adult services, you need to apply soon as the wait list is currently 7 years!

On Thursday, August 15th, Fairbury Public Schools offered a full day training on autism and classroom strategies to support students with autism for staff.  Nearly thirty staff members, both general education and special education teachers attended the training.

As a strong advocate for ALL students, but especially students with disabilities, it is really important for me that Fairbury Public Schools offers resources and support not only to our staff but also to our community.  I’m excited about the partnership with Three’s Pieces and am eager to continue offering trainings and resources to both the school staff and the public on a variety of topics related to students with disabilities. I’m hopeful that our partnership will be a model to others in our state so that schools and community organizations can bring resources to families in their own community.  If you have a question or a topic you would like us to consider, please reach out to me.

Dr. Jill Timmons, NCSP
402-729-5041
jtimmons@fairburyjeffs.org

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“Wild” Experience for Driver’s Education Students

Students Brant Gillham and Addy Linscott had the awesome opportunity to experience a one of a kind event.  While practicing and logging  hours for Driver’s Education, these two students, along with Mr. Scott, got to see a Bobcat and her cubs in the wild.  The incident happened west and north of Gilead on a gravel road.  Brant wanted to show Mr. Scott a farm where some of his relatives lived.  Mr. Scott agreed, and was very glad he did, as all three passengers got to see this bobcat pick up a baby in her mouth.  She took the baby up the hill and disappeared.  Pretty soon she came again and got another.  In total she removed two babies. The spots on their bellies were very visible as the sun beat down on their shiny coats. There could have been others carried before we got there, but that remains a mystery. It was a day we will never forget!

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Welcome Back to School!

I seem to say it every year, but alas, it is true….summer has gone by fast!! We have been busy, as usual, this summer! Some of the highlights include the following:

Adopted new Reading/English Curriculums K-12. We made the decision to transition away from Reading Mastery (k-5) to CKLA (k-6) and StudySync (7-12). We are excited for this transition. We believe this will allow us to grow in our skills and foster a love for reading! Our teachers have worked hard this summer in preparing for this year!

We have added nicotine to our Drug Testing Protocol for students participating in extracurricular activities. Just a couple of reminders, schools are not allowed to test all students in school, but only students participating in activities. Mr. Davis, Activities Director will update you at the Fall sports meeting later this month.

We continued making improvements to our facilities this summer! We replaced some concrete areas this summer to improve access or parking areas at Central, Jefferson and the ‘47 Building. We are close to completing our Science/ Special Education expansion and re- model project on-time and under budget!

This project has greatly expanded and improved our Special Education spaces to include a Sensory Room, a Life Skills room (which includes a kitchenette and laundry spaces) and 3 “Special Education Suite” classrooms which each have 2 smaller instructional spaces within the classroom for small group instruction/ activities. This project also expanded our Science classrooms which has increased their class sizes by more than 50%. It is an awesome learning environment for our students! You will be able to see these new spaces at our Open House on August 20th!

We are excited for the new school year to begin on Wednesday, August 21st! See you soon!  Read More

 I look forward to seeing you as the school year gets started!

Go Jeffs!

~Mr. Stephen Grizzle

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Farm 2 School ~ We Need Your Help

It is now time to ask for assistance for the upcoming school year for our Farm 2 School program!  We need around $1,300.00 per month for our processing costs of the animals being donated for our school’s lunch program.  Please contact either Jane Rhine or Stephen Grizzle to see how you can donate money or animals for our Farm 2 School program!  Our kids love having locally-raised beef or pork for lunch!

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