Raymond Central Newsletter
February 2018
From the Desk of Dr. Joel...
Every month I find myself saying “I cannot believe it is…” but here I go again. I cannot believe it is February already. One of my 2017-2018 school year goals is to visit each school site at least one time per week. Visiting our schools and talking with staff and students is one of my favorite aspects of being a public school superintendent. My visits have found students clearly enjoying the learning process in their classes as teachers facilitate and engage students in a variety of activities, topics, and learning experiences.
February is a great time to reflect on the impact we have in the education of all Raymond Central students. The daily work of teachers, paraeducators, bus drivers, cooks, custodians, administrative assistants, etc. is critical to the development of a positive and challenging learning environment for all students. Education is a process that thrives when community members work together to support focused, learning objectives for students. Parental involvement in a child’s education is very important. Research supports when parents are involved in their child’s education, achievement increases. Continuing to stay involved in your child’s learning through purposeful questions you ask, thoughtful schedules you put in place, and high expectations you hold, are critically important to the success your child will experience in the future.
Finally, I have been monitoring the educational bills as they are introduced at the state capitol. After listening to Governor Ricketts speak at a conference, it appears that no bill will pass if it has a fiscal note attached to it. There are several hot topics for education this year, but none more than school funding and property tax relief. Please know I am advocating for property tax relief, but will not support a bill that does not provide the same, if not more, funding for PK-12 public education. At Raymond Central, we have seen our state aid dwindle and our local property taxpayers make up the difference in higher land valuations. This trend has to stop, however, the State of Nebraska has to find alternate revenue sources to supplement school funding to alleviate the over-reliance on property taxes. I will continue to follow this and keep you informed.
Cross your fingers that we will not see another blizzard this winter!
Dr. Joel
Fillies Dance Team - Valentine's Day Fundraiser
Driver's Education
Important Activity Dates
Monday Feb 5th - Pops concert 6:30pm
Tuesday Feb 6th - Cheer/Dance Senior night @ Halftime of boys varsity game
Thursday/Friday Feb 9th/10th - District WR @ Centennial
Friday Feb 9th - Senior basketball night
Monday/Tuesday/Thursday Feb 12/13/15 - Sub-district girls basketball @ TBD
Monday/Tuesday/Thursday Feb 12/13/15 - Host sub-district D1-3 girls basketball @ RC
Thursday/Friday/Saturday Feb 15/16/17 - State WR @ Omaha
Saturday Feb 17th - Conference Speech @ DC West
Monday/Tuesday/Thursday Feb 19/20/22 - Sub-district boys basketball @ TBD
Monday/Tuesday/Thursday Feb 19/20/22 - Host sub-district D1-3 boys basketball @ RC
Friday Feb 23th - Girls basketball district finals
Saturday Feb 24th - youth wrestling tournament
Saturday Feb 24th - NSAA dual wrestling championships
Monday Feb 26th - 1st day of spring practices (Track, Baseball)
PTO BEYOND Class Girls with Ideas…
An exciting new after-school class was held this fall for interested girls in 4th and 5th grades. Former elementary principal and current Raymond Central BOE President Dr. Harriet Gould taught this class targeting leadership, confidence, creativity, entrepreneurship, and action planning. The class is taught in four segments: 1)leadership styles; 2)importance of creativity and why ideas matter; 3) designing an action plan for a project; and 4)taking steps to make the action plan a reality.
Seven girls from both Ceresco and Valparaiso participated in the initial class. Two high school assistants, Miranda Hornung and Peyton Taylor, played important leadership roles during lesson instruction and also encouraged the girls throughout the class. After constructive brainstorming, the girls decided on their project….to raise funds for new books for the Ceresco library since over 1,700 books were damaged and had to be thrown away. A unique penny drive was initiated and the classes raised over $1,000 in their efforts.
TRENDS IN TEEN SUBSTANCE USE PART THREE OF THREE
Prescription Drug Misuse and Abuse
There is a misconception among some of our youth that it is safer to use prescription drugs to get high rather than use illegal drugs, because they are prescribed by a doctor or dentist and dispensed by a pharmacist. The fact is, any use of prescription drugs without a doctor’s recommendation can be as dangerous as using illegal drugs. Improper use can have serious health effects including addiction and overdose. Prescription Drug Abuse is defined as: taking a medication prescribed to someone else, taking your own prescription in a way not intended by a doctor or dentist or taking a medication to get high.
Most abused prescription drugs fall under three categories: Pain Killers (i.e. OxyContin, Vicodin, Codeine), Depressants (i.e. Valium or Xanax) or Stimulants (i.e. Adderall, Ritalin). Many teens are accessing medications from their own medicine cabinets at home, from friends or from relatives. Law enforcement and substance use prevention/intervention specialists have identified an alarming trend in accessibility of prescription drugs. Some teens are accessing prescription drugs by attending Pharm Parties in which a combination of over-the-counter and prescription drugs are combined in a bowl and distributed without heeding the dangers. Effects of prescription drug misuse and abuse varies depending on the drug but combining multiple medications or combining with alcohol can be especially dangerous. It is important to talk with youth about the proper use of prescription medications and the dangers associated with misuse. To learn more about prescription drug misuse, SCIP recommends watching “Out of Reach” , a powerful documentary created by a teen filmmaker that captures the issue of teen prescription drug abuse. It was created in collaboration with the director of “Intervention” and the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids’ Medicine Abuse Project. To access this documentary please visit:
http://medicineabuseproject.org/resources/out-of-reach-medicine-abuse-through-the-eyes-of-a-teen
The Power of School Connectedness in Prevention
The collaboration of families, schools and communities can help foster an environment that facilitates healthy youth development. Importantly, connectedness to school can serve as an important protective factor for youth. According to the CDC, research shows that students who feel a genuine sense of belonging at school are more likely to do well in school, stay in school, and make healthy choices. Studies on youth risky behavior have shown that students who feel connected to their school environment are less likely to use alcohol, tobacco or other drugs., have emotional distress or consider or attempt suicide. Strong family involvement, belonging to a positive peer group, supportive school personnel and inclusive school environments can help students feel more connected. Just as schools can take steps to promote youth connections to school, parents can play an important role in fostering a positive relationship between their children and their school environment.
· Encourage your child to talk openly with you, teachers, counselors, and other school staff about his/her needs, ideas and worries.
· Meet regularly with your child’s teachers to build positive relationships.
· Get involved in your child’s school through parent advisory boards, committees or groups to help plan school policies and school-wide activities.
· Keep informed about the expectations of your child’s school by talking to teachers and staff, attending school meetings and reading information the school sends home. Then, support these expectations at home.
About SCIP
School Community Intervention and Prevention is a program designed to bring together families, school and the community to support student behavioral and emotional health by addressing both individual and environmental elements that influence youth behavior.
SCIP works with schools to form a front line of early identification, intervention and connection to resources for students and their families struggling with mental, emotional and behavioral health issues.
When a student is displaying concerning behavior either at school, at home, or in the community, the student can be referred to the SCIP Team within the student’s school. The SCIP Team will work to support the student and his/her family by connecting them with services and resources both within the school building and outside of the school environment.
SCIP collaborates with community behavioral health agencies that can provide screenings at no cost for the student.
For more information please contact the Raymond Central School Counselor or visit www.scipnebraska.com.
High School Counselor News
February 7th Mini College Fair: JATC Electrical, CUNE, UNK, Midland, Bryan College, UNL, Wayne State
February 7th Raising Canes Dual/College Credit night (SCC and UNL present)
for 10th and 11th grade student and parents RSVP to https://goo.gl/forms/9KAi7FoD0USPt2HE2
February 8th Parent Teacher Conferences 7-12th grade 4-8pm
February 8th 8th going to 9th grade parent meeting 6:30pm in Room 108
February 10th National ACT
February 24th 9-noon Seniors Scholarship Saturday worktime breakfast provided
March 6th Mini College Fair- JATC Electrical, CUNE, Creative Center, Bryan, UNMC, Northwest Missouri State
March 9th Deadline to register for April National ACT
March 10th 9-noon Seniors Scholarship Saturday worktime breakfast provided
March 15th Local Scholarships Due
March 21st Transition Fair- more details to come from Mrs. Benes and Ms. Osten
March 28th 8th grade Career Field Trip to UNL East Campus
April 2nd NO SCHOOL Easter break
April 3rd State ACT for juniors at RC (DO NOT MISS SCHOOL)
April 3rd Freshman College Visit
April 3rd Sophomore College Visit
April 3rd Junior High Health Fair
April 3rd Senior Field Trip
April 19th Mini College Fair- JATC Electrical, CUNE, SCC
May 12th Graduation
FFA Alumni consignment auction on Jan. 14. The auction grossed approximately $400,000 from machinery, equipment, and misc. farm tools. Central FFA members helped at the auction by parking cards, running auction bids, and working in the concession stand.
High School Band at Wayne State College
The RC Band had 6 students qualify for the Wayne State College Honor Band held on Saturday, January 27th. The students auditioned in the fall and were then selected to 1 of 2 honor bands. Students were from over 70 different schools in a 3 state region. They rehearsed for approximately 8 hours before giving a concert for family and friends that evening. Participants included Ellen Dexter, Senior, Trombone; Brigit Schultz, Junior, Clarinet; Maiya Miller, Senior, Oboe; Megan Lange, Freshman, Flute; Matthew Jackson, Senior, Trumpet; and Brandon Unverferth, Senior, Tuba. They were accompanied by band director, Jordan Luke. Each of these talented students have qualified for these honor bands before with Ellen and Brandon participating 6 years. These honor bands are very beneficial for the students in expanding their musical horizons. The support of the administration and the Music Boosters is greatly appreciated so that they can have these opportunities.
The Senior High Band, Jazz Band and Choir will be holding their annual Pops Concert on February 5 at 6:30pm. The Music Boosters will also be having a fundraiser, selling desserts before and after the concert. Money raised helps support the music programs by purchasing extra items and sponsoring the students at honor events. Come out and support these talented musicians and vocalists and enjoy some desserts!!!
About Us
Email: rcentraljournalism@gmail.com
Website: www.rcentral.org
Phone: 4027852685
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RaymondCentralHS/
Twitter: @RC_Mustangs