Elkhorn South High School
November 2021
From the High School Principal- Mark Kalvoda
From the High School Principal
As we start the second quarter and move close to the Thanksgiving holiday, I have reflected upon how much we have to be thankful for in the Elkhorn Public School District. My reflections lead down many paths, but all centered on the pride I have in this school district, this high school and our students. I am continually impressed by the character and determination of our students as well as their involvement in many activities, managing a challenging curriculum, and the many hours spent working or volunteering outside of school. Yet our students maintain positivity, optimism, and persistence. My most sincere hope is that Elkhorn South has provided many great lessons for future success in college and beyond. I also understand that many challenges lie ahead; semester finals, winter activity season, demanding coursework, winter weather, and the like. I am inspired by their resiliency and believe that we all can learn from their perseverance.
I am reminded frequently that there is much to be celebrated here at ESHS. This quick list of accomplishments from the first quarter shows the commitment of our students and staff to excellence:
- 7 National Merit Semi-Finalists: Julia Edwards, Zachary Heidenrich, Lindsey Kenkel, Madeline Luth, Elise Madden, Mia Mellican, and Linda Xu
- State Tournament Volleyball and State Playoff Football this week.
- State Band #7 at NSBA on Oct 23rd
- Record Number of All-State Choir and Band Members
- Individual State Cross Country Champion and Runner Up.
- State Girls Golf 4th place at State and State Boys Tennis 3rd place at State
- First Class A 20 win season in Softball
We have much to be grateful for. These successes did not happen by accident. They were achieved through collective vision, effort and commitment of staff, students and parents. Clearly, we all have the same goals in mind- Excellence in everything we do. I appreciate your support of everything at Elkhorn South. I challenge students and staff to stave off the fatigue, and encourage others to do the same. Focus on what we can control and look for opportunities to serve others. Right now, we have much to be thankful for and while we all have different experiences and different perspectives, and may not agree on everything, we have more in common than different. It is my sincere hope that we can all agree in our pride in Elkhorn South High School and the excellent opportunities that our students have here. Stay unified and Roll Storm!
The topic of rigor and college preparedness has been frequently discussed this quarter. Periodically, I hear the conversation framed in a manner of “what students will need for college”. When engaged in this conversation with students, parents or colleagues, I often respond with some questions, “Can the student honestly state that he/she has done everything possible to be prepared for college? Have they taken advantage of rigorous levels of curriculum in order to prepare for college?” Clearly, I want our students to be successful in college and in life and have a vested interest in their future. Thus, I would contend it is far better for students to be challenged to their utmost potential in high school, where they have built-in support systems of caring parents and educators at their side. I believe that as educators, we are morally obligated to ensure that our students are prepared for life after high school. I fear that if students leave here without being challenged and find their first real academic challenges in college, they will struggle in isolation, away from caring adults, and become overwhelmed. Our guidance department, teachers and administrators will continue to encourage our students to take the rigorous coursework in preparation for college. We look forward to continued conversations with our parents and students regarding college preparedness. I would encourage all of our parents to thoughtfully encourage their students to take the most rigorous courses possible during all four years of their high school career.
Again, thank you for all your support so far this year at ESHS. I look forward to future conversations about your students’ experiences and education here at Elkhorn South High School.
Please feel free to call my office at 289-0616 or email me at mkalvoda@epsne.org if you have any questions or concerns.
Mark Kalvoda
Student absences and appointments
Parents do not need to come into the building to get their child, the student will sign themselves out on our office computer. If it is for a Drs. appointment, please have the student bring a note from the Dr. upon their return.
Thank you so much for your cooperation with this.
Upcoming Dates
Nov. 24 - One hour early dismisal
Nov. 25/26 - No school
Dec. 21 - End of second quarter
Dec. 22 - Jan 2 - Winter break/No school
Jan 3. - In-service/No school
Jan 17- In-service/No school
Feb 16 & 17-Parent Teacher Conferences/One hour early dismissal
Feb 18-No School
Mar 10-End of 3rd Quarter
Mar 11- In-service/No school
Mar 14-18-Spring Break
Apr 15- In-service/No school
April 23 - Prom
May 22 - Graduation
Update of Email, home address and phone number
Please contact Penny Rohl in the Counseling Center at 402-289-0616 #3 or prohl@epsne.org to make changes to email, phone, or home mailing address.
Anonymous online reporting system
- (531) 299-SAFE (7233)
- www.Safe2HelpNE.org
- Download the “Safe2Help” app from your app store
- Found on individual building homepages
News from your Athletic Director - Roger Ortmeier
Click to order official Storm gear
ESHS Choir Fundraising Concert
ESHS Choir Fundraising Concert November 13, 2021 @ 7:00 PM ESHS Auditorium - $10 Admission Two Acts + Intermission
Follow this link to purchase tickets: https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/58140
NHS Blood Drive
NHS Blood Drive
The Elkhorn South National Honor Society is sponsoring a blood drive with the American Red
Cross on Friday, November 19th in the ESHS aux gym.
Students age 16 and up and any adults in the community may donate; appointments are available from 7:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Adults and students 17 years old or older can schedule themselves by clicking on https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=ESHSstorm, but still need to fill out a consent form found in room F110 and E138. If you are 16 you still need a consent form, but need to sign up with Mr. Fauss.
Come see our student-directed one-act comedy The Alibis followed by our competitive one-act’s team presentation of the drama Lockdown (unsettling subject matter)
on Tues, Nov. 30 at 7pm.
Elkhorn North High School Production
Elkhorn North High School Production
Girls Basketball
November 8 - Start of conditioning for Girl's Basketball.
November 15, 16, and 17 - Tryouts! Must have sports physical completed prior to tryouts.
Jostens ~ 12th graders
Cap and Gown Information and Graduation Announcements
On Friday, August 27th, we provided seniors with information about ordering a cap and gown. If your child misplaced the packet, they can pick up one up in the office.
Please know that students need just a cap, gown and tassel. *Please note that we use the same cap and gown annually, so you can reuse siblings’/friends’/neighbors’ attire if available and then just purchase a tassel.
Ordering invites and other memorabilia from Jostens is up to individual families.
For quality assurance, Jostens recommends ordering online. The link to order from is listed below.
SODEXO
2021-2022 Breakfast and Lunch Information
We are pleased to announce from NDE Nutrition Services, the USDA has continued the free meal
program for the 2021-2022 school year. All Elkhorn students can receive a free breakfast and lunch
daily. This is a federally funded program from the USDA.
No paperwork is necessary to receive a free breakfast and/or lunch. Students will go through the
normal school meal procedures and receive a complete meal meeting the USDA requirements.
ITEMS NOT COVERED under the funding:
Single MILK ONLY (no meal) or additional MILK purchase (cost is .50 cents each)
Additional Entrées
Snack and Ala-Carte Items
*STUDENTS WILL NEED FUNDS TO PURCHASE THOSE ADDITIONAL ITEMS
MAKING DEPOSITS
SETTING UP AN ONLINE ACCOUNT will allow you to make deposits, view the account,
set reminders, add restrictions and add an auto-deposit option if preferred.
*EPS now partners with SchoolPay for student lunch accounts. To add funds, go to
www.schoolpay.com and log into to your user account. If you do not yet have a
SchoolPay account, a link can be found on the EPS website under the Parents tab, select
Lunch then scroll down to Lunch Account Portal for the instructions link.
MAIL CHECKS payable to EPS, that include your student name and student ID Number to
EPS Food Service, 1401 Veterans Drive, Elkhorn, NE 68022
SEND LUNCH MONEY WITH YOUR STUDENT TO SCHOOL, include your student name
and student ID number preferably in an envelope for elementary students to give to their
teacher.
Any funds that are currently on a student account will remain on their account and carry over year to
year while the student remains in the Elkhorn School District.
We look forward to continuing to serve our students healthy and nutritious meals during these
unprecedented times!
Sodexo Dining Services/Elkhorn Public Schools
1401 Veterans Drive
402-289-0443
Make a difference with the Elkhorn Public Schools!
Elkhorn Public Schools is currently hiring Teacher Assistants for the 2021-22 school year. If you're looking for a position with a family-friendly schedule that follows the school year calendar, a supportive work environment, and competitive pay starting at $15.65, apply today at https://bit.ly/3gJox9Q.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wHOX-YQlIm4JWrJnifG0S5gEC_9PBVkX/view?usp=sharing
Metro Conference Website
rSchool Today App
NSAA Website
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION – EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Notice of Nondiscrimination
The Elkhorn Public School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, disability, race (including skin color, hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion, veteran status, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, sexual orientation or gender identity, or other protected status in its programs.
The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination
policies:
Students: Anne Doerr, Executive Director of Student Services, 20650 Glenn Street (402) 289-2579, ([adoerr@epsne.org]).
Employees and Others: Don Pechous, Executive Director of Personnel, 20650 Glenn Street (402) 289-2579, ([dpechous@epsne.org]).
Complaints or concerns involving discrimination or needs for accommodation or access should be addressed to the appropriate Coordinator. For further information about anti-discrimination laws and regulations, or to file a complaint of discrimination with the OCR at One Petticoat Lane, 1010 Walnut Street, 3rd Floor, Suite 320, Kansas City, Missouri 64106, (816) 268-0550 (voice), Fax (816) 268-0599, (800) 877-8339 (telecommunications device for the deaf), or ocr.kansascity@ed.gov.