Educational Service Unit # 13
SERVING THE PANHANDLE OF NEBRASKA
December, 2017 Newsletter
Scottsbluff Site
Scottsbluff, NE 69361
Phone: (308) 635-3696
FAX: (308) 635-0680
Chadron Site
Crites Hall
Chadron State College
Chadron, NE 69337
Phone: (308) 432-6495
Sidney Site
1114 Toledo Street
Sidney, NE 69162
Phone: (308) 254-4677
FAX: (308) 254-5371
Mission Statement
Educational Service Unit #13...
Achieving educational excellence for all learners through strong partnerships, service and leadership
By . . .
- Collaborating with schools, families, and communities
- Serving with equity, efficiency, and integrity
- Communicating effectively
- Leading with innovation
ADMINISTRATION
I had the honor and privilege to serve as President of the Association of Educational Service Agencies (AESA) at this year’s annual conference. The national conference was a great opportunity for attendees to share, grow, network and participate with other colleagues who represent ESUs from across the country.
At our opening general session, we heard from Dr. Eric Jensen who uses fresh brain research to show how poverty can compromise the brain in ways you never imagined. Dr. Jensen also shared how quality teaching and great schools can rewire the brain to become amazingly successful.
ESU 13 was well represented at the conference with Laura Barrett, Jadie Beam, and George Schlothauer presenting in person while BJ Peters and Kiowa Rogers joined the presentations via Zoom video conferencing from ESU 13 in Scottsbluff.
George Schlothauer’s presentation was entitled, “Offering Alternative Educational Opportunities in Rural Settings.” LifeLink-Nebraska and Valley Alternative Learning and Transitioning School (VALTS) were highlighted during the presentation. Both programs are housed together on the campus of WNCC at the Harms Center. Uniquely designed, LifeLink provides post-secondary transition skills for 18-21 year old students with disabilities. All students participate in employment, learn independent living skills, and participate in volunteerism and community involvement. Students have the opportunity to enroll in college classes through WNCC. VALTS, our alternative high school, helps students meet graduation requirements of 10 different school districts. Known for outside the box thinking, VALTS succeeds in providing education enrichment to students with a variety of different circumstances. Through advanced technology and small classes, VALTS has been meeting students’ needs since 1998.
Dr. Jeff West presented with AESA Executive Director Dr. Joan Wade on Friday and their presentation was entitled, “Calling All New AESA Members!” This was an invitation to members new to AESA to learn more about their national organization. There are almost 20 different names for educational service agencies from across the US that makes up the membership. Attendees discovered who makes up the membership and the similarities and differences between these diverse organizations. We held an interactive discussion about the governance structure, funding, role of the CEO and the types of services that are offered by our members.
Laura Barrett, Jadie Beam, and BJ Peters (via Zoom) presented on Friday morning as well. Their presentation was entitled, “Supporting Professional Learning for Paraprofessionals.” Paraprofessionals are often the first contact students have on a daily basis, yet receive very little professional development. In this session, ESU 13 staff shared that our 21 districts asked for a solution to this training problem. Multiple departments collaborated to offer one-hour topical trainings through distance learning in order to reach each corner of our 15,000-mile service area. These trainings grew from 37 participants to 235 engaged paraprofessionals.
Laura Barrett, Jadie Beam, George Schlothauer, BJ Peters and Kiowa Rogers(via Zoom) presented Friday afternoon. The presentation was entitled, “Collaboration: Beyond the Buzzword.” They talked about how ESU 13 departments have broken down the “silos” starting with our Leadership team that is made up of the directors of each program. This has helped to make sure we are presenting a unified vision and message to member school districts all while keeping focus on achievement for all students. The staff also shared our process from needs visits with our districts to implementation of services.
Educationally yours,
Dr. Jeffrey D West
12 Reasons Why People Like Working for a Director/Supervisor by Roger Neugebauer
- You believe in people from day one.
- You build on people's strengths.
- You provide people with feedback.
- You view people's welfare as a high priority.
- You build team spirit.
- You inspire commitment.
- You set high standards.
- You remove obstacles to people's success.
- You encourage people to take risks.
- You make working fun.
- You cultivate professional pride.
- You help people see results.
Birthdays - Happy Birthday to everyone!! If you would like your birthday included in future newsletters just email me at jrundell@esu13.org
Happy Birthday to them and to everyone that has a birthday in December.
SOAR (Sharing Opportunities and Achieving Results)
Nebraska Loves Public Schools recently screened their film “Seeds of Hope” at Chadron State College. This film “put a human face on the English-language learners (ELL) programs in Chadron, Omaha and Schuyler” according to an article in the Chadron Record. The article went on to state that Nebraska has experienced a 113 percent increase in English Language Learners (ELL) since 2000, and the goal of such programs is to teach them English as fast as possible so they can be successful. ESU13’s Kiowa Rogers and Julie Downing served on a panel discussion that aired on News Channel Nebraska following the film screening.
The Chadron Record reports, “That effort often extends beyond the student at any school that has ELL kids. The movie made it clear that the programs must focus on the entire family, and a panel of Panhandle educators from Chadron High, Chadron Head Start, the Pine Ridge Job Corps and ESU 13 reinforced that afterwards.”
Students in ESU13 are served by many ELL educators. Professional development for these educators has been ongoing for decades and those in the ELL Cadre led by Michelle Keszler and Lisa Myles share that the cadre is “a great thing,” and credit ESU13 with the leadership and vision for developing professional ELL educators. One noted that, “Where there is no vision; there is no growth. Well, because this service unit gives us our vision, I firmly believe that they are the bones of what keeps us together, and without their contribution, and without their…. their framework, without their structure, we would be lost.”
If you’d like to learn more visit Nebraska Loves Public Schools at http://nelovesps.org/story/seeds-of-hope/.
Rempp, K. (2017, October 3). ELL programs planting “Seeds of Hope” across the state. The Chadron Record. Retrieved November 21, 2017, from http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/local/communities/chadron/schools/ell-programs-planting-seeds-of-hope-across-the-state/article_38331878-a87c-11e7-a990-332697616b1d.html
Technology Department
Holiday Tech Tips
This holiday season, I hope you get lots of presents! Or at least one thing you really want. If one of those pressies is a brand new technology device – say the newest iPhone, Kindle Fire, or tablet – here are some security and privacy tips.
Linked Account(s)
Many devices are associated with some kind of account. You may have to create a new account or link an email address to the device. Make sure you know whose account it’s linked to—preferably yours. Choose a username or email and password that only you will know.
Go Through the Settings
This can be a bit boring (so grab some hot chocolate or eggnog), but spend some time going through the settings. Not only will this help you learn all the options and features on your brand new tech device, it also allows you to see what kind of security and privacy controls you have.
Was it Used?
I love hand-me-downs! But when it comes to tech, it’s important to make sure that all previous accounts and data have been removed. Do a full reset of the device to delete everything and get it to factory settings. Not sure how to do it? Just google “How to reset [your device name here].”
Go Through the Apps
Most smart devices allow you to download apps or additional software onto the device. Make sure you know what’s on there, especially if someone else set it up for you. If you come across an app that you know you won’t use or aren’t sure about, consider deleting it.
Update Passwords
If you asked someone else to set up anything up for you (the service, account, apps, etc.), and you gave them your username/passwords, consider changing your passwords afterwards. Yes, the holiday season is all about giving – but this doesn’t apply to your passwords and privacy! So remember that even if someone is nice enough to gift you with a fun device, it’s yours, not theirs.
We hope you all have fabulous holidays with lots of good cheer & yummy food!
Special Services Department
We welcome Ellie Eckman to the Meridian staff as a para educator. If you see her, stop in and say hi!
Head Start/Early Head Start
Relationships is where everything starts. Teachers are meeting with parents to update them on their child's school readiness goal that was set in August and discover what growth parents have seen. Children are learning and growing with all of the experiences offered daily in the classrooms. If you have ever wondered what is happening in our classrooms we encourage you to stop by and read a book to the children, engage in small group time, or just stop and have a conversation with a child.
Currently we are in the process of hiring an enrollment manager as Les Amory is relocating to Alabama the end of December. We would like to welcome Jackie Garza to Bridgeport Head Start team as Assistant Teacher,
Psychology Department
Stress, depression and the holidays: Tips for coping
Stress and depression can ruin your holidays and hurt your health. Being realistic, planning ahead and seeking support can help ward off stress and depression.
The holiday season often brings unwelcome guests — stress and depression. And it's no wonder. The holidays present a dizzying array of demands — parties, shopping, baking, cleaning and entertaining, to name just a few.
But with some practical tips, you can minimize the stress that accompanies the holidays. You may even end up enjoying the holidays more than you thought you would.
Tips to prevent holiday stress and depression
When stress is at its peak, it's hard to stop and regroup. Try to prevent stress and depression in the first place, especially if the holidays have taken an emotional toll on you in the past.
1. Acknowledge your feelings. If someone close to you has recently died or you can't be with loved ones, realize that it's normal to feel sadness and grief. It's OK to take time to cry or express your feelings. You can't force yourself to be happy just because it's the holiday season.
2. Reach out. If you feel lonely or isolated, seek out community, religious or other social events. They can offer support and companionship. Volunteering your time to help others also is a good way to lift your spirits and broaden your friendships.
3. Be realistic. The holidays don't have to be perfect or just like last year. As families change and grow, traditions and rituals often change as well. Choose a few to hold on to, and be open to creating new ones. For example, if your adult children can't come to your house, find new ways to celebrate together, such as sharing pictures, emails or videos.
4. Set aside differences. Try to accept family members and friends as they are, even if they don't live up to all of your expectations. Set aside grievances until a more appropriate time for discussion. And be understanding if others get upset or distressed when something goes awry. Chances are they're feeling the effects of holiday stress and depression, too.
5. Stick to a budget. Before you go gift and food shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Then stick to your budget. Don't try to buy happiness with an avalanche of gifts.
Try these alternatives:
- Donate to a charity in someone's name.
- Give homemade gifts.
- Start a family gift exchange.
6. Plan ahead. Set aside specific days for shopping, baking, visiting friends and other activities. Plan your menus and then make your shopping list. That'll help prevent last-minute scrambling to buy forgotten ingredients. And make sure to line up help for party prep and cleanup.
7. Learn to say no. Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Friends and colleagues will understand if you can't participate in every project or activity. If it's not possible to say no when your boss asks you to work overtime, try to remove something else from your agenda to make up for the lost time.
8. Don't abandon healthy habits. Don't let the holidays become a free-for-all. Overindulgence only adds to your stress and guilt.
Try these suggestions:
- Have a healthy snack before holiday parties so that you don't go overboard on sweets, cheese or drinks.
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Incorporate regular physical activity into each day.
9. Take a breather. Make some time for yourself. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do. Find something that reduces stress by clearing your mind, slowing your breathing and restoring inner calm.
Some options may include:
- Taking a walk at night and stargazing.
- Listening to soothing music.
- Getting a massage.
- Reading a book.
10. Seek professional help if you need it. Despite your best efforts, you may find yourself feeling persistently sad or anxious, plagued by physical complaints, unable to sleep, irritable and hopeless, and unable to face routine chores. If these feelings last for a while, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional.
Take control of the holidays
Don't let the holidays become something you dread. Instead, take steps to prevent the stress and depression that can descend during the holidays. Learn to recognize your holiday triggers, such as financial pressures or personal demands, so you can combat them before they lead to a meltdown. With a little planning and some positive thinking, you can find peace and joy during the holidays.
(This information can be found on the Mayo Clinic website www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stressmanagement/in-depth/stress/art.)
Alternative Education
VALTS is looking forward to graduation on December 20th. We anticipate six (6) graduates for 2nd quarter. This will bring our total, since the program started in 1998, to 610!
Our 2nd quarter theme was Coffee/Entrepreneurship. Students learned about small businesses, business law, resumes, cover letters and the science behind coffee. Students roasted, prepared, tasted and served coffee to our area superintendents and our VALTS board.
Have a Merry Christmas!
Migrant Education Program
Good things happen every day as each of our recruiters and service providers work with children and families! Thank you, Migrant staff! Here are some updates:
Morning tutoring has begun at Mitchell Elementary.
As part of our 2017-18 Needs Assessment process, we found a low percentage (37%) of our migrant 3-5 year olds are enrolled in preschool last year. We are now proactively reaching out to parents and will be educating them on the benefits of preschool and school readiness activities. Any materials or ideas you have would be welcome.
Our Bi-National Teacher application is due December 15. Due to our changing demographics and needs, this year I plan to apply for one teacher instead of 2-3 as in past years. The cost savings will help facilitate better academic programs for students in our northern districts.
Welcome, Annie Mesa!
Annie Mesa has joined the Migrant Education team as our School/Home Liaison for migrant students at Bluffs Middle School and Scottsbluff High School. Annie assists middle school students during the school day and provides after school homework assistance and mentoring at the middle school and high school.
News from the Wellness Committee
Remember, all you need to do to complete Elevate is complete 3 challenges, complete your PHA and have it signed by your health care professional. You get $25 for completing the PHA and $150 for completing the Elevate program!!