Bluejay Bulletin
GACC High School Happenings February 1 - 8
From the Principal
Dear Fellow Bluejays,
As we wrap up Catholic Schools Week, I want to thank everyone who helped make Catholic Schools Week extra special for our students. The opportunity you provide them by choosing Catholic Education is not taken lightly by our staff, supporters, students, and alumni. It means a lot to be a Bluejay, and even though they eventually leave “The Nest,” this is always a place they can call home.
This year's theme for Catholic Schools Week was United in Faith and Community. Thank you to our alumni who have chosen to join a religious vocation. Please note, if anyone is not included in this list, please let the High School know so we can add them.
As we progress through February, we look forward to State competitions for our athletes and teams. Being able to finish the year on top is always a benefit for the hours of hard work they put in over the years. Our speech team is growing and going strong. They will have districts in March; hearing them practicing before and after school is fun.
Lent will be here soon, and our 9th - 12th grade students will be participating in a Pray 40 challenge this year. In addition, our 7th - 8th graders will be taking a deeper look into the stations of the cross during this Lenten season.
Thank you for all of your support and for choosing Catholic Education for your families.
Justin R. Wardyn
GACC High School Principal
Celebrating Catholic Schools Week
Mrs. Jansen (left) and Emma Englemeyer personified Buddy Day.
ZaraNae Torres (left) and Addison Baumert sported red, white and blue in honor our nation.
Annual Seniors vs. Teachers Volleyball Game
The Bluejay mascot and Sr. Elizabeth Ann Miller cheered from the sideline.
Myles Dinslage (left side of the net) attempts to block Mr. Jansen.
The seniors lost to the teachers, but were still rewarded with Dilly Bars courtesy of the West Point Dairy Queen. Front, from left, Emerson Ortmeier, Sydney Hutchinson, Kelsy Steffen, Isabel Hass, Jocelynn Skoda, Amber Kreikemeier, Kiley Pojar, Jayden Ehrisman, Helena Steffensmeier;
middle, James Schuetze, Evan Schuetze, Jesse Steffen, Seth Baumert, Carter Nebuda, Joe Schwer; back, Nick Daberkow, Dax Doernemann, Bryce Bailey, Gavin Kreikemeier, Myles Dinslage.
Once again, the teachers proved they still got game! Front, from left, Mrs. Vonnahme, Mrs. Meister, Mrs. Batenhorst, Ms. Wimer, Mrs. Lueshen; back, Mr. Jansen, Fr. Weeder.
GACC Player Chosen for All Star Football Game
Congratulations to Jesse Steffen for being selected to play in the Northeast Nebraska All Star Football Game. The game will be played Saturday, June 8, at 11 a.m. in Norfolk.
Yearbook Happy Ads Due Feb. 29
Show your love and support to your senior student by purchasing a Happy Ad in the 2023-2024 GACC yearbook!
- Happy Ad Cost: $30
- Deadline: February 29, 2024
- Size: 1/8th page
To order a Happy Ad honoring your senior student:
- Download the Happy Ad form below, fill out and return to Mrs. Thoene WITH PAYMENT and MATERIALS.
- Submit all materials (PHOTO and AD COPY) with your child's name on the file along with the form and payment by February 29 to Mrs. Thoene. Failure to submit ALL materials to Mrs. Thoene will result in the ad not being created and money refunded.
- Materials, form and payment may be dropped off at the High School office.
- Questions: Email Mrs. Thoene at bthoene@gaccbluejays.org, or call 402-372-5326.
Service Hour Opportunity
- There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board by the office to help with the fish fries during Lent. Please show your appreciation for the Knights of Columbus, who support many school fundraisers for all of you, by volunteering to work at one or more fish fries. You will earn Service Hours when working at the fish fries.
Upcoming Events
February
17 Paper Drive
20 Speech Night of Excellence, 7 p.m.
21 Edge, 7 p.m., enter through gym door
29 NO SCHOOL, Staff Development
March
1-4 NO SCHOOL, Spring Break
6 Gr. 7 - 12 Parent Teacher Conferences
11 NO SCHOOL, Professional Development/School of Faith
16 SPA Paper Drive
18 Blue Ribbon Dinner, Nielsen Center
28 - April 1 NO SCHOOL, Easter Break
West Point Blood Drive on February 5
Order Your Yearbook by March 1
City of West Point Accepting Lifeguard Applications Until Feb. 9
The City of West Point is now accepting lifeguard applications for this summer. Applications are due to the City Office by Friday, February 9 BEFORE 4 p.m. Applications are available on the counter by the High School Office, or you can find it on the City's website ci.west-point.ne.us. If you have any questions, please contact Brittany Larsen at blarsen@wpcadets.net
ITCC Golf Course Is Hiring for Summer Maintenance
Indian Trails is now accepting applications for Golf Course Maintenance. Hours are typically 6 a.m. – 2 p.m., Monday – Friday and every other weekend. Must be willing and able to do manual labor; mowing, trimming, raking, etc. If interested, or for more information, call or text Course Superintendent Shane Combs (402)380-5504.
Travel Abroad Opportunity
Something to Make You Smile
This week's comic strip was designed by Joelle Peatrowsky. Enjoy!
You can still join the GACC Fine Arts virtual games fundraiser!
If you haven't yet joined the fun in the GACC Fine Arts Fundraising Festival of Virtual Games, hop on over to Facebook and join the group today! We've already given away 34 prizes.
- To participate, go to Facebook and search for GACC Fine Arts Fundraising, then click join group.
- Must be 18 or older to participate.
- New games and prizes will be announced on a rolling basis. Every time one game closes, a new game is launched!
- All proceeds go directly to the GACC Fine Arts programs.
- If you would like to donate a prize for the games, contact Charissa Steffensmeier at 402-380-9871.
- Click on the PDF below for more information.
From the Guidance Counselor
Federal Student Aid announced yesterday that the processing of FAFSA’s will be delayed until the first half of March.
What This Means for Parents/Students:
- FAFSA Submission Summaries will not be available until the first half of March.
- Families cannot make any changes to the FAFSA until they receive an email confirming the FAFSA was processed. They can then see their FAFSA Submission Summary.
- Colleges will not receive ISIRs until March, so financial aid offers will be delayed until April or May.
The good news is the tables used in the FAFSA calculations are being updated. This will increase the number of students receiving Pell Grants and the amount they receive.
Advice for Those Applying for Need-Based Scholarships
Ask your students to keep the following correspondence as it will be all they have available to prove financial need until their FAFSA Submission Summary is ready.
- PDF of the FAFSA confirmation page. View a sample.
- PDF of the confirmation email (subject: We’ve Received Your FAFSA Form). View a sample.
The documents must include their first and last name and the Student Aid Index (SAI).
Scholarship Opportunities
Many scholarship application DUE DATES are coming up! For available scholarships, go to gaccbluejays.org, under the Academic tab, click on School Counselor, then click on 2023-2024 scholarships.
Our community is very generous and likes to spread the wealth around, so encourage your student to apply for as many scholarships as they can. Below are the due dates I gave the students, so I have time to check the applications over to make sure all pages are signed, and everything is in order before I deliver them to the organizations.
Apply NOW for:
- Lower Elkhorn/Pat Ellis, Due Feb. 13
- Dr. Sucha and Franciscan Healthcare Scholarships, Due Feb. 14: One of these scholarships is for a student going into healthcare, and one is available to all GACC seniors.
- Bill Lewis, Due Feb. 16: Seniors must submit themselves.
- American Legion, Due Feb. 22
- Beemer Theater & Fire, Due Feb. 22
- The West Point Community Foundation Scholarships, Due Feb. 23: Many community scholarships can be found under this, and students can apply for multiple scholarships. All Seniors should apply for at least one.
- Cuming County Feeders, Due Feb. 26
- Modern Woodmen, Due Feb. 28
- Joe Oligmueller, Due Feb. 29
- CVA, Due Mar. 1 - Seniors must submit themselves.
- American Legion Auxiliary Scholarship, Due Mar. 1: Must have a family connection to a veteran.
- West Point Ministerial Scholarship, Due March 15.
- West Point Community Theater Scholarship, Due March 30: Must participate in the Fine Arts.
UNL Scholarships Announced
UNL scholarships were announced on Feb. 1, so check your MyRed account to see what awards you may have received. Also, Housing Applications and Roommate Finder are now open.
Open Enrollment for WP-B Public Classes Due Feb. 26
If your child would like to take a class at West Point-Beemer, such as an Agriculture or upper level Spanish, Open Enrollment forms are due to Mrs. Kreikemeier by Monday, Feb. 26. THESE MUST BE NOTARIZED before you submit them to Mrs. K. Mrs. K will be taking the forms around to classes, but additional forms are available in the high school office.
Attend a Visit Day at Briar Cliff University
More than the regular visit day experience - these days will give you the chance to gather with other potential Chargers to experience the Briar Cliff difference. Together, you will experience firsthand the project-based learning, faculty expertise, and academic excitement that will be critical parts of your academic journey at Briar Cliff University.
All events are free and open to any high school and/or college student in the greater Siouxland area. Some visit days have limited capacity so please plan to register in advance!
Options for Everyone
Whether you're interested in Nursing, Social Work, Graphic Design, Accounting, Criminal Justice, Psychology, or Biology, we have the program visit day for you! Gather with students who share similar interests and learn about everything Briar Cliff University has to offer.
What to Expect
Every Visit Day starts at 9:00 a.m. with doors opening at 8:30 a.m. and end at different times. Lunch is provided for all registered students. All guests will leave The Cliff with an excellent understanding of what sets BCU apart from other schools by hearing from our faculty, students, and admissions team.
Business & Media Communication Visit Day-Friday, 2/16/2024
Join us for a series of interactive sessions that will leave you with a good understanding of all things BCU. Throughout the day you will get the chance to talk to real students and graduates of the Business Administration, Marketing, Accounting, Finance, Sports Management, International Business, Mass Communications, Graphic Design, and Sports Information programs at Briar Cliff. Find out more about the career paths they have/will take with their degrees. Finally, end the day having fun with the social media network that makes up the mouthpiece and customer service line for most businesses today. We hope you can make it!
Social Sciences Visit Day-Friday, 3/15/2024
Careers in social work, psychology, behavioral analysis, and criminal justice focus on helping people in many different ways. Join us and conduct a simulated therapy session in the Behavioral Analysis Clinic, participate in crisis intervention with our Social Work faculty, and process a crime scene scenario with our Criminal Justice faculty.
You can sign up for a visit day here! We hope to see you soon!
Beware of Scams
With the recent passage of LB 753, which gives Nebraskans tax incentives to donate to scholarship funds for private and faith-based schools, scams have started popping up.
One such SCAM is an email from Assistance Individuals and Families without Borders (AIF- without Borders) EIN: 84-2301866. ID: 13969358 Nebraska https://aif-withoutbordersscholarshipfoundation.org. The return email is Laurent Kondohoma, Executive Director.
This group says they are a certified scholarship-granting organization that allows you to go to a website and donate to a scholarship fund. If you receive an email from this organization or individual, do NOT reply or contribute through this individual or organization.
Attention Juniors:
UNL Junior Jumpstart
The University of Nebraska, Lincoln, is hosting two Junior Jumpstart Open House events on April 8 and April 29 for high school juniors and their families to experience the Husker hospitality and learn more about the University, its unique attributes and the application process. Students should keep an eye on their inbox for their official invite in February.
Southeast Community College is hosting several opportunities for students to Visit SCC this Spring! Registration is now open! Please note, event space typically fills quickly, register as soon as possible to secure your spot!
Career Days: Our career day series gives students a hands-on experience as they learn alongside faculty, students, and industry partners. These events are for students interested in the specific career field. Lunch will be provided.
- Powersports Career Expo, Milford Campus, February 6, 5- 7:00 p.m.
- Careers in Technology Day, Lincoln Campus, February 7, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- Careers in Transportation Day, Milford Campus, February 20, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- Careers in Healthcare Days, Lincoln Campus, March 21 or March 22, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Beatrice Campus
- February 12, 9:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
- March 26, 9:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
- March 8, 9:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
- April 15, 9:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
- March 1, 9:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
- April 8, 9:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
- Lincoln Campus, February 23, 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Please register at least 5 days in advance of the event; early registration is encouraged to ensure we can accommodate complete groups as events reach capacity. More information about these events can be found here: Visit SCC
Have questions? We are here to help!
Contact us today at admissions@southeast.edu or call us at 402-437-2600.